Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. General    3. Geology (General)    4. Reference    5. Reference And Information Services    6. Rocks & Minerals    7. Reference / General    8. Reference works    9. Rocks, minerals & fossils   

Reviews (1)

An Admirable and Admiring Scientific Tribute
Southerners hate fire ants.Let alone that they are convinced that fire ants ruin land and ravage gardens: fire ants hurt.Anyone stung by just one knows that they deserve their name, but so often people are not stung by just one, but by a cluster.So it is alarming to find a southerner who ardently feels another way about the creatures."I love fire ants," is the first sentence in chapter one of _The Fire Ants_ (The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press) by Walter R. Tschinkel, who says he has written it for "professional biologists and for people still open-minded enough to be intrigued, charmed, or fascinated by the many results of biological research on fire ants."Besides, the stings aren't so bad.He cites the Pain Rating Scale of Justin O. Schmidt, a venom specialist.Bullet ants get a 4+ rating ("like walking over flaming charcoal with a three inch nail imbedded in your heel") but fire ants muster only a 1.2 ("Like walking across a shag carpet and reaching for a light switch."I think he understates!)People who are allergic to stings of insects must beware, but even thousands of stings don't do any real damage: "Inebriated persons using a fire-ant 'bed' have sustained over 5000 fire-ant stings without signs of general toxicity (other than that of alcohol)."That sort of writing is typical of the amused, light touch that Tschinkel has brought to a 700 page, three pound volume which Edward O. Wilson declares in the foreword "a masterpiece".(Wilson was responsible, in 1962, for steering Tschinkel from biochemistry and organic chemistry to his current studies.)
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Subjects:  1. Fire ants    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Insects (entomology)    8. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (4)

Informative and beautiful guide...lots & lots of color photos!
I highly reccomend this guide book for anyone who is into rocks, stones, minerals and gems.
a great handbook but a cheap binding
This is the definitive handbook for the rockhound.Nicely updated with more and better pictures to help in identification of rocks and minerals.Too bad that Peterson's decided to save a nickel on the binding -- my copyof "Rocks and Minerals" was splitting out within a week. Excellent book for serious rock hounds & geology students
This book is arranged according to the mineral classifications, which isgood if you know your minerals.The mineral testing section (flame tests,bead tests, etc.) is not found in very many field guides.As aprofessional Geologist, I would recommend this to other geologists, not torock hounds.The National Audubon Society's field guide is better for rockhounds; there are more photos and they are arranged by color.TheAudubon's minerals are still by classification, but the testing informationis not included. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mineralogy    2. Mineralogy, Determinative    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Rocks    6. Rocks & Minerals    7. Nature / Rocks & Minerals    8. Petrology    9. Rocks, minerals & fossils   

Reviews (38)

Well written story of an almost forgotten tragedy
This is a very well written story about the tragedy of the 1938 hurricane that, without warnning, hit Long Island and the coast of New England.This hurricane changed the look of shore lines, islands and lives.It wiped out entire families, left a school bus driver forever haunted by the loss of all the children in his care, and yet miraculously spared others while destroying everything around them. This is a good book that tells a story of struggle, courage, loss, and survival.

An interesting read despite some flaws
R.A. Scotti presents a riveting account of the 1938 hurricane that slammed into Long Island and then wreaked havoc in New England.The strength of this book lies with the personal accounts of the survivors, including the rich and famous such as Katherine Hepburn, as well as everyday people such as frightened children at a party fleeing to an attic to escape the rising waters, passengers on a train crowded into forward cabins as waves eroded the rail bed, and numerous coastal residents caught unaware by the storm.
Bought it for a weather nerd, ended up reading it myself!
I bought this book for my husband, the Weather Channel junkie. (If you know anyone who watches Storm Stories, this is the *perfect* gift for them.) But when I glanced inside, I was immediately drawn into the sheer human drama of this awful storm. The prose is elegant and not too ornate; sometimes a more spare approach is just what's needed. The story is shocking and amazing all by itself, without elaboration. Hubby got the book eventually, but not until I finished it!
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. History    3. Hurricanes    4. Natural Disasters    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Northeastern States    9. United States - 20th Century    10. Weather    11. Nature / Natural Disasters   

