Reviews (6)

A COLLECTION LIKE A TREASURE
As a diver for long years, I remember the old b&w tv days, when we find happiness with Cousteau's documentary films. Now it's a mirracle to be able to purchase the whole collection in DVD format.

Fantastic
As great a read today as it must have been over 50 years ago. Being a modern day technical and recreational dive instructor I still find this book a fascinating read and would recommend it to all ages to divers and non divers alike.

Silent World
If you grew up watching the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau one night a week, you must read this book by Mr. Cousteau. I read the first chapter of this delightful little book in a diving collection and was instantly drawn to Cousteau's narrating style. Modest and touched with humor, he describes the creation of the aqualung (scuba) and his early exploits with it. Early photos of underwater creatures are amazing. My copy is from the late 1950s and I hold it carefully. It is a physical and figurative jewel to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Cousteau, Jacques Yves    4. Marine Life    5. Nature    6. Oceans & Seas    7. Scientists - General    8. Scuba & Snorkeling    9. Underwater exploration    10. Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology   

Subjects:  1. Aquatic ecology    2. Biogeochemistry    3. Congresses    4. Earth Sciences - Geology    5. Ecology    6. Environmental Engineering & Technology    7. Florida    8. Life Sciences - Ecology    9. Life Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems    10. Phosphorus cycle (Biogeochemis    11. Phosphorus cycle (Biogeochemistry)    12. Science    13. Science/Mathematics    14. Wetland ecology    15. Wetlands Ecology    16. Applied ecology    17. Biochemistry    18. Geochemistry    19. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Editorial Review

How do we save the tropical rainforests of the world, answering the clarion call of so many environmental groups? For John Terborgh, a tropical biologist, the answer is dark and sobering: despite our best intentions, we may not be able to, for we lack both a coherent plan and, starkly put, the political will to do so. Sustainable development, "the mantra of the conservation movement," is of small help, Terborgh believes, because the realities of economic development are such that where the needs of humans are weighed against the needs of the natural world, nature always loses. Ecotourism, heralded as a model of economic possibility, is not much better because the novelty of seeing giant trees soon wears off and the chances of seeing wildlife are few ("restricted visibility means that most animals are not detected until the visitor is already well within the animal's flight distance, the distance at which a creature flees in the presence of a human"). If we're to save old-growth forests, Terborgh suggests, we'll have to suspend all economic activity in them, ending logging, prospecting, and recreation; only if we leave them alone do they have much of a chance. It's a grim view, and one that is unlikely to take much sway, no matter how correct it might be. Terborgh notes as much himself in his well-argued polemic, writing, "Whether we like it or not, tropical forests are worth more dead than alive. Nothing can save them short of a sea change in public opinion that registers not only in politicians' statements but also in their actions. Saving biodiversity will have to become a global obsession, not merely a pastime." Read more

Reviews (2)

Nature versus People
When John Terborgh publishes a book, anyone interested in the conservation of nature should read it.One of the world's foremost tropical ecologists, Terborgh writes in an unusually pleasing and, at the same time, provocativestyle.If the reader is only seeking entertainment or if a rigorouslyresearched documentary of the context of personal experiences is sought,s/he will be disappointed; but, if the interest is in stimulating thoughtabout the problems of nature conservation, the reward will beextraordinary."Requiem for Nature" surpasses even Terborgh'sown "Where Have All the Birds Gone?" as a intellectuallychallenging treatise. Nature versus People
When John Terborgh publishes a book, anyone interested in the conservation of nature should read it.One of the world's foremost tropical ecologists, Terborgh writes in an unusually pleasing and, at the same time, provocativestyle.If the reader is only seeking entertainment or if a rigorouslyresearched documentary of the context of personal experiences is sought,s/he will be disappointed; but, if the interest is in stimulating thoughtabout the problems of nature conservation, the reward will beextraordinary."Requiem for Nature" surpasses even Terborgh'sown "Where Have All the Birds Gone?" as a intellectuallychallenging treatise.Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    2. Development - Sustainable Development    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Essays    7. Nature    8. Nature conservation    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Protected areas    11. Trees & Forests - Rainforests    12. Tropical Ecology    13. Tropics    14. Environmentalist thought & ideology    15. Pollution & threats to the environment    16. Science / Environmental Science   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Coastal ecology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Engineering & Technology    5. Environmental Science    6. Environmental aspects    7. Hayes, Miles O    8. Life Sciences - Ecology    9. Management    10. Oil spills    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Scientists - General    13. Technology    14. Biography: general    15. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    16. Oceanography (seas)    17. Pollution of seas & oceans   

