Natural History Books

Book SynopsisThe Monks of New Skete, longtime breeders of German shepherds and renowned dog trainers of all breeds, have codeveloped a new training technique. In this book, the monks and Marc Goldberg, who pioneered the approach, offer a leap into the future using a game-changing tool: the remote electronic collar. The Art of Training Your Dog presents their compassionate and efficient system for the first time, with background and advice on choosing the right collar. Using a light touch—one that many humans can’t even feel—at just the right moment, helps to focus a dog’s attention. The authors help you create effortless teaching moments that tie into your dog’s natural pack instincts and help strengthen the bond with your dog. In as little as just 6 weeks, most pups will master skills like great leash manners; obey commands such as “sit”, “down”, “stay” and “place”; stop troublesome behaviours; and play safely off-leash with consistent recall.Trade Review"We first heard about the Monks of New Skete when a friend suggested their books to help us raise our sons. It worked! Their newest, The Art of Training Your Dog, is my favorite. Its very clear, step-by-step process has helped us tame our soulful, 60-pound dog Becky into a thankful, loving addition to our family." -- Mandy Patinkin"Finally, a well-structured, informative, and effective training guide to using an e-collar gently. A must for the new dog owner, as well as trainers who want to brush up on their skills using the latest technology." -- Wendy Volhard, author of Dog Training for Dummies"The method described in The Art of Training Your Dog is nothing short of miraculous. After using it, our dog no longer chased every squirrel and was better behaved, happier, and fun to take on walks." -- Karen Terio, DVM, PhD

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Book SynopsisSpecies evolve over time to become perfectly adapted to their environments, right?Well, sometimes.Consider that an elephant will not grow a seventh set of teeth, even though wearing down the sixth will condemn it to starvation; that hosts of the European cuckoo seem unable to tell that the overgrown monster in their nest is not their own chick; and that whales are fully aquatic mammals who, millions of years after first abandoning the land, still cannot breathe underwater.This book is about evolution, but not its greatest hits. Instead, it explores everything in the animal kingdom that is self-defeating, ill-made, uneconomical, or downright weird – and explains how natural selection has favoured it. In the grand struggle for survival, some surprising patterns emerge: animals are always slightly out-of-date; inefficiency tends to increase over time; predators usually lose, and parasites usually win. With equal parts humour and scientific insight, Andy Dobson is here to explain the how and why of evolution’s limits and liabilities.Trade Review‘A delightful exploration of the diversity of life and the shortcomings of evolution.’ Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale and Silent Earth‘A lively, entertaining and highly readable account of natural selection in all its quirky glory.’ Nessa Carey, author of The Epigenetics Revolution and Junk DNA‘A wonderful read – witty and profound, this book upends the usual way of thinking about evolution, instead highlighting the flaws, dead ends and downright nastiness that natural selection produces as it goes on its aimless and morally neutral way.’ E.J. Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity, University of Oxford

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Truly a definitive guide to animals of all kinds." — MetroFamily Magazine

