my first ball python book

i received my first book on ball pythons today and my eyes are in heaven. i can't believe how many absolutely beautiful morphs i've seen in this book. and the information... well it's amazing how much i've already learned and that was with a mere two hours.

http://www.vpi.com/

Pythons of the World, Vol 2
BALL PYTHONS: History, Natural History, Care & Breeding
A book by David G. Barker & Tracy M. Barker

the images showing the differences between the same morph but created by a different breeder was so nice to see. i've heard about the differences but seeing them with your own eyes is very enlightening.

i can't wait to read more!!!

I agree its the most impressive BP book I have seen and by far my favorite! People that are not interested in snakes are usually very impressed with the beauty and diversity of BP's after glancing at the pics. Great pick up I know you will enjoy it for years to come!

you know what i love the most about this book... in the acknowledgements they say

"We take responsibility for all inaccuracies, errors, inadvertent omissions, or unpopular opinions." (page ix)

to me, there's some straight up, honest, real people! (dave and tracy)... right there in that statement... they aren't putting anything onto anyone else... they are saying... "if you don't like it... well it's what we believe is right"

i am so in love with this book... of course if i could get it out of my hubby's hands so i could have some time reading it...http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...e/madwife1.gif oh well... he works tomorrow so i'll have time to read some more then.

Congrats on the new book. Feel free to send it to me after your done. ;) (and I see you like my smilie too :giggle: )

I can't wait to get that book, I plan to order it in about two weeks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

I can't wait to get that book, I plan to order it in about two weeks!

---

I'm in the same boat I gotta get that book soon.

it is soooooooooooooooo great. really really great. even goes into what to expect in a transaction to buy a snake... dave told me they wanted to create the book they could never find to buy themselves... and so far, IMO, they've done it!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i received my first book on ball pythons today and my eyes are in heaven. i can't believe how many absolutely beautiful morphs i've seen in this book. and the information... well it's amazing how much i've already learned and that was with a mere two hours.

http://www.vpi.com/

Pythons of the World, Vol 2
BALL PYTHONS: History, Natural History, Care & Breeding
A book by David G. Barker & Tracy M. Barker

the images showing the differences between the same morph but created by a different breeder was so nice to see. i've heard about the differences but seeing them with your own eyes is very enlightening.

i can't wait to read more!!!

---

I just ordered mine I was wondering how long it took them to get it out to you? Can't wait to see and read it.

it came so fast i was amazed!!! and i'm in canada!

I can't wait to see it, thanks for the quick reply.

oh you'll have it so fast... you'll be amazed. just be prepared to NOT put it down for a few days. it's sooooo beautiful. the pics are so gorgeous. everything about it is so well explained, easy to understand and beautiful...

did i mention it's beautiful?

it's on my coffee table... and will be forever (unless it's in our hands!)

I received my book today it's amazing!!!.....I want to thank Dave and Tracy Barker this book is by far the best ball python book to date. I'd recomend it to everyone who loves these reptiles. Pictures galore info on every aspect of the trade.

It's not light reading either; a lot of the chapters are pretty intense. =)

I again highly recommend it for all ball python owners and enthusiasts. =)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Emilio

I received my book today it's amazing!!!.....I want to thank Dave and Tracy Barker this book is by far the best ball python book to date. I'd recomend it to everyone who loves these reptiles. Pictures galore info on every aspect of the trade.

---

so it took about 5 days for you to get yours? now THAT'S customer service! :sunny:

I just ordered mine yesterday and chose the cheapest (or US Mail) delivery option. As badly as I wanted to get it right away, I just couldn't make myself pay $10 more.


Now I get the fun anticipation of checking the mail every day!

Also bought my camera online yesterday too, but DID pay for next business day delivery and having it delivered to work - so I guess I get to spread out my delivery day excitements! LOL

I will have to get myself a copy. Thank you for posting this.:)

I wasn't expecting it today, I thought maybe Mon or Tues I ordered it on Sun the 14th. Thats great customer service for sure.:sweeet:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

I just ordered mine yesterday and chose the cheapest (or US Mail) delivery option. As badly as I wanted to get it right away, I just couldn't make myself pay $10 more.


Now I get the fun anticipation of checking the mail every day!

Also bought my camera online yesterday too, but DID pay for next business day delivery and having it delivered to work - so I guess I get to spread out my delivery day excitements! LOL

---

oh robin it is soooooooooo worth waiting for!!! expect to spend a LOT of time going page to page through the pictures... just breathtaking! i love how they show the difference between the different lines.

i'm getting all excited for ya and i have mine already :giggle:

want a cookie while you wait? :chew:

It is the best book on the market today.. I have all the books I could get my hands on, and I have to say that I love the Barkers book.


I highly recommend it! :thumbsup:

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steveo

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

---

that's a question i'd love to have answered by someone with both books who's read both books :please:

OVERVIEW:

Kevin's book is written in laymens terms. It has good information and good photos, but mostly focuses on the morphs themselves. (Great compilation of photos )

PROS: better descriptions of the combo animals than the Barkers book (IMO) Cheap
CONS: Not much on the animal itself, more on the care, breeding and morphs available.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Barker's book is more scientific, and goes into the history of the animal, the anatomy and physiology, physical characteristics, and much more. It has great photos as well.

PROS: Very indepth analysis of the animal itself, with photos of internal organs, more science. More in depth on behavior, etc.
CONS: Photos are just there, with description of the animal in the previous chapter, so you have to flip back and forth. Not a huge deal.. Rather expensive, but worth it!



SO, with that being said, if you just want a basic book about the animals, get Kev's book. If you want to know in depth about the chromatophores in the scales, get the Barker's book.

