Reviews (25)

"A seed like no other"
Dropped by its parent over three centuries ago, the seed produced something special in the way of a tree.Rising from the soil alongside a river in an island off the West Coast of North America, it produced a Sitka spruce of unusual character.It was a Golden Spruce.When migrating Asian peoples settled on the island it became the source of mythologies, venerated it as part of their heritage.One dark night, however, it was hewn nearly down by a man with a sense of mission.John Vaillant, in a brilliant, comprehensive account of the tree, its worshippers and its changing surroundings, relates how the tree's story is important to us all.
good picture of primitive place
Having travelled in the areaI found the description of setting and characters very reminiscent of what I know to be there.Good story but the fifth star is withheld because of pools of distraction here and there in the book.I suspected that the story needed to be "plumped up" to make it book length rather than a short story.
No more paper towels for me.
After finishing this book I felt like booking a trip to British Columbia to see some of what remains of the precious forests Vaillant describes.Warning:This book will make you question your consumption habits andyour personal culpability in the destruction of North American forests. If you read it, be prepared for a shock.Few of us outside the logging industry know just how much has been lost.I would recommend this book to anyone.It is entertaining, informative and motivational without being preachy or condescending. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Trees & Forests - General    5. Literature: Texts    6. Miscellaneous Items    7. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (7)

A sublime experience, but not for everyone
I keep this book on my nightstand and read an essay or two after my pj's are on and before going to bed. My bookmark is a pencil for making notes in the margin when particularly wonderful passages are encountered.The margins are very full.
The first of its kind, and still the best
"Thus always does history, whether of marsh or market place, end in paradox. The ultimate value in these marshes is wildness, and the crane is wildness incarnate. But all conservation of wildness is self-defeating, for to cherish we must see and fondle, and when enough have seen and fondled, there is no wilderness left to cherish." (from "Marshland Elegy")
Wonderful
Read Walden, then read Sand County Almanac.They might just change the way you think about the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Ecology    3. Fiction    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Literature: Classics    6. Natural history    7. Nature conservation    8. Nature study    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Outdoor books    11. Travel - United States    12. United States    13. United States - General    14. Conservation of the environment    15. Life Sciences | Ecology | Conservation Biology    16. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    17. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (25)

Engaging Style
This book shows people solving ecological problems as a community.Weisman engages the reader by showing the people involved, not only the ones with training in certain disciplines, but also natives with practical solutions for living in a Columbian village. Even the children got involved in problem solving in Gaviotos.
Not DIY
The vision described in the book is inspiring and very hopeful.The idea is to use our ingenuity in ways directly adapted to our environment so that small towns can be self-sufficient.Along the way, very clever uses of wind and water are discovered and described.If the reader is looking for great general ideas or approaches, this book would be hard to beat.On the other hand, if you are a garage-tinkerer and would delight in building the clever devices described, this book is close but no cigar.The drawings offered in the book purposely omit the most important details required to fabricate the devices in a proper working form.If you are a tinkerer and want to build these "goodies," you have three options.In the U.S., you can e-mail with the "Sustainable Village" web site and get the plans (eventually---they are not quick in responding).You can contact the Gaviotas offices in Bogota, Colombia.You can, of course, also take the basic idea and think through the details for yourself.That could take longer and be a little more expensive---perhaps. If you primarily want the ideas and the inspiration, then buy the book, by all means.If you primarily want to tinker and build, go straight for the plans.

interesting
In 1998, journalist Alan Weisman collected and presented information about a little known, yet quite monumental, village known as Gaviotas. To get there, one must travel 16 hours by car from the nearest major Columbian city, Bogot�. Even then the path there is not a smooth one; rough, muddy roads and severe political unrest serve as some major barriers in getting to Gaviotas. So why then is such an arduous trip worth it; in essence, Gaviotas is yet another tiny village located in a generally uninhabitable region and possesses none of the modern modes of transportation or communication that we are accustomed to. While in a sense these aspects may be true of Gaviotas, it is also undeniable that this community holds as one of the most efficient, supportive, and thoughtful communities on the planet.
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Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Colombia    3. Description and travel    4. Development - Economic Development    5. Environment    6. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    7. Environmental Science    8. Environmental Studies    9. Environmental conditions    10. Human Ecology    11. Nature    12. Nature/Ecology    13. Rural communities    14. The Environment   

Reviews (28)

