Editorial Review

Concise and yet packed with detail, Read more

Reviews (121)

The void of the mind...
Some of us are adrenalin junkies. We need to feel the rush, the tension and the accomplishment that comes with scaling 21,000-foot mountains, such as the Siula Grande. Then there are people like me, who would rather read of other's accounts of such incredible experiences. And Joe Simpson reaches your psyche in ways few other writers could. Part of it is just the knowledge and fearful horror of what he went through -- realizing that not only did he make it through the experience, but that he was able to articulate such inexpressible fears and feelings in such a vivid, moving way. Of course one can never truly understand what Joe Simpson experienced, but when one reads his words and begin to let your mind wonder into the "void", isn't the book as close as anyone would want to get? This vicarious adventurer says yes, yes, God yes.

Good survival story
This book is worth reading & Joe Simpson is without a doubt a great writer. I do recommend this book if you like survival / adventure stories.
Climb, Joe, Climb!!!
True Story of overcoming the mind and the mountain.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Case studies    4. General    5. Great Britain    6. Huayhuash, Cordillera    7. Mountaineering    8. Mountaineers    9. Peru    10. Search and rescue operations    11. Simpson, Joe    12. Special Interest - Adventure    13. Sports    14. Sports & Recreation    15. Sports - General    16. Yates, Simon    17. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Reviews (3)

Schaum's Outline of Genetics
It is very informative and a great reference for the study of genetics and related studies.
best genetics text available
The Stansfield/Elrod outline remains as comprehensive as any of the intro to genetics textbooks currently available.At about 10-15% the cost of the "standard" texts, this outline delivers the same material with more clarity, and often more accuracy.The concepts of classical genetics, which often prove more challenging for students than molecular aspects, are covered admirably in this book.While those who enjoy colorful illustration and pastel text boxes might be disappointed, the b&w figures in this book are extremely clear, logical and most importantly helpful towards learning the material.No solution manual or supplemental CD-ROM is required.Highly recommended as a reference, or as a text for general genetics classes.

real bargain
Comparable in scope, clarity, completeness, and accuracy to any of the very expensive general genetics texts currently available.And with this one there's nothing else to buy...no study guides, solution manuals, cd's or supplemental websites are required.The book stands alone, and does so for less than half the price of the solution manual for most texts.Particularly strong is the coverage of classical genetics, which can often be more difficult to grasp than the more modern "molecular" concepts of the science.Highly recommended for self-study, as a reference, or as a supplement to any genetics textbook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Biology - General    3. Problems, exercises, etc    4. Study & Teaching    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Genetic engineering    8. Genetics (non-medical)    9. Medical / Genetics   

Reviews (2)

Very dissatisfied with this seller
I purchased a textbook on May 11 and it supposedly shipped on May 15, 2006.It is now June 2 and I have yet to receive this order.I do not believe that it takes 21 days for a book to arrive.What is even more infuriating is that the seller has ignored all my e-mails regarding my order.I definitely have every intention of letting Amazon know just how poorly this seller treats customers and I expect that Amazon will have to refund my money because these people won't even acknowledge a customer once they have your money.I WILL NEVER BUY FROM THIS SELLER AGAIN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

A great book covering everything
This textbook is one of the best scientific books I have seen.Not only does it cover earth science (like geology), but astronomy and meteorology also.It covers every topic that you possibly want to know about.The authors leave no information out.I had to use this for Science Olympiad, and it helped me so much.The explanations are great, the images beautiful, and the diagrams very helpful.I would suggest this for anyone that has an interest in Earth Science or Meteorology.It is a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geography    2. Earth Sciences - Geology    3. Earth sciences    4. Geology (General)    5. Geophysics    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Science / Geophysics   

Reviews (8)

KIds love it
I bought this on a whim because my children love dinosaurs right now (just like all kids I guess).It's become a bedtime favorite of theirs.
Great Book For Dinosaur Lovers.
My son loves these books.He laughs and giggles the whole way through.The fact that she puts all the names of the dinosaurs hidden in the pictures for the parents to see is great.It gives me an answer for the inevitable "what kind is that one, mom?"
Great book!
I was worried these board books wouldn't be as good as the large hard cover Dinosaur books, but they are just as charming. The illustrations are great. They are about half as long though. My 3 1/2 yr old loves all the Yolen dinosaur books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures    2. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    3. Children: Preschool    4. Concepts - General    5. Dinosaurs    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Health & Daily Living - Daily Activities    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Orderliness    11. Preschool Concepts    12. Stories in rhyme    13. Yolen, Jane    14. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / General   

