Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Books

Book SynopsisWhen all her islands are taken into consideration, the British coastline spans almost 8,000 miles, which is longer than both Brazil's and Mexico's. From the clear blue waters of serene Cornish bays to the tempestuous seas around rugged Pembrokeshire headlands, this new book journeys around the varied shorelines of England and Wales to complete the most comprehensive survey ever taken. Stuart Fisher, bestselling author of the similarly comprehensive Canals of Britain, visits all the places of interest along the entire coastline of England and Wales: from remote countryside to modern cities, exploring history and heritage, striking architecture and dramatic engineering, wildlife, wonderful flora and fauna, art and literature. His journey takes him from industrial hubs to small villages and fishing communities, providing a keen insight into what makes each stretch of Britain's shoreline unique and special. Evocative and often dramatic colour photographs help capture the great variet

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Book SynopsisRapid economic development has been a boon to human well-being. It has lifted millions out of poverty, raised standards of living, and increased life expectancies. But economic development comes at a significant cost to natural capital--the fertile soils, forests, coastal marshes, farmland--that support all life on earth, including our own. The dilemma of our times is to figure out how to improve the human condition without destroying nature's. If ecosystems collapse, so eventually will human civilization. One answer is inclusive green growth--the efficient use of natural resources. Inclusive green growth minimizes pollution and strengthens communities against natural disasters while reducing poverty through improved access to health, education, and services. Its genius lies in working with nature rather than against it. Green Growth That Works is the first practical guide to bring together pragmatic finance and policy tools that can make investment in natural capital both attractive and commonplace. The authors present six mechanisms that demonstrate a range of approaches used around the globe to conserve and restore earth's myriad ecosystems, including: Government subsidies Regulatory-driven mitigation Voluntary conservation Water funds Market-based transactions Bilateral and multilateral payments Through a series of real-world case studies, the book addresses questions such as: How can we channel economic incentives to make conservation and restoration desirable? What approaches have worked best? How can governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals work together successfully? Pioneered by leading scholars from the Natural Capital Project, this valuable compendium of proven techniques can guide agencies and organizations eager to make green growth work anywhere in the world.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Against all-too-human accounts of the Anthropocene, Jamie Lorimer envisions a dynamic cosmopolitics for wildlife. He demonstrates how species ‘conservation’ can somehow proceed as neither mastery nor naturalism but, instead, as necessary experiments in interspecies responsibility."—Stacy Alaimo, author of Bodily Natures: Science, Environment, and the Material Self"Jamie Lorimer has written a very provocative and relevant book about the future of conservation."—CHOICE"An enlightening and very readable introduction to some key concepts."—Human Geography"An important book for anyone engaged in conservation."—Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsContentsIntroduction: After the Anthropocene1. Wildlife: Companion Elephants and New Grounds for Multinatural Conservation2. Nonhuman Charisma: Counting Corncrakes and Learning to Be Affected in Multispecies Worlds3. Biodiversity as Biopolitics: Cutting Up Wildlife and Choreographing Conservation in the United Kingdom4. Conservation as Composition: Securing Premodern Ecologies in the Hebrides5. Wild Experiments: Rewilding Future Ecologies at the Oostvaardersplassen6. Wildlife on Screen: The Affective Logics and Micropolitics of Elephant Imagery7. Bringing Wildlife to Market: Flagship Species, Lively Capital, and the Commodification of Interspecies Encounters8. Spaces for Wildlife: Alternative Topologies for Life in Novel EcosystemsConclusion: Cosmopolitics for WildlifeAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisObject Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.Grave takes a ground-level view of how burial sites have transformed over time and how they continue to change. As a cemetery tour guide, Allison C. Meier has spent more time walking among tombstones than most. Even for her, the grave has largely been invisible, an out of the way and unobtrusive marker of death. However, graves turn out to be not always so subtle, reverent, or permanent. While the indigent and unidentified have frequently been interred in mass graves, a fate brought into the public eye during the COVID-19 pandemic, the practice today is not unlike burials in the potter's fields of the colonial era. Burial is not the only option, of course, and Meier analyzes the rise of cremation, green burial, and new practices like human composting, investigating what is next for the grave and how existing spaces of death can be returned to community life.Object Lessons Trade ReviewBeautifully written and filled with empathy and insight, Grave is a rumination over the how and why of human burial, complete with a slew of little known historical tidbits pulled together from years of the author’s fascination with the topic. It should be considered essential reading for anyone interested in funerary history, especially in the United States. * Paul Koudounaris, author of Heavenly Bodies, Memento Mori, and Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses *A thorough, insightful survey of the past, present, and future of the grave, and how humanity has grappled with the many problems and possibilities it represents. With compassion and an uncommon eye for detail, Allison Meier examines how the grave has functioned as a site of social inequality for centuries, and how a mixture of new technology and a revival of older practices may enliven cemeteries as sites of renewed community meaning. * Bess Lovejoy, author of Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses (2016) *Table of Contents1. The Grave: Our House of Eternity 2. Navigating Through Necrogeography 3. The Living and the Dead 4. The Privilege of Permanence 5. An Eternal Room of Our Own 6. No Resting Place 7. To Decay or Not to Decay 8. New Ideas for the Afterlife 9. Dead Space Notes Index

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Book SynopsisHow going flight-free can save the planet - and change how you see the worldTrade ReviewHelen Coffey’s book is an inspiration to share the joys of terrestrial travel – whether on high-speed rail, a slow boat to Africa or, as a pilgrim, on two feet. Be transported to a gentler, more analogue world – with simple pleasures such as the splash of the Adriatic less than 24 hours after leaving London -- Simon Calder, author of No Frills: The Truth Behind the Low-Cost Revolution in the SkiesZero Altitude is passionate, entertaining and compelling, yet light-hearted. Helen puts forward a strong case for travelling without flying that will have you yearning to follow in her grounded footsteps -- Anna Hughes, director of Flight Free UK

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Book SynopsisZombies have become an increasingly popular object of research in academic studies and, of course, in popular media. Over the past decade, they have been employed to explain mathematical equations, vortex phenomena in astrophysics, the need for improved laws, issues within higher education, and even the structure of human societies. Despite the surge of interest in the zombie as a critical metaphor, no coherent theoretical framework for studying the zombie actually exists. Addressing this current gap in the literature, Theorising the Contemporary Zombie defines zombiism as a means of theorising and examining various issues of society in any given era by immersing those social issues within the destabilising context of apocalyptic crisis; and applying this definition, the volume considers issues including gender, sexuality, family, literature, health, popular culture and extinction.Table of ContentsContents: Abstract Author Biographies List of Figures Introduction - Scott Hamilton and Conor Heffernan I. Zombified Bodies 1. Zombies, Deviance, and the Right to Posthuman Life - Poppy Wilde (Birmingham City University) 2. The Apocalypse Workout: Health, Identity and Zombies - Conor Heffernan (University of Texas at Austin) 3. Zombie Orgies and the Fear of the Outer Limits: Examining the Relationship between Fear, Pornography and Zombies - Caroline West (Dublin City University) 4. Aloha-oe: Hello, Goodbye to Love and Family in Sang-ho Yeon's Train to Busan - Harvey O'Brien (University College Dublin) II. Critical Environments 5. The Stalking Dead: Ireland's Ambiguous Revenants and the Case for a Folk-Zombie Revival - Jack Fennell (University of Limerick) 6. M.R. Carey's The Boy on the Bridge: Ethics and the Apocalypse - Scott Eric Hamilton (University College Dublin) 7. Zombie Colony: The Heteronomy of the Greek State & The Datura of Cultural Capital - Konstantinos Kerasovitis (University of Wolverhampton) 8. Last Ones Left Alive: Zombies and Post-Politics - Deirdre Flynn (University College Dublin) III. Undead Cultures 9. Beware the Zuvembies: Comics, Censorship, and the Ubiquity of Not-Quite-Zombies - Chera Kee (Wayne State University) 10. Distortions of the Video Dead: The Degradation of Reality in the Era of Zombie VHS - Peter Wright (The University of Sydney) 11. 'Violence is Italian art': Art and Adaptation in Lucio Fulci's 'Gates of Hell' Trilogy - Miranda Corcoran (University College Cork) 12. Surviving the Shambling Signifieds: Zombies, Language, and Chaos - Andrew Ferguson (University of Maryland) Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWith a new introduction by the author Some thousands of years ago, the world was home to an immense variety of large mammals. From wooly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers to giant ground sloths and armadillos the size of automobiles, these spectacular creatures roamed freely. Then human beings arrived. Devouring their way down the food chain as they spread across the planet, they began a process of voracious extinction that has continued to the present. Headlines today are made by the existential threat confronting remaining large animals such as rhinos and pandas. But the devastation summoned by humans extends to humbler realms of creatures including beetles, bats and butterflies. Researchers generally agree that the current extinction rate is nothing short of catastrophic. Currently the earth is losing about a hundred species every day. This relentless extinction, Ashley Dawson contends in a primer that combines vast scope with elegant precision, is the product of a global attack on the commons, the great trove of air, water, plants and creatures, as well as collectively created cultural forms such as language, that have been regarded traditionally as the inheritance of humanity as a whole. This attack has its genesis in the need for capital to expand relentlessly into all spheres of life. Extinction, Dawson argues, cannot be understood in isolation from a critique of our economic system. To achieve this we need to transgress the boundaries between science, environmentalism and radical politics. Extinction: A Radical History performs this task with both brio and brilliance.Trade ReviewPraise for the first edition: “Ashley Dawson’s slim and forceful book … makes a case for being the most accessible and politically engaged examination of the current mass extinction … a welcome contribution to the growing literature on this slow-motion calamity.” —Matthew Schneider-Mayerson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Yale University, in the Los Angeles Review of Books “Dawson's searing report on species loss will sober up anyone who has drunk the Kool-Aid of green capitalism. For a bonus, readers will learn a lot from his far-sighted, prehistoric survey of extinction.” —Andrew Ross, author of Creditocracy and the Case for Debt Refusal “Dawson has summed up the threat to our fellow species on Earth with clarity, urgency and the finest reasoning available within the environmental justice literature. He explains how capital's appropriation of nature cannot be 'offset,' nor solutions found in financialization. Fusing social and ecological challenges to power is the only way forward, and here is a long-awaited, elegant and comprehensive expression of why the time is right to make these links.” —Patrick Bond, Professor of Political Economy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and author of Politics of Climate Justice: Paralysis Above, Movement Below “A succinct and moving account of the co-evolution of capitalism, imperialism, and climate change. Dawson demonstrates not only how capitalism created climate change but also why the former must be challenged in order to halt the latter. Offering not only critique but also solutions, this rousing book is a great tool for anti-capitalists, climate change activists, and those still making sense of the intrinsic connections between the two.” —Jasbir Puar, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director Women's and Gender Studies, Rutgers University, author of Terrorist Assemblages “Historically grounded, densely researched, fluidly written, Ashley Dawson’s book on extinction is a powerful and painful exploration of human civilization's environmental irrationalities. Yet Dawson does not see annihilation as inevitable and he even points towards an alternate path.” —Christian Parenti, author of Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence

