Editorial Review

From Susan Casey, bestselling author of The Devil’s Teeth, an astonishing book about colossal,  ship-swallowing rogue waves and the surfers who seek them out.

For centuries, mariners have spun tales of gargantuan waves, 100-feet high or taller. Until recently scientists dis­missed these stories—waves that high would seem to violate the laws of physics. But in the past few decades, as a startling number of ships vanished and new evidence has emerged, oceanographers realized something scary was brewing in the planet’s waters. They found their proof in February 2000, when a British research vessel was trapped in a vortex of impossibly mammoth waves in the North Sea—including several that approached 100 feet.

As scientists scramble to understand this phenomenon, others view the giant waves as the ultimate challenge. These are extreme surfers who fly around the world trying to ride the ocean’s most destructive monsters. The pioneer of extreme surfing is the legendary Laird Hamilton, who, with a group of friends in Hawaii, figured out how to board suicidally large waves of 70 and 80 feet. Casey follows this unique tribe of peo­ple as they seek to conquer the holy grail of their sport, a 100­-foot wave.

In this mesmerizing account, the exploits of Hamilton and his fellow surfers are juxtaposed against scientists’ urgent efforts to understand the destructive powers of waves—from the tsunami that wiped out 250,000 people in the Pacific in 2004 to the 1,740-foot-wave that recently leveled part of the Alaskan coast.

Like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, The Wave brilliantly portrays human beings confronting nature at its most ferocious. ... Read more

Reviews

The Discovery Channel meets ESPN, September 2, 2010

Well written ultra press release for The Laird...Ultimate Wave Guy (TM), September 5, 2010

she's not one of the boys yet, October 22, 2010
the book begins excitingly - susan casey is a tour de force when it comes to research. she knows her subject and does all the homework, ranging over continents to talk to sources in science and industry and sport. she obviously has money, because she spares nothing in expense. she also has an amazing ability to bring esoteric concepts to life by translating the phenomenon of these giant waves into little images and analogies that the reader can relate to - she writes vibrant, muscular prose. what disappointed me: when she finally gets to the big waves and big wave surfers, that boldness seems to dissipate. and she writes like a schoolgirl with a crush on things like laird's hamilton's muscles. no longer the intrepid adventurer, she writes about quivering with fear and nervousness at actually going out with the surfers to the wave break-- but in the flank of it, where all the boats and skis sit, the safe zone. she has a tin ear for her own dialogue - her questions seem to be suddenly a whole 6 octaves stupider, focused on feelings and "how do you feel" questions to men she's already characterized as not much for excess words. women surfers appear almost nowhere in the book. the more it annoyed me, the more i began to see casey as just another goggle-eyed chick in a bikini, and i was disappointed because her book began with such a dramatic crackle of energy. when i researched around and read on laird's website that she made a financial deal to pay for access to his world, i felt even more disappointed.

so i went back to read her first book, about great white sharks. same tendencies. amazing writing, with the same snap crackle pop of good prose. prodigious research, and capacious funds to undertake it. and yet somehow in the middle of the book she becomes all thumbs - afraid to jump from a sailboat to a dinghy, afraid to bait a fishhook, afraid of the dark, afraid of ghosts. afraid her expensive underwear will get taken by a storm. pointing out that she feels sexy wearing fashion rugged gear in the company of men. once again she never really mentions the women interns who are actually living at the farralones - who actually deal every day with the things she finds overwhelming as a visitor. they're there, but the experiences she focuses on are her own, not the experiences of those with more mileage and qualifications under their sexy belts. when a shark researcher shows up (and yes, he's handsome!!! picture included!!) she admires his muscular forearms but seems vague about what he actually does. they go to the aquarium together at the end. meanwhile she manages to lose a sailboat, set off government inquisitions and insurance claims, break federal regulations, and get one of the top research scientists fired from his job, with not so much as a fare-thee-well of regret for being the cause of so much trouble.

i look forward to the day when casey goes through the teeth of an experience and develops a little stamina and endurance of her own. so far both her books are based on having watched specials produced by others on tv - which means it's a recycled experience, more or less. someone else pointed the way, and she picked up well on the clues, but the path was already given. and she comes across as an amazing woman who still gets self-conscious and intimidated being in the world of rugged men. her claim to fame is access, not achievement. she has too much talent to waste on schoolgirl crushes. the best adventure journalists of our time don't just get their la perla underwear dirty - they write having already gone through transforming adventures of their own.

apologies to all concerned. as a woman writing and working in the world of men, i took these observations as a cautionary tale about tone. and tone-deafness. and being naive instead of weatherbeaten.

Waves Are Not Measured In Feet Or Inches But In Increments Of Fear, September 9, 2010

More the book about and from a extreme surfer groupie..., December 1, 2010
...than a book about waves! Susan Casey is obviously fascinated by extreme surfers and spends most of the book on them, their close calls, their family life etc... Now, granted that it is a fascinating life but despite her breathless prose, one does not really get the scale of what these guys are doing: maybe a video of them riding those monsters and talking about would do more justice to their accomplishments. But, in all that, what I had bought the book for, thinking on the basis of early reviews that it would be dealing with the forces creating these monster waves, was basically lost even when eventually she talked to scientists, drawing out of them more their personal experiences than the science of it. A more accurate title would be something like "In pursuit of the ultimate ride"

Surf's UP!!!!!, November 12, 2010
An incredible account of nature in all her unsettled splendor. I was thoroughly caught up in the telling of how the oceans spawn monstrous waves which are both awesome to behold and at the same time can be devastating to people, ships, and the land.

Ms. Casey wrote a wonderful book based on scientific evidence and personal accounts from many people who study, live and play on the world's oceans.

Imagine surfing on a 70ft wall of water. Too hard to imagine? Look up at a 7 or 8 story building, then stand next to it and look straight up. That's where the surfer drops into the moving wave of energy. Can you feel it?

Photos of ships being pummeled by giant waves; of the devastation left behind when monster waves hit land; and of the very brave people who surf these giants are included.

I love this book! I grew up on the east coast and remember some very large waves that hit beaches during stormy weather. The waves described in the book far outweigh my experiences.

A must read for anyone who thinks about global warming, and how weather is dynamically changing the very face of the oceans.

The ocean is full of unpredictable forces and characters too, December 14, 2010
Here we are presented with a concept book that attempts to hold various subjects, incidents and characters together around one unifying piece of information. That the ocean is full of unpredictable forces that create huge waves, some as high at 100 feet. We join the crew and scientist aboard the RRS Discovery in the North Sea as it is hurled about for days. We attend scientific workshops where mathematicians try and study waves. Find out climate change is going to make the oceans even more unpredictable. We learn two large ships sink each week on average (worldwide) and no one ever studies the cause as we do with airplanes that crash. Their disappearance is simply recorded as the results of "bad weather". Susan Casey then layers on top of this what I found to be the complete idiocy of big wave tow surfing with Laird Hamilton of Maui as the main character we are to identify with. He is sort of the Spiderman of surfing. He and his buddies (in conjunction with the surfing industry who at one point offer $100,000 to the first person who successfully rides a 100 foot wave) risk life (several surfers deaths are covered in the narrative) to just get the rush of the big wave. And interestingly enough it does not count if it is not filmed so we also meet an incredible group of surf photographers. So you mix all this into the stew and bounce around a lot and you find yourself loving and hating the book.
For me reading is much the joy of learning things you never knew or would know if you had not read a given book. And there is lots to learn in THE WAVE about the ocean and the phenomena of big waves and I doubt many people have heard of the sport of tow surfing or how one goes about doing it. Or that the biggest waves to surf are found some 100 miles off the coast of San Diego in some 6 foot deep water which covers the tops of a huge mountain range, an area called the Cortes Bank. So the book has much to offer. What seems wrong is its balance. The surfers, especially the hero worship of Laird Hamilton gets old after a while. Does Susan Casey ever think Laird's actions as a father with a family are a bit irresponsible no matter his skill and Zen like personality? Is he really a wave whisperer with no warts?
The interesting character for me at the end of the book is Laird's buddy Brett Lickle who having suffered a major injury which left his left leg with a scar that was "though his entire calf had been melted" (and have being saved by Laird Hamilton) stands on a cliff watching his friends challenge the latest Maui big waves. Lickle made it clear that he no longer misses "the circus, the jeopardy, the nerves" by saying, "The only thing I'll say is that the accident was a kind of ticket out, you know what I mean? What we had was a gang. And you couldn't get out of the gang. There was no way out. There's so much peer pressure like, `come on, you're the man! Let's go!' You can't just walk away because.....you can't. But if you get shot up and almost die, they let you out." For the surfers the big waves are a personal challenge and thrill like climbing a mountain. For the scientist and ships crews the waves are something to respect and fear.
If the subject interests you which I am betting it does I believe you will enjoy the book although I found it very uneven and is a bit to hero worshiping in its promotion of the tow surfing culture.

Scientists, ships and lots of surfing, October 1, 2010
Susan Casey is a captivating writer. Somehow she is able to take the concept of something as comparatively non-threatening as waves and spin it into an interesting tale, highlighting how wrong I was about the pretty waves breaking on the beach.

Casey interviews mariners, Lloyd's of London reps, physicists, and--primarily--surfers about their experiences with and predictions for a huuge wave, dude. The science is a little glossed over but I suspect that it would be difficult to go into wave physics in more depth without the reader glazing over. I really did enjoy the section about Lloyd's of London and their history in insuring ships (and Tina Turner's legs, of course).

The major problem with Casey's approach is I think she got a bit too caught up in the surfing scene. For each original section where she talked to a scientists about their dire predictions for the potential destructivenss of waves, or someone on a ship who had been caught in a wave, etc., she intersperses it with a scene about another wave-chasing day with the surfers, and it got a bit repetitive by the end of the book. I don't know, I think I would have admired the surfers more had I actually known a little less about them by the time the book was over. Anyway, this flaw wasn't enough to drop it to 3 stars. I learned a fair bit about surfing, and I finished the book in awe of the giant waves that could pay us a visit any time they like.

Radical brah, September 27, 2010
My surfing experience is limited to boogie boarding in San Diego when I was 22, but I had many surfing dreams for about a year after that. Whatever it is, it is powerful. Still, like many others I expected less surfers and a little more exploration into others who deal or have dealt with massive waves, but I still enjoyed the book.

More Stories than Science of Waves, but Conveys Their Beauty and Destructive Power., September 2, 2010

Editorial Review

Atlantic is a biography of a tremendous space that has been central to the ambitions of explorers, scientists, and warriors, and continues to affect our character, attitudes, and dreams. Poets to potentates, seers to sailors, fishermen to foresters—all have a relationship with this great body of gray and heaving sea.

Winchester chronicles that relationship, making the Atlantic come vividly alive. More than a mere history, Atlantic is an unforgettable journey of unprecedented scope by one of the most gifted writers in the English language.

Reviews

Another hit from Winchester...., November 1, 2010

Winchester's winsome winner, November 3, 2010

A Disappointing Effort from a solid author, December 13, 2010
Simon Winchester is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of his books and did not wait long to order this, his newest. It started like several of his others with a geologist's explanation of history... always interesting. He then laid out the vital importance of the ocean to human evolution, civilization, exploration, and history... good stuff but lacking the detail and real human accounts of Krakatoa or Crack at the Edge of the World.

The disappointment for me was that a large portion of the book is devoted to Dr. Winchester's view on how climate change is affecting the Atlantic and speculation on what future impact it will have. He gives anecdotal stories without solid science or data references and seems to imply that whatever changes have occurred are the result of man's use of the ocean an are harmful or bad - not just historical changes. I felt as if I'd been tricked into reading a case for man-caused global warming. Winchester is obviously passionate about the Atlantic and concerned about its future. However, I bought the book as a historical retrospective and did not care to read an exhaustive op-ed about climate change.

Winchester turns nonfiction accounts into page-turning literature, November 9, 2010
"Men might as well project a voyage to the Moon as attempt to employ steam navigation against the stormy North Atlantic Ocean."
- Dionysius Lardner, Irish scientific writer and lecturer, 1793-1859

This quote opens Simon Winchester's latest book, ATLANTIC. The bestselling author of KRAKATOA and THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN has made a career of turning nonfiction accounts into page-turning literature. Now he is taking on the vast infinity that is the Atlantic Ocean in a work that reads like crisp fiction as it covers this immense space through a number of different themes, blending both fact and folklore along the way.

What gives the book even more poignancy is how Winchester interjects his personal experiences into the numerous references he provides regarding the great Atlantic Ocean. Once nicknamed "the pond" by Victorian sailors of the 1600s, this body of water has been the site of famous events and the inspiration for thousands of artistic and literary productions.

Early on in the preface, Winchester mentions the Atlantic Charter of 1941. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the accord that signaled a changing of the guard, with the United States taking over from Britain as titular leader of the Western world. Winchester also refers to the Atlantic Ocean as a body of water that geologists predict will continue to transform in shape and size dramatically. Because of all the change that has taken place with the ocean over thousands of years, it is a reasonable subject that can have its story told in the form of biography.

Winchester indicates that the origins of the Atlantic can be traced as far back as the Jurassic period 195 million years ago. However, it was not until the age of early aquatic explorers that this mighty ocean was discovered and recognized. The voyages of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus are well known. Yet the first European to cross the Atlantic and reach the New World was actually a Norse Viking, most likely from Norway. Prior to Columbus reaching the New World, Florentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci was the first to realize North America as a continent and the Atlantic as a discrete and separate body of water --- an ocean.

Details of the great ships that crossed the Atlantic are covered at length by Winchester, with particular attention given to the HMS Challenger. Initially a warship, the Challenger not only traversed the Atlantic visiting numerous ports along the way but also carried a team of scientists and geologists during its initial three-and-a-half-year voyage. The findings of these men of science included the discovery of hundreds of specimens --- both animal and plant --- many of which still exist today. This was a formidable intellectual achievement that opened up the world and was the most comprehensive study of an ocean ever undertaken.

ATLANTIC provides proof of the indelible inspiration the Atlantic Ocean has made in the areas of arts and literature. Thousands of poems, stories and artistic achievements claim the ocean as their muse. Among Winchester's references are the Anglo-Saxon poem "The Seafarer" and numerous writings by the great William Shakespeare that provide some of the first Atlantic-inspired literary works. Architecture along the thousands of Atlantic coastline areas also represents respect for the sea. French composer Claude Debussy titled three of his major works "La mer," which helped attach the word "Impressionism" to a new style of sea-centered music. Winchester also points out several famous pieces of art, with none more notable than those of English artist J.M.W. Turner, whose "The Wreck of the Minotaur" exemplified the power of the great Atlantic Ocean.

No story of the Atlantic would be complete without outlining the role this body of water has played in the war experience. The Portuguese, the French, the Dutch and the English all sailed ships across the Atlantic during colonization efforts with the intent on beating their opponents to new territories. Winchester regales us with the golden age of pirates on the Atlantic, a term that originated from the Caribbean references to buccaneers and privateers. Writers like Robert Louis Stevenson and Daniel Defoe told of the exploits of these infamous traverses and villains of the Atlantic.

What Simon Winchester does best is to make his biography of the Atlantic Ocean read like a compelling fictional narrative that is never dull. In the hands of a writer with his gifts and talent for phraseology, what could have been an antiseptic textbook type of read is instead an exciting and enthralling literary experience that will appeal to anyone who is interested in history and engaging storytelling.

A rather ridiculous book, December 22, 2010
I have enjoyed a number of Winchester's books, but this was not one of them. He is at his best when he is detailing a story that is not well-known and surprising. That was what drove the success of his previous work. In this book, he takes on an enormous subject and ends up with a catalog of his research interspersed with totally unsupported assertions and some rather dull writing about his travels.

The structural problem with the book is that Winchester has chosen a cumbersome thematic structure to organize his writing: the seven stages of man listed in the "All the world's a stage..." speech from As You Like It. While this may have seemed like a clever way to tackle a sprawling subject like the Atlantic, the structure overwhelms any insight Winchester may or may not have had about the Atlantic. Seeking to fill this outline, Winchester stuffs everything into it that either (a) features the words "sea" or "Atlantic" or (b) happens to have taken place in or near the Atlantic. The result is a combination of the obvious (jet travel ended regular ocean liner service) or the downright tautological (in a section on "cities," Winchester writes brief descriptions of New York, Cape Town, St. Helena, none of which have any connection to each other and all of which essentially boil down to the pointless statement 'these are Atlantic cities because they are on the Atlantic ocean.")

Unsupported assertions abound. Apparently, musical instruments were not powerful enough before the 18th century to tackle the sea as a subject (whatever that may mean in the context of music). The "paramount" issue in the story of the Pilgrims is the Atlantic. What? How do you back that up? Even more bizarre, Winchester then undermines his own point by noting that it was important only as an obstacle to be crossed. Well, yeah. The Pilgrims are remembered for the founding of New England, not for their (total lack of ) seamanship or connection to the Atlantic.

Aside from the structural problems, Winchester's prose is often leaden and tedious. The opening story about his transatlantic crossing drags on for too long, pulls in totally unrelated issues like the meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt that resulted in the Atlantic Charter, and then peters out with no apparent point. As other reviewers have noted, almost everything is weighed down with vague modifiers. I suspect that these pleading modifiers are Winchester's unconscious attempt to make his lack of insight or, frankly, point sound "important."

Put simply, the book is a mess. The interesting subjects are covered in other books in better detail and with better writing. Winchester's writing about himself is dull and overwrought. Readers are better off sticking to books where Winchester has tackled a small, somewhat esoteric subject.

The Axis of Western Civilization, December 6, 2010

A tantalizing but frustrating read, November 14, 2010
This is an interesting book that could have been far more interesting if it were not so frustrating to read.

The book is filled with non-sequiturs that leave the reader in total puzzlement. An example is found on page 122: "Who now remembers James Rennell, for instance, a young sailor from Devon, England, who first came upon the Atlantic proper on a long-sea trick from military service in Bengal." What?! Actually I think we can be fairly certain that it was some paleolithic man or woman "who first came on the Atlantic proper." We can only try to guess what a "long-sea trick" is or what this has to do with Bengal.

The author drops bombshells on us and then blithely goes on to a new topic. We learn that tobacco has been found in an Egyptian tomb. This is a potentially profound discovery. When was this discovered and by whom? Are archeologists in general agreement about this? Has it been tested to determine where it was grown? Is it possible that there is an explanation other than a transatlantic voyage? You will never find out reading this book.

