Natural History Books

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis View your favorite constellations anytime, anywhere with the Tiny Planetarium! Bring the mystery and wonder of the night sky to your office or home with this charming miniature constellation projector! This kit includes: a 3 star projector with a disk including 12 Hellenistic constellations a 48-page illustrated mini book about the mythology and lore behind each constellation

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Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR NATURE LOVERSTo see a hare sit still as stone, to watch a hare boxing on a frosty March morning, to witness a hare bolt . . . these are great things. Every field should have a hare.' The hare, a night creature and country-dweller, is a rare sight for most people. We know them only from legends and stories. They are shape-shifters, witches' familiars and symbols of fertility. They are arrogant, as in Aesop's The Hare and the Tortoise, and absurd, as in Lewis Carroll's Mad March Hare. In the absence of observed facts, speculation and fantasy have flourished. But real hares? What are they like? In The Private Life of the Hare, John Lewis-Stempel explores myths, history and the reality of the hare. And in vivid, elegant prose he celebrates how, in an age when television cameras have revealed so much in our landscape, the hare remains as elusive and magical as ever.Trade ReviewIn vivid prose, [John Lewis-Stempel] celebrates how, in an age when television cameras have revealed so much in our landscape, the hare remains as magical and elusive as ever. * Slightly Foxed *In elegant prose, [John Lewis-Stempel] celebrates the elusive magic of these beautiful night creatures. * Evening News *

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Book SynopsisRex and Digger are visiting the Taj Mahal when he nearly bumps into someone from his past. Josh Farley, a CRC agent, and with him a woman Rex doesn't know. Are they looking for Rex, on some other mission, or on holiday? Rex doesn't have a good feeling about it. Cops, spooks, soldiers, military analysts, and many others don't believe in coincidence, and neither does he. It is time for him and Digger to get out of India. Rex decides to take a trip to Thailand, where he is planning to undergo cosmetic surgery to change his looks to hide from the people in his past. Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles' and Rex finds that it is an appropriate moniker, especially so when he meets his Thai language teacher, Sunstra. Her name means girl with beautiful eyes'. Right from the beginning there are good vibes between them and they become fast friends and before long there is a romance in the making. But then things seldom work out they way they are planned. Sunstra disappears when a tsunami devastates the southern part of the country where she is visiting her family. Rex and Digger try to find her. But then her family receives a ransom demand. She is alive but she not going to remain alive for long if her father doesn't sign the papers to sell his land. Rex and Digger have to race against time to rescue her before she is killed, but Sunstra's family is not very cooperative. SIDESWIPED is a full-length novel, a nail-biting thriller by best-selling author JC Ryan. It is the forth book in the electrifying new Rex Dalton series.

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Book SynopsisUncover what lies at the deepest depths of our oceans...In ten brief and informative essays, marine biologist and TV science advisor Professor Jon Copley journeys to one of the most mysterious and fascinating environments on Earth, the deep sea. Discover what makes this unique habitat such a challenging environment, the creatures that call it home and how ocean explorers are able to utilise the latest technology to aid their research and travel miles below the ocean surface.The Deep Sea: 10 things you should know is a brilliant guide to one of the most fascinating and curious places known to humankind.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF BOOK OF THE YEAR, NARRATIVE NON-FICTION BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2021Rediscover the natural world with the multi-award winning phenomenon and youngest ever major literary prize winner in UK history.'Miraculous memoir . . . profoundly moving' Observer 'Dara is an extraordinary voice and vision: brave, poetic, ethical, lyrical' Robert Macfarlane 'It's a diary but essentially timeless . . . It's really, really special' Chris PackhamALSO WINNER OF: THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING 2020, AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARD FOR NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2020, BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION 2020; SHORTLISTED FOR: WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020 & LONGLISTED FOR: THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2020 ___________ 'This diary chronicles the turning of my world, from spring to winter, at home, in the wild, in my head.'Evocative, raw and lyrical, this startling debut explores the natural world through the eyes of Dara McAnulty, an autistic teenager coping with the uprooting of home, school, and his mental health, while pursuing his life as a conservationist and environmental activist.Shifting from intense darkness to light, recalling his sensory encounters in the wild - with blackbirds, whooper swans, red kites, hen harriers, frogs, dandelions, Irish hares and more - McAnulty reveals worlds we have neglected to see, in a stunning world of nature writing that is a future classic.Diary of a Young Naturalist is a powerful and scintillating portrayal of the beauty of the natural world, as it shines a light on autism and of overcoming severe anxiety. It is a story of the binding love of family and home, and how we can help each other through the most difficult of times. ___________ BIG ISSUE BOOK OF THE YEAR HAY FESTIVAL BOOK OF THE YEARA TIMES NATURE BOOK OF THE YEAR 'An extraordinary diary' The Times'A torrent of pure, unmediated fervour . . . This is writing at its wild and unruly best' Dr Rachel Clarke 'Diary of a Young Naturalist is not only one of the finest pieces of modern nature writing produced on this island in recent years, McAnulty is one of our best young writers in any genre' Irish Independent'An exceptional new voice. Dara McAnulty celebrates nature in such a fresh way and illuminatesour understanding of autism' Martha Kearney, chair of the Baillie Gifford Prize 2020'One of the most talented and passionate writers of our era' Steve Silberman, award-winning author of NeuroTribes ___________Trade ReviewDara's is an extraordinary voice and vision: brave, poetic, ethical, lyrical, strong enough to have made him heard and admired from a young age. * Robert Macfarlane *It's a diary but essentially timeless. It's about enduring, it's about passion, beauty and connection. It's really, really special. * Chris Packham *Dara is only 16 and autistic, and is already on his way to becoming one of the most talented and passionate writers of our era. * Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes *Feeling illuminates every page of this miraculous memoir ... His portrait of loving parents raising three neurodivergent children on poetry, punk and puffins is profoundly moving ... intimate, sensitive, deeply felt * Observer *Like reading William Blake or Ted Hughes, it really is a strange and magical experience...surely one of the most talked about nature books, or any books, this year * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered what your dog is really thinking?Our dogs mean the world to us and as owners we do our best to make sure they feel happy and loved, whilst also keeping them in line when needed. But wouldn’t it be so much easier if we spoke the same language and could ask what they were thinking or feeling?In his latest book, top dog trainer, Graeme Hall, reveals the secrets to understanding what your furry companion is trying to say and how they see the world. Drawing on 15 years of experience training over 5,000 dogs, and backed up with scientific evidence, he tackles all the tricky questions you’ve ever wanted to ask, such as ‘how do I tell my dog he’s been naughty?’ and ‘how long does a dog remember?’.Sharing his own personal stories and practical tips, Graeme demonstrates how to interpret your dog's body language and use that knowledge to build a stronger, more rewarding relationship, as well as how to avoid common mistakes. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or a new pup parent, this book will change the way you think about your four-legged best friend.

