Book Description

This stunning guide explores the kingdom of snakes, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and crocodiles, with information on physical appearance, voice, breeding cycles, habitat, range, and status in the wild. Poisonous or otherwise dangerous animals are distinguished with a warning symbol. An essay on observing reptiles and amphibians, and detailed anatomical drawings, round out the coverage in this comprehensive guide. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Edition needs refining.
The contemporary edition of the Audubon Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians is decades old. Though it covers many species of snakes, salamanders, newts, etc., it is underrated because of the lack of updating. Some species names are known to be out of date, or invalid. However, even this cannot override the true quality of all the Audubon guides, including this book. Even though a newly revised and updated edition is way overdue, it still presents spectacular photographs of various species. The system is the same, with the description in the back of the book. The Audubon Guide to Weather has been revised and updated over the years and hopefully, this one will be also.

The most complete North American reptile and amphibian book.
This book contains 657 full color pictures of over 470 species of reptiles and amphibians in North America. It covers from habitat locations to breeding and feeding. This is a must for any child or adult who is interested in our native animals.

mediocre
This guide is beset with problems, and there are better out there.

The range maps are so general as to be mostly useless. They're incredibly small, to the point where it's hard to discern where the lines on it are; is that snake's western range limit NM or AZ? You can't tell! The written descriptions of ranges are too vauge as well; they list eastern, western, southern and northern limits, but it's not like an animals range will make a nice little square; there are places within those boundaries where it does not occur. Maybe a lizards westernmost point is in, say Alamogordo, NM: it'll list that as it's westernmost point. but say, as it's range extends northward, it is restricted to a more easterly distribution; that won't be mentioned.

Furthermore, the guide is 25 years old. There have been massive taxonomic revisions since this was written; new species have been discovered, some species have been combined, some subspecies complexes split, etc. Ranges have also shifted since '79, due to development and climatic changes.

Also, the guide only deals with species level info. This is unnacceptable for some animals; L. getula (kingsnake) has some 7-8 subspecies, ranging from the mexican black to the desert to the eastern; these animals have markedly different apperances, habitat, ranges, and behaviors. But the guide doesn't deal with that; it list info for "L. getula" in general, without dividing it into subspecies information. This makes the guide worthless for Pituophis melanoleucus, Lampropeltis getula, Lampropeltis traingulum, and several other species which contain a wide range of different subspecies.

So what to do? Buy a good local field guide; they exist for most states- Degenhardt's Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico is execellent. Texas Snakes (Dixon) is good. Failing all else, most states maintain a listing of most native fauna online, usually whatever department deals with hunting and state parks will have a link to it. There is probably a good field guide for reptiles and amphibians of your state. If you need one for a bigger area, try Peterson's. They offer regional guides; one western and one eastern and central. They're a little more difficult to learn to use, but they're far more current, far more detailed, and once figured out, far more useful.

well, two and half,
This book may have been something for it's time, but it's since been eclipsed, and has become outdated.
For one thing, the book was written in the 70's--it's older than I am. Taxonomy has changed, but that's not the most important (taxonomy is always changing).
Ranges have shifted; habitat changes have forced various species into new areas and out of old ones, new species have been introduced and become established, etc. Even if the range maps were up to date, they're poorly done; very small and hard to see, and inexact.

Furthermore, the book doesn't delinate subspecies; all kingsnakes (L. getula) and rat snakes (L. obsoleta) are treated as one species a piece, despite each having over six very distinct subspecies. This is problematic as the various subspecies of kingsnake have remarkably different size, patterns, and ranges; a desert king is a rather different animal than an eastern king, but the book just gives you the same info for both. It happens numerous times with king snakes, milksnakes, ratsnakes, and all the pituophis species. It list some 10 subspecis for P. melanoleucus, and gives the same info for all of them, despite radical differences between, say, a northen pine and a bullsnake or SD gopher snake. It does the same thing with kingsnakes; it list 7 subspecies ranging from the Eastern to the Mexican, and gives on set of info for all of them. This occurs many times throughout the book, and negates it's value as a field guide. By now, with the explosion of herpetocultural writings, you're better off buying a good area specific guide; a Peterson's is a decent choice, or you can by a guide just for your state if there's a good one; such books typically give more in depth info and better done.

Over-rated
This guide has a lot of nostalgia for me; it was my first real field guide, a birthday present when I was in 2nd grade. But like many nostalgic items, it hasn't stood up to the test of time. On the plus side, the photos make a good book to introduce youngsters to the joys of the herping world. and animals are arranged by similarities to each other, not by family; a great help for the novice. And it covers "all" the reptiles on the continent, no need for 2 books. On the negative side, photos usually aren't helpful for id, and can in fact be very misleading. But the worse complaint is that the publishers haven't bothered trying to update this book, as they have some of there other guides. Reptile Taxonomy changes every year, and this book is over 2 decades old. Many new introductions, newly discovered species, and split off species aren't covered, and many animals go by out of date names. The ranges maps are also less than helpful, rarely delineating subspecies or race range, just species. Overall, skip this book and invest in the Petersons. They have been updated both in the late 90's, have better range maps, and use modern taxonomy ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gripping
As everybody who knows me is well aware, I'm just a nut for anything having to do with wetlands! So when my Mom got me this book for my birthday, all it took was one look at the cover and I knew I was in for some real fun. But nothing could've prepared me for Ralph W. Tiner's brilliant eye for detail, his passion for the subject, his linguistic virtuosity. Oftentimes I didn't know whether I was reading poetry or prose, and in Ralph's capable hands, I didn't even care. For anybody interested in wetlands, this book is an absolute must.

