Reviews (2)

Extremely valuable tool
"Land Development Calculations" provides an excellent and innovative strategy for working towards sustainable land use and development.The models for varying land development strategies can assist local government land use decision makers and planners as well as developers determine the carrying capacity of land within realistic thresholds.The accompanying spreadsheets for the development scenarios on the CD-ROM are extremely user friendly and do not place an undue burden on the user by requiring what may be hard to find or to collect data.All of the data required just is typical of what is necessary to make appropriate land development decisions.As a local government planner, I am working towards incorporating the information received from the models in to the zoning and development code as part of the approval process by using it to further assess suitability of the property for the purposes proposed (a zoning consideration required in accordance with the State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Act).I strongly encourage other land planners and developers to read "Land Development Calculations," because of its highly practical and very timely material.

Author Delivers Valuable Techniques and Tools
This is a terrificaly valuable technical reference for practitioners who need an efficient method of performing land development calulations. The book and its companion set of spreadsheets enable users to answer two key questions: 1) how much can be built on a given piece of land; or 2) how much land is needed to accommodate a given use? The material is clearly written and well illustrated, especially a series of worksheets leading through the method. Another strength is its comprehensiveness and detail, including all major land-use and micro site conditions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Land use    3. Mathematical models    4. Natural Resources    5. Planning    6. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    7. Real estate development    8. Reference    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Architecture / Methods & Materials    11. Structural engineering   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmentalism    4. Green movement    5. Natural Resources    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Sustainable development    9. Environment; political science; ecology    10. Globalization    11. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (39)

Turn Left at Orion - Beginners Astronomy
The book was just what I wanted, reasonably priced, and promptly delivered.So far, reading it has been very informative and I want to dig into it more soon.

Excellent
Make this the first book you buy for anyone with a telescope. It is user friendly, well written and illustrated, and will ignite a passion for chasing the beautiful objects scattered through the night sky. Also useful is the guide on interesting Southern Hemisphere objects, including those in the LMC and SMC.
Turn left at Orion and you'll be right with the stars
I purchased this book and the Backyard Astronomers book at the same time.I use them both.......a lot!!This book is great because it gives you sky views (drawings not pictures) that really give you an idea of what to expect when looking up at the sky with unaided eye or through a telescope.The description that accompanies the objects of interest are well written and thought provoking. As a newbie to backyard astronomy I couldn't be more satisfied by the information I've received from this book. As others have stated, this book is a great astronomy starter book, but will inevitably be a life time companion for all of your night sky viewing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Astronomy    3. Astronomy - General    4. Astronomy - Star Guides    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Astronomy--Amateurs' manuals    8. Cosmology & the universe    9. Popular astronomy    10. Science / Astronomy   

Reviews (8)

Wonderful Book... Mistake on the Cover
My [...]son loves this book since he is into rocks and minerals.He just told me about a mistake on the cover.I wonder how many other people caught it.The gemstone right below the author's name is not an Azurite, it is a Citrine (Quartz).Maybe the author did this to see how many people catch it.My son is very observant.

Good Introduction
I love this book. It's a great resource expecially if you just need a quick guide. The charts are great. Especially nice is the section that shows stones by color.. always color x, usually color x, sometimes color x, etc. So if you are looking for green stones you can find them quickly!
Gemstones
Just started making jewelry and this book was very helpful in picking out stones to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gems    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Precious stones    5. Rocks & Minerals    6. Nature / Rocks & Minerals   

Reviews (1)

The best book of wastewater treatment plant design
This book is explained very clearly on how to design the WWTP. Especially, it is only book in the world that shows the design examples of the biological nutrient removal treatment processes. All design calculations are shown in every step that necessary for real design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Industrial    2. Environmental Engineering & Technology    3. Life Sciences - Ecology - Recycling    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Sewage disposal plants    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Nature / Water Supply    9. Technology: General Issues    10. Water supply & treatment   

Reviews (14)

Good book
I enjoy fishing and eating fish and I enjoyed Hooked.It made me appreciate the scarcity of certain resources.