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Book SynopsisGrazing management might seem simple: just put livestock in a pasture and let them eat their fill. However, as Sarah Flack explains in The Art and Science of Grazing, the pasture/livestock relationship is incredibly complex. If a farmer doesn’t pay close attention to how the animals are grazing, the resulting poorly managed grazing system can be harmful to the health of the livestock, pasture plants, and soils. Well-managed pastures can instead create healthier animals, a diverse and resilient pasture ecosystem, and other benefits. Flack delves deeply below the surface of “let the cows eat grass,” demonstrating that grazing management is a sophisticated science that requires mastery of plant and animal physiology, animal behavior, and ecology. She also shows readers that applying grazing management science on a working farm is an art form that calls on grass farmers to be careful observers, excellent planners and record-keepers, skillful interpreters of their observations, and creative troubleshooters. The Art and Science of Grazing will allow farmers to gain a solid understanding of the key principles of grazing management so they can both design and manage successful grazing systems. The book’s unique approach presents information first from the perspective of pasture plants, and then from the livestock perspective—helping farmers understand both plant and animal needs before setting up a grazing system. This book is an essential guide for ruminant farmers who want to be able to create grazing systems that meet the needs of their livestock, pasture plants, soils, and the larger ecosystem. The book discusses all the practical details that are critical for sustained success: how to set up a new system or improve existing systems; acreage calculations; paddock layout; fence and drinking water access; lanes and other grazing infrastructure; managing livestock movement and flow; soil fertility; seeding and reseeding pastures; and more. The author includes descriptions of real grazing systems working well on dairy, beef, goat, and sheep farms in different regions of North America. The book covers pasture requirements specific to organic farming, but will be of use to both organic and non-organic farms.Trade ReviewCHOICE- "This is a great book. After reading this work, the reviewer felt as if he could almost start his own grazing system; the title provides readers with the right questions to ask. Flack (a consultant on grazing and organic livestock) is a concise and articulate author and educator. She knows the value of telling a simple story and supporting it with relevant illustrations. She has an elegant style and knows how to use the power of repetition to show how no part of grazing management is wholly independent. She has biases with respect to the best grazing management, but is evenhanded in presenting multiple alternatives to grazing issues. Her case studies are aptly chosen to illustrate how the grazing management she advocates can be both sustainable and profitable. Each chapter plays a role and successively builds on the knowledge previously gained. As a manual for introducing good land stewardship, this book admirably succeeds. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.”“I have long been fascinated by the logic of André Voisin’s system of Rational Grazing. Sarah Flack’s book has persuaded me that this could be a practical option for my own micro-dairy holding.”--Simon Fairlie, author of Meat“It gives me pleasure to recommend Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing. Sarah offers sound practical information for management of pastures in humid environments. Her years of experience and study allow her to explain the limitations of rotational grazing that were first highlighted by Andre Voisin and to confirm the soundness of Voisin’s Rational Grazing.”--Allan Savory, president, Savory Institute“With feet firmly planted in both practice and science, Sarah Flack introduces pasture-based livestock production in a way that is sure to encourage and empower.”--Joel Salatin, author of Salad Bar Beef“The Art and Science of Grazing is a beautiful and highly useful book. Read it, learn how to manage pasture well, then do it! Sarah Flack’s good counsel can save your farm and family and bring you happiness. What else is there?”--Bill Murphy, author of Greener Pastures on Your Side of the Fence“Amidst the flood of information on modern grass farming, Sarah Flack performs nothing short of a rescue operation, distilling the art and science of grazing into an immensely useful book. Experienced hands will learn plenty, but newcomers won’t be overwhelmed. The Art and Science of Grazing is sure to become one of the most well-worn books on graziers’ bookshelves.”--Fred Walters, publisher, Acres U.S.A.“Sarah Flack has written a wonderful guide to sustainable grazing. She discusses fundamental principles and specific practices that make her book meaningful for anyone interested in the art and science of grazing.”--Fred Provenza, professor emeritus, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University “More and more farmers and ranchers are thirsting for information on animal husbandry that truly protects and regenerates natural resources while enhancing economic viability. Sarah Flack is answering the call. In a readable, user-friendly format, her book provides concrete information and plenty of inspiration. An invaluable resource for anyone raising grazing animals.”--Nicolette Niman, author of Defending Beef“Sarah Flack’s The Art and Science of Grazing is an excellent guide for anyone with an interest in the regenerative potential of livestock grazing done right. Whether you are a farmer, rancher, conscientious consumer of meat, or concerned citizen of the planet, Flack’s clear, concise prose explains how good grazing is a natural fit in our world.”--Courtney White, author of Two Percent Solutions for the Planet“Intelligently managed grazing has tremendous potential to mitigate climate turmoil, and The Art and Science of Grazing contains everything you need to know to do the very best job of grazing. Sarah Flack explores every aspect of holistic pasture management in a most delightful manner that will help all who consult her book, from beginners to the most experienced graziers, to achieve their maximum potential in healing the Earth with livestock and land.”--Jack Lazor, author of The Organic Grain Grower“The Art and Science of Grazing is a comprehensive guide for new and experienced graziers. If I had to choose one book as a reference on grazing for both new and experienced livestock graziers, this would be it. The book is well organized, containing many excellent illustrations and beautiful photographs. Sarah Flack shares her knowledge on all aspects of grazing with emphasis on key principles that apply to all farms in humid regions. Multiple case studies provide interest and wisdom gained by farmers who have developed diverse, successful grazing operations throughout the country.”--Guy Jodarski, DVM, CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley

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Book SynopsisThe world is not as mobile or as interconnected as we like to think. As Harm de Blij argues in The Power of Place, in crucial ways--from the uneven distribution of natural resources to the unequal availability of opportunity--geography continues to hold billions of people in its grip. We are all born into natural and cultural environments that shape what we become, individually and collectively. From our mother tongue to our father''s faith, from medical risks to natural hazards, where we start our journey has much to do with our destiny. Hundreds of millions of farmers in the river basins of Asia and Africa, and tens of millions of shepherds in isolated mountain valleys from the Andes to Kashmir, all live their lives much as their distant ancestors did, remote from the forces of globalization. Incorporating a series of persuasive maps, De Blij describes the tremendously varied environments across the planet and shows how migrations between them are comparatively rare. De Blij also looks at the ways we are redefining place so as to make its power even more potent than it has been, with troubling implications.Trade Review"Should be set upon the desks of every legislator, policy wonk and concerned citizen."Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Globals, Locals, and Mobals2. The Imperial Legacy of Language3. The Fateful Geography of Religion4. The Rough Topography of Human Health5. Geography of Jeopardy6. Places Open and Shut7. Same Place, Divergent Destinies8. Power and the City9. Promise and Peril in the Provinces10. Lowering the BarriersWorks CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisEach year, 1.2 million people die from traffic fatalities, highlighting the need to design streets that offer safe and enticing travel choices for all people. Cities around the world are facing the same challenges as cities in the US, and many of these problems are rooted in outdated codes and standards. The Global Street Design Guide is a timely resource that sets a global baseline for designing streets and public spaces and redefines the role of streets in a rapidly urbanizing world. The guide will broaden how to measure the success of urban streets to include: access, safety, mobility for all users, environmental quality, economic benefit, public health, and overall quality of life. The first-ever worldwide standards for designing city streets and prioritising safety, pedestrians, public transport, and sustainable mobility are presented in the guide. Participating experts from global cities have helped to develop the principles that organise the guide. The Global Street Design Guide builds off the successful tools and tactics defined in NACTO's Urban Street Design Guide and Urban Bikeway Design Guide while addressing a variety of street typologies and design elements found in various contexts around the world. This innovative guide will inspire leaders, inform practitioners, and empower communities in realising the potential in their public space networks. It will help cities unlock the potential of streets as safe, accessible, and economically sustainable places.