Reviews (11)

Fantastic insect key
I purchased this book mostly as an insect key. It is organized well, and has a very extensive key, easy to understand, and covers a broad spectrum. If you are interested in insect ID or collection, or just want some information about them, this is a great book to get. Depending on your interests, I would also recommend the "Forest Entomology, Ecology and Management" book written by Coulson & Witter.

Important for both biologists and non-biologists
Everything about insects is fascinating, and this book gives a comprehensive overview of their behavior, anatomy, and classification. For non-experts in entomology, such as this reviewer, the book provides the necessary background for further study. Topics such as the molecular genetics of insects and the genetic engineering of insects are not covered, but there are plenty of other books that treat these topics in detail. Only the first four chapters were read by this reviewer, but only chapter four will be discussed here.
Still an essential insect text despite a half-hearted update
Borror and Delong's weighty "Introduction to the Study of Insects" enters its 7th edition as the standard text for students of North American insect taxonomy. This latest edition is brought up to date by Charles Triplehorn and Norman Johnson after a 15 year gap.
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Subjects:  1. Entomology    2. Insects    3. Insects & Spiders    4. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science    8. United States    9. Science / Entomology   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (8)

Easy Read
This was very easy to read and extremely informative book.Couldn't put it down until I finished it.
John Lyons IS the best horse in the paddock!
As a professional horse trainer who lives her craft, I give John Lyons a TON of credit for making me the horsewoman I am today. John is known as America's Most Trusted Horseman and I'll take it a step further and call him the guy who writes THE how-to books on training. John's not a bells and whistles kind of guy, just one heck of a great trainer. If you purchase only one book on horse training, I suggest this reasonably priced book that beautiflly illustrates how John builds a foundation of trust and respect. If you are able to apply the basic principles illustrated, you will be able to improve any horse, regardless of age or experience - and I mean that for both you and your horse. The book features 20 progressive ground-work lessons to develop your horse into a reliable, accepting partner. I Give It 4 Hooves Up!

Good Book
I have this book and have used some of the things in it. It's not really what I need for my horse. She's two, really hyper, green and distracted. The instruction in the book is great. I just needed more of a detailed...do this, this might happen, fix it like this...book. I'm new at this. She's the first horse I've tried to train. I've been around horses for most of my life but training is alot different I'm learning. I have a new baby horse on the way though and I know this will be an invaluable resource for training her(or him). Along with Dr. Miller's Imprint Training. I would recommend this book. But I have really found alot of help in Clinton Anderson's new book. With all these books combined my horse and I are doing good and I know we'll both learn alot. It's a good book and valuable addition to anyone's library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Horses    3. Horses - Riding    4. Human-animal communication    5. Pets    6. Training    7. HORSES_TRAINING    8. Pets / Horses / Riding   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (20)

A great guide to getting out of a survival situation.
Unless something is wrong with you, your goal when thrust into a survival situation is to get out of it as fast as you can. That is the premise of this book. You won't find detailed instructions on building and using a fire bow. You won't find recomendations on the biggest, baddest knife. The one used in the book has about a 4 inch blade and retails for less than $20. You will find practicle suggestions for fire. You will also find suggestions on assembling a survival kit that's thorough but not enormous. There is scientific discussion on the human body's reaction to the environment. All of this is presented in a humorous style. The book focuses on preparation for a survival situation and how to get out of it. Not learning flint knapping, snare building, dead falls, etc. I found the book informative and easy to read. Those offended by the few cartoon characters should get a life.

