Book Description

Unique in focus and cutting-edge in content, this lavishly illustrated introduction to animal science covers the full range of topics—traditional and non-traditional—that reflect the way agriculture is changing today. By exploring animal science from a variety of integrated perspectives—biological, species, industry, society, and global—it reveals the dynamic nature of animal science and the many ways in which it is a piece of a much larger whole of agriculture and agriculture within society (e.g., how animals fit into all of society and how animals contribute to the well-being of man from a worldwide perspective).The Value of Animals to Mankind. Factors Affecting World Agricultural Structure. Worldwide Systems of Agricultural Production. Introduction to Nutrition. The Gastrointestinal Tract and Nutrition. Feedstuffs Classification. Genetics. Animal Breeding. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Animal Reproduction. Lactation. Animal Behavior. Animal Health. Vertical Integration: Beef, Pork and Poultry. Beef Cattle. Dairy Cattle. Poultry. Swine. Sheep and Goats. Horses. Aquaculture. Pet and Companion Animals. Llamoids. Rabbits. Careers and Career Preparation in Animal Science. Animals as Consumers of Grain: Asset or Liability? Food Safety and Consumer Concerns. Animal Welfare and Animal Rights. Animals in Sustainable Agriculture. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On a mission to map the migration of the peregrine falcon, Alan Tennantand his friend George Vose logged thousands of miles in a rattletrapCessna. On the Wing is as much quest narrative as nature book,and the tale of the two men's voyage is unforgettable. At their firstmeeting, when Tennant suggested that they track a radio-tagged falcon byair, WWII vet Vose assessed naturalist Tennant with a keen eye."Aviation takes intestinal fortitude, Mister. You were pretty green upthere today. Calm air, too." Nevertheless, Tennant convinced the gruff pilot that the project wasworthy, and they set off, soaring north over the dunes of Gulf Coastbarrier islands. The falcon was just a beeping signal to them most ofthe time, but they became obsessed with its movements. In the smallcockpit, they shared extremes of disappointment and elation as theydealt with bad weather, lost signals, run-ins with the Army, andequipment problems. They ended up posing as highway patrol officers,crossing international borders, and risking their lives in order to keepon the track of their wayward subject. Threaded into the funny and moving adventure story, Tennant scatterscasual snippets of science--peregrine falcon biology, pesticidetoxicology, and the little-understood fact of animal migration itself.The facts never get in the way of the fun, though--this is real WildKingdom action. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Book Description

Two years ago author and horse trainer Linda Kohanov wrote The Tao of Equus — a daring multidisciplinary exploration of the powerful spiritual, emotional, and psychological connections between people and horses. Its provocative narrative, blending her story of prescient dreams and ancestral communication with a wide-ranging exploration of equine-facilitated therapy practices, created a worldwide demand for her workshops and lectures. She also received more than 1,000 letters from readers around the world describing their own strange and wonderful experiences with horses. In Riding Between the Worlds, Kohanov continues sharing the story of her own journey of healing and transformation and further develops the ideas introduced in The Tao of Equus, bolstering her groundbreaking theories with anecdotal evidence. Where her previous book laid the theoretical groundwork for expanding our emotional, mental, and spiritual view of horses, Riding Between the Worlds concentrates on the extraordinary stories that support this view. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Riding Between The Worlds
This book is a must read. Elegantly written, a fascinating subject presented in a graceful, yet scientific manner. I could not put it down until finished. And I plan to read it again, just as soon as I read Linda Kohanov's other horse book, "The Tao of Equus". I am not a horsewoman, but I learned to love the unique healing gifts horses have in their relationships with us two-leggeds. My thanks to Linda Kohanov for expanding my awareness in this field. Her elegant prose is joy to experience.

Riding Between the Worlds
Once again, Linda has done an excellent job of discribing the nuances of the horse/human dynamic. Linda skillfully describes how our thoughts, fears and emotions influence our relationships with both horses and humans. Riding Between the Worlds is a must-read for anyone who wants to develop subtle communication skills with horses. I found this book to be more instructional than The Tao of Equus. In this book she not only breaks out key elements, but also provides helpful charts in the appendix, which are good resources and references.

Messages from Horses
I was given Linda's book, The Tao of Equus, for Christmas. After reading it, I bought and read, Riding Between the Worlds. I found both books tended to parallel some of my own experiences with horses. Linda has expanded her knowledge of the powerful messages horses give us to help others heal.

A must read even if you are not a horse person!
One of a few books everyone in the world needs to read!
Riding Between The Worlds offers true deep healing through the way of the horse.

People dream of a world of Peace, a world of Healing, a world of Love; Linda is one of the light workers that is creating and living in that world today. She guides, assists, and holds the sacred space for others to transform. The world we all long for in our hearts, whether or not we are consciously aware of it.

My heart opens to Linda, for the personal healing and feelings brought forth in me! (aaah to actually "feel" my feelings, what an experience!). My love of horses rekindled, I now see them for the magnificent beings of deep wisdom they are.
With my hands on my heart and tears of joy, I send my gratitude to Linda and all her four legged and two legged healers.

