Natural History Books

Book Synopsis'A fascinating treasure trove for plant lovers and gardeners alike.' - Frances TophillOften beautiful and sometimes strange, flowering plants have evolved to become masters of seduction.We are surrounded by extraordinary partnerships between plants and the birds, bees and other insects that pollinate them. In The Sexual Life of Flowers, botanist Simon Klein leads a beguiling and fascinating tour of the courtship between fifty flowers and the pollinators vital to their survival.From the siren scent of honeysuckle to the radiating warmth of the sunflower or the ultraviolet signal of the red poppy; tales of botanical charm, deception and intrigue are played out amid an annual explosion of activity in gardens, meadows and woodlands. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this is a beautiful collection for gardeners and anyone with an interest in flowers.

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Book SynopsisFrom the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to the modern Grumpy Cat meme, 51% of the population have been obsessing over cats for centuries. And what better way to celebrate our feline overlords than with a fancy tipple in hand as they purr on your lap? Every cocktail here is infused with a love of moggies, from the timeless Old Furrshioned to the fruity Bengal Bramble and the refreshing Pawsco Sour. Each recipe has step-by-step instructions for mixing and garnishing, accompanied by adorable and amusing cat illustrations to gaze at as you prepare your drink.In this book you'll find over 60 delicious cocktails which range from variations on the classics to new and unusual recipes based on your favourite cat breeds. To enjoy alongside your beverage, there are ideas for moggy-themed games, famous kitty trivia, insights into different breeds, and more cat-centric information than you can shake a laser pointer at.Whether you're hosting your cat's birthday party or just want to enjoy a quiet meow-tini at home, this book is a must-have for any cat-loving cocktail enthusiast.

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Book SynopsisPippa Mattinson is a dog training specialist, author and entrepreneur. She has over 30 years' experience training dogs and is the author of The Happy Puppy Handbook (2014), The Labrador Handbook (2015) and Choosing the Perfect Puppy (2017).Best known for her simple step-by-step guides for pet owners, Pippa is the founder of online dog training school Dogsnet. She also launched the UK's national gundog graded training scheme and is a director of the Gundog Trust.Pippa has an honours degree in zoology and a special interest in canine behaviour. She is a keen supporter of modern science based dog training methods and is passionate about helping people to enjoy their dogs.

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Book SynopsisThis elegant mini edition of the bestselling Animalium is the perfect gift for animal-lovers or anyone who appreciates beautiful books. Wander the galleries - open 365 days a year - and discover a collection of curated exhibits on every page, accompanied by informative text. Each chapter features a different branch of the tree of life, from the simple sponge to the enormous elephant. Welcome to the museum!

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Book SynopsisEach animal on the planet owes its existence to one very simple but crucial piece of evolutionary engineering: the egg. ?It's time to tell a new story of life on Earth.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Richard Jefferies Society and White Horse Book Shop Literary Prize 'splendid' -Guardian 'visionary' -New Statesman Britain has all the space it needs for an epic return of its wildlife. Only six percent of our country is built upon. Contrary to popular myth, large areas of our countryside are not productively farmed but remain deserts of opportunity for both wildlife and jobs. It is time to turn things around. Praised as 'visionary' by conservationists and landowners alike, Rebirding sets out a compelling manifesto for restoring Britain's wildlife, rewilding its species and restoring rural jobs - to the benefit of all.Trade Review'A splendid new book... all rational argument seems to be on his side' -- Professor Tim Flannery * The Guardian * 'A wonderfully imaginative book, which shows how things could be with our rapidly declining areas of countryside, instead of how - despairingly - they are now.' -- Rod Liddle * The Spectator * 'A visionary yet practical book.' -- John Burnside * New Statesman * 'It has shaped how I think about my farm, and the choices we make about our land...' -- James Rebanks 'An expose, a plea, and a vision of a better future.' -- Simon Reeve 'Ben Macdonald has an impressive track record as a field naturalist, wildlife film-maker and writer, and this passionate, authoritative, up-to-date and, ultimately, optimistic book is a worthy comparison to such seminal works as George Monbiot's Feral and Mark Cocker's Our Place.' -- Jonathan Elphick * BBC Wildlife * 'Having read a number of the recent books about rewilding, I was tempted to think, oh blimey, not another one! I am now tempted to say, they left the best till last...' -- Bill Oddie 'Rebirding is beautifully written, based on deep, personal experience and a genuine love of the subject. You may not have come across Ben Macdonald before now; but believe me, you will hear a lot more from him in the future.' -- Stephen Moss 'With Monbiot's Feral and Isabella Tree's Wilding, Rebirding sits separate from both and is in fact an essential third book to read if you've enjoyed the others. In short, it's a captivating, fascinating and inspiring read' -- Ed Stubbs * Birdwatch Magazine * 'This is the best book on nature, conservation and rewilding I read in 2019 - perhaps one of the best I've ever read. I finished reading it with a real sense of hope for the future.' -- Alex Roddie * Great Outdoors Magazine * 'A book about a key subject at a key time, passionate and deeply thought-through. Anyone concerned with the future of the natural world in Britain will want to read it.' -- Mike McCarthy, author of The Moth Snowstorm 'A beautifully written, thoughtful and yes, provocative book' -- Dr. Martin Harper, Conservation Director, RSPB 'This is a stimulating and important book, beautifully written and well researched... It provides a compelling vision for the future' -- Dr. Carl Jones, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 'A must read and a good read...the type of book that grabs and keeps my attention. You should read it and I think you may well enjoy it a lot.' -- Dr. Mark Avery * www.markavery.info/blog/ * 'I thoroughly recommend the book and applaud its breadth and detail... Macdonald's book has really surprised me. I have learned much I did not know about Britain's early bird faunas, and even the history of its mammals... The level of treatment and scholarly references are on a par with conservation science books' -- Peter Taylor * ECOS Magazine * 'This has to be the one book you read this year if you read no other, as its messages are myriad and its import undeniable. This is most definitely my book of the year and possibly the whole decade!' -- Bo Beolens * Fatbirder * 'Rebirding is an exceptional book from an exceptional author. Visionary, courageous, critical, Benedict maps out how we might finally turn things around, rewilding our national parks, restoring natural ecosystems and allowing our wildlife a far richer future.' * Surfbirds * 'A captivating, fascinating and inspiring read' * Birdwatch *Table of Contents1 - Taming Britain 2 - The Anthropocene 3 - The First Imperative 4 - The Lost Stewards 5 - A Question of Scale 6 - Memory 7 - A Wild Economy 8 - The Wild Highlands 9 - New Forests 10 - The Golden Hills of Wales 11 - A Grouse Moor Wild 12 - Pelican Possibility 13 - Our Birds 14 - Conservation Begins