98.6 Rates a 100%
Down to earth, straight forward, factual, No BS here.
Much better titles out there
Besides the dedication to "all Beings of Light," living "within a conscious understanding of our true Selves" and his gratitude for "all the Ascended and Cosmic Ones, to all the Archangels, Archeia, and angels, elementals, and Elohim"... and his characters "Elvis Parsley, Willy Nilly" and others, by the time you weed through all his flakey or cutesie fluff content, the meat on the bone is practical and useful, but lost.By three chapters in, I truly felt like I had wasted my time.
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Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Outdoor Skills    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Wilderness survival    6. Health & Fitness / Health Care Issues    7. Sports & Outdoor Recreation    8. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (1373)

Fast paced, educating account of extreme mountaineering
Mr. Krakauer's account of the deadly trip to the top of Mt. Everest has a credibility to the story that many other action filled, non-fiction works have.Due mostly to the fact that Mr. Krakauer was a reporter who was there, a member of a team who witnessed the way the disaster unfolded in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world.His book is a chronicle of the things that went wrong with the expedition, things that were red-flags to those there but were not heeded.Some of the book deals with the commercialization of Everest, where if you have the money, you can find a guide that will risk your life, his life and others lives to get you to the top.Some of those who died were Everest guides, people who knew the signs of things going wrong, yet they still made the fateful decision of pressing on for the summit.Part of the book, about Beck Weathers is amazing and does give some hope to the extents and abuse the human body can take with a certain frame of mind.Albeit, it cost him his hands and part of his face, the fact that he survived is amazing none-the-less.
Read "The Climb," too...
I give "Above Thin Air" 5 stars because it is a magnificently written work about Everest, but Krakauer's venom towards Anatoli Boukreev was and is inexplicable when the facts of that night are laid bare.
Non-Fiction at Its Best
I couldn't put this book down. To be honest with you, I rarely enjoy non-fiction, yet the way with which Krakauer creates tension - something that most likely is not that difficult as Everest on its own is a formidable place - is as effective as some of the best fiction writers out there. I was also impressed with how he was able to situate the expedition and the characters involved within the rich tradition of Everest mountaineering. His descriptions of Hall and Fischer are remarkable and he has immortalized them for the general public as they have been immortalized with climbers for years. I also like the way with which Krakauer is honest about what he is and is not sure about concerning his account. Being above 26,000 ft. makes it very difficult to be sure of what took place. Overall, I was quite impresed with this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    4. Krakauer, Jon    5. Mountaineering    6. Mountaineering accidents    7. Mountaineering expeditions    8. Specific Groups - General    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Reviews (142)

Great book for truth seekers!
This book is a great introduction to some of the major scientific challenges to the theory of Darwinian Evolution.
Does Evolution Rest Upon Scientific Evidence or a Philosophy of Naturalism?
Darwin on Trial was responsible for alerting many among the public and in the scientific community to the deficiencies of Darwinism. UC Berkeley law professor Phillip E. Johnson applies his skills as an analyzer of evidence to ask if Darwin's theory holds up to scrutiny.
Interesting presentation of creationist viewpoint
Were a plumber or an an auto mechanic to look for supernatural causes behind a pipe clog or engine problem, you might think his skills questionable.But according to this book, if a biologist is not willing to accept supernatural causes for the origin of species, he is imposing anti-religious views on the rest of us.As with most conservative thinkers, Johnson seems intent on splitting the country into two halves.Those who think like him are good and believe in God, those who do not are atheists who believe in evolution.While this has worked well for conservatives on political issues, it is less effective in this case since it is rather clear that many if not most of the scientists supporting evolution are Christians, not atheists as Johnson insists.It is one of many lapses in this poorly written and overrated book.His contention that the US is a Christian country which at best tolerates other religious viewpoints suggests that he looks on the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion as simply a suggestion.It also has nothing to do with evolutionary theory and everything to do with the author's own prejudices.Johnson feels that any unexplained gap in evolution supports the theory of an intelligent designer by default.For Johnson, if the theory of evolution cannot shed like on everything instantly, it sheds light on nothing.The author feels that as a Christian it is inappropriate to tolerate any suggestion of a natural explanation for creation of the universe, creation of the earth, or the creation of man.Johnson's view seems to be that certain things related to Christian theology should be off limits to ANY sort of scientific examination.In spite of the failings of the author, the publisher has presented the book well.The physical quality is quite good and belies the sloppiness of the writing.I am not sure if this is the best place to get an understanding of the thinking behind the anti-evolution movement but I think it is a good place to start.I suspect the muddled and misguided presentation of the author is endemic to this type of book.It is also an outgrowth of the book's basic conceit, that a lawyer can provide objective insights into science.In fact, scientists may pretend to objectivity but lawyers specialize in advocacy and this book presents a lawyer at his worst.He misreads evolutionary theory as meaningless.In fact it provides a predictive model.Organisms are the sum total of both ancestral characteristics and those variations which permit the organism to function and survive within its environment. It is a fundamental point that gives the theory its strength, something which Johnson either does not understand or choses to ignore.Unfortunately, there is no voice to correct him.If Johnson proves anything, it is that when he is permitted to provide the defense, he can win any prosecution.Putting a dead man on trial with no voice raised in his defense: this must be an attorney's dream come true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Evolution (Biology)    2. Life Sciences - Evolution    3. Philosophy    4. Religion    5. Science    6. Evolution    7. Philosophy of religion   

