Geography Books

I thought this book was a great introduction to the theories and ideas behind Horticultural Therapy, Wilderness Programs, and other such rehabilitative nature-based programs. It provides a good general overview and is easy to read.
For someone (like me) who is looking for a book more advanced psychological explanations and discussions, I'd look somewhere else. Lewis is an alright writer, but he is a horticulturalist, not a psychologist. He often lacks the insight into how and why plants are meaningful in our lives. I would provide another recommendation, but I'm still searching myself!
In general, a very good read. He's spot-on with a lot of stuff...just don't expect mind-blowing insights on the psychological impacts of the treatments and programs he discusses.

This book is filled with valuable information about our relationship with nature--and, therefore, ourselves at a very deep level. I find it an incredible resource, citing research on community gardens, horticultural therapy, the deep and enduring relationship between people and plants. Gardeners, environmentalists, and anyone who loves plants will find reinforcement, information, and inspiration in these pages.

Charles Lewis is the undisputed champion of people-plant relationships. A learned man, well-versed in all aspects of horticulture, Lewis is also an excellent writer. Lewis asks: "In what ways do plants enter our mental and spiritual lives?" What exactly is the importance of cultivating our own "inner garden." Gardens grow persons, not just plants. Lewis found that to pursue his interest in the human side of horticulture he had to look to other disciplines - psychology, sociology, geography, and medicine. Charles Lewis's Green Nature/ Human Nature is a must read for anyone who loves to garden. "Horticultural Therapy for the Soul" perhaps describes this book, but actually it is more. Check out this rare gem--you'll love it. Tom Ogren, author of Allergy-Free Gardening, Ten Speed Press.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a book about our human interaction with green nature. Very informative, very well researched, with individual text and quotes annotated to a huge and diverse bibliography. From window boxes in the ghettos, up through the role of plants in prisons and hospitals, to the attraction of parks and great forests and botanical gardens of the world, Charles Lewis explores our need to experience and/or nurture those historically ancient green living beings that are sharing their planet with us. The tons of gardening books I have (you know, the ones with compost-smudged pages and mispelled Latin scribbled in the margins) will not share the same shelf with this book. They are cookbooks, this is a book on hunger.

This is one of my all time top three books. It is entertaining and well written, but most of all, I found it incredibly insightful. I first read it about a decade ago; have reread it at least twice and given it as a gift on many occasions. Enjoy!

A fascinating book about the author and his new wife "roughing it" on an island in the South Pacific. They lived in a hut that they made themselves, ate only what they picked from trees or killed, and had no contact with the outside world.
The most interesting part to me though, was the authors quest for God. He seemed to really want to believe, and while his scientific knowledge would not let him interpret the bible literally, he felt that nature was so beautiful and complex that is had to be created by a higher power.

Simply one of the most heart-wrenching and haunting true adventure stories ever written. I was so moved after reading this wonderful book that I could hardly think of anything else for weeks. Nearing the end of this book, I was choking back tears, as Mr. Heyerdahl touches upon truths so profound that they are mind-boggling. He shows us the things that our society has tried so hard to forget. He powerfully reminds us why we should not ignore the trouble our planet is in. Thor Heyerdahl has to be one of the best people who has ever lived. Only a very, very, great man could write a book like this.

I'd just like to second the comments from "a reader from USA" above. This book is so much more than is stated in the synopsis. While it begins as a very enjoyable adventure and exploration story, it takes the reader beyond the adventure to truths about the present and future that are insightful, important and stated in a way that is compelling to say the least.

really comprehensive view of politics and life in haiti. useful tips for the traveler to Haiti including where to buy condoms!

You'll be fascinated, impressed, depressed, and delighted with Arthur's succinct introduction to the people, culture, and history of a small nation so very close to U.S. shores and U.S. history, yet so very far from our thoughts. From the joyful cover image to photos of brightly-painted buses to the clear maps and tips for travelers, Arthur delivers more than promised--as does Haiti herself. You'll come back for more, once you taste this brief introduction to the famed Hotel Oloffson, tap-taps and Vodou, rara and compa and rasin music, Sweet Micky & Boukman Eksperyans & Tabou Combo, the "little church" and "the flood," peasant movements and death squads, creole pigs and deforestation, poverty and structural adjustment, Toussaint Louverture & the slave revolution, the Duvalier dictatorship and the Tonton Macoutes, poetry and paintings. This book came just in time to enlighten & amaze students in my class on the prize-winning works of Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat. We all give this little book a two-thumbs-up!

