Fields Books

This 2001 collection of papers on various aspects of fieldworks proved to be highly informative reading for this graduate student of linguistics who can't wait to get out into the field himself.

Marianne Mithun's "Who shapes the record: speaker and linguist" warns against relying on only elicitation and calls for letting the informant speak naturally, because you can go through his utterances for data later. In "Places and people: field sites and informants" Gerrit J. Dimmendaal gives useful advice on the recruitment of informants and how to treat them during the research process. David Gil's "Escaping Eurocentrism" exhorts fieldworkers to describe languages based on their own internal logic instead of how they compare to the Standard Average European type. Nancy C. Dorian's "Surprises in Sutherland" observes that within a community each informant may reveal a very different idiolect from the others.

When it comes to practical advice on how to get reliable data, Shobhana L. Chelliah's "The role of text collection and elicitation in linguistic fieldwork" is probably the most important of the papers. She explains how to mix those two methods to avoid the pitfalls of each alone, and warns the reader about the tendency of informants to use prestige forms if not carefully directed. In the essay that follows, "Monolingual fieldwork", Daniel Everett makes the case that data gathered when the linguist makes use of no intermediary language and directly seeks to converse in the language being studied is of greater quality. Certainly this approach is not feasible for all, and Everett himself admits that this adds six months to a fieldwork project, but it will nonetheless be thought-provoking to all.

In the contribution "The give and take of fieldwork" linguist Fiona Mc Laughlin and informant Thierno Seydou Sall give their personal perspectives on such cooperation. Ian Maddieson's "Phonetic fieldwork" is a concise tutorial on how to accurately record the sounds of the language being studied with whizbang modern technology and a lot of old-fashioned listening. Karen Rice's "Learning as one goes" is a set of personal observations on how to approach aspects of the language for which have not been adequately studied yet. Finally, Nicholas Evans talks about the problem of identifying the "last speaker" of a language in Australian environments where everyone is multilingual in his essay "The last speaker is dead - long live the last speaker!

Some of the essays are written in a fairly conversational tone, and there's plenty of entertaining anecdotes on travel complications, so in the main LINGUISTIC FIELDWORK is a breeze to read compared to most books in the field.

I bought this because it is the prescribed textbook for my graduate Field Methods class. This does not deal with theoretical material: instead, it is a collection of essays about fieldwork and its many aspects, both linguistic and non-linguistic. If one wants to do fieldwork as the principal method of research, then this book can prepare one for the task. Personally, I do not see myself as a fieldworker but more of an experimentalist, but reading this book made me want to try the endeavor somehow.

This is a collection of personal essays from linguists who have done fieldwork all over the world. I found the content to be very accessible, enjoyable to read, and very helpful (I am preparing to begin linguistic fieldwork this fall). In the introduction, the editors state that the goal of the book is to a) convey the intellectual excitement of lingistic fieldwork and b) give a realistic picture of the complexities involved in describing a language as it is used by actual speakers in natural settings. They have definitely succeeded in achieving this goal. Topics covered include: the pros and cons of doing monolingual fieldwork, escaping Eurocentrism, phonetic fieldwork, text collection vs. elicitation, finding consultants, and a number of other practical tips for carrying out fieldwork from experienced fieldworkers. Contributors include: Larry Hyman, Marianne Mithun, Gerrit Dimmendaal, Ken Hale, David Gil, Nancy Dorian, and many others.

Sure, most of us just turn the garden hose on the little varmits so we don't have to hear the missus screaming in the background. But when author Jim Cherry takes us down to their level, we wind up feeling solidarity with our scaley brethren. Cherry scores points early on by informing us that lizards have been here even before Strom Thurmond and he even scores an interview with one of the largest lizard luminaries ever recorded (no not Jim Morrison --and you can be sure Mr Cherry busts the, err umph "Lizard King" for not singing the praises of his icky minions in his reams of bad poetry). This book is factual but most importantly FUUUN! Beautifully illustrated by the author, it's a refreshing refresher on something most of us know nothing about.Why doesn't someone give this Jim a nature show?

This is a real find. Even if they have zero interest in reptiles, anyone who has curiousity and a sense of humor would enjoy this little book. The writing style is a combination of Dennis Miller's sarcasm, Bill Nye the Science Guy's mix of facts and fun, Monty Python's surrealism, and a pinch of David Sedaris's self-deprecation. A great airplane or lazy day read. I couldn't put it down. Made a great stocking stuffer gift for the readers on my list. Most amazing is this book's artful blend of solid information, interestingly presented and wacky fun. Great colorful graphics, too, including paintings by Hieronymous Bosch, Ed Mell, Maynard Dixon and others. Godzilla makes a couple appearances, as well.

