Natural History Books

Book SynopsisTristan Gooley is a writer, navigator and explorer. He is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs, The Natural Navigator and The Natural Explorer and he has written for publications including the Sunday Times, the New York Times, the FT and Geographical Magazine. Tristan has led expeditions in five continents, climbed mountains in Europe, Africa and Asia, sailed small boats across oceans and piloted small aircraft to Africa and the Arctic. He is the only living person to have both flown solo and sailed singlehanded across the Atlantic and is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Royal Geographical Society. Tristan has appeared on TV and radio programmes in the UK and internationally. www.naturalnavigator.comTrade ReviewThis new series of The School of Life's self-help books build on the strengths of the first, tackling some of the hardest issues of our lives in a way that is genuinely informative, helpful and consoling. Here are books that prove that the term "self-help" doesn't have to be either shallow or naive -- Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of LifeThe School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisWhy, for many centuries, was the wheel abandoned in the Middle East in favor of the camel as a means of transport? This richly illustrated study explains this anomaly. Drawing on archaeology, art, technology, anthropology, linguistics, and camel husbandry, Bulliet explores the implications for the region's economic and social development during the Middle Ages and into modern times.

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Book SynopsisThis exploration of the physical universe explains fundamental concepts in a language that is accessible to anyone with little or no science background. It looks at the discoveries of science, the conservation of energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, gravity and thermodynamics.Trade ReviewA delightful, witty, informal, and wise guide to a sampling of essential principles, processes, and concepts of science. Skeptical InquirerTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of Figures Part I: Methods of Science 1. A Sentimental Journey to the Googolplex: A romp through numbers big and small 2. The Structure of Science: Behind the scenes of the scientific process 3. Measure for Pleasure: Measurement is the lifeblood of all science 4. The Confused Person's Guide to Astronomical Jargon: Names and words that do not always mean what they say Part II: Some Unifying Ideas in the Physical Universe 5. Center of Mass: You will never leave home without it 6. Energy: Where it comes from and where it goes 7. The Electromagnetic Spectrum: The world of light 8. Shapes of Radiation: Why blue-hot is hotter than red-hot 9. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: The most unifying concept in all astronomy 10. Highlights from the Periodic Table of the Elements: Some of your best friends are composed of elements Part III: Astronomy Is Looking Up 11. Menagerie: A cynic's guide to the constellations 12. Horrorscope: An astronomer's rebuttal 13. Celestial Windings: Making sense of heavenly motions Suggested Reading Index

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Book SynopsisDaniel Hillel follows events in the Hebrew Bible to reveal the complex interplay between the ancient Israelites and their natural and cultural environments. More than just affecting their material existence, the diverse environmental character of the ancient Near East profoundly shaped the evolution of Jewish culture and beliefs and, ultimately, of Western civilization as a whole.Trade ReviewThis is a book to supplement and fill in details of natural history that are generally absent or neglected in standard hisotrical studies. It is well illustrated and the bibliography is extensive. The Master's Seminary Journal That environmental factors affect our daily lives is disputed by no one. But can environment, climate and topology play a part in the development of a religious community? Hillel, professor emeritus of environmental studies at the University of Massachusetts and senior research scientist at Columbia University's Center for Climate Systems Research, says yes. He comes to the subject immersed in the lore of ancient Israel, from his grandfather's instruction to his own years living in modern Israel. He sees the Jewish belief system as an amalgam of ideas emerging from an interplay of human beings with both the land and its peoples, "absorb[ing] all the cultural strands... from all the ecological domains of the ancient Near East... and assimilat[ing] them into their own culture." He divides sacred history into seven "domains," dispensations based not on some theological construct but rather on the terrain in which the Israelites lived. What emerges is a largely naturalistic explanation of Israel's beliefs and laws, with a strong emphasis on the impact of culture and environment on the evolving Jewish religion. Hillel recounts, in a richly detailed and beautifully told manner, the origins of the Hebrew Bible in a new and satisfying way. (Jan.) Publisher's Weekly Hillel recounts, in a richly detailed and beautifully told manner, the origins of the Hebrew Bible in a new and satisfying way.Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly With all the commentaries and books on the Hebrew Scriptures that have appeared over the years, it would seem nearly impossible to write something unique and illuminating. Yet this is precisely what Hillel has done by providing an environmental and ecological analysis of the text. Library Journal Engrossing... Hillel offers new perspectives on biblical views of the environment. Wispas The results are fascinating. -- Edward Rothstein New York Times Hillel... offers us a quintessential resource for understanding the role of nature in Jewish cultural and religious movements. -- Daneil Orenstein Jerusalem Report Hillel takes a fresh and invigorating approach to biblical exegesis... A detailed ecological analysis of the Bible. -- Josie Glausiusz Forward Hillel's contribution is truly distinctive, insightful and provocative. -- Sandee Brawarsky The Jewish Week [The Natural History of the Bible] should be of equal interest to the student of ecology and the student of theology. -- Sir Ghillean Prance The Times Higher Education Supplement A highly stimulating new take on an old question, and deserves to be widely read. -- John Barton Times Literary Supplement It definitely belongs on the shelves of those interested in the development of biblical culture. -- Rabbi Rachel Essermang The Reporter Daniel Hillel's The Natural History of the Bible is a very good read and deserves a place on the shelf. -- Alon Tal Environmental History Fascinating because of its fine prose, important because of its scope. Kansas City Star An informed and readable entrance into a profound world. -- Harvey E. Goldberg The European Legacy The Natural History of the Bible is one beautiful book. -- Jeanne Kay Guelke Environmental Ethics I highly recommend this book. -- Rabbi Louis A. Rieser Church and Synagogue Libraries Daniel Hillel has done a magnificent job and contributed substantially both to Biblical scholarship and to the understanding of the ecology of the area. But he goes much deeper than simply interpreting the Bible's ecological setting. Hillel allows us to understand better the minds of those who were recording the events in Egypt, the return to Canaan, David and Solomon, and the various interpretations of Jerusalem, as well as the meaning of these events. So well presented and so informative. -- Peter H. Raven, Home Secretary of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science A refreshing, detailed and stimulating account of an important aspect of ancient Israelite development. -- Hilary Marlow Journal of Jewish Studies For anyone concerned about the origins of the Hebrew Bible... this is a fascinating book that can be highly recommended. -- Antoinette Bosco The American Catholic Hillel's rational accounts of natural phenomena in the Hebrew scriptures and his thesis about the formation of montheism will assist anyone who wishes to extend understanding of the Bible as a foundational text for Western civilization and to comprehend the relationship between faith formation and place. -- James W. Hood Friends JournalTable of ContentsAcknowledgments A Note on Translation Chronology Prologue 1. Environment and Culture 2. The Ecological Context 3. The First Riverine Domain 4. The Pastoral Domain 5. The Second Riverine Domain 6. The Desert Domain 7. The Rainfed Domain 8. The Maritime Domain 9. The Urban Domain 10. The Exile Domain 11. The Overarching Unity Epilogue Appendixes 1. On the Historical Validity of the Bible 2. Perceptions of Humanity's Role on God's Earth 3. Selected Passages Regarding the Seven Domains Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn inside look at the experience of space travel and the destinations we may one day visit as space tourists.Trade ReviewThere is no other book for the popular reader that addresses the many serious challenges involved in deep space travel. Understanding these issues is essential for anyone with an interest in space exploration. The Traveler's Guide to Space does an excellent job at looking at the whole picture, from space tourists to one-way colonization; from physical to psychological challenges. -- Robert Geller, University of California, Santa Barbara The Traveler's Guide to Space takes you on an amazing adventure and gives you the perspective that only a seasoned scientist can. Neil Comins presents a thorough and timely account of the incredible sights that await any solar system traveler, as well as scientific insight into the sensations, pitfalls, and wonders both geological and astronomical that he or she will encounter along the way. -- Andrew West, astronomer Neil F. Comins has written the go-to book for anyone interested in space exploration. Uncovered Books This makes an excellent primer for anyone, especially astronomy enthusiasts and budding astronauts, who can't afford a ticket to space and wish to visit in spirit. Booklist The Traveler's Guide to Space is a delight... don't leave Earth without it. New Scientist Reading The Traveler's Guide to Space will help the reader have a better grasp on what is happening in current events. -- Steve Canipe National Science Teachers Association A listing of the book in Science Book News ([published weekly.) Science Book NewsTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Preparing for Space 1. Science and the Solar System Over Easy 2. Brief Descriptions of Journeys Through Space 3. Preparing for Your Trip 4. Training for Space Travel Part II: Adjusting to Space 5. Launch! 6. Adjustments During the First Few Days 7. Long-Term Physical Adjustments to Space 8. Getting Along in Space: Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Space Travel Part III: Making the Most of Experiences in Space 9. Experiences by Destination Part IV: Home! Sweet? Home? 10. Emigrating to Mars or Returning to Earth Appendix: Powers of Ten Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWeird Dinosaurs examines the latest breakthroughs and new technologies radically transforming our understanding of the distant past. Pickrell opens a vivid portal to a brand new age of fossil discovery, in which fossil hunters are routinely redefining what we know and how we think about prehistory's most iconic and fascinating creatures.Trade ReviewThis history of the discovery of some of the most outlandish creatures that ever lived, and the excitement of paleontological research, will be sure to both entertain and instruct. No other such historical narrative exists that is focused on weird extinct beasts. -- Spencer Lucas, author of Dinosaurs: The Textbook, sixth edition Fascinating... Readers learn of beautiful opalised dinosaur bones from Australia and a crested dinosaur found approximately 13,000 feet up Antarctica's Mt. Kirkpatrick, demonstrating that dinosaurs were widely distributed across the globe. Publishers Weekly In the 26 years since Jurassic Park was released we have unearthed about 75 per cent of all known dinosaur species... Weird Dinosaurs is a tour de force through the latest digs across the planet. It features the amazing people unearthing new fossils and highlights the odd reptiles that roamed all corners of the earth millions of years ago. -- Marcus Strom Sydney Morning Herald Australian Geographic editor John Pickrell brings us up to date with Weird Dinosaurs, using the species' often bizarre features as a giddy hook. Some had bat-like wings, some had elaborate neck frills, others shock with how large (or small) they were. Pickrell spends a lot of time on quests of individual fossil hunters and he shifts the focus from traditional fossil destinations such as North America to current hotspots China, Mongolia and Antarctica. -- Doug Wallen The Big Issue, Australia Weird Dinosaurs is an informative and entertaining text with a nice blend of narrative and scientific fact... the facts and information included are simply fascinating. Sharon the LibrarianTable of ContentsWorld Map Foreword, by Philip Currie Introduction: A New Golden Age for Dinosaur Science 1. Monster from the Cretaceous Lagoon: The Sahara, Egypt 2. All Hail the Dino-Bat: Hebei Province, China 3. Dwarf Dinosaurs and Trailblazing Aristocrats: Transylvania, Romania 4. Horny Ornaments and Sexy Ceratopsians: Alberta, Canada 5. The 'Unusual Terrible Hands': Gobi Desert, Mongolia 6. Scandalous Behaviour and Enfluffled Vegetarians: Siberia, Russia 7. Cretaceous Creatures of the Frozen North: Alaska, United States 8. The Hidden Treasures Down Under: Lightning Ridge, Australia 9. Record-breaking titans: Patagonia, Argentina 10. Southern Killers Set Adrift: Mahajanga Basin, Madagascar 11. Polar Pioneers and the Frozen Crested Lizard: Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica Future Potential Glossary Further Reading Acknowledgments Notes Credits Index

