Thank you for this thread. While I have little to add regarding the analogy, I would like to say that my very first snake book was "Living Reptiles of the World" by Schmidt and Inger. I could sit there and look at the color photographs for hours on end. Also had books from Pope and Ditmars among others. It just takes me back to a simpler time when Reptiles brought me a true sense of wonder and amazement. I still love them but it is different now.