Product Description
This introductory ecology lab manual focuses on the process of collecting, recording and analyzing data, and equips students with the tools they need to function in more advanced science courses. It reflects the most current techniques for data gathering so that students can obtain the most accurate samples. Balanced coverage of plant, animal and physical elements offers a diverse range of exercises. Includes exercise on writing research reports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent ecological field book
This guide has many techniques ideal for sampling many (and possibly any) habitat type.The guide includes field sheets for easy data entry, equations to obtain key ecological standards, plus a detailed descriptionof the many techniques with cited references.Simply a handy tool and a"must have" when working in a field of so many different samplingtechniques for different habitats. ... Read more

Product Description
The first edition of Krohne's GENERAL ECOLOGY is known and respected as one of the best texts available for mathematical modeling in the general ecology course.Accessible and well-balanced in its treatment of populations, communities, and ecosystems, the book has exceptionally strong coverage of evolutionary ecology.The second edition maintains its focus on making the subject accessible to undergraduate students without trivializing the concepts, and has been thoroughly checked for accuracy.With a completely new design to enhance its visual appeal, the art has been elevated to the same high standard as the text. ... Read more

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Dharma Gaia explores the ground where Buddhism and ecology meet, with writings by over twenty-five Buddhists and ecologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A wide range of views for not just Buddhists
Badiner, ed., Dharma Gaia: A Harvest of Essays in Buddhism and Ecology, Berkeley, Parallax Press, 1990.
265 pages, $18.00
ISBN: 0938077309

More a collection of meditations or prose poems than essays, this book contains a wide range of short pieces from prominent writers and practitioners in the fields of Buddhism (Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, for example), East Asian philosophy and religion (Padmasiri De Silva and Joanna Macy), and the environmental and ecology movements (Bill Devall and John Seed). There are even selections from the Beat poets who introduced Buddhist ideas into the pop culture of the mid-twentieth century, Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsberg.

Some titles of a few essays will provide a good indication of the nature of the contents: "Orphism: the Ancient Roots of Green Buddhism;" "The Perceptual Implications of Gaia;" "Rock Body Tree Limb;" "Animal Dharma;" "Women and Ecocentricity;" "Earth Gathas;" "Haiku & the Ecotastrophe."

As a whole the collection is a little dated only in that one might wonder how recent developments such as acts of global terrorism and the now confirmed understanding of the dire effects of human activity on climate are viewed in the Buddhist ecological context. Otherwise, all the readings are superlative. Care of the earth is a long-established precept among Buddhists; Dharma Gaia offers enlightenment not just to Buddhists but also to anyone of any faith interested in the spiritual ground for environmental awareness. Suzanne Head, one of the contributors, prays that "other human beings of this planet would also find the confidence, courage and integrity to honor inner Nature and outer Nature.... Realizing the sacredness of the Earth that supports us and the sky that inspires us,...we would find ways to live that could be sustained by the biosphere. Instead of poisoning and plundering the Earth until all life expires, we could fulfill our Nature by being warriors for the Earth."

for every thinking person and those who wish to be
Everyone I've recommended this book to has loved it.It will either be an introduction of new ideas that are pleasant to think about or a conformation of thoughts the reader already has worded in a way that makes them more accessable.The list of writers contains many sparkling souls.Anyone can read this without being offended, and everyone should read it at least once.

Fabulous, it will expand your mind
The book's premise is that buddhism is the perfect religion for an eco-centric based society & culture. It does very well in proving the compatibility and similarities between buddhism & ecology. The sectionon shifting views of perception is highly enlightening. The variety in thisbook is amazing, there are over 30 contributors. Books like this one, inwhich the book is merely a collection of essays on the same topic are greatbecause you can read it in one sitting, or read an essay at a time. As youfinish the last essay of the book, you will never see Smokey the Bear inthe same light again, now there's a teaser!. But seriously folks, this bookis great.

Well written, insightful, thought provoking
Dharma Gaia is a collection of essays offering different perspectives on human/Gaia interaction. These perspectives tie in with Buddhist philosophies to offer readers a sane and well reasoned spiritual approachto ecology. Short introduction by the Dalai Lama, essays and some poetry.

An excellent and original read
Overall, this is an easy read which addresses some complex issues.By the end of the book I developed a greater understanding of both environmental conservation and buddhism.Too many books jump on the"buddha-chic" or "eco-cool" bandwagon, but offer littlemore than a rehash of general facts - this isn't one of them. ... Read more

Product Description
Offering essential environmental wisdom for the twenty-first century, this lively, compact book explains more than sixty basic ecological concepts in an easy-to-use A-to-Z format. From Air and Biodiversity to Restoration and Zoos, Ecology: A Pocket Guide forms a dynamic web of ideas that can be entered at any point or read straight through. An accessible, informative guide to achieving ecoliteracy, it tells the story of the amazing interconnectivity of life on Earth and along the way provides the ecological understanding necessary for fighting environmental degradation. This new edition has been updated throughout and features five new essays on the topics of biotechnology, global warming, migration, smell, and tourism.Amazon.com Review
Everyone talks about the weather, the old saw has it, but noone can do anything about it. Similarly, it seems, we all talk aboutenvironmental problems, but few of us seem able to propose rationalsolutions to such matters as global warming and deforestation. ErnestCallenbach, the author of the futuristic novel Ecotopia, aims withthis little primer to increase our ecological literacy, and thus ourability to act on pressing environmental problems with a betterinformed vision. Beginning with his homespun rendering of theprincipal laws of ecology ("All things are interconnected. Everythinggoes somewhere. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Nature batslast.") Callenbach shows that all environmental relationships arereciprocal, and that if you tinker with one element of anecosystem--by, say, removing trees from a rainforest--you are likelyto alter other elements as well, more often than not for theworse. His lively entries cover the basic chemistry of air, theusefulness of bacteria (from which, Callenbach reminds us, all lifeforms descended), the ecosystemic effects of industrial pollution, andthe principles of sustainable city design--all in the space of 150pages. This slender, well-written volume serves as a welcome brush-upcourse for environmental activists and as an introduction forbeginning students of the ways of the physical world. --GregoryMcNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great
Book was sent quickly and was in great condition.Would do bussiness with this business/person again.