Reviews (4)

Great Text For Environmental Design Management ! Flawless!
I live, study and work in the New York Tri-State region and this book is pretty great because the author also lived, worked and studied in the same region. Whats good about that? The Human Development and Expliotation is our region is very diverse and often connects directly with other prominent regions around the globe. The author basically covers alot of legalities, origins, design principles, and field work analysis really well.
GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING BOOK
GREAT!!!!!

94 S: Excellent Resource, Environmental Health professionals
I have just reviewed the ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SANITATION 1994SUPPLEMENT, by Joseph A. Salvato and Joe E. Beck.It's a great resourcefor professionals seeking a broader vision of environmental health practiceareas and where we are heading.Prof. Beck obviously put a lot of workinto conceptualizing this volume and working with the distinguishedcontributors.It shows. In particular, I found the first chapter,Stakeholder Focused Interactive Planning (SFIP)by Joe Beck and Steven Isonto be a brilliant piece on the desirability of (indeed, the imperative forour profession to) include the public in problem-solving and planning.Ihave used this process and mediated disputes ranging from sitingcontroversies (haz. waste facility siting in Massachusetts) to determiningfuture land use options at Hanford in the nuclear weapons complex.Icommend both Beck and Ison for their clear portrayal of the paradigm aswell as the steps one undertakes in conducting such planning.Federalgovernment engineers and planners have been learning the hard way aboutwhat happens when decisions are made without public input and withoutregard to the values, interests, and expectations of so-calledstakeholders.At Hanford, more than $20 billion in appropriations hasyielded preciously little in terms of actual cleanup:one may wonder ifCongress will continue to appropriate the substantial $6 billion a year forthe Dept. of Energy's Environmental Management Program without consensus ofthe public on #1) the benefits or #2) the ameliorated risks from presentexpenditures.Current stakeholders come from a wide range of publicinterest groups and they do not get along particularly well.They do nothave current programs or projects that reflect the use of the SFIP andresearchers should be asking themselves, "Why not?" (Resourcesfor the Future [RFF] has an on-going research project that tackles publicparticipation in environmental decision making).Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Engineering & Technology    2. Environmental Engineering (General)    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental engineering    5. Environmental health    6. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    7. Sanitary engineering    8. Sanitation    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    13. Sanitary & municipal engineering    14. Technology / Environmental   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction    2. Construction - General    3. Design and construction    4. Engineering - Civil    5. Environmental Engineering & Technology    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Water Supply And Treatment    10. Water treatment plants    11. Technology / Environmental    12. Water supply & treatment   

Reviews (13)

Really essential
Quite a bit of good info here although Nigel does let his rather strong opinions shine through in some areas.Smile.

