Search results for ""national geographic society""

In this companion to the number one New York Times bestseller The Blue Zones Kitchen, Dan Buettner offers a four-week guide and year-long sustainability program to jump-start your journey to better health, happiness, less stress, and a longer life. Get started on the path to a longer, healthier, happier life with this quick start to building your own Blue Zones lifestyle. Dan Buettner, founder of the Blue Zones and author of the New York Times number one best-selling Blue Zones Kitchen, offers the challenge of a lifetime: Build a foundation for better nutrition, more exercise, and a stronger social life that will extend your lifetime by years. In this easy-to-implement guide, you'll start with the rules of the Blue Zones Challenge, including tips and tricks from the five Blue Zones - locations around the world where people consistently live to 100--advice for setting up a successful kitchen and pantry, and resources for expanding you support network. Then, follow week-by-week prompts to: Change your diet Increase your activity Update your living spaces Build your social life. After four weeks--and with the help of easy-to-use worksheets and recipes - you'll see results in your weight, your well-being, and your general health. From there, follow the Blue Zones challenge through the rest of the year with an 11-month sustainability calendar that will continue to encourage you and build upon the foundation you've already started.What you'll find is living to 100 is easy - it just takes following the Blue Zones way!

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A glorious new volume of Sartore’s signature animal portraits, this time highlighting the fascinating shapes, patterns, and expressions of animals both familiar and little known. Joel Sartore, on a mission to photograph all the animal species in human care, now delights us with more photographs, this time selected to represent the amazing diversity of the world’s animals. The book’s four chapters -- Pattern, Shape, Extra, and Personality -- invite us to revel in these photographs, many cleverly paired into amusing and often surprising comparisons, like the catfish and the mouse with the same stripes down their backs, the tarantula and the poison dart frog both cobalt blue, or the tiny lizard and the weighty ox both sporting pointed horns. Each photograph gets its own page or two-page spread. Scientifically accurate captions highlight distinctive features. Throughout, Sartore recalls telling moments from his photographic adventures. With all new image selections, this book expands the best-selling Photo Ark series, sure to be a hit with those who already treasure National Geographic Photo Ark, Birds of the Photo Ark, and Photo Ark Vanishing.Animal lovers young and old will get lost in the pages of this book, delighted by the spectacular diversity among these creatures and the wit of the photographer chronicling them.

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There's simply no better getaway in the United States than a visit to one of the country's 62 national parks from Alaska to the Virgin Islands, from Maine to America Samoa. Profiled in this all-new ninth edition of National Geographic's enduring and informative guide, you'll find expert travel advice, candid tips for hiking and wildlife spotting, and detailed maps to help navigate your way through America's great outdoors. Updated throughout with the latest information from park rangers and National Geographic's own acclaimed travel writers, this fully revised and comprehensive guidebook includes the newest additions to the United States park system-Indiana Dunes, White Sands, and Gateway Arch national parks. Whether you're looking to explore the underground world of Mammoth Caves or make your way through the mangroves of Everglades National Park, you'll find a destination that suits your needs, and inspiration to plan your next wild adventure. In addition to park details and descriptions, this sparkling new edition features week-long regional road trip itineraries so you can visit multiple parks in one vacation. Filled with more than 300 dazzling photographs and 80 full-color maps, this inspiring book reveals the best the United States has to offer-right in its own backyard.

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This lavishly illustrated travel planner features 500 of the world's most memorable driving experiences, from legendary Highway 1 in California to Japan's famous Irohazaka Winding Road. Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic's legendary travel writers, Drives of a Lifetime spans the globe to reveal the best celebrated and lesser-known road trips on the planet. Inside this fully updated and revised edition--featuring more than 20 new drives--you'll find routes through spectacular landscapes, ideas for quick getaways, leisurely journeys of discovery, and revelations of secret worlds beyond Google Maps. Some are legendary long-distance odysseys; others are easy day trips close to home, taking you down charming local byways. All will inspire you to pack up the car and hit the road. The possibilities are endless: Take Colorado's San Juan Skyway for a 10,000-foot climb over towering mountain passes. Or travel the ancient Silk Road on an expedition across Central Asia and through time. Or why not drive the perimeter of Puerto Rico, a tropical paradise with many beaches along the way? Whatever your taste and budget, you'll find plenty of routes tailored to your interests. Alongside detailed descriptions, full-color maps guide the way and planning tips help you make the most of your journey; top 10 lists offer quick, easy side trip ideas. Beautiful, informative, and inspiring,

