Natural History Books
Princeton University Press The Bees in Your Backyard
Book SynopsisThe Bees in Your Backyard provides an engaging introduction to the roughly 4,000 different bee species found in the United States and Canada, dispelling common myths about bees while offering essential tips for telling them apart in the field. The book features more than 900 stunning color photos of the bees living all around us--in our gardens anTrade ReviewWinner of the 2017 PROSE Award in Single Volume Reference/Science, Association of American Publishers "The ultimate bee book for bee enthusiasts and experts alike."--Bookseller Buyer's Guide "[A] well-written, informative and beautifully photographed reference on North America's bees."--The Chronicle Herald "If you have ever asked, 'what kind of bee is that?' The Bees in Your Backyard is the book for you. It is a must-have for bee lovers of all stripes."--Wild about Ants blog "[A]s folks become more interested in bees, it seemed logical to Wilson and fellow bee biologist Olivia Messinger Carril that people should be more informed as well. The result is their new guide, The Bees in Your Backyard, which offers an introduction to a world of bees that is mostly hidden to people who aren't entomologists."--Adrian Higgins, Washington Post "This book helps identify the bees that you see. It has more than 900 photos of all of the kinds of bees you'll find, plus the biology of all of the bees included, and how to provide both food and habitat for them... This is probably the best reference on all of the bees in your backyard you'll find, and the price is right."--Bee Culture "The moment you open this lusciously illustrated new offering from Princeton University Press by Joseph Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril, you will be captivated by magnificent photos and engaging captions that delight and fascinate. But more than that, you will learn just how beautiful and unexpected is this mightily important group of insects, and how complex and diverse lives... Wilson and Carril's breathtaking guide introduces you to the roughly 4000 North American bee species without losing the reader through 'information overload'... One of the loveliest things about The Bees in Your Backyard is the truly stunning photography. This, paired with expertly chosen glossy paper and careful printing, produces images so satisfyingly sharp, colorful, clear, and precise that you can almost see each bee's personality."--Cathy Taibbi, Examiner.com "As the interest in native bees has grown, resources to learn about them have been developed, and The Bees in Your Backyard is one of the best yet... This is an awe-inspiring and welcome addition to the natural history literature in North America. It is highly recommended for gardeners, naturalists, land managers, and anyone with an interest in these beautiful and hugely beneficial creatures."--Dan R. Kunkle, Wildlife Activist "This book is absolutely filled with more than 900 spectacular color photographs of all types of bees, from honeybees to bumblebees to giant carpenter bees... [T]his fascinating book is certainly well worth reading and adding to your library of outdoor reference guidebooks."--The Blade, newsletter of the Hoosier Outdoor Writers "Comprehensive."--Houston Chronicle "This is the best general guide to bees this reviewer has seen."--P.K. Lago, Choice "A most splendid present for anyone who is interested in conservation, or for you to read in the winter, and enjoy."--An Beachaire "Students as well as interested amateurs, will learn much from this excellent book, which though written by experts, presents a plethora of information in a style which is both engaging and easy to read."--Buzz about Bees "The authors have produced a valuable and easy-to-read book... The book is arranged in a highly useful format that is suitable for the beginner as well as the seasoned entomologist. The book is highly recommended as a vehicle for bee awareness and an introduction to the most common families in the United States and Canada."--Howard O. Clark, Jr., Western North American Naturalist "The Bees in Your Backyard is an easy-to-use and entertaining reference that can help you identify bees you might find cruising around your flowers."--American Gardener "This book includes excellent photography and uses basic language explaining technical terms; it is not an identification guide but gives detailed descriptions of ecology for each genus, something not previously covered before. The book provides the first comprehensive and user friendly guide to North American bees, which is suitable for people wanting an introduction or to expand their knowledge of different bee families. In particular those interested in developing their knowledge and skills of solitary bees will find this book incredibly useful. You do not have to live in North America to find this book of interest as we share many bee families. A worthy addition to anyone's collection."--Nikki Gammans, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History "This book introduces you to the bees you're likely to find nearby. It has 900 color photos to help you identify them. It's also packed with useful information, including pollination habits and how to attract different species to your yard."--Matt Miller, Cool Green Science blog "This richly illustrated volume provides a detailed introduction to the lives of bees, then presents the six families of bees found here. Charts and detailed maps show their size, their range, and their active times of the year within different regions of the continent. Hundreds of close-up photos present fascinating details of many of the different kinds of bees."--Mark Schumacher, ARBA "The Bees in Your Backyard provides an engaging introduction to the roughly 4,000 bee species found in the United States and Canada, dispelling common myths about native solitary bees while offering essential tips for telling them apart. The book features more than 900 stunning color photos of bees living all around us... There is even a full chapter on how to attract them to your backyard... This book provides the most comprehensive and accessible guide to all bees found in the United States and Canada."--Melanie M. Kirby, Mother Earth NewsTable of Contents1 INTRODUCTION 7 1.1 Is This a Bee? 8 1.2 Bee Names 12 1.3 The Bee Lifecycle 14 1.4 Where Do Bees Live? 17 1.5 Bee Sociality 18 1.6 What Do Bees Eat? 21 1.7 A Bee's Enemies 22 1.8 A Bee's Body 27 1.9 How to Study Bees 34 1.10 Identifying Bees 39 Key to the Chapters of this Book 44 1.11 Appreciating Bees 48 2 PROMOTING BEES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD 50 2.1 Bees as Pollinators 52 2.2 Providing Habitat 55 2.3 Providing Food 60 3 ANDRENIDAE 70 Identification Tips 72 3.1 Andreninae 77 3.2 Protandrenini and Panurgini 82 3.3 Perditini 86 3.4 Calliopsis 90 3.5 Oxaeinae 92 4 COLLETIDAE 96 Identification Tips 98 4.1 Colletinae 101 4.2 Hylaeus 105 4.3 Diphaglossinae 108 5 MELITTIDAE 111 Identification Tips 112 6 HALICTIDAE 118 Identification Tips 120 6.1 Agapostemon 126 6.2 Halictus 129 6.3 Lasioglossum 132 6.4 Augochlorini 137 6.5 Nomiinae 141 6.6 Rophitinae 145 7 MEGACHILIDAE 149 Identification Tips 152 7.1 Lithurginae 159 7.2 Osmia 162 7.3 Hoplitis 167 7.4 Other Osmiini 170 7.5 Anthidium 176 7.6 Other Anthidiini 179 7.7 Megachile 184 8 APIDAE 189 Identification Tips 193 8.1 Xylocopa 203 8.2 Ceratina 206 8.3 Exomalopsini 209 8.4 Emphorini 212 8.5 Common Eucerini 218 8.6 Peponapis and Xenoglossa 224 8.7 Other Eucerini 227 8.8 Anthophorini 232 8.9 Centris 238 8.10 Bombus 242 8.11 Apis mellifera 246 8.12 Euglossa 251 9 POLLEN THIEVES 254 Identification Tips 256 9.1 Cuckoo Bees: Apidae 262 9.2 Cuckoo Bees: Halictidae 274 9.3 Cuckoo Bees: Megachilidae 275 Appendix: Guide to the Pronunciation of Bee Names 278 Index 279 Photographic Acknowledgments 288
£22.50
Princeton University Press Birds of Kruger National Park
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Beautifully designed and easy to browse, Birds of Kruger National Park fills an important gap and will be useful not just in the park, but in many other areas with similar habitats, to everyone wanting to explore Africa's avian wildlife. . . . With over 250 described species, Birds of Kruger National Park will prove useful for newcomers and experienced birders alike. You get beautiful photos, physical characteristics, and a description of varying size for all of them. . . . . I'd recommend it to everyone visiting Kruger Park as well as other, similar, habitats across the continent." * ZME Science *"[Barnes and Behrens] have here created a bird guide that is an excellent companion to Animals of Kruger National Park; together the visitor to Kruger National Park has all the information she (or he) needs to enjoy one of the great reserves in the world. . . . This is a handy guide to have in the field."---Donna Lynn Schulman, 10,000 Birds
£23.80
Princeton University Press Birds and Animals of Australias Top End
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Anyone lucky enough to be visiting this region of Australia should have a copy of the book."--Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife ActivistTable of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 3*About this book, pg. 7*How to use this book, pg. 8*Maps of the Top End, pg. 10*Geography and geology of the Top End, pg. 12*Weather and seasons of the Top End, pg. 14*Habitats of the Top End, pg. 16*How to watch wildlife, pg. 20*Where to find wildlife, pg. 22*Birds of Wetlands and Beaches, pg. 24*Raptors: Hawks, Eagles and Falcons, pg. 80*Birds of the Forest: Mangroves and Monsoon Forests, pg. 94*Birds of Open Areas Woodlands and Grasslands, pg. 120*Mammals, pg. 196*Reptiles and Amphibians, pg. 220*Further reading, pg. 264*Acknowledgements, pg. 264*Photo credits, pg. 265*Index, pg. 267
£25.20
Princeton University Press Birds of New Guinea
Book Synopsis"Gazetteer of New Guinea ornithology [by] Jennifer L. Mandeville and William S. Peckover": pages 560-632.Trade Review"This is an outstanding book for professionals and advanced amateurs interested in New Guinea birds."--Choice "This work is a positive goldmine and no-one with a serious interest in the birds of New Guinea should be without it. Those ... yet to visit will surely revel in such a magnificent introduction to the region, with the extensive bibliography and gazetteer alone being substantial navigational aids... An exceptional guide even for those better initiated than myself. Bruce Beehler, Thane Pratt and the book's technical editor, Mary LeCroy, have done the ornithological world proud, yet again."--Guy M. Kirwan, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' ClubTable of ContentsPreface 8 PART ONE Introduction 11 The New Guinea Region 11 New Guinea in Context 12 New Guinea's Bird Regions 13 References and Data Sources 16 Systematics 18 Taxonomy 21 Species Concepts 22 Treatment of Subspecies 23 The Avifauna 25 Historical Biogeography 25 The Checklist and Nature Conservation 26 The Future 27 Layout of the Accounts 28 Terms, Usage, and Abbreviations 34 Figures 37 PART TWO Casuariiformes 40 Casuariidae 40 Galliformes 44 Megapodiidae 44 Phasianidae 50 Anseriformes 53 Anseranatidae 53 Anatidae 54 Phoenicopteriformes 61 Podicipedidae 61 Columbiformes 63 Columbidae 63 Phaethontiformes 92 Phaethontidae 92 Procellariiformes 93 Oceanitidae 94 Hydrobatidae 96 Procellariidae 97 Ciconiiformes 103 Ciconiidae 103 Pelecanidae 104 Threskiornithidae 105 Ardeidae 108 Fregatidae 116 Sulidae 117 Phalacrocoracidae 120 Anhingidae 122 Otidiformes 123 Otididae 123 Gruiformes 123 Rallidae 124 Gruidae 135 Cuculiformes 136 Centropodidae 136 Cuculidae 138 Caprimulgiformes 148 Podargidae 149 Caprimulgidae 150 Aegothelidae 153 Apodidae 157 Charadriiformes 163 Burhinidae 163 Haematopodidae 164 Recurvirostridae 165 Charadriidae 166 Jacanidae 171 Scolopacidae 171 Turnicidae 184 Glareolidae 186 Laridae 187 Stercorariidae 197 Accipitriformes 198 Pandionidae 199 Accipitridae 200 Strigiformes 213 Tytonidae 213 Strigidae 216 Bucerotiformes 219 Bucerotidae 219 Coraciiformes 220 Meropidae 220 Coraciidae 221 Halcyonidae 222 Alcedinidae 233 Falconiformes 235 Falconidae 235 Psittaciformes 238 Cacatuidae 238 Psittrichasidae 240 Psittaculidae 241 Passeriformes 271 Pittidae 271 Ptilonorhynchidae 274 Climacteridae 282 Maluridae 284 Meliphagidae 288 Acanthizidae 325 Pomatostomidae 340 Orthonychidae 341 Cnemophilidae 342 Melanocharitidae 345 Paramythiidae 352 Psophodidae 354 Cinclosomatidae 355 Machaerirhynchidae 360 Cracticidae 362 Artamidae 365 Rhagologidae 367 Campephagidae 368 Neosittidae 379 Oreoicidae 381 Eulacestomatidae 383 Pachycephalidae 384 Oriolidae 400 Rhipiduridae 406 Dicruridae 413 Ifritidae 415 Paradisaeidae 416 Melampittidae 438 Monarchidae 440 Corvidae 453 Laniidae 454 Petroicidae 455 Alaudidae 473 Hirundinidae 474 Pycnonotidae 478 Phylloscopidae 479 Zosteropidae 481 Acrocephalidae 487 Locustellidae 489 Cisticolidae 492 Sturnidae 494 Turdidae 498 Muscicapidae 500 Dicaeidae 503 Nectariniidae 506 Passeridae 510 Estrildidae 511 Motacillidae 520 PART THREE Bibliography 525 Geographic Gazetteer 560 J. L. Mandeville and W. S. Peckover Index of English Bird Names and Topics 633 Index of Scientific Names 647
£60.00
Princeton University Press Bird Brain An Exploration of Avian Intelligence
