Natural History Books

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Book SynopsisThis practical pocket field guide, published in association with the Wildlife Trusts, includes more than 180 herbs from Britain and Europe.Each herb type is illustrated with accurate full-colour artworks that show details of the flowers and leaves, roots and bark where applicable, and growth habit. A concise written account covers culinary, medicinal and other uses, size, description, habitat and distribution. Many of these plants grow wild in Britain and other parts of Europe, and can also be cultivated in gardens or foraged. The guide additionally includes exotic but commonly used species such as Vanilla, Cloves, Cinnamon and Star-anise.The easy-to-follow layouts and illustrations aid quick and precise identification, making this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home. It is compact enough to fit in the pocket, yet packed with essential information.Table of ContentsIntroduction What are Herbs? Uses of Herbs Gathering Herbs in the Wild Growing Herbs Harvesting, Drying and Storing Herbs Explanations of Some Relevant Terms Herbs Junipers Willows Hop Wax-myrtles Nettles Sandalwoods Knotweeds Goosefoots Amaranths Pinks Buttercups Poppies Cabbages Capers Laurels Star-anises Custard Apples Stonecrops Roses Balsams Peas Nasturtiums Geraniums Spurges Rues Torchwoods Quassias Buckthorns Limes Mallows St John’s-worts Violets Myrtles Willowherbs Witch-hazels Nutmegs Ivies Carrots Heathers Gentians Olives Bogbeans Bedstraws Borages Verbenas Dead-nettles Nightshades Sesames Figworts Valerians Broomrapes Plantains Peppers Elderberries Daisies Amaranths Aloes Onions Asparaguses Irises True Grasses Duckweeds Gingers Orchids Water-plantains Bulrushes

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2021 BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD FOR NON-FICTIONSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 WAINWRIGHT PRIZEI knew in every bone of my body, in every fibre of my being, that I had to report what had happened, not only for myself but to help stop anyone else having to go through what I did. I knew I could not remain silent, or still, I could not stop walking through the world. A journey of reclamation through the natural landscapes of the North, brilliantly exploring identity, nature, place and belonging. Beautifully written and truly inspiring, I Belong Here heralds a powerful and refreshing new voice in nature writing. Anita Sethi was on a journey through Northern England when she became the victim of a race-hate crime. The crime was a vicious attack on her right to exist in a place on account of her race. After the event Anita experienced panic attacks and anxiety. A crushing sense of claustrophobia made her long for wide open spaces, to breathe deepTrade ReviewFor anyone who has ever felt out of place, I Belong Here is a moving and comforting read. For everyone else, it is an education. Punchier and more political than most nature writing, this book is a thing of beauty. * Sunday Times *Nature’s beauty and wilderness provide a welcome escape from Sethi’s city life and kickstart a healing process as she becomes enveloped in the great outdoors, taking us on an emotional journey at the same time. It’s an amazing odyssey: inspiring, powerful, encouraging and incredibly brave. * Independent *Forever asked where she’s from originally, Sethi writes that she has always felt like an ‘outsider’. Instead, this passionate and reflective book stakes her claim to the English countryside and nature writing itself. * New Statesman *A heartfelt examination of identity and place ... it is the way Sethi's connection to nature is refracted through her experience as a woman of colour that gives the book its rare power. * Guardian *Restored and enlivened by the wonders of nature, Anita Sethi finds the courage to embrace her vulnerabilities and strengths and to claim her place in the world. A brave and life-affirming book. * Sunday Express *An unforgettable journey … the genius of the author is how she takes the narrative of hatred and discrimination hurled at her and turns it upside down by ‘going back to where she is from’ – the landscapes of the north. Not only deeply moving but also quietly transformative. * The Observer *Excellent...A powerful memoir about nature and belonging and racism and Britishness, as Anita Sethi undertakes a journey to reclaim her space in Britain following a terrifying hate crime on public transport. A brilliant writer. -- Nikesh Shukla * author of Brown Baby *Anita Sethi invites her reader to walk, not just at her side, but in her shoes, and to feel for themselves both the exhilaration and the chagrin of travelling the backbone of her home country as a woman of colour. By turns joyous and humbling, I Belong Here is an urgent and necessary addition to the canon of contemporary writing about place in the island of Britain. -- Katharine Norbury * editor of Women on Nature and author of The Fish Ladder *In gorgeous prose that rolls along like the uplands, Anita Sethi opens our eyes to the beauty of our countryside and the hurt and healing found therein. It is rare to find writing that evokes landscape so finely but also conveys our inner world with such power, emotion, vulnerability and truth. I Belong Here deserves its place alongside the Macfarlanes and Macdonalds as a classic of modern British nature writing. -- Patrick Barkham * author of Wild Child *Manchester-born Sethi achieves a powerful blend of memoir, travelogue and natural history as she reflects on nature, place and belonging; and at its beating heart, her book is a stirring love letter to this troubled country of ours. I find it so moving that such a beautifully written, hate-defying book has been born from such a horrific experience. I Belong Here is a shining example of how books, at their best, can be an act of resistance and a communal force for good. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller Book of the Month, Editor’s Choice review *A brilliantly accomplished mix of powerful memoir and revelatory nature writing, Sethi’s account of finding solace in the Northern countryside following a traumatic racial attack is a defiant act of reclamation and an astonishing piece of testimony. -- Best Books to Look Forward to in 2021 * Waterstones *A powerful and moving memoir * BBC Countryfile Magazine *Incredibly powerful, moving and beautifully told. Full of wild magic. This book will make the world a better place. -- Lucy Jones * author of Losing Eden *Table of ContentsPrologue: A Place Called Hope MOUTH Onwards: A TransPennine Express Journey 1. Speaking Up 2. Bearing Witness SKIN Wanted: A Long Green Trail 3. If Your Nerve Deny You, Go Above Your Nerve 4. You Make Your Own Path as You Walk 5. Walking as a Woman of Colour 6. On Race and Place BACKBONE Malham Cove and Limestone Country 7. Protected Characteristics 8. On Strength, Courage and Trauma 9. Going Viral LIFEBLOOD Upwards: A Pennine Journy 10. Settlements 11. Scars FEET The Way: North Pennines to Hadrian's Wall (via Manchester) 12. Northern Nature 13. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty 14. Forces 15. Walking and Witnessing Epilogue: Up From a Past that's Rooted in Pain Resources Acknowledgements Bibliography Notes Index