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Book SynopsisA hilarious comic collection by Susie Yi, creator of the Instagram sensation Cat and Cat Comics.Our feline friends can be quite mysterious, but you're about to get a front-row seat to their innermost thoughts. Learn how cats train their humans, what they get up to when you're at work, the precise number of seconds they will permit you to pet them for and what they really think of your singing.Organised into sections, the comics provide humans with insight into cat love, cat demands, cat judgements, cat schedules, cat wisdom, cat ego, cat gratitude, cat physics and cat relationships.This purrfect collection of Cat and Cat Comics is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and generally improve your day.

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Book SynopsisMy name is Steve Mann and I'm an expert dog trainer with over 30 years of experience. In this book, I will teach you how to raise your Cocker Spaniel to be healthy and happy. All breeds are different, and it is vital that you grow to learn your Cocker Spaniel's specific needs and characteristics. Whether you are the proud owner of a brand-new puppy, a 10-year-old adult dog or a rescue Cocker Spaniel of any age, my easy peasy principles will help you nurture your bond with your Cocker Spaniel and teach them a range of activities in no time.You will learn about: · Your breed history· The key principles of dog training: Recall, Loose Lead Walking, Sit· Why your Cocker Spaniel... chases, digs, jumps up, chews· How to keep your Cocker Spaniel happy home alone· Grooming: teeth, nails, bathing· Nutrition and so much more!Armed with this knowledge about Cocker Spaniels, plus my simple and highly effective lessons and training techniques, you and your dog will have the most cheerful, exciting and fulfilling relationship. So, let's get started!

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Book SynopsisThis frank and hilarious illustrated gift book is the perfect guide to why your cat thinks you are an idiot You dote on your fluffy feline, but it may feel like the relationship is a little one-sided at times. Whether it's the judgemental stares or the cold shoulders, sometimes your cat doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm for you as you do for them. If you're wondering why they treat you this way, allow this book to explain; your cat thinks you're a fool! Filled with witty original illustrations, this book offers many reasons why your pampered puss thinks you're ridiculous and why they're in charge. From following you into the bathroom to knocking things off shelves, gain insight into the mind of your moggy and allow them to explain why they act the way they do.Perfect for any cat lovers, or long-suffering owners, this book reveals the truth: your cat just thinks you are an idiot.

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Book SynopsisThis new, fifth edition of Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife, first published over 25 years ago, celebrates the unique fauna of this remarkable Indian Ocean island. Written by naturalist tour-leaders and Madagascar experts, and aimed at visitors and natural-history enthusiasts alike, this guide has been thoroughly updated to reflect both the latest discoveries - on an island where new species for science are continuously discovered - and the latest developments at the country's top wildlife-tourism locations. Wildlife is the key draw for English-speaking visitors to Madagascar. Enjoying nature couldn't be more different to continental Africa. Rather than going out on safari to see the Big Five from the safety of a jeep, in Madagascar you approach wildlife on rainforest strolls, without fear of encountering dangerous snakes or angry elephants. From its endearing lemurs and comical chameleons to the endemic birds and bizarre insects, this is the only guide to showcase the whole range of Madagascar's captivating wildlife. It features lively descriptions of animals and their behaviour - perfect for the interested layman - complemented by 280 sumptuous colour photographs. A 'Habitats and Hotspots' chapter details the island's various ecosystems and presents concise information on where best to see fascinating species, helping readers choose which parks and reserves to visit - from Masoala and Ranomafana to Ifaty and Berenty. An incredible 90% of Madagascar's plants and animals are unique to the world's oldest island. Accordingly, this guide also tells the story of how Madagascar came to be so different from the rest of the world, and why evolution took a different tangent to create such an extraordinary and unparalleled array of creatures. Read about Madagascar's remarkable chameleon diversity: half the world's species occur here, including the smallest and largest. And prepare to be astonished by an orchid with a ridiculously long nectary tube that prompted Charles Darwin to correctly predict that there would be a moth that had evolved an equally absurd 30-cm-long tongue to reach it. As a practical guide to help you plan your dream wildlife trip to this special destination, Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife is readable, user-friendly and inspiring; as a souvenir, it's unbeatable.Table of ContentsContents Introduction Technical terms, Classification Habitats and Wildlife Hotspots Rainforest Montagne d'Ambre, Marojejy, Masoala, Nosy Mangabe, Anjozorobe, Andasibe-Mantadia, Ranomafana Deciduous Forests/Seasonally Dry Forests Ankarana, Daraina area, Anjajavy, Sahamalaza-Îles Radama, Ankarafantsika, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy, Zombitse The Southern Region Andringitra, Isalo, Anja, Ifaty area, Tsimanampetsotse, Andohahela, Mandrare Valley: Berenty and Ifotaka Threatened Wetlands Betsiboka Delta, Lac Kinkony and the Mahavavy Delta Mammals Lemurs, Malagasy carnivores, Tenrecs, Rodents, Bats, Whales and whale-watching Birds Primitive parrots, The birds and the beaks (vangas), Rallying rarities, Rhapsody in blue Reptiles and Frogs Chameleon, Geckos, Other lizard, Snakes, Tortoises and turtles, Frogs Invertebrate In hiding, Out of hiding, Millipedes, Spiders, Other land invertebrate, Conservation issues Madagascar at Night From dusk to dawn Camouflage Safety matches Further Information Index

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Book SynopsisA unique biography of a vital element in our bodies, our food and the world.