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Book SynopsisDonald R. Prothero’s Evolution is an entertaining and rigorous history of the transitional forms and series found in the fossil record. In this second edition, Prothero describes new transitional fossils from various periods, and reframes creationism as a case study in denialism and pseudoscience.Trade ReviewIf you're one of these people who likes to read Dawkins, Gould and Darwin, I would highly recommend this book. If you doubted that evolution was true before, and then you looked at this book, I don't see how you could possibly continue to question it. -- Jerry Coyne, author of Faith Versus Fact: Why Science and Religion Are IncompatibleTable of ContentsForeword: Why People Do Not Accept EvolutionTo the Reader: Is Evolution a Threat to Your Religious Beliefs?Prologue: Fossils and EvolutionPreface to the Second EditionAcknowledgmentsPart I: Evolution and the Fossil Record1. The Nature of Science2. Science and Creationism3. The Fossil Record4. The Evolution of Evolution5. Systematics and EvolutionPart II: Evolution? The Fossils say YES!6. Life’s Origins7. Cambrian “Explosion”—or Slow Fuse?8. Spineless Wonders of Evolution9. Fish Tales10. Fish Out of Water11. Onto the Land and Back to the Sea: The Amniotes12. Dinosaurs Evolve—and Fly13. Mammalian Explosion14. Bossies and Blowholes15. The Ape’s Reflection?16. Why Does It Matter?BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisJames Lovelock''s bestselling The Revenge of Gaia: Why the Earth is Fighting Back - and How we can Still Save Humanity is a dire warning against the unchecked growth of civilization. ''Despite all our efforts to retreat sustainably, we may be unable to prevent a global decline into a chaotic world ruled by brutal warlords on a devastated Earth...'' For thousands of years, humans have exploited the planet without counting the cost. Now Gaia, the living Earth, is fighting back. As the polar icecaps shrink and the global temperature rises, we approach the point of no return. Sustainable development, Lovelock argues, is no longer possible, and the only open to us may be a ''sustainable retreat''. This is the one book you must read to find out what is happening, how bad it will get - and how we can survive. ''The most important book for decades''  Andrew Marr ''The most important book ever to be published on the environmen

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Book SynopsisScience tells us that a new and dangerous stage in planetary evolution has begun the Anthropocene, a time of rising temperatures, extreme weather, rising oceans, and mass species extinctions. Humanity faces not just more pollution or warmer weather, but a crisis of the Earth System. If business as usual continues, this century will be marked by rapid deterioration of our physical, social, and economic environment. Large parts of Earth will become uninhabitable, and civilization itself will be threatened. Facing the Anthropocene shows what has caused this planetary emergency, and what we must do to meet the challenge.Bridging the gap between Earth System science and ecological Marxism, Ian Angus examines not only the latest scientific findings about the physical causes and consequences of the Anthropocene transition, but also the social and economic trends that underlie the crisis. Cogent and compellingly written, Facing the Anthropocene offers a unique synthesis of natural and social science that illustrates how capitalism's inexorable drive for growth, powered by the rapid burning of fossil fuels that took millions of years to form, has driven our world to the brink of disaster.Survival in the Anthropocene, Angus argues, requires radical social change, replacing fossil capitalism with a new, ecosocialist civilization. "Trade Review"A crisp, eloquent and deeply informed call to arms by a leading eco-socialist."-author of "Planet of Slums" and "In Praise of Barbarians: Essays against Empire," Mike Davis"

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Book Synopsis''Astonishing ... beautiful, compelling and terrifying'' Observer''Wadhams'' writing sparkles ... a lyrical sense of wonder at the natural world ... essential reading ... may be the best reader-friendly account of the greenhouse effect available to date'' John Burnside, New StatesmanIce is beautiful and complex. It regulates our planet''s temperature. And it is vanishing - fast. Peter Wadhams, the world''s leading expert on sea ice, draws on his lifetime''s research in the Arctic region to illuminate what is happening, what it means for the future, and what can be done.''This most experienced and rational scientist states what so many other researchers privately fear but cannot publicly say'' John Vidal, Guardian''Wadhams brings huge expertise to his subject - and he is an excellent writer'' Martin Rees''Utterly extraordinary'' Jonathon PorrittTrade ReviewWadhams's particular combination - of scientific passion, a lyrical sense of wonder at the natural world, an ability to pluck clear analogies from the air, and outspoken analysis of consumer-capitalist politics - marks out A Farewell to Ice as essential reading. -- John Burnside * New Statesman *A passionate, authoritative overview of the role of ice in our climate system, past, present and, scarily, the future. -- Carl Wunsch, Professor Emeritus of Physical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Book SynopsisMetamorphic rocks are one of the three main types of rock. Originally comprising either igneous or sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks are the products of change by heat and pressure, often at great depths in the earth’s crust, into a completely new form. One of the classic examples of the result of a metamorphic process is the transformation of sedimentary mudstone into slate.Introducing Metamorphism provides a succinct introduction to metamorphism. Ian Sanders explains how and why rocks change during metamorphic processes. He discusses the role of water in metamorphism and describes the different types of metamorphic processes including contact, shock and high pressure metamorphism and metamorphism in an orogenic belt.Copiously illustrated and written for those who wish to gain a clear understanding of metamorphic processes, Introducing Metamorphism is designed to make the processes that led to the formation of these rocks intelligible to its readers. Technical terms are kept to a minimum and are explained in a glossary.Trade Review‘In summary, the author has succeeding in producing a text that provides a comprehensive description of metamorphism ranging from the simple fundamental definitions to complex metamorphic processes.It is superbly illustrated with, in particular, excellent photographs and microphotographs illustrating mineral textures, the relationship of minerals to structures and the relative development of minerals. In addition, there are many very clear and useful diagrams covering mineral types, their stability fields and their development under evolving metamorphic conditions, simplified facies maps, the relationship of minerals within triangular chemical diagrams, etc.This is a well-produced book and a comprehensive modern account of metamorphism.Each chapter contains a wealth of detail. It covers items of interest to the novice and those with experience in metamorphic rocks. Because of the depth of information, the relative novice might find a straight read rather overwhelming and might find it better to skim the essence of each section and then go back and study the detail as desired. Either way, all users will enjoy and gain from this book.’ Edinburgh Geologist'Ian Sanders has produced an excellent introductory text into perhaps one of the more abstract and technical areas of the Earth Sciences.Despite the fact that metamorphic rocks make up the bulk of the Earth’s crust, there is a glaring gap in the market for a succinct publication that examines the wide variety of processes that generate metamorphic rocks and minerals. Perhaps the paucity of publications in this field relates to the rather ‘unglamorous’ perception of this key area of geology or the necessity for at least a basic grounding in the chemical and physical sciences to understanding key metamorphic concepts. However, this book clearly shows the importance of understanding metamorphic processes in Earth Systems Science without losing the reader in the detailed kinematics of the subject.The joy of Ian Sander’s textbook is that it makes the processes responsible for the formation of metamorphic rocks intelligible to its readers but does not shy away from key theories and concepts. The lack of unnecessary terminology (which is included as a glossary in the appendix) and incorporation of numerous illustrations makes this textbook an enthralling and informative read. Buy it, sit back, relax, read and enjoy!'Teaching Earth SciencesTable of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. 1 Introduction: 1.1 What is metamorphism? 1.2 Metamorphic rocks – made under mountains; 1.3 Metamorphism in local settings. 2 The petrography of metamorphic rocks: 2.1 Quartzite and metapsammite; 2.2 Metapelite; 2.3 Marble; 2.4 Metabasite; 2.5 Metagranite; 2.6 Metaperidotite; 2.7 Summary of metamorphic minerals and protoliths. 3 Interpreting mineral changes and textures; 3.1 Mineral stability, fluids, and partial melting; 3.2 Understanding metamorphic textures. 4 Aureoles, orogenies and impacts: 4.1 Contact metamorphism; 4.2 Metamorphism in orogenic belts and subduction zones; 4.3 Shock metamorphism. 5 Case studies in geothermobarometry: 5.1 Granulite-facies rocks at Slishwood; 5.2 Eclogite-facies rocks at Glenelg. Appendix 1 The Earth’s interior. Appendix 2 The chemical formulae of minerals. Appendix 3 Minerals under the microscope. Appendix 4 Microbeam and X-ray methods. Appendix 5 The principles of isotopic dating (geochronology).