A good book, but it may be time for a new edition.
I've been organic gardening for several years and I find this book contains very useful information for the gardener who wants to work with Mother Nature instead of against her. As described by the author (and others elsewhere), permaculture uses organic gardening principles to deal with big as well as little problems.
Best garden design book I've seen
A friend loaned me this book and I'm ordering my own copy.Or rather a new one for her since we've used hers so much.A great book if you're starting a new garden and want to match your landscape to the surrounding countryside, as we do, especially since we have oak savannah, like the author.Super vegetable garden ideas, great landscaping ideas, good stuff on swales, windbreaks, nurse plants, lots of good concepts you can use now.

inspiring, clear, very well-written book
Hemenway is amazingly realistic and practical while being very inspiring. He is easy to follow and understand while including scientifically grounded and very technically sound explanations. Read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Gaia hypothesis    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Landscape gardening    7. Natural landscaping    8. Organic    9. Organic gardening    10. Permaculture    11. Techniques    12. Cookery dishes & courses    13. Environmentalist thought & ideology    14. Natural & wild gardening   

Reviews (25)

What, me worry?
Stolen future? What future? This excellent book documents the threat posed to human reproduction and fetal development by the synthetic chemicals first created in the '30s. Read this along with Christopher Bryson's "The Fluoride Deception," and you will agree with me: we are f***ed. But then, throw in a little eschatology from the Maya, the Buddhists, the Hopis, Edgar Cayce, Sir Isaac Newton, and the Book of Revelations (among others) and perhaps you will conclude with me: it really doesn't matter anyway. Why? Because we were already f***ed --- long before we started filling out bodies with toxic waste disguised as food and drink.
A Wake-up Call for Humanity...
This book is a chilling account of what modern inventions such as pesticides and plastics are doing to our environment, health, and future.
I met Theo Colburn
At a nutrition conference, I sat down with my meal and a Nalgene water bottle. As I sat down, a woman I had seen speak earlier that day spouted out, "Don't drink out of that water bottle!" I was quite taken aback but her statement opened up a day long conversation about toxins in our food containers, her life's work and my life's work. After saying good-bye to Theo Colburn at the airport, I read her book on the airplane. Even though it is a thick scientific book, I couldn't put it down. For all who care about our future, this is a must-read book.
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Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Environmental Engineering & Technology    3. Environmental health    4. Health - General    5. Reproduction    6. Reproductive toxicology    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Toxicology    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (2)

A 'must' for any reference collection serious about the environment
THE NEW GAIA ATLAS OF PLANET MANAGEMENT's previous editions have seen regular feature as being among the top ten books on the environment ever created; so if you're a public library, high school or college-level collection interested in world environmental issues, you must have this. It's a completely revised, enlarged edition which reflects a decade of change in both international environmental issues and political responses: maps, charts, and discussions of everything from global energy to evolutionary potentials and living oceans place the latest research and ecological thinking at the user's fingertips. The result's a big, gorgeous display of detail and updates which are a 'must' for any reference collection serious about the environment.
a must read
the citizens of this planet have to read this atlas, well illustrated it provides facts in a direct and simple fashion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Ecology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental policy    6. General    7. Human ecology    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Nature / General   

Reviews (9)

Earth as an Organism
Lovelock is certainly an out-of-the-box thinker.The main point Lovelock drives home is that Earth behaves as an organism.The aim is to get the reader thinking that Earth is alive, and does have the same functions an organism.For example, the chemistry of the atmosphere and the ocean are controlled by life for the purposes maintaining the planet as a haven for life's continuance.
Not even good science
I ordered this book hoping for some scientific evidence supporting what I already knew from personal experience; that there is a gestalt emerging from all of the beings in the universe. An emergent property that some call `the spirit that moves through all things' and some call `god' and I was hoping that this book would call it Gaia. Bah! The author totally ignores the metaphysical evidence and misrepresents the impact of civilization on the natural world. He also misrepresents the relationship tribal aka primitive cultures had with the natural world. Furthermore, this isn't even good science. Typically I pass books on to friends or trade them at a used bookstore. The best thing about this book was how easily the pages tore out to become kindling for my fire. If I could I would give it a negative rating -- don't pollute your mind with this trash.

