Nature

Why do we see pigeons as lowly urban pests and how did they become such common city dwellers? Courtney Humphries traces the natural history of the pigeon, recounting how these shy birds that once made their homes on the sparse cliffs of sea coasts came to dominate our urban public spaces. While detailing this evolution, Humphries introduces us to synanthropy: The concept that animals can become dependent on humans without ceasing to be wild; they can adapt to the cityscape as if it were a field or a forest. Superdove simultaneously explores the pigeon's cultural transformation, from its life in the dovecotes of ancient Egypt to its service in the trenches of World War I, to its feats within the pigeon-racing societies of today. While the dove is traditionally recognized as a symbol of peace, the pigeon has long inspired a different sort of fetishistic devotion from breeders, eaters, and artists—and from those who recognized and exploited the pigeon's astounding abilities. Because of their fecundity, pigeons were symbols of fertility associated with Aphrodite, while their keen ability to find their way home made them ideal messengers and even pilots. Their usefulness largely forgotten, today's pigeons have become as ubiquitous and reviled as rats. But Superdove reveals something more surprising: By using pigeons for our own purposes, we humans have changed their evolution. And in doing so, we have helped make pigeons the ideal city dwellers they are today. In the tradition of Rats, the book that made its namesake rodents famous, Superdove is the fascinating story of the pigeon's journey from the wild to the city—the home they'll never leave. more...

Price: $19.95

Charles Darwin shook the foundations of existence to the very core when he published On the Origin of Species, a work that continues to spark controversy and debate today. Voyage of the Beagle is the breathtaking story of the expedition that inspired his seminal work. more...

Price: $10.95

Everything you never knew about sushi—its surprising origins, the colorful lives of its chefs, the bizarre behavior of the creatures that compose it—is revealed in this entertaining documentary account by the author of the highly acclaimed The Secret Life of Lobsters . When a twenty-year-old woman arrives at America's first sushi-chef training academy in Los Angeles, she is unprepared for the challenges ahead: knives like swords, instructors like samurai, prejudice against female chefs, demanding Hollywood customers—and that's just the first two weeks. In this richly reported story, journalist Trevor Corson shadows several American sushi novices and a master Japanese chef, taking the reader behind the scenes as the students strive to master the elusive art of cooking without cooking. With the same eye for drama and humor that Corson brings to the exploits of the chefs, he delves into the biology and natural history of the creatures of the sea. He illuminates sushi's beginnings as an Indo-Chinese meal akin to cheese, describes its reinvention in bustling nineteenth-century Tokyo as a cheap fast food, and tells the story of the pioneers who brought it to America. He shows how this unlikely meal is now exploding into the American heartland just as the long-term future of sushi may be unraveling. The Zen of Fish is a compelling tale of human determination as well as a delectable smorgasbord of surprising food science, intrepid reporting, and provocative cultural history. more...

Price: $11.95

Together, We Can Make a Difference. Today’s environmental problems may seem too overwhelming for one person to tackle . . . but you don’t have to do it alone. Now you have partners—50 of them. 50 Simple Things, the revolutionary 1990 bestseller, is back in a completely revised, updated edition . . . and it’s just as innovative and groundbreaking as the original. The authors have teamed up with 50 of America’s top environmental groups, including The Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Wildlife Federation, and Rainforest Action Network. Each group has chosen one issue and provided a simple, step-by-step program that will empower you and your family to become citizen activists in the fight to save the Earth. It’s easy to get started. Just pick one!. Fight global warming “one city at a time” with the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities Campaign. Roll up your sleeves and save an endangered species with the Wilderness Society. Protect coral reefs and create a marine reserve with Seacology. Get your congregation excited about protecting God’s creations with Interfaith Power and Light. Invite songbirds into your neighborhood with the National Audubon Society. All it takes is a little effort. When we work together, we can work miracles! Get started now!. John Javna and the Earthworks Group wrote the original 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth in 1989. Sophie and Jessie Javna, who were not yet born when the first edition made its debut, are now high school students. They’re excited to be writing their first book, one they hope will benefit people in the generations to come. more...

Price: $9.95

The 'environment' embraces many disciplines - ecology, law, physics, chemistry, biology, environmental health, toxicology, genetic engineering and radiology. The book fills a need for an authoritative yet accessible source of reference which expertly summarises the legal, scientific, economic and social issues. more...

Price: $38.95