Reviews (3)

What is interesting and what solvable?
I prefer mathematical puzzles that have two features: A true mathematical wonderland
This wonderful mathematical puzzle book has over 100 puzzles sure to delight readers -- from kids to adults.The problems include: mazes, sequences, probability, and more.Most puzzles are very clever and fun.I liked considering the yellow-brick road that crosses America.How many bricks would it take?I also liked the zebra numbers and circular primes.Legion's number is a number so big that it makes a a billion look puny. Math Puzzles from another Universe!
I found the puzzles and problems in this book to be original and varied, and with a wide range of difficulty levels. I enjoyed the fact that some puzzles might actually have more than one answer, which leaves room for healthy debate and for better understanding the way different people think.I think this book can be enjoyed by readers of different levels of mathematical sophistication.For example, a freshman in high school could skip the more difficult problems, like the one on Ramanujan Congruences, although this is one of the most interesting chapters.My favorite chapter is one that poses a statistics-like question, dealing with bones thrown into a pit.You have to figure out the ratio of the long piece to the short piece. Here's a sample of other chapters that I really enjoyed:Read more

Subjects:  1. Mathematical Recreations    2. Mathematics    3. Nature    4. Oceans & Seas    5. Recreations & Games    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Mathematics / General   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    2. Fisheries    3. Marine ecology    4. Nature/Ecology    5. North Atlantic Ocean    6. Oceans & Seas    7. Science    8. Wildlife    9. Applied ecology    10. Environmental science    11. Fisheries & related industries    12. Management of land & natural resources    13. North Atlantic    14. Oceanography (seas)    15. Science / Oceanography   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    2. Marine Biology    3. Nature    4. Oceanography (General)    5. Oceans & Seas    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Subjects & Themes - General    9. Atlantic Ocean    10. Indian Ocean    11. Nature / Oceans & Seas    12. Southern Africa   

Subjects:  1. Coral reef conservation    2. Coral reef ecology    3. Ecology    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Indian Ocean    6. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    7. Life Sciences - Ecology    8. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    9. Marine Biology    10. Nature    11. Nature/Ecology    12. Oceans & Seas    13. Science    14. Animal ecology    15. Ecological science, the Biosphere    16. Life Sciences | Ecology    17. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    18. Red Sea   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. General    4. Human Geography    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Oceans & Seas    8. Science   

Reviews (2)

A must read for those interested in L.I.S.
What a fantastic book.As a marine biology educator on Long Island Sound, I found this book to be an essential part of my course.I am requiring it as summer reading for my course.It is full of history and information.If you use the Sound at all, this book is a must read!

Wonderful Book
I came across this book while doing research for a segment that I was going to do for National Public Radio.Since I am only 15 I wasn't really aroundto witness the battle to save LIS, and I needed to know some history about the area from that time.This book helped the most out of all the materials that I read.It started by describing the time European sailors first laid their eyes on LIS to present day.He takes you on a journey through all of LIS history and presents every point of view when explaining the battle conservationists had to fight to get the government to cooperate.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in LIS.It is not a book that takes a lot of past knowledge to read, but very informative.Good work Mr. Andersen.A lot of work went into this book and it shows. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Environmental Studies    5. Environmental conditions    6. History    7. Long Island Sound (N.Y. and Co    8. Long Island Sound (N.Y. and Conn.)    9. Marine Pollution    10. Oceans & Seas    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (3)

