Natural History Books

Book Synopsis THE ORIGINAL & SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING ALMANAC Reconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us - including key dates, tide tables and garden tasks; constellations and moon phases; sunrises, folk songs, seasonal recipes plus a 'bun of the month'; and - because 2023 will be a good year for planet spotting - the solar system and the zodiac.The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month's unique nature, with this instalment following the swirling micro world of the garden pond through the year.You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.This year's edition is illustrated by artist Whooli Chen.The geographical scope of The Almanac is Britain and IrelandPRAISE FOR THE ALMANAC:'Lia Leendertz's classic almanac never fails to delight' - The Herald'It's a perfect Christmas present' - Allan Jenkins, The Observer'The perfect companion to the seasons' - India Knight'Indispensable' - Sir Bob Geldof'This book is your bible' - The Independent'I love this gem of a book' - Cerys Matthews

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated book takes the reader on a journey through natural history and shows the richness of animal life on our planet like you’ve never seen it before.

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

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Book SynopsisAfter gaining a degree in Zoology, Jane Smith became a wildlife film maker for the BBC Natural History Unit and National Geographic. She won an Emmy for her work and has also appeared on BBC Radio 4's Tweet of the Day. She now creates wildlife art from her home on the west coast of Scotland to communicate her passion for the natural world.

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Book SynopsisOf the more than 5,500 mammals species worldwide, at least 1,200 occur in Africa. Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa concentrates on the more visible and easily distinguished larger species, as well as some of the more frequently seen smaller mammals. This new edition has been extensively revised, expanded and redesigned and includes: the most recent research and taxonomy, revised distribution maps and many new images, colour-coded grouping of orders, size icons, detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity, whales and dolphins now featured too. Sales points: text extensively updated, now includes marine mammals of the region, reflects latest changes in taxonomy, including many new species, fresh new design, all distribution maps revised.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to the bats of Britain and Europe.This concise and definitive guide presents all 45 bat species that regularly occur in Europe (of which 17 are known to breed in the British Isles). The extensive introduction details the remarkable biology of bats and explores the latest findings in bat evolution, behaviour and echolocation.This is followed by in-depth species accounts covering life history, conservation status and identification, including echolocation characteristics, and complemented by accurate distribution maps, with the book illustrated throughout with superb colour photography.- Allows identification of families, genera and where possible species of all European bats- Illustrated throughout with almost 700 colour photographs- Packed with information on bat behaviour, ecology and conservationSuitable for beginners, students, professionals or conservationists alike, Bats of Britain and Europe is the authoritative field guide for bat watchers an Trade ReviewThe information presented is largely accessible to anyone with an interest in bat biology, conservation and natural history. * National Speleological Society *The information presented is largely accessible to anyone with an interest in bat biology, conservation and natural history. * CHOICE magazine *Table of ContentsBats - the mystery begins Bat roosts Tracking bats Detecting bats Identification of bats The bat species Introduction to the species accounts Fruit bats Pteropodidae Horseshoe bats Rhinolophidae Vesper or plain-nosed bats Vespertilionidae Bent-winged bats Miniopteridae Free-tailed bats Molossidae Glossary Bibliography The genera of European bats

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Book SynopsisSay hello to your beautiful, modern dog treat bible! We know you love your dog. We know you want what’s best for them. But we also know if you’re faced with a dog treat recipe that calls for eight obscure ingredients, requires forty minutes of prep, and still ends up looking a brown, crumbly mess—you’re reaching for that bag of ready-made dog treats faster than we can say “fetch.” Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson puts the fun back into dog treats—with easy, everyday recipes for go-to pet treats you’ll actually be bothered to make (and find yourself using over and over again). These nutritious, delicious, budget friendly, and oh-so-simple-to-make dog treat recipes include: Tasty Kong stuffers and healthy chews to keep your pup entertained while you go to work Easy, no-bake bliss balls that pull double duty as training treats Yummy biscuits that help freshen your doggo’s breath A whole section devoted to birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, of course And so much more! With a huge variety of treats to reward, train, and pamper, every recipe is designed to make life easier and sweeter for you and your dog. Packed with mouth-watering images, easy step-by-step instructions, handy hints, allergy alternatives, nutritional info, and more, Homemade Dog Treats is the must-have recipe handbook for every dog owner.Trade Review"Healthy Homemade Dog Treats is the ultimate dog treat recipe book. Filled with easy, nutritious, and tasty recipes, it'll have your dog begging for more.” —Dr. Katrina Warren, media veterinarian "You and your dog are both going to love this book. Filled with simple, fresh, and healthy treat recipes for your dog, Serena Faber-Nelson's beautiful new book packs in the inspiration with yummy yet super-easy recipes (think coconut-dusted bliss balls for dogs that double as a Kong stuffer). You'll have a hard time deciding what to make first!" —Modern Dog magazine “The sweetest doggy treat bake book I ever did see! Can’t wait to whip up some of these recipes for my own pup!” —Tessa Sam, baker and author of Sweet Bake Shop

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate visual encyclopedia of rocks and minerals, including a detailed directory of 300 specimens.

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Book SynopsisCally Hall is a geology expert and an author of educational guidebooks that make the subject accessible to a variety of readers. In addition to DK Handbook: Gemstones, she has also written science-themed books aimed at younger audiences.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect guide for nature-loving tourists and travelers to Greece.From the Hoopoe to the Black-Headed Bunting, Greece is home to a wide range of avifauna, thanks to the richly varied habitats it has to offer. Pocket-sized and portable, this compact guide provides superb full color photographs and detailed descriptions of each bird likely to be seen on a visit to the country. Whether you''re a seasoned birdwatcher or a tourist keen to identify the birds you spot on your holiday, Birds of Greece is sure to be helpful.Table of ContentsIntroduction Birdlife in Greece How to use this book Natural Greece – an overview Top birding sites in Greece Species descriptions Glossary Photo credits Resources Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisA Naturalist's Guide to the Mammals of India is an introductory, easy-to-use identification guide to 200 mammal species most commonly seen in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Compact and fact-filled, it is perfect for resident and visitor alike. This new 2nd edition includes updated taxonomy and many new images. High quality photographs from India's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers the early study of mammals in India, types of habitat, and details of orders and families. Also included is an up-to-date checklist of all of the mammals of India encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, and its global IUCN status.

