Book Description

This is the first atlas to document the morphology and development of Arabidopsis thaliana, the small flowering plant which emerged during the 1980's as the primary model for research in the surging field of plant biology. Arabidopsis is the plant of choice for many studies in genetics, biochemistry, development, and radiation biology. This atlas consists of contributions from many of the world's leading Arabidopsis laboratories and is a "must have" volume for plant biologists. Its extensively illustrated chapters cover five principal areas: embryogenesis, vegetative growth, root growth, reproductive structures, and host-pathogen interactions. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by a popular leader of dream workshops and seminars, Conscious Dreaming details a unique nine-step approach to dreams, especially precognitive and clairvoyant ones, that uses contemporary dreamwork methods and techniques developed from shamanic cultures around the world. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A Pathway To Using Your Dreams
Robert Moss's guided tour of how to use your dreams to guide you throughout your life is a must read for anyone exploring the dream world.

Robert's guidance and insights into reaching inside a dream and extracting it's elements is invaluable. From the complete novice to the experienced dream traveler there is knowledge to gained from reading this book.

As you are guided along the pathways to dreaming and the use of your dreams you will become accomplished in traveling in your own and other's dreamscapes since the book details actual dreams and events stemming from dreams that have changed individuals lives forever.

The book is an easy, entertaining read in addition to being an excellent guide to the use of dreaming in waking reality. An absolute "must read" for anyone who has ever had a dream and wondered at it's meaning.

Robert Moss engages the dream experience as reality
Robert Moss's approach to dreaming is so grounded and accessible. He doesn't write about dreaming "as if" it was a real experience but as a real experience. I love his way of putting a question to the world and expecting to get an answer, either in dreams or in waking life. He constantly looks for synchronicity between his waking and dreaming lives. He writes with enthusiasm as much for his own dreams as for those of others. I had the privilege of attending a lecture of his in May 2002 and he is even more impressive in person! A fantastic book by a true living guide to the dream world.

More like a personal diary
First of all, if you're serious about out-of-body or lucid dreaming check out "Astral Dynamics" by Robert Bruce. That's the bible. Now, "Conscious Dreaming" consists of personal stories and some shamanic rituals, but lacks power techniques for advanced dreamers. Anyway it's ok for beginners, who seek motivation for out-of-body exploration. It's also recommended by Marc VanDeKeere in his excellent "The Ultimate Lucid Dreamer's Manual: From Basics to Beyond".

Fantastic
Conscious Dreaming is the road map to the expansive world that exists in every dreamers mind. Robert Moss is a gifted lucid dreamer who shares his intriguing yet simple techniques for readers to use in their own dreams. Much of the book accounts the past experiences that Robert Moss had while in his many states of lucidity. These are used to show the wonderful imagination that not only he possesses but that all of us already possess. In every persons mind there is a world so magical and beautiful that is just awaiting its discovery. I personally have used some of the techniques before I even read the book. In the past, I had had a dream where I was walking in the empty halls of a hockey stadium. As I was walking, I suddenly realized that I was dreaming. I tried my best to stay calm in fear of awakening from the dream. I thought of the endless possibilities that were now before me as I placed my hand on a wall. I said aloud, " I want this stadium to change into an ice palace." I dont know why I thought of that but its what came out. With the last syllable barely off my tongue the stadium was transformed into one of the most beautiful places I had ever witnessed. If dreamers are wanting to expand their abilities then this is a great book to start....

A Wonderful Starting Point
Robert Moss may be the most eloquent and passionate writer on the subject of dreams that we have on planet Earth. His work inspired me to explore related books, especially concerning precognitive dreaming. One I found particularly provocative, and which quotes Moss extensively, is LUCKY YOU! by Randall Fitzgerald. He has a chapter on precognitive dreams and how to induce them. His book connects all the dots, with both inspiring anecdotes and scientific evidence, showing how streaks of luck and good fortune in our life can be manifested using incubated dreams, practices to sharpen intuition, and paying attention to certain patterns of synchronicities. Fitzgerald was undoubtedly inspired by Moss to take his work a few steps deeper. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

best bamboo book out of print!???
Bamboo World is one of the very best , most comprehensive,most
detailed , best photographed, authoritative texts on bamboos
and clumping bamboos especially that there is (was!) available.
Why the heck it would now be out of print is a real mystery.
It is also a pity and a blow to those of us cultivating
clumping bamboos.
This book is IT for those who do.
Bring it back into print ASAP....
please ;^) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best Houseplant Book Available
Books on houseplants normally give a nice picture a short description of the plant with some cultural hints.I've always been disappointed with the limited information available on these common plants.In my opinion, lack of proper information is why so many people think they have a "brown thumb."Recently, while scanning through the Ball Publishing Catalog, I discovered a wonderful book on houseplants.

Lynn P. Griffith, Jr.Tropical Foliage Plants:A Grower's Guide.Ball Publishing.1998.

Lynn Griffith, the author, is President of the A&L Southern Agricultural Laboratories, Inc. that does agricultural testing and consulting work for clients in Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean.He has written many articles for technical journals about growing plants based on his trial and error learning and results of the testing he does for clients.This book pulls together his knowledge on the most common foliage plants.

Tropical Foliage Plants:A Grower's Guide is actually written for the grower producing foliage plants for local greenhouses, florist shops, and other stores.Since it is written in easy to understand language, it is also suitable for the hobbyist grower.Griffith provides information on habitat (where the plant originated), uses, varieties, propagation, culture, nutrition, diseases, insect and mite pests, disorders, tricks, and interior care of each plant covered.

