This new work on this uppermost popular family of shells was published on July 27th 2002. It can be called at least a nomenclatural refreshing book and it is a trendsetter for the future taxonomy in cowries. 6 new species of cowries are described, 16 new subspecies, and 14 new subspecies by taxonomic validation etc.. etc... At first glance this may be a surprise to many people, but when carefully reading the text, it is clear that Lorenz is right in the vast majority of his decisions. The text part is enriched by an extensive iconographical part and explains in detail all changes made. When reading, one becomes aware that Felix has become more expert in this moving conchological field, leaving open all possible changes for the future again... a most professional attitude and, while not agreeing with all, I can only congratulate him with the work done, in the name of myself and my team. The 292 page work handles the following subjects: - News about the genus Zoila - Subspecies of Mauritia maculifera and M. scurra. - Major changes in the Leporicypraea-mappa-complex: splitting up the map-cowries. - Description of the southeastern subspecies of Lyncina porteri - Luria, with many look-alikes - description of gilvella - Research on Cypraeovula - extensive - New taxa in Nesiocypraea - On Erronea bregeriana - On Erronea caurica - Validating a subspecies of Purpuradusta fimbriata - The lutea-complex - On a new subspecis of stolida - Extensive revision of the nightmare teres-complex. - New members in Cribrarula - Two new Notadusta - And finally the much justified description of the citrina dauphinensis. The book closes with an illustrated alphabetical list of all taxa in Cowries.