Spotter's Guide to Trees of North America (Spotter's Guide Ser)

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Great Book

Spotter's Guide to Trees of North America (Spotter's Guide Ser)
Alan F. Mitchell , and Michael A. Ruggiero
Manufacturer: E.D.C. Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nonfiction | Forests & Trees | Nature | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Nature | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification, Revised and Updated (Golden Field Guide from St. Martin's Press)

National Geographic Field Guide to Trees of North America (National Geographic)

The Random House Book of Trees of North America and Europe: A Photographic Guide to More Than 500 Trees (Random House Book of ... (Garden Plants))

Instant Guide to Trees

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses

ASIN: 0746016271

Book Description

Lavishly illustrated in full color, Trees of North America is a highly informative guide to the native and introduced species found on our continent. In handsome color spreads, each tree is pictured as it would appear in a typical landscape, with each of its features -- such as seasonal changes, leaf shape, flowers, seeds, bark -- illustrated in fine detail and clearly labeled. Written by world renowned dendrologist Alan Mitchell and illustrated by noted tree artist David More, Trees of North America will delight the naturalist and the gardener as both an authoritative reference work and a tribute to the rich variety of trees on our continent.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-10-18

Our family loves this book! It's easy to read & has great pics! We wanted to identify trees in our yard & this book made it easy!

Spotter's Guide to Wildflowers of North America

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Spotter's Guide to Wildflowers of North America

Manufacturer: Wh Smith Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0831794259

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

God first made the world and then he made the Straits of Messina to separate men from madmen. - Sicilian proverb

At the centre of the Mediterranean, but on the periphery of Europe, Sicily is a quite distinct entity from the rest of Italy. Although just 3km away across the water, it's much further away in appearance, feel and culture. A hybrid Sicilian language is still widely spoken, and many place names are tinged with the Arabic that was once in wide use on the island; the food is noticeably different, spicier and with more emphasis on fish, fruit and vegetables; while the flora echoes the shift south - oranges, lemons, olives, almonds and palms are ubiquitous. The nature of day-to-day living is somehow different here, too, experienced outdoors with an exuberance that is almost operatic, and reflected in numerous traditional festivals and processions that take place around the island throughout the year.

There's certainly an immediately separate quality in the people, who see themselves as Sicilians first and Italians a very firm second. The island's strategic importance meant it was held as a colony by some of the richest civilizations in the western world - from the Arabs to the Normans to the Spaniards - who looted Sicily mercilessly and made it the subject of countless foreign wars, leaving it with many fine monuments but little economic independence. Hundreds of years of oppression have bred insularity and resentment, as well as poverty, and the island was probably the most reluctantly unified Italian region in the last century, with Sicilians almost instinctively suspicious of the intentions of Rome. Even today, relations with the mainland are often strained, for many here illustrated every time they look at a map to see the island being kicked - the perpetual football.

And Sicilians do have a point. There's much that hasn't changed since Unification, and this century has brought a host of new problems, with mass emigration, both to the mainland and abroad, a high level of crime, and the continuing marginalization of the island from the Italian political mainstream. Even modernization has brought associated ills. Pockets of the island have been devastated by a tide of bleak construction and disfiguring industry, and although Sicily does now, at last, have some degree of autonomy, with its own parliament and president, little has really been done to tackle the island's more deep-rooted problems: poverty is still endemic, and there's an almost feudal attitude to business and commerce. Both European and central government aid continues to pour in, but much has been siphoned off by organized crime, which, in the west of the island at least, is still widespread.

However, this is just the background, and the island's appeal for travellers is astonishingly wide ranging. You'd do well to investigate the life - and monuments - of Palermo, one of Italy's most visually striking and lively cities; and the second city of Catania, where you may well arrive, also has a live-wire energy. But the chief pleasure is in the landscape: much of the island is mountainous, making for some of Italy's most dramatic scenery and providing one of its most beautiful rugged coastlines. The graceful cone of Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano, dominates the east of the island, the most memorable of Sicily's natural sights; the northern Monti Madonie offer strenuous walking country; or there's the simple, isolated grandeur of the interior - the island's most sparsely populated, and most undiscovered, region. The coast is home to much of the island's life, with any number of resorts along its northern and eastern stretches, from lively sun-worshippers' haunts like Taormina and Cefal to simple fishing villages fronted by long beaches - out of season, at least, amazingly uncrowded. And for real solitude there are Sicily's outlying islands, where the sea is as clean as you'll find anywhere in the Mediterranean and you truly feel you're on the edge of Europe.