This book is helping me to understand the situation of Haiti in historical context. Its information, format and pictures strike me as slightly out of date but it certainly will give you a background even if not covering the last few years. Since there aren't a lot of books like this one about Haiti I would recommend this for anyone who wants to know more about it but does not want to read a long in-depth tome.

Sometimes it's hard to be an American, and to look out at what we've done to the rest of the world.

Haiti will soon be celebrating its bicentennial of independence. As the second-oldest nation in the Western Hemisphere and the black nation with the longest uninterrupted history, it should by rights be rich, educated, forward thinking, and a bright light for the rest of the world. However, imperialist forces from abroad, including France, Britain, and most recently the United States of America, have colored its two centuries. Its people have been harangued by Castro's Cuba, Trujillo's Dominican Republic, Bush and Clinton's USA, and even the wildly corrupt Duvalier administration. Its land is stripped, its resources have been plundered, its cities are grossly overpopulated, and its seas are silted. And yet, somehow, Haiti survives.

In the wake of the 1991 coup that unseated President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the 1994 US-led UN invasion that restored him to power, much news was made. Haiti was front-page headliner material nearly every day, a prestigious international hot spot. Names were made and broken in political spheres around the Haiti issue. Debate ran high. And then everything just disappeared. Haiti merited a two-paragraph mention on page twelve if the paper needed filler, and then only in large papers that could dedicate themselves to foreign affairs. For most of us, even those of us who maintained our religious interest in the nation, an entire nation may just as well have dropped off the face of the earth.

British activist Charles Arthur, whose other works on Haiti include "A Haitian Anthology: Libète," identifies himself as a "Solidarity Activist." His latest book, "Haiti in Focus," is subtitled "A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture," and it lives up to that description admirably. For those interested, the available information is brought up to date through the middle of 2001. Arthur details the current political struggles surrounding the election of Aristide to another term in office; he lets us know about the struggle between Protestant missionaries and vodou adherents for control of the site at which the Haitian Revolution began; and he even gives us pointers on how to tour the country.

This slim, easy-to-read book is deceptively clear. It focuses on what Haiti is today, and on the forces that have made it so. Arthur posits no blame for what's happened to the country; yet observant reading serves to point out several recurrent patterns. Currently, the United States has been trying to micromanage the Haitian economy to the advantage of America, and indeed has been using the Monroe Doctrine as an excuse to do so for some time. This has been happening in force through the last century, though it can be traced overtly to 1862, when the US recognized the country's sovereignty, and more covertly back to Haitian independence, when the US refused to recognize a free black nation.

America is not alone in this treatment, however. Britain immediately recognized Haiti's independence, but apparently only for political advantage and access to the profitable plantations. When the plantation economy went the way of all flesh, Britain appears to have just walked away. France held recognition for ransom, offering it only when Haiti paid massive war indemnities that left the country in financial ruin from which it hasn't fully recovered. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have consistently tried to co-opt Haiti's foreign policy and dictate domestic positions, and the European Union, primarily under pressure from France, is now trying to horn in on Haitian self-determination. As Arthur explains, Haiti remains a small force, battered on all sides by winds it cannot satisfactorily resist.

The country is also riven internally. Though all involved want the country to flourish and thrive, wildly dissimilar ideas persist as to what would make this happen. Christian missionaries, primarily Catholic and Evangelical Protestant, have brought their faith to the country, but even Jesus Himself hasn't preserved the country. Aristide and his coalition have concrete ideas for how to use the government to resolve problems, but his plans are controversial and have stirred up strong negative feelings. Education is usually severely inadequate because of the lack of skilled teachers, disagreements over the importance of French, and the high cost of schooling in a poor nation. Meanwhile, poverty is swelling, illiteracy remains rampant, and nothing is being done about it.