Casting his net too widely this time, December 27, 2010

Simon Winchester's books are always an adventure of one sort or another. He chooses a topic--person, place, event, in one stunningly expansive outing ("The Meaning of Everything") the Oxford English Dictionary--and covers that topic with infinite range and detail. I make it a point to listen to his books on audio, read by the author, for the joy of his linguistic pirouettes and pyrotechnics. I like his style.

For his latest book, though, I believe he cast his net too widely. The title says it all: Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms,and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories . In writing about the Atlantic Ocean he gave himself license to include anything that ever existed or occurred on, in or near it; art and music related to it in any way; warfare, trade, piracy, transportation of people and goods on or over the ocean; our overfishing and pollution of it; what will happen if global warming causes it to rise; and finally, the predictions (both dismal and majestic) of how the Atlantic will cease to exist when the continents ricochet back around and pinch it off in a few million years.

Realizing that he needed a structure to manage this mass of material, Winchester chose Shakespeare's "Seven Ages of Man" monologue from "As You Like It," relating aspects of the ocean to the stages: infant, school-boy, lover, soldier, justice, pantaloon (foolish old man), and second childhood. I didn't think this conceit worked perfectly, and in fact the structure that could bring order to this book probably doesn't exist.

Winchester's first career was in geology, and his fervor for eruptions and in fact all geological phenomena makes the Atlantic a promising topic for him. On the other hand, writing about individuals--you can scarcely call these books biographies--somehow focuses and settles his writing; "human included for scale," so to speak. I hope his next book will, indeed, be more focused.

Linda Bulger, 2010

Epic Sea Battles. War At Sea., December 8, 2010

A Fine Slice Through the Grey Waters., December 6, 2010

Editorial Review

Thoroughly revised, updated and expanded.

The first three editions of Night Watch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key feature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of thorough revisions and additional new material.

Night Watch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has revisions in every chapter, including:- The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binoculars- A complete update of the equipment section, including computerized telescopes- An enlarged photography section, including how-to instructions for using the new generation of digital cameras for astronomical photography, both with and without a telescope- The tables of future solar and lunar eclipses, planetary conjunctions and planet locations, updated through 2018.

This edition includes for the first time star charts for use in the southern hemisphere. There are also dozens of new photographs throughout the book that show the latest thrilling discoveries made by current space observatories and probes. ... Read more

Reviews

Absolutely essential before you purchase a telescope, January 24, 2002
This book is outstanding for two people: parents that are considering buying a telescope for their children, and adults that have an interest in becoming an amateur astronomer. This book will allow both groups of people to learn more about not only the stars, planets, and our universe, but to make intelligent decisions on purchases of such things as telescopes, binoculars, software programs, or more reading material.

All too often a parent will buy the "blue light special" telescope for their children, yet the child is quickly frustrated with inferior optics, a wobbly stand, and no knowledge of what to look at and why. This book will allow those parents to grasp the basics of astronomy and therefore teach their children to appreciate the universe. Mr. Dickinson has presented material so that everyone can enjoy the night sky; whether viewed with a telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye.

For those older children or adults, this book will allow them to jump headfirst into astronomy as a lifelong enjoyment. If you want to have only a basic understanding of the celestial bodies, this book is more than enough. But in the last few pages, Mr. Dickinson tells you where to go to find greater resources to further knowledge. Because of his recommendations and my own research, I've acquired the following items that I would also like to recommend:

Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion (a great resource for finding objects not usually in the astronomy magazines' monthly inserts)

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson (this is a "sequel" to Nightwatch and between these two books, they are used about 80% of the time compared to my other resources)

Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno (I enjoy using this book to plan an observation session for "old favorites" or as a "highlights tour" for showing to those new to astronomy)

Other resourses that are more in depth that you may want to consider if you become very serious about astronomy:

Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2, & 3

Deep-Sky Companions : The Messier Objects

A subscription to Sky & Telescope or Astronomy

I can't say enough about Nightwatch. This may be your first, or your "first and last" book on astronomy. But either way, you will enjoy astronomy because of Terence Dickinson's writing.

an absolute essenttial for all enthusiasts, November 19, 2001
Having recently purchased a telescope, I've been reading lots of astronomy books. Even though this one is very basic, overall I've found it the most useful. No math, no equations, but tons of helpful advice that will have you up and finding stars right away. I like the fact that he emphasizes how much you can see with binocs too. The star charts are very helpful and are printed so that they can be read by a red light while you're out observing. Lots of great information on how to buy a telescope too. The bound version is perfect for carrying with you to find objects in the sky. Well written, easy to follow and informative -- if you only buy one book, this should be it (although I'd have to add my all time favorite, The Stars by H.A. Ray, the only book that draws the constellations so that they actually look like pictures).

Comprehensive tutorial for budding backyard astronomers, July 1, 2000
This is perhaps the most important book you'll need to get started if you feel you're one of those people who have suddenly been captured by astronomy. The book sets out to answer all those questions that will inevitably flood your mind and does so in a way that is very easy to understand, complemented by a touch of inspiring poetry. It never gets too technical, yet the amazing wealth of information in there is never compromised.

Topic coverage is very broad and the depth of information I find is very satisfying. Chapters include the structure of the universe, stargazing, a detailed guide to selecting and purchasing equipment, the stars, the planets, the moon and sun, solar and lunar eclipses, comets, meteors, auroras and even how to photograph the night sky.

The book is further enriched by an abundance of backgrounders, star charts, tables, breathtaking images and excellent diagrams explaining things like measuring degrees with your hand and how to use the constellations to find other stars. Important stars and constellations are treated like individual personalities as a lot of the associated data such as distances are put into perspective.

Nightwatch is a clearly focused book. Rich in information, and down to earth with its content, it will satisfy the budding backyard astronomer's need to appreciate what's out there and how to enjoy it.

Outstanding Guide for Amateur Astronomers!, October 30, 2000
Terence Dickinson's "Nightwatch" is a practical all-around guide to amateur astronomy. Spiralbound for outdoor and easier use, and packed with colorful pictures, charts and skymaps, the book gives the reader all the help needed to become a first class amateur astronomer. Wonderfully written with chapters on the Sun, the moon, the planets and the motions of the sky, the constellations and the stars, comets, meteors, eclipses and auroras, stargazing equipment and photographing the nightsky this revised and updated edition is expanded for use through the year 2010, and contains also a chapter on resources covering astronomy magazines, books, software, clubs, conventions and useful websites as well as information on observatories and leading manufacturers of astronomical telescopes and binoculars. An acomplished astronomer himself and the author of 14 books, with "Nightwatch" Dickinson has crafted one of the best astronomy field guides available today. A superb book!

Impressive and imformative, November 23, 2000
I was discouraged at an early age by the books on practical, observational astronomy for the amateur. Most of them contained star charts that were a mass of confusion, and the printed information was hardly any more helpful. When a friend and I decided to take a beginning observational astronomy course, I was doubtful, but Dickinson's volume is much more lucidly written and his charts are designed for the beginner. I was able to find the planets Venus, Mars and Jupitor on a casual night time walk with my Great Dane and was absolutely thrilled. Just as told, the planets were clearly visible despite the city lights. Although I have been able to identify the big dipper since childhood, finding other named heavenly bodies was something I hadn't believed myself capable until trying it with this book. Both my friend and I have enjoyed the experience. She says she wishes she'd known about it when her "kids" were still kids! Speaking of which, the book also has VERY important information for the prospective purchaser of a telescope, a must read especially for those looking to buy a gift for the amateur astronomer in their family. This would make a fun family book for those who enjoy doing special things with the kids.

A very good beginner's book..., July 23, 2002
I own several books on observational astronomy, but this is one of them I frequently turn to for help. This has been recommended as the first book to get introduced to astronomy and I would strongly agree with that.

Perhaps, the most useful aspect of the book is its available in spiral bind. It makes so easy to navigate the pages and keep it spread around during observation.

The second useful aspect, especially for the beginners, is the charts of constellations. I own the SkyAtlas 2000.0, but the info in it is sometimes overwhelming. But Nightwatch displays the brighest objects of deepsky in easy charts and also gives quick info (light years, magnitude, is it good for binocs etc) right below the object. When my friends visit my back-yard, this book is helpful in locating the star and also give them quick funda about it.

In fact just binocs and this book are enough to spend a dark sky night. This book along with Backyard Astronomers (by same author) will probably be a complete beginners library. (Backyard Astronomers gives more details about telescopes).

Almost flawless..., August 28, 2000
Dickinson does an excellent job of covering all the bases for the amatuer astronomer. The most worthwhile aspect of the entire book are the 20 annotated and detailed maps of the sky as seen from the northern hemisphere. They are absolutely indespensable when viewing the sky and allow one to find otherwise easily missed stellar sights. I have two complaints about this book, one minor and the other major. The minor complaint is that his moon map would benefit from more detail, as I quickly exhausted the list of named and detailed features it held and imagine many have as well.

My major complaint and only real reservation I have about this book is that the author is very biased in favor of large and expensive telescopes and makes the argument that only such instruments can provide quality views of the stars. The truth is that such instruments are beyond the financial reach of 95% of amatuers. I own a 4 and 1/2 inch newtonian reflector and separately purchased a handful of quality plossl eyepieces and have made detailed observations of most of the planets as well as many nebulae and other objects. I spent a total of about $300-400. Had I listened to the advice of the author and not bought a scope in this range I would have missed out on years of quality viewing. It would have been more helpful if he had mentioned which of the low-cost scopes were worth buying (as some are) instead of dismissing all models below $500.

Astronomy 101 a truly great book, April 29, 2000
It just gets better and better all the time. Night Watch Third Addition, is jammed packed with information, that an aspiring astronomer can't live without especially if your just getting started, be he/she 11 or 75 years of age. I can't rant and rave enough about this book and how it has helped so many people discover the Night Sky.

When a new comer comes to our club or viewing session and asks for a book that will help them to learn more, it is "Night Watch" that is always recommended to him or her.

The book talks plainly and easily to the new beginner, helps them to imagine and realise the size and depths of the universe, offer's tidbits of information on telescopes, what to look for what not to look for.

Star charts expertly detailed and easily read, offering all kinds of celestrial targets to shoot for. The charts are done in such a way as not to confuse the user with thousands of stars (such as found in the more involved star atlas, these come later), the charts offer targets not only for the telescope but for the binoculars as well. For those of you who do not own a telescope YET!

By far this is probably one of the best purchases you'll ever make.

This book without a doubt won't be sitting on the bookshelf collecting dust, rather it will be in your lap while you search the night skys!...

Enjoy the book!

Beautiful, practical ..., November 19, 2000
This book was recommended to me by an avid backyard astronomer when I mentioned I was interested in learning more about astronomy. I was absolutely delighted with this book. The photos are beautiful, the diagrams are excellent. It makes star/planet identification easy, gives guidance on buying a telescope, has a nice introductory chapter on the universe, putting everything in perspective. The writing is clear, straightforward, understandable. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, as I feel that this single book contains everything I really want to know at this time. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an interesting, comprehensible introduction to the night sky.

Excellent book for budding astronomers, December 21, 2002
I cannot praise this book enough.Within minutes of "pre-reading" it, I repacked the telescope I had just purchased,and am sending it back.Why? Because Mr. Dickinson explained, in perfectly understandable terms,why that particular telescope was the wrong choice for me.The section on "trash telescopes" was very informative.I also now have a real respect for binoculars..and may purchase a good quality pair,based on Mr.D.'s comments about proper binoculars for viewing the nightsky.They will be a good stepping-stone on my way to purchasing the best telescope for me. I have always dreamed of being a backyard astronomer,but never had enough time to pursue the hobby.Now that I am retired,the first thing I crossed off my "to-do" list was the telescope purchase.It was an impulse buy,I am ashamed to say,and if it hadn't been for the excellent advice from Mr.D,I would have wasted a few hundred bucks on something that would ultimately cause me frustration.
So...if you are thinking of getting into amateur astronomy,look no further than this wonderful,well-thought out,easy to understand,and beautifully presented book.I will now purchase the right equipment I need to really get into my long-desired hobby. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A landmark in reference publishing and overseen and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, Natural History presents an unrivaled visual survey of Earth's natural history. Giving a clear overview of the classification of our natural world-over 6,000 species-Natural History looks at every kingdom of life, from bacteria, minerals, and rocks to fossils to plants and animals. Featuring a remarkable array of specially commissioned photographs, Natural History looks at thousands of specimens and species displayed in visual galleries that take the reader on an incredible journey from the most fundamental building blocks of the world's landscapes, through the simplest of life forms, to plants, fungi, and animals. ... Read more

Reviews

The Ideal Guide to the Livin' World!!!, October 17, 2010
I am a man of nature.
So it's no suprise that it only took two minutes after it's discovery to officially want to add this to my compendium collection.
After a week, I manage to find and buy this book at Barnes n' Noble (cost me $50 - you'll get a much better deal on here!)

First off, I'm going to tell you know (though you probably already know), this book is FREAKIN' BIG!!!! Might as well be a college textbook! You'll need to find some (worthy) space in your bookshelf for it.

Secondly, the sheer number of species (and specimens, mind you) inside these covers in astounding. Compare a book from the same series (DK's Animal for example), which had about 2,000 species in it.
This tome has 5,000 (something you need to see in order to grasp the sheer quantity)! And not just animals... where else could you find a book with rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, microbes, fungi, plants, protists, and animals all in one!
It's taxonomically organized (with the system for rocks and minerals as well) starting with Bacteria & Archaea first, then Protists (yes, it uses the kingdom Protista - something I don't usually favor), then the plants take over for a good portion of the book (any lover of flowers is going to flip out), fungi proceed, then finally come the animals (which takes up half of the book - and I don't even mind). One thing I really enjoy is the fact that this is one of the only plant books I've seen were everything isn't organized for gardeners. And there are some very cool rocks and minerals in here.

Third, the format is reminicent of a Sears/Walmart catalog - the species group is listed, and then specimens abound to every last corner of the page. The photos (and illustrations for some) are wonderful and very clear.

A few "not favorable" things I might add - not all animal groups get coverage, most entries that cover trees do not show the entire plant but simply a branch or leaf, the fish diversity is somewhat limited, and I've already mentioned the kingdom Protista and the dominating Animalia.

But you shouldn't pay attention to these things, because if you're looking for a book with a complete diversity of the world we live in - I would recommend this.

The natural world, October 22, 2010
`Natural History' is, as it claims a visual guide, perhaps not the ultimate, but close and not everything - almost. Its chapter on fish seems a little lean, but most will not notice.
It is a big heavy, over 7 pounds, coffee table book. It does have some stunning pictures and lots of colored illustrations. Most of what it includes are sections on each page with coloured charts, pictures, and illustrations of many elements of the natural world; rocks, ferns, a variety of snails, birds of prey - it is filled with almost any living thing you could think of.
The maps are well done and it will do much to clear up any confusion one has on classifications. You could even accomplish much identification yourself of rocks and birds using its clear pictures.

There are sections on; the living earth, minerals, rocks and fossils, microscopic life, plants, fungi and animals including invertebrates, chordates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
There is a glossary and an index. It is an excellent reference and learning tool and of course has the expertise of the Smithsonian Institute behind it.
This is a book young children could learn from, but adults would not feel `talked" down to.
It would make a great addition to your home, school or as a Christmas present that should get much use.

ANOTHER GREAT DK BOOK!!!!!!!!!!, November 14, 2010
The DK science books have set a standard that is hard to beat - and this is one of their best. Great photography and graphic design and just enough info to get you started on any subject. I can't reccomend this book with enough superlatives. An absolute joy!

Another amazing book from DK, October 23, 2010
I have many of the DK books--History, Animal, Earth, Animal Life, Universe, etc. This book doesn't let you down. It is packed full of beautiful photographs of all different kinds of wildlife. I look at it for hours, and then go back to it and look at it again. It is amazing!!

Great deal, December 4, 2010
The order for this book was filled very quickly. When the book arrived it was in great shape. The book is filled with lots and lots of useful information. It's a "must have" book for any artist! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Loved it!, January 18, 2007
My six year old daughter asked for a coloring book for Christmas and is really into horses. She was so excited to receive this book. The pages are thick and of nice quality. The brown pen she used slightly bled through onto the backside but not enough to ruin the picture. She uses colored pencils or crayons on most of the pictures.

Magnificent Horses, September 16, 2007
Page after page of beautifully drawn horses in various poses, many of them are action poses.

A few of the pictures feature riders but most are just of the horses--which was my preference.

The drawings are large and easy to color, and there is also lots of background with mountains, trees, rocks and even rivers/streams.

I am an adult colorer, but I think anyone from about the age of six would enjoy coloring in this book.

I highly recommend it.

Great coloring book!, April 9, 2007
I bought this as a gift for my step daughter (age 5), along with several other coloring books; Dragons Coloring Book & Gargoyles and Medieval Monsters Coloring Book. Of the three she has taken most to horses. It is a fairly easy book to color out of, but not annoyingly easy. We have spent a lot of time coloring together, and having good books like these make that time an enjoyable way to bond with your children, while teaching them the value of prime colors and staying in the lines. :)

If you like horses You'll love this book, October 22, 2007
This is a very good coloring book. John Green is an excellent artist and with a little colored pencil or crayons the pictures come alive. I bought this book for myself, and I love it.

Great for older kids, December 20, 2007
This is a beautiful book that an older kid could really appreciate. I bought it for my 3 year old because she's very into horses right now but she will not do it any justice. An older child with artistist ability would love turning these black & white images into stunning pictures. Would work great with colored pencils as the pages are much nicer than the usual "crayon" type pages of kids coloring books.

Great coloring book!, July 10, 2007
My daughter, a seven year old horse lover, thinks this book is the greatest. It went missing for a couple of days and she was distraught! It has beautiful horse pictures.

Great Coloring Book, August 16, 2009
I shopped around for a coloring book about horses that was not "cutesy", to no avail. This coloring book has interesting pictures of beautifully drawn horses on each page. The cover and pages are of high quality materials. I was very pleased to give this coloring book as a gift.

coloring book, January 19, 2009
Very nice book of beautiful horses and backgrounds to color, good quality paper. I'm very pleased with my choice...you will be too.

Perfect for horse "happy" children., July 4, 2009
The Wonderful World of Horses coloring book is perfect for children who adore horses. The drawings are large enough that even our youngest grandchild (3)can do well with the detail. All of the kids love this coloring book and bringing the pages to life.

