Natural History Books

Book SynopsisThis fully updated edition of Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa covers more than 1,100 species of flora, focusing on the most common, conspicuous and ‘showy’ plants around the region. An informative introduction discusses plant diversity, vegetation types, and includes a key to identifying plant groups. The species descriptions follow and each is accompanied by: a vivid photograph; a distribution map showing range, and an indication of the plant’s flowering season. This invaluable, up-to-date guide provides the tools and information needed to identify flowering plants across South Africa. Written by an expert in the field; fully updated edition; facilitates identification of wild flowers around South Africa; glorious full-colour photographs of each species; key to plant families for easy ID.

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

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Book SynopsisFrom leading climate scientist Dr. Friederike Otto, this gripping book reveals the revolutionary science that definitively links extreme weather events—including deadly heat waves, forest fires, floods, and hurricanes—to climate change.“Meet the forensic scientists of climate change; if you like CSI, you’ll be equally enthralled with the skill and speed these folks exhibit. But the stakes are infinitely higher!” —Bill McKibben, author of Falter and The End of NatureTied with Hurricane Katrina as the costliest cyclone on record, Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding and over a hundred deaths in 2017. Angry Weather tells the compelling, day-by-day story of the World Weather Attribution unit—a team of scientists that studies extreme weather events while they’re happening—and their race to track the connection between the hurricane and climate change. As the hurricane unfolds, Otto reveals how attribution science works in real time, and determines that Harvey’s terrifying floods were three times more likely to occur due to human-induced climate change.At the forefront of cutting-edge climate science, Friederike Otto uncovers how the new ability to determine climate change’s role in extreme weather events can dramatically transform how we view the climate crisis: from how it will affect those of us who are most vulnerable, to the corporations and governments that may find themselves held accountable in the courts. The research laid out in Angry Weather will have profound impacts, both today and for the future of humankind.Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.Trade Review"A good overview of the climate-change issue, the evolution of climate change in the industrial era, the politics over the issue, and the responsibilities of the industrialized world—in particular, corporations and governments—to help repair the damage. The result is a most timely book."—Booklist"For the fact-minded, Otto's arguments are incontrovertible."—Kirkus Reviews"This elegant new branch of climate science [will] have profound implications for public policy and planning, and will lead to even more useful research in the future."—Vancouver Sun"Angry Weather is all about science, but it is not all technical. It is a readable book for those who have limited knowledge of weather and climate systems. Otto provides succinct scientific explanations throughout the book to ensure her main points are supported by science but still understandable and relevant to the main message."—Alternatives Journal"Attribution science—climate forensics, or reverse engineering—is a new discipline explained in this book with passion and verve by one of its creators. Fredi Otto is destined to be one of those rare scientists whose name becomes well known in the wider world."—Mark Denny, author of Making Sense of Weather and Climate: The Science Behind the Forecasts"Angry Weather introduces us to the forensic scientists of climate change; if you like to watch CSI, you'll be equally enthralled with the skill and speed these folks exhibit. But the stakes are infinitely higher!"—Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?"[A] thrilling work of nonfiction... If readers were holding any doubt about climate's effects on weather before picking up this book, that doubt will be eviscerated before the last gripping page."—Literary Hub"This fascinating book takes us on a voyage across the cutting edge of climate science that irrevocably alters our perspective of the world in which we live and the future it holds. I wish I could make this book required reading for the world."—Katharine Hayhoe, UN Champion of the Earth

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Book SynopsisThe geology of the Cairngorms was created on a timeline that stretches back hundreds of millions of years. Much of the land is underlain by granite that formed deep within the Earth's crust and 'surfaced' as the overlying layers of rock were stripped away by ice, wind and water. The bedrock is hard, and although the area has been heavily glaciated, still boasts 18 Munros, the highest of Scotland's peaks. The area attracts climbers, walkers and assorted adventurers who want to pit themselves against some of the most challenging conditions to be found anywhere in the UK. The plants and animals of the Cairngorms need to be hardy to survive the severe winter conditions. The higher reaches of the mountains are rich in montane vegetation such as lichen-rich heath and other habitats support many rare species.Trade Review'Alan McKirdy’s insights are valuable because he is the author of a string of accessible and informative short illustrated books on the geological history of Scotland' * West Highland Free Press *'Not only are they a wealth of information on Scotland's past, they offer valuable insight as Scotland’s future becomes increasingly uncertain due to climate change' * Dundee Courier *

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Book Synopsis"Most of us can see, but not everyone looks. Most of us can hear, but not everyone listens. This book will help you do both. And, above all, it will tell you how to enjoy." Bill Oddie"He'll tune your ears to winter's lonely voices - robins, wrens, long-tailed tits - before preparing you for the exultant sounds of spring." The TimesLearning to identify birdsong is not just a way to become a better bird-spotter. It is tuning in: a way of hearing the soundtrack of Planet Earth... Why do birds sing? What are they trying to say?Birdsong is not just about natural history. It is also about our history. We got melody from birds as we got rhythm from the womb. This vital book, with an accompanying podcast available online, takes you from winter into deepest spring, teaching you how to recognise song after song as the chorus swells. Beginning with the thin, soft song of the robin and ending with the life-affirming melody of nightingales. Along the way, you will learn the science of birdsong the difference between song and call, the physiology of songbirds, what birdsong tells us about evolution, and indeed the very beginnings of life itself. The aim is to give you a flying start in birdsong so that, after reading this book, you'll be listening to order, not chaos, to Bach, not white noise. You will be more aware of the wild world, and better able to understand it.Accompanying podcast link provided in the bookTrade ReviewMost of us can see, but not everyone looks. Most of us can hear, but not everyone listens. This book will help you do both. And, above all, it will tell you how to enjoy.A gem... All day, I've been fighting the urge to drop everything so I can devour this eloquent book in one siting... exquisite. * The Guardian *He'll tune your ears to winter's lonely voices - robins, wrens, long-tailed tits - before preparing you for the exultant sounds of spring. * The Times *Become a bird listener, says Barnes, and tune in to the special podcast of airborne song that comes free with this book, and you will better understand the lives of birds and identify the wild notes that first inspired human music. A delight.A beguiling love song to our feathered friends. Brilliant. * Glasgow Herald *An excellent book from the irrepressible Simon Barnes... a must-buy for any birdwatcher. * The Times *Do you struggle with identifying birds by song? Yes? Good! Then there's a delightful journey, just waiting for you thanks to this book... This spring should be a special one for you. * Birds Magazine *He'll tune your ears to winter's lonely voices - robins, wrens, long-tailed tits - before preparing you for the exultant sounds of spring. * The Times *This is very good indeed. Barnes's approach is humorous, chatty and pragmatic... He can't do the listening for you, but boy, does he help you sharpen your ears. * Irish Times *Table of ContentsFirst Winter 1 Muzak to my ears 3 Songs of life and death 5 Robin 8 Double figures 12 A place of my own 16 Wren 19 Talking birds 22 Pee-oo! 26 How to see round corners 28 Dunnock 31 Time and space 33 Birdsong to save your life 37 Long-tailed tit 40 First Spring 45 How to make spring last longer 47 Great tit 50 Keeping it simple 52 Song thrush 54 Get a load of that repertoire 58 Chaffinch 62 Saying your own name 64 Blue tit 67 Great spotted woodpecker 69 How we stole the music 72 Blackbird 76 When the singing began 80 Greenfinch 84 How I invented music 86 Skylark 89 A breath of fresh air 92 Blithe spirit 94 Chiffchaff 99 Crisis relocation 102 Cuckoo 106 Last cuckoo? 109 Swallow 111 Vertebrate chauvinism 114 Pigeons 117 Why warblers 122 Blackcap 126 Demise of the willow wren 129 Willow warbler 133 First Year Birdlistening 137 Turn on, tune in 139 Seagulls 142 Herring gull 144 Swift 147 And now your free gift 150 Seaside waders 154 Hello 158 Crows 161 Bleeding obvious 165 Two more crows 169 World Cup birding 172 Freshwater birds 175 But does it really count? 178 Geese 183 Song of the butterfly 186 Birds of prey 188 Silence 191 Owls 195 Winter thrushes 199 Second Spring 203 Birds and Venice 205 Mistle thrush 209 Starling 212 Learning curve 215 Mozart's starling 218 Goldcrest 221 Green woodpecker 223 Portrait of the artist 225 Goldfinch 231 Yellowhammer 234 The rhythmician 236 Nuthatch 239 Coal tit 241 Rhythm section 243 Pied wagtail 246 Meadow pipit 248 Peasant and phartridge 250 Be happy! 252 House martin 254 Garden warbler 256 Whitethroat 258 Nightingale 260 Heartache 265 Sweet music 270