WooHoo! I ordered this book Friday morning, paid for Snail Mail service, and it arrived today! I wasn't expecting it until Friday or Saturday. I haven't even cracked open the box yet! :banana:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

WooHoo! I ordered this book Friday morning, paid for Snail Mail service, and it arrived today! I wasn't expecting it until Friday or Saturday. I haven't even cracked open the box yet! :banana:

---

Git r done!!!!

-adam

I flipped through it at the herp show hear!! I thought I was in heaven! I really wish it was easyer to afford...its hard for a kid to get 80 dollars.:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Git r done!!!!

-adam

---

Holy Moly!! I think I may be MIA from the forums for awhile! :D

Come to think of it, we haven't seen much of Emilio since he got his copy on Saturday, now I know why! :P

I saw this book in Daytona, got to flip through it, but not sit down to really read it - it's even better than I remembered!

Justin - add it to your birthday wish list! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steveo

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

---

Oh yeah!! :nods:

I think both books are great!

I will say one thing - some of the husbandry methods practiced by the Barkers are a little different than what my personal experience with balls has taught me....temperatures, supplemental heating; read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Kevin's book just seems more in line with the way I've always thought of as the "right" way to keep them (even though we've found that there are many "right" ways to keep ball pythons).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

I will say one thing - some of the husbandry methods practiced by the Barkers are a little different than what my personal experience with balls has taught me....temperatures, supplemental heating; read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about.

---

Yup, I've already seen one example in the five minutes I've thumbed through it!

cool judging by whats been said , it sounds like its well worth having both of the books :D , so im going to have to order it :rockon:

p.s is there any news/rumours of a Pythons of the world similar to the vol 1 (i love that book ) in the works perhap pythons of indonesia or Papua new guinea ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steveo

p.s is there any news/rumours of a Pythons of the world similar to the vol 1 (i love that book ) in the works perhap pythons of indonesia or Papua new guinea ?

---

I don't know about other works that they may have on the burner, but the one we're refering to IS Pythons of the World Volume II. :)

I just ordered Kevin's book this week and plan on getting the Barkers book in the next couple. Couldn't decide between the two and with the posts here- it looks like they both have strong points.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by catawhat75

I just ordered Kevin's book this week and plan on getting the Barkers book in the next couple. Couldn't decide between the two and with the posts here- it looks like they both have strong points.

---

You can't go wrong with either one! You're going to really enjoy The Complete Ball Python!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i received my first book on ball pythons today and my eyes are in heaven. i can't believe how many absolutely beautiful morphs i've seen in this book. and the information... well it's amazing how much i've already learned and that was with a mere two hours.

http://www.vpi.com/

Pythons of the World, Vol 2
BALL PYTHONS: History, Natural History, Care & Breeding
A book by David G. Barker & Tracy M. Barker

the images showing the differences between the same morph but created by a different breeder was so nice to see. i've heard about the differences but seeing them with your own eyes is very enlightening.

i can't wait to read more!!!

---

Since the next issue of my magazine is "Pets" I'm adding a review of this book to my issue.

If anyone wants to have a "quote" of theirs in with the review... let me know. Post it here exactly as you'd like it to read (we will edit for grammar) and sign the name you want to go with it. Either your first name or first and last... not a username. You all have few days to post your quotes... I think it'll be a great addition to the review to have others chiming in their thoughts as well!

One, two sentences... a paragraph... whatever tickles your fancy. There's lots of room for quotes on the page!

post it here or pm me... either way works for me!

Ordered the VPI book yesterday..w00t... :carrot:

wow now i wanna get it!! but i dont have the money for that right now:(.but for sure i'll get to finally try to get my morphs straight and learn more about BP's.plus it'll give me something to do if any of my classes get boring:D.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snakeman

wow now i wanna get it!! but i dont have the money for that right now:(.but for sure i'll get to finally try to get my morphs straight and learn more about BP's.plus it'll give me something to do if any of my classes get boring:D.

---

It's not exactly an inconspicous (sp?) book, nor a small one - in fact, it's rather heavy! Not easy to sneak peeks into during class! :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

It's not exactly an inconspicous (sp?) book, nor a small one - in fact, it's rather heavy! Not easy to sneak peeks into during class! :P

---

lol yeah i know it's a big one.during my math class when the teahcer does nothing but talk and talk, i bring out my "Snake" book which is pretty big and i read it(the teacher reviews everything i already know and that gets boring) and i dont even think he notices.

:rockon:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

inconspicous (sp?)

---

inconspicuous is what i think you meant:P

I ordered my book a week ago, and still haven't received a shipping confirmation number, just my paypal receipt number... I hope I get it soon, I'm psyched to read all it has to offer!


-Jason

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snakeman

inconspicuous is what i think you meant:P

---

Danke! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JBallPython

I ordered my book a week ago, and still haven't received a shipping confirmation number, just my paypal receipt number... I hope I get it soon, I'm psyched to read all it has to offer!


-Jason

---

I did not get a shipping confirmation either. I paid for mine on a Friday and received it by snail mail on Tuesday. Pretty quick turn around for me, but I may be closer than you to the publisher.

i didn't get a shipping confirmation either ;) but it came quick. you'll probably get it monday!

"VPI's Python's of the World, Volume II is an absolute necessity for the ball python enthusiast and any avid herper. It includes the science behind the animal, many in depth photos, and an up to date list of the current morphs available on the market. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning just a bit more about the pets they own."

Thanks Heather... I put your full name at the bottom of the review ;)

No problem :)

http://kingsnake.com/radio/davebarker06.mp3

wow, what a great interview... lots of info!