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Norman Wirzba has done it again: this is—literally and figuratively—the most grounded (and grounding) book I've read in a long age. It will lead you to contemplation, and then, if you're lucky, to change." —Bill McKibben, author of The Comforting Whirlwind"With uncommon depth and breadth, Norman Wirzba’s Agrarian Spirit urges us to embrace and celebrate human and non-human creatures as co-becoming, embodied expressions of God’s creating and sustaining love. He urges us to acknowledge our self-insufficiency and our dependence on others as a gift and as a challenge to develop the nurturing relationships that can heal our world and inspire our hope." —Steve Bell, author of the Pilgrim Year book series"Norman Wirzba's agrarian spiritual exercises reposition us 'down and among' all living things, close to the God who sustains the life of every creature. Agrarian Spirit renews our desire to make a home in this world and to keep faith with the generations coming after us." —Stephanie Paulsell, co-editor of Goodness and the Literary Imagination "If 'incarnate spirituality' sounds like an oxymoron to you, let Norman Wirzba be your guide to the agrarian arts of faith. This book is the culmination of decades of thinking and writing and work, and there is no writer better equipped to articulate how an agrarian sensibility should shape our spiritual practices.” —Jeffrey Bilbro, author of Reading the Times and editor-in-chief at Front Porch Republic“Agrarian Spirit isn’t luddite, nostalgic, or angry. Rather, it’s a gentle, wise, and hopeful call forward, casting a vision for how to live as God’s people in God’s world. I loved this book, and it flooded my imagination with pictures of what the Kingdom of Heaven could be, right now, right in my neighborhood.” —Andrew Peterson, author of The God of the Garden"This is an inspiring synthesis of current ecological thought and spiritual reflection in the Christian tradition. . . . Wirzba acknowledges the difficulties in constructing this vision alongside the spotty record of ecological care in Christianity's past, yet he still finds possibilities within the tradition to create a framework that draws on religious meaning and energy to advocate a holistic, responsively ecological way of living." —Library Journal"There are multiple books on the philosophy and history of American agrarianism, but Norman Wirzba provides—for the first time—a comprehensive 'spirituality' of agrarian consciousness. . . . Wirzba’s book comes at the right moment, pointing us to the shared vulnerability—the deep interconnectedness—that is at the same time our plight and our salvation." —Current"This is an outstanding place to start for both personal and communal work in the redemption of our earthly call to live fully within God’s creation and live wholly in our creaturely selves. . . . Wirzba offers this gift to the church as a way for all of us to cast aside an ideology we may not have known we have, one that puts humans in a singular relationship with God and leaves all the rest of His good creation as merely a backdrop." —Christian Scholar's Review"I knew this would be a good book, and it is. In his typical clear style, Norman Wirzba takes complex philosophical arguments, agrarian practical insights, and solid theological teaching and mixes them together in accessible prose to encourage and challenge readers." —The Christian Century“At its heart, this book is an attempt to prompt readers to think more deeply about themselves as but one creature among many in God’s creation and to live more lovingly and gently in creation as a result. . . . Readers will find this a source of inspiration for pursuing a more bountiful way of life among God’s other creatures.” —Reading Religion"Our current economic habits reveal a vision of the world in which people and creation are disposable capital, to be caught up in the machinery of production and profit. In Agrarian Spirit, Wirzba offers a balm—a restorative perspective that undermines the values of disposability and exploitation." —Englewood Review of Books“Genuine, theologically nuanced and inviting.... Embodying the very dispositions he advocates in the book, Wirzba demonstrates in word and spirit how loving neighbour and place brings one closer to God's loving power, at work in the depths of the world.” —Scottish Theological Journal"Agrarian Spirit makes an important contribution to the church and academy alike. . . . Refreshingly, it is a work to be used as much as read." —International Journal of Systematic Theology"Lush. . . . a teeming garden of theological interlocutors, considerations, and concerns." —Studies in Christian Ethics"With the wisdom of a sage living close to Scripture and the land, and with the motivation of a philosopher analyzing the existential threat of today’s Anthropocene, Norman Wirzba launches readers on a spiritual journey to embrace their creaturehood and awaken to the grace and sanctity of life....A book study group, inside or outside the church, would find Agrarian Spirit a fascinating read that challenges common Gnostic-informed assumptions about spirituality, the Christian faith, and life. For pastors, church educators, and spiritual directors the book provides a wealth of material for developing various sermon series, Bible studies, and spiritual counseling resources that help seekers and people of faith reconnect Christian faith with ecology, economic life, and embodied spirituality.... In a world that seems to be racing towards ecological collapse even as it promises a technology-supported transhumanist future, Wirzba provides a spiritual path to honor and protect our creaturely humanity—no matter what trials and uncertainties the future holds."—Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and TheologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Part I – Agrarian Fundamentals 1. On Not Losing Creation 2. Why Agrarian? 3. Placing The Soul Part II – Agrarian Spiritual Exercises 4. Learning to Pray 5. Learning to See 6. Learning Descent 7. Learning Humility 8. Learning Generosity 9. Learning to Hope

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This visually striking guide honors the beautiful American landscape as it appears today."---Dave Pugl, Library Journal, starred review"[A] volume that must be savored. Turning each page is a delight for birders and nature enthusiasts alike."---Maileen Hamto, Seattle Book Review"This is a book for the naturalist, the scientist, the artist and the dreamer. It has both visual appeal and an important message for everyone. Read it, gaze at the illustrations with wonder and share it with others. Your day will be the better for having done so."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"[A book] that would make a thoughtful gift for a young aspiring writer or artist." * Another Bird Blog *"A sumptuous book, packed full of art and history with a narrative that carries one along like a Mississippi Steamboat."---Bo Beolens, Fat Birder"Glorious watercolours and sketches."---Lorraine Connolly and Hadiyah Ilyas, The Countryman"[A] lovely book."---Mark Gamin, 10,000 Birds"Both fascinating and beautiful, and the mix of history and art is likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in either [nature or art]."---Stephen Menzie, British Birds

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Book SynopsisIllustrated throughout with 200 outstanding colour photographs, Endangered Animals presents an in-depth look at around 100 species of animal from around the world, all of which are currently endangered or threatened according to the annual list drawn up by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The selection spans a broad spectrum of wildlife, from large, charismatic mammals such as the Bengal tiger to lesser-known species such as New Zealand’s kakapo, the world’s only flightless parrot, which was once presumed to be extinct. Each continent is covered, with examples carefully drawn from every habitat – from the mysterious aye-aye of Madagascar’s shrinking rainforest, to the shy spectacled bear of the high Andes. Arranged geographically, each photographic entry is supported by a fascinating caption, which explains the animal’s current plight and whether it is critically endangered or classified as vulnerable. From the Ethiopian wolf to the Bengal tiger to monk seal and dugong, Endangered Animals is a fascinating introduction to some of the most threatened species on the planet.Table of ContentsContents Introduction AFRICA 1. Addax 2. African Elephant 3. African Wild Ass 4. African Wild Dog 5. Aye-Aye 6. Black Rhino 7. Chimpanzee 8. Ethiopian Wolf 9. Mountain Gorilla 10. Nano-chameleon — Brookesia nana 11. Okapi 12. Crowned sifaka 13. Secretarybird — Sagittarius serpentarius 14. Mandrill 15. Shoebill 16. Leopard 17. Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis 18. Nile Lechwe Kobus megaceros 19. Cheetah 20. Giraffe ASIA & AUSTRALIA Arabian Oryx Asiatic Elephant Asiatic Lion Bactarian Camel Clouded Leopard Double-wattled Cassowary Giant Panda Huon Tree Kangaroo Kakapo Kiwi Lion-tailed Macaque Long Footed Potoroo Malleefowl Numbat Orangutan Red Panda Siberian Tiger Snow Leopard Sumatran Rhino Tiger Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Rafetus swinhoei Malay tapir Indian Vulture Gyps indicus Red crowned crane Painted terrapin Siamese crocodile Red slender loris Purple faced langur Chinese crocodile lizard Caspian seal Black crested gibbon Golden snub-nosed monkey Banteng Bos javanicus Philippine eagle Rufous-headed Hornbill Przewalski's Horse Equus ferus Baiji Lipotes vexillifer Pangolin Dhole Pika Visayan Warty Pig Sus cebifrons NORTH AMERICA 1. Californian Condor 2. Black-footed Ferret 3. West Indian Manatee 4. Great Prairie Chicken 5. Desert Tortoise 6. West Indian Manatee 7. Vancouver Island Marmot Marmota vancouverensis SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA 1. Spectacled Bear 2. Giant Otter 3. Chinchilla 4. Macaroni Penguin 5. Flightless Cormorant 6. Golden Lion Tamarin 7. Brown Spider monkey 8. Muriqui 9. Andean cat 10. Andean night monkey 11. Imperial Amazon 12. Cuban crocodile 13. Darwin’s fox 14. Chacoan peccary 15. Northern pudu 16. Sooty albatross 17. White-throated toucan 18. Amazon river dolphin 19. Mexican agouti EUROPE European bison Mediterranean Monk Seal Great Bustard European Sturgeon Red-Breasted Goose Saiga Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis Steppe eagle Iberian lynx THE WORLD’S OCEANS Blue Whale Right Whale Great White Shark Leatherback Turtle Dugong Sea Otter Giant Tortoise Polar Bear Beluga Rodrigues Flying Fox Pteropus rodricensis Sperm whale Harbour porpoise Hector's dolphin Marine iguana Whale shark Ocean sunfish Bluefin tuna Seahorse

