Reviews (236)

Powerful message
Congratulations to Al Gore for taking on a subject largely regarded as anathema by the US political establishment. Yes the science is still unsure on many of the issues, however, it IS becoming increasingly apparent that C02 emissions from industry, petrol engines etc are contributing to driving global temperatures upwards. That said, there is truth though that global warming is a natural event because thanks to analysis carried out on ice samples from the Greenland permafrost, thousands of years old, we have a clear record of many natural warming cycles going back millennia.
What was Gore's degree in? Oh yeah, journalism
Oh please... what scientific background does this guy have???? What a joke!The stuff in this book is more sophmoric than a prom.This is a political treatise with no scientific value at all.What is my degree in?Well, I have 3: BS chemistry, MS environmental science and a JD (Law).

From the inventor of the Internet????
For the lunatic Lefties and Wingnuts, this is a "Bible".From someone who lost an election, whined and wimpered until told to "shut up" by the USSC, we get this garbage dumped on the fools who would believe it.
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Subjects:  1. Climatic changes    2. Ecology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Environmental aspects    7. Global warming    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (4)

Highly disappointing
While the class I took that used this textbook was informative, this book was full of what seemed to be the authors' personal opinons.Like another person said here in the reviews about blame on the Bush administration, and lack of references aside from photo credits, this book seemed to be geared more towards giving you the biased outlook of the author than an unbiased view of environmental science.
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.
One of the Best
This is one of the most readable environmental texts I've seen.
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Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental Studies    4. Environmental sciences    5. Human Ecology    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Science    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Textbooks    10. Ecological science, the Biosphere    11. Science / Environmental Science   

Subjects:  1. Genetics    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Developmental Biology    3. Life Sciences - Cytology    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Life Sciences - Evolution    6. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    7. Medical    8. Science    9. Evolution    10. Genetics (non-medical)    11. Science / Developmental Biology   

Reviews (32)

New Revolution?
This book is a really good read for anyone interested in technological partial solutions for modern environmental issues. Many great examples of processes which have been innovated, and what could be done.
Unqualified Author
Benyus' degree is in natural resource management and all her previous work has been with wildlife.She isn't qualified to write about many of the topics in this book.At one point she attempts to describe things like the conversion of sunglight energy into ATP in plants and obviously she doesn't understand it so the reader understands even less.Additionally she admits to not understanding and not trusting gene transfection.How can you write about something that you don't understand and don't trust?I was halfway through the book when she started getting stuff wrong about molecular biology (my specialty).At that point I asked myself how much other stuff did she get wrong that I didn't catch?Finally, the author spent too long talking about the scientists and places she visited.How nice they were, what their labs look like, how much wheat is growing outside, and in general a lot of fluff that does little to excite someone about the science.
Interesting but extremely detailed
This is a truely facinating book.It goes into a lot of detail about the particular areas of research which can get tedious.I would definately recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Sciences    2. Ecology    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Biotechnology    8. Science / Ecology   

Reviews (24)

My field guide of choice
At one time I owned nearly every field guide availible on North American birds. I have since gotten rid of all of them and kept only this one because it far exceeds the others. Enough said.

Well worth the bux!
Admittedly I'm an amateur bird watcher, so I don't speak from a great amount of experience, but I did have certain expectations as to the quality and quantity of information to be found in this book.Both have been completely met.The layout is intuitive and the illustrations clear and informative.The size lends itself to slipping in an outside field-jacket pocket and the binding and covers seem rugged enough for many years of use....good show!

Great Book for Beginners
Unlike a lot of 'beginner guides,' this book shows very accurately what birds actually look like - from multiple points of view.The drawings are exquisite, and are more accurate than photos - a photo shows only 1 bird at one point in time; a drawing allows an artist to convey the total bird, eccentuating some features and dulling others for more easy identification. Additionally, descriptions are great, detailing habitat, range, commonality, nesting habits, and more. This fairly small book can be brought on day hikes, and also on some backpacking trips, depending on conditions.Realistically the best and only guide most people in the east will need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Identification    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North America    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (3)

Visionary - Uncompromising - Accessible
Simply put, this book serves up excellent insights into the only future of architecture and the hope for our injured environment... sustainable design. McLennan is more than an author or advocate... he is a deep green thinker who practices on a daily basis what he preaches. Of the many great books available on this subject I found this one the most comprehensive. The Philosophy of Sustainable Design encompassing not only the materials, technologies, and methods available to green designers but it highlights the leaders, champions and innovators who are driving the green building movement forward. This book offers information (and inspiration) for the seasoned and the novice. Read it, share it and read it again!