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This powerful photography collection drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive celebrates the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour. #MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time's Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 300+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed "Afghan girl." Organized around chapter themes like grit, compassion, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, Gloria Allred, Roxane Gay, Melinda Gates, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and the founders of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Each is accompanied by a bold new portrait, shot by acclaimed NG photograher Erika Larsen. The ultimate coffee table book, this iconic collection provides definitive proof that the future is female.

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This compelling visual journey through our galaxy combines more than 350 photographs, illustrations, and graphics to present the universe as you've never seen it before. Galaxia is a deep dive into the past, present, and future of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. In this mind-expanding visual tour through the cosmos, spectacular photographs are converted into interpretive graphics, starting with the sun and moving outward into space where stars are born, black holes lurk, and planets of diverse size and anatomy spin through their orbit. The final chapters locate our galaxy within the known universe and add a scintillating peek of other exoplanets in the cosmos. Detailed maps and fascinating imagery from recent space missions are paired with clear, authoritative scientific information.

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Now in paperback, this step-by-step guide draws on contemplative traditions, modern neuroscience, and leading psychology to bring peace and focus to the home, the workplace, and beyond. At the pinnacle of the digital age, it's hard to imagine packing one more thing into our overwhelmed lives. But new research shows that simple daily exercises can change the way our brain works, improve focus, lift our mood, create stronger connections, and help us develop greater resilience. In this enriching book, noted teacher and mindfulness expert Laurie Cameron provides an everyday road map to cultivate inner peace and navigate any situation with control and clarity. Timeless teachings and straightforward practices designed for busy schedules--from the morning commute to back-to-back meetings to family dinners--show how mindfulness can transform life at home, in the workplace, and beyond. A personal guide for women who have leaned in, men who want to be more effective, and professionals looking to optimize their lives, this book will help readers lead their lives with intention and purpose. * BROAD AUDIENCE: Written to appeal to the legions of stressed out, over-programmed women, this book will appeal to fans of similar titles like the New York Times bestsellers Overwhelmed, 10% Happier, and The Happiness Project. * TIMELY TOPIC: Mindfulness has officially moved from niche to mainstream. In 2013, Time magazine ran a much buzzed about cover story on "The Mindful Revolution"; Anderson Cooper endorsed the trend on 60 Minutes the following year. Best-selling books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up have proven the wide, and global, interest in this category. *STRONG AUTHOR PLATFORM: With experience speaking in more than 25 countries for companies like Google and Scripps Network, Laurie Cameron has access to an enormous audience and businesses that

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Packed with delicious recipes, natural remedies, gardening tips, homemaking ideas, crafts, and more, this indispensable lifestyle reference from the popular blogger behind Attainable Sustainable makes earth-friendly living fun, real, and easy. Whether you live in a city, suburb, or the country, this essential guide for the backyard homesteader will help you achieve a homespun life--from starting your own garden and pickling the food you grow to pressing wildflowers, baking sourdough loaves, quilting, raising chickens, and creating your own natural cleaning supplies. In these beautifully illustrated pages, eco-guru Kris Bordessa offers DIY lovers an indispensable home reference for sustainability in the 21st century, using tried-and-true advice, 50 enticing recipes, and step-by-step directions for creating fun, cost-efficient projects that will bring out your inner pioneer. Filled with more than 300 four-color photographs, this relatable, comprehensive book contains time honored-wisdom and modern know-how for getting back to basics in a beautiful, accessible package.