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Book SynopsisJohn Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough (1644-1722), was one of the greatest military commanders and statesman in the history of England. His descendant, Sir Winston Churchill wrote this work as both an act of homage, and as an historical insight into the man behind the statesman.Trade Review"The greatest historical work written in our century, an inexhaustible mine of political wisdom and understanding, which should be required reading for every student of political science." - Leo Strauss, University of Chicago "Rarely in the history of historical writing have author and subject seemed so made for each other." - Henry Steele Commager

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Book SynopsisA glorious wedding of science and art that celebrates the remarkable diversity of the life of the not-so-distant past.Trade ReviewThis book provides a unique review of the many unusual and nearly worldwide occurrences of sabertooths and their relatives over more than 50 million years. Though geared to the general public, it is also useful for professional paleontologists. . . . In sum, a useful survey of the literature and introduction to the overall biology of these dynamic animals. * Choice *Mauricio Antón is well known in the paleontological community for his amazing artwork, and his new book Sabertooth certainly doesn't disappoint. . . . This book not only features awe-inspiring paleoart, it is also a scholarly review of the primary literature that can be used as a professional reference. However, this should not dissuade the amateur paleontologist from reading this book, because Antón does a great job of explaining difficult concepts and making this material accessible to a broad audience.Table of ContentsPreface1. What is a Sabertooth?2. The Ecology of Sabertooths3. A "Who's Who" of Sabertooths4. Sabertooths as Living Predators5. ExtinctionsSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisLake District Mountain Landscape is a spectacular photographic perspective on the Lake District from award-winning mountain photographer and filmmaker Alastair Lee. More than five years in the making, it is a work of extraordinary commitment and originality.With an emphasis on the mountain heights, Lee captures the otherworldliness and majesty of the 'English Alps' in all seasons and conditions. An experienced climber, Lee brings all his skill and tenacity to the task of capturing sunrise from the summits of the highest peaks in England, moonlight on icy slopes and seas of cloud filling the familiar valleys of Lakeland.Ascents of seemingly unscalable crags such as Pillar and Gimmer Crag are celebrated, and 360-degree panoramas in ethereal upland light from high peaks including Helvellyn, Bowfell and Great Gable are complemented by a series of identifying sketches. In a book which is full of revelations for Lakelanders and visitors alike, Alastair Lee renews and redefines the magic of this much-loved landscape.Trade Review'Lee's Cezanne-like obsession with capturing and recording a rocky feature in all lights, conditions and weathers makes his quest a fascinating one.' (The Independent on Sunday). 'They're not just pretty pictures but images that speak of a fundamental appreciation of the hills as a refuge from the world and a visionary vantage point, a unique wild character in the landscapes of our imagination.' (The Guardian). 'Jaw-droppingly stunning views of Lake District fell tops feature in this quite breathtaking book from award-winning photographer Alastair Lee. No one leafing through this collection of inspirational images can fail to be impressed by the mood and majesty of the mountains that Lee has managed to capture through his lens.' (Westmorland Gazette). 'Any photography fans with an affection for the area should get hold of a copy and stick it on their bookshelf for emergency inspiration.' (Cameron McNeish, TGO Magazine). 'This beautiful 'coffee-table' collection of photographs is probably the most stunning I have ever received for review. Few photographers have produced such evocative pictures. This stunning volume is a gift to be treasured and enjoyed for years.' (Keswick Reminder). 'Lake District Mountain Landscape is a gorgeous look at the less-travelled route, where peaks meet sky, the summits of the landscape whose lower reaches were made famous by Wordsworth. Lee's photographs are compelling, and stunningly rendered in a large format book that carries its panoramic power to the eye.' (Steven Ross Smith, Director of Literary Arts, The Banff Centre). 'Some of the photographs in this collection of landscapes of the high Lakeland hills are sumptuous beyond words, and offer quite staggering detail. I've seen little else that captures what it's like to be high on the fells with the same expansive pleasure.' (Ed Douglas, calmandfearless.com).

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Book Synopsis* Inclusion of new techniques: thermal imaging and radioactivity methods * New section on case histories of multi-method environmental geophysical investigations * Improved artwork quality and layout .Table of ContentsPreface to the 2nd Edition xi Acknowledgements xiii 1 Introduction 1 1.1 What are ‘applied’ and ‘environmental’ geophysics? 1 1.2 Geophysical methods 3 1.3 Matching geophysical methods to applications 5 1.4 Planning a geophysical survey 5 1.5 Geophysical survey design 9 2 Gravity Methods 19 2.1 Introduction 19 2.2 Physical basis 19 2.3 Measurement of gravity 24 2.4 Gravity meters 26 2.5 Corrections to gravity observations 34 2.6 Interpretation methods 45 2.7 Applications and case histories 59 3 Geomagnetic Methods 83 3.1 Introduction 83 3.2 Basic concepts and units of geomagnetism 83 3.3 Magnetic properties of rocks 87 3.4 The Earth’s magnetic field 89 3.5 Magnetic instruments 95 3.6 Magnetic surveying 100 3.7 Qualitative interpretation 103 3.8 Quantitative interpretation 107 3.9 Applications and case histories 123 4 Applied Seismology: Introduction and Principles 143 4.1 Introduction 143 4.2 Seismic waves 144 4.3 Raypath geometry in layered ground 149 4.4 Loss of seismic energy 152 4.5 Seismic energy sources 154 4.6 Detection and recording of seismic waves 169 5 Seismic Refraction Surveying 179 5.1 Introduction 179 5.2 General principles of refraction surveying 179 5.3 Geometry of refracted raypaths 182 5.4 Interpretational methods 186 5.5 Applications and case histories 193 5.6 Shear wave methods 208 6 Seismic Reflection Surveying 217 6.1 Introduction 217 6.2 Reflection surveys 217 6.3 Reflection data processing 228 6.4 Correlating seismic data with borehole logs and cones 246 6.5 Interpretation 250 6.6 Applications 257 7 Electrical Resistivity Methods 289 7.1 Introduction 289 7.2 Basic principles 289 7.3 Electrode configurations and geometric factors 293 7.4 Modes of deployment 301 7.5 Interpretation methods 311 7.6 ERT applications and case histories 326 7.7 Mise-`a-la-masse (MALM) method 336 7.8 Leak detection through artificial membranes 346 8 Spontaneous (Self) Potential Methods 349 8.1 Introduction 349 8.2 Occurrence of self-potentials 349 8.3 Origin of self-potentials 349 8.4 Measurement of self-potentials 353 8.5 Corrections to SP data 354 8.6 Interpretation of self-potential anomalies 354 8.7 Applications and case histories 357 8.8 Electrokinetic (EK) surveying 371 9 Induced Polarisation 373 9.3 Measurement of induced polarisation 376 9.4 Applications and case histories 384 10 Electromagnetic Methods: Introduction and Principles 403 10.1 Introduction 403 10.2 Principles of EM surveying 407 10.3 Airborne EM surveying 411 10.4 Seaborne EM surveying 418 10.5 Borehole EM surveying 426 11 Electromagnetic Methods: Systems and Applications 431 11.1 Introduction 431 11.2 Continuous-wave (CW) systems 431 11.3 Pulse-transient (TEM) or time-domain (TDEM) EM systems 467 12 Electromagnetic Methods: Systems and Applications II 495 12.1 Very-low-frequency (VLF) methods 495 12.2 The telluric method 502 12.3 The magnetotelluric (MT) method 505 12.4 Magnetic Resonance Sounding (MRS) 519 13 Introduction to Ground-Penetrating Radar 535 13.1 Introduction 535 13.2 Principles of operation 537 13.3 Propagation of radiowaves 539 13.4 Dielectric properties of earth materials 546 13.5 Modes of data acquisition 552 13.6 Data processing 554 13.7 Interpretation techniques 560 14 Ground-Penetrating Radar: Applications and Case Histories 565 14.1 Geological mapping 565 14.2 Hydrogeology and groundwater contamination 571 14.3 Glaciological applications 578 14.4 Engineering applications on manmade structures 587 14.5 Voids within manmade structures 599 14.6 Archaeological investigations 603 14.7 Forensic uses of GPR 607 14.8 Wide-aperture radar mapping and migration processing 607 14.9 Borehole radar 609 14.10 UXO and landmine detection 617 14.11 Animals 618 15 Radiometrics 625 15.1 Introduction 625 15.2 Natural radiation 625 15.3 Radioactivity of rocks 628 15.4 Radiation detectors 628 15.5 Data correction methods 633 15.6 Radiometric data presentation 635 15.7 Case histories 636 Appendix 645 References 649 Index 681

