Best Soil Science
By eschewing jargon and overly technical language, the authors make the benefits of cultivating the soil food web available to a wide audience, from devotees of organic gardening techniques to weekend gardeners who simply want to grow healthy, vigorous plants without resorting to chemicals. “Digs into soil in a most enlightening and entertaining way.” — Dallas Morning News. “The authors have given gardeners an inside scoop on the scientific research supporting organic gardening.” — Pacific Horticulture. A brief, clear overview of scientific information with which every gardener should be familiar.” — Monterey Herald. “Sure, it’s a gardening book, but it has all the drama and suspense of an extraterrestrial thriller. In Teaming with Microbes Lowenfels and Lewis reveal the new research in the most practical and accessible way.” — The Oregonian. “It takes readers underground to meet the critters that live if you let them under the garden.” — Rockland Courier-Gazette.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great way to get a basic understanding of the soil food web and the microbes that inhabitate it."
"I haven't gotten a chance to finish reading this yet, but it is informative from what I've read so far."
"This is the kind of book that can change lives!"
"Highlights the importance of the soil food web and how symbiosis occurring between plants, bacteria and fungus mutually benefit one another (and us)."
"This book tells you how to join the team of the microbes and make them do the work for you in your organic garden. Anyways, this makes gardening and composting more enjoyable for me, as I am able to understand things like PH, and ammonium versus nitrates, and fungi vs bacteria dominated soils."
"Lots of detail regarding soil life and things pertaining to that life."
"Incredible book with crazy amounts of fantastic information that goes above and beyond my expectations."
"Excellent Book , which clearly defines the role of microbes in the soil ."
Searching for meaning in what Nietzsche once called "the rainbow colors" around the outer edges of knowledge and imagination, Wilson takes his readers on a journey, in the process bridging science and philosophy to create a twenty-first-century treatise on human existence―from our earliest inception to a provocative look at what the future of mankind portends. Continuing his groundbreaking examination of our "Anthropocene Epoch," which he began with The Social Conquest of Earth , described by the New York Times as "a sweeping account of the human rise to domination of the biosphere," here Wilson posits that we, as a species, now know enough about the universe and ourselves that we can begin to approach questions about our place in the cosmos and the meaning of intelligent life in a systematic, indeed, in a testable way. O. Wilson is Darwin’s great successor, a scientist of such astounding breadth, depth, experience, and brilliance that he offers us nothing less than a new understanding of humanity… You will see the beauty, mystery, and possibilities of human existence through the eyes of one of humanity’s greatest and most intrepid explorers.”. - Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. “There can be few better guides through our species’ past journey and potential for the future… A provocative and beautifully written collection of essays.”. - Tim Lenton, Nature. “No biologist has been more persistent or eloquent in correcting our misapprehensions about human origins than Edward O. Wilson… We should be grateful that Wilson, so late in his illustrious career, still appeals to reason and imagination in hopes of enlightening us about our nature and inspiring us to change our destructive ways.”. - Scott Russell Sanders, Washington Post.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you've read Wilson's other bestselling books, and you're reasonably well-read in the fields of prehistory, evolutionary biology, cultural anthropology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and comparative religions, then you, too, will find little new here. Wilson focuses that journey heavily on his recent groundbreaking thesis about the importance of human eusociality (see his "The Social Conquest of Earth"). As an important side note--yet given a whole chapter of its own--the author makes it clear that in the greater scheme of things, it is "microbes that rule the Galaxy." In closing, it would be an enormous oversight if I failed to note what a sublime pleasure it always is to read Wilson's clear, thoughtful, eloquent and exquisite prose."
"Wilson's books. While I liked the idea of visiting ETs being more concerned with the humanities than our scientific discoveries (they'd have reached the same scientific conclusions independent of human input) I wasn't convinced by Wilson's projections of what they might look like. One of Wilson's main points remains that the internal conflict in human conscience is a result of thousands of years of trying to balance individual selection against group selection."
"I still don't follow the argument for group selection (but I'm not that smart, and I'm no biologist, either)."
"I am not a scientist, but I was both intrigued and pleased by this book."
"I found the discussion of the levels of evolution confusing but the rest of the book was great."
"Exceptional!"
"The lives of ants is fascinating."
