The acclaimed scientist's encounters with individual wild birds, yielding "marvelous, mind-altering" (Los Angeles Times) insights and discoveries In his modern classics One Man's Owl and Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich has written memorably about his relationships with wild ravens and a great horned owl. In One Wild Bird at a Time, Heinrich returns to his great love: close, day-to-day observations of individual wild birds. There are countless books on bird behavior, but, writes Heinrich, "some of the most amazing bird behaviors fall below the radar of what most birds do in aggregate." Heinrich's "passionate observations [that] superbly mix memoir and science" (New York Times) lead to fascinating questions — and sometimes startling discoveries. A great crested flycatcher bringing food to the young acts surreptitiously and is attacked by the mate. Why? A pair of Northern flickers hammering their nest-hole into... Views: 47
Tie into this month's Toby Peters mystery hardcover, The Devil Met a Lady, with his 16th adventure. Surrealist painter Salvador Dali enlists Toby's help in retrieving three stolen paintings--from thieves Dali hired as a publicity stunt.From Publishers WeeklyEdgar Award winner Kaminsky ( Poor Butterfly ) pairs his 1940s L.A. private investigator Toby Peters with surrealist painter Salvador Dali in the series hero's 16th outrageous escapade. Dali and his wife, Gala, hire Peters to find three paintings and three ornate Russian clocks stolen from their house in Carmel. The only clue is an enigmatic note that, once deciphered with the help of his friend Jeremy Butler, ex-wrestler and poet, leads Peters to a murdered man, one clock and a painting defaced with another coded message. Aided again by Jeremy, Peters discovers another dead man, another clock and another work of art, on which is scrawled the message "Time is running out. "Dali confesses planning the theft and the notes as a publicity stunt, but he is horrified by the murders. Peters fears that the painter will be the third victim and enlists the aid of Jeremy and another friend, Gunther, for protection. Once again Kaminsky mixes the real--in this case the surreal--with the fictional for a quick-paced, clever revisionist Hollywood romp. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalAny tale opening with Salvador Dali in a deerstalker and white-rabbit costume pursued by an axe-wielding monk while more consumed by his grasshopper phobia is bound to be considerable fun, and this Toby Peters mystery certainly is. Tom Parker gives each character a distinctive voice, with his French/Spanish accent for Dali a particular delight. Wartime Los Angeles detective Peters, previously on cases involving Fred Astaire, Albert Einstein, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and other prominent 1940s figures (e.g., Poor Butterfly, Audio Reviews, LJ 1/97), has been hired by the immensely eccentric artist to recover three Dali paintings and three valuable Russian clocks. As with Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series, Kaminsky's book is more concerned with comic mood than with actual detection, and the plot weakens toward the end. Yet the period details about radio programs and dishes such as apples Eisenhower create a charming atmosphere. Highly recommended for public libraries.?Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr., New YorkCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. Views: 47
Scandal begins with just one kiss...Aurora Paxton was once the belle of the ball, the most sought-after debutante of the season—until a scandalous mistake ruined her. Shunned by her family, Rory was banished to the country to live in disgrace. Now she's been summoned back to London by her stepmother, who is being blackmailed by the least likely person Rory can imagine: Lucas Vale, Marquess of Dashell. Lucas is someone Rory's known for years—a man as devastatingly handsome as he is coldly disapproving of her. What in the world could he want from her or her family? Rory intends to find out as soon as she comes face to face with her old foe. What she never expects, however, is that the icy aristocrat has a soft spot for her—and a secret plan to redeem her status. Could it be that Lucas has been in love with Rory all along. . .and has finally found a way to win her heart?The Cinderella Sisterhood series is:"Beautiful."... Views: 47
From Publishers Weekly The author examines genetics, its benefits and its potential dangers. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal Witty and erudite, but a little unfocused, this title is as much about anthropology and (pre) history as genetics. Jones has produced a thought-provoking and free-wheeling book for the nonspecialist that touches on the genetics of languages, the role of sexual reproduction in genetic mutations, the evolution of farming, and the relationship of surnames to gene pools in various populations. The wide variety of topics considered is refreshing, as is the worldwide focus, but readers looking for a quick overview of genetics should look elsewhere (e.g., Robert Pollack, Signs of Life: The Language of DNA, LJ 1/94). Periodically, the author interjects purely speculative comments, but in general the lessons and conclusions of this book are complex and suitably low-key, given the rapid pace of change in molecular biology today and the difficulty of foreseeing all the future implications of these changes. Not an absolutely essential purchase, but an interesting one. Mary Chitty, Cambridge Healthtech, Waltham, Mass.
