Koncocoo

Best Biology of Dogs & Wolfs

The Hidden Life of Wolves
For conservationists and lovers of animals, nature, and especially dogs, this National Geographic book shares the surprising understanding of wild wolves gained over six years the authors spent living intimately with them. — Apogee Photo Magazine "A richly layered work that speaks to the intricate and controversial relationship between wolves and humans." “A richly layered work that speaks to the intricate and controversial relationship between wolves and humans.” --Oregon Live.
Reviews
"Her birthday is in February, falling this year in the deepest frozen tundra of the coldest winter here in New York since 1885."
"Wonderful book!"
"This book is on my coffee table & it does catch everyone's eyes as they reach for this book to scan the photos."
""The Hidden Life of Wolves" is an excellent book!!!!"
"Amazing photos reveal the authors concerns and devotion to this complex and majestic wild american symbol."
"I've loved wolves since I was a kid and this book is filled with lots of great pics of the wolves along with the sawtooth scenery."
"Stunning pictures, perfect if your an artist."
"My husband is very difficult to buy for but this did the trick."
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American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE The enthralling story of the rise and reign of O-Six, the celebrated Yellowstone wolf, and the people who loved or feared her. Before men ruled the earth, there were wolves. The lives of the wolves in Yellowstone are often dramatic, but are full of touching, tender moments too, as Nate Blakeslee vividly writes in American Wolf .” —. Los Angeles Times "The story of one wolf’s struggle to survive in the majestic Yellowstone National Park offers an ambitious look through the eyes of an endangered animal." “ American Wolf takes its place in a long lineage of wolf books.... [T]here are cherished, striking images here…testament to the ever-flowing life force that is the wolf.”. — Rick Bass , New York Times Book Review. “[ American Wolf ] is a startlingly intimate portrait of the intricate, loving, human-like interrelationships that govern wolves in the wild, as observed in real time by a cadre of dedicated wolf-watchers—in the end, a drama of lupine love, care, and grief.”. — Erik Larson , author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake “Wild, poignant, and compelling, American Wolf is an important, beautifully wrought book about animals, about values, and about living on this earth.”. — Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief and Rin Tin Tin “A transcendent tale of the American West." Wolf versus wolf, wolf versus man, man versus man.”. — Margaret Atwood , author of The Handmaid’s Tale and Hag-Seed (via Twitter). “A savory blend of hardcore journalism, biodiversity analysis, weather and terrain reporting and good old-fashioned storytelling... American Wolf is the tale of an extraordinary wolf and those absorbed with her storied life.”. — Shelf Awareness “Nate Blakeslee has achieved the Jack London-like feat of creating a great story whose main character is an animal." “A well-rendered story... evenhanded but clearly and rightly on the side of the wolves.” — Kirkus Reviews “Gorgeously written, and offering stunning insights into both animal and human nature, American Wolf is a masterly feat of science journalism.”. — Michael Finkel , author of The Stranger in the Woods “Engaging... a must read for researchers, citizen scientists, and visitors to Yellowstone, where the story of the wolves continues to evolve.” —. Science “As in a great novel, we are swept along in a multi-generational saga involving matters of character, courtship, and shifting social relations." It is an absolutely mesmerizing read.”. — Dan Flores , author of Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History “ American Wolf gives us true profiles of wolf lives lived in their actual families.
Reviews
"For all of the science that wolves have in their corner, for all of the people they have pulling for them, there remain those who believe the wolf is a fur-covered plague - an animal who has no meaning for existence other than to be killed. And no true and honest book about wolves can avoid this painful fact - which means, at its core, heartbreak for the reader who is a wolf advocate. I cried for all of the people who had followed this amazing wolf for so long, I cried for her pack, and I cried for the lack of understanding that led to that point. Otherwise - Blakeslee has done an incredible job showing wolves for the amazing creatures they are, making clear the politics that gets played with these creatures' lives, and showcasing the amazing people who give their all for these animals every single day. It's an amazing book, and one that I hope will open the eyes of more people to the enduring American spirit that is our American Wolf."
"Insights into the amazing lives of wolves derive mainly from the copious notes of dedicated wolf watcher Laurie Lyman, and from observations by Rick McIntyre, a famed Yellowstone Park interpretive ranger. Hunting park wolves can’t bring back the super abundant elk, but it can provide those offended by the wolf’s return a sense of retribution. He showed “studied neutrality when fielding questions from visitors about wolf hunting around the park.” Nevertheless, if prominent figures like Rick and Doug couldn’t renounce wolf hunting near the park, or don’t even mention it to park visitors, who would? Rick explained to a friend of mine that there was a federal-state deal made when wolves were reintroduced in the 1990s – that the states would allow wolf hunting outside the park. American Wolf holds out the promise that Rick will, once retired and no longer as obsessed about seeing wolves everyday, become a Yellowstone wolf “emissary, just as Jane Goodall had done when she torn herself away from her beloved chimps to begin her own writing and speaking career, championing their cause everywhere she went.”. In one sense, the broad debate about wolves in the West, with its emphasis on livestock conflicts, gets too much coverage in the book. In that light, I found an unfortunate statement in the book that could wrongly damage the reputation of park wolves: “In fact, almost every year since reintroduction, he [Doug Smith] had reluctantly approved the shooting of a handful of Yellowstone wolves who had attacked livestock grazing near the park.” In fact, agency records show that from 2000-2015 only two park wolves were put down, and no livestock losses could be attributed to park wolves. While the book details legal and political battles over removing wolves from the endangered species list, it gives short shrift to the important idea of creating a no hunting, no trapping safety zone for wolves near the park: “Wolf advocates had lobbied for a kind of buffer zone around the park in which hunting would never be allowed, but such efforts hadn’t gotten very far.” That’s it! I was surprised that the book fails to mention Park Service attempts to get wolves to avoid people, by chasing or throwing objects at wolves, using non-lethal shotgun fired munitions, and other means. Should emphasis be on wolf management or on people management, including rules that protect wolves that happen to cross the park boundary?"
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A Wolf Called Romeo
“Beautifully written, A Wolf Called Romeo is a thoughtful and moving story about one of nature’s most evocative animals.” —Patricia McConnell, author of The Other End of the Leash “Jans is a perfect narrator for this story. For six years, this friendly wolf graced the Juneau wilderness, accompanying people on hikes and interacting with their dogs.
Reviews
"The SAD part is that the "people" (I use that term loosely) involved in the wolf's killing, although "processed" under "the system" are never truly brought to any kind of REAL justice, even in a state like Alaska, which you would hope has wildlife's best interest at heart. It really doesn't surprise me though...here in the lower 48, I can't turn on the TV every day without hearing stories of unspeakable cruelty and abuse to companion animals - abandonment, neglect, dog fighting, puppy mills, hoarders - you name it - and most of those perpetrators barely get a slap on the wrist too. Anyone who reads this book, if they aren't already a conservationist, will walk away with newfound respect and fascination for our wilderness and the magnificent, sentient beings that inhabit it alongside us."
"What are the odds of an author, a writer of Alaska’s landscape by default, to have held such an intimate part of an extraordinary relationship with one of the most majestic creatures on the planet...no bias here! But to be a writer by profession, coupled with his own first hand experiences with this wolf, and be able to capture all that occurred between Romeo and the community of Juneau is more than mere coincidence, in my opinion. Nick Jans writes with heartfelt emotion in a way that also conveys the thoughts and feelings of all those who chose to discuss their connection to this wolf."
"A wolf called Romeo is an amazing story that I read smiling with tears in my eyes."
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Best Biographies of Environmentalists & Naturalists

