A Cactus Odyssey: Journeys in the Wilds of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina

Book Description

This book presents the stories of three avid field biologists who over the course of 15 years frequently traveled together in search of cacti in Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. The conversational style of this travelogue allows us to share in the authors' excitement as they encounter plants that have rarely, if ever, been written about. Nearly 195 remarkable color photographs accompany the vivid descriptions of unusual cacti growing alongside non-succulent plants, at altitudes of 8000 feet or more-and even in rainforests! A Cactus Odyssey will interest gardeners, travelers, and conservationists from around the world who wish to learn more about these irresistible plants, and it is the hope of the authors that this book will inspire others to undertake their own cactus odyssey.

Customer Reviews:

WHAT A WELL DONE, DELIGHTFUL VOLUME!.......2006-09-04

I cannot remember when I have had so much enjoyment in reading a book about plants. This is not a simple "how to identify" work, but rather a story by and of three very knowledgeable men, scientists, traveling through the countries of Bolivia, Peru and Argentina, not as tourists, but rather than scientist. For a book which is primarily about plants, i.e. cactus, it is so much more. We get a wonderful and insightful travel story/book thrown in. As another reviewer pointed out, this could quite well have been a very boring read. This it was not! I have actually given this one three reads simply because it is fun! But, most importantly, this volume is simply packed with wonderful information about cacti, their history, their origins and environment. This work in not simply a field guide or a bunch of pretty, sterile pictures of cactus setting on a shelf photographed with a bunch of high tech gear, it actually gives information about these wonderful plants as they grow in their home environment, their natural state, the wild. The photographs are all field photographs and for field photos, quite well done. The text is very precise and easy to follow, not being over the head of the amature (such as my self) yet providing so much information to the advanced student. Discriptions are great. I did have trouble at first with the Latin names of course, but this forced be to pull out my old high school Latin books and do a bit of brushing up...this was good. All of the photographs are in color and well captioned. As an added note, Timber Press did a wonderful job on this book (I wonder if all their books are of this caliber). I wish all books were of this physical quality. Of even more importance than anything else, my knowledge of this particular plant family took a 100 percent jump in depth. For that I am grateful. I very much suggest you add this one to your library. Recommend highly.

Extremely entertaining knowledge!.......2005-11-28

Since I started growing my first cacti nearly 30 years ago, certain books have been of great importance for my knowledge and development, when it comes to growing and understanding cacti. But never has one single book put so many pieces together as this one! The book is just packed with knowledge and I really became overwhelmingly inspired!
The authors travel through several South American countries and habitats, diverse as they are because of the andean influence. You just want to go there and travel yourself!

After reading this book twice in a short time, I view the whole consept of cacti and environment differently. How the tectonic plates moved and forced plants and animals to evolve and adapt to the new niches and habitats, from the ancestors in Gondwana, to the first cacti in south America, later spreading into the adjoining north American continent. How the cactusgenera are related. How a cactus works.
In fact I learned too many tings to mention everything; just read the book! It could seem very technical and boring, but believe me; its not! At least if you have a relation to growing cacti. Its all in there! Highly recommended!

Customer Reviews:

Lots of detailed info & resources. Sloppy editing........2007-02-03

This book is Pre -tsunami. & Pre-enviromental-ban for Sipadan

CONS:
1) This edition is basically the same as the 2nd edition. If you have #2 then you don't really need #3. Just call ahead and make sure the LDS info is correct.

2) Although some of the information may have been updated since the 2nd edition, sloppy editing ruins the book. Maps are not on the page indexed and are not on the page referred to in the paragraph. You'd really expect better editing and not just #2 regurgitated with add-on info.

3) Many of the contributors also have their own Dive Guide/Book published, so you may find some duplicate info.

4) Doesn't list all major dive shops in the area, (but it comes pretty close). Doesn't list dive shops on the smaller islands (not even reputable ones).

5) Publishing company extremely rude (Periplus Singapore) and unhelpful to the public when called at the number listed.

