Best of
Geography

2008

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa


Jeanette Winter - 2008
    But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. . . .         This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.         Includes an author’s note.This book was printed on 100% recycled paper with 50% postconsumer waste.

What the World Eats


Faith D'Aluisio - 2008
    But in every corner of the world this age-old custom is rapidly changing. From increased trade between countries to the expansion of global food corporations like Kraft and Nestlé, current events are having a tremendous impact on our eating habits. Chances are your supermarket is stocking a variety of international foods, and American fast food chains like McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken are popping up all over the planet. For the first time in history, more people are overfed than underfed. And while some people still have barely enough to eat, others overeat to the point of illness. To find out how mealtime is changing in real homes, authors Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio visited families around the world to observe and photograph what they eat during the course of one week. They joined parents while they shopped at mega grocery stores and outdoor markets, and participated in a feast where a single goat was shared among many families. They watched moms making dinner in kitchens and over cooking fires, and they sat down to eat with twenty-five families in twenty-one countries--if you’re keeping track, that’s about 525 meals! The foods dished up ranged from hunted seal and spit-roasted guinea pig to U.N.-rationed grains and gallons of Coca-Cola. As Peter and Faith ate and talked with families, they learned firsthand about food consumption around the world and its corresponding causes and effects. The resulting family portraits offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural similarities and differences served on dinner plates around the globe.

Empires of the Indus: The Story of a River


Alice Albinia - 2008
    For millennia it has been worshipped as a god; for centuries used as a tool of imperial expansion; today it is the cement of Pakistans fractious union. Five thousand years ago, a string of sophisticated cities grew and traded on its banks. In the ruins of these elaborate metropolises, Sanskrit-speaking nomads explored the river, extolling its virtues in Indias most ancient text, the Rig-Veda. During the past two thousand years a series of invaders Alexander the Great, Afghan Sultans, the British Raj made conquering the Indus valley their quixotic mission. For the people of the river, meanwhile, the Indus valley became a nodal point on the Silk Road, a centre of Sufi pilgrimage and the birthplace of Sikhism. Empires of the Indus follows the river upstream and back in time, taking the reader on a voyage through two thousand miles of geography and more than five millennia of history redolent with contemporary importance.

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai


Claire A. Nivola - 2008
    But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature, says: Wangari Maathai's epic story has never been told better--everyone who reads this book will want to plant a tree!With glowing watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose, Claire Nivola tells the remarkable story of one woman's effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. An author's note provides further information about Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement. In keeping with the theme of the story, the book is printed on recycled paper.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab


Fiona Ingram - 2008
    Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another! Book bonus includes a Readers’ Guide to Ancient Egypt for young explorers, plus hand-drawn pictures from Adam’s journal of what the cousins saw in Egypt.

Bienville's Dilemma: A Historical Geography of New Orleans


Richard Campanella - 2008
    "Bienville's Dilemma" presents sixty-eight articles on the historical geography of New Orleans, covering the formation and foundation of the city, its urbanization and population, its "humanization" into a place of distinction, the manipulation of its environment, its devastation by Hurricane Katrina, and its ongoing recovery.

Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 BC-AD 1000


Barry Cunliffe - 2008
    Cunliffe views Europe not in terms of states and shifting political land boundaries but as a geographical niche particularly favored in facing many seas. These seas, and Europe’s great transpeninsular rivers, ensured a rich diversity of natural resources while also encouraging the dynamic interaction of peoples across networks of communication and exchange. The development of these early Europeans is rooted in complex interplays, shifting balances, and geographic and demographic fluidity.Drawing on archaeology, anthropology, and history, Cunliffe has produced an interdisciplinary tour de force. His is a bold book of exceptional scholarship, erudite and engaging, and it heralds an entirely new understanding of Old Europe.

Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau


Ron Blakey - 2008
    Tropical seas lap on the shores of an Arizona beach. Immense sand dunes shift and swirl in Sahara-like deserts in Utah and New Mexico. Ancient rivers spill from a mountain range in Colorado that was a precursor to the modern Rockies. Such flights of geologic fancy are now tangible through the thought-provoking and beautiful paleogeographic maps, reminiscent of the maps in world atlases we all paged through as children, of Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.Ron Blakey of Northern Arizona University is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the geologic history of the Colorado Plateau. For more than fifteen years, he has meticulously created maps that show how numerous past landscapes gave rise to the region’s stunning geologic formations. Ancient Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau is the first book to showcase Blakey’s remarkable work. His maps are accompanied by text by Wayne Ranney, geologist and award-winning author of Carving Grand Canyon. Ranney takes readers on a fascinating tour of the many landscapes depicted in the maps, and Blakey and Ranney’s fruitful collaboration brings the past alive like never before.Features: More than 70 state-of-the-art paleogeographic maps of the region and of the world, developed over many years of geologic research Detailed yet accessible text that covers the geology of the plateau in a way nongeologists can appreciate More than 100 full-color photographs, diagrams, and illustrations A detailed guide of where to go to see the spectacular rocks of the region

Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles


Laurie J. Vitt - 2008
    Zug's colleagues, provides herpetology students and amateur reptile and amphibian keepers with the latest taxonomy and species developments from around the world. Herpetology is a rapidly evolving field, which has contributed to new discoveries in many conceptual areas of biology. The authors build on this progress by updating all chapters with new literature, graphics, and discussions--many of which have changed our thinking.With a new emphasis placed on conservation issues, Herpetology continues to broaden the global coverage from earlier editions, recognizing the burgeoning reptile and amphibian research programs and the plight of many species in all countries and all biomes.New information on the remarkable advances in behavioral, physiological, and phylo-geographical data provide students with the current research they need to advance their education and better prepare their future in herpetology.

What Matters: The World's Preeminent Photojournalists and Thinkers Depict Essential Issues of Our Time


David Elliot Cohen - 2008
    Socially conscious pioneers with cameras transformed the world—and that legacy lives on in this eye-opening, thought-provoking, and (we hope) action-inducing book. Like Jacob Riis’s How the Other Half Lives, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, and Jonathan Schell’s The Fate of the Earth before it, we believe that What Matters will fundamentally alter the way we see and understand the human race and our planet.What Matters asks: What are the essential issues of our time? What are the pictures that will spark public outrage and spur reform? The answer appears in 18 powerful, page-turning stories by the foremost photojournalists of our age, edited by The New York Times best-selling author/editor David Elliot Cohen (A Day in the Life and America 24/7 series), and featuring trenchant commentary from well-recognized experts and thinkers in appropriate fields. Photographer Gary Braasch and climate-change guru Bill McKibben provide “A Global Warming Travelogue” that takes us from ice caves in Antarctica to smoke-spewing coal plants in Beijing. Brent Stirton and Peter A. Glick examine a “Thirsty World,” chronicling the daily search for clean water in non-developed countries. James Nachtwey and bestselling poverty expert Jeffrey D. Sachs look at the causes of, and cures for, global poverty in “The Bottom Billion.” Stephanie Sinclair and Judith Bruce present the preteen brides of Afghanistan, Nepal, and Ethiopia.Sometimes the juxtaposition of photographs can be startling: “Shop ‘til We Drop,” Lauren Greenfield’s images of upscale consumer culture, starkly contrast with Shehzad Noorani’s “Children of the Black Dust”—child laborers in Bangladesh, their faces blackened with carbon dust from recycled batteries.The combination of compelling photographs and insightful writing make this a highly relevant, widely discussed book bound to appeal to anyone concerned about the crucial issues shaping our world. What Matters is, in effect, a 336-page illustrated letter to the next American president about the issues that count. It will inspire readers to do their part—however small—to make a difference: to help, the volume includes extensive “What You Can Do” sections with a menu of web links and effective actions readers can take now. This year give What Matters.

