Shown a copy of The Pictorial Guide to the Primates, Washoe, the first chimpanzee to be taught sign language, replied ''Gimme!'' The talk around town is that this book evokes a similar response within the human primate community. Noel Rowe has traveled the world photographing prosimians, monkeys, and apes in both natural and zoo habitats and has compiled his exquisite pictures (along with those of other professionals) into the most comprehensive illustrated guide yet published to the primate order. More than 10 years of effort, combined with changes in world politics, have made it possible to obtain never-before-seen photos of many species from previously restricted areas such as China, Cambodia, Burma, Laos, and Vietnam (Rowe's special regional interests). In addition, photos of newly discovered or rediscovered primates from Brazil and Madagascar are featured.
Although The Pictorial Guide is handsome enough for any coffee table, it is more than simply a pretty picture book. Rowe provides information on taxonomy, geographic distribution, biology, ecology, behavior, and conservation status for each species. In the classroom or field, students and researchers can access over 1,000 literature citations. For aspiring primate photographers, photos are still missing from 11 species: two species of sportive lemur, the pygmy tarsier, five species of titi monkey, the Coiba Island howler, the drygas guenon, and the white-fronted leaf monkey. In addition, there are still a number of species for which basic information on biology, ecology and behavior is unknown. The author expresses hope that this lack of information will spur both novice and veteran researchers to action.