Brilliant hypothesis, poorly presented
In essence, Lovelock says that since evolution started eons ago, all forms of life evolved together resulting not only in balance among themselves and their surroundings, but also in such a way that they regulate the environment, controlling the atmosphere, the salinity of the seas and the temperature. This complex eco-system is presumably an inevitable consequence of the algorithm of evolution running successfully. Want to know if there is life on another planet? Easy, look at the atmosphere.
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Subjects:  1. Biology    2. Biosphere    3. Ecology    4. Environmental Science    5. Gaia hypothesis    6. Life Sciences - Biology - General    7. Life Sciences - Ecology    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Philosophy    11. Philosophy Of Biology    12. Science    13. Conservation of the environment    14. Environmentalist thought & ideology    15. Life Sciences | Ecology    16. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (1)

Brilliant Set of Photographs
A photographer with the eye of an artist, Tim Palmer has spent a lifetime photographing rivers. He has gone to extremes to get just the right view, at the right time of day, the right time of the year. He has combines these photographs with prose that is almost poetic to add in our understanding of what he sees, what he feels.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Nature    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Photography Of Specific Subjects    6. Pictorial works    7. Rivers    8. Subjects & Themes - Landscapes    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. Nature in art, still life, landscapes & seascapes    12. Nature; photography; travel    13. Photography & Photographs    14. Photography / Nature & Wildlife    15. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    16. USA   

Reviews (1)

A Better Understanding of the Coastal Environment
As one of the Open University Oceanography Series, this book offers an excellent introduction to the physical processes operating in the nearshore and immediate offshore environments of the coastal zone.With a particular emphasis on the relationship between process and form, this work covers essential ideas and practical applications for university level instructors and students interested in the coastal environment.The book material is straightforward, readable, and offers the opportunity to develop fundamental research questions at a variety of levels.Best of all, it's a well-organized work at an affordable price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    3. Geophysics    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Science    7. Tides    8. Water Supply    9. Waves    10. Deltas, estuaries, coastal regions    11. Geology & the lithosphere    12. Oceanography (seas)    13. Science / Oceanography   

Subjects:  1. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    2. Conservation of natural resour    3. Conservation of natural resources    4. Development - Sustainable Development    5. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    6. Environmental Engineering & Technology    7. Environmental Protection    8. Environmental Science    9. Environmental Studies    10. Management    11. Natural Resources    12. Science    13. Science/Mathematics    14. Sustainable development    15. Science / Geology   

Reviews (6)

A Sincere and Constructive Call To Stewardship
I found this book to be inviting and exciting. Dr. Sleeth focuses on what I believe is the heart of Christianity - living thoughtfully, compassionately, and carefully. We are stewards of this world and should use our best efforts to assure that the necessities of safe and healthy living are available to all people as well as the animals and plants that live with us.
Follows both his journey and the connections between Christianity and environmental thinking as a whole
Five years ago the author had a great job, home, and comfortable married life with kids - until he realized something was wrong as he saw increasing numbers of patients suffering from cancer, asthma, and chronic illness. His religious introspection led to a newfound path away from affluence and more in tune with a less materialistic, earth-friendly lifestyle and SERVE GOD, SAVE THE PLANET follows both his journey and the connections between Christianity and environmental thinking as a whole.
Inspired to change
After reading Dr.Sleeth's book I was inspired to change to flourescent light bulbs, stop using our dryer. get a clothesline and bike to work. Dr.Sleeth makes his appeal in a way that helps one understand how one person or family can reduce their impact on the environment. He appeals from a Christian perspective and connects in a way that strict environmentalists often cannot. I'd recommend his book to anyone trying to understand how their daily actions and lifestle impact the environment and what they can do to minimize that. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    2. Christianity - Stewardship    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Religion - Christian Life    8. Religion - Christian Living   

Reviews (6)

An excellent overview of "natural" building; buy it!
I've recently become interested in green building.My local library system provided a lot of interesting books, most of which weren't really worth buying.
Good Introduction
Being an architect already, I found that the book was an excellent introduction, even for me, to the various alternative building techniques emerging. It gave the author's honest opinion about many of the techniques, which was very appreciated. Don't expect it to be a precise how-to guide for any of the methods. It is an excellent overview, though, that can help you evaluate which building techniques you would like to explore further. The references at the end are vast and helpful. The Primer on Natural Building
If you're interested in building a natural home (cob, rammed earth, straw-bale, earthship, whatever), this is your primer.The author has done his homework and presents the description, pros/cons and pitfalls of each type of construction.He is very honest about just how "do-it-yourself" each type can be, and how much it will cost you.He also covers passive and active solar design, natural water capture and other alternative technologies to go with your natural home.This is an excellent overview on all these subjects.Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Architecture    3. Architecture and society    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Domestic    7. Dwellings    8. Ecological houses    9. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    10. House & Home    11. House construction    12. Reference    13. Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology    14. Building construction & materials    15. Environmentalist thought & ideology   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Protection    4. Environmental Science    5. Life Sciences - Ecology    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Restoration ecology    9. Science    10. Ecological science, the Biosphere    11. Nature / Ecology    12. Science / Ecology   

