The Earth: natural history: general interest Books

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Book SynopsisCould there be a more pleasant way to spend a warm afternoon than lazing under a tree reading poetry inspired by these shade-giving wonders of the world? Trees have sparked some of the biggest literary imaginations over the ages and - as the climate emergency escalates - it has never been more important to appreciate our vital connection to them. This beautifully illustrated anthology of sixty tree poems is a celebration of our love of trees. With poems by some of the world's best-loved poets including William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, William Meredith and W.H. Auden, The Book of Tree Poems will help you see trees as you've never seen them before. Our natural historians have amazed you with their biology and the ways in which they influence our lives, now it's the poets' turn to make you fall in love with their beauty, strength and character.The Book of Tree Poems taps into the trend for gifty poetry anthologies and is a

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Book SynopsisA new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Australian Wildlife, covering habitats, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, the marine environment and where to go. Wildlife writer Stella Martin combines the encyclopaedic knowledge of David Attenborough with the enthusiasm of the late Steve Irwin to offer a unique guide which, compared to others, is variously more portable and more detailed, has a broader scope, goes beyond identification notes and includes an in-depth guide to ecosystems. It also covers all regions of Australia. Background chapters explain how Australia's wildlife evolved in isolation and how the geology, soil and climate affect its natural history. There is also a close look at Australia's infamously dangerous creatures, avoiding the clichés and putting their threat into perspective: although most of the world's most venomous snakes are found in Australia, they are by no means the deadliest. Essential advice is offered for avoiding hazardous wildlife and there are also useful first aid tips. Up-to-date information on conservation is included, including fire and its role in the Australian ecology and the effect of exotic feral animals and weeds. And there are tips on how to find, enjoy and identify wildlife with a 'where to go' section featuring a state-by-state overview of key wildlife sites, with maps. With a focus on interesting information about the general biology and behaviour of the animals - with some detail about the most commonly seen species - and explaining how the different ecosystems 'work', this guide is for visitors who want to know more about what they see but don't have room for an entire library of reference books. It is a book to read in bed - and encourage you to be up at dawn.Trade Review'Bradt Travel Guides simply have the best wildlife coverage of any of the popular guide books.' BBC Wildlife 'This guide is a must-have for wildlife lovers on their way Down Under' Wanderlust 'A definitive, well-arranged and accessible handbook on all manner of Aussie animals, from invertebrates to mammals.' Weekend Australian "We all felt that this book was an excellent guide for visitors to Australia with an interest in natural history and are sure it will do well." Dr Noel Tait, Royal Zoological Society, NSW, AustraliaTable of ContentsIntroduction About this book The backdrop The land, past and present, Evolution - moving with the times, The human connection, Conservation issues, Climate Habitats The arid zone, Tropical savanna, Forests, Heathlands, The role of fire Mammals Monotremes, Marsupials, Placental mammals Birds Seabirds, Waterbirds, Ground birds, Raptors, Pigeons and doves, Parrots and cockatoos, Cuckoos and coucal, Birds of the night, Swifts and swiftlets, Kingfishers, Bee-eater and dollarbird, Songbirds Reptiles Crocodiles, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes Amphibians and freshwater fishes Frogs, Freshwater fishes Invertebrates Worms, Arachnids, Crustaceans, Insects The marine environment Tropical seas, Temperate seas, Marine mammals, Marine reptiles Where to go New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Top tips When to travel, What to bring, Health and safety, Spotting wildlife, Minimal impact, Wildlife photography Further reading Index

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Book Synopsis ‘A sea breeze wafts up from every page. This book is a delight.’ – Nigel Slater Both grounding and uplifting, From Coast & Cove, the new book from author and acclaimed illustrator Anna Koska, walks us through the four seasons on the English coast. Beautifully observed, contemplative and deeply personal, Anna combines emotive and evocative tales of life beside the sea with her exquisitely detailed and intricate illustrations of the plants and wildlife found in the water and along the coastline. Anna and her family moved from East Sussex to Devon in 2020 and she now finds inspiration for her artworks in the ebb and flow of the tide throughout the year, the flotsam and jetsam washed up on the shore and the creatures spotted in the air, on land and tucked away in rockpools – whether it’s the haunting cry of the curlew heard while kayaking along the River Dart, the iridescent scales and pointed teeth of a hake, the mussel shells discarded by an oystercatcher, or the kelp, wrack and eelgrass strewn along the beach and pressed for posterity. A love letter to the natural world captured in materials ranging from pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and egg tempera, From Coast & Cove details an artist’s year spent beside the sea. A book to savour, and a wonderful celebration of nature’s cycles and minutiae.

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Book SynopsisThis new edition of Bradt's Sri Lankan Wildlife has been fully updated to reflect all the most recent developments relevant to visitors to this beguiling island who come to watch wildlife. Whale watching, now a major part of Sri Lanka's wildlife experience, is covered, and so too is the improved visitor access to some of the national parks. With a general increase in visitors over the past decade, more entrance gates have been opened to popular national parks and access improved to others. Sri Lanka is home to elephants, leopards, bears and water buffalo and boasts one of the highest species densities of marine mammals in the world, with populations of blue whales and sperm whales off the coast proving a compelling draw. Sri Lanka is one of the few destinations in the world where you can be out at sea whale watching in the morning, then spend the afternoon in a national park watching leopards and elephants or visiting a rainforest. A balanced, all-round natural history guide, ideal field guide and armchair read, Bradt's Sri Lankan Wildlife is illustrated with colour photographs of species and includes maps charting animal habitats to aid identification. It is an ideal companion for general wildlife travellers and wildlife enthusiasts who want some background reading on the island's natural history, and is written in an accessible, easy-to-read style by an expert who visits Sri Lanka at least once a year.Trade Review'Bradt Travel Guides simply have the best wildlife coverage of any of the popular guide books.' BBC Wildlife 'Sri Lankan Wildlife provides a very good overview.' WanderlustTable of ContentsContents Introduction Sri Lanka: a biodiversity jewel, How to use this book, The Sri Lankan environment Habitats and Reserves Habitats, National parks and reserves Mammals Asian elephant, Ungulates, Carnivores, Primates, Squirrels, Bats, Other mammals Birds Birds of town and garden, Birds of the rainforest, Birds of the highlands, Birds of the dry lowlands, Birds of the wetlands, Birds of the coast, Endemic birds Reptiles and Amphibians Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, Turtles, terrapins and tortoises, Amphibians Invertebrates Lower invertebrates, Arthropods, Butterflies, Dragonflies and damselflies The Underwater World Freshwater fish, Marine life, Under the sea, Marine mammals Getting About Independent travel, Tours, Suggested itinerary, Photography tips Further Information Books, Societies, Finding out more Index Features Where to watch primates in Sri Lanka Watching nocturnal wildlife Snake bites Nesting sea turtles in Sri Lanka

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Book SynopsisContains everything you need to know about the development and survival of life on Earth. This book includes detailed comparative anatomy, evolutionary legacies, and the breakthrough theories of eminent scientists.Trade Review'I cannot think of another book that attempts to catalogue the entire expanse of life and succeeds in such a remarkably palatable way' - New Scientist'An endlessly fascinating book and, with more than 1,000 illustrations, absolutely ideal for the whole family' - Mature TimesTable of ContentsIntroduction • 1. Earliest Life • 2. Plants • 3. Invertebrates • 4. Fish and Amphibians • 5. Reptiles • 6. Birds • 7. Mammals

