Environment and Nature Books

I just bought this book for my grandchild and was so happy that he enjoyed it as much as myself. I am from South Africa, and was glad to find a book that showed the joy and sweetness of that country. People around the world forget that there are little children that go to sleep everynight all over S.A. and just live simple lives. The pictures were realistic and lovely and made me homesick! I think this gives my grandchild a wonderful view of an incredible country and they have brought back memories for me. Thank You

Someone recommended this book to me when I first moved to Tucson after living "up north" all my life. I had relocated to Arizona for a job and was in somewhat of a state of culture shock at the lack of green grass, no four seasons, etc. This book was a real god-send for me. It breaks the year into 12 months and describes what is happening in the environment in terms of climate, wildlife, plant life, and the constellations. It is filled with fun-facts and things to do and watch for, so adults and children alike will find this book fun and interesting to read. It is fascinating learning about the unique-ness of the Sonoran desert and it made me really appreciate how incredible and diverse it really is! I now recommend this book to everyone (native or newcomer) and buy it regularly as a "welcome" gift to my colleagues that relocate here from other parts of the country. I highly recommend it.

With Global Warming on the minds of all wise people, this book helps to clarify the argument between nature and religion, and supports why caring for our planet is a religious issue, a moral issue and a reason for all earth-loving and earth-living people to stand up, take notice and take action. This book was helpful in clarifying this issue when i had to defend my own gardening and landscaping choices to my local town government. Choosing to care for the earth is a 1st ammendment right and this book helps to prove it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a really wonderful book, with beautiful photography. The book shares the incredible story of one of our most beautiful national parks. The photography captures the beauty of the park through all of the seasons. You will definitely love it!

An excellent if sad synopsis of the devastating toll salmon farming is wreaking on wild trout and salmon populations around the world. A Stain Upon the Sea is a fascinating microcosm of the battle being waged between environmental and economic interests to the detriment of our planet, future and most of the world's species. These essays are written by intelligent, thoughtful people fighting to protect our native salmon runs against the short-sighted self-interest of the aquaculture industry, whose spin would have you believe salmon farming is a clean, environmentally friendly solution to depleted natural salmon runs and an ever more hungry world. Don't believe it for a minute! If you're looking for clarity on the salmon farming issue this book's for you.

Merriam's turkey is a native Rocky Mountain subspecies and the subject of author Harley Shaw's intensive research. Stories of research biologist Harley Shaw's encounters with the wild turkey are supplemented by anecdotes about field work and wildlife management, providing a multi-faceted study which goes beyond scientific theory and observation alone. Stalking The Big Bird: A Tale Of Turkeys, Biologists, And Bureaucrats is enthusiastically recommended reading for sportsmen and wildlife environmentalists alike.

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"In this book...I hope I have offered...an understanding of the Earth and of life on Earth as to enable [readers] to understand the planet's vulnerability to human activities. I have tried to survey the road that lead to the major environmental issues that humans face today [and help readers better understand the challenges that lie ahead on the road to 2100]. I want to help people understand why we need to attend to these problems [or issues]...This is no easy task...[since] the literature on environmental issues is now...growing exponentially every year."

The above is from the preface of this clear but not overly simplistic book by Paul K. Conkin, Professor Emeritus of History at Vanderbilt University and the author of numerous books.

Conkin is absolutely correct when he says that it is no easy task to help readers understand how humans have come to the environmental crossroads they face today and what the future challenges hold. Has the author succeeded in his task? In my opinion, YES and he does it in a clear, thorough, historical & scientifically informed way.

The book itself is divided into five parts. All parts (consisting of two chapters each) are interesting but I found parts three and four entitled "The Human Threat" and "Climate Change" respectively particularly interesting. As well, part five entitled "Environmental Policies and Philosophies" was quite informative.

Books like this can be pontifical with the authors saying what should be done or that humans should do this or that. This book is different and for me, refreshing. It explains the realities and consequences of ecological disruption, unsustainable growth, and environmental degradation. It does not proclaim doom and gloom or suggest simply that new technologies or other free-market solutions will repair the damage that's already been done.

Finally, this book is well illustrated. It contains almost twenty figures (in the form of graphs, charts, tables, etc.). I found all of these revealing and informative.

In conclusion, this book, in my view, is the best assemblage of historical and scientific information about our ecological problems and about how humans have reacted (especially in the United States) that I have ever read. I leave you with the last two sentences of the book's excellent afterword:

"Can the affluent rest at ease and continue to enjoy high living standards with the knowledge that there is not nearly enough resources for all humans to join the feast? And in such a world, how long will the affluent be safe at their banquet?

(first published late 2006; preface; acknowledgements; 5 parts or 10 chapters; a personal afterword; main narrative 285 pages; notes; index)

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A brilliant mind can illuminate those of us that are less fortunate. This book is provides insight into what I believe to be the perfect relationship of what activity should be measured to determine the ultimate health of an economic system. Dr Daly has provided a perspective that is so simple in concept, yet almost unimaginable to see as a foundation for the future of societal systems. We live in a finite world with few renewable resouces... Thank you Dr Daly for a thought provoking adventure!
Doug Jehle

This publication is the first of its kind in Hungary, in which the author uses international examples to outline and develop the foundation for developing Greenways in Hungary. Her discussion of the 'On Our Heritage Trail Greenway' in northern Hungary should have value for wider Greenway development in Hungary and elsewhere.

The author has done a remarkable job at employing a number of methods (qualitative-quantitative; archival-interviews-questionnaire; pilot study) in a short time frame to understand an initiative close to its conception.

I highly recommend this publication to anyone interested in Greenways development or in the coupling of conservation and tourism development interests.

This is the book I was waiting for, thanks Paul B. Trawick. This is the first book that takes the old, known and new to start educating for a better ecological system.