Very Useful
This book is a good overview of Wetland Delineations. I bought it for the mapping information and found it useful when using GIS for Wetland Delineation Maps ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of theGalápagos, encompassing the birds, mammals, and reptiles a visitor to theseextraordinary islands might encounter. The innovative, simple-to-use format of thepocket-sized volume will help beginners and experts alike to identify with confidence thestriking and charismatic Galápagos fauna.

Highlighting the differences between similar species, the guide focuses on the keyidentification features of each. Information on the status, habitat preferences, breedingseasons, and significant behavioral characteristics is provided for each species, alongwith 78 distribution maps for all resident species. Fifty-three remarkable color platescompiled from a composite of 500 photographic images and 20 illustrations depictvirtually every bird, mammal, and reptile ever recorded on the Galápagos. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful Guide
This book is, in the words of my 8-year-old son, "incredible"! The layout is very easy to understand, the photographic plates that show the various species in related groupings are marvelously well-done. The text is informative without being pedantic, and the plethora of full-color photographs and excellent illustrations make the book a joy to use. If you are going to the Galapagos, BUY THIS BOOK! Better yet, buy more than one, because you will wear it out so fast flipping pages and grabbing it out of your travelling companions' greedy hands. If you aren't going, but want to learn about the fauna of this unique archipelago, you will find no better resource.

The best pocket guide to Galápagos land and air critters
Unless you are an advanced nature buff, birder, etc. this book should fulfill the need for travelers to recognize habitats and the land and air critters that inhabit them. Lavishly illustrated, good identification information, and even range maps- all very compact, and accurate. The information is next to the photo, so there's no paging back and forth- a good thing when you have a critter right in front of you. There's even a cross-referenced check-list by habitat! I'll definitely be taking this slender book with its strengthened, plasticized covers on my next trip to the "Islas Encantadas". You'll be glad you got this for your trip.

A Superb Guide for Scientists
A friend bought me this ID guide to take with me on a week-long cruise of the islands. The trip was magical and defies description; this ID guide was very helpful to me. It discusses not only the specific animals but also the ecology of specific vegetation zones of each island and documents sightings of each species. Not strictly for the layperson, because it requires some familiarity with scientific terms. I shared this guide with the National Park guides on our trip and they praised it highly - so I bought them each a copy. How's that for an endorsment? ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (35)

Wonderfully Wise (and Witty)
Pat Parelli's work is an excellent reference guide for equine enthusiasts at any stage of riding. While his writing style bears the signs of a real show-man, beyond the self-hype lie important ideas and techniques which have, repeatedly, proven exceedingly beneficial for all types of horse-people. He carefully (albeit often somewhat pompously) describes his programme, which consists first of ground-work and then of exercises to be performed in saddle. His very noble goal is to help humans to develop a subtle, understanding relationship with their equine partners.

Having read (and re-read) Parelli's work countless times in the past few months and having consistently applied his programme when "playing" (Parelli believes that humans should never "work" a horse) with my young Quarter Horse, I have witnessed enormous improvements in my horse's demeanour and, crucially, in the trust he has for me. By establishing dominance over my horse using the sensible, humane tactics Parelli recommends, I have made major progress en route to transforming this horse from a fearful, unridden colt into a willing, dependable, "true blue" mount.

I highly endorse Parelli's work; if his programme is applied with persistence, patience, and an open mind, the possibilities in the horse-human relationship are limitless.

Parelli-Safe way 2 start new relationship, info beyond book
Being a beginner 3 years ago, I bought many books to prepare myself and my new 3 year old for our relationship. I learned alot from the concepts of Lyons and other authors, but they didn't give me enough direction to start actually working with my horse.

I found Parelli's book to be the best help - it started out with more specific exercises and details on how to applied what I'd learned. In one year working with Parelli book techniques a few times a week my horse went from green broke to "too well trained" to be enough of a challenge for me. I have since attended Parelli seminars and bought the "system" to start my new horse. I disagree with the reviewer that said some of Parelli is untrue or unsafe - that some horses cannot be ridden bareback. Parelli has a very detailed system with very specific pre-flight checks that guarentee your horse will be safe before you get on. If the horse is not safe to get on bareback, then he is not really mentally ready to get on with saddle & bridle either! It's all about preparing his mind and starting a relationship - and it does take patience & lots of work (DON'T try to rush it or shortcut). If you are looking for a quick way to make your green broke horse into an old trail horse, this book is not for you. But then again, you probably will get sick of trying to "train" your horse and be like the 80% of new horse owners that quite before the 1st year is up.

In Parelli training with Teri Palmer, I saw some "un-sane" horses with terrible relationships with their owners being ridden by the last day with a lead rope and halter. My new horse was on the other end - terribly confident and walking all over me. It took him a VERY long time to pass the "pre flight checks" (as Pat says to each new lesson & test, "I've never seen it take more than 2 days!"), but once he did, it allowed me to ride with more confidence and way more safely (no one in the program had a single problem, spook, stubborness, or anything on their horse!!!!-and everyone was there because their horses were terrible originally). The book does describe these pre-flight checks, but I recommend getting a video or going through training if you are unsure about any one of them since seeing it is easier to understand than reading it.

I do say though that although the book is a good start, the parelli trainer sessions (level 1) really helped me with some of the confusion and questions I had about certain techniques. It was very expensive, but so interesting that my auditing husband signed up for the last 2 days after the first 2 were so progressive. I would highly recommend that if you are serious about trying parelli, you consider sessions with a 3 or 4 star trainer, even over buying the system. And find a friend interested in working with it also - it's easier to bounce concepts off each other and get some feedback while working your horse. And it helps with motivation - I'm a "common just do it NOW" type person and it took alot of motivation to take a step back and really do things right (as my horse was ready for).