arrived in perfect condition
This book arrived in perfect condition and right on time.I was very happy with the overall experience of this transaction and will certainly conduct business in the future with this seller. ... Read more

Product Description
Unlike other natural resource management volumes that focus solely on the ecological aspects of resources—and with an overly pessimistic view of the future—this volume explores natural resource management in context in a functional, applied framework by integrating ecology, history, planning, economics, and policy into coverage of each natural resource, and by providing a balanced, guarded optimistic view of the most current research and technology's capability to overcome natural resource problems. Exceptionally straightforward and readable, it is easily accessible to readers with limited background in ecology, biology, and economics.The volume provides an overview of natural resources, and a complete analysis of management foundations, air, water, and land resources, the land-based renewable resources, the wild living resources, the mineral and energy resources, plus an integration of natural resources management.For foresters, wildlife biologists, geologists, range managers, and environmental scientists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great quality
Got this book used. Delivered far faster than I expected and the quality was like new. Very pleased. ... Read more

Product Description
6X9 In, 266 Pp, Bibliography, Footnotes, < Appendices < Practicing Is Simple. Nothing Forced, < Nothing Violent, Just Settling Into Our < Place. Deep Ecology, A Term Originated < In1972 By Norwegian Philosopher Arne < Naess, Is Emerging As A Way To Develop < Harmony Between Individuals, Communities < and Nature. Deep Ecology--The Term and < The Book--Unfolds The Path To Living < Simple, Rich Life and Shows How To < Participate In Major Environmental < Issues In A Positive ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An excellent resource for the already converted.
As a long time environmental activist and graduate student in philosophy I found the book wonderfully comprehensive in its analysis and explanation of deep ecology.The book delves nicely into the sources of deep ecology and its response to other perspectives on environmental issues.I found it a quick read (I read it at the gym, but then, I read Heidegger for fun) and well put together.

It will not, however, make someone who is coming from a perspective far from deep ecology change their mind.For that I would recommend Muir or Jeffers or better yet, spend some time in the real wilderness yourself.What it does is provide extensive background material and elucidation of the philosophy to someone who already believes in the importance of wilderness preservation.

A ponderous classic of the environmental movement.
This classic text of the environmental movememt has influenced groups as diverse as The Nature Conservancy, Greenpeace, and Earth First!Devall and Sessions explore the emotional and spiritual underpinnings of hamanity'sties to the earth in this deeply philosophical work.They link a plethoraof sources in their exploration of Deep Ecology, including numerousreligions, the words of such notables as David Brower, Aldo Leopold, andEdward Abbey, and the perspectives of many cultures.Despite all of this,though, I found it somewhat lacking.Not present is the graceful beauty ofAldo Leopold, nor the raw passion of John Muir.Perhaps this book mightgrow dog-eared with use in the library of a Philosophy Professor or acareer activist, but I suspect that most people, like me, will find thisbook a bit dull.Call me simpleminded, but I was more deeply moved byLeopold's heartfelt musings on the chickadee in "A Sand CountyAlmanac" than by Devall and Sessions' philosophical ruminations. ... Read more

Product Description
Instead of thinking of nature as a resource to be used for human needs, deep ecology argues that the true value of nature is intrinsic. This comprehensive and wide-ranging anthology contains almost 50 articles by the leading writers and thinkers in the field, offering a broad array of perspectives on this important approach to environmentalism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Absolutely vital
Having read only the preface and the first dozen essays, I can say that this is a vitally important resource. Both as an introduction to the deep ecology movement and philosophy and, more importantly, as a resource for developing an individual program for living and acting in tune with what remains of our natural world in the 21st century. The individual essays are brief and widely sourced, approaching the topic from a variety of perspectives. Not all will resonate with every reader, but you will easily recognize and learn from the arguments that are of meaning to you.

Published in 1995, including essays written as many as 15 years earlier, the collection does include some scientific findings that have been superceded in the ensuing years. That's of little import as recent scientific findings are readily available from other sources and, in most cases, reflect conditions that actually are more dire than at the time of the writing. The real value of this volume is it's insights into underlying causes and appropriate responses. What's amazing is just how prescient these authors were 20 or 30 years ago. This collection is every bit as relevant today as when it was first published, and its insights even more critical to the future of our biosphere.

The high price is dismaying. By all means find a used copy, as I did, if the cost puts you off. And I would strongly encourage the copyright holders to make this book available via Kindle and other electronic means at a reduced price. We need this book.