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about stories – old stories of people and place, and of the more-than-human world. A vivid account of a journey through the Scottish Highlands, The Bone Cave follows a series of folktales and myths to the places in which they’re set. Travelling mostly on foot, and camping along the way amid some of Scotland’s most beautiful and rugged landscapes, Dougie Strang encounters a depth of meaning to the tales he tracks – one that offers a unique perspective on place, culture, land ownership and ecological stewardship, as well as insights into his own entanglement with place. Dougie sets out on his walk at the beginning of October, which also marks the start of the red deer rut. The bellowing of stags forms the soundtrack to his journey and is a reminder that, as well as mapping invisible landscapes of story, he is also exploring the tangible, living landscape of the present.Trade Review'This is a glorious read: measured, insightful, wistful and replete with meaning... a gem of a book' * Scottish Field *'The Bone Cave is a meditation on the move; a listening to the voices of bird, wind and river, a holding onto tree and stone, a watching of deer. And in the fullness of presence to this landscape, it summons the spirits that inhabit story and place. As Strang pitches his tent across the Highlands, kindling fire and memory, he draws us into the enfolded layers of landscape, wildlife and folktale that tell us who we were and yet might be. Wise and wonderful' -- Merryn Glover, author of The Hidden Fires'I loved The Bone Cave. I loved tracing Dougie Strang’s journey through the Highlands on maps and in my mind. The places he describes come alive through his attentive, respectful presence, his affinity for the landscape, and his ability to infuse his travelogue with history, stories, memoir and folklore. It is an inspiring and beautiful book' -- James Macdonald Lockhart, author of Wild Air and Raptor'Dougie Strang will guide you through the "carrying stream" of places, stories and deep time. Go confidently! You are in the hands of one of Scotland’s finest navigators' -- Alastair McIntosh, author of Soil and Soul and Poacher’s Pilgrimage'Much more than a travelogue... it's the author's exploration of the connections between the places he visits and elements of Scottish folklore that make this such a special book' * Undiscovered Scotland *'A mesmerising journey through remote Scotland, full of myth and self-reflection' -- David Robinson * Books from Scotland *'a sensitive exploration of land, time, modernity and masculinity... ache[s] with a profound, not-quite-lost connection to Earth' * The New Statesman *'Although the book shines with folk tales and quirky lore, it doesn’t shy away from the real tragedy of the Highlands, where people remain dispossessed and land-ownership and ecological destruction remain a brutal fact of life' * Bella Caledonia *'A fascinating insight into the ways in which landscape and folklore are intertwined here in Scotland... The ways in which these stories are linked to the landscape - and to the daily lives of the people who used to inhabit it - are expertly teased out by Strang' -- Roger Cox * The Scotsman *'A unique perspective on place, land, ownership and ecological stewardship... a beautiful book' * Oban Times *'Excellent book' -- Kathleen Jamie'A lovely well-written book... I really enjoyed my dip into Scottish folklore, the landscape that houses its memories and the tramping of the author’s boots on soggy ground' -- Mark Avery

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Book SynopsisA Guardian Best Nature Book of the Year The magic and mystery of the woods are embedded in culture, from ancient folklore to modern literature. They offer us refuge: a place to play, a place to think. They are the generous providers of timber and energy. They let us dream of other ways of living. Yet we now face a future where taking a walk in the woods is consigned to the tales we tell our children. Immersing himself in the beauty of woodland Britain, Peter Fiennes explores our long relationship with the woods and the sad and violent story of how so many have been lost. Just as we need them, our woods need us too. But who, if anyone, is looking out for them?Trade Review‘Extraordinary… Written with a mixture of lyricism and quiet fury…Fiennes’s book winningly combines autobiography, literary history and nature writing. It feels set to become a classic of the genre.’ * Observer *‘Steeped in poetry, science, folklore, history and magic, Fiennes is an eloquent, elegiac chronicler of copses, coppicing and the wildwood.’ * Sunday Express *‘Peter Fiennes writes with a piercingly urgent tone as he examines what he sees as the desperate state of our trees.’ * BBC Wildlife *‘Fascinating…This passionate book should inspire readers to plant more trees, support woodland campaigns and participate in active conservation.’ * BBC Countryfile Magazine *‘Lyrical, angry and often very funny. I loved it.’ -- Tom Holland‘Rich, personal, evocative, rousing.’ -- Robert Penn, author of Woods: A Celebration and The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees‘A passionate ramble through Britain’s complicated relationship with its woodland.’ * Daily Mail *‘A joy of a book and a delight to read.’ * The Great Outdoors *‘A wonderful wander into the woods that explores our deep-rooted connections – cultural, historical and personal – with the trees.’ -- Rob Cowen, author of Common Ground‘A tender hymn to the trees, a manifesto for a woodland society, a contemporary gazette of ideas and attitudes radiating into the future like annual rings from the original pith… In this lyrical, informative, unashamedly arboreal propaganda, one man’s walk in the woods can inspire a generation.’ -- Paul Evans, author of Field Notes from the Edge‘Peter Fiennes really can see the wood for the trees – he blends mythology, natural history and a sense of righteous anger to produce a paean of praise to our ancient woodlands and modern forests, and the life support system they provide.’ -- Stephen Moss, author of Wild Kingdom: Bringing Back Britain’s Wildlife‘Passionate and thoughtful in exactly the way the best nature writing should be…the woodlands of Britain have found their perfect advocate.’ -- Hugh Thomson, author of The Green Road into the Trees‘Fiennes is the best of guides, gently, eloquently and with a fierce humour telling a sad story – relating chapters of fascinating detail to brighten his tale and quoting the poets as he goes.’ -- John Wright, author of A Natural History of the Hedgerow