Reviews (6)

Shorebirds of North America by Dennis Paulson
Shorebirds of North America is a keeper! Absolutely stunning pictures showing virtually every bird in flight as well as on the ground in a multitude of plumages. The interesting, informative, well written descriptions make this a better arm-chair book, than field book.
Great Reference for Birders
The book covers 94 species of shorebirds for North America including familiar species and rarities.
No Herons, ducks or anything other than Sandpiper-like birds...
I was thinking this book would cover everything that you would typically find near salt water and marshes, like Herons, Ducks, Widgeons, Loons, Geese, Gulls, etc.It only covers a very narrow range of sandpiper, plover and stints.
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    3. Identification    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Ornithology    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Nature/Ecology    8. North America    9. Pictorial works    10. Pictorical works    11. Shore birds    12. Antiques & Collectibles / General    13. Biological Sciences    14. Birds & birdwatching    15. Birds and Natural History   

Reviews (7)

About the Best Currently, but Could Be Improved
First let me say that in general I find this book excellent, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the mammalian fauna of Africa.
Outstanding Guide
This guide book is simply one of the best regional mammal guide books in existance. As well as providing good descriptions of the mammals, it looks at them in the context of their evolutionary history. It does contain a few errors, as is to be expected in a book of this scope. For example, servals are reported from Egypt, where, as far as I am aware, they have not been recorded in historic times. Overall, however, the book is outstanding.I used it throughout a 14-month trip to Africa and it never let me down.

A very useful guide with many lovely illustrations
This is a great reference for animals, the guide may not be as thorough as some, but in my opinion, it's thorough enough for the average person..and then some. It has detailed information on the animals it lists, and goes beyond many field guides in this respect. I definitely recommend this book for someone who wants a useful book, loaded with well-drawn color pictures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Identification    3. Mammals    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Pictorial works    7. Wildlife    8. Biological Sciences    9. Birds and Natural History    10. Nature / Mammals   

Subjects:  1. Flowers    2. Identification    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Pictorial works    7. South Atlantic States    8. Wild flowers    9. Nature / Flowers   

Reviews (10)

Massive Monograph of All the World's Parrots.
There have been 7 editions of this landmark work by Joseph Forshaw and William Cooper that I know of, all of which are out of print. Shopping for a copy of "Parrots of the World" on the secondary market can be confusing. The book was originally published in 1973 and had 584 pages. Landsdowne Press was the Australian publisher (ISBN 0701800240), and Doubleday was the US publisher (ISBN 0385056281). In 1977, TFH Publications, with the cooperation of Doubleday, published another edition that is distinguished by not having a dust jacket (ISBN 0876669593). The cover artwork is part of the slick, white cover. Ease of locating and identifying the illustrations was improved. A year later, in 1978, TFH further improved upon the book by expanding the indices. The 1978 edition has the same ISBN and cover art as the 1977 edition, but says"Improved 1978 Edition" on the cover. A "Revised Second Edition" with 616 pages came in 1980 (ISBN 0701806907) from Eastview Editions. A "Revised Third Edition" was published by Avian Publications in 1989 (ISBN 0701828005). The 3rd edition has 672 pages and includes new plates illustrating differences in the plumage of mature and immature birds. Second and third editions were also published in Australia, and perhaps the UK, with different publishers and ISBNs. In 2000, a "Limited Edition", still with 672 pages, was published by Avian books. All of the editions (not including the foreign editions) have different cover art. All have dust jackets except the 1977 and 1978 editions.
The quintessential parrot reference
It's unfortunate that this book is out of print, as it's a parrot fanatic's ultimate reference to parrots in the wild. Beautifully illustrated with full-color plates, it covers every known species of parrot, and some that are sadly extinct since its printing. It provides information on all aspects of psittacines in the wild as far as they are known, from size to range to breeding habits to habitat, but it's really the illustrations that make this book so valuable. If you're at all interested in wild parrots, this book is among the best.