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World
One of the New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, The James Wright Award for Nature Writing, the. Costa Biography Award, the Royal Geographic Society's Ness Award, the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award. Finalist for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, the Kirkus Prize Prize for Nonfiction, the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award. A. Best Book of the Year: The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Economist , Nature , Jezebel , Kirkus Reviews , Publishers Weekly , New Scientist , The Independent , The Telegraph , The Sunday Times, The Evening Standard, The Spectator Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. The Humboldt in these pages is bracingly contemporary; he acts and speaks in the way that a polyglot intellectual from the year 2015 might, were he transported two centuries into the past and set out to enlighten the world’s benighted scientists and political rulers. At times The Invention of Nature reads like pulp explorer fiction, a genre at least partially inspired by Humboldt’s own travelogues. Wulf makes Humboldtians of us all.”. —Nathaniel Rich, New York Review of Books “Alexander von Humboldt may have been the preeminent scientist of his era, second in fame only to Napoleon, but outside his native Germany his reputation has faded. Wulf does much to revive our appreciation of this ecological visionary through her lively, impressively researched account of his travels and exploits, reminding us of the lasting influence of his primary insight: that the Earth is a single, interconnected organism, one that can be catastrophically damaged by our own destructive actions.” —The New York Times Book Review , Top 10 Books of the Year. “Engrossing. Wulf magnificently recreates Humboldt’s dazzling, complex personality and the scope of his writing. Her book fulfills her aim to restore Humboldt to his place ‘in the pantheon of nature and science,’ revealing his approach as a key source for our modern understanding of the natural world.”. —Jenny Uglow, The Wall Street Journal “A magnificent work of resurrection, beautifully researched, elegantly written, a thrilling intellectual odyssey.”. —Christopher Hart, The Sunday Times (London). “The most complete portrait of one of the world’s most complete naturalists.”. —Mark Cocker, The Spectator (UK). “From Russia to the jungles of South America to the Himalayas, an intrepid explorer’s travels make for exhilarating reading. Argues, lyrically and compellingly, that the man who gave us ‘the concept of nature as we know it’ deserves not merely to be remembered, but to be celebrated once again.” —The Atlantic. Andrea Wulf makes an inspired case for Alexander von Humboldt to be considered the greatest scientist of the 19th century. With the immense challenge of grasping the global consequences of climate change, Humboldt’s interdisciplinary approach is more relevant than ever.”. — The Economist, Best Books of the Year. Yet it is also a fascinating history of ideas.”. —Sarah Darwin, Financial Times“ This book sets out to restore Humboldt to his rightful place in the pantheon of natural scientists. This meticulously researched work—part biography, part cabinet of curiosities—takes us on an exhilarating armchair voyage through some of the world’s least hospitable regions, from the steaming Amazon basin to the ice-fringed peaks of Kazakhstan.”. —Giles Milton, Mail on Sunday (London). readable, thoughtful, and widely researched, and informed by German sources richer than the English canon.”. —Colin Thubron, The New York Times Book Review , “Editor’s Choice”. “In its mission to rescue Humboldt’s reputation from the crevasse he and many other German writers and scientists fell into after the Second World War, it succeeds.”. —Joy lo Dico, The Independent (London). “Luminously written.”. —Roger Cox, The Scotsman (Edinburgh). “A dazzling account of Humboldt’s restless search for scientific, emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Unapologetically in awe of her subject and intent on restoring Humboldt’s reputation, [Wulf] brings his ideas to the foreground—their emergence, spread and evolution after his death. With the environmental movement, ecology and climate science, Wulf argues, we may have entered another period in which connections predominate over isolated proofs, bringing renewed relevance to Humboldt’s grand visions of nature, the world and the universe.”. —Patrick Wilcken, Literary Review (UK). “Wulf, a historian with an invaluable environmental perspective, presents with zest and eloquence the full story of Humboldt’s adventurous life and extraordinary achievements. electrified fellow polymaths such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, discovered climate zones, and grasped the impact of industrialization on nature. In her coruscating account, historian Andrea Wulf reveals an indefatigable adept of close observation with a gift for the long view, as happy running a series of 4,000 experiments on the galvanic response as he was exploring brutal terrain in Latin America.”. —Barbara Kiser, Nature “Why is the man who predicted climate change forgotten? German-born Andrea Wulf, author of The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World , has made it her mission to put a new shine on his reputation—and show why he still has much to teach us.”. —Simon Worrall, National Geographic “Gripping. Wulf has delved deep into her hero’s life and travelled widely to feel nature as he felt it. If The Invention of Nature reaches the wide readership it deserves, we can hope that situation will change.”. —Steve Donoghue, Open Letters Monthly “Wulf ( Chasing Venus ) makes an impassioned case for the reinstatement of the boundlessly energetic, perpetually curious, prolific polymath von Humboldt (1769–1859) as a key figure in the history of science. Wulf’s stories of wilderness adventure and academic exchange flow easily, and her affection for von Humboldt is contagious.”. — Publishers Weekly (starred review), Best Books of the Year. “Engrossing. Humboldt was the Einstein of the 19th century but far more widely read, and Wulf successfully combines a biography with an intoxicating history of his times.”. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review), Best Books of the Year. “Andrea Wulf is a writer of rare sensibilities and passionate fascinations. Her work is wonderful, her language sublime, her intelligence unflagging.”. —Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of The Signature of All Things and Big Magic “ The Invention of Nature is a big, magnificent, adventurous book—so vividly written and daringly researched—a geographical pilgrimage and an intellectual epic! The English-speaking world does, astonishingly, need such a reminder, and Andrea Wulf has told the tale with such brio, such understanding, such depth. And all around the subject is the world, gradually learning to be modern—sometimes it knew it was being taught by Humboldt, sometimes not, but there is hardly a branch of knowledge which he did not touch and influence. N. Wilson, author of The Victorians and Victoria: A Life “Andrea Wulf’s marvelous book should go a long way towards putting this captivating eighteenth century German scientist, traveler and opinion-shaper back at the heart of the way we look at the world which Humboldt helped to interpret, and whose environmental problems he predicted. She has captured the excitement and intimacy of his experiences within the pages of this irresistible and consistently absorbing life of a man whose discoveries have shaped the way we see.”. —Miranda Seymour, author of Noble Endeavors: A History of England and Germany. She appears regularly on radio and TV, and in 2014 copresented British Gardens in Time, a four-part series on BBC television.
Reviews
"On first reading, I made the mistake of taking Wulf's book primarily as a biography of Alexander von Humbolt: It is that (and a good one), but foremost it is an argument for a new understanding of nature. Ms. Wulf is making the case that a proper understanding (not simply appreciation) of nature includes, perhaps requires, a passionate enthusiasm for nature, as well. Wulf deserves applause for her effort to restore Humbolt to his rightful place "in the pantheon of nature and science." Because Wulf is focused on Humbolt as the progenitor of a new ("invented") way of thinking about nature, a more comprehensive, and perhaps more complex, examination of the man gives way to the theme of influence on successors. One might get the impression not only that all his ideas were original, but that much (if not most) of subsequent nature science was derivative of Humbolt, from Darwin's thinking on evolution to contemporary climate science. Moreover, Humbolt certainly was an inspiration to many subsequent (but equally original) scientists -- my own first inklings of Humbolt's influence came from reading Darwin's account of being inspired by Humbolt's South American explorations. This points to an additional caveat: In making the case not only for Humbolt's historical influence but contemporary relevance, Wulf sometimes leaves the impression that we are listening to her pronounce on contemporary issues, e.g., climate change, in Humbolt's voice."
"It has adventure (Humboldt, we learn, was the most experienced mountaineer of his time), deep personal narrative (largely from excerpts of his own letters and notes), details about his scientific discoveries, and -- bonus -- an analysis of both corresponding contemporary scientific thought AND contemporary *art*. We learn, for example, that one of Humboldt's friends was the poet Goethe, and that his, Humboldt's, insatiable curiosity about the natural world cannot be separated from his more aesthetic feelings about this world. Wulf provides these details not only with Humboldt's own remarks (towards his male scientific partners and friends in letters, for example), but also through others' contemporary observations about his character."
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Best Wyoming Travel Guides