Wonderful idea!, March 27, 2009
I am so glad I ordered this book! As I was packing for a visit in another state I turned to Amazon for a quick gift for my granddaughter-a surprise.
The order came very quickly and was just what I needed. There is beautiful detail in the pages to be colored. She was excited to receive a book which clearly required more skill. She is eight years old and this was perfect for her as she is a meticulous coloring fan. It also was in stark contrast to the easier one her little sister got, so she felt her talents had been recognized. ... Read more

Editorial Review

National Bestseller 

A New York Times Notable Book
An O, The Oprah Magazine Terrific Read of the Year
A Huffington Post Best Book of the Year
A New Yorker Favorite Book of the Year
A Chicago Tribune Favorite Nonfiction Book of the Year
A Kansas City Star Best Book of the Year
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
An Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Decade

The true story of one family, caught between America’s two biggest policy disasters: the war on terror and the response to Hurricane Katrina.
 
Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun run a house-painting business in New Orleans. In August of 2005, as Hurricane Katrina approaches, Kathy evacuates with their four young children, leaving Zeitoun to watch over the business. In the days following the storm he travels the city by canoe, feeding abandoned animals and helping elderly neighbors. Then, on September 6th, police officers armed with M-16s arrest Zeitoun in his home. Told with eloquence and compassion, Zeitoun is a riveting account of one family’s unthinkable struggle with forces beyond wind and water. ... Read more

Reviews

Simple Story, Simply Told, Simply Horrifying, August 11, 2009
First off, Zeitoun painted my house about 8 years ago so maybe I'm a little bit biased. I also think Dave Eggers is a great writer (doubly biased, perhaps). This story needs to be told to a large audience and Mr. Eggers is just the person to tell it. Maybe we can knock Eggers for the simplistic style he chose to write this book. On the other hand, this story frankly didn't need much artistic enhancement. It is shocking on its own accord and told in a very straightforward manner. Appropriate for the material, I believe.

Every American NEEDS to read this book. What we find in it is an America that lost its core. It is truly shocking that no matter how bad things were in New Orleans immediately following Katrina (most reporting was inaccurate and sensationalized), we are still Americans with common beliefs in our system of rights. That these rights were tossed out the window is appalling.

Mr. Zeitoun is a kind and gentle man. His signs are ubiquitous in New Orleans and he is a stranger to no one and well liked by all who have met him. That he could be mistreated is a crime and an outrage. That others were rounded up and treated even worse is one of the worst black eyes on our country. As I read this book I just kept saying out loud over and over again, "This cannot be America."

Riveting, July 26, 2009
I had never read anything by Dave Eggers before, but his reputation set some pretty high expectations. I am a fan of narrative non-fiction and non-fiction, and enjoy books like "In Thin Air" or "The Colony." I picked up the book yesterday, and finished it this morning. It was spectacular.

The writing style is perfect. It is not over the top with descriptions, but still makes you feel as if you are there, canoeing along in the streets of New Orleans. The subject matter is interesting, not just in a "can't stop watching this train wreck" sort of way, but because it ties together Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, two of the largest national events of the last decade. I never thought or knew about much beyond what I saw on TV regarding Katrina. This book thoroughly explores one story of one family, but manages tell it from a perspective that everyone can understand.

Much like the book Three Cups of Tea brought attention to the plight of women in Pakistan, I hope that Zeitoun will bring to light the problems and issues that still need attention in the US and in New Orleans.

Eggers took the main event, Katrina, and by telling the Zietouns' story, made it of human scale.

I'm rambling--all I can say is, I think this book is worth a read for everyone. It isn't preachy-it is interesting. I learned a lot about many different subjects. I hope it ends up on the best seller list and stays there for a long time. Unlike some books that end up on the best seller lists, this one really deserves to be there.

beauty and horror, August 1, 2009
Zeitoun is a creampuff to read and then there is a huge lump in your stomach where the content boils. I finished it in a couple of days, finishing on a cross-country plane flight and got off in a furious mood that didn't wear off until the end of a hot bath and a tall cold rum drink. Massive injustice has been done in New Orleans and this book follows it right down to the foundations. You won't read another word about Katrina without finding your thoughts completely reoriented. Let's hear it for the truth.

The rule of law, suspended, September 1, 2009
Dave Eggers's account of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the first story in "Zeitoun," is immensely readable. However, there has been a lot of well-written reportage on the storm and the Bush administration's botched handling of the rescue efforts. What's extraordinary about "Zeitoun" is the second, intersecting story, Eggers's narrative of the arrest and imprisonment---without charge, without representation, without even the ability to make a phone call--of Abdulrahman Zeitoun, Syrian immigrant, successful businessman, and American citizen. Incredibly, in "Zeitoun," the War on Terror merges with the Katrina disaster to produce a truly stunning example of what happens to xenophobia in the hands of petty officialdom. I've read several novels in which writers as diverse as Andres Dubus II, Claire Messud, and, most recently, Lorrie Moore, attempt to incorporate the events of September 11, 2001. None of these writers is, to my mind, particularly convincing with this material. (Don DeLillo, in "Falling Man," comes closest, I think.) Eggers, on the other hand, a master of narrative nonfiction, simply (artfully) gets out of the way of his material, letting it speak for itself. And his depiction of the weeks after the storm, a period when Zeitoun's wife, Kathy, at first does not know whether he is dead or alive and then struggles with callous officials to free her unjustly detained husband, is powerful indeed. So too is the narrative thread that traces Zeitoun's family history. Most painful and revolting, however, are the scenes in the jail-cages of "Camp Greyhound," the temporary prison constructed outside the New Orleans bus station. As with the photos of Abu Ghraib, the emotion a reading of "Zeitoun" is mostly likely to evoke is shame.

Zeitoun: A Reflection On New Orleans and America, August 23, 2009
"Zeitoun" is an inspiring, tragic and powerful book that will endure decades from now about how America failed at helping New Orleans and the residents of the city during and after Hurricane Katrina. In a nonjudgmental and factual manner, the book recounts failed expectations and lack of accountability by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security in response to the devastation brought to the city by Katrina.

Author Dave Eggers, one of the important storytellers of our time, chronicles the true story of one man - Abdulrahman Zeitoun - a prosperous Syrian-American and father of four who chose to stay through the storm to protect his house and contracting business.

Zeitoun risks his own life daily by paddling through the city in a canoe in his attempt to save lives and help provide food and water to others, only to endure shameful, unjust and unaccountable torture at the hands of police and the military. The lasting harm done to Zeitoun, his American wife Kathy and their children continues even today, four years after the storm.

Eggers documents that Homeland Security, FEMA and the military sent troops to New Orleans not necessarily to assist in rescues but rather because of an unfounded and paranoid belief that terrorists might take advantage of the hurricane situation to cause further disruption. In the perverted and racist government process, Zeitoun is viewed not as a savior of the city but as the enemy.

While I suspect that the story of Zeitoun will further enhance Dave Eggers' well-deserved destiny as a meaningful voice in American nonfiction writing, I am most struck by the fact that all proceeds and royalties are going to the not-for-profit Zeitoun Foundation in New Orleans.

[...]

This is a page turner with substance!, August 7, 2009
I struggle all the time with "must" when it comes to giving advice to other people. Who am I to tell you what to do? Will you forgive me this one time? Because if you do, you will learn some important things by reading this book.

You MUST read Zeitoun. Especially if you live in one of those areas -- like I do -- that can be struck by a natural disaster. Most of us do now, don't you think? With global warming, there are more fierce hurricanes, more tornados. And just the other day I looked at an old National Geographic magazine's map of where earthquake areas are in the world -- there's a lot of them! And I live in the San Francisco Bay Area ... so we think about them all the time -- that is, when we're not in a state of denial.

You better hope hope hope and pray (if so inclined) that you are never in a natural disaster of huge proportions like the poor folks in New Orleans were! The natural disaster parts are bad enough ... but what is far worse is the army of "helpers" who come in later: National Guard, FEMA, law enforcement from other areas. That's when the real tragedy will happen. These people don't know you. They've been told to watch for looters. And like one of the quotes says in the front matter of this important book: To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Every person looks like a looter. Or a terrorist if you've got a Middle Eastern-sounding name.

That's what happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun. At the time of Katrina, he was (and still is) a citizen and successful businessman in New Orleans. Think of it: you're well-known by your community and a successful businessman -- yet, after Katrina, you are thought of as a looter and terrorist. Without any proof. No evidence whatsoever. No hearing for weeks. No phone call. The phone call. It's that special part of the U.S. judicial system: the phone call. We're taught about this all the time as children: if you're arrested, you get a phone call. The worst serial killer gets a phone call.

Don't count on it after a disaster. In a disaster with our friends from FEMA in control you become one of the Disappeared -- and yes, they are the ones in control -- and now that they are a part of Homeland Security they have even more control and an even worse attitude -- to an employee from FEMA, everyone looks like a looter and a terrorist.

And what about you, woman in your 70s -- do you really think your safe? Read about the tale of Merlene Maten. She was 73 and a diabetic. She and her husband had fled their home before the hurricane and checked into a downtown hotel thinking they would be safer there. After three days, Maten went down to their car in the parking lot next door to get some food they had in the car. She was arrested for looting. It made no sense! Yet she was arrested anyway. Folks, this is what is so striking when you read this book: the "helpers" -- law enforcement, National Guards or whatever -- do not listen to you if you are just regular folks. Remember, you're a nobody. They don't listen to your story ... they don't look at the real facts: you're 73 and diabetic and you're at *your* car getting food. They don't take the time to see if you really are checked into that hotel next door. They just arrest you.

You better hope hope hope and pray that a disaster doesn't head your way.

I want to thank Dave Eggers for writing this book -- and for all the important things he does with his abundant energy. Good stuff. Thanks. From deep down. I hadn't read any of his books before, glad I started with this one.

The writing is so very good too. The book is a page-turner. It's not depressing at all. The book has a main story -- the story about the Zeitouns -- plus lots of other very interesting stories. Although watch out! If you were mad about how folks in New Orleans were treated before -- WATCH OUT -- you're gonna be furious by the time you finish this book.

History on the personal level..., July 24, 2009
Disclaimer: I am a big Dave Eggers. I don't think he is infallible, but I'm a fan.

I found this work of non-fiction to be riveting, honest, and gripping. When Katrina hit New Orleans, I was studying abroad, traveling through Italy and seeing the hurricane's aftermath called "Bush's Folly" on a number of Italian newspapers and periodicals. Zeitoun and Kathy's story is tragic and heart-wrenching, while proving, ultimately, hopeful.

To think of what the Zeitoun family, and countless other residents of the New Orleans area, went through in 2005 and in the months following is unfathomable. But Dave Eggers has written a frank, quite readable retelling of what happened a few short years ago.

I admire Eggers for his 826 literacy programs and social awareness, among other things, and for his commitment to help get the Zeitouns' story out there, so as to put a unique face to natural disaster of Katrina, and to the human disaster and American failures that followed, and in many ways continue to the present day.

Life, Faith and Dangerous Waters, July 31, 2009
As a writer, Dave Eggers has the ability to find the small story within the larger one, as exemplified by his "Voice of Witness" series, out of which arose this book. But no one else could have written this book -- his extraordinary skill as a writer coupled with his deep seated humanity and puckish humor have woven a story of courage and loyalty and love far beyond any other I've read, save for his own "What is the What," my favorite book of 2006. His befriending of his subjects results in epic volumes, that have effects far beyond the selling of books -- Foundations in this case, a School in the case of WITW. I don't say this often, but everyone should read this book.

Dave Eggers is unique. He is also supernatural -- how can so many hats be worn on just one head? And when does he have the time to accomplish all he does? At what was supposed to only be a book signing for
"Zeitoun" recently, he gave an impromptu speech about the family at its core and the events they endured during the horror of Katrina, before and after the Storm. He was generous with his time and information, without giving too much away about the story. He never gave the impression he had somewhere else to be, but as it was a noon signing, seemed more concerned about the attendees' need to return to work.

Zeitoun - A Teacher's Review, October 6, 2010
With the recent controversy over the Ground Zero Mosque, it is crucial that teachers incorporate literature into the curriculum that highlights the fact the Muslim religion is not equated with terrorism; terrorism is not a religion.

Eggers successfully documents the trauma of the Zeitoun family following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The novel is based on a series of in depth interviews of the Zeitoun family, friends, and relatives, as well as, other central figures who share Zeitoun's fate. About two thirds of the book is spent focusing on the bond between Zeitoun and his family, which extends to his community at large; a community that Zeitoun, even after Katrina, finds value in, from the disabled to the able-bodied, to the animals left behind. It is within this post-Katrina community, however, that Zeitoun is falsely accused, tortured, and degraded by the U.S. government because he is thought to be associated with terrorist activity. Although Zeitoun's imprisonment is one of the defining characteristics of the book, Eggers also touches upon what it means to be a Muslim woman in America today. Through Kathy, Zeitoun's wife who is an American woman that converted because she felt the religion gave her power and control over her own life, we learn that the hijab, which is often seen as a sign of suppression by a patriarchal culture, actually becomes one of liberation.

It is within the pages of Eggers narrative that educators will find the opportunity to teach students how to embrace and understand other cultures beyond what is reported by media outlets. By not including this book in our curriculum, or a work that confronts the same issue, we are doing our students a disservice, which will eventually become extensions of further ignorance and intolerance. Making students aware of how 9/11 has changed what it means to be American will only foster the knowledge of real situations, situations like Zeitouns that forever altered a man and his family; a situation that forever altered Americans.

An interesting aspect about this book is the title because Zeitoun represents the man, the family, as well as, the extended network of friends and relatives of Zeitoun's (the man) around the world. It may be an interesting aspect to bring up in class discussion after reading the book.

This book also contains a comprehensive list resources on rebuilding New Orleans, support for, and education about the Muslim community. Utilizing these sources in the classroom would be excellent an way to get students involved in the reality of the text they have just read.

Amazing to Read, August 6, 2009
I don't know much about Katrina and only a bit about its aftermath. This book was a wake-up call. I admit I picked up the book because of its Arabic title, and was intrigued to see Egger's name as the author. As an Arab-American, I have to say, Egger captured the nuances of Arabs in America seamlessly. I felt at home with Abdulrahman and Kathy- many of my relatives, including myself, have married non-Arabs. I read Abdulrahman's account of paddling around New Orleans in awe and wonder. Then, the arrest. I am enraged and angry over his treatment, not only as an Arab, but as an attorney. I am disheartened to see the America I loved so much as a child sink to such a dark, unfair place. This is an important and indispensable piece of nonfiction that I hope is widely read. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cute after cute after cute after cute. The redonkulously adorable wall calendar based on Cute Overload—“the fuzziest, nicest blog on the planet” (CBS News)—Cute Overload is chock-full of adorable animal photographs enhanced by witty, pitch-perfect captions. Each full-color spread celebrates one “Rule of Cuteness” (#2: Look helpless; #12: Fuzz + floppy limbs is cute) with a large photograph at the top of the page and dozens of smaller ones in the grid below. Awwww: round little bunnies. Impossibly small ponies. A hamster nibbling a clover leaf. A baby deer—all spots and wobbly legs. Plus lots of puppies, kittens, hams and guinea pigs, not to mention the occasional wallaby, llama and itty-bitty snail. It’s equal-opportunity cuteness, all year long. ... Read more

Reviews

If you like cuteoverload.com..., November 26, 2010
this is a must have. If you aren't familiar with the website, you might want check it out before ordering. Some people have found some of the language offensive or weird. However, I love the site and I have bought all of the calenders since they were first offered. I have already ordered this year, in both wall and page-a-day!

a must have for animal lovers, October 26, 2010
I have the 2010 "cute overload calendar "and if you love cute animals or animals in cute situations this 2011 is a must have!!! Every morning there is a giggle or an awwwww to brighten your day.

More than just pictures, December 2, 2010
I enjoy Cuteoverload.com, visiting the site daily. It is a great community. The pictures and captions in this calendar are a wonderful tribute to that community and its creative spirit. Personally I enjoy having the captions and unusual pics rather than your standard cutesy photos that just sit there. Those get rather boring after a while. To me the captions and settings tend to get a creative spark going, get you thinking in a different way. Sure the humor found here might not be for all, and it isn't aimed at kids, but more at teens and young adults, but I'm 40 and a professional, and I appreciate the fun intended by the calendar's creators.

Adorable!, November 2, 2010
I love this calendar! It's soooooo cute. Fast shipment, too. Don't hesitate to buy this product if you like cute furry animals.

Cuteness is never enough..., December 27, 2010
Cuteoverload.com is one of my favourite websites. Be amazed by what the animals can do. I am so excited when I see this calendar on sale at Amazon.com. It is now sitting on my table already.... looking forward to 2011 as you are greeted by a fluffy little face every day!

Good gift for teen and pre-teen girls, December 26, 2010
My girls love getting this calendar each year. It's cute, for sure, but it's also funny. And funny without being dirty or overly snarky.

Do Your Research, People, December 20, 2010
Love the site? Love the calendar. Never heard of the site? Maybe you ought to check it out first, as Meg would say, natch.

A Worthwhile Extention of CO.com, December 1, 2010
While I wouldn't personally display this on my desk (I bought it for a [female] friend of mine.) I can certainly appreciate the humor. I knew I could appreciate the humor prior to buying this, though, because the CuteOverload blog has been a frequent topic of office conversation. Is it appropriate for your kids? Have you let them watch a "PG"-rated movie? Yes? Then yes.

Everyone needs a desktop calendar. I'll keep my "365 New Ways to Curse," but if it's down to CuteOverload and Betty White, it's dogs' rumps with sunglasses for my money.

Lame captions on almost every page, December 21, 2010
I have the 2010 one and I'm glad the year is almost over. The captions on every single day is lame. Really? That is supposed to be funny? The animals themselves are cute, but the captions are not funny, not cute, not intelligent, and just outright WTF?

We've always had the cats one and I thought let's be adventurous in 2010 and buy this one for our kitchen. Lame. Thank goodness I'm going back to the kitty cats one in 2011.

I should write to the company and tell them to fire whoever allows those ret*rded comments to be printed. They're better off just having the cute animal photos minus the LAME commentaries.

Thank you, I've been meaning to get that off my chest for a long time. Today I was staring at the cute baby penguin having my coffee and this huge WTF compelled me to write this review. I will sleep better tonight.

10 more days till I can use my trusty ol' cats Page a Day calendar. Thank goodness.