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A pleasure to browse. . . . Compact but informative species accounts and the colourful photos are a constant delight."---Matthew Merritt, Bird Watching Magazine"Wildlife of Ecuador is the all-in-one nature guide for the generalist nature traveler. . . . Photographs are large, clear, and colorful, and often delightful."---Donna Lynn Schulman, 10,000 Birds"The guide is a one-stop treasure trove of information. . . . A must for those visiting or conducting research in Ecuador."---Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist"Sections of the book focus on birds (223 species), mammals (70), reptiles (40) and amphibians (37). This serves to close a gap I personally have always found frustrating as I travel, for often books on mammals and herps don’t even exist for many regions and I drool every time I find one." * North Durham Nature Newsletter *Table of ContentsPreface 7 Acknowledgments 9 Plan of the Book 10 Biogeography of Ecuador 12 Diversity and Its Causes 12 The Andes 13 The Equator 14 Marine Currents 15 Habitats and Bioregions 17 Species Accounts Amphibians 19 Reptiles 42 Birds 72 Mammals 218 Bibliography and References 270 Appendix: Map of Main Roads and National Protected Areas of Ecuador 272 List of Photographers 274 Index of Common Names 275 Index of Scientific Names 281

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Book SynopsisCovering around 70 per cent of our planet’s surface and home to more than 200,000 known species, the world’s oceans are vital to life on Earth. However, despite producing around half the world’s oxygen and helping to regulate our climate and weather patterns, human behaviour has put our incredible oceans and the amazing animals within them at risk. In The Big Book of the Ocean, we go beneath the surface to explore the fascinating secrets of the sea and take an in-depth look at some of the planet’s magnificent marine creatures, from killer whales and sea turtles to seahorses and starfish. We also explore what we can do to help protect these vital environments and discover ten of the most endangered ocean species.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""It is hard to imagine that there has ever been a more comprehensive book written on fungi, or one with such stunning photography, that enables the reader to see these mysterious life forms in a totally different light. No walk in the countryside will ever be the same again." * Country Smallholding *"A wide range of fascinating examples and enlightening facts."---Andy Overall, Field Mycology"[This book] will serve as a great introduction to many naturalists wanting to know more about this unique and bizarre kingdom and hopefully will then lead onto reading more academic texts. The future is fungi."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"[General] readers will find much to learn about these environmentally critical organisms. ... Highly recommended."---D.H. Pfister, CHOICE"Detailed, yet accessible . . . a fascinating exploration of the mysterious and often hidden world of fungi."---Carol Gridley, ABC Gardening Australia"[A] joy to peruse."---Lynne Boddy, The Quarterly Review of Biology

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Book SynopsisIn a new, practical format - the stunning book celebrating British wild flowers by award-winning garden writer Sarah Raven. Inspired by childhood excursions with her botanist father, Sarah Raven has travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles to find 500 of our most breathtakingly beautiful wild flowers. This lavishly illustrated book is divided by habitat, covering woods, downs and dales, lanes and hedgerows, meadows, coast, marshes and streams, moors and mountains, and wasteland. Sarah introduces a wide range of plants, telling you their names and something about them. Discover pulsatillas, fritillaries, bluebells, wild garlic, harebells, forget-me-nots, foxgloves, wood spurge, silverweed,purple cranesbill, deadly nightshade, St John's wort, comfrey, orchids,wood sorrel, snowdrops and more. There are glorious landscape photographs by Jonathan Buckley throughout, and one of his stunning plant portraits accompanies each of Sarah's authoritative, captivating species descriptions. Informative and lovely, Sarah Raven's Wild Flowers is a botanical marvel.Trade ReviewAn epic and beautiful volume, which I will be poring over with my children, and pressing many flowers between its pages -- Robert MacfarlaneImpressive, beautiful to look at and truly a labour of love * Sunday Times *Dazzling * Scotsman *William Blake found 'heaven in a wild flower' and so, too, has writer Sarah Raven in this epic treatise * Living *

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Book SynopsisBig Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers that together provide a consistent and highly effective approach to teaching phonics.