In the Temple of Wolves: A Winter's Immersion in Wild Yellowstone
When Rick Lamplugh reports for work at the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch on New Year's Eve, he has one goal: to learn as much as possible about the ecology of the Lamar Valley and how wolves fit in. A literary blend of facts and feelings, In the Temple of Wolves celebrates nature's stark beauty and the importance of wolves, while revealing Lamplugh's inner battles with his own human nature. Rick Lamplugh's love of the wild in Yellowstone shines brightly in these eloquent narratives, conceived while living in the park's Lamar Valley--prime wolf habitat. His stories pull the reader into adventures and mis-adventures of cold wind and blowing snow, the reality of life and death in nature, and the complexities of managing wildlife and human park visitors.
Reviews
"I tore greedily through the pages, my heart and mind captured by the stories of Rick's winter in the most beautiful place i have ever seen--the Lamar Valley--supporting the Yellowstone association and the Wolf Week programs."
"Rick's book offers compelling reasons for people to make Yellowstone their winter travel destination as well; I've always wanted to visit Yellowstone in the winter, and after reading this book I fully intend to do so within the next few years."
"This love story to Yellowstone and its wolves is a book that made me long to be back in the Lamar Valley, my happy place."
"I hope loves of nature and wild places discover this book, and open their minds and hearts to the role of this amazing animal in protecting and preserving our last great wildernesses."
"Rick made you feel like you were actually in the moment with him no matter if he was driving a tour bus of eager sightseers, stepping out of bed ready for the days activities or witnessing a wold pack cross the Lamar Valley.... you were standing right there with him. I felt his information and history on the bison, ravens, coyotes and wolves were so thorough, factual and complete and very interesting. I am ready for my journey to Yellowstone and I will carry with me the many things I learned from this book... and this time... Rick will be with ME."
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Best Biology of Apes & Monkeys