The book is organized using the scientific name with the common name given also in the titles.Here is a complete list of the plants discussed:
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen)
Anthurium
Aphelandra (Zebra plant)
Aralia/Polyscias
Araucaria (Norfolk Island pine)
Asparagus
Bromeliads:Aechmea, Billbergia, Guzmania, Neoregelia, Nidularium, Tillandsia, Vriesa
Caladium
Calathea
Chamaedorea (Parlor/Bamboo Palms)
Chlorophytum (Spider plants)
Chrysalidocarpus (Areca palms)
Cissus (Grape Ivy)
Codiaeum (Croton)
Cordelier (Ti plant)
Dieffenbachia (Dumb cane)
Dizygotheca (False Aralia)
Dracaena deremensis (Janet Craig, Warneckii)
Dracaena fragrans (Corn plant)
Dracaena marginata (Dragon tree)
Epipremnum (Pothos)
Fatsia
Ferns:Adiantum, Asplenium, Davallia, Nephrolepis, Platycerium, Pteris
Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa (weeping figs)
Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-leaf fig), Ficus elastica (Rubber plant), Ficus maclellandii (Alii)
Gardenia
Hedera (English ivy)
Heliconia
Hibiscus
Howea (Kentia palm)
Maranta (prayer plant)
Peperomia

Philodendron
Phoenix (Date palm)
Ravenea (Majesty palm)
Rhapis (Lady Palm)
Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella tree)
Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Schefflera)
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
Succulents:Beaucarnea, Crassula, Euphorbia, Hoya, Sansevieria
Succulents:Cacti
Sygonium (Nephthytis)
Yucca
Other foliage varieties: Acalypha (Copper leaf and Chenille plants), Aeschynanthus (Lipstick plant), Ardisia, Aspidistra (Cast iron plant), Bambusa (Bamboo), Begonia, Caryota (Fishtail palm), Fittonia (Nerve plant), Homalomena (Emerald Gem), Pilea, Plectranthus (Swedish ivy), Radermachera (China doll), Saintpaulia (African Violet), Sinningia (Gloxinia), Strelitzia (Bird of paradise, Tolmiea (Piggyback plant), Zebrina (Wandering Jew).

Strengths

Information is presented in an easy-to-read and well organized format.If necessary, the information is presented in two ways.Example:Temperature is expressed both in Fahrenheit and Centigrade.
Growers will find the technical information needed to grow these plants in a greenhouse setting.
A photographic section shows common problems.
Information is presented on using the plants in interior settings so the hobbyist has enough information to grow them well.This includes giving fertilizer information in terms of "teaspoons per gallon" and light levels needed expressed as foot candles and klux.
References for each plant are included so the grower or hobbyist will have an easier time finding additional information.

Weaknesses
Colored pictures for each plant would eliminate the need of looking up the plant in other identification books.
This book would be even more valuable to the hobbyist grower if a page of abbreviations and their meaning had been provided.
I strongly feel the plants listed under Other Foliage Varieties should have been given more attention.These plants are common in my local florist shops and garden centers.

General Comments

This book will remain on my bookshelves for as long as I grow houseplants!I learned why my effort at growing so many foliage plants has left me less than satisfied with the results.I didn't realize how many plants were sensitive to fluoride in the water or that they were sensitive to alkaline water.As a result of reading this book, I will either select different plant species to grow inside or I will invest in a distilling system.I also learned that most common houseplants need an acidic (low Ph) potting media.Since my local water is very alkaline, all my plants wind up in media with a high Ph.This is something else I must address in order to do my best at growing many common foliage plants.

Those houseplant lovers who collect all the plant species possible will find this book an absolute necessity.It will be one of your most used houseplant books. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Here is a horticultural treasure trove of choices
Florida residents and visitors to the state who want to embark on gardening projects for relatives will find Gil Nelson's Florida's Best Native Landscape Plants will provide them with a fine and knowledgeable overview of native plants available to the Florida gardener. Here is a horticultural treasure trove of choices, providing technical details on the design, maintenance, and use of a wide range of readily available native plants. The notes on companion plants are especially valuable. ... Read more

Book Description

New England's diverse geography overflows with edible plant and animal species. Through the seasons, this forager's paradise offers a continually changing list of wild, harvestable treasures. From Beach Peas to Serviceberries, Lamb's-Quarters to Lady's Thumb, Hen of the Woods to Mugworts, Foraging New England guides you to the edible wild foods and healthful herbs of the Northeast. Organized by environmental zone, this valuable reference guide will help you identify and appreciate the wild bounty of New England. Inside you'll find: detailed descriptions of edible plants and animals; tips on finding, preparing, and using foraged foods; a glossary of botanical terms; eighty-seven color photos. Use Foraging New England as a field guide or as a delightful armchair read. No matter what you're looking for, be it the curative Heal-All or tasty Purslane, this guide will enhance your next backpacking trip or easy stroll around the garden, and may just provide some new favorites for your dinner table. (6 x 9, 208 pages, color photos) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nature's Bounty
Tom Seymour, acclaimed as a naturalist from the State of Maine, has written a fascinating survey of nature's bounty. This book is highly recommended to readers with an interest in ecology and the world of nature. The author supplies much hard to find information concerning nature's many hidden treasures: edible plants, medicinal plants, and the like. The book features superb color plates, cross-referencing, and a writing style that says "keep reading...." ... Read more

Book Description

The object of this book is to communicate a wealth of knowledge, both scientific and practical, to those with little knowledge of the fabulous clumping bamboos of the world. Few people seem to be aware of the existence of these clumping bamboos. Their experience and attitudes have been soured by the invasive running bamboos.

The Western world is not yet taking clumping bamboos seriously. Most Asian countries treat this fastest growing, annually renewable resource with great reverence. Bamboo feeds them, houses them, graces and shades their environment. It is used to make their musical instruments, cooking and eating utensils, furniture, hunting weapons, and ceremonial artifacts. It even provides the reinforcement for their concrete. Bamboo provides their carrying and storage baskets, lamps and lampshades, ropes and strings, roof tiles and hats, and has hundreds of other practical and spiritual uses.

