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Robert Penn cut down an ash tree to see how many things could be made from it. After all, ash is the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. Journeying from Wales across Europe and Ireland to the USA, Robert finds that the ancient skills and knowledge of the properties of ash, developed over millennia making wheels and arrows, furniture and baseball bats, are far from dead. The book chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.

In 922 AD, an Arab envoy from Baghdad named Ibn Fadlan encountered a party of Viking traders on the upper reaches of the Volga River. In his subsequent report on his mission he gave a meticulous and astonishingly objective description of Viking customs, dress, table manners, religion and sexual practices, as well as the only eyewitness account ever written of a Viking ship cremation.Between the ninth and fourteenth centuries, Arab travellers such as Ibn Fadlan journeyed widely and frequently into the far north, crossing territories that now include Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Their fascinating accounts describe how the numerous tribes and peoples they encountered traded furs, paid tribute and waged wars. This accessible new translation offers an illuminating insight into the world of the Arab geographers, and the medieval lands of the far north.

In 1940 Steinbeck sailed in a sardine boat with his great friend the marine biologist, Ed Ricketts, to collect marine invertebrates from the beaches of the Gulf of California. The expedition was described by the two men in SEA OF CORTEZ, published in 1941. The day-to-day story of the trip is told here in the Log, which combines science, philosophy and high-spirited adventure. An exhilarating and highly entertaining read.

'To write a book that makes the reader sit in a trance, lost in his passionate desire to pack a suitcase and go to the fabulous place - that, in the end, is something one would give a sack of nutmeg for' Philip Hensher, The SpectatorIn 1616, an English adventurer, Nathaniel Courthope, stepped ashore on a remote island in the East Indies on a secret mission - to persuade the islanders of Run to grant a monopoly to England over their nutmeg, a fabulously valuable spice in Europe. This infuriated the Dutch, who were determined to control the world's nutmeg supply. For five years Courthope and his band of thirty men were besieged by a force one hundred times greater - and his heroism set in motion the events that led to the founding of the greatest city on earth.A beautifully told adventure story and a fascinating depiction of exploration in the seventeenth century, NATHANIEL'S NUTMEG sheds a remarkable light on history

The most authoritative illustrated book on flying reptiles availableFor 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds-they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceeding thirty feet and standing heights comparable to modern giraffes. This richly illustrated book takes an unprecedented look at these astonishing creatures, presenting the latest findings on their anatomy, ecology, and extinction.Pterosaurs features some 200 stunning illustrations, including original paintings by Mark Witton and photos of rarely seen fossils. After decades of mystery, paleontologists have finally begun to understand how pterosaurs are related to other reptiles, how they functioned as living animals, and, despite dwarfing all other flying animals, how they managed to become airborne. Here you can explore the fossil evidence of pterosaur behavior and ecology, learn about the skeletal and soft-tissue anatomy of pterosaurs, and consider the newest theories about their cryptic origins. This one-of-a-kind book covers the discovery history, paleobiogeography, anatomy, and behaviors of more than 130 species of pterosaur, and also discusses their demise at the end of the Mesozoic.The most comprehensive book on pterosaurs ever publishedFeatures some 200 illustrations, including original paintings by the authorCovers every known species and major group of pterosaursDescribes pterosaur anatomy, ecology, behaviors, diversity, and moreEncourages further study with 500 references to primary pterosaur literature

The remarkable scientific story of how Earth became an oxygenated planetThe air we breathe is twenty-one percent oxygen, an amount higher than on any other known world. While we may take our air for granted, Earth was not always an oxygenated planet. How did it become this way? Donald Canfield-one of the world's leading authorities on geochemistry, earth history, and the early oceans-covers this vast history, emphasizing its relationship to the evolution of life and the evolving chemistry of the Earth. Canfield guides readers through the various lines of scientific evidence, considers some of the wrong turns and dead ends along the way, and highlights the scientists and researchers who have made key discoveries in the field. Showing how Earth's atmosphere developed over time, Oxygen takes readers on a remarkable journey through the history of the oxygenation of our planet.

Since its first publication more than twenty-five years ago, How to Build a Habitable Planet has established a legendary reputation as an accessible yet scientifically impeccable introduction to the origin and evolution of Earth, from the Big Bang through the rise of human civilization. This classic account of how our habitable planet was assembled from the stuff of stars introduced readers to planetary, Earth, and climate science by way of a fascinating narrative. Now this great book has been made even better. Harvard geochemist Charles Langmuir has worked closely with the original author, Wally Broecker, one of the world's leading Earth scientists, to revise and expand the book for a new generation of readers for whom active planetary stewardship is becoming imperative. Interweaving physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, and biology, this sweeping account tells Earth's complete story, from the synthesis of chemical elements in stars, to the formation of the Solar System, to the evolution of a habitable climate on Earth, to the origin of life and humankind. The book also addresses the search for other habitable worlds in the Milky Way and contemplates whether Earth will remain habitable as our influence on global climate grows. It concludes by considering the ways in which humankind can sustain Earth's habitability and perhaps even participate in further planetary evolution. Like no other book, How to Build a Habitable Planet provides an understanding of Earth in its broadest context, as well as a greater appreciation of its possibly rare ability to sustain life over geologic time. Leading schools that have ordered, recommended for reading, or adopted this book for course use: Arizona State University Brooklyn College CUNY Columbia University Cornell University ETH Zurich Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Luther College Northwestern University Ohio State University Oxford Brookes University Pan American University Rutgers University State University of New York at Binghamton Texas A&M University Trinity College Dublin University of Bristol University of California-Los Angeles University of Cambridge University Of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder University of Glasgow University of Leicester University of Maine, Farmington University of Michigan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Georgia University of Nottingham University of Oregon University of Oxford University of Portsmouth University of Southampton University of Ulster University of Victoria University of Wyoming Western Kentucky University Yale University