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Book SynopsisHumans and dolphins have a unique bond. We know that dolphins are highly intelligent, intensely sociable beings who recognize their own reflections, introduce themselves by name, form close friendships, communicate constantly, feel despondent, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, throw tantrums, gossip, joke, and scheme. Many who have swum with them describe the experience as life-changing. They are heralded as magical creatures, and yet we force them into starring roles at theme parks, trade them on the black market and put them to slaughter. Voices in the Ocean is at once a celebration of these beloved animals and a devastating chronicle of the damage wrought when human and dolphin worlds meet. Through Casey’s illuminating portrayal of these beguiling creatures we encounter the best and worst of ourselves.Trade Review‘Seems to be pitching for a TV series with its show-stopping opening...A brilliantly written and passionate book...timely and urgent.’ * Guardian *‘Gripping...Casey is a joyously lyrical writer, and her descriptions of dolphin and human behaviour are mostly laugh-out-loud funny.’ * Mail on Sunday *‘Casey’s journey through the history of research into dolphin intelligence...uncovered things that had me gasping.’ * Daily Telegraph *'Casey describes the...dolphins...with sensitivity, wit and charm. But [their] enormous appeal has a sinister underbelly...Our relations with dolphins are not yet as respectful as their great intelligence deserves'. * BBC Wildlife *'Both a zoological tract and a personal study, this book from marine-life enthusiast Casey explores humanity's uneasy relationship to dolphins'. * Observer *‘An extraordinary, sometimes disturbing, journey into the world of dolphins... By turns uplifting and heartbreaking, filled with well-researched facts and personal adventures, this a vitally important book, both for the animals, and for us.’ -- Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan or, The Whale and The Sea Inside‘Voices in the Ocean is as much a beautiful, well-researched narrative about dolphins as it is a powerful and timely voice of reason urging us to connect with nature. You will be keenly recommending this to friends so that you can explore its depths together into the small hours.’ -- Maya Plass, Marine and Coastal Ecologist, Guest Presenter on BBC Spring/Autumnwatch and author of the RSPB Handbook of the Seashore‘A meticulously reported global odyssey’ * Outside magazine *‘This book puts our contradictory relationship with the natural world under the spotlight. We supposedly love and revere marine mammals, yet even today we still treat them with savage cruelty. Susan Casey uses her journalistic eye to skilfully expose the duality of our relationship with the ocean's most charismatic inhabitants. Voices in the Ocean exposes the shameful abuse we inflict on our cetacean cousins.’ -- Tim Ecott, author of Stealing Water and Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World

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Book SynopsisThe first book by astronaut Tim Peake - a mesmerising collection of over 150 of Tim's stunning photographs taken on board the International Space Station, many of which have never been seen before. Including a personal commentary from Tim, this is an awe-inspiring glimpse into life outside of Planet Earth...'Inspiring for everyone' -- ***** Reader review'WOW!! Fantastic images' -- ***** Reader review'Literally out of this world' -- ***** Reader review'Photos to die for, totally fantastic' -- ***** Reader review'This book is truly amazing!' -- ***** Reader review______________________________THE OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and WINNER OF THE NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS'It's impossible to look down on Earth from space and not be mesmerised by the fragile beauty of our planet. I may have been 400km up, but I have never felt closer to Earth than when I was on board the International Space Station. I'm delighted to share with you this collection of photographs with some of my thoughts from my mission. Although I briefly left the sanctuary of our planet, I rediscovered the wonder of the place we call home.'Hello, is this planet Earth? takes readers on a mesmerizing tour of Tim's historic and inspirational six-month Principia mission. Based on over 150 of Tim's stunning photographs that he took on board the international space station, many of which have not been seen before, this lavish collection showcases the beauty of earth from above, and is the perfect visual time capsule of Tim's remarkable trip, which captured the imaginations of millions of children and adults across the world.Including breath-taking aerial photos of cities illuminated at night, the northern lights and unforgettable vistas of oceans, mountains and deserts, the book can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and comes with a personal commentary from Tim, full of his characteristic warmth and charm.The title of the book is inspired by Tim's famous 'wrong number' dialled from space, when he accidentally misdialled a woman from the space station and inquired, 'Hello, is this planet Earth?'

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Book SynopsisLearn the healing properties of over 150 plants with this beautifully illustrated guide to flower and tree essences.

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Book SynopsisA wonderful resource book for any Waldorf or Waldorf-inspired kindergarten. Encourage children to engage with the seasons as they craft willow hanging baskets, harvest and prepare fruit, care for birds and make Advent wreaths. As well as fun nature activities -- both indoor and outside -- for children, this book also includes advice for teachers and valuable background reading, on topics such as biodynamic farms. All the activities in this book are based on practical experience from the Children's Nature and Garden Centre in Germany, and are fully tried and tested. This is the companion book to Spring and Summer Nature Activities for Waldorf Kindergartens.Trade Review'The activities included will be inspiring for all, including those seeking outdoor nature-based ideas and projects for children up to the age of seven and beyond. It is richly illustrated with lovely photographs of young children engaged in these nature activities… With its spring/summer companion it would make a lovely gift and provides a resource to return to as the seasons turn.'-- Kindling'This is another wonderful book full of resources and ideas for activities with children, following the rhythm of the seasons of Autumn and Winter... This book is a worthy addition to any home or Kindergarten Library!'-- Blathu

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Book SynopsisFollowing the ‘Big Bang’, it took the universe billions of years to evolve into the unique system of stars and planets that we know of today. Scientists have studied the planets of our solar system for centuries, and are beginning to understand the billions of stars and other bodies that make up the Universe. Stars and Planets is an ideal reference book for anyone interested in astronomy, featuring 300 of the most well known stars, planets, moons, constellations and other cosmological phenomena, such as black holes and quasars. Each entry includes an image – either a photograph or an artist’s impression or diagram – and a key information table including specifications such as the mass, radius, surface temperature, distance from sun, gravity and major elements of each object. Presented in a handy, pocket-size format, full of facts and engaging text, Stars and Planets is a valuable reference source as well as a fascinating read, revealing the spectacular world of the Cosmos. Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 The Solar System 14 The Constellations 112 The Stars 200 Galaxies 267 The Universe 309 Glossary 314 Index 316

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Book SynopsisA BBC Radio 4 Book of the WeekLonglisted for the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize 2018A Guardian Book of the Year 2018The owl has captivated the human imagination for millennia; as a predator, messenger, emblem of wisdom or portent of doom. Owl Sense tells a new story. On 'owl walks' with her teenage son, Benji, Miriam Darlington begins a quest to identify every European species of this elusive bird. From Britain she travels to Spain, France, Serbia and Finland, and to the frosted borders of the Arctic. Along the way, however, Benji succumbs to a mysterious and disabling illness, and Miriam's endeavour soon becomes entangled with the search for his cure. Bringing the strangeness and magnificence of owls to life, Owl Sense is a book about wildness in nature but also in the unpredictable course of our human lives.

