Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens)

Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens)
Average customer rating:

Not what I expect however I respect it.

An Alhambra Sampler

Wonderful little book

The Enchanted Palace!

The Enchanted Palace!

Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens)
Gabrielle Van Zuylen
Manufacturer: Vendome Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Majorelle: A Moroccan Oasis (Small Books of Great Gardens)

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ASIN: 0865652066

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expect however I respect it........2006-08-24

I believe I chose the wrong book I was looking for more pictures of the Alhambra because as I listen to the stories of the Alhambra I wanted to imagine I was right there. However I would say to anyone who wants a brief story of the history this book will suffice.

An Alhambra Sampler.......2004-03-26

Having visited the Alhambra and believing it to be one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the world, I wanted a book with photos of the building and grounds. It is a great "Small Book of Great Gardens", but I think more photos of the Generalife are in order. I am grateful for the photos of some of the stone design walk-ways. I gave it a four not a five because I felt it needed and I wanted just a bit more!

Wonderful little book.......2001-05-05

Great photographs that really evoke the feeling of the Alhambra. Not too much text, but what is there does a nice job of covering the history, the layout, and the essential sense of the place. I purchased the book several months before a trip to Spain for background information. It is also good armchair travel book. I also found that my wife loved it for a gardening book. You can look at the photos over and over again.

Now that we are back from Spain, the book is an excellent reminder of a very lovely place. An interesting book from both travelling and gardening viewpoints.

The Enchanted Palace!.......2000-04-04

In addition to the excellent photos and detailed brief description of the Alhambra and the Generalife, this sixty-nine page book contains other information such as a map of the palace, and of the Generalife garden. It is a great book for anyone who plans to visit this Last Stronghold of the Moors in Spain, or just to remember its enchanted halls, and courts. If you have never been there, this book is a good starting point. You will fall in love with its decorative details, towers, gardens, and pools. The Alhambra is a very romantic and peaceful place. Excellent for students and tourists. However, tales of the Alhambra are found in other books.

The Enchanted Palace!.......2000-04-04

Book Description

As an introduction to the complex topic of user interface design, this in-depth book discusses player interface design conventions and looks at the effects of platform, genre, and design goals related to electronic games. Readers will explore everything from the history of game interface design and basic design theories to practical strategies for creating a winning, interactive interface. A host of professional applications, revealing insights, and illuminating anecdotes from dozens of pioneering game designers will inspire readers to explore this fascinating aspect of the electronic games industry.

Customer Reviews:

Very good resource.......2007-08-03

This is an excellent book. For those of us one and two-man programming operations as hobbyist programmers, we don't always have the artistic skill or aesthetic intuition to just whip up a GUI. This book explains concepts behind an interface SPECIFICALLY FOR GAMES. THIS is what I found awesome. All the books and articles I've looked up have been for interface design FOR WEBSITES, or stupid, dry, tasteless business-app type programs. This book focuses on game interface design ONLY.

It cites examples of interfaces in games you've played most likely, from the ancient consoles and computers of yesteryear (Atari 2600, colecovision, intellivision, commodore 64) to the more modern consoles (PS, Dreamcast, N64, PS2) and cites examples of what makes a good interface and a bad interface.

They make some good points too, such as interface design for the disabled. (This cool example they gave was for a healthbar that only changed color. What happens if the player was color blind? If the bar went from green to red, the color blind user would have nothing to gauge his health by; so they reccomended making the bar shorten, and/or change color.)

THERE IS NO SOURCE CODE. This book only focuses on concepts and design ideas. Its nice and abstract. It's made to push push push the ideas into your head, even if it is a bit repetitive.

Bottom line is, if you're already Joe Game Programmer for a big company, don't buy this book. Have your art department and UI design team make your game interface for you.

If you're like me, a hobbyist programmer of a small team with dreams of making it big someday, GRAB THIS BOOK. The more resources you can get, the better.

This book doesn't disappoint.

Get it.

Now.

Light introduction, nothing of real substance.......2007-07-09

This book is written for people who have never played computer games, have no ideas what computer games are, and want to catch up with the rest of the world.

It contains no real substance and offers nothing in the way of real insights for people who are looking to learn more about game interface design.

Overall, quite disappointing.