Very Disappointing..., November 8, 2010
I have the 2010 version of this calendar. I find many of the Editor's ideas of "cute" very strange --- and in many cases patently offensive. For example, do you think it's "cute" to look at a dog's hind end with a pair of sunglasses over the tail? Do you want to explain to your child why some pictures feature animal droppings, or the meaning of "effing","wtf" or other equally crude "captions" and inappropriate sexual innuendos?

Many of the captions are very, very bad attempts at humor. I found myself forced to blot out many of the captions with ink marker, so as not to have to explain them to my naturally inquisitive children.

I did not like this calendar at all and I am truly sorry I purchased it. Although it appears innocent and cute from the cover --- once you are inside you will find that way too many of the pictures and captions are in bad taste. Fortunately, Amazon has MUCH better Page-A-Day calendars to choose from. ... Read more

Editorial Review

It’s December 1997, and a man-eating tiger is on the prowl outside a remote village in Russia’s Far East. The tiger isn’t just killing people, it’s annihilating them, and a team of men and their dogs must hunt it on foot through the forest in the brutal cold. As the trackers sift through the gruesome remains of the victims, they discover that these attacks aren’t random: the tiger is apparently engaged in a vendetta. Injured, starving, and extremely dangerous, the tiger must be found before it strikes again.

As he re-creates these extraordinary events, John Vaillant gives us an unforgettable portrait of this spectacularly beautiful and mysterious region. We meet the native tribes who for centuries have worshipped and lived alongside tigers, even sharing their kills with them. We witness the arrival of Russian settlers in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, soldiers and hunters who greatly diminished the tiger populations. And we come to know their descendants, who, crushed by poverty, have turned to poaching and further upset the natural balance of the region.

This ancient, tenuous relationship between man and predator is at the very heart of this remarkable book. Throughout we encounter surprising theories of how humans and tigers may have evolved to coexist, how we may have developed as scavengers rather than hunters, and how early Homo sapiens may have fit seamlessly into the tiger’s ecosystem. Above all, we come to understand the endangered Siberian tiger, a highly intelligent super-predator that can grow to ten feet long, weigh more than six hundred pounds, and range daily over vast territories of forest and mountain.

Beautifully written and deeply informative, The Tiger circles around three main characters: Vladimir Markov, a poacher killed by the tiger; Yuri Trush, the lead tracker; and the tiger himself. It is an absolutely gripping tale of man and nature that leads inexorably to a final showdown in a clearing deep in the taiga. ... Read more

Reviews

Gripping and informative, April 26, 2010

A Lyrical, Insightful, and rather Exhaustive Analysis, June 5, 2010

A Digressive Tale, May 12, 2010

This Tiger really burns bright, September 6, 2010
The remarkable thing about John Vaillant's The Tiger is not that it's a total page-turner, or that he manages to stuff the Tiger with so much fascinating natural and political history that you come away with three or four points added to your IQ, or that his lush descriptions are sensuous without being cloying and muscular without being macho, or that his characters are indelible and engaging and worthy of The Dirty Dozen or Where Eagles Dare, or even that the tiger and its hunters will relentlessly stalk your consciousness when you aren't reading the book (quite a trick in attention-challenged times). It's that you will, without even knowing it, and even if you don't want to, find yourself suddenly occupying the tiger's world, and seeing it through his eyes, feeling its wounds and its anguish and its hatred, and, above all, rooting for it against your fellow humans. Let this book hunt you down and pounce on you. You won't regret it.

Loved it but not as described., June 17, 2010

Incredible!, August 23, 2010

Siberian tigers - an amazing story, August 5, 2010

A History Lesson, May 17, 2010

Good, but too ambitious and strains credibility, September 26, 2010
This is a fascinating true story of the environmental and economic forces that bring man and tiger into conflict, but it ranges too far in trying to bring these threads together. The basic story is pretty simple: post-perestroika poverty in southeast Russia combines with Chinese demand for natural resources and exotic animals to incentivize poaching and other environmental depredation. This, in turn, leads to scenarios in which the tiger sometimes wins, at least temporarily. In this particular case, a tiger kills and eats a poacher who had shot it. Injured and unable to hunt its normal prey, it kills and eats another human before it is killed by authorities.

Pros:
(1) All you ever wanted to know about human-tiger relations, from prehistory forward.
(2) All you ever wanted to know about the effects of communism and perestroika on south-eastern Russia.
(3) Sympathetic presentation of all the actors. The abject poverty of many of the humans involved makes it easier to understand why they did the things they did.

Cons:
(1) See #1 and #2 above, "and more". The story is stretched thin by too much backstory about too many people and human-tiger encounters. These digressions hurt the flow.
(2) As the book progresses, the tiger is presented as a sort of demiurge, exercising supernatural power over the actions of the humans.

Negatives aside, the book is still worth a read.

Informative, But Tries To Do Too Much, August 14, 2010

Editorial Review

ZooBorns showcases the newest and cutest animal babies from accredited zoos and aquariums around the world. With interesting animal facts and background stories on the featured babies, ZooBorns illustrates the connections between zoo births and conservation initiatives in the wild. ... Read more

Reviews

buy this book for everyone you know, October 29, 2010
I've waited months for this, and it didn't let me down. It's a fundraiser for ZooBorns.com and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Endowment Fund. If you don't know the website, check it out immediately, then buy the book (or the children's version ZooBorns!).
It's a perfect example of what the web should be and this book is a delightful way to enjoy it offline. Gorgeous pictures, with just enough information to make you want more- but it's all about the pictures.

Adorable, a Perfect Gift!, November 24, 2010
ZooBorns features baby animals from zoos and aquariums around the world, and discusses the role that these births play in conservation efforts. Beautiful photos of animals are accompanied by descriptions that include the dates of births, their endangered status, and background stories for each baby.

In ZooBorns pages, you will find well known animals like orangutans, giraffes and kangaroos. However, you will also see photos of animals like the crowned sifaka and the rock hyrax that I've personally never seen or heard of before.

ZooBorns is more of a photo/coffee table book than one that required dedicated reading. The images are too adorable for words and you will definitely find an animal or two that you knew nothing before opening this book. It's likely to appeal to adults and children alike, and will surely spark a conversation in any room!

Zooborn fun for "kids" of all ages!, November 9, 2010
I own both of the ZooBorns books and have bought a bunch of extras to give as Christmas gifts to my niece and nephews. The photos are precious and I love the additional information about each of the animals featured. This book is now prominently displayed on our coffee table. If you are looking for a fun little gift for an animal lover - of any age - you can't go wrong with ZooBorns! ... Read more

Editorial Review

An inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man's best friend, in the aftermath of the nation's most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's brutal dog fighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant's Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in "restitution" to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs: Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

Includes an 8-page photo insert. ... Read more

Reviews

Bravo Jim Gorant!, September 19, 2010
Once I started reading this book, I was unable to put it down. The only time I put it down was to walk my two pit bull rescues. I read it in a day, and it sent me through a wide range of emotions. There were parts of the book that were very difficult to get through but necessary to understand the monsters that were eventually prosecuted. I do think the book was fair. Vick is a monster, and sorry...he's going to look like a monster even if you are just telling the story from an unbiased point of view. It shows his clear lack of remorse, not from commentary but from Vick's actions following his guilty plea (specifically his court ordered monetary payment for the rehabilitation of the dogs).

It was fascinating to learn about the legal hoops that law enforcement officers were forced to jump through in the county of Surry. I was unaware of the local politics which leaned toward letting football players display open sociopathic behavior without any threat of arrest. These investigators risked their careers; they are true heroes, and it is nice to know that these tough guys have such a soft spot for our canine best friends. It was also uplifting to hear of a U.S. attorney that cares about animal cruelty. While Vick's gang was a perfect storm of monsters, the investigators, attorneys, veterinarians, legal representatives and rescue organizations that came together afterward were a perfect storm of the best of mankind.

This book does make me wonder about the NFL in general. Why do we continue to reward criminal behavior with loyal fans? As football season starts, I see college kids walking around with new Vick jerseys. I try to understand that Eagles fans are a loyal breed, but do they have to wear Vick jerseys? I used to think that the Eagles organization should be ashamed of themselves, but now I blame the entire NFL organization. Vick made absolutely no effort to redeem himself following his sentence, and they rewarded him by welcoming him back. That's the negative and it is the part of this story that leads me to sometimes feel anger and disgust...on to the positive...and yes, there is a positive side to this story.

One of the reasons I felt good after reading this book is that I found myself addicted to reading about the progress these dogs made outside the confines of the prison of a monster. I still am unable to think of Jonny Justice or Leo without laughing, and I'm unable to think of Sweet Jasmine without shedding a tear. At the same time I shed a tear for Sweet Jasmine, I'm so content to know that she found kindness and love in this world.

One of the biggest surprises I found after reading this book was the feeling I had this morning. I walked my dogs down to the beach where I live in San Diego as I do every morning, and I thought that I would look down on them as they waited for their treats and think about how lucky they are to have a "sucker" like me as their human. Instead, I thought about how lucky I am to have them. This book left me with a peaceful feeling that there are others like me out there who devote a good chunk of their lives to enriching the lives of this sweet, goofy and loyal breed.

I can't forget to point out that Jim Gorant is another new hero for me. He actually took the time to document this case, and he "gets it". There are portions of the book where he peeks into the mind of what a dog must feel, and it is touching. He also enlightens us on where the money goes with rescue organizations, and he shines a light on organizations that wanted nothing to do with saving these dogs; they just wanted a sound bite on CNN (I'm talking to you PETA!!!). Gorant is just an excellent writer; his descriptions of these dogs and their goofy behavior hit close to home with me. So Bravo Mr. Gorant. Excellent job.

Riveting and heartwarming, September 18, 2010
This book was a great read. Thorough, smart journalism combined with true crime and a beautiful story of salvation. No dog lover should miss this, but it's quite compelling reading for anyone. Well researched, well reported and well written, it moves along at a good clip, carrying you with it. Even non-dog lovers will be engrossed and moved, at parts hiding their eyes, at others cheering out loud. I love books like this.

best dog book since Shiloh, September 17, 2010
I haven't felt this way about a dog story since I was a 9 year old reading Shiloh. The only difference is this story actually happened, and reality really kicks you in the butt. While the ugliness of the story is hard to digest at times, Gorant give care in detailing the heroics of the protagonists, as they relentlessly shuffle through legal proceedings and irritable sports fans. The dedication of the investigative team was astounding, as they spent every last hour of their days and every penny from their own pockets in order to save these awesome dogs. I see a movie in the future.

Gorant made it clear that the only reason why dog fighting still exists is because apathetic government officials want an easy job. This book, and the Vick case in general, exposes all the behind-the-scenes nastiness of not only dog fighting, but bureaucracy. It's about time that these macho phonies got more than a slap on the wrist, and my hope is this book will capture enough publicity to pressure local and federal governments to grow a pair and treat dog fighters like the murderers and rapists that they truely are.

Beautifully written and forthright, September 18, 2010
This book shows how some people's acts of cruelty can be overcome by acts of love and hope for these innocent souls who rely on humans to care for, love and protect them. Although some of the details are very difficult to read, I think it's important to inform the public about all of the details surrounding the Vick case. The author puts you right there in the mind and broken spirit of these innocent, helpless dogs. It's beautifully written and I highly recommend it.

A Brilliant tribute, September 25, 2010
Jim Gorant has written a brilliant tribute to the courageous Vick dogs and the kind and generous people who helped them. At all times even handed, Jim Gorant's skill as a writer and journalist shines throughout the text. He shows us which people did their best to prevent justice for the dogs and which fought to make it happen. The dedication of the dogs' advocates is inspiring and will, hopefully, motivate more people to take up the gauntlet to defend other pit bulls rescued from dog fighting kennels.

The thing that struck me the most, however, was the resiliance of the dogs. Coming first from a "home" devoid of any form of socialization and stimulation, transferred to shelters where they languished for months in often equally barren environments, many of the dogs went on to earn their Canine Good Citizen and/or therapy dog certificates and a couple even passed the American Temperament Testing Society test. I know from personal experience that this test requires a dog to have a very sound temperament to pass.

I agree 100% that Michael Vick's deeds are dispicable and the National Football League needs to take a long, hard look at its values, but in many ways the very survival and success of the dogs has transcended Michael Vick and make any successes he has on the football field irrelevant and shallow in comparison. By overcoming their fears and learning to live life as loving and well loved dogs, the pitties are the winners in every way.

There is one section of the book that haunts me. Gorant writes: "One experienced law officer estimates that 80 percent of the dogs, even those raised in a professional fighting operation, won't even scratch. That is, they won't even cross the line and engage the other dog." (pg. 19) If this is even remotely true, this makes pit bulls more of a victim that ever. That this breed, profoundly friendly to people, can have a reputation as vicious killers when the vast majority of them want nothing to do with bloodshed is a travesty.

Powerful reading, September 23, 2010
I bought this book thinking it would be about the dogs and how they were doing right now. I soon realized how short-sided my thinking was. You have to know in full sordid detail where the dogs came from to fully appreciate where they are now. I cried through the entire first half of the book. I stopped there and had to share the horrors I read about with fellow dog lovers. When I picked it up again, I cried some more, mostly happy tears but tears the same. The book is so well written, fair, and factual. I learned a lot more about what happened and the wonderful people who helped make things happen for these dogs. Pit lover or not, I challenge anyone to read this book and not have their heartbroken by the unspeakable cruelties these dogs and many more like them have endured.

Finally, some GOOD press about Pit Bulls, September 18, 2010
...good being relative here...

Surprisingly insightful--especially the parts from the dog's viewpoint. I felt it.

I wish I could say it will change a lot of minds about Pit Bulls, but likely those who read it are already drinking that kool-aid. I hope Mr Gorant considers a follow-up book on Pit Bulls in general; he writes with subtle-but-great empathy for the breed, and they need all the help they can get these days.

Highly recommended!

A Must Read Book, September 20, 2010
I felt so many emotions while reading this book.Anger,Tears,Laughing at
the antics of Jonny and Leo.It beautifuly written.Thank you Jim Gorant
for bringing this book to us.I don't keep many of the books I read.I will
keep this one.As for Vick he should had served a longer sentence than he
did.He should never been allowed back on a football field again.Vick
you rememember what you did to that little dog? You deserve the same.
What goes around comes around.

Wonderful Book!, September 23, 2010
I finished reading this book last night & I must say it was a wonderful book but very hard to read. I read the book in 3 nights & cried every night after putting it down. It is very well written & you feel like you know these dogs by the end of the book. It was very heart wrenching but at the same time it gave you inspiration to know that there are such fantastic people out there who give up so much to help rehabilitate these dogs. I truly believe there is a special place in heaven for these people. I highly recommend this book & want to applaud Jim Gorant for an outstanding job.

This is my favorite quote from Senator Robert Byrd, who passed away at age 92.

From a stirring speech in 2007 where he condemned dog fighting:

"The immortal Dante tells us that Divine Justice reserves special places in hell for certain categories of sinners. I am confident that the hottest places in hell are reserved for ...the souls of sick and brutal people who hold God's creatures in such brutal and cruel contempt."

As sickened as I am to see Michael Vick back playing football in the NFL, I know that he and other people who treat animals with such hatred will one day get what they deserve. Our God is a fair and just God and I feel very confident that Vick will come face to face with what he has done.

God Bless all of those who help rescue & shine light on the innocent animals that cannot stand up for themselves.

Kudos to Jim Gorant..., September 17, 2010
I haven't read the book yet because it's not released, but have read all the advance reviews (which are all raves) and viewed the related videos. I've followed this case closely from the outset, and am grateful to Jim Gorant for his insightful Sports Illustrated article and now this book that shares with us the ongoing recovering of these wonderful dogs. I have two pit bull mix dogs myself and they are great companions, wonderful with kids and other dogs, and just plain fun to have around.

As for Michael Vick, well I think we all know, even if he doesn't, that there's a special circle in hell reserved just for him and other animal fighters/abusers. I watched the Vick "rehab" interviews when he got out of jail, and saw not one shred of genuine regret for what he did. Just regret that he "upset people" and "had to go to jail." Keep your eye on him, he's going to screw up again, I think we can count on it.

Shame on the NFL for permitting him back in the league. I'm boycotting football until that sports organization can get their act back together with some baisc moral standards -- like not fighting dogs, not running interstate gambling rings, not beating up women... you know, the basics! What a lously example they set for kids with how they handled the Vick case, shame on them. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals combines 600 vivid full--color photos with descriptions of more than 500 specimens. This authoritative and systematic photographic approach, with words never separated from pictures, marks a new generation of identification guides.Each entry combines a precise description with annotated photographs to highlight the chief characteristics of the rock or mineral and distinguishing features. Color--coded bands provide a clear, at--a--glance facts for quick reference. In addition, each mineral entry features an illustration showing the crystal system to which the mineral belongs. Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, the Smithsonian Handbook of Rocks and Minerals explains what rocks or minerals are, how they are classified, and how to start a collection. To help in the initial stages of rock identification, a clear visual key illustrates the differences between igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, then guides the reader to the correct rock entry. A concise glossary provides instant understanding of technical and scientific terms ... Read more

Reviews

Great for Identifying Rocks and Minerals!, February 18, 2001
When I took Geology in college, I loved the course. I only had one problem. It was very difficult for me to identify rocks and minerals in the field. If I had had this pocket field guide, the course would have been a snap.

Now, I enjoy taking my children to study outcroppings, and this book will be a great addition to our investigations.

First, the photographs are stunning. In fact, any temptation I might have had to develop my own samples is set aside by having these wonderful images to use.

Second, the information is detailed and thorough. There is a lot about the crystalline structure of each mineral, the hardness, and many tests that are specific to that particular mineral. There is a very good section that describes how to apply the hardness tests (I always had trouble memorizing that area for some reason). There is plenty of good safety information for how to use the various acids that can be employed to identify minerals. Everything is nicely summarized so it is easy to find.

Third, all those subtle distinctions about various kinds of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks that used to puzzle me are very clear here. Whew!

Fourth, the book has great directions for locating good spots to examine rocks.

Fifth, you also receive a wonderful description of the equipment you need, and ways to use it safely.

Whether you think you like rocks or not, you should give this book a try. It will open up a very interesting world full of ways to locate and identify interesting rocks and understand the stories they can tell. As a result, you will have immensely more understanding of the world around you.

I also suggest that you read up on plate mechanics as well, so that you understand more about how the landscape is formed before erosion takes over. The combined knowledge of these two areas will greatly add to your understanding and appreciation of evolution.