Book Synopsis"This book was conceived, designed and produced by Ivy Press"--Title page verso.Trade Review"One of Forbes.com’s 12 Best Books About Birds and Birding in 2016""Complex ideas are made intelligible with the aid of sharp, and often stunning, design--gorgeous close-up photographs and smart infographics. The lovely depictions of the experiments supporting the science are particularly noteworthy." * Library Journal *"Our understanding of bird brains and behaviour has been revolutionised by recent studies of avian cognition, intelligence, brain anatomy, migration and tool use, and Nathan Emery, primatologist-turned-ornithologist, has been at the forefront of this revolution. He is well placed, therefore, to provide us with this very welcome summary of our current state of knowledge."---Tim Birkhead, Times Higher Education"This book is a fascinating exploration of how birds learn, think and feel. The book looks at the structure of the avian brain and the abilities it provides to our feathered neighbors. It does this without being stuffy or beyond the reach of the general public with an interest in birds. Short essays on each topic allow a person to explore the book in snippets or to skip around the book to read whatever catches your eye." * A Charm of Finches *"The book is beautifully illustrated with high resolution pictures showing the diversity of birds and describing the complex methods birds use to successfully survive in an ever-changing world. The book also focuses on the relationships of birds to other animals and the environment." * NSTA Recommends *"How big is a bird's brain? Big enough has always been my answer. The tiny hummingbird weighs less than an ounce and yet it can remember where every flower in its territory is located and how long it takes to refill with nectar. Big enough. A new book by Dr. Nathan Emery goes well beyond my analysis with interesting, fun and informative presentation on the latest research into avian intelligence. . . . The book is beautifully illustrated and provides an engaging exploration of the avian mind."---Sam Crowe, Birdzilla.com"[Bird Brain] is really great, the best book out there right now on animal intelligence, possibly the best book so far this year on birds. This is the kind of book you want laying around the house or classroom to learn stuff from. If you are writing or teaching about anything in evolution or behavior, this is a great way to key into the current work on bird intelligence." * Greg Laden's Science Blog *"This lovely book combines pictures of bird species, diagrams of experimental situations, and brain anatomy to provide information about bird intelligence. The illustrations are superb! Each short topic is covered in a pair of facing pages, allowing the reader to get clear and simple coverage of the specific subject matter." * Choice *"An in-depth look at recent research and fascinating lab experiments, [Bird Brain] overturns any notion that birds are somehow dumb. Instead, it argues with an overwhelming amount of evidence that a number of bird species should be considered more as ‘feathered apes.'"---Jeremy Hance, The Guardian"This book is well-grounded in the bird science of the past 20 years but at the same time it will be perfectly accessible to curious weekend bird enthusiasts. It is an informative and visually rich book."---Paul Nicholson, London Free Press"Bird Brain, by Nathan Emery, is the best current book on animal intelligence, and one of the best bird books you'll be able to lay your hands on right now." * Greg Laden's Blog *"This fascinating and surprisingly concise book explores the fundamental question of what is intelligence, then moves on to meticulously refute the ‘bird brain' myth. . . . This oversized book is a pleasure to read, and I especially love the richly detailed illustrations and how they highlight the concepts presented."---Forbes.com, a "12 Best books about Birds and Birding in 2016" selection"Emery's authoritative and stunningly illustrated book provides a charming exploration of the avian mind."---Kevin Laland, Trends in Ecology & Evolution
£22.50
Princeton University Press Beyond the Brain
Book SynopsisWhen a chimpanzee stockpiles rocks as weapons or when a frog sends out mating calls, we might easily assume these animals know their own motivations--that they use the same psychological mechanisms that we do. But as Beyond the Brain indicates, this is a dangerous assumption because animals have different evolutionary trajectories, ecological nicheTrade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2012 "Beyond the Brain is an astonishingly good book, both substantive and fun to read... Barrett re-centres the field on the study of animal cognition. I think this is an excellent decision, and not just because it allows her to tell some great animal stories. The main advantage is not narrative but substantive: her careful reconstruction of the grounds of natural cognition is simply more convincing and more relevant than even the best discussion of artificial intelligence could ever be... Beyond the Brain is full of ... interesting and heterodox discussions, and is sure to engage, enrage, and inspire in differential measure depending on the reader's theoretical proclivities."--Michael L. Anderson, Journal of Consciousness Studies "[T]his book provides an excellent synthesis of psychology, philosophy, robotics and biology on the topic of animal and human cognition. The prose is accessible and easy to read, and Barrett effectively uses everyday examples to make theoretical and technical points clear... [T]his book ... gave me a lot of new insights. I highly recommend it to scientists and students interested in understanding animal and human minds."--Sabine Tebbich, Animal Behaviour "Barrett's book is a superb and unique bit of thinking, and so eminently readable and enticing that it will appeal to the mainstream... It is so rare to find a richly scientific and philosophical book that the reader will find hard to put down, as if it were a bestselling novel, and I hope this book actually reaches a bestseller list, it is that good, and has that wide an audience, from layman to cognitive scientist. I recommend it to any university under or post-graduate course, as one of the most intriguing and compelling works I have ever read or reviewed. This is not due alone to the startling facts, or her humor, or any other single facet, but owes much to her integration of so many aspects of argument, philosophy, science, anthropology, ecological psychology and others, that it teaches the student, in passing, to think outside of the umwelt. A great contribution."--Roy Sugarman, Metapsychology "Beyond the Brain is indeed an amusing and entertaining read, but one with an extraordinary analytical rigor and eloquence of argument. Very accessible, enticing, and lucidly written, it can be enjoyed both by professional academics and laypeople. Readers--be they novice or seasoned--will certainly find the volume uplifting and inspirational, Barrett's style brisk and delightful and her intellectual playfulness quite solacing... A must read for the next generations of cognitive scientists and for all those who are interested in the study of comparative cognition."--Mirko Farina, Phenomenology and Cognitive Sciences "[W]e can see Barrett's brave new book as a beacon to future generations of scientists who wish to investigate the particularly human niche in cognitive evolution."--Daniel J. Povinelli, Human Ethology Bulletin "[I]f you are new to the area of embodied cognition, read this book. If you're familiar with the literature but want a clear, well-structured presentation of many of the key ideas, then read this book. If you're bored with the same old examples and want some new, perhaps more convincing examples of embodied cognition in action, read this book. And if you have heard some of the arguments but still think behaviour really comes from the computational activity of our complex brains, then, for the love of science, read this book."--Andrew Wilson, Notes from Two Scientific Psychologists "I am jealous of this book, especially of the first half. It is so well written. Barrett picks exactly the right examples and weaves them together in exactly the right ways. It is clear that Barrett has put great care into the construction of Beyond the Brain, and her success should be rewarded by a wide readership."--Eric P. Charles, PsycCRITIQUES "Beyond the Brain explores the emerging field of embedded cognition, in which the mind is seen as more than a product of brain mechanisms... Barrett provides a thorough, well-written introduction to the disparate schools of thought on embedded cognition, starting with a discussion of what human brains really do and the ways in which brainpower is adaptive."--Choice "Drawing on examples from animal behavior, comparative psychology, robotics, artificial life, developmental psychology, and cognitive science, Barrett provides remarkable new insights into how animals and humans depend on their bodies and environment--not just their brains--to behave intelligently."--Daniel J. Povinelli, Leonardo Reviews "Barrett's book contains many bold ideas, expressed in a lively and engaging style; with nice touches of humor, it is both thought provoking and entertaining. Her relational, environment-based, action-oriented perspective is deeply compatible with behavior analysis, and I suspect many behavior analysts will be nodding in agreement with many of the thoughtful and well developed arguments put forth in the book."--Timothy D. Hackenberg, Behaviour AnalystTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Chapter 1: Removing Ourselves from the Picture 1 Chapter 2: The Anthropomorphic Animal 20 Chapter 3: Small Brains, Smart Behavior 39 Chapter 4: The Implausible Nature of Portia 57 Chapter 5: When Do You Need a Big Brain? 71 Chapter 6: The Ecology of Psychology 94 Chapter 7: Metaphorical Mind Fields 112 Chapter 8: There Is No Such Thing as a Naked Brain 135 Chapter 9: World in Action 152 Chapter 10: Babies and Bodies 175 Chapter 11: Wider than the Sky 197 Epilogue 223 Notes 225 References 251 Index 269
£19.80
Princeton University Press Offshore Sea Life Id Guide
Book SynopsisTwo-thirds of our planet lies out of sight of land, just offshore beyond the horizon. What wildlife might you find out there? And how might you identify what you see? This Offshore Sea Life ID Guide, designed for quick use on day trips off the West Coast, helps you put a name to what you see, from whales and dolphins to albatrosses, turtles, and evTrade Review"[I]f you sign up for a West Coast pelagic trip--and every serious birder should do that at least once--this book is a must. Howell has been a guide on most of my trips; he is excellent. Sullivan is one of the most active and respected bird photographers in North America."--Jim Williams, Minneapolis Star Tribune's Wingnut blog "A wonderful pocket guide for folks going on their first pelagic trip to see some amazing wildlife of the west coast shores."--Dave Lewis, Birds from Behind Blog "The Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast is a very nice introduction to what you might hope to see on a boat trip off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington."--Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife ActivistTable of ContentsIntroduction 5 Acknowledgments 11 Some Words Explained 11 Marine Mammals 12 Killer Whale (Orca) 12 Whales 14 Dolphins and Porpoises 18 Sea Lions, Fur Seals, and Elephant Seal 22 Rarer Marine Mammals 24 Seabirds 26 Albatrosses 26 Shearwaters and Fulmar 28 Storm-Petrels 32 Phalaropes 35 Alcids 36 Red-billed Tropicbird 40 Brown Booby 40 South Polar Skua 41 Jaegers 42 Gulls and Terns 44 Rarer Seabirds 46 Other Sea Life 50 Fish (sunfish, sharks, flyingfish) 50 Sea Turtles 52 Jellyfish, Krill, etc. 52 Kelp (seaweed) 54 Landbirds 54 Species Codes, Scientific Names, and Index 55
£12.34
Princeton University Press Offshore Sea Life ID Guide
Book SynopsisMaps and illustrations on inside covers.Trade Review"[T]his handy little booklet ... serves as a pocket-guide to sort out both the most commonly seen, as well as rarer species you might come across. Slender enough to slip into your purse, this is not an exhaustive catalog of flora and fauna, nor is it an in-depth exploration of behavior or ecosystem dynamics. Instead it is exactly what the casually interested wildlife observer will want to have when on an offshore vacation--simple, concise, accurate and presented in a friendly, conversational way."--Examiner.com "This is a neat little book that fits handily in the pocket, and I can easily see myself using it while 'on deck'. Surely most naturalists would want to follow up by consulting specialized (and often weighty) texts before or after the trip, but while at sea, it will be hard to beat Howell and Sullivan's offering."--Steve Shultz, Carolina Bird Club NewsletterTable of ContentsIntroduction 5 Acknowledgments 11 Some Words Explained 11 Marine Mammals 12 Whales 12 Pilot Whales and Beaked Whales 16 Dolphins 18 Rarer Whales and Dolphins 22 Seabirds 26 Gulls 26 Shearwaters and Petrels 28 Storm-Petrels 32 Alcids 34 Phalaropes 39 Terns 40 Jaegers 42 Skuas 44 Tropicbirds 45 Gannet and Boobies 46 Frigatebird 47 Rarer Seabirds 48 Sea Turtles 50 Flyingfish and Flying Squid 52 Other Fish 55 Billfish and Sharks 56 Other Big Fish 58 Rarer Big Fish 59 Seaweeds 60 Jellyfish and Cousins 61 Landbirds 62 Species Codes, Scientific Names, and Index 63
£13.29
Princeton University Press Monarchs and Milkweed
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A lively, highly informative introduction to significant research in ecology that highlights the importance of conserving our natural habitats."--Kirkus "This comprehensive and colorful illustrated study of monarch biology and behavior ... offers another reason to admire the versatile insect: its long and successful symbiotic relationship with the otherwise toxic milkweed plant... Agrawal's book will appeal not only to butterfly enthusiasts but also to the environmentally aware and all readers who appreciate solidly written and accessible popular science."--Booklist "Epic is the only word to describe the annual journey of monarch butterflies... Agrawal's splendid book is no less epic, taking us from heart toxins and sodium pumps to climate change and illegal logging. This is important science about an iconic and sadly declining insect, made readable by enthusiastic, personal prose."--Richard Jones, BBC Wildlife Magazine "[Anurag Agrawal's] book is a minutely detailed exploration of just about everything about [monarchs]: sex lives, dining habits, internal flight guidance and, in particular, their coevolving-but-competitive relationship with milkweed."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post "Fantastic, readable, scientifically rich, detailed... Monarchs and Milkweed is to date the coolest nature or science book I've seen so far this year."--Greg Laden's BlogTable of ContentsList of Illustrations vii 1 Welcome to the Monarchy 1 2 The Arms Race 22 3 The Chemistry of Medicine and Poison 43 4 Waiting, Mating, and Migrating 63 5 Hatching and Defending 90 6 Saving Up to Raise a Family 119 7 The Milkweed Village 148 8 The Autumn Migration 178 9 Long Live the Monarchy! 210 Acknowledgments 243 Notes 249 Image Credits 271 Index 275
£25.20
Princeton University Press Bovids of the World