The Quintessential Green Warrior
Jason is the quintessential green warrior.Young, enthusiastic, exceedingly bright, and seemingly undaunted at the prospect of swimming against the current, Jason shares with us his passion for sustainable design.Having spent the formative years of his career working with the veritable giants of the sustainable design field, Jason shares his unique perspectives and experiences that today's up and coming green warriors can only dream of.
Better than Natural Capitalism
This book is the new heavyweight contender of green building titles. If you liked Natural Capitalism by Hawkins and Lovins, you'll enjoy this book. It's more comprehensive and uses facts and figures more judiciously. I'm impressed with the author's courage to make predictions in a chapter on the future of sustainability. This book should be required reading for all architecture students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied ecology    2. Environmentalist thought & ideology   

Reviews (3)

Great book!
Great book, clean language. A good start for anyone who want to learn statistics and somenting else.

Primer is truly helpful
I have found this treatment of statistics unusually lucid and practical for the ecologist (or, I imagine, other scientist) desiring a better understanding of statistics and guidance in practical use of various types of statistical analysis. Unlike many statistical texts, it takes an almost conversational tone in explaining many concepts, using clear examples to illustrate various statistical approaches. While it is not as complete or detailed as larger statistical texts, it covers the fundamentals of most of the important tests and methods ecologists use on a day-to-day basis. One area of weakness is the treatment of classical non-parametric analyses, which Gotelli trades in entirely for Bayesian or Monte Carlo methods.
Statistics for people with muddy boots
I was delighted with this book, because it fits some of my own prejudices about statistics!
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Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. General    3. Life Sciences - Ecology    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Statistical methods    7. Ecological science, the Biosphere   

Reviews (16)

Good Theoretical GA Textbook
This book primarily deals with the theoretical side of genetic algorithms. If you are looking for practical knowledge of how to implement a GA you should look elsewhere. For all intents and purposes this is a textbook. It's heavy on theory and proofs, but doesn't always explain everything in depth (that's what class time is for). There are problems at the end of each chapter that can be assigned to students.
Not for beginners
I have an engineering degree, and I found this to be a little tough to follow for two reasons: An introduction and much more
First it must be said that the book is not an introduction that the non-scientist will easily understand. Some knowledge of computer programming is assumed. It acknowledges this in the last paragraph of the preface. Many of the notations in the book are unfamiliar to business or financial readers. There is no mathematics beyond algebra so the aforementioned prerequisites are the main hills to climb.Read more

Subjects:  1. Artificial Intelligence - General    2. Computer Science    3. Computers    4. Computers - General Information    5. Programming - General    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Applied ecology    8. Biology, Life Sciences    9. Computer modelling & simulation    10. Computers / Computer Science    11. Machine learning   

Reviews (3)

Difficult to Read
Well there is no doubt that this book contains a large amount of information, it CANNOT be used as an introductory text.It is much to difficult to comprehend, and Wetzel makes absolutely no effort to teach the concepts.Here merely presents a synthesis of limnological research.

Good as a Limnology Primer
This is an excellent general reference text. Can not say enough about the excellent content of this text. But it is need of an edition update with information for lake mapping and restoration.Dr. C.L. Nelson of St. CloudState University, St. Cloud, MN has an excellent small text on physicallimnology for the mapping aspect. This book does do an excellent job on thebiological aspects of limnological work.

My view of the Wetzel's limnology book
The book contains a lot of information related to lakes. It�s a complete work about the conditions on this systems. Include a study about the performance of the ionic particles in this systems. It�s a suitable bookfor students like me, to understand the freshwater ecology. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lakes & Ponds    2. Life Sciences - Biology - Marine Biology    3. Life Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems    4. Limnology    5. Rivers    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Freshwater biology, limnology    9. Hydrology (freshwater)    10. Technology / Fisheries & Aquaculture   

Reviews (10)

Christo
If there is one book that you need to read than this is it. Get your feet in the mud and find out who you really are. This book changed my life. Gave me the empowerment to throw off the chains of being dependent on paying alot of money for a basic need: good housing. Now I've embarked on a path of creativity, to build a house that is healthy, and will suit all my needs. My thanks are great!