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Book SynopsisWith stunning photographs from the ice edge, a firsthand account of a researcher's time in Antarctica and of the perilous journeys of the world's largest penguin species: the iconic emperor. Nearly all emperor penguin colonies are extremely remote; of the sixty-six known, fewer than thirty have been visited by humans, and even fewer have been the subject of successful research programs. One of the largest known emperor penguin colonies is found on a narrow band of sea ice attached to the Antarctic continent. In Journeys with Emperors, Gerald L. Kooyman and Jim Mastro take us to this far-flung colony in the Ross Sea, showing us how scientists gained access to it, and what they learned while living among the penguins as they raised their chicks. The primary mission was to record the birds' activities at sea, and the data revealed important aspects of emperor penguin behavior and physiology: for instance, that in the course of hunting for food, some of the penguins dive to depths ofTrade Review"Informative sidebars, graphs, and charts explain technical terms in clear language. An annotated bibliography and gorgeous photos round out this treat of a book, which describes what it was like to live among emperor penguins and the challenges and rewards of research in the Antarctic. This book will have armchair travelers, penguin lovers, Antarctic enthusiasts, and science readers rejoicing." * Booklist *"The 2005 Luc Jacquet documentary March of the Penguins won an Oscar for its depiction of emperor penguins' fifty-kilometer trek over sea ice to their breeding grounds. While such a trek may be common for emperors breeding in colonies around the Antarctic perimeter, it is not the case for the largest colonies in the Ross Sea. To understand emperor penguins here, we must follow them on four critical journeys, each with its own challenges and hazards. In this compelling and accessible book, comparative biologist Kooyman and writer and fellow Antarctic explorer Mastro offer a detailed explanation of all four journeys. A book that will take you [into] the field with scientists to discover those charismatic and fascinating birds." * PolarJournal (Switzerland), "Our polar book ideas for Christmas" *“[Kooyman] recounts his tale of one of the most iconic examples of charismatic megafauna in a way that captures both the magnitude of his science and the elegant descriptions and personal anecdotes that transport the reader to the ice (all through the lens of a changing climate). His acts of veritable heroism—raging-river crossings, risky glacial traverses, frequent excursions on figurative and literal thin ice—were simply routine components of his daily scientific procedures.” -- Jessica Ulrika Meir, PhD, comparative physiologist and NASA astronaut, from the foreword“Journeys with Emperors follows a decades-long quest to study the largest, deepest diving, most colorful, and most isolated of the penguins. Readers are literally a part of the research expedition. It is the trials and tribulations, successes and failures of Kooyman and his research team that are at the core of this book. An iconic Antarctic bird makes it all the more engaging, and you walk away with an appreciation of how unique these birds are, as are the people who study them. Everyone will be the better for having read this book, and perhaps, emperor penguins will benefit from such an informed population; I can think of no higher praise.” -- Terrie M. Williams, author of "The Odyssey of KP2: An Orphan Seal and a Marine Biologist’s Fight to Save a Species"“This remarkable book is the most authoritative and readable account of the biology of emperor penguins ever written. Of equal significance is that through example, Kooyman provides insight into the importance of patiently observing and documenting aspects of the natural history of this extraordinary bird, over a period of decades. Collectively, those observations facilitated a stream of original ideas, and the technology needed to test them. As such, Journeys with Emperors models how to successfully conduct long-term research on a wild species in a truly challenging environment.” -- Ian Stirling, FRSC, research scientist emeritus, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and adjunct professor, University of Alberta, CanadaTable of ContentsForeword Preface Chapter 1 A Meeting with Emperor Penguins Chapter 2 The Kings of Saint Andrews Bay Chapter 3 The Seven Colonies of the Ross Sea Chapter 4 The Emperors of Cape Washington Chapter 5 Kings and Emperors in One Year Chapter 6 The Commuter Journey Chapter 7 The Fledging Journey Chapter 8 The Pre-molt Journey Chapter 9 The Post-molt Journey Chapter 10 How Do They Do It? Chapter 11 Predator as Prey Chapter 12 Climate, Conservation, and Consumption Acknowledgments Annotated Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA landmark book that charts humanity''s changing relationship with birds - from the ancient Egyptians to the twenty-first century ''A marvellously original slice of social history'' Daily Mail''The facts and folklore of birdlife are dissected in admirable detail in this handsome book'' Sunday Times''Roy and Lesley Adkins are masters of their craft'' BBC Countryfile MagazineNo other group of animals has had such a complex and lengthy relationship with humankind as birds. They have been kept in cages as pets, taught to speak and displayed as trophies. More practically, they have been used to tell the time, predict the weather, foretell marriages, provide unlikely cures for ailments, convey messages and warn of poisonous gases. When There Were Birds is a social history of Britain that charts the complex connections between people and birds, set against a background of changes in the landscapTrade ReviewWhen There Were Birds is a marvellously original slice of social history, a portrait of our ever-conflicted relationship with the natural world which we so abuse and which we cannot live without; a book beautifully balanced between wonder and warning -- Christopher Hart * Daily Mail (Book of the Week) *A wonderful book. . . the perfect gift for Christmas this year for a bird lover. . . In fact, no, bird lovers are fine, buy it for someone that hates birds and see if you can turn them round -- Giles Coren * Times Radio *This book is. . . not only a fascinating browse of all sorts of stories about the past, but it's a real revelation actually. . . it's really going to encourage you to think about birds and the part they played historically and culturally -- Guy de la BédoyèreAn appealing social history of Britain that charts the relationship between people and birds [with] a lot of quirky information -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *The book is absolutely packed with wonderful stories. You've really researched it to pieces. . . I hope that this book inspires and galvanises those that want to protect birds -- Steve Yabsley * BBC Radio Bristol *The facts and folklore of birdlife, and man's equivocal relationship with birds, are dissected in admirable detail in this handsome new book ... [with] striking revelations -- Roland White * Sunday Times *This is a substantial social history of our interactions with the bird life of these isles. . . With its wide-ranging, informative text, extensive notes, and commendably comprehensive index, When There Were Birds makes its own vital contribution to our perception of our relationship with creation, providing further stimulus for us to achieve an environmental renaissance -- Richard Greatrex * Church Times *When There Were Birds by historians Roy and Lesley Adkins charts humanity's changing relationship with birds, from the ancient Egyptians to the 21st century * Choice Magazine, Great New Year Reads *The sheer breadth of information reflects every part of life on earth. And that's what makes it such a worthwhile read -- Annette Shaw * Devon Life *Unusually for a book about nature, the species in question, in this lucid story of the relationship between birds and humans, is ours . . . An evocative chapter, 'Abundance', assembles descriptions of a British landscape so vivid you feel you almost remember it . . . There are no dodos in this book -- Horatio Clare * The Spectator *The book is a beautiful, yet original portrait of the integral role played by birds throughout history. . . The social history of ornithology is injected with passion by Roy and Lesley Adkins, who are masters of their craft, welcoming readers to unexpected topics. . . Readers, flock to this tome. -- Emma J Wells * BBC Countryfile Magazine *Every chapter is replete with anecdotes which, for me at least, made the book a page-turner . . . The authors used their research skills and experience to put a different type of book together, and I am grateful to them because it is a very good read . . . and I recommend it -- Mark Avery

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for The Evolution of Charles Darwin:Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews (Nonfiction)“Fascinating . . . A beautifully told coming-of-age story focused on Darwin’s psychological transmutation from a diffident specimen collector expecting to become a country parson to a novice scientist climbing the career ladder in London’s private and prestigious clubs and societies . . . Offer[s] new and exciting ideas that will likely beat out the competition.”—Robert M. Thorson, Wall Street Journal “[Preston’s] books are always entertaining . . . This book fits that mould; it’s an adventure story . . . The author has chosen the perfect topic. It’s nearly impossible to write a dull book about Darwin . . . The real attraction of this book lies in the way it turns the development of evolutionary theory into a personal story.”—Gerald DeGroot, Times (UK) “[A] meticulously researched compelling narrative . . . Diana Preston’s vibrant reconstruction of Darwin’s extraordinary journey, world-changing work and the consequences he experienced makes it all accessible and new in her telling.”—Janet Somerville, Toronto Star“An exciting biography of the immortal naturalist’s legendary journey . . . It was well into the 20th century before essentially all scientists agreed that Darwin was on the right track. Since then, biographies have poured off the presses, but readers cannot go wrong with this expert account. An irresistible scientific biography and adventure story with a happy ending.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“While much has been written about Darwin’s revolutionary scientific achievements on this journey, historian Preston sheds light on the voyage itself, its captain and crew, and the Native populations they encountered.”—Booklist (starred review)“A brisk and accessible account of how Charles Darwin developed his theory of natural selection . . . A rewarding look at the development of an earth-shattering idea.”—Publishers Weekly“Darwin was only 22 when he boarded the HMS Beagle in 1830 under the command of Robert FitzRoy as a ‘gentleman naturalist,’ unaware his name would one day grace an award honouring humans who remove themselves from the gene pool through misadventure. Drawing on the naturalist’s diaries, Preston’s biography reveals a man who, in his chauvinism and blind patriotism, was typical of his time—but in his liberal- and abolition-mindedness, atypical as well.”—Globe and MailPraise for Eight Days at Yalta:“A colorful chronicle of high-stakes negotiations and a study in human frailties, missteps, and ideological blunders.”—Washington Post“Ms. Preston’s conference narrative abjures authorial hindsight judgments, placing the spotlight instead on the characters’ natural blind spots and biases. She also devotes a full third of the book to the summit’s historical context and personalities, the latter of which are nicely developed.”—Wall Street Journal“A highly readable, highly detailed account of the historic meetings and often difficult and contentious negotiations between Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, and their staffs, and a vivid description of the once ornate Tsarist palaces and their much deteriorated wartime condition that served as the setting for meetings, dinners, and private talks.”—New York Journal of Books“Lively and nuanced . . . Shrewd on the main personalities . . . Preston goes beyond the horse-trading of three old men, with vivid scene-setting of the tsarist palaces where the conference took place.”—Times (UK)“In this well-written and absorbing book, Diana Preston provides a chronological narrative of these crucial eight days.”—Airmail“On the Yalta conference’s 75th anniversary, this insightful history recounts its enormous, if teeth-gnashing, accomplishments . . . Impressively researched . . . An expert account of an unedifying milestone at the dawn of the Cold War.”—Kirkus Reviews“[A] spirited, behind-the-scenes account of the February 1945 Yalta Conference. Preston mixes foreign policy critique . . . with vibrant descriptions of backstage activities . . . Colorful personalities, piquant details, and a diverse array of perspectives make this a satisfying introduction to the subject.”—Publishers WeeklyPraise for Diana Preston:“A treasure map of a book.”—San Diego Union-Tribune, on A Pirate of Exquisite Mind“A superbly rendered popular history.”—Booklist (starred review), on A Pirate of Exquisite Mind“Unforgettable . . . The definitive account of the Lusitania.”—Philadelphia Inquirer, on Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy“As majestic as its subject . . . Extraordinarily readable.”—Chicago Sun-Times, on Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy“An engaging narrative . . . Rich in detail and texture.”—San Diego Union Tribune, on Before the Fallout: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima“Ultimately this book is about survival, and the author engagingly recounts the nearly impossible task of trying to establish a penal colony with few supplies and poor agricultural conditions. Preston shines in her description of the true nature of Captain Bligh . . . A wonderful look into the beginnings of Australia and the remarkable strength of the survivors of these dangerous voyages.”—Kirkus Reviews, on Paradise in Chains