However, in Arthur's estimation, Haiti remains a culturally vibrant land, a noble nation resisting the homogeneity of Western-styled "globalization." The native art, music, and religion of the land are the most African in the Western Hemisphere, and are a celebration of life in the face of poverty. A full-color photo spread in the middle of the book shows the beauty that accrues to everything in the country-the way a tap-tap driver will paint rainbows on the side of his vehicle; the way rara musicians will dance down the street during a festival. Though this is a country damaged and struggling, Arthur makes plain, this is not a country to give up on, not a country to permit to die.

This book is detailed enough to appeal to those intimately interested in Haiti, either those who appreciate the whole nation or those interested in one or two aspects. At the same time, it's clear enough in style and structure to reach out to readers who are being newly introduced to Haiti, and to those who know only the horror stories that recur in motion pictures and the news. Though it will date quickly, for the moment it stands as a strong primer for the condition that is Haiti and a land working for healing in a world that only wants to use it as a tool.

I love this little book of happiness. I have been a Hello Kitty fan since I was 8 years old, and this book only confirms that Hello Kitty cares about everyone! From Germany to Mexico she travels along and tells you about her journey. Expect to be dazzled by happy colors, cute drawings, and all Hello Kitty goodness. See Hello Kitty dressed in a African costume, a Kimono, a Dutch costume and more. See foods, bulidings, and landmarks from all over the world. A family treasure (it's hardback so a real keeper) to be passed down to generations of little girls who have or will grow up on Hello Kitty like I did. AWESOME!

When I came across this adorable book in (where else) Bookland, I was immediatly charmed. Being a Hello Kitty fan, I would have been charmed anyway, but even people who have never heard of this too cute feline would delight in this book. In this small pink volume, Hello Kitty travels to many different countries, learning some new vocabulary. Also along the way, Kitty teaches readers to say "hello" in many different languages, such as chinese, french, and japanese. Even though this book is aimed at children ages 4-8, I recommend it to anyone in the mood for a charming and alluring read. Hey, it even comes with four cute postcards, a bookmark, and three Hello Kitty luggage tags. Also, if you like this book, look for other Hello Kitty books. Enjoy!

Who *doesn't* love Hello Kitty? Supercute Sanrio cartoon spokeskitten gazes at you with her round black eyes, red bow askew on her left ear, from thousands of Sanrio products ranging from backpacks and stickers to the Hello Kitty toaster (highly recommended) and bathmat (almost too cute to use!) While this isn't Hello Kitty's first foray into the book field, it's certainly the most attractive.

Basically plotless but attractively designed, each colorful two-page spread takes Hello Kitty from country to country, dressing her up in native costume (you've not lived until you've seen Hello Kitty in a Mexican 'Day of the Dead' mask) and showing off various food, animals, objects and places from that country, and a friendly way to say "hello!" in that country's language. My only disappointment? Hello Kitty doesn't visit England (she *lives* there already, if you follow the Sanrio official backstory).

A pronunciation and translation guide in the back helps you through saying what you've seen in the book, and punch-out Hello Kitty postcards, luggage tag and bookmark are a fun extra bonus!

The beauty of this book is its dual appeal: not only will it be fun for very young children to learn about other countries, but the appeal of the character and her wonderfully simple but smile-inspiring design has made Hello Kitty the most popular Japanese import since Godzilla. Whether you enjoy this as a simple kids' book or a giggle-inspiring camp item, you can't deny the gentle and happy appeal of Hello Kitty. And hey, it's easier to display on a shelf than that Hello Kitty vacuum cleaner or the Hello Kitty spatula.

A great book for kids. Hello Kitty is very cute in this one. If you love hello kitty this is a book for you.

Excellent reference for genealogical research. A very broad collection of maps makes it useful for a wide rage of topics (religion, ethnic population distribution, politcal boundary shifts in a place where someone's always fighting over boundaries and control). A timeless reference....

Almost 5 stars!

This atlas gives exactly what it promises: The history of the lands between the German and Italian-speaking peoples in the West and the boundaries of the former Soviet Union in the East - in short: "East Central Europe". Not to be mistaken with "Eastern Europe", which can exactly be defined by the European area of the former Soviet Union, or Russia, Belorussia and Ukraine of today.
Beside East Central Europe, the atlas also covers the Balkans.