In the Beginning . . .
The first words of this venerable and very important anthology of seminal papers in environmental ethics are these: "The Long-Range Deep Ecology movement emerged more or less spontaneously and informally as a philosophical and scientific social/political movement during the so-called Ecological revolution of the 1960's.Its main concern has been to bring about a paradigm shift - a shift in perception, values, and lifestyles - as a basis for redirecting the ecologically destructive path of modern industrial growth societies.Since the 1960's, the long-range Deep Ecology movement has been characterized philosophically by a move from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism, and by environmental activism."
I cite this passage because, sadly, the international corporate hegemony, its paid political operatives, and multifarious media mouthpieces have done such a deceitfully effective job of at once clouding the real issue of our desperately precarious environmental situation and reinforcing our wholly unnecessary dependence of non-renewable energy resources to the tune of record profits, that there are many people coming of age in the most literate societies in the world, who have no idea of what Deep Ecology is, not to mention such a basic distinction as that between anthropocentrism to ecocentrism.Actually, I would say that the vast majority of the planet's population is either ignorant of this distinction or acts in feigned ignorance or ignorance-based denial of it.The idea that our ultimate nurturing and sustaining parent is the Earth, that we live on borrowed time, that our first responsibility in any sort of act is consideration of our responsibility to stewardship of this planet, is generally far from most people's minds when they do act.From radical (and radically unnecessary) clear-cut to all-too common litter, as a humanity, we obviously don't get it.
The corporate think-tank seems to produce an never ending stream of ongoing rationalizations and euphemistically-coated rationales for the relentless wholesale destruction of the only home we have, and we embrace, however unwillingly in some cases, but generally unconsciously in most, the systems which enable this unremitting and mindless extirpation of the root of life to go on.
Thus, a bit of re-education on the subject, the philosophical justifications for the ecocentric worldview, might be in order.I can think of no better place to start than the 39 papers in Deep Ecology for the 21st Century, which discuss this need for a shift in our thinking as a humanity in depth.
The book is divided into five sections:What is Deep Ecology?; Historical Roots of Deep Ecology; Arne Naess on Deep Ecology and Ecosophy; Deep Ecology and Eco-Feminism, Social Ecology, the Greens, and the New Age;Wilderness, The Wild, and Conservation Biology; Toward the Twenty-First Century and Beyond: Social and Practical Implications.The book focuses particularly on work of Arne Naess (12 entries) and Gary Snyder (3 entries), two foundational voices deeply rooted in vertices in the philosophical matrix of the position.
Two of my favorite entries in this book, for various reasons, are:
1) Stephan Bodian's interview with Arne Naess, "Simple in Means, Rich in Ends" (1982) "... technology is more helpless than ever before because the technology being produced doesn't fulfill basic human needs, such as meaningful work and meaningful environment.Technical progress is sham progress because the term `technical progress' is a cultural, not a technical term.Our culture is the only one in the history of humankind in which the culture has adjusted itself to the technology rather than visa-versa." "The material standard of living should be reduced and the quality of life, in the sense of basic satisfaction in the depths of one's heart or soul, should be maintained or increased.""All the sciences are fragmentary and incomplete in relation to basic rules and norms, so it's very shallow to think that science can solve our problems.Without basic norms, there is no science.Of course, we need science ..." "A hill is never the same in a repetitious way! The development of sensitivity toward the good things of which there are enough is the true goal of education.Not that we need to limit our goals.I'm not for the simple life, except in the sense of a life simple in means but rich in goals and values."One is led to ask if environmentally exploitative corporate capitalists do not have goals and values as well? Then, while we are, at least, conscious of the possibility of choice, we evidently should focus more on what our goals and values are, why they are what they are, and what are their ultimate ramifications for us?These are fundamental questions, religious questions, if you will, but we rarely ask them directly of ourselves or in a public forum.
2) Wayland Drew's study of anti-utopian fiction, "Killing Wilderness" (1972) "Specifically ... a technological society will be totalitarian regardless of what political structures permit its development, for the essence of technique is efficiency and the autonomous individual, apt to be skeptical, irrational, and recalcitrant, is inefficient.For the general good therefore, the dangerous elements of individuality must be suppressed, and man must be severed from all the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional influences which might promote dissent.Man's integrity must be broken. He must be fragmented and reshaped to participate contentedly in the smooth functioning of the technological State - a State that is fundamentally inimical to his instinct and insulting to his intellect.In other words, the nature of man must be changed."The corporation (as a legal entity or form) is the instrument of that fragmentation and change, and its will, the dictates of the State. "In its mystery and diversity, in exuberance, decay, and fecundity, the perfection of the wilderness contrasts with the sterile and static perfection of the State.The difference between them is that between existence and life, between predictability and chance, between posturing and action.Wilderness ... will threaten the totalitarian state while they co-exist, for the separation of man from nature is imperfect so long as man might recognize that a separation has occurred.""While we are able to do so, let us note the distinction.A park is a managerial unit definable in quantitative and pragmatic terms.Wilderness is unquantifiable.Its boundaries are vague or nonexistent, its contents unknown, its inhabitants elusive.The purpose of parks is use; the earmark of wilderness is mystery.Because they serve technology, parks tend toward the predictable and static, but wilderness is infinitely burgeoning and changing because it is the matrix of life itself.When we create parks we bow to increased bureaucracy and surveillance, but when we speak for wilderness we recognize our right to fewer strictures and greater freedom.Regulated and crowded, parks will eventually fragment us, as they fragment the wilderness which makes us whole."
There are hundreds of other crucial observations in this monumental collection.My one plaint is that the eloquence of great Petra Kelley is not represented. Hopefully, this unfortuanate omission of the slain sister of all Greens will be emended in a future printing or sequel volume, which is overdue.However, these are the decisive early testaments.Please heed them.

