Bonobos have captured the public imagination in recent years, due not least to their famously active sex lives. Less well known is the fact that these great apes don’t kill their own kind, and that they share nearly 99% of our DNA. Their approach to building peaceful coalitions and sharing resources has much to teach us, particularly at a time when our violent ways have pushed them to the brink of extinction. Animated by a desire to understand bonobos and learn how to save them, acclaimed author Deni Ellis Béchard traveled into the Congo.Of Bonobos and Men is the account of this journey. Along the way, we see how partnerships between Congolese and Westerners, with few resources but a common purpose and respect for indigenous knowledge, have resulted in the protection of vast swaths of the rainforest. And we discover how small solutions—found through openness, humility, and the principle that “poverty does not equal ignorance”—are often most effective in tackling our biggest challenges. Combining elements of travelogue, journalism, and natural history, this incomparably rich book takes the reader not only deep into the Congo, but also into our past and future, revealing new ways to save the environment and ourselves.
Winner of the 2013 ASLE Book AwardWinner of the Reed Award for the Best Book on the Southern Environment 2011Named a Top Book from the South 2011 by The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionA San Francisco Chronicle Gift Book Recommendation for 2011A Southern Independent Booksellers BestsellerTraveling the shores of the Gulf from east to west with oceanographers, subsistence fisherman, seafood distributors, and other long-time Gulf residents, acclaimed author and environmental advocate David Gessner offers a lively, arresting account of the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. With The Tarball Chronicles Gessner tells a story that extends beyond the archetypal oil-soaked pelican, beyond politics, beyond BP, and beyond other oil spill books in the market. Instead, heart on his sleeve and beer in hand, he explores the ecosystem of the Gulf as a complicated whole and focuses on the people whose lives and livelihoods have been jeopardized by the spill. With his signature combination of intellect, passion, and humor, Gessner asks how much we are willing to sacrifice for the conveniences of modern life.
Inspired by a rough-and-tumble journey across country and down river, David Gessner makes the case for a new environmentalism. In a frank, funny, and incisive call to arms that spans from the Cape Wind Project to the Monkey Wrench Gang, he considers why we do or do not fight to protect and restore wilderness, and reminds us why it’s time to join the fray.Though environmental awareness is on the rise, our march toward ecological collapse continues. What was once a movement based primarily on land preservation, endangered species, and policy reform is now a fractured mess of back-to-the-landers, capitalist “green lifestyle” vendors, technology worshipers, and countless special interest groups.Known as an environmental advocate “reminiscent of Edward Abbey” (Library Journal), Gessner rebels against this fragmented environmentalism and holier-than-thou posturing. He also suggests that global problems, though real, are disempowering. While introducing us to lovable, stubborn Dan Driscoll, “a regular guy fighting a local fight for a limited wilderness,” he argues instead for a movement focused on local issues and grounded in a more basic, more holistic—and ultimately more effective—defense of home.
Learn all about beautiful orchids with this useful and portable flower reference book. This handy field guide provides an excellent introduction to over 120 exotic orchid species found in Thailand, many unique to the region. Included are full-color photographs of their extraordinary beautiful blooms and a wealth of expert botanical information. The photographs and text by David Banks, noted authority on tropical orchids, will delight orchid lovers the world over. Periplus Handy Pocket Guides are practical field guides, useful for identifying various natural objects ranging from plants and animals to gemstones and seashells. Each page of each title throughout the series is filled with clear, precise photographs and informative text. Scientific and local language names are given.
Learn the essentials of Asian gemstones with this useful and portable reference book. Gemstones, both mythical and real, are deeply embedded in the arts, religions and cultures of Asia. This handy pocket guide provides an excellent introduction to the full range of superb gemstones mined and processed in the region, their physical characteristics, historical importance and countries of origin. Stunning color photographs and informative text by noted writer on gemstones Carol Clark, will delight both gem collectors and lovers of fine jewelry alike. Periplus Handy Pocket Guides are practical field guides, useful for identifying various natural objects ranging from plants and animals to gemstones and seashells. Each page of each title throughout the series is filled with clear, precise photographs and informative text. Scientific and local language names are given.