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Book SynopsisIn To the Island of Tides, Alistair Moffat travels to - and through the history of - the fated island of Lindisfarne. Known by the Romans as Insula Medicata and famous for its monastery, it even survived Viking raids. Today the isle maintains its position as a space for retreat and spiritual renewal.Walking from his home in the Borders, through the historical landscape of Scotland and northern England, Moffat takes us on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of saints and scholars, before arriving for a secular retreat on the Holy Isle. To the Island of Tides is a walk through history, a meditation on the power of place, but also a more personal journey; and a reflection on where life leads us.Trade Review[To the Island of Tides] is often beautifully evocative of places, the past and the landscape . . . compelling and revealing * * The Times * *Written with both wisdom and love . . . This is a wonderfully rich and consoling book . . . and it is very good indeed * * Scotsman * *Extraordinary . . . a triumph . . . This book is an intriguing account of St Cuthbert and his times, a lyrical testimony to the wonder of nature and a beguiling account of the power of place in all lives. But . . . it becomes something more, something sublime in the realm of memoir . . . There is a powerful, natural beauty in Moffat's writing * * Herald * *This is a book written by a living bard of the Borders, who has walked his way into knowledge and found real magic with his eyes wide open * * Country Life * *This pilgrimage incorporates local lore and biblical references, touching self discovery and a Saint's life. Above all it is a homage to the importance of family and of belonging * * Wee Review * *Praise for The Hidden Ways: Our ancestors walked everywhere, unless they lived by a river or loch and travelled by boat, or were rich enough to keep a horse or pony. So Moffat will walk. He will walk over much of Scotland, following, sometimes struggling to follow, old roads that are now sometimes hard to find. This book is the story of a dozen such walks. This is a splendidly rich book - a treasure-house of information, memories and speculation -- ALLAN MASSIE * * Scotsman * *This fascinating and compelling narrative will leave you spellbound and in no time you'll be looking for your hiking boots and waterproofs . . . An absorbing and thought-provoking addition to the literature of Scotland's byways * * Countryfile * *The Hidden Ways makes us think about Scotland and its history in a completely different way . . . A truly fascinating read * * Sunday Mail * *Retracing and walking Scotland's lost paths makes Alistair Moffat reflect upon the country's history in a different sort of way . . . From Perthshire to Ballachulish, Moffat explores the land in a personal, inquisitive way and searches for evidence of the people who helped shape it * * Outdoor Photography * *A treasure trove of stories * * The Great Outdoors * *

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Book Synopsis** WINNER OF THE LAUREL PRIZE 2021 ****A SPECTATOR AND IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020****SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES / UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020****SHORTLISTED FOR THE JOHN POLLARD FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL POETRY PRIZE 2021****SHORTLISTED FOR THE DALKEY LITERARY EMERGING WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021**A remarkable first collection by an important new poetIn this collection, Seán Hewitt gives us poems of a rare musicality and grace. By turns searing and meditative, these are lyrics concerned with the matter of the world, its physicality, but also attuned to the proximity of each moment, each thing, to the spiritual. Here, there is sex, grief, and loss, but also a committed dedication to life, hope and renewal. Drawing on the religious, the sacred and the profane, this is a collection in which men meet in the woods, where matter is corrupted and remade. There are prayers, hymns, vespers, incantations, and longer poems which attempt to propel themselves towards the transcendent. In this book, there is always the sense of fragility allied with strength, a violence harnessed and unleashed. The collection ends with a series of elegies for the poet's father: in the face of despair, we are met with a fierce brightness, and a reclamation of the spiritual. 'This is when / we make God, and speak in his voice.'Paying close attention to altered states and the consolations and strangeness of the natural world, this is the first book from a major poet.Trade ReviewSeán Hewitt soars... His poetry will stand the test of time, for...the sheer musicality of the language, the lightness on his metrical feet, and his keen ear for "the music of what happens" charm the reader into submission. This is an astonishingly assured debut delivered in a poetic voice that has eloquence, compassion, and serenity in equal measure...in the pantheistic tradition of Wordsworth, Whitman, John Clare, and Seamus Heaney... When it comes to nascent talent, we Irish have a tendency to mistake the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy for the ninth, thrusting premature greatness upon the liveliest embryos. By contrast, Hewitt seems to have sprung fully formed into the literary world and, on this showing, nothing seems beyond him. -- Bert Wright * Sunday Times *It is extraordinary to encounter a debut collection that feels as established as Seán Hewitt’s… These unmediated poems are, at the same time, charged: they pull you in swiftly, you become immersed… In ‘Tongues of Fire’, the title piece and last in the collection, the present is burning. It is an exceptionally moving poem – impossible to read without a lump in the throat… He grafts the people and circumstances of his life on to nature with unerring brilliance… This is, above all, a devotional collection and will lift the spirits of all who read it…. He has a gift for gravity, rootedness, calm… Hewitt has the confidence to relax and to allow his poems, in an unaffected and sometimes conversational way, to speak to the heart. -- Kate Kellaway * Observer *Poetry Book of the Month* *I fell into [Tongues of Fire] one morning and read the whole book through and it truly warmed my soul. He's an exquisitely calm and insightful lyric poet, reverential in nature and gorgeously wise in the field of human drama. It's a stunning collection of poems. -- Max Porter * Irish Times *Best Books of 2020* *Very accomplished poems. -- Sebastian Faulks * Spectator *Books of the Year* *This is an extraordinary collection - heart-bruising, tender - one to cherish, and live by. Though Hewitt moves us through anguish and destruction, love still glows; and in the dark undoings of these poems, decay lights the wildwood with its strange, ethereal foxfire. As Hewitt writes, "it is hard to tell where heaven starts"; I find it in these poems, which are beyond-gorgeous, beyond-glorious, blood-felt, feral, luminous. -- Fiona BensonSeán Hewitt understands that poetic form is sacred and mysterious. In these godforsaken times his reverent procedures are food for the soul. -- Michael LongleyI fell in love with these wild, heartsore, ecstatic poems. They lead us to deep, hushed places - in the woods and heaths, in our hearts and bodies - and unearth such tenderness and dark treasure. Tongues of Fire is a beautiful book and Seán Hewitt is an extraordinary writer. -- Liz BerryIn Tongues of Fire, Hewitt crafts poems of intense beauty and endless range, which glisten with queer desire... Considered and poised, every line in this stunning compilation surprises and nurtures. -- Uli Lenart * attitude, *Books of the Year* *

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational autobiography of Britain’s beloved astronaut Tim Peake, the #1 bestselling author of Hello, is this Planet Earth? and Ask an AstronautAs heard on BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs__________________'What surprised me was how entirely serene I felt. I was weightless, no forces exerting themselves on my body. To my left was the Space Station. Below me, gradually going into shadow, was the Earth. And over my right shoulder was the universe.'In fascinating and personal detail, and drawing on exclusive diaries and audio recordings from his mission, astronaut Tim Peake takes readers closer than ever before to experience what life in space is really like: the sights, the smells, the fear, the sacrifice, the exhilaration and the deep and abiding wonder of the view.Warm, inspiring and often funny, Tim also charts his surprising road to becoming an astronaut, from a shy and unassuming boy from Chichester who had a passion for flight, to a young British Army officer, Apache helicopter pilot, flight instructor and test pilot who served around the world. Tim's extensive eighteen-year career in the Army included the command of a platoon of soldiers in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, deployment in Bosnia, and operations in Afghanistan.Full of life lessons for readers of all ages, Limitless is the story of how ordinary can become extraordinary.__________________'For someone who has literally been out of this world Tim's an incredibly down to earth guy and I think you'll be amazed at some of the things he has done ... it's so inspiring to know that even going into space didn't change him as much as being a parent did.' JOE WICKS'Tim is one of our nation's good guys - and his story is a testament to his courage, kindness and a never-give-up spirit.' BEAR GRYLLS'Full of courage, camaraderie and daring escapades, this reads like a Boys' Own adventure' MIRROR'A fantastic book' PIERS MORGAN'Fasten your seatbelt for an exhilarating read ... His accounts of blasting into orbit at 25 times the speed of sound and floating, weightless, around the space station are enthralling.' EXPRESSBestseller in the UK, Sunday Times, October 2020Trade ReviewHis accounts of blasting into orbit at 25 times the speed of sound and floating, weightless, around the space station are enthralling. Fasten your seatbelt for an exhilarating read. * Daily Express *It's awesome! -- Jason FoxFor someone who has literally been out of this world Tim's an incredibly down to earth guy and I think you'll be amazed at some of the things he has done ... it's so inspiring to know that even going into space didn't change him as much as being a parent did. -- Joe WicksTim is one of our nation's good guys - and his story is a testament to his courage, kindness and a never give up spirit. -- Bear GryllsWarm, entertaining and sprinkled with a touch of stardust, this book is definitely a must-read for anybody who's dreamed of the stars. To infinity and beyond! -- Roaring Bookworm (blog)