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Book Synopsis'Remarkable' Robert Macfarlane'Gorgeous' Amy Liptrot'Urgent and nourishing' Jessica J. LeeNina Mingya Powles first learned to swim in Borneo - where her mother was born and her grandfather studied freshwater fish. There, the local swimming pool became her first body of water. Through her life there have been others that have meant different things, but have still been, in their own way, home: from the wild coastline of New Zealand to a pond in northwest London.In lyrical, powerful prose, Small Bodies of Water weaves together memories, dreams and nature writing. Exploring everything from migration, food, family, earthquakes and the ancient lunisolar calendar, Nina reflects on a girlhood spent growing up between two cultures, and what it means to belong.Trade ReviewA remarkable book . . . Its language trembles on the brink of poetry; these sentences have surety to their rhythms, subtlety to their weightings. Beautifully, dreamily, intricately, it explores movement, migration and memory. Identity, here, is experienced as liquid, as fluent. Small Bodies of Water was the winner of the inaugural Nan Shepherd Prize, and it's my belief that Shepherd would have loved this book - and would have wanted to walk and swim with Nina, talking of all that her book brings to the surface -- ROBERT MACFARLANENina Mingya Powles is a distinctive new voice: attentive and tender. Her experience of belonging to many places is one that so many of us can relate to. This book is a beautiful personal journey through plants and sea creatures, food and language . . . A gorgeous read -- AMY LIPTROTElegant, understated, urgent and nourishing, this is a book that gives shape to the many intimate waters that connect us, to languages loved, lost and longed for, to the lands that honour us by giving us a home. With poetic precision, Nina Mingya Powles shows us what nature writing can be, braiding place, food, family, migration and all their legacies. This is non-fiction at its most dynamic, its most transporting. I will keep this book close by and return to it often -- JESSICA J. LEESo cool and crystalline, but with deep currents of association shifting like tides beneath -- MELISSA HARRISONNature writing lovers will adore this collection of lyrical essays . . . Traversing Borneo to New Zealand to North London, it explores what bodies of water have meant to [Powles] while navigating girlhood and growing up * * Evening Standard, Best Non-Fiction Books of the Year * *Small Bodies of Water gave me such a longing for travel. It is so full of texture and taste and different kinds of light . . . Nina Mingya Powles takes very small moments and details and skilfully imbues them with poignancy and meaning. It feels like a renewed form of nature writing, in which nature is not necessarily to the fore but nonetheless ever-present; in which nature is a medium for remembering and discovering -- SARA BAUMEVividly connected to nature . . . Captivating . . . Evocative literary sketches of Powles' life are drawn thoughtfully together . . . Mesmerising . . . Tender, like a flower pressed between the pages of a book -- Alycia Pirmohamed * * Big Issue * *A tender and tactile meditation on the elements that hold us together and keep us apart, Small Bodies of Water is a luminous, flowing book. Nina Mingya Powles's mind shimmers -- SEÁN HEWITTA shimmering, poetic masterpiece * * Time Out * *A hauntingly beautiful work - as deep and varied as the bodies of water it explores - and just as affecting. Powles writes of the body, the self and the natural world in ways I've not experienced before; full of raw and glistening truth. This book is exquisite and perfectly formed and reflective and it leaves ripples on your insides like the sea. The writing is off the scale -- KERRI NÍ DOCHARTAIGH

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - Jonathan Young, Editor of The Field, says: 'Field readers always have the solution to a problem, whether it's a pattern for kiltsocks (Patons No 3285) or clearing out a vacuum flask (bicarbonate of soda) and they have always been more than forthcoming with robust advice.' A vast range of subjects is covered.

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Book SynopsisPhilip's Stargazing is the perfect practical guide to the night sky in 2023 for both budding and experienced astronomers."If you buy just one guide...you won't do better than this" BBC Sky at Night MagazineWhether you're a seasoned astronomer or just starting out, Philip's Stargazing 2023 is the only book you'll need. Compiled by experts and specially designed for easy and daily use, Stargazing 2023 acts as a handily illustrated and comprehensive companion. Now including the top astronomical places to visit, star festivals and the latest on star parties in Britain and Ireland, the new 2023 edition is totally up-to-date for exploring the wonder of the night skies, month-by-month and day-by-day.· 12 updated sky charts for year-round astronomical discovery · Month-to-Month information· Daily Moon Phase Calendar, highlighting special lunar events throughout the year · Planet Watch for ideal viewing days in 2023 · The best places to experience Dark Skies, along with the latest on Star Festivals and Star Partie · Top places to visit for astronomical insights · Expert advice and insight throughout from internationally renowned Prof Nigel Henbest · The latest on electronic telescopes from expert Robin Scagell · Complete calendar of major astronomical events, including the Top 20 Sky Sights of 2023· Jargon Buster, explaining common or confusing terms · The planets' movements explained from solar and lunar eclipses to meteor showers and comeI will continue to enjoy 'Philip's Stargazing' as the months go by - Helen Sharman, AstronautVery useful indeed - Chris Lintott, Sky at Night presenter

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Book SynopsisSince his rise to fame in 1967 when his work "The Peregrine" was awarded the Duff Cooper Memorial Prize, J A Baker has captured the popular imagination with his vivid descriptions of British landscapes and native wildlife. Compelling, strange and at times both startlingly funny and cruel, Baker's prose is at one with his image as a writer, which has, since the publication of his first work, been characterized as an obsessive recluse.Next to nothing was known about Baker, who died in 1987, until an archive of his materials and those related to him was gifted to the University of Essex in 2013. Only now has it been possible to piece together an accurate view of the life and unpublished work of the man whose writing has been described as "the gold standard for all nature writing" (Mark Cocker), and whose work has influenced naturalists such as Richard Mabey and Simon King, as well as film-makers David Cobham and Werner Herzog.This new book showcases the most compelling parts of the Baker Archive, containing previously unknown elements of his life, many photographs and unpublished poems.It provides an invaluable new insight into both his sensitive and passionate character, and late twentieth century Britian, a country experiencing the throes of agricultural and environmental change.