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Best-selling author Dan Buettner debuts his first cookbook, filled with 100 longevity recipes inspired by the Blue Zones locations around the world, where people live the longest. Building on decades of research, longevity guru Dan Buettner has gathered 100 recipes inspired by the Blue Zones, home to the healthiest and happiest communities in the world. Each dish--for example, Sardinian Herbed Lentil Minestrone; Costa Rican Hearts of Palm Ceviche; Cornmeal Waffles from Loma Linda, California; and Okinawan Sweet Potatoes--uses ingredients and cooking methods proven to increase longevity, wellness, and mental health. Complemented by mouthwatering photography, the recipes also include lifestyle tips (including the best times to eat dinner and proper portion sizes), all gleaned from countries as far away as Japan and as near as Blue Zones project cities in Texas. Innovative, easy to follow, and delicious, these healthy living recipes make the Blue Zones lifestyle even more attainable, thereby improving your health, extending your life, and filling your kitchen with happiness.

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In this inspiring guide, National Geographic explorer and longevity expert Dan Buettner reveals game-changing tools, drawn from global research and expert insights, for achieving maximum fulfillment in all aspects of your life. In these pages, you'll: Discover the three strands of happiness--pleasure, purpose, and pride--that feature prominently in the world's happiest places. Take the specially designed Blue Zones Happiness Test to pinpoint areas in your life where you could cultivate greater joy, deeper meaning, and increased satisfaction. Meet the world's Happiness All-Stars: inspiring individuals from Denmark to the United States who reveal dynamic, practical ways to improve day-to-day living. Discover specific, science-based strategies for setting up a "life radius" of community, work, home, and self to create healthier, happiness-boosting habits for the long-term. Filled with revolutionary insights, this practical book offers a simple, easy road map to a happier life.

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This "mini" sized version of the New York Times bestseller showcases astounding natural phenomena, far-flung landscapes, and uncommon animal species, shot by star National Geographic photographers. Volcanic lightning cuts through the night sky. A lone kangaroo skims the surface of a lake at sunset. A jeweled scarab from King Tut's tomb glitters in the darkness. The dazzling landmark book shot by an elite group of acclaimed photographers is now available as a compact gift book. Culled to reflect the many variations of our planet's secret wonders--from 30,000-year-old cave paintings to flowers that bloom every few years to engravings inside Abraham Lincoln's watch--each image offers a powerful perspective that will astonish and inspire. Filled with behind-the-scenes stories and wrought with beauty, mystery, and joy, Rarely Seen is a breathtaking window to the extraordinary.

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In 2013, Lee Berger, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, caught wind of a cache of bones in a hard-to-reach underground cave in South Africa. He put out a call around the world for petite collaborators--men and women small and adventurous enough to be able to squeeze through 8-inch tunnels to reach a sunless cave 40 feet underground. With this team of "underground astronauts," Berger made the discovery of a lifetime: hundreds of prehistoric bones, including entire skeletons of at least 15 individuals, all perhaps two million years old. Their features combined those of known prehominids like Lucy, the famous Australopithecus, with those more human than anything ever before seen in prehistoric remains. Berger's team had discovered an all new species, and they called it Homo naledi.

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With more than 2.75 million copies in print, this perennial bestseller is the most frequently updated of all North American bird field guides. Filled with hand-painted illustrations from top nature artists, this latest edition is poised to become an instant must-have for every serious birder in the United States and Canada. The 7th edition includes 37 new species for a total of 1,023 species; 16 new pages allow for 250 fresh illustrations, 80 new maps, and 350 map revisions. With taxonomy updated to recent significant scientific rearrangement, the addition of standardized banding codes, and text completely vetted by birding experts, this new edition will stand at the top of the list of birding field guides for years to come.

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A long healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits. If you adopt the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are you may live up to a decade longer. So what’s the formula for success? National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner has lead teams of researchers across the globe to uncover the secrets of Blue Zones—geographic regions where high percentages of centenarians are enjoying remarkably long, full lives.