This is the best English-language atlas of it's kind at the moment.
Balanced history telling, which tries to present both sides of disputed topics, illustrated by beautiful - although sometimes rough - maps.
This work presents the finest of Anglo-Saxon mapmaking.
To be used together with the series "A History of East Central Europe", and to be compared with the "The Times Atlas of European History".

Review based on first paperback edition, 1995

From the Baltic to the Balkans and from 400 A.D. to 1992 A.D., this atlas colorfully covers the territory in the best possible way.

Researchers with Slavic, Germanic, Jewish, Greek or other ancestry from east central Europe will find this historical atlas invaluable.

It contains 89 wonderful maps which show useful details such as the Catholic diocese and archdiocese as they appeared in 1900, the tremendous populations movements from 1944 to 1948, Jewish settlement, and of course the ethnic composition of the region at various periods. Each map comes one or more pages of explanatory text as well.

I find this atlas to be a constant help in my struggle to understand the changing borders of the region throughout history. You can't understand family history if you don't have an understanding of the history of the family's place of origins. This atlas is an ideal way to better understand the history of east central Europe.

This cartographic history of Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans is essential for anyone attempting to understand the current crisis in Kosovo. Author Paul Robert Magocsi gives concise histories of the major ethnic groups, and their kingdoms, principalities, and national states occupying the territories between the German- and Italian-speaking peoples on the west and the political borders of Russia on the east. The book gives extensive treatment to the Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Romanians, Yugoslav peoples, Albanians, Bulgarians, and Greeks, others, including the Baltic peoples (Finns, Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians) are discussed, as are the Belorussians and Ukranians. While these histories are necessarily abbreviated to short summaries of principal events, the overall effect is one of cohesion that gives readers a clear picture of the historical forces at work. My sole criticism is that the text sometimes repeats itself. On the other hand, the maps and their accompanying text tell volumes about political and social conditions there. Additionally, 32 statistical tables give comparative data on ethnolinguistic and national compositions of the populations of those countries. One cannot hope to understand today's news without resources of the kind this volume so amply provides. University of Washington Press. Paperback Edition, 1995, 218 pages, index.

This is a wonderfully informative book for kids to learn about the wildlife of Madagascar. The text is easy to read & filled with descriptive info presented in an absorbing manner. Illustrations are provided on each page, and they are quite beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to find Dr. Patricia Wright's name mentioned in this book, as her research work on lemurs is quite impressive & interesting!

The illustrations in this book are a delight, and add to the story that this author has put together about her work in the rainforests of Madagascar. She depicts both the positive and the challenging (sometimes not so rosy) aspects of living and working in a remote rainforest location. It would be a treat for any young reader you know. Nature loving adults (lemur fans in particular!) will also get a kick out of this one. The stories are heartwarming, and accurate(I have worked at the site that inspired this book).

Learn why Madagascar is famous for wildlife, see the lemurs through the eyes of a gifted naturalist. This is a fantastic combination of gorgeous art, realistic science, and hopeful conservation, by the author of many notable children's books on wildlife in Africa and Australia. Buy it for your children, your grandchildren and for yourself, it is a wonderful book.

This is a wonderful account of what it is like to be a primatologist, searching for the world's most beautiful and rare primates on the most exotic island of Madagascar. The text is engaging and the illustrations, also done by the author, are spectacular. This is a great book for grown ups who want to learn more about lemurs and Madagascar, or for children who want to do a book report. The book provides a hopeful message of conservation.

I am using this book for a graduate level class on GIS applications in public health and it has proven to be tremendously helpful. I didn't know a thing about GIS before but, this book helps to provide the basics and clearly explains the applications of GIS in today's health systems.

Dr. Melnick's years' of experience praciticing and teaching public health tactics and strategies come through in this comprehensive overview of geographic information systems for public health. A valuable, understandable reference for the novice or professional. It should be part of every public health training program and on the reference shelf of every health department in the country. Dr. Melnick's book is also facinating reading for anyone interested in learning more about the public health world.