I'm actually out here today looking to buy Linda Parelli's riding video - I feel that I'm not quite communicating what I want to now that I'm up on my youngster bareback and I really like the way Linda communicates her ideas (she helped organize Pat's).

One other nice thing about the book - if you don't like it, you can alway sell it for asking price on ebay. One downside with parelli - although you can make your own tools (and I did), his ropes and carrot stick are really one of a kind and are expensive. His rope is custom made for his company, and is much much heavier than all other ropes - you cant buy this rope at any store that I've found, or already made lead ropes of this sort. I used much lighter rope of the same size & softness, with heavy clasps on the end, and it's much less effective in giving signals (but it does work sort of). The carrot stick can easily be replaced with any 4-5 foot stick with leather taped on the end(and he uses golf club handles on the end) and if you are new at it a lighter stick won't wear you out as fast (this stick is heavy). The savvy string is a must - it's also extra heavy weight, and there are no replacements (trust me I tried). And obviously rope halters are easy to make or buy on ebay.

A worthwhile introduction to Parelli-ism and NH
I would hope that every one of Pat Parelli's detractors carefully read this book. I'm not a PP groupie but the more I read this book the more I see how his ideas are mangled and maligned by those who are put off by the razz-a-matazz, or jealous of the celebrity or perhaps have seen a bad example of his pupils.

This book is an introduction. It tries to cover all the principles of Natural Horsemanship (PP style), introduce the Parelli philosophy, give you a couple of exercises to start out with, talk about the gear and discuss PP's life and experiences. Covering such a wide range of topics, it is easy to complain that it covers none in depth - but it was never intended to.

What I particularly like about the book is that, if you are willing to read it (perhaps several times), in its entireity you get a much better picture of what Pat Parelli is really all about. Here is a man with an understanding of the horse as a complex being in its own right - not a big dog or a cow or a surrogate baby or a tractor. He explains equine motivation, and needs and how understanding and working within those boundaries will make your relationship with your horse much more satisfying (for both of you).

Warning: This Book Will Change Your Life Forever.
I'm a believer. I tried the others, then found the truth in Pat Parelli's teachings. If you don't know anything about Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship, this book is a good start. His whole home study program and the tools that go with it can be purchased online. Once you get into Parelli, there is no turning back. We came to him because of a horse that adamantly refused to get into a horse trailer. Now the whole family has learned to savvy our horses in ways we never thought possible. This book will explain how humans behave like predators around horses, driving a wedge in their relationship. More importantly, he explains how to overcome that tendency and how to teach yourself new ways of communicating with your horse as a loving partner and leader. Giving you specific techniques and exercises to use, Pat sets you up for success with your horse, no matter how difficult he may be now. I have now seen dozens of people get incredible results from their horses by changing their approach and adopting Pat's methods. My own former spookaholic Arabian now trots after me at liberty and I ride him bridleless - with nothing on his head. This didn't happen overnight - in fact it took a year of dedicated focus, but the results are, frankly, amazing. Try the book, then the program, but be warned: you cannot return to normalcy. And by the way, the horse that wouldn't load now trots happily onto the trailer when we point to it. No kidding.

Pat Parelli is the greatest people teacher!
This book is about getting your horse to become your partener while gaining his trust and respect without fear and developing yourself to become a better horseman (or woman). I can't believe this book received bad reviews! Parelli's students are his proof. Yes it takes time and it won't happen overnight. He sells his own tools(not gadgets)because nobody made what he was looking for. The "normal" people just don't and won't get it! I have to say that if you get this book (and you take the time to read it) you will want more info and Parelli Natural Horsemanship has all of the info you could possibly need in getting it natural & right with your horse. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cosmos was the first science TV blockbuster, and Carl Sagan was its (human) star. By the time of Sagan's death in 1997, the series had been seen by half a billion people; Sagan was perhaps the best-known scientist on the planet. Explaining how the series came about, Sagan recalled:

I was positive from my own experience that an enormous global interest exists in the exploration of the planets and in many kindred scientific topics--the origin of life, the Earth, and the Cosmos, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, our connection with the universe. And I was certain that this interest could be excited through that most powerful communications medium, television.

Sagan's own interest and enthusiasm for the universe were so vivid and infectious, his screen presence so engaging, that viewers and readers couldn't help but be caught up in his vision. From stars in their "billions and billions" to the amino acids in the primordial ocean, Sagan communicated a feeling for science as a process of discovery. Inevitably, some of the science in Cosmos has been outdated in the years since 1980--but Sagan's sense of wonder is ageless. --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (117)

The Best Populist Author of Science
Cosmos takes a sweeping look at, well, the Cosmos. Carl Sagan brings perspective to our view of the starry night sky, as well as the living creatures here and all around us. We visit the planets of the Solar system and learn, from a practical layman's viewpoint, what they are like. Remember, as one of the best populist authors of science, ever, he knows how to keep you interested, laughing, and turning pages. It is all terribly interesting, especially if you don't know that Venus is almost as hot as a kiln -- but at first scientists thought it was nothing but jungle! And the Milky Way galaxy, if we could watch it spin in super high speed, looks a little like a spinning popcorn popper. But you'll understand that more if you read the book. If you were to read just 3 books by Carl Sagan, I'd first of all say get these Four: The Demon-Haunted World, Cosmos, Dragons of Eden, and Billions & Billions. In that order. But you won't know without conducting your own experiments, right? Read 'em all!

