Natural History Books

Book SynopsisWill we ever truly understand the universe? This is the story of the technologies that allow us to look up, to learn and to discover our place in the cosmos.'An electrifying new history of the universe' HANNAH FRY, author of Rutherford and Fry's Complete Guide to Absolutely EverythingWe are part of an incredible chain of events stretching 13.8 billion years into the past and even further into the future. But what does that future hold? And how do scientists study the entire universe?The Universe in a Box is Andrew Pontzen's tribute to simulations - the remarkable computer codes that, over the last century, have allowed us to understand the distant past and far future of the universe. It reframes what we think we know about galaxies, black holes and matter itself.And it reveals the stories of the pioneering scientists who unlocked the mysteries of space, from redshift to improbable dark materials that pass, ghostlike, through solid rock.Illuminating, provocative and bold, this is the perfect book for anyone curious about the cosmos.Trade ReviewA truly excellent exposition of a fascinating, little-understood, and very important scientific activity. I was enlightened, amazed, and profoundly impressed. I've seldom seen a book (and this is an age of really good writing about science for the general public) so clear, so vivid -- Philip Pullman, author of His Dark MaterialsA good writer - given the complexity of the subject, the book bounces along with an admirably light touch * The Times *An electrifying new history of the universe and how it all fits together, and of the human effort to unlock its mysteries -- Hannah Fry, author of Rutherford and Fry’s Complete Guide to Absolutely EverythingPontzen has the ability to weave hard science and dense theory into a gripping narrative... makes the complicated comprehensible * New Scientist *One thing this book does brilliantly, is keeping complex topics grounded * BBC Sky at Night Magazine *Elegantly written... Exhilarating, candid reports from cosmology's front lines * Wall Street Journal *Forget telescopes and microscopes, Pontzen's laboratory sits inside his computer and it is quickly becoming the most important tool in science -- Jim Al-Khalili, author of The Joy of ScienceI'm stunned at how easily comprehensible Pontzen makes mind-bendingly difficult ideas. Concepts which rest on mathematics that I couldn't grasp with years of study become poetic in his hands -- Timandra Harkness, author of Big DataOur understanding of 'cosmic origins' - the emergence of stars, galaxies and our entire expanding universe - has burgeoned thanks to more powerful telescopes and computers. Andrew Pontzen gives a vivid perspective on what it's like to be a scientist trying to 'model' the universe. This fascinating book, written with clarity and zest, deserves wide readership -- Martin Rees, author of Just Six NumbersA joyride through the history of cosmic simulations, taking in weather forecasting and climate models, the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy and black holes, quantum mechanics, multiverses and artificial intelligence - all between the covers of a single book! -- Ananyo Bhattacharya, author of The Man from the Future

Read more less

Book SynopsisA BIRDING JOURNEY AT HOME AND BEYONDIt began with a flutter of yellow feathers flitting through the trees, casting beams of sunshine and promise that burst through her kitchen window. This was her sign to look up.As a licensed therapist, Tammah Watts knew that she needed to seek and accept hope, love, and support to overcome her chronic pain and cultivate resilience. But she could not predict that the little yellow bird would put her on the path to healing by fostering a powerful connection with birds and the experience of birding.Tammah shares her emotional journey of finding comfort and inspiration from her feathered friends, while providing practical tips and tools to help you:Explore the practice of birdwatching from the comfort of your own home and communityIncrease your self-awareness, mindfulness, and concentrationFind acceptance and alignment with the spirit and beauty of birdsRight outside your door flies just what you’ve been looking for to help ease symptoms of stress, pain, depression, and anxiety. All you have to do is look up, take notice, and open your heart and mind.No matter where you are, what you look like, or what you're going through, you can create sacred space and connection with birds and begin to heal.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTá puifín beag cabhrach ina cónaí ar Sceilg Mhichíl. Nuair a thagann sí ar ubh atá ar strae, tá an puifín ar a dícheall an ubh a thabhairt abhaile go dtína nead féin. Ach leis an ngaoth ag séideadh agus an ubh ag sleamhnú síos an cnoc beidh cúnamh ag teastáil ó ainmhithe Sceilg Mhichíl chun an ubh a thabhairt abhaile slán! An Irish translation of Puffling and the Egg.Trade ReviewAn appealing tale to delight preschool readers while introducing them to the diversity of Ireland’s wildlife, this is a welcome addition to the Irish language children’s catalogue of the O’Brien Press -- The Echojoyous … simply wonderful. Hearing and reading it in lyrical as Gaeilge is a thing of magic. I adore sweet Puffling in all her adventures. Adorable, expressive, colourful illustrations combine to tell a story that every child will long remember and enjoy. Full of joy and charm…and a great story! -- Fallen Star StoriesBhain mé an-taitneamh as an leabhar seo agus an eachtra a bhí ag puifín beag agus a chairde. Táim cinnte de go dtaitneoidh sé go mór le páistí óga agus go mbeidh sé an-úsáideach sa seomra ranga nó sa bhaile mar leabhar baile -- Bronagh Ni Phreastuin, Co BÁC * InTouch Magazine *lovable … teeming with island wildlife -- Ireland’s Own