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Book SynopsisBird photography is one of the most challenging genres of photography, and can test even modern high-specification cameras to their limits. This practical book guides you through both how to understand your camera and how to develop your own style and approach. With technical, practical and creative insights throughout, it also emphasizes the importance of fieldcraft and understanding your subject.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the life of trees through science, folklore, history and art – every day of the year. Immerse yourself in the world of trees with A Tree A Day – packed with tree facts and richly illustrated throughout with photographs and art. Nature writer Amy-Jane Beer takes us on a tour around the world’s woodlands to tell the stories of a variety of trees, from mysterious ginkos to historical oaks. Anyone who has sat in the dappled shade of a mighty oak or wandered in the blaze of a deciduous woodland in autumn cannot fail to appreciate the wonder of our trees and forests. Each of the 366 entries in this beautiful book – one for every day of the year – reveals some of the fascinating science, natural history or folklore of our great and gracious green neighbours, the history made beneath their branches, or the creativity they inspire. From the awesome Californian redwoods, titans of the tree world, to tiny but exquisite bonsai, and from the fantastically irritable sentinel willow of Harry Potter fame to the Japanese springtime tradition of hanami (blossom viewing) – this captivating collection showcases remarkable individuals and explores some of the ways trees support life on Earth as we know it. Celebrating one of the longest-living lifeforms on earth, A Tree A Day is forest bathing in book form and a wonder for nature lovers and tree enthusiasts alike.Trade Review‘Gorgeous … A Wildwood of a Book’ -- Robert Mcfarlane‘This chunky volume gives a good daily dose of dendrology. Indeed, more than that, it gives 366 compelling reasons why we should treasure our trees and foster a world in which they can thrive’ – Dixe Wills -- BBC Countryfile‘Stunning’ -- Garden Answers

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Book SynopsisPreviously published as The ultimate encyclopedia of horse breeds & horse care --T.p. verso

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Book SynopsisUnhappily land-locked in his early adult life, Frank Fraser Darling's fortunes changed when he began visiting Scotland's west coast in the 1930s. Surviving treacherous boat journeys, a broken leg, and hell-bent storms, he made temporary homes with his family on some of the remotest Hebridean islands so he could study the habits of grey seals and seabirds. The family finally settled on an abandoned croft in the Summer Isles, on Tanera Mor, and started farming the barren land. They repaired a ruined herring fishery and its stone quay. They fertilised the ground with seaweed, cut peat for the fires, planted a garden behind sheltered walls. Slowly, they brought life back to the island. Little Toller republishes classic books about nature and rural life.

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Book SynopsisAmong the UK''s favourite birds and especially associated with the Christmas period, the latest volume in the Nature Book series explores this treasured creature through over 100 mesmerising photographs and accessible, informative sections ranging from the physiological to myth and legend.

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Book Synopsis''It has been hand-planted by Tsarinas and felled by foresters. It has been celebrated by peasants, worshipped by pagans and painted by artists. It has self-seeded across mountains and rivers and train tracks and steppe and right through the ruined modernity of a nuclear fall-out site. And like all symbols, the story of the birch has its share of horrors (white, straight, native, pure: how could it not?). But, maybe in the end, what I''m really in search of is a birch that means nothing: stripped of symbolism, bereft of use-value . . . A birch that is simply a tree in a land that couldn''t give a shit.''The birch, genus Betula, is one of the northern hemisphere''s most widespread and easily recognisable trees. A pioneer species, the birch is also Russia''s unofficial national emblem, and in The White Birch art critic Tom Jeffreys sets out to grapple with the riddle of Russianness through numerous journeys, encounters, histories and artworks that all sharTrade ReviewA natural-political exploration of Russian relationships with the birch tree across past, present, and future. Moving from the Tsarina's garden to the Soviet Gulag, from Chernobyl to Lake Baikal, The White Birch is elegant and intrepid, like its subject -- Daisy Hildyard, author of The Second Body and Hunters in the Snow'Genuinely revelatory' -- Sophy Richards * TLS *There could be no better guide through the thickets of meaning, history and imagery that entangle with the birch tree than figurative forester Tom Jeffreys -- Melissa McCarthy, author of Sharks Death SurfersA beautiful and profound meditation on the way landscape shapes art and life. I was entranced by The White Birch, a book that comes close to encapsulating the vast enigma of Russia in the form of a single tree -- Alex Preston, author of Winchelsea and As Kingfishers Catch FireI love this book. Jeffreys admits he doesn't know where he's going at every turn, but trusts his instinct - and his ear for a good story - as he tries to untangle myth from fact . . . This is the great joy of The White Birch -- Mark Hooper * Caught by the River *

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Book Synopsisa comic about dinosaurs finding meaning, togetherTrade ReviewReviews for dinosaur therapy: ‘Never has a book felt so much like a friend. When your own brain is the enemy, it’s nice to be reminded by cute little dinosaurs that you are not alone.’ BeRibbons ‘Finally, a book that understands depression. It’s funny and reflective and ironic and I can’t recommend it enough!’ J. Olney

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Book SynopsisThe further adventures of a young David Attenborough - from Madagascar and New Guinea to the Pacific Islands and the Northern Territory of AustraliaTrade ReviewAbundantly good * TLS *With charm, erudition, humour and passion, the world's favourite natural history broadcaster documents some of his expeditions from the late 1950s onwards * Sunday Express *This book is a wondrous reminder of Attenborough's pioneering role and the often hilarious difficulties he faced . . . A century ago, we learnt about exotic creatures from intrepid explorers in pith helmets. Now we learn from slick, professional TV presenters. David Attenborough has led the way from one style to the other and this book is full of delightful tales from the period of transition. * Daily Express *Engaging and evocative but ultimately poignant . . . Attenborough is a fine writer and storyteller * Irish Times *An adventure that sparked a lifetime's commitment to the planet * The Lady *Fascinating * OK! *With his usual charm and generosity, Attenborough allows us along for the ride * Irish Examiner *An in-depth look at the beloved naturalist's momentous voyage made in his youth across the globe * Woman's Weekly *Pure gold . . . the story of a journey to discover the fugitive, mythical, 'other': Paradise * Wild at Home *A beautifully written book . . . it retains all the trademark Attenborough magic. * WI Magazine *In his May 2018 introduction to these books first published in the early '60s, the great broadcaster naturalist recalls a much changed planet . . . But Attenborough's lust for all types of life remains undimmed as in those distant days * RTE Guide *