"Wilson's blend of science and the humanities doesn't quite travel beyond the simplistic, but his insights into being human in a diverse world of other species shines through."
Fully updated in this edition, it includes the latest information on soil colloids; nutrient cycles and soil fertility; and soils and chemical pollution. Expanded treatment of soil quality, soil degradation and soil resilience. Engineering properties of soils Expanded treatment of soil quality, soil degradation and soil resilience A new section on septic tank drain fields Expanded section on irrigation management A new section on wetlands and their poorly aerated soils.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for an intro soil science class."
"I am using this textbook for my Soils class."
"Good textbook, came in good condition and worked well for my course."
"I will be honest, I did not read the whole book."
"Soil Science is overly complicated but this book attempts to simplify the subject matter."
"I'm happy with the amount of info!"
"book is informative but highly disappointed that it only has 5 colored pages."
"College class- as described."
Best Food Science
How to make homemade mac 'n' cheese that is as satisfyingly gooey and velvety-smooth as the blue box stuff, but far tastier? In hundreds of easy-to-make recipes with over 1,000 full-color images, you will find out how to make foolproof Hollandaise sauce in just two minutes, how to transform one simple tomato sauce into a half dozen dishes, how to make the crispiest, creamiest potato casserole ever conceived, and much more. “[Kenji] approaches recipe development with monomaniacal zeal, then shares the delicious results with the infectious enthusiasm of the coolest teacher you had in high school.”. - The Globe and Mail.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon""The Food Lab" by Lopez-Alt is a dense collection of science based tips, explanations, techniques, and recipes for the home cook. I really like the way this book has been laid out: - The introduction is a modest overview of the author and his background followed by some really helpful information on equipment (such as an explanation on techniques for holding knives, how heat transfers through metal for consideration in what type of pan to use, essential equipment to have in your kitchen, and how to store and organize your fridge and pantry). * Cooked Vegetables has a great range of side dishes such as Brussels sprouts, Mexican street corn salad, roasted cauliflower, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and quite a few more recipes. Recipes in this chapter include mac 'n' cheese, risotto, linguine with clams, lasagna, and spaghetti. - The front and back book covers insides have conversion tables to be opened or flipped to quickly as a reference."
"And this book is great, and beautiful, full of photos, his great sense of humor, and excellent instructions. I was just hoping to see more of that type of food, whereas this book is targeted towards beginners (not to say that experienced cooks can't get value out of this book, because it's full of great info) or more specifically, towards people who haven't been reading his column all this time. Though in the meanwhile, there are already recipes I've got bookmarked to try out, like his puttanesca, pot roast, oven fries, THAT MEATLOAF, not to mention his excellent egg salad, which I've previously made from the site…. I'm so glad to be able to pay Kenji back in some form for the years of free content on Serious Eats and I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cooking and improving their skills, in particular beginner cooks."
"Like most cookbooks today, it begins with a background of the author, who is an MIT grad turned culinary scientist. There are some things which go contrary to cooking norms (flip your steak often, and searing does not lock in juice), but there are explanations for the methods behinds the madness. Even if you never bother to make a recipe from this book verbatim, it will greatly increase your cooking skills from practical knowledge of physics, chemistry, taste, and technique."
Best Crop Science
With 512 full color pages and 1120 full color photographs and illustrations, Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible is the most complete cultivation book available. --Phil Kilv, Editor in Chief, Weed World Magazine, January 2006.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is the standard for the amateur/novice grower it has everything you will need and more."
"excellent book for anyone who is looking to get basic knowledge."
"love the dvd, fast speedy service, A+."
"Jorge Cervantes, is the one and only master grower!"
"good book with great pictures."
"Great book but needs to be updated."
