An essential reference for botanists and anyone working with trees and forests, this impressive work is also gracefully written, with succinct but detailed entries describing the traits of each conifer, the morphology of its parts, its size and habitat, with precise descriptions of the buds, needles, pollen cones, seed cones, bract blades, seed body, and other parts as applicable. Entry descriptions are followed by remarks on the conifer's appearance, use, history, history of study, and often, DNA and other evolutionary characteristics. Most entries include b&w photos; a series of color photos are included. A lengthy essay introduces each genera; there are also introductory essays on classification, names, conifers in nature and the garden, morphology, paleobotany and evolution, identification, and seed plants. This is an impressive work, reflecting a long career in the field. Eckenwalder is in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the U. of Toronto, Canada. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)