Reviews (11)

The end of the big game - A book to protect today'swildlife
Published in 1965, the book is the most famous book of Peter Beard.The book is shoking as most photos are pictures of dead animals, it is definitely not a book to look at before your safari.Black and white pictures are excellent.Sadly, the last pages are only photos of elephant's carcasses (too much?).The Beard's touch is a book full of old illustration, tiny pics, small and odd drawings and detailed texts - most of them taken from the British Museum.The book is about the Old Africa and text about Mt Kenya, the Man-eaters of Tsavo, Nairobi and Karen Blixen are not easy and you must have a knowledge of Kenyan history to understand them fully.This book is essential for any African collection as it has shocked and marked history.

Old Africa brought to life
An excellent book for those that can handle the truth. It shows what will happen when nature is left to manage itself and what happens when men don't control themselves. It's about hard times and history-a way of life long forgotten. If you are a product of the spoonfed Disney age, then you'll find this book shocking. It may well be your first taste of truth about wild animals,wild places, and the true spirit of man. This book is about Old Africa and should not be judged with today's politically correct eye. It is an account of things happened in a forgotten time, and a lost way of life.

Old Africa-brought to life
It's a very real look at Old Africa. It shows the truth of man's bad luck, bad descisions, greed, and life filled with hard times. It shows nature in it's true self, not some Disney version of happy animals dancing around. This is an excellent book and should serve as a wake up call for the multitudes of Americans who believe the garbage that is spoon fed to them on their televisions. It may be well more than most readers can handle, because the truth is not sugar coated here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa, East    2. Big game animals    3. Big game hunting    4. Hunting Sports    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Wild Animal And Bird Protection    7. Africa    8. Hunting or shooting animals & game    9. Juvenile Fiction / General    10. Wild animals   

Reviews (11)

When I read this in 1974, I wish I had had it in 1969/70
While not a perfect book, this is one of the few books I know which I would call "required reading" for people in the environmental movement and ecology.It's not a science book, which is one of my minor problems with it, but I titled this review comment with my opinion prior to taking the first of 2 classes (1974) by one of Nash's student colleagues and then Nash himself.I, and a slew of my colleagues in 1970 really needed to have read this during the organization and preparation for what was then termed "The First Environmental Teach-In" now called ridiculously "Earth Day."
Wilderness: One of America's Most Important Ideas
Those who have been so quick to pronounce the "death" of environmentalism surely have not taken Roderick Frazier Nash's Wilderness and the American Mind into account. With roots in European Romanticism, and blossoming in mid-19th Century writings of Thoreau and Emerson, the idea of wilderness is one of the most important ideas America has contributed to the world.
Not perfect but still a classic thanks to regular updating
As the other reviews will confirm, this is a classic book on the American concept of wilderness.Nash wrote the first version in the 1960s, originally as his dissertation.The main narrative has held up well.Nash has also put the text through regular revisions, so it lacks any embarrassingly outdated claims that might detract from the book.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Policy    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. History    6. History: American    7. United States - General    8. United States History (Specific Aspects)    9. Wildlife    10. American history    11. Management of land & natural resources    12. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    13. USA   

Reviews (1)

Excellent scientific foundation.The issue is far more uncertain than the Media states.
Patrick J. Michaels is the most famous global warming skeptic, but he is not alone.The book consists of ten chapters written by ten different scientists who focus on specific aspects of global warming including: temperature and precipitation forecasts, volatility of weather patterns,the impact of El Nino, impact of rising temperature on human health, impact of CO2 concentration on rising temperature.
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Subjects:  1. Climatic changes    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Policy    5. Environmental Science    6. Environmental Studies    7. Global warming    8. Greenhouse effect, Atmospheric    9. Political Science    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Public Policy - Environmental Policy    12. Research    13. Nature / General   

