Books for/about - ecology

Publisher: Rodale Books
Authors: Al Gore

ISBN: 1594865671
List Price: $21.95
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Summary: John Stossel said global warming is a myth and he's right!!!!
John stossel, a TV journalist, provides a devastating critique of scientific opinion on global warming in his god-inspired book MYTH LIES AND DOWNRIGHT STUPIDITY.

Read it, or just listen to John, and you'll find out that carbon dioxide gas and all our pollution is actually good for the environment. I suspected as much and John confirmed it.

Why are we so much better off now if pollution is so bad? That's just one of John's infallible arguments. Pollution, Stossle says, is actually why our society is so much better off now. Think about the places where there isn't much pollution (Iraq, North Korea, etc). Perhaps by invading Iraq, we can pollute it and thereby make it better. Makes sense to me.

I give the book 5 stars because I think Al Gore cares about the environment, just like I do. But he should read Stossel's book. Since reading it, I've decided even on a teacher's salary I need to do my part in helping the environment. I've bought 4 hummers and I drive them as much as possible, even just to go down the block. Sometimes I even leave them running idle.

As always the market knows what's best for us, even when our dumb phd scientists say otherwise.

Summary: Must be read along with "The Weathermakers"
This book excels not so much in what is written, but what is pictured. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this book is worth billions. You cannot argue with the visual evidence that we are destroying the only home we have and that we are very quickly reaching a point of no return.

Mr. Gore presents his data in a very compelling manner and does not have the heavy hand approach of "The Weathermakers", which is an equally compelling, but more science laden approach to the same issue.

With 5% of the worlds' population creating 30% of the worlds' global warming, it is the moral duty of every American to become knowledgeable on the issue of global warming.

Reading this book along with "The Weathermakers", will give the reader the basis to form his or her own educated opinion. It appears the current administration is unwilling to even consider this issue. It is therefore extremely important that Americans inform themselves.

This is a must read for anyone who is even remotely concerned aboot the world we are leaving to future generations.

Summary: We can only hope that during our death....
We can only hope that during our DEATH we do not regret our LIFE.

Bravo and Thank You Paul Maddams for your beautiful message
in your book "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.SIDNEY".
Your words touch our hearts.
Tears are welling up in our eyes when we understand what the most precious treasures in life are : Love and Family !
Your book should be read by everybody on Earth !
Love, dreams, children, grandchildren and family should be
the main purpose of every human being.
Yes, I just want to live "My Life" to the fullest, being in love and surrounded by all my dearest ones with love !

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The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Publisher: William Morrow
Authors: Douglas Brinkley

ISBN: 0061124230
List Price: $29.95
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Summary: Heroes exist even when surrounded by incompetence
In reading Brinkley's book I found myself getting angry as I read each chapter. Many times I had to set the book down and come back to it better composed a few days later. How anyone can read this and re-elect the Mayor of New Orleans who did nothing to dispel rumors, exhibit any leadership or do anything other than be concerned for his own safety is beyond my comprehension.The NOPD did little to dispel any view that they were insensitive or disinterested. I am certain there were many fine police officers who never left their posts and worked to provide aid to the citizens even when faced with losing their own homes and belongings. Unfortunately their deeds are overshadowed in this work.

In spite of the failings of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary (Chertoff)heroes were abundant in this book. Everyday people took risks that the government wouldn't take to rescue fellow citizens and strangers alike. Rescuing in boats, delivering food and water, working in medical triage were just a few of the unspoken heroes. While this was a tragedy of epic proportion, fast action by regular folks kept more people from dying as a result of Katrina and the related floods.

I hope that I never have to rely on FEMA or Homeland Security. Chertoff's aloof and detached approach to this situation is deplorable and unforgivable. The President didn't get it either. And when he did he failed to act decisively or timely. All I need to know about FEMA is shared in two passages. One group of first responder rescue teams was diverted to Atlanta for two days of diversity and sexual harrassment training prior to being allowed into New Orleans. Medical personnel (doctors) who arrived in New Orleans on their own (at their own expense) were ordered not to treat the sick and dying because they weren't properly credentialed by FEMA. Ever hear of good samaritan laws FEMA?

I think if I need relief supplies, I'd rather count on Wal-Mart. Their logistics people had staged food and water outside the storm zone and reacted quickly to bring necessary supplies in to give away while FEMA still had truckloads of bagged ice being shipped around the country from never really finding a place to deliver it. And when it comes to emergency transportation, FEMA had contracted with Landstar for buses. Unfortunately Landstar is a freight company that owns no buses and they resorted to calling Carey Limousine to help them find buses. This was all happening while the National Bus Operators Organization offered buses and drivers (at no cost) to assist with evacuating the Superdome and Convention Center.