Note the size!
If you are a collector of books on parrots, and simply must have them all, then by all means get this book.Otherwise, beware, this is a large book that does not fit on an average height bookshelf!It also has the look and feel of an older book, compared to some of the many fancy guides that have come out in recent years. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Nature / Field Guide Books    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Birds & birdwatching   

Subjects:  1. Biodiversity conservation    2. Biological diversity conservat    3. Birds    4. Birds & Birdwatching - General    5. Conservation    6. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    7. Environmental Science    8. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    9. Nature    10. Nature / Field Guide Books    11. Nature/Ecology    12. Wildlife    13. Birds, Protection of    14. Conservation of wildlife & habitats    15. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (1)

Oft Quoted; Seldom Read
I'm a bit surprised to be the first reviewer of this classic. When I began my career in Wildlife Management over 30 years ago I was surprised at how many people quoted this work, but admitted to have not actually read it. I had read it in graduate school and was amazed at how prescient Leopold had been. He accurately predicted where Wildlife Management would go in the future and what would be necessary for success. (As a side note, Leopold used the two word term `Wild Life' meaning plants, animals, the soil; i.e. ecosystems. The term was changed to one word by the Wisconsin Legislature and defined as certain animals only.)
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Game and game-birds    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Wildlife Management    6. Animal husbandry    7. Management of land & natural resources   

Subjects:  1. Nature / Field Guide Books    2. Popular works    3. Radio Astronomy    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Star Observation    6. Non-Classifiable   

Editorial Review

Pink dolphins--and yes, in the Amazon River the flamingo-colored mammals do exist--are believed by Brazilians and Peruvians to take human form, impregnate women, lure lovers to an underwater paradise, and in various ways drive those who encounter them mad. They seem to have worked their magic on science writer Sy Montgomery, who journeys through rain forests and sunken cities in a mad-dash pursuit of the enigmatic creatures. Read more

Reviews (22)

Fascinating but Frustrating
As someone who's interested in the Amazon, its people, culture, geography, fauna, flora and other subjects, I read this book for its fascinating topic.However, this is a very mixed bag.There are moving sections, as when she describes the genocide perpetrated against the native peoples by Europeans (you would not believe the atrocities and torture they visited the Indians, whom they considered lower than animals - much worse in its ferocity than the Holocaust of WWII).The writing can be quite bad at times (at one point, her powers of description comes up with a fruit she tried, "bitter as semen").But the worse is, she seems to be a very bad science writer and researcher.Who edited this book?Certainly not people versed in science or Portuguese.She gets everything in Portuguese wrong.The scientific names and terms are often misspelled.Proceed with caution.

enchanting travelogue and work of natural history
I loved this book! Sy Montgomery is a talented writer, able to put you in exotic places with vivid descriptions, I almost felt I was in the Amazon. She really brought it to life, I look forward to reading another book of hers I have purchased, "Search for the Golden Moon Bear." Amazonian vacation
This is one of those books to read when you don't have the money and/or time to actually travel the planet.I enjoyed that Sy both had a grasp of biology and is a truly talented author.She also obviously cares about the socioeconomic situation of the peoples who live in the area that her biological studies took her.This book transports you into a magical world in which pink dolphins inhabit rivers in a mystical jungle.Sometimes the truth is better than fiction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amazon River Region    2. Animals    3. Boto    4. Description and travel    5. Latin America - South America    6. Mammals    7. Marine Life    8. Nature    9. Nature / Field Guide Books    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Nature / Animals   

Reviews (1)