A wonderful book about everything, for everyone
Cosmos is more than just a book about space. The word Cosmos itself, derived from ancient Greek, implies the deep interconnectedness of all things, in which we all play a part. Although it was written over two decades ago, and therefore you may think that it may not be so relevant in its facts today, its underlying dual-purposes, to educate and to inspire, remain just as relevant as ever. It serves as an introduction to science, and the late Carl Sagan, one of the great humanists of our time, does an excellent job in bringing us into that world by not presenting simply hard facts and technobabble. Instead, he tries to make the book accessible to the scientific novice, and shows how it is relevant to every aspect of our daily lives. And we learn about the development of human understanding, not only in terms of 'Where did we come from?' and 'How did the universe get created?', but the development of ourselves, as people who began our existence from the most humble of beginnings, and were intelligent enough to ask ourselves 'Who are we?' and of course 'Why are we here?'. He shows why science is not only relevant to us here and now, but how it can help us to understand the future, and in the final chapter, he makes it clear that through the rampant destruction of our environment, that future may not be so long-reaching as we might dream it. Sagan manages to gently educate us in a stylish and entertaining way, and his book Cosmos leaves us feeling richer for the experience. I certainly recommend this to anyone. After all, it does concern everyone!

Look at the stars in a whole new way
Carl Sagan uses a boyish excitement that comes through the pages to explain Astronomies greatest hits since man was in a cave. Some of the concepts explained are fairly heavy but he does an excellent job of breaking them down into a digestable format for anyone with a high school education.

Brilliant Book!!
This book was brilliant. Sagan had a way of explaining science to young students and making it meaningful. We need more teachers like Carl in the future. It will be good for the country.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

an atheist's quagmire...
(3/16/2004) My earlier review was written a while ago. If you are interested in Man's origins, then go to astronomer Hugh Ross' website "Reasons To Believe" (simply type in the keywords Reasons To Believe into any search engine).

------------
I was a teenager in India when I watched the TV serial, Cosmos. Unfortunately I was swept away by Sagan's smooth rhetoric and thought Sagan's Science had all the answers. I discarded my Christian faith.

For the next 10 years, I still thought so; I avidly read books like Sagan's "Dragons of Eden", "Boca's Brain" and all the 'Zen...' books and many more.

However I came to a road block. There are questions that they cannot answer - Where did I come from?, Where am I going?, What happens after I die?, and the ultimate, Does my life matter?

The answers to these questions are found only in the words of Jesus. Sagan died a few years ago, a fervent atheist till the end. But I am certain, that where he is right now, he will agree with me (I am sad to say so) with despair. ... Read more

Book Description

This book offers a general, interdisciplinary discussion of global environmental change oriented toward the non-specialist in science.The unifying theme of the book is consideration of aspects of both natural and human-induced global environmental change. The two part organization according to this distinction allows for easy reading on specific topics.This book is useful for anyone interested in learning more about Earth's systems. ... 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

Emphasizes the ecological principles that govern marine life throughout all environments within the world's oceans. Its unique ecological approach adds real-world relevance by exploring how organisms interact within their individual ecosystems.The book is organized by habitat and each habitat receives detailed, in-depth coverage, giving readers the flexibility to focus on their particular areas of interest. The Fifth Edition is fully updated with the latest research data and topics, including expanded coverage of the human impact on oceans, oceanic dead zones, and coral reefs. For marine biologists and marine ecologists. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great text
Most marine biology texts on the market are designed to support lower division courses for non-majors. Nybakken's text, however, is designed with the upper division biology major as its primary audience. This book is, in my opinion, the best book on the market to support an undergraduate course in marine biology for majors.

Nybakken takes a community ecology approach to his discussions of the marine environment. There are chapters that address communities of the plankton, nekton, deep sea, nearshore subtidal regions, intertidal habitats, estuaries and marshes, the tropics and the poles, and so forth.

The photographs and illustrations are good, the text is well written, and examples are widely known. It may be true that Nybakken tends to pull more heavily on examples from the West Coast of the USA, but there are also ample numbers of examples from other areas of the world that support the text.

Each chapter is supported by a list of references from the professional (primary) scientific literature -- something a serious biology student would appreciate and use.

This is an easy book to teach from and to learn from. The information is excellent, the examples are clear, and the supporting graphics are good.

It is also notable that Nybakken not only discusses the biology of marine organisms, but he addresses the stewardship we have to conserve the planet's vital assemblage of marine resouces and biodiversity. ... Read more

Book Description

The standard-setting classic just got better! Completely revised and updated since the publication of the sixth edition, Environmental Chemistry, Seventh Edition contains eight new chapters, with significant emphasis on industrial ecology as it relates to the emerging area of "green" chemistry. It also discusses the concept of the anthrosphere as a distinct sphere of the environment.The new chapters in the Seventh Edition include:oThe Anthrosphere, Industrial Ecosystems, and oEnvironmental ChemistryoPrinciples of Industrial EcologyoIndustrial Ecology, Resources, and EnergyoIndustrial Ecology for Waste Minimization, Utilization, and TreatmentoChemical Analysis of Water and WastewateroChemical Analysis of Wastes and SolidsoAir and Gas AnalysisoChemical Analysis of Biological Materials oXenobioticsMany professionals in environmental chemistry today began their studies with this definitive textbook. Now this benchmark resource has even more to offer. It gives your students a basic understanding of the science and its applications. In addition to providing updated materials in this rapidly developing field, the Seventh Edition emphasizes the major concepts essential to the practice of environmental chemistry at the beginning of the new millennium. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good Reference Text; Poor Class Text
I used this text a few years ago when I was writing a paper on ethics of pesticide use, and it certainly details information well. However, the general tone is often anal and the writing style is extremely drab. Most ofthe diagrams included were generated using low-budget graphics software,andit shows.At 811 pages, this is an overly long book and not all thechapters (24 total) can be covered in a single Echem course. Also, there isno solutions manual and the problems Manahan gives are challening (asection of numerical solutions placed in the back of the text would havebeen nice...)This is a good reference text, butif you're looking for asemester-long or short-term text to use for an Echem course, use Baird'stext, not Manahan's.

