This compact, attractive, and durable handbook is in many ways an updating of the 1951 pioneering work, Ferns of Georgia, by McVaugh and Pyron. The format is similar, with a full-page drawing and full-page text (including dot map) for each species. Most of the line drawings were done by Pyron for the earlier work, with new ones by University of Georgia graduate student, Cecile Smith. The text, including description, habitat, range, remarks, etc., is concise but useful, and the drawings are clearly and sharply printed on plain white paper. The newer book includes a chart that allows quick recognition of distinctive genera; but, as with keys, it requires a reader to have experience and knowledge of technical terms for it to be of fullest use.