An independent study offering in-depth analysis of modern zoology
Sailing With Noah: Stories From The World Of Zoos by Jeffrey P. Bonner (President and CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo) is an expansive and entertaining collection of true stories and informed ideals of what is to come for future generations of zoos and the animals they house. An independent study offering in-depth analysis of modern zoology, Sailing With Noah provides its readers the perspective of a thoroughly experienced and thoughtful zoo-master. Sailing With Noah is very highly recommended reading, ideal for non-specialist general readers with an interest in animals, environmental conservation, global biology, and zoology.
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Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Animal Rights    3. Animals    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Zoos    8. Zoos & wildlife parks   

Reviews (2)

Wow, what a great find
I recently aquired this book and inside, you'll find a sintilating selection of latin names and meanings of all the animals you study and love.Things that make common sense and others that will blow your mind.Things that you have to memorize for classes become easy when you read their meanings and roots.Excellent for trying to remember the scientific names of all animals.From parrots to lizards to gerbils, you'll find it all here.Big book!

A Plethora of Information for Anyone in Love with Zoology
I first saw this book in my high school library about 2 years ago.Assoon as I laid eyes on it, I knew that I had to get it.Now a sophomore incollege, for as long as I can remember, Zoology for me was the mostinteresting thing to study.But there was always this obstacle of notbeing able to fully participate in the "-ology" of the"zoa," if you will, due to me not understanding most of the Latinlanguage.One thing I will say about this book, is that not only does itremove this hinderance, but it also showed me how many english words havetheir roots in Latin, the most common ones in my opinion being dent=teeth,pod=foot and derm=skin.Anyway, I can go on forever, but I'll stop here.If you are interested in Animals, this book is definitely for you!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. General    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    4. Mammals    5. Nature    6. Nature / Field Guide Books    7. Nomenclature    8. Reference    9. Reptiles    10. Science    11. Taxonomic Zoology    12. Vertebrates    13. Taxonomy & systematics    14. Zoology & animal sciences   

Reviews (3)

Of beasts and bureacracies
This is a delightful book. From the dust jacket to the illustrations and index, it is beautifully produced. The author, standing on the left in the dust jacket photo, provides an important inside look at life in the zoo. Robinson's career as a field biologist and zoo veterinarian at the world famous Zoological Society of San Diego provide him great insights into the minds of beasts and bureaucracies. Much of this book is will be great interest to historians of animal collections and veterinary medicine for exotics. However, any dedicated zoo patron will find this account rich and the book will reach a very broad audience among students of animal behavior, aspiring veterinarians, animal lovers and zoo keepers. The anecdotes are lively and poignant, and will resonant with those who have worked behind the scenes in similar facilities. I especially liked the tale of the infamous Ken Allen, an orangutan Houdini!
Witty, Funny and Infomed Look at Zoos
"Life at the Zoo" opened up the zoo world for me and provided a long and candid glimpse into how zoos function. Before reading this book I couldn't imagine how anyone could begin to provide medical care for such a diverse population of animals. I got the feeling that I was looking over the fence, peeking through the cracks and peering over the shoulder of veterinarians, animal keepers and visitors. The author writes authoritatively about what animals experience in zoos and the grave responsibility that zoo personnel have in nurturing and protecting them from both people and themselves. I appreciated the parts that discussed wildlife conservation and ethics, and others about the construction of zoo exhibits and some of the nuts, including employees, who frequent zoos. This book made me a better informed zoo visitor. I now have more of a sense of purpose and understanding when I go to my zoo. One of the high points was the author's dry sense of humor and unassuming way of sharing his experiences. Anyone who likes animals and who is curious about the role of zoos in wildlife conservation will find this valuable.
Bibliography's the highpoint
As a zoo docent, I've read better books on related topics such as Hancocks' A Different Nature, and would give this 3 stars personally but maybe a 4 for the general public. In fact, Hancocks' book though published two years earlier has more current info on a couple specifics but it's also more academic in style.
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Subjects:  1. Life Sciences - Zoology - General    2. Science    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Zoos    5. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    6. Wild animals    7. Zoos & wildlife parks   

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Europe    5. Great Britain    6. Identification    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Birds & birdwatching    11. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    5. California    6. Identification    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Birds & birdwatching    11. Nature / General   

Reviews (5)

Not quite worthless, but almost
I took this guide to Oaxaca to carry in the field, as the Howell guide is so heavy.I almost threw it over the cliff at Monte Alban.It will help you remember which euphonia is which, but for anything more subtly marked it is almost no help at all.Furthermore, there are no range maps, no details on alternate plumages, little to no information on vocalizations.I would have done better to bring the old Peterson guide, even though it is out of date.