The Wyland of Toothfish
Mr. Knecht will hopefully bring awareness to the plight of the Patagonian Toothfish like Wyland did for whales.This book is well written and keeps the reader interested throughout ... He traces the journey of the "fishing pirates" and also blends the story of commercialization of this soon-to-be extinct fish.Let's save these fish!
Combines culinary history with a world-wide chase to document the fading Chilean Sea Bass
HOOKED: PIRATES POACHING AND THE PERFECT FISH promises much for a wide audience, from those interested in fishing to others researching modern-day pirating and the politics of the sea. The explosive world-wide demand for popular fish has all but fostered over-fishing and all but condoned seafood piracy: HOOKED combines culinary history with a world-wide chase to document the fading Chilean Sea Bass, a prehistoric-looking fish with the richness of tuna and the texture of butter. It's hard to place this rich text: part culinary history, part social inquiry, largely environmental exploration - it also fits under 'True Adventure'. Many will find it compelling.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Antarctic Ocean    2. Case studies    3. Corrupt practices    4. Fish    5. Fisheries & Aquaculture    6. Forensic Science    7. Law    8. Law enforcement    9. Maritime    10. Nature    11. Patagonian toothfish industry    12. Poaching   

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.
Read more

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   

Subjects:  1. Geology    2. Natural Resources    3. Petroleum    4. Petrology    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Technology / Petroleum   

Reviews (11)

What you would expect.
I needed this book for my science olympiad team.It is exactly what you would expect from the Audubon society.Great colors, good quality, great examples. I ordered many other field guides at the suggestion from other teachers.

Audubon Field Guides Great Gifts
I purchased complete sets of Audubon Field Guides to everything for Xmas gifts this year - some given singly, some as sets.Fantastic quality; they were theme-appropriate depending upon to whom they were given and they were received with the most excitement and appreciation of any gift I have given for years.Plus, the prices were far below retail.Thanks for great service and top quality items.

Great feild guide for quick info
i loved this book i was doing a report on tourmaline and it gave me info that no othe book i looked at had ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collection and preservation    2. Collectors and collecting    3. Minerals    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. North America    7. Rocks    8. Rocks & Minerals    9. Nature / Rocks & Minerals    10. Rocks, minerals & fossils   

Reviews (10)

Sky & Telescope's Pocket Atlas is now my FIRST reference
Having had it for two star parties now, it's become my favorite reference.
S&K and Sinnott Trump All Other's With New User Friendly Astral Guide!
S&K's new Pocket Sky Atlas is the triumphal culmination of years of research and thoughtful formatting work. Quite simply, it represents the easiest to use "at the scope" guide yet available. I highly recommend this work for the neophyte star gazer, as well as the most seasoned amateur astronomer.

Wouldn't want to go out with out it
There are two small atlases I consider to be absolutely indispensable.Sky and Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas is one of them.The charts in this atlas were well chosen.Each covers just the right amount of sky to give both a good perspective of the area you are looking at, and enough detail for star hopping with binoculars or finder scope, (stars are shown down to magnitude 7.6).Stick figures highlight the constellations to provide an easy and intuitive reference for what part of the sky the chart covers.An all sky view key of the charts is provided at the back of the book so that charts are easily located.The charts are well organized and very easy to navigate.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Astronomy - General    2. Astronomy - Star Guides    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Star Observation   

Reviews (55)

I'd go elesewhere for a broader view of energy issues
The title of this book is a good summery of their views.Most if not all of what the authors have to say is true and much of it interesting. They talk a lot about computers and how they will make cars more efficient and even about one author's theory about how life began.They are very optimistic about science finding ways to handle our energy needs without much change in our lifestyle or the health of our economy.However if you want to know something about how much oil is left, what are the prospects for specific alternative energy sources and how global warming will impact the trade offs I suggest you go to another source.The best I have found is: ENERGY AT THE CROSSROADS by Vaclav Smil.He is an academic who has studied energy issues for 40 years.It is a tougher read because it has a lot more pertinent science and information.He is not given to prediction because he has seen so many fail but he does address the issues in a thoughtful and nuanced way.