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Book SynopsisWhen Joanne Lefson took on a piglet at her animal shelter, the young sow proceeded to eat everything in her stable but a paint brush. In a flash of inspiration, Joanne attempted to introduce the pig to the art of painting - and thus Pigcasso was born. Starting out with a humble canvas on the sanctuary wall, Pigcasso's paintings are now owned by the likes of George Clooney, she has a Swatch watch design partnership, a wine label, and has eclipsed the previous world record holder for animal art. She's been commissioned by Nissan and has had exhibitions in Cape Town, Munich and Amsterdam. More than that, Pigcasso's art funds the food and veterinary services for all the animals at the sanctuary.Pigcasso is the story of this unique pig and of the circumstances that brought her and Joanne together to take the art world by storm and form a unique and unbreakable bond.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review...a comprehensive and fascinating insight for all into the lives of these enigmatic creatures.—GeoscientistThis technical book gives a detailed and substantial taxon-by-taxon overview of what dinosaur skulls, jaws, and teeth reveal about what, but especially how dinosaurs ate. This is a welcome survey of an otherwise scattered literature that will be invaluable for specialists.—The Inquisitive BiologistTable of ContentsAcknowledgements1. Early Dinosaur Feeding Studies and an Introduction to Mesozoic Landscapes and Dietary Ecology2. Bones, Teeth, Muscle, and the Study of Functional Morphology3. An Overview of Dinosaur Anatomy4. Early Dinosaurs and Non-Tetanuran Theropods5. Early Tetanuran, Spinosaurid, and Allosauroid Theropods6. Early Coelurosaurian and Tyrannosauroid Theropods7. Maniraptoriform Theropods8. Early Sauropodomorphs and the Rise of Sauropods9. Neosauropods10. Heterodontosaurids and Early Thyreophorans11. Eurypodans12. Early Neornithischians and Ornithopods13. Marginocephalians14. Shaping Dinosaur EcosystemsBibliography

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Book SynopsisA BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED LOOK AT THE LIVES AND MIND-BOGGLING BEHAVIOURS OF INSECTSHow to Read an Insect takes you on an unforgettable tour of the insect world, presenting these amazing creatures as you have never seen them before.This stunningly illustrated guide puts a wealth of fascinating behaviours under the microscope – from elegant displays of courtship to brutal acts of predation. Along the way, Ross Piper charts the evolution of insects and reveals everything you need to know about how they nest, feed, reproduce and defend themselves. He concludes by discussing the impact of the human world on insects, and what we can do to prevent their decline in numbers.• Explores the remarkable lifestyles of exotic insects as well as those in your own garden.• Includes highlights from a wide range of new insect behaviour studies.• Features a wealth of breathtaking colour photos, illustrations, and graphics.

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Book SynopsisBrilliant flowers, vines of every stripe, glorious gardens galore, and more—Beautiful Blooms just begs for you to dive in and add your own spin on this bounty of blooms. Offering a wide range of gorgeous designs and scenes for you to personalize, these 120-plus stunning templates are perfect for relaxing after a serious session of weeding—or let them inspire you during the coldest months of the year. Whether you have a green thumb—or you just wish you did—you can get your garden on and find your inner peace as you bring to life lush summer gardens and birds spreading their wings. Engage your mind and imagine a light spring breeze as you focus on the task at hand and color the intricate patterns, flowers and foliage, stamens and pistils, and all manner of garden visitors, from butterflies to bumblebees. Each piece of art is line drawn and ideal for colored

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Book Synopsis“Let us teach the humans about the horror of cats!” They may seem cute and cuddly (okay, they definitely are), but this secret society of cats is up to no good! Under the direction of the purple-caped General, The Evil Secret Society of Cats schemes against humanity in a series of hilarious plots as adorable as they are diabolical. Can these cats effectively terrorise the humans, or are they doomed to be petted rather than feared? Don’t miss this full-colour manga tale of sweet but sinister shenanigans!