Special Forces Pilot: A Flying Memoir of the Falkland War


Richard Hutchings - 2008
    The author relives his part in operations, in particular Special Forces intelligence gathering and direct action missions, including the Pebble Island raid. Events are described in detail including the development of pioneering night operating procedures and the conduct of covert and other operationally sensitive missions. The book includes hitherto undisclosed material relating to Operation MIKADO, the ill-fated Special Forces mission in Argentina with its disastrous consequences for the Task Force. Dick was Captain of the Sea King that carried the Special Forces team into Argentina. The operation is described in detail including events in the air and on the ground in Argentina and Chile. Dick recalls his encounter with the Chilean authorities, meetings with British Embassy officials in Santiago, the international press conference, his eventful repatriation to the UK, debriefings in the MoD and time spent in an MI-6 safe-house somewhere in England. The book concludes by describing a follow-up visit to Chile by the author in November 1982, at the behest of the Chilean Government."

Complete Flags of the World


D.K. Publishing - 2008
    The Complete Flags of the World presents a detailed and compelling overview of the history behind the development of world flags. Each national flag is fully described with text and annotations that describe its history, the development of its design, the significance of colors, symbols, and crests. Even the smallest countries are given a full page, and the story of each flag is analyzed consistently to make comparisons simple. The attractive format and handy pocket size will make this an ideal gift or reference for anyone who is interested in flags.

Cities of the World: Complete Edition of the Colour Plates of 1572-1617


Georg Braun - 2008
    First published in Cologne 1572-1617.

Good Night New Jersey


Adam Gamble - 2008
    Easy-to-read text introduces the sights of New Jersey through a full day of sightseeing.

This is Britain


Miroslav Sasek - 2008
    The vibrant illustrations have been preserved, remaining true to his vision, and where applicable facts have been updated, appearing on a "This is...Today" page at the back of each book. The charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek’s witty, playful narrative, make for perfect souvenirs that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember them from their own childhood. This is Britain, first published in 1974, encompasses the nation’s many facets, from the mystery of Stonehenge to the monuments of the British Isles. Among his stops are the White Cliffs of Dover; Brighton’s Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion; the castles and Tintern Abbey in Wales; and Scotland’s four Royal Palaces and long lochs. This is Israel, first published in 1962, visits the Promised Land, a sun-drenched panorama of many hues and many traditions. From the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea (it’s really blue); from modern Tel Aviv to Jerusalem new and old; from Mt. Zion to King Solomon’s mines; Sasek presents the biblical glory of its past and the golden hope of its future.

The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture


Phaidon Press - 2008
    Divided into six world regions, the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture provides an important overview of global and local trends in architecture for a wide range of users.Over 1000 key buildings have been chosen through a rigorous selection process. Each building is fully illustrated and described by a short essay. In addition, a mass of useful information is provided. This includes details of architects' practices and extensive indexes. Comprehensive world data illustrates the economic and demographic contexts of architectural production.

Day Hiking North Cascades: Mount Baker / Mountain Loop Highway / San Juan Islands


Craig Romano - 2008
    He covers a lot of territory that other guidebooks have passed up.-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer Discover the stunning scenery that abounds in the North Cascades region, where hikers indulge in the drama of steep peaks, deep valleys, and everything in between. This new guide covers the Bellingham area, Mount Baker, the Highway 20 corridor, North Cascades National Park, Winthrop and the Pasayten Wilderness area, parts of Glacier Peak Wilderness, and the Mountain Loop Highway. Compact and fresh with a broad range of hiking options, this is the most up-to-date guide for the area, organized along highway and other travel corridors with an emphasis on trails that are 12 miles or less, round-trip. Check out Craig Romano's blog: http: //craigromano.com/ **Mountaineers Books designates 1 percent of the sales of select guidebooks in our Day Hiking series toward volunteer trail maintenance.-- "Klamath Falls Herald and News"

Tree of Rivers: The Story of the Amazon


John Hemming - 2008
    Human beings settled in Amazonia ten thousand years ago and learned to live well on its bounty. Europeans first saw the Amazon around 1500 and started settling there in the seventeenth century. Always in fear or awe of the jungle, they tried in vain to introduce crops and livestock.John Hemming's account of the river and its history is full of larger-than-life personalities this unique environment attracted: explorers, missionaries, and naturalists among them. By the nineteenth century, Amazonian natives had almost been destroyed by alien diseases and slavery, as well as violent class rebellion. Although the rubber industry created huge fortunes, it too was at a fearful cost in human misery.In the last hundred years, the Amazon has seen intrepid explorers, entreprenurial millionaires, and political extremists taking refuge in jungle retreats. Alongside them, natural scientists, anthropologists, and archaeologists have sought to discover the secrets of this mighty habitat.Today, the world's appetite for timber, beef, and soya is destroying this great tropical forest. Hemming explains why the Amazon is environmentally crucial to survival and brilliantly describes the passionate struggles to exploit and protect it.

The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous: Fighting to Save a Way of Life in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina


Ken Wells - 2008
    Bernard Parish, Louisiana, make a fateful decision to ride out Hurricane Katrina on their hand-built fishing boats in a sheltered Civil War–era harbor called Violet Canal.  But when Violet is overrun by killer surges, the Robins must summon all their courage, seamanship, and cunning to save themselves and the scores of others suddenly cast into their care. In this gripping saga, Louisiana native Ken Wells provides a close-up look at the harrowing experiences in the backwaters of New Orleans during and after Katrina. Focusing on the plight of the intrepid Robin family, whose members trace their local roots to before the American Revolution, Wells recounts the landfall of the storm and the tumultuous seventy-two hours afterward, when the Robins’ beloved bayou country lay catastrophically flooded and all but forgotten by outside authorities as the world focused its attention on New Orleans. Wells follows his characters for more than two years as they strive, amid mind-boggling wreckage and governmental fecklessness, to rebuild their shattered lives. This is a story about the deep longing for home and a proud bayou people’s love of the fertile but imperiled low country that has nourished them.

Before the Slave Trade: African World History in Pictures


Robin Oliver Walker - 2008
    

National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World


National Geographic Society - 2008
    Incorporated in the many up-to-the moment regional maps that portray each continent are hundreds of brilliant photographs—each depicting unique natural and cultural treasures that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the Kasbah of Algiers, from prehistoric rock art to the statue of Liberty, these incomparable locales are under UN protection for future generations to know and enjoy.Thematic maps enhance the global coverage, detailing trends and characteristics of today’s critical issues: natural resources, energy, population, religion, economy and trade, conflict, climate change. The latest political boundaries and country names are incorporated, as well as vital information on the oceans, space, national flags, and more. Engaging layouts, functional design, and a new comprehensive place-name index allow the reader to easily navigate around the globe to discover or confirm more than 50,000 locations. The supreme accuracy and practicality of the maps, charts, and country facts and tables—as well as the inspirational collection of more than 600 photographs, satellite images, and illustrations—make the National Geographic Visual Atlas of the World a must-have reference for families, travelers, students, and scholars.

Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes


Maurice Isserman - 2008
    In this lively and generously illustrated book, historians Maurice Isserman and Stewart Weaver present the first comprehensive history of Himalayan mountaineering in fifty years. They offer detailed, original accounts of the most significant climbs since the 1890s, and they compellingly evoke the social and cultural worlds that gave rise to those expeditions.The book recounts the adventures of such figures as Martin Conway, who led the first authentic Himalayan climbing expedition in 1892; Fanny Bullock Workman, the pioneer explorer of the Karakoram range; George Mallory, the romantic martyr of Mount Everest fame; Charlie Houston, who led American expeditions to K2 in the 1930s and 1950s; Ang Tharkay, the legendary Sherpa, and many others. Throughout, the authors discuss the effects of political and social change on the world of mountaineering, and they offer a penetrating analysis of a culture that once emphasized teamwork and fellowship among climbers, but now has been eclipsed by a scramble for individual fame and glory.

