Environment and Nature Books

"...the text is very well written, easy to read and comprehend, interesting in its presentation, practically void of mathematical equations, and contains an excellent reference listing of over 500 publications...I highly recommend this book for anyone working in the water resource field who desires a better understanding of large river systems. All of us can learn from this book, and it will become a valuable addition to one's library, used frequently,and will not sit gathering dust."
- reviewed by Don Phelps, P.E.

This book is amazing, especially considering that the author was only a teenager when she wrote and illustrated it! Young children can enjoy it because of the beautiful illustrations and the story-like quality, while older children can also learn from the facts presented in the book about different creatures that fly. This book is an excellent completion of Ms. Pratt's environmetal alphabet book trilogy. The other two books she has written and illustrated ("A Walk in the Rainforest" and "A Swim Through the Sea") are also wonderful.

Last Christmas I searched high and low for an introductory book for Children, to learn about environmental issues. Dispite the fact there are very few, P.K.Hallianan has beautifully written and had illistrated this book on not only loving our earth, but all living things. This book is so very special.

If you're looking for a detailed overview of how the forest ecosystem works, this is a great reference. Perry covers soil, nutrients, forest dynamics, etc. If you are new to the sciences, Perry does a good job of explaining key terms. This book is geared more towards science-minded people, but the material is broad enough for anyone interested in the forest.

The discussions on forest hydrology contained in these chapters are quite comprehensive, making this one of the most thorough forest hydrology texts I have read. This makes this text an excellent resource for anyone interested in forest hydrology. It is thoroughly annotated, making it a great reference as well. The material in the last chapter, especially the section on the calculations involved in the Wagon Wheel Gap study is an excellent presentation. I know of no other textbook that includes these techniques with a worked example and discussion of the same data set. The material contained in the appendix is also quite useful. Overall, this book is one of the most comprehensive available, providing readers with a thorough knowledge of the subject and an understanding of management implications.

This is a beautiful story about the rewards of and the necessity for conservation. The country described is so full of forest that it is said that a squirrel could leap from branch to branch from one coast to the other. But over time the forests are replaced by homes and buildings until there is only one forest left. Everyone has forgotten about it except for .... the children. They gather there and play throughtout the four seasons until one day a sign is posted that could change everything. This book is sweet and satisfying and may even inspire your child to "make a difference". The illustrations are lively and colorful and bring a feeling of magic to the story.

As a long time New Englander and traveler to the White Mountains, I found this book provided not only a tremendous historical background to the places I love to visit in and around Franconia Notch, but also a reason as to why the groups that were involved in acquiring the land for the WMNF wanted to protect it from future development.

In my younger days as an Eagle Scout, I hiked the Appalachian Trail through the Presidential Range, stayed at the Lake of the Clouds hut, walked the Flume and gazed upon the Old Man (may he rest in peace). Now, as a father, I take my kids back to those places and hope they get the same appreciation, as I once did, for the beauty, solitude and uniqueness of that spot on Earth.

Ms. Jarvis has done a great job of pulling together facts, stories (and pictures!) and weaving them together so you feel the emotional struggle the members of the SPNHF and NHFWC must have felt while in the midst of fighting to save Franconia Notch. One also gets a sense of amazement that, even back "then", citizens of New Hampshire and the rest of New England were into protecting forest and land.

For anyone wanting a new appreciation of the White Mountain National Forest, an understanding of why the Old Man of the Mountain is a symbol of New Hampshire, or simply requiring a historical perspective on Franconia Notch and the surrounding areas, this book delivers.

All you ever wanted to know about the Catalina Mountains and the people who braved them. Bowden has a way with words to capture your interests--even through the historical factual info. Aldo would be proud of him

A wonderful tome by Janice Emily Bowers. These essays combine gardening, ecology and self reflection with a wonderful use of vocabulary. Thoroughly enjoyable; definitely not a one-read book!

I bought this book in 1992 and found it truly oustanding in terms of depicting the planet environmental realities in an informative yet user friendly way. Packed with accurate statistics, colourful maps, and valuable insights and opinions from highly regarded authors in the field of biological and environmental sciences. 10 years after -we are now in 2002- I am surprised there have not been further and updated editions to this book. It really makes me wonder! These are the kinds of books that humanity needs to become increasingly aware at a global scale of environmental and social threats and opportunities associated to life in our planet.