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect introduction to the Ice Age, complete with ENORMOUS fold-out pages!Nearly three million years ago the Ice Age began. Oceans froze, ice sheets covered land and animals, along with humans, found ways to thrive. These prehistoric creatures were weird, wonderful and enormous ...Explore the Earth continent by continent and come face to face with Ice-Age megafauna, such as North America's short-faced bear - which was 3.7 metres tall, and mastodons - which weighed twice as much as a T. rex! Accompanying the images, lively text allows you imagine exactly what these mega animals were like!Trade ReviewTite's amazing images of the Ice Age creatures are accompanied by a lively narrative excursion through pre-history which helps youngsters to imagine exactly what these mega animals were like. The Ice Age as you've never before seen it! -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnat Levit never considered herself a cat lover, but when her life was thrown into upheaval, she found herself adopting one cat at the suggestion of her daughters, and then six more in quick succession. She recounts how each cat came into her life, their distinct demeanours and curiosities, and their ability to live fully in each moment. Anat falls in love with the furry creatures, whose escapades and tribulations lead her into deep friendships, difficult decisions and unexpected insight into her relationships. The cats love her in the way she wishes she could love others: intensely yet independently, without renouncing their unique personalities. By caring for these cats, Anat comes to a deeper understanding of her connections with former lovers, her daughters and her own body. In Seven Cats I Have Loved, she delves into the feline mind with sensitivity, gentleness and compassion, while also revealing a moving human story.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA unique environment created by the confluence of three oceanic, climatic zones, the Welsh coast and its waters teem with life and diversity, documented as never before. From seals and seabirds gathered along the celebrated coastline to species found in the depths of the Celtic Sea, along with the behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs of this landmark TV series.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the power of our relationship with Y Môr (the sea) along the Wales Coast Path.Matthew Yeomans takes us on journeys along the official walking trail, which in its entirety covers 870 miles (1400 km) of the Welsh coastline. He uncovers how the sea has shaped our lives through history; how Wales's rich mythology, literature and culture has been influenced by this fluid force, and the growing role that the sea plays in our lives. Along the way, Seascape challenges us to face the realities of climate change and how we will need to adapt where and how we live. Only by recovering a healthy relationship with the sea can we meet our future challenges and unlock opportunities for better ways of living.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITINGA WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023: NATURE AND TRAVELWhen Kerri and her partner M moved to a small, remote railway cottage in the heart of Ireland they were looking for a home, somewhere to stay put. What followed was a year unlike any other.Cacophony of Bone maps the circle of that year - a journey from one place to another, field notes of a life - from one winter to the next. It is a telling of a changed life, in a changed world - and it is about all that does not change. All that which simply keeps on - living and breathing, nesting and dying - in spite of it all.This is an ode to a year, a place, and a love, that changed a life.Trade Review[A] generous, glowing book. ní Dochartaigh is on intimate terms with the natural world . . . [and] Cacophony of Bone is distinctly innovative in form. This attention to form is a considerable narrative achievement. It [. . . ] persuades the reader to look, assess and imagine afresh * * Irish Times * *Raw, visionary, lucid and mystical, Cacophony of Bone speaks of the connection between all things, and the magic that can be found in everyday life -- KATHERINE MAYThe delight of ní Dochartaigh's writing is her capacity to measure compassion against observation. Her wisdom is like water - too strong, and too elusive, to be hooked . . . This is the book's power - that it fills the needs of the person who stands before it . . . It is a book that creeps into the reader * * Caught by the River * *This is a brilliant second book from a unique and deeply gifted writer who constantly renews our sense of the natural world and the landscape of the heart -- KEVIN BARRYWhat joy, to find oneself once more in the world of Kerri Ní Dochartaigh, following her through the astonishments of her days, where each moment is deeply felt and each page is written with such nimble meticulousness. Cacophony of Bone is neat as a robin's nest, and just as wondrous -- DOIREANN Ní GHRíOFAA strange and beautiful book - a collage of glittering images, moments, feelings, sensations. A selection of shining objects gathered on windowsill for safekeeping. A careful record of a fulcrum year, with all its joys and pains laid out on the page; Kerri ní Dochartaigh is a prose poet with keen eyes and a huge heart -- CAL FLYNIn Cacophony of Bone as in her previous work, Kerri has a deeply personal voice that feels as if it comes not from her, but from the earth beneath her -- MARC HAMERI am a little in awe of Kerri ní Dochartaigh's work - the clarity and disinhibition of her storytelling; the wild freedom of her prose. Here is a brave and bold book, and one that deserves to be read, then read again -- HELEN JUKESCacophony of Bone is a book that touched me deeply. It's so vital, so brimming with life and love, and ní Dochartaigh's singular, addictive lyricism -- LUCY JONESIn poems and essays, Ní Dochartaigh writes in exquisite detail of the seasons, beginning with the "ghost-trace, moon-white" and silent winter that kicks off a new phase of life * * Los Angeles Times * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A warp-speed tour of dinosaurs, with an expert guide' PROF. STEVE BRUSATTE, bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs'A fun, speedy read for grown-ups who love dinosaurs - a great way to get into the subject' PROF. MICHAEL BENTON, author of The Dinosaurs Rediscovered---------Travel back to the prehistoric world and discover the most fascinating parts of the lives of Earth's most awe-inspiring creatures - the dinosaurs. Dr Dean Lomax brings these prehistoric creatures to life in ten bite-sized essays, written for people short on time but not curiosity. Making big ideas simple, Dean takes readers on a journey to uncover what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, what dinosaurs ate, how they evolved, what caused them to go extinct, and more! Perfect for anyone fascinated by the dinosaur exhibits at museums, palaeontology and fans of Jurassic Park.