Reviews (10)

Endearing Ocean Story
What an endearing story about the ocean.As an avid SCUBA diver, I loved the idea of a baby whale following a swimmer along the coast because it lost its mother.
A book for everyone
This is a great book.Easy to read and it paints a beautiful story of one woman's experience.I could not put it down and wanted to read the end first to see what happened.I passed it on to my husband, 11 year old son and 14 year old daughter.It is a nice book with a nice story.Not too many of those books out there now.Will make a great gift for anyone who loves to read.

Take a pass on this one
The idea behind this book was a good one and the reason that I purchased it in the first place.The opportunity to swim with a baby whale in the wild is something many of us only dream about, yet Ms. Cox got to experience it firsthand and it makes sense that she would want to share that story.Unfortunately, this book does not get the job done.It is so poorly written that I had to force myself to keep turning the pages.I kept hoping that maybe I just needed to get used to her writing style, but there is no style... it's just written badly.The narration is often choppy, the paragraphs don't flow, and much of the detail about the ocean seems a bit over the top.As one other reviewer put it, it's as if every detail of her every swim in the ocean was combined into that one day.Not very realistic. If you are going to enjoy this book at all, perhaps a little suspension of disbelief is in order.Whole sections are just plain boring, and to add insult to injury, the illustration on the front of the book is not that of a gray whale (the species that Cox swims with in the book).It's a sperm whale.A small thing, yes, and a decision made probably more for marketing purposes than out of ignorance, but it still serves to make the overall package even less honest or appealing. After plodding through about half the book, I finally quit and returned it for a full refund.Save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. California    4. Cox, Lynne,    5. Fishes    6. Marine Life    7. Marine Mammals    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Santa Catalina Island    12. Swimming    13. Women    14. Nature / General   

Reviews (2)

Outstanding guide to natural history and identification!
I can only echo Piotr Naskrecki's review. When this book arrived my first thought was "Wow! This is the insect book I've been waiting for!" The illustrated flowchart keys to insect orders and families are outstanding and will be more easily used than the conventional keys in standard texts. I've been interested in insects most of my life (over 50 years) and this is the most incredible introduction to the subject I've seen. The only quibble I have is that the butterflies and moths don't have an illustrated flow chart key to their families. But don't let that keep you from getting this wonderful book.

At last!
At last we receive a well-written, comprehensive, and gorgeously illustrated guide to insects of eastern North America, a book that has been badly needed for many, many years. Stephen Marshall did a splendid job of combining in a single volume information on biology and identification of most families of insects found in this region, and did it in a way that is both pleasing to the eye, and truly educational. Lavishly illustrated with literally thousands of color photos, this book is an encyclopedia of North American insects, and a fantastic invitation to the exploration of our insect fauna. It includes overviews of all orders of insects found in N. America, and provides user-friendly flowchart keys to their identification (down to the family level) that are short on technical jargon but rich in illustrations. The book also has chapters on collecting and photographing insects and other small critters. I am sure that this volume will influence many budding naturalists, and quickly become the resource of choice for entomology teachers and students. An absolute must in the library of anybody with an interest in natural history as well as a useful reference for gardeners. I simply cannot recommend it enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arthropoda    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Reference    7. Insects - North America    8. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Reviews (1)

The indispensible Tropical Pacific field guide.
Pratt, Bruner, and Dickinson have produced a superb field guide completely covering all the islands of the tropical Pacific from Hawai'i west through Micronesia.This is a true field guide:it gives the field marks of everyspecies, notes problems in identification with special emphasis ondistinguishing similar species, and wastes no space on matters not relatedto identification.(The exception is that Pratt, a significantornithologist as well as an expert in identification, summarizescontroversies in classification whre appropriate.)Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    5. Hawaii    6. Identification    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Oceania    10. Biological Sciences    11. Birds (ornithology)    12. Birds and Natural History    13. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching    14. Pacific Ocean    15. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

Eating the elephant in the room one bite at a time.
This is a super little book that will have a huge impact on you and your organization! By following the simple steps outlined in this book you will be able to discuss the undiscussables, identify the unidentifyable, and make progress collectively like you never dreamed was possible. Another very helpful tool for your leadership toolbox!

