Below are some books about mantids. They are split into two sections. The first section contains books which deal predominantly with mantids. The second section deals with books that have a wider scope but do have a significant mantis content.
Books mainly about Mantids
Praying mantids and stick insects by A. S. Schoeman (year not known).
A general introduction. One of the publisher's "Insight” Series. 40 pages with colour photographs and line drawings. Published by De Jager-Haum, ISBN 0-7985-1368-8. Out of print.
Orthoptera, Mantidae by E. Giglio-Tos (1927)
Published as volume 50 of Tierreich. With 707 pages, in French, this is the standard work for identification of mantids. It gives keys to all known species. Out of print.
Mantodea (Fangheuschreken) by M. Beier (1968)
This is volume 4 part 2 section 12 of Handbuch der Zoologie. 47 pages, in German, this gives keys to subfamilies. It is particularly useful for the long list of references. Out of print but widely held by university libraries.
Books dealing with mantids
Grasshoppers and mantids of the world by Ken Preston-Mafham (1990)
Aimed at the general reader, this book deals with all aspects of Orthoptera, mantids, cockroaches and phasmids, and includes many colour photographs. Published by Blanford, ISBN 0-71372148-0. Price about £20.