Robert E Marchand
Daoist/ Chi Kung Instructor

Remembering a love of horses
Reading this book and the Tao of Equus got me back to riding again. I've always loved horses, but felt that I was too old, too out of shape, too inept. Reading these books and absorbing the wisdom made me get out of my chair and start lessons again. So here I am, over 50, trotting around a ring escorted by mostly 12 and 13 year olds,who are far better than me, loving every minute of it.
The way Linda Kohanov researched this subject was very apparent in the way she was able to present other people's work, such as
Karla McLaren's theories on emotions. She tied it all together for me. For anyone who wants to learn to be real, authentic, and loving..this is your book. ... Read more

Book Description

A long–overdue veterinary reference for owners and breeders of Miniature horses, with 50 color photos and diagrams. ... Read more

Book Description

Pythons, boas, vipers, and a world more.In beautifully colorful fashion, find out about the fascinating universe of snakes.A vividly illustrated introduction to these reptiles goes up close and personal, and covers everything from origins and evolution to physical characteristics and habitat, from methods of reproduction to styles of hunting.Poisons, the meaning of their colors, and even snakes' representation in myth and legend, is here. The detailed discussions cover how and what snakes eat,which species are endangered, and defensive
behaviors--including shows and bluffs to impress their enemies, the postures of poisonous snakes (and their harmless imitators), and even the game of playing dead to throw predators off.The showcase is a dictionary of species, broken up by family and subfamily; thrilling photos bring you right up to each snake's face and textured skin, drawings add additional detail, and maps show distribution patterns throughout the world.
... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

excellent, but expensive
The book is without doubt the best ornithology textbook in existance. While this may be aided by the fact that it is virtually the only one there is out there, it is accurate, comprehensive and user friendly. my main problems are that it is starting to be a little dated, and of course - the price.

Bird Biology at its Best!
I searched for a textbook on ornithology that I could use in association with the Bird Biology Home Study Course that I was planning to take through Cornell University. I found the textbook at Amazon.com. The information in this textbook is absolutely wonderful! Frank Gill presents an "encyclopedia" of information in an easy-to-read, comprehensible format. Anyone interested in the serious study of bird biology will want to add this textbook to his or her bookshelf. Within the next few months, I will reread this textbook again. How many textbook readers can honestly state that they would reread any textbook in its entirety? Every chapter intrigued and delighted me. I will be actively searching for more books by Frank Gill, based upon the presentation of materials in Ornithology, 2nd edition.

Could not put it down....
This superb book was such fun to read and it is packed full of interesting and thought-provoking information. Space prohibits a chapter-by-chapter review so I will list the things in the book that I found very interesting: 1. The plumage color patterns of dawny young shorebirds. 2. DNA hybridization experiments and evolutionary tree of herons. 3. Geese flying in formation to save energy. 4. The use of thermals by a gliding vulture to counteract sinking. 5. The unique landing abilities of birds: rotation of center of mass upward to stall directly over the landing site. 6. Vortex creation by beating wings of pigeons and kestrels. 7. Respiratory abilities of birds. 8. High metabolic rates of frizzled chickens. 9. Discussion on avian intelligence. 10. The detection of natural magnetic fields using rhodopsin. 11. Use of echolocation for navigation; asymmetry of ear placement in the owl to pinpoint sound source. 12. The avian taste for chili peppers. 13. Birds having two independent voices. 14. Individual spacing behavior while perching. 15. The nests of swallows reflecting their evolutionary history. 16. Insurance egg laying by penguins and boobies.17. The restoration of the peregrines. 18. The illustrations of the birds of the world in the appendix. 19. The enormous bibliography. This is definitely a book to be read by students and those interested in ornithology. An incredible book.......

Solid Reference Text
Gill's book provides an indepth coverage of many topics important to the field of Ornithology. The illustrations clearly reinforce material in the text. I especially like the introductory paragraphs at the start of each chapter, they really set a nice tone for the material to follow. If you are looking for a good introductory or refernce text to enhance your ornithological knowledge, consider Gill's text. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The BEST snake book!
This is it. If you are looking for a book that covers everything snake with lots of pictures, you have found it. This has general information and husbandry, taxonomy, and goes through all the snakes, not just the popular pets and famous venomous ones. It also has information on responsible pet ownership. And it is enjoyable to read!

The Atlas of Snakes of the World
Wonderful! It is not just an atlas, it is very informative and very readable. I am just beginning a serious study of snakes, and this is a fantastic adult introduction. Snakes : The Evolution of Mystery in Nature is also a great book, but I suggest reading this first.

The Atlas of Snakes of the World
Lots of pictures but little real information on individual species. Snakes : The Evolution of Mystery in Nature is a better choice for those looking for more indepth info.

Very nice
This is the best snake encyclopedia I have ever read. It's worth it

Extremely valuable, concise, encyclopedia of snakes.
An extremely valuable reference source of virtually all known species of snakes. Written in an intellectual, scientific manner. A MUST have in any ophidiologist's collection!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Buy it just for the color plates!
It's breadth of knowledge and splendorous photos will greatly increase your travel pleasure, because you really CAN see these animals just casually criss-crossing the country; you don't have to go to a special preserve.