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Book SynopsisEverywhere in Yorkshire are clues to vanished worlds in the rocks, fossils and landforms. This accessible, well-illustrated book is a beautiful guide to the geology.

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Book SynopsisHow to describe the ecstatic song of larks? How the writers and poets have tried...Skylarks are the heralds of our countryside. Their music is the quintessential sound of spring. The spirit of English pastoralism, they inspire poets, composers and farmers alike. In the trenches of World War I they were a reminder of the chattering meadows of home.Perhaps you were up with the lark, or as happy as one. History has seen us poeticise and musicise the bird, but also capture and eat them. We watch as they climb the sky, delight in their joyful singing, and yet we harm them too. The Soaring life of the Lark explores the music and poetry; the breath-taking heights and struggle to survive of one of Britain''s most iconic songbirds.PRAISE FOR JOHN LEWIS-STEMPEL''Britain''s finest living nature writer'' - The Times''Lewis-Stempel is a fourth-generation farmer gifted with an extraordinary ability to write prose that soars and sings'' - Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisThis volume examines the impact of and responses to historic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the Azores. Study is placed in the contexts of: the history and geography of this fascinating archipelago; progress being made in predicting future events and policies of disaster risk reduction. This is the only volume to consider the earthquake and volcanic histories of the Azores across the whole archipelago and is based, not only on contemporary published research, but also on the detailed study of archival source materials. The authors seek to show how extreme environmental events, as expressed through eruptions, earthquakes and related processes operating in the past may be considered using both complementary scientific and social scientific perspectives in order to reveal the ways in which Azorean society has been shaped by both an isolated location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the ever present threat of environmental uncertainty. Chapter 2, which analyses in dTable of ContentsList of Figures; List of Tables; Preface; Chapter 1: The Azores and the Azoreans; Chapter 2: The Tectonic and Geological Background; Chapter 3: Historical Eruptions and Earthquakes; Chapter 4: Evaluation and Prediction of Hazards; Chapter 5: Coping with Disasters in the Azores; Chapter 6: Conclusion: Developing Policies of Disaster Risk Reduction; Index.

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Book SynopsisA journey of discovery through our natural world.Bushcraft and survival legend Ray Mears takes us on his own lifetime's journey through the natural world, into the British countryside and across continents, and shows us how to tune our senses, enhance our experience of nature, and understand our place within it.Guiding us through practical fieldcraft tips, Ray brings us up close with creatures we share our planet with, and reveals how we can learn from them, from the stealth of the leopard to the patience and stillness of the crocodile, and even the colour-changing camouflage of the octopus.With Ray as your companion, you will unlock the hidden secrets of the wild and begin to see, instead of merely look.

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Book SynopsisToday there are 20 million species on our planet. Yet what we see is just a snapshot in time. 99% of Earth's inhabitants are lost to our deep past. The story of what happened to these lineages - their rise and their fall - is truly remarkable.Accompanying the ground-breaking series, Life on Our Planet tells the story of life's epic battle to conquer and survive on planet Earth, showing in a new light what's been lost to us, and how life's future is now being written by us. From ancient ocean worlds and plant life's first forays onto land, to the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the devastation of the last Ice Age, this is a sweeping view of evolution, through five extinctions and, with the arrival of humans on earth, the beginning of the sixth...With over 200 photos and images from the groundbreaking Netflix series, Life on Our Planet is an unforgettable journey to our ancient past, containing powerful lessons to learn about our future.

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Book SynopsisPolly Pullar has had a passion for red squirrels since childhood. As a wildlife rehabilitator, she knows the squirrel on a profoundly personal level and has hand-reared numerous litters of orphan kits, eventually returning them to the wild. In this book she shares her experiences and love for the squirrel and explores how our perceptions have changed. Heavily persecuted until the 1960s, it has since become one of the nation’s most adored mammals. But we are now racing against time to ensure its long-term survival in an ever-changing world. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Polly’s Perthshire farm, where she works continuously to encourage wildlife great and small, she highlights how nature can, and indeed will, recover if only we give it a chance. In just two decades, her efforts have brought spectacular results, and numerous squirrels and other animals visit her wild farm every day.Trade Review'A Scurry of Squirrels is a delight. Part history, part natural history, and part memoir, and written in Polly Pullar's compelling and always readable style, it will appeal to anyone captivated by one of Britain's favourite wild creatures' -- Stephen Moss, author and naturalist'A charming, engrossing story of the many creatures Pullar has fostered over the years. It's a treat for animal lovers and a tribute to the healing power of nature' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'In A Scurry of Squirrels, Pullar shares her experiences and love for the red squirrel, and, with reference to history and natural history, explores how our perceptions of the animals have changed. The book highlights how nature can, and indeed will, recover if we give it a chance' * Dundee Courier *'Polly Pullar brings her lifetime's experience of Scottish nature into this compelling account set around the rehabilitation of orphaned and injured wild animals at her Perthshire home…. It's a very personal tale of paradise lost and hope that it can be regained' -- Sheena Harvey * BBC Countryfile *'Truly fascinating…accompanied by personal photographs and anecdotes, this book is. A good read for any wilderness enthusiasts or strong believers in the preservation of native animals' * Scottish Field *'This engaging book also reminds us that our life’s troubles are seen in clearer perspective when viewed in the context of the part we play in the living world' * Green Christian Magazine *'It’s the storytelling that really sings here... the squirrels in particular will capture your heart' * Rewilding Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe official tie-in to the third instalment in the legendary Planet Earth franchiseFew places on Earth remain untouched by humans, creating challenges for the wildlife we share it with. We have entered a new age, and we must look at the splendour of the natural world through a different lens.From the depths of our oceans, to scorching deserts and the most remote jungles, Planet Earth III features spectacular places and surprising animal behaviours from all corners of our world. And for the first time, a human element is introduced to each landscape, highlighting how, in the age of the Anthropocene, today's planet has been forever changed by humanity and that wildlife now faces new challenges in our crowded, modern world.Featuring over 250 beautiful full-colour photographs, Planet Earth III reveals the wonders and trials of life on an increasingly fragile planet, bringing you closer than ever before to our world’s most intriguing species, unseen landscapes and natural phenomena.

