Book Description
Walking a forest trail in Costa Rica, a visitor might be struck by the sight of an iridescent blue morpho butterfly fluttering ahead in the filtered daylight, or an enormous silk moth, as magnificently patterned and subtly colored as a Persian carpet, only emerging to fly at night. Elsewhere, vivid yellow and orange sulphur butterflies flock to puddles to sip the concentrated minerals. Such is the dazzling variety of the butterflies and moths unique to this region.
Gathered by biologists Daniel Janzen and Winifred Hallwachs in the forests of northwestern Costa Rica, 100 tropical butterflies and moths represent the diversity in large-format photographs by Jeffrey Miller that document the dizzying variety of shapes, colors, and markings. The photographs are accompanied by species accounts and images of the corresponding caterpillar. The authors recount these insects' feats of mimicry and migration, lift the veil on their courtship, and show how the new technology of DNA barcoding is changing the picture of Lepidopteran biodiversity.
The authors also tell the success story of Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, where the long-term work of Janzen and Hallwachs, a team of caterpillar collectors, and the participation of neighboring farming communities has deepened understanding of Costa Rica's Lepidoptera and has brought about advances in restoration ecology of tropical habitats, biodiversity prospecting, biotechnology, and ecotourism development.
Customer Reviews:
100 Butterflies and Moths: Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica.......2007-09-07
Excellent! details in text and photographs. Highly recommended for biologists and folks interested in wild life.
Costa Rican Leps.......2007-05-24
This ia an excellant book that combines coffe-table quality photographs of the butterflies and moths with an excellent text describing interesting aspects of their biology.
Amazon.com
We've all got our idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing--a special chair we have to sit in, a certain kind of yellow paper we absolutely must use. To create this tremendously affecting memoir, Jean-Dominique Bauby used the only tool available to him--his left eye--with which he blinked out its short chapters, letter by letter. Two years ago, Bauby, then the 43-year-old editor-in-chief of Elle France, suffered a rare stroke to the brain stem; only his left eye and brain escaped damage. Rather than accept his "locked in" situation as a kind of death, Bauby ignited a fire of the imagination under himself and lived his last days--he died two days after the French publication of this slim volume--spiritually unfettered. In these pages Bauby journeys to exotic places he has and has not been, serving himself delectable gourmet meals along the way (surprise: everything's ripe and nothing burns). In the simplest of terms he describes how it feels to see reflected in a window "the head of a man who seemed to have emerged from a vat of formaldehyde."
Book Description
In 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby was the editor-in-chief of French
Elle, the father of two young childen, a 44-year-old man known and loved for his wit, his style, and his impassioned approach to life. By the end of the year he was also the victim of a rare kind of stroke to the brainstem. After 20 days in a coma, Bauby awoke into a body which had all but stopped working: only his left eye functioned, allowing him to see and, by blinking it, to make clear that his mind was unimpaired. Almost miraculously, he was soon able to express himself in the richest detail: dictating a word at a time, blinking to select each letter as the alphabet was recited to him slowly, over and over again. In the same way, he was able eventually to compose this extraordinary book.
By turns wistful, mischievous, angry, and witty, Bauby bears witness to his determination to live as fully in his mind as he had been able to do in his body. He explains the joy, and deep sadness, of seeing his children and of hearing his aged father's voice on the phone. In magical sequences, he imagines traveling to other places and times and of lying next to the woman he loves. Fed only intravenously, he imagines preparing and tasting the full flavor of delectable dishes. Again and again he returns to an "inexhaustible reservoir of sensations," keeping in touch with himself and the life around him.
Jean-Dominique Bauby died two days after the French publication of
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.
This book is a lasting testament to his life.
Customer Reviews:
Meaning of life.......2007-09-24
Reading this book made a deep impact in me. Learning how Jean Dominique gives meaning to his life coming from such a desfavorable experience inspires me to continue the quest in searching for my own purpose in life.
Really makes you appreciate how little you're doing.......2007-07-30
After reading this, it helps put in perspective just how much time you waste. A person who can only blink one eye wrote a book in a matter of a couple of months. I've been working on mine for a matter of years. Almost makes me ashamed to be able-bodied. Great read to put your life in perspective. No matter HOW bad you think you have it, somebody has it worse.
A must-read.......2007-07-17
You will read this in one sitting. It is moving, inspirational and beautifully composed. My heart ached for Jean-Dominique and the situation he found himself in, but what courage he displayed, showing that the human spirit is indeed indomitable.
Inspirational and beautifully written.......2007-07-12
I bought this book after it had been recommended to me. It was inspirational and beautifully written. Astonishing when you consider the physical condition of the author that he was able to maintain a wonderful attitude. It's a testament to the human spirit and a lesson on what's truly important in life.