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Book SynopsisOrganic cattle farming is on the increase, with consumer demand for organic milk and meat growing yearly. Beginning with an overview of the aims and principles behind organic cattle production, this book presents extensive information about how to feed cattle so that the milk and meat produced meet organic standards, and provides a comprehensive summary of ruminant digestive processes and nutrition. Since the publication of the first edition, global consumers have increasingly become concerned with the sustainability of meat production. Here, Robert Blair considers the interrelationships of sustainable practices and profitability of organic herds, reviewing how to improve forage production and quality, and minimizing the need for supplementary feeding using off-farm ingredients. This new edition also covers: - Managing a recurrent shortage of organic feed ingredients, due to increased GM feed crop cultivation worldwide - Current findings on appropriate breeds and grazing systems for forage-based organic production - Diet-related health issues in organic herds and the effects of organic production on meat and milk quality. Required reading for animal science researchers, advisory personnel that service the organic milk and beef industries and students interested in organic milk and meat production, this book is also a useful resource for organic farming associations, veterinarians, and feed and food industry personnel.Table of Contents1: Introduction and Background 2: Aims and Principles of Organic Cattle Production 3: Elements of Cattle Nutrition 4: Ingredients for Organic Diets 5: Breeds for Organic Production 6: Integrating Feeding Programmes into Organic Production Systems 7: Conclusions and Recommendations for the Future

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Book SynopsisExplore Scotland with i-SPY facts, photos and fantastic spots!Beat the boredom and take time out from screens with this pocket-sized book packed with facts, photos and fantastic spots for hours of fun! It's ideal for holidays, family road trips or simply exploring your local area.Kids will have fun collecting points with more than 140 things to find in Scotland. From mountains and lochs to landmarks and attractions, they'll learn all about the country and its history along the way. And once they've scored 1000 points, super-spotters can claim their official i-SPY certificate and badge.With more than 30 i-SPY books to collect, there's something for everyone!For even more spotting fun check out:i-SPY On a Car Journey (ISBN 9780008386443)i-SPY On a Train Journey (ISBN 9780008431730)i-SPY At the Seaside (ISBN 9780008386528)i-SPY Nature (ISBN 9780008386467)Trade Review“A fun, interactive way to encourage curious children to learn about the world around them.” – Parents In touch

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Book SynopsisGrasses of East Africa describes 100 species of common, ecologically important or remarkable grasses found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Grasses comprise one of the largest plant families on Earth, but are possibly the most overlooked. Yet it is these ubiquitous and important plants that have the greatest impact on our daily lives – providing a wide range of staple foods for humans globally, a fundamental source of grazing for livestock, and food and shelter for an infinite variety of wildlife. This book includes: Clearly laid out and easy-to-use species descriptions; beautiful line and watercolour illustrations with labels highlighting notable features; full-colour photographs; a concise introduction covering the economic significance of grasses, their ecology, habitats and conservation. Grasses of East Africa will prove invaluable to students, scientists, travellers and nature lovers as it aids identification while also highlighting the functions of these important and often beautiful plants. Sales points: Accessible descriptions of 100 East African grass species; exquisite illustrations; full-colour photographs of all featured species; expert author.

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Book SynopsisIn Never Home Alone, biologist Rob Dunn takes us to the edge of biology's latest frontier: our own homes. Every house is a wilderness -- from the Egyptian meal moths in our kitchen cupboards and the yeast in a sourdough starter, to the camel crickets living in the basement, to the thousands of species of insects, bacteria, fungi, and plants live literally under our noses. Our reaction, too often, is to sterilise. As we do, we unwittingly cultivate an entirely new playground for evolution. Unfortunately, this means that we have created a range of new parasites, from antibiotic-resistant microbes to nearly impossible to kill cockroaches, to threaten ourselves with and destroyed helpful housemates. If we're not careful, the "healthier" we try to make our homes, the more likely we'll be putting our own health at risk.A rich natural history and a thrilling scientific investigation, Never Home Alone shows us that if are to truly thrive in our homes, we must learn to welcome the unknown guests that have been there the whole time.