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Book SynopsisJane Bown is a legendary Observer photographer best-known for her portraits of icons from Beckett to Björk. This is a charming collection of 100 black and white pictures of felines which reveals the same sympathetic eye and wit as her portraits. She captures the cats sprawling, prowling, lolling, playing, feeding and lounging. House cats, alley cats, show cats and kittens trip and gambol across these pages making this the perfect photographic treat for cat-lovers.

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZEThe collected writings from one of the nation's most celebrated nature writers.'Barkham is an outstanding author.'CHRIS PACKHAM'Wonder-filled . . . A treat. Patrick knows how to tell a good story, and that combination of kindness, wonder and good fortune that seems to be present in his own life shines through.'CAUGHT BY THE RIVERWhat is happening to nature?What are we as a species doing about it?What have we learned?Wild Green Wonders paints a portrait of contemporary wildlife, bearing witness to the many changes imposed upon the planet and the challenges lying ahead for the future of nature.From peregrine falcons nesting by the Thames to a conversation with Sir David Attenborough; from protests against the HS2 railway to an encounter with Britain's last lion tamer, this collection - drawn from twenty years' worth of Patrick Barkham's writing for the Guardian - forms a joyful, fascinating and enlightening chronicle of one of the nation's most celebrated nature writers.'Outstanding nature journalism.' HORATIO CLARE'A heralded nature writer.' THE TIMES'A lovely, fluid writer.' DAILY MAILTrade Review'Outstanding nature journalism.' - Horatio Clare'Barkham is a fantastic author.' - Chris Packham

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Book SynopsisFrom climbing trees and making dens, to building sandcastles and pond-dipping, many of the activities we associate with a happy childhood take place outdoors. And yet, the reality for many contemporary children is very different. The studies tell us that we are raising a generation who are so alienated from nature that they can't identify the commonest birds or plants, they don't know where their food comes from, they are shuttled between home, school and the shops and spend very little time in green spaces - let alone roaming free.In this timely and personal book, celebrated nature writer Patrick Barkham draws on his own experience as a parent and a forest school volunteer to explore the relationship between children and nature. Unfolding over the course of a year of snowsuits, muddy wellies, and sunhats, Wild Child is both an intimate story of children finding their place in natural world, and a celebration of the delight we can all find in even modest patches of green.Trade Review'Wild Child is such an important book, full of tender and insightful moments. As well as a moving memoir, it is a manifesto for change, which includes many wonderful ways in which you can encourage children to find themselves in nature and, in the process, heal the disconnect experienced by adults too' - Dara McAnulty'Engaging... elegant and moving. The book brims with tender scenes and small epiphanies ' - Horatio Clare, FT

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Book SynopsisA compendium of sounds from this world and beyond, from the author of A New Map of Wonders and The Book of Barely Imagined Beings Sound shapes our world in invisible but profound ways, and here Caspar Henderson brings his characteristic curiosity, knowledge and sense of wonder to the subject to take us on an exhilarating journey through the heard universe. A Book of Noises gathers together sounds from the cosmos, the natural world, the human world, and the invented world, and contains quiet pockets of silence. From the vast sound of sand in the desert to the tuneful warble of a songbird, to the meditative resonance of a temple bell and the improvisational melodies of jazz, this is a celebration of all things auricular.Trade ReviewHaunting and captivating... a marvel... Caspar Henderson confirms that, for all its turbulence, this is still "a world alive with good noises". Open your ears -- David Farrier, author of Footprints: In Search of Future FossilsA book of exquisite richness and erudition, dedicated equally to the beautiful strange and the precious ordinary -- Jay GriffithsCaspar Henderson's books are a special kind of treasure; I struggle to think of another writer who achieves this combination of scope, intellectual rigour and deep reflection with such grace and style. Don't be deceived by the title - far from being a noisy book, this is a quiet and determined call to listen better -- Helen JukesYou will gasp with surprise and sigh with delight in the pages of A Book of Noises. It's the most elegant and erudite history of the world as sound ever written -- David Rothenberg, author of Whale Music and Secret Sounds of Ponds

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Book SynopsisWhen Ben Masters' father, a dedicated naturalist, is confined to the house with inoperable cancer, he is unable to follow the butterfly season for the first time since his childhood. His son must become his connection to the outdoors, reporting back on his beloved Purple Emperors, Lulworth Skippers, Wood Whites and Silver-studded Blues. The problem is, his son knows practically nothing about the natural world. Blending natural history, pop culture, and literary biography, this unforgettable memoir charts a terminal summer when butterflies become a way for father and son to talk about masculinity, memory, identity, generational differences, and, ultimately, loss and continuation. The Flitting takes readers on an unlikely journey, flitting between the lives and works of Vladimir Nabokov and other literary lepidopterists; the artistic metamorphoses of Prince and Joni Mitchell; butterflies and gender in Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter and The Sopranos; the voices of John Clare and Luther Vandross. These diverse subjects come together in an intensely authentic portrait of a father and son sharing passions, lessons and regrets as they run out of time.

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Book SynopsisA soaring celebration of summer and a poignant journey into the changing nature of the British season – from the award-winning author of Wintering and The Seafarers. Summer is traditionally a time of plenty, of warmth; a time to celebrate abundance. And so Stephen Rutt sets out to explore the natural world during its moment of fullest bloom. Butterflies and dragonflies add colour to his days; moths and bats lift the warm nights; swallows, nightjars and wood warblers fill the forests and skies. What Stephen notices too, however, are the many ways in which the season is becoming deranged by a changed and changing climate: the wrong birds singing at the wrong time; August days as cold as February; the creeping disturbances that we may not notice while nature still has some voice. The Eternal Season is both a celebration of summer and a warning of the unravelling of this beautiful web of abundant life. This is a book that sings with love and careful observation, with an eye on all that we might lose but also save. ***'An urgent and beautiful walk through the changing character of the British summer.' Rebecca Schiller, author of Earthed 'Elegant, vivid, thoroughly absorbing, The Eternal Season strikes the perfect balance between celebrating the natural world and sounding a realistic warning about the damage we continue to wreak on it. All in all, a treat.’ Lev Parikian, author of Into the Tangled Bank

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Book SynopsisThe characteristic landscape of the Lake District is influenced by its geology. The huge array of different rocks found there determines the shape and appearance of the fells and dales. Also, as the dominant building material in the region, rocks impact both the local architecture and the economy through quarrying. A simple easy-to-read guide to the rocks of the English Lake District, with nearly 200 colour illustrations including diagrams, maps and photographs, this book provides an understanding of the main types of rock and characterizes over sixty of the most common rocks. It describes where to find them and how to recognise them in the landscape. Details are given of the use of rocks in local buildings and how the rocks are still quarried today, and finally, their importance to the local economy.