10 stars for this book
This is one of the best books I have ever read about the underwater world. Incredibly beautiful underwater photography of high quality. The photos do not only depict animals swimming around but, for example, sarcastic fringehead males in a showy territorial "fight," close up.
A poetic underwater journey!
Stare at the beautiful underwater photographs. Sitback, relax and gently discover the Ocean Realm with the still images of Howard Hall and his wifeMichele, images that, as Peter Benchley (Jaws, The Deep) writes in theforeword, are among the finest in the world. Dive. Wander through the Kelpforests of the northern Pacific. Get a close-up of sharks and squids inmagic detail. Enjoy the vivid colors of the reef and watch lobsters and seaturtles, dolphins and whales in an exciting photographic journey! Sincethis book is not a reference work, you will also enjoy reading it slowlyand in the direction of your choice, diving at pleasure through the lighttext that describes the Hall's adventures as filmmakers and marinephotographers. And then you will also find some information about thesea-life captured in the images and poetic hints about scuba-diving andunderwater photography. A nice dive, a pleasant reading and, at the pricethat Amazon.com is offering it, a real gift. Buy the book!

A Must Read for Fin Fans!
For those of us who read everything we can on underwater photography, this book provides an added dimension and delightful reprieve from the technical how-to's of most underwater photography books. This book is a series offascinating stories about the adventures and mis-adventures Howard andMichelle and their staff encountered when shooting different subjects. Afascinating and stimulating book, it provides anecdotal insight into howthey approach certain projects without dwelling on the technical "howto's" found in most underwater photography books. Everyone studyingunderwater photography or just enjoying the sport of diving should surfacelong enough to give themselves this present. It sure made me want to grabmy fins and camera and head off to points all around the world. Thanks toHoward and Michelle for putting together such a compelling read. And ofcourse, it has beautiful photographs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Deep-sea ecology    2. Lakes & Ponds    3. Marine Biology    4. Marine Life    5. Marine organisms    6. Nature    7. Nature & Wildlife    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Oceans & Seas    11. Pictorial works    12. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    13. Photographs: collections    14. Photography / General    15. Sea & seashore life   

Editorial Review

Richard Evans Schultes was arguably this century's foremost botanist and the father of ethnobotany--the study of plants and medicinal knowledge of indigenous peoples. He inadvertently inspired the 1960s drug culture with the publication of his scholarly journals on hallucinogenic plants. A meticulous scientist, his research on Columbia's rubber-producing hevea trees led to America's mass-production of rubber during World War II, which ultimately contributed to victory. Davis, one of Schultes's most devoted students, recounts the great botanist's life--from his research along hundreds of miles of forested rivers and his jungle treks while shattered by malaria to his intuitive gift with Amazon shamans and his relationship with such cult figures as Timothy Leary and William Burroughs. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

One River by Wade Davis
It was in better condition than I expected (it was used).The cover isn't bent at all - it doesn't look like it's been read.

ADVENTUROUS PSYCHONAUTS BEWARE
Being interested in pharmacological psychedelics and their effects, I was most disappointed by this mundane travelogue. I struggled immeasurably to get through this tome. I kept aiming it at the trash can, but kept telling myself it was going to get better. It didn't and it ultimately ended up there. I expected an adventure novel into alternate dimensions or Davis' personal journey into mind altering hyper-dimensions. It was not to be. I understand the importance of Schultes work. All psychonauts owe this man a debt of gratitude. But this book is a tedious retracing of every footstep this man made in his discoveries, along with Wade Davis' personal journey and dealings with Schultes. Very dry reading in my opinion. SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW is a better book. Readers should be warned this is NOT a psychedelic adventure story, but a tiresome travelogue of plant classification. Important, I suppose, if that's what you're looking for. I prefer Schultes' own book PLANTS OF THE GODS. It's wonderfully illustrated and an easier read. Or if you're looking for a true psychonaut's adventures in South America, I'd suggest reading anything by Terence McKenna. He was one strange and brilliant fellow. Or THE COSMIC SERPENT by Jeremy Narby. Frankly, I'm surprised by the glowing reviews for this book. I found it to be quite boring.
Even Deeper in the Wonder
This will be a very short review on a book that has long been with me. While working on a reproductive biology macaw research project climbing into the canopy of the Amazon each day for 3 months i found ONE RIVER one night piled amongst the research literature. Even though i had the Amazon literally ground into my bones after so many days of hard labor i could not put this book down each night reading by candle. Could one gourge on steak then still enjoy reading about cattle? This is simply a fascinating, and most well written book on arguably the most complex wonderful ecosystem as experienced by a most hard working curiously gifted individual. Do your soul a favor and read this book 5 times!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Amazon River Region    3. Biography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ethnobotanists    6. Ethnobotany    7. Field work    8. General    9. Life Sciences - Ecology    10. Nature    11. Plowman, Timothy    12. Rain Forest Ecology    13. Schultes, Richard Evans    14. Science    15. Trees & Forests - Rainforests    16. United States    17. Applied ecology    18. Biogeography    19. Science / General    20. Travel writing   

