Showing results for "Nature and Life" in History

*The Sunday Times Bestseller* ‘Extraordinary Insects is a joy’ The Times A Sunday Times Nature Book of the Year 2019 A journey into the weird, wonderful and truly astonishing lives of the small but mighty creatures who keep the world turning. Out of sight, underfoot, unseen beyond fleeting...

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing". In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world.

Warren Angus Ferris (1810-1873) was a trapper, cartographer and diarist in the Rocky Mountains from 1830 to 1835. In 1829, he joined the American Fur Company to explore the Rocky Mountains. He kept a journal of his travels which were published as the book Life in the Rocky Mountains (1940), which gives an account of the Platte River Valley, Cache Valley, the area around Salt Lake City, and Snake River Country. Ferris found Native American guides and made a detour into what is today Yellowstone National Park.

Brought to you by Penguin. In 1940 Steinbeck sailed in a sardine boat with his great friend the marine biologist, Ed Ricketts, to collect marine invertebrates from the beaches of the Gulf of California. The expedition was described by the two men in SEA OF CORTEZ, published in 1941. The...

The history and use of New Zealand's native plants A guide and gift book in equal measure, this treasure of a book pays homage to New Zealand's native plant species. The Meaning of Trees tells the story of plants and people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings...

The second book by the bestselling author of Extraordinary Insects Trees clean air and water; hoverflies and bees pollinate our crops; the kingfisher inspired the construction of high-speed trains. In Tapestries of Life, bestselling author Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson explains how closely we are all...

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING 2024 ‘Eye-opening and persuasive’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Brilliant … I loved it’ KIT DE WAAL ‘Thoughtful, moving, honest’ CAL FLYN *Winner of The Lakeland Book of the Year 2024* Work in the countryside ties you, soul and salary, to the...

Step into the turbulent world of Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw, where the harsh realities of life in the black delta of the Deep South unfold. The story begins with a family claiming their piece of land, led by the brutish Whitlaw who mercilessly bullies his wife, Portia, into exhaustion until her tragic death after giving birth to a strong son. Portias sister-in-law, Clio, steps in to raise the young Jonathan while catering to his fathers whims. As Jonathan matures, he becomes a cunning and ambitious figure, driven by a relentless desire for wealth. Together with his father, he builds a thriving...

Flowers, and the fruits that follow, feed, clothe, sustain, and inspire all humanity. Flowers are used to celebrate all-important occasions, to express love, and are also the basis of global industries. Americans buy 10 million flowers a day, and perfumes are a worldwide industry worth $30 billion annually. Stephen Buchmann takes us along on an exploratory journey of the roles flowers play in the production of our foods, spices, medicines, and perfumes while simultaneously bringing joy and health.

Winner of the inaugural Theodore Roosevelt Association Book Prize A captivating account of how Theodore Roosevelt’s lifelong passion for the natural world set the stage for America’s wildlife conservation movement and determined his legacy as a founding father of today’s museum naturalism...

Theres no better time to start exploring the wonders of the natural world than today! Begin your journey right where you are, ideally with a nearby tree. Engaging with nature firsthand makes learning about trees—and the life they support—an exciting adventure filled with questions and discoveries. (Julia Rogers)

Discover the art of falconry through Our Vanishing Wild Life, an insightful treatise by Edmund Bert, Gentleman. This comprehensive work is divided into three sections the first reveals how to train a short-winged hawk to possess excellent qualities; the second offers strategies to reclaim a hawk from undesirable behaviors; and the third provides remedies for known ailments and afflictions. Bert, who resided in Collier Row near Romford, Essex, shares his remarkable experiences training the Goshawk, having achieved great success in the field. He recounts thrilling hunts across the downs of ...

This podcast delves into the fascinating history of the Tower Menagerie, exploring the variety of animals it housed during the summer of 1828. Through vivid descriptions, intriguing anecdotes, and insightful narratives, we will uncover the stories of both the living creatures and those that recently passed, bringing to life the rich tapestry of this unique establishment.

Imagine a deep blue lake, embraced by lush green hills, dotted with islets—some revealing bare rock and others cloaked in vibrant shrubs. From these islets, steam rises from numerous openings, all while the foliage maintains its lushness. On the opposite shore, grand steps of white marble with a rosy hue lead down to a cascade of boiling water that spills into the lake below. This vivid scene captures Ernest Dieffenbach’s first encounter with the stunning White Terraces of Lake Rotomahana. Between 1839 and 1841, Dieffenbach journeyed through New Zealand as a naturalist for the New Zealand ...

Dive into a captivating exploration of agricultural education as envisioned by early 20th-century authors. They passionately argue that agriculture is as teachable as subjects like arithmetic, geography, or grammar. This insightful textbook emphasizes the importance of training youth for farming with the same dedication afforded to any profession, making a compelling case for the value of agricultural knowledge in a childs education. Discover the rich connection between plant life and the principles of farming that shaped a generation.

George Washington Sears, better known by his pen name Nessmuk, was a celebrated outdoor writer in the late 19th century, frequently contributing to Field and Forest, the precursor to todays Field and Stream. His timeless book, Woodcraft, serves as a guide for outdoor enthusiasts, offering invaluable tips on enjoying nature with comfort rather than hardship. While some of his techniques and perspectives may seem outdated or controversial to contemporary readers, his engaging tales of true wilderness adventures, laced with humor, continue to resonate with those who seek to explore the great ...

Often regarded as Fieldings first novel, History of the Life of the Late Mr. Jonathan Wild the Great was likely penned before his more well-known works like Shamela and Joseph Andrews. This sharp satire targets Robert Walpole, drawing an intriguing parallel between the notorious gang leader and highwayman Jonathan Wild. Fielding cleverly likens the Whig party in Parliament to a band of thieves led by Walpole, whose relentless ambition to be seen as a Great Man—a title he often claimed—ultimately leads to his ironic downfall being hanged. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Set in 1812, this captivating tale unfolds in Portugal amidst the backdrop of war. The story primarily follows British officers, with Lord Strathern summoning his daughter, Lady Mabel Stewart, from Scotland to join him in Elvas, where his brigade is wintering. Enter the charming Colonel lLisle, the hero of our narrative. The author masterfully paints a vivid picture of the landscape, history, and the vibrant characters of this era, often weaving in discussions of liturgy—sometimes sparking controversy among the cast. While rich in historical detail, this narrative leans more towards a ...

Join scientist and prolific author Ernest Ingersoll as he takes you on a captivating journey through the diverse world of animal life. In this engaging overview, youll discover the wonders of sea creatures, the fascinating Builders of the Pearly Shells, insects, fish and sharks, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and the incredible array of mammals. Written with a blend of solid scientific insight and an accessible style, this work is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the natural world. - Summary by Larry Wilson

“Exploring is an innate part of being human.” Richard Wiese, spends 30 minutes every week with some of the world’s most compelling adventurers, explorers, and socio-environmental advocates, listening to their distinct adventures, unique discoveries, projects & goals, while discovering their multitude of challenges, surprises, triumphs and set-backs they encounter along the way. Join Richard as he pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to travel around the world and beyond; explore some of the most exotic and often dangerous places; and uncover what makes people, places and our planet...