An Eclectic Guide to Trees East of the Rockies

Book Description

"The scope of this book is biological rather than political," writes author Glen Blouin. "It is neither a Native Trees of Canada, nor a Native Trees of the United States. Trees are apolitical characters. They do not recognize international boundaries. They grow where they are comfortable, where the climate and soils suit them."

This one-of-a-kind book is certainly an excellent guide to identifying the almost fifty major tree species east of the Rockies by their components (size, wood, bark, leaf, flower, fruit, twig, etc.), but it goes far beyond such basic details. It also provides:

the history of each species
its range, record sizes, preferred sites, and seasonal changes
its value as habitat for fauna
its role in interspecies interaction
its natural enemies (insects, blights, diseases)
its use by humans as ornamentals, shade trees, or windbreaks
its historic and modern use as a source of food or medicine
the properties of its wood for woodworking, and other domestic and industrial use
recommendations for planting and care
and important notes on conservation

"This thoughtful book by Glen Blouin nicely explores the broader significance of tree species found east of the Rockies, in Canada and the United States. It expands on all that interesting information that is only touched upon through a sentence or two in standard field guides ... Every forest is a treasure house of such knowledge if we only have a companion such as this book to help us gain access."

from the foreword by Monte Hummel, President, World Wildlife Fund, Canada

Book Description

Thoroughly researched and entertainingly written, this guide uncovers the countless treasures of art and architecture that have remained intact-in spite of the city's tumultuous history-for well over 10 centuries. Highlighting the city's abundance of music and theater festivals and its café and cuisine culture, this guide provides insider tips and practical information on how to uncover the city's secrets and wonders. The guide's five short city walks and three lengthier excursions as well as its chapters on museums and galleries, music and film, food and restaurants, hotels and accommodations reveal a welcoming and exuberant city.

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The true story of Christopher Columbus,: Called the Great Admiral; (Children's lives of great men)
Elbridge Streeter Brooks
Manufacturer: D. Lothrop Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | United States | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00069XY26

Book Description

Now available in paper, this newly revised and expanded classic in book design argues for a non-dogmatic approach, one open to both traditional and modern, and symmetrical and asymmetrical, solutions. A survey of Jost Hochuli's own work as a book designer featuring pages from a career of over 30 years is shown, along with detailed comments by noted designer and critic Robin Kinross.
"Hochuli has achieved his standing without any fuss, programme or manifesto, by sheer talent and persistence. As a designer, his main concern is to work out individual solutions for individual books. This books is sure to help anyone who is seeking to develop a considered attitude towards the design and production of the book as a codex. The use of the individual's own understanding is at the core of Hochuli's practice and theory." Fernand Baudin, Logos

Customer Reviews:

Still haven't gotten the book...........2007-02-19

Well, I ordered the book on Jan 18th (a month ago) and it still hasn't shipped. The email asking me to write a review reminded me that I even ordered it in the first place. So, maybe this vendor is awesome at other things, but not very reliable when it comes to e-commerce.

Yeah, that's it.

Beyond the Bauhaus dogma.......2004-04-13

My first reaction, on seeing the black sanserif cover lettering and simple red graphics was "Oh. Swiss school." Some of the diatribes from the early Swiss school proponents came across as 'full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing,' so that left me leery.

Hochuli has moved past the dogmatic phase, though, and into something better-reasoned. The paper is a warm, humanist tan (where I expected a stark white), the body copy is a serif font, and Hochuli lets esthetic judgement moderate geometric purism. It may seem surprising that setting up a scientific text jolted him out of the "scientific" Bauhaus mindset. After thinking about it for a moment, perhaps only a science text could have done the job. More than any other genre, science books tend to mix illustrations and photos, graphs, charts, equations and in-line math, footnotes, references and cross-references, and all the other factors that complicate typography. Even more, because the science content of the book can be so complex, it calls out for typographic help in organizing the material for visual presentation.

The book is a lovely object. The wide margins give the text a statuesque look. References on each page are set off clearly and legibly. Unfortunately, the text is quite short - only about half the length of the book, and half of that is illustrations. The second half of the book is a brief catalog of Hochuli's work. The material is worthwhile, but it seemed like filler, meant to bring the book up to some mandated minimum length. I also found it a bit too large to read one-handed, the way I do with most papaerbacks. Hochuli seems to have broken his own rule about the size of a book, the way it is read, and the way it is held for reading.