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Book SynopsisExplore all the world has to offer with the internet’s favorite traveling feline!Suki is a gorgeous Bengal cat from Canada who isn't afraid of taking her tiny paws on big adventures. From the castles of Europe to the sunny shores of California, her travels prove that anyone can wander the world. With inspirational words about exploration, Suki’s readers are invited to travel with her. Additionally, Suki looks absolutely elegant with each step she takes and has the photos to prove it! Full of gorgeous shots of her and her human parent, Martina Gutfreund, the book will continue in the popular Instagram account’s tradition of taking in the wilderness and its boundless beauty.

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Book SynopsisFungi Unveiled: Immerse yourself in cultural tales, scientific revelations, and vivid psychedelic visuals—a botanical masterpiece that enchants both the curious and the connoisseur. Explore the secret lives of 60 mushrooms in Powerful Mushrooms.Powerful Mushrooms tells the story of 60 mushrooms - divided by taxonomy and healing properties. This elegant book also highlights cultural, scientific, and historical anecdotes for readers to enjoy. All further exalted by pop- and psychedelic-style images, this book is a pleasure to browse and will become a classical botanical treatise. The mushrooms will be divided into the following categories: Exquisite Mushrooms Visionary Mushrooms Venomous Mushrooms Medicinal Mushrooms Mycoremediation Strange Mushrooms & Incredible Things

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Book Synopsis__________________ Our Earth is more beautiful and more diverse than we can possibly conceive of. The Book of Vanishing Species is a stunning homage to the planet’s most mysterious, bizarre and wondrous creatures and plants. Their stories are captivating, from the eyeless and tiny dragonlike olm to the hawksbill turtle, whose gender will be determined by the temperature of the sand it is born in. These species may have survived for hundreds of thousands of years by cleverly adapting to their environments, but their future remains far from certain. The book brings to life red cranes as they dance and bow for the sheer joy of movement, trees that breathe out a haze of misty atmosphere for insects that only feast on one kind of flower, a deep-ocean snail quietly building its shell from iron... and each one of them is illuminated with an exquisite illustration. As you turn the pages, there emerges a network of life that stretches across and around the planet in a dazzling web of existence. This is both a love letter to life on Earth, and an urgent summons to protect what is precious and lovely in this world. Trade Review‘Bea Forshall’s images make the heart sing, but her beautiful, revelatory text also makes one weep. From dung beetles to lemurs, we may lose these extraordinary creatures. Forshall makes us fall in love with them, all over again. Let’s hope, to stir us into action, so these wonders don’t join the ranks of dodos and Tasmanian tigers' * Isabella Tree *'This wonderful book, with Beatrice Forshall's superb engravings, serves to remind us of the wonder and beauty of some of the species that may disappear for ever unless we take action to save them - now and before it is too late' * Dr Jane Goodall *'Through her prose and illustrations, Forshall makes a passionate case for protecting each and every one of these species' * The Times *'Forshall might not have a scientific background, but her poetic, human perspective and unique artistry are incredibly moving... The Book of Vanishing Species is both a celebration of our world and an urgent call to action' * BBC Wildlife Magazine *'Forshall's synthesis of artisanal craft, the artist’s eye and the sensibilities of an idealistic yet clear eyed environmentalist…is thrilling' * Sir Tim Smit *'Beatrice draws you into the sublime wonder of the Brazil nut tree, snakes head fritillary or the albatross and then, with gentle frankness enlightens you on their plight. Somehow it left me feeling more motivated, not just devastated, which is a testament to the skill of the author' * Geetie Singh-Watson *'As well as a beautiful celebration, this book is a call to arms' * Chloë Ashby *'Our disappearing flora and fauna are lovingly described and wittily illustrated in Beatrice Forshall's homage to what we are about to lose' * Daunts Books *