The Girl With No Name: The Incredible Story of a Child Raised by Monkeys
The amazing story of a girl who overcomes unique hardship and deprivation―growing up with a troop of capuchin monkeys―to find ultimate redemption.- As seen on The Today Show. So begins the story of her five years among the monkeys, during which time she gradually became feral; she lost the ability to speak, lost all inhibition, lost any real sense of being human, replacing the structure of human society with the social mores of her new simian family. Torn from her family at the tender age of four and abandoned in the Colombian jungle, Chapman must fight to survive. This remarkable memoir, coauthored by Barrett-Lee, is based on years of Chapman’s conversations about her brutal childhood with her daughter.
Reviews
"Then exchanging work for shelter and food in a brothel - later with a Columbian mafia family where her life was threatened every day - finally escaping to a monastery at about age 14 where she escaped again because of the treatment there."
"An 8 year old Indian girl was rescued from the Channel Islands at age 18."
"The photographs at the story's end are just one reason to believe this incredible story, but incredible it is...very difficult to believe at all."
"It makes obvious how our early experiences and upbringing have a great impact on our later years."
"It is nearly impossible to retrain their brains to accept love and trust from a mother figure. Yet being abandoned for all those years threw her in to survival mode and all the stealing, just like a RAD child. For one, chapter 24, when she spoke about stealing being private and just for herself...and that to ask an adult for something made her vulnerable and subject to judgement."
"(and a well done one) The girl herself, Marina Chapman, now 62 years old would probably not have written about her story, but her daughter thought that it should be heard and Marina plans to donate her share of the profits from this book to help finance charities that combat human trafficking and child slavery in Colombia. Even though some people doubt the truth of her story, It is a story that will keep you reading and not want to put down."
"As someone who spent my own days as a 4-5 year old growing up in Tennessee running with my neighbor's pack of rescued stray dogs, I could relate to this story."
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Best Biology of Fossils