Reviews (1)

Excerpt of review from Electronic Green Journal Issue 18
"A psychology book dedicated to sustainable development is comprehensible for the reason that ecological problems were created,and still are, by patterns of behaviour.Thus there is a principal question that this book aims to answer:"How can psychology help in the development of a sustainable society?"The authors demonstrate that psychology has an important role in the sense of promoting sustainable values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. The contributors show us that sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality, political participation, and social equity.Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Business & Economics    3. Development - Economic Development    4. Economic Development    5. Economics - General    6. General    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Social Psychology    10. Sustainable development    11. Environmentalist thought & ideology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    13. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (8)

Wonderful sequel
Written so that you feel you are looking over their shoulders as they see and work in Africa. A bit of mystery, a cautionary tale and an inspirational love story. The book describes the obstacles they faced and the gile, resourcefulness, courage and passion they bring to their work and lives. A worthy follow-on to Cry of the Kalahari and Eye of the Elephant.

Turning the Tide
This book tells of Mark and Delia Owens' work with the animals and humans in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia.Poachers have decimated the animal population (particularly the elephants), and the Owens work toward animal repopulation and human education.They follow a good business plan in reeducating the Zambians.Those relying on poaching for a living must be taught alternative means of support, and the Owens are very creative in this regard.Their self sacrifice during 23 years of residence is amazing!

Travel, science, and social issues blend in a fine survey
The authors had the pleasure and trials of exploring one of the last wild places on earth, in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia - and encountered both wild beauty and danger. Their story comes to life in SECRETS OF THE SAVANNA: 23 YEARS IN THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF ELEPHANTS AND PEOPLE. They lived with wild animals, observed similarities between their behaviors and those of humans, and here make additional social comparisons between animals and humans under stress. Travel, science, and social issues blend in a fine survey.
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Subjects:  1. African elephant    2. Animals    3. Animals / Pets    4. Conservation    5. Economic aspects    6. Effect of hunting on    7. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    8. Individual Species Of Mammals    9. Luangwa River Valley (Zambia and Mozambique)    10. Mammals    11. Nature    12. Nature conservation    13. Nature/Ecology    14. Wildlife    15. Wildlife Conservation    16. Nature / General   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Architecture And The Environment    4. Architecture, Modern    5. Congresses    6. Environmental aspects    7. General    8. Methods & Materials    9. Organic architecture    10. Sociology Of Architecture    11. Architecture / General    12. Environmentalist thought & ideology    13. Regional & Area Planning    14. Theory of architecture   

Reviews (4)

Good for contractors, not for home buyers
I purchased this book thinking that it would be a good resource for remodelling a home, I was wrong.The information contained is good for a contractor that wants to develop a "green building" image, complete with advise for dealing with media, marketing strategies and sales.It appears to have very little practical advise with regard to green building techniques and supplies.It might be a good reference for a contractor but not very helpful for the ecologically minded home buyer.

Incredible resource for building smart!
I sat down with this book and read it in one sitting. This is an enormous amount of research and practical experience in one volume. It's appropriate not only for builders that want to go "green", but for environmentally conscious folks looking to build. The book is filled with loads of information on making the "right" choices in building, and most of these choices do not cost more, in fact, many save money in years to come. As a novice, I found the information to be easy to understand, and have come away with a real plan on the building of my next house. Having read this book, it's hard to understand how anyone could not choose to build green. It's just plain smart! I think every builder looking for a competitive edge, should read this book, it's filled with marketing & sales strategies. In Building Green, David Johnston shares a lifetime of experience in the business of building environmentally smart.

Building Green in a Black and White World
I've known the author David Johnson for years.He knows more about Green construction than anyone else I know.David knows what works and what doesn't, because he's tried things himself and collected thousands ofstories from builders, homeowners and city officials who've put to the testall manner of building techniques, materials, installations andstandards.Read more

Subjects:  1. Building materials    2. Construction - General    3. Decorating    4. Dwellings    5. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    6. Environmental aspects    7. General    8. Green products    9. House & Home / Design & Construction    10. House construction    11. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    12. Technology    13. Technology & Industrial Arts    14. Building construction & materials    15. Design & Construction    16. Environmental Conservation & Protection    17. Environmental engineering    18. Home Improvement / Construction    19. House & Home    20. House & Home / General    21. Houses