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Book SynopsisThis book is one of a popular and exciting series that seeks to tell the story of some of Britain's most beautiful landscapes. Written with the general reader - the walker, the lover of the countryside - firmly in mind, these pages open the door to a fascinating story of ancient oceans, deltas, mineralization and tundra landscapes. Over millions of years the rocks that now form the spectacular terrains of the White Peak and the Dark Peak were laid down on the floors of tropical seas and deformed by plate tectonics before being shaped by streams and rivers. The white limestone was fretted into its own distinctive landscape above hidden cave systems; then generations of miners and farmers modified and contributed to the landscapes we see today. With the help of photographs that are largely his own, geologist Tony Waltham tells the remarkable story of the Peak District, explaining just how the landscapes of limestone plateau, grit moors and river valleys came to look as they do. Including suggestions for walks and places to visit in order to appreciate the best of the National Park's landforms, this accessible and readable book opens up an amazing new perspective for anyone who enjoys this varied and beautiful area.Trade ReviewBeautiful, full colour photos and diagrams, a fascinating chapter on each of the important geological and geomorphological aspects of the area (including buildings and industry), and an author who knows his stuff and can write it down with an easy and authoritative style. -- Jon Trevelyan * Deposits magazine *It holds a wealth of knowledge for cavers, as well as walkers and other users of England’s first National Park and will no doubt please newcomers and seasoned Peak District lovers alike. -- John Cordingley * Cave and Karst Science *Overall a book that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in the Peak District who wishes to gain more “in depth” knowledge of the area without having to digest the many scientific works on the area because the author has done it for you. -- Richard Shaw * Peak District Mines Historical Society News *This recently published book tells the story of the evolution of the Peak District's rocks and scenery. Beautifully illustrated, it is written for the general reader and contains numerous stunning photographs and excellent explanatory diagrams. -- Peter Jones * National Stone Centre Newsletter *As one might expect from a book by Tony Waltham, this is a richly illustrated read. Many of Tony’s photographs would happily grace a calendar, and every page has at least one carefully chosen illustration. For the geologists, whether with casual or professional interest in the Peak District, this makes for a visually beautiful book and is bound to provide new insights. It is certainly no field-guide. More something to cherish reading during a dark winter evening (or enforced lockdown) to remind oneself of the great interest of the Peak District geology and beauty of its landscape and to start planning your next visit with a fresh perspective. -- Colin Waters * Yorkshire Geological Society Circular *It is written at about the same level as geological sections of the Journal of the Russell Society, and is therefore readily comprehensible to the general reader and is highly recommended. -- Richard Batemen, reviewer Russell Society * Journal of the Russell Society *This attractive volume is an excellent overview of the landscape and geology of the Peak District by a geologist with an intimate knowledge of the area. It is a thoroughly readable and enjoyable book. -- Tim Colman, reviewer Mercian Geologist * Mercian Geologist *This publication is welcome and timely. The book provides fascinating insight into the landscape and geology of the Peak District. The author is to be congratulated for providing such a wealth of information and illustrations in a book of its size. -- Colin J Serridge, GeoScientist reviewer * Geoscientist - magazine of the Geological Society of London *I have read and dipped into many books on the geological aspects of the Peak District and I have enjoyed any of my previous virtual excursions as much as this one. 'The Peak District' receives my fullest recommendation. It deserves to be widely read and, indeed, imitated. It will, I feel certain, become a standard for such guides. -- Kenneth Donovan, reviewer Geology Today * Geology Today *

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Book SynopsisEver been tempted by the thought of trying juicy deep fried mealworms, proteinrich cricket flower, or swapping your Walkers for salt and vinegar flavoured grasshoppers? If so then you are not alone! Over 2 billion people regularly eat insects as part of their diet, and the world is home to around 1,900 edible insect species.For adventurous foodies and daring dieters comes the newest way to save the planet, eat more protein, and tickle taste buds. But this isn’t an insect cookbook. Instead it’s an informative field guide: exploring the origins of insect eating, offering tips on finding edible bugs and serving up a few delicious ideas of how to eat them once you’ve tracked them down! It includes a comprehensive list on edible insects and where to find them, how to prepare them, their versatile usage and nutritional value as well as a few recipes. A bug-eating checklist covering all known edible bugs so readers can mark off the ones they’ve eaten and seek out new delicacies concludes the book.This is a perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful, and adventurous side of entomophagy.

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Book SynopsisThe Kennel Club's Breed Standards form the basis for judging dogs at all licensed breed shows. This fully revised edition of the authoritative guide outlines the descriptive 'standards' for each of the 201 pure breeds of dog now recognised by the Kennel Club.The book has been completely updated by a panel of experts to incorporate the latest standards for all breeds in each of the principal categories - Hound, Gundog, Terrier, Utility, Working, Pastoral and Toy. As well as providing a beautiful colour photograph of each dog, each entry contains a history of the breed, including its origins and function, as well as a full description outlining its essential features. There is also useful advice on the nature of each breed and practical information to help guide anyone who is buying a dog, as well as a glossary of canine terms.This book is essential reading for anyone who owns, or hopes to own, a pedigree dog and is indispensable for breeders, judges and those professionally involved with dogs.Trade ReviewThis beautiful and fascinating book is essential reading for anyone who owns, or hopes to own, a pedigree dog and is indispensable for breeders, judges, groomers and those professionally involved with dogs, as well as a visual and informative delight for all dog lovers. -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *must-have reference book * Dogs Monthly *

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Book SynopsisMars is back. Suddenly everyone - from Elon Musk to Ridley Scott to Donald Trump - is talking about going to the Red Planet.When the Apollo astronauts walked on the Moon in 1969, many people imagined Mars would be next. However NASA's Viking 1, which landed in 1976, was just a robot. The much-anticipated crewed mission failed to materialise, defeated by a combination of technological and political challenges.Four decades after Viking and almost half a century after Apollo technology has improved beyond recognition - as has politics. As private ventures like SpaceX seize centre stage from NASA, Mars has undergone a seismic shift - it's become the prime destination for future human expansion and colonisation.But what's it really like on Mars, and why should anyone want to go there? How do you get there and what are the risks? Astrophysicist and science writer Andrew May answers these questions and more, as he traces the history of our fascination with the Red Planet.

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Book SynopsisThere is no place like home.The conditions of Earth are not just good for life, they are perfect. Everything about our planet - its size, its distance from the Sun, its spin and tilt, its moon - is perfectly suited to our existence, and our planet's forces serve to nurture its spectacular biodiversity. A Perfect Planet shows in stunning detail how Earth has always been more than the sum of its parts. Unlike any other astronomical body, it is a living world.Focusing on four key natural forces - global weather systems distributing fresh water to all corners; marine currents delivering nutrients to the deepest reaches of the ocean; solar energy warming and electrifying everything it touches; and volcanic activity fertilising the earth's surface - Huw Cordey reveals to us new levels of this living world, a place populated with astonishing characters living remarkable lives. From Arctic wolves prowling moonlit landscapes or wood frogs, frozen in winter and magically thawing back to life, to flamingos flying thousands of miles to a vast volcanic lake in Africa to breed, we see time and again how animals are perfectly adapted to whatever the environment throws at them.Packed with over 250 full-colour images, and including a foreword by Alastair Fothergill and stills from the BBC series' spectacular footage, A Perfect Planet is a stunning exploration of life on Earth - life that is increasingly precious and rare.

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Book SynopsisThis charming and adorable collection of the best cinematic dogs is sure to delight dog lovers and movie-goers alike. The Citizen Canine pack includes sixty of the bravest, cutest and furriest pooches ever to grace the silver screen. Covering 100 years of films from top-billed hounds like Lassie and Benji to comedic scene-stealers like Asta from Bringing Up Baby and Puffy from There's Something About Mary, all your favourite furry friends are here. Whether you have a canine companion or just wish you did, Citizen Canine is your perfect guide to dogs, movies and the magical moments when they come together.A light, entertaining introduction covers the history of dogs in movies, from Charlie Chaplin to contemporary indie darlings, while fun facts and stories from behind the camera bring the all the featured films to life.Find all about the tricks trainers used to train these canine actors, the following are included in the book:Scraps (A Dog's Life)Toto (The Wizard of Oz)Matisse (Down and Out in Beverly Hills)Sandy (Annie)Cujo (Cujo)Hooch (Turner & Hooch)Beethoven (Beethoven)Chance (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)Fly (Babe)The puppies (101 Dalmatians)Buddy (Air Bud)Lou (Cats & Dogs)Shaggy (The Shaggy Dog)Sam (I Am Legend)Marley (Marley & Me)Rocco (The Drop)Bailey (A Dog's Purpose)Trade Review'This fabulous book features all your favourite canine actors, with delightful ‘behind the scenes’ commentary alongside images from classic films.' -- Daily Mail'The "awws" start on the contents page: 60 different dog-tag graphics, one for every movie in this a-paw-able tome covering a century of cinema.' -- Total Film

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Book SynopsisI like a dog at my feet when I read,whatever his size or whatever his breed.A dog now and then that will nuzzle my handAs though I were the greatest of men in the land,And trying to tell me it's pleasant to beOn such intimate terms with a fellow like me.'The Dog' by Edgar A. GuestThe relationship between us humans and our dogs has inspired many of the world's greatest poets. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, the poems in this beautifully illustrated anthology are a true celebration of the faithful, affectionate, delightful dog. The perfect gift for dog lovers.