How I Learned Geography


Uri Shulevitz - 2008
    Food is scarce, so when the boy's father brings home a map instead of bread for supper, at first the boy is furious. But when the map is hung on the wall, it floods their cheerless room with color. As the boy studies its every detail, he is transported to exotic places without ever leaving the room, and he eventually comes to realize that the map feeds him in a way that bread never could.The award-winning artist's most personal work to date is based on his childhood memories of World War II and features stunning illustrations that celebrate the power of imagination. An author's note includes a brief description of his family's experience, two of his early drawings, and the only surviving photograph of himself from that time.How I Learned Geography is a 2009 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Vintage L.A.: Eats, Boutiques, Decor, Landmarks, Markets More


Jennifer Brandt Taylor - 2008
    native and style guru Jennifer Brandt Taylor grew up in a culture that fostered extreme creativity, a unique fashion sense, and an obsession with everything Hollywood, everything vintage, and everything glamorous. In Vintage L.A., she takes readers on a true insider's tour of this glittery town, with gorgeous, original color photography as well as charming vintage photos and rare relics. She showcases the best of vintage locations, including such famous L.A. hotspots as the Beverly Hills Hotel, Musso and Frank's, Decades, and the Château Marmont, and reveals dozens of ways to live the vintage L.A. lifestyle, highlighting the best places to eat, shop, view classic films, and hang out.Complete with interviews with famous Los Angeles natives, prominent vintage collectors, and indie rock bands, Vintage L.A. is a heartfelt homage to the city's decadent past by a modern Hollywood dame.

How the Ocean Works: An Introduction to Oceanography


Mark W. Denny - 2008
    Any study of this huge habitat requires a solid foundation in the principles that underlie marine biology and physical and chemical oceanography, yet until now undergraduate textbooks have largely presented compilations of facts rather than explanations of principles. How the Ocean Works fills this gap, providing a concise and accessible college-level introduction to marine science that is also ideal for general readers.How are winds and currents driven? What is the dilemma of the two-layered ocean? Mark Denny explains key concepts like these in rich and fascinating detail. He explores early scientific knowledge of oceans, photosynthesis, trophic interactions and energy flow, and the impacts of human activities on marine and atmospheric systems. Focusing each chapter on a major topic and carefully explaining the principles and theory involved, Denny gives readers the conceptual building blocks needed to develop a coherent picture of the living ocean. How the Ocean Works is an indispensable resource that teaches readers how to think about the ocean--its biology, mechanics, and conservation. Provides a concise, up-to-date introduction to marine science Develops the conceptual basis needed to understand how the ocean works Explains fundamental principles and theory Includes color illustrations and informative diagrams Serves as a college textbook and a reference for general readers

The Kingfisher Atlas of World History


Simon Adams - 2008
    It covers all major human civilizations, from the ancient world to modern times, and examines the core curriculum themes of religion, exploration, colonization, industry, technology, war and diplomatic relations.

Historic Maps and Views of New York


Vincent Virga - 2008
    Included with each map is the original printing information and brief text that places it in historic context and further illuminates its qualities. Put together by a map expert based at the Library of Congress, the selections include one of the earliest maps of Manhattan by Johannes Vingboons; views of New York Harbor in the early 1700s; an elaborately detailed map of Central Park; a complete topographical map of the island of Manhattan; an early subway map; overviews of Brooklyn and Queens; and much more. Each unique and stunning representation of New York is exquisitely reproduced to show off its color and detail, making it ready for display in any home, office, dorm room, or classroom.

Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue


John Shelton Reed - 2008
    Authoritative, spirited, and opinionated (in the best way), Holy Smoke is a passionate exploration of the lore, recipes, traditions, and people who have helped shape North Carolina's signature slow-food dish. Three barbecue devotees, John Shelton Reed, Dale Volberg Reed, and William McKinney, trace the origins of North Carolina 'cue and the emergence of the heated rivalry between Eastern and Piedmont styles. They provide detailed instructions for cooking barbecue at home, along with recipes for the traditional array of side dishes that should accompany it. The final section of the book presents some of the people who cook barbecue for a living, recording firsthand what experts say about the past and future of North Carolina barbecue.Filled with historic and contemporary photographs showing centuries of North Carolina's barbeculture, as the authors call it, Holy Smoke is one of a kind, offering a comprehensive exploration of the Tar Heel barbecue tradition.

Havana Before Castro: When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground


Peter Moruzzi - 2008
    Here, captured in one amazing book, is the drama, passion, intrigue, and opulence of a legendary city during its heyday-before the Castro dictatorship re-imagined the country and Americans were banned from travel to this tropical paradise. An architectural historian by profession, Peter Moruzzi is an acknowledged expert on mid-century Modern architecture and design. He is the founder of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, an internationally recognized historic preservation organization, and the writer/director of Desert Holiday, a documentary film chronicling the history of Palm Springs as seen through vintage postcards. He resides in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles and in Palm Springs.

See Inside Planet Earth


Katie Daynes - 2008
    But it is also under threat. Take a closer look at the challenges facing planet Earth today and discover what we can all do to make a difference.

United Tweets of America: 50 State Birds, Their Stories, Their Glories


Hudson Talbott - 2008
    From Alabama's Yellowhammer to Wyoming's Western Meadowlark, each bird is a winner—and each bird loves to show off the state it calls home. Hudson Talbott has created an inspired introduction to states and their birds. His vibrant, detailed illustrations infuse the birds' interactions with energy and humor, making this a great way to spark kids' interest in United States history, geography, and, of course, wildlife!

Bretz's Flood: The Remarkable Story of a Rebel Geologist and the World's Greatest Flood


John Soennichsen - 2008
    Legendary geologist J Harlen Bretz was the first to explore the area, starting in the 1920s. This dramatic book tells the story of this scientific maverick — how he came to study the region, his radical theory that a flood of biblical proportions created it, and how a campaign by the mainstream geologic community tried to derail him for pursuing an idea that satellite photos would confirm decades later.

The 39 Clues Card Pack For Books 1, 2, and 3


Scholastic Inc. - 2008
    A poison injector ring. Alcatraz. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. What can they possibly have in common? Amy and Dan don't know, but fans of the 39 Clues series will soon find out.The first Cahill card series features 55 thoroughly intriguing evidence cards that kids need to hunt down the 39 Clues. The oversize cards (3.25 x 5) are loaded with top-secret Cahill information and intriguing puzzles that unlock the family's secrets. Each pack contains 16 randomly assorted cards, with at least one rare or ultra-rare card per pack.

Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World


Sean Esbjörn-Hargens - 2008
    With more than two hundred distinct and valuable perspectives on the natural world—and with scientists, economists, ethicists, activists, philosophers, and others often taking completely different stances on the issues—how can we come to agreement to solve our toughest environmental problems? In response to this pressing need, Integral Ecology unites valuable insights from multiple perspectives into a comprehensive theoretical framework—one that can be put to use right now. The framework is based on Integral Theory, as well as Ken Wilber’s AQAL model, and is the result of over a decade of research exploring the myriad perspectives on ecology available to us today and their respective methodologies.Dozens of real-life applications and examples of this framework currently in use are examined, including three in-depth case studies: work with marine fisheries in Hawai’i, strategies of eco-activists to protect Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, and a study of community development in El Salvador. In addition, eighteen personal practices of transformation are provided for you to increase your own integral ecological awareness. Integral Ecology provides the most sophisticated application and extension of Integral Theory available today, and as such it serves as a template for any truly integral effort.