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How to Know the Birds introduces a new, holistic approach to bird-watching, by noting how behaviors, settings, and seasonal cycles connect with shape, song, color, gender, age distinctions, and other features traditionally used to identify species. Expert author Ted Floyd begins by evoking a typical bird-watching moment, his entry into a thoughtful discussion of the traditions of field guides and bird identification. Then, with short essays on 200 observable species, he guides us through a year of becoming a better birder, each species representing another useful lesson: from explaining scientific nomenclature to noting how plumage changes with age, from chronicling migration patterns to noting hatchling habits. Pen-and-ink illustrations accompany Floyd's charming prose, making this book a unique blend of narrative and field guide. A pleasure for birders of all ages, this witty book promises solid lessons for the beginner and smiles of recognition for the seasoned nature lover.

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From The Peninsula Hong Kong to Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Marrakech's La Mamounia to London's Claridge's, this beautifully illustrated collection unveils the grand histories, one-of-a-kind experiences, and lush hideaways of 100 of the world's most remarkable hotels.

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When the Revolutionary War ended in victory in 1783, there remained the stupendous problem of how to establish a workable democratic government in the vast, newly independent country. Three key founding fathers played significant roles: John Adams, the brilliant, dour, thin-skinned New Englander; Thomas Jefferson, the aristocratic Southern renaissance man; and Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Their lives and policies could not have been more different; their relationships with each other were complex, and often rife with animosity. And yet these three men led the charge—two of them creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, and the third establishing a national treasury and the earliest delineation of a Republican party. The time in which they lived was fraught with danger and the smell of liberty in the air, excitement strained by vast antagonisms. But above it all, they fulfilled the heavy role of creating the United States of America. Drawing on extensive correspondence, epic tales of war, and rich histories of their day-to-day interactions, bestselling author Winston Groom shares the remarkable story of the beginnings of our great nation.

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Fully updated and featuring 11 new countries, the second edition of this best-selling travel guide highlights 5,000 ideas across 100 countries around the world. In this fully revised and updated edition of the best-selling 100 Countries, 5,000 Ideas, find where to go, what to do, when to visit, and more for the top destinations around the world. Filled with new content, 11 new countries, and brand-new photography from National Geographic, you’ll find everything you need to plan your next globetrotting adventure. Travel to Vietnam where you can paddle Ha Long Bay and temple hop on a tuk tuk city tour. In France, visit well-known Parisian spots, then make your way to the off-the-beaten Dinan (France’s only walled city) and the Loire Valley. In South Africa, find yourself in an urban oasis in Cape Town before heading on a safari adventure. Go to the ends of the Earth in Chile before hopping a boat to cruise a glacier-filled bay. And history buffs will be fascinated by a three-country WWII tour. Whatever your pleasure, this rich guidebook has the trip--and country--for you. Complete with essential tips like when to go and what to bring, you’ll be packing your bags and crossing off bucket list destinations in no time.

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In this masterful narrative, Winston Groom brings his signature storytelling panache to the intricately crafted tale of three of our nation's most fascinating founding fathers--Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams--and paints a vivid picture of the improbable events, bold ideas, and extraordinary characters who created the United States of America. When the Revolutionary War ended in victory, there remained the stupendous problem of how to establish a workable democratic government in the vast, newly independent country. Three key founding fathers played significant roles: John Adams, the brilliant, dour, thin-skinned New Englander; Thomas Jefferson, the aristocratic Southern renaissance man; and Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean island of Nevis. In this complex and riveting narrative, best-selling author Winston Groom tells the story of these men--all of whom served in George Washington's first cabinet--as the patriots fundamentally responsible for the ideas that shaped the foundation of the United States. Their lives and policies could not have been more different; their relationships with each other were complex, and often rife with animosity. And yet these three men led the charge--two of them creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, and the third establishing a national treasury and the earliest delineation of a Republican party. The time in which they lived was fraught with danger; the smell of liberty was in the air, though their excitement was strained by vast antagonisms that recall the intense political polarization of today. But through it all, they managed to shoulder the heavy mantle of creating the United States of America, putting aside their differences to make a great country, once and always. Drawing on extensive correspondence, epic tales of war, and rich histories of their day-to-day interactions, best-selling author Winston Groom shares the remarkable story of the beginnings of our great nation.