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Book SynopsisGemma Gené's adorable comics celebrate fur-parenthood and the extreme love you experience when you look into your dog’s eyes. If you are never alone when you go to the bathroom, are forced to share your food, and find your life ruled by a sassy fur ball, Living With Mochi is the perfect book for you.When architect-turned-cartoonist Gemma Gené first met her pet pug, Mochi, she felt as if time stopped. This dramatic moment and her adoring relationship with the rambunctious pug led her to begin chronicling her adventures with Mochi in a series of incredibly cute webcomics that have gained a social media following of half a million loyal readers.The comics chronicle Mochi’s life from puppyhood to adulthood, featuring Mochi's unrequited dog friendships, his jealousy of his two dog-brothers, and his love of food. Readers and dog parents will love this humorous tale of a sincerely loyal friendship between one grumpy pug and his adoring owner.

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Book SynopsisFurbex: A Dog's Life of Urban Exploration is a dazzling photographic record of Claire's adventures among the abandoned spaces of Europe. It captures her ghostly presence in ruined hotels and grand houses; crumbling castles and palaces; broken down factories and prisons, forgotten theatres and cinemas. All have fallen into disrepair; most still display the faded trappings and trampled luxuries of their glorious or inglorious pasts; and many have been spectacularly reclaimed by nature. Fascinated by shadows and light, past and present, and the mysterious, dark worlds of abandoned places, Alice van Kempen uses thrift shop props and long exposures to create photographs with the air of Old Master paintings; while Claire's tragi-comic presence imbues every image with the pathos and comedy of a silent movie. In Furbex, they not only present the finest of their unique photographic portfolio, but also recount the tales and raise the ghosts of the lost worlds they have discovered. The result is a haunting and hilarious gift of unique photographs, which will appeal to urban explorers, dog lovers (most particularly the cult following of the bull terrier breed), and all lovers of the Gothic, the mysterious and the absurd. AUTHOR: Alice van Kempen is a self-taught photographer from the Netherlands, who has been photographing dogs around the world for over 25 years. Her passion is for 'furbex' photography (urbex photography with a canine twist), which she practices by exploring abandoned places with her beloved bull terrier Claire, who has 21,000 followers on Instagram. Their many awards include first prize in the pets category of the International Photography Awards; and the Reader's Choice Award in the Smithsonian Photo Contest for 'The Orient Express', an image of Claire in an abandoned train. SALES POINTS: . A haunting but humorous collection of photographs documenting Claire, the bull terrier and urban explorer (Urbex) . Author is an award-winning photographer and an Instagram star . A charming gift book with appeal to dog lovers, photographers, and urban explorers alike 100 colour photographs

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for all animal lovers.In this charming, heartfelt memoir, Danielle Steel tells the story of how she met a dog the size of a mouse, with a personality that could light up an entire room.Brimming with warmth and insight on every page, Danielle takes a look at the beloved pets who have brought joy, and sometimes chaos, to her home through the years: from Minnie's arrival at home in San Francisco to clothes shopping jaunts in Paris, Minnie's adventures provide the perfect backdrop for a heartfelt look at the magic that dogs bring to our lives, and how they become part of the family.

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Book Synopsis**SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** The Garden Jungle is a wonderful introduction to the hundreds of small creatures with whom welive cheek-by-jowl and of the myriad ways that we can encourage them to thrive.The Garden Jungle is about the wildlife that lives right under our noses, in our gardens and parks, between the gaps in the pavement, and in the soil beneath our feet. Wherever you are right now, the chances are that there are worms, woodlice, centipedes, flies, silverfish, wasps, beetles, mice, shrews and much, much more, quietly living within just a few paces of you.Dave Goulson gives us an insight into the fascinating and sometimes weird lives of these creatures, taking us burrowing into the compost heap, digging under the lawn and diving into the garden pond. He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world.The Garden Jungle is at times an immensely serious book, exploring the environmental harm inadvertently done by gardeners who buy intensively reared plants in disposable plastic pots, sprayed with pesticides and grown in peat cut from the ground. Goulson argues that gardens could become places where we can reconnect with nature and rediscover where food comes from. For anyone who has a garden, and cares about our planet, this book is essential reading.Trade Review[Goulson] is master of intriguing details of a world beyond our ken… The Garden Jungle is an eye-opening book… [and Goulson’s] enthusiasm is infectious. This is a man you’d just love to visit your garden and show you its invisible wonders, teach you how to nurture them. * The Times *This book will teach you a great deal about the creatures who live right outside your door and are waiting for you to get to know them. It is a constant revelation. * Sunday Times *Like a top-notch wildlife documentary, The Garden Jungle draws us in with fascinating details of the natural world and, at the same time, delivers a wake-up call… I doubt that many will finish reading this important book without making a few changes to their gardening or way of life. * Church Times *An upbeat book about the wonders of the ecosystem in every garden. * The Times, *Summer reads of 2019* *Woodlice, earthworms, earwigs: a seething Serengeti lurks in many a back garden. Apiologist Dave Goulson’s wonderful book encourages such richness by delivering solid science on garden wilding... Goulson demonstrates that the domestic nature reserve is the first step towards saving the planet. * Nature *