Bamboo World distils simple practical advice on using bamboo for a wealth of applications. It draws on both traditional village technology and modern scientific research, accumulated over the author's many years of travel, practice, research, growing, and association with village communities and scientists from many countries. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

excellent and comprehensive
An excellent resource which I have used extensively both for agricultural research as well as for my home garden. The most comprehensive guide to bamboo culture that I have come across. Highly recommended.

Enthusiastic and very practical
The author has an agenda: undo the bad reputation Bamboo has as impossibly invasive by pointing out that this is true only of running bamboo the only good characteristic of which is that it grows in colder places. This is a fine agenda. That is I liked this book because the author gardens in a climate similar to the one I live (Mediteranian) in unlike most other gardening/Bamboo books which are more suited to England. (do gardners in England write books all winter?)

The author clearly enjoys working with Bamboo and his enthusiasm comes through everywhere making the book enjoyable.

The books is very practicle giving details on growing, propagation, harvesting, cooking, treating and construction. Everything you might ever do with Bamboo.

I've looked at a few other Bamboo books and this is by far the most detailed and useful.

Gorgeously Illustrated Book on Growing Tropical Bamboos
The authors are among the English-speaking world's leading authorities on selecting, propagating, managing, harvesting and utilizing tropical bamboos (as ornamentals and windbreaks, as nursery stock, as food crops, and as structural material for fine furniture, musical instruments and building construction), and they bring an enthusiasm and joy to the topic that are simply unequaled. Even without the detailed and practical text, which will benefit bamboo enthusiasts wherever they live and whatever species they choose to grow, the scores of gorgeous full-color photographs of tropical bamboos are alone worth more than the modest cost of this large, handsome volume. (Note that imported books of bamboo color photography often cost $80 to $100 or more, yet lack the high-quality printing and binding of this book.) Many of us in the north may never see bamboos like these outside of conservatories (unless we travel to warmer climates), and their sheer size, beauty, strength, color and variations are breathtaking. Without a doubt, the Cusacks and this book will do more to promote tropical bamboos than any work previously published. Every bamboo lover will want to own a copy of Bamboo World. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Update your "About the Author"
This is not a review. Martin Booth died at age 59 after an 18 month battle with cancer. You might want to update your "About the Author" which says he still lives in England. ... Read more

Book Description

In October 1987, a great storm drove in from the English Channel, devastating the southeastern counties of the British Isles. Huge gaps opened in the landscape of England, and the historic tree collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, and Wakehurst Place in West Sussex lay fallen. The storm exposed the mortality of heritage trees for all to see and provided the impetus for a new wave of plant collecting by the Royal Botanic Gardens, led by the enterprising Mark Flanagan and Tony Kirkham. The losses sparked a realization: the collections at Kew and Wakehurst Place lacked key representatives of the world's temperate woodlands, and to fill the gaps, Flanagan and Kirkham looked east, to the species-rich temperate forests of Korea, Taiwan, eastern Russia and Japan. These hidden corners of the Far East became their hunting ground. Plants are at the heart of this story, and the descriptions convey the excitement of the find. The narrative unfolds with an immediacy that makes us feel right there beside them as they uncover rarities like Cotoneaster wilsonii (found only on the remote island of Ullung-Do), hang off the side of a gorge to collect the seed of Magnolia sieboldii and endure a punishing day in search of the Taiwan beech. Vividly illustrated with color maps and photographs, this entertaining travelogue will appeal to travellers, plant-lovers and anyone with an interest in the rich diversity of flora of the Far East. ... Read more

Book Description

Explains the physical, chemical, and biological needs of trout, and shows how climate, geology, vegetation, and flowing water all help to create trout habitat. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Better Trout Habitat: A guide to Stream Restoration and Mana
This book provides an in depth review of the methods and techniques used to provide habitat characteristics to a variety of streams. The writting style is excellent for both the lay reader as well as someone with a scientific back ground. However, it does not dwell on some fot the more technical details which requires a more technical level book to provide more indepth details. However, as a general manual to habitat resoration it provides an excellent background as well as the necessary caution needed when conducting these types of instream restoration projects.

Good Trout Habitat and Life Cycle Reference
This book offers a good variety of man-made trout improvement structures, but the current (2000) state-of-the art in trout habitat improvement trends toward a more natural, vegetation and channel reconstruction approach. This book provides excellent design guidelines and background information on trout and their life cycle, and perhaps the most useful part of this book was the author's ability to teach the reader enough about the habitat requirements of trout to allow the reader some latitude and innovation with their habitat improvement designs.

I personally enjoyed the workable, readable and philosophical approach to fish habitat improvement, and I believe that this book would be a good reference for anyone who wishes to improve trout habitat.

Remember, an ounce of habitat preservation is better than ten pounds of habitat restoration efforts! (Also, the information in this book will help the reader become a more effective trout fisherman!) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Best alpine flower guide
I grew up and live in the summer in a Colorado ghost town at 9,000 ft. altitude surrounded by 13,000 ft. mountains. This is the best guide for Colorado alpine flowers I have ever seen. Great illustrations, fine explanatory notes - a must have for alpine flower afficianados.

Best one I've seen!
I go to Colorado backpacking, rafting and climbing every summer and of all the field guides I have ever had, this one is the best! It has very easy to use color format so you can find any flower in a matter of seconds. KEEP IT HANDY!