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Book SynopsisTwo leaders of the National Park Service provide a front-row seat to the disastrous impact of partisan politics over the past fifty years-and offer a bold vision for the parks' future. The US National Parks, what environmentalist and historian Wallace Stegner called America's best idea, are under siege. Since 1972, partisan political appointees in the Department of the Interior have offered two conflicting views of the National Park Service (NPS): one vision emphasizes preservation and science-based decision-making, and another prioritizes economic benefits and privatization. These politically driven shifts represent a pernicious, existential threat to the very future of our parks. For the past fifty years, brothers Jonathan B. and T. Destry Jarvis have worked both within and outside NPS as leaders and advocates. National Parks Forever interweaves their two voices to show how our parks must be protected from those who would open them to economic exploitation, while still alloTrade Review"In this self-described 'dual memoir,' Jonathan and Destry take turns making the case—and then synthesize their viewpoints—that the National Park Service needs to be independent from the political 'whipsaw' of Washington politics, making it more like the Smithsonian Institution. . . . By providing both historical and personal context to the NPS’s politicization, the Jarvis brothers make a powerful case." * American Scientist *"There’s an argument that can be made, one backed by evidence, that the past fifty years have seen the most egregious attempts to subvert the mission of the National Park Service to preserve and protect natural resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. That argument is clearly laid out in National Parks Forever. . . . A rich collection of institutional knowledge from within the machinations of government and from within the National Park Service." -- Kurt Repanshek * National Parks Traveler *“An earnest plea to move the National Park Service out of the highly politicized Department of the Interior and make it an independent agency.” * Kirkus Reviews *"Painful history plus a roadmap for change equals a compelling book." * Revelator *"Offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the park service." -- Rob Hotakainen * E&E News:Greenwire *"The text offers a readable, well-organized argument for the independence proposal, illustrated by selected black-and-white photos. Readers interested in the US government's interface with conservation will appreciate this book. . . . Recommended." * Choice *"This book is compelling reading for all conservation biologists to emulate positive aspects and avoid pitfalls when developing an effective and self-sustaining park system." * Community Ecology *“In careers spanning half a century, both Jon and Destry Jarvis personally witnessed how the National Park Service became a partisan battleground for competing political ideologies, with policies ricocheting back and forth every time a new administration came to power. Filled with detailed firsthand accounts and insightful analysis, National Parks Forever not only chronicles the sorrowful result, but also points to a way to rescue ‘America’s best idea’—and make it even better.” -- Dayton Duncan, writer/producer, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea"“The history retold by these two brothers, each outstanding in their lifelong dedication to Parks, is compelling and instructive, as well as a very good read. But their lessons learned and call for independence must be enacted if the parks are to survive. I advised NPS leadership for eight years; I witnessed that a major priority is to ensure that the full history of Americans is preserved in the places where that history unfolded. If NPS remains a political football, we will lose not only magnificent landscapes but the hundreds of parks that tell the true stories of America’s past. At this time when our history has become violently politicized, we must depoliticize the one federal agency that knows how to memorialize the truth for future generations.” -- Margaret J. Wheatley, author of "Leadership and the New Science" and former member of National Parks Advisory BoardTable of ContentsForeword by Chris Johns Preface Introduction and a Brief History of the National Parks: 1872-1972 One. Growing the System and Telling a More Complete Story Two. Alaska: Doing It Right the First Time Three. The Politics of Park Policy Four. Using the Best Available Science Five. Ecosystem Thinking Requires Collaboration Six. Interference in the Mission Seven. Independence: Finding a Sustainable Future for a Perpetuity Agency Notes Bibliography and Further Reading Index of People and Places

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Book SynopsisA profound truth of the wild, and the world at large, is that we are a part of it, not owners of it. Is there any animal we love and hate as much as the Royal Bengal Tiger? Tigers are feared and poached, but they also endure, becoming pin-ups for candlelight marches. Indian elephants are trapped by railway lines and fences, but are reclaiming their bodies and colonizing new areas in central India. And in our dirty cities, the sparkling Plain Tiger Butterfly flourishes as one of our last links to wildlife. Wild animals exist beyond our control. They are harmless, only occasionally dangerous. They live with us, or in spite of us. Those who know them understand that wild animals require acceptance for what they are, not enslavement for what we want them to be. In this book, we meet fifteen iconic Indian species in need of conservation and heart. The author explores what these creatures need, and how they exert agency and decision-making. With an equal emphasis on human and animal, science and skilled prose, Wild and Wilful reveals the magic of the wild in our daily lives and it will take you from fear to wonder.

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to assist those surveying for water voles, whether as a professional ecological consultant, a researcher or simply an interested amateur. This book provides detailed descriptions of all the habitats used by water voles, including ideal habitats as well as less typical places, with annotated photos to help the surveyor home in on just the right areas to look. It also contains a comprehensive photographic reference guide to assist in the correct identification of water vole field signs, and explains how to distinguish them from those of similar species. Tips on where and how to search for field signs are also provided, along with guidance on how best to record survey data.Trade ReviewThe book is very much my type of book and it will make a great reference addition to my office bookshelf. All too often in my opinion, photographs get a back seat in ecology related literature... nothing beats a book that the field based individual such as me can relate to. -- Simon Booth, photographer and professional ecologistTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction A bit of background Personal experience Legal protection in the UK Competence 2. Habitat Where do you find water voles? What does ‘ideal’ habitat for water voles look like? Habitat requirements Dry areas for burrows or above-ground nests Herbaceous vegetation as food and cover Water How to assess likely value of habitat Water voles in terrestrial habitat 3. What does a water vole look like? 4. Looking for field signs Different field signs When to search Where to search How to search Other factors to consider Health, safety and biosecurity 5. Droppings and latrines Characteristics of water vole droppings Latrines How many droppings constitute a latrine? What can latrines tell us? Terrestrial, or fossorial, water voles Rat droppings Field vole and bank vole droppings DNA analysis 6. Feeding remains 7. Burrows Characteristics of ‘active’ water vole burrows Burrows of similar species Detailed examination of burrows 8. Nests 9. Other field signs Footprints Runs through the vegetation 10. Other species Droppings Footprints 11. Recording the information What information needs to be recorded? How to record the information What happens next? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis is a unique, first-of-its-kind tree book with beautiful illustrations of the fruiting twigs of 381 South African trees. The reason behind illustrating tree fruits is that, like so many tree-lovers, Trevor found it difficult to identify many tree species from their leaves as they are the most variable of all the plant parts.Table of ContentsSpecially coded keys showing colour and size for easyidentification; The current botanical binomial, recent old names (due totaxonomic changes) and the “best” common name are given; Notes on distribution, fruiting time and habitats are also provided; 381 Beautiful illustrations of the fruiting twigs of South