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Book Synopsis______________________ What do my dog's barks mean? Should I be brushing their teeth? How do I even know what kind of dog is right for me? Let's be honest, pets may seem pretty straightforward, but as soon as you become an owner there are so many questions. Mat Ward is an internationally recognised expert on dog behaviour, and for him the secret to success is knowing that dogs and humans are both full of potential. (To prove it, he once taught a rescue dog how to fly a plane.) His tips for being the world's best owner come with original illustrations that explain everything you need to know, from how to avoid 'separation anxiety' to why dogs wag their tails. With this book, you'll learn how your pet's brain really works and discover amazing, direct ways to train them at any age from puppy upwards. Play new games, develop communication skills and just relax into having fun together! Your dog will be well-trained and contented – and that means you'll feel happy too. ______________________ Drawings by Rupert Fawcett, the cartoonist behind Off the Leash and Fred. Trade ReviewA fascinating new book … it sounds like something we all need over here * Alex Jones *

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Book Synopsis** THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER **'This book is a must' Peter HennessyOn Boxing Day 1962, when Juliet Nicolson was eight years old, the snow began to fall. It did not stop for ten weeks.The threat of nuclear war had reached its terrifying height with the recent Cuban Missile Crisis, unemployment was on the rise, and yet, underneath the frozen surface, new life was beginning to stir.From poets to pop stars, shopkeepers to schoolchildren, and her own family's experiences, Juliet Nicolson traces the hardship of that frozen winter and the emancipation that followed. That spring, new life was unleashed, along with freedoms we take for granted today.'An absolutely mesmerising book' Antonia FraserTrade ReviewNicolson makes social history feel like reading the best and most gripping novel. A beautiful, wholly original book -- India KnightA brilliant concept transformed into a brilliant and revelatory book. Completely fascinating and engrossing -- William BoydAs gripping as any thriller, Frostquake is the story of a national trauma that came out of nowhere and changed us forever. Brilliantly written and almost eerily relevant to our current troubles -- Tony ParsonsAn engagingly written mixture of social history and memoir -- Trevor Phillips * Sunday Times *Fascinating, quirky and evocative . . . Nicolson takes us right back to that muffled, snowbound world -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisDiscover Mya-Rose Craig's moving and life-affirming memoir about family, searching for rare birds, and the power of our natural world.'Lyrical, poignant and insightful' MARGARET ATWOOD (on Twitter)'Filled with hope and energy' GuardianIn her memoir, Mya-Rose Craig and her family travel the world in search of rare birds and astonishing landscapes. But a shadow moves with them, too - her mother's deepening mental health crisis. In the face of this struggle, the Craigs turn to nature again and again, and every time it offers joy and stillness.On these journeys, Mya-Rose also witnesses the inequality and destruction we are inflicting on our fragile planet. And so, through the simple, mindful act of looking for birds, she becomes ever more determined to campaign for all our survival.'A delightful account of a young life devoted to birding - and the fight to save birds and the places they live' Stephen Moss* Winner of a Somerset Maugham Award ** Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing ** Longlisted for the Jhalak Prize *Trade ReviewLyrical, poignant and insightful. -- Margaret Atwood, author of THE HANDMAID'S TALEMya-Rose Craig has done more than anyone to promote birding and environmental issues to young people from all backgrounds - especially women of colour - and deserves our admiration and praise. -- Stephen Moss, author of THE ROBINMya-Rose's passion and dedication for the causes she believes in are testament to what we humans can achieve when we are at our best. -- Liz Bonnin, President of the Wildlife TrustCraig manages to capture so vividly what birds mean to her and her family... filled with hope and energy. * Guardian *Reads like a cross between a travel diary, an ornithologist's guide and a thriller. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisDo-it-yourself physical therapy techniques for keeping your dog happy, active, and pain-free-now and for years to come. Kinesiology taping on humans is now commonplace—it is widely used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and personal trainers. The idea behind taping is that it provides incredible support and stabilization of ligaments and tendons while simultaneously stretching and flexing like a “second skin” to allow full range of motion. It can also activate or relax muscles, depending on its application. Taping is now also being successfully applied to other animals. Canine and equine physiotherapist Katja Bredlau-Morich, author of Kinesiology Taping for Horses, is a pioneer in bringing the method to the dog world. She believes that dogs can benefit hugely from taping techniques, and even better, dog owners and trainers can learn practical steps to using kinesiology tape themselves. In her terrific guidebook, Bredlau-Morich provides the ultimate reference for understanding both the uses of kinesiology tape and its numerous canine applications. With hundreds of color photographs and step-by-step instructions for the do-it-yourselfer, her book explains the following forms of kinesiology taping: Muscle Scar Fascia In addition, numerous case studies demonstrate how taping can change a dog's life, keeping him a happy, active, pain-free companion for years to come.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing iconic animals from red deer, golden eagles and Highland cows to red squirrels, pine martens and salmon as well as the plants, trees and flowers which thrive in mountain, forest, moor and seashore, this book is the ideal way to explore Scotland’s amazing range of flora and fauna. Many of the illustrations show the animals and plants in their natural habitats, so you can appreciate the extraordinary beauty of Scotland’s landscapes too.