Good one!
This book is just what I was looking for a reference book in the field and home. It has both photos and drawings of each plant. One plant per page and the pages are nicely grouped by flower color which is visible on the page edges as well. The indexes, as usual in nature books of this type, have both common name and Latin name of each plant. Included are black and white diagrams of leave types and flower head patterns with glossary. Each item listed has a synopsis of flowers, leaves, what"~ kind of immediate environment it grows in, "Life Zone(s)" i.e. foothills, alpine, etc., and flowering time.

Not bad!
Nice guide, grouping by color helpful for identification. Could use more detailed anatomical descriptions and photos are a bit small. ... Read more

Book Description

This textbook covers Plant Ecology from the molecular to the global level. It covers the following areas in unprecedented breadth and depth: - Molecular ecophysiology (stress physiology: light, temperature, oxygen deficiency, drought, salt, heavy metals, xenobiotica and biotic stress factors)- Autecology (whole plant ecology: thermal balance, water, nutrient, carbon relations)- Ecosystem ecology (plants as part of ecosystems, element cycles, biodiversity)- Synecology (development of vegetation in time and space, interactions between vegetation and the abiotic and biotic environment)- Global aspects of plant ecology (global change, global biogeochemical cycles, land use, international conventions, socio-economic interactions) The book is carefully structured and well written: complex issues are elegantly presented and easily understandable. It contains more than 500 photographs and drawings, mostly in colour, illustrating the fascinating subject.The book is primarily aimed at graduate students of biology but will also be of interest to post-graduate students and researchers in botany, geosciences and landscape ecology. Further, it provides a sound basis for those dealing with agriculture, forestry, land use, and landscape management. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a complete revision of the first botanical field guide on this subject. This revision, like the initial edition , discusses the more common and dominant woody plants, but also annuals that are often seen in Baja California. Over 400 plants are discussed along with 285 color photographs, and nearly 40 more pages of text have been added to bring the total to 256. The chapters on geography, geology, phytogeography, climate, cacti and endemism have considerably more information than the first printing; in addition there is a new chapter concerning coastal wetlands. Each illustrated plant has a description on the facing page assisting even the novice to identify the specimen.The scientific,common and Spanish names are given, as well as information concerning the region of the peninsula where the plant may be found and the habitat in which it thrives. Endemic plants are identified and discussed; there are also brief discussions of the uses of many of the plant! s by both the aborigines and the Baja Californians living there today. Both vegetative and topographical maps are included on the inside covers; There are also four pages of descriptive drawings.Other pages furnish a glossary of botanical terms and Spanish words plus an extensivebibliography of the natural history of Baja California. This comprehensive plant field guide will prove invaluable for both the casual visitor and the serious amateur as well as an excellent text for students. The cardon pictured on the cover may be the tallest ever photographed. It measures over 60 feet or 20 meters and is possibly 400 years old.; it is located in Llano San Pedro approximately 27 miles south of Bahia de los Angeles ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Overall, a good book
Overall, "Baja California Plant Field Guide" is a good book for the naturalist. However, its design may not help the begginer since it assumes that the readear has a well developed knowledge in plant morphology. Introductions to Baja California and its bioregions are very good but the section for plant identification may cause some trouble to the naturalist that is trying to identify a new plant species (unless it is a common one). If the book is re-edited it might be good to incorporate a format similar to some bird guides and particularly, newer plant guides.

Excellent! A must for anyone serious about Baja flora.
Beautiful presentation for the novice and expert alike. Excellent photography. Gives botanical names, Spanish and English of plants. The folklore(medicinal) of native plants is also very interesting. Norman Roberts is a true friend of Baja. ... Read more

Book Description

Classic on peyote an psychoactive cacti growing. Describesobtaining seeds, growing, cloning and grafting, and extracting maximumoutput of mescaline and other alkaloids. Includes Peyote, San Pedro,Donana and other cacti. Discusses legal aspects with appendix fromattorney Richard Glen Boire. List of Suppliers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

PeYoTe
This book provides good information layed out in an easy to read format on the cultivation, consumption, legality, and history of peyote and other similar cacti. It also gives a breakdown of the alkaloids in peyote and gives detailed methods for mescaline extraction (you know...for resaerch purposes). It also includes pictures and descriptions of other cacti containing alkaloids similar to peyote. The only shortcoming I find in this book is the lack of any research reports on the harmful effects of peyote, but that could be because there has been very little research done on it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in peyote for any purpose. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Valuable but alarmist
This book is very valuable as a reference to a horse owner. The pictures are good, and each entry contains a description of possible symptoms and treatments (which I assume are correct). As a diagnostic, this book seems very useful and something you should have around.

However, as a new pasture owner, I found it incredibly alarmist. So much so that I almost :-) wanted to take my horses back to the boarding stable so I could stop worrying my pretty head about plants. Ha!

Practically every plant that has ever been known to harm a horse is listed, which means that the book is overwhelming. Some of the toxicities are mild and very uncommon, but the text is thick enough that it is difficult to determine whether the plant is likely to be dangerous without close reading. Clover is listed next to locoweed. In some cases, the plant listed is not itself toxic, but it tends to attract toxic fungi, as in the case of fescue. However, when reading the entries, they all have scary-sounding symptoms. It is difficult to ascertain under even a close reading whether the plant in question is really dangerous. There's a difference in my mind between "a nibble will be a life-or-death situation" and "symptoms will disappear if you remove the plant from the diet," and that difference is not readily apparent in the listings.

This book would be much improved if plants that were especially dangerous - plants that are acutely toxic in minute quantities and plants that are especially likely to be eaten in toxic quantities - were more obviously called out. I would love to have a quick icon at the top that tells me "Deadly - remove from pasture using any means necessary" or "Potential Problem" or "Not Likely to cause serious problems." This triage would allow me as an owner to concentrate my first efforts on learning to identify and eradicate the most dangerous plants, rather than being distracted by fescue and clover.