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewVultures of the World is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about vultures and the conservation efforts being made to protect these important and wonderful birds. * IBIS *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Origins and Evolution of Vultures 1. Essential Ecology of Scavengers 2. Species Descriptions and Life Histories New World Vultures Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture Greater Yellow-headed Vulture King Vulture California Condor Andean Condor Old World Vultures Palm-nut Vulture Bearded Vulture Egyptian Vulture Hooded Vulture Indian Vulture Slender-billed Vulture White-rumped Vulture Griffon Vulture Rüppell's Vulture Himalayan Vulture White-backed Vulture Cape Vulture Red-headed Vulture White-headed Vulture Cinereous Vulture Lappet-faced Vulture 3. Pair Formation and Reproduction 4. Food Finding and Feeding Behavior 5. Movement Behavior 6. Social Behavior 7. Vultures and People

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Book SynopsisWalking guide to the Snowdonia National Park, with 20 best routes chosen by the park rangers. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 10 km and can be completed in less than 4 hours.20 best routes chosen and written by National Park rangersWalks from 2 to 10kmDetailed description for each walk with highlights clearly marked on the map along with an accompanying map and photographsGeneral information about the National Park plus basic advice on walkingThis and the Snowdonia National Park Pocket Map (ISBN: 9780008439224) are the perfect companions for exploring this superb walking area of North Wales.Trade Review“Walking guides from Collins will have you expertly traversing the landscape like a park ranger.” – Great British Life

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Book SynopsisThis guide contains 20 circular walks in Shropshire, covering the very best of the county's wide-ranging landscape, from high up on the Shropshire Hills down to glorious woodland and wildlife-rich mosses; through historical towns and villages and along meandering waterways. There are recommendations for spring, summer, autumn and winter walks - including the best places to see bluebells in spring or wildflowers in summer, where best to appreciate autumn colours, and the perfect views for those crisp and clear winter days. The routes range from 21/2 to 8 miles. SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS: SPRING A sea of bluebells in Sallow Coppice & Clun A riot of rhododendrons in Burwarton, on the eastern slopes of Brown Clee Hill Ellesmere: a springtime walk with the chance of seeing herons nesting on Moscow Island SUMMER Take in magnificent views from Ragleth Hill Titterstone Clee Hill: an Iron Age hillfort, a frozen-in-time village & one of the best views in England A must-do walk at Stiperstones when the heather is in full bloom AUTUMN Collecting sweet chestnuts on an atmospheric walk in Comer Woods Foraging for fungi & wildlife-spotting at Whixall Moss Blazing autumn colours on a walk among the 300-year-old beech trees of Lydham WINTER Cound: woodland, fields & a valley carpeted with snowdrops A waterside walk on the Severn Way, taking in wildfowl at Chelmarsh Reservoir Weston Rhyn: check out formidable Chirk Castle & cross the border into Wales WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE - 20 circular Shropshire walking routes varying in length & difficulty, covering the hidden gems, must-see landmarks & noted beauty spots that make this such a special county for walking A WALK FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR - Walks chosen specifically for each season, with specific places that shine at certain times in the calendar ALL THE INFO YOU'LL NEED - All of these Shropshire walks include parking info & how to get there, recommended local pubs & cafes, points of interest along the way & other places to visit nearby EASY TO FOLLOW - Full colour maps & pictures throughout, with clear written instructions making it easy to find your wayTable of ContentsContents SPRING 1. Earl's Hill (5 miles) 2. Craven Arms (41/2 miles) 3. Ellesmere (8 miles) 4. Burwarton (21/2 or 51/2 miles) 5. Clun (6 miles) SUMMER 6 Whitchurch (5 miles) 7 Ragleth Hill (41/2 miles) 8 Merrington (51/2 miles) 9 Titterstone Clee (51/2 miles) 10 Stiperstones (51/2 miles) AUTUMN 11 Comer Wood (41/2 miles) 12 Whixall Moss (51/2 miles) 13 Lydham (7 miles) 14 Moreton Corbet (3, 31/2 or 8 miles) 15 Lilleshall Abbey (51/2 miles) WINTER 16 Hampton (51/2 miles) 17 Weston Rhyn (21/2, 31/2 or 6 miles) 18 Shrewsbury (41/2 miles) 19 Cound (31/2 miles) 20 Nesscliffe (5 miles)

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Fast-paced, snappy and suspenseful."--Emmanuelle Smith"Financial Times" (12/18/2009) "A scrupulously researched and well-told narrative."--Miranda Weiss"American Scholar" (01/01/2010) "If you want a shot of environmental patriotism, this book is a good choice."--Sierra Club "A fascinating and very readable account of a controversial natural history issue in early nineteenth century America."--Choice (04/01/2010) "For those of us who think that science is international, Lee Alan Dukatin's Mr. Jefferson and the Giant Moose will come as a shock. In this case it was anything but. It was the French against the Americans, Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon versus Thomas Jefferson, in a dispute over the relative degree of degeneracy exhibited by the flora and fauna of the Old and New Worlds. According to Buffon, American plants and animals, including native Americans, are merely degenerate versions of European forms. Jefferson attempted to counter this Eurocentric chauvinism by displaying an American moose that was larger than any of the European ungulates--the giant moose in the title of this fascinating book."--David Hull --David Hull "This fascinating book combines a deep knowledge of biology with a love of American history to tell a story that grips like a thriller. Lee Alan Dugatkin introduces you to Thomas Jefferson and the giant moose, an animal so great and imposing that never again could the belittling naturalists of Europe assume that American natural life was inferior. Sparkling on the surface, profound beneath the waters, this is a book that will be happy reading for people of all interests and ages."--Michael Ruse, author of Darwinism and Its Discontents --Michael Ruse