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Book SynopsisThere is no greater aspiration than saving the world. Natalie Fee's upbeat and engaging book is a life-altering guide to making those changes that will contribute to helping our planet. Covering all key areas of our lives, from food and leisure to travel and sex, Natalie will galvanise you to think and live differently. You will feel better, live better and ultimately breathe better in the knowledge that every small change contributes towards saving our world.

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Book Synopsis'An enchanting treasury of magical tales handed down through the ages. Infectious and soul-stirring, these are stories crying out to be shared.' - Ben Hoare, award winning wildlife journalist and nature nerdHave you heard the tale of Black Annis, the witch-demon that lurks beneath a Leicester housing estate? Do you know the legend of the Hunting of the Great Bear, or how the crow brought daylight? Why should you be careful to never insult the moon?Star stories and creature tales, good-old-fashioned ghost stories together with traditional narratives about how the night became kindle the fires of our imagination and deepen our acquaintance with the dark in this compendium of stories to tell out loud.Filtered through the wild imaginations and indigenous tongues of storytellers from all over the world, this collection is rewritten and re-presented here by a master storyteller from the UK, who has been spinning nocturnal narratives around the campfire for three decades. This is a delicious midnight feast of 'tales from the dark side’ to fascinate, terrify, enchant and inform about the night-time realm.Trade ReviewHere’s a companion volume to Chris Salisbury’s ‘Wild Nights Out’. These are wonderful stories to tell by firelight or under the stars, drawn from many cultures and exploring the mysteries of the night-time and all it holds. And they're retold by a storyteller who knows just what he’s doing, Chris has for many years made traditional tales a key part of his practice as an outdoor educator -- Hugh LuptonThese beautiful stories are a bundle of stars that light up not just the darkness of the night but the darkness within us, within our culture. -- Martin Shaw * Foreword *An enchanting treasury of magical tales handed down through the ages. Infectious and soul-stirring, these are stories crying out to be shared. -- Ben Hoare, award-winning wildlife journalist and nature nerdWith Chris Salisbury you are in safe, wise hands. This is the perfect companion to his essential 'Wild Nights Out', a glittering selection of tales to honour the collective consciousness of what held us and our ancestors together. -- Ashley Ramsden Founder of School of Storytelling (UK)A rich collection about the importance of a dark skies, cycles of the moon, and stories of the stars. These stories come from Chris's long relationship with the natural world and respect for traditional cultures. Enjoy them at bedtime, around the campfire and underneath the stars. -- Sally Pomme ClaytonThis book honours the richness of the dark hours, drawing together a constellation of stories that language the mystery, wonder, terror and necessity of night. A wonderful resource for any storyteller - the stories call to be spoken aloud in the company of others and the firelight. A vibrant legacy of a life lived in deep apprenticeship and companionship with the wild, Chris has created a guide rich in dreaming and practical knowledge. -- Dr Jo Blake, storyteller and theatre-makerWhat an absolute gem this book is. * Cotswold Life *

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Book SynopsisEveryone's image of the ideal cricket ground will be a village field, fringed by trees, the outfield dappled with clovers and buttercups, swallows flitting above... And what of all the other wildlife associated with this most natural of sports? At the Oval these days, Test Match Special's commentators remark on the resident foxes as often as the traditional pigeons. At Teddington Town CC in London's Bushy Park matches are frequently interrupted by incursions of deer; at Lyndhurst in the New Forest by wild ponies. At Kirkby Lonsdale CC in Cumbria the local fungus group found 20 species of waxcap on the outfield. For some reason hoopoes, spectacular orange and black-crested birds from southern Europe, favour cricket grounds on their rare migrations to the UK. This unique, funny, delightful cricket book from left field explores the relationship between cricket grounds and the natural world, from wildlife records to the Edwardian cricket writings of Edmund Blunden, and in many remarkable photos.Trade Review'Excellent', Simon Burnton, Guardian; 'A wonderfully illustrated, jovially written and insightful piece of work', Country Life; 'A delightful tome that looks at cricket from a different angle, highlights its intrinsic link with the natural world and proves soothing amid the concrete-dominated world of stadium cricket. After society's rediscovery of the natural world during Covid-induced lockdowns, the book is arguably being released at a timely juncture', Yahoo over Cow Corner blog; ‘A very nice book indeed, and a wonderful concept. Nature and cricket are among life’s greatest joys – to combine them is sublime,’ Simon Barnes; ‘This book was not what I expected … a book describing the flora and fauna of cricket grounds. And all the better for it. Certainly the chapters are titled as such … but they are only used by the author to indicate his feeling that cricket is losing its connection to our environment, as it changes its own “nature” as it attempts to compete in a profit-seeking world. Coster has done a great job. The book is full of humour with enjoyable cricket anecdotes, supported by excellent photographs … I enjoyed this book a lot.’ Jayne Hancock, Journal of the Cricket Society; ‘An excellent book’, Lev Parikian; ‘“Delightful” [is] not an adequate word to apply to this wonderful book,’ The Cricket Statistician

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Book SynopsisA fascinating and humorous read that debunks the surprising myths about the world we always believed. The latest addition to the popular Everything You Know series, this book will blow apart your beliefs in the world’s physical and social landscape, leaving you staggered by astounding facts about our planet's geography, nature, countries and cities. Indulge your curiosity and you’ll find a plethora of myths, legends and misquotes that have shaped the way we view the world today. Convinced the world is round? Think again! It’s actually flatter at the poles. Have the Sahara down as the world’s biggest desert? It’s actually Antarctica. Brimming with facts about the world, how it works and the way we live in it, this illuminating book will guide you through the minefield of misinformation to set the record straight on everything from the location of Mexico to the correct way of measuring earthquakes. Discovering untruths about people and places, geography and the environment, Everything You Know About Planet Earth Is Wrong provides a hugely entertaining insight into the world we live in.Trade Review'An Entertaining title and a good gift for adult or teenager alike.’ * Popular Science Blog *'This truly has cross-generational appeal and thus comes high on our recommendation list. You might want to check out the rest of the series too.' * How It Works *'This truly has cross-generational appeal and thus comes high on our recommendation list. You might want to check out the rest of the series too.' * How It Works *

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Book SynopsisThe book showcases 75 beautiful words evocative of the wild, from all around the world, that describe natural happenings in nature. It includes words that describe weather, or a feeling you have when in nature as well as sensory words that explain the smell or sound of a place. The words used to express what is seen in the world are vital to an appreciation of it – language is a key component in the call of the wild. As words vanish from a language, it follows that what they describe may disappear. Words deepen understanding of what is seen, and what is seen comes more vividly to life through the words used to describe it. As the natural world and the time spent in it diminish in the face of modern life, it’s more vital than ever to recall it into being with the magic of language. Each of the 75 words will have a 100-word description, including its pronunciation, a geographical/historical/cultural background, as well as reflecting on the emotional/mindful response the natural phenomenon can inspire. Each word will be paired with an illustration Examples of words: Mångata. Sweden. Noun. The path of light that the moon makes on water. Sugar weather. Canada. Noun. A period of warm days and cold nights – the perfect weather to start the sap flowing in maple trees. Rudėnja. Lithuania. The way nature begins to feel as autumn takes hold and the vestiges of summer disappear. Komorebi. Japan. Noun. Beams of sunlight filtering down through the trees.