In fact, another book I brought with me to Costa Rica last year, "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made," had a photo of a giant iguana that was taken literally 5 steps off the sand at the ultra-popular Manuel Antonio beach!

And guess what? I saw one when I was there!

Costa Rica, Reptile Place
I have spent a considerable amount of time in Costa Rica, and I found this book to be both accurate and interesting. The reptiles, the amphibians...they're all there. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and this is a beautiful book. A+,

Best on Herps for Costa Rica
I have known the author for 30 years. He knows more about the amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica than anyone I know. The pictures are spectacular. Kudos to both authors.

Between 2 continents and between 2 seas indeed
I have been waiting for this book for over a year and it was well worth it. With over 40 years of 'herping' Costa Rica Jay Savage needs no introduction. Neither do the photographers Michael and Patricia Fogden. Their stunning images of the tropics and its reptiles and amphibians are everywhere. Costa Rica currently has 178 amphibian species and 218 reptile species. Additionally, there are two introduced frogs and four introduced lizards. Savage covers them all. In fact the subtitle covers it moreso. Nearly everything related to herps between two continents and between two seas is covered.

Savage states he wrote this book for several audiences: the general reader with an interest in biology and the herpetofauna, the amateur or part-time naturalist with some background in biology, the tropical biology and herpetolgy student, and the professional biologist. I would say that Savage has succeeded wildly in hitting his broad mark. The book is in four parts. The first gives the layperson a general background of biology, classification, and systematics. This also serves as a good refresher for those familiar with the terms or who is new to learning them. Savage tells us how to observe, where to look, how to catch, and how to preserve as specimens or keep as study subjects the diverse herpetofauna in Costa Rica. Included is a brief political history of Costa Rica. This is just the first chapter. He then describes, in depth, Costa Rica's climate, geography, and numerous habitats and vegetation patterns. Then we learn how to use the meat of this book; the keys.

Parts two and three are the keys to all the known amphibians and reptiles, respectively, of Costa Rica. These keys, broken into appropriate chapters are incredible. We get family descriptions, species accounts, descriptions of eggs, larvae, and adults, location maps, body part nomenclature, countless figures including tadpoles, tadpole mouthparts, body patterns, and headscale counts. This may all sound arcane to the uninitiated but it is invaluable to experts in identifying individual species. Beginners could forego some of this information and focus on more broad details to identify if the snake they saw was poisonous or the frog outside their cabin was a treefrog. Conversely, if you wanted to know the difference between Sibon annulatus and Sibon longifrenis it is in here. The words and drawings are backed up by over 500 color plates detailing nearly every species mentioned. Incredible considering the rarity of some species. There are stunning plates of habitats but mostly they are smallish (6 to a page) but excellent and very descriptive images of the animals. Where else would you find such detailed images of elusive caecelians and salamanders alongside the extinct golden toad Bufo periglenes, numerous and nondescript rain frogs, all the lacertid lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians? Any single part of this text would prove useful. It is hard to believe that so much has been accomplished.

Part four gives us ecological and geographical distribution patterns, evolution and development of herpetofauna, and information of plate movements and land bridge formation. Savage then ends with his explanation of why there are so many species between two continents and between two seas. Included are an addendum, a 17 page glossary, a 50 page literature cited section(!), and two indices. This tome is over 900 pages. There is a ton of information here and the reader can pick and choose what they need or want to know. I haven't read this book cover to cover, yet. And, I am not an expert herpetologist. There certainly could be errors in species accounts but that would most likely be left for a few select individuals to argue over. What I can say is that this text would have easily been too big of a project for it to succeed or prove useful. Somehow, Savage manages it in such a way as to be a benchmark for herpetological texts and guides. I honestly can not say when I've been this excited about a book, although Duellman's Hylid Frogs reprint is a good second. There is much more to this book. Want to know? Buy it.

What this book is not is a field guide in the classic sense. This is a large hefty book. Not likely to be packed in the luggage of a vacationing tourist. If you will be spending some time conducting work in this beautiful country then find something else to leave behind and bring the book. If you are like me then read it before you leave and after you return. You'll know where to look for specific animals and also find it useful in identifying prized photos weeks after returning. If you are looking for a classic herping field guide then try Twan Leenders new book. It is pocket sized and has lots of useful info. Better still own them both. ... Read more

Book Description

Wildlife researchers and ecologists make widespread use of multivariate statistics in their studies. With its focus on the practical application of the techniques of multivariate statistics, this book shapes the powerful tools of statistics for the specific needs of ecologists and makes statistics more applicable to their course of study. Multivariate Statistics for Wildlife and Ecology Research gives the reader a solid conceptual understanding of the role of multivariate statistics in ecological applications and the relationships among various techniques, while avoiding detailed mathematics and underlying theory. More important, the reader will gain insight into the type of research questions best handled by each technique and the important considerations in applying each one. Whether used as a textbook for specialized courses or as a supplement to general statistics texts, the book emphasizes those techniques that students of ecology and natural resources most need to understand and employ in their research. Detailed examples use real wildlife data sets analyzed using the SAS statistical software program.

The book is specifically targeted for upper-division and graduate students in wildlife biology, forestry, and ecology, and for professional wildlife scientists and natural resource managers, but it will be valuable to researchers in any of the biological sciences.