The New Neotropical Companion


John C. Kricher - 2008
    Featuring stunning color photos throughout, it is a sweeping and cutting-edge account of tropical ecology that includes not only tropical rain forests but also other ecosystems such as cloud forests, rivers, savannas, and mountains. This is the only guide to the American tropics that is all-inclusive, encompassing the entire region's ecology and the amazing relationships among species rather than focusing just on species identification.The New Neotropical Companion is a book unlike any other. Here, you will learn how to recognize distinctive ecological patterns of rain forests and other habitats and to interpret how these remarkable ecosystems function—everything is explained in clear and engaging prose free of jargon. You will also be introduced to the region's astonishing plant and animal life.Informative and entertaining, The New Neotropical Companion is a pleasurable escape for armchair naturalists, and visitors to the American tropics will want to refer to this book before, during, and after their trip. Covers all of tropical America Describes the species and habitats most likely to be observed by visitors Includes every major ecosystem, from lowland rain forests to the high Andes Features a wealth of color photos of habitats, plants, and animals

Last Unspoiled Place: Exploring Utah's Logan Canyon


Michael S. Sweeney - 2008
    In Last Unspoiled Place, the magnificent confines of Logan Canyon, Utah, prove the perfect landscape for exploring these beliefs. In brilliant photographs and vivid anecdotes that range from poignant to exhilarating to hilarious, author Michael Sweeney takes us on an unforgettable tour through the canyon's unsullied terrain. As he marks the 41 miles of the national scenic byway that courses through, he reveals Logan's vivid past and astonishing natural history-as well as its closely kept secrets. Anecdotes range from bull snakes to bank robbers, from a legendary witch to the curse of "green invaders," and from the first known human inhabitants-the northwestern Shoshone-to current-day characters such as snowboarders, beekeepers, botanists, and whitewater hounds. In the National Geographic tradition, Last Unspoiled Place is richly illustrated with scores of photographs-both current and historic-that capture the beauty of Logan Canyon and the surrounding Cache Valley.Filled with excitement and brimming with eloquent stories, more than a trip through a canyon, this book is a natural choice for Father's Day and other gift-giving occasions. Eye-catching and affordable, it will grab the attention of audiences interested in adventure, travel, wilderness, history, and the American West.`

13 Buildings Children Should Know


Annette Roeder - 2008
    This unique book brings together thirteen architectural wonders that have intrigued children for years. Through activities such as games, quizzes, drawings and other activities, it teaches them the history behind each of the buildings, and presents fascinating facts about the design, historical use, and construction techniques. This book features pyramids built by men with pulleys, a tower that leans, an opera house shaped like a sailboat, a museum built like a spiral, and the most recent example, a -bird's nest- stadium where the 2008 summer Olympics were held. Each of these buildings and more are introduced to young readers through lively texts and illustrations that will serve to heighten their interest and knowledge about the world's most important architecture, and perhaps inspire them to dream and build on their own.

India: People, Place, Culture, History


Abraham Eraly - 2008
    Through stunning photography and insightful text, India covers the landscape, history, people, culture, and architecture of this vibrant nation.

Up Home


Shauntay Grant - 2008
    This touching poem from spoken-word artist and poet Shauntay Grant offers a child's perspective on growing up in a tight-knit community. Short staccato lines, musicality and the use of real spoken language, and breathtaking illustrations using real models from the community combine in a sensory experience that is sure to wow readers of all ages. Grant's memories of growing up reflect a magical place where landscape, food, history and, most of all, people come together in a community filled with love and beauty. A powerful story with positive images of an important black community.

Go, Go America


Dan Yaccarino - 2008
    So fasten your seat belt and get ready to go, go through fifty states of fun! Snappy, often humorous facts fill each page along with Yaccarino's bold, colorful, quirky illustrations. Also included are maps and cleverly designed backmatter with information every kid needs: state mottos, state flowers, state birds, state trees, state nicknames, etc. This is a rollicking road trip to be visited again and again by readers of all ages on the go, go. About the author: Dan's inspiration for this book came from the road trips he took with his own fabulous family as a kid. He says, I spent a lot of time in the back seat of the family station wagon with my brother and sister as our family traveled the East coast on many road trips. I have amazing memories of touring Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, eating frogs' legs in Georgia, and watching gator wrestling in Florida. These days, Dan travels with his wife and two children to many of the very same destinations. He's even caught himself shouting, Don't make me pull this car over!

Landscapes of Minnesota: A Geography


John Fraser Hart - 2008
    Through engaging, in-depth text and copious illustrations, John Fraser Hart and Susy Svatek Ziegler explore the human and environmental characteristics that define the state in Landscapes of Minnesota.Illustrated with hundreds of maps and color photographs that reveal the changing character of Minnesota, this stunning geography traces the development of the state's natural environment, how the land formations, plants, and animals became a part of its fabric, and how they have changed over time. Focusing on small towns, the authors document patterns of growth and decline, offering striking commentary on these once-key bastions of Minnesota-ness. Turning to the Twin Cities, they analyze the expanding urban arc and the surprising growth of a baby boomer retirement belt. Landscapes of Minnesota explores how the lives and livelihoods of Minnesotans have affected what the state has become and what it will one day be.John Fraser Hartis a professor of geography at the University of Minnesota and a Guggenheim Fellow. Susy Svatek Ziegler is an assistant professor of geography at the University of Minnesota and a Fulbright Scholar.

Your Guide to the Grand Canyon: A Different Perspective: True North Series


Tom Vail - 2008
    It is a World Heritage Site and one of the most amazing features on the face of the planet. The size and majesty of the Canyon is overwhelming, regardless of how many times you have viewed it, how many trails you have hiked, or how many river miles you have traveled. It is also a mystery! Most will agree that the Grand Canyon was carved by water. But how and when is where the mystery lies. Was it formed slowly over millions of years or quickly in a catastrophic event? This debate falls into two camps, which hold to vastly divergent worldviews. This True North Guide examines the geological and ecological evidence and lets you decide which of those worldviews is best supported by the data. *Contains 26 fold-out pages with maps, special overlook features, and more! *Discover the Canyon s wildlife, vegetation, fossils, geology, and history!"

National Geographic Atlas of the Middle East: The Most Concise and Current Source on the World's Most Complex Region


Carl Mehler - 2008
    National Geographic Atlas of the Middle East, Second Edition maps and profiles three new countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. The spread on religion is extended to include an analysis of Sunni and Shi'ite dynamics while the ethnic coverage is expanded to document the plight and increasing influence of the Kurds. New city maps of Istanbul and Dubai are added, as well as a new Israeli-Palestinian Conflict spread with an in-depth time line of 15 maps. A variety of themes are presented, from religion, population, and ethnic and linguistic groups to oil, fresh water, and development indicators such as trade, foreign aid, infant mortality, urbanization, and education. Pictures, flags, fact boxes, and graphs complement these powerful, newsworthy topics. A time line to 2008 and a place-name index make this new atlas a valuable, topical, and fascinating reference.