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Book SynopsisEsteemed Border Collie trainer, consultant and authority on the breed, Barbara Sykes, has lived with Border Collies all of her life and has spent the last fifty years training, trialling and rescuing hundreds of dogs. In her sixth book, she explores how Border Collies have been adopted into the family home and how to get the most from your pet dog, without diminishing the unique spirit that attracted you to the breed in the first place. Part One of the book takes you on a journey that began over 200 years ago at the birth of the breed up to the present day. Understanding the history of Border Collies, why they were bred and why they are so diverse, is the key to understanding and managing their instincts. Part Two then explores simple strategies and techniques to balance those instincts within a domestic setting, whilst still having fun with your dog and creating a strong partnership. Key coverage includes: the history of the breed; how coat and eye colour genes impact character; understanding and managing the inherent instincts; health and welfare; the rescue dog in your home; Border Collies and children; lead walking and recall and finally, trouble-shooting problems and setbacks. Although developed with Border Collies in mind, these techniques are applicable to any breed, making an owner’s life easier and a dog’s life happier.Trade Review‘This book could have no better author. Barbara's lifetime of study with the Border Collie has led her to have a unique and unrivalled insight into all aspects of this breed…Filled with interesting anecdotes throughout, this book really is essential reading for anyone considering owning a Border Collie.’ Ross McCarthy MA FCFBA MBIPDT AMBPSCA, Canine Behaviour Practitioner and Trainer, co- founder of DogSEE.‘I can honestly say that anything Barbara does not know about Border Collies is not worth knowing. This book is a real testament to such a noble breed and is full of history, love, knowledge and wisdom. Whether you are thinking of sharing your life with a collie for the first time, or struggling to cross the kitchen without tripping over one (like me!), it is bursting with riches...’ Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE

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Book SynopsisUnleash your creativity with this hilarious colouring book, filled with the cutest cats saying the rudest swear wordsStressed out after a long day? Wish you could release a volley of swear words at the world? Channel your frustrations through colouring in and let your creativity loose in this funny adult colouring book.Combining the therapeutic benefits of colouring with colourful language, this sweary book turns purr-fectly innocent cats and kittens into feisty foul-mouthed furballs. Whether you are a colouring novice or a seasoned artist, these felines filled with cat-titude are guaranteed to give you hours of laughter and brighten your day.In this side-splitting collection of playful and profanity-filled patterns, you will find:- Elaborate and beautiful designs for you to colour in however you like- Charming illustrations of cats of all shapes and sizes- Every filthy swear word you can imagine ready for you to colourBrilliant for cat fans and anyone needing to let off some steam, this colouring book is a perfect way to practise mindfulness in a fun and silly way.

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Book SynopsisA bold, visionary, and mind-bending exploration of how the geometry of chaos can explain our uncertain worldfrom weather and pandemics to quantum physics and free willCovering a breathtaking range of topicsfrom climate change to the foundations of quantum physics, from economic modelling to conflict prediction, from free will to consciousness and spiritualityThe Primacy of Doubt takes us on a unique journey through the science of uncertainty. A key theme that unifies these seemingly unconnected topics is the geometry of chaos: the beautiful and profound fractal structures that lie at the heart of much of modern mathematics. Royal Society Research Professor Tim Palmer shows us how the geometry of chaos not only provides the means to predict the world around us, it suggests new insights into some of the most astonishing aspects of our universe and ourselves. This important and timely book helps the reader makes sense of uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.Trade ReviewThe Primacy of Doubt provides a remarkably broad-ranging account of uncertainty in physics, in all its various aspects. I strongly recommend this highly thought-provoking book. * Roger Penrose, OM, FRS, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics *Tim Palmer is a scientific polymath. It's hard to think of anyone else who could have written so authoritatively—and so accessibly—on themes extending from quantum gravity to climate modelling. This fascinating and important book offers some profoundly original speculations on conceptual linkages across different sciences. * Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom *In a whirlwind of a book that's partly scientific autobiography and partly the manifest of a visionary, Tim Palmer masterfillly weaves together climate change and quantum mechanics into one coherent whole. Using uncertainty as a unifying principle, Palmer puts forward new perspectives on old problems. A revolutionary thinker way ahead of his time. * Sabine Hossenfelder, author of Lost in Math *The Primacy of Doubt is an important book by one of the pioneers of dynamical weather prediction, indispensable for daily life. * Suki Manabe, winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics *Quite possibly the best popular science book I've ever read... The Primacy of Doubt is like getting off one of those exciting roller coaster rides, when your immediate inclination is to think 'I want to do that again, but I'll have a bit of a break first.' I will be reading this book again, without doubt. Remarkable. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *important book * Andrew Robinson, Nature *Physicist Palmer delivers a challenging but rewarding look at how uncertainty helps scientists make sense of the world ... Despite the complexity of his arguments, the author succeeds at bringing complicated theories within reach of those who have a basic familiarity with physics. Science-minded readers, take note. * Publishers Weekly *The Primacy of Doubt also contains very informative explanations as to the application of chaos theory in climate and meteorological models, and why meteorologists failed to predict southern Britain's 1987 hurricane. To my mind this were probably the book's strongest areas and are 'must reads' for those with an interest in climate forecasting. * Jonathan Cowie, SF2 Concatenation *delightful and substantive * William Hooke, Living on the Real World *An exploration of the amorphous concept of uncertainty... [an] informative, ingenious book. * Kirkus Reviews *Provocative... useful for scientists and non-scientists alike * Jessica Flack, Physics World *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: The Science of Uncertainty 1: Chaos, Chaos Everywhere 2: The Geometry of Chaos 3: Noisy, Million-Dollar Butterflies 4: Quantum Uncertainty: Reality Lost? Part II: Predicting our Chaotic World 5: The Two Roads to Monte Carlo 6: Climate Change: Catastrophe or Just Lukewarm? 7: Pandemics 8: Financial Crashes 9: Deadly Conflict and the Digital Ensemble of Spaceship Earth 10: Decisions! Decisions! Part III: Understanding the Chaotic Universe and our Place in it 11: Quantum Uncertainty: Reality Regained? 12: Our Noisy Brains 13: Free Will, Consciousness, and God