This was an overwhelming tragedy. The State of Louisiana and its leadership did the best it could faced with huge challenges. No governor before had ever faced something of this magnitude and hopefully no one will again. Not enough was told about the incredible work of the Wildlife and Fisheries department and the US Coast Guard running thousands of rescue boat operations and helicopter flights. They too are heroes of Katrina.

It will be years before the scars of Katrina are healed. Hopefully all the of agencies (state, federal and charitable)that usually work on these events will be better prepared and learn from the mistakes of Katrina's first seven days.

Summary: Information you need to know about this Hurricane
Emotional and gripping, chock full of the little known details that explain the politics behind the foundering of this majestic city. This book is huge, yet you will feel compelled to finish. Ive never enjoyed nonfiction so much.

Summary: Comprehensive
This is a staggering acheivement. Brinkley is able to summarize all kinds of data -- political, social, medical, economic -- and package it into a lively, compelling narrative. This will long be the book of record on America's greatest natural disaster.

I visited New Orleans the week before Katrina. Four months later we moved there and bought a house to help in the rebuilding efforts. I struggle to communicate to people the extend of the devastation here. This book is the one indispensible guide.

And this massive, heavy work remains utterly readable. Brinkley is a master of simple prose.

Politics? There is something here for everyone. Liberals will appreciate Brinkley's subtle left-wing bias. Conservatives will appreciate the unavoidable conclusion that Katrina revealed the utter uselessness of gov't to help in such crises.

Those who want to blame Nagin and local NOLA corrupt gov't are right. AND those who want to blame Blanco and Baton Rouge are right. AND those who want to blame Michael Brown, Bush, FEMA and Washington are right. The failure of all levels of gov't, Brinkley proves by example after example, was total and profound and stunning. Most readers will conclude that the gov't actually did slightly more harm than good in the early days of the flood. That the human loss was not even worse was the result of thousands of acts of heroism and rescue from churches, neighbors, and sometimes even corporations (like American Airlines, who evacuated plane loads before the first FEMA person stepped foot in the city).

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	Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) Publisher: Brooks Cole Authors: Jr., G. Tyler Miller
ISBN: 0534397980 List Price: $120.95 Amazon Price: This item is currently not available. Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: Reviews, anyone? This is an excellent textbook, one that I have used in two of my Environmental Science classes (namely, Environmental Problems of Man [Bio 11], and Energy for the Future [Envi Sci 1].) While not completely without bias (which is mostly subtle, and not totally incorrect), the book offers a solid introduction to many environmental issues. The introduction chapter of the textbook states that environmental science is interdisciplinary, and the book is laid out accordingly. Chapters run the gamut from biology, chemisty, simple physics, and pure ecological common sense. An excellent purchase for any serious scientist and/or conscientious environmentalist. Summary: hmm I'm kinda dissappointed because the seller stated that this book is hardcovered. But when I received it, it was copied and paperback. Summary: Required Reading I bought this book for my class because it was cheaper at Amazon than at my school's bookstore. (shipping was cheaper too!) It's not an exciting read, but has some valuable information about how us humans are ruining the Earth with our SUVs and abuse of fossil fuels. Summary:

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Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future (9th Edition)

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Authors: Richard T. Wright

ISBN: 0131442007
List Price: $116.00
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Summary: Interestign articles with a thick political spin
This revision must have been specially produced just to include all the anti-Bush rhetoric. In nearly every chapter, responsibility for the current state of the environment is laid squarly on President Bush's administration.

In addition, there are no references given for any of the information presented in the book. As a student, we are expected to take this author's word for it that everything he has presented is true and accurate, and that he is simply a repository for all of this accurate information. In fact, the lack of references is absolutely striking when you consider this is a textbook that is supposedly presenting facts. The only references given are those for photo credits.

Unfit as a college textbook.

Summary: One of the Best
This is one of the most readable environmental texts I've seen.
It is very comprehnsive and the coverage of the newest scientific results in the science of resource conservation is simply excellent. The content is oriented around a group of themes and applied to the concept of ecosystems and their management. Is almost as if the author has takrn the first halting steps toward a unified environmental theory.

Two negative points though. Coverage of forest resources is a little thin, and like most textbooks, the price is way too high.

Summary: Making environmental science relevant
Professor Richard Wright has succeeded where so many others have failed, by creating a textbook that makes the subject of environmental science relevant. After all, most students taking a course that uses this book are doing so because it's required, rather than as an elective.
As an adjunct professor of environmental science at Endicott College, I have reviewed many textbooks for possible use in introductory courses. This one is a standout, and based on feedback from students over the past four years, they, too, agree.
The text is easy to read, and enhanced by many graphs, charts and photographs.

