Nature Books

Introducing Evolutionary Psychology is a must-read for people who want to discover the science behind human behavior. The book provides a detailed explanation of how our minds evolved and the reasons behind our behavior. It is fascinating to learn about the mind's universal features, such as cooperation, and how they were designed. Dylan Evans' clear and concise writing, combined with the beautiful and informative illustrations by Oscar Zarate, make this book an exceptional read for anyone interested in understanding the human mind's evolutionary development and behavior.

"An Obsession With Butterflies" is a beautiful, lyrical book that delves into the infinite fascination humans have for butterflies. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever been captivated by the beauty of butterflies, and for those who wish to delve deeper into the world of butterfly enthusiasts and collectors. The book provides a fascinating insight into the strange world of butterfly obsession, and the individuals who have dedicated their lives to researching and collecting these beautiful creatures.

This book is a great read for fish enthusiasts, both beginners and experts alike. With over 1000 species of fishes discussed, it covers an extensive range of aquatic creatures from around the world, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in marine life. The author's detailed descriptions of each fish's behavior and anatomy provide readers with a deep understanding of the underwater world. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of fishes.

Gorillas in the Mist is an inspiring read for those interested in wildlife conservation and primate behavior. Dian Fossey's personal account of her immersive thirteen-year journey in the African rainforest and her efforts to protect the mountain gorillas is both informative and emotional. The book provides a unique insight into the lives of these fascinating animals, making it a must-read for animal lovers and conservationists alike.

If you've ever been curious about how humanity and Earth have shaped each other, Colin Tudge's "The Time Before History" will feed your fascination. His meticulous blending of various scientific disciplines offers a cohesive journey through our planet's and species' past, making complex topics accessible. It's like a time machine that enriches your understanding of the present.

This book is perfect for anyone interested in learning about the medicinal properties of plants and their dangers. With colorful illustrations and comprehensive indexes, it serves as an invaluable reference for avid gardeners, parents, and students alike.

There are many reasons why bears are among the most popular exhibits in zoos. These powerful mammals can seem simultaneously adorable and dangerous. This fact-filled volume offers much more knowledge than a bear lover could find in a zoo. Besides valuable scientific information about the eight species of bears remaining in the world, their habitats, life cycles, diet, and more, readers will also find out about species that are now extinct such as Arctodus, a towering bear that measured over 10 feet (3 m) in height! Colorful photographs, illustrations, and diagrams supplement this impressive collection of bear facts.

Find out about our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. See a baby marmoset hitching a ride on its mother's back, how gibbons zoom through the trees, and how a colobus monkey can sleep sitting up. We explore the differences between a selection of monkeys and apes, and some of their rare relatives such as lemurs.

The Macmillan Birder's Guide provides a unique and comprehensive approach to bird identification. Its clear text and 80 plates of illustrations make it an excellent guide for anyone trying to identify European and Middle Eastern birds that are hard to differentiate. This book is perfect for bird enthusiasts and casual bird-watchers alike, and will undoubtedly become a go-to resource for those looking to hone their bird identification skills.

Describes the eating habits, defenses, parenting, and social behavior of mammals

"For those fascinated by the mysteries of ancient history and evolution, Stephen Jay Gould's 'Wonderful Life' presents a captivating exploration of the Burgess Shale quarry and the strange creatures that once lived within it. With his vivid storytelling and detailed analysis, Gould paints a vivid picture of the overlooked wonders of the natural world, and provides a thought-provoking perspective on the nature of history and evolution."

This fully-illustrated reference book explains every aspect of how the natural world operates, from how a spider spins a web to why an earthquake has aftershocks. The text is divided into nine sections, including double-page spreads which examine specific topics.

These four companion books take a dramatic look at our watery planet. Constituting one of the most numerous and diverse groups of invertebrates on Earth, fish are the undoubted masters of the underwater world. Equally at home in fresh or saltwater, they have evolved to occupy every conceivable water-filled niche. Fish have adapted to survive in a range of different environments from the deepest ocean depths to muddy freshwater puddles, and from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to hot desert springs. Extraordinary Fish illustrates the amazing transformations in body for and behavior that have enabled fish to take up many diverse and fascinating lifestyles. Chapter one introduces the ways in which fish have adapted to their watery world, with examples from the deep sea and other inhospitable habitats. In an environment where predators abound, survival is of prime concern, and Chapter two explores, among other things, the many ways that fish camouflage and arm themselves for attach and defense. Chapter three transports the reader into the sensory world of fish. As well as extraordinary powers of sight, sound, and smell, some fish can detect electric fields, glow with luminescent light, and navigate unerringly across vast oceans. In the fourth and final chapter, the color sex life of many fish is revealed.