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Featuring more than 300 magnificent National Geographic images of all 50 states--and inspiring words from luminaries across the country--this collection is a gift-worthy celebration of America's unique natural and cultural treasures. America the Beautiful showcases the stunning spaces closest to our nation's heart--from the woods in the Great Appalachian Valley that Davy Crockett once called home to the breathtaking sweep of California's Big Sur coast to the wilds of Alaska. It also celebrates the people who have made this country what it is, featuring a wide range of images including the Arikara Nation in the early 1900s and scientists preparing for travel to Mars on a Hawaiian island. Culled from National Geographic's vaunted photo archives, spanning a period of more than 130 years, this provocative collection depicts the splendor of this great nation as only National Geographic can, with a dramatic combination of modern and historical imagery--from the creation of architectural icons like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lady Liberty to the last of the country's wild places preserved in our national parks. With a structure inspired by the original song "America the Beautiful," this book recognizes what makes our nation great, region by region. And all 50 states and six territories of the U.S. are honored with 50 words from celebrities, historians, activists, conservationists, and politicians who call America home. Profound and inspiring, this is a book for everyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the United States.

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Yo-Yo Ma's ear for music emerged not long after he learned to walk. By the age of seven, he was performing for President Kennedy; by fifteen he debuted at Carnegie Hall. Maya Angelou, by contrast, didn't write her iconic memoir, I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, until she was 40. What propels some individuals to reach extraordinary creative heights in the earliest years of life while others discover their passions decades later? Are prodigies imbued with innate talent? How often are midlife inspirations triggered by propitious events, like Julia Child's first French meal at the age of 36? Do late bloomers reveal their talents because their skills require life experience and contemplation? Through engaging storytelling and intriguing historical and cutting-edge scientific research, best-selling author and acclaimed journalist Claudia Kalb explores these questions to uncover what makes a prodigy and what drives a late bloomer. In this series of linked biographies, Kalb follows the journeys of thirteen remarkable individuals--from Shirley Temple to Alexander Fleming to Eleanor Roosevelt to Bill Gates--to discover the secrets behind their talents. Each possessed a unique arc of inspiration. Each--through science, art, music, theater, and politics--reached extraordinary success at different stages of life. And each offers us a chance to explore the genesis--and experience--of genius.

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For decades, acclaimed National Geographic underwater photographer Brian Skerry has braved ocean depths and the jaws of predatory giants to capture the most remarkable photographs of sharks around the world. In this collection of the best of those pictures, Skerry draws on his growing personal respect for these animals to share intimate stories of their impact. Focusing on four key species--great white, whitetip, tiger, and mako sharks--Skerry's photographs span from his early work, photographing them from cages, to his recent unencumbered scuba dives. With additional text by top National Geographic writers, Skerry's images and stories encourage a change in attitude toward these top predators, ultimately showing how they are the keys to the healthy balance of nature underwater.

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Best-selling author Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer is back with a new, beautifully illustrated book that will help you break free from to-do lists and find time to think and live more creatively. The third entry in Kipfer's successful 1,001 Ways series, this interactive list book will inspire anyone looking to unleash their creative genius. In today's overscheduled world, there is often little room for creativity in our daily lives. 1,001 Ways to Be Creative shows you how to set your brain free, and will help you find the time and energy to play, dream, imagine, breathe, and explore. This inspirational book of lists offers a treasure trove of ways to bring a little creativity into your life, including ideas for innovative things to do, practical tips, and thought-provoking quotes. Interactive prompts inspire art projects, storytelling, innovative thinking, seeing like an artist, and more. With this energizing book by your side, your next Big Idea could be just around the corner!