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP TEN BESTSELLER: The Inspirational Life of Finn, Britain's Bravest Dog, Winner of the 2017 Daily Mirror Animal Hero of the Year Award and Star of Britain's Got Talent 2019Hertfordshire, October 5th 2016. At around 2 a.m., PC Dave Wardell and his dog, PD Finn, were trying to apprehend a robbery suspect when he turned around and attacked them. Finn was stabbed with a ten-inch-bladed knife, both through his chest, via his armpit and then - the knife bound for Dave - through the top of his head. Finn no doubt saved Dave's life, but the race was on to try and save Finn's.Dave Wardell's heartfelt memoir charts an incredible journey of friendship and loyalty. It is a celebration of the bond between one man and his dog, from when Dave collected Finn from his kennels at just nine months old, all the way through to Finn's recent and hard-earned retirement. The book charts the career of a highly trained, highly decorated dog. In his time on the job Finn tracked offenders of all kinds; found missing children; tackled armed offenders; saved lives. But Finn isn't just a police dog - he's also a cherished family pet and this is his remarkable, life-affirming story.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2018John Lister-Kaye has spent a lifetime exploring, protecting and celebrating the British landscape and its wildlife. Lister-Kaye's joyous childhood holidays - spent scrambling through hedges and ditches after birds and small beasts, keeping pigeons in the loft and tracking foxes around the edge of the garden - were the perfect apprenticeship for his two lifelong passions: exploring the wonders of nature, and writing about them. Warm, wise and full of wonder, The Dun Cow Rib is a captivating coming of age tale by one of the founding fathers of nature writing.Trade ReviewUtterly charming and captivating * * The Sunday Times * *John Lister-Kaye is Scotland's high priest of nature writing; it's charming and moving to wander along with him . . . The Dun Cow Rib is a loving book * * The Times * *I should love to pay a visit to and shake this fine author by the hand * * Mail on Sunday * *A wise and affectionate celebration of Britain's natural landscape * * The Week * *Excellent * * The Scotsman * *In this moving autobiography by Scotland's foremost wildlife writer . . . it's when describing the lost countryside of his earliest years that he's without equal * * Country Life * *Escape into the joyous childhood of John Lister-Kaye * * Daily Express * *Lister-Kaye sometimes writes like the long-lost sixth member of the Famous Five * * Herald * *

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Book SynopsisFor most of human history, we have had a close relationship with the stars. Once they shaped our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. But over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe that surrounds us. And it comes at a cost.The Human Cosmos is a tour of this history: from the Hall of the Bulls in Lascaux to Tahitian sailors navigating by the stars; from medieval monks grappling with the nature of time to Einstein realising that space and time are the same. It shows we need to rediscover the universe we inhabit, its effect on our health, and its potential for inspiration and revelation.Trade ReviewA dazzling cultural account of our enduring and ever-changing relationship to the cosmos. Beginning with cave paintings and stone circles, Marchant traces humanity's epic journey from a sky filled with gods, spirits and celestial events that shaped people's lives and beliefs to the Big Bang and the search for alien life. This book will change the way you look at the night sky -- MANJIT KUMAR, author of QUANTUMVast in scope and meticulously researched this brilliant book traces humanity's enduring relationship with our physical and cultural ancestors: the stars. Full of fascinating stories, Jo Marchant weaves astronomy with astrology, mathematical physics with gods and spirits. It made me question my reality and left me starstruck -- GAIA VINCE * * author of Transcendence and Adventures in the Anthropocene * *Marchant's vast and fascinating story packs in plenty of human detail . . . inspiring and persuasive * * Guardian * *Humans have always been fascinated by the stars. But why are we so drawn to these celestial objects? Jo Marchant reveals this historical relationship through beautifully told stories, of gods and spirits, mathematicians and physicists . . . The Human Cosmos is not just a pleasure to read, it's one you'll want to share with everyone you know who is interested in astronomy * * BBC Science Focus * *Marchant is a deft writer. Her characters are vivid, and her stories flow. The unexpected connections she makes . . . are often quite satisfying . . . A reminder that the forces that shape humanity far precede modern people and will persist long after we're gone * * New York Times * *A thought-provoking look at how fascination with the heavens has shaped human culture, and still does * * Economist, Book of the Year * *An important and delicious book. Jo Marchant, whipsmart, sensitive, and eloquent yet unforced as ever, mines the history of stargazing to show that today's cosmology can't reveal the "intrinsic nature" of anything, whether stars, stardust or human existence, because omitting human consciousness from its equations impoverishes not just our comprehension of the universe, but the notion of understanding itself -- DAVID DOBBSAn extensively researched and fascinating book . . . The reader will find much that is new and intriguing in The Human Cosmos . . . ought to be essential reading * * Journal of the British Astronomical Association * *Science journalist Marchant explores the relationship between humans and the celestial in this luminous and fascinating journey through science, religion, culture and everything in between * * Newsweek * *A unique and mind-expanding enquiry . . . a tour de force on par with Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari * * Booklist (starred review) * *

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Book Synopsis'When I was a child in Scotland, I was fond of everything that was wild, and all my life I've been growing fonder and fonder of wild places and wild creatures.'John Muir was eleven when he and his family left Scotland in 1849 to build a new life on a homestead in the vast wilderness of Wisconsin. Written in simple yet beautiful prose, we see Muir's delight as he discovers and observes the landscape and wildlife around him, as he recalls his childhood and reveals himself as a master of natural description.Trade ReviewHis books are illuminated by sunshine and starlight . . . No other writer is so ceaselessly astonished by the natural world as Muir, or communicates that astonishment more urgently -- ROBERT MACFARLANEAn inspirational figure for modern environmentalism . . . his enthusiasm and heart-felt love of nature is immensely impressive * * Guardian * *Muir was a geologist, an explorer, philosopher, artist, author, and editor, and to each of his avocations he devoted that deep insight and conscientious devotion which made him its master * * New York Times * *The great mountain man . . . [John Muir] remains a towering presence in American cultural life, and is internationally acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of modern conservation -- MARK COCKER, author of OUR PLACEA superbly told, moving and challenging story. For anybody remotely interested in the environment, Scottish culture, American history, the art of biography or the art of life, this book is essential * * Scotland on Sunday * *The richness of Muir's writing roots deeper into the terrain than any other wilderness writer known to me * * Los Angeles Times on MY FIRST SUMMER IN THE SIERRA * *