Best Agricultural Science History
It turned out there was nothing "micro" about Esther, and Steve and Derek had actually signed on to raise a full-sized commercial pig. "Told with self-effacing humor and a sense of wonder at what life can bring, ESTHER is the story of the transformative power of love between people and animals and how the decision to try to make a difference on a personal level can effect positive change far beyond anything that might have been imagined. "― Larry Levin, New York Times. bestselling author of. Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love. ESTHER THE WONDER PIG is a tender, funny story that manages to sneak up behind you when you're least expecting it and change your life. "Funny, entertaining, enlightening, and touching, this book about an unknowingly influential little piggy is a good read that also provides an education on the intelligence of pigs and their capacity for giving and receiving affection.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've followed Esther on FB for so long, that Steve and Derek feel like friends that I wave to everyday as I leave the house. The book is funny, endearing, thought provoking, and reminds us that there are many other animals that are just as loving and intelligent as our current domesticated pets, and that they don't deserve the treatment or fate they receive in this world. You may not go completely vegan after reading the book, but most everything about Esther's story will at least give you pause, a reason to consider things that you didn't think about before. Fate stepped in, Esther was spared a horrific and short life before becoming a package of bacon, and instead became a social media personality that has followers around the globe. Steve, Derek, and Esther have unknowingly immortalized their legacy; their names, this story, and the current animal sanctuary they run will be remembered and loved forever."
"The only way I could be happier with this book is if it had more pages with more wonderful tales of our favorite porcine princess…I’ve been following Esther, her dads and HEEFS for a while now on social media and, I love everything about them and their story."
"Esther has been a big part of my life over the last year."
"I have followed the adventures of Esther for some time on Facebook."
"As a loyal Esther follower, I wanted the story behind the Facebook page, and I definitely got that."
"The best book you can buy on Amazon!!!"
"I have been following Esther the Wonder Pig on FB for probably close to 3 years."
"It's an easy read and full of fun and good information."
Best Horticulture
With 512 full color pages and 1120 full color photographs and illustrations, Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible is the most complete cultivation book available. --Phil Kilv, Editor in Chief, Weed World Magazine, January 2006.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is the standard for the amateur/novice grower it has everything you will need and more."
"excellent book for anyone who is looking to get basic knowledge."
"love the dvd, fast speedy service, A+."
"Jorge Cervantes, is the one and only master grower!"
"good book with great pictures."
"Great book but needs to be updated."
Best Irrigation
The U.S. government predicts that forty of our fifty states-and 60 percent of the earth's land surface-will soon face alarming gaps between available water and the growing demand for it. Every town, every country, and every reader can benefit from learning what Israel did to overcome daunting challenges and transform itself from a parched land into a water superpower. In Let There Be Water , Seth Siegel explores the crisis through the lens of a solution, telling the powerful story of how the people of Israel came together to overcome their water problems, so that the rest of the world can learn from their example and get ahead of the looming crisis.” ― Arianna Huffington "Brilliant." “From the arid front lines of the freshwater scarcity crisis, Siegel provides an eye-opening account how Israel turned adversity into opportunity to become an innovative pioneer in the global quest for a new water paradigm.” ― Steven Solomon, author, WATER: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization. “ Let There Be Water is an essential look at the unknown story of how Israel has avoided the coming global water crisis despite being mostly desert. “ Let There Be Water is the expertly and movingly told story of how Israeli specialists and NGOs greatly helped many Africans gain access to clean water. “In the last 50 years, one place has taken water scarcity and turned it into water abundance―Israel. Seth M. Siegel’s book Let There Be Water pieces together the surprising story of how Israel made itself into a ‘water superpower’ with clarity, with verve, and most important, with a sense of hope for everyone else facing water problems.” ―Charles Fishman , New York Times bestselling author of The Big Thirst: The secret life & turbulent future of water “Capturing Israel’s revolution from thirsting wasteland to thriving wellspring, Seth M. Siegel meticulously traces a fledgling nation’s quest to emerge as an international “water superpower,” in his new book Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water- Starved World. “Israel’s determination to create water security is a half-century-long lesson in the liberating economic power of smart water, and a vivid illustration that scarcity doesn’t need to lead to deprivation. “Israel’s determination to create water security is a half-century-long lesson in the liberating economic power of smart water, and a vivid illustration that scarcity doesn’t need to lead to deprivation. "This smart, engaging, and extremely feel-good book tells one of the stories that best illustrates how Israel consistently turns crises into opportunities and challenges into victories...Siegel’s accessible handling of technological issues, his focus on key individuals inside and outside of government, and his boundless enthusiasm for Israel’s accomplishments and international leadership make Let There Be Water a highly appealing read."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It reads like a documentary, but it describes in detail the amazing and effective methods Israel has used to get water where the is none, and the creative ways they have managed, supplied and helped their neighbors, even when the help was not wanted and the ways they have generously shared their ideas with the world."
