Research Books

The field of animal behavior has continued to develop. The time appears to be gone when one person can write a book that encompasses the discipline. Robert Hinde did so in his 1970 work, Animal Behaviour. However, this work is an edited volume, with a variety of experts delving in detail into various key issues related to animal behavior. This volume wisely uses Niko Tinbergen's famous "four questions" formulation as the takeoff point. Tinbergen, a Nobel laureate, asserted that for a complete understanding of behavior, we had to answer four questions: causation, development, function, and evolution of the behavior.

The first chapter is a nice introduction to the history of the study of animal behavior (another term often used for this discipline is ethology). Some key points: the importance of studying the central nervous system of species, of being aware of behavioral ecology, and cognitive ecology .

The next section, Part I, explores mechanisms of behavior. Among subjects considered in this section: motivation (a chapter authored by Jerry Hogan), the development of behavior (Johan Bolhuis), animal cognition (Nathan Emery and Nicola Clayton). An example in more detail. . . . In the 1950s, there was debate between classical ethologists such as Konrad Lorenz (who spoke of the importance of instinct) and those who emphasized the developmental aspect of behavior (e.g., T. C. Schneirla and Dan Lehrman). Over time, these two schools came to a rapprochement. Indeed, Tinbergen began with three questions and only after the interaction with developmentalists did he add "development " as one of his questions. And with that addition, the study of animal behavior (or ethology) took a "great leap forward."

Part II considers the function and evolution of behavior. That is: What is the survival value of particular behaviors? How did those behaviors evolve? The chapters cover a set of key issues: the function of behavior (Luc-Alain Giraldeau), communication (Peter McGregor), mate choice and sexual selection (Mark Elgar), evolution of behavior (Michael Ryan), and social systems (Anne Pusey). One key chapter is Pusey's which examines the basis for social systems. Some species tend to live solitary lives, but others develop social systems as a part of their adaptive strategies. Certainly, humans are a social species. Hence, this chapter is of value in placing human evolution in a larger context. Key issues considered include why cooperation has developed among social species.

Part III concludes this volume. There are useful chapters on animal welfare and animal conservation. However, perhaps the most intriguing chapter in this section is the final one, entitled "Human Behavior as Animal Behavior" (authored by the esteemed team of Martin Daly and Margo Wilson). They consider some issues that must be considered if thinking that humans are simply one more animal species, including human culture, ethical issues in experimenting with humans, the role of human language. One the other hand, they conclude that humans are, nonetheless, products of the evolutionary process.

For those interested in animal behavior, this is a terrific place to begin to learn about the subject. I would recommend this volume most highly.

This is the textbook that the field of animal behavior has been waiting for. Because this is an edited volume, with experts in the various disciplines having written the chapters, there is no bias towards e.g. an evolutionary or mechanistic approach. There is a remarkable unity of style, despite the diverse collection of authors. The chapters are very accessible and convey an enormous enthusiasm for the study of animal behavior. This is the most comprehensive animal behavior textbook that I know, with topics ranging from neuroscience and biological rhythms to sexual selection and animal welfare. This is likely to be the leading textbook for some time to come.

With so many new animal behaviour textbooks coming onto the market, we seem
to be spoilt for choice. I really enjoyed reading this one, however. Unlike
all the other ethology textbooks that I know of, this one is edited, so you
dont just get one particular point of view. Despite this, there are no
great differences in style between the different chapters, which makes this
book very readable. On the one hand, there is some kind of historical
continuity, as the book is firmly based on Tinbergens `four whys. On the
other hand, this book has a very modern feel to it, with plenty of space
given to topics such as neuroscience, cognition, animal welfare and
conservation biology. The reference list is up to date and there is plenty
of cross-referencing within the book. Also, the book has a very useful
glossary. This is an excellent book for undergraduate animal behaviour
courses, but it is also a very good read for lecturers and researchers in
this field.