Kevin McGarigal is Assistant Professor and Sam Cushman is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management at the University of Massachusetts. Susan Stafford is Head of the Forest Science Department at Colorado State University. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

grad students
I am an ecology grad student and I have returned to this text again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

Important information on nutrition, reproduction, and genetics! This volume begins by dealing primarily with the management of the cow herd, followed by management of the pre-weaned and post-weaned calf. A chapter detailing the business management aspect of beef cattle production provides much useful information as well. As technology continues to evolve and the economy changes, the business of raising cattle is becoming more complex. The Thomas book helps readers understand the importance of a good business background in being successful in the beef cattle industry. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Serious Readers Only
Mr. Thomas deserves credit for researching and providing essential information for the cattleman who is serious about improving the efficiency of his operation. I have recently purchased and read several books on the subject, and while this is an older book, Beef Cattle Production: An Integrated Approach is head and shoulders above the others for reference material covering a broad spectrum of subjects. From sire and dam selection, disease control, reproduction of purebred, cross-bred and commercial cattle, to ranch layout, operational issues, financing tips and equipment concerns this book hits on them all. NOT for casual observers - its for the cattleman.

Excelent book!
The book presents the main points that intervene with the efficiency of the activity of beef cattle, as genetic, feed and reproduction. Indicated for beginning and veteran farmers that still desire to magnify its knowledge. ... Read more

Amazon.com

World-renowned birder Kenn Kaufman addresses a long-running paradox of bird field guides with his Focus Guide. While beginning birdwatchers prefer photographic guides like those by Donald Stokes, the physical traits that make identification easier are more readily discerned in the idealized paintings of illustrative guides like those by Roger Tory Peterson and National Geographic. Kaufman's groundbreaking work combines the best of both approaches by digitally enhancing photographic images to show the characteristics that are sometimes not apparent in photographs.

Some other distinguishing features include:

• The guide is organized by bird family groupings rather than strict taxonomic classification; this is a feature that will appeal especially to beginners.
• Text descriptions and range maps for each species appear on the page facing the plate of respective bird images.
• Important field marks are highlighted.
• Color-coded tabs identify each grouping of birds (waders, warblers, sparrows, etc.) for quick thumb indexing.

Reviews (27)

Love it and recommend it.Great novice field guide
I grew up with an aunt who loved Birding.When I was a child she gave me a Golden Books Guide.I havent birded since and decided to buy a new book and compare the two..Ken's guide blows it away..Many have opinions about the advantage/disadvantage of photographs or paintings, but after having the book I'll choose Ken s photos every time. He did a superb job with this book and photos. I always hated how the books with painted images appeared brighter in its colors than the birds in real life.I went thru most every pocket sized guide outthere and this book was my #1 pick.It has a tougher Flexicover than most all others and the color coded pages are quick and easy for a novice.The picture set ups are great and not jumbled/jammed together as other books.Granted this is not a desk manual so it only has the minumum required info on each bird, but thats all you need for a pocket field guide.

A new approach to a field guide...
This is an excellent book.If you are looking to buy a bird guide for yourself or as a gift, you can't go wrong with this.The problem of buying a bird guide is that there are so many to choose from;especially if the buyer has not been birding for several years.Personally,I would recommend this for a fairly new birder as opposed to Peterson's guide for one reason alone.this book covers all of North America.Peterson has one for the East and one for the West;and while if you only want your guide to use in either the East or West,that's not too bad,but if you are in the center of the continent, or plan to travel,you'll need both.So,simple ,why buy 2 when 1 will do?The Golden covers all N,A. but does not have the "arrows" pointing out the best identification features.I also feel the computer enhanced pictures are better;but that can be a matter of preference.The single page index at the back of Kenn's book will be a big help to new or average birders.Either of Kaufman,s Peterson,s or Golden are excellent to start birding.The National Geographic and Sibleys are also excellent;but a better choice for a more experienced (5+ years).Up until Kaufman's book,very few birders liked photographs ,as opposed to drawings,but this book has changed all that.
After saying all that,and it would be easy to go on comparing these guides,in the final analiyis ,you can't go too far wrong.If you or the person you are buying the book for takes birding serious you'll probably buy all the guides mentioned before too long.There are good points going for all of them.

best field guide
i own several bird guides and this is by far my very favorite.i love having the maps with the descriptions.i also like the notations about song and calls, which have helped me ID birds long before i have seen them. if you have to choose only one guide, i'd recommend this one.

I give this one to my friends
I've owned and enjoyed numerous field guides through my 50+ years of life: Peterson, Golden, National Geographic Society, Audubon, Sibley and Kaufman. My homes have been Illinois, Alaska and Montana. The guide I carry in the field today is Kaufman's BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA.

His digitally altered photographs are not as lovely as the paintings in the latest NGS, Sibley or Peterson guides (which I own and admire). His written comments are enjoyable, brief and apt. Kaufman's guide works best, I believe, for quick identification in the field. That is why this is the first bird book I give to my friends.

Negatives? Sure. I do not care for the colored pages (indexing okay, but not entire pages), and I think some of the owls look weird.

