I just read and re-read this book. I bought it from Tyler at the show this weekend. It was written by Jerry Fife, so I knew it would be good, but I didn't know that it would be THIS good!
This is an EXCELLENT tortoise book. Its full of great Star tortoise info, but its also full of tons of great info on diet, housing, temps, pyramiding and hydration.
Even if you have no interest in stars, this is a great book to have just for the breakdown on all the foods.
After all this time, I finally understand the difference between all the different stars.
Because of this fantastic book, I have discovered the next tortoise species I want to work with. Geochelone platynota. The Burmese star.
According to the book, they are very hardy and they're from an area with a climate very similar to inland Southern CA. They apparently adapt very well to outdoor living right where I am. PERFECT!
This book took me back in time to a different era in my life. I used to get ALL of my info from books like this. I would read every reptile book I could get my hands on, and then re-read them. There was no internet or forums back then, so if you didn't have the good fortune to know Russ Gurley or the Fife's, all you had was their books.
Anyhow, I HIGHLY recommend this book, even if you don't care about star tortoises. Its that good.