Packs powerful insights for organizational change!
The authors examine the idea that major problems are often not 'discussable,' although they are talked about in a destructive manner, and remain implicit. The consultant should help surface these "elephants" in a constructive dialogue, and push forward to making decisions, determining what are the next steps, and following through. This practical book provides guidelines to show how to achieve organizational change by learning to name "elephants" and take action. High Reliability Organizations, which reward people for pointing out any deviations from the expected, are discussed. The style of leadership needed to achieve change through getting people to open up and constructively participate in problem solving, is explored. This thin book is both broad and deep, and proves highly informative and thought provoking. It packs powerful insights for organizational change!

Hubris Arrogance and Screamers
This book is right on target whether you are working with a company or with a non-for-profit. I found myself continually underlining relevant ideas.Hammond puts concepts we already know but tend to hide in the back of our minds in simple language that reminds us of how important it is to look at assumptions, accountability and involvement at all levels.She forces us to look at the consequences of speaking up vs not speaking up.I am an advocate (although after reading Hammond's book I am thinking of choosing a word that is less win-lose) of appreciative inquiry methods and also using public involvement in decision making processes and this book is in perfect alignment with both areas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology   

Reviews (11)

AMajor Contribution to the Scientific World
Caterpillars of Eastern North America is WONDERFUL. I use it all the time. It is my major resource for caterpillar statistics and photos. I rear, photograph and research moth and butterfly adults, larvae and food plants, so this book is a great tool. It is long overdue. I know, because, as a kid, there were no books on the subject and most people thought the only good caterpillar was a dead one. Oh, how I would have appreciated this book back in the 40s. THANK YOU to David Wagner and Princeton University Press for taking on this major contribution to the scientific community.

This is THE caterpillar book to own!
I echo all of the favorable comments in the other reviews. This book has the best photos I've seen in any field guide of any kind.Shows not only the caterpillar but the resulting butterfly or moth - and, so, can also be helpful with moth identification due to the dearth of other publications on moths. This book covers a wide spectrum of caterpillars and should make it easy for anyone to identify them.

At last a Guide that Includes Moth Caterpillars!
Moth caterpillars are more numerous (moth species outnumber butterfly species 10 to one), but books to help you identify these are rare to say the least, and most of those that do cover moths as well as butterflies are both very technical and expensive."Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History" fills the need (for the eastern part of the continent at least) for a reasonably comprehensive guide to both moth and butterfly larvae, with the moths not shortchanged. It can be helpful to a degree in the west as well, but I hope a western guide will soon grace the book stores. We still have no Peterson guide to western moths to match the eastern one!
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Subjects:  1. Caterpillars    2. Insects & Spiders    3. Life Sciences - Zoology - Entomology    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. North America    7. Science    8. Biological Sciences    9. Birds and Natural History    10. Insects (entomology)    11. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

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   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (17)

Hands down, the BEST books I will ever own!
I started diving 2 years ago.Up until I ordered these books, I really didn't know what I was seeing.These 3 books are the absolute best books to own if you like diving or boating and live in Florida or the Caribbean.Every page has 3 full color glossy photos of fish, or creatures on it.The photos and info are very comprehensive and detailed.
The Reef Set: The only set of indentification books to have
The Reef Set has been the most helpful set of books I have owned thus far.They have not only helped me in fish, creature, and coral identification for personal use, but also in my school work.They have excellent illustrations and descriptions.I have recommended them to everyone I know!

Reef Set
Overall, I think this set is great for Bio students like myself who aren't very familar with the descriptions of Tropical Fish. Thanks to the colorful pictures and straight to the point descriptions, I've been able to identify fish that I saw on a collge trip to Belize in January. This set has been of great help in completing my final portfolio for my Tropical Marine Ecology class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Marine Life    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Reference   

Reviews (3)

Reviews, anyone?
This is an excellent textbook, one that I have used in two of my Environmental Science classes (namely, Environmental Problems of Man [Bio 11], and Energy for the Future [Envi Sci 1].) While not completely without bias (which is mostly subtle, and not totally incorrect), the book offers a solid introduction to many environmental issues. The introduction chapter of the textbook states that environmental science is interdisciplinary, and the book is laid out accordingly. Chapters run the gamut from biology, chemisty, simple physics, and pure ecological common sense. An excellent purchase for any serious scientist and/or conscientious environmentalist.

hmm
I'm kinda dissappointed because the seller stated that this book is hardcovered. But when I received it, it was copied and paperback.