I'm glad that plants that can but usually don't cause problems, like fescue and clover, are listed. It's very useful when trying to diagnose a horse that's not quite right, and if they were omitted, the horse owner might incorrectly assume that the diet was not the issue. I would just like to see them flagged differently or perhaps included in an appendix rather than mixed in with the truly deadly plants that have no margin for error.

As it stands it is better as a reference for answering specific questions than as a book you can just read through when contemplating several acres of plants or potential plants.

A must have for horse owners who pasture their horses
In the author's preface, she describes the reason that she wrote the book, the loss of a treasured friend. Recently (10/02), the nightmare was repeated with a friend of mine and her 18 month-old filly. The case appeared to be a simple case of colic, and the vet treated her accordingly. By the time we realized that the treatment wasn't working, I grabbed my copy of this book and we poured over the description of the symptoms. After matching the symptoms to the possible plant species that cause them, we began a systematic search of the pasture. It turned out that the filly had been poisoned by a common plant under uncommon conditions. Her symptoms were described in detail in the book, along with the treatment. Unfortunately, for us, the treatment came too late to save her.

The true strength of this book is the description of the symptoms and the treatments for the various plant toxins. The pictures and the descriptions of the plants are a starting point, but they will not make the reader an expert in plant taxonomy. They act more as a warning flag to encourage the reader to research similar looking plants in their pasture with a more detailed reference.

I am so convinced that this book is valuable, that I ordered 10 more copies that I plan to give away. I will give them to all of the 4-H horse leaders in the county plus the 4 vets who work with our young horse owners and their parents. Maybe we can, through education, give the caregivers the tools that they need to save a life. We owe them at least that.

incorrect information
The idea for a handy guide of toxic plants specific to horse owners is great, however I found some of the information to be incorrect. Photographs are on one page with the description of the flower on the adjoining page. In one instance a yellow flower photo is described on the following page as producing flowers that are pink to white. I would not rely on this book to identify possible toxic plants.

horse owners field guide to toxic plants
Extremely informative. Every horse owner should buy a copy.

Excellent reference book for veterinarians and horse owners
This is the best and most affordable compact reference book on toxic plants that I have seen. It lists common name, scientific names & local a.k.a.s. A detailed description of the plant is given as well as geographical distribution, signs of poisoning and a 'what to do' section. The best part of all is that there are full color photos for each plant as well as a drawing. The index allows you to look the plant up by name or by clinical sign (plants that will cause the sign are listed with their page numbers). Indespensible for the veterinarian or student. Useful for large and small animals! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Not enough tables of contents are enhanced by drawings of nuts, herbs, and root vegetables, but the table of contents in The New Oxford Book of Food Plants is, setting the tone for a book that clearly delights in the glories of the world's bounty. Each chapter, including grain crops and fruits, spices and seaweed, legumes and mushrooms among its 19 topics, is a cornucopia of information and beautiful, educational illustrations. Take the chapter on oil crops, for example. Covering olives, sesame, peanuts, soy beans, sunflowers, and the rape plant, the prose describes where they grow and what the fruits look like, what kind of oil is produced and what it's used for, how it's made and how else the fruits may be used. Color drawings of the plants and their fruits are on the facing page. Put together by writers who respect each plant and give them the attention and detail that spell quality, this is a beautiful book and a charming resource. --Stephanie Gold ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great gift, reference, and coffee table book
The original edition of this book was out of print for some years and it is delightful to see it out again, and expanded no less. It combines 2 great virtues: highly readable and informative text with illustrations of a quality that are "suitable for framing." It is a great book for anyone who takes an interest in botany, cooking, or gardening and you couldn't go wrong giving it as a gift to one of these types. It's also great for reference. If you're getting it as a gift I suggest ordering 2, because you'll want one for yourself when you see it.

Excellent for learning about food plants from all over.
This book is great for learning to identify food plants from all over the world. The illustrations are realistic and each plant is described. I use it to help my 4-H horticulture judging team prepare for the national judging contest. The plants and illustrations in this new edition are the same as in the original book, however the 1998 edition has an excellent section on phytonutrients. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

the authority on succulents
You will never confuse a succulent from another cactus or in any matter from another succulent.This illustrated dictionary is for the succulent collector who has his or her own collection and is willing to take that extra step into the knowledge of succulents. This isn't a step to step guide on how to care for succulents however a reference guide foe identification and characteristics of the hundreds and hundreds od succulents in the world. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. great coffee table book with excellent photos and top notch quality I look at it everyday to refresh my memory and to discover new succulents some very strange to normal day to day succulents you can see in gardens both public and private. A wonderful and necessary reference tool.

No cultivation information
I am a beginner with succulent plants and rock gardening. This is a very pretty book with information & photos for identifying plants. I find the pictures a bit small (about 2"x3.25"). For me, differentiating some of the Sempervivum species (or Jovibarba) would be difficult with the description and photos provided (someone more expert may find the descriptions quite sufficient).

I really NEED more information on habitat and cultivation. For me, sun exposure, soil & water requirements, pest problems and such are what I want right now. Also of interest, how variation in sun exposure and water will effect color & habit, cold and heat tolerance, winter protection. Once again, for a more experienced gardener, or someone wanting to move into more exotic succulents (I am working with Sedum, and "hens & chicks" (common name)) this may rate five stars.

I did learn that what I know as "hens & chicks" could be Sempervivum, Jovibarba, or Graptopetalum. This is an example of why it would be nice to have a common name cross reference, as mentioned by another reviewer.

Initially, I thought I would return the book, but have decided to keep it. I have learned about some species that I would like to grow, if I can get information on their culture & habit. This reference will allow me to get new species to experiment with. (This may mean special orders, as local nurseries have limited supplies of common plants.) So far, the Crassulaceae family is where my interest lies - See, I have learned something of value!