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Book Synopsis 20 mouth-watering recipes to cook for your cat at home. In her latest book, food writer Debora Robertson has created a fun, indulgent book for feline fanatics. Inspired by her cat, Dixie, she’s devised an exciting menu of simple, inexpensive dinners and treats made using readily available ingredients, so they fit easily into your everyday life. With 20 recipes, there is something to tempt even the most finicky of feline palates. The book is packed full of advice on your marvellous moggy’s diet. It begins with a indispensable larder section before guiding you through everyday treats, easy one-pot dinners and delicious dishes for special occasions. Many of the dishes can be made cheaply in batches, and there is advice on how best to feed your cat. The book includes recipes not only for good general health, but also advice on nutrition for sick or recovering cats. And because play is important, the book also contains simple craft projects, too, including a fishing pole toy, scratching post, indoor kitty garden, catnip mouse, cardboard cat playhouse and cat pillow. There are also suggestions on making presents for your kitty, as well as tips on training and general good cat behaviour. Chapters include:The Cat’s Larder: The basics of what your cat should and shouldn’t eat, how and when to feed your cat.Everyday Treating: Including Miaousli Yogurt Breakfast, Sardine Omelette, Chicken Soup, Turkey and Squash Meatballs and Salmon Fish Cakes.One-pot Dishes: Rabbit Stew, Bone Broth, Spring Chicken Casserole, Beef and Brown Rice Dinner, Lamb and Dill Hotpot, Fish Supper.Treats and Special Occasions: Including Salmon and Sweet Potato Crunchies, Chicken and Oatmeal Cookies, Sardine Snackies and Birthday Cake Muffins.Feel-better Food: Tempting ill cats with smelly food and food for sore mouths.

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Book SynopsisCalming, thought-provoking, poetic and honest, Notes from Walnut Tree Farm is a collection of writing and musing by documentary-maker, environmentalist and author of Waterlog, Roger Deakin. ''Gentle, straight, honest, inquisitive, funny, melancholic'' Spectator''A lovely book that is a poignant epitaph to a remarkable individual'' Amazon Review________________For the last six years of his life, Roger Deakin kept notebooks. In them, he wrote his daily thoughts, impressions, feelings and observations about and around his Suffolk home, Walnut Tree Farm. Collected here are the very best of these writings, capturing his extraordinary, restless curiosity about nature as well as his impressions of our changing world.Perfect for fans of Robert Macfarlane and Colin Tudge, this is a book that fills readers with a desire to explore the world around them.________________''A sTrade Review'Superb. Totally fresh and vivid' - Chris Yates 'Deakin's account sings, as unruly and robust as the world he bore witness to ... Deakin's greatest gift is to make the ecologically minded life a matter of gleeful fun' Observer 'If anything this book is superior to Deakin's previous book Wildwood, which is saying something, since that was marvellous. The diary form works beautifully ... In just a few words, Deakin can delight and inspire in equal measure' - Tom Hodgkinson

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Book Synopsis'VISIONARY' Stephen GreenblattHarvard's top astronomer takes us inside the mind-blowing story of the first interstellar visitor to our solar system In late 2017, scientists at a Hawaiian observatory glimpsed a strange object soaring through our inner solar system. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb conclusively showed it was not an asteroid; it was moving too fast along a strange orbit, and leaving no trail of gas or debris in its wake. There was only one conceivable explanation: the object was a piece of advanced technology created by a distant alien civilization. In Extraterrestrial, Loeb takes readers inside the thrilling story of the first interstellar visitor to be spotted in our solar system. He outlines his theory and its profound implications: for science, for religion, and for the future of our planet. A mind-bending journey through the furthest reaches of science, space-time, and the human imagination, Extraterrestrial challenges readers to aim for the stars-and to think critically about what's out there, no matter how strange it seems.Trade ReviewI have a lot of time for Loeb. He has a joy in conjecture and an omnivorous spirit of inquiry that are more reminiscent of 20th-century thinkers such as Freeman Dyson or Carl Sagan than most of his peers. His readiness to stake his reputation on such an unconventional hypothesis is a mark of uncommon bravery . . . [Carl] Sagan would have liked this book -- Oliver Moody * The Times *Compelling . . . The book is not so much a claim for one object as an argument for a more open-minded approach to science - a combination of humility and wonder * New Statesman *An astronomical Sherlock Holmes . . . You don't have to share his conviction to be impressed by the breadth of his argument * Washington Post *In this passionately argued, visionary book, astrophysicist Avi Loeb urges us to abandon the arrogant fantasy that we are the only sentient life form in the universe. The clues are fascinating, and still more are Loeb's arguments for what they might reveal to us about our own brilliant, blinkered, and quite possibly doomed civilization -- STEPHEN GREENBLATT, Pulitzer prize-winning author of THE SWERVEA serious scientist makes a serious argument for the hypothesis that our solar system was visited by an object from an extraterrestrial civilization. Is the hypothesis right? Who knows. But let's try to find out! -- ERIC MASKIN, Nobel laureate in EconomicsIt's good to be sceptical of audacious ideas. But it's also important to be open to audacious possibilities. Loeb's sumptuously written book will provoke you to think about the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe in new and stimulating ways -- SEAN CARROLLAn exciting and eloquent case that we might have seen a sign of intelligent life near Earth - and that we should search further. World-renowned scientist and innovative thinker, Avi Loeb opens your mind to some of the most important questions facing us as humans: scientific curiosity is key to our future success -- ANNE WOJCICKI, CEO and co-founder, 23andMeA provocative and thrilling account of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence . . . Professor Loeb asks us to think big and to expect the unexpected -- ALAN LIGHTMAN, author of EINSTEIN'S DREAMSOne of the more imaginative and articulate scientists around . . . half memoir, half soaring monologue * New Yorker *A persuasive scientific argument about 'Oumuamua's otherworldly origins, and delves into why his peers have been so hostile to the idea of life outside of Earth * New York Magazine *In publishing his theory, Loeb has certainly risked (and suffered) ridicule . . . Still, it's thrilling to imagine the possibilities * New Yorker *Have aliens ever been to our solar system? A quick trawl of the internet will reveal any number of people who think that they have, but when the suggestion comes from a distinguished Harvard astrophysicist, maybe it's time to sit up and take notice -- 4-star review * Mail on Sunday *He may or may not be right about 'Oumuamua. But that hardly seems to make much difference to what is ultimately the main thesis of his book . . . Mr Loeb is surely correct that scientists studying the vastness of the cosmos should entertain risky ideas more often, for the universe is undoubtedly more wild and unexpected than any extremes conjured by the human imagination. * The Economist *Fascinating and very accessible . . . certainly very well worth a read * Church of England Newspaper *