Learn about the many kids of tropical seashells with this useful and portable reference book. This handy pocket guide introduces 170 mollusk species found in Southeast Asia. These fascinating shelled animals vary greatly in shape and size, with equally diverse behaviors. As a quick reference to those families of mollusks most frequently encountered, together with the informative text and delightful color photographs for easy identification, this book is a «must» for beachcombers and underwater enthusiasts. Periplus Handy Pocket Guides are practical field guides, useful for identifying various natural objects ranging from plants and animals to gemstones and seashells. Each page of each title throughout the series is filled with clear, precise photographs and informative text. Scientific and local language names are given.
Learn all about beautiful tropical flowers with this useful and portable reference book. This handy pocket guide introduces 55 plant species commonly found in the Tropics. Each exotic bloom is described in detail, its history of origination discussed and gardening tips are given. Illustrated with over 120 beautiful color photographs, this book contains a wealth of botanical details, as well as fascinating information on the cultural uses of flowers. A «must» for gardeners and non-gardeners alike Periplus Handy Pocket Guides are practical field guides, useful for identifying various natural objects ranging from plants and animals to gemstones and seashells. Each page of each title throughout the series is filled with clear, precise photographs and informative text. Scientific and local language names are given.
Birds of Hawaii is a concise guide to Hawaiian birdwatching.The book is divided into three sections: «Native Birds», «Stray Variants to the Hawaiian Islands» and «Imported Birds.» Each bird is identified by its scientific name, its common name(or names), and in the case of native birds, by its Hawaiian name. These designations are followed by a description of the bird's essential characteristics, its habitat, its distinctive song or cry, and its habits. The descriptions are enhanced by vivid details from the author's own experience in observing his subjects.Twenty plates in full color, comprising illustrations of more than 150 different species of birds, together with a selection of black and white photographs, provide the reader with an easy means for identification of the birds described.
The Incredible is a part of American History and tradition and our 50th State is certainly no exception. This unique little book, incredible in its own way, brings together the talents, knowledge and experience of two well-known Hawaiian residents, artist-illustrator Ray Lanterman and author-anthropologist Terence Barrow. Whatever their subject, the authors sail along with justifiable confidence, opening to the reader, page after page, vistas of a little-known Hawaii. At times light-hearted, at other times serious, it is always a readable and lookable book. The authors delight in the unusual fact, whether it be Oahu's marvelous and unusual water system, song-making monarchs, or skiing on real snow on the slopes of Mt. Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific area, reaching 13,796 feet above sea level-and this is the essence of their book. Tourists and residents alike will find Incredible Hawaii a source of much pleasure which will lead them to a greater awareness of these utterly Fascinating islands.
The Ecology of Papua provides a comprehensive review of current scientific knowledge on all aspects of the natural history of western (Indonesian) New Guinea.Designed for students of conservation, environmental workers, and academic researchers, it is a richly detailed text, dense with biogeographical data, historical reference, and fresh insight on this complicated and marvelous region. We hope it will serve to raise awareness of Papua on a global as well as local scale, and to catalyze effective conservation of its most precious natural assets.New Guinea is the largest and highest tropical island, and one of the last great wilderness areas remaining on Earth. Papua, the western half of New Guinea, is noteworthy for its equatorial glaciers, its vast forested floodplains, its imposing central mountain range, its Raja Ampat Archipelago, and its several hundred traditional forest-dwelling societies. One of the wildest places left in the world, Papua possesses extraordinary biological and cultural diversity.Today, Papua’s environment is under threat from growing outside pressures to exploit its expansive forests and to develop large plantations of oil palm and biofuels. It is important that Papua’s leadership balance economic development with good resource management, to ensure the long-term well-being of its culturally diverse populace.