A leading figure in the emerging field of extinction studies, Thom van Dooren puts philosophy into conversation with the natural sciences and his ethnographic encounters to vivify the cultural and ethical significance of modern-day extinctions. Unlike other meditations on the subject, Flight Ways incorporates the particularities of real animals and their worlds, drawing philosophers, natural scientists, and general readers into the experience of living among and losing biodiversity.Each chapter of Flight Ways focuses on a different species or group of birds: North Pacific albatrosses, Indian vultures, an endangered colony of penguins in Australia, Hawaiian crows, and the iconic whooping cranes of North America. Written in eloquent and moving prose, the book takes stock of what is lost when a life form disappears from the world-the wide-ranging ramifications that ripple out to implicate a number of human and more-than-human others. Van Dooren intimately explores what life is like for those who must live on the edge of extinction, balanced between life and oblivion, taking care of their young and grieving their dead. He bolsters his studies with real-life accounts from scientists and local communities at the forefront of these developments. No longer abstract entities with Latin names, these species become fully realized characters enmeshed in complex and precarious ways of life, sparking our sense of curiosity, concern, and accountability toward others in a rapidly changing world.

'Trees are wildlife just as deer or primroses are wildlife. Each species has its own agenda and its own interactions with human activities ...'Written by one of Britain's best-known naturalists, Woodlands offers a fascinating new insight into the trees of the British landscape that have filled us with awe and inspiration throughout the centuries.Looking at such diverse evidence as the woods used in buildings and ships, and how woodland has been portrayed in pictures and photographs, Rackham traces British woodland through the ages, from the evolution of wildwood, through man's effect on the landscape, modern forestry and its legacy, and recent conservation efforts and their effects.In his lively and thoroughly engaging style, Rackham explores woodlands and their history, through names, surveys, mapping and legal documents, archaeology, photographs and works of art, thus offering an utterly compelling insight into British woodlands and how they have come to shape a national obsession.

Due to the level of detail, the images are best viewed on a tablet.All the techniques you need to become an expert navigator.The Ultimate Navigation Manual is a unique guide to finding your way on land - from the basic principles right up to the advanced technology of GPS. Designed to allow even the absolute beginner to find their way anywhere in the world, it also develops a unique confidence in navigation - with or without technical aids.With a preface by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, contents will also include:Environmental clues - Using the natural environment to navigateMaps - An introduction to the different types of mapsThe Compass and North - How compasses work, how to use them and how to choose the right oneMap and Compass Navigation - twenty-five easy-to-learn skills are describedRelocation Procedures - What to do when lost, dealing with well-known relocation procedures and some ground-breaking new onesStellar Navigation - Simple methods that are easy to learnGNSS (GPS) Navigation - Why Global Satellite Navigation Systems are the most significant advance in navigation since the invention of the magnetic compass; details all of the systems now available, including the American GPSSpecialist environments and equipment - Which techniques are best, where and how to use them in environments such as the Arctic, coastal areas, desert regions, jungles or forests, mountains and urban areasWritten by one of the world's leading search and rescue consultants designed to emphasise navigation problems - this is the ultimate guide to not losing your way.

The debut of a female Steve Jones - likeable, literate, lucid and laconic. A sprightly, lavishly illustrated book on the science of human survival.How do people survive extremes of heat, cold, depth, speed and altitude? This book explores the limits of human survival and the physiological adaptations which enable us to exist under extreme conditions. In man's battle for survival in the harshest of environments, the knowledge imparted by physiology, the 'logic of life', is crucial. What causes mountain sickness? Why is it possible to reach the top of Everest without supplementary oxygen, yet be killed if a plane depressurises suddenly at the same altitude. Why are astronauts unable to stand without fainting when they return to Earth? Why do human divers get the bends but sperm whales don't? Will men always be able to run faster than women? Why don't penguins get frostbite?

1. udgave juli 2010. 196 sider gennemillustreret med over 250 farvefotos. Bogen dækker flertallet af dyrearter og lidt om floraen i Australien.

Julia Rothman’s best-selling illustrated Anatomy series takes a deep dive into the wonders of the sea with Ocean Anatomy. Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages.  Also available in this series: Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Nature Anatomy Notebook

A comprehensive, illustrated identification guide for beginners and serious collectors alike, featuring special colour photography of specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London.

