Natural History Books

Book SynopsisThe author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Forest Unseen visits with nature's most magnificent networkers - trees

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Book SynopsisSecond revised edition of the colourful field guide to tropical marine life, from tide pools to coral reefs and the open ocean beyond.Trade Review[Review of previous edition: ] Anyone fascinated by the underwater world will be riveted by the photos in this richly illustrated guide... Readers can lose themselves in the magnificent environment beneath the sea, observing a parrot fish sleeping in its mucus cocoon and a manta ray being cleaned by two remoras as a diver swims nearby. The text, written by Michael, who has worked as a scientific consultant for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, is aimed at the novice, but it is a comprehensive resource on the many different aquatic species that make their homes in and around the world's reefs. Each listing gives the creature's dimensions, location and specific details about its behavior. For snorkelers or divers who enjoy identifying the underwater life they have seen, this well researched and impeccably documented book will be an invaluable resource.-- (04/05/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] Brandon Cole is one of the world's most accomplished underwater photographers and certainly one of the most prolific.... He has put a collection of his pictures together to form a useful guide to tropical marine life. The text is by Scott Michael, a sometime scientific consultant to National Geographic Explorer and Discovery Channel. Six hundred pages make up a weighty volume measuring 16 x 18cm, and half of that is reproduced in the conventional form of a fish-identification book, with a photograph and details of an example of each species. However, much of this book contains chapters on such issues as parental care in reef fish, schooling and shoaling, venom and poison, and cleaner-fish ecology. It even has an appropriately small section on algae. A major section details the different coral reef communities found around the world... There are chapters on elasmobranches, invertebrates, marine reptiles and marine mammals and all are illustrated, almost without exception, with beautiful pictures by Brandon Cole, although Scott Michael and a few others have filled in the inevitable holes. The text is informative and well sourced without being too wordy.-- (06/01/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] Identifies hundreds of the most commonly encountered species in tropical marine environments all over the world... Reef Life features more than 1,000 color photographs of 800 species. The ID guide includes the most likely encountered fishes and features name, species, habitat, range and a description particular to the animal covered. Readers will find information on feeding, mimicry and symbiosis. There is also a chapter on conservation.-- (06/01/2013) [Review of previous edition: ] This colorful, eye-catching title provides the reader with in-depth text on tropical marine ecosystems accompanied by brilliant photography.... The book centers around the coral belt..... Along with information on the marine life in these areas the authors provide users with what they are likely to see while diving in these areas... Useful as an identification guide as well as for those who want to browse the incredible photographs.-- (08/15/2014)

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Book SynopsisMarshall has applied his broad knowledge of insects to the world of wasps, bees and ants. The subject of this book enormous, since Hymenoptera is arguably the largest order of living things. Comprehensive and packed with richly illustrated keys and thousands of color photographs identified with help from many of the world's best hymenopterists.

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Book SynopsisMarine researchers are discovering new ocean creatures every day, from the warm surface water to the deepest seabed. From the author of Creatures of the Deep and other books about the ocean and the creatures that live there, comes this updated softcover edition about some of the most unusual marine life forms.

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Book SynopsisFascinating insects from around the world, including some newly discovered species. Stephen Marshall has selected 500 of the most interesting insects from his travels to North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Beautiful photographs show the insects in their natural habitats, with informative "factfiles".

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Book SynopsisHow to predict and calculate the positions of stars, planets, the sun, the moon, and satellites using a personal computer and high school mathematics.Our knowledge of the universe is expanding rapidly, as space probes launched decades ago begin to send information back to earth. There has never been a better time to learn about how planets, stars, and satellites move through the heavens. This book is for amateur astronomers who want to move beyond pictures of constellations in star guides and solve the mysteries of a starry night. It is a book for readers who have wondered, for example, where Saturn will appear in the night sky, when the sun will rise and set, or how long the space station will be over their location. In Celestial Calculations, J. L. Lawrence shows readers how to find the answers to these and other astronomy questions with only a personal computer and high school math. Using an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach, Lawrence explains what calculati

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Book SynopsisA fascinating account of Darwin's groundbreaking work on fossils, richly illustrated with special photography and accurate reconstructions.Trade Review'A deft, beautifully illustrated account.' Nature 'This thoroughly researched and well-written volume provides a comprehensive overview of Darwin's work with fossils of all kinds... with a very interesting chapter on Darwin's influential theory of coral reef formation, the subject of his first scientific monograph in 1842. The book is beautifully and abundantly illustrated, including dozens of colour photographs of many of Darwin's specimens some still affixed with the renowned English naturalist's original field numbers. There is also an assortment of useful maps and sidebars explaining various geological phenomena, including geological time, plate tectonics, and extinction, among others. The volume seems to be intended for general readers, yet it also has much to offer to professional palaeobiologists or historians of science.' Quarterly Review of Biology 'This is an absolutely gorgeous book. Highly recommended... Every double-page spread contains at least one wonderful illustration, many of which were specially commissioned for the book.' Friends of Darwin 'This is a must-read for those interested in fossils, nature, and evolution' Argentinian Association of Paleontology