Book SynopsisTrade Review"I often wonder why there hasn't been any really good books dealing with the antelopes, wild cattle, sheep, gazelles and goats of the world. Well I guess I need wonder no more. With the publication of Castello's new book, I have found a resource that will be invaluable as I travel in search of wildlife... As with other Princeton guides, the layout is eye-pleasing and the text factual, informative and inclusive. Ranges, habitats, descriptions, subspecies and behaviour are covered for every species."--North Durham Nature Newsletter "This volume provides excellent introductory information about hundreds of animals; it will serve a wide range of readers seeking a basic understanding of this subject; high school students, college students, and interested adults will benefit from its content. Libraries working with these populations should consider adding this reasonably priced volume."--Mark Schumacher, American Reference Books Annual "With this title, new ground has been broken in several ways. Visually, Castello, a medical doctor, has replaced traditional artists' renderings with photos from global photographers. This is also the first field guide to reflect the revised species list, which recently doubled the number of bovid species from 143 to 279... Castello fills a void, and this book should generate wide interest in scientists, students, and general reader... This volume may inspire a new generation of conservationists and raise awareness of beautiful, endangered bovids and their perilous situations."--Choice "Bovids of the World offers a compelling and beautiful introduction to one of the world's most diverse and important families of creatures with hair... Few books have done more to remind me than Bovids of the World that I've only just scratched the surface of what the planet has to show me."--Ed Kanze, Bedford (NY) Record-Review "This is a handy reference to what I consider the coolest taxonomic family on earth: the bovids... Sit down with it and enjoy these fascinating creatures."--Matt Miller, Cool Green Science blog "I am confident that Bovids of the World is a valuable addition to any wildlife biologist's library. Those with and without close familiarity to the family Bovidae will have a handy reference for office and field use. Hats off to Jose R. Castello, an M.D. from Spain, for his knowledge and passion to highlight the bovids in such a detailed and taxonomically relevant field guide."--David M. Leslie, Jr., Journal of Wildlife ManagementTable of ContentsFOREWORD by Brent Huffman and Colin Groves 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7 INTRODUCTION 8 TRIBE AEPYCEROTINI Impalas 24 TRIBE NEOTRAGINI Sunis, Royal Antelope, Pygmy Antelope 28 TRIBE REDUNCINI Reedbucks, Waterbucks, Rhebok 38 TRIBE ANTILOPINI Gazelles, Oribis, Steenbok, Grysbok, Dik-diks 82 TRIBE OREOTRAGINI Klipspringers 224 TRIBE CEPHALOPHINI Duikers 244 TRIBE CAPRINI Sheep, Goats, and relatives 302 TRIBE HIPPOTRAGINI Horse Antelopes 466 TRIBE ALCELAPHINI Tsessebes, Topis, Hartebeests, Wildebeests 496 TRIBE BOSELAPHINI Nilgai, Four-horned Antelope 542 TRIBE TRAGELAPHINI Spiral-horned Antelopes 546 TRIBE BOVINI Bison, Buffaloes, Cattle, Saola 596 SKULLS 650 REFERENCES 659 INDEX 660
£27.00
Princeton University Press Horses of the World
Book SynopsisTitle of the original edition: Tous les chevaux du monde: pres de 570 races et types decrits et illustres (Paris: Delachaux et Niestle, 2014).Trade Review"Winner of a 2018 Outstanding Reference Sources Award, Reference and User Services Association, American Library Association""A comprehensive, large-format encyclopedia, the 536-page volume begins with sections on breed identification, domestication of the horse and equestrian principles. . . . A wealth of information on horses, this book would be a helpful reference for a student 4-H member and anyone interested in learning about how horses are used all over the world." * Western Horseman *"This is the horse book to end all horse books. . . . A magnificent reference for anyone with a passion for horses." * Toronto Star *"Cleverly designed and handsomely illustrated, this single-volume encyclopedia of horse breeds will serve nicely both on the reference shelf and as a desktop companion for equine enthusiasts. . . . Writing style is refreshingly straightforward. . . . Although this is published for adult readers, more than 400 richly colored photographs and illustrations will likely attract and hold the interest of young readers as well." * Booklist *"There are some 570 or possibly more varieties of horse . . . and Horses of the World covers them all. There is introductory material about horses, breeds, how we tell them apart, conservation status, etc. Each horse breed is then given one half of a page on each of two folios, so you see overleaf some illustrated text on one side, and a fuller and very official illustration on the other, for most breeds, with some variation."---Greg Laden's blog"A must for horse lovers and a fascinating browse for all readers." * Library Journal *"Well-known French equestrian writer Rousseau here offers, in translation, a detailed, large-format overview of all extant domestic and wild horses and other equine breeds (e.g., zebras), covering the origins of 570 modern breeds; their anatomy, physiology, and variations; and modern equestrian practice." * Choice *Table of ContentsIntroduction 8 Horses of the World 8 How to Identify a Breed of Horse 10 Identity Card 19 The Domestication of the Horse and the Main Equestrian Disciplines 21 How to Use This Book 23 Other Equines of the World 25 Extinct Horses 26 Wild Horses 26 Hybrids 28 Horses of Northern Europe 31 Iceland (1) 32 United Kingdom (23) 34 Ireland (5) 56 Norway (3) 60 Denmark (8) 64 Sweden (6) 70 Finland (2) 76 Horses of Southern Europe 79 Portugal (4) 80 Spain (19) 84 Italy (24) 102 Slovenia (2) 124 Croatia (2) 126 Bosnia and Herzegovina (1) 128 Serbia (1) 128 Albania (1) 129 Greece (9) 130 Horses of Western Europe 137 France (24) 138 Belgium (6) 162 Luxembourg (1) 168 Netherlands (6) 168 Germany (32) 176 Switzerland (3) 202 Austria (4) 204 Horses of Eastern Europe and Russia 209 Estonia (3) 210 Latvia (1) 212 Lithuania (3) 214 Poland (8) 216 Belarus (2) 224 Czech Republic (6) 226 Slovakia (2) 230 Hungary (9) 232 Romania (6) 242 Bulgaria (3) 246 Moldava (1) 248 Ukraine (2) 250 Georgia (3) 252 Russia (33) 254 Horses of the Middle East 279 Turkey (10) 280 Syria (1) 288 Israel 288 Saudi Arabia (1) 290 Azerbaijan (4) 292 Iran (6) 296 Horses of Central Asia 301 Turkmenistan (2) 302 Uzbekistan (1) 304 Kyrgyzstan (2) 304 Tajikistan (2) 306 Afghanistan (1) 308 Kazakhstan (4) 310 Mongolia (2) 314 Horses of the Indian Subcontinent 319 Pakistan (7) 320 India (8) 324 Sri Lanka (1) 330 Nepal (2) 332 Bhutan (3) 332 Bangladesh (1) 334 Horses of the Far East and Southeast Asia 337 China (39) 338 Myanmar (2) 362 Thailand (1) 364 Laos (1) 365 Vietnam (2) 366 Cambodia (1) 367 South Korea (1) 368 Japan (9) 370 Philippines (1) 378 Malaysia (2) 380 Indonesia (13) 382 Horses of North Africa 391 Morocco, Algeria (2) 392 Tunisia (1) 394 Egypt (1) 396 Horses of West Africa 399 Senegal (4) 400 Niger (1) 402 Togo and Benin (1) 402 Nigeria (1) 403 Cameroon (2) 404 Horses of East Africa 407 Sudan (2) 408 Ethiopia (1) 410 Somalia (1) 410 Horses of Southern Africa 413 Namibia (1) 414 South Africa (6) 414 Lesotho (1) 420 Horses of North America 423 Canada (8) 424 Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1) 430 United States (47) 432 Horses of Central America and the Caribbean 479 Bahamas (1) 480 Cuba (4) 480 Puerto Rico (1) 484 Mexico (3) 484 Costa Rica (1) 488 Horses of South America 491 Colombia (3) 492 Venezuela (1) 494 Brazil (14) 496 Peru (2) 504 Bolivia (1) 506 Chile (2) 506 Argentina (6) 508 Horses of Oceania 515 Australia (6) 516 New Zealand (1) 522 Solomon Islands 522 Tonga 522 French Polynesia (1) 524 Conclusion 526 Acknowledgments and Photograph Credits 527 Bibliographic Sources 528 Index of Horse Names 531 Some Extinct Breeds 536
£31.50
Princeton University Press The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs
Book SynopsisThe best-selling Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs remains the must-have book for anyone who loves dinosaurs, from amateur enthusiasts to professional paleontologists. Now extensively revised and expanded, this dazzlingly illustrated large-format edition features some 100 new dinosaur species and 200 new and updated illustrations, bringing readersTrade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2011 One of the Library Journal's Best Reference (Print, Electronic, and Free Reference Resources) in the Sciences category, for 2009 Honorable Mention for the 2010 PROSE Award in Single Volume Reference/Science, Association of American Publishers "Mr. Paul's book takes up the task of bringing readers up to date with the current view of these animals, adding a spate of new species that have popped up since its initial publication in 2010... But Mr. Paul's book is more than simply a lavishly illustrated compendium... Name a dinosaur and you're likely to find it in [The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs, Second Edition], detailed with vital statistics about size, where it lived and how much of the skeleton is known. You'll also find skeletal diagrams, fleshed-out profiles and classic pieces of Mr. Paul's distinctive art... [This book shows] the unexpected variety that life is capable of and raise[s] the question of what the next 235 million years will bring."--Brian Switek, Wall Street Journal "You'll never need to decide whether that massive beast lumbering through your front yard is Chasmosaurus belli or C. sternbergi, but if you did, this would be a handy book to have on your windowsill... [A]s dinosaur guidebooks go, this is as carefully assembled and authoritative as they come."--Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History "Artist and researcher Gregory S. Paul describes hundreds of dinosaur species in this richly illustrated compendium. Learn how beasts ranging from Allosaurus to zuniceratops grew, moved and reproduced--and how they eventually went extinct."--Scientific American "Given the vibrant state of dinosaur science, any book about them is going to be out-of-date by the time it hits shelves, but Gregory Paul's new The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs is a useful yearbook of dinosaurs which includes a variety of rarely-mentioned species... Indeed, Paul is to be credited for pulling so much information together into one volume, as well as for illustrating so many skeletons (some dinosaurs no doubt discovered while the book was in press.)"--Brian Switek, SmithsonianMag.com's Dinosaur Tracking blog "The publication of Gregory Paul's The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs is cause for celebration for all who share a fascination with this diverse family of animals. Paul's field guide is (perhaps) the most comprehensive one-volume guide to what we know about 735 species of dinosaurs. The book includes an outstanding ... introduction summarizing the history of dinosaurs research, evolution, biology, energetics, behavior, and distribution. It includes a discussion of the most arresting feature of dinosaurs--their great size... The heart of the book is a richly illustrated field guide which is organized like any of the field guides that we have become accustomed to. The species are presented in phylogenic order and meticulously and beautifully illustrated following the current state of our knowledge of posture and shape."--Wayne Mones, AudubonMagazine.org blog "World-renowned dinosaur illustrator and researcher Gregory Paul provides comprehensive visual and textual coverage of the dinosaurs in this lavishly illustrated field guide. Incorporating the latest discoveries and research that are radically transforming what we know about dinosaurs, this book is distinguished both by its scientific accuracy and the quality and quantity of its illustrations... The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs is a must-have for anyone who loves dinosaurs, from the amateur enthusiast to the professional paleontologist."--Prehistoric Times "Lavishly filled with fossil forms and drawn interpretations of their outward appearance, the guide covers the entire spectrum of dinosaur species. The color images of some of the rock stars of the Age of Dinosaurs, from T-Rex to Triceratops, will enthrall any youngster with a yen for these ancient beasts... Paul has revitalized and re-invented the depiction of dinosaurs in recent decades, and the book brings the breadth of their lost world to today's readers."--Dan Vergano, USA Today "This latest book by Paul, a leading dinosaur researcher and illustrator, is an excellent accompaniment to your standard dinosaur encyclopedias. Its strength lies in the inclusion of over 735 species, along with information on how complete the fossil skeletons representing them are, anatomical characteristics, distribution of fossil finds, the animal's probable habitat, and what scientists believe about its behavior... [B]eautifully illustrated."--Library Journal "A fantastic new book on dinosaurs... Paul is an accomplished illustrator and expert in all things dinosaurian. The first 60 pages of the book provide an introduction to dinosaur biology, morphology and techniques for studying these fossils. The information on how the limbs of dinosaurs articulated is particularly intriguing... His fine illustrations provide nice accents to the text. The meat of the book is the coverage of individual dinosaur species."--Herb Wilson, Portland Press Herald "This book ... shows off Paul at his artistic and conceptual finest, as it is replete with all the latest knowledge of dinosaurian knowledge... [I]t's an excellent book, one of the best ever, and one which I wish was around in my youth, when all I had were dense textbooks."--Dan Schneider, Blogcritics.org "There's no doubt that Paul has done a tremendous job with The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs and it's quite impressive. If you're serious about dinosaurs and want a meticulously researched guide, this is certainly the book for you."--Jonathan Liu, Wired.com's GeekDad blog "Paul, an eminent authority on dinosaur anatomy and a leading dinosaur illustrator, presents detailed information on all dinosaur groups... The author, well known for his detailed skeletal diagrams and ability to interpret dinosaur biomechanics, displays his formidable skills throughout this book... Serious dinosaur scholars will devour this book; it is a major contribution to the field."--Choice "Reproduced and copied time and again, Paul's interpretation of dinosaur anatomy has found for years a permanent home on both the popular and scientific page. Paul's latest publication, The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs, is the collection of these skeletal reconstructions that the dinosaur-loving community has been waiting for. If nothing else, it is this collection that makes the book worthy of ownership."--Richard A. Kissel, American Paleontologist "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It represents the most comprehensive collection of scientifically informed dinosaur anatomical illustrations to date, making it a valuable desk reference. One can imagine taking a trip back to the Mesozoic and using this guide to identify these awe-inspiring creatures. This volume should find a proud place on the bookshelf of both amateurs and professionals."--Christopher R. Noto, Quarterly Review of Biology "I am certain that all ages of dinosaur fans will love this book."--Dan Tallman, South Dakota Bird Notes "Greg Paul is an independent researcher who specialises on dinosaurs; he's well known for his popular articles, books and technical papers, but in particular for his hugely influential artwork. Paul's most recent book--the 2010 The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs--is, simply put, the ultimate Greg Paul book. It's a large, heavily illustrated catalogue of over 400 reconstructed skeletons, accompanied throughout with life restorations and brief chunks of text that present data on the world's Mesozoic dinosaur species."--Darren Naish, ScientificAmerican.com's Tetrapod Zoology blog "This engaging volume is informed by the latest research, much of it from China. In a fully revised introduction, Paul explores his subject from head to tail, while the passage 'If Dinosaurs Had Survived' is sure to leave readers misty-eyed."--New ScientistTable of ContentsPreface 6 Acknowledgments 6 Introduction History of Discovery and Research 9 What Is a Dinosaur? 13 Dating Dinosaurs 14 The Evolution of Dinosaurs and Their World 15 Extinction 23 After the Age of Dinosaurs 24 Biology 25 General Anatomy 25 Skin, Feathers, and Color 33 Respiration and Circulation 34 Digestive Tracts 36 Senses 36 Vocalization 38 Disease and Pathologies 38 Behavior 39 Brains, Nerves, and Intelligence 39 Social Activities 39 Reproduction 40 Growth 45 Energetics 47 Gigantism 49 Mesozoic Oxygen 52 The Evolution-and Loss-of Avian Flight 53 Dinosaur Safari 54 If Dinosaurs Had Survived 55 Dinosaur Conservation 55 Where Dinosaurs Are Found 56 Using the Group and Species Descriptions 62 Group and Species Accounts Dinosaurs 69 Theropods 69 Sauropodomorphs 182 Ornithischians 239 Additional Reading 350 Index: Dinosaur Taxa 351 Formations 358