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Book SynopsisFrom the best-selling illustrator of Flip-a-Feather, Mix-a-Mutt, Flip-o-saurus, and Flip-o-storic comes another book with charming artwork and die-cut pages for flip-and-flop fun ? this time with insects! Build-a-Bug lets you create wacky combinations of ten types of insects, including a curious beetle, a climbing caterpillar, and a buzzing honey bee.Each flap includes a fun fact about the pictured species, and inside the front cover is a chart showing the relative sizes of the insects featured, from the ant to the praying mantis.

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Book SynopsisAn informative and practical guide to cooking healthy, nutritious meals for dogsTrade Review"The ultimate guide to weening your dog off commercial foods and toward a healthier diet."—Cool Hunting"Feed Me is an illustrated cookbook with 50 easy-to-follow, nutritious and appetizing meals designed specifically for man's best friend. We're talking the likes of seared beef with carrot risotto, and pasta with soybeans and crispy apple, so yeah, we'd probably buy extra and just cook ourselves the same thing for dinner."—Cool Material"As you might expect, and hope if you're planning to buy Feed Me as a gift for a pet lover, the cookbook also has adorable dog illustrations, courtesy of Kevin Waldron."—Dude"The canine cookbook features a number of premium recipes for owners to prepare that are all focused on natural ingredients that are free from additives to ensure optimal health."—Trend Hunter"...Takes pet food to gourmet heights... It's perfect for dog parents who believe that even their canines are what they eat."—The Globe and Mail"Guys, it's all about cooking meaty rice timbale with pumpkin or turkey and ricotta quenelles for your pooch now."—The Sunday Times, Style"A handsome book, printed on heavy stock and filled with adorable line drawings of dogs. It's also full of detailed advice about why it's better to cook for your dog than to feed them store-bought food and how to navigate the transition from kibbles to home-cooked meals."—The Takeout"Publisher Phaidon is a rare gem for lovers of visual arts... We follow their Instagram (and so should you!) and spotted two gorgeous books you really need to know about. Feed Me is a beautifully illustrated book with 50 home cooked meals for your dog while Pet-tecture features 288 pages of architecture for pets created by the biggest names in global architecture."—makethemroar.com"Diligent dog owner that I am, I read all of the preamble first, which explains the value of home cooked meals, what foods should go into a healthy dog diet, and how to prepare, cook, serve and store the meals. This saved me a lot of time in understanding the recipes and helped to mitigate my surprise that foods like pasta and rice featured so heavily. I essentially live off both of these during times when midweek meals have to be cobbled together, so it was great to see that Mahler could do the same... I was relieved that, at seven items, the ingredients list was mercifully short. If you're going to make these meals regularly, as the author suggests, it's critical that the shopping and organisation is sustainable... It smelled pretty delicious and Mahler, who usually doesn't fuss at all when I cook, took up residence at my feet... The transition from his previous meals was smooth. He had plenty of energy for chasing squirrels and his digestion was great."—StyleDetails.com"Full of tasty inspiration to make cooking from scratch an affordable, tasty alternative to shop bought dog-food... The sweet illustrations by Kevin Waldron are a treat for the eyes, too."—People's Friend"Takes the fear out of navigating the world of dog food dos and don'ts... Whether your dog is already happy and healthy, or it needs a more specialised diet to feel tip-top, these 50 recipes allow you to create bespoke meals for your own dogs needs. There're also helpful meal plans tailored for dogs of every age, breed, weight and activeness. If that wasn't enough, each meal has a nutritional breakdown, so you know exactly what you're feeding Fido. Keep the window open when you cook, and don't be surprised if you have dogs howling from all down the street. This is definitely a dog's dinner to be enjoyed."—FourAndSons.com

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Book SynopsisThe reef guide documents some 800 reef fishes and invertebrates found along the east and south coasts of southern Africa. Following on the success of Dennis King's earlier two titles, this impressive new guide features 578 species of fish and includes sections on anemones, starfish, snails, crabs and shrimps. Full-colour photographs and descriptive text for each species, along with useful and interesting information, make for easy identification. While focusing on southern Africa, the book is also applicable to the entire east coast of Africa, as well as the islands of the western Indian Ocean - Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, the Comoros and the Maldives. Indispensable for divers, snorkelers and rock-pool enthusiasts, as well as fishermen and marine aquarists.