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Book SynopsisWorzel is still an enormous Lurcher with `issues,' but his issues are now predictable. Now in his fourth year with his forever family, life is changing. As the children grow up and begin to spread their wings, Worzel's world should be more peaceful. But as life rolls on, a changing of the guard brings new challenges; challenges no-one seems ready to embrace, least of all the cats. An over-enthusiastic encounter with a fish pond, a blackbird with a death wish, and a new arrival all conspire to ensure that whilst Worzel might be ready for an easy life, his family has other plans. Mum, long-suffering Dad, five cats and two grown-up children all feature in Worzel's fourth diary, bringing together poems, letters and advice that Worzel's beginning to wonder if it's even worth offering any more. The eagerly-awaited fourth instalment from Worzel, the literary Lurcher is funny, touching, honest, and very real.Trade ReviewWell I am a huge fan of this series. A long awaited fourth instalment from Lurcher Worzel and a continuation of his life story. The books are written from Worzel's viewpoint and in his language and this as with all the others is hilarious, honest, and real. I particularly like the beautiful photo sections in the middle of this book of Worzel himself. It makes me feel like I really know him! This edition of Worzel's life follows the same format month by month and carries a variety of adventures. These include an exciting encounter with a fish pond, a black bird, which Worzel concludes has a death wish, plus a new arrival just when Worzel has hoping for a quiet life! The usual Mum and very long-suffering Dad, two offspring and five cats all feature and included are poems, letters and advice from Worzel in his own infallible way. Words of wisdom that only a Lurcher could write! Truly worth a read, along with the other three previous books in the series. - Dog Training Weekly. For the quite very actual amazing love of Worzel Wooface is a fabumazing addition to your library. - Geelong U3A Dog Handling Skills Class. The eagerly-awaited fourth instalment from Worzel, the literary Lurcher is funny, touching, honest and very real. Australian Dog LoverTo sum up this book - Hugh-Stan, we don’t have a problem, not at actual all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book all about life, love and Lurchers Dogs Monthly

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Book SynopsisWritten by a qualified veterinarian, this is a complete and comprehensive guide to health care for cats and dogs, providing invaluable advice on essential aspects of care, such as diet and vaccinations, as well as a guide to holistic treatments. The first part of the book describes the main lifestyle choices every dog and cat owner makes, whether or not they are aware of them: settling in a new puppy or kitten, vaccination, neutering, diet, finding the right veterinarian, and caring for the ageing animal. The second part describes the main holistic modalities and their relevance when animals become sick. What they are, how they work, when they are useful, and how to find a practitioner. Also includes chapters on osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, Bach's flower remedies, and herbal medicine. The third part of the book discusses a range of common health problems in dogs and cats, both from a conventional veterinary point of view and from an holistic perspective, and aims to help the owner understand the condition they are facing, as well as providing tips on how to supplement their veterinarian's advice and treatment.Trade ReviewThis to me is an inspiring approach to animal treatment and indeed a book I will keep for future reference. Publisher Hubble and Hattie in their usual excellent manner have used superb photos, an easy to use and understand layout and an easy read and reference style. It is excellent in all aspects and a book no dog or cat lover should really be without. - Dog Training Weekly. [This book] is a great present choice for any pet owner this Christmas. Like all the books from specialist pet publishers Hubble and Hattie it's a stylish and attractive volume that looks good, as well as providing valuable advice and health information. - Driving with Dogs. A comprehensive book that is highly relevant (even indispensable) to every dog and cat carer. The one book that no dog or cat lover should be without! - Australian Cat Lover. A vibrant testament to the dedication of Dr. Lise Hansen who believes that the very act of seeing an animal requires an obligation to stay well informed ... An invaluable guide. - Geelong U3A Dog Handling Skills Class. I am delighted with the content, presentation, and style of this book. This is, at last, a care book that I can enthusiastically recommend to my clients. - Sarah Fox Chapman MS, DVM, MRCVS, VetMFHom. A complete and comprehensive guide to health care for cats and dogs, written by a qualified veterinarian, providing invaluable advice on essential aspects of care. - Dogs NSW. The information in this book will help maintain good health, or offer help during an illness. - Your Cat. Comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organisation and presentation. - Midwest Book Review. This book is undoubtedly a valuable addition to any dog (or cat) owner's library ... This is a very interesting and informative book by a very experienced vet, and could be of great help in increasing the healthy lifespan of our much loved pets. - APDT UK. --- this is my favourite book of the year - it’s easy to read, understand, and navigate and covers so many important topics - Westies & BestiesTable of ContentsForeword Part one: A healthy life - the lifestyle choices every dog or cat owner will be making The beginning - the arrival of your puppy or kitten Diet - factory food, homecooking or raw food Choosing your vet - Your important ally, annual healthcheck Vaccination - a final farewell to routine boosters Parasite prevention - fleas, worms, ticks Neutering: spaying/castration The final stage - old age, natural death or euthanasia Part two: On health and disease An holistic view of health and what this can bring to the treatment of animals What is it to be holistic? The important holistic treatment methods: Homeopathy Acupuncture Manual techniques (osteopathy, chiropractics, cranio-sacral therapy, massage) Bach's flower remedies Herbal medicine Part three: Dealing with disease - How to help your sick animal. Common conditions in dogs and cats: Focus on allergy Skin (wounds, cat abcesses, allergic eczema, hotspots, ear infections, eosinofilic granuloma, overgrooming, tumors) Digestive system (dental hygiene, gingivitis, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, anal sacs) Airways (kennel cough, cat flu, asthma) Heart disease Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism) Urinary organs (cystitis, urinary crystals-and stones, incontinence, kidney disease) Sexual organs (womb infections, cryptorchidism) Nervous system (epilepsy) Musculo-skeletal system (acute injuries, fractures, cruciate ligaments, dysplasia, osteoarthritis) Surgery Behavioural problems (aggression, fear, motion sickness, stress, overgrooming, inappropriate urination) Supplements Useful contacts (where to buy the products or find the practitioner you need) Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA gloriously illustrated first guide to the weather for ages 6+.Split into four clear sections on: What is Weather?, Changing Weather, World Weather and Extreme Weather, discover how storm clouds form, why we have seasons, how seaweed can tell us what the weather will be, why fish and frogs sometimes fall from the sky and much more. Cinyee Chiu's charming illustrations are accompanied by carefully written text for young readers by children's natural history author Camilla de la Bedoyere. Consulted by experts at the Royal Meteorological Society.Includes 4 tear-out wipe-clean spotting cards, ideal for using on a nature walk or in the garden to encourage a sense of adventure, and a glossary of weather words. There's a peregrine falcon to spot in every scene - will you find them all?

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Book Synopsis'The shepherdess whose flock you definitely need to follow' - Hello!'A new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media, challenging outdated ideas about the job and capturing the public's imagination along the way' - Daily MailZoë Colville left her life as a hairdresser in a fancy London salon for the rolling hills and hard graft of life on a Kent farm. One where the only use for a hairdryer is warming new-born lambs; where the cycle of life on a farm gives new meaning and purpose, and where nature is both a strict teacher and a source of ultimate satisfaction.In this memoir, Zoë brings her trademark hilarious, heartfelt voice to tell readers all about her transformation from hairdresser to farmer, and the lessons she learned along the way, from mental health, social media and identity to surviving as an entrepreneur in a shifting economy. And through those lessons - in love, loss, and lambing - discovering something even more important: that it's always the right time to take a bold step and try something new.Trade ReviewA new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media. * Daily Mail *Humorous, gritty and enlightening -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *One of the industry's most well-known shepherdesses. -- Emily Ashworth * Farmers Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFrom cocoa farming in Ghana to the orchards of Kent and the desert badlands of Pakistan, taking a practical approach to sustaining the landscape can mean the difference between prosperity and ruin. Working with Nature is the story of a lifetime of work, often in extreme environments, to harvest nature and protect it - in effect, gardening on a global scale. It is also a memoir of encounters with larger-than-life characters such as William Bunting, the gun-toting saviour of Yorkshire's peatlands and the aristocratic gardener Vita Sackville-West, examining their idiosyncratic approaches to conservation. Jeremy Purseglove explains clearly and convincingly why it's not a good idea to extract as many resources as possible, whether it's the demand for palm oil currently denuding the forests of Borneo, cottonfield irrigation draining the Aral Sea, or monocrops spreading across Britain. The pioneer of engineering projects to preserve nature and landscape, first in Britain and then around the world, he offers fresh insights and solutions at each step.Trade ReviewPraise for Jeremy Purseglove's Taming the Flood: 'Jeremy Purseglove has a gift that is increasingly rare in these days of scientific specialization - of joining practical wisdom about working with nature and the land to an imaginative appreciation of their place in our history and culture.' -- Richard MabeyA pioneering and counter-culture work -- Oliver RackhamIt is a celebration of life in and around the water and it is an eloquent plea to water engineers, to farmers and to Government to respect that life * BBC Wildlife *