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Book SynopsisOn the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth.Trade ReviewOn the Prowl is a superb book, both enjoyable and instructive. I’m greatly impressed with the huge amount of data that Hallett and Harris have collected and presented in a most readable manner. The complex evolutionary history and relationships of the cats will keep researchers arguing for years. -- George Schaller, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author of The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey RelationsOn the Prowl brings together biological and paleontological research related to the origins and history of the big cats, with an original emphasis on Asiatic data, paying homage to their majesty, dignity, and beauty. Mark Hallett’s artwork has succeeded brilliantly in capturing their inner spirit and character, their vulnerability and vitality. This book will serve the noble goals of making people aware of the fragility of ecosystems and revealing the moral obligation to preserve and protect extant species. -- Christine Argot, research professor and curator of collections, Muséum National d’Histoire NaturelleHallett and Harris guide the reader on a 20-million-year tour of predator and prey evolution, using environmental change as an engine for adaptation and extinction. The narrative is engaging, spiked with a touch of controversy, and supported by superb illustrations. For those interested in the evolutionary origins of big cats, On the Prowl would be a valuable addition to your library. -- Christopher Shaw, Idaho Museum of Natural History[An] erudite study of big cats. * Nature *Will have many a book lover purring with pleasure. * The Inquisitive Biologist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPreface1. Threads in the Fabric of Time2. Anatomy of a Hunter3. A Breath of Frost4. Beyond the Distant Horizons5. Testimony of the Caves6. Aftermath of an Ice Age7. Man the Destroyer8. The Steeds of DurgaAppendix 1: Distribution of Pantherins and Other Felids in Geologic TimeAppendix 2: Pantherin Dispersals Across the WorldAppendix 3: Taking ActionAppendix 4: Species of the Genus PantheraGlossarySourcesSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisIn The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating stories behind the most important fossil finds and the intrepid researchers who unearthed them. He weaves together the dramatic tales of dinosaur discoveries with what modern science now knows about the species to which they belong.Trade ReviewOne of the 10 best nonfiction books to read in science. * New Scientist *Solid proof that dinosaurs through scientific eyes are no less fascinating than they are in the movies. * Kirkus Reviews *[Prothero] delivers another winning popular science book...dinosaur buffs will be delighted, fascinated, and entertained. * Publishers Weekly *After a couple of pages, Donald Prothero had me hooked...like attending the best kind of dinner party, replete with entertaining stories. -- Brian Clegg * Popular Science *From the desk of a seasoned and much celebrated California-based palaeontologist, this a story of imagination, rivalry, mistake and often not-so-quiet genius. * New Scientist *Excellent summer reading! * Greg Laden Blog *Another entertaining trip through the history of science, this time focusing on paleontology. * Physics Today *A grand tour of dinosaurs, from one of our most prolific natural history writers. I've been reading Donald Prothero's books since I began studying geology in college, and here he delivers again, with a romping chronicle of some of the most charismatic dinosaurs and the equally fascinating people who have studied them. -- Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursThis is a highly readable and compelling historical tour of our discovery of dinosaurs, and it focuses on many fascinating stories. It provides equal balance on both human history and the lives and adventures of the people behind the relevant dinosaurs, and scientific thinking on the dinosaurs themselves and adjacent areas of controversy. -- Darren Naish, author of Dinosaurs: How They Lived and EvolvedThis book is excellent. Rather than simply a profile of twenty-five dinosaurs, it puts each of these in context of its discovery and significance in terms of the science of paleontology, as well as comparisons with close relations. Thus, it covers hundreds of dinosaurs, not just twenty-five. -- Thomas R. Holtz Jr., University of MarylandThere are many dinosaur books on the market but very few are written in such an engaging and informative manner – “The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries” by Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating story of how our knowledge regarding the Dinosauria has evolved and changed over time – and what a superb read it is! We doff our hard hats to you sir, once again you have produced an extremely informative and enjoyable read. * Everything Dinosaur *This is a great book for folks interested in dinosaurs, from high schoolers through adult readers. * Choice *A highly accomplished synthesis of ideas and a keen up-to-date summary. . . . I recommend the book for the shelf of any professional paleontologist interested in dinosaurs, and for many amateurs who want to take a deeper dive into the field. * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. In the Beginning1. Megalosaurus: The “Great Lizard,” the “Scrotum Humanum”, and the First Named Dinosaur2. Iguanodon: Gideon Mantell, Louis Dollo, and the First Dinosaur Fauna3. Cetiosaurus: The “Whale Lizard,” Richard Owen, and the First Known Sauropod4. Hadrosaurus: Joseph Leidy and the First American Dinosaur5. Eoraptor: The First DinosaursPart II. The Long-Necked Giants6. Plateosaurus: Ancestors of the Giants7. Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus: Marsh, Cope, and the Bone Wars8. Diplodocus: The Real “Jurassic Park” and Carnegie’s Gift9. Giraffatitan: The Tallest of the Tall, and the Tendaguru 10. Patagotitan: Who’s the Biggest of Them All?Part III. Red in Tooth and Claw: The Theropods11. Coelophysis: The Little Dinosaur of Ghost Ranch12. Cryolophosaurus: Denizen of the Polar Darkness13. Spinosaurus: Lost Giants of Egypt14. Tyrannosaurus: King of the Tyrant Reptiles15. Giganotosaurus: Biggest Predator of All?16. Deinocheirus: “Terrible Hands” Lead to Big Surprises17. Velociraptor: “Terrible Claws” and the Dinosaur Renaissance18. Sinosauropteryx: Feathered Dinosaurs and the Origin of BirdsPart IV. Horns and Spikes and Armor and Duck Beaks: The Ornithischians19. Heterodontosaurus: The Origin of Ornithischians20. Stegosaurus: The “Roofed Lizard” and the Thagomizer21. Ankylosaurus: Armored Dinosaurs and “Mr. Bones”22. Corythosaurus: Duckbills with Headgear23. Stegoceras: The “Unicorn Dinosaur” and the Boneheads24. Protoceratops: The Griffin Legend and the Origin of Horned Dinosaurs25. Triceratops: The “Dinosaurian Bison” and the Last of the DinosaursIndex