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2016 Charles Foster wanted to know what it was like to be a beast: a badger, an otter, a deer, a fox, a swift. What it was really like. And through knowing what it was like he wanted to get down and grapple with the beast in us all. So he tried it out; he lived life as a badger for six weeks, sleeping in a dirt hole and eating earthworms, he came face to face with shrimps as he lived like an otter and he spent hours curled up in a back garden in East London and rooting in bins like an urban fox. A passionate naturalist, Foster realises that every creature creates a different world in its brain and lives in that world. As humans, we share sensory outputs, lights, smells and sound, but trying to explore what it is actually like to live in another of these worlds, belonging to another species, is a fascinating and unique neuro-scientific challenge. For Foster it is also a literary challenge. Looking at what science can tell us about what happens in a fox's or badger's brain when it picks up a scent, he then uses this to imagine their world for us, to write it through their eyes or rather through the eyes of Charles the beast. An intimate look at the life of animals, neuroscience, psychology, nature writing, memoir and more, it is a journey of extraordinary thrills and surprises, containing wonderful moments of humour and joy, but also providing important lessons for all of us who share life on this precious planet.Trade ReviewTranscendentally eccentric nature writing of the first order. Charles Foster digs deep under the skin of other animals, uncovering gems of wisdom that our usually superficial gaze will otherwise miss -- Hugh WarwickGleefully lascivious in its physical curiosity, Being a Beast advocates for our highest animality by expanding our sensory intelligence. A flabbergasting, thunderstriking, stupendous, brilliant book -- Jay GriffithsThrilling, brilliant, bonkers... a strange kind of masterpiece: the song of a satyr, perhaps, or nature writing as extreme sport. * Financial Times *Charles Foster's chronicle of the sensory lives of beasts and his own forays into self re-wilding is like nothing you have ever read. Deeply serious and at times laugh-out-loud funny, this is an extraordinary book. -- Caspar HendersonUnimaginably different from any book you have ever read - an exploration of our deep kinship with animals that is thought-provoking, funny and full of adventure all at once, brilliantly written, and sparkling with ideas -- Iain McGilchristFoster is funny and profound and his empathic mission shows our kinship with other species -- Patrick Barkham * Guardian *Extraordinary... very funny... Foster is well read and writes beautifully. * The Sunday Times *A wild and whimsical memoir. * The Times *Takes nature writing to new levels... his work is a triumph. -- Kate Green * Country Life *Very funny... hones senses long neglected... Mr Foster is the real thing, going truly feral and in the process discovering a whole new world. It is not a midlife crisis so much as a lifelong passion. * Economist *Funny, exuberant and courageous, nudging closer and closer to how it might feel to enter the non-human world. * Guardian, readers' BOTY 2016 *

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Book Synopsis'Jasper Winn is the perfect guide' - Observer For a hundred and fifty years, between the plod of packhorse trains and the arrival of the railways, canals were the high-tech water machine driving the industrial revolution. Amazing feats of engineering, they carried the rural into the city and the urban into the countryside, and changed the lives of everyone. And then, just when their purpose was extinguished by modern transport, they were saved from extinction and repurposed as a 'slow highways' network, a peaceful and countrywide haven from our too-busy age. Today, there are more boats on the canals than in their Victorian heyday. Writer and slow adventurer Jasper Winn spent a year exploring Britain's waterways on foot and by bike, in a kayak and on narrowboats. Along a thousand miles of 'wet roads and water streets' he discovered a world of wildlife corridors, underground adventures, the hardware of heritage and history, new boating communities, endurance kayak races and remote towpaths. He shared journeys with some of the last working boat people and met the anglers, walkers, boaters, activists, volunteers and eccentrics who have made the waterways their home. In Britain most of us live within five miles of a canal, and reading this book we will see them in an entirely new light.Trade ReviewJasper Winn is the perfect guide to what these 'wet roads and water streets' signified in the past, and to their importance today. And not just to wildlife but the humans he meets, too: looking for an escape, a refuge or, indeed, a place to feel at home. -- Ben East * Observer *Engaging and informative * The Countryman *Winn cycles, walks, boats and paddleboats his way around the 2,000-mile network of canals ... More than a charming travel book, this is a roving miscellanea of engrossing canal facts and lore. -- Olivia Edward * Geographical magazine *Water Ways doesn't just recount Winn's adventures with good humour but gives a meticulously researched overview of the history, engineering, characters, customs and wildlife of our water ways, as well as the challenges they are facing in the 21st century ... it adroits webs nearly everything, and how it does that is entirely wonderful. -- Sarah Henshaw * Waterways World *

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Book SynopsisThe awe-inspiring history of humanity told through our relationship with stars and the night sky.'Excellent . . . This books makes you rethink the traditional story of the history of astronomy . . . Effortlessly readable.' BBC Sky at Night'Stuart Clark's picture of the yawning gaps in our understanding of the cosmos is fuller than most.'NatureFrom the Stone Age to the Space Age, Stuart Clark explores a fascination shared across the world, one that has unequivocally shaped us as civilisations and as individuals, housing our hopes and fears. In the stars, we can see our past - and ultimately, our fate.