Good beginning.
"Succulents: The Illustrated Dictionary", is the original work of these two partner authors. This concise original offers hundreds of succulents, beautiful and strange, in scientific names. The photographs are as beautiful as "Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary", but more close up. However, for this guide to be complete, the sequel also needs to be bought along with the original. "Succulents 2" is almost identical to the original in photo and binding quality, which are fine. However, you may as well be purchasing half a book if you only buy one of the series. Both are needed for completion.
The content is rich, featuring different succulent families, such as the poisonous "Euphorbia" genus. (I am still waiting to purchase the sequel to find more interesting families.) When you have these, there is not a chance that you will misidentify differing species.

A must have book for all Succulent Enthusiasts
This is a very well written and illustrated book that covers almost all major groups of succulent plants. The photos are really nice and the book has been a great use for plant identification. The author's have also taken the time to explain very basic knowledge of succulent care, not assuming that the readers are advanced botanists.

I love this book.
This book is packed with great pictures. Great information. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive book on growing and flowering plumerias (Frangipani or Hawaiian Lei Flower) in all areas of the U.S.Special attention is given to every aspect of culture including soil, water and fertilizer requirements, growing plants in containers, overwintering and much, much more. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

for those having trouble finding this item...
...see also plumeriasandoleanders.com, botanictreasures.com, and stokestropicals.com

Far and away the most comprehensive book on plumerias
This is the bible on plumeria cultivation; there is no other work on the subject that even approaches its scope, thorough attention to detail, and even visual beauty. For twelve years it has been the source to which I have turned repeatedly for inspiration as I amassed my collection in New England; I have also referred scores of people to it for advice and given it as a gift several times. It's hard to imagine a more comprehensive treatment of the subject, from the overview of its history in cultivation, to the listings and descriptions of dozens of cultivars, to the step-by-step course in cultivating, propagating, and hybridizing plumerias. No detail is overlooked, and invaluable tips concerning every aspect of plumeria growing are given throughout. Along the way, the text is enlivened by views and comments on the plant through the eyes of mystics and poets both Eastern and Western. The abundant photographs by the authors are works of art in themselves. For any admirer of this extraordinary flower, this book is essential; by far the best and most beautiful work available on the subject.

For those having trouble locating a copy: see also plumeriasandoleanders.com, botanictreasures.com, and stokestropicals.com

(Addressing the issue of storage brought up by another reviewer: The method does indeed work, but I would perhaps not use it on first-year plants. It is important that a first-year cutting be kept growing as long as possible so that it can develop a very strong root system. After the first year, I prefer continuing to store the plants in their pots, watering very sparingly or not at all during the winter. The problem of stem rot is usually due to a soil mix which is too moisture-retentive. There is virtually no risk of stem rot if the following soil mix is used: 8 parts (by volume) soilless potting mix, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part perlite. I have not lost one in ten years since I began using this formula).

Everything you need to know.
This is a very informative, thoroughly researched book; from history to propagation, it has it all. The amateur will especially appreciate the succinct information to be found within its pages, without being too technical. If you've bought those plumeria cuttings at various fairs and garden shows, as I have, this is the book you need to really get those cuttings to produce healthy, blooming plants. The numerous colored photos throughout are a definite plus.

This is THE book for growing Plumerias! Very thorough!
This book is THE handbook for anyone interested in growing plumerias. It gives all the info you'll need to be a "plumeria farmer." Whether you have one tree or 200, you'll find all necessary info about the following topics (and many more): classification and naming of cultivars, historical data, plant types and descriptions, propagation of seeds, cuttings, grafting, soil mixes, planting and transplanting, sun requirements, watering, fertilizing, mulching, pruning, hybridizing, pests and diseases, problems and solutions, dormancy, cold tolerance, winter storage, growing plumerias indoors, landscaping, ETC. You can grow plumerias in any climate if you know how. This book makes it easy. It includes MANY color photographs, and the entire book is on glossy paper. The Eggenbergers are experts in plumeria culture, and their knowledge is poured into this book. Despite the plug for their Indian religion in the introduction, it is a VERY valuable book. It's paperback, and has 107 pages, but contains all you need to know about plumerias.