The scoop:
* Book consistently focuses on GIS usage in healthcare.
* Practically applicable ideas.
* Exhaustive and highly informative lessons learnt chapter.
* Very clear and crisp presentation.
* IT part needs better information.

I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Melnick at OHSU (top notch medical university) for my PSU MBA project. He is clearly a subject matter expert. Knows the micro and macro problems and opportunities in this field.

This is a serious book for the serious student of both public health and geographical information systems. Not difficult, but certainly serious. Dr. Melnick does an excellent job of introducing us to GIS and then walking us through the application of GIS to various public health areas (environmental health, communicable diseases, injuries, chronic diseases, and assessment). At each point he carefully notes the applicable principles, what the data and GIS application demonstrate, and the strengths and weaknesses of the GIS approach. This should become the standard learning tool for GIS and Health.

The book probably over references and over describes specific software programs and companies (e.g. see the discussion of Maptitude and Version 3.0 and 4.0 and HUD....) - these are outdated in 12 months.

Obviously, the book needs a CD-ROM (or web site) with data sets and the capacity to play with some of the data. The main point of the book is doing the picture and thinking about what you end up with. Without a CD-ROM or web site we are left short of really being able to get it.

In summary, despite some drawbacks this book is a winner. By the end you will not know how to do GIS, but you will know that you need to find a way to know it

One of the most important books on the history of the Jews in the world. A virtual encyclopedia of Jewish life in the 12th century, which means it coincides with the Crusades and the height of Spanish Jewry. Benjamin of Tudela, mentioned in the Rishonim, was a Jewish traveler and he cataloged all the Jewish communities he came across from Rome and Europe to the far East. He even spoke of Jews in the most far off places such as Africa, India and China. His most important observations however have to deal with the massive Jewish communities that were once found in places such as Baghdad. He described not only the Jewish courts and Jewish way of life but also the demographics. At Tadmor for instance he mentions 2,000 Jews who "valiant in war and fight with the Christians and with the Arabs...and they help their neighbours the Ishmaelites. At their head are Rabbi Isaac Hajvani and R. Nathan and R. Uziel. The book is simply a must read and includes a lively and important introduction and discussion but otherwise leaves the reader to learn for himself this piece of Jewish geography. Many of the interesting details are left unexplored, such as `who are these Ishamaelites'? Are they the Ishmaelites of the Torah or at they the Ishmaili Muslims known as the Assasins of the time who lived in Iraq and Syria? Why are the Jews allied with them? What is this secret history of Jewish warriors in the 12th century that no ones learns in school?

A fascinating read, a true piece of history.

Seth J. Frantzman

This is a work which gives insight into Jewish communal life in the Middle Ages.

This book is remarkable. This is basically a travel diary of Benjamin, a Jewish man, in the middle ages. He vividly describes the different communities he visits throughout Spain and the middle east. Anyone who enjoys reading primary sources in history will enjoy this.

Benjamin de Tudela entre los años 1127 y 1173, aproximadamente. Comenzó su viaje, que duró varios años, hacia 1165, saliendo de Tudela con rumbo a la costa mediterranea. Recorrió la costa desde Tortosa hasta Roma, pasando por Barcelona, Marsella y Génova. Desde Roma traversó el sur de Italia, luego Grecia, para llegar a Constantinopla. Después de Constantinopla viajó ampliamente por el medio oriente, pasando por Alejandría, Jerusalén, Damasco, Bagdad y cientos de poblaciones menores

Beautiful photos and descriptions! You'll pick up this book over and over again to see for yourself, for research or just to show family and friends. This book will stay on your coffee table...mine does!

This atlas takes a narrative approach and uses information from history, geography and archaeology from a span of some 2,000 years. Nearly 100 maps (using both miles and kilometers) and over 100 photographs, plus site plans and reconstructions are included.

All of Biblical history from Abraham to the spread of Christianity and topics from creation to the Book of Revelation are covered.

What I especially like about this atlas is that specific topics (e.g.. "United Israelite Monarchy") are generally treated on facing pages. Thus, it is not necessary to flip pages to consult the maps, photos, biblical references, and sometimes site reconstructions that are essential elements of the topic being treated. Likewise, the biblical references are, for the most part, grouped together in a box labeled "Key" on one of the two pages.