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Book SynopsisDogs throughout history have enjoyed a special relationship with humankind, and our favourite four-legged creatures continue to grow in popularity. The writers and poets collected within this anthology reflect on the joys and pitfalls of dog ownership with brilliant wit, insight, and affection. From Roald Amundsen’s account of using and eating sled dogs in his expedition to the South Pole, to J.R. Ackerley’s tender portrayal of his ill-behaved dog Tulip, ON DOGS traces the canine’s journey from working animal to pampered pet. With a humorous introduction by Tracey Ullman (an inveterate adopter of strays), and 6 characterful dog portraits by animal photographer Rhian ap Gruffydd and a cover image by Picasso of his dog Lump. Contributors include Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, David Sedaris, Barbara Woodhouse, and many more.Trade Review"The infectious joy of dogs figures large in On Dogs: An Anthology, introduced by the actor and comedian Tracey Ullman. Although she is a devoted dog-lover…the selections in the anthology are not all feel-good. S everal are dark or poignant pieces on a dog’s death; others offer sour or sardonic comments on pet dogs. The collection is an eclectic mixture drawn from fiction, poems, anecdotes, and scientific or philosophical essays….It is… an enjoyable collection in which many aspects of our complex relationship with dogs are touched on.” — David E. Cooper, The TLS “This heartwarming compendium includes short essays, stories, reflections and poetry from note- worthy writers ranging from Virginia Woolf and David Sedaris to Shakespeare and Brigitte Bardot. A linen-bound hardcover sized to fit perfectly in the hand, it’s ideal for gift-giving.” — The Bark “Introduced by Tracey Ullman, this elegant, pocketsize tribute to our most loyal friends is realised in excerpts from novels, poems and literary theory.” — Louise Darblay, Art ReviewTable of ContentsContributors: Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Charles Dickens, Alexandre Dumas, James Thurber, Miranda Hart, Roald Amundsen, Will Self, Roger Scruton, Mikhail Bulgakov, J.M. Barrie, Jack London, Barbara Woodhouse, Lord Byron, Brigitte Bardot, A.A. Gill, J.R. Ackerley, Jack London, John Steinbeck, David Sedaris, Virginia Woolf, Attila Jozsef, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Dr Temple Grandin, Vita Sackville-West, Barbara Woodhouse, George Catlin, Elizabeth Gaskill, Kathryn Hughes, David Redmalm, Father Mark Osborne, Heli Chatelain, Eileen Battersby, Wislawa Szymborska & the Dowager Empress of China Tzu-his.

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Book SynopsisThis guide from the experts of Kew Royal Botanical Gardens is filled with tips and advice to help you grow your best vegetable garden ever! In this book Kew's Kitchen Gardener, Helena Dove, combines practical elements with inspiration and beauty to make a comprehensive and informative guide with all you need to know to master theart of growing vegetables. She shows how to grow some of the most popular staple crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, radishes and rocket, and also some more unusual and exciting choices such as oca, tomatillo, seakale and yacon. She gives easy to follow instructions on how to be a successful vegetable gardener, plus 12 exciting projects to try throughout the year including forcing rhubarb, creating an asparagus border and growing in raised beds. From sowing, to planting young plants, to hardening off and harvesting, fiTable of ContentsContents 6 INTRODUCTION TO GROWING VEGETABLES 30 PLANTS 32 Okra 33 Leek 34 Onion 36 PROJECT 1: RAISED BEDS 38 Shallot 39 Spring onion 40 Garlic 42 American groundnut 43 Celery 44 Celeriac 45 Peanut 46 Asparagus 48 PROJECT 2: CREATING AN ASPARAGUS BED 50 Beetroot 51 Chard 52 Swede 53 Kale 55 Calabrese 56 PROJECT 3: USING VEGETABLES AS A DECORATIVE DISPLAY 58 Cauliflower 59 Cabbage 61 Brussels sprout 62 Kohl rabi 63 Sprouting broccoli 64 Turnip 65 Pak choi 66 Mizuna 67 Komatsuna 68 Pepper 69 Endive 70 Chicory 71 Miner’s lettuce 72 Seakale 73 Cucumber 74 PROJECT 4: CREATING A WILDLIFE FRIENDLY VEGETABLE GARDEN 76 Courgette and summer squash 77 Winter squash 78 Pumpkin 79 Globe artichoke 80 Carrot 82 PROJECT 5: BUILDING A ROOT CLAMP 84 Rocket 85 Florence fennel 87 Soya bean 88 Jerusalem artichoke 89 Sweet potato 90 PROJECT 6: SWEET POTATO SLIPS 92 Lettuce 94 Cucamelon 95 Watercress 96 PROJECT 7: ROOTING WATERCRESS 98 Oca 98 Parsnip 100 Parsnip root 101 Runner bean 102 French bean 103 Tomatillo 104 Pea 106 PROJECT 8: WINDOWSILL SALADS 108 Mangetout and sugar snap pea 109 Radish 110 Radish pod 111 Rhubarb 112 PROJECT 9: FORCED RHUBARB 114 Buckler leaf sorrel 115 Agretti 116 Yacon 117 Tomato 120 PROJECT 10: SAVING SEED 122 Aubergine 123 Potato 126 PROJECT 11: FESTIVE VEGETABLES 128 Spinach 129 Lamb’s lettuce 130 PROJECT 12: NATURAL SUPPORTS FOR BROAD BEANS 132 Broad bean 133 Sweetcorn 134 Troubleshooting 138 What to do when 142 Index 144 Acknowledgments

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Book Synopsis***THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER***''Hancock''s books provide a fascinating, alternative version of prehistory. America Before, detailed and wide-ranging, turns what was myth and legend into a new story of the past.'' Daily MailWas an advanced civilization lost to history in the global cataclysm that ended the last Ice Age? Graham Hancock, the internationally bestselling author and television presenter, has made it his life''s work to find out -- and in America Before, he draws on the latest archaeological and DNA evidence to bring his quest to a stunning conclusion.We''ve been taught that North and South America were empty of humans until around 13,000 years ago - amongst the last great landmasses on earth to have been settled by our ancestors. But new discoveries have radically reshaped this long-established picture and we know now that the Americas were first peopled more than 130,000 years ago - many tens of thousaTrade ReviewHancock's books provide a fascinating, alternative version of prehistory. America Before, detailed and wide-ranging, turns what was myth and legend into a new story of the past. * Daily Mail *Praise for Graham Hancock * : *A great yarn... [Hancock] is a writer with a first-rate feel for colour and ambience. * The Sunday Times *Hancock's book is an absorbing big-picture analysis as well as a cautionary tale. * Nexus *

