Book Description

Streams is a handbook that combines a discussion of the ecology of streams and rivers, in layperson language, with an illustrated field guide of the plants and animals found in running waters of North America. Various illustrations and maps accompany the text. The authors are extremely well known--Cushing is the lead content provider for an America On-Line service provided through Trout Unlimited entitled "Ask Dr. Cushing." He is frequently asked the sorts of questions that are answered in this field guide. J. David Allan is the author of a well known textbook in Aquatic Ecology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A superbly presented field guide
Collaborative written by ecologists Colbert E. Cushing (Colorado State University) and J. David Allen (University of Michigan), Streams: Their Ecology And Life is a superbly presented field guide packed with beautiful color photography, sketches, charts, graphs, and an authoritative text introducing readers of all backgrounds to the diverse, rich and fascinating splendor of streams and the chains of natural life that form around them. From the different types of rivers to the variety of different creatures that inhabit them and the surrounding area - birds, fish, crustaceans, amphibians, insects and more - Streams: Their Ecology And Life is packed cover to cover with an incredible amount of solid information and highly recommended for personal, school, and community library environmental studies and reference collections. ... Read more

Book Description

The Ponder's Bible is the compleat guide to building and maintaining your very own pond. It has it all from digging the hole to the towering waterfall, including costs.

It is "Fun and easy to read and most importantly ... Informative."

"Just incredible. I'll bet you have no idea how inspiring it is for average ponders to read this."

"Wow! When I read your book, I though 'WOW! We could do that!... And we were right."

"... a very good job! I'm sick of reading books using language only a biologist could understand."

"A virtual treasure trove of information."

"Your simplicity in guidelines has made my pond building a pleasure." ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The BEST book out there on the subject of ponds!
When I decided to build a big pond, I got such conflicting information about how to filter the pond. I found this book and it not only explained everything I needed to know about filtration but showed me how to build it myself and save a fortune. I now have a great pond!

Wisdom begins in wonder
Considering how much time I spend thinking about nothing I thought this would be an interesting read, which it was.
Yet, I'm still left to ponder what this book has to do with pondering. It's ponderous to say the least.

Down to earth Ponding 101
I had already started a small ABS plastic pond before I bought the book. The author has a much larger pond and explains everything about it. He covers it from A to Z.
I am a do it yourselfer and really enjoyed his explanations and innovative ideas.
Eventhough the construction part did not apply to my situation there is plently of other things that do apply.
The author makes no secret that he is giving you his opinion on how to do things and what he likes and doesn't like. For example, he does not like UV clarifiers and prefers to balance the ecosytem to take care of the water borne algae. He states that if the clarifier kills the algae, what elese does it kill but admits that it can kill parasites, etc. that can harm your fish.
Interesting stories of things he had done and mistakes he had made. Not techinical at all but yet it covers about everything.

Down home and folksy
Widely praised as 'easy to read' and common sense. Yes, it does appeal to 'horse sense' thinking, but it doesn't really get into the whys. I think some of the advice was not that good - especially the 'just throw a handful of food in there' one (disaster in a very small pond...even in mine with very good filtration). Otherwise I liked reading it and it was humorous and cute. I suggest finding the color one tho - the black and white one is pretty nasty - the pictures are murky and I would have liked to have seen the examples!

Down to Earth
Finally a really down to earth book by a great guy who really loves ponds and has done it all. He gives details way beyond the typical book on ponds. Its clear that he has been experimenting with techniques for a long long time. I own about 25 pond books and this one is absolutely the best and is indispensible. I have learned more from this book than all the others combined. Get this book if you want to do it right the first time, or if you want to learn how to keep a pond healthy. You cant go wrong with this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Limnology is the study of the structural and functional interrelationships of organisms of inland waters as they are affected by their dynamic physical, chemical, and biotic environments. Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3rd Edition, is a new edition of this established classic text. The coverage remains rigorous and uncompromising and has been thoroughly reviewed and updated with evolving recent research results and theoretical understanding. In addition, the author has expanded coverage of lakes to reservoir and river ecosystems in comparative functional analyses. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Difficult to Read
Well there is no doubt that this book contains a large amount of information, it CANNOT be used as an introductory text. It is much to difficult to comprehend, and Wetzel makes absolutely no effort to teach the concepts. Here merely presents a synthesis of limnological research.

Good as a Limnology Primer
This is an excellent general reference text. Can not say enough about the excellent content of this text. But it is need of an edition update with information for lake mapping and restoration. Dr. C.L. Nelson of St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN has an excellent small text on physical limnology for the mapping aspect. This book does do an excellent job on the biological aspects of limnological work.

My view of the Wetzel's limnology book
The book contains a lot of information related to lakes. It's a complete work about the conditions on this systems. Include a study about the performance of the ionic particles in this systems. It's a suitable book for students like me, to understand the freshwater ecology. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

Pond Life
Pond Life is like a general biology introduction to life found in ponds. All types of life are covered, albeit in very brief introductions. Plants and animals (microscopic to mammals to birds) each receive tertiary coverage. The book does not get into specifics on how wetlands function relation to other ecosystems, and such coverage would have been useful, but the overall emphasis is still relevant.

The book is likely not intended to be read from cover to cover, as it is a field guide. Field guides are really meant to be brought along in a pocket for easy reference when making field identifications. In this respect, I am a big fan of other field guides in the series.

This volume and its companions should be readily available at nature centers, but the price is low enough for people to purchase it for their own libraries. What it lacks in detail it makes up for in compactness and readability.