---------'An eminently accessible read...a perfect primer (or refresher) for dino fans and newbies, yet doesn't skimp on the fascinating details that make 21st-century palaeontology so vibrant' DR REBECCA WRAGG SYKES, author of KindredTrade ReviewA fun, speedy read for grown-ups who love dinosaurs - a great way to get into the subject * Professor Michael Benton, author of The Dinosaurs Rediscovered *A warp-speed tour of dinosaurs, with an expert guide. * Professor Steve Brusatte, bestselling author of 'The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs' *An eminently accessible read, Lomax provides a perfect primer (or refresher) for dino fans and newbies, yet doesn't skimp on the fascinating details that make 21st century palaeontology so vibrant. * Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of 'Kindred' *If you were a dinosaur fan when you were a kid and never lost interest, I encourage you to check out this book. Paleontology has come a long way since the 1990s and there have been many finds that have changed the way we think about these creatures. This book covers a lot of ground and it's all packaged in a quick, easy read that will supply you with many fun dinosaur facts for entertaining or educating purposes. * Kallie Moore, host of PBS Eons Show *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIncludes an amazing range of animals, from the largest, such as the big cats, giraffes and reindeer through to the smallest, such as the fire salamander, stoat and rock elephant shrew.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature Elemental, fierce and full of wonder, the Cairngorm mountains are the high and rocky heart of Scotland. To know them would take forever, to love them demands a kind of courageous surrender. In The Hidden Fires, Merryn Glover undertakes that challenge with Nan Shepherd as companion and guiding light. Following in the footsteps and contours of The Living Mountain, she explores the same landscapes and themes as Shepherd’s seminal work. This is a journey separated by time but unified by space and purpose, a conversation between two women across nearly a century that explores how entering the life of a mountain can illuminate our own. An Australian who grew up in the Himalayas, her early experiences of the Scottish hills and weather left her cold. But gradually acclimatising and with an approach like Shepherd’s, that is more mountain wandering than mountaineering, she discovers the spark that sets the hills and herself on fire. Through Glover’s deepening encounter, the wild majesty and iridescence of the Cairngorms is revealed in this beautiful evocation of landscape, place and identity. Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024 'Merryn Glover’s The Hidden Fires is not just brave, it is remarkable' – Sir John Lister-KayeTrade Review'Inspired by The Living Mountain, this book will sit comfortably and deservedly on the same shelf as Nan Shepherd’s masterpiece' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'A dazzling adventure into mountain, place and time. Redolent with the presence of Nan Shepherd, this book will captivate lovers of The Living Mountain' -- Esther Woolfson'The Hidden Fires is a book about homecoming and homemaking, of noticing and belonging. It is a joyous celebration of the process of finding yourself' -- Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking'Only rarely does one read a book whose quality of distinction is immediately apparent from the first page; Merryn Glover’s The Hidden Fires is not just brave, it is remarkable. Her writing comes at you out of the rock; it recalls some splendid cave painting, telling as much of man as of beast and leaving us in awe of each' -- Sir John Lister-Kaye, FRSGS, OBE'A meditation on both Nan Shepherd's classic book and on what the mountains mean to them both...the discoveries she makes as she follows in Shepherd' Cairngorms footsteps have a freshness about them. There's magic and mysticism in the mix too' -- David Robinson'a deeply personal account of Glover's love for the landscape' -- Alice Hinds * Sunday Post *'A truly inspiring and beautiful book about the Cairngorm mountains, our natural world, and beyond...a rare beauty, where the place and sense of self is revealed and celebrated in all its blazing glory and wonder' -- Liz Robinson * LoveReading - Star Book *'Glover crafts an evocative and immersive slice of travel writing about how the beauty and grandeur of the Cairngorms spoke to her soul' * Waterstones Online *'Glover muses on the late legendary poet's thoughts and experiences whilst on her own transformative journey in a pilgrimage that is touching, elemental, brave and deeply affecting' * Scottish Field *'An admirable and enjoyable book, well-written, good humoured and informative' * The i *'Evocative writing... brings alive the joys and hidden spirituality that a trip to the Scottish hills can bring' * Life and Work *'A very special book...on all accounts, it entertains, educates, and fascinates' -- Neil Reid * Scottish Mountaineer Magazine *'Glover’s writing is refreshing and, whiles, can sparkle like schist... The book will appeal most to those who go to the hills for the hills’ allure rather than out to prove prowess at one of the sporting activities alone' -- Hamish Brown * Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal *'Despite the influence of Shepherd’s gaze, Glover’s own voice – thoughtful, honest, funny, and utterly full of feeling – shines' * The Great Outdoors *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow should we treat non-human animals? In this immensely powerful and influential book (now with a new introduction by Sapiens author Yuval Noah Harari), the renowned moral philosopher Peter Singer addresses this simple question with trenchant, dispassionate reasoning. Accompanied by the disturbing evidence of factory farms and laboratories, his answers triggered the birth of the animal rights movement.'An extraordinary book which has had extraordinary effects... Widely known as the bible of the animal liberation movement' Independent on SundayIn the decades since this landmark classic first appeared, some public attitudes to animals may have changed but our continued abuse of animals in factory farms and as tools for research shows that the underlying ideas Singer exposes as ethically indefensible are still dominating the way we treat animals. As Yuval Harari’s brilliantly argued introduction makes clear, this book is as relevant now as the day it was written.Trade ReviewIn my mind, it is one the most important books of the last 100 years. It expands our moral horizons beyond our own species and is thereby a major evolution in ethics -- Peter Tatchell * Ecologist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the best of wild Britain, whether it''s hiking, climbing, cycling or just soaking up nature, lovers of the outdoors will find this ideal for planning the adventure of a lifetime.Philip''s RGS Outdoor Britain highlights the remarkable activities on offer: from cheese-rolling in Gloucestershire to wild swimming in the Thames, surfing off the Cornish coast to bog snorkelling in Wales. This ultimate outdoor companion clearly illustrates all the parks, trails, long distance footpaths, pilgrim routes and much more. So grab your boots (or swimmers), pack your rucksack, and reconnect with nature.* National trails in England and Wales, Long distance footpaths in Scotland and scenic driving routes including: North Coast 500, West Highland Way, Pennine Way, Thames Path, South West Coastal Paths and Offa''s Dyke* Camping and caravanning sites for those who want to roam* National Parks and A