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Book SynopsisThe Complete Language of Flowers is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 1,001 flower species. Now in a pocket-size edition for easy, on-the-go reference. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the flower’s scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. For centuries, symbolic flower meanings have fascinated readers, writers, poets, and suddenly smitten couples alike. Extremely popular during the Victorian era, these floriographies flourished and versed the public on the hidden meaning of popular flowers such as: Purple Tulip—Eternal love Amaryllis—Adventurousness; Enthusiasm; Passion Daisy—Beauty and innocence; Cheer; Childlike playfulness Sunflower—Ambition; Constancy; Devotion Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common flower name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, florists, and flower enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to arrange the perfectly bespoken wedding bouquet or to understand what the yellow rose you just received from an admirer means (friendship), this updated floriography is a visual delight. Table of ContentsA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Contents ! Introduction How to Use This Book Works Consulted Acknowledgments About the Author Photo Credits Index of Common Flower Names Index of Common Flower Meanings

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Book SynopsisFor over 50 years Heavy Weather Sailing has been regarded as the ultimate international authority on surviving storms at sea aboard sailing and motor vessels.In this book, former Commodore of the Ocean Cruising Club Martin Thomas brings together a wealth of expert advice from many of the great sailors of the present, including fresh accounts of yachts overtaken by extreme weather, from Ewan Southby-Tailyour, Alex Whitworth and Dag Pike to Larry and Lin Pardey, Matt Sheahan and Andrew Claughton.The expert advice section has been updated in line with current thinking, with major new additions tackling preventing or coping with lightning strikes, navigating in heavy weather with both paper and electronic charts, the choice and use of tenders in severe weather, and special problems faced by the new generation of foiled cruising boats. For the first time the book also covers the unique challenges presented by weather in high latitudes, with more yachts crossing the Drake PassaTrade ReviewIf you buy no other book for your voyage, buy this one. * Pete Goss *This book is an institution. * Practical Boat Owner *The ultimate survival handbook. * Yachting World *A book written by experts. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves irresistibly drawn towards the sea. It should be on every offshore yacht sailor's list of must-read books. -- Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive * Lifeboat *The latest edition of [the] classic ... skulfully edited by Martin Thomas and Peter Bruce, who have brought their own wealth of experience. An instructive read. -- Paul Heiney * Sailing Today *Essential reading for every sailor. * Yachting Monthly *The bible on surviving storms at sea. This has always been an invaluable book for offshore sailors. Highly recommended. * Sailing Today *First-hand tales of extreme weather and storm conditions with expert reflection and advice…essential reading for every sailor. * Yachting Monthly *Everyone who goes on the sea should read it. * The Marine Quarterly *

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the 2019 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award Author of the New York Times 2023 "Notable Book" Crossings Washington Post “50 Notable Works of Nonfiction” Science News “Favorite Science Books of 2018” Booklist “Top Ten Science/Technology Book of 2018” "A marvelously humor-laced page-turner about the science of semi-aquatic rodents…. A masterpiece of a treatise on the natural world.”—The Washington Post In Eager, environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb reveals that our modern idea of what a healthy landscape looks like and how it functions is wrong, distorted by the fur trade that once trapped out millions of beavers from North America’s lakes and rivers. The consequences of losing beavers were profound: streams eroded, wetlands dried up, and species from salmon to swans lost vital habitat. Today, a growing coalition of “Beaver Believers”—including scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens—recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now hard at work restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts. Eager is a powerful story about one of the world’s most influential species, how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change. Ultimately, it’s about how we can learn to coexist, harmoniously and even beneficially, with our fellow travelers on this planet.Trade Review“Written with clarity, intelligence, and humor, this engaging book will appeal to basically everyone.”―Forbes“Eager takes us inside the amazing world of nature’s premier construction engineer…and shows us why the restoration of an animal almost driven to extinction is producing wide-ranging, positive effects on our landscapes, ecology, and even our economy.”―National Geographic"Impressively researched, charmingly written, absolutely persuasive book. . . .Goldfarb makes his argument with a quiet power and deceptively breezy writing that paints a vivid picture of how the various inhabitants of the natural world rely on one other. Take one vital piece out and the whole thing could collapse."—The Seattle Times"This book lodges itself among the ranks of the best sort of environmental journalism.”―The Boston Globe“Eager is a passionate, captivating love letter to the beaver.”―The Christian Science Monitor "Goldfarb’s writing shines with beautiful language and colorful stories.”―Science News“Engrossing and elegantly written…. Within its wide scope, Eager includes nuggets sure to make you the most fascinating conversationalist at your next party.”―Scientific American“A revelation! If we only let them live, beavers are the solution to many of our nation’s ecological problems. . . . Goldfarb’s wonderful book might just tail-slap a politician or two into realizing how much we need them to restore our critical wetlands.”—Sy Montgomery, New York Times bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus “This witty, engrossing book will be a classic from the day it is published.”—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature“European settlers who cut, plowed, and shot their way west also trapped the country nearly clean of mammals. . . . Now, though, beavers are on the rebound, and the how and who of that story, as told in Eager, will give you a new and completely different concept of the continent.”—Carl Safina, New York Times bestselling author of Beyond Words“[Goldfarb] writes eloquently of the return of this industrious, habitat–enriching animal, its conflicts with humans and their property, and of the ways both elegant and Rube Goldbergian in which beaver and human needs can be balanced.”―Booklist, Starred Review"[Goldfarb] shares his findings in lucid and entertaining prose….Filled with hard facts and fascinating people (and animals), [Eager] is an authoritative, vigorous call for understanding and action."―Kirkus, Starred Review"In this diverting volume, environmental journalist Goldfarb sings the praises of beavers. . . . An affectionate portrait of these 'hardy rodents.’"―Publishers Weekly“This comprehensive book provides a well-rounded consideration of a frequently misunderstood species….Even if you don’t think you have an opinion on beavers, this engaging book will make you a beaver believer."―Library Journal"Lively and educational….Eager offers rare insight into the history of beavers and their behavior, qualities, and characteristics. Even more importantly, [it] explores the animals’ complex relationship with humans, and the essential role they play in developing ponds and streams that support wildlife."―Foreword ReviewsChoice Reviews— "A thought-provoking book for anyone interested in ecosystems science." Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Nature’s Engineers 2. Dislodged 3. An Uneasy Truce 4. Embracing the Pest 5. The Beaver Whisperer 6. California Dreamin’ 7. Making the Desert Bloom 8. Too Far Gone 9. Going Global 10. Future of the Dammed