PROS:
1) Maps of the entire region are very helpful especially if you want to be sure whether you are diving island 3 or island 4a. & your dive guide doesn't know - unfortunately happens more than you think since everyone wants to do their divemaster/instructor training course here. Just show the boat captain the map and he'll tell you.

2) This book packs a lot of detailed info on each and every area and dive site. All you need is a Guide that knows where the fish are and how to get back to the boat.

3) This book often contains more pertinent and detailed info than many "single area" books out there.

4) All the contributors are highly respected and very well-known in their own areas and beyond. Most are regular contributors to dive magazines and have their own guides published. Some still take groups out despite owning their own dive shop, travel agency, internet cafe, Tshirt stand, satay and fruit juice stall.

5) Good quality photos and paper.

6) Nice map of the region inside the front cover.

Overall one of the better dive books out there. You will find this one really helpful for:
*Planning dive trips in S.E. Asia
*Knowing where you are
*What to look out for at a site/area
*Alternative dive resources for S.E. Asia (Lists of websites diving & otherwise).

Fielding's Asia's Top Dive Sites: The Best Diving in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (Periplus Editions)

Average customer rating:

Fielding's Asia's Top Dive Sites: The Best Diving in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (Periplus Editions)
Heneage Mitchell , and John Williams
Manufacturer: Fielding Worldwide
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Swimming | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Philippines | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Southeast | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Fielding | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1569521298

Diving Southeast Asia: A Guide to the Best Dive Sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (Periplus Action Guides)

Average customer rating:

Good general guide to top dive spots

Diving Southeast Asia: A Guide to the Best Dive Sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand (Periplus Action Guides)
Fiona Nichols , John Williams , and Kal Muller
Manufacturer: Periplus Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Philippines | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Southeast | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Good general guide to top dive spots.......1999-12-06

E-mail links, contacts, maps and description of each site plus how to get there and when to go all very helpful

Book Description

Covering topics from Ancient History to Modern Times, Tell Me About History answers intriguing questions such as “Who were the Hittites?” and “How far did the Vikings travel?” This book is a perfect supplement for history and reading curricula.

Book Description

The cat's out of the bag!

Felines are natural meditators, too. In this sequel to the national bestseller How to Meditate with Your Dog, James Jacobson presents a delightful "tail" of two kitties, each with a unique approach to meditation.

How to Meditate with Your Cat: An Introduction to Meditation for Cat Lovers builds on the fundamentals presented in the first book and highlights the key meditation concept of letting go of expectation.

Average customer rating:
Complete Catalogue of British Cigarette Cards
And Bower Web , and London Cigarette Card Company
Manufacturer: Viking Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 090667185X

Average customer rating:
The Complete Catalogue of British Cigarette Cardsa. Second Edition.
Various Authors (The London Cigarette Card Company)
Manufacturer: Webb & Bower
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VB23SA

Average customer rating:
The Complete Catalogue of British Cigarette Cards

Manufacturer: Webb & Bower Pubs Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0030616395

Average customer rating:
The Complete Catalogue of British Cigarette Cards: second edition
London cigarette card company
Manufacturer: Hale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H5SCAS

Amazon.com

Love history as much as you love plants? Interested in resurrecting some nearly forgotten and delicious garden vegetables? Heirloom Country Gardens offers a wealth of suggestions in a lovely format that mixes gorgeous photos with fascinating text. Author Sarah Wolfgang Heffner begins with an introduction to many types of regionally preferred layouts--traditional Amish, New England, Southern, Victorian, and Southwest Mission are but a few. Whether you're interested in reinventing your entire garden in a particular style or simply incorporating a few elements, you'll find the detailed descriptions and bulleted lists to be helpful companions.

The alphabetical listing of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and fruits includes both general notes and specific types of special heirloom plants. Purple carrots? White cucumbers? Each category offers at least four choices--some, like the Moons and Stars melon, are famous in the move to restore older breeds. Plant history is included in this section--did you know it was once believed that basil could actually turn into a scorpion, if two leaves were left under a rock? Flowers are given the same loving attention, while fruits are treated a bit differently.