Possibly the Best All-Around Introductory Guide to Pond Life
Golden Guides are often described as books for children just discovering the natural world. While the series is eminently usable by young naturalists, Golden Guides are solid introductory field guides. One of the strengths of "Pond Life" is its comprehensive scope covering everything from protozoa to plants to mammals. Indeed, it provides more good basic information on identifying types of water plants than any other source I know complete with measurements and color illustrations. The same applies to its coverage of invertebrates as well, though the minor objection of the previous reviewer concerning its scanty treatment of protozoa is a valid one. I would add to the strength of "Pond Life" its portability, which packs a plethora of information into a small package. Another weakness (of the Golden Guides in general) is its datedness to the 1950's and 60's. This does not affect its basic science in most cases, though it is strange (albeit nostalgic for some) to see the equipment suggested for pond watching.

A Good Introduction to my Favorite Environment
E.O. Wilson, in his beautiful and brilliant autobiography, has stated that if he could live his life again, he would do so as a microbiologist who would dedicate himself to the study of a single tree and the area immediately surrounding it. He would investigate the organisms and the ecology of that small space, finding enough there to occupy his interest for a lifetime of exploration and research.

Given the same choice, I would choose a pond as my area of study, and this book would be one of the first field guides I would use. It is a basic introduction to the study of small bodies of fresh water: their defining characteristics, the forms they take through the seasons, the cycle of their lives, and the distinct forms they take throughout the United States. It also touches on the physical and chemical characteristics of water, and the importance these have for the organisms that live in or near the pond. The book introduces the concept of food webs and the multiple habitats of lakes and ponds, and also lists and describes some of the basic collecting tools of the limnologist (one who studies bodies of fresh water). The majority of the book is dedicated to the plants and animals which are frequently found near ponds. As one would expect, the emphasis is on how these organisms relate to the others in this environment, whether they are full or part time denizens, and in what types of ponds they can be found. More than merely a book about creatures found in ponds, it presents information about the pond itself and how its many inhabitants and visitors relate to one another there.

The book has two small weaknesses. The first is a slight bias towards organisms found only east of the Mississippi. There is enough information about ponds in general, however, to make this guide useful for any budding limnologist. The second flaw is that the sections on the protozoa and other microscopic organisms are far too short, but as a protozoologist I am perhaps biased. Still, I think that even a few more pages would have added to the value of this section by demonstrating the amazing complexity of these phyla.

As it is, however, the book functions admirably as an introduction to the study of ponds: it will lead beginners into the natural world, and to help them identify what they find there. It is suited for older children and adolescents, and will still be of some use at the college level, if only because it includes a list of more technical reference books. I recommend it for anyone who wants to "take the plunge" into the study of this fascinating environment!

Amazing content for a pocket sized book!
This little book is a bargain if you want to identify aquatic plants, animals, etc. commonly found in US lakes & ponds. All color plates and well put together.

An excellent introductory text
I use this book to introduce scuba diving students to freshwater plants and invertebrates. Both the illustrations and the descriptions are good. I've been unable to find a better book for this purpose. On the other hand,the coverage of fish species is limited, (eg. Smallmouth bass are missing!), and the illustrations mix fish of greatly differing size on the same pages. ... Read more

Book Description

Popular interest in the observation and study of freshwater invertebrates is increasing. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America meets the needs of this growing audience of naturalists, environmentalists, anglers, teachers, students, and others by providing substantive information in easy-to-understand, nontechnical language for many groups of invertebrates commonly found in the streams, lakes, ponds, and other freshwater environments of North America.

Section I provides background information on the biology and ecology of freshwater organisms and environments and explains why and how invertebrates can be studied, simply and without complex equipment, in the field and the laboratory. Section II describes nearly 100 of the most common groups of invertebrates, and for each group a whole-body color illustration is provided along with brief text pointing out the most important features that identify members of the group. Section III contains in-depth descriptions of the life history, behavior, and ecology of the various invertebrate groups, and explains their important ecological contributions and relationships to humans.

The Guide is broad in scope, geographically and taxonomically, and it is written at a substantive yet easily accessible level that will appeal to both novices and those with more advanced knowledge of the subject. It also contains more than 100 specially commissioned color illustrations by the well-known scientific illustrator Amy Bartlett Wright that will greatly facilitate the easy and rapid identification of specimens. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Technical identification for the layman
Dr. Voshell has taken the highly technical methodologies involved in family level benthic macroinvertabrate identification and ecology and translated it for all to enjoy. His book is beneficial for the amateur, yet appropriate for the professional.

An excellent place to start for benthic macroinvertebrates
If I could recommend only one book to someone interested in getting started to learn about benthic macroinvertebrates, Voshell and Wright's Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America would be it. The colored pictures are superb, and the text is clearly written and very informative. The introductory section of the book provides information to get the novice started: what are freshwater invertebrates and why are they of interest; how are they classified; a quick look at freshwater ecology; basics of freshwater invertebrate biology; and how to study these fascinating little critters.

The second section, which includes Amy Wright's beautiful pictures, provides very clearly written material on the distinguishing features of the various families. The third section, which is keyed to the second, provides information about the ecology, habitat, movement, feeding, breathing, life history, and significance (including pollution tolerance) for each of the families discussed.

This book is an excellent introduction. True, it is not as complete as Peckarsky, et al, Thorp and Covich, or McCafferty and Provonsha. On the other hand, it is nowhere nearly as intimidating as these much larger, very detailed, and more technical books are. For the amateur, Voshell and Wright's Guide provides a fine stepping stone to these other, less accessible works. I should expect that a bright, interested high school student would have no trouble using this book. Certainly it was a blessing to a retired chemist who needed to get up to speed on benthic macroinvertebrates.

