Wild Fire: The Splendours of India's Animal Kingdom, Part 2 of The Indian Wildlife Trilogy by Valmik Thapar [Hardcover]

India's Mammals is a comprehensive and visually stunning exploration of India’s rich mammalian biodiversity, meticulously developed and edited by renowned wildlife expert Valmik Thapar. The book is divided into three sections, offering a deep dive into the country’s wildlife heritage, both from a historical and contemporary perspective.

The first section, "Thoughts from Elsewhere," written by Thapar, provides an overview of India's natural heritage in the twenty-first century. It covers the distribution of mammalian species, the evolution of wildlife habitats, and the environmental threats facing India's wildlife today. Thapar’s insights serve as a vital introduction to the context of the country's biodiversity challenges.

The second section, "The Wildlife Chronicles," compiles some of the finest historical and contemporary accounts of India’s animals, dating back to the first century. It includes fascinating stories about the country’s iconic predators like tigers, leopards, and lions, as well as herbivores such as elephants and rhinos. Also featured are captivating accounts of lesser-known animals like river dolphins, bats, and monkeys. Contributions to this section come from esteemed writers, travelers, and naturalists including Babur, Jim Corbett, George Schaller, Ruskin Bond, and many others.

The third section, "Wild Fire," presents a curated selection of stunning photographs of India’s mammals, many of which are rare and never-before-seen images. This section offers an unparalleled visual experience, capturing the beauty and diversity of India’s mammalian species in their natural habitats.

This monumental work is one of the most comprehensive books ever published on Indian mammals, bringing together over a million words from top wildlife writers and photographers. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the richness of India’s mammalian wildlife, and serves as both an educational resource and an exquisite visual journey into the country’s natural world.