Biology Books

Without doubt, the best "Colored" pictures and information one could ask for!!

After moving to the Tahoe National Forest in California, we knew we needed a book to identify the wildlife, flora, trees and insects.This is simply the most perfect book. Clearly written, beautiful photos and well organized. We use it all of the time!Karyn Lepley

This book is probably one of the best deals that you'll find if you're looking for a nature guide for the Western Forests area. It features the typical Audobon Society photos for easy identification, with a great deal of information. The best part is that plants, mammals, and birds are all combined into one book, so you don't have to buy separate guides. If you're taking a trip to the West Coast, buy this guide along with Bayard MCConnaughey's "Pacific Coast" (in the same Audobon series), and you're set.

this guide, as well as the others in this series, are an excellent first book or primary reference for those living or travelling in the areas they cover.

one of best points is that they are not exhaustive in their coverage. instead they focus on the most commonly seen species. so instead of flipping through endless pages of references to rare or seldom seen species, one can quickly find the specific plant or animal they encounter.

if one becomes more focused in study of a given type of plant or animal one can turn to more exhaustive and detailed texts -- such as audobon's own guides to birds, trees, mammals, etc.

i have found that this series is an excellent gift for those who are not specifically focused on nature studies. my parents enjoyed their gift copy -- as it enabled them to identify the trees and animals in their own back yard.

the specific entries are informative and interesting. the production values (photos, indexes) are excellent. and the opening essays are a special treat; they well written and well worth reading. they can inspire one to pay a bit more attention to the natural landscape even if all they do is drive through it.

Dr. Czerner brings us up to date about the discoveries and theories laymen need to understand about the brain. The fascinating result is just what he promises, that we can never think the same way again about how the brain thinks. Indeed, there is much more mechanical stuff there than is to be believed. He interweaves a lot of difficult science with a light touch and friendly air. All scientists and science writers need to learn to write like this, taking the jargon out while preserving the mysteries, miracles, and majesty of the brain and the neuro-scientists who have learned so much about it during the past fifty years.

Contrary to conventional wisdown, thousands of new neurons arrive at your frontal lobes every day. Our daily experiences can literally change our mind, rerouting paths which were once believed to be hard-wired. As the author puts it (pg 3), "Sadly, reports of this research are relished almost exclusively by a small community of neuroscientists." And as he quotes (pg 173) Daniel Dennett , "vision requires expectations". A professor of Ophtalmology in San Francisco, his writing is not only clear and vivid, but also his breadth of knowledge and his insights are among the things that makes this book a delight to read. There will be so many fascinating things you will learn from this book that I could hardly recommend it more. Your neuronal paths will not remain the same.

For quite some time I have been searching for a book that explains 'how' the brain works in simple although not simplistic terms. Too many books spend too much time on tangents of debatable psychology or hotly contentious theories currently in vogue. This book hits the nail on the head. It provides enough historical information to put the subject matter in context. It describes enough of the current theories to give the reader an idea of the current state of research. It uses wit and humour in such a way as to make the subject matter easy to relate to. It answers the questions such as 'what exactly happens when we see things' by following the chain of events from the point at which a photon reaches our eye and then provides an understandable, yet scientific / biological / mechanical explanation of the series of events that follow. Significant detail (down to the molecular level) is provided without boring the reader and is also presented in the context of 'the big picture'. Other science writers should read this book and learn from Czerner's writing style. A tasteful blend of biology, chemistry, psychology, philosophy and wit. This book will make you want to read more on the subject. My only disappointment is that Czerner hasn't published more!

For quite some time I have been searching for a book that explains 'how' the brain works in simple although not simplistic terms. Too many books spend too much time on tangents of debatable psychology or hotly contentious theories currently in vogue. This book hits the nail on the head. It provides enough historical information to put the subject matter in context. It describes enough of the current theories to give the reader an idea of the current state of research. It uses wit and humour in such a way as to make the subject matter easy to relate to. It answers the questions such as 'what exactly happens when we see things' by following the chain of events from the point at which a photon reaches our eye and then provides an understandable, yet scientific / biological / mechanical explanation of the series of events that follow. Significant detail (down to the molecular level) is provided without boring the reader and is also presented in the context of 'the big picture'. Other science writers should read this book and learn from Czerner's writing style. A tasteful blend of biology, chemistry, psychology, philosophy and wit. This book will make you want to read more on the subject. My only disappointment is that Czerner hasn't published more!

This is a wonderful book on the fascinating subject of human origins and evolution written by two experts in the field. It is a journey though many aspects of evolutionary biology but focusing on the mind-boggling developments in molecular biology. A rare and refreshing qualily of the book is that the authors try always to give a balanced and critical discussion of the hypothesis at stake, their strenghts and weaknesses.