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Book SynopsisWinter is a withdrawal: quiet and dark and cold. But in the dim light frost shimmers, stars twinkle and hearths blaze as we come together to keep out the chill. In spite of the season, life persists: visiting birds fill our skies, familiar creatures find clever ways to survive, and the world reveals winter riches to those willing to venture outdoors.In prose and poetry spanning seven hundred years, Winter delights in the brisk pleasures and enduring beauty of the year's turning. Featuring new writing from Patrick Barkham, Satish Kumar and Anita Sethi, extracts from the work of Robert Macfarlane, James Joyce and Kathleen Jamie, and a range of exciting new voices from across the UK, this invigorating collection evokes the joys and the consolations of this magical time of year.Trade Review"A carefully selected compilation of undeniably gripping extracts and specially commissioned pieces ... the final book in a fantastic series designed to celebrate the seasons"-LandLove magazine; "Be inspired on a winter walk by writers who adore the frosty season" - Country Walking magazine; "Compelling reading ... what is original about this collection is not just the diversity of relatively unknown talent on show, but the quality of the work" - Tom Mooney, Wexford Echo; "To open its covers is to open onto a landscape which you have not yet crossed and to feel yourself beckoned in. It might be an intellectual landscape - littered with strange formations of thought-rocks you have never encountered. It might be an emotional landscape - bathed in the colour of an unfamiliar sky. It might even be a spiritual one, animated by the sound of an unheard yet strangely familiar melody. ... This book will take you from mountain heights to urban jungle, and from the back of a cow shed to the slippery deck of an 18th Century sailing ship. ... If you want a book to help reduce your heating bills this Winter, this could be it. The cosy effect of curling up with it will work wonders." -- Richard Littledale, blogger; "Packed with good writing ... a good mixture of familiar and unfamiliar" - Mark Avery; "Just adorable... it's the most beautiful writing. Makes you feel in keeping with the seasons" - Karen Gimson, BBC Radio Leicester; "Alive and vibrant, both in the imagery it evokes and in the feelings it arouses. Without doubt Winter, that most enigmatic of seasons, comes gloriously alive in this lovely anthology. The editor, Melissa Harrison, has done a commendable job of keeping this quartet of anthologies completely relevant, with each seasonal interpretation allowing a heartening and thoughtful meditation into the true meaning of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter" - jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.ukTable of ContentsCONTENTS; Introduction by Melissa Harrison vii; Roger Deakin 1; Hartley Coleridge 4; Annie Worsley 5; Samuel Taylor Coleridge 9; Lucy Jones 11; Edward Step 13; Caroline Greville 15; Thomas Furly Forster 18; Jen Hadfield 19; Charles Dickens 21; Reverend Gilbert White 23; Nicholas Breton 25; Elizabeth Gardiner 26; William Shakespeare 29; John Fowles 30; Chris Foster 31; Richard Jefferies 34; Kate Blincoe 38; Kristian Evans 40; Andrea Levy 42; Anon. 44; Satish Kumar 46; Thomas Furly Forster 51; Nicola Chester 52; Julian Beach 55; Christina McLeish 58; Joseph Addison 61; Patrick Barkham 63; Ronald Blythe 67; Nick Acheson 69; Louis MacNeice 71; Jini Reddy 72; Thomas Furly Forster 75; Liz Berry 76; Henry Tegner 79; Wilhelm Nero Pilate Barbellion 83; Nakul Krishna 84; Adrian Bell 88; Al Alvarez 91; R. S. Thomas 93; Reverend Gilbert White 94; Richard Adams 95; Mary Leapor 97; Matt Gaw 99; Virginia Woolf 101; Iain Green 104; Thomas Furly Forster 108; Jacqueline Bain 109; Anna Laetitia Barbauld 113; Jane Adams 114; Jack Clemo 117; Elizabeth Guntrip 118; Sir Edward Grey 121; Henry Williamson 123; David North 126; James Joyce 130; Emma Kemp 132; William Wordsworth 134; Robert Macfarlane 137; Brian Carter 141; Janet Willoner 145; John Clare 148; Sheila Stewart 149; Sophie Bagshaw 154; Dr Rob Lambert 157; Robert Louis Stevenson 161; Jon Dunn 163; Reverend Gilbert White 167; Thomas Hardy 168; Lucy McRobert 170; Thomas Furly Forster 172; Clare Leighton 173; Tiffany Francis 177; Bethany Pope 180; Claire Thurlow 182; Edward Step 186; Ann MacCarthy 187; Olaudah Equiano 191; Matt Poacher 192; Edmond Holmes 195; Anita Sethi 196; Kathleen Jamie 202; Author Biographies 204