Reviews (6)

A Great Resource for Divers
I bought this book for the maps and descriptions of reef conditions.It has helped me be prepared for my next destination as a scuba diver and I also use it to pick new places to explore. Recommended

excellent
The book arrived in prefect conditions and in less days of that estimated by the service.

Beautiful
A truly beautiful book, although I expected the pictures to be larger.There is not one full page photo in the book unfortunately.It would really enhance the book to have some of those lovely photos blown up full page. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - General    2. Coral reef ecology    3. Coral reefs and islands    4. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    5. Life Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems    6. Maps    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Coral reefs    10. Maps, charts & atlases    11. Nature / General   

Editorial Review

Gunnar Hansen takes readers on a trip that no one seems to have thought of before: a 2,700-mile journey along America's sandy barrier islands from the Mexican border to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. These islands separate ocean from lagoon, saltwater from freshwater, sea bird from shore bird, and--until many were developed for tourism--sea-goer from landlubber. The barrier islands are young, Hansen tell us, formed in the last ice age only a few thousand years ago. They are also extremely vulnerable to damage, as Hurricane Emily demonstrated in 1993 when it tore away a good portion of many Atlantic islands. In his lively book, Hansen points out that the frequency and intensity of such storms seems to be on the rise, so see the islands while you can. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Leatherface Goes Island Hopping
Gunnar Hansen should have titled his book "Leatherface IV:A Grisly Journey to the Barrier Islands of America."Hansen played the saliva-spouting, prozac-needing backwoods butcher in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and continues to bring his less-than-subtle beastly charms to B-grade horror flicks.Still, while such a cheap marketing ploy might have helped sell some more books, it wouldn't have made the writing more graceful or the observations more keen.In this account of the strange world of barrier islands, from the deserted Boca Chica in Texas to the resort islands of North Carolina, Gunnar casts his eye upon weary island dwellers, vacant-eyed tourists, and a host of natural phenomena.Unlike his maniacal alter-ego, Gunnar manages to convey a sense of desperation, as seen in the natural destruction and financial exploitation of the islands, without leaving a messy trail of blood and entrails.His account of life on the edge of America, in the great tradition of other bushy-bearded hermits like Farley Mowat and Edward Abbey, combines a sharp sense of moral direction with the softspoken wisdom of a teacher.What's really scary is that more people aren't writing books such as this ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlantic Coast (U.S.)    2. Barrier islands    3. Description and travel    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Essays    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Gulf Coast (U.S.)    8. Natural history    9. Nature    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Oceans & Seas    12. Travel    13. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    14. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Life Sciences - Ecology    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Wetland conservation    7. Wetland ecology    8. Ecological science, the Biosphere    9. Environmental science    10. Science / Biology   

Reviews (5)

Simply Beautiful
This is a beautiful book with incredible pictures. Additionally it has very informative text. It is a great book for anyone with a serious interest in reefs & reef life.

A must for the UW Photographer
I have been waiting for this book!Burt Jones got me focused on the 'one metre' dive a few years back and I've been enjoying macro critters and muck diving ever since.In this awsome new book, the Tacketts bring you their personal experiences with the macro world and incorportate a great deal of useful information which can help all of us better understand the interrelationships amongst all the critters.That understanding is one of the keys to making better images of the critters. much more than pretty pictures
The Tacketts have achieved something remarkable with this book. Not only is the quality of the photographs consistently high, but the detailed information within the text is logical and accessible to any diver whetherthey be experts in marine biology or simply curious fish watchers.Read more