In and out of water
A GUIDE TO COMMON FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES OF NORTH AMERICA helps ordinary people find and name about 100 crustaceans, insects and worms, in shallow waters and without microscopes. Freshwaters are all inland waters, unaffected by sea tides and usually lacking in much salt. That means streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.

Freshwater invertebrates make up 70 percent of all known animals, microbes and plants. These skeletonless critters are important, in the food chain and to the environment. Some are scrumptious food, such as crayfish and river shrimp. All are hard-working environmentalists, earthworm-like in breaking down and cycling organic matter and nutrients. All are reality-checks to freshwater health. All are wake-up calls to changed living conditions, nature's temper tantrums, and pollution.

All are easy-to-know, too, because of this beautifully, one-of-a-kind illustrated, organized and written book. Illustrator Amy Bartlett Wright's artwork is outstanding. So is author J Reese Voshell, Jr's know-how. For he gives each invertebrate's breathing and feeding needs, life history, living space, movement, and stress level. In addition, he tells how to set up acceptable aquarium living for live catch.

Gravel can be on the bottom. But add stones, sticks, live plants, dead leaves, and bottom sediment, from where the invertebrates were caught. Water must be from where they were caught, too. It has fine detritus and microbe tidbits. Otherwise, a pump must bubble air in. That gets killer chlorine out of treated water.

An air stone letting out small amounts of air keeps down natural decay and smells. Likewise, it keeps water chock full of dissolved oxygen. So does a screen cover. Also, it keeps invertebrates from getting out.

Big chores are food and water. Take out what's not eaten within 24 hours. Change about 1/3 of the water every 2 weeks, if there's a lot of algae or scum.

The best bets are caddisflies, crustaceans, damsel and dragon flies, flat and segmented worms, mollusks, true bugs and flies, and water beetles. Specifically, those most likely to grow, from larvae into adults, are damsel and dragon flies. With my next stream quality monitoring, as soon as water levels go down, I'd like to start mine!

The Guide to Follow
Anyone with an interest in the outdoors or natural history finds wonder and amazement in all organisms one comes across. Even the smallest of creatures holds fascination on those keen on natural life and many times will leave you wondering, 'What is that ??'. A GUIDE TO COMMON FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES OF NORTH AMERICA by J. Reese Voshell, Jr. is a wonderfully complete introduction to the small organisms that we find in the shallows of our local freshwater ponds, lakes, creeks or streams. Beautifully illustrated by Amy Bartlett Wright, A GUIDE TO COMMON FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES OF NORTH AMERICA is much more than the typical field guides on the market today. The first section of the book takes the reader through the ecology and fundamentals of freshwater biology and freshwater invertebrates. Well written in an easy to follow flow that is indicative of his 25 years of research and study, J. Reese Voshell, Jr. explains how to use this book and introduces the reader to the guidelines to effectively study freshwater invertebrates. The rest of the book is split into two parts, the first not too different from most field guides are the illustrated descriptions of 100 of the most common freshwater invertebrates with easy to follow distinguishing characteristics. This identification section is referenced by page to the third section that contains a detailed description on the distribution, habitat, biology and feeding habitats of each of the individual freshwater invertebrates. All written in an easy to follow format, A GUIDE TO COMMON FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES OF NORTH AMERICA is a comprehensive guide and study tool, it is part field guide and part biology text, the combination of which is what makes this book unique and valuable. A GUIDE TO COMMON FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES OF NORTH AMERICA is as complete a guide book as you will ever find or need. ... Read more

Book Description

In Infinity and the Mind, Rudy Rucker leads an excursion to that stretch of the universe he calls the "Mindscape," where he explores infinity in all its forms: potential and actual, mathematical and physical, theological and mundane. Rucker acquaints us with Gödel's rotating universe, in which it is theoretically possible to travel into the past, and explains an interpretation of quantum mechanics in which billions of parallel worlds are produced every microsecond. It is in the realm of infinity, he maintains, that mathematics, science, and logic merge with the fantastic. By closely examining the paradoxes that arise from this merging, we can learn a great deal about the human mind, its powers, and its limitations.

Using cartoons, puzzles, and quotations to enliven his text, Rucker guides us through such topics as the paradoxes of set theory, the possibilities of physical infinities, and the results of Gödel's incompleteness theorems. His personal encounters with Gödel the mathematician and philosopher provide a rare glimpse at genius and reveal what very few mathematicians have dared to admit: the transcendent implications of Platonic realism. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A passionate introduction to the theme of infinity
The book mentiones : Infinity commenly inspires feelings of awe, futility and fear. Reading of the book makes one agree to it. The book is written for a reader who is philosophically curious and patient in reading. After introducting the various context ( spatial, temporal , physical) where one encounter the issue of infinity, the author explain clearly the debate of potential vs actual infinity. Here author points out about the Greek philosophical tendencies. Chapter two discusses the revolution brought by Cantor's works. He explains the concept using a lot of symbols, diagrams and illustrations. The reader is made to understand the notion of transfinite number. The chapter ends with an extract from his novel White Light which deals with the idea of the chapter. Next chapter discusses the kind of paradoxes one encounter in thinking the theme of infinity within modern mathematical logical framework. Chapter four discusses the implications of Godel's theorems in question of Robot consciousness. He gives details about his personal interactions with Godel. He mentiones about his dream about Godel the day before Godel's death. This is most humanistic chapter. Last chapter discusses the abstract philosophical reflections. There are two well written excursion chapters : one on Cantor's set theory and one on Godel's Incompleteness theorems. Every chapter has well thought puzzles and paradoxes section.