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This authoritative guide to the foods, herbs, spices, essential oils, and other natural substances that alleviate common ailments will enhance your life--from treating illness to sharpening the mind, losing weight, cleaning the home, enhancing pregnancy, and reducing the effects of aging. Divided into two sections--Nature's Cures and Nature's Pharmacopoeia--this beautifully illustrated guide provides up-to-date information on such timely topics as the perils of packaged foods and the benefits of phytochemicals, how to achieve major results with minor alterations in your food choices, the soothing benefits of essential oils, and the most effective methods for maximizing such natural home helpers as salts, vinegars, oils, and more. Innovative recipes offer easy, effective dishes that utilize multiple herbs, spices, and fresh foods for powerhouse results.

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An accessible visual guide to the top 150 insects, spiders, and other crawling creatures combines readable text, representative photographs, and explanatory illustrations to highlight key features of body shape, life cycle, and behavior. Organized by scientific taxonomy, the book offers navigational devices for quick identification and practical information about attracting--or repelling!--these creatures. Noted entomologist Arthur Evans has selected the top 150 creatures of interest, from luna moth and ladybug to black widow spider, Rocky Mountain tick, and millipede. Backyard Guide to the Insects and Spiders of North America introduces them all with enthusiasm and authority. This is the perfect gift for nature-loving families and beginning naturalists.

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The next frontier in space exploration is Mars, the red planet- and human habitation of Mars isn’t much farther off. In October 2015, NASA declared Mars “an achievable goal”. Now the National Geographic Channel goes fast-forward as humans land on and learn to live on Mars. Following on the visionary Kaufman’s Mars Up Close, this companion to the Nat Geo series shows the science behind the mission and challenges awaiting those brave individuals. Contributions from key scientists, engineers, advocates and astronauts punctuates a compelling narrative on the most amazing next step in human history, likely to occur in our lifetimes.

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Health-conscious consumers read the nutritional labels, but it's nearly impossible to get the nutrients we need with diet alone. To get the USDA-recommended daily quota of vitamin D, for example, you need to eat 15 eggs or 26 sardines; of iron, 414 almonds or 15 cups of broccoli. So we rely on nutritional supplements - vitamins and minerals, probiotics and enzymes - but the variety of pills, products, and elixirs on the market today is overwhelming. And, as we have seen in recent news, some of these products are downright fakes. That's what makes this new book by trusted natural health physician Tieraona Low Dog urgently needed, practical in its approach, and perennial in value. Dr. Low Dog explains the basics about every essential nutritional supplement and guides the reader in creating a personalized supplement plan, tailored to individual genetics, age, gender, and lifestyle.

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The world's great cities are showcased in this exciting National Geographic series presenting must-do neighborhood itineraries, insider tips on how to visit recommended sights, and indispensable information for the most enjoyable urban adventure imaginable. See the best of New York with 15 carefully curated itineraries, written by an expert travel writer, that showcase the city's finest sights. Fun features include in-depth looks at major icons, "best of" lists of quintessential things to see and do, and insider sidebars full of local knowledge. A "travel essentials" section has planning tips and hand-picked hotels. Travelers will find top-notch, streamlined, and useful information that goes beyond the internet basics to ensure a rewarding, authentic, and memorable urban experience. In this second edition, all sights have been updated, and a new cover has been added.

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This is the definitive guidebook to the enchanting island that bears the legacy of many Mediterranean cultures from centuries of trade and occupation. Written by expert Italy travel writer and National Geographic Expeditions guide Tim Jepson, this guidebook contains everything you need to make your visit to Sicily an enriching, engaged, and unforgettable experience. The book also includes a detailed section of practical information, including how to get around the island. However you travel around Sicily, Jepson's local knowledge and National Geographic's travel expertise will prove indispensable.