The only place I seriously disagreed with Hochuli's advice had to do with bibliographies. I don't think the italic needs a different 'color', as long as the slant and dynamics of line weight are clear. I think he missed out completely on mixing European and Asian names. Western tradition uses "first-name last-name" order for personal name and family name. Many Asians and some Africans put the family name first and personal name last (as if saying "Jones Chris" instead of "Chris Jones"). Typographic convention can preserve proper order and still distinguish family from personal names.

Nothing is perfect, but this book is a pleasant and informative discussion of typography in the large - the steps above letterforms and paragraph structure. I'll keep it, and keep coming back to it.

The ironic part..........2002-12-27

I am writing this review simply to say that I find it highly amusing to receive this book for Christmas, open it, and find an orphan on the introduction page, and widows and orphans in the next few pages after that. I hope that those of you who are familiar with the rules of formal typesetting are also chuckling.

This is a pretty book, I just find the errors fairly humorous. Have yet to get into the meat of the matter, though I do agree with the previous reviewer that this serves more as a composite picture book.

If you are looking for pure typographic excellence, look at Robert Bringhurst's _The Elements of Typographic Style_.

A Picturebook of Typography / Design.......2000-11-04

As indicated by the review above, the book is divided up into three sections that tackle the history, methods, and styles of book design. The title, "Designing Books," may sound like a technical reference, but it's not. The book should have been named "Book Designs," for it is more a picturebook of illustrations and typography from books of poetry, novels, brochures, art books, and other publications.

The author does cover Swiss grid design, proportions of text areas and margins, and the differences between asymmetrical and symmetrical design theories. It is perhaps this historical reference of asymmetrical and symmetrical styles that make this book worth having. It presents intelligent comparisons of both theories, the history behind each movement, and the cultural stereotypes attached to each. Case in point, Jan Tschichold's groundbreaking work in asymmetrical design / book layout, before totally reversing course and becoming one of the great symmetrical designers in his later years.

The author intelligently illustrates the positive and negative aspects of both design theories, without leaning towards either as a preference. The author finds beauty and intrigue in both styles.

To clarify however, the "asymmetrical" theories illustrated here are based on 1960s Swiss/German grid layouts using lots of Univers and white space. This is not a collection of cutting-edge typography or radical design work. The illustrated examples are clean, modest and classic.

Book Description

Richard Torregrossa Readers will learn all kinds of interesting trivia about their four-footed, furry best friends in this delightfully illustrated gift book that is replete with quotes, stories and snipets of useful information. Dogs are known for their loyalty, but did you also know that: They hear ultra sounds? Sigmund Freud's dog once hailed a taxicab? A dog was the first living creature to go up in space?

Customer Reviews:

Man's Best Friend.......2001-07-31

I'm a dog lover so when I saw the title, "Fun Facts About Dogs", by Richard Torregrossa I knew I had to read the book. I needed something fun and light to read and this book did the trick.

Fun Facts, sheds an informative light on why dogs behave the way they do. Do you ever wonder why dogs eat their food so fast? Why poodles love to be bathed and groomed? Or even why dogs howl? This book will answer all of these questions and a lot more.

From as far back as I can remember all the dogs I have owned have gobbled down their food in record speed and always begged for yours if you ate in front of them. According to Torregrossa's book, when dogs were wild (before they became domesticated), food was gobbled down in a hurry because wild dogs, did not know when their next meal would arrive; and worst yet, the food could be stolen by rivals such as the hyena. It's a "habit which was left over from the wild".

I guess it's pretty safe to say enjoying a bath is not a habit left over from the wild. When I was a little girl, my older sister Shirley, had a poodle who loved to take a bath. His name was "Shalong". Amazed at how he would just sit there in a tub of water, I often wondered why he enjoyed the bath. Other dogs would scramble to get out of the water.

Well it turns out, poodles were originally bred in England, "to hunt ducks and geese in muddy swaps". That would make them use to the water. I'm guessing all that getting muddy, smelly and dirty was even too much for a dog so when it came time to get cleaned up the dog couldn't wait.

Another habit left over from the wild is the "howl". In the wild the howl was used for dogs to gather together in the pack so they could "face impending danger together". Today if your dog howls he's lonely. Could he be alerting the "pack" for company?