Infinity made simple and understandable
In many ways, infinity is the most abstract concept of all. Many of the advances in understanding how to manipulate infinities had unpleasant consequences. As the legend goes, the first one to announce that there are infinite non-repeating decimals was rewarded by being drowned. Georg Cantor, the first to prove that there are different levels of infinity, faced extreme criticism and ultimately went mad. Fortunately, Rudy Rucker provides a gentle introduction to this concept, one that can be read by most with the only consequence being enlightenment.
The entire range of infinities (what a phrase!) is covered in this book. From the simplest infinity (omega), to the multi-universe theories of quantum theory. All are put forward in a very readable style, although there are times when one must slow down and read very carefully if one is to understand. Rucker's encounters with Kurt Godel is a welcome contrast with the common depiction that he was a dry, humorless man. It is refreshing to hear that he laughed and had a sense of humor.
Many different test scenarios have been put forward to determine if a computer is indeed intelligent. At this time, I would propose that any machine that can understand the concept of infinity must be considered intelligent. Any human wishing to pass that test need only read this book. It should be required reading in all undergraduate mathematics programs.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

At the intersection of parallel lines...
Rudy Rucker, son of a cleric and mathematics whiz kid, produced this book on 'Infinity and the Mind' years ago, but reading and re-reading it, I continue to get insights and the chance to wrap my mind around strange concepts.

'This book discusses every kind of infinity: potential and actual, mathematical and physical, theological and mundane. Talking about infinity leads to many fascinating paradoxes. By closely examining these paradoxes we learn a great deal about the human mind, its powers, and its limitations.'

This book was intended to be accessible by those without graduate-level education in mathematics (i.e., most of us) while still being of interest to those even at the highest levels of mathematical expertise.

Even if the goal of infinity is never reached, there is value in the journey. Rucker provides a short overview of the history of 'infinity' thinking; how one thinks about divinity is closely related often, and how one thinks about mathematical and cosmological to-the-point-of-absurdities comes into play here. Quite often infinite thinking becomes circular thinking: Aquinas's Aristotelian thinking demonstrates the circularity in asking if an infinitely powerful God can make an infinitely powerful thing; can he make an unmade thing? (Of course, we must ask the grammatical and logical questions here--does this even make sense?)

Rucker explores physical infinities, spatial infinities, numerical infinities, and more. There are infinites of the large (the universe, and beyond?), infinities of the small (what is the smallest number you can think of, then take half, then take half, then take half...), infinities that are nonetheless limited (the number of divisions of a single glass of water can be infinite, yet never exceed the volume of water in the glass), and finally the Absolute.

'In terms of rational thoughts, the Absolute is unthinkable. There is no non-circular way to reach it from below. Any real knowledge of the Absolute must be mystical, if indeed such a thing as mystical knowledge is possible.'

At the end of each chapter, Rucker provides puzzles and paradoxes to tantalise and confuse.

* Consider a very durable ceiling lamp that has an on-off pull string. Say the string is to be pulled at noon every day, for the rest of time. If the lamp starts out off, will it be on or off after an infinite number of days have passed?

Rucker explores the philosophical points of infinity with wit and care. He explores the ideas behind and implications of Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem, and leads discussion and excursion into self-referential problems and set theory problems and solutions.

He also discusses, contrary to conventional wisdom, the non-mechanisability of mathematics. We tend to think in our day that mathematics is the one mechanical-prone discipline, unlike poetry or creative arts and more 'human' endeavours. But Rucker discusses the problems of situations which require decision-making and discernment in mathematical choices that no machine can (yet!) make.

* Consider the sentence S: This sentence can never be proved. Show that if S is meaningful, then S is not provable, and that therefore you can see that S must be true. But this constitutes a proof of S. How can the paradox be resolved?

This is a beautifully complex and intriguing book on the edges of mathematics and philosophical thinking, which is nonetheless accessible and intellectually inviting. You'll wonder why math class was never this fun!

a mind-blowing trip to the infinite
What is infinity? How do we train our minds to understand the idea? This one of the hardest questions to answer for non-professional mathematicians, and one that Rucker address superbly - and, believe it or not entertainingly in this excellent book. And once you think you grasped that, how about a higher level infinity? Next one? Infinite series of higher level infinities? Sound very scary, and it is. It takes an amazing capacity to explain these concepts to a (relative) layman, and Rucker has it in abundance. An exhilarating intellectual tour de force, perhaps comparable to climbing mount Everest - infinite number of times, with deep philosophical, and perhaps, religious connections, presented in a light, funny, and yet rigorous manner. The book also provides a history of the concept of the infinite, and interesting people who developed it. A must read for a curious mind.

A perfect book for someone like me
I know very little about any of the subjects discussed in this book, although I do have a degree in philosophy of science, and I liked this book a lot.

I can't believe I made it through 7 years of senior school and 2 years of degree level maths and nobody ever bothered to tell me about infinity, transfinite numbers, set theory and its relationships with, and underpinning of other branches of mathematics in a way I could understand rather than simply regurgitate. Rucker on the other hand manages to do this in 362 pages.