Sicily's diverse history has also left it with what is for many a surprising abundance of archeological remains. The island was an important power-base during the Hellenistic period, and the island's Greek relics, especially, are superb, most spectacularly at Agrigento, Selinunte, Siracusa and a host of remoter sites dotted around the countryside which stand comparison with any of the ruins in Greece itself - and are for the most part a good deal less crowded. There are also well-preserved mosaics at Piazza Armerina which recall the lavish trappings of Sicily's Roman governors. In terms of later architecture, too, the island is remarkably varied, the Arab and Norman elements of its history vividly manifest, particularly on the west and north coasts, and Baroque architecture showing its face in the elegantly restrained cities of the south east, Catania, Noto and M--dica, all planned new towns rebuilt after an earthquake in the seventeenth century.

Customer Reviews:

New Fan of Rough Guides.......2007-07-04

This book was the single best tool to plan and execute a two week tour of Sicily. My wife and I were not only impressed with the maps of each city, but the tips on how to get to and from the airport or train stations was right on the money.

We managed to secure lodging in each city very close to the train stations. This made our day as we traveled to 5 cities over the course of two weeks. I wish I would have consulted this book when the train operators were on strike. The rough guide even had the location and phone number for the bus line running from Palermo to Agrigento.

Each of the lodging blurbs was accurate and we were able to stay in places we wanted for the price we wanted to pay. Times were accurate for sites such as the Valley of the Temples, or various Duomos.

I really could go on and on. But if you are going to Sicily (or any other foreign place) and need a guide book, purchase the Rough Guide.

A Must Have for Sicily if You are Driving.......2007-05-10

We used this map daily during our recent 2-week trip of Sicily and found it indispensible - accurate, detailed, and up-to-date. We bought this after seeing negative reviews of other maps of Sicily and were not disappointed. Please note that several of the negative reviews here refer to the Rough Guide book to Sicily, which is a different product. This map is excellent.

Excellent.......2006-11-13

This is a must, if you go on your own. A lot of practical things.

Another Helpful RoughGuide.......2006-03-16

We havent traveled to Sicily yet to put the book to its big test, but in planning for the trip it has been very helpful...telling us what to absolutely not miss, good places to stay and eat, and insider things off the beaten path.

Good basic overview for first time traveler to Sicily.......2005-12-29

We have never traveled to Sicily before, so we found this book useful in planning our trip and useful once we got there. The book is organized well according to region and then by city, with more space given to larger cities. It was very helpful for us since we went to 4 cities in 9 days. However we went off season, so we found that sometimes the times and days open listed in the book were not true once we showed up at a site.

The colorful pictures really help when you need to find buildings and other sites, but the maps are not detailed enough for navigating Sicilian streets. Stop in at any tourist office for a free map of each city once you get there. I agree that the historical descriptions for certain sites could have been better. But I found the brief descriptions helpful at times when making quick decisions. Do we really want to walk to this site or skip it for another one? The book also has some sample walking paths to take around cities to maximize your time.

Kirkstall Abbey Miracle Play: "Robert, King of Sicily" July 4th To 16th 1927

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Kirkstall Abbey Miracle Play: "Robert, King of Sicily" July 4th To 16th 1927
Nugent Monck
Manufacturer: Henry Jenkinson Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TJPVFG

Sicily, 4th (Country & Regional Guides - Cadogan)

Average customer rating:

Best Travel Guide!!!
THese are real writers
A good all-around guide to the island
Best written travel guide I've seen.

Sicily, 4th (Country & Regional Guides - Cadogan)
Dana Facaros , and Michael Pauls
Manufacturer: Cadogan Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Cadogan | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 186011153X

Book Description

Step off the bottom of the boot and into Sicily, the wind-swept island of myth, legend and strangely savage beauty. Written by the Italian experts, Cadogan's Sicily reveals the sights, the beaches, the cities and the true flavor of this exciting island.

Customer Reviews:

Best Travel Guide!!!.......2005-08-16

This guide was the best travel guide that I have ever purchased. It was insightful, well written and very well used on our trip. The recomendations were excellent. Buy this book -- You will not be disappointed!!! On future travel's I will be looking for other guides from Cadogan!

THese are real writers.......2003-11-25

This guidebook is not only erudite and extremely well written, but it is also a quirky and opinionated look at one of the strangest places in Europe, Sicily. We took this book and used it so much that I cannot imagine making the trip without it. The talent of these writers, in my opinion as a writer, is better than that of any other travel writers I know, indeed better than many journalists. The result is a funny and absolutely first-rate guide, far better than the usual generic things out there.

Get it. You won't be disappointed!

