I just received and read both of these books and I'm really hesistant to post this but I was really dissapointed in the PDF book. First off German to English translations are always rough and this was no exception. That's not the author's fault but it limited the value of the book. There are a few updates in this book with newer equipment or techniques but the translations often make it difficult to transfer the information to what is available in the States or Canada. For example, they refer to T5 lights which I can only assume are what we call compact fluorescent. Unfortunately even these snippets of updated material were rare. Most of the information is basic, basic and they are very clear about that in the preface of the book. There just isn't much new information here. I was excited about the chapter on greenhouses but it turned out to be another disapointment. The information was extremely superficial and had very little information about designing a greenhouse specifically for frogs. The information presented can be found in any good greenhouse book and the frog specific stuff like, cover the vents with screen, is pretty obvious. The book is entertaining to read for someone already familiar with keeping PDF though. The info on biotopes was good but again, too superficial to satisfy me. The species specific accounts are also good but I found a few bits seemed a little outdated which was odd. It's a decent beginner's book but honestly, I still think the information in Hesselhause is as good as what is presented in this book and with a better translation. Samples and Wattley's book would get my recommendation to a beginner if they couldn't find Hesselhause. Hopefully the full blown volume will whet my appetite a little better because these guys obviously know their stuff and have done things in the hobby that most of us only dream of.
The Live Foods book was a little better. Another rough translation but it provides nice culture tips for a variety of feeders from springtails to mice. There is the problem of translating the German product names again. The best part was a design for a rearing chamber for massive amounts of springtails. However, this series of books is a bit expensive and for less money you can by "Thoughts for Food" from EDs which is overall a better book for a North American to use. It also covers the nutritional aspects much better than the breeder's series book.
These are just my opinions and I hate giving negative feedback on products, especially one so long overdue but there it is. However, if you are a bookophile like me, the PDF is still a must have for any hobbyist. I don't regret buying it but if a beginner asked my recommendation for one book to get started, this wouldn't be it.