David Liscio, adjunct professor, Endicott College, Beverly, MA

Summary:

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Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Publisher: North Point Press
Authors: William McDonough Michael Braungart

ISBN: 0865475873
List Price: $25.00
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Summary: a detail?
It's about the weight of the book. It might be a detail but the material used for this book makes it a lot more heavier than a normal book. On a large scale shipment and distribution, won't it have important consequences on fuel consumption ?

Summary: GREAT BOOK
This book was so innovative and insightful. It was full of clear and engaging examples and was extremely enjoyable to read. I liked the positive message and argument that destroyed typical criticisms of environmentalism. Here William McDonough shows why rethinking the way we make things can be cheaper, healthier, and more enjoyable. He gets rid of the fallacies that pessimists front and opens up a way to think about the products and services we consume that is amazingly clear, sensible, and easily sustainable.

A must for everyone - especially designers and businesspeople that want to live right and create products and services of enduring quality and real worth.

Summary: everyone needs to read this book
human civilization is heading for a black diamond of a slope. we are going steep and deep. everyone needs to sharpen their edges. plus the book is printed on recycled plastic. it's waterproof and extremely durable and full of wisdom. it should be required reading in school. it is the sustainable vision of the future we must embrace.

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	Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems Publisher: Chesapeake Seaglass Pub. Authors: Richard LaMotte Sally Lamotte Crane Celia Pearson
ISBN: 0975324608 List Price: $34.95 Amazon Price: $23.07 Usually ships in 24 hours Buy this book from amazon.com or from amazon.co.uk	Avg Cusomer Rating: 5 Reviews: Summary: Great writing, spectacular photos, and true love for the subject! A friend had a copy of this book on her coffee table, and after only a quick glance, I knew I had to have my own! But let me warn you, it will turn any casual beachcomber picking up bits and pieces of sea glass into a passionate, even obsessive collector. The author shares impeccable research as well as a love for this gift of nature that is just irresistible. Give this book to anyone who loves sea glass--and you'll be overwhelmed by the thanks you'll get! First, though, treat yourself to a copy--it's just wonderful. Summary: A truly unique and beautiful artbook Winner of the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award, Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems is a beautiful tour for collectors, beachcombers, and nature enthusiasts. Over 150 photographs of the natural treasures include numerous samples of collected sea glass and artworks created from sea glass, while chapters cover where and how to find sea glass, its many types and colors, appraising its rarity, a history of sea glass, and much more. A truly unique and beautiful artbook, written by an experienced sea glass collector and retailer and photographed by a master. Summary: Pure Sea Glass a Pure Delight! Pure Sea Glass by Richard LaMotte is an awesome book. If you are into sea glass or want to get into it or are curious about just what on earth sea glass is...this is the book you need. It has interesting, historical facts, gorgeous, close-up photos, and is extremely well-researched. I have collected Sea Glass my whole life, becaue it was "pretty". (We always called it smooth glass). There is soooo much more to this interesting glass than just its' pretty looks. Mr. LaMotte offers detailed descriptions of the chemical compositions of various glasses and a unique look at the history of glass ware. And what a thrill to learn that I own several extremely rare pieces! Who knew? Check this book out...you'll be pleasantly surprised. It also makes a great coffee table book for those of you that don't really want to read anything but want a beautiful book on your table! Summary:

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Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers

Publisher: Viking Adult
Authors: Amy Sutherland

ISBN: 0670037680
List Price: $25.95
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Summary: Excellent Read! Minor Caveat.
What a wonderful, captivating book! Amy Sutherland is a top notch writer. Her journalistic view of EATM, the teaching zoo at Moorpark College in California is fun, funny, poignant and sometimes heartbreaking. The pages turned and turned and turned long after I planned to be in bed fast asleep!

I want to point out that there is a minor error in the later part of the text. As the book indicates, Karen Pryor is, indeed, a revolutionary teacher. She has been awarded by the International Association of Behavior Analysis for her dissemination of behavior analysis to the public. I credit her book, Don't Shoot The Dog, and thank her as the author for my decision to become a behavior analyst.

However, the book implies that Karen Pryor's TagTeach system (referred to but not directly named in the book) is the entree of operant conditioning into the teaching of yet another species-humans.

In fact, behavior analysts and psychologists have been using operant conditioning with humans for many decades. This is one case in which work with humans has actually informed work with animals, as well as the other way around. There are published articles on this work as early as the 1950s. Marian Breland Bailey used a clicker (then called a cricket) in training children with mental retardation in the 1950s. The autism treatment field today is dominated by behavior analysts who rely on the knowledge of operant conditioning to develop teaching and treatment programs for beneficial behavior change.