"Seth Siegel has written a fascinating, engaging and highly readable book telling the story of how Israel went from chronic water shortages to being a water-exporting nation roughly between 2001 and 2013. Along the way, Siegel has a great time telling how the Jews got water to their illegal settlements in the Negev desert; how the National Water Carrier brought the Sea of Galilee to the southern deserts and made the city of Beersheva possible; how Israeli-invented drip irrigation proved that it could not only save half the agricultural water needs of the world, but could do so while at least doubling crop yield for just about anything farmers grow; how Israeli engineers turned waste water from a repulsive pollutant and a health hazard into a central pillar of Israeli agriculture; and how desalination of Mediterranean sea water finally went from a dream to a reality in just the last few years. This nationalization may have saved Israel, but Siegel also reminds us that until new legislation in 2007, Israeli municipalities used their income from nationalized water resources as a slush fund to subsidize crony politics, rather than fixing badly decaying water delivery systems. Siegel asserts that the socialized water system was free from corruption, for instance, but there are points in the book where you begin to feel that things couldn't have been quite that peachy."
"A great book about Israel's achievements which it shares with the world."
"Brilliant book, with very illuminating ideas."
"Seth Siegel has written a comprehensive book on how Israel has become a world leader in water management and conservation."
"Great history, not part of the curriculum these days!"
"The history of how Israel came to grips with its most existential problem, water scarcity, should make us all a bit prouder of what the human race can accomplish."
"A very revealing history and analysis of how the Israeli's conquered the water problem to turn a desert into a productive modern state."
Best Sustainable Agriculture
Brock’s interpretation of Southern favorites like Pickled Shrimp, Hoppin’ John, and Chocolate Alabama Stack Cake sit alongside recipes for Crispy Pig Ear Lettuce Wraps, Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Tomato Gravy, and Baked Sea Island Red Peas. and talks straight about basics.” —People “Delectable.” —Travel + Leisure “ Heritage is a journey that will inspire you to understand your own region’s terroir, and the people and practices behind the food that fills your plate.”. — Taste of the South “A celebration of Southern ingredients, this ambitious debut provides insight into a notable chef’s carefully crafted cuisine. His approach to the intersection of the old and the new is nothing short of MacArthur Prize–worthy and, most important, the recipes are deliciously easy to make, nearly intuitive poems to the very earth itself. Heritage celebrates the narrative of Lowcountry cooking and tells a story that continues to inspire.”. —David Chang, chef/owner, Momofuku. “Sean Brock is one of the most important chefs in America. Heritage will thrill, surprise, and delight as readers discover what a rich, glorious, and delicious culinary history we once had—and, thanks to chefs like Sean, will surely have again. In Heritage , he shows you the essence of who he is and why he has paved the way in putting the Lowcountry on the map.”. —April Bloomfield, chef and author of A Girl and Her Pig. Reading through it is rather like eating barbeque and drinking beer with Sean Brock; you know you’re in a good place.”. —Fergus Henderson, chef and author of The Complete Nose to Tail. “Sean Brock is one of the most thoughtful cooks I know, with the ability to take a deep understanding of the American South’s culinary history and express it in a way that is unmistakably personal, forward-thinking, and brilliant. The recipes and stories are a delicious reminder of the pleasure to be found in good ingredients, honest cooking, and staying close to home.”. —Daniel Patterson, chef and author of Coi. “Sean is a passionate and true culinary voice in the telling of the past, present, and the future of his beloved South. You don’t have to be from the South to experience the authentic tastes, flavors, and stories using this book.”. —David Kinch, chef and author of Manresa.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a career Chef I found this book to be extremely useful in finding inspiration for new and innovative ways to prepare staple southern dishes."
"Love this cook book, it’s more of a coffee table book though as the ingredients are nearly next to impossible to find."
"Great book."
"I've become a big fan of cookbooks that aren't just recipes and pictures but stories of personal reflection and the journey chefs take in their creative approach."
"Sean Brock is a gifted chef and the images in this cookbook were stunning."
"Love this book!!!"