This textbook is not for the faint of heart but will be a valuable resource for anyone studying biology at the college level. It places a strong emphasis on natural selection and the evolutionary process, providing a holistic view of the subject. The authors have created an authoritative resource that will be invaluable for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of biology.

This book is perfect for paleontology enthusiasts who want to understand the diversity and classification of species during the Palaeozoic era in Britain. The accurate line drawings are a unique feature of this book that help readers identify each species and their geological distribution. The revised edition also accounts for recent discoveries and advancements in understanding the fossil record, making it a reliable reference guide.

After years of reflecting on the absurdities of life on other planets, Douglas Adams teams up with zoologist Mark Carwardine on an expedition to find out what's happening to life on this one.

This book provides an intriguing look into the mental life and culture of Neanderthals. It explores their language abilities, complex technical skills, and hunting practices, giving readers insight into a long-vanished people. The book also draws comparisons to our own minds and culture, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in anthropology or psychology.

Step into the twilight and encounter a world of night-loving creatures. The secretive lives of nocturnal animals are explored in detail through one hundred facts, fantastic images, and fun cartoons. Read how they communicate and hunt, discover why they are active at night, and learn about the super senses that help them to thrive in the dark.

Freaks of Nature could be a fascinating read for those interested in both biology and history. Blumberg explores the connections between genetics, development, environment and evolution through the lens of bodily anomalies. Through this subject that was once considered taboo, the book sheds light on how individuals and entire species develop, survive, and evolve. Users would appreciate the unique perspective it provides on a topic that is not widely explored.

This book, "One Planet", is a captivating journey through Earth's most incredible environments. With stunning photographs and footage from the BBC Natural History Unit, it provides a unique and immersive look into the lives of the diverse wildlife that inhabit our planet. From the blistering heat of the deserts to the depths of the jungle, you'll witness the fascinating adaptations and behaviors of creatures competing for survival. But what truly sets this book apart is its exploration of the urban environment, shedding light on the surprising range of behaviors occurring right under our noses. Prepare to be amazed as you see our planet, and its inhabitants, in a whole new light.

The "Dictionary of Plant Names" is a must-have for anyone interested in botany or gardening. Not only does it provide the meanings and derivations of over 3500 plant names, but it also includes common name cross-references, geographical distribution, and name origins. At a bargain price, this comprehensive book is an essential tool for all plant enthusiasts.

Bring the many wonderful benefits of herbs into your life with this beautifully illustrated, accessible book on 88 herbs and their many purposes.Starting with Aloe Vera, used as a soothing agent for over 2,000 years, and ending with Yarrow, whose leaves can be added to salad and which was once called “soldier’s woundwart” because of its efficacy on the battlefield, The Book of Herbs reveals the secrets of a wide range of plants that can really enhance your life.Each page features color photographs of the plant itself in its many forms and is full of well-presented information on how to use it. There are sections covering each herb’s history, as well as its culinary uses, medical benefits (including special precautions), and household and cosmetic applications, such · Borage leaves in a face pack help moisturize dry skin.· Caraway seeds are a long-standing breath freshener.· Catmint makes a cleansing hair wash.· Lavender is a natural insect repellent, good to grow near the deck or porch.· Nettle can help skin problems.· Valerian can be used to help get rid of pests.Chock full of useful information that can help make every part of life more natural and organic, The Book of Herbs is an indispensable and easy-to-use reference that’s a must for every home.

10 years on from the first, groundbreaking, Planet Earth, we use the most incredible advances in technology and scientific discovery to bring you the most exciting and immersive picture of our world's wildlife yet.With over 250 breathtaking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, this is an extraordinary new look at the complex life of some of the most amazing places on Planet Earth.Each chapter reveals an environment – some never-before-seen, some astonishingly familiar – defined by a unique set of rules required for survival. From the most desolate desert to the depths of the jungle, from blistering heat and freezing cold to perpetual darkness and deadly UV, discover how a whole host of creatures have adapted to life in the most extreme conditions. And how they compete with one another to become the largest, the fastest, the most poisonous, or most devious - all in a bid to survive.Planet Earth II includes the first in-depth look at the urban environment, and the surprising range of behaviours occurring right under our noses, as well as some previously untouched island worlds. Filmed with remarkable 5k and infra-red technology, these are the challenges, the confrontations, and the triumphs of some of the most extraordinary creatures in the natural world, told from their perspective.This is our planet, as you have never seen it before.

This book is perfect for plant lovers seeking an extensive guide on nurturing indoor plants. The author comprehensively provides all the information one needs to know about plant care, from propagation and pruning to pest control. Users will appreciate the book's layout and detailed illustrations.