Shirley's a colleague and friend (disclaimer), but her new work via ALA is a much-needed cut-to-the-answers handbook for busy researchers, librarians, and information professionals. Kudos for the spirit of humor and yep-been-there tales that lace the solid tips and site information with her personal style and elan. I'll keep my copy right beside my autographed copy of Reva Basch's "Secrets of the Super Net Searchers." For serious Internet searching today, this is the guidebook to cyberspace.

As reference librarian at the North Dade branch of the Miami-Dade system, I have found this superior and more up to date than the mass produced guides found everywhere these days including the supermarket. Our two week old copy is already thumbworn as we keep it by our copies of the terminals for patron reference. I think we may order another one and hide for staff use only! Good job Ms. Kennedy...just keep updating the book!

As an instructor of Internet research to audiences at all levels, I appreciate the direct, no-nonsense, and humorous approach Kennedy takes. The author manages to demystify a subject that intimidates many, even some librarians, who would benefit from reading this book themselves before they check it out to their patrons.

Peter Amcotts' autobiography is the stuff of =best-selling fiction: adventure, romance, the best of times, the worstof times, betrayal, loss and finally peace. H.Rider Haggard could have written it. Or Edgar Rice Burroughs. But Amcotts wrote it himself, and it's not fiction. It's a true-life adventure that spans the globe. Amcotts, a World War II veteran, writes about life with verve and humor. He's experienced it all, from an abusive father to a British "public school" education, to the war, to love and marriage, to his experiences as an ex-pat in East Africa, Canada, Hawaii and the Middle East. Amcotts' adventures make for enjoyable reading, although his British reserve keeps him from writing as much about his feelings as one would have liked. Having met the author and his wife, and one of their daughters, it's a pleasure to see the pictures of them in by-gone days. Amcotts' descriptions of his life, especially the family's times in Kenya, are vivid. The family lived on part of a former coffee plantation that once belonged to Karen Blixen. During the Mau Mau insurgency, they went to bed with loaded pistols at their sides. Having known many American World War II veterans, I found it very interesting to read the experiences of a British soldier. Mrs.. Amcotts was also in uniform. Is a second installment of the family saga, her story, in order? Autobiography and reminiscences are genres that capture the past in the most personal of ways. The Best Laid Plans recreates part of the 20th century from the author's point of view. That personal history, and that point of view, is worth reading, and enjoying.

A review from Cliff Bowyer, the president of theBritish-American Club. =I have just finished a very interesting book, it is an Autobiography, but reads like a novel. It is a true story of adventure, travel, romance, world war, revolution, failure and success. Written by an ex-Brit, who recently moved to the Bay Area after living in many countries. It spans the years from the mid 1920s to the present day and covers four continents. The book tells the author's life as a boy growing up under the very dominant thumb of an over strict father. His years at public school, the W.W.II. Serving in the Royal Engineers in India. How he met his future wife who at the time was serving in the WRNS. The post war years in England were hard for ex-servicemen who had been subjected to life abroad. So austerity and the ever present search for adventure led the author to a new life in East Africa, at the time of the Mau Mau rebellion. You will read his journey to the New World and the many exciting travels and experiences that followed... but I could go on and on. I must admit I did get carried away with this very intriguing story. If you are someone who likes unusual Autobiographies, this is the book for you.

I find the style of the writing to be the most unique aspect of this biography. One sentence can convey a whole stream of related thoughts that could be expanded into a seperate novel, possibly fiction based on Mr. Amcotts experience that day. The episodes presented in Africa are the most intrigueing. I thought of some enlightened sreenwriter adapting a concept storyline from a single page and developing a major motion picture! Mr. Amcotts P.O.V.(Point of view) style of writing makes one wish for a slower, more colorful, pace. I find myself wanting to interupt his presentation to ask for explanations of "why" or maybe a more personal observation of the situation he has placed himself in. Retrospection is a useful teaching tool that should be used to fuller advantage for the benefit of the reader rather than the Author. But realizing that and reading between lines does provide some entertaining thoughts for the reader.