A card set for connecting with Tree Spirits for guidance and inspiration • Contains 36 full-color, richly illustrated cards, each featuring a different tree species with its Tree Angel • Includes a guidebook that explains how to use the cards and provides a detailed message and interpretation for each Tree Angel card as well as historical information about each tree • Features trees from the old Celtic “Tree Alphabet” along with other well-known trees from all over the world There are two types of angels: those with wings and those with leaves. For thousands of years, those seeking guidance or wanting to express gratitude to nature have walked the ancient paths into the sacred grove to connect with the wisdom of trees. Today, venerable old trees in peaceful surroundings are difficult to find when we need them. And it can be difficult for the inexperienced to hear their voices and receive their healing. But the Tree Angels are still there, whispering to those who listen. In this oracle card and book set, Fred Hageneder shares deep messages and wisdom from the Tree Angels of 36 different tree species, those from the old Celtic “Tree Alphabet” along with other well-known trees from all over the world. Each full-color card, illustrated by artist Anne Heng, features a specific tree and its angel, revealing the trees as unique beings, with their individual energy and radiance. Drawing on botanical and historical sources, in addition to the author’s vast experience with Tree Angels, the guidebook explains how to interpret the message of each Tree Angel card as well as how to use the cards. The trees featured include: Birch, Ash, Walnut, Elder, Holly, Rowan, Hawthorn, Oak, Aspen, Hazel, Juniper, Linden (Lime), Blackthorn, Yew, Field Maple, Elm, Black Poplar, Larch, White Willow, Scots Pine, Apple, Spruce, Ivy, Olive, Almond, Hornbeam, Beech, Cedar of Lebanon, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Alder, Pear, Pipal, Ginkgo, Cherry, and Myrrh. Allowing you to renew your bond with the global tree family and receive answers to questions about our own life, the Tree Angel cards also offer the opportunity to heal the past and reconnect to the wisdom of these ancient, majestic, and gentle beings.

A modern illustrated guide that delves deep into the true meaning of flowers

If you would like to discover the therapeutic pleasure of growing beautiful, robust and healthy bonsai trees, then this guide is for youHave you ever come across a beautifully maintained bonsai tree and wondered if you could do that? Do you want to learn a wholesome hobby to help you remain grounded and get rid of unnecessary stress and anxiety?If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then keep reading...In this guide, Kaito Tanaka condenses his extensive experience growing bonsai and hands you the complete blueprint to designing, growing and maintaining an attractive bonsai that will surely pique the curiosity of friends and family alike.Here's what you're going to learn in this insightful guide to growing bonsai:8 interesting facts about bonsai plants that will blow you away15 styles of bonsai plants and picking the one that's most suitable for youThe 4 things to consider when choosing a bonsai plant to growWant to grow your bonsai from scratch? This guide will show you how to raise a healthy bonsai tree from their seedsDon't want to bother with seeds? You're going to learn how to select a healthy starter bonsai right away!How to choose the perfect pot for your bonsaiThe complete toolbox list for growing a healthy bonsai plant...and tons more!Whether you're completely new to the world of bonsai, who've fallen in love with these special trees and want to find out how to raise one, or you're a pro looking to expand your repertoire and skillset, this guide will show you everything you need to know about bonsai.Scroll up and click the "add to cart" button to buy now!

An original and informative presentation of 100 great tree species from across the world

Peter Kropotkin, a Russian prince, came to hate the inequality in his society and gave up his title. In this book he shows the flaws inherent in our economic system, which creates poverty and scarcity even though there are enough resources for all, and outlines a better system based on people working together as a society.

The groundbreaking history of how climate change transformed Europe and the world, from a renowned archaeologist -- updated with a new preface on the latest climate research

Trees do not have brains to think with, or nervous systems that cause them to feel things, and yet they are undeniably clever. This beautifully illustrated book brings together sixty essential life lessons inspired by their infinite wisdom.

Philip Mladenov examines the nature and variety of life in the oceans, and its importance to us and to the planet. He considers the human impact on these complex ecosystems, through overfishing, pollution, and climate change, and the actions needed to establish a more sustainable relationship, to protect them for future generations.

This sumptuously illustrated book tells the remarkable story of the mulberry tree.

The archipelagos of Orkney and Shetland are the products of some of the most dramatic events which have occurred in the Earth's history.The Shetlands are the eroded roots of a vast mountain range that once soared to Himalayan heights and extended from Scandinavia to the Appalachians. Around 65 million years ago, this mighty chain was split asunder by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates, and the North Atlantic Ocean was formed. In earlier times, the area was occupied by a huge freshwater lake - Lake Orcadie - which existed for almost 10 million years and was home to a wide range of primitive species of fish. Later, during the last Ice Age, the area was completely submerged beneath ice sheets which left an indelible mark on the landscapes of both island groups.This book tells the incredible geological story of the most northerly outposts of the British Isles.

A beautifully illustrated reference guide to trees across the globe, in a substantially updated new large-format edition.

A manual for reconciling contemporary approaches with increasingly complex demands in the shaping of urban living spaces.

The potential of moss as a versatile, effective and attractive gardening element is explored here. Emphasises Japanese traditions of moss use.