I recall spending hours at a time thumbing through these pages as a child, captivated by the diversity of life cataloged in this 20-volume set. Although outdated, these volumes described in detail animals (and some single-celled organisms) while providing their taxonomy and stunning photographs and drawings. I would fall asleep reading these over and over again; turning the pages was always an adventure. I most certainly would pay good money for a similar modern set like this, even if it was 5 times as large. ( )