This is a wonderful, amazing book. But STOP as this obsolete version has been superceded by "Joel Whitburn Presents the Billboard Albums" which updates the book through Dec 31, 2005.

I first got this book in 1976 and have gotten it every time it's updated, and I have only two complaints about it; 1) it only gets updated every 3 to 5 years and 2) it's so damned expensive! But once you open it (and it feels like an LA Phone book), you forget the price and just OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH at how fact-filled and interesting it it! It practically tells you the last time your favorite artist picked his nose! It has EVERYTHING! I only with they would update it something like every two years. Get it, along with the Albums and Singles books, and you really don't need anything else. This book is THE B E S T !

I've been on Record Research's list for many years, and this was my very first Pop Albums book I purchased. It's got several amazing features. The best feature is that you can see which albums made the Pop Catalog albums chart. Although all of the artists do not have their complete discographies listed (only the albums that were charted on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart are in this book), and not much facts and trivia under albums, I still think this book deserves to be on music lovers shelves. I hope in the next edition they will show what current albums that can be found on vinyl.

Don't worry if you are not a science-oriented person! This is a great resource for anyone interested in evolution, dna and natural selection. The book is almost a dialogue between the authors and each topic's history, growth and purpose is given in everyday language and images. If you are a scientist, you will still find this a valuable tool, especially if you've ever tried to explain some of these issues to non-scientists.

Edey and Johanson do a splendid job of detailing the philosophies and scientific discoveries that led to the formation of modern evolutionary thought. The history they present is filled with interesting details and offers a good refresher on high school biology. It begins with many pre-Darwinian thoughts and works its way up to the present (or 1990). Along the way the authors occasionally dialogue between themselves explaining various topics, offering analogies for concepts, presenting possible theories, and giving personal details about the men and women involved in this field.

...the book is more presentational rather than apologetic. On occasion the authors did generalize creationism with Biblical fundamentalism, but they also admit once to the difficulty of originating life. I would also have liked to have seen more fossil discoveries outside the realm of humanity, a discussion on stem cell and embryo development, and perhaps a brief tracing of the likely line of descent from single celled bacteria to the major classes of vertebrates. (I am a theist, so take into consideration any bias.)

Overall, there were only a few tedious pages, but it is otherwise an excellent book that I had a hard time putting down.

Blueprints is just what the title says. A look at how evolution performed its magic work, on our species and others. While I started reading this book knowing what evolution was, I left it knowing how it works. Taking you from the first scientific investigation of the relations of species, through to the discovery of DNA, Maitland Edey and Donald Johanson clearly and easily walk you through time. The concepts are explained simply and succinctly, in an entertaining style that often includes humorous incidents as the world of science lurched toward our current level of understanding. I would recommend this book to anyone, including students, who wishes to experience the evolution of evolution

The definitive historical reference on the design phase of the CED System. This book was largely researched from 1976 to 1978 as an exercise in applied history. The book deals primarily with this late 70's time frame, although it also contains chapters on early RCA history, VideoDisc on the market, and lessons to be learned from the CED project. This book also discusses other consumer video formats developed, but never marketed by RCA, which include Discpix, Photopix, Holopix, Holotape, and Magtape.

There is a lot of misinformation spread around about the history of the videodisc. If you are curious about the facts, check out this book. It is recommended for all new media designers. It shows the disastrous consequences of failure of vision. In RCA's case, they correctly judged that there was going to be a huge market in consumer video, but it never occurred to them that time shifting, home recording, and program rental would be the features to drive it. In parallel with the capacitance electronic disc (CED) they developed a MagTape system. If they had gone to market with MagTape, there might still be an RCA today.

The definitive historical reference on the design phase of the CED System. This book was largely researched from 1976 to 1978 as an exercise in applied history. The book deals primarily with this late 70's time frame, although it also contains chapters on early RCA history, VideoDisc on the market, and lessons to be learned from the CED project. This book also discusses other consumer video formats developed, but never marketed by RCA, which include Discpix, Photopix, Holopix, Holotape, and Magtape. The more expensive hardcover edition of the book has the title clauses reversed, and also includes a slip cover showing a VideoDisc reflecting a rainbow pattern.