A Grand Tale
Huber and Mills tell a happy and triumphant story in The Bottomless Well.Our energy future is secure."Energy technology is now poised to evolve faster than at any time before in human history."Don't worry about the details, the markets will work it all out (markets never fail).The story is cast as a battle between order and chaos, life and death. It is a "chronicle of humanity's struggle against the second law of thermodynamics, not in theory but in the real world . . . It is a story of ingenious valves and gates that flip open and closed, with just the right timing, to push energy up the thermodynamic hill, to structure our environment, and to add order to our lives." xxix.Capitalists are on the side of order.Ghandi and government regulators are on the side of chaos.
Great material but inflated and unnecesarily devisive...
A character in the recent dystopian science fiction film The Island works all day injecting fluids into wires that disappear into the wall next to him.He is never told "where these wires go," and his curiousity to find out eats away at him.Without this crucial contextual knowledge, his understanding of his own role in the system is facile.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Energy    2. Energy Policy (Economic Aspects)    3. Energy consumption    4. Energy policy    5. Energy resources    6. Natural Resources    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Power Resources    10. Power Resources Management    11. Science    12. Management of land & natural resources   

Reviews (5)

Absolute must have for Exam Review and for Everyday Engineering
This book is the absolute very best to study Hydrology and Hydraullics for classroon study. After graduation this book was used for my exam review and I reference the manual in everyday actual applications. You will find there are many books to study hydrology and hydraullics but none that is more fundamentally rich with extensive examples of real life situations. This book is the most used reference book I have used.

An excellent book for hydrology and hydraulics
I have recently graduated and am currently working as a Civil/Transportation Engineer for a consulting company.I have used the book in my Water Resources course and worked on it in my Advanced Hydrology class.The strength of the book is all the examples.Many of these are conveniently set up in Table form with a key provided at the bottom of each table.It is an excellent resource that I am using as a reference material now.
Coming from someone who knows this book inside and out...
This textbook is fantastic, very well thought out, great use of examples and background information.I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at Johns Hopkins University and an Engineer at NASA and have worked with this textbook for creating a new edition with Dr. Ram Gupta (the author of the text) and can say for certain that this text is a great resource for hydrology inside and outside of class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Hydraulic    2. Hydraulics    3. Hydrology    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Technology / Hydrology    8. Water resources development   

Editorial Review

With language as colorful as a Canyonlands sunset and a perspective as pointed as a pricklypear, Cactus Ed captures the heat, mystery, and surprising bounty of desert life. Read more

Reviews (104)

I try to imagine a ride along the river...
Edward Abbey is a contradiction. A poet when describing the wonders of the desert and the joys of solitude; then he becomes a strident critic ofhis fellow man if they have the audacity to disagree with him. There is a definite will and intelligence driving the prose, but it is partially spoiled by the rants that Abbey goes on. The book has a split personality; celebrating the wilderness, but using a voice that often becomes so disagreeable that you might want to take asphalt to the park yourself. Finally though the poet wins out and you go along for the ride. I try to think of this book as rafting down the river, enjoying the wonders and trying to avoid the jagged rocks. A little white water is fine; just don't hold me underwater forhours at a time.

A yawn as big as the Grand Canyon
When this book first came out, it started a nationwide cult, primarily of college-aged students, who suddenly became entranced with nature and began to rally against the forces trying to contain it.Although he had written three prior books, this was Abbey's first major success as he relates stories from his two summers as a Park Ranger in the Arches National Monument in southeast Utah.There is no straight narrative here, just bits and pieces from his experiences in this desert land.He also finds time to boat down the Colorado River through the Glen Canyon before it is forever flooded by another massive dam. Although I stuck with this book to the end, I found it more sleep inducing than inspiring.Although written well, Abbey seems to find it necessary to include the names, bothEnglish and Latin, of every single plant and bush that grows in this desert.He even endlessly names the rocks. Then he goes on to the stars! And that trip down the river was mostly repetitive glimpses down side canyons.However, this is a forerunner to one of my favorite books, Abbey's "The Monkey Wrench Gang," as he gives us glimpses into the beginnings of eco-terrorism with the pulling up of surveyors' stakes and the destruction of billboards.I have read the "Gang" many times, "Solitaire" will just be once.