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In the chaotic days following Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Washington and the world struggled to come to terms with the loss of the figure who symbolized America's Union. Best-selling author James Robertson brings readers back to 1865, exploring the critical years following the Civil War, and focusing on 75 key figures who would come to shape America during Reconstruction and beyond. We meet Edwin Stanton, the dour secretary of war who would attempt to seize political power amid the chaos of post-assassination Washington and avenge the Union with harsh punishments for Confederate president Jefferson Davis. We meet the "Old Soldiers" such as Winfield Scott, the general who was older than the city of Washington, D.C. when he took command of the Union Army in 1861, and William Tecumseh Sherman, an enigma of a man who would revolutionize modern warfare. And we meet the people whose lives marked shifts in everyday life in the United States, from Edwin Holmes, who would revolutionize the funeral industry, to Clara Barton, who would found the modern Red Cross. Together their stories tell the complex and fast-paced history of America as the country struggled to reunite and adapt to the inevitable changes wrought by war. The Greatest Generation of their day, the 75 figures in this book would forever change - and be hanged by - the Civil War.

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Entertaining yet profound, easygoing yet powerful, this engaging book reveals how to tap into the hidden power of optimism. Beginning with their upbringing in working class Boston and following the arc of their lives from postgrad wanderlust to the birth of a small business, Bert and John use their experiences to illuminate the ten superpowers on which optimism is founded - from humor and compassion to gratitude and authenticity. Capturing their buoyant, community-focused outlook and supplementing with top-ten lists and the company's iconic stick-figure illustrations, this book doesn't preach. Instead, it offers lighthearted, practical self-help that will inspire and empower readers to embrace their lives with delight and daring.

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This science-based, inspiring book imparts the wisdom of a charismatic integrative doctor whose advice for creating health, healing, and wholeness at all stages of a woman's life is tried and true.

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Life in Color, now available in an accessible mini edition, is chock full of beautiful, amazing photographs organized chapter by chapter according to their predominant color. With a rainbow of images that are guaranteed to make you smile and meditations and evocative quotes about color throughout, this eye-pleasing volume is sure to appeal to a wide variety of people, most especially to women.

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Award-winning Brooklyn-based sports photographer Jonathan Mehring, named by ESPN as one of the top ten skateboard influencers, has logged thousands of hours with pro skate teams in some of the world's most unusual and unlikely destinations - from Mongolia and Australia to Kazakhstan and the Amazon. In this book he joins his photography with the best of his contemporaries' to show the joy, excitement, and sense of freedom that skateboarding brings, uniting people in all walks of life and every corner of the world

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Sumptuously illustrated with hundreds of gorgeous photographs, artifacts, and maps, The Story of Christianity focuses on the rich social and cultural history of Christianity through the ages, from its roots in Palestine to its triumph as a global movement, told through a series of dramatic turning points and unforgettable people. Beginning with the story of Jesus' life, author Isbouts expertly sets key turning points in the story of Christianity in context, from the conversion of Constantine to Martin Luther's protest; from the Crusades to the ministry of Mother Teresa. Using the dramatic art and architecture of the Christian faith as visual touchpoints and highlighting inspiring quotes and stories with resonance to the modern era, Isbouts writes with a deep respect for both Catholic and Protestant traditions and provides an excellent introduction to the complex and compelling world of the Christian faith.

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Active travelers trust National Geographic to deliver what they want in a guidebook: expert advice, insider tips, and the cultural feel of each destination not easily found online. These guides are pitch-perfect for today's experiential travel enthusiasts who want an authentic, enriching immersion. Explore the best sites in Greece--from the Acropolis and ancient Delphi to Athens's newest neighborhoods and Santorini sunsets--with this gorgeous guide, replete with updated information and travel tips, cut-away illustrations of some of the country's famous structures, an array of detailed maps, and sumptuous photographs. Broken into chapters by cities and areas (including Athens, the Peloponnese, Macedonia and the North, and both the popular and lesser-known islands), it also features a fascinating introduction to Greek history and culture. Special in-depth sidebars discuss Greek drama, the Olympic Games, the Battle of Crete, and where to take a Greek language course, learn to cook Greek food on Crete, volunteer with the Hellenic Ornithological Society, meet winemakers, participate in a marble sculpture workshop on Tinos, make a tapestry-weaving, collect mushrooms in the Pindos Mountains, and much more. While guided tours include a walk in Rhodes' Old Town, a boat trip around Mount Athos, and a drive in northern Evvoia. An extensive travel planner details practicalities, including where to find the best tavernas and the finest gold jewelry.