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Book SynopsisThe definitive, fully-illustrated guide to the trees of Britain and non-Mediterranean Europe.This brand-new field guide to the trees of northern Europe contains some of the finest original tree illustrations ever produced. The introduction contains illustrations of the main leaves, buds, and firs you are likely to find, and these provide the starting point for identification by leading you to a ''key'' species.Within each tree family there is a list of key species and a guide to the most important features to look for when identifying a particular tree from that family. Then individual species are clearly described and a detailed illustration is given on the same page.Covering all the tree species found outside the major arboretums, from the olive tree to the eucalyptus, this is one of the most important tree guides to have appeared in the last 20 years. The illustrations are annotated with essential identification features, and the text highlights the most important things to look for to aid fast and accurate identification. There is also coverage of all the species native to Southern Europe.Trade ReviewPraise for the small format edition: ‘Entertaining and informative. A visual delight' BBC Wildlife 'A remarkable new guide' Guardian 'Outstanding colour paintings…precise and accurate' The Times 'David More's illustrations astonish by their beauty and detail' New Scientist 'Essential for 21st century treehuggers everywhere' Matt James 'Makes identifying trees a piece of cake…something all tree lovers will want to have' Garden News 'As compact as a complete handbook can possibly be' Best of British 'A must for all tree huggers and lovers' The Ecologist 'In the firmament of tree specialists, Dr Owen Johnson is a definite star' The Field 'In addition to the detailed descriptions and illustrations of bark, seed, and leaf, and well-planned structure, lies a host of information gems' Countryside Voice 'This nicely packaged and presented book is a must' Tree News 'Suffice to say that this book is an absolute must-have' New Woodworking

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Book SynopsisSeeds are tiny parcels of life, poised to give rise to anything from ephemeral herbs to giant trees that can live for thousands of years. A close look at these tiny miracles of nature through a scanning electron microscope opens up a view into a fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful microcosm few people, even scientists, have ever seen before. The range of sizes, shapes, and patterns plants have evolved over 360 million years to perfect their one and only chance in life to travel is beyond our wildest imagination.In this astonishing book, artist Rob Kesseler and botanist Wolfgang Stuppy, previously of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, present a unique and highly unusual natural history of seeds. The story of how seeds evolved to ensure the survival of their species and how they adapted to their natural environments including the animals they share them with is stunningly illustrated, combining close-up photography with digitally enhanced scanning electron micrographs.This

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary collection of more than 300 images celebrating the beauty and diversity of trees

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author Jane Davenport comes the ultimate inspiration for mixed-media artists! Make more time for creativity! In the follow-up to her popular 'Whimsical Girls', internationally known artist Jane Davenport once again offers her signature fanciful female figures, now accompanied by a menagerie of animal friends: cuddly koalas, noble lions, exotic birds and more. Inspirational prompts and Jane's stunning illustrations accompany the journal pages, which are printed on a variety of fine-art papers, including colouring paper, marker paper and watercolour paper, all perforated for easy display. Colourful collage papers and bonus stickers with even more original art and quotations round out this gorgeous package.

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Book Synopsis''He is delight and joy personified'' - Marian Keyes''Set to become BBC''s next David Attenborough'' - Daily Mail''Brings a little bit of joy to us all'' - GuardianDiscover the wonderful world of birdwatching with wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin - winner of BBC One''s Strictly Come Dancing 2022 and presenter of BBC documentary Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey ''Birds have been with me my entire life - from the colourful weaver birds on the banks of the Nile in Sudan to the magpies of Newcastle, from the roosting peregrine falcons near my parents'' house in Northampton to the white-tailed eagles on the west coast of Scotland. I love them. If you take the time to stop and listen, you''ll see the world through different eyes. It''s all out there, waiting for you to find it. And it might just bring you as much joy as it''s brought me.''Journey along with Hamza in Be a Birder as he recounts stories of his birding adventures, and shares tips and tricks to help you get started in birdwatching.In this beautifully illustrated guide featuring fifty of Hamza''s favourite birds, you will learn how to start identifying birds, understand their behaviour and movements, and find even more exciting birds, wherever you are. Starting with the goldfinch in your garden, to tawny owls in woodlands, to the elusive kingfisher near rivers and marshes, you will build your birdwatching confidence and push yourself further afield to find new feathered wonders.Encouraging us all to stop, step outside and listen, Be a Birder is both a practical guide and a joyous celebration of these incredible creatures. Once you start looking for them, and with Hamza as your guide, your world will be forever changed.

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Book SynopsisThe Easternmost Sky is part memoir, part elegy and part warning. It was written on the Suffolk coast, in a place known for its farmland, nature reserves and the fastest coastal erosion in Europe. By exploring how climate change and social change are already affecting this agriculturally important part of the world, it is possible to imagine a very different landscape, to glimpse the future and to understand how these changes will affect us all.Trade ReviewEngaging... Blaxland is an acute observer, steeped in the ways of the countryside, its communities, and its traditions. * Country & Town House *Thought provoking. * BBC Radio Suffolk *The author writes beautifully about her life in this small extremity. * Country Life *A joy to read.

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.''we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words.''When his beloved owners are forced to sell him, Black Beauty leaves his life as a young, care-free colt behind him and embarks on a working life of misery. Cruelly treated by his new masters, Anna Sewell rails against animal mistreatment in this poignant tale of a horse whose spirit can not be broken.

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Book SynopsisSince prehistory, dogs have served as man's best friend, giving us loyalty, assistance and boundless inspiration. Dogs offer comfort and amusement to their owners; they provide solace when we're sad, entertaining antics when we're bored and affection every day. To poets in particular, these beloved creatures are the most bountiful muses, as they bark, yip, hunt, fetch, growl and slumber, reflecting back at us our most heartfelt tenderness and often rewarding us with unconditional love we scarcely deserve. Dog Poems offers a litter of verses in celebration of our most faithful companions by some of the greatest poets of all time.Trade ReviewIdeal to tuck into a bag, or to read on the bus or train. It's a volume to consume at a sitting, as I did, or to dip into now and again. To the true dog lover, it will give years of pleasure. * Dogs Monthly *The sweet, small collection Dog Poems should be slipped into every dog-lover's Christmas stocking. * Daily Mail *This diverse collection is a celebration of our most faithful companions and illustrates what productive muses dogs have been, to poets in particular. * Your Dog *

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Book SynopsisStep-by-step instructions on caring for pet birds including a photographic directory of 250 of the most popular varieties.