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Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and diversity of the animal world through more than 300 captivating imagesTrade Review'From cave painting to 3D printing, humans have long been fascinated by the likeness of the creatures with whom we share the earth. A new book Animal showcases the great variety of these depictions through 300 artworks.' - The Wall Street Journal 'Thanks to its easy-to-read text and beautiful illustrations, this coffee table-style book will appeal to art, animal, and cultural history enthusiasts.' - Library Journal 'Stunning.' - Parents-News.co.uk 'Utterly beautiful coffee table book for animal lovers. From guinea pigs to sea dragons there are over 300 images exploring the extraordinary creatures that make up the animal kingdom. A proper present.' - Angels & Urchins 'Here is the ideal book for a nature-lover's coffee table: a brilliantly conceived and impeccably rendered showcase of over 300 images of animals extant and extinct, real and imagined, selected for their visual impact and scientific significance... The aggregated images and their fascinating text are an addictive time sink. Better keep each two-page spread open for a week before turning to the next one, so that this lovely book can brighten and inform your living space for months to come.' - Natural History Magazine 'Any volume that examines 'humankind's fascination with animals' can only hope to be a conspectus, but Animal is an unusually ambitious and thoughtful effort, handsomely produced and with an introduction by a Harvard zoologist... Images are paired cleverly, sometimes touchingly, to show how our fascination evolves... Many will be less familiar and some strikingly new... Animal captures admirably two interlocking intoxications: the thrill of ever-expanding zoological knowledge and the sheer joy of looking at animals, which look right back and into us in challenge and entreaty.' - Country Life 'Beautiful... Bridges the gap between art and science, compiling the story of humankind's relationship with animals alongside hundreds of glossy images... So what can we learn from flicking through this book when the internet can deliver us images of every insect, animal and amphibian under the sun? The answer is: a lot. It sets into context how our study, depiction and understanding of animals has changed throughout history, and indeed, how our knowledge continues to develop exponentially... [James Hanken's introductory essay is] academic in tone but highly accessible, it breaks down into digestible chunks exactly what zoology is - in short, the scientific study of animals and their biology - and offers an overview of why we have made images of animals through history, how these have changed and the future of what zoology looks like... Peppered with fascinating facts... These pages keep on giving and giving... This is a book that would make David Attenborough proud. If anyone knows him, be sure to buy him a copy for Christmas.' - Elephant.art 'A visual survey of mankind's fascination with the animals we share the planet with.' - The Herald (Scotland) 'Boasting imagery from some of the all-time greats... Animal is as stunning on the exterior as it is internally. Dust up on your zoological knowledge and bless your coffee table with [a] copy.' - Airows

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Book Synopsis MAGNETIC PLAY SET – Bring some mix and match fun to the table with the Tiny T.Rex Magnetic Play Set from Mudpuppy. With this delightful play set, children can explore their sense of creativity and imagination as they mix and match scenes for their favorite pint sized dinosaur friends and adorn them with colorful accessories. With over 40 magnetic pieces and dinosaurs to choose from, children can unleash their creativity and design countless Tiny T.Rex stories.     PERFECT FOR GIFTING – The Tiny T.Rex Magnetic Dress-Up play set is designed to appeal to children of all genders and backgrounds. With a multitude of dino characters and a variety of accessory options, every child can create their own Tiny T.Rex stories to express their unique style and identity. The play set is also perfect for playdates and group activities, fostering social interaction and collaboration as children share ideas, trade accessory pieces, and create dino ensembles together. EDUCATIONAL –  As children manipulate the magnetic pieces to dress up the dino characters and attach the different accessories, they enhance their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This hands-on activity is both enjoyable and beneficial for their physical development. Children also develop cognitive skills such as color recognition, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness. They learn about matching and coordination as they select pieces and dinosaurs that complement each other, all while engaging in a fun and interactive activity.     FAMILY BONDING – Families can work together to create their own Tiny T.rex stories using the magnetic tin and encourage young ones to challenge themselves. The Tiny T-Rex Magnetic Play Set makes a great family activity and helps to improve communication and bonding as everyone works towards a common goal! Instead of relying on screen time or electronic devices, the magnetic play set is an interactive and fun tool that provides a screen free experience for young ones to help pass the time and encourage learning while keeping them entertained.     MUDPUPPY - For over 25 years, Mudpuppy has created quality non-digital puzzles, games and toys for children and families that facilitate creative play and imaginative thinking. One of our core design principles is to engage kids and promote learning without the use of digital screens or technology. Mudpuppy is committed to designing and producing eco-friendly products that have a minimal carbon footprint. All Mudpuppy products adhere to CPSIA, ASTM, and CE Safety Regulations