What Karen Pryor and the TagTeach instructors have done is popularize this technology, making the public more aware of it, and that's valuable and honorable. They have also developed it into useful tool and introduced it to new human populations such as young gymnasts and dancers. I'm excited that it's happening. Karen Pryor has spoken at many behavior analysis conferences over the years, a strong asset to our field. Her research and development work and her effectiveness in getting the word out is extremely valuable.

But I would also like those who read the book to know that there is an established field of behavior analysis which has long used operant conditioning in work with corporations, school children, troubled youth, parents, people with disabilities of all kinds, and much more. The field has been using operant conditioning with humans for a long time.

This book is definitely worth reading! I finished it in two days of captivated reading into the wee hours of the morning.

Summary: This is an entertaining and informative book about animals
I love animals, and I enjoyed reading this book about them. Training exotic animals like foxes, wolves and even camels can be very dangerous. Students who want to become trainers through this gruelling 22 month program located in Ventura California have to memorize every species of every animal. They also have to learn all about animal anatomy and ethics. The program is also very strict on attendance. Students can be penalized if they are not on time for class every day. The penalty for lateness is not being able to work with the animal they want to.

I learned that animal trainers can be found on television and movie sets, animals parks and zoos, and research sites all over the country. Students in this program also have to take classes on animal ethics and animal anatomy. I loved reading about all the things that animals can be trained to do. For example, a hyena can be trained to dance. A camel can also be trained to dunk a basketball. A simple task like training a horse to pull a cart can take a year especially if the horse is overweight. I learned that an aging sea lion can develop a medical condition like epilepsy. An elephant can be taught to hold their foot up if their nails need to be trimmed. A llama must be trained to stand still in order to be brushed.

I learned the names of animals I never even heard of like the the kinkajou. The kinkajou is a honey bear that has the tendency to bite people. I also learned that a mandrill is a constantly jumping baboon that can be taught to stay still in order to receive an injection. I learned that a caracal is an African wildcat. This is a very informative and entertaining book about animals. I just wish it included some pictures of the animals. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book very much.

Summary: Great Book about EATM
I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. As a 1997 graduate of the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program the book brought back a lot of memories both good an bad. The author did a very good job at impartially portraying daily life at the school and the types of people that attend the program.

The daily grind of waking up early to clean the zoo, long days of very challenging course work and dealing with your 2nd years lording it over you while having to endure all the of the petty squables in your own class. She also did a good job at showing how the school affects all aspects of your life, in essence you have to give yourself over completely for 2 years and everything else (family, spouses, income,...etc) are all subordinate to EATM.
But on the other hand she captured the wonder and joy of working with the animals and being able to have close personal contact with them. Being able to walk Rosie the baboon or sitting next to her cage and grooming with her made all the other cares and worries go away.
If you are thinking about going into the animal field or just interested in it I highly recommend this book. If you are thinking about applying to EATM then this book is a must read, nothing else will allow you to make an informed decision about attending the program like this book.
Overall for me this book brought back the roller coster of emotions that I felt while attending EATM and a lot of good memories, thanks for the book.

Summary:

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A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons

Publisher: Scribner
Authors: Robert M. Sapolsky

ISBN: 0743202414
List Price: $14.00
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Summary: A Fearful Symmetry
Sapolsky artfully interweaves 3 stories. The parallels are amazing as he recounts his experiences studying a baboon troop in Kenya, and the human troops he encounters in his work and travels throughout Africa. The third story is his development from adolescent subadult to mature scientist and fully adult, competent human. This book reads like an action packed novel, while imparting scientific truth within the context of a broad systemic paradigm. Sapolsky is able to think objectively, while acknowledging the compelling power of his own emotional responses. He is clear about which is which and the limitations of each. The choice to rigorously utilize both results in a rich tale that offers the reader a view of complex connections, vivid similarities and profound humbling differences. This pattern of both and, holds true at the level of the individual, the community, the culture as well as across species.

Summary: INFORMATIVE AND DELIGHTFUL
This is a book for anyone who is fascinated by animals and their behavior (I include the human animal too). Although it centers on the baboon troop chosen by Dr. Sapolsky for study, it also illuminates what life is really like for researchers "in the field," and does so with a lot of honesty, wit and humor. The author does not sentimentalize the animals he's studying but he does respect and have a lot of compassion for them, which I personally don't think is out of place in a researcher. Altogether, this is a delightful and informative book and I highly recommend to everyone. And anyone particularly interested in primates, I also suggest as a companion piece Shirley Strum's "Almost Human."

Summary: 100 stars....
This was one of the best books I've ever read (I'm 50).
Well written, humorous, touching and informative.
Thank you Dr. Sapolsky.

Summary:

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