Supplies Books

I read both books by Mr. Polevoy and I have to say this book brings many theories to one point.
Many books just stop on a few theories, this one shows the big picture and goes deep into details. Very well written, lots of illustrations. I recommend it to everyone intrested in water engineering and hydrology. Also a great students book with many new insights.

Water Science And Engineering is a straightforward, cross-discipline, graduate-level text by hydrogeologist and hydrologic cycle expert Savely L. Polevoy concerning water's properties and behavior, it molecular structure, fluid mechanics, the global processes related to water, water's role in the evolution of life, and much, much more. Intensely detailed and technical, aptly researched and expertly instructing the reader in all aspects of hydrology, Water Science And Engineering is a first-rate reference and teaching tool for aspiring engineers and scientists in water-related fields.

This reviewer should really keep his big mouth shut, since he has a stake of sorts in this, the world's so far most extensive water supply, sanitation and hygiene programme, albeit most of the time since 1970 through 1990 at respectful distance in space and time. That notwithstanding, I would like to take the opportunity of this forum to highly recommend, nay, urge, anyone interested in the development, use and care for the world's increasingly overused freshwater resources, to procure and carefully peruse this book.

This warm recommendation goes not only for water and sanitation specialists, including health and hygiene educators, and medical minds -- it should be heeded by anyone, interested in making life more livable and enjoyable for fellow man, woman, and child. No matter, where you live or work, whether in India, where the action of this remarkable history is taking place, or anywhere else in the world.

Maggie Black's and Rupert Talbot's very recently (2005) published "Water -- A Matter of Life and Health" is a combination of development history, a major evaluation, and, by implication, guideline and handbook. It deals not only with the giant efforts, now sustained for almost forty years jointly by the Government of India in close partnership with a number of national and international organisations, non-governmental (NGOs), bi- and multilateral. Foremost among the latter is UNICEF, United Nations Childrens' Fund.

Apart from amply and convincingly explaining what connection there is between a distinctly humanitarian body, such as UNICEF, and, initially, mundane technical matters, such as pneumatic and hydraulic drill rigs, and latrines, sorry, I mean toilets, this well-written book shows on the one hand the complexity of any attempt to improve the quality of life of the poorest of communities. On the other hand, it shows the doability of seemingly impossible aims.

A third aspect is that of the many pros and cons, which cropped out successively in India, as they have done in other regions of the world. Among the pros, the will-you-won't-you integration of water and sanitation with an ever widened scope of community action, the all too slow, but increasing acceptation and empowerment of women to do work, theretofore a firm masculine prerogative.

Volumes could be written as for comments on this, at first sight modest-looking volume. I would leave it to the avid reader to explore the rich food for thought it contains. The final chapter, though, should be especially commended for its emphasis on what concerns should be addressed in the continuation, not only in India, but all over the world. Against the background of the continued global population increase and pressure on the natural and human resources, that chapter, "Water, Life, and Health: Where next?" deals, among the cons, with the ever diminishing quantity of freshwater available, and its deteriorating quality.

One needs not be a doomsday prophet to feel apprehensive about the future for people in India or elsewhere in the world, when the most basic of commodities for life on our planet begins to dwindle, and become poisoned. Neither are Maggie Black, one of the most savvy writers ever on human development, nor Rupert Talbot, one of the best practitioners for water and sanitation in development, any purveyors of doom and gloom. They do not provide any patent solutions, but they derive distinct recommendations for remedies to a difficult situation, not always well known outside the villages and shantytowns of the increasingly impatient humanity, which half of the world's population is confined to.

"Water -- A Matter of Life and Health" should be in the hands of everybody involved or at least interested in making life easier and more pleasurable. For that sake, one would hope for some benevolent donor or donors to fund translations into other languages, as well as to help lower the price or even get it distributed for free for the readership in the developing countries. This may be utopian, but the cost would probably not exceed that of a howitzer or a truckload of Kalashnikovs.

Finally, in the light of the ongoing public debate around the justification and need for reform of the United Nations [system], this little book shows, incomplete and inadequate in many respects that institution may be, what with relatively modest means can be achieved by single nations and their people with the support of the UN system. Not the least -- as for the more ferocious critics among politicians and media moguls -- that'll learn them!

In that context, there are a couple of other highly valid books I would recommend for good supplementary reading about the aims, achievements and future potential of the fragile UN. without shying awary from its problems: Maggie Black's two histories of UNICEF, "The Children and the Nations" (UNICEF, New York, 1986), and "Children First" (Oxford University Press, 1996), and Sir Brian Urquhart's biography of Dag Hammarskjold, along with the same author's own memoirs, "A Life in Peace and War". They could or should all be found, no doubt, through Amazon's good services.