Jones is sensitive to the social issues raised by genetics, yet his interest reaches beyond contemporary social issues to the human past, to what genetics can and cannot tell us about our evolution and patterns of social development. He interleaves a broad knowledge of biology with considerations of cultural, demographic and — as his title indicates — linguistic history. Jones's book is at once instructive and captivating. DANIEL J. KEVLES, London Review of Books
Trenchant, witty and enlightening… Jones's literate and wide-ranging book is an essential sightseer's guide to our own genetic terrain. PETER TALLACK, Sunday Telegraph
This brilliant and witty book… is highly literate, and Jones goes a long way to bridging the deepening chasm between the two cultures. Not to know how genes affect us is to ignore a central factor in our lives. WINNER OF THE YORKSHIR POST BEST FIRST BOOK AWARD Views: 47
Overflowing with juicy gossip, passion, over-the-top antics, and more drama than a Jerry Springer marathon, Big Booty keeps readers on the edge of their seats wondering what happens next. Born in the projects and bred in the streets, Cassandra has been on her own since age fourteen. She learned how to make a way out of no way--from boosting clothes to credit card scams to sex, doing whatever she had to do to survive. Unfortunately for her, seducing men out of their money (and their minds) came easy. And it didn't take much for a young Cassandra to have guys of all ages eating out of the palm of her hand. A blessing and a curse, the alluring sway of her hips commands attention--wanted and unwanted. But escaping the ghetto has never been a desire for her. And she has no qualms about sleeping with anyone who is willing to satisfy her libido and help her in her quest to get to the next level of ghetto-fabulousness--no matter the costs. Views: 47
Paris was supposed to save Hallie. Now...well, let's just say Paris has other ideas.There's a strange woman called The Chronometrist who will not leave her alone. Garbled warnings from bizarre creatures keep her up at night. And there's a time portal in the keg room of the bar where she works.Soon, Hallie is tumbling through the turbulent past and future Paris, making friends, changing the world—and falling in love.But with every trip, Hallie loses a little of herself, and every infinitesimal change she makes ripples through time, until the future she's trying to save suddenly looks nothing like what she hoped for... Views: 47
Noted psychologist Dr. Mike Dow uses the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories to show you how to be your own therapist. He addresses the key issues that most of his patients have and clearly explains how you can use the same techniques he uses with patients to solve your problems at home. This combination of personal stories, clear explanations, and fun journal entries you write yourself will inspire you and help you work on the problem areas in your life.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It's a term that sounds daunting and intimidating, but as Dr. Mike Dow explains in this insightful book, it's a therapy that is quite practical and easy to use. In fact, you can teach it to yourself. By reading these stories from real people who overcame their own challenges, and by following the common-sense steps explained by Dr. Dow, you'll be empowered to use your brain to become your own therapist, and learn to think, act, and be happy, for real. Views: 47
Mystery/Crime. 60116 words long. Views: 47
In the tradition of Pitch Perfect, two best friends battle it out for a capella group supremacy in this hilarious M!X novel.Wylie Tennyson and Jada Emmett have been best friends forever. They have done everything together for so long that when Jada decides to try out for their middle school's spring musical production, it was only natural for Wylie to audition as well. After all, how fun would it be to be in the chorus together? The only problem is that Jada has her sights set on much more than the chorus—she's going after one of the lead parts, and wants Wylie to step aside to give her a better shot. Taking a cue from her new favorite television show, Non-Instrumental, Wylie decides to start her middle school's very first a cappella group. She wants to show Jada that it's much better to be part of a team's success than it is to stand under the spotlight alone. This is a great idea, in theory, until Wylie has trouble actually... Views: 47
Erotica. 20194 words long. Views: 47
We have frightening enemies living among us, known by their strange dress. These so-called Shakers are shrewd and canny. . .a scourge; a tumor that must be sliced from our side . . Sister Rose Callahan read the printed flyer and shivered. Its message terrified her. She was aware that Believers had sometimes been objects of resentment from the outside world, but nothing like this. Who could write such things? And who could be responsible for recent acts of violence directed against the peaceful Shaker community? A sister had suffered a mysterious wound to the head; a sackful of rats were set loose in the schoolroom, food had been stolen — and now a hate-filled message points to continued mischief. Sister Rose, recently honored with the position of Eldress despite her youth, seeks clues in the journals of her aged predecessor. She discovers a shocking similarity to outrages perpetrated years before, as well as a scandalous secret about a present-day sister. Now Rose must... Views: 47
General Bottando can't believe his rotten luck. He has just been promoted--to a position that's heavy on bureaucratic duties-but disturbingly light on investigative responsibilities. As if that wasn't annoying enough, he's received a tip about a planned raid at a nearby monastery. He's relying on his colleague Flavia di Stefano and her art-expert fiancé, Jonathan Argyll, to thwart the plot-but both are beyond baffled. The only valuable item in the monastery's art collection is a supposed Caravaggio that's currently being restored. There are no solid suspects-unless you count the endearing art thief, the flagrantly flamboyant "Rottweiler of Restoration," and the strangely shady icon expert. And there's really no reason to cause an unholy uproar-until someone commits an unconscionable crime... Views: 47