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Book Synopsis'Luminous' The Times'Beautiful' Caught by the RiverBringing together contemporary Scottish writing on nature and landscape, this inspiring collection takes us from walking to wild swimming, from red deer to pigeons and wasps, from remote islands to back gardens, through prose, poetry and photography.Edited and introduced by Kathleen Jamie, and with contributions from Amy Liptrot, Jim Crumley, Chitra Ramaswamy, Malachy Tallack, Amanda Thomson and many more, Antlers of Water urges us to renegotiate our relationship with the more-than-human world, in writing which is by turns celebratory, radical and political.Trade ReviewSplendid . . . Read, and treasure what we have while we have it * * The Times * *A selection of luminous essays, poems and visual art . . . The most intuitive pieces reflect that nature is not something to be explored on weekends and in nice weather but through everyday rituals . . . [written with] a gallows humour and deftness of touch * * The Times * *Varied and unexpected . . . The Scotland we find here is a bracingly complex place . . . Yields some very fine writing * * TLS * *Essential . . . With fine contributions from a variety of diverse writers and artists, this is more than a celebration of the natural world; it is a call to action. From placenames to field notes, creatures to flora; bodies of water to stretches of land - this is a raw, exquisite reckoning, free from blinkers, full of love and loss. To protect something, we must see it. These contributors show us our world, one still so full of hope -- Kerri ní Dochartaigh * * Irish Times * *Beautiful . . . A series of authentic experiences, each individual immersing themselves in nature . . . Antlers of Water is a warm invitation to reimagine your intimacy to nature, whether that's within the confinements of a communal city garden or on an island surrounded by the vast ocean. But whilst we should enjoy it, in whatever manner we please, we must not forget we must also take care of it * * Caught by the River, Book of the Month * *Features some fine writing on Scotland's environment * * Independent * *Rich and intriguing . . . Illuminating, insightful and - even more important - necessary, there's something for everyone here, whether you're a devoted Munro bagger and birdwatcher or an occasional countryside visitor * * Herald * *Provides relief and inspiration . . . Open-hearted . . . The knowledge that there is something bigger than ourselves, is a relief. How deep the water is, how old the mountains. Scotland is wild. I'm going out to look again * * Scotsman * *Reveals why fresh awareness of wildlife and landscape should be cherished * * Sunday Post * *A bravura collection of essays on the splendour and wildness of the Scottish landscape, Antlers of Water is edited by the acclaimed Kathleen Jamie and draws together a stellar list of contributors * * Waterstones, Best Books of the Year * *

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Book SynopsisMeet the inspirational animals who went from being rescued to becoming rescuer in these incredible true stories You’ll read all about… Constantine and Crystal, the guinea pigs who gave a bullied girl with autism a reason to smile Alex, the tiger who inspired a homeless drug addict to get her life back on track Angel, the horse who helped her owner to lose weight and regain her confidence Daniel, the duck who was rescued from a food market and succeeded in soothing his owner’s PTSD … as well as many other animal heroes who came to their owner’s aid – whether it was helping them to recover from mental illness, relationship breakdown or bereavement. These remarkable creatures all repaid the love and appreciation that their human companions displayed in caring for them. Let these uplifting stories warm your heart, and show you that adopted animals can heal our pain and transform our lives.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the answers behind the mysteries of the countryside in all their fascination and beauty... Ever wondered about the masses of twigs in bare-branched trees that look like abandoned nests? Seen fuzzy red balls on roses? A stranded pond on a hilltop? Or even considered the shaded ways we walk along? One of Britain's best-known naturalists, John Wright describes and explores fifty of the natural (and unnatural) puzzles of the countryside that might confound the ever-curious. He reveals the histories and practicalities of those that are man-made and the astounding and intricate lives of the natural wonders around us. From the enormous to the truly tiny he illuminates the oddities that pepper our countryside and reveals the many pleasures of spotting and understanding them. Informative, entertaining and beautifully illustrated, this is for anyone who has ever gone outside and wondered what is that?Trade ReviewBEST NATURE BOOKS OF 2021 'Highly readable ... Apart from his ready knowledge of nature, [John Wright] has a sharp eye, a ready wit and a keen nose for a good story. Superb. * Countryfile Magazine *Praise for The Forager's Calendar: 'He writes so engagingly ... [This book] is a treasure. It is beautifully produced, designed and illustrated. -- John Carey * The Sunday Times *John Wright writes as though he's talking directly to you, a good friend in the same room. His harvest of fascinating information is worn lightly, with funny, whimsical observations... this wonderful book should be well-thumbed by anyone who is interested in the natural world. * BBC Countryfile *A hugely useful, well-illustrated and often funny book * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA hilarious, fully illustrated book full of tongue-in-cheek advice for surviving life as a cat parent – the perfect gift for any cat lover You have the best cat in the world, it’s true. But there’s no avoiding the fact that, perfect and adorable as they may be, there are certain elements of being a cat owner that you could do without. Those thoughtful “gifts” you find in the kitchen. The scratch-marks on the couch. Their hairballs clogging up your vacuum cleaner. Luckily, this no-nonsense guide is here to teach you all the tricks you’ll ever need to help you navigate life with your furry friend, so you can focus on the positives – like giving them head-scritches and cooing over their little toe beans. With pearls of wisdom like these, you’ll be a pro cat parent in no time: As a cat parent, you will need to work out the golden number of tummy rubs your cat will allow before they turn into an uncontrollable scratch-monster Your cat may look cute and innocent, but there’s an evil mastermind secretly at work behind all that fluff Items placed on a surface are highly offensive to cats and will be quickly dispatched to the floor, where they belong