A great book for the casual birdwatcher
I bought this book a year ago so I could identify the birds coming to my backyard feeder, and I still keep it by my sofa.The illustrations are very good, the descriptions clear, and the maps showing the range of each of the birds very useful. I've been able to identify every bird passing through my yard, and even enjoy browsing the pitcures/write-ups of those birds I likely will never see. ... Read more

Book Description

Every January 1, a quirky crowd storms out across North America for a spectacularly competitive event called a Big Year -- a grand, expensive, and occasionally vicious 365-day marathon of birdwatching.For three men in particular, 1998 would become a grueling battle for a new North American birding record. Bouncing from coast to coast on frenetic pilgrimages for once-in-a-lifetime rarities, they brave broiling deserts, bug-infested swamps, and some of the lumpiest motel mattresses known to man. This unprecedented year of beat-the-clock adventures ultimately leads one man to a record so gigantic that it is unlikely ever to be bested. Here, prize-winning journalist Mark Obmascik creates a dazzling, fun narrative of the 275,000-mile odyssey of these three obsessives as they fight to win the greatest -- or maybe worst -- birding contest of all time. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A great people study book.
I think anyone who reads this book thinking they are going to learn about birding, or how to brid watch, are going to be very disappointed. This is a book about people, and their obsessions, rather than birds. I can just imagine me in a roomful of people, and then trying to figure out who is the avid, obsessed, birder. Try it. I dare you to. To be honest, I picked this book up, and layed it back down at least three times before I really got past the intoduction. I had a narrow minded view about the book going into it, and I knew I could not possibly be interested in a book about bird watching. But, once I got into the characters, I was hooked. What a great read.

A great Bird Voyeur birding book!
I have to admit, before reading this book I was totally clueless about the "big year". I'd heard about life lists and scoffed. I watch birds because its interesting, I feed them because I feel guilty living on what used to be bird habitat. But I care not a whit whether or not I've seen all 600+ native species. I really enjoyed this story though. It's light reading, and very well written. I had no idea that those hummingbirds at my feeder had crossed the gulf of Mexico. I'm even more impressed. (by the birds, not the birders...)

But that Autu Alaska is now closed to birders who could at one time get to see non native species blown over by a storm, well I don't really care. It is great though that some people remember to live their passion. And that part is what makes this book a fun read.

The most exciting book I've read this year.
No, I'm not being sarcastic. I mean it. Big Year is full of laughs, twists and yes, some touching moments. I love bird watchingand road trips but the guys in Big Year are hard core competitors who operate on an entirely different plain than the novices.

The book is so well written that you can almost see yourself sitting in the backseat of Sandy Komito's Skuamobile as he prowls down the highway looking for birds. In fact, it's so vivid that Big Year would actually make a darn good movie. While reading it I kept imagining James Cagney or Oscar Levant as Komito, Gregory Peck or Walter Pigeon as Al Levantin and a very young Jimmy Stewart as Greg Miller, the wonderful optimist who decides to do a Big Year on the cheap.

The things these guys encounter while pursuing their passion such asmountain lions, cowboys with potbellied pigs, the horrors of economy flight, crocodiles, frozen graves, and icy cold outhouses are the stuff of adventure novels with a good sized dollop of comedy thrown in.

The Big year is fascinating, fun, and daydream inducing. I and most of the readers of the book will probably never get closer to a Big Year than vicariously through the book but after reading it I have started thinking that maybe, just maybe I could survive a one county Big Day.I loved the book and even my non nature loving friends found themselves laughing out loud when I read sections of it to them.

Great look at serious birding
Being a novice birder, I was very interested to read about what it takes to complete a Big Year, a calendar year of birding in which the participants try to see more species than anyone else.Apparently it takes an obsessive personality, a lot of money, and an unrelenting competitive spirit.Mark Obmascik captures all of this in his book which features the top 3 birders in the 1998 competition.The birders are as different as they are interesting.Sandy Komito is a former Big Year winner, Al Levantin is a retired CEO who lives in Aspen, and Greg Miller is a computer programmer who attempts to work full-time while doing a Big Year in his "spare time".Author Obmascik follows them all over North America, from the mosquitos of the Florida Everglades to the blinding snow storms of the remote island of Attu, and chronicles their successes, struggles, and failures.Adverse weather conditions, only an advantage to birders, allow these three men to tally huge numbers of birds.The book contains a lot of interesting birding history, insider practices, and a lot of laughs which make this a delightful read.

Extreme Birdwatching! Yuck!
I have always harbored a fantasy where I retire with lots of money (yeah, right) and spend my remaining years traveling around the country looking for birds I have never seen. Forget that I am not a birder, have never been able to memorize the tiniest fact about species, and am bad at identifying bird calls: The truth is I just love birds, and love to watch them on my backyard feeders.

Well, any fantasy I may have harbored was killed forever with this strange and off-putting story of competitive birders striving to outdo each other in sightings in one Big Year (not my term or even the author's; a legitimate competitive birding term). Yes, the writing is sprightly, humorous, well done and competent--the author is a birder himself, although not in the same league as the three gentlemen he describes who take off at the beginning of 1998 to break the Big Year record.