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Book SynopsisIn The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating stories behind the most important fossil finds and the intrepid researchers who unearthed them. He weaves together the dramatic tales of dinosaur discoveries with what modern science now knows about the species to which they belong.Trade ReviewOne of the 10 best nonfiction books to read in science. * New Scientist *Solid proof that dinosaurs through scientific eyes are no less fascinating than they are in the movies. * Kirkus Reviews *[Prothero] delivers another winning popular science book...dinosaur buffs will be delighted, fascinated, and entertained. * Publishers Weekly *After a couple of pages, Donald Prothero had me hooked...like attending the best kind of dinner party, replete with entertaining stories. -- Brian Clegg * Popular Science *From the desk of a seasoned and much celebrated California-based palaeontologist, this a story of imagination, rivalry, mistake and often not-so-quiet genius. * New Scientist *Excellent summer reading! * Greg Laden Blog *Another entertaining trip through the history of science, this time focusing on paleontology. * Physics Today *A grand tour of dinosaurs, from one of our most prolific natural history writers. I've been reading Donald Prothero's books since I began studying geology in college, and here he delivers again, with a romping chronicle of some of the most charismatic dinosaurs and the equally fascinating people who have studied them. -- Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursThis is a highly readable and compelling historical tour of our discovery of dinosaurs, and it focuses on many fascinating stories. It provides equal balance on both human history and the lives and adventures of the people behind the relevant dinosaurs, and scientific thinking on the dinosaurs themselves and adjacent areas of controversy. -- Darren Naish, author of Dinosaurs: How They Lived and EvolvedThis book is excellent. Rather than simply a profile of twenty-five dinosaurs, it puts each of these in context of its discovery and significance in terms of the science of paleontology, as well as comparisons with close relations. Thus, it covers hundreds of dinosaurs, not just twenty-five. -- Thomas R. Holtz Jr., University of MarylandThere are many dinosaur books on the market but very few are written in such an engaging and informative manner – “The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries” by Donald R. Prothero tells the fascinating story of how our knowledge regarding the Dinosauria has evolved and changed over time – and what a superb read it is! We doff our hard hats to you sir, once again you have produced an extremely informative and enjoyable read. * Everything Dinosaur *This is a great book for folks interested in dinosaurs, from high schoolers through adult readers. * Choice *A highly accomplished synthesis of ideas and a keen up-to-date summary. . . . I recommend the book for the shelf of any professional paleontologist interested in dinosaurs, and for many amateurs who want to take a deeper dive into the field. * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. In the Beginning1. Megalosaurus: The “Great Lizard,” the “Scrotum Humanum”, and the First Named Dinosaur2. Iguanodon: Gideon Mantell, Louis Dollo, and the First Dinosaur Fauna3. Cetiosaurus: The “Whale Lizard,” Richard Owen, and the First Known Sauropod4. Hadrosaurus: Joseph Leidy and the First American Dinosaur5. Eoraptor: The First DinosaursPart II. The Long-Necked Giants6. Plateosaurus: Ancestors of the Giants7. Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus: Marsh, Cope, and the Bone Wars8. Diplodocus: The Real “Jurassic Park” and Carnegie’s Gift9. Giraffatitan: The Tallest of the Tall, and the Tendaguru 10. Patagotitan: Who’s the Biggest of Them All?Part III. Red in Tooth and Claw: The Theropods11. Coelophysis: The Little Dinosaur of Ghost Ranch12. Cryolophosaurus: Denizen of the Polar Darkness13. Spinosaurus: Lost Giants of Egypt14. Tyrannosaurus: King of the Tyrant Reptiles15. Giganotosaurus: Biggest Predator of All?16. Deinocheirus: “Terrible Hands” Lead to Big Surprises17. Velociraptor: “Terrible Claws” and the Dinosaur Renaissance18. Sinosauropteryx: Feathered Dinosaurs and the Origin of BirdsPart IV. Horns and Spikes and Armor and Duck Beaks: The Ornithischians19. Heterodontosaurus: The Origin of Ornithischians20. Stegosaurus: The “Roofed Lizard” and the Thagomizer21. Ankylosaurus: Armored Dinosaurs and “Mr. Bones”22. Corythosaurus: Duckbills with Headgear23. Stegoceras: The “Unicorn Dinosaur” and the Boneheads24. Protoceratops: The Griffin Legend and the Origin of Horned Dinosaurs25. Triceratops: The “Dinosaurian Bison” and the Last of the DinosaursIndex