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Book SynopsisGo beyond training and tricks with enrichment activities to improve your dog’s mental health from TikTok dog enrichment specialist Chelsea Barstow.It’s time to take a big step beyond the regular old sit, stay, and roll over with your dog. Canine enrichment can help reduce stress in your dog as well as give them a constructive way to drain their energy. We all know what it’s like to be bored at home, and with a dog, boredom leads to trouble. With Happy Dog, you will learn simple ways to stimulate your dog’s mind and keep them occupied whenever they need. From rolling treats in a towel, to playing the Find It game, a variety of lick mats, creating obstacles your dog must navigate, going on an adventure walk, and canine puzzles, there are tons of ways to help keep your dog mentally (and physically) happy and healthy.Trade Review"Take things to the next level with [this] fun, easy-to-follow book for dogs." —Fidose of Reality

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Book SynopsisDeep Country is Neil Ansell''s account of five years spent alone in a hillside cottage in Wales.''I lived alone in this cottage for five years, summer and winter, with no transport, no phone. This is the story of those five years, where I lived and how I lived. It is the story of what it means to live in a place so remote that you may not see another soul for weeks on end. And it is the story of the hidden places that I came to call my own, and the wild creatures that became my society.''Neil Ansell immerses himself in the rugged British landscape, exploring nature''s unspoilt wilderness and man''s relationship with it. Deep Country is a celebration of rural life and the perfect read for fans of Robert Macfarlane''s Landmarks, Helen Macdonald''s H is for Hawk orJames Rebanks'' A Shepherd''s Life.''A beautiful, translucent portrayal of mid-Wales'' Jay Griffiths''Touching. Through Ansell''s charming and thoroughly

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive work covers every species wild flower that you might encounter in Britain and Ireland, highlighting key features to allow identification with confidence.Wild flower identification may seem extremely challenging to those not familiar with them, but this brilliant photographic guide changes that forever. Packed with superb photography throughout, including stunning portraits and close-ups of key features along with succinct, no-nonsense text, this book will help you to identify any wild flower that you may encounter in Britain and Ireland. This second edition has been revised, updated, and expanded to become a truly comprehensive work, covering all but the most extreme rarities in the British Isles. This book packs a true floral punch. The pages have been designed to ensure that the photographs are reproduced at a sensible size while retaining a readable text. Key features are highlighted in boxes throughout the book, while details of

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2018 Royal Society Investment Science Book Prize'Endlessly fascinating.' - Bill Bryson 'Eye-opening, informative and very funny!' - Chris Packham'Well-informed and downright funny' - Richard DawkinsHistory is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we’ve got a long way to go. Whether we’re watching a viral video of romping baby pandas or looking at a picture of penguins ‘holding hands’, we often project our own values – innocence, abstinence, hard work – onto animals. So you’ve probably never considered that moose get drunk and that penguins are notorious cheats. In The Unexpected Truth About Animals Zoologist Lucy unravels many such myths – that eels are born from sand, that swallows hibernate under water, and that bears gave birth to formless lumps that are licked into shape by their mothers – to show that the stories we create reveal as much about us as they do about the animals. Astonishing, illuminating and laugh-out-loud funny.Trade ReviewA bloody fabulous read. Thoroughly recommend. -- Sue Perkins (Twitter)A riot of facts....Cooke scores a series of goals with style and panache. * The Times *Beautifully written, meticulously researched, with the science often couched in outrageous asides, this is a splendid read. In fact, I cannot remember when I last enjoyed a non-fiction work so much. * Daily Express *Best science pick.Sigmund Freud's first paper involved the dissection of eels in an attempt to locate their testes. To his frustration, Freud failed to find any. The eel's life cycle remains slippery, notes natural-history broadcaster Lucy Cooke in her deeply researched, sassily written history of "the biggest misconceptions, mistakes and myths we've concocted about the animal kingdom", spread by figures from Aristotle to Walt Disney. Other chapters spotlight the sloth, vulture, hippopotamus, panda, chimpanzee and others, and dismantle anthropocentric clichés with scientific, global evidence. * Nature *Lucy Cooke's The Unexpected Truth About Animals was a joy from beginning to end. Who could resist a writer who argues that penguins have been pulling the wool over our eyes for years, and that, far from being cute and gregarious, they are actually pathologically unpleasant necrophiliacs? * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA wonderful novel and perfect book club choice, The Right Stuff is a wildly vivid and entertaining chronicle of America's early space programme.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY US ASTRONAUT SCOTT KELLY‘What is it,’ asks Tom Wolfe, ‘that makes a man willing to sit on top of an enormous Roman Candle…and wait for someone to light the fuse?’ Arrogance? Stupidity? Courage? Or, simply, that quality we call 'the right stuff'?A monument to the men who battled to beat the Russians into space, The Right Stuff is a voyage into the mythology of the American space programme, and a dizzying dive into the sweat, fear, beauty and danger of being on the white-hot edge of history in the making.‘Tom Wolfe at his very best… Learned, cheeky, risky, touching, tough, compassionate, nostalgic, worshipful, jingoistic...The Right Stuff is superb’ New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewTom Wolfe’, article: ‘You only had to look at him… or read such books as The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Right Stuff to know that Tom Wolfe was like no other -- John Pye * The Scotsman *The hero you couldn’t hope to emulate’, article: ‘Journalism, it is said, is the first draft of history. Nobody exemplifies the dictum better than Wolfe, the cultural observer and social critic par excellence -- Mick Brown * Daily Telegraph *Effortlessly, elegantly, Tom Wolfe bestrode both fiction and non-fiction… a style at once objective, subjective, and hallucinatory -- Andy Martin * Independent *[Tom Wolfe’s] gleeful use of punctuation and italics, along with entertaining asides and neologisms that often quickly cemented themselves into the English lexicon, helped Wolfe stand out from other journalists * Guardian *[Wolfe] made literature fun and bores don’t like fun -- Freddy Gray * The Catholic Herald *