Get in touch with the physical world around you as foundation knowledge!

a must have for any rockhound or gem and crystal lover, September 5, 2005
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, September 6, 2002
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!!

I enthusiastically recommend it!, October 1, 1999
After wading through a half-dozen mineral guides i found this one to be a gem (pun intended). It has large labeled photographs to aid in identification and a very user friendly format. There is enough information here for the extremely curious and features enough to excite dormant curiosity. At the same time, the author's concise style and avoidance of excessive technical jargon make this book appealing even to the very young. I also appreciate his avoidance of pat answers where none have been conclusively found, as when he states that tektite "were once believed to be meteorites" but that "they may not in fact have an extra-terrestrial origin". In short, this is a great addition to any home library.

Great Picture Resource, March 8, 2007
I have been looking for a field guide for my 6-year-old son and could only find books for children that gave a general overview of rocks and minerals. This book is the one I have been looking for. I knew that DK would be the publisher to give me what I wanted. In DK fashion, the pages are easy to read without a lot of text clunking up the page. The rocks are organized in nice boxes with information laid out neatly and unobtrusively. Each page features two new rocks with a large full-color picture of each. This is now his favorite book. It has all of the information we have been looking for in a concise, easy-to-read format. Each profile gives the name and visual outline of crystal system; specific gravity; cleavage; fracture; chemical test to confirm identification; mineral-forming environment; main text describes mineral's identifying features; standard name of the mineral; chemical group to which the mineral belongs; chemical formula for the mineral; hardness according to the Mohs' scale; variations of the mineral shown in full-color when applicable; annotations identifying mineral's main identifying features. I LOVE this book. It is a great book for kids(who eat, sleep, and breathe rocks and minerals) and adults. I am thinking of getting another one just for me. I think this would also be an invaluable resource for classroom teachers. I will be teaching First Grade and will use this book to introduce scientific concepts.

Beautiful photography, October 6, 2000
Dorling Kindersley's Handbook of Rocks and Minerals is a more systematick approach to identification. Each entry has a sharp color photo, group name, composition, hardness, SG, cleavage, fracture, formation and tests for id. Thes is a nice basic reference book and a good size (8.5"x6") to tote along. A glossery defines technical terms, common in scientific descriptions.

Clear & Beautifully Presented, June 29, 2007
I bought this for my 7-yr. old daughter - budding rock hound and naturalist! Like other DK books, the photography is luscious and the layout is casual and very inviting - full of beautiful images.

It provides a great overview of rocks and minerals, including tools used to find them, the different characteristics and where specific types of rocks and minerals can be found. It also provides detailed "specifics" such as classification, occurence and cleavage - as appropriate.

This is a thoroughly engaging book for all ages and it is highly recommended.

Rocks and Minerals, March 30, 2006
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!

Great handbook!, January 28, 2000
I too am in Science Olympiad (div. B), and I found this to be one of the most reliable handbooks that I have used when participating in this event. Its sleek organization and excellent presentation of information make this the best choice among the myriad others that are available.

Rocks and Minerals, August 14, 2007
Great Book...full of useful information. The pictures really give you an indepth but brief description of the item discussed. This book is absolutely essential to the amature hobby collectors out there. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Our relationship with the ocean is undergoing a profound transformation. Whereas just three decades ago nearly everything we ate from the sea was wild, rampant overfishing combined with an unprecedented bio-tech revolution has brought us to a point where wild and farmed fish occupy equal parts of a complex and confusing marketplace.We stand at the edge of a cataclysm; there is a distinct possibility that our children's children will never eat a wild fish that has swum freely in the sea. In Four Fish, award-winning writer and lifelong fisherman Paul Greenberg takes us on a culinary journey, exploring the history of the fish that dominate our menus---salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna-and examining where each stands at this critical moment in time. He visits Norwegian mega farms that use genetic techniques once pioneered on sheep to grow millions of pounds of salmon a year.He travels to the ancestral river of the Yupik Eskimos to see the only Fair Trade certified fishing company in the world.He investigates the way PCBs and mercury find their way into seafood; discovers how Mediterranean sea bass went global; Challenges the author of Cod to taste the difference between a farmed and a wild cod; and almost sinks to the bottom of the South Pacific while searching for an alternative to endangered bluefin tuna. Fish, Greenberg reveals, are the last truly wild food - for now. By examining the forces that get fish to our dinner tables, he shows how we can start to heal the oceans and fight for a world where healthy and sustainable seafood is the rule rather than the exception. ... Read more

Reviews

The Story of the Fish in Your Dinner

The limits of the sea

Should appeal to a wide audience

An Eye-Opening Look into the Complexity of our Present and Future Fisheries

"Why Did You Close the Season? We Haven't Caught Them All Yet."

A cautionary tale for our times

Editorial Review

Like many young Americans, Jonathan Safran Foer spent much of his teenage and college years oscillating between enthusiastic carnivore and occasional vegetarian. As he became a husband, and then a father, the moral dimensions of eating became increasingly important to him. Faced with the prospect of being unable to explain why we eat some animals and not others, Foer set out to explore the origins of many eating traditions and the fictions involved with creating them.

Traveling to the darkest corners of our dining habits, Foer raises the unspoken question behind every fish we eat, every chicken we fry, and every burger we grill. Part memoir and part investigative report, Eating Animals is a book that, in the words of the Los Angeles Times, places Jonathan Safran Foer "at the table with our greatest philosophers." ... Read more

Reviews

Best Book on the Food Industry and Foer's Most Important, October 18, 2009
The buzz about this book was so incredible I had to get my hands on an advanced copy. The book is like nothing else ever written on the food industry. It reads like a novel, is funny, incredibly well documented, and lets factory farmers and animal activists speak in their own words. I've read a lot of books on the food industry and this is by far the best. It makes other writers, even Michael Pollan, look a bit timid. Foer never preaches. He shares his own beliefs and asks us to live by our own standards, not his. Foer reveals a lot of personal information here and, since this is his first nonfiction book, it its especially interesting for readers of his previous books to see some of the fact behind his fiction. The material about his grandmother and how she survived the holocaust is really powerful. The stuff about his dog George (Foer makes a mock case for eating dogs) is hilarious. His storytelling is so compelling that you hardly realize how much information he's conveying (there are 60 pages of notes documenting his sources, but the text itself is uncluttered by footnotes). Another unique thing about this book is that Foer actually sneaks into a factory farm in the middle of the night... Eating Animals is a serious book that could change the way you live. But what's most impressive about it is that it is also fun to read, which is exactly what we need on a hot button topic like the contemporary food industry.

changing my ways, October 19, 2009
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. I identified with Foer as a person who really tries to eat ethically, but whose weaknesses often get the best of him. I've had strong intuitions that there is something wrong with Meat today, but, like Foer reports of his own journey, those intuitions have not been strong enough for me to really change what I eat. The woman in my life, by contrast, has been a vegetarian for over a decade and never wavers. Of the many changes I've made to accommodate our relationship, giving up meat was never one of them. I've generally let the smell of bacon silence any discomfort I had with meat. That is, until reading Eating Animals. Foer's personal narrative spoke to me more than any of the many exposes on factory farming slyly sent my way. At the same time, Eating Animals left me far more informed than I was before ... It's the standard clich�, but I really couldn't put the book down. In place of the didactic or moralistic, Foer welcomes the reader into his life and his story. Foer is his own main character, and his own self-examination inspires the same. You won't be the same after reading it.

Profound, October 29, 2009
I appreciate the honest look at the meat production industry presented in this book. Most of all I like the style with which Foer communicates his findings. The author reveals a lot of personal information but he also asks the readers to live by their own standards, not his. All that makes it for an easy and even enjoyable reading of a lifestyle book which nonetheless reads like a novel.

Eating Animals is a very inspiring and informative book. I wholeheartedly encourage everybody to consider reading it. Even -- or maybe, especially if -- you are not a vegetarian. It definitely changed the way I view the world. It might do the same to you. And if not, you will at least enjoy reading a book that not only educates but also entertains. And one more thing that I can promise each and every reader -- THIS BOOK WILL REALLY MAKE YOU THINK AND FORCE YOU TO MAKE PROFOUND CHOICES WHICH WILL AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE THE REMAINING PART OF YOUR LIFE.

I noticed that some reviewers mention "The Omnivore's Dilemma" as a companion to this book. In my opinion it would be reading the same just by another author. To get a broader view at nutrition and how it affects our health, our longevity, and the world around us I suggest reading "Can we Lve 150 Years" instead.

A catalyst.., November 10, 2009
This book was a catalyst where I wasn't looking for one. After the first 35 pages a light bulb started lighting up...and I feared my life was about to change. I've never written a book review, but after reading what Jonathon learned in his 3 + years of researching factory farming, I had to tell others to read it. He provides serious, horrific and real information. I never knew about factory farming until I read his book and googled 'factory farming' on the web. It was all over from there. I started watching those videos on what we do to animals-the ones we don't want to see-and I could not stomach another bite of an animal again. I loved meat, ate it easily 3xday for all of my life, grew up near those green pastures in northern California where cows graze all day. Wow. Was I disconnected and fooled...

What I felt, was that he did not preach about not eating animals. He presented information that I could personally relate to and grasp. For me, Jonathon felt like a messenger...where many have failed to bring light to what humans are systematically doing to animals every moment of every day. He provided very important information about 99% of the animals I used to buy and eat for my family and friends. I had no idea that the US alone consumes 10 billion animals PER YEAR. I finally woke up. One chicken has 2 wings(that they never use)--how many chicken wings come in a basket at a restaurant-6? 12? 24? I used to throw meat away after getting full. I was throwing away a life-a wasted one who suffered in life and in death. What frightened me more about this book is why is an author bringing this info to me? Where are the ongoing news specials on this?

Jonathon's personal tone, statistical/historical data, research team, true accounts from the field, letters, etc., left me no choice than to agree with him. Of course, he is not a farm owner, hasn't worked on a farm, and can't come from a place of truly understanding 'farming'. And he doesn't shun farming, he actually helped me realize that the farming I thought ALL animals came from--humane ones--are actually a miniscule percentage of all farms. His writing is heartwarming, but gut-wrenching. His occasional wit about the insanity of factory farming made me laugh quietly, but kept me awake at night thinking & fretting.

What Eating Animals did to push me over the edge into veganism is not only about animal rights, but the terrifying component of being lied to by these factory farms and the megacorporations that support them. I used to pay extra for organic milk & cage free eggs because I believed in Horizon Farms. I thought I was making a better choice for the animals. Ultimately, the author woke me up from a deep, deep sleep. As he eloquently presents about turkeys, how can we celebrate 'thanks' and 'family' or whatever tradition you have on Thanksgiving while the main course never saw the sun, felt the earth, a breath of fresh air, had his beak seared off with a hot blade and no pain killers, lived on top of thousands of other turkey's and their excrement, thrown into trucks for transport hundreds of miles without food or water, and never had one true moment of 'love.' If having a better understanding of what love means to you, read this book.

(Update: It is now 8 months and the book continues to be a catalyst--far beyond where I ever imagined I would go in not eating animals...

To the point..., January 1, 2010
It is very hard to write a review of this book without expressing one's own view of the ethics of meat eating, as most of the reviews - and many of the comments to some of these reviews - demonstrate. In fact, it is impossible to really separate the two when discussing a book that is both so personal in its narrative, and relentlessly focused on universal eating habits. My review is no different.

Taking a stab at the book itself: I am not familiar with Foer's fictional works, but his background is evident as he lends the whole subject a compelling narrative and style that really make "Eating Animals" quite a page-turner (I read it in a day and a half). To those familiar with this debate, the statistics are not really new, nor are the horror stories of factory farming. What is new is the personalization of his approach (I too am a father and could relate to the decisions he faces), and, most effectively, his unflinching, relentless, repetitious focus on the reality of consuming 99% of the available meat today: The environmental damage, the suffering, the waste, the lies and corruption, the exploitation, the veil of secrecy amongst the industrial farming concerns. It is Foer's relentless focus of these central issues and his unwillingness to avoid the obvious question (How can it be ethical to consume meat under these conditions?) that I believe distinguish this book and make it most effective.

So what does this mean to this reviewer in terms of his personal habits? Well, I am a long-time consumer of meat. I love everything about it in terms of taste, texture, variety, preparation, culture, etc. I am a serious hobbyist-cook, and meat has played a central role in what I prepare...Though largely tolerant/indifferent to others' eating habits, I have been largely turned off by the vegetarian and (especially) vegan communities as a whole. I have long viewed veganism as another example of our (U.S.) puritanical tradition of extreme reaction and self-denial to complex moral issues, married up with our (U.S.) lack of a strong, traditional food culture (go to somewhere like France or Spain, or Vietnam, and the difference is night and day). That said, when I read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" a few years ago, I did change many of my habits, and my purchases became almost exclusively organic for ethical reasons. However, like Pollan, I continued to eat meat, though shifting to more ethically raised and killed sources.

Now having recently completed Foer's book, I have yet to consume meat, and really this is because Foer's central "decision" is so unavoidable: Either you don't eat meat, or you support a lot of animal pain and suffering. I believe meat-eating can be ethical, but right now, in our world, it is really just too screwed up and sick to be patronized. So bringing together the book itself and my personal reaction to it, I would say this book is profoundly "impactful" (not a word - I know), if my reaction is representative of anything. I am still contemplating meat consumption for the long term, as deep down I think there is something fundamentally "not right" and borderline neurotic about complete self-denial of meat - I mean, it is so closely tied to our evolution and culture, and its presence is strong in almost every single human society, indigenous or otherwise. But until this settles in my mind, it feels better to just say "no". And ultimately, how it "feels" is probably going to be the ultimate deciding factor for me, because I don't believe ethical debates are ultimately solved through pure logic...Foer seems to say this as well...

I do have one big issue with "Eating Animals", and that is with regards to the future of killing animals for food (which I doubt will ever go away): How will the more acceptable animal food operations that Foer admires - like Frank Reese's turkey farm - ever develop into something beyond the fringe, when ethically minded people go straight to non-meat consumption? It does seem a bit disingenuous to promote these meat farms and then say you will not patronize them, as (SPOILER ALERT) Foer does.

So I am no longer eating meat for some time (maybe forever) as a result of this book, which is I believe is a testament to the power of the author's words. My only pressing issue now is what do I feed my cat?

A manifesto that doesn't PETA-preach., November 13, 2009
This book is a valued addition to my library. It has a thoroughly researched look into the future of farming animals the American way while not resorting to PETA's militant entrail-tossing methods of vegetarian conversion which are so appalling. As a vegetarian, I would feel comfortable giving this book to my meat-eating friends if they were interested to learn why I chose a vegetarian path.

Foer's book has a lighthearted beginning, getting its start by a mock-argument(albeit a well-researched one)for eating dog. This passage introduces readers to evaluate at why we as a culture eat some animals and not others. Where does our sentimentality begin and our desire for meat with every vegetable end? The book aims to open thoughts and dialog as well as provide facts of the current state of meat farming in the USA.

The importance of this book isn't the potential of converting people over to vegetarianism or veganism, but it makes a compelling argument for how imperative it is ecologically and socially to get away from the factory methods of farming currently used in nearly ALL of America's meat industries. While the book largely does focus on animal suffering under the current factory model, it also highlights facts about how factory farms keep meat prices artificially deflated, and the health impacts of workers and residents.

This book is an engaging read, supported by facts, but not drowning in footnotes. It inspired some good peaceful conversations among my omnivorous family and myself as to why I have made the choices that I have.

Confused, November 20, 2009
First, there was Michael Pollan, whose book "The Omnivore's Dilemma," a book I deeply admire, exposed the horrors (and yes, they are horrors) of what is now called "factory farming" and the devastating effects of agribusiness on the American diet. And there was Barbara Kingsolver, whose chatty family experiment in local eating ("Animal, Vegetable, Miracle") popularized the notion of growing your own or at least patronizing the local farmer's market. Now there is Jonathan Safran Foer, who deploys his considerable literary gifts against factory farming of every kind (pork, poultry, and fish, primarily, Pollan having already covered beef). Foer is a recent convert to vegetarianism and to philosophical ideas about animal rights. He proselytizes with a convert's zeal, beginning with a clever Swiftian analysis of why it might be as acceptable to eat dogs as it is to eat chicken. His depictions of giant crowded poultry houses, of sprawling hog farms and their lagoons of manure, of the tons of discarded "bycatch" of fishing trawlers are riveting and utterly appalling.

This is also a deeply confused book. On the one hand, Foer is drawn to the absolutist position: it is never acceptable to eat animals. Farming, he feels, even humane family farming, must inevitably inflict pain, if only at slaughter, so one must always abstain. This position, however, is never explored deeply, only stated, again and again. Foer never clearly says whether he is a vegetarian or a vegan, although logic would require the latter. He briefly discusses egg layers (and their inevitable byproduct, male layer chickens) He does not discuss dairy farming (and its inevitable byproduct, male calves). What to do with those male chickens and calves? Does he eschew leather, a byproduct of cattle slaughter? He does not say. Furthermore, he includes sympathetic portraits of a number of small scale farmers whose treatment of animals seems admirable, although they always fail Foer's standard of "no pain should be inflicted, not ever." Occasionally, he retreats even from his measured admiration, as when he takes a gratuitous slap at Joel Salatin, the poultry farmer Pollan admires in "Omnivore." He cannot bring himself to say, as Pollan does, that eating as little meat as possible and seeking out humanely raised meat might be a good idea for some. Instead, he draws (offensive, I thought) parallels between the civil rights movement and the animal rights movement.

The book held my attention until about the halfway point, when it ran out of gas and began to recycle its arguments. This is a book heavily dependent on book learning (copious notes), as opposed to the work of someone who had spent considerable time on a farm or around animals (undercover PETA expeditions excluded). It is, one could say, an urban book by an urban author for an urban audience that surely needs a good shake as it reaches for the package of cheap Tyson chicken thighs at the Fairway. (The ready availability of chicken parts-- packages that contain only breasts or thighs or wings--is a direct result of factory farming.) I'm all for any author who can get people to think about--and hopefully rebel against--the unhealthful and cruel practices of assembly line meat production. But if one can never inflict pain on an animal, what am I to do when hornworms devour my (organic) tomato crop or potato beetles defoliate the potatoes? Foer is eloquent when he discusses the nervous systems of fish in relation to their awareness of pain. He doesn't say anything about insects.
M. Feldman

Everything (About Factory Farming) is Illuminated?, November 8, 2009
Obviously, this book is not unique in subject matter. We've seen this content before in books like the Ethics of What We Eat and the Omnivore's Dilemma. The question then, does Eating Animals offer enough of a new twist and new information to make it a worthwhile read for those interested in vegetarianism and the meat industry in general?