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Book SynopsisA fascinating insight into the badger’s world. Badger biology, life in the sett, rescue & rehabilitation, consultancy, badgers & farming, and badger-watching with George Pearce – an expert on badgers. George has surveyed over 700 sites, visited 1,500 setts, been consulted as an expert in 120 animal cruelty cases and rehabilitated more than 100 badgers. Brought up on a farm, he earned his living as a farmer for 45 years. Today, he is a badger consultant and one of the foremost experts on the British mammal he admires the most. For many years, the RSPCA, police, veterinary surgeons and conservation groups all over the country have relied on George Pearce’s knowledge and his instinctive feel for animal behaviour. Now you can share in his experience and enthusiasm for badgers from his 70 years of badger watching and his vast professional wildlife experience.Trade ReviewPearce reveals a remarkable depth of knowledge about these mammals. As well as discussing badger ecology, he offers advice on many topics not covered by other authors, such as how to conduct surveys and build artificial setts. His down-to-earth manner owes more to the style of the ecological pioneer John Seymour than to the 'father' of badger biology, Ernest Neal. -- David Dixon * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. A lifetime’s experience Marooned: a bundle of badgers 2 .Badger biology Scented signposts; What’s on the menu?; Follow the tracks; Clues in the latrines; Spoilheaps: mountains of information 3. The world of the sett Secret world of the sett; Tunnels: DIY larders Reproduction Head over heels – but it gave me a clue 4. Badgers in the family Badgers – every one a character; Hiya, captivating Hiya; Bodger, the one and only Bodger 5. Badger rescue Road victim with a sad secret; Road victims: what you should do; A badger in a sack and the owl that wheezed; Help them, but don’t hang on to them 6. Badger consultancy Ducks’ legs and raindrops; Makeway, makeway; Have they read the book?; Some of the things I am asked to do; You name it, they’ll dig there; Sett closures and artificial setts; Tackling the big jobs 7. Badgers and farming Too much muscle; “Killed a hundred, he’ as”; Carry on farming!; Bovine tuberculosis (bTB); Badgers and bTB 8. Badger-watching Sett-watching tips; Sit quietly!; The weather; Feeding badgers ; Seeing in the dark; Hides 9. Final thoughts Useful contacts Index

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Book SynopsisHow to Permaculture Your Life is a resource book for anyone who wants to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. It discusses: some of the most nutritious food and fodder plants, how to build gardens and improve our soils, strategies for rural properties, how to harvest, store, conserve and reuse water and energy, and much more!

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Book SynopsisThe provision of sustainable energy supplies for an expanding and increasingly productive world is one of the major issues facing civilisation today. Renewable Energy examines both the practical and economic potential of the renewable energy sources to meet this challenge. The underlying physical and technological principles behind deriving power from direct solar (solar thermal and photovoltaics), indirect solar (biomass, hydro, wind and wave) and non-solar (tidal and geothermal) energy sources are explained, within the context of their environmental impacts, their economics and their future prospects. Renewable Energy provides both perspective and detail on the relative merits and state of progress of technologies for utilizing the various ''renewables''. The analysis considers emissions, sustainability, cost implications and energy security, as political and economic pressures move society towards a low-carbon future. From an overview of basic energy conversion processes, throughTrade ReviewReview from previous edition I have reviewed many textbooks on renewable energy and this one stands clearly above them all. It provides an excellent balance between technical content and practical application. * Douglas J Reinemann, Professor of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA *The quality of illustrations in Renewable Energy , as well as the inclusion of energy data for North America, make this and its sister volume, Energy Systems and Sustainability , my top choice for any energy program in higher education. * James Leidel, Director of Clean Energy Syctems, Oakland University, USA *A great introductory text for teaching, and an excellent reference for your bookshelf. * Ian Mason, University of Canterbury, NZ *An excellent overview of all the principal renewable energy technologies, placing them in the context of the overall power system. Individual chapters are all written by experts, but edited into a common style so that the level of detail is comparable across all chapters. The best book of its sort on the market. * Paul Younger, University of Glasgow *Excellent textbook for an introductory course on renewable energy systems. Some mathematical principles are introduced to reinforce concepts. Overall excellent material to get undergraduate students engaged with the field before digging into the detail. * Tom Norton, Harper Adams University, UK *This textbook continues the high standards of previous editions in terms of the clarity with which it explains the technologies while offering high quality graphics. * Peter Connor, University of Exeter *Table of Contents1: Introducing Renewable Energy 2: Thermodynamics and Heat Pumps 3: Solar Thermal Energy 4: Solar Photovoltaics 5: Bioenergy 6: Hydroelectricity 7: Tidal Power 8: Wind Energy 9: Wave Energy 10: Geothermal Energy 11: Integrating Renewable Energy 12: Renewable Energy Futures A1: Appendix: Investing in renewable energy A2: Appendix: Units

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Book Synopsis"How Soon is Now? will challenge most conventionally held assumptions about the global environment" MobyThe World Needs to ChangeWe have unleashed a mega-crisis threatening the future of life on Earth. The actions we take over the next decade are critical. They will determine the destiny of our descendants and the fate of our world.Is It Too Late?How Soon is Now? presents a compelling manifesto for personal and planetary change. It proposes a new narrative for a unified social movement. Through global cooperation, we can face this collective threat- ecologically, socially, politically, and spiritually. We can launch a new operating system for human society based on regenerative principles.The Choice Is OursAccepting this crisis as our initiation, we can choose to evolve to the next level of consciousness as a species. We can do more than survive: we can thrive."A blueprint for the future" Russell BrandTrade Review'It speaks to something I often say our culture sorely lacks: Rites of passage.' - Neil Strauss 'How Soon is Now? gives us the context we need to understand the chaos and turbulence of our times.' - Sting 'A blueprint for the future' - Russell Brand 'Daniel Pinchbeck's HOW SOON IS NOW? is a powerful exploration of our need for a massive upgrade of collective consciousness if we are to address the inconsistencies and pathologies that afflict the modern world. While we have seen massive progress, we have also seen moral failures... and our unwillingness to question preexisting dogma might cost us dearly. Daniel's book offers a startling call to action!' - Jason Silva, artist, filmmaker and futurist 'Here we are, humanity, caught in the moment between devolution and conscious evolution by choice, not chance. Daniel Pinchbeck's new book takes us to this exact inflection point and reveals in remarkable clarity and brilliance, We Do Know What To Do, in almost every field from spiritual to social to environmental innovations arising everywhere.' - Barbara Marx Hubbard, author, Conscious Evolution 'Daniel Pinchbeck has emerged as a rational and clear voice of hope for a new post-capitalist future, offering alternatives to hack democracy for a better society.' - Jefferson Hack, CEO and Founder, Dazed & Confused 'I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to make sense of climate change within a bigger picture that includes the evolution of civilization and consciousness.' - Charles Eisenstein, author, Sacred Economics 'How Soon Is Now offers a spiritually driven approach to global economic and ecological crisis... With dangerous and admirable honesty, Pinchbeck tests his deepest held assumptions and judges his life choices in a crucible of self-doubt. It's at once an initiation for himself, and an invitation for us to ask these same sorts of questions of ourselves as individuals and a society.' - Doug Rushkoff, author, Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus 'Provides deep insight into the essential issues of our time ... could spark the revolution of consciousness that is the revolution not just of thinking, but of acting.' - Ervin Laszlo, Bestselling Author and Philosopher 'Daniel Pinchbeck's life is the hero's journey. Like Homer's Odyssey, How Soon Is Now is a song of redemption for a world torn apart by the monsters of our own creation. We've dreamed a world that is consuming itself into extinction. Pinchbeck offers us a new dream and in doing so takes us on a powerful, magical voyage into balance and sanity.' - John Perkins, New York Times Bestselling Author of Confessions of an Economic Hitman 'With his new work Daniel Pinchbeck is proposing systemic solutions to the ecological crisis looming over us, requiring a drastic shift in lifestyle and new levels of global cooperation. Whether or not you agree with all of his conclusions, How Soon Is Now? will challenge most conventionally held assumptions about the global environment.' - Moby