The One and Only
Just about the only coprehensive book on this genus of tropical trees. As a frangipani/plumeria collector and grower it has been indispensable. It started me off (great for beginners ) and is still muy bible. It would be wonderful if a publisher would have the Eggenbergers write a coffee table styled book on their subject. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On August 5, 1949, lightning came crashing down in the vast spruce forest above Seeley Lake, Montana, and touched off a roaring blaze. As every Westerner knows, lightning means fire, but the fire that raged through Mann Gulch that day was huge--the sort that occurs only every few decades. A battery of paratrooper-firefighters, many of them fresh veterans of World War II, had been anticipating it, and even looking forward to the chance to fight a great fire. Before the day ended thirteen of those smokejumpers lay dead, their charred remains evidence that something had gone terribly wrong. Norman Maclean gives a thorough account of the incident in language not meant for the squeamish: "Burning to death on a mountainside is dying at least three times ... first, considerably ahead of the fire, you reach the verge of death in your boots and your legs; next, as you fail, you sink back in the region of strange gases and red and blue darts where there is no oxygen and here you die in your lungs; then you sink in prayer into the main fire that consumes." After August 1949, he notes, the Forest Service came to recognize that not all fires need to be fought and that fire benefits most forest ecosystems. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Innocence in the Face of Danger
Have you ever known someone that has been involved with firefighting? Do you want to know more about the brave, young firefighters that are risking their lives on a daily basis? If firefighting is an interest of yours or if you want to ignite a spark that will increase your interest in firefighting, I recommend reading Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire. Maclean takes the readers through a devastating story of a young group of Smokejumpers that lost their lives in the Mann Gulch fire on August 5, 1949, in Young Men and Fire.
Maclean first captures the audience and draws them into his personal relationship to the story of the Smokejumpers. He does so by telling of his experiences with working in the forest service department. Maclean immediately presents the dangers and the horrible after effects that fires have. An emphasis on the fact that everyone is susceptible to the dangers of fire helps introduce the story. Maclean shows even the impacts that forest fires have on the animal. "A deer terribly burned. It was drinking and probably had been for a long time." (12) Maclean compares the deer's suffering to the suffering that some of the few survivors from the August 5 Smokejumping crew may have endured. It seems that fire brings life down to its barest form and demands that all things living be bonded because they are all vulnerable.
Smokejumping was a topic that I had never heard of before Young Men and Fire was suggested for my book group. I was both interested and excited at the chance to learn more about the mysterious world of Smokejumping as Maclean presents it in Young Men and Fire. Maclean's rhythmic language and detailed description all help to bring the Smokejumpers' story to life. The Smokejumpers, as people, come to life and it is easy to see them as more than just firefighters. I could see some of the same characteristics in these Smokejumpers as I see in my brother, father, uncles, grandfathers, etc. Maclean emphasizes the important characteristics that the Smokejumpers must have, "They had to be young, tough, and in one way or another from the backcountry." (26) As rough and as strong as these young men were, they still were young, innocent, and naïve to the fact that they were being sent to one of the roughest landscapes in the country to fight fires.
Maclean creates the landscape in a way that demands the readers to fear the beauty of the land before them. The Mann Gulch fire occurred in a rural area of Montana; Mann Gulch is only easily accessible by boat or by helicopter. A photograph insert is included in most copies of Young Men and Fire and it is very helpful to be able to see through photographs what Maclean is talking about. Maclean references to the included photographs and uses them only to emphasize the sheer greatness of the landscape. One aspect that Maclean elaborates on is the steepness of the land saying that the land possesses a, "76 percent slope having no shade." (192) In many of the photographs, the crosses of the 13 men that died fighting the Mann Gulch fire can be seen. Maclean particularly uses the photographs to elaborate on how details, such as crosses, helped him to reveal the truth behind the Mann Gulch fire.
At one point in Maclean's narrative, he revisits Mann Gulch with an expert friend and two of the fire's survivors, Sallee and Rumsey. Maclean continues his journey of revealing the truth behind what happened on August 5, 1949 through the first hand accounts of Sallee and Rumsey. A lot of controversy surrounds the events that occurred that day, most of which surround the foreman of that day's jump crew, Wag Dodge. Dodge and his fellow Smokejumpers knew that they were in trouble from the start because of the fire's unpredictable direction changes. Because of the steep landscape, it was impossible to keep the crew within shouting distance of one another and the group began to split apart. These young Smokejumpers quickly became terrified and began to, as Rumsey says, "'I was only thinking of my own hide.'" (96) I could not help but think that these young men were supposed to act as a team and yet, in a moment when they needed each other the most, they split and went their own ways. The majority of controversy surrounds the "escape" fire that Dodge created; an "escape" fire being a secondary fire that would create ashes for the men to lay down in and let the fire "jump" over them. Many people question the fate of the crew had they followed Dodge's instructions.
Maclean, the son of a Presbyterian minister, presents religion in Young Men and Fire in a very non-confrontational way, seeming to almost hint at the importance of religion. Maclean says that you can tell if a man is Catholic or not by whether or not he has a cross around his neck. The Smokejumpers' struggles through their journeys and their way of taking relief breaks causes me to see the allusions of the Stations of the Cross. Religion continues to peek its way through Maclean's narrative and adds to the question of fate.
Maclean does a wonderful job of telling the Smokejumpers' story and what they encountered in the last few hours of their lives. Maclean describes his own writing style in Young Men and Fire, as that of a storyteller. Maclean says, "A storyteller, unlike a historian, must follow compassion wherever it leads him." (102) As I progressed through Young Men and Fire, I could tell that Maclean is telling a story that he does not want to be forgotten. The tragedy of the Smokejumpers is one that Maclean found a great deal of compassion for and that is why he pursued the story. He spent nearly 25 years writing Young Men and Fire, only in an attempt to tell the Smokejumpers' story with the most precise details and stories. Young Men and Fire is a very accurate novel and it takes into account various viewpoints from many experts and survivors of the fire.
I would recommend Young Men and Fire to anyone that is interested in a glimpse into an often-overlooked piece of history. Smokejumping is a very interesting subject because it is rather new technique used in firefighting, coming into existence only around the early 1940's. Maclean's simple, storytelling technique will sooth you through a disastrous story of death and destruction. Maclean took great care when writing Young Men and Fire because he did not want to down play what happened to these young men. The story of Mann Gulch fire on August 5, 1949 will live forever through Maclean's Young Men and Fire. I would rate Young Men and Fire an A-. Enjoy this fantastic read about the journeys that Maclean went through to tell the most accurate story of the Smokejumpers.

An excellent story about a story
I've read a number of reviews that talk about how repetitive and disorganized this book is, but I really didn't find this to be a problem.

To me, the book read almost as though the story being told was not merely the story of the smokejumpers at Mann Gulch, but of the uncovering of the story of that tragedy. I almost imagined the story of the fire as the main character of the book and I was getting to know a little more about this character as the book carried on. It's hard to describe, but I thought it was an interesting angle to take. Perhaps it reads that way because the author wasn't finished when he died, but that didn't make a difference to me.

As pure literature, I might not find it so engaging -- the writing is beautiful, but if you are only interested in the events of the fire, this book takes the long way 'round. Taken as both a historical narrative and something of a literary exploration (the whole "story of the uncovering of a story" thing), however, I think it's fantastic. Maclean's writing is just breathtakingly beautiful, and I speak glowingly of this book to all my friends.