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeasonality is an uplifting look at British wildlife through the seasons of the year, but it is also about our relationship with that wildlife. The author, a keen and passionate naturalist, takes us on a journey through spring, summer, autumn and winter, and on this journey we look at how our wildlife lives throughout the year, how it adapts and changes as necessary. The author shares how wildlife makes him feel, how he derives joy and a sense of well-being from the wildlife he sees and describes. But he also shares his frustration at how some of our actions and land management impact on our increasingly pressurised wildlife. It shares the delight of watching birds in the garden, fox cubs in the countryside and peregrines in the city. It shares the sadness of seeing stuffed examples of extinct birds, the anger at the mismanagement of potentially wildlife-rich hedgerows, and the confusion and contradiction of the management of our so-called natural spaces. It is a book of delights and frustrations, but above all hope and celebration. Whether it is the flash of bright yellow butterfly wings signalling that spring has arrived, the slicing of the air by sickle-shaped swifts telling us that summer has come, the wonderful show of colour that the leaves of trees display in the autumn, or the deep-throated chuckle of fieldfares gleaning berries in the winter, the seasons are full of life and this book describes them in vivid detail. The role of the seasons in our own lives may have diminished, but for wildlife the seasons are everything, they are the framework within which everything happens. Seasonality is your guide, through a naturalist’s eyes and thoughts, to the incredible journey of the four seasons. The seasons of the year roll on regardless, an endless cycle that dictates the rhythm of life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLambing can be a challenging prospect whether it's your first or your thirty-first season. This highly practical manual will take you through the period approaching, during and immediately after lambing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe polecat's recovery in Britain is one of the least celebrated wildlife success stories of recent times, probably because it has done it discreetly and all by itself with no active human involvement. Our spirits have been lifted by the carefully managed reintroduction of red kites, the nocturnal polecat has slipped back under the radar.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWild Life in a Southern County traces the course of a spring which rises on an Iron Age hillfort and gradually broadens into a brook, flows through a nearby village and hamlet, skirts a solitary farmhouse and its orchard, before draining into water meadows and a lake where the wildfowl nest. Immersed in the detail of this ancient landscape, its people and the habitats of its wildlife, what emerges from Jefferies' dazzling prose is his sense of perpetual wonder and the deep affection he felt for his homeland, from the clatter of a milkmaid's boots to a pike lying in ambush.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs climate change erodes the familiar pattern of the seasons, we turn instinctively to the life cycles of herbaceous plants to guide us through the year. The growing, flowering, seeding and dying back of wild flowers, weeds, herbs and garden perennials sustain and enrich our lives. Herbaceous is a journey which follows the colour pulse of plants through the year, looking for the new and emerging rhythms. Beginning with the bright yellow, followed by the vernal whites of spring and the pinks of summer, the blues of early autumn and finally the browns of seeds set as winter comes. Herbaceous is gardening with words - asking us to look again at our relationship with plants and celebrates their power to nourish our spirits.Trade Review"The John Clare of his generation" The Guardian; "...his pieces are intensely local, full of cloud and light, breezy." John Vidal