Stunning AND the Absolute Last Word in Cob Info
I spent hours and hours with this beautiful and entertaining book, and I was only barely interested in Cob! This book is absolutely terrific, it is wonderfully and beautifully illustrated, includes color photos of some great cob houses, and is absolutely THE book you need if you want to learn about cob, or build your own cob structure. It is a wonderful balance of fun, personal stories, expertise, and technical info. (And really very inclusive too!) I read both Becky's and then this book. It really made me comfortable with cobbing because it is so well done, so inclusive and informative. A testimonial: Some time after reading this book over and over, we decided that cob was not appropriate for our site, and I STILL recently picked up this book for a good read!

Simply gorgeous!
First, it's fun just to browse through the gorgeous homes and creations in this book.Second, cob is well researched and documented here, for instance, did you know there are cob homes in Devonshire England that are over 400 years old?Third, this is a remarkably practical handbook for siting, designing, and building a home from cob.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Architecture    3. Cob (Building material)    4. Design & Construction    5. Design & Drafting    6. Design and construction    7. Do-It-Yourself - General    8. Earth houses    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Applied ecology    11. Building construction & materials    12. Building skills   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (66)

Readable, comprehensive and urgent
Let me be as concise as Roberts is comprehensive: this is best book on the looming energy crisis that I have read, and I have read half a dozen.
The U.S. just expanded reserves 50%
The book deserves 2 stars because there are worse books on oil out there. But the author fails to grasp many critical issues in both oil economics and developing technology that the book ultimately serves as a another in a long string of "we are probably doomed books" to come out now faster than ever. Roberts is a good writer who is just too far out of his depth to write on this topic.
Poisonous Misinformation
The most depressing thing about a book like this is not the outrageously inaccurate content, but, based on the high ratings and adulatory comments by other reviewers, that most people actually believe this drivel. How can we possibly form an effective energy policy when the citizenry are not only uninformed but ill-informed? The answer is that we cannot. I will not bother to go through a detailed criticism, not only because it would take an almost book length document to do it, but because, in the highly politicized atmosphere we live in, no one would believe it. Today, the "truth" depends much more on one's political views than on an objective evaluation of the evidence. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Energy Policy (Economic Aspects)    5. Energy policy    6. Government policy    7. Industries - Energy Industries    8. International - General    9. International Relations - Trade & Tariffs    10. Petroleum Industries (Economic Aspects)    11. Petroleum industry and trade    12. Public Policy - Economic Policy    13. Public Policy - General    14. United States    15. Business & Economics / International   

Reviews (3)

ARare Textbook!
Molles "Ecology: Concepts and Applications" is a rare textbook for three reasons: Great for non-technical study
This book is the first science text I have ever encountered which I enjoy reading.It generally takes the form of a series of stories which the author deftly uses to illustrate ecological concepts.It's not technical enough for a serious ecology student, but I hope that many people read it to gain an appreciation for ecology without encountering some the fanaticism which had previously turned me away from the subject entirely.Thanks.

Great for non ecology major students
Molles has outdone himself with this book.It presents the reader a greatbook for students who are not majoring in ecology and a great way tounderstand ecology and the different field works done in the area.Thetables and organization are great.I speacially like the way the authormakes a subject easy to understand and the way the tables and pictures helpyou to understand.It's a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Life Sciences - Ecology    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Science    5. Applied ecology    6. Ecological science, the Biosphere    7. Human ecology    8. Science / Ecology   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Effect of human beings on    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Environmental sciences    5. Human Ecology    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Nature    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Ecological science, the Biosphere    11. Science / Meteorology   

Reviews (1)

Scarily good
As a layperson with next-to-no knowledge of the subject, nor any maths, algebra or statistics, I thought I'd have a lot of trouble with this book.
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Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Science    3. Life Sciences - Ecology    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Study & Teaching    7. Ecological science, the Biosphere    8. Science / Biology   

Reviews (2)

Concise, clear reference
This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in the study of human ornon-human behavior in lab or field settings.The authors pack nothing butthe vital basics in this guide.They cover topics such as research design(sample sizes) and data analysis (parametric vs. nonparametric stats). Reading this book is a great use of your time if you're consideringresearch on animal behavior.

