TARKA THE OTTER (Concord Library Series)

Customer Reviews:

An overlooked masterpiece.......2005-02-08

Most classics enjoy a broad audience, and maintain their popularity through the years because they are so fantastic. Other classics are no less fantastic, but for some reason never attained the iconic status that they deserve. This is that kind of classic, a quiet classic which is little-known, but still has that special ability to impact those who read it.

This book tells the life story of Tarka the Otter, who is born in the Devon countryside and faces the struggles that all otters must endure as they grow up, mate, and grow old. Tarka is the main character of the book, but the author refuses to anthropomorphize him, instead bringing us into an utterly realistic world of life, death, joy and loss, without pretending that otters can actually speak in anything approximating a human language.

I've read other books that purport to show us the life of an animal in this way, but none of them bear the richness of detail and the feeling of authenticity that come with this novel. The author has such an intimate understanding of the particulars of Tarka's life that we are drawn into his world with a stunning immediacy. Every feature of the land is known from the ground up; every bend in the creek is lovingly described. The way that the land and the various organisms that populate it interact creates a breathtaking tapestry of life that puts most other nature writers to shame.

The language, particularly the language used to describe the natural settings, is rich and exotic, making us appreciate the wonders of an unremarkable countryside setting in a new way. No matter how well read you are, this book will throw new words at you, and enrich your vocabulary. Turning to a random page, I see references to "a sandy rabbit-bury," the "slot of deer," an "old dismated ketch," and "the frore air." What a wealth of words, and yet the unfamiliarity doesn't prevent us from enjoying every poetic sentence.

If you like to read about animals or appreciate nature, this is a book that will speak to you more profoundly and more eloquently than Thoreau, and which will allow you to appreciate the wonders of nature even moreso than the books of Bernd Heinrich.

If you devote a little time to reading this book, you'll be rewarded out of all proportion to your investment.

The Greatest Animal Story Ever Written........2000-08-01

My mom bought me this book when I was ten I immediately thought it was going to be a good book as it had a charming front cover showing an innocent looking otter. Tarka is a sweet young otter and the book is like his life story in a way his life is like a human's . He is born ,he grows up,he loves he loses and he dies. The discription of him and his surroundings create a vivid picture in the readers mind. It really is a charming story and I would recommend this to anyone who loves animals and/or reading.

A wonderfully written story........1998-12-17

I really loved this book. It really did a wonderful job of showing how joyful Tarka's life was, and how, even when he was hunted, his life was still joyful. I highly recommend this book!

Tarka the Otter is descriptive, realistic, & in places, sad........1997-10-04

Tarka the Otter is written very descriptively, from an otter's point of view. It's similar to Watership Down, but Tarka's thought is much less anthropomorphized than that of the characters in Watership Down. You'll find this book quite sad in places, perhaps even upsettingly so, because of the realistic (and unfair) interactions Tarka and others have with English hunters and their dogs a few times (such is life). If you cried at the end of Where the Red Fern Grows, beware. If you are unfamiliar with the endearing antics of members of the weasel family, you are in for an educational and fun treat. Perhaps you'll run out and get a ferret after this.

Wonderful book.......1997-01-31

This book is quite possibly the best novel about nature ever written. It's gorgeous and epic, not a kid's book by any means. This was T.E. Lawrence's favorite book, by the way, and there is more wonder, beauty, and realism in any one paragraph than in most books you'll ever see

Tarka the Otter (Puffin Modern Classics)

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Tarka the Otter (Puffin Modern Classics)
Henry Williamson
Manufacturer: Puffin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Zoology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Science & Technology | Teens | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0140366210

Book Description

One night while the moon gleamed out of the clouds in the east, a young female otter gave birth to three cubs in a hollow oak by a woodland river. The pride of the litter was Tarka, "Little Water Wanderer," the name the ancients gave otters in Britain's long-vanished tribal past.

First published in 1927, this classic story of Tarka's life in the country of the Two Rivers has charmed generations of readers. It pictures a never-to-be-forgotten rural England and, through the character of Tarka, lets us experience nature in her infinite variety.