Torregrossa's book, in paperback, includes over 70 known facts about loveable pooches. Each fact/story (most running no more than two pages) is illustrated with humorous black and white drawings of man's best friend.

A perfect commute read, the book can easily be read under an hour. It's a perfect gift for dog lovers or just anyone who wants to learn more about dogs.

There's even a sprinkling of real life stories which show why dogs are so loyal. For example, there's a story about a dog (this incident took place over 100 years ago in England) whose owner died. Everyday for the next 15 years the dog faithfully sat by the owner's grave. Wow! Talk about missing someone.

A must for any dog lover!.......1998-10-23

A fun and factual book. I loved the illustrations.

Great cartoon fun--the perfect gift book.......1998-10-04

Lots of dog and cat books are on the selves these days, but Fun Facts About Dogs is really different. The author not only captures the fun and interesting aspect of the dogs behavior and evolution, but he also convenys the pure joy and fun of being pals with your dog. I've never seen another book that gets at this relationship with such wit and humor. You want to cut out your favorites and post them around the house to give other people a laugh. It's a great gift. I've given them to my boyfriend and girlfriends and they're a big hit. Christmas is right around the corner and everybody in my family is getting one in their stocking.

A holdiy stocking-stuffer.......1998-10-03

I've given this book to many of my dog-loving friends and they've gotten tremendous joy and pleasure out of it, especially the wacky and humorous cartoons; some are absolutely precious. I'm trying to get my boyfriend to make the author an offer for my favorite, which appears on page 82. Dogs are a special form of companionship, and this book really captures the joy of a relationship with a dog. Will there be a Fun Facts About Dogs II? I hope so

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Fun Facts About Dogs

Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0760733333

Product Description

We take dogs on walks, on car rides, on vacations to the shore. We've even taken them into outer space! Everyone knows that canine companions are man's best friends, but did you also know that: During World War I, Airedale terriers carried messages to and from the front lines? In Japan, companion dogs can be rented for ten to twenty dollars an hour? The hairless cane nudo breed of Mexico was bred to serve as a personal space heater? Some dogs have such remarkable powers of empathy that they take on the illnesses of their owners? Whether you're a first-time owner or a seasoned dog lover, you'll be entertained, informed, and delighted by the stories in Fun Facts About Dogs. Read about the mysterious "angel dog" who escorted a woman safely through a dangerous city park; pick up some feeding and training tips that'll make your dog healthier and happier; and learn why dogs tuck their tails between their legs when they are frightened! The perfect gift for anyone who's crazy about canines, Fun Facts About Dogs is the pick of the litter when it comes to quips, tips, and amusing anecdotes. With dozens of tales and more than 120 whimsical illustrations, this lively canine treasury will remind you why it is we can't get enough of those adorable, steadfast, eager-to-please pups! Fun Facts About Dogs Good Luck Dogs In many cultures, dogs are considered powerful good-luck charms with the ability to ward off demons. In ancient China, for instance, the sentinels responsible for guarding the imperial court dressed in canine costumes and barked away evil spirits. Dogs and the Rain Dogs often hesitate before venturing intothe rain. It's not because they're afraid of getting wet, but because the rain amplifies sound and hurts their sensitive ears.

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Fun Facts About Dogs -
Richard Torregrossa -
Manufacturer: Health Communications Publishing -
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O06OSI

I'll Be Doggone 401 Fun Facts About Dogs

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I'll Be Doggone 401 Fun Facts About Dogs
Ken and Terry Beck
Manufacturer: Premium Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1887654879

Book Description

The essential practical guide to a classic art.

Customer Reviews:

Growing Bonsai: A practical encyclopedia...........2007-09-21

On the surface this book seems to have 600 photos of trees but it repeats toward the back many of the same trees over and over. Also I hope you can read what appears to be Dutch because the first 19 pages are in that language and then the rest of the book is English! Definately a book for the dilatante or coffee table casual reader.

Beautiful as well as essential.......2007-01-07

This is a visually beautiful book that is even more valuable for its contents. A must have if you want to be inspired by beautifully photographed examples of classic trees, along with guidelines for how to begin to create trees in those style. You need to have this book if for no other reason than for the inspiration that it offers.

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