As a huge fan of Foer's novels, I expected a unique point of view that would make this book worth reading even though I was already pretty informed about factory farming. And my expectations were definitely met. Foer goes after the subject at a different angle--this book is part memoir and part journalism. He provides a heap of facts but makes sure to lace it all into the form of a personal narrative. Sometimes Foer is very objective, at others he is purposely subjective. This blending of information and emotion suits the subject matter better than the purely journalistic nature of other books about the meat industry. The question "what should I eat today?" isn't some academic debate, it is a very personal decision that we all make every day. In deciding whether or not to eat meat, Foer realizes that we have to take into consideration both our minds and our hearts.

My favorite parts of this book actually weren't written by Foer at all. Interspersed in the chapters are letters from individuals associated with different parts of the industry. There are letters from factory farmers, family farmers, meat advocates, and animal rights activists alike. These letters are incredibly well-written, well-edited, intelligent, and passionate. If nothing else, read this book for these letters. They provide a very exceptional portrait of the people involved in all aspects of meat production.

There are some things that Foer gets a little off. The organization of the book is somewhat confusing and random. There are also times when the writing is sensationalistic, but that is understandable given the horrors of what must be described.

Overall, this book is a great read for those interested in ethical eating. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, this isn't the ultimate book on the food industry and vegetarianism, and I don't think that's what Foer intended it to be anyways. This is simply a unique narrative that adds to the discussion. For those that have read other works about the meat industry, it is worth reading Eating Animals to gain some more perspective. For those who haven't read much on the subject, it's also a good place to start.

Bye, bye, burger, November 18, 2009
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Jonathan Safran Foer's new book, "Eating Animals", is as timely as it is necessary. Indeed, Foer spends some time describing what you might be consuming at Thanksgiving and it isn't a pretty picture. With a thoughtful, but pointed narrative, Foer sets out to explore not only the underside of factory farming (is there any other side?) but the moral choices one faces from eating food rendered from these places.

"Eating Animals" is meant to have a scary component to it, and it does, hence a call to action by those who wish to eat meat. But Foer is careful not to tread too deeply into one's own personal culinary habits and desires. He strikes a pretty fair balance between those who eat meat and the vegans of whom he is a member. The book is really a call to action...an internal action, that is...to take stock in how we, as individuals, view the process of our own calorie intake and how we might consider changing it.

There have been many recent books about the animal "industry", each approaching it from a slightly different angle. Jonathan Safran Foer hits it from straight on and the importance of his book cannot be understated. I highly recommend it for its breadth and forcefulness.

Excellent read, November 10, 2009
I had seen the author on the ELLEN show and was intrigued but at the same time wondering if it would be a bit 'heady' and difficult to read. Not difficult in an emotional sense but difficult in that it would be nothing but statistics. I couldn't have been more wrong. Eating Animals is a very readable book. The book is so interesting and is so well researched. It opened my eyes like no other book on this subject. It is not preachy or dry. Thank you Mr. Foer. ... Read more

Editorial Review

John Gavrilis captures the spiritual essence of the wilderness landscape in this collection of amazing images. Our top selling nature calendar for many years! ... Read more

Reviews

The Spirit of Place, Indeed!, December 13, 2010
I look for a new engagement calendar every year and I love this one! Having lived in the western U.S. all of my life, the pictures take me back to places I have been and places I hope to visit. ... Read more

Editorial Review

ONCE IN NINE LIVES, SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENS.
 
The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen’s veterinarian called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten who’d been abandoned. It was love at first sight.

Everyone warned that Homer would always be an “underachiever.” But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew into a three-pound dynamo with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path. Homer scaled seven-foot bookcases with ease, survived being trapped alone for days after 9/11 in an apartment near the World Trade Center, and even saved Gwen’s life when he chased off an intruder who broke into their home in the middle of the night. But it was Homer’s unswerving loyalty, his infinite capacity for love, and his joy in the face of all obstacles that transformed Gwen’s life. And by the time she met the man she would marry, she realized that Homer had taught her the most valuable lesson of all: Love isn’t something you see with your eyes. ... Read more

Reviews

An uplifting tale of adventure and love

Editorial Review

At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.

The River of Doubt—it is a black, uncharted tributary of the Amazon that snakes through one of the most treacherous jungles in the world. Indians armed with poison-tipped arrows haunt its shadows; piranhas glide through its waters; boulder-strewn rapids turn the river into a roiling cauldron.

After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find, the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.

Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.

From the soaring beauty of the Amazon rain forest to the darkest night of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, here is Candice Millard’s dazzling debut. ... Read more

Reviews

It Gave me a New Appreciation for TR
Anyone who enjoyed Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage or any other tale of exploration and hardship will love River of Doubt. Candice Millard's new book chronicles the expedition of Theodore Roosevelt and his Brazilian co-commander, Candido Mariano da Silva Rondon, down one of Amazon's last unexplored tributaries in 1914-the River of Doubt. The 400-mile river trip tested every ounce of the ex-president's intellect, courage, and physical stamina. Millard's book, therefore, is more a tale of survival than adventure.

Roosevelt and his American companions were woefully unprepared for their journey. They brought boats too large to be of use on a shallow river, and had to rely instead on Indian-made dugouts-canoes designed more for local transportation on flat water than long-distanced descents through rapids. The American and Brazilain members of the group often had to portage these heavy, waterlogged boats around rapids, which cost the group both time and precious food supplies.

Food proved to be one of the most vexing problems of the journey. Much of the canned food shipped from the United States was too heavy to be carried to the expedition's launching point in the Brazilian highlands, and had to be discarded. Instead, Roosevelt hoped to augment his increasingly meager rations with game shot along the way. Unfortunately, the rain forest did not offer much bounty and the group ended up eating monkeys and piranhas to survive-creatures far more difficult to kill than deer and antelope.

If that were not enough, disease plagued the expedition at every corner. Kermit, the son of President Roosevelt, fought malaria for most of the trip and Theodore almost died when he contracted a deadly bacterial infection from a small flesh wound. Author Candice Millard does an excellent job of describing the numerous hazards confronted by the group without getting too bogged down in rain forest ecology. The book's moderate length and circumscribed subject matter make it much easier to plow through than a typical biography. With that being said, some historians may be disappointed that the book does not shed much more light on Roosevelt's political philosophies or his quest to preserve public land. Was Roosevelt an early environmentalist or simply an avid hunter and adventurer? This book does not answer that question.

It does, however, show us a side of Theodore Roosevelt's character often lacking in traditional biographies of the man: his humanity. The author describes how the ex-president shared in the work, dangers, and hardships of the journey. In one scene, she shows Roosevelt washing the clothes of his companions and in another, the sick ex-president giving away his rations to one of the expedition's "more productive" Brazilian laborers. In short, readers will walk away from this book with new-found appreciation for President Roosevelt and his undaunted courage-something often lacking in today's breed of politicians.

Fascinating
When I saw River of Doubt it struck me as a fascinating story and I immediately put in my order with Amazon. As I waited for it to arrive, I began to worry that I might have been too impulsive. Afterall, a fascinating story can be as limp as milk toast in the hands of a mediocre writer. I wondered if the author would bring Roosevelt's Amazon journey to life without adding so many extraneous details about Roosevelt himself that the real adventure was lost. Or, on the other hand, not supplying enough details about the central characters to allow me to understood the true context in which the adventure occurred.

After I got the book and started to read, all of my concerns were put aside. Completely. I know next to nothing about T. Roosevelt. Millard gave me what I needed to know to understand why he would take such a dangerous trip, at such a late age, in the first place.

She was equally masterful with all the other participants (many fascinating characters in their own right). I think Millard was near perfect in giving the background of people and why they ended up on this diasterous adventure while keeping the story moving at a fascinating and absorbing clip. One really gets a sense of how people were feeling when they started with what they thought would be a casual adventure and found themselves descending into one of Earth's strangest hells. It's a spellbinding story delivered by a very competent writer and researcher.

I've always enjoyed true stories of the Amazon River. Miller's River of Doubt is fascinating, informing, and gripping and stands with the best of them.

T.R. Survived, But was Never the Same Again
After narrowly losing the 1912 Presidential election to Woodrow Wilson (how history might have been different if Roosevelt, who despised Racism and was Pro-British, had beaten the Racist Wilson), Theodore Roosevelt decided to embark on a long journey into an unknown tributary of the Amazon River - The River of Doubt, hence the title of this book. Roosevelt was confident, cocksure, - after all this was a man who advocated "the strenuous life", had built himself up in the Badlands of the American West and had explored the deepest, remote regions of Africa. After all, a river in Brazil couldn't be much different, right?

Well, unfortunately for Roosevelt, wrong. The jungles were full of poisonous snakes, of Anacondas, of malaria-ridden mosquitoes, and other parasites, and his expedition had not prepared adequately for the task of exploring this dangerous region. In short, most of the expedition became ill quite fast, and even the former President, stricken with dysentery and a festering leg wound, urged the expedition and his son, Kermit, who was with him, to go on and let him die along the banks of the river. Indeed, Roosevelt was ready to take his own life, but Kermit Roosevelt, ironically not as fit as his brothers Archie, Quentin, or Theodore Jr. - who weren't on this dangerous voyage - refused to let his father die an inglorious death, and managed to bring him out of the jungle.

Yes, they survived, but the experience completely shattered what was left of the Old Lion's health - after all, he had been shot in the chest only two years before in the Bull Moose campaign against Wilson, and had gone blind in one eye. Susceptible to infection that weakened his heart, Roosevelt died but five years later, at a relatively young 60. In many ways, this is as much the story of Kermit Roosevelt, who accompanied his father to toughen himself. The experience proved to be the opposite, as he never recovered from his father's death, and would plunge into alcoholism, infidelity, and finally suicide.

The author, a National Geographic well-traveled veteran has written a fairly detailed, incredible book about the preserverance of T.R. and of the region, aptly named the River of Doubt, that he explored.

The reader might also consider "The Lion's Pride" by Edward J. Renehan. While the passage on the ill-fated journey is short, there's much about the Old Lion's relationship with Kermit, and Kermit's subsequent, unhappy life in it.

Roosevelt's Adventures on the Amazon
There is a spate of books concerning Theodore Roosevelt's life: his New York years and first marriage, his cowboy days in the Dakota's, the Spanish-American War phrase and his presidency. Until last year, there were few books about his retirement decade until Patricia O'Toole's "When Trumpets Call." His dangerous exploration of the Amazon rain forest covers a mere 7 pages in Ms. O'Toole's biography. That exploration is the subject of "The River of Doubt."

Does this brief three month trip of discovery on the Rio da Duvida (River of Doubt) warrent a full scale book? In Ms. Millard's superb account of the near fatal expedition, the answer is yes. The former president was an adrenaline junkie who needed to forget his loss in the 1912 campaign for the White House. He found all the adventure he would ever crave on the Rio da Duvida, for he was way in over his head. If not for their guide, Colonel Candido Rondon, no one would have made it out alive -- Roosevelt's disappearance would have top Amelia Earhart as the mystery of the century. This adventure yarn focuses, not on the political animal, but on a man who would never quit and never did.

History comes alives in a riveting adventure
I shall be brief; for it is better to spend any free time that you might have reading or listening to this extraordinary book. It actually is three books in one. It offers every bit the insight as the historical writings of Ambrose, MuCullough or Ellis. It involves you every bit as much as the adventurous writings of Krakauer and certainly offers every bit of the fascination of the natural history narratives of Burroughs. I would suggest you listen and read along with this story. While at home you will not be able to put it down, so be advised to listen during your commutes. Almost as interesting as the story is the author herself and how she came to find the story. Near the end of her writing project, she herself had to draw upon the insipration of the expedition. But that is a story you will need to find on your own if you so choose. The bottom line is that this a superb book on so many levels, and destined to become a classic and, hopefully, a film. If you enjoy presidential history, natural history and adventure there is absolutely no reason you will not fall in love with this book as I did. I suspect as well, you will be reading passages aloud to your friends and family...sometimes to their dismay of the subject matter, perhaps. Also, one note of warning: it may bring a tear or two to your eyes as it winds down. I give it my highest recommendation.

Fact, More Thrilling Than Fiction
Candice Millard tells the riveting true story of an obscure event in the sprawling life of Theodore Roosevelt. Had this story been a work of fiction, it would have seemed less believable than a made-for-television melodrama. But fiction it is not; it is fact, more thrilling than fiction.

Millard's meticulous attention to detail, coupled with her page-turning writing style offers the reader a story hard to put down. Add to that the fame of the leading character, the father-son connection, the multiplied harrowing situations, and you have an adventure tale of epic proportion. It's hard to fathom that this month-long death march was so unknown, until now.

Though certainly not "preachy," Millard's accounting conveys a clear message of indefatigable courage. The River of Doubt became for Roosevelt, his adult son, and their traveling companions, a torrent of hope. Their darkest journey converted into the light of perseverance, sacrifice, team-work, and survival.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

Incredible Adventure Story
Although I'm something of a history buff, I had never heard of Roosevelt's journey down the River of Doubt. Candice Millard does a great job of describing the harrowing trip through uncharted areas of the Amazon rain forest. Although Roosevelt's journey was much shorter than Lewis and Clark's, the story reminded me a lot of Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage," which is high praise for Ms. Millard. Ms. Millard's writing is certainly up to the drama of the trip.

The expedition's difficulties were almost beyond belief, and even after finishing the book, it was difficult to imagine how Roosevelt or anyone else survived the ordeal. No wonder that some critics were initially skeptical of the expedition's success.

The expedition included a number of colorful characters, and Theodore Roosevelt is clearly the celebrity of the group, but other characters, including Roosevelt's son Kermit and the Brazilian frontiersman Candido Rondon, are portrayed vividly as real people, not just bit players in Roosevelt's great adventure. One of the most fascinating elements of the book is the interplay between the characters as the extreme hardships of the journey brought out the strengths and weaknesses of the participants.

Besides being a really superb chronicle of the journey, the book is full of fascinating information about rain forest dynamics, which explained why the expedition had so little success in finding food along the way. After reading River of Doubt, I have no desire to go wandering around in the Brazilian jungles!

A really good, well written adventure story that I recommend to anyone. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Cute after cute after cute after cute. The redonkulously adorable wall calendar based on Cute Overload—"the fuzziest, nicest blog on the planet" (CBS News)—Cute Overload is chock-full of irresistible animal photographs enhanced by witty, pitch-perfect captions. Each full-color spread celebrates one "Rule of Cuteness" (#2: Look helpless; #12: Fuzz + floppy limbs are cute) with a large photograph at the top of the page and dozens of smaller ones in the grid below. Round little bunnies. Impossibly small ponies. Plus puppies, kittens, hamsters, and guinea pigs. It's equal-opportunity cuteness, all year long.
... Read more

Reviews

Entertaining on so many levels, December 2, 2010
Mind you I visit Cuteoverload.com daily (sometimes several times a day). So I'm already partial to the style of writing and humor from the site. The calendar is a well made quality calendar with an awesome layout and style. What makes it more fun is that the pictures all have a little something to say. I know that the humor style they use isn't for everyone, and that some feel it is more juvenile, but for some of us, we'll always be kids at heart, and really there's all ages from teens to grandparents who visit the site and comment and laugh together daily. I think this calendar is a great addition to that feeling.

I also find it fun to look at cute animal pictures that do sometimes push the boundaries of what most people consider cute. It has given me the opportunity to look at things in a different way. When you add in the witty (in my opinion) commentary, well then, you've got a winner in my book! :-)

Suggestion, check out Cuteoverload.com first if you've never been, then decide if this is the calendar for you. If you like witty puns, making up silly/unusual stories to go along with the pictures of your standard calendars, and other creative sparks, then you might appreciate this calendar.

Not what I wanted, December 20, 2010
I ordered this calender because I am familiar with the website and thought my mother would enjoy it. It is titled 365 days of pictures and I expected it to be a calender that flipped a picture each day, it should be called 28-31 pictures per month calender because it is a wall calender where each month has a jumble of tiny images. The pictures are too small for my mother to see! Ridiculous.

Cute Pics but Corny Captions & NOT a Box Calendar, November 30, 2010
It was my mistake. The descriptions of both the box and wall version of this calendar call it a wall calendar (as of this writing, at least), so as I browsed the calendars that came up in my "daily calendar" search of Amazon, I mistakenly ordered this wall calendar when I really wanted the box version.

But that's not the main problem. Again, due to my uncharacteristically non-thorough reading of the item's description, I didn't know it had captions ... 365 of them, even in this wall calendar version. And, to my taste, most are corny attempts at humor, much of it anthropomorphism, and some of it in bad taste (I've since heard that the box calendar is far worse).

So, I write this more to alert than to criticize that, 1) this is NOT a daily box calendar, and 2) it has captions which you may deem witless.

Actually, the idea of cramming daily photos into the monthly grids is pretty neat and most are indeed adorable, but they'd stand better all by themselves even if the attempts at humor were more successful.
... Read more

Editorial Review

The top-selling Audubon calendar, this week-at-a-glance datebook evokes the beauty and immensity of the wilderness. Each spread features a roomy grid to write in and a stunning full-page color portrait by the world's best nature photographers. The view through Monument Valley's Teardrop Arch. The serene face of a Barn Owl. A weekly treasure for the nature lover.


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Reviews

Audubon Daily Calendar, October 16, 2010


This engagement calendar is a very good buy. It has a convenient spiral binding and is arranged a week on a page. There are calendars for the next years in the back and several pages for notes. The front and back cover are very beautifully illustrated, as is every page opposite the week inside. At the bottom of each page is an explanation of the illustration. They are of animals, nature scenes, insects, as well as birds. They are closeups and truly exceptional. I am looking forward to 2011 and beginning to enjoy each day with this agenda.