"Beautifully written, highly dramatic, a great story of the natural world. Unreservedly recommended." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)

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The Henry Williamson Animal Saga - Tarka the Otter, Salar the Salmon, The Epic Book of Brock the Badger, Chakcheck the Peregrine
Henry Williamson
Manufacturer: MacDonald
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B0000CKHAO

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The Henry Williamson Animal Saga Tarka The Otter And Other Stories

Manufacturer: Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLCEZW

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THE HENRY WILLIAMSON ANIMAL SAGA: Tarka the Otter and Other Stories Including Salar the Salmon
Henry Williamson
Manufacturer: Book Club Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RWUBSC

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The Illustrated Tarka the Otter: His Joyful Waterlife and Death in the Country of the Two Rivers
Henry Williamson
Manufacturer: Webb & Bower Pubs Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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TARKA THE OTTER
HENRY WILLIAMSON
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S5ZQ7E

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TARKA THE OTTER
HENRY WILLIAMSON
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RX8I0O

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TARKA THE OTTER
HENRY WILLIAMSON
Manufacturer: PENGUIN BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S81CY2

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TARKA THE OTTER
HENRY WILLIAMSON
Manufacturer: PUTNAM & CO LTD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SEHX5I

Book Description

Hitch a smooth ride across the Sahara with veteran authors Jim Hudgens and Richard Trillo. Their Rough Guide to West Africa, now in its second edition, takes you from bustling Dakar and other capitals to all the remote towns and beaches. The Rough Guide expertly covers the basics - lodging, transportation, etiquette and inoculations - and the breadth of activities - nightlife, seeing the wildlife and volunteering. The authors also bring the history of each country into focus with a political who's who and stellar takes on the region's vibrant music and art. The following nations are covered: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo. 156 maps.

Customer Reviews:

Good book for planning multicountry itineraries.......2006-01-05

As most of the reviews point out, the battle here is between Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. I bought them both, as I usually do before a big trip, and after studying them both will take the RG. They are both good in terms of information on hotels and restaurants, I just found the layout of RG a bit better. Cultural and travel basics are better organized up front, the maps are larger and much clearer, and the references to the maps in the text easier to decipher. But for me the big plus is that the RG contains much better information about moving between countries, and information about specific transport options from area to area - boat, bus, train - is much more detailed. If you are planning a multi-country itinerary the RG is, IMHO, much better. They are both equal in terms of info, I think, I just feel like for me RG got the details right.

Decent But Not Great.......2002-12-02

The Rough Guide series is nice, if sometimes odd, for understanding what to do and what not to do in particular countries or regions. Usually, its best to get both Rough Guide and Lonely Plaent and compared the information between the two, just to avoid any unfortunate occurances. But thats just me. Anyway, this book basically covers travel in West Africa: Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Senegal, the Gambia, Cabo Verde, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon. Theres basic travel information, as well as notes for getting into and out of each country, and things you can do while your there. Maps, religious information, notes on social mores, currency info, food and so forth are all covered throughout the book. There are also some useful phrases in French (the most widely spoken language in West Africa), as well as some phrases in Hassaniya Arabic, Mandinka, Bamana, Twi, Susu, Hausa, Yoruba and other indigenous languages.
Fans of Afro-Pop should check out the back of this book, which is full of cultural references. There are lists of significant books, movies, musicians and songs. Sure, it is a bit dated, but some old favorites are included on the list who are well worth checking out. In fact, I should restate that, given the mercurial nature of African society, it is pretty likely that many things in this book have changed since it was published. Before doing anything in this book, you might want to look it up online or something first.

Not the best investment.......2002-03-28

At the moment, there are two main contenders on the market with comparable books on West Africa: Rough Guide and Lonely Planet. Neither is perfect.

Rough Guide may feel a bit more professionally-made, and has been made on a bigger budget too, but it suffers from terminally boring writing style.

I said this before and I`ll say it again: if people who write guidance for your tax returns were to write guidebooks they would probably come up with similarly uninspired language.

The book does not offer the same level of self-righteous (and often annoying) rhetoric about evils of capitalism as Lonely Planet. I find this aspect commendable: some of us want the travel guide to give us facts and not explanations for whom to vote and what to think.

However, on balance, I have to admit that Lonely Planet is better resarched and more accurate, and also less bulky. If you have plenty of luggage allowance and money's no object, buy both, otherwise, stick with Lonely Planet.

Interesting but not so relevant.......2000-12-26

Yes, this is an interesting guide. If you are either an adventurer and/or an armchair traveller, by all means try it out ! Yet, this is not the kind of book it clams to be, namely a travel guide. Few people would find it relevant to their travel plans while in Africa. If you want advice from Lonely Planet, who published this book, then get their other book "Lonely Planet West Africa", much more thorough and relevant for most travellers.