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Book Synopsis*Top 10 Sunday Times bestseller*The Pebbles on the Beach was first published in 1954. This newly reissued edition includes a foreword by Robert Macfarlane. There is a handy illustrated guide to identifying pebbles on the reverse of the book jacket.Pebble-hunting is a pleasant hobby that makes little demand upon one''s patience and still less upon one''s physical energy. (You may even enjoy the hunt from the luxurious sloth of a deck chair). One of the true delights of the pebble-seeker is to read the stories in the stones - to determine whence and by what means they came to be there. We must always bear in mind that a pebble is a transient thing. It is in the half-way stage of a long existence . . .This is a book about the simple pleasure of pebble spotting. Clarence Ellis is a charming, knowledgeable and witty guide to everything you didn''t know there was to know about pebbles. He ruminat

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Book SynopsisWaterstones Non fiction Book of the Month November 2021 ‘A delightful compendium that brings together language, culture and adventure through frozen landscapes as it shares the meanings behind 50 words for snow, gathered from around the globe.’ The Herald Snow. Every language has its own words for the magical, mesmerising flakes that fall from the sky. In this exquisite exploration, writer and Arctic traveller Nancy Campbell digs deep into the meanings of fifty words for snow. In Japanese we encounter yuki-onna – a ‘snow woman’ who drifts through the frosted land. In Icelandic it is hundslappadrífa – ‘snowflakes as big as a dog’s paw’ – that softly blanket the streets. And in Māori we meet Huka-rere – ‘one of the children of rain and wind’. From mountain tops and frozen seas to city parks and desert hills, each of these linguistic snow crystals offers a whole world of myth and story – the perfect winter gift. ___ ‘Absolutely exquisite. This little book is a work of art. It is impossible to imagine the reader who will not love it.’ Horatio Clare, author of The Light in the Dark ‘This stunning book made me want to pack all my woolies, candles, ample firewood and enough books for a year – and head to as northerly a location as I could find.’ Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Caught By the River ‘Sparkles and dazzles with new meanings and old magic. You’ll never see snow in the same way again.’ Matt Gaw, author of Under the StarsTrade Review'A sparkling prism to reveal what snow means to different cultures... [an] exploration of the language that describes myriad snowscapes, from mountain peaks and ancient glaciers to boreal cities and Baltic landscapes.' National Geographic 'A miraculous snow bank of niveous names and knowledge as delicate and multifaceted as the flakes it celebrates. A glittering cloud of Inupiaq, Icelandic, compound Maori, Finnish, Scots, Thai, Hebrew, American Sign Language.' Dan Richards, author of Outpost: A Wild Journey to the Ends of the Earth 'This is a book of now... It shows us how we are connected and united across languages and across borders, through our environment, climate, stories and Nature. Fifty Words for Snow is both gorgeous and important to hunker down with, whatever the weather outside.' Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine 'A delightful compendium that brings together language, culture and adventure through frozen landscapes as it shares the meanings behind 50 words for snow, gathered from around the globe.' The Herald, Christmas Books 2020 ‘Absolutely exquisite. This little book is a work of art. It is impossible to imagine the reader who will not love it.’ Horatio Clare, author of The Light in the Dark ‘This stunning book made me want to pack all my woolies, candles, ample firewood and enough books for a year – and head to as northerly a location as I could find.’ Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Caught By the River ‘Sparkles and dazzles with new meanings and old magic. You’ll never see snow in the same way again.’ Matt Gaw, author of Under the Stars

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Book Synopsis **THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** A hilarious collection of Hercule Van Wolfwinkle's 'extremely realistic' pet portraits. Warning: may not be suitable for anyone who actually likes animals or has the ability to see. Trade Review–‘It looks like someone has tried to build a flat-pack version of my dog without any instructions.’ –‘You’ve made my children cry.’ –‘I’ve had to open my mum’s Christmas present to help me get over this. I’m covered in tears, Ferrero Rocher wrappers and shame.’ –‘I rescued this cat. He had a really tough start to his life, but believe me when I say that this is probably the worst thing that’s ever happened to him.’

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES NATURE BOOK OF THE YEAR*UPDATED EDITION FEATURING EXTRA MATERIAL*A nature diary by award-winning novelist, nature writer and hit podcaster Melissa Harrison, following her journey from urban south London to the rural Suffolk countryside.''A writer of great gifts.'' ROBERT MACFARLANE''The journal of a writer to compare to Thomas Hardy. Melissa Harrison is among our most celebrated nature writers.'' JOHN CAREY, THE TIMESA Londoner for over twenty years, moving from flat to Tube to air-conditioned office, Melissa Harrison knew what it was to be insulated from the seasons. Adopting a dog and going on daily walks helped reconnect her with the cycle of the year and the quiet richness of nature all around her: swifts nesting in a nearby church; ivy-leaved toadflax growing out of brick walls; the first blackbird''s song; an exhilarating glimpse of a hobby over Tooting Common.Moving from scrappy c