£27.00
Princeton University Press The Quotable Darwin
Book SynopsisTrade Review"’At last gleams of light have come. . . . I think I have found out (here’s presumption!) the simple way by which species become exquisitely adapted to various ends.’ Thus, Charles Darwin to botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker in an 1844 letter--just one gem from Janet Browne’s selected excerpts. Darwin vividly emerges as a crack shot with a tin ear for music, a loving father, a would-be anthropologist struggling to understand indigenous peoples and the consummate scientist, working ‘from a sort of instinct to try to make out truth’."---Barbara Kiser, Nature"Fans of Janet Browne's epic two-volume biography of Charles Darwin will not want to miss her new book, The Quotable Darwin, which features a broad selection of Darwin's personal and professional observations on life, liberty, and of course science."---John Farrell, Forbes.com"The selection of quotes from Darwin’s books and his letters are grouped into chapters with headings that are expected, such as Species or Survival of the Fittest, and less expected, such as one of my favourites, Barnacles." * The Australian *"This book works because [Darwin’s] own words paint an unexpectedly complete and truthful picture of the man (brilliance, wit, sickness), his times--and limitations."---Liz Else, New Scientist"[Browne's] book delves into the mind of Darwin, revealing his insights, humor, and understanding of the world as he knew it. Darwin’s words never get old, and Browne’s treatment of his wisdom does not disappoint. Her book is a must for any dedicated student of Charles Darwin, and the novice reader alike."---Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist"The Quotable Darwin is fascinating, funny, and humanizing. It brings an icon to life."---Glenn Dallas, San Fransisco Book Review
£18.00
Princeton University Press Butterfly Gardening
Book SynopsisAn indispensable and lavishly illustrated guide to creating a garden that attracts and sustains butterfliesButterfly gardening creates habitats that support butterflies, connecting us with some of the most beautiful creatures in the natural world and bringing new levels of excitement and joy to gardening. In this engaging and accessible guide,Trade Review"The North American Butterfly Association offers a lavish guide to remedying their plight in Butterfly Gardening, by Jane Hurwitz. It’s helpfully organized by region, and so straightforward and reasonable that there should soon be many more nectar banquets for these important pollinators."---Dominique Brown, New York Times Book Review"Butterfly Gardening by Jane Hurwitz is another beautiful gardening book that . . . will get beginners started and serve as an inspiration for experienced lepidopterists."---Tina Winstead, Daily Star"If you weren’t already inclined to devote some gardening efforts to butterflies, the more than 200 stunning color photos of eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies-and the lovely gardens that support them-that fill advocate Jane Hurwitz’s book would nudge you in that direction."---Andrea F. Siegel, Washington Gardener"Gorgeous photographs of butterflies and plants dress up the text and graphs, making it a pleasure to read."---Jean Greenlaw, Denton Record-Chronicle
£22.50
Princeton University Press Wildlife of the Gal225pagos Second Edition
Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] richly illustrated, informative field guide to the Galapagos Islands... When going to the Galapagos, this is the field guide the reviewer recommends packing."--ChoiceTable of ContentsForeword 4 The Authors 5 Acknowledgements 6 Conservation Plea 7 Introduction 8 National Park Rules 12 Photography Notes 13 Key to Species' Status 20 Birds 21 Reptiles 80 Marine Mammals 98 Land Mammals 110 Underwater Wildlife 112 Invertebrates 136 Vegetation Zones 156 Soils 161 Ecological Zones 161 Plants 161 Geology and Vulcanology 220 History 226 Ocean Currents 230 Conservation 233 Notes for the Visitor 237 Visitor Sites 238 Bibliography 280 Glossary 282 Index 283
£16.14
Princeton University Press Predicting the Unpredictable
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Susan Hough's book about earthquake prediction reminds us that many respectable scientists and numerous nutcases have tried--and failed. Predicting the Unpredictable tells us what has been tested and abandoned and why. It follows the winding path taken by this potentially useful discipline in the past four decades, from the shadows to centre stage and back again... Famous moments in earthquake prediction are dissected for the reader through Hough's diligent research in obscure archives; history will thank her for these abandoned threads."--Roger Bilham, Nature "Hough's book, however, is not frustrating at all; it offers an enlightening, fair and insightful look at how one science has dealt with the intersection of an extremely hard problem with legitimate public demands for results. Those of us in other fields who read it may find ourselves profiting from the example someday."--Cosma Shalizi, American Scientist "In this forensic and engaging overview, Susan Hough presents a frank, entertaining and personal review of the history of ideas, practice, personalities and experience in the science of earthquake prediction. Although Hough is a respected scientist, she takes a journalist's viewpoint here, not shying away from legitimate criticism of those she regards as friends, and taking on the credulous at the edge of, or even beyond, the mainstream scientific."--Ian Main, Times Higher Education "Susan Hough is all about solid science, and her examples of accepted research that turned out to be dead wrong will resonate with readers suspicious of anybody who predicts the future."--Stephen Matchett, Australian "Earthquake prediction is on everybody's mind when reports of the horrific event make headlines. Why the failure to predict it, especially in this age of scientific and technological achievements? Hough tells readers why in this deeply interesting, enlightening, and entertaining book... The book skillfully weaves the influence of politics, economics, and psychology into this authentic, delightfully perceptive account of earthquake prediction science."--Choice "[T]his book can be enjoyed by anyone, but it will be enjoyed most by seismologists because it is a treasure of seismological lore, as well as a useful guide and moral support for those participating in what Susan calls the 'combat sport' of seismic prediction research."--F. A. Nava, Pure and Applied Geophysics "This book is sparkling, entertaining, and a good read and ... it is a rocking piece of literature. It keeps a delicate balance between the genuine scientific efforts and the difficulties, which scientists face in prediction science."--Afroz A. Shah, Geosciences JournalTable of Contents1. Ready to Rumble 1 2. Ready to Explode 12 3. Irregular Clocks 29 4. The Hayward Fault 39 5. Predicting the Unpredictable 47 6. The Road to Haicheng 58 7. Percolation 86 8. The Heyday 96 9. The Hangover 108 10. Highly Charged Debates 125 11. Reading the Tea Leaves 141 12. Accelerating Moment Release 150 13. On the Fringe 158 14. Complicity 171 15. Measles 191 16. We All Have Our Faults 196 17. The Bad One 206 18. Whither Earthquake Prediction? 222 Acknowledgments 231 Notes 233 General Index 255 Index of Earthquakes by Year 261 Preface to the Paperback Edition vii
£18.00
Princeton University Press Lifes Engines
Book SynopsisLooks at how ancient microorganisms in primordial oceans transformed the chemistry of the planet over billions of years, eventually allowing the development of more complex forms of life, and how they continue to make life on earth possible.Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2015 "[Life's Engines] is full of surprises ... [I]mmensely rewarding."--Tim Flannery, New York Review of Books "Entertaining, easy-to-read and historically rich."--Adrian Wolfson, Nature "Personal stories, hard facts, and illuminative illustrations each contribute to this engaging examination of our microbial overlords ... Paul Falkowski's decades of study in various earth and life sciences fuel this excellent addition... Falkowski effectively uses analogies to convey abstract and complicated ideas."--Rachel Jagareski, Foreword Reviews "Falkowski's loving examination sets out, life on this planet is organized by and for bacteria--the rest of us are just along for the ride."--Brian Bethune, Macleans "Falkowski brings a formidable breadth of scientific understanding to the task of explaining this, having worked as a biologist, an oceanographer and an astrobiologist. He moves easily between biological and earth sciences to help us understand the steps microscopic single-celled organisms took to make the planet habitable."--Cosmos "[The] wonderful and awe-inspiring universe of the microbes, unseen creatures that have shaped the planet such that we may live in it, is engagingly presented by Paul Falkowski in a remarkable text entitled Life's Engines... The book's success is its utter simplicity. It tells the story of the history of life on our planet from a very personal perspective... I was so enthralled by this book from the get-go that I invite you to have a short taste of it."--Roberto Kolter, Cell "A pleasure to read, the book touches on virtually every topic covered in a college biology curriculum by seamlessly weaving concepts with personal anecdotes and analogies. Presenting scientific facts and the fascinating history of their discovery, Falkowski (Rutgers Univ.) intersperses evolutionary theory with biochemistry, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, anatomy, and even anthropology and economics. He also presents a fact-based, nonpolitical vision for the future of biotechnology... This reviewer came away inspired to learn more. Easily understood by anyone with a passing knowledge of science, this volume poses innumerable questions for further investigation."--Choice "What is known about the hidden world of the microbes and their fundamental roles in sustaining planetary habitability is insightfully revealed by Paul Falkowski in this authoritative, comprehensive, and delightful book. The author is uniquely qualified, perhaps singularly so, to cover topics ranging over broad time and space scales with a scholarly, transdisciplinary perspective that ranges from fundamental physics and chemistry, to Earth and ocean sciences. I cannot think of any other scientist who would accept such a challenge... He is a gifted scientist and writer, and legendary storyteller."--David M. Karl, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin "Not a microbial biologist, I approached this book with a bit of trepidation, imaging lengthy discussions of biochemistry. Instead, I was immediately engaged by Falkowski's conversational, fluid writing, personal anecdotes, and interesting choice of topics... Life's Engines [is] easily accessible to the lay reader but engaging for the scientist as well."--American Biology Teacher "An outstanding attempt to popularize the role of microbes, especially bacteria and archaea, in making multicellular eukaryotic life possible... A superb introduction to the broader consequences of life and its study."--Elof Axel Carlson, Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Prologue 1 CHAPTER 1 The Missing Microbes 9 CHAPTER 2 Meet the Microbes 23 CHAPTER 3 The World before Time 40 CHAPTER 4 Life's Little Engines 47 CHAPTER 5 Supercharging the Engines 68 CHAPTER 6 Protecting the Core Genes 91 CHAPTER 7 Cell Mates 108 CHAPTER 8 Supersizing in Wonderland 124 CHAPTER 9 The Fragile Species 145 CHAPTER 10 The Tinkerers 161 CHAPTER 11 Microbes on Mars and Butterflies on Venus? 173 Further Readings 187 Index 191
£16.19
Princeton University Press The Lives of Animals