"Arches" Outshines Abbey's Militant Gibberish
Abbey is the type of person that you will either love or hate.There is no middle ground.Personally, I find few things in this book that do Arches the justice that it deserves and I can't tolerate Abbey's selfish militant eco-hermit gibberish.That being said, I'm a scientist and I realize the importance of preservation of our wild lands and I constantly encourage people to become involved BUT I will never become so selfish as to propose exclusion of these places to handicapped people.Futhermore, I could never place a snake's life in higher regard than a human unless the human is a worthless piece of sh*t.So, you can tell I'm not on the majority's side here...I won't glorify this Abbey's book like others have done in these reviews.Do yourself a favor and VISIT Arches and see these things for yourself.Its the most beautiful place you will likely see out West.For something really enjoyable, read anything by John Wesley Powell...won't be written about Arches but will describe the West in its early, unexplored days. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arches National Park    2. Biography    3. Desert biology    4. Essays    5. General    6. National parks and reserves    7. Natural Resources    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Park rangers    11. United States    12. Utah    13. Modern fiction    14. Nature / Natural Resources   

Reviews (4)

Absolutely fascinating work
This book took me into the grassroots level work of the newest Nobel Peace Prize winner.I was glad to get a glimpse into what the world is just recognizing as the new frontier - the hope that comes from action at the local level which makes real course changes in our world as a whole.I enjoyed the very practical outline of this movement's accomplishments and connections to the growing consciousness for earth's slow, steady salvation.

GREEN BELT MOVEMENT
I found this book to be an enlightening and educating account of the background and work of the current Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari Maathai.THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT is currently the only volume that provides as much insight on this topic.
Depressed about the environment?Read this book!!
The Green Belt Movement by Wangari Maathai is a wonderful, informative and user-friendly book that gives a good sense of the movement's history and the person behind it. Just as Maathai in her work likes to keep her hands in the dirt planting trees, in her book she cuts directly to the meat and bones of what the Green Belt Movement is about and how it functions practically on the ground.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Studies    3. Green Belt Movement (Society :    4. Green Belt Movement (Society : Kenya)    5. Kenya    6. Natural Resources    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Tree planting    10. Trees & Forests - General    11. Africa    12. Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations   

Reviews (9)

An excellent "Gem" of a book
I found this book while browsing the B&N discount racks.I told myself that I really didn't NEED another metaphysical gemstone book, but once I started flipping through the pages and saw the spectacular photography and detailed information which includes Moh's hardness*, I had to buy it.
A nice reference
This book has some good information about folklore, crystal systems, and some metaphysical information. There are photographs and suggested uses for every mineral included, although some of the photographs are not characteristic of the species as a whole. This is a good beginner's reference.

Fabulous reference!
As crystal books go, this one has information that many othersdo not.This book includes physical as well as metaphysical properties, the pictures are beautiful, and the book is well written.It is the second most often used book in my crystal and energy healing practice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    2. Nature / Rocks & Minerals    3. New Age (Self Help)    4. Alternative Therapies    5. Earth Sciences - Geology    6. Health & Fitness    7. Nature    8. Rocks & Minerals    9. Self-Help   

Reviews (68)

Salt of the earth
I wish I had been taught world history through a device such as this.Instead of learning the names of kings and battles and related dates, this kind of perspective really helps the reader understand the 'why' of so much behind what ultimately happened in western civilization. Once you can grasp that conceptual overview, all else follows with profound logic.

Great book for history and trivia junkies
While the book does not follow a "narrative" format, and occasionally changes places and times without warning, I none the less give it an unreserved recomendation!More wars, trades, and other history shaping events have happened because of salt than almost any other substance, and salt has been crtical in trade, and warfare, throughout history.I learned more about places and events I *thought* I was familiar with than I would have thought possible.
Horrendous mistake
One of the most fascinating aspects of salt is that it is hygroscopic.That is due to its chemical nature, it is slightly cooler than "room temperature".Consequently, water will form on the surface of salt from the atmosphere if it is even moderately humid (hence the reason why most of us put rice in our salt shakers - to absorb the water salt collects).You do not have to be a brain surgeon to understand the process.Imagine my surprise when I found in the very first chapter, Kurlansky waxing on whimsically about how he tried to "cook" all of the water out of his pet salt crystal so that water would not come out of it and dissolve the surface.I figure that he knows that salt is made up of NaCl (although I now have my doubts) and there is not much room for water in its crystal structure (almost zero water in it).Here is a guy that has written an entire book on the subject salt.I presumed when I purchased the book that he would be somewhat of an authority on the subject.To say the least, I have to question his abilities to write a book on salt based on the fact that he does not have the foggiest idea about one of the most interesting properties of his subject.Wow.This is a case of a good writer attempting to write on a subject he forgot to read about.By the way, a casual search of salt properties on the internet would have given him the correct information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Economic Geology    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Mineralogy (Specific Aspects)    6. Rocks & Minerals    7. Salt    8. Salt industry and trade    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. World - General    12. History / Civilization   