A good all-around guide to the island.......1999-07-07

I just got back from my honeymoon in Sicily and I used this guide as well as one or two others. The book helped me with some interesting tips on restaurants and out-of-the-way places, as well as finding me a really nice hotel in Siracusa--something that made our stay there one of the nicest parts of our trip. A little light on maps if you're driving or like detail in your maps, but overall this guide was an asset on my trip.

Best written travel guide I've seen........1997-02-24

More perceptive sense of place than any of the standard guidebook series, with witty histories one wants to read. Less discussion of precautions than student or Lonely, Rough guides, needed for completeness. I recognize those places I've been, and they've found each favorite spot I had to dig to locate. They describe how to stay with locals on remote islands where other books can only suggest you bring a tent. Beautifully printed hip-pocket paperback, complete with an (unattributed) "Italian oldstyle" typeface confirming these are the most cleanly attractive and readable typefaces ever designed.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing .......2005-10-25

The one thing that keeps this book from a 5-star review is the fact that there are several instances of incorrect information. To take the book as generic historical fiction as opposed to a more factual, non-fiction book would be the only way to go. This book is filled with maps, great pictures, and illustrations. If the author were ever to publish a revised version with corrected information, it would most certainly receive 5 stars.

Book Description

The latest addition to Gagne's consistently original and enchanting body of work. Prepare yourself for a botanical tour of wonders like no other. An exotic concoction spawned from the imagination of a master designer run amok! The perfect companion to Gagne's "Frenzied Fauna: From A to Z".

Book Description

Comprehensive guide to online auctions. Covering over 200 online auctions. Great source for site URL's, descriptions, special features information, listing fees, commission structures, articles on the How To's of online auctioning, escrow accounts, interviews with buyers and sellers at online auctions etc.

Book Description

Contains page after page of patterns and swatches--over two dozen marble and granite, a half-dozen popular wood-grains, sponged finishes, metallics, crackle finishes, block prints, stencils, and more. "...decorative painting...has struck a chord with the public...the authors may have distinguished their book from others by the way they present their instructions: "paint chips" of suggested colors are included, as are a few samples of completed finishes."--Booklist. 144 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

Customer Reviews:

Colors are all off.......2006-01-20

I have had this book for a few years and went to pull it out for a furniture project. I attempted to do the mahogany finish and went out and bought $100 worth of supplies that were suggested in the book. I even tore out the page with the paint colors on it and took it to my paint store.

After applying the glaze as suggested it didn't look anything like what is in the book.

It looked terrible and not even close to a mahogany color!

So disappointed. I do faux painting of different styles and am a very creative person so it isn't that I am not capable of a simple project as this.

I would suggest if you buy this book and attempt any of the projects to come up with your own colors to use and not follow what is in the book.

Very disappointing!

Decorative Painting for the Home.......2001-01-09

This book is good resource guide for faux painting with water base paints and products. Each process is well instructed though pictures of the finished technique, related color samples, tools needed and product recipes. Faux techniques covered are from your basic sponging to granite to marble to wood effects. A great book for beginner faux painters, but also terrific resource for decorative ideas. If anyone is looking for a comprehensive guide to faux painting, you not go wrong with this book.

Paint: Decorating with Water-Based Paints

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Paint: Decorating with Water-Based Paints
John Sutcliffe
Manufacturer: Frances Lincoln
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Buildings & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 071121087X

Average customer rating:

Paint: Decorating with Water-based Paints
No author
Manufacturer: Hippo/Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RC49ZS

Customer Reviews:

Dated Work on Fallen Hero.......2006-12-13

This book is made for book reports or class speeches, possibly during Hispanic Heritage Month. The pages are few and the photographs are many, so this book is best for first to third graders, rather than anyone above that rank. In fact, you can tell this book is for young children when the first pages emphasize that Cisneros did his homework, helped his parents, and went to church regularly.

The book shows the positives, such as Cisneros' mayoral election, and the negatives, like when he wasn't chosen as a vice-presidential candidate for Walter Mondale. The book said Cisneros attended Harvard, but I think they should have spelled out that he did complete a degree there. This book was published in 1991. So the later positives of being nominated to a presidential executive position is not brought up. The negative of being an adulterer and serving jail time is not brought up either.

This book may be dated in that some would not consider Cisneros "a Hispanic role model" now. Luckily, fifteen years later, Antonio Villaraigosa, Ken Salazar, and Bill Richardson are all Mexican-American politicians of which young students can be proud. (Yes, I'm partial and only mentioned Democratic examples.)

Henry Cisneros: Mexican American Leader (Hispanic Heritage)

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Henry Cisneros: Mexican American Leader (Hispanic Heritage)
Elizabeth Coonrod Martinez
Manufacturer: Millbrook Pr (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Hispanic & Latino | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0395685222

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