The Common Spiders of the United States

A friendly, down‑to‑earth guide invites listeners to discover the spiders that share our gardens, basements and barns across most of the United States. Written for curious readers who aren’t professional arachnologists, the book explains how to recognise common species using features visible to the naked eye, from body shape to distinctive markings. It also gently dispels the lingering fear of these eight‑legged neighbors, offering a calm, factual perspective on their habits and harmless bites.

Richly illustrated with the author’s own drawings and photographs, the text walks you through the anatomy of a spider and points out the tell‑tale clues that separate a garden orb‑weaver from a quick‑moving jumping spider. Covering a broad geographic sweep—from the Atlantic coast to the Rockies—the guide focuses on the hundreds of species most likely to be encountered in everyday life. Whether you’re a backyard naturalist or simply want to identify a creepy‑crawl you’ve found, this concise companion makes the world of American spiders both approachable and fascinating.