Great book
A powerful and complex book, compelling, clearly written. It covers human drama and tragedy, scientific search and discovery, all with a "you are there" in the great outdoors setting. As good a book as I have read, bar none.

For better and worse a poetic expostion
It's hard to classify this book beyond saying that it's a moving non-fiction tale. Maclean uses historical techniques to reconstruct the Mann Gulch fire of August 5, 1949, but his exposition is poetic rather than historical. For example, the author imagines his characters' thoughts and ponders the writing process as well as his wife's death from cancer. Sometimes Maclean's lyrical prose seems just and apt, at other times silly and pretentious. I suppose every reader could put together his own list of good and bad sentences.

As examples of the former let me suggest two from the first paragraph of Chapter One: "In 1949 the Smokejumpers were not far from their origins as parachute jumpers turned stunt performer dropping from the wings of planes at county fairs just for the hell of it plus a few dollars, less hospital expenses.... They were still so young they hadn't learned to count the odds and to sense they might owe the universe a tragedy." (19)

As examples of the latter, I offer two from near the end of the book: "...the compassion felt for themselves by the tragic young is self-pity transformed into some divine bewilderment, one of the few emotions in which the young and the universe are the only characters. Although divine bewilderment addresses its grief to the universe, it only cries out to it." (299)

Generally Maclean, his subject, and his literary style seem most congruent when the humanity of the Mann Gulch tragedy is addressed, less fitting when the author discusses hard science. Perhaps recognizing this weakness, the University of Chicago Press did not create an index for this book.

A Heated Investigation
Soaring high above the earth, you are on a mission. Densely crammed into a plane, you are part of a team of adventurous souls. Sitting straddle-legged on the floor with your back to the cockpit, the group forms one body. The roasting heat of the fire below rises, and the air begins to gnaw tirelessly at your soul. In preparation of the jump, you and the others stand, approach the open door, and wait anxiously for the signal. Receiving a tap on the left leg, it is time. Crouching in the tuck position, you fall into the flaming world below.
The task of a smokejumper is intensely frightening. In Young Men and Fire, Norman Maclean shares the tragic experience of thirteen smokejumpers' fight in the Mann Gulch Fire. Searching for truth, in a land of ashy remains, Maclean thoroughly explores the untold stories of one group's disastrous struggle in the forests of Missoula, Montana. Deeply gripping, Young Men and Fire becomes one man's captivating journey through the fires of the land and his aged soul.
Young Men and Fire is a three-part, non-fiction account of one of Montana's deadliest forest fires. Haunted by the unanswered mysteries of the Mann Gulch Fire, Maclean begins to unravel the stories of these thirteen young men who so horribly perished. In sensitive and compelling language, he describes the innocence of these smokejumpers. "As the elite of young men, they felt more surely than most who are young that they were immortal. So if we are to feel with them, we must feel that we are set apart from the rest of the universe and safe from fires, all of which are expected to be put out by ten o'clock the morning after Smokejumpers are dropped on them" (298). In a tender, almost storyteller tone, Maclean molds our visions of these men by conveying their "immortal" outlook on life. The author wants his readers to feel connected to their souls and illustrates images of their lives: the women they loved, the families they parted from, and the goals they were unable to reach. As Maclean develops our understanding of the smokejumpers, both their personal characteristics and the dynamics of their job, he begins to explore why the Mann Gulch tragedy had such a personal impact on his own life.
In every aspect, Maclean's exploration through the Mann Gulch Fire was a religious experience. He describes the smokejumpers' falling as "umbilical, an act of rebirth," as they descend from sky to earth (53). With overwhelming Christian tones, Maclean shares his beliefs that smokejumping is a spiritual task; just as we are delivered from the heavens, the jumpers fall again from the skies above. Continually, the author will refer to his religious analogies of smokejumping. After studying the scientific details surrounding the deaths of the smokejumpers, Maclean shares his own evidence on the meaning of the death. "At the very end beyond thought and beyond fear and beyond even self-compassion and divine bewilderment there remains some firm intention to continue doing forever and ever what we last hoped to do on earth. By this final act they had come about as close as body and spirit can to establishing a unity to themselves with earth, wind, fire and perhaps the sky" (300). I was deeply moved to see that Maclean had such reflections on the passing of life. For here, the reader is able to see that the Mann Gulch tragedy had turned into a search for answers in the hills of Montana as well as in the heart of one elderly man.
Maclean's in depth study of the Mann Gulch Fire, gives readers a breathtakingly real understanding for the complexity and seriousness of smokejumping. I had no previous knowledge of this aspect of firefighting, and found his lessons fascinating. Maclean provides a haunting investigation into the emotions and realities that plague all smokejumpers. His writing is historic, yet simple, and allows many audiences an opportunity to learn the story of such a significant event. Maclean prompts his readers, through his comprehensive writing, to reexamine their notions of the tragedy. He suggests, "you can see tragedy coming from a considerable distance when you are older, but when you are young tragedy dies not pertain to you and certainly never catches up to you (278). Again, Maclean is exposing his views, and the reader begins to see that this book became an exploration of his own mortality.
For fourteen years, Norman Maclean searched for truth. He did not find every answer to the mysteries surrounding the Mann Gulch Fire; however, he discovered something greater. Maclean gave voices to those who could not speak, shared stories that were buried far too long, and found meaning through tragedy. Norman Maclean passed away before his book was published, but the press uncovered his work and concluded that "Young Men and Fire was where, near the end, all the lives he had lived would merge: the lives of a woodsmen, firefighter, scholar, teacher, and storyteller" (xiii). This book is truly an accomplished work of nature, humanity and faith. ... Read more