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewJ.M. Coetzee, Winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature "[A] beautifully constructed, troubling, provacative book which resonates in the mind and heart long after you've turned the last page."--Helen Kaye, The Jerusalem Post "If Coetzee ... were an animal, he would be a fox-quick, aloof and crafty... [A]nimal rights and ethical vegetarianism are natural subjects for him. The debate about them turns on questions of suffering, something to which Coetzee's sensorium is pitched with particular keenness."--Benjamin Kunkel, The Nation "The audience of the 1997-98 Tanner Lectures at Princeton probably expected South African novelist Coetzee to deliver a pair of formal essays... Instead, he gave his listeners fiction: a philosophical narrative about an imaginary feminist novelist ... and the lectures she reads at the fictional Appleton College."--Publishers Weekly "For Coetzee fans and others interested in the links between philosophy, reason, and the rights of nonhumans."--Booklist "Fluent, challenging lectures on the ethics that shape the human-animal relationship... Coetzee takes no prisoners... [An] ethical tinderbox."--Kirkus Reviews "An accessible, thought-provoking introduction to the issues surrounding animal rights."--Adam Lively, The Sunday Telegraph "Coetzee's dense, witty hybrid is very welcome; ... [he] brings a rich array of themes into play, including the differences between animals and humans, the nature of philosophy and poetry, the purpose of a university, the role of a reason and the emotions in moral deliberation."--Ben Rogers, Financial Times "The Lives of Animals is a stimulating and worrying book. It is hard to imagine anyone coming away from it without a new perspective on our relation not only to animals but to the natural world in general, and, indeed, to ourselves."--John Banville, The Irish Times "The Lives of Animals is a moral argument within a fictional framework... But fiction has the power to disturb and inspire strong emotions, and this book, thoughtfully argued and committed, is certainly a case in point."--Maren Meinhardt, Times Literary Supplement "I found The Lives of Animals a genuinely troubling book... I imagine that Coetzee feels the force of almost all the ideas and emotions that his characters express. He is working and living at the edge of our moral sensibilities about animals."--Ian Hacking, The New York Review of Books "There is a general message that resonates throughout this novella, and one that I found quite compelling. It is that we often assess our relationships with animals based on whether they have human-like mental status, like rationality or self-consciousness, and if they don't, then we feel justified in using them as objects ... I found the book deeply disturbing ... [It] offers a passionate and compelling look at one side of the debate."--Asif A. Ghazanfar, Nature Neuroscience "A little-known but brilliant tour de force... It's the most artful, thoughtful piece of writing I've come across on the subject of animal rights."--Marni Jackson, The Globe and MailTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Amy Gutmann 3 THE LIVES OF ANIMALS J. M. Coetzee The Philosophers and the Animals 15 The Poets and the Animals 47 REFLECTIONS Marjorie Garber 73 Peter Singer 85 Wendy Doniger 93 Barbara Smuts 107 CONTRIBUTORS 121 INDEX 123
£13.29
Princeton University Press Oceanic Birds of the World
Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of British Birds' Best Bird Books of 2019""An inspiration for future seabirding trips, a knowledge base for more familiar species, and a sheer delight to drool over the amazing images of gadfly petrels, alcids, albatrosses and storm petrels … anyone with an interest in seabirds needs to buy this guide."---Mark Newsome, BirdGuides"A remarkable bird guide; it contains an unusual depth of ornithological and taxonomic knowledge combined with field expertise, organized in a readable manner that focuses almost entirely on bird identification. It is full of visual identification goodies and smart observations, facts and maps, up-to-date taxonomy and hundreds of photographs." * 10,000 Birds Book Review *"It is excellent, the text is comprehensive and ID features do get pointed out. . . Series world birders will want this on their bookshelves as will dedicated sea watchers." * Fat Birder *"How often have you read a fieldguide from cover to cover within two weeks? For me the anser is: once. In case of this one. . . . buy it!"---Rinse van der Vliet, Dutch Birding"This book will undoubtedly set a new standard for many years to come."---Michael Scott, Conservation Biology"This is an excellent book . . . . A celebration of the diversity and beauty of the world’s seabirds. . . . It is indeed a major achievement to have photographed so many of them and to present them in one publication. This is a ‘must have’ addition to any keen birder’s library."---Nic Hallam, IBIS Book Reviews
£25.50
Princeton University Press Walk the Trails in and around Princeton
Book SynopsisThis is an attractive, pocket-friendly guide to walks on sixteen of the best trails through preserved open space in Princeton, New Jersey, and its neighboring towns. This revised edition includes eight new walks, several of which have been created on land that has been preserved since the popular guide was originally published in 2009. The walks ra
£16.18
Princeton University Press A Sparrowhawks Lament
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of The Independent's Best Nature Books of 2014 "Engrossing, entertaining and covering a vast range of subjects, this is a highly recommended read."--Matt Merritt, Birdwatching Magazine "Engaging reading. The book will remain a firm favourite with those, like me, for whom these are special birds."--Mike Toms, BBC Wildlife Magazine "Marvellous and touching."--Trevor Heaton, Eastern Daily Press (Weekend) "From the beginning I was struck with the detail and sheer readability of the text and finished the first 40 pages of the Introduction, The Sparrowhawk and The Osprey without a break... A Sparrowhawk's Lament is a desirable little volume which I thoroughly enjoyed, and one I can recommend to blog readers for the next rainy, non-birding day."--Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog "Each of these stories (and others) is addressed in detail, providing a comprehensive and important historical record. Indeed the book's major achievement is its thoroughness--Cobham has spared no pains in his travelling, in his research and in his collaborations... This is a thorough and comprehensive account of Britain's birds of prey and our long and complex relationship with them."--Andy Stoddart, AndyStoddart.weebly.com "A thoughtful and deeply personal book by someone who has spent a lifetime indulging his keen interest in Britain's 15 breeding birds of prey."--Ian Carter, British Birds "Rich in cultural detail, descriptive illustrations, and personal recollections, A Sparrowhawk's Lament: How British Breeding Birds of Prey Are Faring paints a canvas demonstrating how cultural perceptions can be changed to improve conservation outcomes."--Gabriel Thoumi, Mongabay.com "The book is an uplifting tale of wonderful birds, some great places and a lot of gifted raptor enthusiasts."--Mark Avery, Birdwatch "[T]he book pulls no punches and is one of the best books about birds of prey I have read."--RC, Highland News "A book to be read right through or dipped into at leisure, A Sparrowhawk's Lament is a fitting tribute to our birds of prey and those who work to conserve them. Whether beginner or specialist, everyone will learn something about our formidable, yet vulnerable diurnal raptors."--Curious Naturalist Blog "Engrossing and enjoyable to read."--David Lewis, Birds from Behind "David Cobham has written a very understandable biology and history of birds of prey. It was a pleasure to read the words, but the content was, of necessity, sometimes disturbing. I would recommend this book to all who like birds, particularly raptors. British birders and those who visit (like me) will gain a lot of valuable information. It would make a great present to anyone studying hawks."--Roy John, Canadian Field Naturalist "[A] comprehensive and important historical record."--Sussex Wildlife Trust "A very detailed and engrossing account of the health or otherwise of Britain's birds of prey."--Michael McCarthy, Independent "This excellent book has detailed, entertaining accounts of the 15 species of diurnal raptors (falcons, hawks, eagles) breeding in Great Britain. Embellishing the text are 93 superb drawings by wildlife artist Pearson. His artwork has a soft, pastel, chalk-like quality and consists only of shades of gray and white, yet is precise. Cobham draws on his vast experience studying raptors, captive breeding, conservation, and re-establishing rare species. He offers penetrating glimpses into the history of these fascinating birds, sometimes going back centuries, and the unusual people who are drawn to them."--Choice "This is a book that will delight general ornithologists and birders, as well as those who see raptors as the summit of avian evolution."--Charles H. Middleburgh, Charles Middleburgh Blog "Having studied birds for over 70 years I thought I knew quite a bit about birds of prey, but through reading this book I have learnt far more."--Bryan Sage, Country-Side "This is an interesting and educational book for raptor lovers and others seeking to learn about the raptors of Great Britain."--R.E.H., Wildlife ActivistTable of ContentsForeword 5 Introduction 6 The Sparrowhawk 9 The Osprey 26 The Honey Buzzard 42 The Red Kite 59 The White-tailed Eagle 77 The Marsh Harrier 95 The Hen Harrier 112 The Montagu's Harrier 131 The Goshawk 148 The Common Buzzard 165 The Golden Eagle 183 The Kestrel 203 The Merlin 218 The Hobby 237 The Peregrine Falcon 253 Conclusion 269 Further reading 270 Acknowledgements 271
£16.19
Princeton University Press A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America
Book Synopsis"Approved by the North American Butterfly Association"--Cover.Trade Review"[A Swift Guide to Butterflies of North America] is a comprehensive and authoritative field guide illustrated with 3,500 photographs." * London Free Press *"This is a remarkable field guide with nearly 3,600 photographs, including every species known to occur within the 50 states." * Choice *"If you are interested in learning more about butterflies, this is the book for you! . . . A Swift Guide to Butterflies provides everything that interested butterfly hunters and conservationists need to get started in butterfly collecting or butterfly watching. . . . A great identification book for both the newbie and the experienced butterfly enthusiast."---Tom Berg, The Blade"As good a photo-guide as it is possible to get. Every square millimetre of every page is crammed full of precisely targeted information, expressly designed to make sure you can name that butterfly. . . . Even if you already have one of the other guides . . . it is worth adding this volume to your library as an additional and complementary resource."---Guy Padfield, Dispar"Anyone with a strong interest in butterflies should get this book." * Wildlife Activist *"A must-have for all butterfly lovers in the United States." * Conservation Biology *Table of ContentsIntroduction 7 About This Book 7 Butterfly Identification 7 Butterfly Biology 8 Names 9 Interacting with Butterflies 9 "Releasing" Butterflies 10 Conservation 11 North American Butterfly Association 11 Wing Areas and Body Parts 12 About the Species Accounts 13 Abbreviations, Symbols and Glossary 14 About the Maps 15 Swallowtails Papilionidae 16 Parnassians Parnassiinae 16 True Swallowtails Papilioninae 18 Whites and Yellows Pieridae 36 Whites Pierinae 36 Marbles and Orangetips 46 Yellows Coliadinae 52 Sulphurs 52 Yellows 68 Gossamerwings Lycaenidae 74 Coppers Lycaeninae 74 Harvester Miletinae 83 Hairstreaks Theclinae 84 Blues Polyommatinae 122 Metalmarks Riodinidae 146 Brushfoots Nymphalidae 158 Heliconians and Fritillaries Heliconiinae 158 Heliconians 158 Greater Fritillaries 162 Lesser Fritillaries 182 True Brushfoots Nymphalinae 190 Patches, Checkerspots and Crescents 190 Anglewings, Ladies and Relatives 220 Admirals and Relatives Limenitidinae et al. 232 Leafwings Charaxinae 246 Emperors Apaturinae 250 Snouts Libytheinae 253 Satyrs Satyrinae 254 Ticlears, Clearwings Ithomiinae 277 Mimic-Queen and Monarchs Danainae 277 Skippers Hesperiidae 280 Firetips Pyrrhopyginae 280 Spreadwing Skippers Pyrginae 280 Skipperlings Heteropterinae 332 Grass-Skippers Hesperiinae 334 Giant-Skippers Megathyminae 394 Hawaii 400 Conclusion Photo Credits 402 Selected Bibliography 403 Selected Websites 403 Caterpillar Foodplant Index 404 Butterfly Species Index 408 Visual Index 418
£23.80
Princeton University Press Canids of the World
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Canids of the World is a timely resource and a fascinating survey of wolves and their canine relatives."---Nancy Jo Tubbs, International Wolf"This is the best encyclopedia any reader or writer can hope for. I look forward to returning to it over the coming years." * Pennsylvania Literary Journal *
£21.25
Princeton University Press Big Pacific Passionate Voracious Mysterious
Book Synopsis
£29.14
Princeton University Press Britains Orchids
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is the future of field guides . . . I just love this book, I absolutely love it."---Chris Packham, #WildMorningswithChris"It is just about a perfect rendition of the modern field guide: comprehensive, detailed, beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written. It is also excellent value. . . . I would unhesitatingly recommend this new book to anyone interested in our native orchids."---Bob Gibbons, British Wildlife Magazine"The most startling and richest identification guide I have ever come across. . . . Every single time I pick up this book, I gawp and I learn. Field guide of the year, without question. And quite possibly field guide of the decade too."---James Lowen, James Lowen Wildlife"This book distinguishes itself in the depth of attention it gives to orchid habitats . . . . The illustrations in the book are quite simply, out of this world superb. . . . This book takes a bold step in a new direction, a leap away from simple listing and describing, to being an efficient and user-friendly tool in the hands of the orchid enthusiast on the quest for accurate identification."---Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener"What I really welcome is the images are brilliant coloured botanical drawings and photos so you get the best of both. A really nice feature is a brief index in a fold of the cover just pointing the species pages. I recommend this very welcome addition to those oft-thumbed works that sit on my desk for easy reference."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder"This authoritative yet accessible guide is the result of many years' hard work from the authors. The multitude of information loaded into its texts are complimented by top-class illustrations and stunning photography. It is the new essential in its field and congratulations must go to Cole and Waller for producing what deserves to become a best-selling guide to this fascinating family."---Josh Jones, Birdguides.com"This book is the perfect guide for looking for and identifying them, it has everything you could ever need to know about British Orchids."---Mike King, Gloster Birder"A clear, comprehensive, well-designed, beautifully illustrated guide to a fascinating group of our wild flowers."---Mark Avery, Mark Avery blog"This is another outstanding guide from Wild Guides (this time published in association with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland) but this one is at another level and is a credit to everyone involved and should be on every naturalist’s bookshelf."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalist’s Association"The mission statement from authors Sean Cole and Mike Waller to develop the most beautiful and comprehensive field guide on the subject has clearly been achieved!"---Jim Almond, Shropshire Birder blog"This book is an exceptional contribution to the literature on British orchid identification."---Ro Scott, Highland Naturalist"A superb new identification guide."---Eric Brown, News Shopper"This is clearly a fantastic book."---Andy Karran, Gwent Wildlife Trust