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Book Synopsis Inspired by the history of Britain, from the tree under which the first trade union was formed to the branches from which outlaws were hanged, The Great British Tree Biography details the fascinating stories associated with trees throughout the history of the British Isles. How much did you know about the Glastonbury Hawthorn? A tree on the site of Glastonbury Abbey that flowers on Christmas Day, and is believed to descend from an original thorn planted on the grounds by Joseph of Arimathea. And then there's Oswald's Tree where the dismembered body of Oswald, the Christian King of Northumbria was said to have been hung by Penda, King of Mercia, as a warning to others – and from where the town of Oswestry takes its name. There is the lime that grows stubbornly on a cricket pitch in Kent, the ash tree surrounded by 19th-century gravestones in St Pancras churchyard and the Knole Oak, immortalised on the page in Virginia Woolf’s Orlando and in the video for The Beatles song Strawberry Fields Forever. From the from oak on Isle Maree in Scotland said to provide release from madness to visitors who offer coins to the tree, to the beeches in Wiltshire that inspired Tolkien, and the sycamore in London where Marc Bolan met his untimely fate, this beautifully illustrated book tells the unique history of the British Isles through its diverse collection of trees and forests. Journalist Mark Hooper also investigates the influence of British trees in folklore, art, literature, music, legend and myth, weaving a fascinating tale of Britain’s woodlands through the stories of the individual trees.Trade Review‘An eclectic miscellany of essays on 50 British trees…an absolute delight to savour one tree at a time’ -- Gardens Illustrated‘A fascinating page-turner’ -- Countryside magazine

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Book Synopsis ‘The beginnings of a bitter-sweet commission: a mistle thrust’s egg, heralding a brief but very welcome return to spring… This year has been in such a hurry, at times almost tripping over itself in its keenness to reach autumn, and now she’s here.’ Highly respected illustrator Anna Koska is best known for her drawings of fish and fruit and is widely celebrated by food journalists and restaurateurs. In this mindful, artistic journal, Anna celebrates the natural world; the changing of the seasons, the blossoming of flowers and the ripening of fruit. Working in watercolour, pen and ink, oils and luscious egg tempera, Anna’s illustrations are reproduced in beautiful detail and they are accompanied by her musings and observations of objects, engaging us in the everyday realities of her artistic practice. Anna sources inspiration from the flora and fauna in the fields and forests surrounding her home in East Sussex. Her illustrations root us in nature, allowing us to pause to admire and appreciate the beauty and significance of everyday occurrences – whether she is drawing wasps feasting on apples fallen in the orchard, or trying to capture the cerulean blue of a winter sky. In this book, image and narrative text are wedded to create a beautiful journey through the seasons, taking time to appreciate our surroundings. ‘It started with my favourite fish, a red mullet, all bronze, copper, gills and scales. Then mackerel, coloured like a Scandi sky. Soon enough, I was seduced by a sketch of figs and Anna’s alluring tones.’ Allan Jenkins, Observer Food Magazine.Trade Review‘Writing about food you sometimes describe the skin of an apple or the colour of the flesh of a dark plum. This book helps you see’ -- Diana Henry‘Koska’s vivid accounts, coupled with her illustrations, create an evocative tale that almost serenades you in melodious bird song, or the gentle hum of bees.’ -- Town & Country Magazine‘Every page is touching in one way or another…Anna has a way of taking things that may go unseen, quietly passing us by, and bringing them to our attention in the most natural way.’ -- Anja Dunk‘... her warm and personal observations of the life of the land around her home in Sussex, but we are sucked in and they become ours too...’ -- Rachel Roddy

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Book SynopsisA core component of the natural world is the geology, in the rocks and the landforms that have been created by their erosion. The plants that cover so much of the world's land areas, ant the myriad animals that inhabit each environment, form the wonderful world of nature, but the backdrops to all of them are the landscapes that are the world of geology. So many of the world's great natural attractions - the sites, the sights, the national parks, the wow places that folk travel to see - are features of their geology, with landforms that range from awe-inspiring to simply beautiful. And then there are so many more terrains and landscapes that have great stories to tell. Travelling the world, always armed with a camera, led to the author compiling a substantial collection of photographs, many of which reflected his own interests in their geological theme. This has grown into a worldwide overview of just a fraction of the magnificent sights, both natural and influenced by mankind, that make the geological world so totally fascinating and frequently so beautiful. Within these pages, the photographs and their short, accompanying texts offer just a taste of the visual delights within the world of geology. They constitute a grand tour across the surface of our planet, taking in as many as possible of our most spectacular and most fascinating sites. The whole book is perhaps best viewed as a glorious journey of discovery.Trade Review`...makes a splendid coffee table type book, one to be periodically dipped into... Tony's excellent book provides inspiring insight into the Earth's magnificent landscapes...' Mercian Geologist--------------------'...It's a real bargain. I can't imagine you'll find a more attractive and informative book of fantastic geological landscape photos anywhere and at any price'. Magazine of the Geologists' Association------------------'...World of Geology...takes its readers...to some of the strangest, iconic and little-known places on earth...Tony's writing flows and is eminently readable...making this very attractive to cavers and to use as a present for others. Speleo Reader-------------------'...a splendid and substantial collection of photographs...it is the beautiful, full-colour photographs that dominate and make this a lovely addition to one's library - to dip into whenever time allows or to read from cover to cover'. Deposits Magazine

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This reviewer repeatedly found himself stuck on a page marveling at the hours and hours of work that had gone into the research and photography behind the detail. Like a good exhibit designer, Grimaldi does not titillate or terrify with close-ups of the monsters that typically haunt other 'bug' books. Rather, he draws readers into a world populated by wonderful, colorful insects, creating an appreciation for entomology."---G.C. Stevens, Choice"It's easy to run out of superlatives when talking about this book. For those of us who do not have advanced degrees in entomology yet are no less passionately interested in insects, this is the best guide of its kind - ever."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"An amazing book."---John Miles, Birdwatch"This beautiful 368-page hard-backed book lives up to its title – it covers all you could ever want to know about insects."---Frances McKim, Pest Magazine"If you love insects and want more background information than an ID guide can offer, The Complete Insect is a book worth considering."---Claire Bow, Outdoor Photography"This book [is] enlivened with myriad colour photographs that both startle and delight."---Andrew Robinson, Nature"An absorbing and beautiful exploration of the natural history of insects." * the Buzz *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[An] enthralling book. . . . Lavishly illustrated with big color photos and drawings, the book covers shark biology, behavior and ecology in prose that's authoritative but highly accessible to anyone bitten by shark fever."---Ron Charles, Washington Post"[A] landmark, myth-busting book."---Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today"Truly excellent."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"[A] wonderful new book packed with facts and information about these magnificent animals. . . . Whether you are studying marine biology, or just love these perfect predators, this book will be one that you pluck from your collection time and time again."---Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse"A thoughtful, easy read, suitable either for dipping into or working through, and would look good on any shark diver’s shelves."---Steve Weinman, Divernet"Many people experience irrepressible fear while swimming in the presence of sharks but exhibit deep interest in sharks when safely ashore. This text will satisfy the latter urge and may even mitigate some of the former concern."---S.R. Fegley, Choice