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Book Synopsis'A priceless portrait of one of the least understood and frequently most vilified of people: farmers. It should really be read by all in this country who buys food - i.e. everyone.' Daily Mail 'Highly researched and deeply thoughtful ... Bathurst peers under the bonnet of these lives and reveals things that rarely make it into print.' James Rebanks, The Times 'A fine achievement: describing the indescribable' Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows We think we know what makes Britain's countryside: drystone walls, stiles, sheep on a distant hillside. But for many of us, farmers themselves - the men and women who shape, maintain and care for that land - often remain a mystery: familiar but unpredictable, a secretive industry that's still visible from space. In Field Work, Bella Bathurst journeys through Britain to talk to those on the far side of the fence. From fruit farmers to fallen stock operators, from grassy uplands to polytunnels, she creates a portrait of modern Britain, exposing in the process the inextricable bonds that exist between land and the people who farm it. As farmers find themselves torn between time-honoured methods and modern appetites, these raw, wise and funny accounts reveal an ancient way of life changing beyond recognition.Trade ReviewHighly researched and deeply thoughtful ... Bathurst peers under the bonnet of these lives and reveals things that rarely make it into print. She has a talent for asking the right questions ... Field Work is by turns funny, enlightening, frustrating and deeply sad. -- James Rebanks * The Times *A beautiful hybrid of social history, memoir and nature writing, Field Work manages to bring an entire world out of the shadows. ... Bathurst shows us how interesting all life is if viewed with the correct mixture of sympathy and curiosity -- Alex Preston * Observer *A genuine attempt to get under the fingernails of the people who work in land-based industries and understand why they carry on doing what they do, usually for little financial reward, often in great discomfort and in the face of adversity. And it is a distinguished work of journalism by someone who asks the questions that the reader wants asked [and] sifts the answers perceptively ... This thought-provoking book portrays, with uncomfortable accuracy, life on the green bits beyond the 30-mile limits of Britain's towns -- Jamie Blackett * Telegraph *A priceless portrait of one of the least understood and frequently most vilified of people: farmers. It should really be read by all in this country who buys food - i.e. everyone. If anyone wants to understand farming better, I would press this book into their hands ... The writing is at once tough and lyrical, unsentimental, piercingly truthful and observant ... heart-wrenching as well as dryly funny ... Field Work is a superb testament to that way of life, and richly demonstrates what a terrible loss that would be - for all of us. -- Book of the Week * Daily Mail *A fine achievement: describing the indescribable -- Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of CowsExactly the book I've been longing to read about farming. A proper behind-the-scenes look, fascinating, insightful, compassionate. -- Melissa Harrison, author of All Among the Barley and The Light of Stubborn ThingsA long overdue account of the true nature of farming - written from the ground up. Bella Bathurst really gets under the skin of what it means to farm the land in the 21st century, at a time of unprecedented change. -- Stephen Moss, naturalist and author of Skylarks with RosieField Work is a nuanced book - something that has been lacking in mainstream discussions on food and farming. It's an insightful, compassionate and sometimes funny behind-the-scenes tour of a familiar but little understood world. * Geographical Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Wild and wonderful ... I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness' PHILIP HOARE, ALBERT AND THE WHALE 'Addictive and scandalously fascinating' Caught by the River When Peter Riley was thirteen, a woman with blue hair and a comet tattoo asked him to help load the jaw of a sperm whale into the back of a Volvo 245. The encounter set Riley on a decades-long quest to make sense of what had happened. Enter the secretive world of whale scavengers. When a whale washes up on one of Britain's coasts, a fugitive community descends to claim trophies from the carcass. Some are driven by magical beliefs. Some are motivated by profit: there is a black market for everything from ambergris to whaletooth sex toys. But for others, the need goes much deeper. Join Riley on a tour of a stranded kingdom's weird outer reaches, where nothing is as it seems. Meet witches, pedlars, fetishists, conspiracy theorists and fallen aristocrats. And prepare for a final revelation, as the mystery of the comet woman tangles with the enigmatic symbol of Leviathan itself, beached on Britain's fatal shore.Trade ReviewA strange book ... you can't help being swept along on the tides of Riley's esoteric thinking ... for each of [Riley's] motley crew, whale strandings offer more than just collector's items: dead whales are key, it seems, to their understanding of who they are -- Clare Saxby * TLS *An addictive and scandalously fascinating book written from the centre of a storm of obsession. You will finish feeling spun out and tugged into the maelstrom that is Riley's whales * Caught by the River *Enchanting ... these whale strandings are therefore both an echo of a fundamental moment for our own species, and a grim premonition of where we might soon be heading * Strong Words *Strandings is a strange book; disarmingly candid and born out of such a personal preoccupation that Riley must have wondered if it could ever resonate with an external reader. And yet it does, and Riley's writing ends up getting under your skin. * Dark Mountain *A wild and wonderful whale chase, of cetaceans real and surreal and imagined, Peter Riley's beautifully written book adopts the sceptical/obsessive tone of a modern Melville (or perhaps that should be Captain Ahab) as he roams Britain from east to west, north to south, in search of usually dead and often rotting whales and the stories they leave in their wake. There's no box of dusty bones he won't stick his nose in, no dubious character on a beach he won't shake down for stolen whale teeth. Indeed, Riley's so interwoven with his subject that I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness -- Philip Hoare, author * Leviathan and Albert and the Whale *With wit and a whale-lover's passion, Riley explores the cultural and emotional bonds that form between humans and our sea-dwelling, mammalian cousins - both alive and dead. Strandings is at once incisive and funny, personal and historical, gripping and moving -- Merlin Sheldrake, author * Entangled Life *Erudite, funny and sad - a glorious rollercoaster of a book whose twists and turns take us again and again to the dissolving edges between reality and mirage -- Jean Sprackland, author * These Silent Mansions *A marvellous read. Subversive, jaunty, poignant, deadly serious and relentlessly entertaining -- Charles Foster, author * Being a Human and Being a Beast *A tremendously enjoyable book, a gleefully peculiar mixture of grief and gore populated by a shadowy cast of oddballs, the only certainty the dead whales at its heart -- Jessie Greengrass, author * The High House *Reading Strandings is to be caught in a magical drift, borne ever deeper, into the atavistic, into the animal selves, still alive, inside us. I was captivated -- David Keenan, author * This Is Memorial Device *A funny, personal and poetic dive into the mystical world of whale strandings. A compelling and fascinating read -- Will Sharpe, creator of C4's * Flowers *I devoured this - it's wonderful ... As compellingly eccentric as it is deeply humane, emotionally and politically astute. One test of a memoir is that you actually want to spend time with the narrator, and Riley is so charming, outward looking and rigorously honest it's impossible to consider anyone not. Strandings is a funny and poignant exploration of a fringe I didn't know existed, but written with such engaging personality and prose style I feel as though I've met the cast myself -- Luke Kennard, poet and author * The Transition *An authentic and troubling adventure for these dark times. Here is the taste, smell, and rush of a committed documentary-novelist unpicking the mysteries of his life and the great world in which he swims. A brave, reckless and engaging performance -- Iain Sinclair, author * The Gold Machine *Just the kind of book we need now: ecologically, politically, comedically potent and with personality worthy of Melville -- Liam Williams, comedian and writer * Pls Like *