£18.00
Princeton University Press Welcome to the Universe
Book SynopsisA companion to Welcome to the Universe, a ... bestseller that was inspired by the ... introductory astronomy course for non-science majors that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton. [It] features more than one hundred problems and exercises used in the original course--Amazon.com.Trade Review"This book provides a very valuable resource for anyone who wants to acquire a reasonably quantitative understanding of introductory astronomy. The questions cover a broad range of interesting topics, and the solutions are thorough and often enlightening, providing additional insights into the subject matter."—Alex Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley"The difference between a good astronomy course and a great astronomy course is great problems. This book is a gold mine of great problems for introductory astronomy, problems that can be solved with high school algebra and run the gamut from earth-smashing asteroids to neutron stars, black holes, the fate of the universe, and the search for life on other worlds. It will be a valuable resource for anyone teaching introductory astronomy and an exhilarating challenge for students who want to sharpen their wits against the cosmos."—David Weinberg, Ohio State University"A fantastic asset. The hardest part of teaching introductory astronomy courses is writing engaging, informative problems at the appropriate level. This book provides a treasure trove of wonderfully instructive material that is much better than anything else out there. I will be using Tyson, Strauss, and Gott for a long time to come."—James H. Applegate, Columbia University"A marvelous compendium. This companion book demonstrates in a playful manner how, with no more than high school algebra, we can obtain a deeper appreciation of the properties of the infinitely large and small, and deepen our conversation with the cosmos."—Trinh X. Thuan, University of Virginia"A wonderful collection of introductory problems that convey the wonders of the universe and fundamental concepts in astronomy through specific examples and numbers. A fantastic resource for the classroom and aspiring astronomers."—Abraham Loeb, Harvard University"Microorganisms on Europa, colliding black holes, cosmic inflation, and much more are covered in this expansive and thoughtfully selected collection of exciting problems in astrophysics—even a two-dimensional Tardis appears! Both students and experienced astronomers should come away enriched through study of these problems and the techniques presented to crack them."—W. Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University
£94.40
Princeton University Press Welcome to the Universe
Book SynopsisA "companion to Welcome to the Universe, a ... bestseller that was inspired by the ... introductory astronomy course for non-science majors that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton. [It] features more than one hundred problems and exercises used in the original course"--Amazon.com.Trade Review"This book provides a very valuable resource for anyone who wants to acquire a reasonably quantitative understanding of introductory astronomy. The questions cover a broad range of interesting topics, and the solutions are thorough and often enlightening, providing additional insights into the subject matter."—Alex Filippenko, University of California, Berkeley"The difference between a good astronomy course and a great astronomy course is great problems. This book is a gold mine of great problems for introductory astronomy, problems that can be solved with high school algebra and run the gamut from earth-smashing asteroids to neutron stars, black holes, the fate of the universe, and the search for life on other worlds. It will be a valuable resource for anyone teaching introductory astronomy and an exhilarating challenge for students who want to sharpen their wits against the cosmos."—David Weinberg, Ohio State University"A fantastic asset. The hardest part of teaching introductory astronomy courses is writing engaging, informative problems at the appropriate level. This book provides a treasure trove of wonderfully instructive material that is much better than anything else out there. I will be using Tyson, Strauss, and Gott for a long time to come."—James H. Applegate, Columbia University"A marvelous compendium. This companion book demonstrates in a playful manner how, with no more than high school algebra, we can obtain a deeper appreciation of the properties of the infinitely large and small, and deepen our conversation with the cosmos."—Trinh X. Thuan, University of Virginia"A wonderful collection of introductory problems that convey the wonders of the universe and fundamental concepts in astronomy through specific examples and numbers. A fantastic resource for the classroom and aspiring astronomers."—Abraham Loeb, Harvard University"Microorganisms on Europa, colliding black holes, cosmic inflation, and much more are covered in this expansive and thoughtfully selected collection of exciting problems in astrophysics—even a two-dimensional Tardis appears! Both students and experienced astronomers should come away enriched through study of these problems and the techniques presented to crack them."—W. Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University
£31.50
Princeton University Press Alien Oceans
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the Young Adult Science Book Award, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books""One of NPR's best books of 2020""If you enjoy imagining a mission in which humans launch a rocket that contains a spacecraft that releases a lander that launches a space boat – or even a space submarine – Hand’s book will help you grasp the full picture."---Philip Ewing, NPR's best books of 2020"A NASA scientist looks to the water-rich moons of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europa, Titan, and Enceladus, as promising sites for the search for life beyond the Earth." * Publishers Weekly *"[Alien Oceans] describes why studying Earth’s own ocean is a crucial chapter in the quest to explore the shores of extraterrestrial seas."---Nadia Drake, National Geographic"Alien Oceans offers a historical look—as well as a peek into the future—at one of the most exciting aspects of space exploration. With the technology at hand, we could determine whether there’s life beyond Earth."---Sid Perkins, Science News"A book that is likely to prove one of the year’s most enthralling first-person accounts of a life in science."---Simon Ings, New Scientist"Alien Oceans successfully straddles a fine line between accessibility and scientific thoroughness. Hand's book is as fascinating as it is optimistic."---Tobias Mutter, Shelf Awareness"A maritime tale like no other. . . . For those who dream of plying the South Seas with Cook, or descending in the Bathysphere with Beebe, Alien Oceans provides an appealing guide to seas undreamt of until now."---Andrew H. Knoll, Times Literary Supplement"What is so captivating about this book is that it isn't just a solid survey of what we've learned in recent decades about the icy moons, but that the narrative is told by an active researcher deeply embedded in these endeavours. Through Hand's eyes we meet many of the key personalities involved and feel the sting of disappointment at cancelled funding or a malfunctioning probe, as well as the soaring excitement of a new discovery."---Lewis Dartnell, BBC Sky at Night Magazine"The author discusses how we look for and study alien oceans and what the future holds for this increasingly popular field of research. This is a book well suited to the general public, with very accessible prose, and science interspersed with personal anecdotes and witty analogies." * Nature Astronomy *"It’s a tale full of scientific twists, and Hand proves an exemplary guide: never going quite where you expect him to go and confidently leading you to ideas that are, as you’d hope, not at all obvious."---Corey S. Powell, American Scientist"To paraphrase Hamlet, there are more things in heaven and Earth than are dreamt in our philosophy. Hand calls on us to probe the depths of alien oceans to discover them. I agree."---Robert Zubrin, National Review"This is a fun, pretty cool book to read. . . . Hand’s enthusiasm is clear to see, and he has written an accessible book that takes the general reader along with him to illustrate what we already know about Io, Callisto, Titan, Ganymede and Europa too."---Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News"This book would make anyone excited about space. The research presented is thorough and the pictures included are amazing. Hand dives into every aspect of life imaginable."---Rachel Dehning, Manhattan Book Review"A thoughtful and thought-provoking treatise on the many facets that are being pursued in our quest to discover new worlds and search for life beyond our atmosphere."---Milbry C. Polk, The Explorers Journal"Alien Oceans represents an excellent introduction to the search for life in a newly defined zone of possibility. It is a good rendering of how scientific research in extreme environments is carried out, including examples of things that can go badly wrong, and comes across to the reader as the work of someone with a real enthusiasm for his subject. I very much hope that Hand will be our guide on future journeys."---John Gilbey, Chemistry World"[Hand] has been to improbable places - at risk to his own life - and has managed to conduct science while not passing on the chance to drink in the awe and wonderment of being there. This book is laced with that unfiltered enthusiasm and awe for what we have learned, what we are learning, and what lies ahead."---Keith Cowing, Astrobiology Web"Terribly fascinating, Alien Oceans makes a convincing case for exploring the moons in our solar system in the search for extraterrestrial life."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist"If you want to learn about how the intersection of numerous areas of science are helping inform our understanding of the oceans, space, and ourselves, Alien Oceans is by far one of the most clearly written books on the topic. . . . It is also a wonderful window into the way scientists and engineers think about solving real world problems and applying basic knowledge."---Jonathan Wai, Forbes"A brilliant, exciting book that puts forth the best possible case for seeking extraterrestrial life on the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. I highly recommend it as one of the best books on astrobiology that I have seen so far."---Peter R. Bahn, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres"Superb. . . . Alien Oceans is a delightful way to open the door to the discoveries that have already been made in this area of research as well as what questions are seeking to be answered now and what aspirations researchers have for the future."---Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist
£19.80
Princeton University Press How to Be an Urban Birder
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A good read and well priced. . . . I’m sure many of you will enjoy it."---John Miles, Birdwatching Magazine"After sparking a U.K. birding movement over the past decade, Lindo is now bringing his message to the international stage with his new guide How to Be an Urban Birder, published in August. At 200-plus pages, the book is a satisfying and accessible read for beginner birders everywhere, and is packed full of photos, illustrations, tips, tricks, and anecdotes."---Bryony Angell, Audubon"I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to learn more about the wildlife immediately around them, even if you live in a suburb or a small village, this book will enrich you contact with nature and teach you how to find and see creatures you never even thought might be close by."---Nick Brown, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust"Anyone looking for an urban nature manual will enjoy David Lindo’s How to Be an Urban Birder."---Patrick Barkham, The Guardian"An enjoyable and engaging introduction to the birding opportunities of even the most unlikely looking urban venue. . . . The content is refreshingly up to date too, with lots of handy hints about internet resources, smartphone apps, sound recording, phone-scoping etc. . . . The urban focus is the book’s USP, aiming to widen the birdwatching demographic beyond its traditional white, male, middle class, suburban and rural constituencies. If we are to retrieve any sort of connection with the natural world then the engagement of the city-dwelling majority will be vital. This book might be just the necessary catalyst."---Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert"This thorough, richly illustrated guide to urban birding reveals just how easy, accessible and fun the activity can be."---Tom Hodgkinson, Idler"The central message is that there is a world of interest and joy on our doorsteps, even in the middle of London or Glasgow, if you just start looking." * Scottish Birds *"There is much useful information in this book for anyone starting out in the birding world. . . . It is reasonably priced, attractively produced, clearly written and will make an idea stocking-fuller for a general wildlife enthusiast of anyone making their first foray into the world of birds."---Clive Herbert, London Naturalist"[This] book is a treasure trove of information."---Jen Brown, The Happy Birder"Following Lindo’s advice, one can learn to open one’s eyes and see that nature is right at the doorstep in the form of urban birds." * Conservation Biology *
£15.29
Princeton University Press The Princeton Field Guide to Pterosaurs
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book is the most complete examination of pterosaurs that I have seen and when the last page is turned the reader has a comprehensive understanding of the beast, from history to biology, to life style to extinction. One is even taken on an imaginary pterosaur safari. Move over Jurassic Park!"---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"A most enjoyable and comprehensive account demonstrating how art and scientific enquiry combine to help inform, enlighten and educate. Highly recommend."---Mike Walley, Everything Dinosaur"[The] reconstructions of fully fl eshed-out pterosaurs in various poses, exhibiting various behaviors, adds mightily to understanding ofthese bizarre animals. . . . Highly recommended."---J.C. Kricher, Choice
£23.75
Princeton University Press New Guinea
