• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Collins Bird Guide: new edition (1 Viewer)

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the publication date. The Waterstone's link above says it will be available in 5 days' time, while Amazon says 1 October 2008 and NHBS says 2009.
 
Think a copy will probably find it's way onto my birthday or christmas lists but not going to rush out and get it.

The current Collins is more than good enough for my needs.
 
I think that it's significant that, like some of the other sites quoted NHBS specialises in natural history books - it's their business to know what's happening in the narrow market they serve. Even more so that the old edition is being reprinted this month - not the sort of thing they'd just imagine. Personally, given the relatively modest price and that some of the most challenging groups could do with a 'makeover' (eg big gulls) I can't wait for this new edition. I really hope that publication date is 3/3/08 .... but I seriously doubt it! John
 
Perhaps the Hardback edition is coming out shortly and the paperback later. The 1st edition hardback came out in 1999 and the paperback version came out in 2001. I hope this isn't the case cos I'd prefer the paperback - merely because it will be a bit lighter.
 
As I understand it, there is no immediate prospect of a new edition appearing and these publication dates are fictitious.

Rob
 
Microtus said:
Edenwatcher, if that is the case, why are these dates being put forth?
Click to expand...

You'd really need to ask the publishers who constantly promise books will appear on such-and-such a date, but then, often at the last moment, change the date. It may be because authors/artists fail to meet deadlines, because publishers want to manipulate the way they bring out popular/less popular titles to keep cash flow going or merely that old favourite - the almighty cock-up! Who knows?

What is most annoying is when books are announced, dates are promised, you hear on the grapevine that the text/plates have been done and then suddenly the whole project has been dropped! Amongst others I've heard of books on gulls and BoPs where this has happened - most frustrating!

John
 
Edenwatcher et al, you may be interested in this:

http://beta.harpercollins.co.uk/Title/Default.aspx?id=36363

apparently HarperCollins beta for new site? found site while looking for this "when will it be here?" 2nd edition, then searched. it also says 3/3/08 2nd edition. One could hazard its changed to "Britain and Ireland" 'cus its not "The Most Complete Guide to Europe"?

Thats how I found this thread as well - which meant I finally had to join . . .

Mike
 
Last edited:
Im sure the book will be excellant just like the 1st edition.I was surprised that Blue chaffinch,tenerife goldcrest etc were in but not superbusrobin wasnt as there is quite a differance to the European one
 
It would appear that this is not a new edition of the Collins guide but infact a cut down version featuring only the birds of Britain and Ireland and thus will have just a fraction of the information included in the Britain and Europe guide. Probably better off buying the original Collins Guide if you can get one!!
 
Highway Man said:
It would appear that this is not a new edition of the Collins guide but infact a cut down version featuring only the birds of Britain and Ireland and thus will have just a fraction of the information included in the Britain and Europe guide. Probably better off buying the original Collins Guide if you can get one!!
Click to expand...


I hope you're right that would be great news. Lets hope they increase the font size and illustration size and improve the layout.
 
That would explain the title, but surely then it couldn't claim to be a second edition, as it would merely be a truncated form of the original Collins?

Is it just overzealous publishers trying to make it more "relevant" to each territory - does the Swedish version say "the most comprehensive guide to birds of Sweden and Scandinavia"? In Swedish, obviously...
 
Highway Man said:
It would appear that this is not a new edition of the Collins guide but infact a cut down version featuring only the birds of Britain and Ireland and thus will have just a fraction of the information included in the Britain and Europe guide. Probably better off buying the original Collins Guide if you can get one!!
Click to expand...

Better off or not rather depends on how you intend to use the book. As has already been said there's a very good argument for such a cut down edition. However, some of the pre-publication bumf about this new edition suggests that it has the same number of maps and more pages - an unlikely scenario were it a 'cut down' edition. I think it far more likely that the change in the subtitle is a matter of marketing than indicative of a change in the nature of the book,

John
 
John Cantelo said:
Better off or not rather depends on how you intend to use the book. As has already been said there's a very good argument for such a cut down edition. However, some of the pre-publication bumf about this new edition suggests that it has the same number of maps and more pages - an unlikely scenario were it a 'cut down' edition. I think it far more likely that the change in the subtitle is a matter of marketing than indicative of a change in the nature of the book,

John
Click to expand...

how very right - instead of the schadenfreude on one side, or is it going to be "whenever" on the other, how about going out birding - I would prefer a Britain and xxxx? as long as its got Britain - then I'll get Birds of the World - no damnit, thats a Collins guide as well . . .
 
'bout time

It really is about time isn't it? Southern Grey Shrike and Balearic Shearwater will get their own bit and I won't have to explain it anymore!

Unfortunately it will probably mean the rubber stamping of many of the idiotic name changes as, for instance, the demise of all the parus tits but one passes into the populus.

Anyone want to buy a cheap copy of the 'old' book?
 
I emailed Collins to find out and this is the reply.

Apologies for the delay in clarifying this for you - I'm afraid that publication of the new edition of the Collins Bird Guide has been postponed until next year, as new artwork is being prepared for some of the plates, and this is taking longer than originally anticipated.


We plan to publish both a hardback and a paperback version of the 2nd edition, as follows:


Small format HB
978-0-00-726726-2
Publication date: 2/3/2009
£25


Small format PB
978-0-00-726814-6
Publication date: 2/3/2009
£17.99


We are also looking into the possibility of publishing a large format HB edition in the Autumn of 2009, which would be priced around £40.


I hope this clarifies your query.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 14 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

D
More Bird Books For Sale job lot preferred
Replies
5
Views
1K
DebsinDorset
D
Swissboy
Quick-find Index to Collins Bird Guide 3rd edition
Replies
1
Views
818
Butty
B
Nicola Main
Collins Bird Guide 3rd Edition
Replies
1
Views
2K
Butty
B
SteveClark
6 weeks in the UK - which field guide book to get
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Stu57
Stu57
nkbj
New edition of Fågelguiden (Collins Bird Guide).
7 8 9
Replies
172
Views
27K
Crex67
Crex67

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top