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Book SynopsisIn Fantastic Fossils, Donald R. Prothero offers an accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated guide to the paleontologist’s journey. He details the best places to look for fossils, the art of how to find them, and how to classify the major types.Trade ReviewThis book condenses most of what you find in a college textbook on paleontology into a concise, readable handbook that explains everything from how to find and collect fossils to how to assign them scientific names. No fossil enthusiast should be without it! -- Spencer G. Lucas, Curator of Paleontology, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and ScienceDonald Prothero knows how to use the written word to make paleontology exciting, and the literary adventure he takes us on in his latest book, Fantastic Fossils, is definitely worth the price of admission. Via prose and a plethora of illustrations, Prothero shepherds us from badlands to beaches and quarries to roadcuts; all of these peregrinations give the reader a sense of what it’s like to be on a paleontological quest. As part of this metaphorical pursuit one also receives practical knowledge; the reader comes to understand not only how to collect and identify fossils but also their broader significance as natural history objects with myriad implications for ecology, evolution and climate change. Prothero’s book features the remark that: “Fossils are cool. Fossils are amazing.” I concur, and if you do too, or if you’re anyone from nine to ninety who wants to learn more about fossils, you should definitely check out this book. -- Bruce S. Lieberman, Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of KansasProthero is a prolific author of popular paleontology titles. Meeting his usual excellent standard, this delightful and wide-ranging book provides an engaging grounding in the basics of paleontology and geology, alongside information on many of the common creatures budding fossil hunters are likely to encounter. -- John Pickrell, author of Flying Dinosaurs and Weird DinosaursThe text is easy to understand, with limited use of jargon, and will be most helpful to beginners who want to know more about fossils but have limited geological understanding. * Choice *Accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated. A must have for anyone with an interest in fossils. * Birdbooker Report *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. Fossils Are Where You Find Them1. Fantastic Fossils2. How Are Fossils Formed?3. What Kinds of Rocks Yield Fossils?4. Where Do You Find Fossils?5. Dating Fossils6. Collecting Fossils: Badlands7. Collecting Fossils: Beaches8. Collecting Fossils: Quarries and Roadcuts9. The Crucial Step: Collecting DataPart II. Identifying Your Fossils10. What’s in a Name?11. Phylum Porifera: Sponges and Their Relatives12. Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterates): Sea Jellies, Sea Anemones, and Corals13. Phylum Brachiopoda: Brachiopods, or Lamp Shells14. Phylum Bryozoa: Bryozoans, or Moss Animals15. Phylum Arthropoda: Trilobites and Their Relatives16. Phylum Mollusca: Clams, Snail, Squids, and Their Relatives17. Phylum Echinodermata: Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Their Relatives18. Phylum Hemichordata: Graptolites19. Phylum Chordata: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals20. Paleobotany: Fossil PlantsIndex

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Book SynopsisIn Fantastic Fossils, Donald R. Prothero offers an accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated guide to the paleontologist’s journey. He details the best places to look for fossils, the art of how to find them, and how to classify the major types.Trade ReviewThis book condenses most of what you find in a college textbook on paleontology into a concise, readable handbook that explains everything from how to find and collect fossils to how to assign them scientific names. No fossil enthusiast should be without it! -- Spencer G. Lucas, Curator of Paleontology, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and ScienceDonald Prothero knows how to use the written word to make paleontology exciting, and the literary adventure he takes us on in his latest book, Fantastic Fossils, is definitely worth the price of admission. Via prose and a plethora of illustrations, Prothero shepherds us from badlands to beaches and quarries to roadcuts; all of these peregrinations give the reader a sense of what it’s like to be on a paleontological quest. As part of this metaphorical pursuit one also receives practical knowledge; the reader comes to understand not only how to collect and identify fossils but also their broader significance as natural history objects with myriad implications for ecology, evolution and climate change. Prothero’s book features the remark that: “Fossils are cool. Fossils are amazing.” I concur, and if you do too, or if you’re anyone from nine to ninety who wants to learn more about fossils, you should definitely check out this book. -- Bruce S. Lieberman, Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of KansasProthero is a prolific author of popular paleontology titles. Meeting his usual excellent standard, this delightful and wide-ranging book provides an engaging grounding in the basics of paleontology and geology, alongside information on many of the common creatures budding fossil hunters are likely to encounter. -- John Pickrell, author of Flying Dinosaurs and Weird DinosaursThe text is easy to understand, with limited use of jargon, and will be most helpful to beginners who want to know more about fossils but have limited geological understanding. * Choice *Accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated. A must have for anyone with an interest in fossils. * Birdbooker Report *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. Fossils Are Where You Find Them1. Fantastic Fossils2. How Are Fossils Formed?3. What Kinds of Rocks Yield Fossils?4. Where Do You Find Fossils?5. Dating Fossils6. Collecting Fossils: Badlands7. Collecting Fossils: Beaches8. Collecting Fossils: Quarries and Roadcuts9. The Crucial Step: Collecting DataPart II. Identifying Your Fossils10. What’s in a Name?11. Phylum Porifera: Sponges and Their Relatives12. Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterates): Sea Jellies, Sea Anemones, and Corals13. Phylum Brachiopoda: Brachiopods, or Lamp Shells14. Phylum Bryozoa: Bryozoans, or Moss Animals15. Phylum Arthropoda: Trilobites and Their Relatives16. Phylum Mollusca: Clams, Snail, Squids, and Their Relatives17. Phylum Echinodermata: Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Their Relatives18. Phylum Hemichordata: Graptolites19. Phylum Chordata: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals20. Paleobotany: Fossil PlantsIndex