Necessary but not sufficient.......2000-07-25

This Rough Guide offers thorough, helpful information for travelling around West Africa, including events, hotels, restaraunts, cutoms, traditions, safety precautions, language reference, etc. I especially liked the fact that each time CFA's or other currency were mentioned, their dollar equivalents were also calculated. The Lonely Planet Guide does not do this. Also, this Rough Guide is organized better and easier to read than the Lonely Planet. The problem with the Rough Guide, though, is that while it gives all the necessary information to get around, it does not offer any subjective advice that the naive West Africa traveller would want to know. For example, The Lonely Planet guide gives the same information as this book about a campsite in Niamey, but adds that it is ugly, with few trees, and many people have been robbed there. That is something I want to know. I certainly found all the necessary information in this guide, but it is still insufficient in many ways.

Book Description

An Owner’s Guide to Raising Your Pet Protector Written by two dog trainers Michael “ Gypsy “ Stratten & Lori Berg

Every aspect of owning the dog is covered, from choosing your puppy to integrating it into your family, and what you should expect from the dog.

This guide is an all inclusive, innovative A-Z manual written from a perspective that no other dog trainers take.. The Best Bite is no Bite! In today’s lawsuit happy society this book is a necessary read promoting productive and responsible dog training & ownership.

It has been our experience that most dog owners truly just want and need a pet that will deter bad guys based on their appearance and how they act around the house. In fact most dog owners never take their dogs to compete in shows, and are not part of some para-military or hard core sport groups.

The relationship between man and dog is age old. Dogs do not need to be taught to chase and bite in order to protect. This book differentiates between the training of a police dog and a personal protection dog geared towards family and business.

This book will teach you how to develop your personal PET PROTECTOR.!

The trainers provide real life anecdotes, comprehensive training information and thought provoking essays.

Customer Reviews:

Helpful for getting your dog off to the correct start!.......2007-09-19

This book has helped me a lot with the boxer pup I bought shortly before I received the book. It has helped with everything from potty training to basic ob training. I tell Duke no and instantly he stop's whatever he is doing. I love it! Thank you Lori and Gypsy. Nicole

The Dog Owner's Handbook: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Training and Pampering your Pet

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A thorough, practical and highly accessible guide, enthusiastically recommended to current and would-be dog owners alike.

The Dog Owner's Handbook: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Training and Pampering your Pet
Annette Conn
Manufacturer: Carlton Books, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Written in a friendly, accessible style, and full of appealing color photos, The Dog Owner’s Handbook offers plenty of expert advice on training and caring for your canine. Whether you want advice on selecting a dog, need a rundown on training techniques or health care, or plan to lavish your pet with toys and treats, here’s everything you need to know. Learn the best way to introduce a puppy to its new home; discover how to discourage attention-seeking behavior, like barking or jumping; find out how much and what type of exercise you should give your dog; and much, much more. Annette Conn is a professional dog behavior consultant and training instructor, with more than 25 years’ experience. She also trains and handles dogs for television.

Customer Reviews:

A thorough, practical and highly accessible guide, enthusiastically recommended to current and would-be dog owners alike........2006-11-05

Written by Annette Conn, a professional dog behavior consultant and training instructor of 29 years' experience, The Dog Owners Handbook is a serious-minded guide about training and caring for one's beloved canine pet. Full-color photographs on almost every page illustrate tips, tricks, and techniques for housebreaking, training techniques, the best toys and treats, grooming, healthcare issues, and much more. A thorough, practical and highly accessible guide, enthusiastically recommended to current and would-be dog owners alike.

The Owner's Comprehensive Guide to Training and Showing Your Dog

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Amazing!
Awesome
Great book!

The Owner's Comprehensive Guide to Training and Showing Your Dog
Marie Cahill
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Nature & Wildlife | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Amazing!.......2005-04-26

I expected this book to be dull and excrutiatingly slow moving but instead I found that it was an amazingly complex book but not in the slightest way dreary. It gives plenty of information not only for the novice dog handlers and trainers, but also for the Championship.

Awesome.......2005-04-22

This book is definetly not as boring as it sounds! It is really a jolly good book! It is great for training your dog and gives lots of info too.

Great book!.......2005-04-13

This book was awesome! It helped me to train my stubborn pugs. It also got me interested in dog shows. It gives lots of information!