Some parts of the book are quite technical but worth the effort. In any case, one should praise the authors for their courage in trying to explain some of the complex science and mathematics involved in the field. Though this inevitably has shortcomings, it is infinitely better than the usual path of oversimplification and white-washing, fashionable in many science books nowadays.

This is simply the best book i've found on human evolution. The subtitle is "The Molecular Evidence for Human Descent", don't be put off if you don't have a degree in biochemistry. Unlike most other technical and scientifically sophisticated books, in this one, the author holds your hand. He does it very well, introducing binominal and poisson distribution analysis both in the text and in appendices, for example. You are aware of his careful setting up the pieces that you need in order to understand the take home message of each chapter, and you are grateful, even if you already know the material, for the 'nice' way he does it. I finished the book wishing he would rewrite many biology and engineering textbooks i have been subjected to over the years by authors who assumed if you didn't know exactly what you were reading, then you shouldn't have bought and tried to read his book in the first place. For this characteristic alone the book is deeply and joyfully to be praised.

I am aware of the divisive character of the debate on human origins, this book will not settle it. But it will be a book that can be recommended to bring your reasonable intelligent but somewhat scientifically ignorant friend up to speed on the issues from a unabashed secular scientific viewpoint. It will, i would hope, set a standard for introductory books in the field. For if it can get a hearing, and even become popular then other authors will be forced to help people understand their arguments by giving them the tools to analyze and understand their positions, not just assume them. Now this doesn't negate the need to do your homework in order to be a serious student in any field, many things will take lots of reading to get the basis for advanced arguments. Something that will never be done in one, or even a set of books. But as the authors prove a reasonable grasp of human evolutionary arguments from a biochemical/genetic point of view is not that sophisticated of a field to require volumes, just this one.

Lest i miss an important issue, i would like to state that the author, like most secular scientific people makes the mistake of drawing metaphysical conclusions from scientific data. This i belief to be the problem of scientism, the unjustified extension of method-science into metaphysics or religion. The authors would certainly disagree with me. In any case, their philosophic position is clearly stated, open and presented in a manner that is not belittling of a religious prespective. So even if you are a theist i believe that there is much to be gained from reading this book, don't let the scientism put you off.

thanks for reading this review, and please get the book, it is certainly a most important topic, whether you agree with evolutionary analysis or not, you must be informed.

richard williams

Klein and Takahata present a very readable account of the hard science and mathematics that underlies what Nobel laureate James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the molecular structure of DNA, has come to refer to as the "law of evolution". The title of the book comes from the Gauguin painting "Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?" As pointed out in the text, science has essentially answered the first question.

Although popular books meant for a lay audience abound in the literature, and are often quite well written, they shy away from the rigorous underpinnings of modern Darwinian evolutionary theory. Klein and Takahata give the reader the details needed for an understanding of human evolution that goes beyond mere storytelling. They assume knowledge of mathematics and biology that we all were supposed to have learned in high school, and develop the remaining background in the course of the text. As a consequence, if you learn nothing else by reading this book, you'll learn some math and molecular biology that apply to things other than evolution. Hopefully, however, you'll come to understand that evolution is a fact which can't be invalidated by legal argument or religious sophistry, including the current shibboleth of "intelligent design."

This is a super-ambitious, yet superbly-done account of life on earth from the first primitive creatures down to you and me. It's quite technical, but as lucid as possible. And the equations, diagrams, and tables are interspersed with fascinating asides, such as full explication of the the Gaugin masterpiece that provides the title and cover picture. It also offers in passing the most interesting interpretation of the Garden of Eden and the serpent's offer from Genesis that I've ever read.

Very impressive coverage on the Wilk Silk Moths of Noth America. Most known species are shown in exellent photographs,some in the larval stages also. Good range maps and detailed text make this the laymans best friend when exploring and learning about the habitats and life histories of some of our most magnificent moth species. The best book I've seen on the subject period!

At last a book I can put on my bookshelf next to Holland's Moth Book.

Excellent book that not only deals in the taxonomy of Saturniidae moths but of collecting and rearing as well. Great illustrations and maps.

Previously much of this information was only available in bits and pieces on the Internet and in obscure publications and has never been previously compiled in one volume.

For those of you not familiar with Saturniidae they are the family of giant silk moths. Some species are the size of a small bird. Just about every location in America is home to at least one species of giant silk moth and they even live in our big cities.Why do most people not see them? Well one reason is they are nocturnal and high flying. If you look in wooded areas however you will often see their cocoons. One can purchase live silk moth cocoons and the females readily attract males by a phermone that can be detected by the male of the species for miles.



As a moth breeder I welcome this book.

For each moth there is a color picture of last instar caterpillar and one or more pictures of the moth. There is also a range map and detailed descriptions of each stage of the life cycle with notes on rearing.
This is a well-written, well-researched, easy to read book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in these largest and showiest of the U.S. moths.