I slso found the stuff about Godel and the impossibility of complete formulisms very useful, not only philosophically, but also just for my own peace of mind. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lakes Handbook
This book is the first of a two part series, edited by P. E. O'Sullivan of the School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth and C. S. Reynolds of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Windermere. The purpose of the book is "to provide a sort of turn-of-the-century progress report, which brings together the most recent perspectives on the interactions among the properties of water, the distinguishing features of individual basins and the dynamic interactions with their biota". The immediate inspiration for this book came from the Rivers Handbook, and it has attempted to follow the same organisational structure.

The objective of the book was to provide a point of reference for students and professionals alike, to provide a contemporary and accurate reflection of current understanding about lakes and lake ecosystem function. Overall, the book does provide a complete comprehensive account of the different physical and chemical natures of lakes worldwide. With 18 sections to the book, it contains extensive information that is kept concise throughout the content. The sections are sub divided into logical categories, and are not overloaded in each division in most sections. The quantity of helpful and clear conceptual diagrams and tables help to illustrate and explain the text. They are appropriately linked to the topic of the chapter and they assist in breaking up pages into more manageable reading. The extent of the references available at the end of each section makes it easy for the reader to identify further reading quickly and accurately. Because of the assortment of specialist writers contributing to the book, the sections differ in their coverage and complexity of the section subject and in their ease of reading. The book takes a general look at a thorough range of topics, whilst managing to be specialised at the divisions.

The book ranges in its content, and although some chapters would be a nice read for the beginner, I think the book would be ideally suited to professionals and advanced students who already have a background understanding and that are familiar with some aspect of lake ecology, and wish to build upon that knowledge to a more advanced level. The presence of chapters slightly more complex in the explanations, especially those chapters working through complex mathematical equations makes parts of the book quite hard going at times. A novice could be easily distracted by sophisticated and complex descriptive terminology in some chapters.

Conclusion
This is a well-structured and highly informative book, although on the whole slightly advanced for the beginner in lake ecology. For a more sophisticated learner, this is a nice concise book, with manageable chapters in a variety of specialist subject areas. The book, written by highly knowledgeable specialists in the area of lake research stands up to its promise of delivering "the most recent perspectives on the interactions among the properties of water, the distinguishing features of individual basins and the dynamic interactions with their biota". It does also provide contemporary and accurate reflection of current lake understanding, but has not really managed to cater for the less advanced student in the majority of the book. However, as far as a book specifically dedicated to the ecosystem functioning of lakes alone, there are not many other books that cater for this demand, and so this book will most likely become one of the major reference books for this subject. ... Read more

Book Description

Janisse Ray, award-winning author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood and Wild Card Quilt, writes an evocative paean to wildness and wilderness restoration with an extraordinary journey into southern Georgia’s Pinhook Swamp.

Pinhook Swamp is a vital watershed and wildlife corridor linking the great southern wildernesses of Okefenokee Swamp and Osceola National Forest. Together Okefenokee, Osceola, and Pinhook form the largest expanse of protected wild land east of the Mississippi River. This is one of America’s last wild places, and Pinhook takes us into its heart.

Ray comes to know Pinhook intimately as she joins the fight to protect it, spending the night in the swamp, tasting honey made from its flowers, tracking wildlife, and talking to others about their relationship with the swamp. Ray sees Pinhook through the eyes of the people who live there—naturalists, beekeepers, homesteaders, hunters, and locals at the country store. In lyrical, downhome prose, she draws together the swamp’s need for restoration and the human desire for wholeness and wildness in our own lives and landscapes. ... Read more

Book Description

In August 1854, Houghton Mifflin"s predecessor, Ticknor & Fields, published a book called Walden; or, Life in the Woods, by a little-known writer named Henry Thoreau. At the time the book was largely ignored, but it has gone on to become one of the most widely read and influential works ever published, not only in this country but throughout the world. In August 2004 Houghton Mifflin, in association with the Walden Woods Project, will proudly publish a special 150th anniversary edition, beautifully illustrated with Scot Miller's spectacular color photographs, which are accompanied by historic black-and-white photographs and drawings. In the spirit of Thoreau, the book will be sensibly priced at $28.12, half a cent less than he spent building his cabin at Walden Pond. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An absolutely wonderful source of information!
This book is absolutely wonderful! Last summer I worked for a company that took passengers out of Provincetown and went out to watch whales. As the naturalist, my job was to provide information about the environment and the things we were seeing there. This book was with me on every trip! There were many occasions when I walked around showing pictures out of it or used it for a quick reference. It was enjoyable and easy to read!

A very informative, but easy, read.
An excellent overview of the Fauna of StellWagon Bank. It includes many wonderful photopgraphs. There is also pretty balanced account of some of the significant environmental issues effecting the bank.

Educational and entertaining for scientists young and old
I purchased this book because I am doing a paper about Stellwagen Bank. If you are interested in marine biology, whales, oceanography or know a young budding marine biologist, this book is an excellent and very enjoyable resource. It is easy to read, good photos, yet packed with information about everything from Captain Stellwagen to glacier formation to the numerous forms of sea life that thrive in Stellwagen Bank. It is peppered with lore about the history of local fishermen and the former whaling industry, and very interesting tidbits about the Massachusetts coast. A bright youngster on your gift list would enjoy this book, as would the college student or anyone seeking knowledge about the sea and the life forms that depend on it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lots of Prose......No nuts and bolts.
All those pages, all those words............yet if you are looking to satiate an appetite for information that will allow the building and managing of a pond...you will go hungry.

It's an average book for an average day for an average consumer, but not for construction or problem solution.
I will sell my copy or leave it as a "coffee table" book.

Sorry, but I made a bad purchase choice.