Prehistoric Life: The Definitive Visual History of Life on Earth
Of course, the ever-popular and endlessly intriguing dinosaurs feature large, but Prehistoric Life gives you the whole picture, and the plants, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals that are the ancestors of today's species also populate its pages, making this book unprecedented in its coverage of prehistory. DK's aim is to inform, enrich, and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series and Prima Games, video gaming publishers, as well as the award-winning travel publisher, Rough Guides.
Reviews
"Beyond Awesome."
"It provides an interesting review of the history of life on earth as well as the important fossils that helped establish this history."
"Outstanding educating book."
"The amount of information in this book is worth the cost plus the photos and graphics make the concepts easier to understand."
"I am from Michigan,and I have collected Petoskey stones (fossilized coral), as well chain coral fossils, and horn coral from the beaches."
"A wealth of knowledge and information that covers major topics in clear, well put together text."
"Impressed."
"A lot of good information... very nice book, I would highly recommend."
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Best Biology of Dinosaurs

Prehistoric Life: The Definitive Visual History of Life on Earth
Of course, the ever-popular and endlessly intriguing dinosaurs feature large, but Prehistoric Life gives you the whole picture, and the plants, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals that are the ancestors of today's species also populate its pages, making this book unprecedented in its coverage of prehistory. DK's aim is to inform, enrich, and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series and Prima Games, video gaming publishers, as well as the award-winning travel publisher, Rough Guides.
Reviews
"Beyond Awesome."
"It provides an interesting review of the history of life on earth as well as the important fossils that helped establish this history."
"Outstanding educating book."
"The amount of information in this book is worth the cost plus the photos and graphics make the concepts easier to understand."
"I am from Michigan,and I have collected Petoskey stones (fossilized coral), as well chain coral fossils, and horn coral from the beaches."
"A wealth of knowledge and information that covers major topics in clear, well put together text."
"Impressed."
"A lot of good information... very nice book, I would highly recommend."
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Best Biology of Horses

The Horse Encyclopedia
Browse through the catalog of gorgeous photographs and learn about the characteristics and origins of each breed, from Friesians to Thoroughbreds, and some of the most famous horses that left a mark on equine history. Elwyn Hartley Edwards was one of the most respected equestrian authors of the twentieth century.
Reviews
"I purchased this item as a gift for my nephew, an 8-year-old boy who is absolutely crazy about horses."
"Recommend."
"This book will teach anyone about horses."
"This was a gift to my father."
"Then you start reading and realize how many errors are in here. Words in which we use Z are spelled with S. In some cases, entire words are spelled differently. e.g. Arabian horses are called Arabs. The descriptions for spotted horses were completely wrong. But they completely failed on their information on Mustangs, which are called American Mustangs."
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Best Biology of Bears

American Serengeti: The Last Big Animals of the Great Plains
Winner of the Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize America's Great Plains once possessed one of the grandest wildlife spectacles of the world, equaled only by such places as the Serengeti, the Masai Mara, or the veld of South Africa. Historian Dan Flores draws deeply from his professional expertise and life as a denizen of this eco-region to create a poetic book that functions as both conservation manifesto and memoir. Writing for a general audience, the author masterfully renders an evocative portrait to elucidate all that has been lost--vast herds of free-ranging antelope and bison, with attendant predators such as wolves, coyotes, and grizzly bears." Historian Dan Flores draws deeply from his professional expertise and life as a denizen of this eco-region to create a poetic book that functions as both conservation manifesto and memoir. Writing for a general audience, the author masterfully renders an evocative portrait to elucidate all that has been lost--vast herds of free-ranging antelope and bison, with attendant predators such as wolves, coyotes, and grizzly bears." — Karl Jacoby , author of Crimes against Nature: Squatters, Poachers, Thieves, and the Hidden History of American Conservation. " American Serengeti is Dan Flores’s love song to the Great Plains, with each verse a fond embrace of one of its own—grizzlies and bison, pronghorns and coyotes. "Dan Flores has written an engaging and provocative account of ecological change in the Great Plains by tracing the interaction of the large animals and humans in this grassland during the past 13,000 years. Personal, passionate, and scholarly, his essays on pronghorns, coyotes, horses, grizzly bears, bison, and wolves give these ancient, durable animals their historical due.
Reviews
"It is not only about the wildlife we still have among us in the Great Plains, it is an examination of the super-region’s movement through the past 10,000 years with the coming and current presence of mankind."
"I've heard Dan Flores speak on the MeatEater podcast multiple times and had to pick up his book."
"This is a great book that explores what we have squandered in the name of progress."
"Great read about the past, present, and potential future of the remaining mega fauna of the Great Plains."
"Excellent encapsulation of what once was and, potentially, could be again in some form or another."
"Great book referred by Joe Rogan."
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Best Biology of Fishes & Sharks