Don't miss it.

Okay, I'll confess up front: I'm in this book. But when author Jim Cherry first contacted me to interview me for his book, I really didn't have a clear idea what the book was going to be about, other than the fact that it wasn't going to be about the care of captive lizards nor was it to be a natural history book about wild lizards.

Well, Jim was wrong about that: the book is wild. It's wildly fun and colorful, a cornucopia of lizardly facts and artifacts, with lizards in history, lizards in movies, lizards on the walls, even lizards on CDs. Jim has put together a kaleidoscopic collection of information, art work and more in the exploration of the human relationship with lizards, both as living animals and graphic representations in a wide range of media and cultures.

As a herp keeper and educator, I read a lot of books on reptiles. Loco For Lizards was a real treat for me, a welcome and often laugh-filled break from the mundane. A must buy for those interested in lizards in whatever form, as well as a great gift for the herper on your list.

Few museum exhibitions have garnered as much conversation and genuine interest in history as the current LACMA sensitively curated exploration LORDS OF CREATION: The Origins of Sacred Mayan Kinship. This book is termed a catalogue, but in fact it not only enhances the magnificence of this exhibition and the importance of this aspect of Mesoamerican history, it also provides wholly readable essays by a gifted staff of writers that assures this volume will become a part of every school library.

The concept of kings divinely sanctioned is not unique to the Mayans: such lineage was also found in Egypt, Asia, Europe and Africa. But here the authors (Virginia M. Fields and Dorie Reents-Budet) follow the sacred kings on the Gulf Coast of Mexico from 900 BC through the gradual dispersion of those influences on the flowering of the Mayan civilization in southern Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala - that extraordinary and rich civilization that is even today not fully appreciated.

The extant religious ceremonies of the Mayan descendents are reviewed and their connection to the ancient rites is discussed through examples of archeological findings of art and mysterious fragments and evidences of a 'kingdom' ruled by those able to directly intercede between man and gods. The result is a lavishly beautiful collection of images and an immensely readable text. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

I won't go into a very lengthy description or recommendation. Let me just say that this book contains many quality photos of some of the more spectacular finds from the Mayan culture. If you have a lot of this type subject material lying around, this book has some photos I have not seen anywhere else. The book has excellent paper and binding and should give a long shelf life as a reference piece in your collection. My grand-kids love the large pages.

The Lords of Creation is a marvelous book filled with full color photos of Mayan art objects and sites. It has some objects not seen before in other books. The Metro Art Museum in L. A. has put this book out and is following up with a traveling tour this year. Fist stop is in Dallas (June -Sept) and then goes to New York. I am making plans to go. This is going to be very spectacular, as the book is. I highly recommend this book for all serious Mayan and Mesoamerican buffs whatever your studies or intrest range happens to be.

Kevin Conley Ruffner has done a great job with this handy book on Görings Luftwaffe Field Divisions (LwFD). As with all Osprey titles, they give a great overview for both the casual and dedicated reader. Ron Volstadt once again does brilliant work with the colour plates, and the accompanying text, while necessarily brief, non the less gives the reader a good working knowledge of this not so well known aspect of the German war effort. The book gives good insight into the political machinations that brought these formations into existance, and doesn't bog the reader down with masses of facts and figures. From their controversial creation during early 1942, through to the calamity of late '44 and through into 1945, Ruffner takes the reader through the highs and lows of another of Görings 'private armies'. Although often containing good men, they were ultimately sacrificed needlessly on the Eastern Front, in yet another example of the inter-service rivalries and personal egotism that plagued the Third Reich.

A top read!

When I saw this book I knew i had to buy it it was so fact pacted

I'll make a general comment on the increasing utility of the Osprey Men at Arms series in general. Not one of the "older" titles, but still fading into the distant past with a publication date of 1990, this does represent the rise in quality of MAA titles. Volstad's colour plates need not be discussed in detail; these are as good as his always are. Even in 1990 he was raising the bar he himself set with the earlier IN ACTION series of the 1970s.

The text is especially useful in exploring this little known facet of German military history. While the Hermann Goering Division is understandably famous, many historians fail to grasp just how many Luftwaffe ground formations really existed - or what a drain on the German military they represented.

Excellent and concise description of all the divisions, with well written discussion of how they were equipped, why they came to be, and who was responsible for keeping them in the order of battle. Unusual for MAA to concentrate on units that were below average for the most part, but this only speaks to the all-encompasing nature of the entire series as a whole.