Nearly best book
After my 22000 nautical miles bluewater sailing and cruising life still I feel myself really beginner.
Great book
Lot's of sailing info packed into one book. Covers many different aspects of sailing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Navigation    4. Sailboats    5. Sailing    6. Sailing - General    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation    9. Travel    10. Sports & Recreation / Boating    11. Cruising    12. Seamanship   

Reviews (12)

Plan B
Fred Pearce provides a current and thorough accounting of the travestries of water mismanagement throughout the globe.Plan A groups the grandiose and expensive plans of water engineers to impound and transfer water that have already failed or soon will fail [e.g. "water flows uphill to money"]
Afoundation to our future
A scientific travelogue, engaging both in the author's personal approach and the wealth of information it contains. Highly readable; the message is both clear and alarming:we have soiled our home, have lost sight of our stewardship, and immediate action is needed.Continuing neglect, indifference, and procrastination will be irreversible.Not a shrill or alarmist messenger, the author provides practical interventions both for the individual and on a larger, political scale.The concern is that, embedded in the present, broader cacophany of blame and distraction, the book will be overlooked.Read this book.You owe it to yourself and the future to not sit on the sidelines.

Sponge of Damocles
For those concerned about the frightening state of the world's fresh water supplies, this book is a treasure of information and viewpoints on why humanity should start getting extremely worried about the issue. Fred Pearce has traveled the world to report on water supply horror stories (and a few success stories), with the theme of river health and long-term human usage. This book turns out to have a similar effect for the reader as others on the subject, which dutifully report on who in the world doesn't have enough water to drink and the potential human consequences. (Though this one probably has the most specific examples.) Pearce does give his book a bit of an edge by finding some unique insights into the social and economic problems that are leading us all down a sinkhole of disappearing water.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Natural Resources    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Water Supply    6. Water resources development    7. Water-supply    8. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (3)

The Military and Police Sniper by Mike Lau
This is an outstanding book jammed with information for both the novice and master shooter alike. I constantly review sections though I read the book a few years ago.Subjects include what makes a rifle a precision weapon, ammunition, optics, position, the difference between military and police sniping, etc. It's definately a keeper.

The Military and Police Sniper
I would reccomend this for the learning sniper.

Excellent book on this subject
If you are a person who has an interest in Military and Police sniping you must read this book. Together with the book written by Major John L. Plaster 'The Ultimate Sniper'this book offers a good insight in how things work and how things are done to function as a sniper. A lot of practical tips are added in this book. As you go through the book you understand how much the author 'Michael Lau' knows about the subject and how much experience he has in the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    2. Political Science    3. Politics/International Relations    4. Shooting   

Editorial Review

Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. Read more

Reviews (5)

Masterful, Encyclopedic Guide Full of Helpful Photos
Rick Darke's book is typical of his work. It is extremely well written, a detailed, very thorough guide to ornamental grasses, full of helpful pictures as well as information on growing and maintaining grasses. This book should be a classic for decades to come.

Absolutely Fantastic
This is such a wonderful informational book... AND ... a gorgeous coffee table book. It is terrific from beginning to end! If you like or are interested in, or even thinking about Ornamental Grasses ... then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I can't imagine anyone who has an interest in Ornamental Grasses NOT LOVING THIS BOOK, and would be delighted they purchased it. My only concern is that it is going to look dog-earred from my reading it over and over and over again ... which frankly takes away from its beauty on our coffee table.

Buy 2 copies...
This book is structured, written, photographed and edited with parallel purpose and effect: communication of the author's respect and regard for the book's subject and for its readers. Mr. Darke sets out to inform and does so with enconomy but in full course; when he instructs, he teaches the novice and gives pause to the critic; when he photographs he shows his passion and inspires with the nature and wonder of his subjects. The book is encyclopedic, yet its prose is always to the point with the agreeable dryness of a good, well-bodied wine. Credible, trustworthy, enlightening. This is the best gardening book I have ever read. Negatives? Only one: Mr. Darke's standards are unimpeachable; those of the book's typographer and designer, however, are not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Grasses    7. Ornamental Plants    8. Ornamental grasses    9. Pictorial works    10. Plants - Grasses    11. Reference    12. Gardening / Flowers / Perennials    13. Gardening: plants   

Reviews (3)

Difficult to Read
Well there is no doubt that this book contains a large amount of information, it CANNOT be used as an introductory text.It is much to difficult to comprehend, and Wetzel makes absolutely no effort to teach the concepts.Here merely presents a synthesis of limnological research.

Good as a Limnology Primer
This is an excellent general reference text. Can not say enough about the excellent content of this text. But it is need of an edition update with information for lake mapping and restoration.Dr. C.L. Nelson of St. CloudState University, St. Cloud, MN has an excellent small text on physicallimnology for the mapping aspect. This book does do an excellent job on thebiological aspects of limnological work.