Excerpted from the Mineralogy is the science of minerals. To the uninitiated, mineralogy can appear to be a very complicated subject. Many of the disciplines that form its core, such as chemistry, crystallography, physics and mathematics, can constitute forbidding barriers to understanding this fascinating natural science. This book endeavors to eliminate such barriers and to accompany the reader seeking to enter the world of minerals. The primary goals of this introduction are to illustrate some of the principal properties of minerals, present the modern tools used in their study, describe the natural environments in which minerals are formed, and explain the criteria by which minerals are classified. The main section of this book is an illustrated guide to 288 mineral species, all of them illustrated with unique photographs taken by nature photographer Roberto Appiani. Special thanks go to Dr. Federico Pezzotta, Curator of Mineralogy and Petrography at the Museum of Natural History in Milan, Italy, who wrote the section of this introduction that deals with the environments in which minerals are formed. Minerals are crystalline substances that are found in their natural state. Minerals are familiar to everyone, as they compose the rocks and mountains around us, as well as the sand on our beaches and the soil in our gardens. Many of the products we use every day are composed of toothpaste, for example, contains microcrystals of mica, calcite and fluorite, while detergents contain such mineral additives as calcite, dolomite, clays and zeolites. Minerals are components of meteorites and planets, while gemstones are nothing more than rough fragments of crystals, unusually transparent or colorful, that have been cut to emphasize their brilliance and transparency. Minerals have always had great importance in our world; from the dawn of history, each step in mankind's development can be measured by the use of metals. Today, minerals are the principal elements of steel and special alloys, and are integral to electronic and communication devices; they ace also used in the space industry and in the manufacture of a great many everyday items. The science of mineralogy came into being in relatively recent times. In order to understand the scientific criteria that governs its principles, one needs to trace the most important steps along its path over the centuries. The oldest use of minerals is related to primitive humans used natural pigments, hematite reds and manganese oxide blacks, to paint the walls of the caves in which they lived. About 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians were making objects from precious metals, using such colored minerals as malachite, lazurite and the emerald variety of beryl. The first texts to deal with mineralogical subjects were those of the Greek Theophrastus, around 370 B.C., and Pliny the Elder 400 years later. With Historio Naturalis , Pliny describes the perfect geometric shapes of crystals, laying the basis for the science of mineralogy. However, it is the German physician and scientist Georgius Agricola who is considered the father of mineralogy. In De Re Metallica ("On Metals"), first printed in 1556, Agricola describes the mining practices of his day in great detail, especially the techniques for exploiting and refining minerals and the procedures involved in the use of fusion to extract metals. Modern crystallography, the study of the forms that compose crystals, was born between the second half of the 1600s and the end of the 1700s, thanks to the contributions of Nicholas Steno, Carangeot and Romé de l'Isle. In 1801, Abbé René-Just Haüy discovered that minerals are composed of countless "molecules" that exactly reproduce the shape of their crystals, anticipating important discoveries that would only be confirmed a century later. During the 19th century, numerous scientists investigated the chemistry of minerals, among them Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius, who established the princip1es of modern mineral classification. The beginning of the 20th century marks a fundamental step in the history of mineralogy, with the dlscovecy of the structure of minerals by German physicist Max von Laue in 1912. Experiments performed using X-rays proved for the first time that minerals are composed of atoms precisely arranged according to exact rules. In the early 1960s, electronic microprobe analysis made possible the study of the chemical composition of minerals, and in comparatively short periods of time, enabled accurate chemical analysis of mineral fragments of even the smallest size (down to 4/100,000 of an inch or 0.001 mm). In the early 1970s, another highly advanced instrument, the transmission electron microscope, went into common use in laboratories and universities (at least those able to afford its high cost). Capable of magnifying millions of times, this tool opened a new frontier in mineralogy, allowing the direct observation of the atoms and the structures that compose minerals.

Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of botanical painting. Suitable for artists of all levels, this book offers expert guidance and step-by-step studies to help readers develop their skills. Billy's playful yet accurate botanical portraits are a feast for the eyes, and her techniques for working with texture, pattern, and color are invaluable. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a beginner, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of botanical painting.

MacMillan Encyclopedia of Science, Volume 4: Life on Earth

This book is a valuable resource for civil engineers and others involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of water treatment plants. It offers comprehensive guidance on designing treatment plant facilities, and covers recent developments in the field, including EPA standards, planning, operation, rehabilitation and maintenance.

Chek Jawa could be a good read for nature enthusiasts who are interested in Singapore's last remaining nature paradise and the effort to save it. The book provides a comprehensive account of the diverse marine life at Chek Jawa's beach, which is visible only at the lowest of tides. It also chronicles the public effort to reverse a government plan to redevelop Pulau Ubin. The book emphasizes the importance of persistent rallying and passion for Nature and serves as testimony to the beauty and biodiversity of Chek Jawa.

nonfiction

Packed with fantastic facts, illustrations, top tens, cross references, world records and detailed captions, this amazing book encompasses the breadth of life on our planet. Find out how plants are pollinated, why sharks are fierce predators, how many eggs a queen bee lays per day and why spiders spin webs.

