In this book, Minton shares some of his many experiences, from being on a navy ship when it was hit by a Kamikaze plane, to diving with sea snakes in the South Pacific;
chasing geckos in the Sind Desert and treating people with tropical diseases in Central America. This is a modest account of the full and exciting life of this gifted man, a physician; father of modern Indiana herpetology; expert in toxinology, sea snakes, and snake bite; and devoted husband and father. The life and career of this unusual man were fascinating. Growing up in New Albany, a small town in his beloved southern Indiana, he decided to become a herpetologist. His
father, a U.S. Senator, disapproved of his career choice and gave his son the option of becoming a lawyer or a medical doctor-Minton chose the latter. Throughout all of his travels, Minton collected information about amphibians and reptiles, and published more than 150 herpetological papers and books. Two popular books, Venomous Reptiles and Giant Reptiles, coauthored by his wife and lifelong assistant, Madge Rutherford Minton, have been staples for the younger generation of
herpetologists. He also wrote A Contribution to the Herpetology of West Pakistan, which remains the most definitive book on the subject to date. |
| | "If you want to know more about one of the icons in herpetology, toxinology and medicine of the
past 60 years, you will want to read this wonderful book." -- David L. Hardy, Sr., Sonoran Herpetologist, 14 (10) 2001
"Fascinating book, hard to put down. A must for anyone interested in reptiles." -- Debbie Hosley, Animals Exotic and Small Magazine, November 2001
"Anyone interested in herpetology and remarkable life spent pursuing it will want to read this book. Keep it on a nearby bookshelf for a later time when you again need to be inspired
and reminded about two very important aspects of our lives: love and reptiles." -- Raymond Novotny, Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 2002
"This book gives a superb insight into the life of a herpetologist in the 'early years.' It is both interesting and informative and makes a pleasant change, and some 'light relief' from the usual herpetological textbooks." -- Alan H. Wilkie, The Herptile, Dec. 2001
"I highly recommend this book to
herpetologists, those interested in the history of natural history, and those curious about what drives naturalists to do what they do." -- Joseph C. Mitchell, Herpetological Review, 33(3), 2002
"… a profusely illustrated and entertaining account of a fascinating man with a vast diversity of interests and experiences...Quite apart from the entertainment provided by the gentle, humorous but open and self-critical narrative, this book is also of enormous and lasting value in
providing insights into both a herpetological world that is now much changed, and one of the major but modest figures of twentieth century herpetology. Minton's life will appeal to all with herpetological interests, and many will find common themes with their own thoughts and experiences, as well as inspiration." -- Glenn Shea, Herpetofauna, 32 (1) 2002 |
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