This reviewer should really keep his big mouth shut, since he has a stake of sorts in this, the world's so far most extensive water supply, sanitation and hygiene programme, albeit most of the time since 1970 through 1990 at respectful distance in space and time. That notwithstanding, I would like to take the opportunity of this forum to highly recommend, nay, urge, anyone interested in the development, use and care for the world's increasingly overused freshwater resources, to procure and carefully peruse this book.

This warm recommendation goes not only for water and sanitation specialists, including health and hygiene educators, and medical minds -- it should be heeded by anyone, interested in making life more livable and enjoyable for fellow man, woman, and child. No matter, where you live or work, whether in India, where the action of this remarkable history is taking place, or anywhere else in the world.

Maggie Black's and Rupert Talbot's very recently (2005) published "Water -- A Matter of Life and Health" is a combination of development history, a major evaluation, and, by implication, guideline and handbook. It deals not only with the giant efforts, now sustained for almost forty years jointly by the Government of India in close partnership with a number of national and international organisations, non-governmental (NGOs), bi- and multilateral. Foremost among the latter is UNICEF, United Nations Childrens' Fund.

Apart from amply and convincingly explaining what connection there is between a distinctly humanitarian body, such as UNICEF, and, initially, mundane technical matters, such as pneumatic and hydraulic drill rigs, and latrines, sorry, I mean toilets, this well-written book shows on the one hand the complexity of any attempt to improve the quality of life of the poorest of communities. On the other hand, it shows the doability of seemingly impossible aims.

A third aspect is that of the many pros and cons, which cropped out successively in India, as they have done in other regions of the world. Among the pros, the will-you-won't-you integration of water and sanitation with an ever widened scope of community action, the all too slow, but increasing acceptation and empowerment of women to do work, theretofore a firm masculine prerogative.

Volumes could be written as for comments on this, at first sight modest-looking volume. I would leave it to the avid reader to explore the rich food for thought it contains. The final chapter, though, should be especially commended for its emphasis on what concerns should be addressed in the continuation, not only in India, but all over the world. Against the background of the continued global population increase and pressure on the natural and human resources, that chapter, "Water, Life, and Health: Where next?" deals, among the cons, with the ever diminishing quantity of freshwater available, and its deteriorating quality.

One needs not be a doomsday prophet to feel apprehensive about the future for people in India or elsewhere in the world, when fresh water, the most basic of commodities for life on our planet begins to dwindle, and become poisoned. Neither are Maggie Black, one of the most savvy writers ever on human development, nor Rupert Talbot, one of the best practitioners for water and sanitation in development, any purveyors of doom and gloom. They do not provide any patent solutions, but they derive distinct recommendations for remedies to a difficult situation, not always well known to the world outside the villages and shantytowns of the increasingly impatient humanity, which half of the world's population is confined to.

"Water -- A Matter of Life and Health" should be in the hands of everybody involved or at least interested in making life easier and more pleasurable. For that sake, one would hope for some benevolent donor or donors to fund translations into other languages, as well as to help lower the price or even get it distributed for free for the readership in the developing countries. This may be utopian, but the cost would probably not exceed that of a howitzer or a truckload of Kalashnikovs.

Finally, in the light of the ongoing public debate around the justification and need for reform of the United Nations [system], this little book shows, incomplete and inadequate in many respects that institution may be, what with relatively modest means can be achieved by single nations and their people with the support of the UN system. Not the least -- as for the more ferocious critics among politicians and media moguls -- that'll learn them!

In that context, there are a couple of other highly valid books I would recommend for good supplementary reading about the aims, achievements and future potential of the fragile UN. without shying awary from its problems: Maggie Black's two histories of UNICEF, "The Children and the Nations" (UNICEF, New York, 1986), and "Children First" (Oxford University Press, 1996), and (Sir) Brian Urquhart's biography of Dag Hammarskjold, along with the same author's own memoirs, "A Life in Peace and War". They could or should all be found, no doubt, through Amazon's good services.

Theodor and Wolfram Schwenk open our minds to water's many dimensions - some never before imagined. For example - the Moon actually causes water bodies on our Earth to vibrate and make musical tones - thus creating a symphonic melody of sound. In this fashion we also learn how the word "rhythm" finds its sourcing from the Greek verb meaning "to flow." There is also a section addressing "Water's Role in the Symphony of Weather" as well as weather catastrophies - in other words - this book was ahead of its time! In a theological vein - this book book by the unique father and son team of Schwenk & Schwenk explores the spiritual and religious signifcance of water - and the potential of water serving as an entity to help resolve today's challenges. If you are a student of water - this book will forever transform your perception of this mysterious liquid - an unknown liquid which gives rise to all life and rise to our very thoughts and perceptions of the reality in which we pass our limited time.