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Book SynopsisAda Smailbegović shows how twentieth- and twenty-first-century writers have intermingled scientific methodologies with poetic form to reveal unfolding processes of change. Poetics of Liveliness moves across scales to explore the realms of molecules, fibers, tissues, and clouds.Trade ReviewIn a remarkable feat of interdisciplinary scholarship, this book plumbs the depths and scans the horizons of what it means to write on, in, of, and with “life” through a poetry and poetics of experimentation. Science meets poetry meets the ongoing unknown in a redefinition of environmental poetics—bravo! -- Cary Wolfe, author of Ecological Poetics; or, Wallace Stevens’s BirdsSmailbegović addresses the entwined relations between contemporary North American poetry and developments in philosophy, art, and science. She argues that each of these fields or practices address the same kinds of complexity in the world, both enabling language to emerge from the world (whether in human or animal form) and materiality to complexify and elaborate itself chemically and evolutionarily. -- Elizabeth Grosz, author of The Incorporeal: Ontology, Ethics, and the Limits of MaterialismWriting as a poet versed in biology, physics, and meteorology, Smailbegović explains minute and slow-moving material phenomena as acutely as she does poetic nuance. Rather than unveil worlds normally imperceptible at human scale, her “edge work” tracks partial contact between actants moving past and through one another at different speeds. Offering a feminist account of the pliability or softness of matter, Poetics of Liveliness reads as an incipient, emergent organism in its own right, slowly and recursively proceeding by multiplying surfaces of responsiveness. -- Anne-Lise François, author of Open Secrets: The Literature of Uncounted ExperiencePoetics of Liveliness has two muses. One, Gertrude Stein, is named; the other, William Blake, is the “unnamed form” animating this book of wonders. Meshing handwork to brainwork, Blake’s multimedia inventions release from “the merely natural” a body of knowledge—and knowledge of bodies—that is larger, more minutely organized, and more alive than our philosophy had dreamt of. Smailbegović proves herself a member of Blake’s tribe, not just its ethnographer. Her study addresses poetry and poetics, new and old ontology, science, technology, and media studies, and ecopoetics. -- Marjorie Levinson, author of Thinking Through Poetry: Field Reports on Romantic LyricSmailbegovic’s book serves as connective tissue between a scientific treatment of literature and a deeper consideration of what it means to think with the nonhuman in all scales and on all levels of sentience. * ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment *Poetics of Liveliness is an essential read for anyone who’s interested in the connections between science and literature, and in the tremendous potential they hold for the future of critical theory and for its immediate present. * Textual Practice *[A] valuable and original contribution to interdisciplinary studies . . . it will be appealing not only to literary scholars, but also to a broader audience of philosophers, ecologists, new materialists, and possibly even to the scientific community, from entomologists to physicists. Because of its strong theoretical foundations, Poetics of Liveliness will surely act as a catalyst for future inquiries into the study of material ecologies. * H-Environment, H-Net Reviews *Poetics of Liveliness operates . . . scalarly, moves fluidly between the realms of the very small and the very large, revealing relationships between multifaceted, nonhuman material assemblages, while Smailbegović’s expertise in a variety of scientific fields buttresses the author’s ability to build the necessary information networks as she moves through the diverse levels of those relationships. * Jacket2 *For readers intrigued by the material turn (and its discontents), and no less for readers curious about what lies at the forefront of materialist-poetic experimentation today, Poetics of Liveliness should not be missed. * American Literary History *[Smailbegović's] project is to break down reified discourses of materiality by means of a poetics as lively as the nonhuman things it describes, or decorates. It is a significant, serious, yet playful account of how, in the hands of these poet-naturalists, metaphor can be used strategically to liberate readers and their reading matter alike. * Modernism/modernity *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPart I: Textures of Change Introduction: Poetic Cosmologies1. Soft Matter2. Poetry and SciencePart II: Poetic Laboratories of Matter 3. Molecules: From Code to Shape4. Fibers: Edge Textures and Nonhuman Scales of Sense5. Tissues: Histological Landscapes and the Substances of Character6. Clouds: Cloud-Writing and the Movement of QualitiesCoda: Toward a Haptic PoeticsNotesWorks CitedIndex

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Book SynopsisQuestioning Borders explores recent ecoliterature by Han and non-Han Indigenous writers of China and Taiwan, analyzing relations among humans, animals, ecosystems, and the cosmos in search of alternative possibilities for creativity and consciousness.Trade ReviewIn this groundbreaking book, Robin Visser explores the shifting incarnations of the border as a territorial gateway, a contact zone, a liminal terrain, and an imaginary portal. She delves into the intersection of ethnic, cultural, political—and especially ecological—dynamics that inform cartographies and cosmologies of Sinophone states. A fantastic work. -- David Der-wei Wang, author of Why Fiction Matters in Contemporary ChinaA comprehensive and illuminating comparison of Chinese and Indigenous literatures on the border ecologies of China and Taiwan. Questioning Borders sheds light on the power dynamics of China as a settler-colonialist regime in which Indigenous ecocriticism confronts the Chinese imperial geography of center and periphery, which underpins both China’s development strategies and even the most radical Chinese ecoliteratures. -- Uradyn E. Bulag, author of Collaborative Nationalism: The Politics of Friendship on China’s Mongolian FrontierThis illuminating book offers deep insights into the tensions, interactions, and reciprocity among diverse ecologies, ethnicities, humans, and nonhumans. Robin Visser’s brilliant analysis of ecoliterature by Han and Indigenous authors makes this book a must-read for students of environmental humanities. -- Ban Wang, author of At Home in Nature: Technology, Labor, and Critical Ecology in Modern ChinaVisser’s Questioning Borders provides a timely critical intervention that destabilizes the historically established borders and center-periphery relationship within the cultural and political imaginaries of the Hanspace. It offers rich textual studies on Indigenous ecoliteratures in China and Taiwan. A must-read for those interested in Chinese, Sinophone, global, and transnational Indigenous ecocriticism. -- Chia-ju Chang, editor of Chinese Environmental Humanities: Practices of Environing at the MarginsQuestioning Borders radically approaches contemporary literatures of the Chinese world via critical discourses of ecocriticism, global Indigenous studies, and decolonization theory. Incorporating diverse Han majority and ethnic minority writing, the volume charts the emergent Chinese cosmology of the present dynamic era and stimulates deep yet far-ranging conversations. An exciting book. -- Mark Bender, editor of The Borderlands of Asia: Culture, Place, PoetryGroundbreaking . . . Visser’s breathtaking scope is both incredibly ambitious and highly effective. One of the most significant contributions of Questioning Borders is its systematic examination, for the first time in English-language scholarship, of authors writing about nature from less-studied ethnic groups in the field of modern Chinese literature. -- Cheng Li * ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Ecoliteratures Inhabiting Borders1. Beijing Westerns and Hanspace Elixirs in Southwest China2. Grassland Logic and Desert Carbon Imaginaries in Inner Mongolia3. Sacred Routes and Dark Humor in Grounded Xinjiang4. Cosmic Ecologies and Transcendent Tricksters on the Tibetan Plateau5. Island Excursions and Indigenous Waterways in Activist TaiwanEpilogue: Indigenous Entanglements in Techno HypersubjectivityAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisQuestioning Borders explores recent ecoliterature by Han and non-Han Indigenous writers of China and Taiwan, analyzing relations among humans, animals, ecosystems, and the cosmos in search of alternative possibilities for creativity and consciousness.Trade ReviewIn this groundbreaking book, Robin Visser explores the shifting incarnations of the border as a territorial gateway, a contact zone, a liminal terrain, and an imaginary portal. She delves into the intersection of ethnic, cultural, political—and especially ecological—dynamics that inform cartographies and cosmologies of Sinophone states. A fantastic work. -- David Der-wei Wang, author of Why Fiction Matters in Contemporary ChinaA comprehensive and illuminating comparison of Chinese and Indigenous literatures on the border ecologies of China and Taiwan. Questioning Borders sheds light on the power dynamics of China as a settler-colonialist regime in which Indigenous ecocriticism confronts the Chinese imperial geography of center and periphery, which underpins both China’s development strategies and even the most radical Chinese ecoliteratures. -- Uradyn E. Bulag, author of Collaborative Nationalism: The Politics of Friendship on China’s Mongolian FrontierThis illuminating book offers deep insights into the tensions, interactions, and reciprocity among diverse ecologies, ethnicities, humans, and nonhumans. Robin Visser’s brilliant analysis of ecoliterature by Han and Indigenous authors makes this book a must-read for students of environmental humanities. -- Ban Wang, author of At Home in Nature: Technology, Labor, and Critical Ecology in Modern ChinaVisser’s Questioning Borders provides a timely critical intervention that destabilizes the historically established borders and center-periphery relationship within the cultural and political imaginaries of the Hanspace. It offers rich textual studies on Indigenous ecoliteratures in China and Taiwan. A must-read for those interested in Chinese, Sinophone, global, and transnational Indigenous ecocriticism. -- Chia-ju Chang, editor of Chinese Environmental Humanities: Practices of Environing at the MarginsQuestioning Borders radically approaches contemporary literatures of the Chinese world via critical discourses of ecocriticism, global Indigenous studies, and decolonization theory. Incorporating diverse Han majority and ethnic minority writing, the volume charts the emergent Chinese cosmology of the present dynamic era and stimulates deep yet far-ranging conversations. An exciting book. -- Mark Bender, editor of The Borderlands of Asia: Culture, Place, PoetryGroundbreaking . . . Visser’s breathtaking scope is both incredibly ambitious and highly effective. One of the most significant contributions of Questioning Borders is its systematic examination, for the first time in English-language scholarship, of authors writing about nature from less-studied ethnic groups in the field of modern Chinese literature. -- Cheng Li * ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Ecoliteratures Inhabiting Borders1. Beijing Westerns and Hanspace Elixirs in Southwest China2. Grassland Logic and Desert Carbon Imaginaries in Inner Mongolia3. Sacred Routes and Dark Humor in Grounded Xinjiang4. Cosmic Ecologies and Transcendent Tricksters on the Tibetan Plateau5. Island Excursions and Indigenous Waterways in Activist TaiwanEpilogue: Indigenous Entanglements in Techno HypersubjectivityAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book is a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated compendium of the characteristics and properties of the plants used in making beer around the world. The botanical expert Giuseppe Caruso presents scientifically rigorous descriptions, accompanied by his own hand-drawn ink images, of more than 500 species.Trade ReviewNamed one of the top beer and booze books of 2022. * Forbes.com *Brewers like to talk about how beer makes connections. These are never stronger than when the ingredients used to make a batch come from a world we know. Giuseppe Caruso has created a voluminous guide to making this happen. Open it to any page and you’ll think, "Yeah, I can make a beer with that. A connection, too." -- Stan Hieronymus, author of Brewing Local: American-Grown BeerCaruso's The Botany of Beer is masterfully researched, global in scope, and smartly organized. As a brewer passionate about making beer that's closely tied to nature, I found this book to be very practical, useful, and informative. It gets the creative juices flowing by opening my eyes to a world of possible flavor and aroma additions tied to nature. -- Jeffrey Stuffings, cofounder of Jester King BreweryDr. Caruso’s work is an essential collection that documents the vast life of plants in the creation of beer, beyond simply hops and grain. This isn’t a how-to, per se; rather it is a vital record that shows precisely which plant parts can be (and have been) used in beer, chemical compounds of each that convey flavor and aroma, and both historical and contemporary instances of use in beer manufacturing. -- from the foreword by Marika Josephson, co-owner and brewer, Scratch Brewing CompanyAn astoundingly useful book. * Non Stop Reader *An excellent reference for those with a serious interest in beer, botany, or both of the above. * The Introverted Yogi *It is a well organized, useful directory of familiar and unfamiliar plants from North America and the rest of the globe. It has already served me and my brewing team well in conceiving new beer recipes. * Botany BrewFarm Blog *If you enjoy brewing with foraged or natural ingredients, this book is essential. * Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine *An astounding amount of information for the advanced amateur or professional brewer who is interested in experimenting with ingredients beyond barley and hops. * American Brewer *Table of ContentsAn Infinite World, by Teo Musso, Le BaladinForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroductionIn Praise of G-locality, by Andrea Pieroni and Michele F. FontefrancescoAbout the Plants and Beer MakingA Botanical Beer-Making CompendiumThe Botanical Beer-Making ProfileBotanical Beer-Making ProfilesOther Beer-Making Plant SpeciesGlossaryBibliographyIndex of Common Names