Reviews (12)

Rocks and Minerals
This is the one book I was looking for, with good close-up pictures. Pictures that point out the small things on rocks or minerals you want to look for. It could be a small mass of fibers or small group of crystals. It sections off a mineral so you know what the different colors are. If you have any type of sight problems, this is more that helpful! I recommend this book for all beginners and anyone who just might be curious. It is well worth your money!

a must have for any rockhound or gem and crystal lover
I am more of a gem and crystal lover myself, yet I am happy to own this book. Whenever I go thru it I have a real URGE to go out hunting! Very comprehensive, quite technical, classifies rocks and minerals according to chemical formula (sulphides, oxides, halides, carbonates etc) or type of formation (sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous), and then works thru ecah subgruop alphabetically. Detailed descriptions, chemistry, hardness, tests, BEAUTIFUL photos, detailed index and glossary. Only thing I am missing is WHERE ON EARTH am I most likely to find them (especially the ones I absolutely LOVE), so I can plan my next vacation :D

GeoNewbie
I am new to the study of geology and have found this book to be indispensable in identifying rocks and minerals in the field. It even has a few tips at the beginning about how to do tests, and each mineral suggests tests to further aid in identifying them. It has also been a great reference when reading texts about geology. I use it to look up the rocks and minerals mentioned there. Very helpful for later field study. The least I can say is: buy this book, it is EXCELLENT!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Identification    3. Minerals    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Reference    7. Rocks    8. Rocks & Minerals    9. Nature / Rocks & Minerals   

Reviews (3)

Highly Recommended for Understanding Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? These are the questions students of environment issues are posed with. Letters from Students
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 15:55:19 -0500 From: C.N.Gomersall Highly Recommended for Students of Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? To help students understand thefar-reaching implications of environmental and resource economics, thistext examines a broad range of topics in environmental economics. Itpresents "standard analysis," as well as in-depth treatment ofimportant issues at the cutting edge of environmental policy debates. Thefocus is on equipping students with the tools necessary to analyze currentenvironmental issues as an economist would.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Development - Sustainable Development    5. Economic development    6. Economics - General    7. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    8. Environmental Economics    9. Environmental Science    10. Environmental aspects    11. Natural Resources    12. Business & Economics / Economics / General    13. Economics   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Development - Sustainable Development    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Protection    5. Great Lakes    6. Lakes & Ponds    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Water Resources Conservation    10. Water Supply    11. Water resources development    12. Water-supply    13. Conservation of the environment    14. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    15. Political Science / Public Policy   

Reviews (5)

Just as much a NYC history without the oyster.
The Big Oyster is an excellent history of New York City.Unlike many of Kurlansky's books, which always kept the spotlight on the subject (like cod and salt) and its role in history, The Big Oyster often strays far from the oyster.Many of the tales of NYC, from business and prostitution to transportation and development have nothing to do with the oyster.Had this book kept the focus on oysters it would have been much shorter.
Weaves the story of oyster farming & dining into the greater history of New York to provide a lively culinary & cultural expose
For centuries New York was famous for its oysters which played a hue role in the city's economy and culinary fame. Oysters were the city's most celebrated export, a staple food, and more, and THE BIG OYSTER: HISTORY ON THE HALF SHELL celebrates this era, from food markets to the extinction of natural beds around the city as the decades passed. From cultivation techniques to recipes, THE BIG OYSTER weaves the story of oyster farming and dining into the greater history of New York to provide a lively culinary and cultural expose.
Delicious history...
BIG OYSTER is Kurlansky's latest food-themed history (following his previous COD and SALT). It differs from his previous books in several ways, but still serves up a tasty morsel.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Commercial Fishing    2. Cookery (Oysters)    3. Cooking    4. Fish Cookery    5. Fisheries & Aquaculture    6. History    7. History - U.S.    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. Oysters    11. Social History    12. Specific Ingredients - Seafood    13. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic    14. History / General