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book sets the pulse racing about a world that really must be seen if at all possible. I knew about birds of paradise but this book has rekindled a passion for this so wonderful and bonkers family of birds, just take a look at the photographs here!" * Biggest Twitch Birdwatching Trips *"There is not another book on the market to come anywhere near this publication. Sit back and be drawn into such a landscape you can only dream of while at home."---John Miles, Birdwatching"[A] beautifully crafted book."---Peter Menkhorst, Australian Book Review"[A] masterpiece."---Joan Mead-Matsui, Everything, Everywhere, Travel Writer"[A] beautiful and authoritative overview . . . . [If] you share a passion for wild and poorly known places then this book represents an introduction to one such treasure trove."---Guy Kirwan, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club
£21.25
Princeton University Press Listening to a Continent Sing
Book SynopsisIncludes QR codes for recordings of birdsongs available on companion website.Trade Review"One of Forbes.com’s 12 Best Books About Birds and Birding in 2016""One of the fascinating aspects of both the book and the recordings is that, while chasing after birdsong, Mr. Kroodsma captures so much other detail as well....Listening to a Continent Sing, along with its website, is both an inspiration and a bundle of gifts waiting to be unwrapped."---Julie Zickefoose, Wall Street Journal"In its refreshing mix of history, linguistics, biology, and ethology,Listening to a Continent Singbrings back the joy and enthusiasm for scientific pursuits that can sometimes wane with time."---Helena J. Barr, Science"Kroodsma evokes the profound pleasure of rising before dawn to listen to the morning songs of the birds and ending the day with their evening choruses…. An informative exploration of the subtleties of bird songs." * Kirkus *"Birdsong maven Donald Kroodsma's travel journal is a welcome addition to the cycling-road-trip genre that began over a century ago. . . . It's the author's knowledge of birdsong . . . that makes this book so delightful." * Natural History *"The story is charming, funny, poignant, and heartwarming. . . . If you are going to treat yourself to one special gift this summer, make it this one!"---Cathy Taibbi, Examiner.com"Listening to a Continent Sing will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the outdoors, by cyclists, and above all by birders. I have only just begun reading the book, but I already suspect that it will turn out to be one of the outstanding popular birds books of the year." * The Curious Naturalist *"While the book may be categorized as a birding adventure, it is also the story of a father and son deepening their bond as they cycled by day and camped by night together for 10 weeks."---Jennifer J. Meyer, Orange County Register"Our sophistication in listening to birdsong and our enjoyment have been greatly facilitated by the writings of Don Kroodsma. . . .[Listening to a Continent Sing] provides a delightful, vicarious ride across our country."---Herb Wilson, Portland Press Herald"Listening to a Continent Sing is a travelogue of Kroodsma's 5,000 mile trip, a celebration of nature, and a multimedia experience--the book is littered with quick-response codes that link to samples of birdsong found throughout the trip, such as the pileated woodpecker and the sandhill crane." * Chicago Tribune *"Coupling these [QR] codes with the website to supply reader support makes this book truly one of a kind. Innovative educators will enjoy the challenge of deciding exactly how to use Listening to a Continent Sing in their teaching." * NSTA Recommends *"Kroodsma has an insatiable curiosity about bird vocalizations and also a deep passion for his subject. . . . This book provides a delightful, vicarious ride across our country. We stop frequently to appreciate the music of the birds." * Portland Press Herald *"An accomplished travelogue written with great style which makes for an enjoyable and highly entertaining read. It is a book to be enjoyed by birders or non-birders alike." * Another Bird Blog *"Kroodsma . . . is to birdsong what a sommelier is to fine wine. With ears as finely tuned as a musician able to recognize a symphony by the first few notes, he identifies a variety of bird species and their many song variations. . . . Listening to a Continent Sing is a feast for the senses and will no doubt inspire many to listen more deeply and more intently on the next walk or bike ride." * Urban Audubon *"One of the quirkiest and most oddly charming travel books you're likely to come across…. The whole package is engagingly chipper, a memoir of delight." * Washington Post *"Do you wish to pursue your dreams? In this remarkable book, the author, birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma, did just that when he set out on a bicycle journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, recording the songs of birds along the way. . . . Drawings of birds and the countryside fill this handsomely produced book, and the author's birdsong recordings can be accessed from QR codes in the margins. This gorgeous book combines history, geology, travel, bicycling, family relationships and birdsong into one irresistible adventure. I especially enjoyed how the author draws the reader into the places that he experienced through the use of sound."---Forbes.com, a "12 Best books about Birds and Birding in 2016" selection"No one but Don Kroodsma could have written this book, as no one hears birdsong the way he does."---Eldon Greij, Bird Watching Magazine"[Kroodsma's] delight in attending to the history and settings of the places the two pass through will leave readers listening better, too--and not just to birdsong."---Omnivoracious"Will be enjoyed by anyone with a general interest in natural history, or bicycling, not just those interested in ornithology or birdsong. So many themes permeate this fine book you are sure to find much of interest and learn a great deal about birdsong in the process. What a trip!"---Eugene S. Morton, Journal of Ornithology
£16.19
Princeton University Press The Cosmic Web
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the 2017 PROSE Award in Cosmology & Astronomy, Association of American Publishers""One of Symmetry Magazine’s Physics Books of 2016""With an insider's insight and a storyteller's eye for detail. . . . Gott offers a thorough, vivid, and fascinating look at the cosmic web that makes up our universe." * Publishers Weekly *"The Cosmic Webis not just a well-told story about the frontiers of cosmological knowledge. It is also an inspiration to explore them further."---Michael Blanton, Nature"Weaving together personal anecdotes with physics and math, Princeton astrophysicist J. Richard Gott's The Cosmic Web chronicles the nearly 100-year quest to understand the anatomy of the universe. . . . Gott brings detailed insight to how our view of the cosmos has changed, providing a thorough accounting of how cosmologists arrived at these revelations."---Christopher Crockett, Science News"Provides an outstanding summation of [Gott's] search for understanding the spongy cosmic web that characterizes the universe at large scales. . . . [A] magnificent achievement."---David Eicher, Astronomy Magazine"With a style that's rich in fascinating detail, and bolstered by personal memories and anecdotes,The Cosmic Webdelivers everything we need in a book on this subject."---Alastair Gunn, BBC Sky at Night"An extraordinary book guiding the reader through the large scale of the Universe and the structure scientists encounter whilst looking at the Universe as a whole." * Read about Science *"I enjoyed this book hugely. It should be on the shelf of anyone who is intrigued by why the Universe looks the way it does."---Alan Longstaff, Astronomy Now"Full to the brim with wonderful analogies and genuinely interesting anecdotes that should be a component of all popular science books. If you've ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why it looks the way it does, this is one book you should really consider reading."---Amber Hornsby, Popular Astronomy"Fascinating. . . . I think it should be in every library which aims to cover astrophysics and cosmology."---G.W. Gibbons, Contemporary Physics
£15.29
Princeton University Press Britains Dragonflies
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A brilliant book collection . . . each volume is a colourful, fact-filled introduction to the animals, insects, plants and habitats that makes watching wildlife so fascinating."---Stuart Winter, Sunday Express"A MUST have for anyone with a casual interest or the serious observer in (odonata) dragonflies and damselflies, the new edition of a definitive guide is packed with fully revised up-to-date information. . . . The most beautiful and comprehensive guide currently available."---Christopher Heaton, Towpath Talk"The authors and the BDS are to be congratulated on producing a first-rate, full colour, field identification guide to British Dragonflies."---John Badmin, British Journal of Entomology"If there is a better book on the market covering dragonfly and damselfly identification I have yet to see it."---Eric Brown, News Shopper"Where this book really comes into its own are the crisp colour photographs of each species showing both the male and female in excellent detail. . . . This is a fact-filled comprehensive book and will be invaluable for the beginner or expert alike and I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in our magical dragonflies and damselflies."---Neville Davies, Gwent Wildlife Trust"Very informative, comprehensive and colourful . . . . The guide has an excellently simple key for dragonfly identification together with clear and well-illustrated species description pages."---Erica McAlister, Amateur Entomological Society
£17.09
Princeton University Press Elephant
Book SynopsisIn this stunningly illustrated volume, Fuller provides a rich and moving portrait of elephants, exploring their natural history, the legends that have grown up around them, their unique place in art and literature, and their urgent need for protection today.Trade Review"Elephant truly is a remarkable work, replete with deeply moving and highly informative images and text."---Marc Bekoff, Animal Emotions"A beautifully illustrated tribute to one of the world's most persecuted species."---Brian Jackman, Travel Africa"Fuller's concise text, giving biological and historical background, is lively and informative."---Laurence A. Marshall, Natural History"[Fuller] has a gift of using simple and succinct language when conveying the most important points about elephants."---Lucy Brett-Crowther, International Journal of Environment Studies
£21.25
Princeton University Press The Goat
Book SynopsisTrade Review"There is little about goats, if anything at all, that you will not find in this book, and the photographs are at once delightful and a perfect accompaniment to a lively, well-written text."---David Gascoigne, TravelsWithBirds.com"An excellent book."---Marc Bekoff, Animal Emotions
£20.90
Princeton University Press The Complete Birds of the World
Book Synopsis
£55.25
Princeton University Press The Liars of Nature and the Nature of Liars
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""The world is full of liars, a fact brilliantly depicted in Lixing Sun’s slender but important book about cheating and deception among animals and plants, as well as that hairless bipedal species that is the biggest deceiver of them all. . . . A tour de force of evolutionary biology. . . . Fascinating."---David P. Barash, Wall Street Journal"The accessible prose offers an eye-opening take on lying in the natural world and how evolutionary pressures to deceive impact human behavior. The smart parallels between humans and animals make for an insightful outing." * Publishers Weekly *"[An] intriguing introduction to the domain of dishonesty."---Tony Miksanek, Booklist"Buckle up for a riveting journey into the wide world of deception."---Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today"Lixing Sun treats this topic with both a serious scientific demeanour and a welcome injection of wry humour."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"Fascinating"---Patricia MacDuff, British Naturalists Association News Bulletin"The author has managed the seemingly impossible by making quite complex theories and rules both enjoyable to read about and relatively easy to understand."---Terry Freedman, Teachwire"Through various enlightening and entertaining examples . . . Sun (Central Washington Univ.) educates readers about the biological underpinnings of deceiving—by exploiting cognitive loopholes—and lying—by altering truthful information in communication—for which demonstrating the cheater's intention is neither easy nor necessary in nonhuman species."---J-B. Leca, Choice
£21.25
Princeton University Press Coral Reefs
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Charles Sheppard’s Coral Reefs: A Natural History not only explains what corals are and how they live, but reveals through exquisite photography the glories of the reef at all scales."---Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books"In his gorgeous book, Life Sciences, professor Charles Sheppard celebrates the beauty of coral reefs and their dependants – ‘a wriggling tapestry of colour’ – while also warning of the threat to the reefs’ existence from ocean warming, pollution and soaring populations." * Daily Mail *"Stunningly beautiful . . . . I will never look at a coral reef in the same way again and will marveleven more at their beauty and complexity."---Daria Blackwell, Flying Fish"The book covers the huge list of dangers that reefs face today and how people are working to protect them. It looks at artificial reef structures and the marine life that lives on them. There are chapters on reef fish and sharks and how the diverse species living on the reefs interact. . . . I will never look at a coral reef in the same way again and will marvel even more at their beauty and complexity."---Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse"This excellent book, by Charles Sheppard, a foremost author of academic, popular and educational books on coral reefs, reflects a lifetime studying and enjoying these ecosystems. . . . I recommend that, in addition, to getting your own copy, you give the book to budding (and experienced) marine biologists."---Mike Elliott, The Marine Biologist"The beauty of this type of book is it can be dipped into at any stage because of the nature of the mini chapters. This book will obviously appeal to marine biologists and divers but as a general guide to coral reefs biology, flora and fauna and how the crucial impact of climate change will impact on them, then it will also appeal to all readers with an interest in general natural history. Highly recommended."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"[Though] it is full of accurate facts, it is also simply interesting to read! Each page gives equal space to descriptive prose and beautiful photos, so the reader doesn’t get overwhelmed with either."---Karla S. Fuller, The American Biology Teacher