Schwenk's Water, The Element of Life, remains all these many years later, still one of the very best books written about the human relationship with the aqueous world. I would go as far to say that all managers and students of water should read it for its ethical message about how to relate to the very core of life. Indeed, in my own recent work, Deep Immersion: The Experience of Water (nominated for top environmental book of the year), only Thoreau is quoted more often than Schwenk!

The book was new and at a wonderful price, I was very happy with my purchase.

My children have used this dictionary in their school for many years. It is a very handy tool for their school work and home work.

This is probably the best ecological wetland plant book that is out there right now. Very detailed. Explains it all.

Scientific in nature, but still easy to read. An excellent reference for anyone beginning the study of wetlands. Includes one chapter on constructed/treatment wetlands.

Wetlands and Urbanization: Implications for the Future Editedby Amanda L. Azous, Richard R. Horner* Lewis Publishers, 2000, 338pages. Reviewed by Helen Engle, National Audubon Society, Washington Environmental Council, WA Native Plant Society, People For Puget Sound; the urban lovers of wetlands.

Wetlands, as every schoolchild knows, are those wondrous places of important resources like frogs and tadpoles and cattail spears and yucky channels to muck about in with boots and little boats.

Wetlands, as the editors of this important compilation of wetlands research and monitoring data point out, are the absolute basic building blocks of a healthy ecosystem -- from flood storage and pollutant trapping to groundwater recharge and discharge, shoreline stabilization, food chain support and critically important habitat in the lives of fish and wildlife of uncountable species.

Scientists Amanda Azous and Richard Horner recognize the value their encyclopedic collection of charts, tables, and citations to the citizen organizations' highest environmental priority campaigns. And so, as `citizen scientists' we turn to this good work for the references we need as we work with agencies and consultants and as we educate the public -- young and old -- about the vital functions of wetlands. Not to mention our role in educating land managers and authorities who set regulations and restrictions.

The book includes descriptive ecology of freshwater wetlands in the Puget Sound Basin; and separate chapters deal with your favorite creatures among macroinvertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals. And how these populations are impacted by development's impacts on water quality, soil quality, and hydrology. Human values are included -- as our wonderful swamps and marshes turned to sumps for industrial and highway runoff, it seeped into our consciousness that we actually valued the beauty of those wetland places. Not to mention the excitement of birding, botanizing, herpetologizing and whatever. . . .

The book points out that the decades of intensive studies of upland birds -- of the forests and fields -- had no counterpart in the species-rich wetlands. Our nearby urban wetlands provide resting, feeding, breeding habitat for a wide diversity of birds --including of course waterfowl -- and provide high quality passive recreation in densely populated urban areas. The data collected and referenced here is invaluable.

This book is a treasure trove -- even if you only read one chapter. If you can't buy it, ask your library to put it on the shelves. Its timely values for us in the age of "Restore the Salmon" are the comprehensive guidelines for wetlands management, not only for urban managers but for the home gardener, farmer, and ephemeral-flowing-ditch-watcher. The native and recommended non-invasive plant species, for instance, is a beautiful list. A comprehensive source of support material, definitions and glossary, and guides of all kinds make this the book for our organizations to use.

Visit some of our favorite wetlands (we have field guides to them), and see if you don't fall in love with what some people still think of as just yucky mosquito factories.

* Besides Amanda Azous and Richard Horner, the Puget Sound Wetlands and Stormwater Management Research Program Team also included Klaus O. Richter, Lorin E. Reinelt, and Sarah S. Cooke. Other authors include Marion Valentine, Ken Ludwa, Brian Taylor, and Nancy Chinn. Numerous federal, state and local agencies, academic institutions and other local interests participated in the research program.

Wetlands and Urbanization: Implications for the Future Edited by Amanda L. Azous, Richard R. Horner* Lewis Publishers, 2000, 338 pages, $89.95 at Amazon.com. Reviewed by Helen Engle, National Audubon Society, Washington Environmental Council, WA Native Plant Society, People For Puget Sound; the urban lovers of wetlands.

Wetlands, as every schoolchild knows, are those wondrous places of important resources like frogs and tadpoles and cattail spears and yucky channels to muck about in with boots and little boats.