Reef Fish Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas - 4th Edition (Reef Set)
The 4th edition is packed with amazing marine life photographs of 683 species and enough information to keep fish watchers busy for years. In the early 1970s, Paul Humann, then captain owner of the Caribbean's first live-aboard dive boat, Cayman Diver, experienced daily frustration when unable to answer his clients many questions about the host of fish they encountered on every dive.
Reviews
"Humann not only helps you identify the various Caribbean creatures in the usual way of pointing out distinguishing features and identifying marks, he also helps you understand the relationship between seemingly very different fish (like how a pretty little Fairy Basslet is related to those big, impressive Bass)."
"Great to peruse / read at my leisure and further my aquatic education (you must have guessed already that as a scuba diver I love this kind of reading :) But another great bonus is that by reading this great book and looking at the pictures I mentally travel in an instant underwater to beautiful places I've been, even to ones I long to be and then by being in that blue Universe I love to be - and good books are such great frigates that take us places as the poet has put it - offers me such great joy, such great joy... and you can't really put a price on this!..."
"Saw this book in my local dive shop conference room."
"I thought I knew my neon goby= now I find there is a separate "Caribbean neon goby" that I need to see if I can differentiate."
"The first few pages have some drawn illustrations to guide you to which class you are looking for and go to that section where there are excellent color photos to help identify the species. Every species listed also has a short blurb to tell you specific identifying features (which can be helpful if the specimen you're identifying was a little varied from the photo), the prevalence in the area, normal dwelling areas (like in coral, near sponges, etc) to be even more specific to help you identify."
"The info for each fish is only a couple lines, but if he has more questions he just googles the name."
"Significant accounts of the biology of various species are lacking, but this volume is just what it says it is, a field guide."
"One of the best fish identifier books available."
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Best Biology of Mammals

Safari: A Photicular Book
Readers, as if on African safari, encounter eight wild animals that come alive using never-before-seen Photicular technology. Accompanying the images is Safari , the guide: It begins with an evocative journal of a safari along the Mara River in Kenya and interweaves the history of safaris. "Shots of cheetahs, rhinos, and gazelles spring to life as the pages turn." "Lenticular technology takes a big leap forward with this virtual safari." ( Entertainment Weekly ). “Shots of cheetahs, rhinos, and gazelles spring to life as the pages turn.”.
Reviews
"Normally when I purchase a gift on Amazon I just have them wrap it and send the gift directly to the person, but as a Christmas present I bought a few of these "Photicular" books and wanted to wrap them myself.."
"The level of information is a bit much for toddlers to grasp, but you can still do rough estimates of how many toddlers tall and heavy each animal is and practice animal noises and identification with little ones until they can comprehend the more advanced words."
"There's such a treasure of information about each one that if you can turn your eyes away from the pictures, you'll find there's lots to learn."
"Bought this book for my 18-month-old niece and it's a great book."
"The coolest book you will ever see."
"Grandchildren love to look at the pictures, they get a kick out of them all moving on the page."
"Although everyone was happy i sense the the mechanism and the content of the book were for different audiences, and this distract the attention of a good reader."
"Keep in mind that you do not want to smash this book or put a lot of weight on top of it, or it will damage the photoiculars."
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Best Biology of Wildlife

Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide, 3rd Edition
With more than 1 million copies sold, this updated and revised celebration of the animal kingdom features photos and descriptions of over 2,000 species and habitats. Editors-in-Chief: Don E. Wilson is the senior scientist at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Reviews
"I believe this is one of the best books I have ever seen, and I believe every single family should own it. Photos of a penguin colony are included, as are an underwater photo and photos of different types of penguins. In addition, I can't believe what a great price it is for such a priceless book."
"Each section has a close up photo of a feature that sets that each type of animal apart and then goes into detail on how to identify what makes each animal a mammal, fish, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, etc. The cover has a slight texture to the animal's features on the front and back cover which was unexpected but in a good way."
"Many books can be enjoyed or experienced in digital formats as well or better than traditional page-turners. This is the third edition of this book, which has sold more than 1 and 1/2 million units. Even for Kindle types, this book exemplifies how some books are best utilized in traditional format. This book lends itself to a coffee table or reference desk."
"Pictures of each animal accompany the description and the definition which are wonderful-this is a book from Smithsonian, who is renown not only for their museums in Washington but for their excellent picture books and magazines as well."
"Looks like a nice book."
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Best Biology of Insects & Spiders