Fairness to George Sessions
I am the brother of George Sessions and I am writing to protest
the negative, ad hominem remarks of the review by "California Climber." He says in his otherwise positive review: "Those of you who can read it without experiencing Prof Sessions have a great advantage. He put together an excellent book, unfortunately he is a real jerk. I have never had an instructor talk down to students the way he did."

George Sessions has had thousands of students over the years at Sierra College and has had, on average, excellent reviews by his students in their evaluation of his classes. His courses are very popular and he is highly thought of by most students and faculty at the college. "California Climber" disagrees, which is his right, but it is not his right to personally attack Prof. Sessions in an Amazon "review", where the attack cannot be rebutted, and especially by a former student using an anonymous pseudonym.

I asked my brother if he knew who "California Climber" was and he replied "no." But he said that over the years there have been those students who do not meet the highly demanding work required in his class and who are unhappy with their grades. He said he often uses the "Socratic" method in his classes, calling on students to explain their views, and some students do not like this. Most do. I have personally sat in on my brother's classes and found most of the students to enjoy my brother's humorous and charismatic but somewhat challenging style. Is this teaching approach for everyone? Maybe not. But it is a "cheap shot" to do what California Climber did in his review. Who really is the
"real jerk" here?

Richard Sessions

Eye Opening
I read this book because it was required for Session's Philosophy course at Sierra College. Those of you who can read it without experiencing Professor Sessions have a great advantage. He put together an excellent book, unfortunately he is a real jerk. I have never had an instructor talk down to students the way he did. That being said, Deep Ecology is a fascinating topic. Reading the essays in this book will open your eyes to a very different philosophy on life. The simple arguments carried out by main-stream environmentalists and their counterparts become almost useless. If you are looking for an alternative to the money motivated lobbying of many contemporary organizations or if you just want to read a different viewpoint, I recommend this book!

Deep Ecology for the Twenty-First Century
Absolutely spectacular anthology!I lost my copy and could barely keep from crying.Great information for those new to Deep Ecology.Terrific reading for those familiar with it. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

A better way is possible
"Ecology and Socialism" by Chris Williams convincingly makes the argument that fundamental socio-economic change is necessary to avert an impending environmental and social catastrophe. Mr. Williams is a professor of physics and chemistry who has been active in the environmental struggle for decades. Understanding both the science and politics of the key environmental issues of our time, Mr. Williams' important message deserves all the attention it can get.

Mr. Williams compares and contrasts the capitalist and socialist modes of production with respect to the promise of living on a sustainable planet. On the one hand, Mr. Williams contends that capitalism is inherently hostile to the environment inasmuch as natural and human resources are sacrificed in order to satisfy the few at the top (see also How the Rich Are Destroying the Earth). On the other hand, Mr. Williams draws on recent scholarship by John Bellamy Foster and Paul Burkett to prove that the integration of human needs with the environment was critically important to Marx, who articulated a vision of a sustainable human social system living in harmony with the earth.

Putting theory to practice, Mr. Williams discusses substitutes for the corporate-controlled industries that are currently running roughshod over the planet. Through Mr. Williams' reasoned argument, we come to learn that we would be far better served by powering our homes with wind and solar power (not nuclear); by consuming locally-grown, tasty and healthy organic foods (not the poisonous kibble from inhumane CAFOs and corporate mega farms); by enforcing commonsense rules to eliminate wasteful packaging at the point of design and manufacturing (not disposal); and so on. However, implementing these changes will require us to organize and insist on a better system that puts people and the environment before profit.

With the debacle of the 2008 financial meltdown and government bailout putting the lie of capitalism in plain view, Mr. Williams' book couldn't be more timely. As the author makes abundantly clear, austerity is not inevitable; to the contrary, an eminently better way of life is within our reach.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Finally someone genuinely concerned.
Even though I have just began the book I saw Chris Williams speakyesterday and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.He is well researched and does speak on the issue from a realistic point of view.This has been the first time I have read/heard something environmentally related that I felt offered a sensible solution. I strongly encourage anyone to read this book because if you are already concerned you will treasue his view point and strongly question how capitalism has in fact corrupted the planet that we live on and if you are a sceptic this book will in fact prove to you there is a real problem.

Justice for the planet
Action through networks, and not adhering to advice from government or corporate leaders, is what "Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis" advocates as a way of saving the planet.

Author Chris Williams sees a dire future for the Earth and its inhabitants if we don't change our thinking, starting with how we consume energy.The solution, he writes, requires society-wide efforts, not just individual ones, to head off a global disaster.

This is a wide-ranging book, incorporating analysis of Marx, nuclear power plants, lightbulbs, airline workers, coal, natural time and a lot more. His main conclusion is that by shifting away from capitalism, humans will stop wasting energy and materiel on producing stuff we don't need and refocus our efforts on what we do need.

You may not agree precisely with the author's politics underlying the book but most of the environmental arguments are pretty well accepted by leading scientists these days. His solutions are drastic compared to, say, building a compost heap or lowering the thermostat a degree or two, and force us to look at exactly what we are willing to accept for ourselves and future generations. ... Read more

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This book is the first major synthesis of theory and empirical knowledge regarding the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases in natural, unmanaged, animal and plant populations. Throughout the book, the contributors develop a dialogue between the patterns observed in empirical studies of disease in natural populations and the mathematical models used to dissect and examine the observed epidemiological patterns. The book is divided into a number of reviews and group reports by experts in various fields. Two sections synthesize important issues relating to the dynamics of microparasites and macroparasites, while the others discuss spatial patterns in disease dynamics and the evolutionary biology of parasites, pathogens and their hosts. This book will be of use to graduate students and specialists in mathematical biology and epidemiology. ... Read more

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Provides simple explanations of the important concepts in population and community ecology.