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Book SynopsisDiscover over 1,200 species of animals and plants found in the coastal regions of Britain and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest. This is the definitive photographic reference guide for nature enthusiasts.This informative photographic guide will help nature enthusiasts visiting the seashore to discover and quickly and accurately identify the animals and plants commonly found in the coastal areas of Britain.The book is illustrated with beautiful photographs throughout, the perfect seashore companion for staycation' travelling nature enthusiasts as well as general natural history buffs. Young and old alike keen to discover the wildlife of Britain''s coastal areas will delight in this beautifully practical guide.Trade Review‘Beautiful photographs’ The London Naturalist Praise for the Collins Complete series: 'Wonderfully descriptive photographs'BBC Wildlife 'Packs in lots of well-chosen detail in compact form'British Wildlife ‘A bookshelf essential’The Field

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Book SynopsisA moving portrait of the landscape that shaped the life of Laurie Lee, the beloved author of Cider With Rosie ''Before I left the valley I thought everywhere was like this. Then I went away for 40 years and when I came back I realized that nowhere was like this.'' Laurie Lee walked out of his childhood village one summer morning to travel the world, but he was always drawn back to his beloved Slad Valley, eventually returning to make it his home. In this portrait of his Cotswold home, Laurie Lee guides us through its landscapes, and shares memories of his village youth - from his favourite pub to winter skating on the pond, the church through the seasons, local legends, learning the violin and playing jazz records in the privy on a wind-up gramophone. Filled with wry humour and a love of place, Down in the Valley is a writer''s tribute to the landscape that shaped him, and where he found peace.Trade ReviewIt is a fine thing to revisit this writer's landscape and hear his amiable voice in it again. -- Michael Caines * Times Literary Supplement *Down in the Valley is truly evocative of time and place. A beautiful illustration of how, in some way, we are all indelibly influenced by the landscape of our childhood. -- Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path

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Book SynopsisChris Pellant has been writing earth science books since the 1980s. These include The Complete Book of Rocks and Minerals, Fossils of the World, and Discover Science: Rocks and Fossils. In addition to his authorial work, he runs a photographic library with his wife Helen, and is a dedicated researcher and conservationist.

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Book SynopsisEncounter life on Earth millions of years ago with The Story of the Dinosaurs. Packed with bite-size facts it explains what the world looked like and how it changed, which incredible creatures, plants and animals lived there, who survived to live another day, and how scientists know all this. Each colorful double-page spread explores a different dinosaur subject, from a particular period of time or group of animals to dinosaur diets and the study of fossils. Meet the world?s first known bird and the deadly animal that may have terrified the terrible T. rex and find out why all the dinosaurs disappeared and what survived after they were gone.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisUpgrade your office or home with posters of the adorable, lovable, naughty Pusheen the cat! This deluxe book features 12 unique 8'' x 10'' removable designs including: Popular single-panel cartoons, such as ''I kinda like you'' and ''VERY HUNGRY'' Multi-panel comics, like ''6 reasons to be thankful for your cat'' and ''Places I sat yesterday'' Fully illustrated scenes showing Pusheen and co. baking or sunbathing Perfect for framing or Washi-taping to your walls, these posters offer Pusheen fans yet another way to display their love for the chubby tabby cat.