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE JAMES CROPPER WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING 2022 ___ A year of looking, listening and noticing across four unique seasons and thirty-five beautifully illustrated poems. 'Dazzling, moving... A book that will touch many, and be given often: here, take this, you must read this.' ROBERT MACFARLANE 'So vivid... A call out to our elemental relationship with love and nature. Beautiful.' WILLEM DAFOE ___ The world changed in 2020. Gradually at first, then quickly and irreversibly, the patterns by which we once lived altered completely. The Heeding paints a picture of a year caught in the grip of history, yet filled with revelatory perspectives close at hand: a sparrowhawk hunting in a back street; the moon over a town with a loved-one's hand held tight; butterflies massing in a high-summer yard - the everyday wonders and memories that shape a life and help us recall our own. Across four seasons and thirty-five luminous poems and illustrations, Rob Cowen and Nick Hayes lead us on a journey that takes its markers and signs from nature and a world filled with fear and pain but beauty and wonder too. Collecting birds, animals, trees and people together, The Heeding is a profound meditation to a time no-one will forget. At its heart, this is a book that helps us look again, to heed: to be attentive to this world we share and this history we're living through, to be aware of how valuable and fragile we are, to grieve what's lost and to hope for a better and brighter tomorrow. ____ 'The Heeding speaks to us all, guiding us through the emotional journey the nation has gone through during the past year, with humour, pathos and forensically sharp portrayals of people and nature at a time like no other.' Stephen Moss, author of The Robin 'Poignant and exquisite' Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden 'Vivid, beating, aching. The Heeding feels like both a eulogy and a defiant, wild challenge to go on. I loved it.' Josie George, author of A Still Life 'It is rare to find a writer that is able to tease apart the threads that make up the fragile fabric of our loves, hopes and despairs with such care and humility. An exceptionally good book for an exceptionally bad time.' Matt Gaw, author of Under the Stars Trade Review'So powerful, and rich, and true. Every line in The Heeding feels freshly discovered, full of urgency and clarity. This is an exceptionally moving and beautiful book.’ Nick Drake, poet and author of Out of Range ‘A dazzling collection of words and images.’ Helen Jukes, author of A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings‘Poignant and exquisite.’ Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden‘It is rare to find a writer that is able to tease apart the threads that make up the fragile fabric of our loves, hopes and despairs with such care and humility. An exceptionally good book for an exceptionally bad time.' Matt Gaw, author of Under the Stars‘Writing that finds light in the dark... Poignant, powerful, pressing.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment‘A raw, dark and tender, visually stunning, emotionally unravelling distillation of the year in which minutes were endless but whole months disappeared. It’s all here.’ Dr Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Lunar Living comes the ultimate guide to crystals and how they can help you live your best life.This is the one book you need in order to understand how crystals can enhance your everyday life and look after you.In Part 1, Kirsty explores what crystals are, how they work, before going on to explain how you choose, care for and programme them, and how to go about using them. Then, in Part 2, Crystals for Self-Care delves deeper into the many areas in which crystals work their magic. Chapters include Crystals for Love and Relationships, Crystals for Stress and Anxiety and Crystals for Work and Business.Crystals for Self-Care will leave you feeling empowered, supported and ready to embark on your own crystal journey!

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Book SynopsisA rockhound's must-have resource! Easy to use and lavishly illustrated, this new and completely revised and expanded edition of Collecting Rocks, Gems, and Minerals is designed with beginners in mind, yet filled with valuable technical information for seasoned collectors. This guide takes you from being simply someone who enjoys rocks to a knowledgeable enthusiast in no time and features:   • An easy-to-use, quick reference format arranged by category and color of stone   • 800+ beautiful color photographs   • Values and tips for locating, buying and collecting   • Both lapidary and mineral display materials   • Decades of rock-collecting know-how of the authorForeword by Johann Zenz, world-renowned agate expert, author and lecturer.

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Book SynopsisAn eye-opening introduction to the complexity, wonder, and vital roles of coral reefs Trade Review“In this book, Sale takes the reader on a journey to make reefs real, building a sense of awe and wonder that they exist, and a commitment to caring about their plight.”—Reef in Review, the annual magazine of the Australian Coral Reef Society“Peter Sale takes readers on a dazzling tour of coral reefs, explaining the science, humanizing the scientists, and persuasively arguing why preservation of what remains is vital.”—Margaret Lowman, author of The Arbornaut“An inspiring and readable explanation of what reefs are, where they came from, how they’re put together, what goes on inside them, why they’re important and how to save them.”—Joan Roughgarden, author of Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender and Sexuality in Nature and People“This is Peter Sale’s love song to the coral reef—that beautiful but imperiled ecosystem. Sale writes with passion and grace about reefs, reef creatures, and the scientists who study them.”—Stephen Heard, author of Charles Darwin’s Barnacle and David Bowie’s Spider“Peter Sale, an insightful scientist drawing on a lifetime of experience, offers original points of view that are compelling, persuasive, and occasionally paradoxical and a major contribution to our understanding of why coral reefs are so special.”—J. E. N. Veron, author of A Reef in Time: The Great Barrier Reef from Beginning to End

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the world of traditional Chinese medicine—for cats and dogs! For the growing number of animal lovers seeking an alternative to Western medicine, this thoughtful and comprehensive approach to home animal care is a virtual godsend. FOUR PAWS, FIVE DIRECTIONS includes descriptions of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments, with special emphasis placed on clear, uncomplicated approaches to acupressure and diet that you can do at home. And just wait till you see the photographs! These vivid color portraits accurately chart the meridians and acupressure points of thirty-two gorgeous, furry models. Pet owners and students of veterinary medicine alike will appreciate this unique and upbeat guide to interacting more holistically with our beloved feline and canine friends.

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Book SynopsisPaleontologist Dr David Horne explores the frontiers of dinosaur discovery.

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