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Book SynopsisTop ten Sunday Times BestsellerEngaging, ambitious and creative' GuardianWhere are we? Are we alone? Who are we? Why are we here? What is our future?Human Universe tackles some of the greatest questions that humans have asked to try and understand the very nature of ourselves and the Universe in which we live.Through the endless leaps of human minds, it explores the extraordinary depth of our knowledge today and where our curiosity may lead us in the future. With groundbreaking insight it reveals how time, physics and chemistry came together to create a creature that can wonder at its own existence, blessed with an unquenchable thirst to discover not just where it came from, but how it can think, where it is going and if it is alone.Accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox: ‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian ‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times ‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express ‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday

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Book SynopsisArt and science – they may seem like opposites, but throughout history there have been visionaries who have brought together these contrasting subjects.The Art of Science explores the work of 40 such artists and artist-scientists, uncovering how these innovators have designed futuristic technology centuries ahead of its time, investigated time and space through abstract art, and created sculpture informed by NASA technology.An expertly curated selection of artists from many different cultures and eras – including Huang Quan, Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, Anna Atkins, Olafur Eliasson and Anicka Yi – this book tells the story of the vital partnership between art and science, with over 200 lavish illustrations.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Being Human and the Post-human • Alchemy and the Cosmos • The Natural and the Post-natural • Ecologies and Environments • Machines and Systems • Bibliography • Index.

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Book SynopsisOn the timing of seasonal activity in plants and animals, the impact of climate change, and what each of us, as everyday phenologists, can do to help.Phenology is all about timing?when trees leaf out, flowers bloom, birds migrate, animals bear young and hibernate?and it is everywhere around us. This handy companionable volume shows how we are all phenologists in our own way, and how the everyday science can help us make sense of the changing seasons and our changing world. Explaining how the phenomenon of phenology is threaded through our daily lives, Theresa Crimmins points to events that occur on an annual basis in plants? and animals? lives in response to fluctuations in daylength, temperatures, and rainfall patterns. She also covers less visible seasonal events, such as when roots typically begin to grow or when mushrooms release their spores. On a more urgent note, Phenology describes how this seasonal activity is being affected by rapidly changing climate conditions?and why this matters. Consequently, the book invites readers to participate in documenting the timing of seasonal life cycle events?for the practice?s real benefits to mental health, but also for the good of the environment, as the data gathered can be directly helpful in supporting climate change action.

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Book Synopsis“The Sacred Balance has a beautiful spirit.”—E.O. WilsonWith a new foreword from Robin Wall Kimmerer, New York Times-bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass—and an afterword from Bill McKibben—this special 25th anniversary edition of a beloved bestseller invites readers to see ourselves as part of nature, not separate.The world is changing at a relentless pace. How can we slow down and act from a place of respect for all living things? The Sacred Balance shows us how.In this extensively updated new edition, David Suzuki reflects on the increasingly radical changes in science and nature—from the climate crisis to peak oil and the rise in clean energy—and examines what they mean for humankind. He also reflects on what we have learned by listening to Indigenous leaders, whose knowledge of the natural world is profound, and whose peoples are on the frontlines of protecting land and water around the world.Drawing on his own experiences and those of others who have put their beliefs into action, The Sacred Balance combines science, philosophy, spirituality, and Indigenous knowledge to offer concrete suggestions for creating an ecologically sustainable future by rediscovering and addressing humanity’s basic needs.Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute

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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 SynopsisThe beautiful aurorae, or northern lights, are the stuff of legends. The ancient stories of the Sami people warn that if you mock the lights they will seize you, and their mythical appeal continues to capture the hearts and imagination of people across the globe.Aurora explores the visual beauty, ancient myths and science of the northern lights and challenges the popular theory of how the lights are formed. Plasma physicist Melanie Windridge explains this extraordinary and evocative phenomenon, a scientific marvel unlike any other in which the powers of astronomy, geology, magnetism and atomic physics combine to create one of the wonders of the natural world.As Melanie travels in search of the perfect aurora, she uncovers the scientific realities of this plasmic phenomenon full of natural power. She combines the science behind the lights with a fascinating travelogue as she pursues the aurora across the northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to Scotland.Trade Review‘Captivating’ Nature ‘Spell-binding … a brilliant blend of auroral science, polar exploration, Sami heritage and folklore … full of wonders.’ The Simple Things ‘Her greatest strength is her ability to illuminate science for the lay person.’ Literary Review ‘Her enthusiasm for all things aurora is, ultimately, infectious and there will be something of interest here for anyone with even a passing curiosity in this remarkable natural phenomenon’ The Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisIn this series of moving recollections involving both his childhood and his work as a mature artist, John Fowles explains the impact of nature on his life and the dangers inherent in our traditional urge to categorise, to tame and ultimately to possess the landscape. This acquisitive drive leads to alienation and an antagonism to the apparent disorder and randomness of the natural world. For John Fowles the tree is the best analogue of prose fiction, symbolising the wild side of our psyche, and he stresses the importance in art of the unpredictable, the unaccountable and the intuitive. This fascinating text gives a unique insight into the author and offers the key to a true understanding of the inspiration for his work.Trade ReviewA text of unusual beauty and perception * Publishers Weekly *Magnificent... Mystical * Daily Telegraph *Gritty and entertaining * Sunday Telegraph *Fowles' language is strong, green, discursive, related throughout to his own life and memories * Vogue *