Required Reading
I bought this book for my class because it was cheaper at Amazon than at my school's bookstore.(shipping was cheaper too!)It's not an exciting read, but has some valuable information about how us humans are ruining the Earth with our SUVs and abuse of fossil fuels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science / Life Sciences / General    8. The Environment   

Reviews (11)

Simply stunning
The book has stunning photos that truly show the birds as they would be seen in real life. The use of mini "quizzes" throughout the book set it apart from other books like it. The book is a learning tool vs. only a reference tool. The descriptions are easy to follow. The range maps are clear and the layout is easy to understand. This is the birding book of the year.

Another good approach to Shorebird I.D.
Superior photography to other shorebird guides on the market.Images of mixed species flocks for comparison makes this guide very useful for real life situations.Consistent and well thought-out layout.Probably not best thought of as a field guide, but rather a study guide and a 'get-back-to-the-car reference.'

A New Standard in Shorebird Guides
This is the best photographic guide to Shorebirds period. There are hundreds of photos, over 300 pages for just photos most of them with several photos per page. Not only that they have great captions. Example Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs each have 12 photos showing both in one shot, breeding, non-breeding, juvenile, juvenile molting, resting, flying, with other species and all the photos tell you where and when (what month) they were taken. Each species also has range maps and the text is first class. Each species is covered as to Status, Taxonomy, Behavior, Migration - both spring and fall and adult and juveniles, Molts - first year and adult, and lastly vocalizations. The authors stress the Structure of each species rather than detailed colorization. Shorebirds can vary greatly in color especially during migration but their structure stays the same. Also one often observes these birds against bright lighting making their structure stand out.
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Subjects:  1. Bird Watching    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Identification    4. Individual Species Of Birds    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Pictorial works    8. Shore birds    9. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (96)

Lovely
I love these type of memoirs. A person who is not boasting about their skill or having an attitude. Simply shares the love of his work and love of his county. All of James Herriot's books are wonderfull. I was introduced to the children's books a few years ago and just recently started reading his memoirs. Love it, some parts were a bit dry but the books still flowed well and drew you back. Love the depth of scenery and anicdotes about the area. Recommend any book of his.

Great Book
This was a great book. I decided to read it because I like animals, and I'm so glad I did. I loved this book; it was really funny and exciting. I am definitaly going to read more of his books and watch the tv show if it's ever on anymore. I think triston is hilarious. I would reccomend reading this; it was great.

A must read for all
I'm mostly a fantasy scifi guy but I'm also an animal lover and I picked up this book on a whim. I wound up reading all the books in the series and ended up loving them all and wishing there were more. This guy can really write and tell a story. What a gifted man. Great Vet and Writer. I must read for all. You will laugh out loud and at times shed a tear. This is great stuff. You cant go wrong. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. England    5. Herriot, James    6. Medical - Physicians    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Veterinarians    10. Yorkshire   

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 (3)

Fantastic
Take a really dry subject and turn it into a book I couldn't put down!
Wonderful book for intuitive understanding of the subject
In the opening chapter, this book presents a wonderful simplified story of the evolution of plants, from a single cell to modern complex flowers.Both children and adults can gain a unique, intuitive understanding of this process from this explanation. My compliments to the author.He describes each plant family with interesting anecdotes and high quality line drawings.It's the first plant book whose lack of photographs didn't matter.Great tips for identifying families and individual plants have helped me enormously.Bravo!

Teaches the patterns method of plant identification
Any interested in plant identification should consider Botany In A Day: The Patterns Method Of Plant Identification as an important guide. Thomas Elpel (Director of Hollowtop Outdoor Primitive School, Pony, Montana) deftly teaches the patterns method of plant identification, providing a method for learning about groupings of plants based on the idea that related plants have similar patterns for identification, and similar uses. Black and white line drawings accompany descriptions of different plant families and their identification processes.
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Subjects:  1. Flowers    2. Life Sciences - Botany    3. Nature    4. Nature / Plants    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Plants - General    7. Plants   

Reviews (2)

In comparison, our cultural thinking is dead.
The perspective I have come to is that for most of my life I lived in a human world which has not been able to offer in any comprehensive way, what really matters.
Thomas Berry is a true genius
Every politician should read this book and then look into their hearts.I must say that Mary Tucker's Editorial Preface says everything about Thomas Berry and his desire to enhance human beings' relationship to Earth.His writing is accessible and undaunting.The gift of his genius, still going strong at 90 years of age is expressed again in this book and the message will bring you into the fold of his views with keen insight and compassion. I am so grateful for his gifts and just want you to read it and give it to everyone else you know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geology    2. Environmental degradation    3. Essays    4. General    5. Human ecology    6. Moral and ethical aspects    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Philosophy    10. Philosophy of nature    11. Nature / General    12. Spirituality   

