As someone who has long been fascinated with turtles, and has more recently had first hand experience with multiple species of tortoises, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in these remarkable animals. The authors artfully integrate scientific understanding, personal knowledge, and even humor to create a book that is both accessible and interesting for the general public and informative even for the experts; I really appreciate the authors focus on often explaining key concepts and ideas so that all could comprehend what was being presented. The pictures and illustrations included also add a wonderful touch. As a father of a large family, whose kids also share interests in these remarkable animals, I repeatedly found myself offering them useful information (and quizzing them about) various facts presented in the book. In the end, Tortoises of the World more than fills a gap that exists; it illuminates just how remarkable the family of Testudinidae is, and why we all should be invested in their conversation.James Schroeder