We have read both of Dave's books and he is certainly knowledgable in real estate. Dave also has helped us in the buying process, and all has run smoothly. We consider Dave a professional in all aspects of real estate. The book is filled with data that we did not truly know about concerning the market.

This book is packed with information that will help you if you've never bought a home, or have done so a dozen or more times. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should read Chapter 3 on selecting an Agent... If you are buying, selling, thinking of a career in Real Estate, or are already an Agent!

For many people like me, the home buying process is alien, confusing, and full of pitfalls. What I needed was a guide to help me quickly and effectively understand the entire process, along with the plethora of associated considerations.

David Rathgeber's home buying book gave me almost everything I needed to quickly make sense of the home buying process. He introduced me to all the major issues and considerations that I was about to face. Not only did he clearly address the most pertinent issues, but he also concisely provided abundant advice on each aspect of home buying, to include difficult issues such as understanding the emotional and psychological aspects that both the buyer and seller face. In this book, David even helps the reader understand how to get the appropriate professional help at the right time. This is done in a constructive manner that demonstrates to the reader that he is only one part of a team that is focused on making the home buying process successful.

Along with David's personal help in purchasing a home, this book provides almost everything that a home buyer needs, especially if the buyer is completely new to the home buying process. It is actually quite comforting to read this book in that David teaches the home buyer how to develop a healthy respect for all the participants no matter what their role may be. Toward this end, David articulates the human aspect of a stressful process that often can appear to be impersonal.

As a new immigrant, I use this book to improve my English by reading a metaphor each day.

Finally a knowledgeable author has written a book that enables Americans born here and abroad to really understand English as we really speak and write it. In addition to adults benefiting from using this book, every high school and college student,ought to have a copy of this easy to read and understand book within reach.

An incredible learning experience. A book designed for everyone of all ages.

I've heard metaphors used daily and use them myself, however I never stopped to think where these sayings came from. This book tells you everything you need to know about all metaphors. From usage, history, meaning, you get everything you need on making sure you're never out of the loop when someone says a metaphor you never heard of.

so many metaphors are covered in this book, in fact more than I knew ever existed! Dr. Lee captures the essence of every metaphor in a creative illustrated cartoon that helps you associate the metaphor w/ the meaning behind it.

I cannot recommend this book enough to everyone! Especially your kids!

Before I read The Case for Divine Design, I had hardly an idea of the mind-boggling complexity of cellular processes, hardly realized that the mechanism of evolution of these processes has not been plausibly described. Nor did I fully understand science has not explained the origin of life on earth.

It's not about gaps in the fossil record. It's about showing how the thousands of chemicals essential to the existence of life, chemicals composed of huge molecules that are constantly being synthesized in living tissue, could have arisen solely by natural selection acting on spontaneous random genetic changes--which is the core mechanism science today uses to explain the manifest characteristics of the life forms present on earth.

I love the idea of evolution. But what the author of this book showed me is that to embrace evolution as the sole mechanism accounting for life is indeed an act of faith, just as religion is a faith, belief in God is a faith.

The author of this book, Frank Salisbury, PhD, is a leading American scientist, with a 43-year career spent in academia, the last 31 years at Utah State University. Salisbury is a plant physiologist, a botanist if you will, who, until his retirement, led an American/Russian team that grew wheat in the Russian Space Station, Mir. The many other research projects in his career included plant flowering, alpine ecology, and plant responses to gravity. His fame among other botanists was largely based on his textbooks, including a basic plant physiology text that went through four editions. So nobody can say Frank Salisbury doesn't understand modern biological science.

