Birdbooker Report 101

tags: Birdbooker Report, bird books, animal books, natural history books, ecology books

The Birdbooker Report is a special weekly report of a wide variety of science, nature and behavior books that currently are, or soon will be available for purchase. This report is written by one of my Seattle birding pals and book collector, Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen, and is edited by me and published here for your information and enjoyment. Below the fold is this week's issue of The Birdbooker Report which lists ecology, environment, natural history and bird books that are (or will soon be) available for purchase.

New and Recent Titles:

1. Dolin, Eric Jay. Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America. 2008. W.W. Norton. Paperback: 480 pages. Price: $15.95 U.S. [Amazon: $10.58].
   SUMMARY: In this book, the author recounts the dramatic tales of American whaling, telling stories of whalemen and whales with great flare. This history encompasses the 300 year saga of American whaling, capturing the social and economic history of the nation through the triumphs and travails of this American industry.
   RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in whaling.
2. Ehrlich, Paul R. and Anne H. Ehrlich. The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment. 2009. Island Press. Paperback: 464 pages. Price: $25.00 U.S. [Amazon: $22.50].
   SUMMARY: This book ties together the many pieces that make up the environmental, social and humanitarian crisis we face today. The Ehrlichs bring us to the startling realization that the interrelated issues of food, energy, climate, toxic chemicals, and ecosystems are more than just a passing crisis. This new text edition includes a full glossary, updated suggested readings, postscript describing recent developments pertinent to ideas and science behind the book.
   RECOMMENDATION: If you have enjoyed reading the Ehrlichs other books, you'll enjoy reading this one!
3. Rinehart, Larry F. et al. The Paleobiology of Coelophysis bauri (Cope) from the Upper Triassic (Apachean) Whitaker quarry, New Mexico, with detailed analysis of a single quarry block. 2009. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Paperback: 260 pages. Price: TBA.
   SUMMARY: This monograph covers the paleobiology of Coelophysis bauri, with emphasis on the discoveries from the Whitaker quarry, New Mexico. It is well illustrated, mostly with black-and-white photographs and line drawings.
   RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in dinosaurs. The bulletin can be ordered here.
4. Wilson, Edward O. Anthill: A Novel. April 2010. W.W. Norton. Hardbound: 336 pages. Price: $24.95 U.S. [Amazon: $16.47].
   SUMMARY: This book is Wilson's debut novel that contains all the themes that are nearest and dearest to Ed. Wilson's heart: the South, the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and the struggle to preserve species and ecosystems. In the fictional Nokobee County, young Raffael Semmes Cody, the child of an unhappy marriage between a redneck father and aristocratic mother, communes with the ants and frogs of the Nokobee Swamp, and leads a childhood existence reminiscent of Huck Finn. After going to law school, Cody tries to save a forest from condo developers.
   RECOMMENDATION: Fans of Edward O. Wilson's non-fictional works should like this book.

You can read all the Birdbooker Reports in the archives on this site, and Ian now has his own website, The Birdbooker's Bookcase, where you can read his synopses about newly published science, nature and animal books. But Ian assures me that he still loves us here, so he'll still share his weekly Birdbooker Reports with us!