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Book Synopsis"INFORMATIVE AND ORIGINAL" Guardian, 'This month's best paperbacks' We've become used to thinking of plants as things for us to use: as food, tools, resources, or just as an attractive background to our own lives. But it's time to change our minds. New research shows that plants can think, plan - and may even have memories. We share our planet with beings whose potential we have only glimpsed. Featuring the writing of Robin Wall Kimmerer, Susie Orbach and Merlin Sheldrake, This Book is a Plant will be your handbook to the new reality: showing you a pathway to completely reimagine your relationship with a different kind of natural world. Delve into a world of moss and fungi: Sheila Watt-Cloutier transports us to the Arctic spring, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan discovers the pleasures of painting trees, and Rebecca Tamás puts roots down through earth and soil. This Book is a Plant is made from paper: it was once part of a tree. But it's also a seed: the first shoots of a radical new way of seeing the world around you. "AN ECLECTIC ANTHOLOGY GUARANTEED TO MAKE THE HEARTS OF EARTH LOVERS BEAT FASTER" MetroTrade ReviewThis informative and original anthology ... challenge[s] conventional ideas about plant life and especially the Western world's exploitative attitude towards nature. * Guardian, 'This month's best paperbacks' *An eclectic anthology guaranteed to make the hearts of earth lovers beat faster * Metro *

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Book Synopsis'Clear, succinct and engaging answers to every question you could ask about the weather.' Gavin Pretor-Pinney, author of The Cloudspotter's GuideWhy doesn't rain fall all at once?Can technology change the track of a hurricane?What's the weather like on other planets?Meteorologists Simon King and Clare Nasir reveal the captivating ways the weather works, from exploring incredible weather phenomenon (how are rainbows formed?), expertly breaking down our knowledge of the elements (could we harness the power of lightning?) to explaining the significance of weather in history (has the weather ever started a war?) and discussing the future of weather (could climate modification save the planet?).In What Does Rain Smell Like? Simon and Clare uncover the thrilling science behind a subject that affects us all. They unearth and analyse all aspects of the weather and how it changes our lives through answering our most curious questions about the world around us.Trade ReviewA Non-Fiction Book of the Year * The Sun *Peppered with great facts * The Times *Fabulous. It is one of those books, like Bill Bryson's A Short History of Everything, where you read it and think, "I'm now more intelligent" * Radio 2 *

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

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Book Synopsis Find peace and stillness among the flowers with this lovely pocket guide to observing, identifying, and appreciating wild blooms. Explore the charmed world of flora with this delightful flower book, part of the Pocket Nature series. Learn when and where to look for wildflowers, how to identify different varieties, and what flowers can teach us, from fireweed''s resilience to dandelion''s adaptability. This petite guidebook also offers creative ideas for appreciating blooms, such as making botanical art, writing poetry, meditating in nature, and arranging a beautiful bouquet when picking is appropriate. Flower and nature lovers and mindfulness practitioners will appreciate the appealing illustrations and thoughtful reflections throughout. Take Flower Finding on your next nature walk or create a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one by pairing it with new garden clippers or a vase of pretty blooms.EASY WAY TO SPEND MORE TIME

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Book SynopsisA hilarious, fully illustrated book full of tongue-in-cheek advice for surviving life as a dog parent – the perfect gift for any dog lover You have the best dog in the world, it’s true. But there’s no avoiding the fact that, perfect and adorable as they may be, there are certain elements of being a pup owner that you could do without. That smell they bring in when they’ve rolled in fox poo. The nibble-marks on your furniture. Their fur stuck to absolutely every black item of clothing you own. Luckily, this no-nonsense guide is here to teach you all the tricks you’ll ever need to help you navigate life with your furry friend, so you can focus on the positives – like giving them head-scritches and nose-boops every time they prove they’re a good doggo at heart. With pearls of wisdom like these, you’ll be a pro dog parent in no time: Remember to check the dog is in the room before blaming it for your fart It is a truth universally acknowledged that a dog in possession of a healthy libido must be in want of a leg Start working on your mental toughness – those puppy-dog eyes are enough to break even the iciest of hearts

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Book Synopsis'A beautiful gift... Full of fascinating facts' Yorkshire Post 'We all want to help the beleaguered bee and Sally Coulthard's latest book is a great place to start' Amateur Gardening 'How to help bees thrive and give your garden a real buzz' You Magazine We need bees. These tiny, hardworking insects have transformed our lives with their quiet diligence; fertilizing the wild plants we rely on, and giving us thousands of years of sugary pleasure. But bees are in danger; across the planet, their numbers are plummeting. Sally Coulthard is here to share fifty ways we can all save bees. Whether you garden for bees, campaign for bees, or just learn a bit of bee-whispering, little things can make a big difference. Just ask a bee.Trade ReviewA useful and beautiful gift... Full of fascinating facts' * Yorkshire Post *We all want to help the beleaguered bee and Sally Coulthard's latest book The Bee Bible is a great place to start * Amateur Gardening *How to help bees thrive and give your garden a real buzz * You Magazine *Sally Coulthard's beautifully presented book explains all you need to know about starting a bee hive, and why you would want to * This England *

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Book SynopsisThis beautiful compendium of words, images and artworks is your indispensable companion for a trip to the seaside. ‘When I sit here by the sea and listen to the sound of waves, I feel free from all the obligations and people of the world.’ Henry David Thoreau Around 15 million holidays are taken by the seaside in the UK alone, and nearly all of us are drawn to the tranquil allure of the deep ocean. The sea calms and soothes us, and scientific research even seems to indicate that being near water can decrease stress and anxiety, while increasing overall wellbeing and happiness. This beautiful collection of inspiring quotations and stunning photography will delight the avid sunseeker and armchair traveller alike. Whether you are on holiday, planning time away, or simply want to enjoy the lulling influence of the sea, Seaside Inspirations is a rich source of peace, wisdom, calmness and tranquillity.

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Book SynopsisGorgeous canines of every shape, size and colour bound through this book - all 101 of them! This is the perfect gift for dog lovers big and small.From dinky dachshunds to massive mastiffs, shaggy sheepdogs and slinky salukis, this beautifully illustrated guide to over one hundred dog breeds is perfect for those looking to purchase a pooch or just doting dog lovers who want more information.Expertly written by ex-Horse and Hound editor Nicola Swinney, and with stunning illustrations by The New Yorker artist Romy Blümel.Trade ReviewDog, dog, dogs... canine lovers of any age will be in doggy heaven when they get their paws on this gorgeous, illustrated book that's packed with dogs of every shape, size and colour! From working dogs and gun dogs to toy dogs and designer dogs, there are 101 adorable animals bounding through the pages to keep readers on their toes. Expertly written by Nicola Jane Swinney, a former newspaper journalist and ex-editor for the equestrian publication Horse & Hound, 101 Dogs features every kind of dog whether that's dinky dachshunds, massive mastiffs, shaggy sheepdogs or slinky salukis. With stunning illustrations throughout by The New Yorker artist Romy Blümel, a ribbon marker, and featuring a guide to over one hundred dog breeds, this is perfect for those looking to purchase a pooch... or just doting dog lovers who want more information. -- Pam Norfolk * Lancaster Guardian *101 Dogs... describes dogs in words and pictures from Pekingese ('the Peke likes to get his own way') to the Rhodesian Ridgeback ('its origins lie in the ancient dogs of the Hottentots'), with a handy summary of each breed's attributes at the bottom of the page. There are notes on whimsical crossbreeds, including the ubiquitous Cockapoo. -- Melanie McDonagh * The Spectator *

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