Environmental Chemisty Review
This text is well written.The author give a understanding of Environmental Chemistry.The reader gets a good understanding ofbasic chemistry as well as a understanding of the effects of Chemistry on theenvironment.

Text is good in introduction of topics, poor for advanced
Text gives good introduction to concepts only and not good for advanced studies because not explain how to apply the concepts to real world problems.It lacks in calculations needed to sovle problems and has nosolution guide for the questions that are in the text. A lot of referencetexts will be needed to solve the problems. No periodic table found in thetext or conversion chart in the text which is very poor for a chemistrytext. But it is an excellent text for learning the concepts ofenvironmental chemistry.

An excellent introduction to modern topics in e-chem.
Manahan compiles many sources of information into one, easy to follow and compact reference.The only limitation of the text is the absence of sample calculations for solving the problems that come at the end of eachchapter.Reference to a solutions guide would be helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

This updated and enhanced Fourth Edition of ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY is written by the most widely read, trusted author in introductory meteorology. Ahrens' ability to explain relatively complicated ideas in a student-friendly, manageable fashion allows even non-science students to visualize the principles of meteorology. Introductory stories at the beginning of each chapter draw students naturally into the discussion while "Did You Know?" sections highlight interesting weather facts and recent meteorological events. Updated material in this edition includes new Weather Watch and Focus boxes, as well as updated art, maps, and figures. The package of teaching and learning tools to accompany this text will now include course management, and a FREE, brand-new, student tutorial system - MeteorologyNow. MeteorologyNow is Web-based, assessment-driven, completely flexible, and contains a wealth of book-specific interactivities. It also offers a personalized learning plan based on each student's assessment results, helping the student focus on the concepts they don't yet understand. This complete teaching package provides each student with fun, interactive learning opportunities and an even greater chance for success. ... Read more

Book Description

Since the First Edition appeared, Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach has become the leading air pollution control text on the strengths of good writing, comprehensive coverage, an emphasis on design, and excellent real-world examples. The Third Edition continues this tradition of excellence, incorporating new and updated information throughout the text while retaining the topical organization and features that have made it an invaluable learning tool for instructors and students alike. The Third Edition successfully achieves two main objectives. First, it presents detailed information about air pollution and its control. Causes, sources, effects, and regulation of air pollution are discussed, as well as the economic analysis necessary for efficient and effective control of air pollution. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it provides formal design training for engineering students. Written for engineers from a variety of disciplines, this text offers numerous diagrams, examples, and end-of-chapter problems emphasizing key concepts and design techniques. Outstanding features include: 1) two new chapters: Biofiltration and Indoor Air Quality; 2) current cost estimation data and techniques; 3) updated air quality trends; 4) 31 sample P. E. Examination problems with worked-out solutions; and 5) new end-of-chapter problems in every chapter. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

AIR POLLUTION DESIGN
This book is an excellent choice for engineers trying to design and model air pollution control plants, equipment and processes.It also gives useful details on installation and operational costs. ... Read more

Book Description

This book will change the way we understand the future of our planet. It is both alarming and hopeful. James Gustave Speth, renowned as a visionary environmentalist leader, warns that in spite of all the international negotiations and agreements of the past two decades, efforts to protect Earth's environment are not succeeding. Still, he says, the challenges are not insurmountable. He offers comprehensive, viable new strategies for dealing with environmental threats around the world.The author explains why current approaches to critical global environmental problems-climate change, biodiversity loss, deterioration of marine environments, deforestation, water shortages, and others-don't work. He offers intriguing insights into why we have been able to address domestic environmental threats with some success while largely failing at the international level. Setting forth eight specific steps to a sustainable future, Speth convincingly argues that dramatically different government and citizen action are now urgent. If ever a book could be described as "essential," this is it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ms. Carson, meet Mr. Speth
This book deserves ten stars.
It is more important than the sacrosanct Silent Spring. It is impossible to overstate this books importance. I wish the author had published initially in both hardcover and paperback to get it more widely disseminated. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

This book offers one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date treatments of environmental geology available—from fundamental geologic principles to the specifics of environmental law and geological hazards. It fully discusses both processes and environmental issues, and where appropriate, includes boxes with quantification of processes. Case Histories and examples reflect a cross-section of the United States, and Special Features boxes highlight "classic" and recent environmental disasters. Features high-quality photographs and illustrations throughout.Earth Materials and Processes. Soils and Environment. Natural Hazards: An Overview. Rivers and Flooding. Landslides and Related Phenomena. Earthquakes and Related Phenomena. Volcanic Activity. Coastal Hazards. Water: Process, Supply, and Use. Water Pollution and Treatment. Waste Management. The Geologic Aspects of Environmental Health. Mineral Resources and Environment. Energy and Environment. Global Change and Earth System Science. Air Pollution. Landscape Evaluation and Land Use.For geologists, environmental scientists, and foresters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent New 8th Edition - the Best Seller for 2000
This new Eighth Edition of Enviromental Geology is welcomed by the geology profession in the year 2000. Professor Edward Keller, a leading geomorphologist at the University of California at Santa Barbara, has performed a timely update of his national best-seller to include new information in earthquake hazards, new hyperlinks for students to study geologic hazard information on the Internet, and expansion of two chapters on water supply and water pollution. Excellent color photographs and color diagrams are used throughout. The 8th Edition features use of quantification ("putting some numbers on"), case histories of cogent interest to students, closer looks at important concepts, key terms, study questions, and web hyperlinks. This textbook is highly recommended and will be most appropriate at the Freshman or Sophomore level. It does not assume prior coursework in geology or earth science. It continues to be the #1 seller in North America and is taught throughout all campuses of the University of California system.