My view of the Wetzel's limnology book
The book contains a lot of information related to lakes. It�s a complete work about the conditions on this systems. Include a study about the performance of the ionic particles in this systems. It�s a suitable bookfor students like me, to understand the freshwater ecology. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lakes & Ponds    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    3. Life Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems    4. Limnology    5. Rivers    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Freshwater biology, limnology    9. Hydrology (freshwater)    10. Technology / Fisheries & Aquaculture   

Reviews (2)

One of the Classic's
Once and awhile a book comes along that touches your senses and raises your emotions, FISH is just such a book. Flick Ford's beautiful watercolors of the 77 fish species are the best since S.F.Denton did his over 100 years ago. These complimented by the moving and lighthearted text of Dean Travis Clarke as well as Peter Kaminsky's introduction make this book sure to be a timeless classic. It's the type of book the reader can pick up at any time and turning to any page leave ourselves to go to that place inside that brings us all the peace we experience streamside, casting into a rolling surf, or trolling a pattern offshore. FISH is a perfect book, and anyone who even remotely loves the sport of angling or appreciates these amazing creatures should have a copy in their library and one wrapped as a gift for that special angling friend.

Absolutely Stunning -- a fantastic book
Earlier this week I received my copy of FISH: 77 Great Fish of North America and I am absolutely amazed.It is a superb book, beautifully written with stunning artwork.I rarely purchase what I would consider "coffee-table" or collector-type books, but I am extremely pleased with this book.I have spent several wonderful hours going through it -- and enjoyed it immensely. It will be a treasured book in my library and reminds me a great deal of the early James Audubon bird books. For any dedicated angler or fish enthusiast it is a "must-have." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fish    2. Fish Culture (General)    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. ART / Subjects & Themes / Plants & Animals    6. Nature / Fish   

Reviews (1)

An excellent textbook
Nelson's text is probably the most widely used on college campuses offering greenhouse management.It is up to date, full of technical information, and the chapters are well-ordered.Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Floriculture    3. Flowers    4. Greenhouse management    5. Greenhouses    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Horticulture    10. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (77)

gloom and doom
Gloom and doom with a left wing slant.Peak oil is real but this guy is extrapolating many trends to arrive at his version of a gloomy future.The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

The Future of Oil
I came by this book after reading an excellent review of it by the Editor-in-Chief of the Podium Journal, Jonathan F Porter.The author, Richard Heinberg, offers a perspective on our dependency of oil which is not often considered.The historical interpretation of oil's role in our culture encourages one to consider taking the bus instead driving to the market.

Also look atEnergy at the Crossroads by Vaclav Smil
This book has been well reviewed by others and I do not wish to reiterate their comments.I have no expertise in the field but I find little to disagree with - we are in trouble, our lifestyle is going to change and the sooner we start dealing with it the more of our culture we can preserve.I am writing to suggest another source of information which comes to the same conclusions but is a little less alarmist and which is not mentioned in Heinberg's book nor in the Amazon lists of what others who bought this book bought.This is Energy at the Crossroads by by Vaclav Smil.It was reviewed in Nature, one of the two most respected of our scientific journals, by Michael Grubb who concludes it is "The most sober, thorough, and thoughtful integrated text on energy available, and it embodies core facts and some fundamental truths that any analyst of energy issues should ponder." Smil is an academic who has studying energy issues for 40 years.He is less inclined to forecast than Heinberg having seen so many erroneous predictions however he is clear about the coming end of oil.He goes into more depth on energy issues, global warming, and especially the alternatives to fossil fuel (no great news).He does not have the activist impulses of Heinberg - which may of course be good or too bad depending on what it takes to change course.Smil's book is both longer and more difficult to read because of the amount of science presented and I found it well worth the effort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. General    3. History    4. History: American    5. Petroleum industry and trade    6. Petroleum reserves    7. Political aspects    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Real Estate - General    10. Renewable energy sources    11. United States - 20th Century    12. History / United States / 20th Century    13. Petroleum & oil industries    14. Sustainability    15. USA