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of the key aspects of life on Earth – now and in the future – through the study of 10 and a half species. 'Entertaining and intellectually stimulating... The book highlights the wonderfully interconnected nature of our fragile planet. If you want big science at an accessible scale, this is for you' BBC Wildlife If an alien visitor were to collect ten souvenir life forms to represent life on earth, which would they be? This is the thought-provoking premise of Marianne Taylor's The Story of Life in 10½ Chapters. Each life form explains a key aspect about life on Earth. From the sponge that seems to be a plant but is really an animal to the almost extinct soft-shelled turtle deemed extremely unique and therefore extremely precious, these examples reveal how life itself is arranged across time and space, and how humanity increasingly dominates that vision. Taylor, a prolific science writer, considers the chemistry of a green plant and ponders the possibility of life beyond our world. She investigates the virus in an attempt to determine what a life form is; and wonders if the human – 'a distinct and very dominant species with an inevitably biased view of life' – could evolve in a new direction. She tells us that the giraffe was one species, but is now four; that the dusky seaside sparrow may be revived through 're-evolution', or cloning; explains the significance of Darwin's finch to evolution; and much more. The 'half' species is artificial intelligence. Itself an experiment to understand and model life, AI is central to our future – although from the alien visitor's standpoint, unlikely to inherit the earth in the long run.Trade ReviewOutstanding work... Taylor's writing is concise and accessible to a wide audience, while the book's vibrant, attractive layout, filled with beautiful illustrations, adds luster to the text. This rich survey of the long evolution of life on Earth will keep readers focused and fascinated' * Publishers Weekly *Taylor draws the reader in, not only with her species selection and detailed science, but also by means of colourful diagrams and photographs... Throughout the book is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating... The book highlights the wonderfully interconnected nature of our fragile planet. If you want big science at an accessible scale, this is for you' * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Azteca to the Appaloosa, Choctaw to the Palomina, Brumbys in Australia to the Mongolian, from rare breeds such as the Polish Konik to the semi-feral Pyrenean Pottok, Horses celebrates a wide variety of breeds from all around the world. Ranging from dressage to police horses, from racing horses to rodeo and polo, the book looks at the anatomy and lifecycle of foals and yearlings, colts and fillies, stallions, mares and geldings around the globe. It includes draft horses and warmbloods, light horses and thoroughbreds, gaited horses, ponies and breeds that have become feral. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption with fascinating information about the characteristics of each breed. Illustrated with 200 outstanding colour photographs, Horses is an exquisitely produced work packed with lively information about this beloved animal.Table of ContentsIntroduction Types of Horses Horse Anatomy Working Horses Young Horses Wild & Feral Horses Breeds featured include: Akhal-Teke American Quarter American Saddlebred Andalusian Appaloosa Arabian Ardennes Azteca Balikun Basque Mountain Belgian (Brabant) Boerperd Brandenburger Brumby Camarillo White Camargue Campolina Canadian Pacer Caspian Choctaw Cleveland Bay Dutch Draft Friesian Haflinger Irish Draft Jeju Kazakh Knabstrup Konik Lipizzaner Mallorquin Marwari Mérens Mongolian Morgans Mountain Pleasure Mustang Nez Perce Nokota Norwegian Fjord Orlov Trotter Palomino Pampa Paso Fino Persano Pottok Przewalski’s – the only remaining true wild horse subspecies Quarter Horse Rocky Mountain Horse Russian Don Schleswig Coldblood Shetland Pony Shire Horse Soviet Heavy Draft Swedish Ardennes Taishū Tennessee Walking Thoroughbred Trait du Nord

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Book SynopsisA fascinating insight the life of trees at Kew Gardens - and those that care for them - over the course of a year.

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Book SynopsisSnowdonia has a great story to tell, of ancient oceans, mountains, volcanoes and climate change. The mountain landscape of Snowdonia is the result of everything that has happenend to it over geological time - the product of the ancient landscapes that went before it, fragments of which are preserved by rocks and landforms within the present landscape, providing clues of a forgotten past that can be read as you appreciate Snowdonia's wild beauty. The present landscape has also been shaped by the people that have worked the land and exploited its minerals.