A good addition to those interested in this specific area of research; the Feld Divisionen fought on the west, east and southern fronts so anyone wanting to materially add to their understanding of, say, the Eastern Front in particular, will not find this volume a must read.

I think my son has read this book 30 times now. I don't think I need to say any more.

It is more than obvious that Joanna Cole (author) and Bruce Degen (illustrator) had the time of their lives bringing this book to fruition. Penned in 1997, "The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip" is packaged to the bursting point with anything and everything that has to do with electricity. There's so much going on here that a simple one-sided scorecard just won't suffice upon delving into Ms. Frizzle's latest adventure. It is Cole and Degen's most action-packed and tightly-woven collaboration yet. One senses from just taking in the first few pages that author and illustrator poured every fiber of their being into the Friz's ninth science-related field trip for children.

Our story starts off with a bang when a surprise guest bounces into class, positively charged with energy. She looks to be the spitting-image of Ms. Frizzle, only much younger.

"Hello, Aunt Valerie," says the girl, kissing the Friz on the cheek.

"My niece, Dottie Frizzle, is visiting today," adds Ms. Frizzle. "Dottie, we're learning about electricity!"

And so, while a thunderstorm rages on outside, our favorite frizzy-haired teacher begins her lesson for the day. She starts by breaking down a diagram of an atom. Then she points out the relationship between electrons (tiny parts of the atom that circle around its core) and electric current (where electrons are pulled away from their hosts and form a steady stream of movement). This is what gives us electricity.

Then, before the Friz can move onto magnetic current (the cousin of electric current), the lights all over school suddenly go out and the classroom is plunged into total darkness. Outside, a hearty roar of thunder echoes over the students' heads.

"There's no electricity!" someone yells.

"We're experiencing a blackout," notes Ms. Frizzle. And according to Gregory, a student in the class, a blackout happens when electric current stops flowing from the power plant to the community.

Why has this occurred? What can anyone do about it? Will this be the end of our story?

"To the bus, everyone!" orders the Friz, brandishing her trusty umbrella like a valiant knight's sword. "Let's find out what happened."

And so begins the wildest adventure Ms. Frizzle and her students have ever undertaken, one that will start at the heart of a power plant and, zooming along with millions of electrons, lead them all over town -- the library, Jo's Diner, student Phoebe's house, and back to school again.

Readers and students alike will learn all about electricity; its many uses, how it is made, and the safety hazards of working with it. They will come to understand the very important role magnetism plays in producing large amounts of electricity. They will familiarize themselves with terms such as "transformers" and "volts."

And that is only scratching the surface of this most densely-packed field trip to date. It would be hard for any author-illustrator team to keep upping the ante nine books into a series. But Cole and Degen prove themselves just as fresh and inspired as ever. "Electric Field Trip" will require second readings to fully grasp all the concepts presented in this book, which Cole and Degen fully acknowledge within the story. Electricity, atoms, watts, magnetism -- it's highly sophisticated and complicated material, even for the most advanced readers. And the fact that Cole and Degen plowed full steam ahead with the subject matter without batting an eyelash is to be commended. Readers will most certainly be rewarded for the time they spend poring over this book.

In keeping with tradition, Cole and Degen leave readers with two familiar mainstays at the end of the tale. Clearly explained are the things made up for story purposes. What's nicer is that Cole and Degen have added a new twist this time around, which makes distinguishing fact from fiction in the story more enjoyable than ever. And then there is the enticingly sweet tidbit to leave readers with a sampling of what's next in store for the Friz and her posse. It's hard to put a finger on what it could be, exactly . . . but one senses that it will quench your thirst for knowledge, you hear?

As Ms. Frizzle herself would say, "If there's no flow, then it's no go!"

This book is a great book to learn about electricity. My daughter wants me to read it to her over and over, and I have learned from it, too!

I am becoming more and more enamored of Steve Tekeila's work. I have the mammal guide (as well as the wildflower guide) and find it very informative and useful. The small size allows it to be carried in the field. The picutures are of good quality and the information is presented in an easily readable format. But my favorite part of this guide, as well as the wildflower one, is the "Stan's notes' section after each entry that tells something about the entry: where it came from originally if it is an introduced species, the meanings of the scientific name, how to distinguish it from other similar appearing critters, more about its life cycle, and any other interesting tidbits of information Stan has come across. If you work with Scouts or other youth groups and nature, Stan's books are the ones to have to build your knowledge base and make nature walks much more interesting and informative.

I am an amateur bird-watcher and have many birding field guides. This is my first mammals field guide (since my Golden Guide as a kid). This was a worthy investment and helped me ID a Northern Short-Tailed Shrew living under my patio that I was very afraid was the harbinger of a house mouse infestation (I returned the mouse-traps & have NOT had an infestation!).

