Geography Books

Speel meticulously explains how the South is a kind of poison apple of American politics. After the Civil War the Democrats won the South but lost most of the Presidential elctions. Now it turns out that the Republicans own the South but are having difficulty winning Presidential elections. A splendid insight! This book is a place to being understanding American politics.

This book casts a wide net, capturing into one volume how the northern prairies are changing in terms of geology, ecology, and sociology. It starts with a look at the breath of change that can occur in geological time and ends with potential change due to human influences. Overall the book was informative and although a science book, it was easy to read.

I'd never ready any of Rita Cleary's books before but was well aware that her work has long been highly regarded among the members of the WWA, the Western Writers Association. After reading Charbonneau's Gold, it is easy to see why the other Western writers hold her in such high esteem.

Above all else this is the story of the incredibly difficult journey west made by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The story is told mostly through the eyes of the less famous members of the trip, the scouts and hunters. Reading this book I was many times reminded of some of the excellent Westerns by Larry McMurtry...Cleary's book is funny, sad, always interesting, at times even sexy, and as a good novel does, it keeps you reading and turning pages.

I realized on reading this book how little I actually knew about the first official crossing of America. Lewis, who killed himself some time after the expedition, is in this book an amazing character, often brilliant and as often quite mad. Clark is the steady one, the second in command, but the leader who held the group together. In all, it is one amazing journey they are on, often lost, usually hungry and almost starving, always needing the help of the Natives...but held togther with a common purpose and a toughness not seen much these days. The Indian woman, the little Sacagawea, is also an important character in this fine read, as is her selfish French trader husband, Toussaint Charbonneau. All in all, an excellent book...highly recommended.

These comics are enjoyed by our entire family. Our 10 year old son can't seem to put them down as the illustrations and content are clever and entertaining. We love how Bently Boyd brings history to life in a fun, creative and easy reading style. After my son is finished reading he can't wait to share what he read with the entire family. We have acquired the entire set of Chester Comix with Content Series and love them all. These make a GREAT gift for anyone of any age or even for teachers as they are an awesome learning tool. A gift that keeps giving. This is a definate must have for the entire family. ENJOY!

The history of chewing gum's marketing and popularity might seem to some like a narrow topic for a business book: think again. Michael Redclift's Chewing Gum: The Fortunes Of Taste holds plenty of insights into advertising and marketing an innovative new product, telling a zany story based on a scheme hatched by Chicago's Wrigley brother - and social theory scholar Michael Redclift proves the perfect person to bring this tale to life.

This book is a small jewel, reflecting all the riches of Chicago's fusion of architecture and landscape, with beautiful photographs, useful
maps and suggested tours. A real treasure!

My seven year old nephew and I read this book one rainy day and we both thought that it was great. The colors and the story were well thought out and we would like to find other books like it.

I bought this book for my son when we were talking a trip tothe Grand Canyon. When we got there, I was amazed to learn how much myson knew on how the canyon was formed. I strongly recomend this book!

Years ago I recalled a friend of mine who was in her early 80's telling me about this particular book. Her parents had read it to her as a child as a follow up to "A Child's History of the World." She thought it was the most fascinating story she had ever heard. Now that I am a homeschooling parent I have to agree with my friend.
The book was written in 1929 by the headmaster of Calvert School, V.M. Hillyer. It has only been updated once in 1951. The author takes you on a railway trip around the world. Throughout the book are illustrations which in my opinion are works of art which add to the story. I am currently reading this book to my 8 year child and she loves it! After we have completed this volume we will begin utilizing Calvert's "A Child's Study of Famous Americans, and V.M. Hillyer's "A Child's History of Art" series.
As a sidenote I would encourage parents and teachers who enjoy this volume to contact the Calvert School in Hunt Valley, Maryland to encourage them to reprint this lost classic for future generations to enjoy.

David Sobel, already the author of four influential books, including Beyond Ecophobia and Children's Special Places, has just published a fifth. Called Childhood and Nature: Design Principles for Educators, the book provides a guide for fostering in children a love of nature and an understanding of the complexity and seriousness of the issues facing our world. Though geared toward educators, the book is also quite useful for parents and others who are involved with kids or, like me, simply have a strong interest in our human relationship with nature, and how we might mend it. Of particular note is Sobel's last chapter in which he explores the challenge of talking with kids about climate change.

What most children learn in school is divorced from the landscape they see right outside their classroom windows, according to Sobel. His life work has been dedicated to fostering children's direct experience of their natural surroundings right alongside learning about history, math, art, and other subjects. In Sobel's words "we must show how School and Mother Nature can become friends again." When the study of nature and the environment occurs outside in real landscapes, children learn much more than just facts and concepts. Such engagement provides students with not only the thinking skills needed to pass tests, but also helps them to grow into responsible citizens and stewards of the Earth. To help educators create nature-based curricula, Sobel articulates seven "play motifs" that he has observed during children's interactions with nature. Based on these motifs, such as "making friends with animals" or "constructing adventures," Sobel offers design principles for developing nature-based curricula.