Provides R code throughout, to illustrate model development and analysis, as well as appendix introducing the R language.

Interweaves ecological content and code so that either stands alone.

Supplemental web site for additional code.

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent guide to simulation and theory in ecology
This primer provides an excellent, upper-level, introduction to theoretical and simulation ecology.Working through the presented R code and exercises provides a deeper understanding of the thinking of many of the most famous theoretical ecologists, while also introducing the methods by which students can examine ecological questions through simulation. ... Read more

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Janisse Ray grew up in a junkyard along U.S. Highway 1, hidden from Florida-bound vacationers by the hedge at the edge of the road and by hulks of old cars and stacks of blown-out tires. Ecology of a Cracker Childhood tells how a childhood spent in rural isolation and steeped in religious fundamentalism grew into a passion to save the almost vanished longleaf pine ecosystem that once covered the South. In language at once colloquial, elegiac, and informative, Ray redeems two Souths. "Suffused with the same history-haunted sense of loss that imprints so much of the South and its literature. What sets Ecology of a Cracker Childhood apart is the ambitious and arresting mission implied in its title. . . . Heartfelt and refreshing." - The New York Times Book Review.Amazon.com Review
The scrubby forests of southern Georgia, dotting a landscapeof low hills and swampy bottoms, are not what many people wouldconsider to be exalted country, the sort of place to inspire lyricalconsiderations of nature and culture. Yet that is just what essayistJanisse Ray delivers in her memorable debut, a memoir of life in apart of America that roads and towns have passed by, a land settled byhardscrabble Scots herders who wanted nothing more than to be leftalone, and who bear the derogatory epithet "cracker" with quietpride.

Ray grew up in a junkyard outside what had been longleafpine forest, an ecosystem that has nearly disappeared in the AmericanSouth through excessive logging. Her family had little money, but thatwas not important; they more than made up for material want throughunabashed love and a passion for learning, values that underlie everyturn of Ray's narrative.She finds beauty in weeds and puddles,celebrates the ways of tortoises and woodpeckers, and arguespowerfully for the virtues of establishing a connection with one'snative ground.

"I carry the landscape inside like an ache," Raywrites. Her evocations of fog-enshrouded woods and old ways of livingare not without pain for all that has been lost--but full of hope aswell for what can be saved. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

Rare gift
I came across this book quite by accident and was intrigued by its title. Despite it's being a "Georgia Book of the Year" I had never heard of it (because I'm in Seattle?) This book tells the story of a way of life and the ecology of a region that is often ignored. It was so beautifully written that I think of it as prose poetry. I recently passed it on to my parents who live in northeast Florida. It was hard for me to give it up. I want to read it again and share it with other people. I guess I'll just be buying more copies.

Janisse Ray weaves the story of her childhood and her family through the warp and weft of life in rural Georgia and the ecology of the once vast longleaf pine forests. It is a book that reminds us that all things are connected, and that people everywhere have worth and essentially desire the same things. I highly recommend this book. I could not put it down.

growing up in a south Georgia junkyard
My husband and I have bicycled all over the southern part of Georgia, so that I particularly enjoyed revisiting the town of Baxley through this book and seeing it through the eyes of someone who grew up there.Janisse Ray's family owned a junkyard, and that seems somewhat incongruous in a book whose title includes the word "ecology."Oddly enough, the junkyard was a giant recycling zone of sorts, where discarded parts could be resurrected in other vehicles.It's a stretch, but I get it.The author alternates chapters about her childhood with observations on the deforestation and diminishing wildlife populations in the area.Her focus is largely on the longleaf pine, which was all but eliminated from the planet by construction, turpentine production and wood-burning locomotives. There's also a heartbreaking story about a captured gopher tortoise that will forever haunt me.Although, she was well-loved, well-fed, and well-educated, Ms. Ray did not have an easy life, having to dress and behave in accordance with her family's apostolic religious beliefs.Her family stories are mostly upbeat, though, except for that of the whipping her father doles out to all the children for witnessing an episode of animal cruelty without making an effort to stop it.Also, my husband and I obsessed for several hours over a math problem that appears in the book without its solution.Only in my household....

The Hobo Philosopher
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood

By Janisse Ray

Book Review

By Richard Edward Noble

I've lived in Florida and on a bay for a few decades. I have been a seafood worker. I caught oysters for a living. Seafood workers from my area have been fighting for clean water and a clean bay forever. But it is strange. The same folks who toss their old washing machines onto the beach and watch them get buried by the tide; the same folks who throw their old couches out into the woods; the same folks who clutter the bay water with the beer cans and debris from their work boats; the same folks who put an old 50 gallon metal drum in their backyard to drain their sewerage in place of a proper septic system; these are the same people who are marching in front of the capital building protesting for clean water and a properly managed bay. It all seems so ... inconsistent.

Oh, I know why they do these improper things. They do them because they are poor and the bay and the woods that surround them belong to them, they think. Truthfully speaking, pollution and a lack of concern for the environment have long been an American tradition for most of us. I have been one of the poor, stupid polluters. If you don't have any money, it is easier to toss that old washing machine onto the beach, or throw that couch into the woods. I understand those actions.