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Book Synopsis The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens covers all aspects of keeping pet chickens in a beautifully illustrated, no-nonsense format. Kathy addresses everything needed to keep chickens simply, including coops, chick care, breed selection, chicken health, and beyond! Internationally known as The Chicken Chick, Kathy Shea Mormino brings an informative style and fresh perspective on raising backyard chickens to millions of fans around the world. An attorney by profession, Kathy is the founder and one-woman creative force behind her wildly popular and award-winning Facebook page and blog, The-Chicken-Chick.com. Now her practical, down-to-earth approach to chicken-keeping is available in book form. Sharing her years of hard-earned experience and collaborations with poultry veterinarians, nutritionists, and professors, she provides simple steps to care for these uncommon pets with confidence. Kathy’s Trade Review“Kathy's Chicken Chick blog is one of the few consistently reliable online sources of information on all things chicken. Her book does not disappoint.” -- Bestselling poultry author Gail Damerow"Kathy provides excellent information in a well-organized format about how to maintain the health of chickens and care for them properly. As a chicken owner myself, her book enlightened me on husbandry practices that I will incorporate into my flock. I am thrilled to have this comprehensive guide to pet chickens as a resource, and will recommend it to all of my poultry clients." -- Forrest I. Townsend, III, DVM, DACVS"I’ve known and worked with Kathy since 2012, and am very pleased finally to see a backyard chicken book written by someone so knowledgeable and dedicated to spreading real facts that dispel many of the rumors surrounding backyard chicken keeping. You are holding a well-written and reliably fact-checked book--and an invaluable addition to your bookshelf!" -- Mike Petrik, DVM, MsC, aka "Mike, The Chicken Vet""The Chicken Chick Facebook page and blog are meccas of chicken-keeping knowledge and first-hand expertise. Kathy’s book continues in that same spirit. Grab a pen as you read, because you’ll want to underline and dog-ear constantly. Newbies and seasoned poultry owners will learn something new and invaluable on nearly every page, from fun tipsto advice that may literally save a bird’s life. A must-own for poultry owners and anyone looking to start this incredibly rewarding hobby." -- Brettan Hawkins, Social Media Manager, Tractor Supply Company"As a large-scale provider of poultry, we understand how overwhelming it can be to get started and continue raising healthy chickens. The Chicken Chick blog has always been a rock-steady source of reliable, information for raising healthy backyard chickens in a friendly, approachable way. Kathy now offers the same common-sense, practical approach to the care and keeping of chickens in her new book, which guides chicken keepers through everything they need to know to raise healthy chickens. We highly recommend this book to chicken keepers of all experience levels." -- Jeff Smith, Cackle Hatchery"Kathy Shea Mormino has written a practical, common-sense, easy-to-read book for both the first-time and experienced backyard chicken fancier." -- Michael Darre, PhD, Professor of Poultry Science, University of Connecticut"This book is a must read for new or aspiring chicken keepers. It is also a great reference for people that have been keeping chickens for years!" * The Cape Coop *

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Book Synopsis20 notecards with envelopes featuring artwork from The Book of Cat Poems illustrated by Sarah Maycock. Features the feline friends inspired by the poems of John Keats, Margaret Atwood and Oscar Wilde among others, alongside short quotations from the works on the back. Beautifully packaged in a presentation box. The cards are blank inside for your personal message.

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Book SynopsisBirds of Bangladesh is the definitive field guide to the rich avifauna of this fascinating and beautiful country.Despite being one of the most densely populated countries on Earth, Bangladesh boasts a diverse range of natural habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands, and supports a wide range of species including a number of sought after regional specialities.This book covers all 705 species that occur in Bangladesh, including vagrants. It includes 103 superb colour plates, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference, as well as concise species accounts describe key identification features, voice, habitats, distribution and status.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Taxonomy and Nomenclature Plates and Species Accounts Plumage Terminology Geographical Settings Climate Main Habitats, Threats and Bird Species Importance for Birds Birdwatching Areas Conservation Measures National Organisations Glossary Family Summaries Plates and Species Accounts (1-103) Appendices References Index Quick Index

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