I have been looking for a guide like this for years. This book shows great pictures of all the bigger moths of North America including their caterpillars. Loaded with maps and drawings of the cocoons this book is a must have. Don't let the price scare you away.

Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator is a children's picturebook about the fascinating wolfsnail, a carnivorous mollusk that hunts and eats snails and slugs. Striking, full-color photographs of an actual wolfsnail on the hunt illustrate this amazing and educational story. The final three pages include more snail facts (including the tragic tale of how the wolfsnail was imported to Hawaii to combat another invading snail, but ate native Hawaiian snails instead) and a glossary of snail words. An excellent introduction to the wonders of natural life that can be found in an ordinary backyard.

I usually read mysteries and Garfield comics, so I wasn't sure I would like this book. The cover made me think it would be just boring facts about snails, but it turned out to be an exciting story and I learned lots of cool things about wolfsnails. The photos were excellent and got right up in the wolfsnail's face so you could really see everything. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about wolfsnails.

I usually read mysteries and Garfield comics, so I wasn't sure if I would like this book. When I looked at the cover, I thought it was going to be just boring facts about snails. But it turned out it was an exciting story and I learned cool things about wolfsnails. The pictures show just what wolfsnails do, and they get right up in the wolfsnail's face. I think the photos were excellent. I recommend this book for anybody who wants to read a neat story about wolfsnails.

A "day in the life" of a cannibal snail or wolfsnail, Euglandia rosea, is the topic of this children's book. Authors and photographers Sarah and Richard Campbell bring this day to life with clear text and crisp photos.

What is this Euglandia searching for? "The wolfsnail eats meat" (p. 9), and by meat, the authors mean other snails and slugs, hence the "cannibal snail" moniker.

The search is on for prey, and "The wolfsnail leaves behind an empty shell" (p. 24). It's then off to a safe hiding place to rest until another day.

Pages 30 and 31 contain facts and factoids about Euglandia, and page 32 is a glossary of "snail words" (vocabulary used throughout the text and the descriptions of its natural history).

The text and story is written for both pre-readers (children being read to) and readers probably to the 2-4 grade level. The factoid pages are more sophisticated.

The Campbells write "State agricultural officials in Hawaii imported wolfsnails in 1955 to try to control another invader, the giant African snail [imported illegally for starting a food snail industry], which was eating farmers' crops. But the wolfsnails ate native Hawaiian snails instead. Wolfsnails have wiped out many of the native snail species" (p. 31).

The native snail species on Oahu (genus Achatinella) are all listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as endangered. The FWS states "The most serious threats to the survival of O`ahu tree snails are predation by the introduced carnivorous snail (Euglandina rosea), predation by rats, and loss of habitat due to the spread of nonnative vegetation into higher elevation forests." Half the species are now extinct.

One of my relatives introduced Euglandia rosea to Oahu from Florida, and received accolades from all for combatting the giant African snail. Sadly, Achatinella snails were not on the radar screen as a concern at the time. We should be wary of all current relocations and introductions for all species, since what seems to make sense today may be a model of folly tomorrow.

Great book! I owned my first arctic wolf/husky some 25 years ago and have owned two other wolves since. Little Grizz just howled in the back yard, probably to his firefighter friends who just went by with their siren whistling. After experiencing The Wolves of Minnesota, David Mech has reminded me; I'm still learning.

Edited by renowned wolf expert L. David Mech, The Wolves of Minnesota: Howl in the Heartland collects the expertise of individuals who have devoted themselves to studying Minnesota wolves, and presents the amazing true story of the wild Minnesota wolf's remarkable comeback. Gorgeous full-color photography on almost every page enhances this collection of essays that range from a summary of the wolf's life cycle and predator/prey habits to an in-depth discussion of managing the conflict between livestock owners who suffer from wolf depredations, wildlife supporters who have strong beliefs against allowing the killing of wolves, and government wolf control and compensation programs meant to chart an equitable middle ground. Enthusiastically recommended for wolf lovers everywhere.

In this book, the alpha male of wolf studies, David Mech, has collected contributions from other leading researchers on a variety of topics concerning wolf behavior, wolf-human conflicts, and wolf research and policy. It differs from other books on wolves in focusing very narrowly on the Minnesota population, with only occasional mention of connected metapopulations in Michigan, Ontario and Wisconsin.

The book is filled with beautiful pictures of wolves at all times of the Minnesota year - - winter, no longer winter, and getting to be winter. (These seasons are also known as "winter" and "road construction.") Jokes aside, the pictures are beautiful and well worth the modest price of the book.

The chapters provide a very helpful introduction to wolves, written at the classic tenth-grade reading level that we are all supposed to use for adults. They are accessible and informative, but wolf freaks won't find anything new.