Please See the New 2000 Eighth Edition
This is the best available environmental geology book, except please do not buy this older edition. Instead, browse down the Amazon list and purchase the new Eighth edition, copyright 2000. It has substantial new information about earthquake risk, new hyperlinks to important new websites. The author, Professor Edward A. Keller, is a leading geomorphologist and engineering geologist at the University of California at Santa Barbara. This text is widely used throughout California and the West. We are all delighted with the new 8th edition from Prentice-Hall. ... Read more

Book Description

Biomarkers are compounds found in crude oil with structures inherited from once-living organisms. They persist in oil spills, refinery products and archaeological artifacts, and can be used to identify the origin, geological age and environmental conditions prevalent during their formation and alteration. These two volumes will be an invaluable resource for geologists, petroleum geochemists, biogeochemists, environmental and forensic scientists, natural product chemists and archaeologists.The first of two volumes of The Biomarker Guide discusses the origins of biomarkers and introduces basic chemical principles relevant to their study. It goes on to discuss analytical techniques, and the applications of biomarkers in environmental and archaeological problems. ... Read more

Book Description

In "Horses Never Lie," acclaimed horse trainer Mark Rashid breaks new ground by challenging the longstanding belief that a person must become the "alpa leader" in order to work with horses. Instead, "Horses Never Lie" teaches you how to become a "passive leader"—a reflection of the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to be around and to follow. It’s a must read for all horse owners who care about their horses and the kind of relationship they have with them.

As he did in "Considering the Horse" and "A Good Horse Is Never a Bad Color," Rashid writes about his experiences with real horses, always featuring his sense of humor and an overriding compassion for the horse. His instructive anecdotes reach back to when he was a youngster under the mentorship of the "old man," and continue to his experiences today as a horse trainer and a popular clinician who has traveled the world to teach his remarkably effective methods to enthusiastic horse owners. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Horses Never Lie
This book, along with Rashid's other 2 titles, are the most useful and practical horse training books I've ever read. This title well establishes his concepts and philosophy through a storytelling style that makes it difficult to put down. Enormously engaging, he presents his conclusions and insights into working with horses while sharing the experiences that developed them. Rather than providing formulas, he provides a mindset, along with some specific ideas, that enables the reader to creatively compose their own solutions to difficulties that may arise when working with their own horse. He gives you a framework that requires creative but effective problem solving that is more relationship focused that task oriented...meaning he helps you to avoid sacrificing a trust relationship to accomplish the goal. He gives examples of ways to keep and even reinforce trust between you and your horse while accomplishing your goal. This is an alternative approach to manhandling or "John Wayning" a horse as I call it while remaining entirely practical. Written in an honest and vulnerable style. Excellent tool for developing creative solutions to difficulties with your horse designed to further establish trust and avoid a fight with a 1000+ lb. animal. Truly excellent!

Good read, but not the FIRST Mark Rashid book to buy
I have three of Mark Rashid's books and am here to get the fourth. His writing is friendly and fun to read, and I hate coming to the end of a book.

That said, if like me, you're fairly new to owning horses and looking for tips on training and communicating with horses, be sure to start with Mr. Rashid's "Considering the Horse". It has a plethora of useful information for the beginner and helps you think through how to work through problems with your horse.

"Horses Never Lie" is a tribute to a horse with which the author has an outstanding relationship. It has some food for thought, and is of course enjoyable to read. I happen to be looking for the line between becoming assertive enough to keep horse and self safe on a ride, and just being over bearing. Some of the stories in this book confused me as to where that line should be drawn.

On the other hand, this book would be interesting even to horse lovers who don't own horses.

What the heck, while you're here, you might as well just get all of his books. If you're a horse lover you're going to want them.

HORSES NEVER LIE
I found the book interesting and very easy and fast to read. I am an avid horse fan/owner and try to absorb any information out there to include anything regarding "natural horsemanship" . I enjoyed the book but was put off by the subtle put downs he had for other trainers. I think any attempt to get people to switch to "Natural Horsemanship" is a wonderful thing and should not be
put down or criticized especially considering the alternative. I felt each reference to other "natural" trainers (and most true horse lovers know exactly who he is referring to) was a blow to horses in general. Followers of these trainers may not be doing it exactly right but at least they are trying. I was confused as to what he was trying to tell me exactly, did he consider this wave of natural horsemanship a bad thing as long as it came from other trainers. Having said that I enjoyed hearing about how smart and forgiving horses really are. I would buy another of his books and hope he writes more but without the underlying jabs at others.

Very intriguing
This book was so interesting, that I plan to buy all books written by Mark Rashid. My family and friends will be receiving this book as a gift over the holidays.