As local conditions can vary so drastically for optimal fruit growing, Heffner urges you to get recommendations from local nurseries, while including interesting historical facts and a few general suggestions. Organic methods of disease and pests control are emphasized, and the instructions for training plants and retaining seeds excel in their completeness and simplicity. --Jill Lightner

Book Description

Heirloom plants are the varieties grown in our grandparents' gardens, before hybridization created standard plants with less variety. These "antique" plants are coming into vogue with many gardeners who enjoy the nostalgia and boundless diversity of heirloom plants. Heirloom Country Gardens offers a plan to grow these beautiful plants to their best advantage. This unique guide focuses on 6 heirloom garden designs created especially for this book. It includes regional garden styles from the plantation South to New England kitchen gardens. Readers will gain inspiration from experts such as William Ways Weaver and Kent Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange. Chapters on projects and 19 "living history" recipes add the finishing touch, from forming a rustic arbor to Iroquois Roasted Corn soup. Readers will delight at the extensive reference section which includes directories of the best heirloom flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruits available. Lavish 4-color photos and illustrations attest to the pleasure of designing, planting, and enjoying an heirloom garden.

Customer Reviews:

From the Publisher.......2005-11-14

"Here is a collection of thirty-two extraordinary women of science, literature, aeronautics, politics, medicine, and education. Helen Keller, Mother Jones, Harriet Tubman, Julia Morgan, Ida Tarbell, Marie Curie, Dian Fossey, Ruth Elder, Sarah Winnemucca, Rosa Parks, Helen Caldicott, Indira Gandhi, and Dorothea Dix are among those included. Complete with biographical information on the back of each card. (See Women Who Dared, Volume II.) 30 duotone photographs.

"Pomegranate's books of postcards contain thirty top-quality reproductions bound together in a handy, artful collection. Easy to remove and produced on heavy card stock, these stunning postcards are a delight to the sender and receiver. ISBN: 0-87654-807-9; size: 4 3/4 x 6 7/8"."--© Pomegranate

Book Description

A biography of the young Chinese-American figure skater who won national and world championships in 1996 and a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Average customer rating:

Read this book before you invest in your next growth stock

California Institute of Technology Graduate Student

Great book for sophisticated market analysis

Great reading for the sophisticated trader!

A typical technical analysis book

Stock Market Probability: Using Statistics to Predict and Optimize Investment Outcomes, Revised Edition
Joseph E. Murphy
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Stocks | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Probability & Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Mathematics of Technical Analysis: Applying Statistics to Trading Stocks, Options and Futures

Ahead of the Market: The Zacks Method for Spotting Stocks Early -- In Any Economy

Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street

Options as a Strategic Investment

Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications (New York Institute of Finance)

ASIN: 1557385645

Book Description

This book describes how to use statistical techniques to manage risk and improve returns. By estimating the probability of various investment outcomes in advance, investors can make better-informed decisions. Joseph Murphy shows how statistical tools and techniques such as standard deviation, dispersion and distributions can be profitably applied to the stock market. Completely updated and revised it provides investors with a sound and rational method for beating the market. Specific topics include: Statistics and historic stock market returns; Calculate the odds of an advance or decline in a stock; Estimate returns on a mutual fund; Diversification through time; The five laws of finance.

Customer Reviews:

Read this book before you invest in your next growth stock.......2000-07-01

If you aren't too familiar with statistics, this book will be a challenge. Nevertheless, it is a very valuable book, and will help you separate fact from fiction on wall street.

Good points: Learn how to use probability theory to determine the expected returns of a stock, its likelihood of profit (or loss), change in margins, etc. Of particular interest--learn how to estimate the standard deviation of a stock's returns by using its high and low prices. This can save some significant number crunching, and you can use another short-hand rule to estimate the annual standard deviation from daily, weekly, or monthly data.