Powerful! Beautifully written!.......2007-06-10
As it is translated into English from French, I am curious as to how beautifully the French version was written. Translations do such an injustice to original works but I don't think anything was lost here.
I had the privilege of seeing the film based on the story of Jean-Dominique Bauby. It is from his point of view. The film moved me so much I HAD to read his book. Beautiful and powerful!
Average customer rating:
|
North America's Favorite Butterflies: A Pictorial Guide
Patti Putnam , and
Milt Putnam
Manufacturer: Willow Creek Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Butterflies
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Entomology
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Invertebrates
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Butterflies
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ASIN: 1572231092 |
Book Description
Butterflies are hot! No one knows this better than butterfly expert, gardener and lecturer Patti Putnam and her butterfly expert spouse - gardener and photojournalist Milt Putnam. Featuring outstanding color photographs with nuggets of important information on each butterfly, the Putnams have assembled an easy-to-use, easy-to-carry field guide to North America's 50 most popular butterflies.
Customer Reviews:
Water in the desert.......2001-05-12
For anyone who has wandered out beyond the usual borders of psychology and religion, Richard Moss's work is a pure gift, an oasis, and a place to heal. Despite his extraordinary experiences and profound realization, he is straightforward, unpretentious, and lucid. Better than anyone I know, he brings the transcendent truth into incarnate ordinariness, with humility, humor, and the grace of compassion. I have found his works, particularly this one, to be friends on the path--friends I keep going back to time and again. I cannot recommend his work highly enough to those on the journey of consciousness.
A beautiful experience for any awakening person........1999-06-28
Dr. Moss writes of his own powerful, beautiful, and totally spontaneous awakening experience and how he struggled to understand it and, through it, begin the process of living a life of "radical alivesness". In the book he shares his awakened understandings and the experiences of some of his patients and members of his classes and groups.
I first read the book ten years ago and it had such a tremendous and beautiful impact upon my consciousness that I am still telling people about it today. I was so glad to see it listed on Amazon.com because it was unavailable for awhile.
The message of the book is just as beautiful and important today. Dr. Moss writes that "Awakening is going on in varying degrees in every person. It is not something from which we can turn away".
In the closing chapter Dr. Moss relates the story of a patient whose awakening during a retreat was so powerful that it resulted in a spontaneous healing of cancer and other negative physical conditions.
A must read for evryone who is coming "awake".
Book Description
Jeffrey Glassberg's acclaimed Butterflies through Binoculars guides have revolutionized the way we view butterflies. Now there's a field guide in the same practical format, and with the same emphasis on conservation, to identify caterpillars. Caterpillars are as varied, fascinating, and often as colorful as the adult butterflies they become. This is the most comprehensive guide to these creatures available. It contains all the information necessary to find and identify the caterpillars of North America--from Two-tailed Swallowtails, some of the largest butterfly caterpillars at just over two inches when fully grown, to tiny Western Pygmy-Blues. Caterpillar seekers will learn how to distinguish between butterfly caterpillars and moth caterpillars, where and how to find caterpillars, and the visual differences between young and older caterpillars. Each species section describes how to identify the caterpillar, complete with brilliant photos--many published here for the first time. To make for easy field use, each caterpillar's key physical features, abundance, habitat, and major hostplants are listed on the same page as its photo. The book also contains a special section on butterfly gardening, offering valuable information on how to set up a butterfly garden and raise healthy butterfly caterpillars, and provides a thorough list of the plants butterflies most like to feast on. From the concerned gardener who wishes not to kill caterpillars that may one day become beautiful butterflies to the serious butterflier wishing to take the hobby to the next level, this remarkable guide will provide all of the information necessary for an enriching caterpillar experience.
Customer Reviews:
A Monumental Work!.......2007-04-17
Despite the fact that this guide is not very thick, it provides lots of helpful information and excellent photograhps for anyone wanting to try their hand at identifying butterfly larvae. I heartily recommend it!
On caterpillars.......2007-01-06
I found this book to be very useful in determining a caterpillar type, the book could have been thicker I think, as larger photos would have been more in line with my ancient eyes. Otherwise, it is a very good reference.
Caterpillars of Field and Garden.......2006-11-04
This is a very nicely done guide to the subject, and it is only flawed by the fact that moth larvae are not included. See "Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History" (Princeton Field Guides)by David L. Wagner for a more comprehensive guide. But, if you are serious about the subject, you should probably have both books.
An essential natural history guide.......2006-09-20
Those who've grown up in suburbia don't usually think of it as mysterious. Yet even our backyards are filled with mystery.