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlthough mostly concealed, our bedrock geology profoundly determines what we see around us - not just our landforms, but the built environment too, from Aberdeen, often called the "granite city" to Bath, constructed from honey-coloured limestone- rocks shape the world around us. In Cornerstones, some of Britain's leading landscape and nature writers consider their relationship with the ground beneath their feet. Distinguished by a strong sense of place and close observation, these essays take the reader out into the landscape and convey the tactile heft, grain and rub of the rock, showing how it shapes our familiar landscapes. Adapted from the successful BBC Radio Three series, Cornerstones explores how different rock types give rise to their own distinct flora and fauna, and even affect the food we eat.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTo celebrate Richard Mabey's 80th birthday, a reissue of the seminal Nature Cure, originally published in 2005 to great acclaim. At the height of his career, having recently published Flora Britannica, the author and naturalist fell in to a deep and all consuming depression. Unable to rise from his bed, his face turned to the wall, Richard Mabey found that the touchstones of his life - his love for nature and the land - could no longer offer him solace. But over time, with help from friends and a move to East Anglia, he slowly recovered, finding a new partner, and a new relationship with landscape. Nature Cure, full of nuance and energy, was a pioneering book in the genre that has since become known as New Nature Writing, and received many plaudits on publication. For this new hardback edition Richard has written a new foreword and Little Toller has commissioned a new jacket by the celebrated artist Michael Kirkman.Trade Review'Mabey's memoir on his recovery from crippling depression through a rediscovery of his love for nature is quite remarkable both for its honesty and its total lack of ego. He has much to say on Man's relationship with nature and the prose is both warm and fiercely intelligent.' The Judges, Whitbread Book Awards, 2005.