"Chef Brock states this is from where he lives and did the research on the dishes ingredients."
"The food tastes like Grandma's house (home style & heart warming) and the recipes are easy to make. The story, resources and recipes have truly altered the way I look at food and how I prepare it."
Best Tropical Agriculture
This well illustrated book highlights the importance of Yoga in a woman's life and gives a variety of asanas with their physical and curative values. Iyengar--the internationally known Yoga master.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"An amazing book for women in yoga by The daughter of the man, Iyengar, himself."
"Her devotion to Yoga shines through this book.This is a great volume where she describes all categories of asanas, well-written basic philosophy, and there are many hidden therapeutic gems like the section on menstruation and female reproductive issues."
"As daughter to BKS Inyengar, the individual credited with bringing yoga to the world beyond India, Geeta Iyengar's knowledge and experience of yoga is inordinately in-depth and her approach to explicating the practice reflects this rounded and rich knowledge."
"I personally need to be shown how to perform Yoga positions, but for those who can learn from pictures and explanations, this would be good for you."
"Clear and concise information with lots Yoga postition photos."
"Beautiful book."
Best Agronomy
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Couple this with Holistic Management, and Keyline Design, to form the perfect Trinity."
"All the permaculture information I will ever need, I think!"
"This book is well worth the money I spent to acquire it."
"This book, in my opinion, gives the reader an excellent foundation on the topic of permaculture."
"This is a good lexikon and the explenations are technical and detailed and easy to understand, have not read all yet but this book with a couple of others on the subject of permaculture is a must."
"I have read this cover to cover and loved every bit of it."
"Bill Mollison is the creator of Permaculture."
Best Animal Husbandry
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
"Even non beekeepers will enjoy the recipes and history of this fascinating insect."
"Bought this book for a bee-keeping friend and she loves it."
"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."
"As new beekeepers, there is plenty of good starter info as well as a lot for the seasoned keepers."
"Very informative book."
"Purchased this as a gift for my boyfriends father who started beekeeping about a year ago."
Best Forests & Forestry
Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded. MICHAEL FINKEL is the author of True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa , which was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not only is this story of Chris Knight one of the most compelling that I have read in some time, but the lengths that you went to, to research his venture into the woods of Maine, to understand him, to get to know him, clearly better than anyone else has, and to represent him with such dignity, astounds me. While some, especially those whose homes were burgled, might still never understand what would cause a person to want to live in such extreme conditions let alone in solitude, far removed from the ‘regular’ world, after reading the book, while I will never spend a night, let alone an hour in the woods, what drew Knight makes sense to me now. It’s not to say that after reading THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS that every reader will feel compelled to pick up and leave their jobs, families, and the comfort of modern society behind, but it sure does offer food for thought."
"I wanted to read this book as the Maine woods have been a part of my life and I was unfamiliar with this story until I saw this book. I realized from the start that at the core of this story was an important topic I already have been worrying about that I feel American society either is unaware of or is purposefully ignoring: the neuro-atypical person and the challenge of how they will live (not thriving but suffering) in modern America. Knight was content and found peace in living that life until he was caught with the help of sophisticated surveillance equipment while robbing food from a nonprofit camp for disabled children (including kids on the Autism Spectrum). The heartbreaking part of this story is that the suffering that Knight endured was due to square pegs not fitting in the round holes of modern American society, his relief and contendedness was found living in isolation in nature, but this is not really allowed in America, and when possible it's only available to those who are able to financially support themselves due to an inheritance or some income stream that they are lucky to find that meshes with their talents and abilities. But this book provides more food for thought, for me at least, than just Knight's hermit years story. I hope this book is a catalyst for Americans to think about this issue, with the rising rates of Autism and mental illness, we have more people this decade than ever before who are not fitting in with the mandatory American public school system and who are not fitting in to work jobs as adults enough to support themselves independently let alone the issue of if a person is happy or content."
"Many of us dream of secluding from the busyness of modern living—the fast-paced, noisy, cyclical nature in which life has become; yet many of us do not have the courage or tenacity to pursue such a dream, much less achieve this dream for the amount of time that Knight did. On a practical level, Michael Finkel has written this biographical account excellently."
"My heart goes out to Mr. Knight."