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Book SynopsisWho invented God? When, why, and where? Thomas Römer seeks to answer these enigmatic questions about the deity of the great monotheisms—Yhwh, God, or Allah—by tracing Israelite beliefs and their context from the Bronze Age to the end of the Old Testament period in the third century BCE, in a masterpiece of detective work and exposition.Trade ReviewRömer, a distinguished scholar rather than an ideologue, seeks to determine exactly what is historical and exactly what is not in the depiction of God. This is a brilliant book. -- Robert A. Segal * Times Higher Education *Römer presents a scholarly and provocative account of how a minor tribal deity likely grew to become—or revealed himself to be—Lord of Creation. -- David O’Reilly * Philadelphia Inquirer *Römer is interested in the emergence of a deity whose nature is now so familiar that its startling originality no longer startles. -- Brian Bethune * Maclean’s *It reads very well, is well translated and has a bit of the excitement of discovery for engaged readers. -- John C. Endres and Jean-François Racine * America *Römer deftly weaves together evidence from the Bible with extra-biblical archeological finds that mention Israel and Yhwh to outline the development of monotheism… Not until Jerusalem’s destruction in 587 BCE did Yhwh become the universal, monotheistic god untied to place or particular monarch, the god who was later adopted by Christians and Muslims. Römer writes with clarity and accuracy and tells a compelling story. This book is a masterful work, tying together an enormous amount of information in a concise format. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *There is nothing quite like this book in English. The Invention of God traces the history of the God of Israel from the late Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period, charting the rise of Yhwh as the sole God. The period covered is vast, the thesis is provocative and stimulating, and the scholarship is cutting-edge. -- Timothy Lim, University of EdinburghRömer is a sure-footed guide to what is often a difficult discussion. A learned and elegant book. -- Nathan MacDonald, University of CambridgeRömer is the first to have brought all the relevant material together in such an accessible form, setting out both literary and archaeological evidence clearly and readably. -- John Barton * Church Times *[An] excellent book…A masterly work of historical detection that looks at the evolution of Jewish faith from the Bronze Age to the Hellenic period. This is a superb work of scholarship. -- Paul Richardson * The Church of England Newspaper *

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Book SynopsisSome 250 million years ago, the earth suffered the greatest biological crisis in its history. Around 95 percent of all living species died out--a global catastrophe far greater than the dinosaurs' demise 185 million years later. How this happened remains a mystery. But there are many competing theories. Some blame huge volcanic eruptions that coverTrade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2006 "Theories and mysteries can be dispelled with good data from the geologic record, and Erwin (a paleobiologist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History) offers an authoritative account of the search for these data and for the cause of the extinction... Extinction provides a great reference for researchers and the interested lay reader alike."--Andrew M. Bush, Science "Extinction is a very enjoyable read... It provides a thoroughly up-to-date account of the causes of the end-Permian event and the developments in the field since 1993 as seen through the eyes of one of the key players... Extinction leaves the reader with the (accurate) picture that here is a scientist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of the greatest extinction event known to science... [A] readable and scholarly account."--Richard J. Twitchett, American Scientist "Douglas Erwin's geological mystery story is engrossing. It contains a tribute to the scientific method--and also the collaborations of research. The book ends with Erwin warning that the Earth is arguably entering another mass extinction period, this time unnatural and man-made. And this time the destruction may well be total."--Lucy Sussex, The Age (Sunday edition) "Douglas H. Erwin, a Smithsonian paleobiologist and one of the leading experts on the Permian extinction has meticulously sifted through the evidence... His accessible new book, Extinction--written, it seems, both to persuade his colleagues and to educate a lay audience--is told from the perspective of a forensic scientist trying to piece together a quarter-billion-year-old crime scene."--Joshua Foer, Washington Post Book World "Douglas Erwin describes how life on Earth was nearly destroyed at the end of the Permian period, 250 million years ago... The author ... explain[s] what this paleontological, as well as geological, evidence can tell scientists about the dramatic and deadly shift in the Earth's environment."--Science News "No one can tell this story better than Douglas Erwin. His book is a superbly written account of what we know about the Permian extinctions... More than a geological story, this book is an excellent model of how science addresses complicated questions."--Choice "This book does not justify a single, accepted causal sequence of events ... to account for the end-Permian extinction. Instead, Erwin dissects the evidence for and against each hypothesis, impartially weighing their strengths and weaknesses. Although this book may frustrate readers expecting to learn how life nearly ended 250 million years ago, it will reward them with a fascinating case study in scientific inference, a case that remains very much open."--John P. Hunter, Quarterly Review of Biology "Erwin's book is science writing for the general public at its best and most lucid. Entertaining, informative, and thought provoking."--Northeastern Naturalist "Erwin offers a thorough overview of one of the most interesting problems in earth history... Erwin takes the readers on an insider's journey that includes adventures in the field, tedious hours in the laboratory, and stimulating but sometimes contentious exchanges among colleagues at scientific meetings. He gives rigorous consideration to every reasonable hypothesis... Erwin's short course is a professional service for geologists (like me) who have read only some of the primary literature on the end-Permian extinction."--Stephen O. Moshier, Books & Culture "For scientists as well as general educated readers, this book enlightens its readers to the complexity of the largest biological crisis the earth has yet seen."--H.J.M. Meijer, PalArch's Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology "I recommend Extinction: How Life on Earth Nearly Ended 250 Million Years Ago to scientists and nonscientists alike. It provides a clear, comprehensive, and compelling introduction to the greatest catastrophe in the history of animal life and proposes a reasonable hypothesis for the cause of the extinction that will undoubtedly be tested vigorously with new data in the coming decade."--Jonathan L. Payne, ComplexityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Preface to the New Paperback Edition ix CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2: A Cacophony of Causes 17 CHAPTER 3: South China Interlude 59 CHAPTER 4: It's a Matter of Time 77 CHAPTER 5: Filter Feeding Fails 98 CHAPTER 6: South African Eden 124 CHAPTER 7: The Perils of Permian Seas 161 CHAPTER 8: Denouement 187 CHAPTER 9: Resurrection and Recovery 218 CHAPTER 10: The Paradox of the Permo-Triassic 245 Notes 263 References 275 Index 293

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Book SynopsisA radical, yet accessible, new theory of the origins and future of the universe by two of the world's leading cosmologistsTrade ReviewA very readable tale of scientific investigation * DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book Synopsis`The whole hive is really pervaded by the life of love. The individual bees relinquish love but develop it instead throughout the hive. And so we start to understand bee existence if we recognize that the bee lives in an air, an atmosphere, that is entirely impregnated with love.’ From time immemorial, human culture has been fascinated by bees. Mythic pictures and writings tell of our close affinity and connection with these complex creatures, as well as the inestimable value of honey and wax. In recent years, bees have come to prominence again in the media, with reports of colony collapse and the wholesale demise of bee populations, forcing us to awaken to the critical role they play in human existence. Rudolf Steiner’s unique talks reveal the hidden wisdom at work in bee colonies. Speaking in Switzerland in 1923, in response to concerns from beekeepers amongst his local workforce, Steiner delivered a series of addresses whose multi-layered content, structure and wording is unparalleled. In The World of Bees, editor Martin Dettli, a longstanding beekeeper, uses Steiner’s seminal bee lectures as the main framework of the book, augmenting them with further relevant passages from Steiner’s collected works. Dettli also provides substantial commentaries on the texts, placing them within the context of contemporary beekeeping. This new anthology is an essential handbook for anyone interested in beekeeping or the indispensable work that bees do for humanity. It features chapters on the origins of bees, human beings and beekeeping, the organism of the hive, the social qualities of bees, their relationship with wasps and ants, plants and elemental beings, the efficacy of honey, bee venom, as well as scientific aspects such as silica and formic acid processes and a critique of modern beekeeping.

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Book SynopsisIn the growing debate over eco-friendly living, it seems that everything is as bad as everything else. Do you do more harm by living in the country or the city? Is it better to drive a thousand miles or take an airplane? In NO IMPACT MAN, Colin Beavan tells the extraordinary story of his attempt to find some answers - by living for one year in New York City (with his wife and young daughter) without leaving any net impact on the environment. His family cut out all driving and flying, used no air conditioning, no television, no toilets. . .They went from making a few concessions to becoming eco-extremists. The goal? To determine what works and what doesn''t, and to fashion a truly ''eco-effective'' way of life. Beavan''s radical experiment makes for an unforgettable and humorous memoir in an attempt to answer perhaps the most important question of all: What is the sufficient individual effort that it would take to save the planet? And what is stopping us?Trade ReviewFrom their first baby steps (no takeout) to their giant leap (no toilet paper), the Beavan s' experiment in ecological responsibility was a daunting escapade in going green . . . So fervent as to make Al Gore look like a profligate wastrel, Beavan's commitment to the cause is, nonetheless, infectiously inspiring and uproariously entertaining * BOOKLIST ‘With thorough research, Beavan updates his blog (noimpactman.com) with convincing statistical evidence, while discovering new ways to reduce consumption and his family’s environmental footprint . . . An inspiring, persuasive argument that indivi *KIRKUS REVIEWS * ‘Beavan captures his own shortcomings with candor and wit and offers surprising revelations . . . [Readers] will mull over his thought-provoking reflections and hopefully reconsider their own lifestyles’ *PUBLISHERS WEEKLY * ‘No Impact Man is a deeply honest and riveting account of the year in which Colin Beavan and his wife attempted to do what most of us would consider impossible. What might seem inconvenient to the point of absurdity instead teaches lessons that all of us *Marion Nestle, author of WHAT TO EAT * ‘Colin Beavan has the disarming and uniquely remedial ability to make you laugh while he's making you feel like a swine, and what's more, to make you not only want to, but to actually do something, about it’ *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Lifeblood offers a radically alternative way of thinking about ‘cheap oil’ and ‘oil addiction’ and in so doing peers beneath the liquid surfaces of petroleum to see how the long century of American oil consumption has been central to the rise of American neoliberalism itself. An original and masterful account of oil in contemporary American capitalism."—Michael Watts, University of California, Berkeley"Compellingly presented and enlivened by fascinating archival research, Huber’s arguments about the ‘ecology of politics’ and the centrality of oil to the making of ‘entrepreneurial life’ are important and intriguing."—Gavin Bridge, Durham University"Huber offers a poignant analysis of how oil shapes “the American way of life” and neoliberal hegemony in the US."—CHOICE"Huber makes it abundantly clear that the problems with patterns of oil consumption are not fundamentally technical and economic but cultural, social, and political."—Economic Geography"An incisive look into how oil permeates our lives and helped shape American politics during the twentieth century."—New Books in Geography"The most succinct, theoretically grounded critique of the culture of oil yet in print."—Humanities and Social Sciences Review Online"[Lifeblood Oil] is a compelling account, and is highly recommended."—Urban Studies"Huber takes us. . . into Americans’ own subconscious minds, to their un-thought-out daily patterns, and their emotional attachments to a sense of entrepreneurial success--and shows how these are linked materially to oil."—Environmental History"An elegantly written and empirically rich account which joins economic history, cultural analysis, and Marxist political economy."—Human GeographyTable of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Oil, Life, Politics1. The Power of Oil? Energy, Machines, and the Forces of Capital2. Refueling Capitalism: Depression, Oil, and the Making of “the American Way of Life”3. Fractionated Lives: Refineries and the Ecology of Entrepreneurial Life4. Shocked! “Energy Crisis,” Neoliberalism, and the Construction of an Apolitical Economy5. Pain at the Pump: Gas Prices, Life, and Death under NeoliberalismConclusion: Energizing FreedomAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisJane Burnard has worked as a children's books editor for many years, and as a writer, translator, and gardener. Her previous titles include An Arctic Story and A Rainforest Story. A Coral Reef Story is her second picture book.Kendra Binney is a nature-loving painter whose artwork combines pastel washes and resin to beautiful effect. Her work has been published and sold all over the world.