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Book SynopsisThe fast and easy way to start and maintain a hive Beekeeping For Dummies is a practical, step-by-step beginner''s guide to beekeeping. It gives you plain-English guidance on everything you need to know to start your own beehive, from buying the right equipment, sourcing bees, and locating your hive to maintaining a healthy colony and harvesting honey. Plus, you''ll get the latest information on the causes and effects of bee disease, colony collapse disorder, and the impact the sudden disappearance of the honeybee has on our environment and economy. Here, you''ll get trusted information on beekeeping in the UK, specifically written to address climate, buying equipment, locating hives, the local impact of colony collapse disorder and ways to avoid or minimise the risk to your hive, seasonal beekeeping tasks, local beekeeping associations, and updated content on urban beekeeping. Understand the anatomy of your bees Learn techniques andTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 1 How This Book Is Organised 2 Part I: Getting Hooked on Honey Bees 2 Part II: Starting Your Adventure 2 Part III: Looking Inside Your Hive 3 Part IV: Common Problems and Simple Solutions 3 Part V: Sweet Rewards 4 Part VI: The Part of Tens 4 Icons Used in This Book 4 Where to Go from Here 5 Part I: Getting Hooked on Honey Bees 7 Chapter 1: To Bee or Not to Bee? 9 Discovering the Benefits of Beekeeping 10 Harvesting liquid gold: Honey 11 Bees as pollinators: Their vital role in ensuring our food supply 11 Helping the bees; helping the environment 13 Passing on your knowledge 13 Good for your wellbeing; good for your health 13 Determining Your Beekeeping Potential 15 Environmental considerations 15 Being responsible and considering others 16 Costs and equipment 16 Time and commitment 17 Beekeeper personality traits 17 Overcoming Fear of Stings 17 Knowing what to do if you’re stung 19 Building up a tolerance 19 Watching for allergic reactions 20 Chapter 2: Life Inside the Honey Bee Hive 21 Basic Body Parts 21 Skeleton 22 Head 22 Thorax 24 Abdomen 25 The Amazing Language of Bees 25 Pheromones 25 Shall we dance? 26 Dividing Honey Bees into Three Castes 27 Her majesty, the queen 27 The industrious little worker bee 30 The woeful drone 34 The Honey Bee Life-Cycle 35 Egg 36 Larva 37 Pupa 37 Part II: Starting Your Adventure 41 Chapter 3: Locating Your Hive 43 Getting Over ‘Buzz Off!’: Consulting Family and Neighbours 43 Location, Location, Location: Where to Keep Your Hives 45 Providing for your thirsty bees 47 Understanding why your honey varies in colour and flavour 49 Knowing When to Start Your Adventure 50 Chapter 4: Stocking Up on Basic Beekeeping Equipment 51 Finding Out about the Modified National Hive 52 Knowing the Basic Parts of the Hive 53 Hive stand 54 Floor 55 Entrance block 55 Brood chamber 56 Queen excluder 58 Super 58 Frames 59 Foundation 61 Crown board 65 Roof 66 Ordering Hive Parts 66 Preparing for assembly 67 Adding on Feeders 68 Miller and Ashforth rapid feeders 68 Bucket feeder 69 Frame feeder 71 Stocking Up on Your Personal Beekeeping Equipment 72 Smoker 72 Hive tool 73 Covering Up with Bee-Proof Clothing 74 Veils 74 Gloves 75 Really Helpful Accessories 76 Elevated hive stand 76 Frame rest 78 Bee brush 78 Other necessities 79 Chapter 5: Obtaining and Hiving Your Bees 81 Determining the Kind of Bee You Want 81 Deciding How to Obtain Your Initial Bee Colony 83 Picking a reputable bee supplier 84 Deciding when to place your order 84 Buying a nucleus colony 85 Transferring your nucleus to a hive 86 Purchasing an established colony 87 Capturing a wild swarm of bees 88 Ordering package bees 88 Meeting and Greeting: The Day Your Bees Arrive 89 Bringing home your bees 90 Feeding your bees 90 Buzzing with Excitement: Putting Your Bees into the Hive 91 Part III: Looking Inside Your Hive 97 Chapter 6: Opening Your Hive 99 Setting an Inspection Schedule 99 Preparing to Visit Your Hive 100 Making ‘non-scents’ a part of personal hygiene 101 Getting dressed up and ready to go 101 Lighting your smoker 102 Opening the Hive 104 Removing the crown board 106 The Hive’s Open! Now What? 107 Chapter 7: What to Look for when You’re Inspecting 109 Exploring Basic Inspection Techniques: Examining a Full Colony 109 Removing the first frame 110 Working your way through the hive 112 Holding up frames for inspection 112 Understanding what to look for every time 113 Replacing frames 117 Closing the hive 118 Establishing a Colony from a Nucleus 119 Managing your nucleus 119 Starting your Colony with a Package of Bees 121 Checking in: A week after hiving your bees 121 The second and third weeks 124 Weeks four to eight 125 Chapter 8: Your Work throughout the Seasons 129 Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer 129 Your summer to-do list 130 Your summer time commitment 130 Falling Leaves Point to Autumn Tasks 131 Your autumn to-do list 131 Making one hive from two 133 Your autumn time commitment 134 Clustering in a Winter Wonderland 134 Your winter to-do list 135 Your winter time commitment 136 Spring Is in the Air: Starting Your Second Season 137 Your spring to-do list 137 Making two hives from one 138 Your spring time commitment 140 Administering spring medication 141 Reversing hive bodies 141 Part IV: Common Problems and Simple Solutions 145 Chapter 9: Heading Off Potential Problems 147 Avoiding Absconding 147 Swarming 148 Absconding 156 Where Did the Queen Go? 157 Letting nature take its course 157 Ordering a replacement queen 158 Introducing a new queen to the hive 158 Avoiding Chilled Brood 160 Dealing with the Dreaded Robbing Frenzies 161 Knowing the difference between normal and abnormal (robbing) behaviour 161 Putting a stop to a robbing attack 162 Preventing robbing in the first place 162 Ridding Your Hive of the Laying Worker Phenomenon 163 How to know if you have laying workers 163 Getting rid of laying workers 164 Preventing Pesticide Poisoning 166 Chapter 10: Treating Diseases and Considering Colony Collapse Disorder 169 Medicating when Necessary 170 Knowing the Big Six Bee Diseases 170 American foulbrood (AFB) 171 European foulbrood (EFB) 172 Nosema 172 Chalkbrood 173 Sacbrood 174 Stonebrood 174 A handy chart 174 Shedding Some Light on Colony Collapse Disorder and Vanishing Hives 177 Unlocking the mystery of the Mary Celeste hives 177 Discovering more about CCD 178 Exploring Potential Causes of CCD 179 The mobile phone theory 179 Pollinating insect research 179 A Final Word 181 Chapter 11: Buzz Off! Dealing with Honey Bee Pests 183 Preventing Parasitic Mites 183 Varroa mites 183 Controlling Varroa the natural way 192 Acarine (Tracheal mites) 193 Wax Moths 196 Ants, Ants and More Ants 197 Keeping Out Mice 198 Dealing with Birds that Have a Taste for Bees 199 Pest Control in a Nutshell 199 Chapter 12: Raising Your Own Queens 201 Why Raising Queens Makes You Proud 201 Accentuating the Positive: Choosing Good Traits 202 What Makes a Queen a Queen 204 Buzzing with love: Queen mating 205 Creating Demand: Making a Queenless Nuc 206 Queen Rearing: The Miller Method 207 Using an Artificial Swarm to Raise Queens 211 The Doolittle Method: Grafting 212 Tools and equipment 212 How it’s done 214 Trying Out the Jenter System 216 How it’s done 216 Providing nuptial housing 219 Finding a Home for Your Queens 220 Part V: Sweet Rewards 223 Chapter 13: Getting Ready for the Golden Harvest 225 Choosing Extracted, Comb, Chunk or Soft-Set Honey 226 Using the Right Equipment for the Job 228 Honey extractors 228 Uncapping knife 229 Honey strainers 229 Other handy gadgets for extracting honey 230 Comb honey equipment 233 Honey containers 233 Planning Your Honey Harvest Set-Up 233 Labelling and Selling Your Honey 235 Creating an attractive label 235 Finding places to market your honey 237 Chapter 14: Honey, I’m Home: Harvest Time 239 Knowing When to Harvest 240 Getting the Bees Out of the Honey Supers 241 Shakin’ ’em out 242 Using a bee escape 242 Fume board and bee repellent 244 Food of the Gods: Honey Extraction 246 Cleaning Up after Extracting 249 Controlling wax moths 249 Harvesting wax 250 Part VI: The Part of Tens 253 Chapter 15: Ten Fun Things to Do with Bees 255 Starting an Observation Hive 255 Planting Flowers for Your Bees 257 Brewing Mead: The Nectar of the Gods 259 Getting Creative with Propolis 262 Propolis tincture 263 Propolis ointment 263 Making Candles and Polish from Beeswax 263 Beeswax candles 264 Beeswax furniture polish 264 Beauty and the Bees 265 Beeswax lip balm 265 Beeswax and olive oil salve 265 Getting up Close with a Microscope 266 Chapter 16: Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Bee Behaviour 267 Chapter 17: Ten Delicious Honey Recipes 271 Appendix A: Helpful Resources 279 Honey Bee Websites 279 Apiservices 279 Bee Master Forum 279 BeeHoo 280 British Beekeepers Association 280 Bush Farm 280 Cornwall Honey 280 David A. Cushman 280 The Beespace 281 Vita (Europe) 281 Bee Organisations and Conferences 281 Apimondia: International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations 281 The BBKA Spring Convention 282 Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd (BDI) 282 Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA) 282 International Bee Research Association 283 The National Bee Unit of the Central Science Laboratory 283 The National Honey Show 283 The National Farmers Union 284 Bee Journals and Magazines 284 American Bee Journal 284 BBKA News 284 Bee Craft 285 Bee Culture 285 The Beekeepers Quarterly 285 Bee World 285 Beekeeping Supplies and Equipment 285 The Bee Shop 286 B. J. Sherriff 286 Brunel Microscopes Ltd 286 Compak 287 Giordan 287 Maisemore Apiaries Ltd 288 Modern Beekeeping 288 National Bee Supplies 288 Swienty Beekeeping Equipment 289 E. H. Thorne 289 Appendix B: Glossary 291 Index 297

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated guide to the wildlife, landscape and nature reserves of Anglesey. Will appeal to all those interested in the wildlife and natural history of the island.