Wetlands, as the editors of this important compilation of wetlands research and monitoring data point out, are the absolute basic building blocks of a healthy ecosystem -- from flood storage and pollutant trapping to groundwater recharge and discharge, shoreline stabilization, food chain support and critically important habitat in the lives of fish and wildlife of uncountable species.

Scientists Amanda Azous and Richard Horner recognize the value their encyclopedic collection of charts, tables, and citations to the citizen organizations' highest environmental priority campaigns. And so, as `citizen scientists' we turn to this good work for the references we need as we work with agencies and consultants and as we educate the public -- young and old -- about the vital functions of wetlands. Not to mention our role in educating land managers and authorities who set regulations and restrictions.

The book includes descriptive ecology of freshwater wetlands in the Puget Sound Basin; and separate chapters deal with your favorite creatures among macroinvertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals. And how these populations are impacted by development's impacts on water quality, soil quality, and hydrology. Human values are included -- as our wonderful swamps and marshes turned to sumps for industrial and highway runoff, it seeped into our consciousness that we actually valued the beauty of those wetland places. Not to mention the excitement of birding, botanizing, herpetologizing and whatever. . . .

The book points out that the decades of intensive studies of upland birds -- of the forests and fields -- had no counterpart in the species-rich wetlands. Our nearby urban wetlands provide resting, feeding, breeding habitat for a wide diversity of birds --including of course waterfowl -- and provide high quality passive recreation in densely populated urban areas. The data collected and referenced here is invaluable.

This book is a treasure trove -- even if you only read one chapter. If you can't buy it, ask your library to put it on the shelves. Its timely values for us in the age of "Restore the Salmon" are the comprehensive guidelines for wetlands management, not only for urban managers but for the home gardener, farmer, and ephemeral-flowing-ditch-watcher. The native and recommended non-invasive plant species, for instance, is a beautiful list. A comprehensive source of support material, definitions and glossary, and guides of all kinds make this the book for our organizations to use.

Visit some of our favorite wetlands (we have field guides to them), and see if you don't fall in love with what some people still think of as just yucky mosquito factories.

* Besides Amanda Azous and Richard Horner, the Puget Sound Wetlands and Stormwater Management Research Program Team also included Klaus O. Richter, Lorin E. Reinelt, and Sarah S. Cooke. Other authors include Marion Valentine, Ken Ludwa, Brian Taylor, and Nancy Chinn. Numerous federal, state and local agencies, academic institutions and other local interests participated in the research program.

There is an old saying in India that the milkman cannot resist adding a little water into milk to make a quick buck. Dear milkman, please be forewarned that this may no longer be an economically profitable practice, for the price of pure drinking water already exceeds the price of pure milk!

In the late 1960's and also in the 70's, as a school boy in rural India, I remember drinking water directly from taps, at most public places. There was no necessity to carry clean water from home, and the concept of packaged drinking water was unheard of even in the cities. But now, our monthly domestic budget has water costing more than milk for the family. If we add the cost of illness caused due to accidental consumption of contaminated water, then the price is a lot higher. Pure water costs and impure water hurts. It is a pity that every day over 10000 children worldwide, succumb to water borne diseases.

This book is a great source of information on a topic that is vital to human existence. The collection of essays not only brings out the vital importance, availability, scarcity, skewed distribution of fresh water on this planet, but also looks at the topic from a global, political, hydrologic, environmental, economical, business, social, ethical, and strategic perspective. In other words, the book provides a comprehensive view from a panel of experts looking at issues from a multi disciplinary angle.

Water is now defined as a human need, as apposed to a human right. This brings it closer to being treated as a commodity for human consumption, making it amenable for pricing as per market forces. Pricing of a product is economically viable only when it is scarce and there are costs associated with its sourcing, purification, distribution and recycling. Unfortunately, accessible fresh water that humanity had assumed to be abundant constitutes less than a percentage of all water sources on earth.
One essay warns of serious social impact especially on economically weaker sections in developing nations if multinational companies are allowed to freely exploit markets in water. Here there is a strong argument that water is a human right and governments have a key role to regulate the ownership and distribution of water and protect its people. In reality, we might soon arrive at optimal and viable solutions involving public-private participation.

The role of mountains as reservoirs of fresh water makes interesting reading in a couple of essays. There is a good case to have a re-look at government policies and programs in mountain regions and plough back down stream benefits to hilly regions for long term sustainability of these vital regions. Forests also receive their due share of importance as guardians of the hydrologic cycle.