In summation, this atlas is very informative or user-friendly. Even if you have an atlas, this would be a good addition to your collection!

I bought this book for a class I was taking in Biblical Archeology and Geography and I couldn't be more pleased with it. The author clearly knows his material. The book is filled with facts and summaries not only of the Bible, but other belief systems of that time as well. The pictures, maps, and graphs included within the book give you a glimpse of what life may have been like for the people of the Ancient Near Eastern countries. This is an educational book without that boring feeling that you are stuck in a history class!

Every Christian library needs good pictorial reference works explaining Bible geography and history. This volume is a large-size hardback with remarkable color illustrations and photographs. The presentation is traced chronologically through the Bible, and is not limited to Palestine, because forty percent of Bible history occurs outside this area. The history begins with creation and travels all the way through the spread of Christianity.

Showing the interaction between history, geography, and theology, the editors interweave charts, maps, photographs, and items from archaeology into a user-friendly resource that both teaches and delights. The text gets right to the point in explaining the historical events.

There are numerous pictures of familiar sites that have been shot with fresh camera angles, giving visual delight to well-known places. All told, there are 100 maps, 20 panoramic reconstructions, and 140 photographs.
This volume is sure to be used and enjoyed, and in so doing, Biblical history will come alive for the reader.

Highly recommended.

This book is so far the best book about the Kurdish history that I have come across. It is a very detailed and superbly written book. However, the author would benefit the world even moreif he produced a 'bigger and heavier' updated version.

This book is the ultimate reference when it comes to the Kurds and all aspects of their life. The analysis is deep, academic, and far from biased. Although some of the historical facts Professor Izady provides need to be prooved, the historical research seems very miticulous. Although this book serves its purpose perfectly, such a small handbook isn't enough to eliminate the numerous common misconceptions and fallacies about the Kurds and their history. We need a far more detailed book with more proofs about what it states, and I hope that Izady's next book will be like that. Anyway, despite being a bit outdated, this is the finest refernce on the Kurds available so far. Highly Recommended!!

Although 8 years old, this still remains the best book I have ever read about the Kurds. We Armenians know very little, and that also so biased, when it comes to our neighbors the Kurds. I think this book should be made a mandatory reading in all the Armenian schools.

The book is like an encyclopedia and the author is successful in not taking any political side. He is also respectful to the Armenians and their Genocide in which as Izady writes, the Kurdish tribal leaders took part with the Turks. His treatment of the Kurdish culture, art and history is as fascinating as his coverage of politics, religion, langauge and demography. It is an excellent resource.

It is a pitty that this book is not more widely known or available in the Armenian language. I wished the publishers of the book would consider translating and publishing this into other languages too and not just English.

The author covers every aspect of Kurdish life, especially religion quite well. The book is a good approximation of the country studies available from the library of congress on the various recognized independent states.

Since Kurdistan is not recognized as an independent state, it does not have a library of congress handbook. As a replacement, Izady's book is a good substitute.

There are a few difficulties and inaccuracies in the book, but given its size and its attempt to cover such a long span of history, these mistakes can be forgiven. For example, the claim that Armenian King Tigranes II The Great was of Kurdish origin is at best very debatable. The King is a central figure in Armenian history, and Izady's initial words seemed to be aimed at attacking Armenian history. But he quickly repairs this potential point of contention and clearly points out that the King probably regarded himself as an Armenian whatever his origins may have been.

In addition to bringing to life history that is treated as a taboo subject in Turkey, Iraq and other Middle Eastern and even some Western states. Izady does a great deal to shatter the image of religious conformity in the region. We learn of the Yazidis, the Cult of angels, the Alevis, the Syrian Arab Alawites (Nusayris), and other groups including Kurdish Christians.

This book is a must-read for every United States Middle Eastern policy maker, because it draws a clear, accurate flesh and blood picture of a people long-maligned, massacred and misunderstood. Every American analyst interested in learning more about the Kurds, their life, survival, tragedies and triumphs should read this book as a introduction to this remarkable nation.