Substandard in almost every regard
To be sure, this field guide is better than having no field guide.If birds posed for observation, it would be a great field guide.But for the real world this guide is disorganized in text and illustrations beyond excuse.I'm not sure this is the author's fault.It may be due to the publisher cutting costs.Still, no excuse.A birder will pay a premium for a great field guide.Illustrations are jammed together on each plate with no regard to proportionate size, or to other birds on that plate.For example, kingfishers are intermixed with trogons, motmots, swallows and woodpeckers on 3 separate plates.The amazon kingfisher is on one plate; the similar green kingfisher is 2 plates later.Quick comparison is impossible.Seven trogons are together on one plate, but the elegant trogon is 2 plates later.Some woodpeckers are on each of plates 20, 21 & 22; the imperial woodpecker is on plate 45.First I cried, then I laughed.

Nice pictures, but disorganized
This book has what Peterson's "Mexican Birds" lacks: good colour pictures of (nearly) all birds of Mexico and adjacent areas and their Spanish names. However, the presentation of the pictures is a mishmash. The descriptions of the birds are not detailed but very short. It is a pity that there is no information about the behaviour of the birds, often very important for identification. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Central America    5. Identification    6. Nature    7. Nature / Field Guide Books    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Ornithology    10. Belize    11. Birds & birdwatching    12. Mexico    13. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (3)

Dated, but still a classic
I have got the 1959 edition, but have the feeling the book has not changed much since then. In 1959 this was an above-average book aimed at the general public. It illustrates the woods treated by distribution maps, botanical line drawings and black-and-white photographs. Content was pretty good, with the names, both scientific and trade names, very much in order.
Know your Woods? Not after reading this book
I don't understand why anyone would publish a book anymore with black and white illustrations. I know this is supposed to be a classic and all that so it's my own fault for not checking when I read the description. I don't even know why I'm keeping it; I'll never read it. You have to wade through tons of technical jargon and lengthy chapters that would be much better served by some large color photographs. Maybe that makes me shallow, I don't know, but there are much more 'complete guides' out there on this topic these days.

Know Your Woods: A Complete Guide
This book seems to be complete and informative for basic information about the subject matter.It is a good reference for basic information.The reader must look elsewhere for detailed information (such as would be of interest to engineers, scientists, and luthiers). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. General    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Timber    7. Trees    8. Trees & Forests - General    9. Veneers and veneering    10. Wood    11. Forestry & related industries    12. Nature / General   

Reviews (2)

Basslets, Dottybacks and Hawkfishes: Plus Seven More Aqarium Fish Families
Another great book on Reef Fishes by Scott Michael.He covers common as wellas rarely seen fishes and tells all that is know about these guys including foods, reproduction, habitat and aquarium care.This is a must have for Marine Aquarists!!Great Book!!

Great Book for the Aquarist or Diver!
Scott Michael continues his Reef Fishes series with this excellent book.The gorgeous photographs allow easy identification, often including multiple photos for color variations due to location, sex, etc.It also includes information on maximum length, distribution, and biology useful to both divers and aquarists, as well as captive care and aquarium suitability ratings.This volume along with the others in the series are a must have for any serious marine aquarist, as well as any diver interested in ID'ing and learning about coral reef fishes.Highly recommended!Read more

Subjects:  1. Fish & Aquariums    2. General    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Pets    6. Sea & seashore life