Mr. Tekiela includes enough details for the scientist in me but a bullet-type format that streamlines the learning process, so: I learn a lot & am not bored by either superficial information or exhaustive detail! Intersting bedtime reading as well as useful. Each animal has detailed description plus lists distinguishing features, eg, Northen Short Tailed Shrew larger than Masked Shrew (which has a longer tail) and more common than Least Shrew. Also provides habitat/nesting/food information which helps in ID & lifespan.

I also really recommend his book Birds of Michigan & accompanying CD as well as the Reptiles & Amphibians Field Guide & accompanying audio CD/field guide.

I am using this book for Science Olympiad for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Pictures are great, info is interesting and the kids really enjoy it. A good reference book for anyone interested in Michigan's mammals.

Excellent Text which will aid in the development of quality managers/management. This text is outstanding in teaching today's managers that innovation and technology are at the forefront of all competitive companies in the global economy.

Being in management for over 17 years, I feel I have the necessary qualifications to know which principals work in the management profession. This text has all the necessary components to start one on their way to becomming an effective management professional.

dhains1963

This textbook is one of the easier ones to read. The information flows easily and maintains your attention, without getting you lost in a lot of details. It is easy to follow the text from one thought to the next and is making it realitively easy to keep up with a heavy reading load for my management course.

The text also offers great end of chapter reviews and exercises for helping the information be relative and applicable to work environments. Highly recommend the text to anyone taking a management course or looking for a basic understanding of management practices.

Excellent book i had no problems with this order

Mary Buckles develops a great relationship with life on the Sound and shares it so gracefully with the reader. There are so few books available about the Sound, and hers is one of the best.

I met Mary Parker Buckles 20 years ago and immediately fell for her. Articulate, witty and graced with the style of a native Southerner, she enthralled me. After reading her book on Long Island Sound, I just fell for her again. It's an articulate, witty and graceful look at all that grows along and in the sound.

This is a beautiful and enchanting book. Mary Parker Buckles initiates the reader into the teeming vitality, ceaseless creativity, and mesmerizing wonder that is Long Island Sound. The familiar, but oh so strange world of owls and ospreys, barnacles and crabs, bivalves and boats, are engagingly explored by Mary -- a true natural scientist, but with a poet's eye. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is superbly well written, and in her elegant, imaginative, playful, even rapturous style Mary helps the reader to discover the magic that lies hidden in plain sight throughout this natural habitat. Mary seems to pour her soul into the Sound, and what emerges is a lyrical voice that speaks of wonders too fair for words.

This cookbook is so much more than a book of recipes. It has so much history and photos of the State Street Marshall Field's Store. An institution that had stood for many years before being bought out by Macys. The pictures are fabulous and the recipes are ones that can be used in anyone's kitchen. A wonderful memory of another time and place. Well done, Marshall Field's!

Marshall Field's Walnut Room is remebered as THE place to have a "grown up" little girl birthday party. And, as I grew older, it became a favorite restaurant to have luncheon on shopping days in Chicago. However, I never thought they would relinquish the recipes for their wonderous dishes, but her they are and more. Marshall Field's Cookbook, besides having recipes for all the favorites, is beautifully llustrated, and has interesting narratives that make this book "a good read" too.

This is one of the best cookbooks that I have in my massive collection. There is not a better way than to remember this iconic store by this cookbook. Each beautiful page has both delicious recipes and the rich history that MARSHALL FIELDS will always be remembered for. I have so many of these cookbooks to give away in the future or to keep for myself. THEY ARE JUST SUCH GREAT KEEPSAKES. From the classic recipes to FRANGOS, and then to the newly formed MARSHALL FIELDS CULINARY COUNCIL's recipes this cookbook will not disappoint. One of the best buys for anyone whether you are a die hard FIELD'S fan or are new to the drama of current times, this is one cookbook that nobody should pass by for any cook or cookbook collector. I MISS YOU MARSHALL FIELDS!!

The translation of Mary Stuart that you see when you "Look Inside" is not the same one that is being sold on this page!!!!

This is the play that was used in the 1987 (?) movie, "Anne of Avonlea." It's really neat!

A brilliant psychological drama. Schiller begins with presenting Mary as the epitome of passion and misguided sincerity, with Elizabeth as the epitome of rational calculation and statecraft. With superb plotting, he stages their confrontation to emphasize their common features and with elements of role reversal. The confrontation essentially purifies their original characters, heightening the contrast between passion and calculation. I don't read German but this translation contains a great deal of eloquent language and an appropriately Shakerspearean flavor.