Design with Constructal Theory


Adrian Bejan - 2008
    This book shows how you can use the method of constructal theory to design human-made systems in order to reduce trial and error and increase the system performance.First developed in the late 1990s, constructal theory holds that flow architecture arises from the natural evolutionary tendency to generate greater flow access in time and in flow configurations that are free to morph. It unites flow systems with solid mechanical structures, which are viewed as systems for the flow of stresses. Constructal theory unites nature with engineering, and helps us generate novel designs across the board, from high-density packages to vascular materials with new functionalities (self-healing, self-cooling), and from tree-shaped heat exchangers to svelte fluid-flow and solid structures.Design with Constructal Theory starts with basic principles and then shows how these principles are applied to understanding and designing increasingly complex systems. Problems and exercises at the end of each chapter give you an opportunity to use constructal theory to solve actual design problems.This book is based on a design course developed by the two authors for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students at Duke University and other universities all over the world. With the authors' expert guidance, students and professionals in mechanical, civil, environmental, chemical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering will understand natural systems, and then practice design as science, by relying on constructal strategies to pursue and discover novel and effective designs.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Harrisburg: Including Lancaster, York, and Surrounding Counties


Matt Willen - 2008
    From rolling hills in Lancaster and York Counties to steep ravines along the Susquehanna River, this region offers hikers a wide array of outdoor experiences. This guide is the first comprehensive hiking tour of the region, and its accessible format brings this diverse natural area closer to hikers than ever before.

The Naming of America: Martin Waldseemüller's 1507 World Map & the Cosmographiae Introductio


Martin Waldseemüller - 2008
    It also includes a completely new translation and commentary to Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann’s seminal cartographic text, the Cosmographiae Introductio, which originally accompanied the World Map.John Hessler considers answers to some of the key questions raised by the map’s representation of the New World, including “How was it possible for a small group of cartographers to have produced a view of the world so radical for its time and so close to the one we recognize today?”; and “What evidence did they possess to show the existence of the Pacific Ocean when neither Vasco Nûnez de Balboa nor Ferdinand Magellan had yet reached it?”. There are no easy answers, and yet, as this fascinating book reveals, this group of unknowns created some of the most important maps in the history of cartography, and afford us a glimpse into an age when accepted scientific and geographic principles fell away, spawning the birth of modernity.

Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas


Matthieu Ricard - 2008
    This work features photographs taken from the hermitage's terrace and surroundings that bears witness to nature's harmony mixing intimately with the peacefulness of meditation."

Legacy Of Stone: Saskatchewan's Stone Buildings


Margaret Hryniuk - 2008
    The book includes an introduction by Bernie Flaman, the provincial heritage architect, an historical overview, and profiles of several of Saskatchewan's most prominent stone masons. The balance of the book is made up of profiles of the buildings - farmhouses, homes in urban communities, places of worship, public buildings and ruins. Margaret Hryniuk, uses her years of journalism experience to present factual yet fascinating profiles of the buildings, and what is known of the people who put them there. Larry Easton's spectacular photgraphs bring these beautiful stone buildings to life, and Frank Kovermaker examines the dimensions and differences of the fieldstone that inhabits the Saskatchewan landscape.

The Netherlands (Eyewitness Travel Guide)


Gerard M. L. Harmans - 2008
    It boasts the Frisian Islands in the north to Zeeland in the south, as well as fine sandy beaches, picturesque villages, and vibrant towns. Amsterdam is one of Europe's great cities of art, and the 3D aerial views are the perfect guide to exploring Amsterdam's canals and squares. Also included are cutaways and floor plans that will ensure that you don't miss anything in the major museums and churches. The guide also provides a wide selection of restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues, as well as sights, festivals and markets listed town by town. Whether your interests lie in cycling the remarkably flat countryside, seeing Delft porcelain being made, or visiting the tulip fields or flower markets, this guide will help you to get the most out of your trip to The Netherlands.Don't miss a thing on your vacation with the "DK Eyewitness Travel" guidebook to The Netherlands.HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Packed with photographs, illustrations, and maps Cutaways and floor plans of all the major sights 3D aerial views of the city's most interesting districts Huge selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues Specially devised walking tours, special events info

Glacier National Park: The First 100 Years


C.W. Guthrie - 2008
    First Place, 2009 APPL Media and Partnership Award, non-association book category.Finalist, 2009 ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards, regional category.This book is also available as a non-returnable limited edition. See ISBN 9781560377494.

Branding New York: How a City in Crisis Was Sold to the World


Miriam Greenberg - 2008
    Greenberg addresses the role of "image" in urban history, showing who produces brands and how, and demonstrates the enormous consequences of branding. She shows that the branding of New York was not simply a marketing tool; rather it was a political strategy meant to legitimatize market-based solutions over social objectives.

Continents & Countries: The Countries and Continents on Earth (Questions & Answers)


Herbert Genzmer - 2008
    This richly illustrated and clearly mapped book introduces readers to the highlights and peculiarities of each country. Its clear structure and attractive layout provide the reader with comprehensive information at a glance.

Restricted Nations: North Korea


The Voice of the Martyrs - 2008
    While many in the country suffer in darkness under a cruel regime, a small light is burning. That light is the piercing light of Jesus Christ’s message of hope. A few North Korean believers are brave enough to return to the nation that once imprisoned them to share the gospel message with those inside dying. Learn the story of the suffering church in North Korea. These testimonies of steadfast saints will give you the strength to live boldly for Christ. You will see how people in North Korea live and will be ready to pray on their behalf.

The Most Fantastic Atlas of the Whole Wide World...By The Brainwaves


Simon Adams - 2008
    Fun and accurate illustrations bring the world to the reader's lap, in this bright and brain-tastic book. Full color.

Sacred Violence: Torture, Terror, and Sovereignty


Paul W. Kahn - 2008
    This book investigates the reasons for the resort to violence.

501 Must-Visit Islands


Emma Beare - 2008
    It will tell you what the general costs are of each island group, what the culture is like, how to get there, the best time of year to go etc.

Iran - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs Culture


Stuart Williams - 2008
    These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships. Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include: * customs, values, and traditions * historical, religious, and political background * life at home * leisure, social, and cultural life * eating and drinking * do's, don'ts, and taboos * business practices * communication, spoken and unspoken

Good Night California


Adam Gamble - 2008
    Each book stars a multicultural group of people visiting the featured area’s attractions and rhythmic language guides children through the passage of both a single day and the four seasons while saluting the iconic aspects of each place.

Signal and Noise: Media, Infrastructure, and Urban Culture in Nigeria


Brian Larkin - 2008
    In this groundbreaking work, Brian Larkin provides a history and ethnography of media in Nigeria, asking what media theory looks like when Nigeria rather than a European nation or the United States is taken as the starting point. Concentrating on the Muslim city of Kano in the north of Nigeria, Larkin charts how the material qualities of technologies and the cultural ambitions they represent feed into the everyday experiences of urban Nigeria. Media technologies were introduced to Nigeria by colonial regimes as part of an attempt to shape political subjects and create modern, urban Africans. Larkin considers the introduction of media along with electric plants and railroads as part of the wider infrastructural project of colonial and postcolonial urbanism. Focusing on radio networks, mobile cinema units, and the building of cinema theaters, he argues that what media come to be in Kano is the outcome of technology’s encounter with the social formations of northern Nigeria and with norms shaped by colonialism, postcolonial nationalism, and Islam. Larkin examines how media technologies produce the modes of leisure and cultural forms of urban Africa by analyzing the circulation of Hindi films to Muslim Nigeria, the leisure practices of Hausa cinemagoers in Kano, and the dynamic emergence of Nigerian video films. His analysis highlights the diverse, unexpected media forms and practices that thrive in urban Africa. Signal and Noise brings anthropology and media together in an original analysis of media’s place in urban life.

Asia (A True Book: Continents)


Gary Drevitch - 2008
    Readers will get to know each continents' geography, history, wildlife and future outlook. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.

The Field Guide to Ocean Animals


Phyllis Perry - 2008
    In this vibrantly illustrated, interactive book, young readers take a safe deep-sea dive into the fascinating realm of Australia's Great Barrier Reef! Future oceanographers follow the trail of some of the most magnificent creatures on earth, including the powerful gray reef shark, the graceful yet deadly man-of-war, and the paralyzing blue-ringed octopus. To add to the fun, the book includes 64 pieces to assemble all eight of the animals profiled, with an exquisite removable diorama providing a realistic backdrop.