And that is what I see in this book - the inconsistency. When I was a young man I smoked, drank and worked out every other day to build a strong body. Sometimes I smoked while I was lifting my weights. The winding river that ran through the industrial mill town where I lived was filled with textile dyes and paper industry chemicals. It was used as a city dump for the tenement dwellers in the area. Today the children of the violating polluters are busy forming groups to dredge out all the old automobile tires, furniture and old bicycles. Seems strange ... inconsistent ... but very real. It has got to make you stop and think.

The author of this book was raised in a junkyard beside route 1 along the east coast. She grew up and became an environmentalist. She has written this autobiography of her junkyard childhood and alternates it with chapters about the dwindling Florida longleaf pine. On the one hand we can say how cleaver. What a unique writing trick or technique. But the book isn't a writing ploy. Her autobiography is no "Tobacco Road," making light of her poor upbringing. It is the counter positioning of two things that the author has grown to love and respect, wright or wrong - her struggling family, friends and neighbors and the beautiful trees and woods surrounding their homestead.

This is a good book. Well worth buying and reading. It is filled with contrasts and inconsistencies. But they are viewed with love and understanding - the good and the bad side by side. We get an honest look at ourselves and a glimpse of what we can be - if we try hard enough.


Books written by Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher:
"Hobo-ing America: A Workingman's Tour of the U.S.A.."
"A Summer with Charlie" Salisbury Beach, Lawrence YMCA
"A Little Something: Poetry and Prose
"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother" Novel - Lawrence, Ma.
"The Eastpointer" Selections from award winning column.
"Noble Notes on Famous Folks" Humor - satire - facts.
"America on Strike" American Labor - History
"A Baker's Dozen" Short Stories

Very unhappy with Amazon, Barnes and Noble is better!
I never received the book I ordered from Amazon.I needed the book for class so I ordered it from Barnes and Noble and received it within two days at a much cheAper price.Amazon's delivery charges Are inflated also.I tell people not use Amazon be cause paid for a product and never received it.Their customer service said it is the third parties responsibility to send my money or the book.How convenient.

Musings on our many environments from a kindred spirit
"Ecology of a Cracker Childhood" is probably the most moving autobiography I've ever read. By turns heartbreaking, inspirational, and motivational, Ray's story is one of an outsider in every respect; the daughter of a junkyard owner in rural Georgia, she faces a number of obstacles including her father's precarious mental stability. Looking back with a mix of fondness and acceptance rather than anger, Ray looks at how her environment (built and natural, as well as home) shaped who she became. Ray intersperses the book with chapters on long-leaf pines, gopher tortoises, and other uniquely Southern flora and fauna that is endangered and rapidly disappearing. While it may be jarring to the reader, Ray is making a larger point; we are forcing the environment to adapt or die to suit our needs rather than adapting to the environment. Ray writes lovingly of how nature slowly reclaims the wrecked hulks of cars in her father's junkyard; nature slowly, steadily winning over man and man's folly. Along the way she recounts unusual tales of her difficult path to adulthood that are profoundly moving. In some respects the chapters are by turns explanations and a badge of honor rather than excuses. Her recounting of a rare visit to the North will likely register profoundly with any Southerner who has ventured there. Perhaps it is because Ray and I are the same age or perhaps because our backgrounds are eerily similar, but I feel a connection and a deeper understanding and appreciation for where she's coming from and who she is. Ray is unabashedly unapologetic and "Ecology" will alternately move you to fits of laughter and sometimes nearly to tears, but it will not leave you unmoved. ... Read more

Product Description
Begon, Townsend and Harper’s Ecology has long been regarded as the definitive textbook on all aspects of ecology. This new edition continues to provide a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the first principles of ecology to a vivid reflection of our understanding of ecology in the 21st century.

Thoroughly revised and updated, this fourth edition includes:

three new chapters on applied ecology, reflecting a rigorous, scientific approach to the ecological problems now facing mankind discussion of over 750 new studies, updating the text throughout an updated, user-friendly design with margin notes and chapter summaries that serve as study aids dedicated websiteThe resulting textbook is easy to use, lucid and up-to-date, and is the essential reference for all students whose degree program includes ecology and for practising ecologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

never received
It should arrive in May. Never received, I sent 2 e-mails to seller, no answer. Hard to contact anyone at amazon.com. I am very disappointed, really frustrated with amazon site. I will consider very seriously before buy here again.

An Essential Book in Ecology
This book is simply necessary for those who pretend to learn and understand ecology. It's very well written and treats all the mandatory topics in ecology. As an extremely complex science, ecology needs a direct and clear approach and few authors can do that the same way Begon and his colleagues do. The book has a pleasant reading and is full with context examples; it brings the most recent issues in ecology as the functional ecology view of the communities and its relationship with the environment.

GOOD FOR SCIENCE OLYMPIAD!
I may be the only person reviewing this book who's not in college.Anyway, I ordered this book because I needed to study for an event in science olympiad dealing with ecology.Ever since I received it, I have gotten first place at every tournament!The plethora of real-world examples in this book were very helpful.My only problem with it were the "illustrations". Come on, diagrams? Maybe... but illustrations? NO WAY!Except a few here and there.I also didn't like how all the diagrams were the exact same color.

good, solid review of Ecology
I'm a grad student in ecology, and this book is a wonderful review of the subject.The writing is straightforward and includes lots of examples from the scientific literature.