It seems to me that the more grueling the trek to spot a rare bird, the more humorous and tall-tale-like the stories became, the more put off I was. Nowhere in the book did I sense any joy of seeing a bird for its own sake, but rather for quickly spotting it, jotting it down in one's "life list" or Big Year list, and moving on. ALL the birders in the book appeared to me to care more about the competition and the listing of the birds than the birds themselves. In fact, in one horrifying story, an anonymous person actually KILLS a bird in order to make an identification. Although this is not condoned, it happens...and it's disgusting.

I disliked the book so much for its subject matter, I would have given it one star, but the writing is great, and this world of competitive bird watching is certainly described well, whether I liked it or not. Apparently, due to el nino and a strange combination of weather factors, 1998 was the biggest birding year of all time vis a vis The Big Year counts. Good. I hope I never have to read about it again! ... Read more

Book Description

These four companion books take a dramatic look at our watery planet.

"From space, Planet Earth is blue. It floats like a jewel in the inky black void. The reflection of the sun's light from the vast expanse of water covering its surface creates it gemlike blue color. In the entire solar system, Earth is the only planet that has water in liquid form in such quantities." Scientist have calculated that 70 percent of our planet is covered by water; small wonder that the human being shave always been so fascinated by the oceans and what lies beneath. Today, while we still have so much more of the ocean realm to uncover, we have discovered enough to know that beneath the waves lies a vast treasure-trove of rich and diverse life. Accompanying the television series of the same name, The Blue Planet leads up on a voyage of exploration from the coasts, the very edges of the oceans, to the deep where weird and monstrous fish lurk in a world of perpetual darkness. Along the way we are introduced to a whole host of wonderful creatures -- from tiny copepods to majestic blue whales, and from the grotesque hairy anglerfish, to the amazing tripod fish that stands on its three delicate legs waiting to snap up unsuspecting prey. Complete with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough and 400 full-color photographs, The Blue Planet is the first complete and comprehensive portrait of the whole ocean system. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Truly a great book
After watching the 'Blue Planet' documentaries on TV I developed an interest about life under the sea. Some of the documentary footage was truly groundbreaking work in terms of capturing the animals on film and bringing it to our homes in such a unique way.

The book, like the documentary is truly a great piece of work. It's well planned, presented and written. It covers all aspects of ocean life with out becoming to specific with regard to certain species. Some of the photographs throughout the book are truly wonderful; this book is a must for everyone, of all ages. It will satisfy any appetite for deep-sea discovery, shore life and marine biology.

5 Stars, This book has everything you need and more, and the presentation is second to none.

One of those "Must Read" books
This book is so well written, so cleanly designed and so perfectly illustrated that it is required reading to all nature lovers, particularly those interested in the strange, beautiful and other-wordly life of the deep sees. Brilliant and sure to appeal to ages ranging from 8 to 80 years old.

The blue planet
This is probably the best book published when it comes to describe the marine world.

Impressive.
Very Impressive.

Blue Planet!
It seems as though there could not possibly be any place left on the planet that is yet to be explored and exploited. Nevertheless the world's highest mountains and deepest caverns remain unexplored under the seas, many out of human reach. In fact, 60 percent of the oceans' waters and inhabitants are more than one mile below the surface. This book, a companion to the BBC/Discovery Channel television series and also available on video, is a feast for the eyes, with page after page of remarkable photos of grotesque, exotic creatures and beautiful landscapes. Chapters delve into man's attempts at exploration, the science behind the tides, the sea's prehistoric survivors, and the ecology of the various habitats seashore, trenches, polar regions, and coral reefs. The book covers the oceans' diverse plant life; plankton, the microscopic diatoms that produce the majority of oxygen on the planet and without which humankind would never have evolved; the sociology of whales; the ravages of pollution; and much more. The attractive layout includes myriad fascinating facts and well-written, accessible text. The index can be used to research a particular topic or the book can simply be browsed to gape at the amazing photography, typical of a DK publication. Even those who find underwater creatures creepy are guaranteed to exclaim aloud in amazement, no matter what page they pick. The coffee-table-style format is well worth the price tag.

Informative and compelling
This book is a great companion to the DVD series. With 380 pages and over 400 beautifully shot photos it is sure to be a hit for nature and marine buffs, alike. ... Read more

Book Description

A day with a dinosaur

Danny's on the town with a real live dinosaur. From the ballpark to the zoo, these two are having one hundred million years of fun -- all in one day!

Reviews (16)

Dany and the dino
One day Danny decides to go to the museum where he meets a live dinosaur. Danny and the dinosaur then leave the museum and go exploring around town and have many adventures before it is time for the dinosaur to return to the museum.

The reason I only gave this book four stars is that I find the wording rather strained and awkward. Even though the words are not great, the illustrations are fun. Depending on the version, the illustrations are colored differently. The original (copyright 1958) has better colors in my opinion. They are a mix of pictures in shades of brown and pictures in full color. The main difference between the color quality in the original and reissue is that the reissue has a solid color, and the original almost look as if it were colored in lightly with crayons. I think the color in the reissue is harsher, and therefore prefer the previous. The drawing themselves are wonderful, cute and expressive.