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Book SynopsisMoths is a definitive introduction to the biology, lifecycle and natural history of this crucial insect group, which encompasses over 160,000 species.Trade Review'This is designed to be a lavish introduction to the wonderful world of moths and in this it succeeds admirably. It is a fascinating and enthralling account... The authors are experienced lepidopterists, who are both curators of moths and butterflies at the Natural History Museum in London, and so it is no surprise that they provide an authoritative and wide-ranging account. Every page includes details and examples of the extraordinarily diverse and unlikely life of moths.' Atropos; 'This is by far the best book on Lepidotera that I have had the pleasure to read during a lifetime's study on entomology. Superbly researched, superbly written. Each sentence is beautifully crafted, jam-packed with fascinating detail.' British Journal of Entomology

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Book SynopsisA Best Floristry Book of 2022, Gardens IllustratedA contemporary, beautifully illustrated book on flowers, flower pressing and arranging.A delight, packed with stories about the flowers JamJar Flowers work with, as well as practical information' House & GardenIn The Modern Flower Press, innovative florists Melissa Richardson and Amy Fielding (owners of JamJar Flowers) share their abundant knowledge of flowers and tell the stories that surround the traditional art of flower pressing, reinventing the craft into a very modern form that celebrates the colour, shape and beauty of flowers.The Modern Flower Press is a storybook full of entertaining facts, myths and legends about flowers. Melissa and Amy explain all aspects of the history of pressing flowers, from its origins to the present day. They show you how to choose the right flowers for pressing, how to prepare and press them, and share ideas for projects and artworks to display them in all their perfectly preserved glory. From their oTrade Review‘The Modern Flower Press celebrates pressing’s surprisingly glamorous history, and offers plenty of practical advice, too.’ Alice Vincent, Telegraph 'Celebrate all things botanical and learn about the art of pressing flowers with this beautiful new book by the florists of South London’s beloved JamJar. The Modern Flower Press is a bible of fascinating floral facts, tips, myths and, above all, glorious illustrations and photography.' Tatler ‘Feels like a spellbook incantating more magic than the title alone suggests … Lavish specimens scatter the pages and are reproduced in such papery, translucent detail that one might be forgiven for thinking some cheeky bookseller had slipped in a real stem or two … Encourage[s] readers to find the nearest flower and pick it, immediately, for posterity.’ Amy Merrick, World of Interiors 'Flower pressing is enjoying a particular moment of popularity. Here the pair behind fashionable London florist JamJar Flowers sketch out the history of the pastime, provide inspirational ideas from JamJar's own commissions and offer an array of creative projects to try at home.' The English Garden 'The florists behind JamJar Flowers share their modern take on the lost art of pressing flowers' Gardens Illustrated 'For more inspiration, see the company's new book, The Modern Flower Press' Country Homes & Interiors ‘JamJar: the florist turning dried English meadow flowers into works of Art’ Times Luxx magazine ‘'It tells not only the story of how to press flowers, but it is full of the most wonderful tales of nature and myth and magic and all of the things that make an English flower garden so precious that we want to pick and press the flowers in the first place … punctuated with practical ideas' A Little Bird

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Book SynopsisIn a modern-day parable about a man and his transforming love for his dog, Lass, best-selling author Phillip Keller paints a vivid picture of God's love for the unlovable.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Memoir of the year' - Vogue'A wondrous, sensuous memoir of salt-stung survival . . . clear-eyed and poetic prose' Sunday Times'A fascinating memoir' - Daily MailWhen Tamsin Calidas first arrives on a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides, it feels like coming home. Disenchanted by London, she and her husband left the city and high-flying careers to move the 500 miles north, despite having absolutely no experience of crofting, or of island life. It was idyllic, for a while. But as the months wear on, the children she'd longed for fail to materialise, and her marriage breaks down, Tamsin finds herself in ever-increasing isolation.Injured, ill, without money or friend she is pared right back, stripped to becoming simply a raw element of the often harsh landscape. But with that immersion in her surroundings comes the possibility of rebirth and renewal. Tamsin begins the slow journey back from the brink. Startling, raw and extremely moving, I Am An Island is a story about the incredible ability of the natural world to provide when everything else has fallen away - a stunning book about solitude, friendship, resilience and self-discovery.Trade ReviewA wondrous, sensuous memoir of salt-stung survival… clear-eyed and poetic prose. Over and above everything else, I Am an Island is a hymn to the wild, full of fine observation of the natural world. A message that rings true for these testing times. * The Sunday Times *Calidas is a supple, sensuous writer - deeply empathetic... Her account is shot through with moments of intense brightness. * Guardian *This is a startling book, a vivid and terrifying reminder of how an island can seduce, madden - and ultimately sustain those brave enough to endure its confines. -- Madeleine Bunting, author of Love of CountryAn extraordinary book, a wild and redemptive account of reaching rock bottom and swimming back into the light. I’m awed by Tamsin's courage, her resilience and huge heart. Her island will stay with me for a very long time. -- Olivia Laing, author of The Lonely City and To the RiverThe best book I have read in more than a decade. Each page is poetry. Tamsin's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring but ultimately about how the power of nature can heal. The perfect memoir for us all right now. Absolutely stunning. What an incredible woman. -- Susannah ConstantineThe memoir of the year...a lyrical paean to the wild beauty of the Hebrides. * Vogue *An island tale like no other. An unforgettably moving and compulsive read, steeped in anguish and beauty. A book that is unafraid to stare deep into the abyss, and still find a way forward. The story of a woman completely broken by life, and her fifteen-year struggle to find the inner strength to restore herself, through sheer determination, and by immersing herself in solitude. -- Neil Ansell, author of Deep Country and Deer IslandCompletely astonishing. Using language of shimmering beauty, Tamsin Calidas describes the unravelling of a relationship with such exquisitely small stitches that the eventual thread-baring of her physical and emotional safety, her sense of identity and purpose, blows in like a cold slap of Hebridean wind. A Hardyesque, stripped back connection to the landscape emerges. And yet only with the fragmentation of everything that matters is the fragility of life transcended and restored by the triumphant pull of a determination to survive. -- Juliet NicolsonGripping...Tough yet compulsive reading, carried by crisp, vivid prose. -- Amy Liptrot, author of The OutrunRaw, painful, storm-battered writing. Here's what it means to be truly isolated. * Raynor Winn *A meditative breath of fresh air. This book will fill your lungs, sting your eyes and catch in your throat. Soaring prose like birdsong over the harsh lands that compelled Tamsin Calidas to breathe deep. -- Ruth Fitzmaurice, author of I Found My TribeAn extraordinary book of limitless resilience, Calidas' leaping prose is a love song to the natural world. What she achieves with an open heart and a will of iron is nothing short of remarkable. -- Sarah Langford, author of In Your DefenceSo raw, so honest, so intense. I didn't want this book to end. -- Sigri Sandberg, author of An Ode to DarknessCombining intensely beautiful nature writing with the excavation of deep emotion, this brave, startling book examines what it really means to lose yourself in nature, and in doing so find a completely new version of yourself, too. A powerful, unsettling but ultimately redemptive account of one woman’s deep communion with the natural world. -- Clover Stroud, author of My Wild and Sleepless NightsCalidas is a supple, sensuous writer - deeply empathic... Her account is shot through with moments of intense brightness. * Guardian *Any preconceptions you may entertain about 'a Londoner, tiring of the city, moves to a Scottish Island' will be smashed in the first chapter of Tamsin Calidas' astonishing, raw and clear-eyed book. Tamsin charts how she comes to terms with loss, loneliness, hardship and prejudice through immersing herself fully in her island habitat. I am an Island is a powerful, affecting book; glittering and visceral, Tamsin's clear-voiced self-reliance becomes a storm-force of nature in itself. -- Nicola Chester, Nature Writer, RSPB Columnist and Guardian Country DiaristA beautiful book...I urge you to seek it out. -- Jane GarveyA beautifully written, emotionally intense memoir * Sunday Express *The island is a metaphor for anyone who has ever been alone... It is about what happens when everything you are used to falls away, which is something we are all experiencing at the moment. * Daily Mail *An utterly engrossing read. * Saga *