If you took God out of this book, you would be left with a critique of modern biological science for its failure to explain how life arose from inert matter and how cellular processes achieved the dizzying complexity they now manifest. Nor can biological science dispute it has failed to explain these fundamental scientific questions. That became evident to me as Salisbury reviewed the work of numerous contemporary biologists who obviously have thrown the full weight of their brilliant intellects at these questions and come up wanting.

Reflect, I had to reflect. Darwin lived around the time of the Civil War. Watson and Crick defined the double helix in the 1950s. So it's been only about 150 years we've had any ideas other than the Bible to work with to explain the living world. I'd say it's going to take another 200 years to work these problems out, IF they are worked out. And I gather Dr. Frank Salisbury would be fairly overjoyed if, say, the origin of life were satisfactorily explained scientifically.

That's what makes this book unique among creationist works. The author does not insist on an interventionary God, he merely posits it, gently, persistently, as a possibility, while all the while illuminating the reader as to the profound mysteries confronting biological science and delineating the inadequacy of natural selection as the sole theoretical basis for resolving those mysteries. I strongly recommend this book!

This book provides an objective review of the cases supporting and opposing intelligent design. The author discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each case. It brings sanity in an area of study where emotional retaliation seems to be the predominant response.

It is also very informative in discussing the progress in the study of biology for the lay reader.

The Case for Divine Design is a must read for anyone interested in the Intelligent Design (ID) controversy. I was attracted to the book because the author wrote a college level botany text I once used and has authored several leading college textbooks in this area with major textbook publishers. The author has a PhD in plant physiology from Cal Tech and is a leading researcher in the field. Salisbury was also department head at Utah State University for many years. He reviews a great deal of cell biology and biochemistry in this 258 page well illustrated book and does an excellent job, showing that the case for Intelligent Design is very strong and this is one major reason for the opposition to the idea today. Opponents see it as clear competition to classical Neo-Darwinism, although in articles critical of ID the authors try to imply the opposite. He also does a good job answering many of the common objections to ID. No one can claim to be informed about this issue without reading this well documented book which should become a classic in the field. He has much good material on irreducible complexity, showing that everything is irreducibly complex except quarks and leptons and they may not be fundamental particles either! If 2 or more parts are required for something to function, it is irreducibly complex.

Don Bohning, an experienced Latin American journalist and former Miami Herald Latin American Editor enjoyed a personal relationship with the key players, US & Cuban nationals, to accurately write an outstanding story of what has occured in actions against Cuba and why they failed. A must read for those interested in foreign affairs.
Manuel J. Chavez
Lt. Col. USAF (Ret)

Any in-depth political science library, particularly those with close coverage of Cuba, will want to be sure The Castro Obsession: U.S. Covert Operations Against Cuba 1959-1965 is in their collection. Journalist Don Bohning was Latin American editor for the Miami Herald, and here uses his reporter's inspection eye to examine the covert U.S. operations against Cuba at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. tried for economic and political destabilization, hit-and-run raids, and assassination plots during this time: Bohning's The Castro Obsession basically asks "was it worth it" and supports the conclusion "no".

Now at about 75 years old, Fidel Castro is in ailing health. Cuba's economy, as with most of the communist centrally planned economies, is at subsistence level. Average annual per capita income is about $1,500 per person. But still it survives. Two new books go a long ways towards explaining why.

Don Bohning's "The Castro Obsession", talks about the secret (and not so secret) operations conducted against Castro from 1959 to 1965. The appearance of a giant country like the United States arrayed against a small insignificant country like Cuba, and then failing created a groundswell of respect and support for Castro among people and countries that root for the underdog.

Humberto Fontova's "Fidel: Hollywood's Favorite Tyrant", is really two books in one. The main theme talks about the comments from selected Hollywood types, media and political left wing liberals, praising Castro (shades of Hanoi Jane Fonda). The secondary theme is that Castro has instituted a bloody repressive regime that attempts to control all life in Cuba. While this is not a surprise, the details are shocking in that we have so much more information because of the communication with large numbers of Cubans now living in the US but retaining close links with the island.

These two books provide interesting background for the actions that will be playing out over the next few years.