Read more less

Book SynopsisScilly Birding is a humorous account of the passion, joys, highs and lows experienced by a dedicated bird enthusiast in his pursuit of an experience with rare birds on the Isles of Scilly.Trade Review...This is an easy read and after the first page I felt I was actually there myself! --Keith Betton, British Birds I found myself enjoying the fresh and lively reading experience offered by the book's unique style --David Campbell, Birdwatch ...For me, 1984 was my second exposure to the delights of Scilly and I was lucky enough to spend six weeks there (seeing, in addition to the birds listed above, both Eye-browed and Hermit Thrushes!). The antics recounted in this book (such as standing in the sea to see the Yellowthroat) therefore have a particular resonance. They capture a time and a place when little else mattered. We were young and we chased birds. Since those innocent days life has, of course, moved on and while many of us no longer crave quite the same sort of experience, this book perhaps at least reminds us of what we were. --Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis easy-to-use identification guide to the 150 reptile species most commonly seen in Sri Lanka is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High-quality photographs from the authors are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers fascinating information on folklore associated with reptiles, snake topography, how to deal with snake bites and a glossary. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the reptiles of Sri Lanka encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, and its IUCN status.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe warm tropical waters and coral reefs teeming with fish mean that Seychelles is a hugely popular diving destination. The waters that surround Seychelles are home to over 1,000 species of fish and 300 species of coral. The islands are visited by giant Whale Sharks and manta rays, and are home to the critically endangered Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. Divided into three parts, the book provides a general introduction to diving and snorkelling in Seychelles including what to expect and where to base yourself; a guide to the best sites for diving and snorkelling; and a photographic identification to 280 of the most common species of marine life covering fish, invertebrates, corals and megafauna. For all those who plan to spend time in or on the waters of the inner islands of Seychelles, this is the perfect, pocket-sized guide. The taxonomy of some fish species has been updated for the second edition.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn Identification Guide to Garden Birds of Britain and North-West Europe is a photographic identification guide to 75 species of bird most commonly found in or over the gardens of Britain and North-West Europe. The text combines scientific facts with affectionate descriptions of the birds' identifying features, including sex and age differences, habits, nest types, eggs and calls. The introduction contains tips on how to identify birds; how to look after garden birds; which species can be seen through the year; a glossary and anatomy details. For each species there are two or three photographs labelled with distinguishing features where appropriate, a calendar showing the time of year when the adult can be seen and star facts that give further proof of the birds' fascinating features.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Anna's stepfather Caleb is arrested, she must prove his innocenceby finding a lost whaling ship. But without a map, only migratingbirds and whales can show the way . . .

Read more less

Book Synopsis* LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE. * Repackaged for 2022 with an additional essay In Strangers, Rebecca Tamas explores where the human and nonhuman meet, and why this delicate connection just might be the most important relationship of our times. From 'On Watermelon' to 'On Grief', Tamas's essays are exhilarating to read in their radical and original exploration of the links between the environmental, the political, the folkloric and the historical. From thinking stones, to fairgrounds, from colliding planets to transformative cockroaches, Tamas's lyrical perspective takes the reader on a journey between body, land and spirit-exploring a new ecological vision for our fractured, fragile world.Trade Review'A fascinating, lyrical exploration of the eco-political, from human and non-human bodies to landscapes. Tamas' essays are deeply rooted in folklore and the fragility of existence. A stunning work of enquiry and eloquence.' -Sinead Gleeson; 'So full of insight, compassion and reason' -Anthony Anaxagorou; 'Bursting with intellectual generosity. Deep wide roots and radical shoots. ' -Max Porter; 'exciting and clear-eyed' -Melissa Harrison; 'Rebecca Tamas has the ability to bring together our planet's environment with the ecology of the imagination, to retrieve silent life-forms alongside forgotten intellectual movements. This creates a shifting perspective in her essays which illuminates while giving unexpected pleasure.' -Amit Chaudhuri; 'To read Rebecca Tamas is to feel weirdly, uncannily creaturely, and to see all around us as pulsing with meaning.' -Katherine Angel; 'Strangers is a much-needed lesson in how to love--unconditionally and immeasurably--a dying world.' -Jessica J Lee; 'Erudite yet intimate, moving yet fierce, Rebecca Tamas' hungry exploration of the world - occurring at the porous boundary between literary forms - made me rethink what it means to be humane.' -Olivia Sudjic; 'Rebecca Tamas writes searingly on loss, transformation, art and the body. Her writing is tender and sharp, brimming with heat' -Nina Mingya Powles; 'Strangers is an extraordinary, essential book. Both quiet and loud. Strange yet explicit.' -Sara Baume; 'These essays are sharp, purposeful, moving and strange: necessary writing for now.' -Jenn Ashworth; 'The writing in these essays is luminous and urgent, intensely intimate and wildly global. Strangers is an intricate exploration of environmental precarity, literary strangeness, and the importance of the nonhuman.' -Naomi Booth; 'Strangers is a work of generous, optimistic curiosity, one which forgoes the easy promise of a world to come and invites us instead into a relationship of charged "feral intimacy" with a world that is already here.' -Sam Byers; 'Tamas builds a world so intimate for us here, teaching us how to unlearn and relearn, relive and relove.' -Supriya Kaur Dhaliwal; 'This text is an echoing, unstoppable bell.' -Caught by the River (book of the month); 'A passionate and poetic exercise in empathy for everything.' -Between Two BooksTable of ContentsOn Watermelon--On Hospitality--On Panpscychism--On Greenness--On Pain--On Grief--On Everest--On Mystery