The Cultural Geography Reader


Timothy Oakes - 2008
    Readings have been selected based on their originality, accessibility and empirical focus, allowing students to grasp the conceptual and theoretical tools of cultural geography through the grounded research of leading scholars in the field. Each of the eight sections begins with an introduction that discusses the key concepts, its history and relation to cultural geography and connections to other disciplines and practices. Six to seven abridged book chapters and journal articles, each with their own focused introductions, are also included in each section.The readability, broad scope, and coverage of both classic and contemporary pieces from the US and UK makes The Cultural Geography Reader relevant and accessible for a broad audience of undergraduate students and graduate students alike. It bridges the different national traditions in the US and UK, as well as introducing the span of classic and contemporary cultural geography. In doing so, it provides the instructor and student with a versatile yet enduring benchmark text.

Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills


Scot Ritchie - 2008
    Maps can help children understand and explore both their everyday environment and faraway places. With an appealing search-and-find technique, Follow That Map! is an interactive picture book that explains and demonstrates key mapping concepts. Kids will enjoy following Sally and her friends as they search for Max and Ollie, a mischievous dog and cat on the lam from the backyard. Sally and friends take an imaginative trip through the neighborhood, city and country, around the world and beyond. Kids can join in the search for Max and Ollie, who are hiding somewhere in every map. An activity at the end of the book shows children how to make a map of their bedroom.

Over the Rivers: An Aerial View of Geology


Michael Collier - 2008
    As as a geologist, one of America's premier aerial photographers and a gifted science writer, Michael Collier is exceptionally well qualified to present these spectacular landscapes and stunning aerial photographs that vividly demonstrate geological processes.Vivid text and clear captions guide readers through the exciting photographs, enhancing their understanding of fundamental geological processes. Collier explores, for example:How a 6,000-foot-deep canyon was carved out by the erosive power of a single river How violent tectonic forces millions of years ago vaulted a river over a mountain Why one river takes its time meandering, another suddenly drops over a cliff, and a third slowly separates into a sprawling delta. Over the Rivers inspires as it informs, and dazzles as it enlightens.

Concentration Camps in Nazi Germany: The New Histories


Jane Caplan - 2008
    Established during the first months of the Nazi dictatorship in 1933, several million men, women and children of many nationalities had been incarcerated in the camps by the end of the Second World War. At least two million lost their lives.This comprehensive volume offers the first overview of the recent scholarship that has changed the way the camps are studied over the last two decades. Written by an international team of experts, the book covers such topics as the earliest camps; social life, work and personnel in the camps; the public face of the camps; issues of gender and commemoration; and the relationship between concentration camps and the Final Solution. The book provides a comprehensive introduction to the current historiography of the camps, highlighting the key conclusions that have been made, commenting on continuing areas of debate, and suggesting possible directions for future research.

Chaat & Sweets


Amy Wilson Sanger - 2008
    Scrumptious treats like bhel puri (rice puff salad), tandoori chicken, and sweet coconut cham-cham, look good enough to eat in Wilson Sanger's gorgeous collage art, while her trademark bouncy text will please little ears.  World Snacks books have sold more than 160,000 copies. Includes punctuation guide and glossary of Indian terms used in the book.

Hope in Shadows: Stories and Photographs of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside


Brad Cran - 2008
    A prosperous urban center, it is also home to the Downtown Eastside, Canada’s poorest neighborhood and one of North America’s most notorious districts, a bleak landscape transformed by addiction and poverty. But many of its residents defy these surroundings, driven by a sense of community, kinship, and, above all, hope. This book is a project of the Pivot Legal Society, which supplied cameras to the Downtown Eastside’s residents to document their own lives; the result, accompanied by moving first-person narratives, is an intimate social documentary of an at-risk urban community that will change one’s view of society as we know it, and of those who are forced to live in its shadows.

A Child's Geography: Explore the Holy Land: Volume II [With CDROM]


Ann Voskamp - 2008
    In an increasingly complex world, it is vitally important that children learn to see the world through their Creator's eyes. As we explore the Holy Land you and your family will delight in incredible, mysterious landscapes, hidden wonders and beautiful peoples—all created in God's image. We will travel through the lands of Scripture, discovering familiar Biblical landmarks, such as the possible resting place of Noah's Ark, the remains of the Tower of Babel, the tracks of Moses up to the peak of Mount Sinai.

A Historical Geography of China


Yi-Fu Tuan - 2008
    Signs of man's presence vary from the obvious to the extremely subtle. The building of roads, bridges, dams, and factories, and the consolidation of farm holdings alter the Chinese landscape and these alterations seem all the more conspicuous because they introduce features that are not distinctively Chinese. In contrast, traditional forms and architectural relics escape our attention because they are so identified with the Chinese scene that they appear to be almost outgrowths of nature. Describing the natural order of human beings in the context of the Chinese earth and civilization, "A Historical Geography of China" narrates the evolution of the Chinese landscape from prehistoric times to the present.Tuan views landscape as a visible expression of man's efforts to gain a living and achieve a measure of stability in the constant flux of nature. The book ranges the period of time from Peking man to the epoch of Mao Tse-tung. It moves through the ancient and modern dynasties, the warlords and conquests, earthquakes, devastating floods, climatic reversals, and staggering civil wars to the impact of Western civilization and industrialization. The emphasis throughout is on the effect of a changing environment on succeeding cultures.This classic study attempts to analyze and describe traditional Chinese settlement patterns and architecture. The result is a clear and succinct examination of the development of the Chinese landscape over thousands of years. It describes the ways the Communist regime worked to alter the face of the nation. This work will quickly prove to be crucial reading for all who are interested in this pivotal nation. It goes far beyond the usual political spectrum, into the physical and social roots of Chinese history.

Working the Woods, Working the Sea: An Anthology of Northwest Writings


Finn Wilcox - 2008
    Essays. Poetry. WORKING THE WOODS, WORKING THE SEA is a unique collection of poetry and prose by Gary Snyder, Tom Jay, Holly Hughes, Tim McNulty, Jim Dodge and many more of the North Pacific Coast. Deeply connected to the earth and sea through physical work, these writers speak eloquently of the beauty and power of their environments and of their shared labor and sense of community. With its wit, song and wisdom, this book will take you out to sea and "back to the land."

Xerophilia: Ecocritical Explorations in Southwestern Literature


Tom Lynch - 2008
    Extending this term to include the region’s writers and the works that mirror their love of desert places, Tom Lynch presents the first systematically ecocritical study of its multicultural literature. By revaluing nature and by shifting literary analysis from an anthropocentric focus to an ecocentric one, Xerophilia demonstrates how a bioregional orientation opens new ways of thinking about the relationship between literature and place. Applying such diverse approaches as environmental justice theory, phenomenology, border studies, ethnography, entomology, conservation biology, environmental history, and ecoaesthetics, Lynch demonstrates how a rooted literature can be symbiotic with the world that enables and sustains it. Analyzing works in a variety of genres by writers such as Leslie Marmon Silko, Terry Tempest Williams, Edward Abbey, Ray Gonzales, Charles Bowden, Susan Tweit, Gary Paul Nabhan, Pat Mora, Ann Zwinger, and Janice Emily Bowers, this study reveals how southwestern writers, in their powerful role as community storytellers, contribute to a sustainable bioregional culture that persuades inhabitants to live imaginatively, intellectually, and morally in the arid bioregions of the American Southwest.

