I've had it a while and it's a nice little book. Definitely won't replace Arnold though as it doesn't have the technical detail for separating some of the difficult species. It is a lot more up to date than Arnold with name changes etc, but is already a bit out of date on this respect itself... 

I think I prefer sketches instead of photos but I'll to take a look ; this new one is also great (french, Feb. 2010) : http://www.amazon.fr/guide-herp%C3%A9to-amphibiens-reptiles-dEurope/dp/2603016733/ref=pd_sim_b_2 

Yes the latest edition of the collins guide in french, seems the english edition of this version isn't available yet... 

Seems Philippe Geniez worked on that French edition. 

I have the German version of this book, already released back in 2005. I also saw the English version but it's just a translation, but the book itself is rather nice, some photographs are a bit crappy such as the one from Montivipera xanthina and information is sometimes not as elaborate as other guides but even still I think is a usefull guide that fits right in your pocket. 

It’s a very nice little pocket guide! not as comprehensive as my old Collins guide but I think the photography is very refreshing:-)


 

@ Jeroen,
yes it's Ph. Geniez like the first french edition (2004).

2004 : 199 species

2010 : 228 species

:o) 

I bought the English version of the book from the Natural History Museum in London, as soon as I saw it! It looks good at first glance but I got to say I was a bit disapointed with it when I read ir. It's not nearly as comprahensive as the Collins guide and I,too, prefer drawings (for firld guides) to photos. It is true that it has some nice photos and I also find it very handy that all features (text,illustration and maps) are put together in one place instead of in different sections like the Collins guide. Another thing is that a lot of species are missing in the book, not only as photos, but are not mentioned at all. I also found some mistakes in the maps,which I know are rough maps, but the ones in Collins are,too...and I find them much better! To summerize it all - the Collins guide is still the best of it's kind for me (regardless of the old names) 

I share your feelings, Ilian.

I like this one =>
http://www.libri.de/shop/action/productDetails/8366331/dieter_glandt_taschenlexikon_der_amphibien_und_reptilien_europas_3494014701.html

Pictures are rather small, but text is quite elaborate and good. Unfortunately, only in German. 

Yeah,the book is probably nice. Lots of good literature in German! Should've paid more attention during the 2 years I've studied it at school! :)) Unfortunately, I don't know anything now and I've got to say I feel sorry for that. 

What I find excellent about the Dieter Glandt book that it is the first field guide, as far as I remember, that gives good tips on how to observe a certain species.

Besides that it is very very complete...and for that extremely low price you can buy yourself a course in german language together with it :-) 

Yes, Dieter is a good writer. He is now preparing more books on European herpetology, so we will certainly have something to look forward to - they will also be in German language!

Kind regards,
Henrik Bringsøe 

Well, i finally gave this book a thorough reading while the baby was taking a nap; although i bought it when it was first advertised here.

From time to time i enjoyed looking at the pretty pictures and daydreaming about the herps, but now when i wanted to make a mark near every species i saw, i was really surprised, and disappointed, to find out that my favorite lizard - The Steppe runner is missing!

So, my advice is to stick to the good old Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe by Arnold.

Happy herping!
Vlad 

But, Vlad, you will indeed find a good description of Eremias arguta (nearly 3 pages) in Dieter Glandt's "Taschenlexikon der Amphibien und Reptilien Europas" from 2010!

Kind regards,
Henrik Bringsøe 

Glandt´s field guide looks indeed very good. I am very glad I understand german :-). German is for me easier language than english. Once I must buy this book. If some field guide to the reptiles of Europe lacks species like Eremias arguta, it´s not worthy to buy it in my opinion.