So in my opinion this is a four star book because of the occasional awkwardness with the words and because of the way the pictures are colored in.

Loggie-log-log-log

Burned into my brain
This is a classic work, a brilliantly simple book, with a lovely fantasy story and exquisitely simple, highly memorable illustrations. Definitely a must for very young readers, especially dinosaur lovers.

Quite simply, Danny and the Dinosaur is forever burned into my brain as a favorite of my childhood, and now of my own children. It's Hoff's best, and I expect it will remain a classic for generations to come.

My two year old loves it!
This is one of the books we find him "reading" on his own. This is one of the most requested books he has (out of hundreds). It's a great read-aloud book because there's enough room to point out the words while your kid is pointing at the pictures. The whole Danny series is great, in fact.

My own book
I thought this book was alright but it was not the best book I have ever read. I liked the way Danny went to the museum and the dinosaur came to life and took Danny to all those places, including the baseball game that they went to. I wish that I could go and get my own dinosaur and we could do all that stuff, but since the dinosaurs are extinct I guess I could not do that. I still like the book.

Book and tape review
There are plenty of reviews of this book, I want to give my thoughts on the book and tape package available. There is a nice introduction and conclusion offered by the narrator and one side has page turn signals, while the other does not. While this is an unabridged recording, the narrator actually adds words on page 18, which may confuse the child trying to follow along in the book. Also, sometimes the narrator's child voices come across as whiney and nasal. However, all things considered, I feel this is a worthwhile purchase. ... Read more

Book Description

Dogs occupy a special position in human society. They were probably the first animal species to become domesticated, but their relationship with humans has always been ambivalent. Dogs form strong attachments to humans, even in the face of rejection and punishment, voluntarily allying themselves to us as faithful companions, uncomplaining child-substitutes, enduring workers, and excellent hunters and guards. Yet they are also reviled as vicious killers, unclean scavengers and outcasts. In this book, the many facets of dog behavior are set in the context of the dog's place in our society.Based on firm scientific research, the book dispells many myths and stereotypes about our canine friends, and it will be the definitive reference work on dog behavior for many years to come. Dog-lovers with an interest in understanding how and why dogs behave as they do will find this fascinating reading. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent information painfully presented
If your memories of college give you migraines, the pain will return in reading these articles. The information is wonderful, but can be found in more enjoyable books. If, on the other hand, you enjoy reading professional journals, you will feel right at home with the jargon and format, and may find it worthwhile to have leading thoughts on domestication, genetics, and behavior all in one place.

A Serious Must for Serious Dog People
First published in 1995, nothing else as comprehensive and as carefully researched on canine behavior and development has been published. For the general reader, the writing style may be a bit dry; however, because each chapter has different authors, the writing style, while basically academic and fact driven, varies.

Any serious dog breeders, trainers, or owners will find themselves returning to certain chapters over and over again. Breeders and even new puppy owners would benefit from the chapter by Serpell and Jagoe on "Early experience and the development of behaviour," which updates the standard beliefs about puppy development resulting from the Bar Harbor experiments of over 50 years ago.

Excellent book!

The Domestic Dog, James Serpell (Ed.)
For those people hungry for scientific literature on dogs and curious about what other references there are on particular dog topics, this is a must read/must have text; almost every chapter serves as a review of the scientific literature on that topic. Those who don't care for reading anything drier than James Herriot's "All Creatures Great & Small" should avoid it.

The book is probably used as a text for graduate students and upper division majors in ethology, comparative psychology, zoology, etc. It was published in 1995 so most of the information is fairly current. The book is in its 5th printing so some professors must share my judgment of it. Let's hope that by 2005 there's a revised edition including and evaluating recent work.

It has 17 chapters written (or co-written) by 21 specialists in their fields -- British, American, Italian -- (after an introduction) divided into 3 major divisions: I. Domestication & evolution (2 chapters) ; II. Behaviour & behaviour problems (8 ch.s); III. Human-dog interactions (6 ch.s). The chapters provide an excellent summary and the key references to the area discussed. A few chapters have a definite British flavor but American readers will be able to transpose when needed.

Dog breeders (& many owners) may be especially interested in the chapters dealing with what's known about heritability of traits, temperament, etc., as well as the role of early experience on later behaviors, disorders, etc.

A few chapters are filled with research results in tables and graphs. One is dense with specialist jargon. But all are readable if you're interested in learning what the applicable sciences know and do not know about the dog. All chapters have information I found important and to some, I'll refer back to many times.

Academic, researched, impartial book on dogs.
Does it seem that retail book stores stock dog books that appear opinion-based and poorly referenced or researched? The early chapters of The Domestic Dog concerning evolution may be a little bit factual and historically oriented (read: a tad dry) but presents an excellent understanding of how dogs came into contact with humans and the resulting reliance and interations. The book, in part, looks at areas of canus familiarus and human interaction from both a biological, survival necessity to what kind of kennel should be considered based on breed selection. There are many discussions on topics not normally covered in commercial or general appeal dog books that will compliment, inform and provide insight into otherwise unknown or insufficiently covered areas about dogs. Areas of new information include (but is not limited to): pack hierarchy, dog development and growth, dog psychology and others. It is one dog book I can rely on for its research, reference material and impartial analyses into breed types. It has helped me learn more about dogs than previously possible in other purported books based on fact. I do believe that one must be more interested in dogs than just a casual manner (i.e.: one must really want to get into the nuts and bolts) to enjoy and finish this book.