I'd heartily recommend this book for every high school and public library in Minnesota, and also recommend it to others for the pictures. The text is good for a certain audience, which I hope I've described above, but not for other audiences.

I recieved this book as a gift, and I was duly impressed by the stunning photography and loads of intriguing wolf information. I am also an avid wolf artist, and I use this book's color photography for reference quite often. Anyone who loves wolves and wild canids, Minnesotan or not, should read this book.

Just read this book and found it a fascinating pre Dian Fossey insight into the gorillas and their environment. Easy to read. For those having travelled or about to travel in Rwanda, Uganda it gives a great insight into the way life was back in the 50's-60's. Enjoyed the social insight into the Gorilla's and description of the other mammals and primates encountered along with the flora and fauna.

This is the fascinating story of the author's expedition to study Mountain Gorillas in 1959-60. Told as a detailed narrative, it is as much an adventure story as a scientific analysis.

From the riveting first encounter with a family of gorillas through the identification of several distinct groups, their daily routine is revealed. The gentleness that Schaller found dispelled many long held myths about Gorilla behavior.

Beyond the gorillas, this is also the complete story of a region, its people and other flora and fauna. The issues of preservation of these animals and their habitat are much the same as those faced today.

This is the documentation of an important pioneering work that paved the way for Fossey and other researchers who would follow. Illustrated with photos and maps, it is a compelling read from cover to cover.

This is a wonderful combination of anthropology, history, ecology, and gorilla studies. Schaller writes in a captivating and inviting style. I loved that he presented his datea on gorillas, the focus of his presence in Africa, within his own experience there. Imbeded within was ecological commentary expectable with endandered creatures; however, Schaller managed to make this contribute favorably to his book rather than the whining diatribe it could have been.
Highly recommendable for both social reading as well as a suppliment to an anthropology class.

George Schaller takes you with him as he goes to the Virunga Volcanoes to study the Gorillas. He takes a look at the gorillas, but with a more personal approach than with "The Mountain Gorilla". Instead of pouring out scientific facts, he shares with you some of his feelings and experiences as he watched them. This was a refreshing look at the life of gorillas from his own perspective. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in Gorillas.

Great for my kids! Helps to explain the basics in the structure of the human body with a great deal of fun. Highly recommended!

Great for my kids! Helps to explain the basics in the structure of the human body with a great deal of fun. Highly recommended!

As a high school health teacher, I am always looking for a quality text to utilize in my classroom. This book is just that. The pictures are clear and free from confusion. The text is concise and easily understood. I recommend this to parents and teachers alike. Even my brother in medical school uses a copy. It is useful for all ages.

Do you know how about my feeling when I got the book and skimmed through it at first? I found it is just what I am hungry for cit indeed is an excellent source of information for beginning the study and research of adenovirus and its application in gene therapy. The book represents the tremendous effort of the author in presenting a comprehensive map of adenovirus and covers both the biology of adenovirus as well as progress in gene therapy field. Indeed, it is very important for one to grasp the basic and systematic background knowledge and get insight into the update progress before he begins something positively, of course adenovirus-related research field also is no exception. And it is difficult for one to attain this goal within a short time without such a adenovirus topic-specific volume. At last, my suggestion for reader is that a shortcut for your successful Adv-story is to read it at first; for author is that it will be more comprehensive and practical if a particular chapter dealing with basic methodology is included in the second edition in future.

It is an excellent book on adenoviruses. Covers all the essential topics from biology to gene therapy. A must for every one interested in any aspect of adenovirology.

It is an excellent book on adenoviruses. Covers all the essential topics from biology to gene therapy. A must for every one interested in any aspect of adenovirology.

My cousin is the author of this eloquent book. He even wrote me into the story. Aside from all of that, Arturo has seen the destruction of the Texas and especially South Texas brushland as bit by bit of it has been rootplowed to make farmland and now Colonias and subdivisions. As young adults we watched the brush piles lit and the sky look like the fires of hell as wildlife habitat was destoyed. If anyone could write this book with the soul of one who mourns destruction, it is Arturo--he lived it.

This book tells you how the brushlands of south Texas used to be, but there is still hope of saving it for future generations. The author tells his story in such a beautiful way that the reader can actually see the brushlands.

Sr. Longoria's words transport the reader into the brushlands and into the cultural and political climate of S. Texas. He eloquently expresses what I can only feel about the many values of our wild places. A career in investigative reporting serves the author well: his explanations of why the brushlands have disappeared provide essential understanding for anyone hoping to reverse that trend. It's an exciting book, hard to put down. It is my hope that decision-makers will adopt the author's tenets on how to proceed in imparting an essential love of and respect for wild places in the hearts of our children.