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Book SynopsisBotanical illustrations accompany text by nature writer and botanist Michael Scott. Press-out sections enable you to reveal the outlines of the flowers and transform your book into a work of art. Table of ContentsPress-out illustrations of over 50 species of flower from across the globe, each accompanied by approx. 250 to 300 words of descriptive text.

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Book SynopsisThis book celebrates the sheer variety of cats around the world, with photography accompanied by text that describes the key characteristics of over 50 species. Create a paperscape.Table of ContentsPress-out illustrations of 52 species of cats from across the globe, each accompanied by approx. 250 to 300 words of descriptive text.

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Book SynopsisThis book celebrates the sheer variety of dogs, with photography accompanied by text that describes the key characteristics and personality traits of each of over 50 species. Create a paperscape.Table of ContentsPress-out illustrations of 52 breeds of dog from across the globe, each accompanied by approx. 250 to 300 words of descriptive text.

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Book SynopsisFergus Chadwick grew up in rural County Durham in the UK, and from an early age his interest in nature was apparent. Spending most of his childhood chasing insects, he took up beekeeping at the age of 13, under the mentorship of local beekeeper John Simon. From that moment on, he was hooked on bees. He went on to study Biological Sciences at Somerville College, the University of Oxford, where his work on the relationship between bees and neonicotinoid pesticides (carried out at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) formed the basis of his dissertation. His current research focuses broadly on bee behaviour under the influence of pesticides. He is a passionate advocate of science communication and access to education. Steve Alton is an ecologist, botanist, and beekeeper's assistant who looks after Ashdown Forest, an area of heathland in Sussex best known as the home of Winnie the Pooh. Before that he worked for 13 years at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, collecting seeds for thTrade ReviewBeautifully designed with great illustrations and pictures * BBC Good Food *

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Book SynopsisConsidered a classic at the time of its publication in 1910, A Shepherd''s Life is a rare account of the lives of those who lived on and worked the land in nineteenth-century rural Britain. A masterful work of prose, W. H. Hudson focuses on the story of one man, a Wiltshire shepherd named Caleb Bawcombe, whose tales of sheep dogs, farmer''s wives, poachers and local fairs become a sublime account of a way of life that has largely disappeared from these shores.

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Book SynopsisThe young naturalist W. N. P. Barbellion described this remarkably candid record of living with multiple sclerosis as ''a study in the nude''. It begins as an ambitious teenager''s notes on the natural world, and then, following his diagnosis at the age of twenty-six, transforms into a deeply moving account of battling the disease. His prose is full of humour and fierce intelligence, and combines a passion for life with clear-sighted reflections on the nature of death. Barbellion selected and edited this manuscript himself in 1917, adding a fictional editor''s note announcing his own demise. This Penguin Classics edition includes ''The Last Diary'', which covers the period between submission of the manuscript and Barbellion''s actual death in 1919.Trade ReviewHis work has permanent value -- Arnold Bennett Letter to Barbellion's widow Among the most moving diaries ever created -- Ronald Blythe Each Returning Day: The Pleasure of Diaries A furious, sometimes ecstatic, volatile little book -- William Atkins Guardian His is the greatest diary a man has written -- Thomas Mallon A Book of One's Own: People and Their Diaries As great in its own right as anything which James Joyce was to write -- James Mildren Western Morning News