Beautiful weekly calendar to write your notes in or use as a diary., September 21, 2010
Bring in the new year of 2011 (MMXI) with the Audubon Engagement Calendar. This weekly calendar begins at December 27, 2010 to January 1, 2012. Each page is Monday to Sunday. Day number is large and their is enough space (6" to 1" per day) to write notes, birthdays, anniversaries, meetings, must-remember appointments, video conferences, day-off, podcasts, webcasts, phone numbers and airport and travel dates. You can also write down the day and time of your favorite tv show so you never miss an episode. Also a notation of movie releases and DVD releases.
This wire-ring bounded calendar can also be used as a daily diary or journal.
Your calendar comes in a sealed box ready-to-mail to someone as a gift. Just write in the sender address and return address. Then take it to the post office for the proper postage and away it goes.
Of course, you will want to buy this calendar too for yourself. The prices on Amazon.com are low and reasonable. By using my Amazon.com gift card balance, also for shipping, I received my calendar in 2 days from date of order.
Inside are 55 beautiful photographs of scenic nature with a description and location, including the name of the photographer.
Included are American Holidays, some Canada, United Kingdom, Scotland, French, Australia and New Zealand holidays, International holidays, religious, Christian, Jewish holidays and moon phases, Equinox and Solstice. .
The back pages of the calendar include the Audubon Directory, a 3-page perpetual calendar of 2010, 2011, 2012 and five full pages for notes. You can even write a recipe here.
Calendar is printed on recycled stock with 30% post-consumer content.
Don't forget to write down when you ordered from Amazon.

January 10. 112th Congress begins.
This is the year when important Republicans and Democrats will make their official announcements to begin a campaign to run for President of the USA. C-SPAN "Road To The White House" begins.

January 7. Butterfly McQueen (Gone with the Wind (1939)) would have been 100.
January 16. 68th Golden Globe Awards (NBC)
January 25. Academy Award Nominations announced.

February 3. Chinese New Year. Year of the Rabbit
February 6. Super Bowl XLV, Arlington, Texas. President Ronald Reagan would have been 100.
Feruary 26. Last Space Shuttle mission. End of program.
February 27. 83rd Academy Awards (ABC).

March 12/13. Saturday night/Sunday morning. Change your clock and watches 2:00am to 3:00am. Spring Forward. Don't be an hour late to church.

March 20. Spring begins 7:21pm Eastern Time.

April 14. "Scream 4" is released in movie theatres.

April 15. Tax Day. Get your Federal and State tax forms mailed (as postmarked) by midnight to avoid penalties.
April 22. Earth Day.
April 24. Easter/ Resurrection Day.

May 20. "Pirates of the Carribbean: On Stranger Tides" is released in movie theatres.
May 27. Vincent Price would have been 100.
June 21. Summer begins 1:16pm Eastern Time.

July 4. 235th Independence Day for the United States of America.

July 6. Host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics will be announced.

July 15. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II" will be released at movie theatres. This is the last Harry Potter movie.

August 6. Lucille Ball would have been 100.
August 15. Comet 45P / Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova will pass close to Earth.
September 4 & 5. 46th Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
September 8. STAR TREK debuts on NBC. 45th Anniversary.
September 23. Autumn begins 1:30am Eastern Time.

October 7. "Fright Night" is released at the movie theatres.
October 15. I Love Lucy debuts on CBS. 60th Anniversary.
October 31. Halloween is on a Monday.
November 1. All Saints Day.
November 5. Roy Rogers would have been 100.
November 5/6. Saturday Night/Sunday morning. Change your clocks and watches. Fall back. 2:00am to 1:00am. You get one extra hour of sleep.
November 8. Election Day
November 11. 11-11-11
November 24. 150th Thanksgiving Day. 85th Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (NBC).
December 11. "Sherlock Holmes 2" is released at the movie theatres.
December 22. Winter begins 1:30am Eastern Time.
December 25. Christmas Day is on a Sunday.
December 31. All US Troops are scheduled to leave Iraq.

The Audubon Engagement Calendar will help keep you organized.



... Read more

Editorial Review

From spooker poles and Perrier bottles to water bombs and cayenne pepper, Bill Adler, Jr., has tried every conceivable method to rid his backyard of these fluffy gluttonous rodents. Revised and even craftier than the first edition, which sold over 100,000 copies, this new revision contains humorous advice on keeping squirrels out of the flowerbeds and bird feeders. ... Read more

Reviews

A definite stocking-stuffer for any birding friends, November 11, 2001
There are some books that you just HAVE to have - if only because the topic they're on is so funny. This is one of those! Not only that, but it actually is handy for birders, in a practical way.

Whether you like or don't like squirrels, you have to account for them when you're trying to feed birds. Otherwise your birds end up with no food and you have many fat squirrels running around. This book gives you ways to handle this situation whether you mind the squirrels, or just want them to be in their own area.

It rates various feeders, complete with photos, showing you the drawbacks and benefits of each one. It talks about different kids of food, and different ways you can work with them to make them bird-only. It gives you ways to distract the squirrels. And it's REALLY funny!

A must-buy for any birder on your present list, and tuck one into your own stocking, too.

Excellent. Solid, practical advice with humor and style., March 3, 1999
We all love those furry little creatures but there comes a time when you must say "enough." With wit and humor, Bill Adler offers practical advice on how to keep squirrels from ruining your fun, hurting your lawn and gardens and taking food from the bird feeder. It's a must for anyone who owns a home.

Funny and Informative, February 26, 1999
I love both birds and squirrels. I don't mind feeding the squirrels, I just don't want them destroying my bird feeders. With the help of this book I was able to set up a bird feeding station that was safe from squirrels but also had a ground feeder just for them. It's a great book.

Extremely funny but helpful with practical ideas and advice, April 24, 1999
As I was standing at my double patio doors with my nose pressed to the window watching the squirrels raiding my bird feeders, I became so agitated I abruptly jerked the door open to scare them off and banged myself in the mouth with my door. I decided at that moment to wage war. Although I haven't won yet, the book offers good advice on how I can get revenge without doing bodily injury to the little monsters.

Inadvertantly increased my appreciation for squirrels, November 27, 2001
I really enjoyed this extremely humorous book. After reading it, any failure on any birder's part to get rid of his sleek, well-fed squirrels is understandable. They're great athletes, motivated and social to boot.

It is great stocking stuffer for your squirrel-obsessed birder spouse or friends!

For Determined Bird Watchers, June 8, 2005
This book is a guide to keeping your bird feeder squirrel-free. Adler had a particularly pestiferous squirrel who found ways around every squirrel-barrier Adler could think of to protect his bird seed. The squirrel's notorious feats put Adler on the war-path. In writing this book, he is not only fighting that one squirrel, but all of squirrel-kind. If readers pull-off a successful squirrel battle because of ideas in this book, then Adler can declare victory.

Bird watchers, (or would-be bird watchers) are the intended audience for this book, so the book begins with some suggestions about how to attract birds, along with a list of suggested foods to offer and descriptive profiles of birds who commonly come to North American feeders. Adler then turns his attentions to squirrels and provides a supposedly thorough description of squirrels, their biology, and behavior. Next, he describes and compares common bird feeders according to how squirrel-proof they are. Following this are a list of anti-squirrel devices that can be added to a feeder, and a list of combative actions a bird-viewer can take to ward off squirrels. Adler concludes with "101 Cunning Stratagems" (an attempt at humor?), ideas for squirrel lovers, ideas for dealing with problem cats at feeders, and a list of resources for bird-watching and squirrel-fighting equipment.

It's hard to tell whether this book was intended to be humorous, or what. Certainly, the comparison of bird feeders is far too serious to be funny. (And unfortunately, the feeders are listed by brand-name, rather than by some grouping according to general type or shape.) Some of the "101 Cunning Stratagems" seem intended to be funny, but fall short of the goal. Overall, the entire book reads as if it could have been a decent magazine article, but Adler had to really work to come up with ideas enough to stretch his material to fill out an entire book. For instance, he fills out his list of 101 stratagems with a number of patent descriptions, which are neither funny nor descriptive enough to give you an idea how the devices being described actually work.

Even though he seemed desperate to add to his work count, Adler still left out some key information. Namely, he provides almost no information about different types of squirrels, and how their approaches to feeders differ. Adler lives in a city, where he apparently only sees gray squirrels, which is probably why he barely mentions any other types of squirrels. In our experience, red squirrels are much more aggressive and agile than the grays-with our large population of red hoodlums, grays wouldn't stand a chance in our neighborhood. We also see flying squirrels at our feeder, but they don't bother us since they only come out at night when the birds aren't in the feeder, and they don't seem to gobble as much seed as the reds. They sure can jump, though. Then there are the black squirrels, which are the big gorillas of the squirrel world. I've seen them in Toronto, and I've also heard they haunt Washington, D.C. after escaping from the National Zoo. Do they also make pests of themselves at feeders? Adler leaves us in the dark about these critters.

Adler interviews world-renowned squirrel expert Vaun Flyger in the chapter on squirrel biology, and Flyger assures him that the best way to outwit a squirrel is to treat them like chicken; i.e., use them in any recipe that calls for chicken. In other words, Flyger advocates the "final solution". Adler doesn't consider this approach seriously in this book (but speaking from experience, it works, and better than any squirrel bafflers. Once neighborhood squirrels get the idea you're out for blood, they quickly learn how not to eat from your feeder).

Funny, good, and wise... what more do you want?, November 23, 1998
Hey, I like and feed the little rodents myself, but they're party crashers in the bird world. Our feeder says very clearly: "Bird Station." Furry rats need not apply.

This is not merely a good read but a funny book. Mr. Adler has scored five stars from me, even before I read about Rosie O'Donnell's rave.

Good fun for birdlovers., July 21, 1998
I must admit that I'm a bit nutty over brids, and I don't much like the squirrels pilfering expensive seed. This book gave me some good advice for keeping the tree rodents away from the feeder. And it is funny too. Any birdlover will appreciate this.

Not Remotely Tremendous, January 10, 2006
I'll keep this review short and sweet, since the book isn't exactly the utmost in literary achievement ever produced. The book is decent, probably right on the 3 star mark given what it tries to do and what it does. The intention of the book is to, well, outwit squirrels - a silly notion given a day or 2 observing the little...um, natural friends. Wit isn't what makes the squirrel dangerous. It's the endless effort a squirrel will go through to get your food. The overall effort described here should probably be called, "Outenduring Squirrels," since that's what you will need to do.

Overall, the book is hit or miss with the advice it gives. Living in a neighborhood with approximately more squirrels than blades of grass, you tend to either pick up ways to stop them from getting to your feeders, or you stop feeding the birds. Or as some have done, you throw in the towel and get used to having your seed receptacles ravaged by these tree rats. The advice in this book is sometimes right, and sometimes off the mark. That opinion is based on copious amounts of personal experience.

I got this as a gag gift from my father-in-law, since he knows how much I hate these animals. It was entertaining enough, though at times his sense of humor wasn't exactly what I would call top notch. Other times it was downright irritating. So it goes. I don't think squirrel banter is going to be on prime time television any time soon. Until then, you'll have to make do with books like this, which are good enough but hardly knocking on the door of your local bookstore's best seller list.

Serious approaches, humorously written, March 4, 2001
I wish I had known about this book two years ago. Mr. Adler provides insight into the single-minded focus of these furry creatures and their expensive impact on attempts to fill the backyard with a variety of colorful birds. Be sure to read the section on Nixalite. If only Bill Adler could be convinced to write a book on squirrels and their egregious misappropriation of the attic. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For the first time, HRH The Prince of Wales shares his views on how our most pressing modern challenges—from climate change to poverty—are rooted in mankind's disharmony with nature, presenting a compelling case that the solution lies in our ability to regain a balance with the world around us

With its holistic approach, this provocative and well-reasoned book takes the discussion of sustainability and climate change in a new direction. Prince Charles shows how the solutions to problems like climate change lie not only in technology but in our ability to change the way we view the modern world.

For decades, the Prince of Wales has been studying a wide array of disciplines to understand every aspect of man's impact on the natural world, and in that time he has examined everything from architecture to organic farming to sustainable economics. Now, for the first time, he speaks out about his years of research, presenting a fascinating look at how modern industrialization has led us to a state of disharmony with nature, created climate change, and pushed us to the brink of disaster.

From the rice farms of India to the prairies of America's corn belt, from the temples of Ancient Egypt to the laboratories of industrial designers, Harmony spans the globe to identify the different ways that contemporary life has abandoned the hard-earned practices of our history, a shift that has spurred a host of social problems and accelerated climate change.

Drawing on cases from farming, healthcare, transportation, and design, the Prince of Wales also offers solutions for change, creating a new vision for our world, one that incorporates the traditional wisdom of our past with the modern science of our present to avert catastrophe. In the end, Harmony paints a holistic portrait of what we as a species have lost in the modern age, while outlining the steps we can take to regain the harmony of our ancestors.

Illustrated with lush, four-color photographs and charts, this intelligent, practical, and well-reasoned guide is an indispensable weapon in the battle to save our planet.

Reviews

A brilliant thinker and visionary, November 12, 2010
The author, often maligned and trivialized by the press, shows himself here to be a serious thinker, writer, historian and visionary. I believe he is the best product of the British monarchy to emerge in the past two hundred years.

His book clearly analyzes the root causes of our separation from a state of harmony, and predicts the consequences of this estrangement from the natural world. Widely read himself, he interjects his personal thoughts and opinions into the narrative, thereby creating an informal approach to what could have been a dry text.

I love this book. lt inspires me to do the right thing, to pay attention not only to our built environment but also to keep trying to connect my spirit to my actions.

Outstanding Perspectives and Pertinent Thoughts, November 2, 2010
Utterly engrossed from the first page to the last. Did not want to put it down.

Prince Charles is BRILLIANT about nature and the environment and yes, how people act in relationship to that. OH MY. Am so glad that he has written this and it will be available for so many people to discover and enjoy and benefit from.
Finally someone who thinks like me but says it far more eloquently:)

I wish everyone thought like him, we would have such a better world, not just physically, but in terms of understanding and perception and cooperation with Earth. He really sees the connections that are so important to not only surviving but thriving for our ecology and world, in many aspects, from animals to plants to architecture to spirituality.

I can almost forgive him for Camilla reading this book. And if she understood him -- and Diana didn't, for the first time I can see why he wanted to be with Canilla because of her personality, and how she made him feel so good.

His viewpoint is far advanced beyond accepted science and industry's ineffective ways.

Wow.

He is really, really, really wise. I hope this book makes people think, and even more than that, encourages them to adopt some of the ideas he suggest with such good sense behind them.
If Prince William follows in his father's footsteps with this, it would be wonderful as well.

Wonderful Insight, November 19, 2010
I am extremely impressed with this book and have a whole new respect for Prince Charles. The man is brilliant and he cares. I think this is a must read for all and would love to see it in the classroom. I completely agree that most of our problems are because we do not live in Harmony with nature. Our world was created by a God who has all the answers, who has given us all the answers within nature, if we would only listen.

Surprise - excellent book on an important topic - by Prince Charles!, November 16, 2010
[This review has turned into something of an essay - but it was the only way I could express my opinion on a topic raised by the book that is very close to my heart and that I think is of great importance. If you just want to read the strictly "review" parts, they are contained in the first three and the last two paragraphs.]

The Prince of Wales (much to my surprise, I admit) persuasively demonstrates that the principles of harmony found in Nature can and should be incorporated into all aspects of modern life because doing so will not only make our lives environmentally sustainable, but will vastly increase our well-being in virtually every way possible. It is a beautiful vision, beautifully expressed and makes me wonder why this side of Prince Charles has been so ignored in the media (at least in the US). Clearly, he has been working hard to advance this timeliest of visions for several decades now, but I don't think many people over here are very aware of it. A true media cover-up!

The book begins by describing the principles of harmony as found in the natural world and how these principles were embedded very explicitly in the outlook, arts, and architecture of all traditional and classical civilizations (of both East and West), goes on to trace how these principles were abandoned as a result of the shift to a reductionistic-mechanistic outlook on life brought about by the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries, and then provides numerous examples of how some people are beginning to reincorporate the principles of harmony back into various aspects of modern life, from agriculture to town planning to education to health care and so on, often with many rippling and self-multiplying positive results. This is really good, solid, and inspiring stuff, all the way through. (Other wonderful books that explore similar themes include The Power of Limits by Gyorgy Doczi; The Old Way of Seeing by Jonathan Hale; and The Return of Sacred Architecture by Herbert Bangs.)

The book then concludes with an excellent and essential chapter on how simply having intellectual knowledge of the principles of harmony is not enough; we must also feel them - must feel our intimate, sacred relationship with the earth directly from within. I could not agree more with this - and yet this brings me to the one criticism I have of Harmony.

The one thing that I would say is missing from the Prince's vision, which I believe undermines his whole message, is the recognition that civilized life has, from its very inception, always disrupted the very root or foundation of our ability to live in alignment with natural principles of harmony, that foundation being precisely the ability to feel harmony from within.

At the very beginning of civilization - following the Agricultural Revolution, which took place approximately 10,000 years ago - humans made the first, most fundamental, and most crucial shift away from living in harmony with Nature. What occurred then is that, due to the completely new requirements imposed by agricultural life, societies for the first time stopped being able to fully meet the specific needs of our genetically pre-programmed childhood developmental process - a process of parent-child (and society-child) interaction that had been honed to perfection over millions of years of evolution in small hunter-gatherer bands. This break with our evolutionary past is what initially disrupted our ability to feel - intuitively, from within - how to live in harmony with Nature. This one shift paved the way for the gradual decline in harmony that then culminated - rather than originated - in the Scientific Revolution that ushered in the modern era. (Jean Liedloff's The Continuum Concept describes many essential differences between aboriginal and civilized child-rearing; and Paul Shepard's many books, like The Tender Carnivore and the Sacred Game, provide an overall picture of what was lost in this transition.)

Even though the Prince does rightly acknowledge that harmony has to come from within, the question remains, "How, specifically, does this work?" I would suggest that it is not, primarily, through verbal education, instruction, or training; not even through non-verbal or non-rational religious rites and observances. These may all eventually play a role, but only if they build on an already existing foundation for harmony, which can only be created through the directly felt experience of being met and supported, from earliest infancy, by behaviors - from parents and all other members of society - that dovetail harmoniously with our emerging developmental needs. When a child consistently feels the "rightness" of needs arising from within and proper responses coming from without and the harmonious growth to which this gives rise, then a felt sense of harmony becomes imprinted deep within - an imprint to which that individual will remain true throughout life, in all circumstances. This, I believe, is the missing key to the seemingly effortless and automatic harmonious living seen in aboriginal society. The stories and folklore to which the Prince attributes the harmony of aboriginal society very likely does build on and reinforce this primary, inner, felt sense of harmony; but no verbal thought system can create this where that felt foundation does not already exist. Without the felt experience of harmony imbibed from the age before conscious thought develops, conscious thought can never play its proper, harmony-reinforcing role because it will have no proper foundation on which to rest. There will be very little harmony there to reinforce.