Take the caterpillar, for example. Stroll in your yard and you could quickly spot half a dozen kinds. Spend a little time, and you might find dozens.
But discovering caterpillars is a lot easier than naming them - or knowing what butterfly they become. And in a world that offers field guides to bird nests, mammal scat, and even roadkill, it's surprising to learn that someone has only recently written the first caterpillar field guide.
University of Connecticut Professor David Wagner's book, Caterpillars of Eastern North America, was profiled in the Aug. 8, 2006, New York Times, which drew me to it. The thick "field guide" is a magnificent compilation, with wonderful photographs, and wealth of information on caterpillars and the butterflies and moths they become.
Backyard caterpillar study has its advantages. The creatures can't run or fly away, and you can, with little effort, raise most into their adult forms. You might even contribute to science since, as Dr. Wagner points out, there are moths - including well-known ones - whose caterpillars have never been discovered. It's great fare for a natural history detective.
The First Complete Guide to Butterfly Larvae.......2006-02-10
"Caterpillars in the Field and Garden: A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America" fulfills the very real need for the identification of the caterpillars of butterflies and skippers from North America. While not covering much in the way of moths (they have a token few at the end of the book) this book does pretty much what the author says it will do- help you identify the caterpillars of just about any butterflies found in North America, north of Mexico. The moths (which make up ten times species as butterflies) have numerous caterpillar forms and to identify these I would recommend the guide to eastern North American caterpillars by David L. Wagner.
One nice (and important) touch are the illustrations of the adults of most butterflies.
I annually take part in the 4th of July Butterfly Count and you can be sure I'll bring a copy of this book to the next one to see if we can locate some of the caterpillars of the butterflies we spot.
This is a great guide for anyone interested in butterfly gardens (helps you identify the immature stages), amateur naturalists or just the plain curious.
Book Description
Even though Keith Richardson and his wife, Francesca, own a shop that specializes in angels, and Keith has written the definitive books on America's best-known angel artist, Andy Lakey, Richardson was beyond surprised and to say the least skeptical when, during a guided meditation, a fully formed spirit guide appeared to him and began to speak. The story unfolds. The spirit guide called himself Chang (a Chinese title for "Emperor," as it turns out.) Chang is currently spirit guide to seventeen people, several of whom make an appearance in this book--most notably, James Van Praagh.
As Richardson is guided by Chang, he learns many important life lessons and receives information about the past lives he and his wife share along with several of their current acquaintances. Richardson's quest eventually brings him to the Qing Tombs outside Beijing where Chang offers him a life-changing message that leads him and Francesca to recognize the meaning of true love and forgiveness.
This moving and inspiring story has chapters on reincarnation and how it works, plus information on karma and universal laws, i.e. abundance, forgiveness, attraction.
A fast and fascinating read! This is a book in the tradition of best-selling New Age titles such as The Celestine Prophecy or Mutant Message Down Under, or Shirley MacLaine's groundbreaking Out on a Limb.
* A true story of love and reincarnation, forgiveness and karma, with wide mass appeal.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2007-06-29
Having read many, many books on reincarnation, past lives, and lives between lives, I found this book extremely disappointing. The author focuses solely on ONE past life that allegedly he and his wife lived in 17th century China, to the point of obsession. He makes some factual errors, i.e., when citing Brian Weiss' "Many Lives Many Masters," he refers to Dr. Weiss as a Ph.D. instead of the proper M.D. degree. As an alleged anthropologist one would expect him to know the difference between a classically trained psychiatrist who went through med school and someone with a Ph.D.! And he never once mentions Taoism and its huge incluence on Chinese culture and religion, and how it influenced Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism, in China. I believe that we live hundreds of lives, in many cultures, and are meant to learn from all of them, instead of singlemindely and obsessively focusing on a single past life as he and his wife do. If one is truly interested in reincarnation, I would recommend all of Dr. Weiss' books as well as Michael Newton's (who focuses on life between lives)instead, plus a number of other credible authors. If you want a true love story involving reincarnation, read Dr. Weiss' "Only Love is Real."
I bought this book because of its title, assuming it had something to do with Chuang Tzu's (the ancient Taoist) famous dream about the butterfly, and I feel thorougly cheated. The writing isn't very good either--it's very simple and juvenile and completely self-absorbed.