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Book SynopsisA fantastic first book on butterflies and moths, this is the perfect companion for bug hunters ages 6 and up eager to understand how caterpillars become butterflies.Nature Explorers: Butterflies and Moths encourages little explorers to get outside and covers everything you need to know about these critters, including cocoons, wings, caterpillars, and eggs. Children can learn about butterflies and moths from all over the world, from their very own gardens to woodland, mountains, rainforest, desert, and even the Arctic.With exciting activities, like how to make a butterfly kite, and plenty of fun facts, this beautiful book is a must-have for children curious about butterflies and moths.About the series:The Nature Explorers series is a fantastic first set of books on the great outdoors for children aged 6 to 8. From birds, to weather, to the seashore, and more, the key topics of each subject are explained with plenty of f

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Book SynopsisNew to Penguin Classics, the astonishing story of the Copernican Revolution, told through the words of the ground-breaking scientists who brought it aboutIn the late fifteenth century, it was believed that the earth stood motionless at the centre of a small, ordered cosmos. Just over two centuries later, everything had changed. Not only was the sun the centre of creation, but the entire practice of science had been revolutionised. This is the story of that astonishing transformation, told through the words of the astronomers and mathematicians at its heart. Bringing together excerpts from the works and letters of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, Newton and others for the first time, The Dawn of Modern Cosmology is the definitive record of one of the great turning points in human history.Edited with Translations, Notes and an Introduction by Aviva Rothman

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Book SynopsisA moving portrait of the landscape that shaped the life of Laurie Lee, the beloved author of Cider With Rosie ''Before I left the valley I thought everywhere was like this. Then I went away for 40 years and when I came back I realized that nowhere was like this.'' Laurie Lee walked out of his childhood village one summer morning to travel the world, but he was always drawn back to his beloved Slad Valley, eventually returning to make it his home. In this portrait of his Cotswold home, Laurie Lee guides us through its landscapes, and shares memories of his village youth - from his favourite pub to winter skating on the pond, the church through the seasons, local legends, learning the violin and playing jazz records in the privy on a wind-up gramophone. Filled with wry humour and a love of place, Down in the Valley is a writer''s tribute to the landscape that shaped him, and where he found peace.Trade ReviewIt is a fine thing to revisit this writer's landscape and hear his amiable voice in it again. -- Michael Caines * Times Literary Supplement *Down in the Valley is truly evocative of time and place. A beautiful illustration of how, in some way, we are all indelibly influenced by the landscape of our childhood. -- Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path

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Book SynopsisExplore the miracles of the microscopic world.Find out all about the unique and beautiful kingdoms of life at a microscopic scale and how every organism meets the challenges of survival no matter its size. The perfect book for people who enjoy photography, nature, and biology.Inside the pages of this exciting nature book, you''ll find: - Microscopic life-forms (often neglected), and their larger life-forms in extreme close-ups, revealing details such as nerve cells and hair follicles - Artworks support the beautiful images, providing a deeper insight into structure and function and building a picture of how living organisms work at a microscopic level - Comprehensive coverage of the natural world, including all the main groups of living things- Explores overlooked groups that have a huge role in the natural world: insects, which make up 80 percent of the world''s animal species; and bacteria - of which there are more in a human mouth

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Book SynopsisTravel back in time and get up close and personal with the biggest, fastest, and strangest creatures that ever roamed the earth.Take a dip with the plesiosaur that''s bigger than a bus, race the dinosaur that''s faster than a galloping horse, and grin at the big cat with teeth that are longer than daggers. Prepare to be amazed as more than 40 incredible prehistoric creatures come roaring back to life in stunning CGI reconstructions.Alongside the amazing images, SuperDinosaur is packed with incredible facts about these extraordinary creatures. Did you know that the fearsome Tyrannosaurus has the most powerful bite of any land animal that has ever lived? Or that the bizarre Amargasaurus had spines that stuck out 60 cm (24 in) from its neck? Or perhaps you fancy your chances in a staring competition with Temnodontosaurus - just be warned, its eyes are 25 cm (9.8 in) wide! Features on fascinating fossils and the latest scientific techn

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Book SynopsisFind out about more than 70 cat breeds, including their origins and characteristics, in this pocket-sized encyclopedia. This cat-alogue packs a whole lot of information into your pocket! Along with a photo of each breed, discover the facts and stats of each cat, including its size, where the breed originated, colours and markings, and unusual features or behaviours. You''ll soon be able to tell apart a Burmese from a Siamese; a rex from a sphynx and a manx; and an American shorthair from a British shorthair. You will also discover a lot about colours and patterns. Did you know that tabby cats and tortoiseshells are not breeds, but colours within breeds? Plus there are pages introducing cat anatomy and behaviour; and the book finishes with fun facts.The style of the Pocket Eyewitness series is perfect for all children, from reluctant readers who can easily digest the key points through to budding vets and cat-lovers who want to know more about the b

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Book SynopsisA richly recounted memoir of growing up in an Irish farming community in the 1940sA love of Ireland and the Irish is what shines through this little memoir. Growing up amongst the fields, woods and characters of a farming community near Cork, Kathleen Iggulden depicts a world that is both immediate and real, yet belongs to a now-distant past. Here is a pony and trap to church every Sunday, evenings full of fiddle, flute and song, and new shoes and clothes twice a year. Kathleen''s childhood in the 1930s involved two or three generations - her parents, her brother and sisters, as well as the daily lives of farmworkers and craftsmen, friends and relations. She beautifully chronicles rural celebrations and forgotten practicalities of country life - all painted with a sensitive touch and a freshness of observation. She saw her people as intensely polite, decent and innocent, with humour and music always ready. She saw them as poets, and poetry as the highe

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Book Synopsis''One of the greatest European prose writers'' Philip RothIn the autumn of 1965, Bohumil Hrabal bought a weekend cottage in the countryside east of Prague. There, until his death, he tended to an ever-growing, unruly community of cats. This is his confessional, tender and shocking meditation on the joys and torments of his life with them; how he became increasingly overwhelmed by the demands of the things he loved, even to the brink of madness.''Dark and strange ... It begins with warmth and fluffiness, but soon descends into Dostoevskian horror'' Daily Telegraph''The Czech master exposed the animal within us'' New YorkerTrade ReviewOne of the great prose stylists of the 20th century; the scourge of state censors; the gregarious bar hound and lover of gossip, beer, cats and women -- Parul SehgalHrabal, to my mind, is one of the greatest European prose writers -- Philip RothHrabal was, for all his eccentricity, a major figure in 20th-century world literature -- Jonathan CoeThe very best writer -- Milan KunderaA most sophisticated novelist, with a gusting humor and a hushed tenderness of detail -- Julian BarnesA stunningly revealing, occasionally deranged exploration of self, with cat ownership the frame through which that exploration is presented, by one of postwar Europe's greatest writers -- Kevin O'Rourke * Michigan Quarterly Review *

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Book SynopsisChris Pellant has been writing earth science books since the 1980s. These include The Complete Book of Rocks and Minerals, Fossils of the World, and Discover Science: Rocks and Fossils. In addition to his authorial work, he runs a photographic library with his wife Helen, and is a dedicated researcher and conservationist.

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Book SynopsisWill Gater is an astronomy journalist and author. He has written for several of the UK's top astronomy and science magazines and promotes both these subjects with frequent appearances on television and radio, including the BBC's Sky at Night. Anton Vamplew is a freelance astronomer. As well as writing about astronomy in books and magazine articles, he has worked at the Royal Greenwich Observatory and made regular broadcasts on BBC television and radio.

