This book was a really interesting "biography" of butterflies. Williams introduces us the various species and the science and scientists surrounding them. A great pick for anyone interested in the natural world.

This is a delightful read of the history and science behind the moth and butterfly. I enjoyed learning more about butterfly's from this author. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity.

This is a wonderfully narrated body of work that encompasses the butterfly. Here you will learn about everything from how the proboscis absorbs the nectar to the various colors and textures of their wings. How climate change is affecting their habitats to how man interferes with their psychotic need to kill and maimed butterfly's by pinning them obsessively to boards which is deeply disturbing. The various types are covered here as are the migrations of butterflies. I highly recommend this book for all who love butterfly's and their unique lives.

This is a wonderful read for all who enjoy science and appreciate butterfly's.

If you liked The Orchid Thief, or are a fan of the works of Mary Roach, you simply must read the Language of Butterflies. Run, don't walk, to buy this captivating and uproarious work of compelling nonfiction. Wendy Williams is my new auto-buy author.

I love pollinator insects, especially butterflies (who doesn't) and I was stoked to get a copy of this book. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations. The writing was dull and the content not much better. The book seemed to lack focus, opening with a narrative on Charles Darwin's study of a very specific moth that pollinated a very specific orchid, then moving to a more broad study of butterflies, the history of them, before narrowing back in on another topic. With a good edit, this might have been the book I was looking for. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled through this book. It was all over the map! I found it difficult to follow. The author provided some interesting insights into the science of butteflies and then jumped here-there and everywhere. I think she raises some interesting questions but doesn't answer them. What is the language of butterflies? How are their secrets unlocked? Its unfortunate because the Author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject but, she isn't a very good writer.

The Language of Butterflies by Wendy Williams is delightfully written and I found myself reading late into the night. I love butterflies and moths and often take day trips to various gardens in order to take photographs. In this book, I learned more information which helps me appreciate the delicacies and strengths of these beautiful insects. I learned the proboscis absorbs the nectar, pollen, or nutrition like a sponge. The colors and textures on the wings are considered scales. The bodies of butterflies and moths can be fluffy or thin, it depends on the species. The migrations of butterflies are the most amazing journeys!
The history of serious collectors for all specimens of Lepidoptera is so intriguing. It personally hurt my heart to think of all those beautiful “flying flowers” being caught and later pinned to a collectors board. The lengths of effort, time, and money those collectors expended to have the most impressive specimens were shocking. Maybe their collecting had truly become an addiction.
The language of Butterflies is filled with history, scientific information, and personal observances of the miracle lives of butterflies!
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A book as colorful and varied as its titular subjects, from the bestselling author of The Horse. It’s a thoroughly engaging mix of science, history, culture and personal narrative, as well as a testament to the need to conserve our fluttering friends. It also comes with the best subtitle of the month: “How Thieves, Hoarders, Scientists and Other Obsessives Unlocked the Secrets of the World’s Favorite Insect.”

Whether you admire butterflies, an enthusiast and or design your yard as a habitat to enjoy them more, this is a very informative and thoughtful book. I enjoyed learning more about their history and some of the other cultural legends as well as the sobering chapters about thievery. You can tell the author is well informed about everything butterflies.

If you are an admirer of butterflies, I highly recommend for more learning PBS's Nova Special called Magic in the Air and Winged Migration (one of these might be on hummingbirds) but it's one of these titles. Butterflies are definitely one of the species that deserves protection.

I highly recommend this read and buying the hardcover to own for your own library. It is that good. Thanks to NetGslley, the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who has been rearing butterflies and moths for over 20 years, I am still interested in learning more. There is so much to learn! The Language of Butterflies was a nice educational book that was easy to understand. I really enjoyed it.

The Language of Butterflies is an in depth look at the how's and why's of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths). The author's knowledge and enthusiasm on the subject is apparent through descriptions and histories regarding the finding, collecting and science of the species. As a butterfly enthusiast/educator Wendy Williams brings the reader the world of lepidopterans in an easy to understand yet not too simplistic text. It is a good read although a little lengthy.