Great basic game design interface info.......2007-05-01

I found this book to be a great resource for anyone starting out in game design. It covers all the essentials, from the very first console games of the early 1980's to today's complex MMOG's. You're going to think differently about the basic interface elements you take for granted. I also enjoyed the comments from real people in the game industry. Great graphics, too! This is a great buy, whether it's for a class or just your own library.

If you like interface design, this book is great........2007-03-21

I had to order this book for a class, but i do love the series anyway. The book is filled with comments and examples from professionals in the game industry as well as opinions from game design students (which aren't actually as informative or helpful at all. After a while you'll probably just skip over those as there are lots of them and they aren't too interesting) There are lots of pictures so you can see the different interfaces games have had over the years, and it's got current information as of today. There are sections about early games, but there are also sections about the "next gen" consoles, 360, ps3, and wii. If you're into interface design, it's a nice book.

Appalling.......2007-03-14

I'm deeply disappointed. I've been working in the games industry for a few years now, so I've read quite a few books about game development and, I must say, this one takes the prize for worst book in the industry by a landslide. Absolutely awful.

The information contained in this book is irrelevant, aggravatingly repetitive, dead obvious and hardly pedagogic. The actual, useful information about user interface design in this book could easily fit in a napkin, so 271 pages of ranting, countless students' opinions and the history of consoles, hardware and whatnot feel like nothing more than fluffy fillers to a book that should have never been published due to lack of material.

CONCLUSION: If you're looking to learn anything about UI design, this book is most definitely not for you. If you're looking to be reminded about the most evident things common sense could possibly dictate, then by all means, go ahead and get it.

The Digital Photographer's Guide to Photoshop Elements 4: Improve Your Photographs and Create Fantastic Special Effects (Lark Photography Book)
Average customer rating:

Using a surprisingly complete software package.

Sample files must be purchased

The Digital Photographer's Guide to Photoshop Elements 4: Improve Your Photographs and Create Fantastic Special Effects (Lark Photography Book)
Barry Beckham
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Digital Photography | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Digital Photography | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Digital Effects | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Digital Image Processing | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1579909671

Book Description

This updated, up-to-the minute manual on Photoshop Elements includes information on the fourth and latest version of this extremely popular software program—just released this very season. All the new features are thoroughly covered with visuals such as brand-new screenshots and toolboxes. With hundreds of images and hands-on projects, the guide walks digital camera enthusiasts through all the ins and outs of the hardware and software, including cameras, computers, storage, printers, and scanners. Find out about image film formats, and how to save pictures on the Web and improve the composition and quality of a photo by cropping, rotating, flipping, or resizing the image. Even simulate traditional darkroom procedures. Every digital photographer who owns Photoshop Elements will want this.

Customer Reviews:

Using a surprisingly complete software package........2006-12-07

There is no question that Photoshop is the professional's choice when it comes to digital photograph manipulation. But along the way it has gotten very big, very expensive. Each new edition has hundreds of new features. But when you look at the new features, there aren't very many that you're likely to find useful.

So Adobe decides to made a de-featured version of the software. They call it Photoshop Elements. Time goes on, and with each new edition of the Elements it gets more and more features. It's almost the equivalent of the Photoshop of just a few years ago. And at Amazon Elements is $79.99 full Photoshop is $579.99, a flat $500 more.

Look pretty carefully at Photoshop Elements if you're thinking of this kind of software. It just might do everything you need to do.

How to look at what Elements does, this book will tell you. It's a complete guide to using Elements. So learn Elements to use, or study it just to see if it will do your job requires, here's the place to start.

Sample files must be purchased.......2006-10-21

Here is one of those books that provide you with some creative ideas using Photoshop Elements but does not provide the sample files to follow along. Instead the author gives you a website where the files can be purchased. Although the book has some good ideas this fact alone gives it a low rating.
My suggestion is to make sure sample fiels are included in any book that gives tutorials on how to create new creations.. A Thing I overlooked.