THE CANADIAN DOG OWNER'S COMPANION A Guide to Selecting, Caring for and Training Your New Dog or Puppy

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THE CANADIAN DOG OWNER'S COMPANION A Guide to Selecting, Caring for and Training Your New Dog or Puppy
Donna; Manning, Penny Davidson
Manufacturer: Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

A Dog Owner's Guide to Training Your Dog (Dog Owner's Guides)

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A Dog Owner's Guide to Training Your Dog (Dog Owner's Guides)
Joan Palmer
Manufacturer: Tetra Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1564651584

Dog Owners Guide to American and English Cocker Spaniels: Everything You Need to Know About Your Spaniel, Including Health Care, Training, Breeding A

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Dog Owners Guide to American and English Cocker Spaniels: Everything You Need to Know About Your Spaniel, Including Health Care, Training, Breeding A
Frank Kane , and Phyllis Wise
Manufacturer: Tetra Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3923880642

The Lassie Method Raising & Training Your Dog with Patience, Firmness & Love, This Book Contains Good Information for Persons Wanting to Enhance Their Knowledge of the Subject Matter in Particular. Always a Good Reference Guide to Keep on Hand. Will Help

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The Lassie Method Raising & Training Your Dog with Patience, Firmness & Love, This Book Contains Good Information for Persons Wanting to Enhance Their Knowledge of the Subject Matter in Particular. Always a Good Reference Guide to Keep on Hand. Will Help
Owner Trainer of Lassie, FORMER OWNER STAMP Back Blank Endpaper, Illustrated in Color Rudd Weatherwax
Manufacturer: Western Publ Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Owner's Comprehensive Guide to Training & Showing Your Dog

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The Owner's Comprehensive Guide to Training & Showing Your Dog
Marie Cahill
Manufacturer: Bison Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

In Tune With Your Dog An Owner's Guide to Training and Improving Behaviour

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In Tune With Your Dog An Owner's Guide to Training and Improving Behaviour
John Rogerson
Manufacturer: St Edmundsbury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover Comic

Product Description

Development, Behaviour and Training of man's best friend. Everything from raising your dog to traing it for competition

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The OWNER'S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE To TRAINING AND SHOWING YOUR DOG.
Marie. Cahill
Manufacturer: Mallard Press,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague has once more taken its place on the world stage. Visitors flock there from around the world. With this influx has come an infusion of creativity and international influences. This new vibrance exists side-by-side with Prague's many-layered architectural and culinary history. Feast your eyes on photographs of Prague's hippest restaurants, and also enjoy a great selection of unique recipes.

Conservation of the Last Judgment Mosaic, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague (Getty Trust Publications: Getty Conservation Institute)

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Conservation of the Last Judgment Mosaic, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague (Getty Trust Publications: Getty Conservation Institute)

Manufacturer: Getty Trust Publications: Getty Conservation Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0892367822

Book Description

Illustrated in color throughout, this handsome volume presents selected papers from an international symposium held in June 2001 marking the completion of a ten-year project to conserve the Last Judgment mosaic, at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. The project was a partnership between the
Office of the President of the Czech Republic, the Prague Castle Administration, and the Getty Conservation Institute. The goal of the symposium was to present the methodology, research, and results of the project, which involved conserving one of the finest examples of monumental medieval mosaic
art in Europe.
The volume's essays are divided into three parts, which cover the historical and art-historical context, conservation planning and methodology, and project implementation and maintenance. Topics addressed include the history, iconography, and visual documentation of the mosaic; the development and
application of surface cleaning and protective coating techniques for the mosaic's glass tesserae; and post-treatment monitoring and maintenance.

Logica Modernorum In Prague About 1400: The Sophistria Disputation 'quoniam Quatuor' (ms Cracow, Jagiellonian Library 686, Ff. 1ra-79rb) : With A Partial ... Zur Geistesgeschichte Des Mittelalters)

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Logica Modernorum In Prague About 1400: The Sophistria Disputation 'quoniam Quatuor' (ms Cracow, Jagiellonian Library 686, Ff. 1ra-79rb) : With A Partial ... Zur Geistesgeschichte Des Mittelalters)

Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9004140093

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Prazske Interiery Prague Interiors
Josef; Emmanuel Poche Ehm
Manufacturer: Orbis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NJ4DIS

Book Description

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of recreational leadership with a focus on the use of music. It included practical suggestions for the use of music in recreation; detailed descriptions of activities, including fundamentals such as sound systems, base basic dance positions; suggestion for recretional activities with person with disabilities and a list of resources.

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Mermaids Do Exist: The Autobiography of Vice Admiral Sir Henry Burrell Royal Australian Navy (Retired)
Sir Henry Burrell
Manufacturer: MacMillan Company of Australia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Australian | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000TYZ3J0

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