Read more less

Book SynopsisNaturalist and author Brian Parkinson follows the main highways and back country roads, stopping off at New Zealand’s most spectacular locations. The country’s isolation for millions of years means its flora and fauna are unique. Parkinson highlights forest birds, towering trees, glacial lakes and active volcanoes which make New Zealand special. from isolated beaches and out on the water, he draws attention to the seabirds and mammals off New Zealand’s coast. But this is not just a road trip exploring the country’s beauty spots. Parkinson writes that ‘natural history is as much about history as it is about nature’ and examines how New Zealand’s natural environment has dramatically changed since people first stepped ashore. What we see today is the result of what happened in the past and all New Zealanders should explore the unique wildlife on our doorstep. It’s just a road trip away.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisNational Geographic Traveler guidebooks contain must-know travel information, inspiring photography, insider tips, and expert advice you won't find on the internet for bucket-list destinations around the world.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCANVAS TOTE - Say goodbye to boring old bags and hello to a hilarious homage to vintage cat artwork. From sassy siamese to mischevious tabbies, each cat is sporting its own unique personality and a wink that says, I'll kill you if I don't get dinner soon. Perfect for carrying your essentials with style and a sense of humor, this tote bag is sure to create some curious cats wherever you go. Perfect for grocery runs or beach days, this tote bag is sure to turn heads wherever it travels. VINTAGE INSPIRED - Featuring a delightful collection of retro cat artwork, each fish is a whimsical masterpiece that adds a touch of nostalgia to your everyday carry. From moody tabbies to annoyed shorthairs, these vintage cat images are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a surge of envy from anyone who sees them. It's like carrying a part of your favorite pet with you wherever you go, adding color and charm to your ensemble. HIGH QUALITY - Made from durable canvas material, it's built to wit

Read more less

Book SynopsisA revised and expanded edition of this book, the definitive birdwatching site guide for Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.Whether you're seeking Firecrests or Hawfinch in the New Forest, Osprey in Dorset or eagles on the Isle of Wight, this book tells you where to go, what you'll see and when to see it. Keith Betton's fully revised and updated fifth edition of Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is the essential site guide for any birdwatcher visiting or resident in the area.This book contains a comprehensive review of the area's significant birdwatching sites, providing all the information necessary to make the most of each and every trip, whatever the time of year. This edition also incorporates new sites and revised mapping throughout and has notes on access and target species. This book is an indispensable resource for birders in this bird-rich sweep of southern England.Trade ReviewAn essential purchase for resident and visiting birders in these three counties and, considering the wealth of data synthesised within its covers, provides very good value for money. * British Birds *This is a great book in a great series, and essential for any extended birding visit to these areas of great variety in both habitats and birds. * Bird Watching, Book of the Month *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to use this book Key to the maps West and North Dorset Portland and Weymouth Purbeck and Poole Basin East Dorset and the Hampshire Avon The Chalk Downs The Test and Itchen Valleys The New Forest and Nearby Coast South-east Hampshire North-east Hampshire The Isle of Wight List of organisations with abbreviations used in text Glossary Further reading list Code of conduct for birdwatchers Index of species by site number

Read more less