Of special importance are the 5 laws of finance-especially law 2. Law 2 states simply: You cannot use historical percentage changes in growth to predict future changes (more technically, past percentage growth has no correlation to future growth). What does Wall Street try to do--predict future growth by past growth (William O'neil readers take note.) A history of rapid growth is no guarantee of future growth. Likewise, a history of poor growth is no guarantee of poor future performance. Maybe Ben Graham was right after all.

The one reviewer who said it is typical "technical analysis" must not have read the same book. The main premise is that stock prices follow a "random walk"--meaning you cannot use simple technical rules to predict future returns with any degree of accuracy.

The author also pokes some holes in the components of "efficient market theory" especially CAPM. Beta as a description of an individual stock's price moves is questioned.

Bad Points: The lognormal distribution was not explained in enough detail. This is a significant flaw, as the rest of the book requires understanding of this vital concept. Once you can get that, you will reap immense benefit from this book.

California Institute of Technology Graduate Student.......2000-03-09

I do not recommend this book for the following reasons.

1) It could be summarized in 5 pages

2) Some of the assumptions used in the model are not valid

3) I tested the model and it does not work

4) few equations makes it difficult to follow at some points.

There are some major shortcomings in this book. Major ones include assuming that the change in the log of the price of a stock is a gaussian random variable and that day to day prices are not correlated. I tested this and it was not true in any of the cases I tried. The world is not gaussian and events are often correlated.

For purely academic reading, this book may be interesting, but I suggest that anyone doing so supplement their reading with some real-life statistics of their own.

Great book for sophisticated market analysis.......1999-02-01

This is an excellent book for traders. It successfully uses probability analysis to predict market and stock fluctuations. Nevertheless, it is too sophisticated for the typical compulsive investor. I recommend this book for people who have an above average understanding of market forecasting.

Great reading for the sophisticated trader!.......1999-01-31

Joseph E. Murphy has formulated a unique probability and statistical approach to investing. The book is easy to read and each chapter is clearly divided by subject matter. This makes it easy to use as a desk reference.

Nevertheless, Murphy's concepts make too much sense for the average compulsive investor. I recommend this book only for sophisticated traders.

A typical technical analysis book.......1998-07-19

* Very limited

* Not practical in real life market settings

*Contains very little info on the various technical analysis approaches to the market.

* Ignores some of the most common successful working methods of technical analysis.

* INTERESTING THEORETICAL READING NEVER THE LESS

Average customer rating:

A Bit of Design Philosophy and Some Examples

Tony Koester continues to lead the way

Dissappointed ! Not the most ideal for an experienced modeler

Enthusiastically recommended for serious model railroad connoisseurs

Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks: An Introduction To Layout Design Elements (Model Railroader)
Tony Koester
Manufacturer: Kalmbach Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Metal Work | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Model Trains | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Realistic Model Railroad Design: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Unique Operating Layout (Model Railroader)

The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Yards (Model Railroader Books)

The Model Railroader's Guide to Junctions (Model Railroader's Guide To...)

Realistic Model Railroad Operation: How to Run Your Trains Like the Real Thing (Model Railroader Books)

The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks (Model Railroader Books)

Product Features:

Kalmbach Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks - 12405

KAL

ASIN: 0890243689

Product Description

Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks

Customer Reviews:

A Bit of Design Philosophy and Some Examples.......2006-09-14

I did not quite get what I was looking for in this book. Since I am looking for a place to build a BIG layout but have not yet found it, I thought I would learn about ways to start building now in a series of small blocks that could be transported to the new site when the time comes. There is some of that but that is not the basis of the book. Instead, it talks about an approach to designing a layout.

This book talks about a design philosophy, about designing a layout built around specific design elements such as a yard, junction, city scene, industry or even a maritime scene. It examines how the real or "prototype" railroad operations can be selectively compressed to fit in a model space and how the rest of the layout can be designed around a few signature scenes.