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Book SynopsisRivers, landscapes, whole territories: these are the latest entities environmental activists have fought hard to include in the relentless expansion of rights in our world. But what does it mean for a landscape to have rights? Why would anyone want to create such rights, and to what end? Is it a good idea, and does it come with risks? This book presents the logic behind giving nature rights and discusses the most important cases in which this has happened, ranging from constitutional rights of nature in Ecuador to rights for rivers in New Zealand, Colombia, and India. Mihnea Tanasescu offers clear answers to the thorny questions that the intrusion of nature into law is sure to raise.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments; Introduction; Rights Meet Nature; From Theory to Practice; Diversity of Practice; The Perils of Totality; From Practice to Theory; Conclusions; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisConservationist Grant Fowlds lives to save and protect Africa''s rhinos, elephants and other iconic wildlife, to preserve their habitats, to increase their range and bring back the animals where they have been decimated by decades of war, as in Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This vivid account of his work tells of a fellow conservationist tragically killed by the elephants he was seeking to save and a face-off with poachers, impoverished rural people exploited by rapacious local businessmen. Fowlds describes the impact of the Covid pandemic on conservation efforts, the vital wildlife tourism that sustains these and rural communities; and tells of conservationists'' efforts to support people through the crisis. Lockdowns may have brought a welcome lull in rhino and other poaching, but also brought precious tourism to a standstill. He shows how the pandemic has highlighted the danger to the world of the illicit trade in endangered

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Book SynopsisEnergy Systems and Sustainability provides an exploration of the economic, social, environmental, and policy issues raised by current systems of energy use, as well as describing their key physical and engineering features.Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Primary energy 3: What do we use energy for? 4: Forms of energy 5: Coal 6: Heat to motive power 7: Oil and gas 8: Oil and gas engines 9: Electricity 10: Nuclear power 11: Future of nuclear power 12: Costing energy 13: Penalties 14: Remedies

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Book SynopsisKangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and a notoriously difficult and dangerous mountain to climb. First climbed from the west in 1955 by a British team comprising Joe Brown, George Band, Tony Streather and Norman Hardie, it waited over twenty years for a second ascent. The third ascent, from the north, was made in 1979 by a four-man team including the visionary British alpinist Doug Scott.Completed before his death in 2020, and edited by Catherine Moorehead, Kangchenjunga is Doug Scott’s final book. Scott explores the mountain and its varied people – the mountain sits on the border between Nepal and Sikkim in north-east India – before going on to look at Western approaches and early climbing attempts on the mountain. Kangchenjunga was in fact long believed to be the highest mountain in the world, until in the nineteenth century it was demonstrated that Peak XV – Everest – was taller. Out of respect for the beliefs of the Sikkimese, no climber has ever set foot on the very top of Kangchenjunga, the sacred summit. Scott’s own relationship with the mountain began in 1978, three years after his first British ascent of Everest with Dougal Haston. The assembled team featured some of the greatest mountaineers in history: Scott, Joe Tasker, Peter Boardman and Georges Bettembourg. The plan was for a stripped-down expedition the following spring – minimal Sherpa support, no radios, largely self-financed. It was the first time a mountain of this scale had been attempted by a new and difficult route without the use of oxygen, and with such a small team. Scott, Tasker and Boardman summited on 16 May 1979, further consolidating their legends in this golden era. Kangchenjunga is Doug Scott’s tribute to this sacred mountain, a paean for a Himalayan giant, written by a giant of Himalayan climbing.

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Book Synopsis'Entertaining and insightful' -- Evening Standard'One of the most important books of the year... Compelling' Jamie Bartlett, Literary Review'Timely' -- New StatesmanAs the world becomes better connected and we grow ever more dependent on technology, the risks to our infrastructure are multiplying. Whether it's a hostile state striking the national grid (like Russia did with Ukraine in 2016) or a freak solar storm, our systems have become so interlinked that if one part goes down the rest topple like dominoes.In this groundbreaking book, former government minister Oliver Letwin looks ten years into the future and imagines a UK in which the national grid has collapsed. Reliant on the internet, automated electric cars, voice-over IP, GPS, and the internet of things, law and order would disintegrate. Taking us from high-level government meetings to elderly citizens waiting in vain for their carers, this book is a wake up call for why we should question our unshakeable faith in technology. But it's much more than that: Letwin uses his vast experience in government to outline how businesses and government should respond to catastrophic black swan events that seem distant and implausible - until they occur.Trade ReviewEntertaining and insightful... The picture [Letwin] paints is bleak as he uses chapters that alternate between a fictional depiction of chaotic meltdown in the year 2037 and analysis of the real-life causes to show why such disaster could occur. * Evening Standard *One of the most important books of the year... compelling * Jamie Bartlett, Literary Review *Timely... it provides an insight into the mindsets that prevent politicians and civil servants from properly preparing for catastrophes. * New Statesman *A vivid and engaging account of how the risks inherent in our increasing dependence on technology could someday coalesce into a perfect storm with disastrous consequences. Apocalypse How? reads like a dystopian thriller, but makes it clear that the dangers are very real. * Martin Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Rise of the Robots *A vital guide for anyone in business or government who wants to know how to respond when apparently distant and implausible events strike home. * Prospect *Masterful, disturbing and informed, Letwin takes us to the abyss - to a society paralysed by the total failure of its interconnected power and communications networks. His contingency plans should be mandatory reading. * Professor Richard Susskind OBE, Chair of Advisory Board, Oxford Internet Institute *From severe floods and accelerating climate change to cyber-attacks and space weather, there is a whole series of threats that could bring a modern country to a standstill. Oliver Letwin spent more time than any minister in recent history trying to understand, prevent and combat the unexpected disasters that could engulf a modern government. * David Cameron *Table of Contents0: Prologue 1: Could it happen? 2: The Cabinet Office 3: The social impact of black-swan events 4: Out in the darkness 5: Fragility and resilience 6: A difficult choice 7: Myths and realities 8: For whom the bell tolls 9: The global perspective

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Book Synopsis“Eye-popping proof that water-wise gardens are bold, beautiful and brilliantly hued.” —San Diego Home and Garden Dry weather defines the Southwest, and it's getting dryer. As water becomes more precious, our gardens suffer. If we want to keep gardening, we must revolutionize our plant choices and garden practices. Hot Color, Dry Garden provides a joyful, color-filled way to exuberantly garden in low-water conditions. Garden expert Nan Sterman highlights inspiring examples of brilliant gardens filled with water-smart plants. You'll find information about designing for color using plants, architecture, and accessories, along with a plant directory that features drought-tolerant plants that dazzle.