You are never alone, Truth and True Love.......2007-04-17
I truly enjoyed this book, "Secret of the Butterfly Lovers". The fact that these two wonderful people have found each other in this life is sweet, but to learn and understand where they have been is a Miracle, Love Story, Friendship, Loyalty, Humility, Spiritual, and very Awesome. Most people go through life excepting what they do, think, feel, blame, or think they are victims. But in reality, life is always happening and we are one with everything, and it's understanding that we do have spiritual help and guidance, all we have to do is just open our hearts and listen. And this book just brings it all home. Thank you Francesca and Keith, for having the insight and love for each other to look beyond your bounds. I will buy this book for everyone in my family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Journey of True Love.......2007-04-15
I came from a strong Catholic background and there were always things I thought about that I could not answer. The book has helped me open to a new level of spirituality and beliefs. I would suggest that anyone who is wanting a change in their life or answers to questions they have thought about this book is a must read. I commend the writer on his presentation of his true love journey, spirit guide and the history of it all.
Outstanding Epic of true love.......2007-04-14
This book is the BEST!! I couldn't put it down, once I started reading, I stayed with it until I was done. A true story of the Richardson's path to spirituality. The twists and turns of a man seeking the truth, knowledge and understanding of his path in this life. You come to understand that there are many things in this world that we take for granted, that are happening because of life lessons learned in another lifetime. I can't say enough about the upbeat feeling you have when you read this book. I can't wait to read it again and again.
Truly a compelling and inspiring story.......2007-04-13
This was by far one of the best books that I have read in a long time... Once I began reading it... I couldnt stop until I was done... No matter what your background, religion or ideals are you are bound to be touched by this book on some level... Mr. Richardson chronicles the journey that he and his wife have embarked on in pursuit of discovering past lives, love and reincarnation, forgiveness, the universal laws and karma... Richardson shares a truly compelling and inspirational story with the world... It is a beautifully written book... I totally give this book my highest recommendation... Everyone should read this book!
Average customer rating:
- Butterflies Of West Africa/Larsen
- see below
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Butterflies Of West Africa
Torben B. Larsen
Manufacturer: Apollo Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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Entomology
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All Titles
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ASIN: 8788757439 |
Customer Reviews:
Butterflies Of West Africa/Larsen.......2007-02-28
This impressive two volume work illustrates and guides the reader through the extraordinary butterfly fauna of fifteen countries comprising tropical West Africa. From savannah to rain forest, each of the roughly 1,500 species is described in detail with notes on identification, habits, early stages and distribution. The author's enjoyable writing style, and first hand accounts through his extensive field work takes the reader into the tropics for a unique perspective on the lives of these fascinating and diverse creatures.
The first volume contains introductory chapters covering evolution, historical accounts of past researchers, a global perspective of the region's fauna, the bio-geographical regions of West Africa, ecology, migration, extinction and conservation. A color map of the vegetation zones and current political boundaries of Africa is included. The bulk of the text is devoted to species accounts in a well organized structure. Distinguishing features of Tribes and Genera are discussed followed by species accounts. Numerous line drawings and black and white photographs punctuate the text. The author has gone to great lengths to allow the reader to identify even difficult groups through the use of illustrations conveniently located within the text.
The second volume contains 130 stunning plates depicting approximately 3,800 specimens in full color. Upper and undersides are depicted for most species. Specimens are clearly identified by scientific name and a species number corresponding with the species account in Volume 1 for quick reference. Common names are included in the species accounts. Country of origin for each of the specimens illustrated is included. The volumes are well indexed by genera and species.
Several impressive regional volumes have been published in recent years including Parson's "Butterflies of Papua New Guinea" and Mayberry's "Butterflies of Australia". Larsen's "Butterflies of West Africa" continues the trend of excellence and gives the reader a comprehensive identification guide and in-depth understanding of life histories, habits, and a historical account of the butterfly fauna of West Africa. Considering the number of species treated, this work is truly monumental.
"Butterflies of West Africa" is a must for anyone interested in the butterfly fauna of Africa and perhaps sets a new standard for any regional identification guide. Readers interested in butterflies, tropical butterflies, ecology or conservation will find this work fascinating.
see below.......2006-01-30
I am the author of this book
There is a review posted by one Eddie John on your UK branch
amazon.co.uk
It would be very appropriate for you also to run it on the usa site amazon.com
Book Description
This magnificent field guide greatly expands on Butterflies Through Binoculars: The Boston-New York-Washington Region--identified by Defenders of Wildlife Magazine as "the first to focus on netless butterflying" and called " a clear winner" by the Audubon Naturalist. Glassberg here shows us how to find, identify, and enjoy all of the butterflies native to the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. This guide: *Combines the immediacy and vividness of actual photographs of living butterflies with the traditional field guide format *Emphasizes conservation over collection *Includes 630 color photographs, arranged on 72 color plates, of butterflies in the wild *Provides adjacent color maps that show where each species occurs in a given locality and for how much of the year *Supplies entirely new field marks for butterfly identification *Demonstrates how to identify subjects by way of the key characteristics butterflies are likely to display in their natural settings *Shows how species can be recognized both from above and below *Explains how to differentiate between males and females. For butterfly enthusiasts, for bird watchers who want to add a new dimension to their hobby, for anyone who is simply interested in exploring the wilds of their own back yard, this new field guide offers hours of delightful help and instruction.