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Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight Seals is packed with eye-catching, informative color photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Spotlight Seals explores the intricate lives of the UK''s native Grey and Common Seals and their amazing physical and behavioral adaptations to a life split between land and sea. Seals are the sleekest and most agile of all marine mammals, and they are superbly adapted to the watery world in which they spend most of their time. With their whiskery dog-like faces, curious nature and vulnerable pups, they are enduringly appealing animals. Although air-breathing, these marine mammals are superbly tuned to hunt, sleep, mate and keep warm while out at sea, but they remain inextricably linked to land where they moult and have their pups.Frances Dipper also delves into the complex physiology that allows seals to dive deep and for long periods without coming to any harm. Once ruthlessly exploited for their Table of ContentsMeet the Seals Seals Around the World Life on Land Life on Sea The Daily Routine Watching Seals Threats and Protection Seals in Our Lives Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisExpert advice on breeds, all aspects of horse care, and step-by-step riding techniques, fully updated.

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Book SynopsisButterflies are brilliant pollinators and add vibrancy and colour to the garden.A summer's day wouldn't be the same without the gentle fluttering of delicate wings. They connect us with living and breathing nature and are an essential part of a dynamic ecosystem. However, in the past forty years, these insects, which were once a common sight in our gardens, are now in decline thanks to habit loss, climate change and the use of pesticides.But do not despair – there is a lot you can do to help improve their numbers! Planting for Butterflies will show you how you can attract these beautiful insects and help them to flourish by creating a butterfly-friendly garden. No matter how small or large your space – from a window ledge in the city to a country garden – Jane Moore offers advice on the nectar-rich blooms to grow, and when and where to plant them.This charmingly illustrated, practical guide will set your garden a flutter.

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Book SynopsisRemarkable new discoveries affirm the octopus as one of nature's most intelligent and complex animals. This new book - written by the beloved author of the international bestseller The Soul of an Octopus and enhanced with vivid National Geographic photography - brings us closer than ever to these elusive creatures.

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Book Synopsis'Cats love to play: here is THE book that shows you how to join in! And your cat will thank you for it' John Bradshaw, Sunday Times bestselling author of In Defence of Dogs and Cat Sense'Trust me, Play With Your Cat is an indispensable addition to any cat lover's library!' Jackson Galaxy, New York Times bestselling author and star of My Cat from HellWhat does a cat need besides food, a comfortable home and access to a good vet? PLAY!This practical guide from leading cat behaviour scientist Dr Mikel Maria Delgado explains how interactive play is at the centre of your cat's overall health. Revealing how it mimics the hunting experience that shaped cats' evolution, Play With Your Cat! includes:- Advice on selecting toys and setting up your home environment for the perfect play session - Guidance on specific play techniques to exercise your cat's body and mind - Tips on engaging nonchalant, anxious and uninterested kitties - How to use play to address behavioural issues like aggression and

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Book SynopsisThe Hidden Histories of Houseplants explores 20 of the world’s most common houseplants.This book isn’t just a dry exploration of historical cultivation; the narrative explores the plants’ places in social history, science and culture, showcasing the most fascinating elements of each plant’s story, be it the exploration as to why Monstera deliciosa have holes in their leaves, whether houseplants have the ability to count, or why Calathea leaves open during the day and close up at night.Accompanied by stunning illustrations, each text takes the reader on a journey through time, history and culture, told by the most universally binding objects in our homes from London to Beijing – houseplants.