The Digital Photographer's Guide to Photoshop Elements: Improve Your Photographs & Create Fantastic Special Effects (A Lark Photography Book)

Average customer rating:

Pictures show what is possible with Photoshop
Next to useless because there are no sample files.
Show Me Don't tell Me

The Digital Photographer's Guide to Photoshop Elements: Improve Your Photographs & Create Fantastic Special Effects (A Lark Photography Book)
Barry Beckham
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Photo Essays | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Reference | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Digital Effects | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1579905285

Book Description

Access the power of Adobe’s Photoshop Elements 2.0 with this photographer’s companion. Featuring hundreds of images and 10 hands-on projects, it teaches all the ins and outs of the digital hardware and software. With it, you can learn about image film formats and how to save pictures; transform good photos into great ones.

Customer Reviews:

Pictures show what is possible with Photoshop.......2007-02-11

I would agree with both reviewers comments above: the book shows what you can do with Photoshop, but doesn't walk you through what menus to use to accomplish it. I think that is great! No more worrying about looking for moved menus or changed tools as new versions of Photoshop are released. I learned a ton from this book and am having a great time using these techniques to enhance the photos I've taken.

Next to useless because there are no sample files........2004-03-23

This book is attractively designed, well-written, and nicely edited. There is a great deal of practical and clearly explained information. The problem? Mr. Beckham or Lark Books decided to not include samples of the photographs he uses to illustrate his tutorials. There is no CD and there is no website from where the pictures can be downloaded. This is unforgiveable in a book that presents itself as a learning text. Curiously, Mr. Beckham's website references a resource center for the book and refers the reader to a URL on page 4 of the book. There may be URL in the British version of the book (Mr. Beckham lives in England) but there isn't in the U.S. version being sold Amazon. This would be a five star book if the images were available to practice on. As it is, it gets one star for just being a pretty publication.

Show Me Don't tell Me.......2004-01-13

How many Photoshop Elements books have I flipped through that are absolutely fat with pages and pages of detailed text... yet have no power to inspire me to action?

Barry has crafted an elegant primer on Photoshop Elements replete with lush, color-soaked photos that serve as irresistable examples for my own experiments... icons, as it were, for my own creativity. As an experienced Elements user, I have already read several how-to books that explain every button and menu in rote detail; Barry's approach is much, much simpler. I lingered long over his gorgeous examples and much more quickly returned to my own photographs with envious results. To be fair, this is a perfect book to SHOW whereas Deke's Photoshop Elements for Dummies (bland black and white!) is positioned to TELL. If you are completely new to Elements and demand excruciating detail, then a companion book might be in order. Otherwise, be inspired and get on with more quickly and easily taking your pictures to confident new levels.

Enjoy!

Book Description

A collection of comic strips by San Diego cartoonist Steve Troop showing the evolution of his characters from his drawings as a six-year-old artist to the popular Internet strip he produces today.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully charming and funny.......2003-09-26

The second edition of this book was recently offered and I'm really pleased to finally get a copy. Melonpool is very rare among internet strips as it has well-developed characters with charm and personality and is well-drawn. It's been favorably compared to Calvin & Hobbes for good reason. It does help to start at the beginning (and this book starts just there) so you can get to know the circumstances the characters are living under and their basic personalities. Steve Troop deserves to be in newspapers and it's a shame that none of the syndicates have recognized his talent.

A fun journey!.......2000-10-11

If you're a fan of comic strips, then you really should be let in on a little secret-the best comic strips today aren't in newspapers; they're online. One of the first, and greatest, online comics I read was Mayberry Melonpool. Troop's work will remind you of the heyday of most great comic strips; there is an aura of good feelings about these strips that is just infectuous, that will make you smile if you're not already aughing out loud at Steve's unabashed silliness. While this book contains a collection of great comics, by far the best part is following Steve Troops journey as his characters and strip evolve. If you enjoyed books like "Pre-History of the Far Side" or "The Essential Calvin and Hobbes," then you will want to check this tome out.

The greatest comic in the world!.......2000-08-28

Melonpool is a great comic. It is a funny book with stories for all ages. The author does parodies on all different kinds of popular media. The chacters make for a funny story in every strip. Steve Troop,(the author) is brillant. I like this book better than Peanut , Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbs. If you buy this book, you wont regret it!