It's well written and has many levels, so it would be just as valuable for an undergrad with an interest in ecology as it is for the grad student boning up for qualifying exams (me!).Much better than comparable ecology books that I used as an undergraduate. ... Read more

Product Description
Buddhism And Deep Ecology (the latter can be considered the spiritual dimensions of the environmental movement) is approached on a holistic, consciousness, and value I basis. It presents basic ideas, knowledge, experiential exercises, examples, public participation aspects, and a Dhammaecology glossary on how Buddhism and Deep Ecology relate to each other and to protecting natural forests and the environment. The essential teaching of Buddha are related to Deep Ecology and visa versa, especially under Oneness, ecocentric, and spiritual orientations, for awareness, compassion, loving-kindness, and care for all living beings, including trees, for a wide spectrum of readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

AGuide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology
In William A. Andrews' A Guide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology, topics ranging from the issue of pollution, to environmental encounters, to niches, to aquatic organisms are discussed thoroughly. AGuide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology provides the reader with an excellent resource for both information, as well as experiment designs targeted at the classroom environment.
In Andrews' book, which is designed just like a textbook - gives definitions, explanations, examples, and questions, yet the author throws in his own style, which can be perceived as either good or bad, depending on the reader's interests. In the beginning of the first chapter - needless emotional outbursts are intertwined with the information presented, taking away from the focus on the important aspects of the chapter. Andrews added captions to aide in the release of the tension presented in the information, yet at the same time it makes the reader realize the intensity of the situation at the same time. "Does this look like freshwater to you?" was a question proposed to the reader under a picture of a littered pond. The author ineffectively attempts to persuade the reader by linking humans and the present generation to the problem. Although these accusations are apparently true, Andrews uses strict authority against the reader, which may slightly offend the reader.
Intellectual, well thought out examples are presented in order to link information with evidential reality. At the close of each chapter, recommendations for further exploration of the topics are given, which helps the reader with guidance towards investigations. The diagrams presented in the book are helpful, yet are not labeled to the extent at which they could have been - which makes following the textual evidence in a diagram more difficult. Overall, the book is simple and easy to understand, but at the same time manages to be informative.
The author also personalizes the information being handed out, and places everything into an example, similar to those found in a classroom atmosphere. The author, though, gets to the point where his personalizations cross the line, and he begins to make bold assumptions. He gets off on tangents and gets too in-depth when it comes to role-playing examples that he sets up.
There are no summarizing concepts at the closing of the book, which leaves the reader hanging - which is not acceptable in a book about science.
Although the author gives ludicrous examples and personalizations, he manages to get away with writing on tangents, and passes by a book that would be very helpful as a guide for a teacher to work into their lesson plans.
... Read more

Product Description

The Historical Ecology Handbook makes essential connections between past and future ecosystems, bringing together leading experts to offer a much-needed introduction to the field of historical ecology and its practical application by on-the-ground restorationists.

Chapters present individual techniques focusing on both culturally derived evidence and biological records, with each chapter offering essential background, tools, and resources needed for using the technique in a restoration effort. The book ends with four in-depth case studies that demonstrate how various combinations of techniques have been used in restoration projects.

The Historical Ecology Handbook is a unique and groundbreaking guide to determining historic reference conditions of a landscape. It offers an invaluable compendium of tools and techniques, and will be essential reading for anyone working in the field of ecological restoration.

Product Description
How wildfires affect animal and plant populations is a complex ecological issue. Robert Whelan examines fire as an ecological agent and discusses how populations of organisms are affected by its passage. Drawing examples from several continents, the author studies the impact of fires on individual organisms, populations, and communities. He looks at the effects on ecological processes such as predator-prey, and plant-herbivore interactions, and summarizes the major aspects of ecology that are of particular importance to fire control--both protection against wildfires and fire as a management tool. This book is unique in its emphasis on general ecological principles rather than regional treatment, and it will be of interest to ecologists, foresters, and other land managers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fire ecology
Robert Whelan has written a well balanced book on fire and the ecological effects of this most important environmental (natural) perturbation. Whelan explains the effects of fire on different ecosystems, tolerances of plantsand animal populations, including community response to fire. Firephenomenon such as chemical and physical reactions, fire behaviour andregime are well covered and discussed in depth.

I would recommend thisbook to anyone interested in fire ecology, whether student or not. In factI have made the book the prescribed textbook for the module in fire ecologyI lecture in. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Wisdom and Joy (and a Stupid Introduction)
Actually, given the content of the book, it's organization, and the need that it fills, "The Ecology of Wisdom" merits four and half stars in my opinion. Naess (I wish I knew how to pronounce his name)comes across in this anthology as an urbane, moderate man who nonetheless is passionately committed to his cause, and therefore brings all his intellect and reading to bear on it. Any reasonable human being would have to admit the cause itself was worthy: reformulating our relationship with the inhuman world and putting an end to the shameful degradation of the environment.

Also, the means for such a reformulation (and its deeper convictions about what the human subject is), while controversial, are simultaeneously as radical and yet more nuanced than the puffery-moguls at (say) the National Review are evidently willing to admit. Rather than the all-to-easy stereotype of the Deep Ecologist as a human hating eco-terrorist, this book shows Naess as a deep and complex thinker on the relationship between humanity and the rest of the world. The conclusion he advocates throughout-- that the environment deserves an autonomous place in our thinking, while human welfare must nevertheless always come first-- is decidedly mild and reasonable.In other words, it's a far cry from arguing that we should be exterminating humans and living in huts in order to protect a living earth.