Most Helpful of Horse Books
As a novice horse person, I have purchased many books on horse behavior and training. Of all the books I have, I have learned the most from Mark Rashid's books. He doesn't tell you "how to" but he gives you enough insight to develop your own how to. The most helpful thing I learned is that I don't have to win every "little" battle with the horse. It's a process, and one I've enjoyed more since I am no longer trying to be the alpha-mare; a concept that never worked for me. I will be recommending these books to all of our 4-H kids. ... Read more

Book Description

When Steve Howell first visited Mexico in November of 1981, he arrived armed with a strong background of birding in Britain and the Western Palearctic, and an even stronger enthusiasm for the diverse and exotic birds of Northern Central America.But he also arrived without an adequate field guide.Indeed, to his surprise, he found that relatively little was known (and even less written) about the myriad of bird species that inhabit the region stretching from the U.S.-Mexican border to Nicaragua.And so, after eleven years of research in Northern Central America, and with the essential collaboration of Sophie Webb--a biologist and one of the most talented ornithological illustrators working today--we now have the definitive guide to birds of this fascinating region. drop rest as varied as the Laysan Albatross, the Blue-footed Booby, the Collared Trogon, even the rare Guadalupe Storm-Petrel.

A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America is astonishingly comprehensive, covering the identification, status, and distribution of all 1,070 birds species known from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and western Nicaragua.No other book approaches the thoroughness of this unique field guide.Beautifully illustrated with seventy-one color plates and thirty-nine black and white drawings, the guide shows 750 species and includes many plumages never before depicted.Of special interest are illustrations of some of the most notoriously difficult groups to portray, such as raptors in flight, owls, and nightjars.In addition, superb, easy-to-read maps help the traveling birder locate particular--even rare--species, and the entries describing individual birds detail their appearance, voice, habitat, behavior (including nesting and eggs), and distribution. With the U.S. birder in mind, the guide also includes birds that can be seen north of the border, showing these American migrants on plates when they could be confused with similar Mexican species, thus enabling the birder to make quick and ready comparisons in the field.And, with readable and fascinating presentations of the natural history of Central American birds, this guide will be welcomed not only by seasoned birders, but by any traveler exploring the rain forests, coastlines, and deserts of Mexico and the Central American isthmus.

Sponsored by the distinguished Point Reyes Observatory in California, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America is a wonderful addition to the library of birders, nature enthusiasts, and travelers alike.With its lavish illustrations, clear writing, and unprecedented range, it offers hours of compelling reading and pleasant browsing for anyone intrigued by the colorful diversity of birds and the wild, largely unspoiled world next door. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Best Neotropical Field Guide - Hands down!
I will be brief - I find this to be the best field guide to the birds of any neotropical region currently available, and I pretty much have studied them all on depth! The only guides that come close to this level of usefulness are Hilty's Columbia field guide and the new Ridgely/Greenfield Ecuador 2 volume set. This book has excellent, seasonally specific range maps, and illustrates many plumage variations. I am astonished to read other reviews in which this book is considered cumbersome, because all too often smaller, lighter books sacrifice completness of information and thoroughness, which compromises their usefulness. True, it's a hefty volume, but it treats a complex avifauna without sacrificing necessary information. The other criticism I was surprised by was that the pictures were too "cartoonlike"; I have found these plates to be some of the most useful in the field, for they emphasize key characteristics with clarity. In the field, simplicity is far more practical than overly-detailed artwork which may be more lifelike, but blurs the differences between species. Anyway, praise for Howell! May this volume set an example for future field guides throughout Latin America!

The Best Guide for birders in Mexico
I've found this field guide quite complete, cause all the plates are well distributed, you can find the bird in perch & flying wich are really good when you're in the field, I've used this guide in all mexico for 4 months and work great!! even with the birds of tres marias island, it's rare find a book which describes the bird of this particular zone, the part describing the mexican border with guatemala it's fantastic, relating possible sightings of great birds of prey like (guiana crested eagle)in this part, and also mexican goverment used this book as a first bibliography, in it's bird conservation programmes,(parrot, birds of prey, passerines) first released on 1999 (PREPS)Semarnat.

i really recommed this book

Not exactly a field guide
I purchased this book before going to Mexico for a three-month research trip. While this guide is fairly complete, it is more than a little cumbersome to take along on any birding expedition. Also, some of the illustrations seem cartoon-like, especially after seeing the real bird in the wild. However, the general information at the beginning of the book about birding in Mexico was helpful, and it helped to initiate some interesting discussions with local nature guides.

Needs Pictures w/ Information
Used the book in Honduras (Ruinas Copan) and lowland Guatemala (Peten). Great work in many ways. Just needs to be more user and field friendly. In many ways it is far superior to Sibley's for NA, but lost many identifications due to not having picture adjacent to the text. Oh, more "in flight" information needed.

Best reading before/after birding Mexico
Of all books about birds of Mexico, this is the best. Very good illustrations and information. Some map distributions could do better, but everything else has been of great help. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Occasionally difficult, but a great reference
Need to know if a certain breed of unusual fish is compatible with, say, your angelfish? Dr. Axelrod knows. This atlas is amazing in it's depth for a "mini-atlas," with page after page of freshwater fish. And then he gets into the real meat of fishkeeping after that! Although it can occasionally be difficult to use (the fish are listed by their scientific name in general, not their common name, which can make looking up a certain fish difficult), all in all this is an incredible book, and one every fishkeeper should have on their bookshelf.

You can't get a better reference for the money!
Dr. Axelrod's Mini-Atlas is by far the best pictoral reference book for freshwater fish. With more than 1800 photos of fish from every area of the world, you're sure to find what your looking for. Each fish is accompanied by a pictoral reference of its feeding habits, reproduction type, lighting requirements, temperament, tank setup and swimming habits. This is a great book to start your research into fish that you are interested in keeping.

Informative
This book was great. The pictures were fantastic and it was very informative. It is simple enough for a child to use.