An Interesting Book.......1999-12-31

The Ultimate Melonpool is a great book about the evolution of one of todays most popular internet comic strips. Reading this book gives the reader the story behind his most popular works. His witty, timely humor is also apparent in the fantastic collection of strips in this book. This book must be read by any fan of witty humor. His website is updated daily with new strips. You should expect to see Troop's strip syndicated shortly.

best book ever!.......1999-12-21

In a world of sub par performances, it's nice every once in a while to see an instant classic like the Melonpool saga. This book is not only a superb collection of some of the best cartoon art available, it's also a glimpse into the mind of one of the world's truly misunderstood geniuses. I KNOW Steve Troop. I've broken bread with him. I've bowled with Steve Troop. I've held covoluted discussions with Steve Troop. Those of you who were never as lucky might benefit from reading this book...

WILLIAM COLE JONES: A SAGE OF THE SOUTH REMEMBERED
Average customer rating:
WILLIAM COLE JONES: A SAGE OF THE SOUTH REMEMBERED
JULIA SEWELL CARTER
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Journalists | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1418424617

Book Description

This book is about the life and writings of William Cole Jones (1881-1963). From 1908 to 1951 he wrote editorials published by The Atlanta Journal. From tens of thousands of his editorials the author has selected relatively few for republication that exemplify his writing skills, sound judgment, wit, scholarship, and variety of topics. His newspaper also owned radio station WSB, from which he presented weekly broadcasts. Those reprinted here provide a concise history of World War Two. Also included are an address he made at Mercer University and essays he presented to "The Symposium", and exclusive literary club.

Buying a Home When You're Single, Revised and Updated Edition
Average customer rating:

single realtor

Excellent for Single Home Buyers

Buying a Home When You're Single, Revised and Updated Edition
Donna G. Albrecht
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Buying & Selling Homes | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Business & Investing | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Home & Garden | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0471392413

Book Description

The single person's complete guide to buying your own home

Do you dream of having a home of your own? With nearly half of all new home buyers being single, you're in good company. But how do you go about finding the right place and actually purchasing it? What do you, as a single person, need to know? In Buying a Home When You're Single, Donna Albrecht demystifies the home-buying process and takes you step by step through the entire process of acquiring the home of your dreams—from hiring a real estate agent to closing the deal. Whether you envision yourself in a palatial mansion or a modest condo, co-op, or manufactured home, here's your guide to making your dream come true!

•Learn how mortgages work and how to choose the best one for you

• Secure financing to fit your earning power

• Find specific help for first-timers

• Mine the Internet's rich real estate information

• Evaluate housing choices including co-ops, condos, single-family dwellings, manufactured homes, and others

•Negotiate the best price on a home

• Improve your investment after your purchase

Download Description

The complete single person's step-by-step guide to buying a house, condo, co-op, or mobile home Did you know that today more than a third of all home sales are to single persons? This user-friendly handbook is a must-have for the single, divorced, or widowed person, because buying a home can be a daunting prospect. Written by acclaimed real estate columnist and author Donna Albrecht, this friendly, down-to-earth guide puts single home buyers at ease by demystifying the home buying process. With the help of many helpful checklists, worksheets, forms, and a glossary of key real estate terms, she helps readers determine their price ranges, how to evaluate various types of housing, what kind of mortgages are available to them and how to qualify for one, the pros and cons of working with real estate agents, and much more. She also tutors readers in proven strategies for working with agents and appraisers and negotiating a favorable price.

Customer Reviews:

single realtor.......2006-12-25

i praise any book written about real estate, as it can be a difficult process at times. However, this book is about buying a home, and really has nothing to do with being single. It doesn't really matter if one, two or three people are buying a home...the process is still the same!

Excellent for Single Home Buyers.......2000-03-31

"Buying A Home When You're Single" is an excellent way of putting all the fears of home buying in the past. Donna Albrecht describes true to life expierences, from singles that have purchased homes in the last decade. The author walks you through all the steps of searching for a home, getting prequalifed, finding an agent, and struggling through escrow. The home buying process is described in a clear and concise manner that everyone can understand. You will not be bumbarded with confusing real estate jargen that will discourge you from buying a home. On the contrary, it will provide you with all the necessary tools you will need to puchase a home.

Sanity in the Summertime: The Complete Summer-Survival Handbook for Moms
Average customer rating:

Wonderful resource for the entire year!