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With this basic beginner's field guide to North American wildflowers, all who enjoy nature and the outdoors can identify common wildflowers, from backyard weeds to dainty forest blossoms. In a logical, user-friendly, highly visual format, this new title offers key facts about 160 of the most common wildflowers and weeds, coast to coast, including Canada and Alaska. To help with identification, each of the 160 entries has both a color photograph showing the plant in context and a color illustration showing the blossom close-up. This book is the perfect starting point for anyone, young or old, interested in learning how to identify wildflowers.

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The National Geographic Traveler: Switzerland guides you to the better- and lesser-known sights of this pristine European country. In between, you’ll discover the cultural and natural treasures–including hundreds of museums, architectural masterpieces, parks, and lakes.

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Jenkins navigates centuries of lore and legend, adding new chapters to the chronicle and weaving an irresistibly seductive blend of superstition, psychology, and science sure to engross everyone from Anne Rice’s countless readers to serious students of archaeology and mythology.

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The relaunched National Geographic Traveler guidebooks are in tune with the growing trend toward experiential travel, providing more insider tips and expert advice for a more authentic, cultural experience of each destination.

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Did you know that listening to music tunes up your brain? Or that certain foods can help maintain mental fitness? Or that exercise can keep both body and mind in good shape? Delving into the science behind these strategies, Brain goes even deeper to reveal the brain’s inner workings. Its pages explore not only the brain’s physical form—its 100 billion nerve cells and near-infinite network of synapses—but also its interactions that regulate every thought and action. Brainfeatures the latest discoveries about improving and optimizing mental acuity right alongside sidebars on breakthrough moments in neuroscience. Explained here also are the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of the brain, addressed in accessible, engaging language. Combining the latest advances in our understanding of the mind-body connection and ongoing research into such diseases as dementia, depression, and PTSD, Brain is an indispensable guide to mens sana in corpore sano—at every stage of life.

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At a time when most Westerners fled the carnage in Iran, David Burnett was one of the few to stay and document the breathtakingly sudden fall of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in December 1978, and the chaotic political maneuvering that would culminate in the triumph of the Ayatollahs and the birth of the Islamic Republic. 44 Days re-creates a coup that led to our long hostage crisis, President Jimmy Carter’s political demise, and an enmity still blazing after thirty years. Burnett’s vivid images of the dizzying events and emotions of that turbulent time illustrate his narrative of the monarchy’s destruction, the last-ditch efforts to salvage a secular government, and the establishment of a hard-line regime dominated by religious leaders and the rule of Islamic law. Accompanying Burnett’s account is a penetrating foreword by commentator Christiane Amanpour, herself Iranian-born, as well as an essay by celebrated New York Times reporter John Kifner, who shares his own experience of revolution in Iran and reflects upon its decades-long aftermath.

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Our first volume, Work, showcases this most universal human pastime through images culled from National Geographic’s vast photographic archive as well as other important collections.

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The guide includes illustrated accounts of the different plumages and life stages for 619 eastern species, along with 560 new range maps. In addition, there are illustrated accounts for 85 Casual and Accidental birds, along with an appendix listing records for 70 Eastern rarities.

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When the struggle to save oil-soaked birds and restore blackened beaches left him feeling frustrated and helpless, John Francis decided to take a more fundamental and personal stand—he stopped using all forms of motorized transportation. Soon after embarking on this quest that would span two decades and two continents, the young man took a vow of silence that endured for 17 years.

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Chapters discuss the pleasures of birding, equipment needed, how to read range maps, birds’ physical features, how to identify birds, identification challenges, bird classification and suggested books and journals for building a fine birding library.

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