The Beekeeper's Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes & Other Home Uses
Part history book, part handbook, and part cookbook, this illustrated tome covers every facet of the ancient hobby of beekeeping, from how to manage hives safely to harvesting one's own honey, and ideas for how to use honey and beeswax. Fully illustrated with how-to photography and unique etchings, any backyard enthusiast or gardener can confidently dive into beekeeping with this book in hand (or daydream about harvesting their own honey while relaxing in the comfort of an armchair). Richard A. Jones is a writer, ecologist, and high-profile UK expert on insects, and is a contributor and scientific advisor to BBC Wildlife Magazine and New Scientist .
Reviews
"Full of informative history, great photography, heavy paper stock, quality binding, and rife with a fairly complete overview of standard practice beekeeping methodology of the last 50+ years. They are the methods established, and now sadly accepted as standard practice, by production-focused commercial beekeepers and oriented toward a single purpose.....high honey yields. Sadly, there is virtually no mention of any of the newer (older actually) beekeeping practices which are gaining favor and showing at least the promise of greater self-sustainability in recent years. As beautiful as the book is (and it is) it's a bit like reading a book that touts itself as the definitive "Bible" on forest & land management which ONLY discusses the practice of industrial clear cutting while completely ignoring selective harvesting, dispersed cut blocks, longer green up periods, and any number of increasingly accepted forest management practices aimed at improved sustainability. I'd have loved to give this beautiful book 5 stars but any "Bible" on beekeeping has to include these now pressing considerations and at least minimally recognize that when one finds oneself in a hole....it's time to stop digging."
"Bought this book for a bee-keeping friend and she loves it."
"Even non beekeepers will enjoy the recipes and history of this fascinating insect."
"got for my mother-in-law, she is starting with bees...she loves this book so far."
"A lot of good information is in this if you are interested in keeping bees."
"Product as described, transaction went super smooth."
"As new beekeepers, there is plenty of good starter info as well as a lot for the seasoned keepers."
"Very informative book."
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Best Biology of Butterflies

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides)
The most comprehensive field guide available to North American mushrooms--a must-have for any enthusiast's day pack or home library--from the go-to reference source for over 18 million nature lovers. With more than 700 mushrooms detailed with color photographs and descriptive text, this is the most comprehensive photographic field guide to the mushrooms of North America.
Reviews
"lol ,if you like hanging outside and checking out mother nature, this book is worth every penny."
"Within minutes of receiving it I was able to find and identify a mushroom that I had photographed years ago and have been wondering about."
"An excellent reference."
"A good guide that will get your pretty close to an identification but probably not all the way there."
"Got this copy for a friend getting into mushrooming, ours is well-used."
"If you are into shrooms, this is the book for you!"
"Very good pictures and descriptions of most mushrooms."
"Even many of the most popular edible mushrooms (like boletes) are either not in the book or there is insufficient information to positively ID them."
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Best Biology of Cats, Lions & Tigers

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival (Vintage Departures)
As John Vaillant re-creates these extraordinary events, he gives us an unforgettable and masterful work of narrative nonfiction that combines a riveting portrait of a stark and mysterious region of the world and its people, with the natural history of nature’s most deadly predator. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the taiga, John Vaillant provides an unforgettable true account of a lethal collision between man and beast in a remote Russian village during the late 1990's. It's a gutsy approach that could easily lead to chaotic storytelling, but Vaillant is careful to keep the bone-chilling storyline taut by capturing the intensity of an animal worthy of our greatest respect and deepest fears. A few years ago, I interviewed a Delaware state trooper named Butch LeFebvre who’d been assigned to investigate rumors that a mountain lion was roaming the outskirts of Wilmington. It doesn’t just attack villagers; it hunts them, picking its targets like a hitman with a contract, at one point even dragging a mattress out of a shack so it can lie comfortably in wait until the woodsman returns home. Big as three NFL linebackers bundled into one, armed with claws longer than fingers and jaws rated on a strength-scale used for dinosaurs, tigers are built like missiles and can out-swim, out-climb, out-fox and out-run just about anything that breathes. You crouch to the height of the animal you’re seeking, learning to see the world through its eyes, inhale scents through its nostrils, feel cool earth and crushed leaves beneath its padded paws. They feel such kinship with the big cats that they’ll even share their meals by leaving hunks of meat in the woods, convinced the tigers will re-pay them in kind with a deer haunch when times are lean.
Reviews
"Okay, but why should you read a book about a search for a man-eating Amur tiger, the world’s largest land predator, in the most remote parts of the earth?"
"Oh, by the way ....." I liked the book."
"The book brings all that alive in the first half of the book."
"The bottom line is that this book is a masterpiece, a work of art and detailed investigation. For a while I thought that all significant action had taken place, but then Bam! The last encounter causing the death of our friend, El Tigre, is a fantastic scene."
"Amazing book that conveys the excitement and horror of living in a land where humans are among creatures hunted by tigers."
"One of the best books I've read in years."
"This is purportedly true life and once again, highlights the flexibility of most wildlife when sharing this world with humans."
"Vaillant is a brilliant writer and, although I was primarily interested in reading about Amur Tigers, the Taiga, and outdoor adventure, I got a whole lot more for my money than that."
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Best Biology of Reptiles & Amphibians