Keep Yourself Sane this Summer Break

Sanity in the Summertime: The Complete Summer-Survival Handbook for Moms
Linda Dillow , and Claudia Arp
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Marriage & Family | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Family Activities | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books | Babies & Toddlers | Child Care | Discipline | Emotions & Feelings | General | Health & Nutrition | Morals & Responsibility | School-Age Children | Single Parents | Teenagers | Twins & Multiples
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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The Family Manager's Guide To Summer Survival: Make the Most of Summer Vacation with Fun Family Activities, Games, and More!

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Creative Correction

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0840731884

Book Description

When those long, lazy days of summer become the long, CRAZY days of summer. Reach for this, the complete summer survival handbook for moms. This fun-filled book features easy-to-do, creative activities, games, recipes, and more to help you and your children enjoy the summer months--together.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful resource for the entire year!.......2002-04-24

With chapters like "Just-me-and-mom time", "traveling made triumphant", and "Husbands have summers too", this book will become an invaluable addition to your bag of tricks. It includes recipes, activities, crafts, scheduling ideas, menus, sample charts for getting housework done, and more! This book is from a Christian stand point and mentions many biblical verses, making time for devotions, and lots of Christian music and book suggestions. I've already started working on our summer plans with my 7 year old, and he is getting very excited about all the possibilities this summer holds for us. Great buy, :)

Keep Yourself Sane this Summer Break.......2001-06-08

This is an awesome book with lots of tips that will make your kids smarter and better people. In addition, you will also figure out how to survive those long summers with no school!!!....

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling in America
Average customer rating:
Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling in America
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1560254955

Book Description

Originally published in 1938, Sucker’s Progress is a complete look at old-time gamesmanship in America. From Midwestern riverboats to East Coast racetracks, Asbury explores the legal, and illegal, history of gambling in pre–World War I America. With a keen eye and acerbic voice, Asbury defines the world of gambling as one of “sharpers” and “suckers”: those who excel at the games by cheating, and their victims. From notorious gambling havens like Chicago and New Orleans to lesser-known outposts in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cincinnati, Ohio, Asbury examines the gambling houses, big and small, which peppered the American landscape. Also included are photographs and details of the lives of some of America’s most famous gamblers, including Mike McDonald, John Morrissey, and Richard Canfield, as well as their infamous counterparts like “Canada Bill” and “Charley Black Eyes,” who made their names as grifters and con men. Asbury also details the games these men played, describing the rules and origins of a number of dice and card games. From one-dollar lottery tickets to thousand-dollar poker antes, America’s love of gambling thrives today, but it was during Asbury’s era that gambling was established as an American passion.

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling In America

Average customer rating:

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling In America
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Dodd Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UM32LM

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History Of Gambling In America From The Colonies To Canfield

Average customer rating:

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History Of Gambling In America From The Colonies To Canfield
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Dodd Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GQYQIA

Sucker's progress: An informal history of gambling in America from the colonies to Canfield (Armed Services edition)

Average customer rating:

Sucker's progress: An informal history of gambling in America from the colonies to Canfield (Armed Services edition)
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Editions for the Armed Services
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

Sucker's Progress, an Informal History of Gambling in America From the Colonies to Canfield
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Dodd Mead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FSQ8YO

Average customer rating:

Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling in America From the Colonies to Canfield
Herbert Asbury
Manufacturer: Dodd, Mead and Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NX6PWG

Guinness Book of Kings, Rulers and Statesmen
Average customer rating:
Guinness Book of Kings, Rulers and Statesmen
Clive Carpenter
Manufacturer: Guinness World Records Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 090042446X

Customer Reviews:

A winner for all levels of birders.......2007-08-10

This beautifully written book will appeal to all levels of birders, from novices to experts. It is a great introduction to the lives of songbirds (and would make a wonderful gift for someone you hope to interest in birds), and it also includes some historical background and news of the latest research that dedicated birders will find interesting. That's a difficult balance to achieve, but Chu has done it magnificently. Especially useful (for all levels of birders) is the copious concrete information about things we can do to improve the lives of songbirds and projects in which we can help. My Christmas shopping got a lot easier when I read this book.