This ability to live in harmony on a moment-to-moment, spontaneous basis can only come from knowing what it feels like to have been raised in harmony on a moment-to-moment, spontaneous basis. We have to feel it from within first, before we can live it in the world outside; and being raised harmoniously - in accordance with specific needs unfolding on a specific developmental timetable - from the beginning of life is the way Nature makes this possible. This alone leads to the balanced, full unfolding of our psyches, which is what then allows us to continually feel harmony from within and to act accordingly, moment-to-moment, throughout our lives. The processes that we now call "child-rearing" and "education" in the modern world do not even come close to meeting the full range of our specific developmental needs. It is not enough simply to speak of "loving" our children or "giving them the best of everything" if this does not include meeting their needs as Nature has specified.

If this inner, felt sense of harmony is lost then all is lost because this inner sense is the first rung on the great ladder of harmony that humans are meant to climb over the course of their lives. When this first rung is taken away, and our inner connection to harmony is broken, then, at best, we can only stand back and perhaps admire harmony and nature from afar, as a mental, philosophical, or aesthetic object. But this rational admiring of external harmony - as exemplified by classical civilizations - noble as it seems, is actually the first rung on a ladder of disharmony that leads us downwards and eventually ends in our forgetting harmony altogether. When we are not connected to harmony from within by that strongest bond devised by Nature then harmony stops being the ultimately compelling guiding force that it should be. Other forces - darker forces, greedy forces, narrow-minded forces - no longer kept in check by a felt sense of harmony are then free to gain ascendancy.

In the classical and traditional civilizations that the Prince holds up as models for us to draw upon, awareness of the principles of harmony had long since shifted largely from the intuitively felt realm (as modeled by aboriginal hunter-gatherers) to the rational-intellectual realm. Although traditional civilizations did embody these principles of harmony in their art, architecture, and philosophy, never again did they manage to embody them in their day-to-day, moment-to-moment lives and interactions with each other, the environment, and the cosmos to the same extent as is seen in aboriginal society, as the Prince himself acknowledges to an extent (p. 90, "the transmission of these shared insights...is often to be found weaving precariously alongside the many horrors and atrocities that fill our history books").

That this crucial ability to instinctively feel how to live in harmony - and the genetically cued developmental process that supports it - even exists is largely unknown in the modern world because our civilized belief systems have so thoroughly obscured what was lost in the transition from hunting-gathering to civilized life. So we do not see that the particular specialty of aboriginal life is that it so faithfully and assiduously trusts and honors the perfection of our evolved natures and arranges life in such a way as to always make possible the meeting of each person's genetically pre-programmed needs at each stage of the life cycle. We do not see how, as a result of this, aboriginal peoples (far from living the desperate, brutish lives falsely imagined for them by civilized peoples) naturally embed the same principles of harmony found in civilized art and architecture in their myths, stories, and dances, in their totemic kinship systems, in their hunting and gathering practices, in their initiatory rites, and in their overall life-patterns. And we do not see how all of this allows them to maintain a genuine, practical, and ongoing harmony at all levels: the individual, the clan-tribe-society, the environment, and the cosmos. Agricultural-civilized peoples, from the beginning, have always - at least to some extent - tried to make themselves Nature's masters, rather than Her ardent followers, and have therefore never fully practiced the principles of harmony that they (sometimes) preached. In this context, the Prince's assertions that the wisdom of primary peoples is of the same nature and quality as that encoded in civilized religious traditions (see p. 297 for example), although true to an extent, actually reinforces our cultural inability to distinguish between ways of living that are faithful to our developmental needs, and that therefore rest on a solid foundation, and those that are not and do not. This is what I believe undermines, to a significant degree, the very shift towards harmonious living for which the Prince argues so passionately and persuasively.

None of this is to suggest that we should all return to hunting and gathering. I am only suggesting that, if we truly want to transform the way we live in an all-encompassing, holistic way that extends to our moment-to-moment thinking, perceiving, and acting, then we must first understand the specific difference between the way people are raised in aboriginal and civilized societies and then find a way to once again support the emergence of our felt, inner sense of harmony. This is the essential thing.

Nonetheless, the Prince does very skillfully show how awareness of the principles of harmony is necessary for creating a sustainable way of life, how those principles have been encoded and expressed in the art and architecture of the traditional and classical civilizations, how our having lost touch with them contributes to the environmental crisis now threatening all life on the planet, how we might begin to bring these principles back into our lives, and why this would make our lives, not just environmentally sustainable, but far more fulfilling and beautiful as well. Expressed in his terms, solving the environmental crisis is not about "giving things up"; it is about regaining the very best things in life that we have unknowingly already given up.

In summary, the Prince's analysis of how and when and why we originally gave up harmonious living may not go all the way back to the root, but it goes quite far - and he vividly drives home the point that modern society has, completely unnecessarily, set itself up in opposition to Nature and that we would all be far better off, in virtually every conceivable way, if instead we once again aligned ourselves in harmony with Her.

Nearly perfect, December 2, 2010
I borrowed this book from my library and I was totally engrossed and impressed by the end of the first chapter. Much of it is familiar content for anyone that is knowledgeable about factory farming and environmental issues; however the underlying philosophy that he discusses for his beliefs is truly interesting and something I haven't heard *much* of. My partner and I are astounded that a member of the royal family could have so many beliefs with which we agree (and we are not liberals, nor conservatives). You can tell that Prince Charles is extremely well-read on certain very important authors, such as Lewis Mumford, particularly his work "Pentagon of Power." I think that what I like most about the book is that it's not another rehash of the oversimplified "let's put a solar panel on a McMansion and call it sustainable, and that's all we have to do to save the world!" trendiness that is so common today. He says things that people in positions of power often do not admit, particularly about indigenous populations, fossil fuel depletion, and yes, spirituality. I am thoroughly in love with this book, and will be buying a copy of the children's version for my daughter for Christmas.

"Harmony"--A Clarion Call For A Sustainability Revolution!, December 14, 2010
Regardless of your view of British Royalty or the Prince of Wales up to now, I challenge any open-minded, intelligent, compassionate human being who truly cares about the future of our Earth and its inhabitants, to read this new book by Prince Charles--"Harmony: A New Way of Looking At Our World"--and not conclude that this man's obvious magnum opus should not only be placed in the hands of all world leaders we're entrusting with our future and that of our children, but also be a text taught from in schools at all levels in all countries and languages (there's also a children's edition, with all published in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Brazil, thus far), especially in graduate and doctoral Environmental Studies programs.

When we say one is "a prince of peace" or "a prince among men," it's a great complement. I hope all who love our planet and its living things will now join this Cambridge-educated Prince of Wales--who's spent 30 years studying the essential principles of harmony and how they work in Nature, and how, if we ignore them, our Earth's precious life-support systems start to wobble and may eventually collapse--in his heartfelt plea to make this age fit for a sustainable future.

In essence, "Harmony" is a clarion call for a global Sustainability Revolution. Whether you prefer the hundredth-monkey or critical-mass metaphor, it's now clear to all who've done their homework (and if there ever was a 'Cliff's Notes' version of the encroaching catastrophe threatening us and our global village, "Harmony" is it), that we humans must finally achieve the quantum leap in consciousness now clearly necessary to save our planet from ourselves.

Fortunately, "Harmony" offers not only an overview of our present situation, but also a list of the solutions, all of which depend, for their success, on looking at the world in a different way. Thus, this brilliant book challenges "the current world view in all the important areas of human activity--in agriculture and architecture, education, healthcare, in science, business, and economics," warning that "none of us can survive for very long if the underlying well-being of the planet is destroyed."

"Harmony's" hope: "Let this book be a means of explaining what has caused us to think that we can abandon Nature's rhythmic patterns. We have done so, not just in the mechanized processes we use to grow our food and treat our farm animals, or the way in which we design and build our homes, towns and cities, or the way in which we deny the crucial relationship between mind, body and spirit in healthcare. We have also done so in the way we fail, in our systems of economics, to measure and put a proper value on Nature's vital services, and even in the manner we teach OUT a proper whole-istic understanding of the fact that we are a PART of Nature, not apart from Her, when it comes to our children's education."

If, my sisters, you don't yet know why, "in the past decade, a staggering 100,000 Punjabi [Indian] farmers have committed suicide because of the economic pressures that the industrial approach has imposed upon them," "Harmony" will teach you why. If, my brothers, you're not yet aware that 500 miles off the coast of California, in an area occupying 540,000 square miles of the Pacific--nearly six times the size of the United Kingdom--there's a 'plastic vortex,' as it's become known, comprising up to 100 million tons of man-made waste--plastic packages, bottles, cans, tires and broken-down chemical sludge, "Harmony" will bring you up to speed.

Since, my friends, more than one-sixth of our nearly seven billion fellow humans are today forced to live in extreme poverty, it's important to understand how we arrived at this state here at the top of our species' evolutionary ladder. . .where, "using industrial techniques in factory farms, livestock production requires a third of the world's usable land and global grain harvest, and is responsible for around 18% of greenhouse gas emissions."

"Harmony" offers "inspiration for those who feel, deep down, that there is a more balanced way of looking at the world, and more harmonious ways of living. It not only outlines the kinds of approach that depend on us seeing Nature as a whole, but also examines the great and practical value in seeing the nature of humanity as a whole."

What this Prince of Wales hopes will become obvious to those reading "Harmony," is "just how many answers we already have at our disposal, if our goal is to re-establish our rightful relationship with Nature and pull back from the brink of catastrophe. It is a goal I truly believe is achievable, if we remind ourselves of the essential grammar of harmony--a grammar of which humanity should always be the measure."

As our friends at Nike have programmed us for over a decade, please "Just DO it!" Read "Harmony," so you not only understand what it means to the harmony of our Earth when Americans bury 222 million tons of household waste each year, while the Chinese are already up to 148 million. Please read "Harmony" to understand why its author warns: "We are testing the world to destruction, and the tragedy--no, the stupidity--is that we will only discover the real truth when we have finally succeeded in completely denuding the world of its complex, life-giving forces, and eradicating traditional human wisdom."

The Prince of Wales concludes: "We need a Sustainability Revolution. . . .We have to discover that in order for humanity to endure alongside the natural world (and the vast, as yet unnumbered creatures with which we share this miraculous planet) on which it so intimately depends for its survival, it is essential to give something BACK to Nature, in return for what we so persistently and all the more arrogantly take from Her. Our approach cannot all be based on 'rights.' There have to be 'responsibilities,' too. . . .It is my ambition that this book, the film that will follow it, and other initiatives that will accompany both, will help to facilitate that vital, cross-cultural and international discussion and exchange."

This brilliant book--"Harmony"--is a blessing for us all. Please read it and share it with loved ones, friends and colleagues, perhaps as truly meaningful, helpful and compassionate gifts during this holiday season and into the challenging new year. Please help get it into school programs at all levels as a teaching text, especially as part of an Environmental Studies curriculum. Fortunately, we each do not have to invest the global, 30-year study necessary to create this masterpiece of compassionate wisdom called "Harmony."

However, it will not move out of Amazon warehouses and off booksellers' shelves, worldwide, without the 'buzz' we CAN help create as we all work collectively to promote it and its crucial message. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama--who planted a tree in the Prince of Wales' garden as just one, simple demonstration of what each of us can do beyond upgrading our understanding of this precious Earth's dilemma by reading "Harmony"--has often said in his own global travels:

"Peace and survival of life on earth, as we know it, are threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed, and lack of respect for the Earth's living things. This lack of respect extends even to the Earth's human descendants--the future generations who will inherit a vastly degraded planet if world peace doesn't become a reality, and if destruction of the natural environment continues at the present rate.

"Our ancestors viewed the Earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw Nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care for it. It is not difficult to forgive destruction in the past that resulted from ignorance. Today, however, we have access to more information. Therefore, it is essential that we re-examine, ethically, what we have inherited, what we are responsible for, and what we will pass on to coming generations.

"Many of the Earth's habitats, animals, plants, insects and even microorganisms that we know as rare, may not be known at all by future generations. We have the capability and the responsibility. We must act before it is too late." [Excerpt from "My Tibet"]

Thank you so much, sisters and brothers, for reading "Harmony," as well as for helping spread its message which is now absolutely critical to helping us "act before it is too late," wherever and in whatever ways you're able. . .even if only writing a review of "Harmony" for your own town or city's publications, just as I have here. [In fact, please feel free to send them this one, if you wish, with my permission and blessing.]

As American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead so often advised us: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Big Love, and Peace of mind,

Dennis Paulson
Santa Barbara, California
Author, "Voices of Survival In the Nuclear Age"

Excellent, but personally frustrating, November 29, 2010
If An Inconvenient Truth set out the problem, this book provides the solution. Harmony is a positive book that sets out the necessary overarching framework to completely change the modern lifestyle, which must be done immediately. Of course as the book points out, there is a strong international grassroots movement already moving this way. The main flaw of the book is that it curiously seems oblivious to the terrible power wielded by multinational corporations, both in removing existing regulation and any attempt to increase regulation by completely corrupting the political process and in manipulating public opinion through advertising, the power of overwhelming advertising dollars to influence the content of the media, and the insidious complete takeover of the media by multinational conglomerates. Although I suppose he couldn't say the latter outright as it would look like a vendetta. He does mention how advertising has deliberately fostered a culture of consumerism, but obviously the problem goes well beyond that.

I suppose it is also his role to stay above politics, but this leads to a disconnect with some of his proposals, like changing town planning and school curricula. Of course those are nice goals with long-range ecological benefits, but the ecological problem that confronts us is urgent and immediate, and we need to expend our political efforts first on regulation and cap and trade (or something similar). Revolution must happen in the next five years, not the next fifty. He calls for revolution on the very first page of the book, but seems unaware that in actuality this is a revolutionary war, with clear and powerful enemies that must be fought.

That is my only criticism of the book. Harmony is both fresh and timeless and is a testament to his decades of work in planting the seeds of sustainability (although he prefers the term "durability"). He puts forth a comprehensive world view that is both engaging and strengthening, giving us all a way forward with both a grounding philosophy and practical ways to make the changes that must be made. His examples of indigenous peoples successfully fighting multinational corporations are cheering and encourage us all to make a stand and fight. And simply showing, proving that there is a way forward, that for example it is possible to organically farm and produce abundant food gives to those of us in the trenches a clear goal. It also helps convince those who are undecided about the urgency of ecological change. Through example after example, with both his refreshingly personal prose and beautiful photographs from all over the world, he vividly shows the wrongness of the current modern lifestyle and the rightness of going back to the old ways, at least in a modified form. The book works well both as an ecological manifesto and a lovely coffee table book--humorous but true.

Personally I was extremely frustrated reading the book. The main thrust of the book is that we must change men's minds and hearts to bring fundamental, effective and long-lasting ecological change. Specifically the change that must come about is for a person to be able to see the underlying pattern in Nature and the interconnectedness of all things--man's place in the natural world is as an interconnected part, not the master of creation. He grasps at how to do this and brings up a variety of ways--through education, improved architecture, getting out in Nature, organic farming, etc. I am an author myself and my book focuses on brain chemistry. The key he overlooks is neurotransmitters. Changing the brain is the most direct way to changing the man. In particular, the two neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are at the heart of his book, he just doesn't know it. The foods and drinks and drugs we consume determine to a large extent how we think.

In particular, this is what he doesn't know and I do. Changes in farming have a profound effect on brain chemistry. Poultry and beef that are free range--cows that eat grass and chickens that scratch--produce meat and milk and eggs that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids. Poultry and beef that subsist on grains produce meat and milk and eggs that are low in omega-3 fatty acids and high in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids increase dopamine in the brain. Omega-6 fatty acids reduce dopamine in the brain. Dopamine helps a person see the underlying patterns in things. Of course too much dopamine in the diseased brain of a schizophrenic causes the person to see patterns in everything, even patterns that aren't there. But if dopamine is too low, as it is in most people who live the modern lifestyle, then the mind has difficult seeing the underlying patterns that ARE there. Historically the cultures that consumed the most omega-3 fatty acids, that ate a lot of fish, were generally more focused on spirituality and focused on the interconnectedness of all things.

Likewise, we live in the Age of Serotonin. Our culture places an overwhelming importance on having a high serotonin state. Serotonin works against dopamine, isolating us from being connected with our own bodies, our emotions, and other people. Of course a certain steady amount of serotonin is necessary for health and avoiding depression, but at least in America it seems we all want the high-serotonin personality of a used care salesman. Eating starchy and sugary foods raises serotonin a mild amount, drinking coffee or tea or any caffeine raises serotonin quite a bit, and of course antidepressants cause serotonin to go unnaturally high. So when the book talks about the spirituality of indigenous hunter-gatherer peoples, I think, well of course, they have a diet very high in omega-3 fatty acids because they eat lots of wild game, insects and fish, and they have moderate serotonin because they don't consume any starchy foods. That is why they are able to live in the Dreamtime. And when he deplores the birth of modernism in Great Britain in the seventeenth century, that's when they started importing coffee and tea. The United States is the poster child for the sort of modern freak he deplores, and we were the first to adopt factory farming, the first to pop antidepressants like candy, and the first to throw out the sensible cultural limits on caffeine, drinking Starbucks espressos like water throughout the day. Modern Americans' diet is so very different from, say, an indigenous tribe on the Amazon that we are practically a different species.

In the end the result he wants--a return to our natural mind state--will be brought about by his passion--organic farming. And already the stranglehold of pharmaceutical antidepressants is slowly being broken by doctors and researchers pointing out that a daily brisk walk in the sunshine works as well as antidepressants for all but the most severe types of depression. Something else that may help due to the sheer size of the population is omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, as it will take time to go organic worldwide and we will all need to become more vegetarian. It is DHA in particular that is most necessary. Trying to get the necessary DHA from fish would put unnecessary strain on our already overburdened oceans. A high-tech solution might be algae farms, that can also be used to sequester carbon dioxide.

Sorry to go off on a tangent there, but it is my area of expertise. I wish I could communicate this directly to the author because I think he would find it edifying, but I suppose it is a moot point since he is already unknowingly pursuing the most direct route towards his goal. Also the idea of dashing off a personal missive to a head of state makes me feel wildly uncomfortable, not to mention the impossibility of it actually getting to him, so this review will have to do. ... Read more