This book would be a great read for anyone fascinated by the wonders of marine life. Its beautiful photographs and captivating captions transport you to the enchanting underwater world of Sulawesi. You'll be mesmerized by the vibrant colors and variety of marine species captured in stunning detail. Whether you're a marine biologist or simply a lover of nature, this book will leave you in awe of the delicate and captivating beauty of Sulawesi's seas.

If you've ever wondered how your feline friend managed to find a place not just in your home but in the hearts of millions worldwide, "The Lion in the Living Room" is a pursuit you'll find fascinating. Abigail Tucker takes you on a journey that's as much about natural history as it is about the socio-cultural impact of cats. This book promises a colorful trek through time, textures of science, and the quirkiness of cat mania—all served with a dash of humor. It's the purr-fect read for anyone curious about the silent paws treading powerfully through human history.

Discover Nature's Treatment for ArthritisDid you know that there are natural treatments that may ease—or help you manage—the pain of arthritis? If you are one of the millions who suffer from chronic joint pain, this book can point the way to alternative treatments that may improve mobility and reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Inside you'll learn how glucosamine may help reduce arthritis symptoms, what natural treatments may slow the progression of osteoarthritis, which herbs and nutrients may help manage your arthritis, natural ways to improve mobility, and much more!Includes up-to-date information on arthritis ·Glucosamine·Chrondroitin·SAMe·Fish Oil·Devil's Claw·Boswellia·Bromelain·Turmeric·Boron·Capsaicin·Willow Bark·Vitamin C·Vitamin E·Ginger·Beta-Carotene·Pantothenic Acid·Selenium·And conventional medical treatmentsIt's all here in simple, straightforward language. You'll find yourself turning to this helpful, trusted companion again and again.

An American Book Award finalist, Guy Murchie's The Seven Mysteries of Life "embraces all the important information about everything humanity needs to know for continuance aboard planet Earth, or anywhere else in the universe" (Buckminster Fuller)."All life in all worlds"—this was the object of the author's seventeen-year quest for knowledge and discovery, culminating in this book. In a manner unmistakably his own, Murchie delves into the interconnectedness of all life on the planet and of such fields as biology, geology, sociology, mathematics, and physics to provide an astonishing journey into the essence of science, philosophy, and inspiration."Murchie has a remarkably comprehensive knowledge of science and writes about it with the gifts of a poet plus a highly personal, visionary, mystical spirit."— Wall Street Journal"A good book to take to a desert island as sole companion, so rich is it in knowledge and insight."— New York Times best-selling author May Sarton

David Quammen's book, The Song of the Dodo , is a brilliant, stirring work, breathtaking in its scope, far-reaching in its message -- a crucial book in precarious times, which radically alters the way in which we understand the natural world and our place in that world. It's also a book full of entertainment and wonders.In The Song of the Dodo , we follow Quammen's keen intellect through the ideas, theories, and experiments of prominent naturalists of the last two centuries. We trail after him as he travels the world, tracking the subject of island biogeography, which encompasses nothing less than the study of the origin and extinction of all species. Why is this island idea so important? Because islands are where species most commonly go extinct -- and because, as Quammen points out, we live in an age when all of Earth's landscapes are being chopped into island-like fragments by human activity.Through his eyes, we glimpse the nature of evolution and extinction, and in so doing come to understand the monumental diversity of our planet, and the importance of preserving its wild landscapes, animals, and plants. We also meet some fascinating human characters. By the book's end we are wiser, and more deeply concerned, but Quammen leaves us with a message of excitement and hope.

"Ocean Anatomy" isn't just a book; it's a visually compelling journey. Imagine yourself tracing the mysteries of the deep blue through Julia Rothman's enchanting illustrations. This is an exploration that promises to satisfy the curiosity of marine aficionados and art lovers alike, a blend of science and sketches that brings the underwater world to your fingertips. Whether you're a seasoned ocean veteran or a landlubber with a penchant for the sea, there's something here to spark awe and deepen your appreciation for the aquatic.

Since life on Earth began, animals and plants have died out, never to exist again. Discover the reasons for extinction and how new life evolves. Learn why the dinosaurs disappeared and how humans became so successful, then read case stories of individual creatures that have died out. Most importantly, find out which animals living today could be gone tomorrow.

"The Life of Birds" by David Attenborough is a fascinating read for bird enthusiasts interested in learning about the diverse behaviors of the 9000 species of birds that exist in the world. Attenborough's presentation of recent research into the complex social systems and survival strategies that birds employ makes this book a perfect choice for anyone keen on understanding the wonders of the natural world.