Towards the end, there is some discussion of designing a layout as a series of "dominoes" but this is for grand planning and not for modular building in the sense of planning for a move.

The book was informative and worthwhile but what I will take from it is mostly background information.

Tony Koester continues to lead the way.......2006-07-13

Tony Koester continues to be THE most prominent driving force in Model Railroad Design today. He began where John Armstrong left off and continues to take the design phase of the hobby to new heights. "Building Blocks" is a concept that thousands of modelers have used for years, but until now, no one has ever compiled a true action plan for intergrating these ideas together to achieve a complete model.
Great job, Tony!

Dissappointed ! Not the most ideal for an experienced modeler.......2006-01-28

The book is well presented but lot of the coverage is very ambiguous and situational to real railroading not focused onthe aspects of model railroading. I would have expected to see more coverage of layout building, tips and trick, experiences from fellow modelers, but none of that kind to suit my pallate. Rather dissappointed, I must say.

Enthusiastically recommended for serious model railroad connoisseurs.......2005-12-12

One of the newest additions to the "Model Railroader" book list, Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks: An Introduction To Layout Design Elements by model railroading expert Tony Koester focuses upon how to apply Layout Design Elements - that is, visually and operationally recognizable models of small parts of a full-sized railroad - to create a more realistic and aesthetically pleasing model railroad. LDEs work for full-sized railroads; and so they work just as well for hobbyists. Chapters cover how to select and model towns, junctions, yards, engine terminals, industries, ports, bridges, "signature" scenes, and much more. Offering practical techniques that break down the steps of using LDEs to the simplicity of assembling a picture puzzle, Realistic Model Railroad Building Blocks is enthusiastically recommended for serious model railroad connoisseurs.

Book Description

This book replaces 45,000+ Baby Names. We've added 10,000 more names. It now includes 4,000+ Hispanic names. It includes icons to identify names used for both boys and girls. And it now includes the top 100 boys and girls names according to the latest Social Security data. Amazingly, we've kept the price at $6.95. That's a bargain.

Customer Reviews:

Didn't care for this book.......2007-08-09

If your looking for a typical name this book is has way to many different names. We just used the top 100 names in the front of the book.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.......2007-04-07

This book repeats names through out the entire book many times. Not really that good of a book. There definitely isn't 55,000 names in this book.

Not useful :(.......2006-12-28

In my opinion there were too many names in this book. Most of them were the same names but were just spelled differently. And there were a lot of girl names in the boy section and vice versa. I thought it was poorly organized and edited. I did like the front section with the name lists and categories. But overall I was really disappointed in this book. Not a good buy.

Very thorough.......2006-01-24

I looked through many baby name books and this one seemed to be very comprehensive. It has old and new, popular and old-fashioned names. Not only the familiar American names but other common names from around the world. If you're looking for definitions this book doesn't elaborate but gives a few words plus the origin and alternate spelling. There are also lists of the most popular names from different decades and different countries. This book will keep me busy for a while. I am very happy with my purchase.

Book Description

Here are the words and art of Pablo Picasso, presented in a manner that reflects the powerful directness of his personality and actions throughout his long life. The words he spoke, as recorded by his friends and colleagues, reveal Picasso as a man who reveled in passion and sought, at all times, to embrace the challenge of life. In capturing his words, and setting them opposite his paintings, drawings, and lithographs, Picasso: In His Words distills the uncompromising vitality that was the legacy of Pablo Picasso. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), one of the most dynamic and influential artists of the twentieth century, achieved success in drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics as well as in painting. He worked tirelessly and experimented with a number of different artistic styles during his long career.

Customer Reviews:

Charming little book.......2005-05-12

This is not a book for die-hards, get "Picasso on Art" for an in-depth sourcebook of Picasso qoutes. This book is great for kids for inspiration or girlfriends as a small gift. I would describe it as cute. Has plates of his work on one page and a qoute on the other. A great book if this is what you are looking for.

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