Subjects:  1. Coral reef animals    2. Fish & Aquariums    3. Marine Life    4. Nature    5. Oceans & Seas    6. Pets    7. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Subjects:  1. Aquatic resources conservation    2. Congresses    3. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    4. Environmental Science    5. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    6. Marine Life    7. Marine Resources Conservation    8. Marine ecology    9. Nature    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Oceans & Seas    12. Science    13. Conservation of the environment    14. Nature / Oceans & Seas    15. Oceanography (seas)    16. Pollution & threats to the environment    17. Science / Oceanography   

Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Ecology    2. Limnology    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Wetland ecology    6. Wetlands    7. Botany & plant sciences    8. Life Sciences | Ecology    9. Science / Limnology    10. Wetlands, swamps, fens   

Reviews (3)

5 Star Subject, 3 Star Writing
Anyone who has visited the Outer Banks -- and many who have only seen them from the famous 1970-era Apollo space shot -- knows that the islands are unique, fragile, and someday going to be overrun, either by trashy tourism or, eventually, nature.Alexander and Lazell hope, but are hardly convinced, that nature will get the chance to run its long course.Beyond the fascinating subject, the authors' chapter by chapter analysis of the forces that compete on the Banks -- sand, wind, land, forest -- is a clarifying approach to writing about the science of the Banks.In separate chapters, Alexander and Lazell then effectively show how the forces combined to impact Blackbeard's last battle and the Wright Brothers efforts to fly.The final chapter, Convergences, is like reading a decade-early preview of the impact on the islands of Hurricane Isabel.I would call Alexander and Lazell prescient, but I suspect they themselves would be the first to admit they were simply documenting the inevitable future.Only problem with this excellent book is that the writing feels as if it was done either in turn or by compromise, and is often far less compelling than its subject matter.Still, Ribbon of Sand offers some science, some entertainment, and a whole lot of appreciation for this wonderful speck of the world.

Engrossing
I purchased this book to learn more about the Outer Banks, which I have long wished to visit and where we will spend a week this summer.It is an amazingly interesting and informative book.Geology, geography, biology, weather, ecology, politics, and more are all discussed as is the importance of each in relation to the others.I found the book engrossing and would recommend it even if you are not going to this unique area of the world.Now when the kids ask me why there is a forest in the dunes I will be able to tell them and I will be much better able to appreciate the beauty of the place.

Man and Nature on a Tiny Strip of Land
I picked this book up during a recent week's stay on Topsail Island (one of the southernmost of the Outer Banks).Having never read a book on natural history or the ecology, I was prepared for the paper-pulp equivalent of Sominex.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Geography    3. Geography Of The United States    4. History    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North Carolina    8. Oceans & Seas    9. Outer Banks    10. Outer Banks (N.C.)    11. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    12. United States - State & Local - General    13. Ecological science, the Biosphere    14. Local history    15. Nature / Oceans & Seas    16. The Environment    17. coastal North Carolina/ nature; travel   

Reviews (2)

A scholarly and comprehensive look at the complex problems
Now in a second edition with updated statistics, references to legislation, discussions, and new knowledge about creative coastal design, and collaboratively written by Timothy Beatley (Professor, Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, University of Virginia), David J. Bower (Research Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill); and Anna K. Schwab (Research Associate, Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), An Introduction To Coastal Zone Management is a scholarly and comprehensive look at the complex problems of environmental management of coastal areas. Written for students and professionals, An Introduction to Coastal Zone Management covers a wealth of topics including shoreline erosion, lake stratification, coastal sprawl, and much, much more. An Introduction To Coastal Zone Management is very highly recommended reading for anyone with a determined interest in the field and an essential addition to Environmental Studies academic reference collections.

A great intro
As a student of geography, I was given the opportunity to do some shoreline management work for the local county. Although I had taken some classes regarding shorelines, I needed a crash course in coastal management, and I was pointed to this book. Within two days, I knew as much as I needed to know about coastal issues. Read more

Subjects:  1. Coastal Ecology    2. Coastal zone management    3. Ecology    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Environmental Studies    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Planning    9. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    10. United States    11. Wetlands Conservation    12. Deltas, estuaries, coastal regions    13. Management of land & natural resources    14. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    15. USA