"One does not have to look to the universe to behold the unusual. There is so much more to be seen and believed right here in the frequently bizarre nature of New Zealand." -from the prologue

This stunning book combines spectacular photography with natural history and personal experience to guide readers into "the land of the long white cloud." Second only to Hawaii in natural diversity, the New Zealand archipelago has borne centuries of environmental tumult and species destruction. At present, dedicated conservationists are working hard to revive shattered ecosystems and to restore endangered species.

In a heartfelt tribute to those efforts, the authors chronicle the environmental successes and failures while revealing the islands' otherworldly organisms and plant life. All of the photographs were taken either in the wild or in conservation areas, and many reveal plants and creatures rarely before seen.

From cabbage trees not unlike Dr. Seuss' Truffula trees to predatory snails, whiskered parrots and three-eyed lizards, New Zealand: A Natural History reveals a captivating world once thought to reside only in the human imagination. This is an impassioned celebration of the paradise the authors call home.