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders: North America (National Audubon Society Field Guides (Paperback))
Descriptive text includes measurements, diagnostic details, and information on habitat, range, feeding habits, sounds or songs, flight period, web construction, life cycle, behaviors, folklore, and environmental impact.
Reviews
"The pictures are organized by insect biotype and refer to the page number where insect information is. Cons: One thing I wish this book had was more pictures at the front, since there were some insects I had never seen before and couldn't even find something similar in the book."
"This is a fascinating and helpful book!"
"A nice surprise for my husband."
"This has in almost every instance resulted in finding the desired identity.I don't carry it with me, but it looks durable enough to be put in my camera bag and have it survive a lot of handling."
"I have all of these series of field guides and even though they are older (somewhat out of date) these guides are great to me."
"All of the National Audubon books are wonderful and even a 4th or 5th grader can find information in them and understand what they are reading."
"It is hard to beat the Audubon field guides."
"Our family loves these books."
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Best Bird Watching

National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America (National Geographic Backyard Guides)
Essential for the millions of Americans who watch and feed birds in their backyards—whether experienced birders or new birding enthusiasts—from the experts at National Geographic and co-author of the popular and perennial best seller Field Guide to the Birds of North America. "Valuable, as both a reference and as a 'browsing' book."
Reviews
"purchased as a gift--very nice--fast shipping."
"I bought this for my autistic grandson, who loves birds."
"We have five roadrunners that live on our patio with us and we consider them "Backyard Birds"."
"He looks forward to practicing, with his. binoculars, to recognize and help birds reasonably close at hand!"
"Nice details about the birds characteristics and behavior."
"Sent as a gift to a favorite cousin but forgot to let him know who was sending it."
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Best Seashells

Florida's Living Beaches: A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber
Now, the second edition of this supremely comprehensive guide has even more to satisfy the curious beachcomber, including expanded content and additional accounts with more than 1800 full-color photographs, maps, and illustrations. Blair and Dawn have merged their art, writing, photography, and design in a number of projects, including Florida's Living Beaches: A Beachcomber's Guide , Florida's Seashells , Living Beaches of Georgia and the Carolinas: A Beachcomber's Guide , and Seashells of Georgia and the Carolinas: A Beachcomber's Guide .
Reviews
"This is the perfect book for those who love exploring Florida's beaches and want to learn more about what they find."
"I came to using it after beachcombing with either pictures (preferred) or specimens."
"Good gift for an adult or young beachcomber."
"I learned a lot about beaches and sand movement from the "Beach Features" section."
"What impressed me was seeing that it covers the entire gambit of everything and anything a person may find at the beach, from shells to corals, sponges, jellyfish, land and water animals, plant/tree life, seabeans and seeds and even drift item that commonly wash ashore. As others have mentioned it's full of photographs on every page, a corresponding map telling you where in Florida you'll tend to find each particular item and during what season, and is a well organized, easy and fun to read high quality book."
"If you live in Florida, this is a must."
"What an incredible book!"
"It is so entertaining and informative that you can spend hours with it and you will certainly be referring to it often to identify things that you see on the beach or shells that you collect."
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Best Marine Life

Ocean: A Photicular Book
Open the book, and the reader is swept into the magic of an underwater world, face-to-face with a floating Yellow-Banded Sweetlips; with a glow-in-the-dark Deep-Sea Anglerfish; with a Sea Horse swaying in balletic motion; with a Sand Tiger Shark gliding along the ocean floor, its gaze haunting, its hook-toothed mouth gulping open and closed. “Showcasing stunning photographic images that ripple with movement, Dan Kainen fully immerses readers in a captivating underwater realm. (The Bookseller). “Showcasing stunning photographic images that ripple with movement, Dan Kainen fully immerses readers in a captivating underwater realm.
Reviews
"Here's a short video of what this book does."
"-- but even the youngest kids will enjoy the graphics and pictures!"
"It would be great to see future books with possibly forest animals, maybe desert animals, flying animals, creepy crawlies...the possibilities are endless!!"
"These books are great."
"We saw this at a toy store and put in on the mental list for our child's upcoming birthday."
"Okay, for those of you who've not seen these, they are a MUST have for kids of all ages."
"The plastic in the images was a bit damaged but for $5 it’s fine."
"I love how realistically the pictures move, it is amazing!"
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