Reviews (4)

One of my favourites!
While this book is certainly not comprehensive (especially in regards to the rodents and bats), it has hundreds of crisp, clear photos. The descriptions for each species is brief, but there are still many interesting facts to learn from the text.
Excellent Guide for Mammal Enthusiasts
I highly recommend this book as a photo-encyclopedic guide to mammals for children, students and adults who have a general interest in mammals.My review for this book is based on its use as an educational reference guide, not as a guide that one would carry with them out in the field.(It might be suitable for that use, but I am not qualified to review it in that manner.)We use this guide with our son, and I have given it as a gift to children interested in mammals, after looking at all of the top mammal guides listed on Amazon and in Borders.
get them all
these books are the very best if you want accuracy,i plan to have the entire collection of them by years end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Identification    2. Mammals    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Reference    6. Nature / Mammals   

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   

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 (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 (3)

Stunning Photos!
Of course, everyone loves the feisty, peppy hummingbird with it's glorious colors.This book shows details that the average birdwatcher never sees.The close up photos, some in action sequence, are a delight and there are pictures even showing the nests made of cobwebs, feathers and lichens.
Unbelievable photography
This book conains the most amazing photography imaginable (the authors' companion book Hummingbirds of the Caribbean is just as wonderful).Dazzling colors and awesome stopped-action shots. I can't imagine how it was done.

Highest praise
The wife and husband team of Esther and Robert Tyrrell logged over 30,000 miles of travel to photograph and document the 16 species of North American hummingbirds.Using his own special high-speed strobe techniques, Roberthas photographed the tiny colorful birds in a variety of activities flying,perching, and nesting.The book contains over 200 amazing photographs,reproduced in dazzling color.In her text, Esther has culled informationfrom hundreds of sources and provides a comprehensive and well-writtenoverview of the birds' anatomy and behaviors.A must for any bird lover! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Hummingbirds    4. Individual Species Of Birds    5. Nature / Field Guide Books    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North America    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (30)

Regional but excellent
Definitely a regional book.If you travel in N. Georgia up to New England, this is a must-have guide.The black and white line drawings do aid in identifying plants having structure and shape as the defining characteristic because light and shade of color do not come into play as they might in photos.As in birding, the preference for either photos or drawings is an individual one and, until Newcomb's landed in my library, I used photo guides for wildflowers but preferred drawn guides (like Peterson's) for birds.This is the book that changed my mind on that point.
Newcomb's Wildflower Guide
Two types of flower-identification books are available, those that use pure pattern recognition and those that require you to look at the flower. Pattern recognition books usually have pretty pictures of flowers arranged by color and then require you to search many pages to find one that looks like your flower. Newcomb's takes an alternative approach; it requires that you actually look at the flower. The key system is simple to use; for example, how many petals does it have, do the leaves alternate or are they on opposite sides of the stem, is it an herb, bush, or vine, etc. Only after narrowing down the possibilities extensively do you arrive at the pattern recognition stage and have only a few possibilities from which to choose. I have methodically found the names of several different flowers that I could not find even after exhaustive searches of other books. The book is not filled with pretty pictures, it is filled with information and excellent, simple line art.

Great Guide
If all the drawings in this book were in color, then this book would be hard to beat.I love this guide, but sometimes I have to reference a book with color pictures to be certain of an identification. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Climbing plants    2. Flowers    3. General    4. Identification    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Northeastern States    8. Shrubs    9. Wild flowers    10. Nature / General    11. Trees & wildflowers   

Reviews (3)

ARare Textbook!
Molles "Ecology: Concepts and Applications" is a rare textbook for three reasons: Great for non-technical study
This book is the first science text I have ever encountered which I enjoy reading.It generally takes the form of a series of stories which the author deftly uses to illustrate ecological concepts.It's not technical enough for a serious ecology student, but I hope that many people read it to gain an appreciation for ecology without encountering some the fanaticism which had previously turned me away from the subject entirely.Thanks.

Great for non ecology major students
Molles has outdone himself with this book.It presents the reader a greatbook for students who are not majoring in ecology and a great way tounderstand ecology and the different field works done in the area.Thetables and organization are great.I speacially like the way the authormakes a subject easy to understand and the way the tables and pictures helpyou to understand.It's a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Life Sciences - Ecology    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Science    5. Applied ecology    6. Ecological science, the Biosphere    7. Human ecology    8. Science / Ecology