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Book SynopsisWith detailed captions explaining the origins, habitat, and behavior of these fascinating species, Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards is a vivid pictorial guide in brilliant photographs.   Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, Gila monsters—these creatures all have dinosaur ancestries dating from 94 million years ago. There is something elemental and scary about a crocodile, with its tough scaly skin, long powerful tail, conical, peg-like teeth, and vicious bite. And these creatures can still be found in every part of the world. Divided by continent, Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards introduces the American alligator, an apex predator that swims the coasts, estuaries, and swamps of the southeastern USA feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals; the black caiman, which can grow up to an enormous 20 feet in length and prefers the habitat of the slow-moving rivers and lakes of the Amazon basin; the frilled lizard, which spreads its frilly neck when threatened or to impress other lizards; the Gila monster, whose two-tone camouflage allows it to easily blend into its desert habitat; and the Komodo dragon, which can run up to 13 mph over short distances and has a venomous bite that can paralyze large animals.

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Book SynopsisJulia Rothman's best-selling illustrated Anatomy series takes a deep dive into the wonders of the sea with Ocean Anatomy. Follow Rothman's inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world's oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colourful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. Also available in this series: Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Nature Anatomy Notebook

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Book SynopsisJames Herriot grew up in Glasgow and qualified as a veterinary surgeon at Glasgow Veterinary College. Shortly afterwards he took up a position as an assistant in a North Yorkshire practice where he remained, with the exception of his wartime service in the RAF, until his death in 1995. He wrote many books about Yorkshire country life, including some for children, but he is best known for his memoirs, beginning with If Only They Could Talk. The books were televised in the enormously popular series All Creatures Great and Small.Trade ReviewHe can tell a good story against himself, and his pleasure in the beauty of the countryside in which he works is infectious. * The Daily Telegraph *Full of warmth, wisdom and wit. * The Field *It is a pleasure to be in James Herriot's company. * Observer *

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Book SynopsisWhat has been the dish of kings, the subject of myths and the traveller of epic and mysterious journeys? The eel.Beginning life in the Sargasso Sea, the eel travels across the ocean, lives for twenty or so years, and then is driven by some instinct back across the ocean to spawn and die. And the next generation starts the story again. No one knows why the eels return, or how the orphaned elvers learn their way back. One man discovered, after many adventures, the breeding ground of all eels and he is the hero of this book.Eels were being caught and consumed 5000 years before the birth of Christ Aristotle and Pliny wrote about them; Romans regarded them as a peerless delicacy; Egyptians accorded them semi-sacred status; English kings died of overeating them. There are many strange practices among eel fishers all over the world, and many great fortunes based upon the eel harvest.The Book of Eels, a combination of social comment, biography and natural history, is also a fascinating and wTrade Review‘This is a captivating study…Tom Fort is incapable of writing a dull sentence.' Financial Times ‘A fascinating, beautifully written and deeply peculiar book.’ New Scientist ‘In this wonderful book, Tom Fort elevates Anguilla anguilla from the lowly to the exalted…The Book of Eels is a delightful surprise; Fort does wonders with his esoteric and fascinating subject.’ The Times ‘What a joy, a whole book on eels. It’s a very good book too, and a very English book…I suppose it is inevitable that somone will call this book ‘enchanting’. Take no notice. Buy it anyway. Give it to someone you like or, for even more fun, to someone you don’t.’ Spectator ‘Tom Fort is the Alan Bennett of the angling scene.’ Literary Review