Excellent book, suitable for both researcher and dog lover
This book is packed with easily understandable, concise information. Whether you are a behaviorist or simply a dog lover, this is a must have. ... Read more

Book Description

This newly designed field guides features detailed descriptions of 595 species and subspecies. The 656 full-color illustrations and 384 drawings show key details for accurate identification.More than 100 color photographs and 333 color photographs and 333 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Simply the best!
There is no other guide which I would consult prior to herping trips. The color plates are fantastic and so well-drawn that I can recall seeing the animals depicted in the field. A knowledge of the arrangement of this guide will make this the most easily perused guide in the field as well.

Any budding herpetologist would be wise to study the book from cover to cover in order to share in the wisdom of Conant/Collins.

The field guide is easy to read (though technical details are necessarily prevalent) and can be understood by even the least herpetologically-inclined person.

Must Have Reference
This book has been a faithfull field companion to countless herpers since the first edition was published in 1958. It is the best selling herp book of all time for a good reason. The text is both concise and comprehensive. The color plates are not only works of art but are designed to highlight markings that are useful for field identification. The images in most competitors are generally the most attractive color photos available. This makes a pretty book but is not always useful for identification. The book is also small enough to be unobtrusive in any backpack or large pant pocket. Many of the "field guides" being produced now are too large and heavy. My copy has stood up to years of abuse remarkably well. This version added excellent color photographs to compliment the original color plates. The one criticism I have is that this version spread the maps throughout the text. Previous editions had the maps bundled together in taxanomic order. Imagine you are trying to identify a skink in Missouri. In the previous editions you could flip open the book to the skink maps and immediately see which species are found in Missouri. In this edition you would have to flip through all of the skink species accounts to get that information. It does not seem like a big difference,unless you have ever attempted to hold onto a skink in Missouri. Overall I would have to characterize this book as a must have for any North American herper young or old.

Lovely Photos, not comprehensive
A useful guide to help identify specimens. They profile similiar species in similar poses, very helpful. It doesn't offer as many species as the RTP guides, but then RTP guides don't show photos. I also suspect that the guide I have isn't as likely to handle weathering (mud/rain/etc) as well as the RTP bindings.

Excellent guide
Excellent guide, color plates are great aids for quicky identification as well as colored maps explaining range of each specie, it also explains details of each specie in a very detailed way and suggest many tips in order to recognize particular species. I own many guides and honestly this is part of my favorites and best guides, maybe you wont find anything better than this except for the Audubon Guides, considering the extensive color pictures on those...
Sorry about my grammar, Im from Mexico.

Bible of Amphibians and Reptiles of this region
This book was my bible as a boy. For anyone who enjoys watching small creatures in their natural habitats, the life-histories of amphibians and reptiles can be very enjoyable. This book is educational and extremely comprehensive. Even after moving to Europe, I kept my copy of this book, purely for sentimental value (none of the species from back home are to be found over here).

The book is written for those who want a lot of information, yet it is accessible for anyone from a very inquisitive boy or girl, through to university students who want to identify species in the wild. (I know, I used my copy from the age of ten to twenty-five on countless field trips and excursions.)

It's sturdy and affordable, especially considering the amount of information it contains. There are many b/w illustrations within the text showing specific identifying features, and a nice set of colour and black and white plates. More useful than Audubon, if you like these peaceful little animals this book will be with you for a long time. ... Read more

Book Description

Current, comprehensive, and readily accessible to all readers regardless of their knowledge on the subject, this information-packed resource on freshwater, marine, and terrestrial algae forms focuses on what people really want to know about algae—why they are so diverse; how they are related; how to distinguish the major types; their roles in food webs, global biogeochemical cycling; the formation of harmful algae bloom; and how we utilize them.Provides a stimulating overview of the importance of algae. Covers biotic associations involving algae, with discussions on herbivory interactions, algal food quality, symbioses, pathogeneic interactions, and more. Considers the economic, ecological, and biotechnological applications of algae, and provides complete coverage on algal biodiversity, classification systems, molecular phylogenetics, and application of molecular information to ecological problems. Offers a detailed study on endosymbiosis. and includes intensive, stand-alone chapters on cryptomonads, dinoflagellates, ochrophytes, red algae, green algae, and phytoplankton ecology. Covers new analytical techniques (i.e. molecular phylogenetics, DNA-based approaches to the study of life cycles, and fluorescence methods for the study for photosynthesis); integrates many interesting boxed essays; and enhances material with numerous photos and illustrations. For researchers and professionals in the fields of aquatic ecology and technological application of algae. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good reference book and learning tool
I haven't found many good books on algae that have come out in the past few years. This book is a great one with lots of information and pictures. It would be better if some of the pictures were in color, instead of all of them being in black and white. Some algae are indentified by color so color pictures would be helpful. It has really good information on diatoms also which is nice. ... Read more