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Book SynopsisRivers have played an extraordinarily important role in creating the world in which we live. They create landscapes and provide water to people, plants and animals, nourishing both town and country. The flow of rivers has enthused poets and painters, explorers and pilgrims. Rivers have acted as cradles for civilization and agents of disaster; a river may be a barrier or a highway, it can bear trade and sediment, culture and conflict. A river may inspire or it may terrify. This Very Short Introduction is a celebration of rivers in all their diversity. Nick Middleton covers a wide and eclectic range of river-based themes, from physical geography to mythology, to industrial history and literary criticism. Worshipped and revered, respected and feared, rivers reflect both the natural and social history of our planet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis small paperback is a succinct and yet impressively broad and engaging introduction to the subject ... Middleton covers an astonishing amount of ground in five chapters. * Martin Smart, Geographical *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE; FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“It’s not about gardening, nor is it about the structure or origins of plants, but a sort of engaging miscellany . . . There is much to be learnt on almost every page.”—Richard Eyre, Sunday Times“This lively and well-researched book is a garland of delights . . . Even among familiar flowers Boddy finds unexpected stories and connections.”—Peter Parker, Spectator“This joyful, elegant study of how poets, philosophers and politicians have seen meaning in various types of flowers—from the Cold War symbol of “Daisy Girl” to D H Lawrence’s verdict on the daffodil (“ruffled birds on their perches”)—is a tour-de-force.”—Iona McLaren, Daily Telegraph“This illustrated guide unearths the history and influence of iconic flowers from across the globe, from Spring daffodils to autumn chrysanthemums.”—Sophie Hannam and Caroline Wheater, Homes & Antiques“A book to dip into little and often, which serves up a year’s worth of intellectual stimulation [and] sensual pleasure . . . the breadth of references is quite simply breathtaking”—Jodie Jones, Garden Illustrated“There is something of interest for everyone, and it is charmingly illustrated too . . . [I]t gives joy to be ‘locked down’ with this book.”—Margaret Barrie, Flora Magazine“From the meaning of carnations in Sex and the City to the use of sunflowers in the cleanup of Chernobyl, from Henry VIII’s ban on saffron dye in Ireland to the modernist reinventions of roses, this is no ordinary flower book, and Kasia Boddy is no ordinary writer.”—Ali Smith, author of Spring“Unlike any book I have read on flowers. We get a superb range of cultural information and imagery from ancient times right through to the very modern, and from all parts of the world. Fascinating.”—Margaret Willes, author of The Gardens of the British Working Class“There is no doubt that anyone perusing the pages will view afresh the blooming flowers in their garden . . . A compelling, contextualising tapestry written with both vivacity and analytical rigour.”—Chris Beardshaw, Garden Designer and Broadcaster“Blooming Flowers is a gorgeously lush evocation of twelve different flowers, each one steeped in its own stories, cultural associations and botanical wonder. It is not just a sunny celebration of everything floral—we learn how intimately flowers are entwined with global warming, transatlantic slavery, US imperialism and nuclear radioactivity—but this is a beautifully written book, full of exquisite detail, startling facts and laced with just the right amount of poetry.”—Peter Fiennes, author of Oak and Ash and Thorn

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. Plants 2. Climate and weather 3. Soil health and management 4. Fertilisers and manures 5. Weeds 6. Diseases 7. Pests 8. Sustainable Crop Production Techniques 9. Precision crop production 10. Organic Crop Husbandry 11. Principles of plant breeding, seed production and certification 12. World Agricultural Systems 13. Cereals 14. Oilseeds and Pulse crops 15. Root Crops 16. Energy and industrial crops 17. Fresh produce 18. Arable forage crops 19. Introduction to grass production 20. Establishing and improving grassland 21. Grazing management 22. Conservation of grass and forage crops

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Book SynopsisA blend of contemporary travelogue and historical narrative about the Alps from "a graceful and passionate writer" (The Washington Post).Trade Review"Stephen O'Shea's sardonic, science-rich travelogue…" -- Nature"His [Stephen O'Shea's] account of his journey, all 500 miles and seven countries of it, is a soaring success, erudite, entertaining and human... the Alps cry out to be explored. Start with this book." -- i paper"Veteran traveller Stephen O’Shea takes the reader on a delightful 500-mile historical romp through the Alps... It is well worth making space in the rucksack for this on your next Alpine holiday." -- Geographical

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Book SynopsisAn enhanced facsimile of Jones's Icones, one of the most scientifically important and visually stunning works on butterflies and moths ever created.Trade Review'Science and art combine in an exquisite history as relevant today as it was more than two centuries ago. A book of considerable scientific value and artistic beauty. As a modern research source – at a time when habitat destruction and a changing climate are a reality and decline of butterflies globally is alarming – it is invaluable' - John Tennent, The Art Newspaper'The sheer intellectual as well as physical effort of gathering together a body of knowledge such as Icones cannot be underestimated, and nor can its collaborative nature' - The Herald'The Icones are not only extraordinarily beautiful paintings, but they present an important record of a pre-industrial butterfly world. Several of the illustrated species are extinct or locally extinct. It is wonderful that they have finally been published. Combined with the notes from experts, this book forms, in the words of the publishers, 'an exquisite work of natural history from the Age of Enlightenment'. I couldn’t agree more' - Antenna'Any enthusiast that is interested in world Lepidoptera (butterflies in particular) and its historical backdrop will absolutely love Iconotypes and, as such, this new work is highly recommended' - Peter Eeles, Dispar'Beautifully produced' - Country Life'This wonderful book is a veritable tour-de-force (as well as being a labour of love). It is a marvellous blend of Aurelian history, taxonomy, art, biogeography, and thoughtful articles and anecdotes about the eccentric characters who have contributed to lepidopterology over the last three centuries. It is packed with stories and illustrations which will excite all lovers of Lepidoptera' - Metamorphosis'An exquisite specimen … a brilliant specimen of collaborative publishing' - The Tablet, Books of the Year'WOW! The scholarship and totality of this new book are as complete as I can want and could easily be a template for anyone writing a schol¬arly as well as beautiful book. This is the best book I ever reviewed' - Eric H. Metzler, National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian)'Now all can appreciate the paintings in this beautifully illustrated work. With historical butterfly facts and supporting interpretation it is more than just an enhanced facsimile as the title-page too modestly asserts' - Archives of Natural HistoryTable of ContentsForeword by Professor Paul Smith, Director of Oxford University Museum of Natural History Introduction: William Jones & the Birth of the Icones by Richard I .Vane-Wright Icones Volume I: Papiliones Equites: Troes & Achivi Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Europe Article—The early study of Lepidoptera by Alberto Zilli Icones Volume II: Papiliones Heliconii Map—Distribution of iconotype species in North & Central America Icones Volume III: Papiliones Danai: Candidi & Festivi Map—Distribution of iconotype species in South America Article—A flourishing of lepidopterological activity by Alberto Zilli Icones Volume IV: Papiliones Nymphales: Gemmati & Phalerati Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Asia Article—Collecting Lepidoptera in the 18th & 19th centuries by Arlene Leis Icones Volume V: Papiliones Nymphales Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Africa Article—The art of painting butterflies by Stefanie Jovanovic-Kruspel Icones Volume VI: Papiliones Plebeji Map—Distribution of iconotype species in Australasia Article—The decline of Lepidoptera around the globe by Francisco Sánchez-Bayo Icones Volume VII: Papiliones Conclusion: The Legacy of William Jones by Richard I. Vane-Wright Full listing of Jones’s iconotypes Bibliography Sources of illustrations Index to the butterflies Index to the articles Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisHope is the new icon of the Natural History Museum, a stunning 9,000 pound, 82-foot-long blue whale skeleton. Suspended by steel wires and captured in a majestic swooping posture, her reconstruction is a work of art as well as a feat of engineering. Her story begins in 1891 when she was found beached off the coast of Ireland. A lucrative find for a local fisherman, her skeletal remains were sold to the Museum. The project to restore her took three years to complete, including 10 months of painstaking laboratory work to clean and repair each of her 221 bones. Combining the latest scientific research into the blue whale with behind-the-scenes imagery, this book sheds new light on the largest creature ever to have lived on Earth.

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