A perfect introduction
This book is a perfect introduction to the field of behavioral data collection.I purchased this book for my first behavioral study of captive primates and it was extremely helpful.If you have never conductedresearch in this area, this book is a must have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal Behavior (Ethology)    2. Animal behavior    3. Animal psychology    4. Behavior    5. Cognitive Psychology    6. Life Sciences - Biology - General    7. Methodology    8. Psychology    9. Research    10. Animal behaviour    11. Animal ecology    12. Experimental psychology    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology    14. Psychology--Research--Methodology   

Reviews (7)

not as good as i expected
this highly recommended book started out as a compelling read, but became something i had to force myself to finish. it seems to be a series of lectures strung together, which may have been interesting as lectures, but is not cohesive enough to be a book. the good information is lost amidst the rambling style.

A must read for Landscape Architects
Anyone studying environmental planning or LA should read this book.

Significant Book for Architects - Though a Little Slow
While it's not the kind of book you want to lounge around the fireplace reading, it is a book that is frequently referred to by architects.It is significant in designing and ecologially friendly building in today's built-up environment.Summary:Not a great book, but a useful resource for architects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Effect of human beings on    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental policy    5. Human ecology    6. Landscape    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Planning    10. United States    11. Applied ecology    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. City & town planning - architectural aspects   

Reviews (6)

A must have
This book is excellent to keep in the car during forays and cross reference with mushroom field guides. The pictures are almost 3 dimensional and most of them show the various stages of the fruit bodies. The photos also show with clarity, every part of the mushroom in detail in their true colors and variations. This affordable reissue of this highly regarded tome caused quite a clamor in my mycolgist club.

Excellent mycological guide
The photographs and descriptions are among the most useful we have in our collection of mushroom guides.Marvellousfor amateur mycologists and veteran mushroom hunters alike.

a required text!!!!
As a long time schromer this book is used all the time. It is not a complete guide to wild mushrooms no book is since there a thousands of different species in the U. S..The pictures are the highpoint of this book, although the text describing what a mushroom is and how to use the book is also a value. I have the 1st edition and it is getting dogeared from heavy use ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fungi    2. Identification    3. Mushrooms    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. North America    7. Pictorial works    8. Reference    9. Reference And Information Services    10. Fungi - North America - Identification    11. Mushrooms - North America - Identification    12. Mushrooms - North America - Pictorial works    13. Nature / Mushrooms   

Reviews (2)

Lake and Pond Management Guidebook
Absolutely the last word in pond or small lake creation and maintenance.For both the amateur and professional landscaper.Well worth the steep price.

The Lake Detective... He Can't Be Stumped!A great GLer
This is that guy from AM1500 KSTP... Garage Logic, with Joe Soucheray.He goes by "The Lake Detective", and all he does is lakes, I guess.He's found a great niche in MN, land of 10,000 of 'em.Being a lakeshore owner, I've already used some of his techniques to keep my shore in great shape.The beauty of a lot of his approaches is that the solutions mostly seem pretty low-tech and inexpensive.But that's a good thing.I didn't have to rent expensive equipment to get my shore cleared, and the results have been great.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecosystem management    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. General    6. Lake ecology    7. Limnology    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Water quality management    11. Hydrology (freshwater)    12. Management of land & natural resources    13. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (4)

Very Good
Dont own previous books by Paul Stamets, but have read through a bunch. THis book is a really fine addition to the library. Lots of information, lots of color photos, and an enjoyable read. Get it.

this is an incredibly interesting + informative book
This is a well written, interesting book. And mycelium running has more relevance than I ever imagined (if I thought about it at all). In general, I'd ditch science books for literature in 2 seconds. But I just can't put this book down. It's definitely worth your $$$.

The most comprehensive mushroom/fungi book out there
Paul Stamets truly knows the material and has some great insights into the world of growing mushrooms. He succinctly describes how the science of the relatively unknown 5th kingdom (fungi) can be applied to mycoremediation to help unpollute the planet.Even though this sounds like a heavy subject, the material is understandable for people with little scientific or fungal knowledge and helps anybody understand hwo they too can get closer to mushrooms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Science    3. Fungi    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Life Sciences - Ecology    8. Medical Botany    9. Mushroom culture    10. Mycelium    11. Organic    12. Pharmacy    13. Reference    14. Specific Ingredients - Vegetables    15. Applied ecology   

Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Earth Sciences - Geology    3. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    4. Geophysics    5. Physical Oceanography    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Underwater acoustics    10. Dynamics & vibration    11. Marine Geology    12. Marine Technology    13. Navigation    14. Oceanography    15. Science / Oceanography    16. Sound, vibration & waves (acoustics)    17. Underwater Sound