Mountains of Africa


Duncan Souchon - 2008
    the volcanic highlands of the Drakensberg/Maluti, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kenya, Tsodilo Hills, Mount Sinai, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and of course Table Mountain, the jewel in South African tourism. Mountains of Africa is a journey of both historical and modern travel: walk alongside great explorers of bygone eras while reading about modern-day activities available for mountain enthusiasts. Also covered are people's interactions with the mountains from the perspective of the people living in the surrounds, as well as information found in geological, geographical and pioneering history, and substantial reference is made to particular mountains that are natural sanctuary to certain endangered animals, and to the vegetation and protected parks and areas.

Are We There Yet?: The Golden Age of American Family Vacations


Susan Rugh - 2008
    Every summer, parents piled the kids in the back seat, threw the luggage in the trunk, and took to the open highway. Chronicling this innately American ritual, Susan Rugh presents a cultural history of the American middle-class family vacation from 1945 to 1973, tracing its evolution from the establishment of this summer tradition to its decline.The first in-depth look at post-World War II family travel, Rugh's study recounts how postwar prosperity and mass consumption--abetted by paid vacation leave, car ownership, and the new interstate highway system--forged the ritual of the family road trip and how that ritual became entwined with what it meant to be an American. With each car a safe haven from the Cold War, vacations became a means of strengthening family bonds and educating children in parental values, national heritage, and citizenship.Rugh's history looks closely at specific types of trips, from adventures in the Wild West to camping vacations in national parks to summers at Catskill resorts. It also highlights changing patterns of family life, such as the relationship between work and play, the increase in the number of working women, and the generation gap of the sixties.Distinctively, Rugh also plumbs NAACP archives and travel guides marketed specifically to blacks to examine the racial boundaries of road trips in light of segregated public accommodations that forced many black families to sleep in cars--a humiliation that helped spark the civil rights struggle. In addition, she explains how the experience of family camping predisposed baby boomers toward a strong environmental consciousness.Until the 1970s recession ended three decades of prosperity and the traditional nuclear family began to splinter, these family vacations were securely woven into the fabric of American life. Rugh's book allows readers to relive those wondrous wanderings across the American landscape and to better understand how they helped define an essential aspect of American culture. Notwithstanding the rueful memories of discomforts and squabbles in a crowded car, those were magical times for many of the nation's families.

Nebraska's Cowboy Trail: A User's Guide


Keith Terry - 2008
    Now the 321-mile-long rail line is being remade into Nebraska’s first state recreational trail which, when completed, will become the nation’s longest rail-to-trail conversion. Nebraska’s Cowboy Trail: A User’s Guide is the essential companion for anyone planning to hike, bike, or ride horseback on the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail, which currently extends from Norfolk to Valentine and will eventually stretch all the way to Chadron. The trail runs through numerous communities, accommodates multiple uses, and provides an up-close look at the ecology of the Great Plains—a view too easily missed when speeding by in a car. Keith Terry’s guidebook enhances appreciation of the trail’s natural advantages with descriptions of the region’s flora and fauna and with pointers for food, lodging, and camping. He also provides brief narratives about historical events that occurred along the route. This guide illuminates a historical corridor of the Great Plains and will heighten the trail user’s experience.

Spirit of India: An Exotic Land of History, Culture and Color


Gill Davies - 2008
    Each very different environment is brought dazzlingly to life through a stunning combination of words and pictures. Superb color photographs reveal the great beauty of the landscape and its wildlife. Meet Indias peoples and discover their history and traditions. Take a closer look at some of the planets most amazing creatures. Discover the diversity of Indias spectacular buildings - temples, forts, palaces, and much, much more. In this highly illustrated book 300 photographs and fascinating text combine to uncover the unquenchable spirit of India.

Top 100 Birding Sites of the World


Dominic Couzens - 2008
    This gorgeous book describes the one hundred best bird-watching sites on the planet. Introductory sections give an overview of each continent or region, and then each site is listed and ranked on a country-by-country basis. The entries all include a full description, a list of key species, a map, and information on the best time of year to visit. Lavish color photographs capture rare and elusive species as well as some of the world's best avian spectacles, such as the snow goose blizzard at Bosque del Apache and the flocks of lesser flamingos on Africa's Rift Valley lakes. Many birding sites are included for their unique avifauna, endemics, and oddities—the Seychelles, Andasibe in Madagascar, Taveuni in Fiji, and the Alaka`i wilderness in Hawaii, among others. With its truly global coverage—of the huge flocks of wintering geese in Britain and the United States, the cranes in both Japan and France, the "river of raptors" passage at Veracruz in Mexico, and much more—this book will inform and inspire anyone who plans to visit, or who dreams of visiting, these extraordinary locations. Copub: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.

Spirit of China


Parragon Books - 2008
    Related to many aspects of Chinese history, philosophy, and lifestyle, the five elments serve as starting points for you to explore this unique country.

Native North America


Larry Zimmerman - 2008
    Trade Paperback

Dirty Combat: Secret Wars and Serious Misadventures


David Tomkins - 2008
    From the bloody plains of Angola to the jungles of Colombia, David Tomkins’ career as a safe-breaker, arms dealer, and mercenary spans five decades. Born in London during World War II, he was hospitalized for a time in a psychiatric ward and sent to reform school after he was deemed "beyond parental control." Later, following a spell in the Merchant Navy, he graduated from safe-blower to demolitions expert with a notorious mercenary army in Angola. From intrigue in Mayfair offices to tribal lands in Pakistan, Tomkins’ story reads like a real-life version of a Tom Clancy thriller. It is a shocking account of crime and corruption, and the scope of his activities will amaze and intrigue.

The Elusive God: Reorienting Religious Epistemology


Paul K. Moser - 2008
    First, if God's existence is hidden, why suppose He exists at all? Second, if God exists, why is He hidden, particularly if God seeks to communicate with people? Third, what are the implications of divine hiddenness for philosophy, theology, and religion's supposed knowledge of God? This book answers these questions on the basis of a new account of evidence and knowledge of divine reality that challenges skepticism about God's existence. The central thesis is that we should expect evidence of divine reality to be purposively available to humans, that is, available only in a manner suitable to divine purposes in self-revelation. This lesson generates a seismic shift in our understanding of evidence and knowledge of divine reality. The result is a needed reorienting of religious epistemology to accommodate the character and purposes of an authoritative, perfectly loving God.

China: A Portrait of the People, Place and Culture


Alison Bailey - 2008
    This title features seven hundred photographs that explore various aspects of the world's oldest civilization; from China's stunning landscapes, extraordinary 4,000 year history to ancient philosophical traditions which are still alive.

Migrant Imaginaries: Latino Cultural Politics in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands


Alicia Schmidt Camacho - 2008
    Working through key historical moments such as the 1930s, the Chicano Movement, and contemporary globalization and neoliberalism, Alicia Schmidt Camacho examines the relationship between ethnic Mexican expressive culture and the practices sustaining migrant social movements. Combining sustained historical engagement with theoretical inquiries, she addresses how struggles for racial and gender equity, cross-border unity, and economic justice have defined the Mexican presence in the United States since 1910.Schmidt Camacho covers a range of archives and sources, including migrant testimonials and songs, Amrico Parede's last published novel, The Shadow, the film Salt of the Earth, the foundational manifestos of El Movimiento, Richard Rodriguez's memoirs, narratives by Marisela Norte and Rosario Sanmiguel, and testimonios of Mexican women workers and human rights activists, as well as significant ethnographic research. Throughout, she demonstrates how Mexicans and Mexican Americans imagined their communal ties across the border, and used those bonds to contest their noncitizen status. Migrant Imaginaries places migrants at the center of the hemisphere's most pressing concerns, contending that border crossers have long been vital to social change.