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Book SynopsisOne tree, in one garden. Can it really make a difference?In RHS The Tree in My Garden, award-winning wildlife author Kate Bradbury reveals the amazing effect planting a single tree in your garden can have - and dares to imagine what would happen if every gardener up and down the country did the same. Combining practical gardening advice, eye-opening scientific research, reflections on the cultural importance of different species, and evocative accounts of how vital trees are for countless different forms of wildlife, this book will leave you in no doubt that every garden needs a tree!This terrific tree book features a directory of 50 key species, each one beautifully illustrated by Lucille Clerc and packed with information about each tree''s appearance, care needs, and the wildlife it supports - to help you choose the best tree for your own garden, or learn more about the trees you may already have. Dive into the pages of this tree identification book to discover: - 50 illustrated profiles of a wide range of trees suitable for different gardens and preferences- Eye-opening accounts of the importance of trees for our planet, our wildlife, and ourselves- Essential practical information to help readers choose, plant, prune, and care for their tree- Ideas for making your own leaf mould and ways to get involved in community planting projects- Stunning illustrations by Lucille Clerc that convey the beauty and the mystery of treesThis book is perfect for anyone wanting to attract more wildlife to their garden! So whether you''re an environmentalist intent on reducing your carbon footprint, a budding gardener looking to choose the best tree for your outdoor space or you''re simply seeking a guide about the natural history of the trees in your garden, RHS The Tree In My Garden is something the whole family can explore, discover and love. No garden should be without a tree. Plant one, watch it grow - and become part of something bigger!Trade ReviewWith the exception of the smallest plots, I'm in complete agreement with the author that no garden is complete without at least one tree. This book harnesses Bradbury's expertise and eloquent style, and encourages us to choose a tree with wildlife in mind, from a useful selection of garden-worthy suggestions. A message that's further enhanced by Lucille Clerc's enchanting illustrations. -- Rachel de Thame * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisOn the brink of a critical moment in human history, this book presents a vision of planetary stewardship - a rethinking of our relationship with our planet - and plots a new course for our future. The authors, whose work is the subject of a new Netflix documentary released in summer 2021 and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, reveal the full scale of the planetary emergency we face - but also how we can stabilise Earth''s life support system. The necessary change is within our power if we act now. In 2009, scientists identified nine planetary boundaries that keep Earth stable, ranging from biodiversity to ozone. Beyond these boundaries lurk tipping points. To stop short of these tipping points, the 2020s must see the fastest economic transition in history. This book demonstrates how societies are reaching positive tipping points that make this transition possible: Activism groups such as Extinction Rebellion, or the schoolchildren inspi

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Book SynopsisFor kids who love stickers and bugs, this is the ultimate sticker book. It''s filled with creepy crawlies, fluttering butterflies, spindly spiders, and over 250 reusable stickers!Little entomologists will love learning all about their favourite insects and peeling the stickers from the back and sticking them all over the book. The stickers are easy to peel, perfect for little fingers!Explore the Insect World Ultimate Sticker Book: Bugs is the perfect way to engage your child with fun facts and interactive reading. Inside this fun, bug-themed activity book, you''ll find:- Over 250 reusable stickers that are easy to peel and stick to pages or other surfaces - Fun facts, puzzles and quizzes for kids to learn about creepy crawlies as they play - Gorgeous photos and illustrations that will captivate and engage children This colourful activity book keeps children engaged and learning about bugs as they play. Bright photos and stunning illustrations transport children into the world of insects. They''re challenged to find the right stickers to go with each insect and complete the picture, such as matching wings to butterflies and planting the flowers in the garden. Kids can also get creative and craft their own scenes out of different stickers, there''s no end to where their imagination can take them!Alongside the pictures are bite-sized descriptions and information that is easy to read and suitable for children 5 years and up. They will learn about the many types of insects, and what makes each of them unique. Discover how grasshoppers sing, why they have antennae, and how the giraffe beetle got its name. This sticker book inspires little ones to explore the outside world with activities such as follow the bee trail in the garden, and learn where bugs like to hide so they can look out for bugs in their own gardens. There''s also a sticker quiz at the end, so you and your pre-schooler can read and engage together.More from DK Books:If you and your child enjoyed the activities in the Ultimate Sticker Book Bugs, and want to play with some more stickers, there are lots of other creatures to learn about! Look out for Ultimate Sticker Book Animals and Ultimate Sticker Book Farm.

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Book SynopsisHazel Richardson is an author and editor of science books with a background in science research. She's the author of 16 books, including Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals, Life in the Ancient Indus River Valley, and Life in Ancient Japan.

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Book SynopsisLearn how to observe and navigate the night sky with this guide to stargazing for beginners!The dazzling reference book shines bright with crystal-clear charts of the planets, stars, and constellations in both the northern and southern hemispheres for each month of the year! It''s perfect for anyone interested in stargazing and astronomy.This unique astronomy book explains and demystifies the changing night sky. It includes:- Illustrated overviews that introduce each month with a guide to the main attractions, such as bright stars, prominent constellations, and meteor showers- An introduction explains what the universe is, our place within it, how it appears to us in the night sky, and how our view of it changes with time and place- Each illustrated overview features a planet locator, showing the position of the planets during the month introduced- Charts that show the positions of all stars visible to the naked eye in even the darke

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Book SynopsisA powerful look at one of the most important issues facing our world today - climate change.This climate change book for kids explores the past, present and future of our climate. Get the facts and figures about how our planet''s climate is changing, what the consequences will be and what you can do to help make a change!Discover everything you need to know about the climate crisis with this children''s educational book. It includes:- The perfect introduction to a subject that fascinates children and ties in with a key school topic- Fresh new look with updated photography, fun diagrams, and new eyewitness features- Updated information by expert consultants in the field- A unique visual approach that immerses children on every page and an added wall chart is full of facts and imagesDK Eyewitness Climate Change explains why human activities are making the planet heat up. Learn all about the causes of climate change, such as fossil fuels and pollution. Explore the effects that global warming has on humans and animals across the world, from more frequent hurricanes and wildfires to melting ice caps and rising sea levels. Packed with incredible facts about our Earth''s climate and written in easy-to-grasp text, this children''s book will help cultivate the climatologists of tomorrow and inspire kids to help fight the climate emergency. Stunning photographs offer a unique eyewitness view of the dramatic changes that are affecting the weather, the environment, and the way we lead our lives.With a groundbreaking visual approach and clear, child-friendly text, DK Eyewitness books have been a trusted favourite for parents, teachers, and school-age children since 1985. Now with an exciting makeover, this popular series has been reinvigorated for the next generation of information-seekers and stay-at-home explorers!

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Book SynopsisAccess the healing energy of 200 crystals and harness their power to unlock your true potential and turn your every dream and desire into reality with this new go-to guide to crystals!Discover the powerful properties of crystals and connect with their spell-binding energy to activate and charge the magical energy that surrounds you, to enrich your life with everything your heart desires. Find out which crystals hold the key to your optimum health, happiness, and harmony whilst connecting with their energy to clear and focus your mind and bring positive vibrations, self-knowledge, healing, and talismanic guidance into your every day. Unlock their power to cleanse the energy in your home, bring clarity and focus to your work, and enhance connection in your relationships.Proving the ideal crystal book for beginners, dive in and you''ll find:-A full directory of 200 crystals, alongside practical information about what they

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