Spiders, objects of eternal human fascination, are found in many places: on the ground, in the air, and even under water. Leslie Brunetta and Catherine Craig have teamed up to produce a substantive yet entertaining book for anyone who has ever wondered, as a spider rappelled out of reach on a line of silk, “How do they do that?”

The orb web, that iconic wheel-shaped web most of us associate with spiders, contains at least four different silk proteins, each performing a different function and all meshing together to create a fly-catching machine that has amazed and inspired humans through the ages. Brunetta and Craig tell the intriguing story of how spiders evolved over 400 million years to add new silks and new uses for silk to their survival “toolkit” and, in the telling, take readers far beyond the orb. The authors describe the trials and triumphs of spiders as they use silk to negotiate an ever-changing environment, and they show how natural selection acts at the genetic level and as individuals struggle for survival.

"'This is a fascinating and readable account of one of the great, overlooked mysteries of life.' — Simon Barnes, The Times" - The Times

". . . [a] remarkable history of evolutionary innovations in silk spinning by spiders. . . effective and entertaining."--Quarterly Review of Biology - Quarterly Review of Biology

". . . an ideal introduction to spiders and a tempting peek at the field of silk research that. . . will leave the reader forever fascinated and enthused by these wonderful web weavers."--BioScience - BioScience

"Library Journal bestseller in Zoology/Botany." - Library Journal

"'The book is full of amusing facts and observations. Definitely for the general reader with a keen interest in natural history.' — Tibor Fischer, Sunday Telegraph" - The Sunday Telegraph

"“This is a compelling and immensely readable account that engages the reader from start to finish and that I found difficult to put down.” –Tim R. New, Journal of Insect Conservation
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"'This is a compelling and immensely readable account that engages the reader from start to finish…A helpful index is also included, and a series of colour plates illustrate some of the book's subjects and themes…This well-produced book is a valuable and enjoyable contribution to fostering awareness of spider evolution…Buy it for your own interest, or as a gift for your favourite arachnophobe - you might just make a convert!' Tim R. New, Journal Of Insect Conservation (Australia)" - Journal of Insect Conservation (Australia)

"The language is lively and a passion for the subject shines through."—Sue Howarth, The Biologist Vol.57 No.3 - The Biologist Vol.57 No.3

"Supremely absorbing book."—Ben Hoare, BBC Wildlife Magazine - BBC Wildlife Magazine

"Recipient of the 2011 "Highly Recommended Book Award" presented by the Boston Authors Club" - Boston Authors Club

"Named the Silver Winner for the  2010 ForeWord Book of the Year Award in the Nature category " - ForeWord Magazine

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Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2011 in the Zoology category.

"Spider Silk is an educational, thoughtful, fun and compelling read. Each chapter presents the reader with a logical progression of the spider species’ evolution – from early common ancestors millions of years ago to spiders we come into contact with everyday… After reading this book, it is hard not to stop and marvel at the complexity of spiders and their webs.’ Rachael A. Carmen, Springer - Springer Journal

"Well written....Very readable."—Ruth Grierson, Mount Desert Islander - Mount Desert Islander