Lin Yi's Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale


Brenda Williams - 2008
    If he bargains well, he can purchase a red rabbit lantern for himself. But he must purchase everything on his mother's list first! This heart-warming story will resonate with both children and adults, as they learn about the wonderful Chinese Moon Festival and the rewards that come from putting others first. Set in China, this story offers an opportunity to learn about Chinese customs through the accessible story of a young boy who has his heart set on buying a lantern for the festival. This book includes informative notes about life in rural China and the Moon Festival, celebrated in October. Personal and Social Development - Lin Yi faces a moral dilemma, and learns that doing the right thing for its own sake is the best course of action, and that luck may shine on those who act morally.

Plants at the Margin: Ecological Limits and Climate Change


R.M.M. Crawford - 2008
    Crawford's numerous beautiful illustrations of plants in their natural habitats remind us that the environment remains essential to our understanding of plants and their function. This book is suited to students, researchers and anyone with an interest in the impact of climate change on our world.

Looking at Ethiopia


Kathleen Pohl - 2008
    They'll earn about life in Ethiopia, from camels to coffee and from droughts to deserts. Readers will enjoy the maps and fun fact boxes that support this text.

New York City Neighborhoods: The 18th Century


Nan A. Rothschild - 2008
    A new introduction by the author updates her analysis in light of subsequent excavations at urban sites (both in New York and elsewhere) and theoretical advances in the understanding of urban public space. Originally published by Academic Press in 1990.

Rainforest Safari


James Parry - 2008
    'Rainforest Safari' takes a unique approach to the subject of wildlife-viewing in these incredible areas of bio-diversity, featuring 25 of the world's most incredible rainforest areas.

Children's Great Explorers Encyclopedia


Simon Adams - 2008
    Introduces leading explorers and their discoveries from the early Egyptians and Phoenicians to the moon landings, and describes their reasons for traveling, the places they saw, and the adventures and dangers they experienced.

Vanishing Tibet


Danny Conant - 2008
    Instead, to their infinite dismay, they discovered a Tibet whose soul is gradually disappearing. The loss is pervasive - cultural, environmental, economic, religious - and seemingly inexorable." "Vanishing Tibet is about the recent changes that have befallen this captive land. A massive influx of Chinese immigrants, arriving via the newly constructed Beijing-Lhasa Railway, has quickly displaced many city-dwellers from their very homes and jobs. The countryside has also suffered: rampant deforestation, unregulated mining, and poorly planned farming have exacted a terrible toll on Tibet's delicate ecosystem." Through their photographs, Conant and Steinmann seek to record this disappearing culture - yet their work transcends simple documentation. The artists developed stunningly creative and innovative techniques that meaningfully relate medium to subject matter; for example, images of religious life are transferred to metal and molded into the shape of Tibetan prayer wheels, images of the land and people are printed on Asian paper and hung like Tibetan prayer flags, images of monastery offering candles glow after being dipped into an encaustic wax, and, in an invocation of the Tibetan tangka, photo montages are transferred to scrolls of painted fabric. These inventive techniques not only dramatically underscore the context of the images, they also produce gorgeously nuanced works of art that pay homage to a vanishing Tibet.

Carnival Masks of Venice: A Photographic Essay


J.C. Brown - 2008
    The tradition of wearing a mask to hide your identity and allow you to misbehave with impunity is ancient, but only in Venice is the tradition kept so alive today. This pictorial essay on the disguises that characterize Carnival will delight and inspire by examining the history of the event and providing a clear explanation of the different types of mask in use. With 125 exceptionally beautiful photographs, all presented with the highest of production standards, this exquisite record is a true treasure.

Welcome To China


Caryn Jenner - 2008
    Discover all about China's amazing past, what life is like today and the exciting future of this country.

Historical Atlas of Toronto


Derek Hayes - 2008
    This book is the first to illustrate Toronto's history through contemporary maps, drawn at the time to record, promote or illustrate major events. Collected together for the first time, these beautiful, revelatory documents add up to a fascinating visual history of the city's development. The book covers all of today's Greater Toronto Area, from Mississauga in the west to Oshawa in the east.

Sir Francis Drake and His Daring Deeds


Andrew Donkin - 2008
    He also discusses how in Drake's later years he was chosen as the mayor of Plymouth, represented Bossiney in Parliament and found fame as one of the great warriors of the Tudor period.

Our California


Pam Muñoz Ryan - 2008
    Spirited poems celebrate California's major cities and regions. Backmatter includes state symbols and additional information about each place.Bold paintings by illustrator Rafael López capture the spirit of the land.

Greetings From The 50 States: How They Got Their Names


Sheila Keenan - 2008
    Behind each state's name is a story of how Americans felt about the land they settled, how they connected to its history and geography, and how they recognized its unique character.

B Is for Big Ben: An England Alphabet


Pamela Duncan Edwards - 2008
    In B is for Big Ben: An England Alphabet, young readers are given an armchair tour of a country that may be small in size (smaller than the state of New York ) but a giant in history, achievement, and influence. Of course, everyone has heard about England's famous kings and queens, and castles and monuments. But did you know that many of our everyday conveniences started as British ideas? Charles Babbage designed the first calculating machine in the nineteenth century. And guess what contribution came from the Earl of Sandwich? From the ancient stillness of Stonehenge to the picturesque charm of the Lake District to the bustling streets of London, B is for Big Ben reveals the many treasures, past and present, of merry old England.

Stopping Mass Killings in Africa: Genocide, Airpower, and Intervention


Douglas C. Peifer - 2008
    The writers examine recent instances of genocide in Somalia, Rwanda, and Côte d'Ivoire to draw out useful generalizations concerning the nature of genocide, international reactions to genocide, and effective responses to genocide and the possibility of genocide. Dr. Douglas C. Peifer is an associate professor in the Department of Strategy and Leadership at the US Air War College.

We Shall Independent Be: African American Place-Making and the Struggle to Claim Space in the United States


Angel David Nieves - 2008
    As these essays attest, Black self-determination was central to the methods African Americans employed in their quest to establish a sense of permanence and place in the United States.Contributors define space to include physical, social, and intellectual sites throughout the Northern and Southern regions of the United States, ranging from urban milieus to the suburbs and even to swamps and forests. They explore under-represented locations such as burial grounds, courtrooms, schools, and churches. Moreover, contributors demonstrate how Black consciousness and ideology challenged key concepts of American democracy - such as freedom, justice, citizenship, and equality - establishing African American space in social and intellectual areas.Ultimately, "We Shall Independent Be " recovers the voices of African American men and women from the antebellum United States through the present and chronicles their quest to assert their right to a place in American society. By identifying, examining, and telling the stories of contested sites, this volume demonstrates the power of African American self-definition and agency in the process of staking a physical and ideological claim to public space

Geography-Based Writing Lessons: Incorporating Beautiful Feet Books' Geography Through Literature Course (Hardcopy)


Maria Gerber - 2008
    While students learn history and geography from the Caldecott and Newbery award-winning works of Mr. Holling, they will also enjoy discovering the principles of writing with structure and style developed by Andrew Pudewa.

Dirt: New Geographies of Cleanliness and Contamination


Rosie Cox - 2008
    Yet this very fact means that we seldom stop to question what we mean by dirt. What do our attitudes to dirt and cleanliness tell us about ourselves and the societies we live in? The contributors to this work expose the interests which underlie everyday conceptions of dirt and reveal how our ideas about it are intimately bound up with issues of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality and the body. Exploring a wide variety of settings--domestic, urban and rural--this original work reveals how attitudes to dirt and cleanliness become manifest in surprisingly diverse ways, including the rituals associated with death and burial; interior and architectural design aesthetics; urban infrastructure, regeneration and renewal; film symbolism; and consumer attitudes to food.A rich and challenging work that extends our understanding of the cultural manifestations of dirt and cleanliness.