For serious pond builders
I bought this book for my husband, who has been planning the restoration for our 4+ acre pond. Many books on ponds seem to be focused on smaller water gardens, not on sizeable wetlands. This is the first truly helpful resource book that he's found. The author writes from the perspective of a conservationist, but his passion for what he's doing comes across as poetic. Extremely helpful guide for facts, resources, and the issues/challenges you're likely to encounter, as well as key environmental considerations.

It is a good start
This book is a good start to building your own pond. I would suggest it as a inexpensive first step to pond building. What I learned in my experience was there is just too much to consider when you want a high quality pond. I used a professional biologist to design my pond and got terrific results. I was happy I knew the basics from this book so I could speak somewhat intelligently with the fishery biologist. After investing tens of thousands of dollars, I learned that the small amount I spent on this book and the professional advice was well worth it. I was so happy I got a nice clear fishing and swimming pond instead of a muddy mess or one that was weed infested.

Old text and Photos
I purchased this book for instruction on new pond construction. The text was somewhat informative, but the pictures were a joke. They show pond construction using steam shovels! I sent my copy back.

Good start for pond builders!
A great book for novice pond buidlers. If you are looking to move earth or referbish an old pond or lake this book will give ideas and help to make a pond for livestock or pleasure. Some in picture detail but good basic writing in foundation. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Engaging exploration of relationship between man and the sea
As a recovering 20th-century American lit major, regrettably my reading list (beyond Melville's classic and a certain Hemingway novella) lacked a certain maritime flavor in deference to social issues, the human experience, and anything that could somehow be interpreted as sublime or lead to a seriously insightful opium habit. Having said this, I encourage everyone to read William W. Warner's 'Beautiful Swimmers: Waterman, Crabs and the Chesapeake Bay'. In terms of exploring the relationship between humanity and the sea, I have never read anything more eloquent. Its prose is refreshingly simple, but very engaging, with detailed sketches to enhance the authenticity. I've read several books twice, a handful three times. As of last night, 'Beautiful Swimmers' is the only one I've read for a fourth time. Many books (Moby Dick for example) merit more than a single reading mostly because they are too dense to "get" on a first run. It is the rare book that begs for multiple sittings simply because it's a joy to go back to the same words again and again. I'm a voracious reader, read my first novel (Jack London's 'Call of the Wild') when I was seven and have been buried in some book ever since; in my experience, 'Beautiful Swimmers' is one of about six or seven books that fit this "joy to read" category.

This is a book to share...
I discovered this book on my brothers bookshelf while visiting the Eastern shore, and read it in two sittings. An absolutely fascinating book on the Bay, the Eastern shore, the blue crab and more. William W. Warner's gifted prose depicts the watermen and their life in a way that is both honest,sympathetic and informative. As a non-native Washingtonian, this book finally explains so many of the mysteries of the bay -- from soft shell crab and how/why they get that way --to Tangier Island and how/why it became so popular. It is the kind of book you immediately want to share with your friends... your family... your lunch bunch... the guy sitting next to you on the subway..

A lyrical work of art
This book is a technical wonder of writing. The lyrical beauty of the prose gives it the flow and cadence of poetry but with the straightforward phrasing of journalism. It should be required reading for college literature majors everywhere. I was first exposed to Beautiful Swimmers when it showed up on my son's 9th grade English summer reading list. What a fortunate assignment for mom.

I am in awe of Mr. Warner's skill in crafting spare yet well-thought phrasing that carefully blends the unique local language with technical terminology. You read this book and forget that it is non-fiction, nature writing. It draws you in like a compelling fictional account. Therein lies the success of the book.

Beautiful Swimmers covers the crabbing industry and the impact of this lovely crustacean on the Bay and its economy - a worthy journalistic endeavor. But for me, the real beauty is in the joy of just reading this charming work.

A must read for all "chicken neckers"
A wonderfull read of life on the Chesapeake. My next charter will be to explore all the historic towns brought to life in this facinating book.

Made a difference
This is a the book that made a difference in my lfe. Because of it, I spent vacation time on the Eastern Shore and even made a pilgrimage to Tangier Island. I have become fond of the little critters and am really fascinated by their life cycle and habits. I wish the author would write more books like this. I can't understand the one negative review in this series unless the reviewer has a hidden agenda. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

the best of the lakes!
I am (like many of those that have written reviews) a native Michigander. However, I am now living in upstate New York, which despite being part of the Great Lakes lacks the appreciation for the lakes that midwesterners have. This book is a must read for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to grow up surrounded by the greatest natural wonder in the world. This book highlights not only the natural history of the lakes, but the social and environmental legacy of humankind in the lakes. For those who were lucky enough to spend time sailing, swimming, hiking, and otherwise enjoying the Great Lakes, this book will sweep you back in time to the lazy summers of youth (or retirement, as the case may be!) and remind you of why you love the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Truly are a Treasure
This book captures the heart of the Great Lakes and all the beauty that is found in and around them. It gives a wonderful detail of the geologic history of the lakes and the landscape around them. The author has a true appreciation for these living lakes and evokes that throughout his writing. If you live around the Great Lakes region, you will gain a new appreciation for how lucky we are to be by them and a new sense of desire to protect them. I used excerpts from this book to teach a high school earth science class when studying the hydrosphere and meterology. I recommend this book to any naturalist, Great Lakes region residence, or for anyone who wants to know why the largest source of fresh water on the planet is worth saving and preserving.