A Great Invitation to Birding.......2007-08-07

Birds are so all around us, it is not surprising that we might take them for granted, especially the songbirds that can be found in any backyard or feeder. Almost half the 10,000 species of birds on Earth are songbirds, the jays, larks, swallows, wrens, warblers, and others which have complex voiceboxes. They may be commonplace, but that does not mean that we know all there is about them. Many of them have complicated migration routes and behaviors that ornithologists have only in the past decades come to understand. The migratory songbirds of the Americas are covered in _Songbird Journeys: Four Seasons in the Lives of Migratory Birds_ (Walker Books) by Miyoko Chu. Ornithologists say that most of the birds of North America evolved over many millennia in the tropics and gradually pushed their boundaries northwards. Some came and stayed, and others developed the pattern of coming north in the warmer months to take advantage of the food supply and to bring forth the next generation before returning to warmer climes for the winter. There are literally billions of birds involved in this passage, but capacity to track them has been technologically available only in recent years, and Chu, an ornithologist at the renowned Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, brings readers up to date with scientific news about a remarkable research frontier.

As fascinated as humans have always been by birds, there were limits of perception in tracking the migrants. Chu gives a brief history of how hard it was to track these birds that do most of their travel at night before they could be seen on radar. Of course, tracking with radar required correlation with ground observations, and observers have a lot of work during the weeks that birds stream in to regions like our Gulf Coast. Chu describes the procedures for coastal Louisiana, where "mist nets" of a mesh so fine the birds cannot see them are set up to trap them. Among the surprising ways of tracking birds is though analyzing their blood for specific elemental isotopes; geographic areas differ in the levels of such isotopes, so a bird staying in a particular region picks up particular isotopes, which can be analyzed to see where the bird has been. A surprising new way to watch birds at night is to listen for their nocturnal calls. Determined (and sleep-deprived) observers eventually pinned down which calls went with which birds, allowing a technological breakthrough in nighttime birdwatching. Borrowing computer software used to pick out whale songs from other undersea noises, observers can point microphones at the sky and allow computers to monitor just what is passing overhead. And anyone who wants to can take part: thirty bucks will buy you a rooftop microphone to feed the sounds into a home computer, for the downloadable software to analyze.

This illustrates one of the most attractive parts of Songbird Journeys. Throughout the book are not just reports of what we already know, but invitations to get involved in helping to know more. Chu's delightful book follows the inescapable modern tradition of justified fretting over what will happen to its subjects; global warming, communications towers, illegal caging, pesticides, deforestation (at either end of the journey), acid rain, and more have made life hard (or impossible) for some migratory species. The book is, however, pleasantly optimistic in asserting that more information will find better answers, and suggesting that any reader might participate. There are not only instructions on how and when to visit the areas of research listed here, but also exhortations to consider setting up birdhouses and recording how they are used, taking part in a one day Christmas bird count (it's not on Christmas, but on a specific day chosen between 14 December and 5 January) to identify species of birds within specific regions, or simply to enter readings in The Great Backyard Bird Count, with no travel requirements. Chu shows repeatedly how small bits of information, summed with other small bits, have made a difference in our understanding of how birds live. This would be a lovely book especially for young people who are interested in how natural science is done and want to do some.

Great for beginning birders.......2007-06-06

I read this book as part of my exercises to complete my activities for the book "Forty Excuses to Get Together with the Girls," specifically "Excuse #10: Because I Want to Know that Bird's Name." (This is a chapter that has step-by-step instructions on how to start watching birds. The book has 39 other chapters devoted to other areas of interest.) I am a beginning birder and so much of the information was new and fascinating to me and it really helped put my local expeditions in a much larger perspective. I found myself picking it up every once in awhile for a birding "fix."

Bird Migration.......2007-03-15

This book provides a comprehensive and exciting desctiption of the amazing achievements of migrating birds in covering incredibly long distances without stopping to get to their summer or winter homelands. It is a well-written document, pleasurable and informative to read, and I recommend it to every potential, new, and experienced bird watcher.

Gives you a lot to think about.......2007-01-11

Very informative but written in a documentary style so don't think you'll be sitting down for a leisurely read. This is heavy stuff if you love songbirds. Fifty percent of all songbirds die each year, most during migration - the rest through habitat loss, predators, etc. That's the heavy stuff; but you'll learn so much about their songs, survival techniques, and so on. Extremely interesting but not an easy read.

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