On a personal level, I feel a certain (distant) kinship with Naess because of our shared love of Spinoza, who is my intellectual hero (as well as Naess's apparently). Like Spinoza, Naess aspires to a philosophy of joy in spite of a certain pessimism about the immediate future.

The most goading thing about the book, by far, is the introduction. The guys who wrote are apparently philosophy professors but you couldn't tell it by the tone or depth of their introduction to Naess's thought. Rather than providing a critical look at his intellectual and political development all we get are hosannas about how smart, talented, nice, spontaneous, etc. he was. Even the section that purports to be an overview of his philosophy is far too hagiographic and insubstantial to be of any use to a serious student.

All the same, Naess seemed to be a brilliant guy (he died in January 2009) as well as a formidable thinker and, like all anthologies, this one did its job by whetting my appetite for more. ... Read more

Product Description
The Deep Ecology Movement, a name introduced by noted Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, is a worldwide grassroots environmental movement that seeks to redress the shallow and piecemeal approach of technology-based ecology. Its followers share a profound respect for the Earth's interrelated natural communities and a sense of urgency about the need to make profound cultural and social changes in order to restore and sustain the long-term health of the planet. This comprehensive introduction to the Deep Ecology Movement brings together Naess' seminal groundbreaking work with essays by environmental thinkers and activists responding to and expanding on its philosophical and practical aspects.

Other contributors include George Sessions, Gary Snyder, Alan Drengson, Bill Devall, Freya Mathews, Warwick Fox, David Rothenberg, Michael E. Zimmerman, Patsy Hallen, Dolores LaChapelle, Pat Fleming, Joanna Macy, John Rodman, and Andrew McLaughlin. The authors offer diverse viewpoints-- from ecofeminist, scientific, and purely philosophical approaches, to Christian, Buddhist, and Gandhian-based principles. Their essays show how social, technological, psychological, philosophical, and institutional issues are all fundamentally related to our attitudes and values toward the natural world. ... Read more

Product Description
Twenty-five years before Rachel Carson published her famous work Silent Spring, Lord Northbourne coined the phrase organic farming and helped to promote the importance of a holistic approach to the environment. His work, linking spirituality and ecology, has inspired a generation of writings from Wendell Berry to HRH Prince Charles.This book not only features Northbourne's previously unpublished writings, but also his private correspondence with Thomas Merton, highlighting the spiritual depth of his writings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Ecological and spiritual views of a visionary mid twentieth century writer still relevant today
This is a compilation of previously unpublished essays together with extracts from the three published books of Lord Northbourne, skilfully brought together and suitably edited by his son Charles and the professional editor Joseph A. Fitzgerald.

Lord Northbourne (1896-1982) is described as a "widely respected author on both ecology and religion." It is easy to see why. He was not only a farmer and landowner, but also a philosopher with astute vision that is apparent throughout this collection of his work. His first book, published in 1940, Look to the Land, emphasises first and foremost the importance to farming of sustainability, compassion and most crucially the vital need to look after the health of the soil, the very basis of all life.

He also had an intuitive understanding of the spiritual needs of the world and this is reflected throughout the remainder of this book. He saw that society was increasingly influenced by the emerging scientific reductionism and industrial materialism of "progress" and that this predominance over the ancient cultural and spiritual philosophy, or "perennial philosophy" was at the heart of the sickness of society and the world's problems that he saw around him. He writes eloquently of the need for a deeper consciousness towards spiritual Truth, probably best obtained, he felt, through the great religions, and this theme is carried lucidly and persuasively through the following sections of the book, On the Value of Tradition, Metaphysical Principles, Art and Symbolism, and finally Lessons from Life, including a thoughtful letter to his descendants concluding with the advice "So let us not squander this precious life in the exclusive pursuit of things that are temporal, but rather let all our thoughts and actions be illuminated by the truth that conquers all things; for in this life all can be won and all can be lost.".

An important part of the book for me is the exchange of correspondence between Lord Northbourne and the Trappist monk Thomas Merton, in the final Appendix, where they discuss amongst other matters, Lord Northbourne's book Religion in the Modern World, and Thomas Merton's commentary on the Vatican Council's Constitution of the Church in the Modern World. Lord Northbourne was convinced that the need to build a better world must involve living "nearer to God." Thomas Merton also saw the dangers inherent in the advance of civilization but felt very strongly that the churches must first look to the relief of physical deprivation in this world. The debate between two such learned gentlemen I found fascinating.

This collection of writings comes from a man who is firm in his Christian belief but who equally accepts the relevance of the other great faiths to those born into a different culture.

This was my first exposure to the works of Lord Northbourne, stumbled upon quite accidentally, and I now wish to read his published books in their entirety for a fuller picture and understanding of his philosophy within the context of today's world.

We Are All Related
"We are extraordinarily fortunate to have this recent publication available and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This anthology belongs in the library of every 'seeker', as it presents an integral orientation that embraces the fullness of the human potential and what it accurately means to be human, which is inseparable from what is transpersonal or divine."

-Resurgence, No. 258 (January/February 2010)

An excellent scholarly discourse for any library strong in religious analysis and philosophy
OF LAND & THE SPIRIT: THE ESSENTIAL LORD NORTHBOURNE ON ECOLOGY AND RELIGION blends philosophy with spirituality in a survey written by a farmer, painter, translator, and respected author on religion. His survey offers insights into religious traditions and church changes alike, and creates an excellent scholarly discourse for any library strong in religious analysis and philosophy.
... Read more