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Book Synopsis'Astounding ... To call this a "history" does not do justice to Helen Gordon's ambition' Simon Ings, Daily Telegraph 'Awe-inspiring ... She has imbued geological tales with a beauty and humanity' Shaoni Bhattacharya-Woodward, Mail on Sunday The story of the Earth is written into our landscape: it's there in the curves of hills, the colours of stone, surprising eruptions of vegetation. Wanting a fresh perspective on her own life, the writer Helen Gordon set out to read that epic narrative. Her odyssey takes her from the secret fossils of London to the 3-billion-year-old rocks of the Scottish Highlands, and from a state-of-the-art earthquake monitoring system in California to one of the world's most dangerous volcanic complexes in Naples. At every step, she finds that the apparently solid ground beneath our feet isn't quite as it seems.Trade ReviewThe reward of Helen Gordon's profoundly considered and far-reaching book is that it opens up the dizzying view of geological time ... Notes from Deep Time reaches into a place that, in a post-religious era, offers a glimpse of something close to eternity -- Philip Marsden * FT *Astounding ... To call this a "history" does not do justice to Helen Gordon's ambition. Her adventures in the deep time of Earth hark all the way back to its beginnings as a barren ocean planet, 4.4 billion years ago, while keeping one foot firmly planted in the depleted and desertified plaything we're left with today ... Notes From Deep Time sidesteps the maundering and finger-wagging that comes with much Anthropocene thinking, and shows us how much sheer intellectual and poetical entertainment there is to be had in the idea -- Simon Ings * Daily Telegraph *Awe-inspiring ... It's Gordon's background as a literary writer that takes Notes From Deep Time to the next level. She has imbued geological tales with a beauty and humanity -- Shaoni Bhattacharya-Woodward * Mail on Sunday *Notes From Deep Time is a marvel-rich masterclass of narrative non-fiction, one of those books that teaches its reader to see the world completely differently. That it does so with wit, wisdom and crystal-perfect prose only adds to the pleasure. To escape from the present into deep time with such a companionable guide is clarifying, almost therapeutic, and at times gratifyingly dizzying -- Max Porter, author * Lanny *If there were ever a good time to think about deep time, it's now ... A whirlwind tour of our planet's deep past and far future ... succeeds in grounding our existence firmly in the context of geological time -- Alexandra Witze * Nature *Helen Gordon's wonderfully expansive book encompasses a paradoxical fluidity, both tangible and immense, where human witnesses measure out deep time in golden spikes and ammonites, excavating lost seas and saurians for clues as to what we were and who we will be -- Philip Hoare, author * Leviathan *A book as multi-layered as the deep-time planet itself -- Sara Wheeler, author * Terra Incognita *Sublime ... a fascinating and thrilling descent into time, human in scale but full of moments of vertiginous wonder -- Jon Day, author * Homing *Helen Gordon's terrifically readable book juxtaposes scenes from deep Earth time with telling accounts of how geologists forensically analyse the evidence for this enormous narrative - and looks to the future, too, as humans make their own additions to the planet's strata. Highly recommended -- Jan Zalasiewicz, author * The World in a Pebble *Questing, thoughtful and profoundly moving, Notes From Deep Time is a remarkable TARDIS of a book -- Dan Richards, author * Outpost *A sparkling book that humanises the pre-human era. In her journey from the Earth's molten Hadean beginnings to our Holocene age, Gordon delivers stratigraphic revelations through the stories of the intriguing individuals who have brought their mysteries to light -- India Bourke * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis'This is one of those special books . . . Even if it were only a book about eels, it would be wonderful.' - Sunday Times'I never thought I would see myself in an eel, until I read Svensson’s beautiful book, in which he anthropomorphizes eels and shows how mysterious they are, and how little we know about them. It’s a beautiful book that makes you realize that the eel is our cousin — we are the eel, and the eel is us.' - Michaela Coel’I can’t recall us ever talking about anything other than eels and how to best catch them, down there by the stream. Actually, I can’t remember us speaking at all. Maybe because we never did.’The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is one of the strangest creatures nature ever created. Remarkably little is known about the eel, even today. What we do know is that it’s born as a tiny willow-leaf shaped larva in the Sargasso Sea, travels on the ocean currents toward the coasts of Europe – a journey of about four thousand miles that takes at least two years. Upon arrival, it transforms itself into a glass eel and then into a yellow eel before it wanders up into fresh water. It lives a solitary life, hiding from both light and science, for ten, twenty, fifty years, before migrating back to the sea in the autumn, morphing into a silver eel and swimming all the way back to the Sargasso Sea, where it breeds and dies.And yet . . . There is still so much we don’t know about eels. No human has ever seen eels reproduce; no one can give a complete account of the eel’s metamorphoses or say why they are born and die in the Sargasso Sea; no human has even seen a mature eel in the Sargasso Sea. Ever. And now the eel is disappearing, and we don’t know exactly why.What we do know is that eels and their mysterious lives captivate us.This is the basis for The Gospel of the Eels, Patrik Svensson’s quite unique natural science memoir; his ongoing fascination with this secretive fish, but also the equally perplexing and often murky relationship he shared with his father, whose only passion in life was fishing for this obscure creature.Through the exploration of eels in literature (Günter Grass and Graham Swift feature, amongst others) and the history of science (we learn about Aristotle’s and Sigmund Freud’s complicated relationships with eels) as well as modern marine biology (Rachel Carson and others) we get to know this peculiar animal. In this exploration, we also learn about the human condition, life and death, through natural science and nature writing at its very best.As Patrik Svensson concludes: 'by writing about eels, I have in some ways found my way home again.'Trade ReviewThe best mysteries are those science hasn’t yet cracked, and top of the list comes the sex life of eels. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *Extraordinary . . . Such is his skill that the echoes and parallels he finds never seem stretched. It’s as if the eel’s mysteriousness is snaking out, beyond its extraordinary life cycle and uncanny ability to confound scientists, and into the writing. * Observer *This beguiling book . . . completely won me over to these astonishing, mysterious creatures . . . Beautifully written, The Gospel of the Eels left me in awe of the animal. * Sunday Times ‘Nature Books of the Year’ *A gorgeously evocative blend of science, nature writing and family memoir * Guardian *What a joy! Patrick Svensson’s sinuous weaving of natural history, philosophy, psychology and autobiography is as compelling and rewarding as a silver eel’s return to the Sargasso Sea. I loved every moment. * Isabella Tree, author of Wilding *I’m still not sure I like eels, but I loved this book. * Sunday Times *In this lovely, thoughtful blend of natural science and memoir, Patrik Svensson elevates the European eel . . . to an almost mythical status . . . We must hope this marvellous book is not the eel's eulogy. * Mail on Sunday *Just as the eel glides between freshwater and salt, Svensson’s book swims in the seas of both natural history and memoir. Svensson’s father took the young Patrik eel fishing often, and their beautifully rendered nocturnal outings have the feel of occult ritual. * New York Times *Svensson’s book, like its subject, is a strange beast: a creature of metamorphosis, a shape-shifter that moves among realms. It is a book of natural history, and a memoir about a son and his father. It is also an exploration of literature and religion and custom, and what it means to live in a world full of questions we can’t always answer. * New Yorker *There’s an underlying theme here that made me think science is about discovery, not always about perfect answers. * Forbes, ‘Best Summer Reads For Those Stuck Inside Working Remotely’ *Drawing from literature, science and his own studies, Svensson inspires readers to see eels in a whole new way. * Los Angeles Times, ‘21 new and classic books to keep you in touch with the natural world’ *

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Book SynopsisFrom award winning novelist and journalist David Profumo comes a dazzling work about the restorative power of nature and finding joy in simple pleasures. 'David Profumo has fished everywhere man and boy, and come back with his creel crammed with adventures and misadventures - a memoir for every fisherman's bookshelf.' Tom Stoppard It is often said there is more to the experience of fishing than the mere catching of fish, and in this evocative, wide-ranging memoir he explores the delights and mysteries of one of mankind's most ancient pursuits. As we move from the Highland waters of his childhood and into his adult travels from the Arctic Circle to the South Seas, The Lightning Thread unpeels this idiosyncratic subject, and shows how it embraces folklore, poetry, magic, drink and disaster. By turns a lyrical celebration of the natural world and also the quirkiness of human nature itself, this is a hymn to the great happiness that pursuing his life's passion has brought the auth

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