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Book SynopsisIn No-Waste Composting, you’ll discover the hows and whys of composting and find over a dozen practical step-by-step plans for building both indoor and outdoor composting systems that require a minimal amount of space. “I don’t have enough space to compost.” “I don’t know what’s safe to compost and what isn’t.” “I live in the city, so I don’t think I can compost.” “Indoor composting systems are smelly.” “I don’t have a garden, so I don’t need to compost.”If any of these is your excuse for not composting, then this is the book for you! Small-space composting has never been easier, more efficient, and more eco-friendly. Composting keeps millions of tons of waste out of landfills and creates carbon-sequestering, nutrient-dense compost that can be used to help fuel plant growth (Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 No-Waste Lifestyle and Benefits of Composting . Chapter 2 Composting Basics Chapter 3 Low-Maintenance Outdoor Composting Chapter 4 Integrate Composting into Your Garden Chapter 5 Unique Indoor Composting Systems Chapter 6 Composting Pet Manure in Your Backyard Chapter 7 Harvesting and Using Your Finished Compost Bibliography and Reference List Acknowledgments About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisModern societies require energy systems to provide energy for cooking, heating, transport, and materials processing, as well as for electricity generation. Energy systems include the primary fuel, its conversion, and transport to the point of use. In many cases this primary fuel is still a fossil fuel, a one-use resource derived from a finite supply within our planet, causing considerable damage to the environment. After 300 years of increasing reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, it is becoming ever clearer that the present energy systems need to change. In this Very Short Introduction Nick Jenkins explores our historic investment in the exploitation of fossil energy resources and their current importance, and discusses the implications of our increasing rate of energy use. He considers the widespread acceptance by scientists and policy makers that our energy systems must reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and looks forward to the radical changes in fuel technology that will be necessary to continue to provide energy supplies in a sustainable manner, and extend access across the developing world. Considering the impact of changing to an environmentally benign and low-carbon energy system, Jenkins also looks at future low-carbon energy systems which would use electricity from a variety of renewable energy sources, as well as the role of nuclear power in our energy use.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Energy systems 2: Fossil fuels 3: Electricity systems 4: Nuclear power 5: Renewable energy systems 6: Future energy systems Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisCommunity ecology has undergone a transformation in recent years, from a discipline largely focused on processes occurring within a local area to a discipline encompassing a much richer domain of study, including the linkages between communities separated in space (metacommunity dynamics), niche and neutral theory, the interplay between ecology and evolution (eco-evolutionary dynamics), and the influence of historical and regional processes in shaping patterns of biodiversity. To fully understand these new developments, however, students continue to need a strong foundation in the study of species interactions and how these interactions are assembled into food webs and other ecological networks. This new edition fulfils the book''s original aims, both as a much-needed up-to-date and accessible introduction to modern community ecology, and in identifying the important questions that are yet to be answered. This research-driven textbook introduces state-of-the-art community ecology to a Table of Contents1: Community ecology's roots Part I The Big Picture: patterns, causes, and consequences of biodiversity 2: Patterns of biological diversity 3: Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning Part II The Nitty-Gritty: species interactions in simple modules 4: Population growth and density dependence 5: The fundamentals of predator-prey interactions 6: Selective predators and responsive prey 7: The fundamentals of competitive interactions 8: Species coexistence and niche theory 9: Beneficial interactions in communities: Mutualism and facilitation Part III Putting the Pieces Together: food webs, ecological networks and community assembly 10: Species interactions in ecological networks 11: Food chains and food webs: Controlling factors and cascading effects 12: Community assembly and species traits Part IV Patial Ecology: metapopulations and metacommunities 13: Patchy environments, metapopulations and fugitive species 14: Metacommunities Part V Species in Changing Environments: ecology and evolution 15: Species in variable environments 16: Evolutionary community ecology 17: Some concluding remarks and a look ahead

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Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and awe of the heavens through the rich celestial prints and star atlases offered in this third edition book. The author traces the development of celestial cartography from ancient to modern times, describes the relationships between different star maps and atlases, and relates these notions to our changing ideas about humanity’s place in the universe. Also covered in this book are more contemporary cosmological ideas, constellation representations, and cartographic advances.The text is enriched with 226 images (141 in color) from actual, antiquarian celestial books and atlases, each one with an explanation of unique astronomical and cartographic features. This never-before-available hardcover edition includes two new chapters on pictorial style maps and celestial images in art, as well over 50 new images. Additionally, the color plates are now incorporated directly into the text, providing readers with a vibrant, immersive look into the history of star maps.Trade Review“I found this to be a very fascinating aspect of this comprehensive work. I have read a number of books on the history of celestial cartography, but none with the depth and wealth of information on this important part of the history of astronomy. … I highly recommend this book to students of the history of astronomy or anyone interested in observing the night sky.” (Robert Garfinkle, Journal of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, Vol. 63 (4), 2021)“This third edition has certainly profited from the changes and additions, all of which ensure that Kanas’s work remains the primary reference compendium for celestial cartography, just as it continues to offer an enjoyable initiation into the history of astronomy.” (Thomas Horst and Luís Tirapicos, Imago Mundi, Vol. 73 (1), 2021)“As an often-awe-struck observer of the heavens and a map enthusiast who has always admired the beauty of celestial maps, I think Nick Kanas’s book is a useful resource for any collector of celestial maps, anyone with more than a passing or casual interest in astronomy, anyone with a keen interest in the history of astronomy and astronomical instruments, or any combination thereof.” (Gretchen Hause, The Portolan, Issue 110, Spring, 2021)“This is a work that contains many items of relevance to astronomers, who will find the illustrations of atlases and charts of particular interest, albeit with many failings in the text and descriptions. It is probably of more interest to collectors of antiquarian maps (and even they will have some problems using it).” (Storm Dunlop, The Observatory, Vol. 140 (1278), October, 2020)“You get a real bang for your buck with Kanas’s tome. Now in its third edition, the book is well written, thoroughly researched, and beautifully illustrated with 226 images (141 in color) from actual antiquarian books and atlases. … Star Maps should greatly appeal to amateur astronomers, map collectors, and historians of astronomy and art.” (Peter Tyson, Sky & Telescope, August, 2020)“Star Maps’s comprehensiveness, for all its jackdaw tendencies, is on balance a virtue. Like a curiosity shop packed to the rafters, it almost certainly has what you’re looking for tucked away somewhere.” (Jonathan Crowe, Calafia Journal, Issue 01, 2020)“Star Maps excels in the clarity of its writing, is highly accurate throughout, and will serve as the authoritative work on its subject for a very long time to come. This reviewer has a growing collection of astronomy books of well over a thousand in number now, and would include Star Maps as one among a small selection of books from his library he would say deserves to be read by every person interested in the history of astronomy.” (Alan Agrawal, Diablo Moonwatch, January, 2020)Table of ContentsPreface to Third Edition.- Foreword to First Edition.- Preface to First Edition.- Acknowledgments.- List of Figures.- List of Tables.- List of abbreviations and acronyms.- Chapter 1: What is a star map?.- Chapter 2: Non-European cosmology and constellation development.- Chapter 3: European cosmology.- Chapter 4: European constellation development.- Chapter 5: Early European star maps.- Chapter 6: The "Big Four" of the Golden Age of imaged star maps.- Chapter 7: Other important star maps of the Golden Age.- Chapter 8: Special topics.- Chapter 9: Mapping the stars in early America.- Chapter 10: The transition to non-imaged star maps.- Chapter 11: Terrestrial and celestial pictorial maps.- Chapter 12: Celestial images in artistic paintings.- Appendices.- Appendix A: Collecting celestial maps and prints.- Appendix B: Supplementary reference catalog.- Appendix C: Indices of major constellation atlases.- Appendix D: The British Library "Kings's" edition.- Appendix E: Glossary.- Index.

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Book SynopsisA roadmap for product design professionals and students to the eight Big Ideas' in material innovation. With more than sixty case studies, Radical Matter showcases the designers and engineers who are disrupting and changing the ways products will be manufactured, distributed and consumed.Trade Review'Important … an optimistic alternative vision of the future' - Aesthetica'A new vision of the future of materials, design processes and manufacturing practices' - Computer Arts'An interesting introduction to alternative methods and materials that could replace unsustainable practices in the future' - Creative ReviewTable of Contents1) Today’s Waste, Tomorrow’s Raw Material; 2) Natural Assets; 3) Shit, Hair, Dust; 4) Material Connections; 5) Co-Creation; 6) Designed to Disappear; 7) Living Materials; and 8) Future Mining

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Book SynopsisThe ability to trap food could be a critical factor in keeping you alive in a survival situation. Knowing the types of species that can be found in the area, having a good understanding of their behaviors, knowing which traps will work on which animals and knowing how to build them are the keys to success. This waterproof guide covers trapping basics including targeting prey areas, setting sign posts, proper baiting, and how to create effective traps using basic knots and simple triggers. Developed in collaboration with noted survival expert and master woodsman Dave Canterbury, this is one of a 10-part series on survival skills. Made in the USA.

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Book SynopsisThis monumental work by Dankmar Bosse presents, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the evolution of the earth and its natural kingdoms, based primarily on geology and paleontology, and with reference to the work of Rudolf Steiner.Bosse explores many core questions of natural science, such as the relationship of humanity to the evolution of the animal kingdom, the origin of deep crystalline rocks, and the shaping of present-day landscapes.This is a fascinating exposition of the development of our natural world, and human beings, lavishly illustrated in colour. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how life on earth, and the earth itself, got to this point.

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