The Living Great Lakes
As I'm sure it is with many of the people that read this book, I grew up and live around the Great Lakes. My life has been sent sailing and fishing Lake Michigan and its tributaries. Jerry Dennis' book is a must read for anyone interested in the Great Lakes and what they mean to both the region's social and natural history. It's a pleasure to read all the factual tidbit's about these natural gifts carefully assembled together into a book. Jerry is not a writer that leaves you breathless with either his imagery or the depth of his prose. He has no need to. His straight forward style and knowledge of nature and science keeps you rolling along with him. He's like the smart and warm uncle whose conversations late into the night you've always cherished. Read this before planning your sailing or motoring trip through the Great Lakes and Erie Canal. It'll make you set a date for your trip instead of just thinking about it.

The Lakes Live
This book is a beauty. I suggest that after you receive it, you buy a couple bottles of strong French-Canadian beer (La Fin Du Monde, for example) throw in a Classical CD on repeat and start flipping pages. On a rainy day here in San Francisco, where I am now, I can feel myself being transported to the most mystical place I have yet to visit--after seeing nearly all of the U.S., Europe, and Asia--nothing compares to a sunset on Lake Michigan, a snowstorm on Lake Superior, or a sunrise on Lake Huron.

Couldn't put it down!
Having lived amongst the Great Lakes my entire life, I thought I knew so much. I was wrong. This book was almost impossible to put down. It is a great mix of science, ecology, history, and personal experience. Many books about the Great Lakes get bogged down in too much of just one subject area, unlike this book. Positively fascinating. No lie. ... Read more

Book Description

With more than 750 illustrations, including 300 color photographs, this guide covers more than 1,000 species, such as shoreside plants, clams, shrimps, crabs, corals, seaweeds, sponges, and sea urchins, as well as all of the common seashore communities found from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good
This book arrived in a timely manner and was in good condition.

Trying to Hard
Where Kaplan's "Coral Reefs" manages to take a difficult field guide topic and conquer it, "Southeastern and Caribbean Seashores" Takes an impossible task and muddles it. I don't know what the people at Peterson's Field Guides was thinking! The topic is far to broad to include in one book, and Kaplan seems to try and make it broader. He includes coral reefs and things distinctly NOT on the shore as well as including topics already in other field guides. I do NOT want to belittle Kaplan (whom I enjoy) or Peterson's (who I think makes the best mass consumption field guides available) but unless you really need it, I would stay away from this book. It does win points for it's illustrations and Kaplan's knowledge and writing style.

Don't Leave Home Without It!
I have taken Kaplan's field guide to seashores to Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the USVI, The BVI, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Curacao, and have found the book to be indispensible. No matter which island, each seashore seemed familiar, and with a little judicious reading beforehand,I understood whatever natural phenomena I saw, from snorkelling in the shallows to walking the rocky shore to crawling around the red mangrove roots. I would no sooner leave this field guide home when I go to the Carribbean or Florida, than leave home my Michelin Guide to Europe when I go there. I recommend the Field Guide to Seashores to all nature lovers and snorkelers who want to make the best of their trip to the the Caribbean or Florida. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It's the echinoderm Bible!
i never would have gotten an 'A' on my Sea Star report in Advanced Biology if it weren't for this book. Easy acces to what you need, the info you need, and great pictures! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best all-around book
I am a graduate student in wetland science, and have used this book as a beginning step to identifying aquatic plants in Ohio. Although there is no perfect field book for aquatic plants, this book does a good job at balancing comprehensiveness with economy. If you are only going to get one book on aquatic plants in this region, this is the best all-around book.

What did not fully impress me were the illustrations, which were sometimes misleading (though 90% are very good), and that the key is often depends too much on one feature, which only works if that feature is fully developed and unique from species not listed in the book (not always the case). Other keys do not have this problem as much, though it is always the challenge of keys. This would also leave me wondering when I would key out by elimination based on something genereral, such as, number of stamens, for example. I then find that the picture looks nothing like what I have keyed to. Sometimes, I learn that it's just a bad picture, and other times, I learn that a different species (usually upland) not listed in the book also keys out to the same entry because the key is not specific enough and the picture is too generic to distinguish. But once you do identify the plant, this book shares more useful information about the plant than most other books.

In conjunction with Chadde, we found these books indispensible companions for our aquatic plants class:
Newcomb: Usually better pictures, easy identification (often, simply faster than the traditional keys for initial identification), perfect field size, but not phylogenically organized (important for learning families and identifying related species) or specific to wetlands (sometimes helpful for the facultative species not in Chadde, but not useful for the thousands of wetland sedges and rushes out there).
Crow and Hellquist: Incredible pictures (when present), better key, much more comprehensive (but only in dedicated wetland species--FACW-OBL, very few FAC, FACU, etc.), but too big and expensive for field work.
We also occasionally used Tiner, Peterson's, and some specific Ohio Wildflower books.