Superb.
I found just about every freshwater fish I've ever kept in here, and that's been a lot. The pictures are plentiful and beautiful. Check out the one with the tank full of brightly colored plants...the office room with two side-by-side, giant aquariums...oh, and of course, the fish photos. There is tons of information in this huge book, everything any fishkeeper would want to know. My personal favorite chapter is the catfishes...they're fascinating. Not even my book specifically about catfishes has this many catfishes in it! Some I've never even seen before! Check out the two "twin" plecos...one's black with a blue eye and one's striped black and white with a red eye, but they look like the same fish! This book is really cute. I recommend it.

One of the best resources for the freshwater fish keeper.
This is one of my favorite books. It provides information and more importantly photos on nearly 2000 fish. The information gives you the basics about each fish, how big they get, what they eat, are they agressive, etc. But the best aspect is the photos. With over 1900 photos it is the first book I go to when I want to look up a fish. Or when I'm thinking of what to put in that empty tank I'll often browse through this book looking for neat fish.

This book gives you the most for your money! ... Read more

Book Description

"Some artists use canvas to create a work of art. David Mellor uses a baseball field. His patterns are so precise and imaginative, I call him the Rembrandt of groundskeeping."
--Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers Broadcaster

Now you can transform your sports field or clubhouse lawn into an envy-grabbing work of optic art. In this book, David Mellor shares the turf mowing and maintenance secrets that have made him one of the leading creators of elaborate patterns used on athletic turf nationwide. Articles about Mellor's work have been published in the New York Times and USA Today, and he is currently the director of grounds for the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club. In Picture Perfect, Mellor gives you the benefit of his years of experience along with simple-to-use techniques for creating playing fields that are without doubt a cut above the rest. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awesome!
Just bought this book about 2 hours ago, and put it down only to write this review. This guy is one heck of an artist.
Picasso of the putting greens!

Taking Your Grass Care a Cut Above Where It Is Today!
Summary: Picture Perfect is the ultimate resource for those who want to add even more beauty and interest to their grass by growing and maintaining healthier turf and cutting it in original and beautiful patterns.

Review: Mr. Mellor is the Director of Grounds for the Boston Red Sox and is thoroughly knowledgeable about grass. His advice is sound, thorough, and easy-to-follow. He has you begin by testing your soil to see what it is missing, establishing your turf properly, fertilizing appropriately, fighting off weeds and disease, mowing properly with the right equipment, and solving problems.

Once that grass is in place, he moves on to explain the art of adding patterns to the grass by using rollers with the mower to push the grass down. The color plates show many examples of this art form, which will intrigue you. If you are like me, you expected to see only geometric shapes using straight lines. Instead, you find gentle waves and delicate crossing patterns of all kinds.

Having worked in my father's gardening business when I was a youngster, I wish I had known about establishing these patterns. It certainly would have helped to relieve the boredom of cutting the same yards in one of three patterns time after time.

The directions are very helpful for how to deal with special problems, like temporary damage, making a mistake in the pattern, and repeating a pattern (you are encouraged to photograph your work to learn from what you have done).

Picture Perfect also has a long list of resources you can access, especially from the Internet.

Although the quality of the design and the printing are not as high as the contents deserve, the material is strong enough to carry the result to five star level. One does hope, however, that a future printing will create a version more like an art book to better feature the examples.

After you finish becoming an expert on turf design, I suggest that you think about where else you can exercise your creativity in your yard. Have you considered sculpting shrubs like they do in the Disney theme parks? How about designing a sculpture garden? Do you have a Zen garden area yet?

Create a better balance between the views in your yard and the thoughts in your mind. Let the reverbrations of inspiration take you to new heights of thought and harmony!

WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK!
One of the first things I notice about people's homes is the way the lawn is cut. Some might say, "get a life," but to me the landscape design and lawn say a lot. From a psychological point of view, it says something about the people who live there, too! We have all seen lawns cut straight and perfect, every blade of grass precise, row after row - not much creativity there. We have also seen lawns cut haphazardly in every conceivable direction and length, a clump here and a clump there, as if the ride-on mower and its near-sighted rider short-circuited, jumped the fence and rode off into the sunset!

If you know anyone who fits that description, buy them this astonishing book. It is amazing what can be created with a little patience, know-how and practice. Some designs are quite simple, others a little more complex, but they are very eye-catching. The book would be ideal for any yard or community with large greenspace. The larger the area, the more dramatic the design becomes. If you are zipping around on your trusty mower at home, just make sure you move the dog....before he has the most stylish haircut of the year!

Must-have if you love your lawn!
Picture Perfect is the perfect book for anyone who loves their yard! It not only gives you simple advice to maintain your lawn, landscape, or athletic field in perfect condition, but it provides easy step-by-step instructions, with amazing color photographs, on how to mow eye-catching patterns that will leave your neighbors and colleagues scratching their heads asking "how'd they do that". Mellor, Director of Grounds for the Boston Red Sox has become famous for his work, and has been featured on CBS, NBC, Fox Sports, and articles on his work have been published in several major newspapers inculding the Boston Herald, New York Times and Washington Post.

Picture Perfect will show you how to mow the classic "checkerboard" and also arches, circles, diamonds and more. It will also show you the secret techniques of the pros for more advanced pattern-making -- using rollers and brushes.

According to Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers Broadcaster: "Some artists use a canvas to create a work of art. David Mellor uses a baseball field. His patterns are so precise and imaginative, I call him the Rembrandt of groundskeeping. He's a cut above the rest"

From the Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig: "I had the privilege of working with David Mellor for many years and he is one of the most resourceful and creative people in his field. His work is extraordinary and he is one of the finest young men I know"

A Great Reference book.
After reading this book I found it to a great reference for the golf courses other sports fields I work with and recommend this to anyone interested in building and maintaining a field for the best playing conditions. ... Read more