Customer Reviews:
Butterfly Photography.......2007-10-01
A must book for butterfly enthusiasts. Arrived on time, and in great shape. Thanks!
Identifying butterflies.......2007-09-04
This field guide is easy to use and very helpful for beginners. It was recommended to us by the North America Butterfly Assn.
A must have book!.......2006-07-29
Glassberg's book is a "must have" for anyone interested in butterflies, whether they are a novice or an expert themselves. Glassberg has assembled a collection of stunning photographs of butterflies commonly found in the eastern part of the country. Each photo contains enough detail, that even the rank amateur can easily identify the butterfly that just "passed by." Glassberg also gives side by side comparisons of similar looking butterflies, carefully pointing out the minute differences most may miss. He provides a calendar of when the species is most likely to be seen, areas where they tend to gather and other pertinent information. The book also gives basic background information on butterflies from their life cycle stages to host plants. The book is sized just right to toss into a napsack or car's glove compartment.
looking at butterflies from a distance.......2005-09-10
this book helped me with recogizing the butterflies coming in to my garden where i can sit enjoy garden and the butterflies
Butterflies through Binoculars.......2005-09-02
The images are clear and close-up; just what I wanted.
Book Description
For every person who has ever watched and marveled at the magic as a butterfly emerges from a chrysalis, this book is a treasure chest of amazing butterfly transformations. Readers are invited to explore and experience the life cycles of 22 common backyard butterflies, in this unique collection of stunning fullcolor, up-close photography, all taken in a live garden setting.
From the Black Swallowtail to the Monarch, the Question Mark to the Painted Lady, each butterfly is shown from start to maturity, with sequential photographs of the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and emerging butterfly. Additional detail shots highlight caterpillar behavior, changes in the chrysalis as the wing pattern emerges, open- and closed-wing shots, and the color variations between the male and female butterflies.
Authors Judy Burris and Wayne Richards, a brother-and-sister team, tell how they created the ultimate butterfly havens in their own backyards, planting every kind of caterpillar host plant and nectar-producing flower imaginable. With cameras in hand, they set out on a mission to record the lives of all the butterflies that flocked to their gardens. Readers learn how they can create their own butterfly gardens, with specific host plants suggested for each species, most of which are found across North America.
This richly visual and highly browsable guide to the life cycles of butterflies will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, gardeners, school teachers, and families alike.
Customer Reviews:
Life Cycles of Butterflies.......2007-08-16
Wow, what a book! Fantastic photos! All the basic information for each butterfly included in the book is listed in one place. I have a butterfly garden in my back yard in central Florida and have several very good books on butterflies and butterfly gardening and this book is an excellent addition. I originally purchased this book to give to the granddaughter of a friend that is interested in butterflies. I am keeping it!
Great visual guide.......2007-08-12
Great pictures, good text, very good reference book for those interested in the butterflies in their yard.
TERRIFIC Butterfly book.......2007-05-21
Probably the best butterfly book around
The photography is spectacular and it's written in easy to understand language.
This is a must-buy product if you want to attract butterflies to your yard.
Butterflies who doesn't love them?.......2007-05-18
I love having the pictures of all stages of the butterflies life span to identify with in my own gardens. This book is for every age and everyone who is interested in butterflies.
The Life Cycles of Butterflies.......2007-04-06
The best book I've read on butterflies. Excellent pictures to identify
each butterfly as well as the egg and caterpillar. Also extremely
helpful is the listing and photo of host and nectar plants for each
butterfly. I purchased another one to give my grandson for his birthday.
Book Description
This fascinating collection introduces readers to the amazing story of new life. Beautiful illustrations with detailed scenes from nature, and accurate, easy-to-read text are presented in a fun novelty format to capture children's imagination-the pages grow as the creature grows! Each title contains tabs, picture captions, a glossary, an index, and graphs... the perfect "tool kit" to initiate young students in the reading of informational materials.
Starting Life Butterfly was named winner in the Learning Magazine's 2003 Teachers' ChoiceSM Awards and was also selected an NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 by the Children's Book Council
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- Bangalore Tiger
- Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows
- Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows
- Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog
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