Tourism and sports like skiing and golf, while providing entertainment and amusement to the urban elite, are significant factors that deplete fresh water availability argues another essay.

Water bodies know no political borders, be it underground aquifers or surface bodies like lakes and rivers. The mighty Nile spans nine countries, and the river Jordan also has multiple contenders for appropriating its limited content. One essay does a good analysis of the political impact of such situations, especially when the sources dry up and demand escalates across borders. Mark Twain is quoted "Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting" (It is not known whether this statement was made with or without the effect of the former).

One exclusive essay on the mighty Colorado River that crisscrosses multiple states in America is well written. It costs $ 15 per acre foot of water for the upstream farmer, while the wealthy downstream consumers in the Californian cities are willing to pay as high as $ 300 for the same quantity. Farmers are some times paid to take a vacation instead of farming, so that the urban populations get the requisite quantities of water.

While the book is great on analysis of issues it is weak on proposing concrete solutions, including estimates of investments in technologies and interventions that will provide adequate quantities of the nectar of life not only to mankind, but to all living beings on this beautiful planet.

After oil, then food, then water? The problems with distributing water are explored in an anthology fashion. This is an excellent book with surprising technical detail. Described herein is what will eventually lead to the downfall of the Chinese, the Indians, and yes, eventually the United States. Put simply: oil supplies fuel to run the pumps that withdraw water from unreplenished aquifers which supply the crops that feed an ever-growing population. Back in the early 70's I remember Playboy published a (Rand?) study showing what will happen when rising population meet limiting resources. This book would be a good follow-up to this study. I strongly recommend this book to everyone, especially, political leaders,business leaders, and others. This is a must read for everyone on the planet.

If this review was helpful, please add your vote -- Thanks.

This richly illustrated book is a superlative reference on navigation. The writing and organization is precise, logical, and clear, with no fluff or clutter. There is an amazing amount of information in its 200 pages, including the use of a sextant in celestial navigation. Some authors would take twice as long to present this information and end up with a book only half as good.

Readers in search of a first look at navigation with map and compass may be overwhelmed by the detail the book offers, but the chapters need not be read sequentially or given equal attention. For example, you could read chapters 1 and 2 on maps and the compass, then skip or skim through chapters 3 through 5 on the altimeter, GPS, and celestial navigation, then read chapter 6 on natural navigation, skip or skim chapter 7 on emergency communication, then read the final two chapters 8 and 9 on practical navigation and scenarios. After that, you could pick up on the chapters you didn't study on your first pass through the book. The book is organized logically, but your practical need or natural curiosity may motivate you to read it out of sequence. You may even want to read it as a second or third book on navigation. It is the third book for me (see my earlier reviews). As my reading on this topic now stands, I'd suggest the short book Route Finding: Navigating with Map and Compass by Gregory Crouch, as an excellent first look at navigation, then from that overview proceed to this one by Fred Touche. They compliment one other in style and presentation very well.

If you have room to pack just one book on navigation concepts, WILDERNESS NAVIGATION HANDBOOK should be the item of choice: it covers all the basics of using maps, charts, natural and man- made navigational tools to navigate in all terrains, from desert and glacier to jungle and oceans. Chapters are organized by type of navigation system and discuss basic principles of navigation systems, contrasting pros and cons of each.

FYI - (Not to discourage supporting the organiztion) but this publication is available via the FAO website:

http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/v4200e/v4200e00.htm

"The book really is a tour de force. In spite of its price, it should be held at least by every decent agricultural library in the world, and many practicing agriculturalists (who can afford the financial pain)will quite properly want to have their own copy. ....... It is literally a treasure of information that will usefully inform debate on the big issues of global food and fiber commodity outlook, and global natural resource issues linked to agriculture."

Jock R. Anderson, The World Bank (in American Journal of Agricultural Economics, February 1996).

"I would like to emphasize that this is an exceptionally important book. It belongs on every reference list in courses on agricultural development. Any effort that attempts to confront the issue of future food and population balance that ignores the work of Alexandratos and his colleagues can not be regarded as serious." Vernon W. Ruttan, University of Minnesota, (in Population and Development Review, 1996).

This book really helped me get off my couch and take action to get a job. The easy-to-follow daily steps make it easy to be prepared for everything that can come up in the job searching process. I have already seen results in that I now have the confidence to get myself out there. All of my questions and concerns about job hunting have been addressed in this book! Thanks!

Cheryl Cage offers the Job Seeker invaluable tools to further their career. An excellent resource for anyone faced with a layoff situation or if they are interested in going down another career path. I highly recommend this book!