Of all the books, though, Chadde has the most wear. That tells me which one is most valuable. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete guide to the plants and animals of ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pond and Brook A guide to Nature in Freshwater Environments
Great ecology guide to aquatic life. It takes you from the chemistry of water through a section on glaciers and into life in a pond, stream, and a wetland. Great guide for elementary/middle school teachers and would make a great text for a high school course.

its great for science fairs
Its a great book i needed it for a science fair project and it helped me out alot i had 1 day and it practically did it for me!! ... Read more

Book Description

Quantitative Fish Stocks Assessment is the first textbook to capture the spirit of the "new fisheries management", in that it is driven by a recognition of the dynamic nature of fish populations and the application of computers and systems analysis to fisheries problems. It contains detailed numerical methods for parameter estimation, confidence bounds, and the formulation of harvesting strategies. The book builds upon the three themes in the subtitle. Choice refers to alternative management actions and alternative models.Dynamics reviews basic concepts of ecology and the interactions between fish and fishermen, as the latter respond to biological variability and to economic opportunity and regulation. Uncertainty describes the all-pervasive feature of fish stocks assessment. This text, written by two highly respected authorities in the field, should also become a standard reference in the area for professionals. It is clearly written at the level accessible to senior undergraduates and is easily understandable without advanced calculus and linear algebra. A diskette including relevant programs is also included with this book. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent book for new african cichlidists!
Despite all the other bad reviews I think this is a great book to dive into African Cichlids. I have owned an aquarium maintenance service for years and have had only one african cichild tank. I bought a bunch of them and threw them all in a 55 gallon tank. It looked great until the fish grew up. After a year or so I only had a couple fish left, most killed by a large pseudotrophus sp. This book explained why and I was finally able to understand these fish. The book goes into species compatibility and their social behavior and explains why you mix certain species, male/female ratios, numbers of each species required, size of tank and how to keep aggressive ones. I feel the topic is so vast with over 1500 species that no one book can cover everything. I'm finding the most difficult part of African Cichlids is the scientific names - some are very difficult to say much less knowing which ones you can house together! If you have had aquariums in the past and know nothing about African Cichlids I would recommend this as your first book! It really informs the reader of the broad overview of what you are getting into and the problems associated with it. It leaves you informed and, if interested, wanting to buy another book or two, specifically one with photos of all the species like Pablo Tepoot's "Pictoral Guide".

Not Much Success With CICHLIDS !
More time is spent on discussing basic aquarium set-up and care, than on Malawi Cichlids. Must have had commercial sponsers, they are mentioned throughout. Other than a beginner at cichlids, nothing much new to be learned. Scientific names are outdated, but in the fast changing world of Malawi Cichlids that's not surprising. Better be up on your metric system, there's not an inch, foot, yard, pound or gallon in the book!

A moment from our sponsor(s)
I felt as though I was reading an info mercial. While it is nice to have info on product availability it was more than I wanted to sort through. I also found it not well organized. Cichlid identification for the purpose of appropriate care and breeding is daunting enough without adding more confusion.

Too general
I found this book to be very weak and not worth the investment. The species information was VERY limited and not organized in any logical way. Malawi and Tanganyika fish are jumbled up together.

Other chapters went through basic fish care and maintenance, but no particularly useful or cichlid specific information.

I would not recommend this book to anyone except a real beginner.

A very good basic book
It's a very basic book. I think that is a very good book for begginers ... Read more

Book Description

Perhaps no other natural setting has as much literary, spiritual, and environmental significance for Americans as Walden Pond. Some 700,000 people visit the pond annually, and countless others journey to Walden in their mind, to contemplate the man who lived there and what the place means to us today. Here is the first history of the Massachusetts pond Thoreau made famous 150 years ago. W. Barksdale Maynard offers a lively and comprehensive account of Walden Pond from the early nineteenth century to the present. From Thoreau's first visit at age 4 in 1821--"That woodland vision for a long time made the drapery of my dreams"--to present day efforts both to conserve the pond and allow public access, Maynard captures Walden Pond's history and the role it has played in social, cultural, literary, and environmental movements in America. Along the way Maynard details the geography of the pond; Thoreau's and Emerson's experiences of Walden over their lifetimes; the development of the cult of Thoreau and the growth of the pond as a site of literary and spiritual pilgrimages; rock star Don Henley's Walden Woods Project and the much publicized battle to protect the pond from developers in the 1980s; and the vitally important ecological symbol Walden Pond has become today.Exhaustively researched, vividly written, and illustrated with historical photographs and the most detailed maps of Thoreau country yet created, Walden Pond: A History reveals the many ways an ordinary pond has come to be such an extraordinarily inspiring symbol. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

AN AMAZING BOOK
Walden Pond: A History has received positive reviews during its first month of release. Kirkus gave it a coveted "star." Also, the ecologist Ed Schofield has written the following five-star review on a national bookstore website: "AN AMAZING BOOK. I know a good deal about Walden Pond and Walden Woods as a result of many years of personal research. I never thought that anyone would be able to bring together, between the covers of one book, the astonishing amount of information Barksdale Maynard has compiled and integrated in this scrupulously researched and well written book. He has brought together facts from all sorts of sources: newspapers and magazines, books, unpublished letters and diaries, eyewitness interviews, videos, radio broadcasts, maps, and so forth. There are fifty pages of endnotes and bibliography - over 500 of each. I am in awe at what he has been able to do. (Wish I could have done it!) Anyone interested in historic preservation, nature conservation, human nature, grassroots activism, literature, or (most important) Thoreau and Walden itself will enjoy this book. It has lots of information, yet it reads easily and has a good 'story line': how and why Walden has become the symbol it is and what people have done to protect it. The hero of heroes is Don Henley of The Eagles. There are lots of other people - heroes, villains, oddballs, famous people (Emerson, the Alcotts, John Muir, Walt Whitman, the Kennedys, the Clintons, and many others). I recommend the book highly."

How deep is Walden Pond? How deep do you want to go?
How deep is Walden Pond? To that question, Barksdale Maynard would answer, "How deep do you want to go?" His new book-masterwork will take you almost to the bottom, should you choose to follow him. As one who has lived near the edge of Walden Woods for almost forty years, I was delighted to see this astonishing gathering of ov