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Book SynopsisThe Arctic Guide presents the traveler and naturalist with a portable, authoritative guide to the flora and fauna of earth's northernmost region. Featuring superb color illustrations, this one-of-a-kind book covers the complete spectrum of wildlife--more than 800 species of plants, fishes, butterflies, birds, and mammals--that inhabit the Arctic'sTrade Review"This book takes my breath away and it may leave you gasping with glee, too. Ms. Chester begins with a lively crash course in boreal geography and ecology, then begins her heroic march through nearly all of taxonomy... The Arctic Guide takes the reader on a tour de force of nearly everything that's interesting in the circumboreal world."--Ed Kanze, Bedford (NY) Record-Review "Do you plan a visit to Alaska? If you do, you could do no better preparing for your natural history observations than by reading Sharon Chester's The Arctic Guide: Wildlife of the Far North."--Gerry Rising, Buffalo Spree "This is a phenomenal book. It covers the species you'd expect--birds and marine mammals--in depth. But it also includes fish, flies, even flora. It's the only book a naturalist requires for a field trip to the Arctic."--Matt Miller, Cool Green Science blog "This handy tome not only covers this vast region's fauna, but also touches upon climate, flora, atmospheric phenomena, landforms and oceanography... The illustrations are simply sublime... As a longtime Arctic guide, I recommend Chester's wholeheartedly... Browse it and daydream or stuff it into your river drybag or backpack if you head north this summer."--Michael Engelhard, Alaska Dispatch NewsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments 2 About This Book 3 Geographic Coordinates 4 Glossary 5 Arktos 10 Defining the Arctic 11 Map of the Arctic 12 Mammals 25 Birds 127 Fishes 373 Lizards and Frogs 399 Flies, Bees, and Butterflies 401 Flora 425 Bibliography 535 Indexes 537

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Book SynopsisIn his refreshingly lighthearted style, Pat Morris presents scientific and downto-earth information about one of Britain's best-loved wild creatures, the bumbling and endearing hedgehog.

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Book SynopsisOne spring, many years ago, Esther Woolfson's daughter rescued a fledgling rook. That rook, named Chicken, quickly established herself as part of the family, and other birds, including an irascible cockatiel and a depressive parrot, soon followed. But it was the corvids - members of the crow family - who amazed Woolfson with their personality and their capacity for affection. This classic blend of memoir and natural history combines the author's fascination with all things avian, from the mechanics of flight to the science of birdsong, with her funny, tender stories of life among the birds.

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Book SynopsisThe Times and Irish Independent: BEST NATURE BOOKS OF THE YEARGreat nature writing needs to be informative, detailed, accurate, lyrical, and, above all, to instil a sense of gratitude and wonder. John Lewis-Stempel succeeds in all these things triumphantly. From amorous toads to the eye-popping mating habits of water boatmen, a magical celebration of pond life by one of our finest, most evocative nature writers.' Daily MailPonds: small bodies of water, both naturally formed and artificial, home to wondrous, multitudinous life-forms. Ponds define our childhood: frogspawn, goldfish, feeding the ducks, but also our village life, our farms, our landscape. And they are multi-layered - from carp circling the bottom to water boatmen, coot, and birds dragonflies overhead. In Still Water, John immerses himself in the murky depths, both literarily and figuratively, to explore the still waters of the British countryside through each month of the year.Trade ReviewA beautifully written celebration of one of the natural world's most fertile founts of biodiversity and artistic inspiration ... A call to arms. * BEST NATURE BOOKS OF THE YEAR, 2019, The Times *The master of nature-writing takes readers through the changing life of a pond season by season. * Radio Times *Great nature writing needs to be informative, detailed, accurate, lyrical, and, above all, to instil a sense of gratitude and wonder. John Lewis-Stempel succeeds in all these things triumphantly. From amorous toads to the eye-popping mating habits of water boatmen, a magical celebration of pond life by one of our finest, most evocative nature writers. * Daily Mail *One of England's most noted nature writers ... Still Water is a scintillating mirror of ourselves. -- Derek Turner * BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Lady *UK farmer and nature writer John Lewis-Stempel has won much acclaim for his perfectly observed reflections on pastoral habitats and their residents. Still Water explores "the deep life" of ponds with characteristic wit and beauty from the two-time Wainwright Prize winner. -- Hilary A White * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisCompletely revised second edition of bestselling guideAuthoritative account of European and Mediterranean orchids by leading expertsTaxonomic revisions from the latest phylogenetic studies incorporated Features 32 genera including Ophrys, Cypripedium, Orchis, Dactylorhiza, Epipactis, Serapias, as well as 70 natural hybrids An easy to use identification guide illustrated with over 2000 photographs along with notes on distinguishing features and distribution maps

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Book SynopsisGet ready for an epic mission INSIDE a water dragon in Alex Neptune's third fast and funny adventure - perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and Dragon Realm!The sea creatures near Haven Bay are acting very strangely, attacking boats, and Alex senses some dark power is controlling them. When he tracks down his friend the water dragon, he finds it's been infected too. If he can't find a way to stop it, the deadly parasite it's carrying could spread throughout the seas. After battling storms, electric eels and an army of angry crabs, Alex realises that the only way he and his team can save the dragon and all their ocean friends is by going inside the dragon...gulp!

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Book SynopsisFrom its earliest origins to the present day, this award-winning, beautifully written book describes the endlessly changing character of Britain''s countryside.''A classic'' Richard MabeyExploring the natural and man-made features of the land - fields, highways, hedgerows, fens, marshes, rivers, heaths, coasts, woods and wood pastures - he shows conclusively and unforgettably how they have developed over the centuries. In doing so, he covers a wealth of related subjects to provide a fascinating account of the sometimes subtle and sometimes radical ways in which people, fauna, flora, climate, soils and other physical conditions have played their part in the shaping of the countryside.''One thing is certain: no one would be wise to write further on our natural history, or to make films about it, without thinking very hard about what is contained in these authoritative pages'' COUNTRY LIFETrade ReviewA classic, written with humanity, dignity, concern and a great deal of humour -- Richard Mabey * TES *One thing is certain: no one would be wise to write further on our natural history, or to make films about it, without thinking very hard about what is contained in these authoritative pages * COUNTRY LIFE *As quirky and rewarding as the English countryside itself ... it is full of answers to questions that others have not had the wit to ask * THE ECONOMIST *A classic of scholarship and imagination...A monumental work, but it is written with humanity, dignity, concern and a great deal of humour * TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT *He opened readers' eyes to regional differences in patterns of land settlement, the original meaning of the term forest (countryside beyond the common law), the timing of key changes in human management of the landscape, new ways of looking at hedges, ponds and marshes, and, through it all, the balance between the natural world and human activities * GUARDIAN *

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