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Book SynopsisHave fun at the farm with this new collection of minis from Kerry Lord and her Edward’s Menagerie animals. This is one of the new gift series from TOFT (Kerry’s yarn company), which contains four books, each with 25 crochet patterns on a different theme: Ocean, Wild, Farm and Pets. These mini animals are quick and easy to make so they are perfect for the beginner as well as giving the more advanced crocheter an afternoon’s fun. The books are practically organised so you start with the easiest pattern and, as you grow in confidence, you continue through the book, mastering the art of crocheting animals, from the little chick to the fluffy sheep, producing high-quality collectibles to keep or give as thoughtful, homemade gifts. This range of mini animals are totally new patterns for fans, new and old, to get hooked to. Sitting at 8cm (3 inches) tall, you can make your own cute collection, which could be used to create a nursery mobile, a board game, key rings and much more! Whether you’re in front of the TV, commuting to work or having a relaxing afternoon, these projects are perfect for bringing mindfulness and creativity into your day. Patterns in the series will include:Farm: Pony, Alpaca, Sheep, Goat, PigOcean: Whale, Shark, Lobster, Starfish, Manta RayWild: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, BuffaloPets: Cockapoo, Iguana, Angora Bunny, Tabby Cat, Tarantula

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Book SynopsisFarm dogs and family dogs move seamlessly throughout Colin Whittemore's life and no one understands the give-and-take between humans and canines better than him. Shepherding, ratting, ferreting, herding, guarding, child-minding, comforting and bonding dogs have done all this and more for him.

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Book SynopsisThis fully revised and updated 3rd edition of A Naturalist's Guide to the Snakes of Southeast Asia is an easy-to-use identification guide to 264 snake species most commonly found in Southeast Asia (covering Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Bali), and is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from the region's top nature photographers, some of species that have never before been published, are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers snake topography, how to deal with snake bites and a glossary. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the snakes of Southeast Asia encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, IUCN status as at 2020 and its status in each country.

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Book SynopsisAbout two-thirds of Britain's small, traditional orchards have been lost since 1960. This is a loss in ecological diversity, in community knowledge and the intricacy of local distinctiveness. In 2007 the pomologist Liz Copas and cidermaker Nick Poole began a quest to find and identify old varieties of cider apple trees around Dorset. The search lasted more than a decade, taking them across the county, searching in forgotten orchards, hedgerows and the corners of gardens. The Lost Orchards follows the journey they took to find, propagate and make cider with Dorset's forgotten apple varieties: Golden Ball, Kings Favourite, Yaffle, Dewbit, Golly Knapp, Tom Legg, Best Bearer and Symes Seedlings. The book is also an illustrated guide to the apple varieties they discovered and an important history of West Country Orchards. This hopeful story will resonate far beyond Dorset and will encourage readers to look closely at their surroundings and conserve their local orchards.

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

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Book SynopsisThere is probably hardly a more undemanding plant in nature that presents itself more cutely and prettily than succulents. Fans of this diverse species go into raptures at the sight of them and there are said to be people who decorate their entire garden with the fleshy flowers. Others use them to decorate interiors. They grow on any kind of surface; no matter whether stone, gravel. or soil, succulents find their way almost anywhere. In the beautiful book Floramour: Succulents, author Anja Klaffenbach pays homage to these little survivalists of the fauna. With wonderful pictures, she draws a unique portrait of this plant genus that makes the heart of every lover beat faster. In addition, Anja provides entertaining background information on the robust ornamental plant, packed in entertaining texts. For example, she enlightens her readers that the secret of the plant's almost indestructible character lies in its ability to store water in its stems and leaves. This makes succulents the secret star in the flower bed during hot summer periods when their flowering colleagues have long since hung their heads. Known to us only as floral decorations, succulents are a symbol of wealth in Asian and Indian culture and are sometimes used in traditional medicine. The high-quality coffee table book Floramour: Succulents is an exceptionally lovingly designed book that brings these minimalist garden inhabitants into the full limelight. Text in English and German.

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

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Book SynopsisEl Handbook of the Birds of the World es la primera obra que ilustra y trata en detalle TODAS las especies de aves. Por primera vez una Clase Animal pueda consultarse entera en una misma obra. La informaciïn de cada volumen estï agrupada por familias, con una introducciïn sobre aspectos generales del grupo, ilustrada con dibujos y fotografïas. Le sigue el apartado dedicado a cada una de las especies que incluye l minas ilustrativas de todas ellas seïalando las diferencias sexuales significativas de todas las familias. Cada volumen tiene aproximadamente 800 pïginas y contiene mïs de 60 lïminas a todo color, cientos de fotografïïas y mapas de distribucion, ademïs de miles de referencias bibliogrïficas. La obra completa consta de 16 volïmenes mïs el volumen especial (Special Volume), 22.617 ilustraciones en 1.030 lïminas y 6.756 fotografïas.

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