£25.50
Princeton University Press Wildlife of the Eastern Caribbean
Book Synopsis
£19.00
Princeton University Press Field Guide to Sharks Rays Chimaeras of Europe
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book is the definitive field guide to the sharks, rays, and chimaera of Europe and the Mediterranean."---Paul Cox, Shark Trust"This book is an utter delight, a treasure trove for shark geeks and a remarkable achievement for both author and illustrator. If you're interested in elasmobranchs and want a truly comprehensive i-d resource for this region, look no further."---Simon Rogerson, SCUBA Magazine"This book is a tour de force and will become the authoritative field guide and species reference for this region and an essential part of any interested person’s wildlife tool kit."---David Sims, Marine Biologist magazine"A great thing to have on your bookshelf. . . . Nobody, it seems, produces better marine-life scientific illustrations than Marc Dando, whose work can be admired here. Author David Ebert, programme director of the Pacific Shark Research Centre, knows his elasmobranchs and, while this is a reference book, has a clear and authoritative style."---Steve Weinman, Diver Magazine"Recommended for a wide range of readers from experts to enthusiasts who are interested in chondrichthyans particularly for this part of the world."---Phillip C. Sternes, Journal of Fish Biology "Everything you might ever want to know about these sharks and their relatives, from detailed dentition infographics for most shark species, to highly notated and very beautiful identification illustrations, is crammed into 384 exquisitely designed pages. This is the standard that all marine life field guides should aspire to reach." * DIVE Magazine *
£25.50
Princeton University Press The Gull Next Door
Book SynopsisTrade Review"She’ll make gull lovers of us all!"---Rebecca Gibson, BBC Wildlife Magazine"It's sure to make even gull sceptics among us look to the sky in new, profound ways." * Coast Magazine *"The Gull Next Door is ecologically rigorous."---Patrick Galbraith, The Critic"Taylor ... has written what I consider the best book on gulls I have read."---Jim Williams, Star Tribune"The book is full of great stories, and I really enjoyed the read, as you will."---John Miles, BirdWatching Magazine"[An] information-packed book."---Marc Bekoff, Animal Emotions"The Gull Next Door is one of those books that is interesting, enlightening, at times making the reader smile and the author’s enthusiasm for these birds is definitely infectious through these pages. This is an enjoyable book that gull experts and novices can enjoy, but most of all it is an enjoyable read for anyone who loves birds."---Nick Upton, Dartford Waffler"[An] informative, thoughtful, and entertaining book."---Johannes Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist
£21.25
Princeton University Press Far from Land
Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of the British Trust for Ornithology's Best Bird Books of 2018""A brilliant global overview of seabird behaviour."---Kenny Taylor, BBC Wildlife"His tour of the ecological highlights is gripping in scope and in granular detail gleaned from observations of puffins, penguins, fulmars and more."---Barbara Kiser, Nature"This is a celebration of nature writing, scientific research and the wonder of birds, large and small, that glide, flap and flutter across the world’s oceans."---Tim Birkhead, Times Literary Supplement"Brooke’s storytelling skills are first rate, and artist Bruce Pearson’s illustrations only further the mesmerizing quality of this project." * Foreword Reviews *"[Brooke] shares his encyclopedic knowledge with dry wit and fine attention to detail in this absorbing book. . . . His enthusiasm is so infectious that Far from Land is bound to hatch some much-needed new devotees."---Adrian Barnett, New Scientist"If you thought you knew all about seabirds, then think again. This book is absolutely packed with new information."---John Miles, Bird Watching Magazine"Written with passion and knowledge in equal doses. It is beautifully written, immediately captures interest, is erudite, avoids jargon, and is entertaining with a fair peppering of humour. . . . I cannot think of one good reason why any seabirder – field birders and researchers alike – would want to skip this book. Buy it."---Bob Flood, Birdwatch Magazine"[A] marvellous new study."---John Burnside, New Statesman"A thoroughly enjoyable and illuminating survey of the world of seabirds – made all the more enjoyable by Bruce Pearson’s lovely pen-and-wash illustrations."---Nigel Andrew, Literary Review"The most up-to-date picture of how seabirds behave when we aren’t watching. . . . Beautifully written."---Joe Culley, Irish Times"In a very approachable and often dazzling book, Michael Brooke blends the seemingly incompatible worlds of romance and science. The book almost reads like a collection of fairy tales, stories from lands far away of almost-mythical creatures."---Mihai Andrei, ZME Science"As an all-encompassing look at the lives of all sort of seabirds, this book would be hard to beat . . . a must-have book for anyone with an interest in the most mysterious of all birds."---Matt Merritt, Bird Watching Magazine"Michael Brooke has drawn on his knowledge of current science to give a timely summary of research so far and a brilliant global overview of seabird behaviour."---Kenny Taylor, BBC Wildlife Magazine"To read it is like encountering a new and unknown blue planet for the first time. . . . How much better to live now when the world of seabirds, even far from land, is chronicled in such magnificent detail by scientists such as Brooke."---Matt Ridley, The Times"A magical tour of every ocean and some of the remotest locations on the planet through the lives of seabirds. . . . The potential for future discoveries as technologies advance is truly exciting and I cannot wait for the sequel to this book in 20 years’ time."---Ruth Walker, British Trust for Ornithology"Michael Brooke’s book, Far From Land, provides an entertaining and highly digestible account of what we have learnt from the past three decades of seabird tracking research, and what we have learnt is nothing short of staggering. . . . It is well written, tripping along at a nice pace, and should keep anyone with an interest in marine biology or ornithology entertained."---Stephen Votier, Current Biology Magazine"An impressive global overview of impressive modern research into what proves to be even more impressive seabirds. . . . Altogether a well-written, finely illustrated, instructively mapped book."---Richard Sherley, Seabird"This is a relatively slim volume, but one that is absolutely packed with information and all conveyed in an engaging and often witty style."---Andrew Bielinski, Scottish Birds"The book is written with wit (e.g., quoting from a scientific presentation given in rap) and real insight, helped bythe fact that the author himself is a field ornithologist and understands how much time and effort goes into workthat may end up summarized in a sentence in the book. This is a book that all ornithologists should read, but itwill also inspire marine biologists, seafarers, and all who travel the seas into deepened respect for the seabirdswith which they share the oceans."---Michael Scott, Conservation Biology
£16.19
Princeton University Press A Travelers Guide to the Stars
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the Canopus Award for Excellence in Interstellar Writing, Long-Form Nonfiction Category""A satisfying read."---Sean Blair, BBC Sky at Night"You’d be hard pressed to find a better choice than a book covering what it would take to get man to another star system, written by one of the world’s leading scientists actively working to turn science fiction into science fact."---Sean CW Korsgaard, Analog"In Johnson’s vision, the possibilities are great."---Ramin Skibba, Wired"What will it take to explore a distant star within 100 years? To illuminate the momentousness (and ethics) of sending humans light-years from home, NASA scientist Les Johnson helps us digest mind-boggling numbers—the distance between stars, the energy required to travel that far—while laying out the opportunities and limits of existing technologies. Whether we get there by solar sails or ion thrusters or nuclear bombs, the advances we make in pursuit of interstellar travel will likely also change the way we live on Earth."---Fionna M. D. Samuels, Scientific American"The stars ... are notoriously far away, as the physicist and NASA technologist Les Johnson vividly emphasizes ...The nearest, Proxima Centauri, would take many millennia to reach. Some science-fiction writers, Mr. Johnson explains, have therefore imagined multigenerational “worldships”.... But what will power their vessels? The author entertainingly describes sci-fi options such as warp drives and hyperspace, as well as potentially feasible ones such as antimatter drives, and definitely possible methods such as ion drives, solar sails and nuclear-pulse propulsion, the last involving dropping a continuous series of nukes out the back of your spacecraft and riding the blast waves." * Wall Street Journal *"A sober and careful analysis of the possibility of interstellar travel, written by someone with exactly the right background."---Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory
£19.80
Princeton University Press The Natural History of Edward Lear New Edition
Book SynopsisEdward Lear, known as an author of nonsense verse, was also an artist and natural history illustrator.Trade Review"As Robert McCracken Peck shows us in his The Natural History of Edward Lear, when it comes to realistic animal portraiture, Lear could have run circles around any of his successors. He simply chose not to."---Emily Donaldson, Globe and Mail"This book is much recommended and indeed an essential reference for this rather under-researched part of Lear’s artistic life."---Clemency Fisher, Archives of Natural History"An engaging history of the remarkable 19th century artist, Edward Lear. . . . The Natural History of Edward Lear is an important and insightful description of the artist’s career with convincing evidence that his unique contributions continue to influence our artistic and literary culture."---Tony Angell, Wilson Journal of Ornithology
£21.25
Princeton University Press Galápagos
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Nature lovers and eco-travellers alike will be drawn in to descriptions of this spectacular environment.."---Lorraine Connolly and Hadiyah Ilyas, The Countryman"[Galápagos] builds on what was already out there and makes it better. . . . It is a thorough and timely treatise on the flora, fauna and ecosystems of this archipelago."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter
£29.75
Princeton University Press Gulls of Europe North Africa and the Middle East
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Birdwatcher's Yearbook Best Bird Book of the Year""Third Place for the 2022 BB/BTO Best Bird Book of the Year, British Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology""[An] excellent Princeton University Press guide."---Stuart Winter, Sunday Express"[The book] lays bare the intricacies of the moult and aging of gulls, but in such a simple and comprehendible way that it is impossible not to glean valuable information even on the first read through."---Brian Robertson, Scottish Birds"No matter what your experience of gulls might be, there is certainly plenty to learn in the book . . . . An excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in identifying gulls, whatever their ability."---Brian Small, British Birds"The authors are among the foremost experts on this taxing group, and have pioneered research into identifying distinctions among many of the most cryptic species. This book is a distillation of that knowledge and experience . . . . Highly recommended."---Dominic Mitchell, Birdlife Magazine"A landmark for future photo ID guides."---David W.McAllister, Highland Naturalist"This is one of the best books I have seen so far on gulls, and it is packed with identification tips and features, and excellent, clear and concise pictures. . . . It is a great reference book to check any field notes made later and is set out in an easy-to-follow format which is a welcome change. I thoroughly recommend this book to the beginner and expert alike."---Neville Davies, Gwent Wildlife Trust"An analytical as well as a holistic approach to identification pointing out the detail as well as the broader picture."---Steven Rutherford, British Naturalists Association"[A] must have book. . . . ‘Gulls’ deserves to find a place on any serious birders book shelf."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog"[An] excellent and easy to paw over book."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder"The most up-to-date and comprehensive gull guide available. . . . After a few spotting sessions armed with this book you may be tempted to become a larophile."---Eric Brown, News Shopper"An excellent reference source."---Gordon Hamlett, Birdwatcher's Yearbook"With 45 illustrated species and subspecies and nearly 1400 images, this superb book looks like one of the most complete guides on this topic and cannot be missed by Gull experts. . . . A little gem!"---Gaia Bazzi, Avocetta: Journal of Ornithology "This well-written and researched book is easy to read for both expert and beginner alike, with chapters that flow well and finish with a concise conclusion at the end. . . . An excellent resource detailing the ecology of this amazing bird."---Dave Grant, IBIS Book Reviews
£31.50
Princeton University Press What a Mushroom Lives For
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Nominee for the James Beard Media Award in Reference, History, and Scholarship""Winner of the Jim Deva Prize for Writing that Provokes, BC and Yukon Book Prizes""Few readers, I suspect, have ever considered fungi to be sentient, but Michael Hathaway . . . argues that mushrooms (as well as plants and other organisms widely considered as passive automatons), though not exactly conscious, nevertheless 'engage their surroundings in a dynamic way.' . . . The takeaway, Hathaway advises, should at least be a renewed appreciation of the interconnectedness of all forms of life, flora, fauna, and 'funga,' and a realization that the world is 'made and remade through relationships.'"---Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History"This book will be valuable to social scientists and ecologists, and essential to philosophers of human-fungi relationships." * Choice *
£19.80