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Book Synopsis''Rich and replenishing ... I felt lovesick for it after it was done'' ELEANOR CATTON, Booker Prize-winning author''I really loved this book'' JENN ASHWORTH''A brilliantly ambitious and authentic cultural history. A real treasure.'' ROWAN WILLIAMS, former Archbishop of Canterbury__________In the past, we were deeply bound to all things green and growing. We once knew the landscape and the plants around us as well as we knew ourselves. But today our relationship with plants and nature has grown distant - we have lost a sense of plants as precious.Vanishing Landscapes tells the story of how plants disappeared from our daily lives one by one. First were apples, then household medicines like saffron, cloth dyes like woad, grapes for making wine, and then, eventually, the timber and reeds we used to build our houses and the wheat we grew for our bread. In their place came the first corporation, the first factory, the banking system, private property, global trade, and modern medicine.The history of these plants shows us how we became modern, but it also shows a path to recover some of what we have lost. In Vanishing Landscapes, Bonnie Lander Johnson goes in search of the old life and the people who are still connected to the land. She meets farmers in Ireland, wine makers in Yorkshire and cloth dyers in the Highlands. She cuts reeds in the watery Norfolk fens and camps overnight in a West Country orchard to gaze up at an unchanging sky.Vanishing Landscapes brings to life a world we never knew but still long for, and reminds us that it''s not too late to find a way back.

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Book SynopsisAn entirely updated edition of the classic bestselling regional bird field guide from National Geographic, covering the U.S. and Canada east of the Rockies. Provides ID information, data-driven maps, and annotated illustrations of more than 800 bird species.

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Book SynopsisThe phenomenal bestseller A Street Cat Named Bob, featuring best friends James and street cat Bob, now available as a special edition for children aged 11 and above.''We are all given second chances every day of our lives, but we don''t usually take them. Then I met Bob.''James Bowen was a homeless musician, busking on the streets of London to survive. But the moment he met an injured stray cat with ginger fur and big green eyes, his life began to change. Together James and Bob the cat faced the world - and won. A purrfectly true ''tail'' of love and friendship to make you smile!Please note contains some drug references.Trade ReviewIt is moving and life-affirming. Everyone should read this. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisDarkness has shaped the lives of humans for millennia, and in Dark Skies, Tiffany Francis-Baker travels around Britain and Europe to learn more about nocturnal landscapes and humanity's connection to the night sky. For a year, Tiffany travels through different nightscapes across the UK and beyond. She experiences 24-hour daylight while swimming in the Gulf of Finland and visits Norway to witness the Northern Lights and speak to people who live in darkness for three months each year. She hikes through the haunted yew forests of Kingley Vale and embarks on a nocturnal sail down the River Dart. As she travels, Tiffany explores how our relationship with darkness and the night sky has changed over time. In this personal and beautifully written nature memoir, Tiffany Francis-Baker investigates how our experiences of the night-time world have permeated our history, folklore, science, geography, art and literature.Trade ReviewTiffany Francis-Baker has gone into the last dark continent, the night, and brought back wondrous tales with starlight in her pen. -- John Lewis-Stempel * Author of Meadowland: The Private Life of an English Field *Tiffany Francis-Baker's eloquent and experiential narrative illuminates the shadow filled enclaves of our nocturnal world. -- Joe Harkness * Author of Bird Therapy *Beautifully written...Francis-Baker combines memoir, history and some glorious landscape writing to provide a thoroughly absorbing evaluation of the role of darkness and night in our literature, culture and, most importantly, our environment. -- Charlie Connolly * New European *Rich in literary references, Dark Skies is also rippled through with memoir...it's a warmly personal narrative. -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *A genuinely inspiring and poetic tale of a year spent exploring the natural world under dark and sometimes star-filled skies. -- Peter Fiennes * Author of Oak and Ash and Thorn *Table of ContentsChapter One: Witching Hour Chapter Two: Ghost Stories Chapter Three: Polar Night Chapter Four: Taxus Baccata Chapter Five: Greenwich Chapter Six: Under Dark Skies Chapter Seven: The Mountain Chapter Eight: The Wickerman Chapter Nine: Midnight Sun Chapter Ten: Fern Owl Chapter Eleven: The Dart Chapter Twelve: Poet Stone

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Book Synopsis"Beautiful, useful, inspirational" BBC Wildlife Book of the Month "A delight on every page" Evening Standard In 1664, the horticulturist and diarist John Evelyn wrote Sylva, the first comprehensive study of British trees. It was also the world's earliest forestry book, and the first book ever published by the Royal Society. Evelyn's elegant prose has a lot to tell us today, but the world has changed dramatically since his day. Now authors Gabriel Hemery and Sarah Simblet, taking inspiration from the original work, have masterfully created a contemporary version – The New Sylva. The result is a fabulous resource that describes all of the most important species of tree that populate our landscape. Silvologist Gabriel Hemery explains what trees really mean to us culturally, environmentally and economically in the first part of the book. These chapters are followed by forty-four detailed tree portrait sections that describe the history and the features of trees such as oak, elm, beech, hornbeam, willow, fir, pine, juniper, plane, apple and pear. The pages of The New Sylva are brought to life with truly breathtaking artwork from artist and co-author Sarah Simblet, who captures the delicacy, strength and beauty of the trees through the seasons in 200 exquisite drawings. With an interplay of black and red type on creamy paper, The New Sylva recalls all the charm of traditional bookmaking. And at a moment when it is vitally important for us to rediscover how to treasure our trees, the time for this visionary, beautiful book is now. This edition comes with illustrated endpapers and a ribbon marker. Trade ReviewAn excellent successor to Sylva, well written and full of interesting information ... The illustrations are magnificent, pen drawings by the great tree artist Sarah Simblet. She has the rare gift of depicting a recognisable leafless tree, a gift that was denied to artists Poussin and Gainsborough * Oliver Rackham, Spectator *Sumptuous ... exquisite drawings grace almost every spread. The reader will be beguiled into consuming large sections in a single sitting. It's also a book for dipping into. ... planting trees is an affirmation of faith in the future, and this book will inspire new generations of tree planters, just as the original did * Gardens Illustrated *A book that proclaims its virtues with quiet dignity * Sunday Times *Glorious * Sunday Telegraph *Beautiful, useful and inspirational * BBC Wildlife Book of the Month *Exquisite ... eloquently written and beautifully illustrated * The Lady *Gorgeous, precious and important * Resurgence & Ecologist *Unparalleled understanding of our trees * Mail on Sunday *A delight on every page * Evening Standard *

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