Nature's Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors Around You

Book Description

Why do flower petals so often grow in a circle?

Why are toucans' beaks so brilliantly colored?

With a simple text and bright, jewel-like illustrations, Susan Stockdale explores the myriad ways in which patterns and colors are helpful to living things. They provide camouflage, of course, but that's only the beginning....

A pinwheel of flower petals draws bees to a flower's center where they can collect sweet nectar and drop off pollen. And a toucan waves its colorful beak like a flag to attract a mate.

Clever and eye-opening, Nature's Paintbrush will encourage youngsters to examine, think about, and enjoy the colorful world around them.

Customer Reviews:

Love the art work.......2000-05-13

I really enjoyed the book. I met the author at my first graders Young Writers Conference on May 11, 2000. I was very pleased with the book and purchased one. My Daughter has sat and read the book at least ten times since our purchase. We love the art work. The colors are wonderful and the pictures are truly amazing and depict real life scenerios. I look forward to purchasing and hearing about any new releases from Susan Stockdale in the future. This is one of the best non-fiction books I have read and enjoyed. I would recommend this book for everyone of all ages.

Book Description

The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants was written in 1875.

This edition is reprinted from the second edition in "corrected and clearer form with some additional facts," states Darwin in his Preface.

Book Description

Are they needed? To be sure. The Darwinian industry, industrious though it is, has failed to provide texts of more than a handful of Darwin's books. If you want to know what Darwin said about barnacles (still an essential reference to cirripedists, apart from any historical importance) you are forced to search shelves, or wait while someone does it for you; some have been in print for a century; various reprints have appeared and since vanished."
—Eric Korn,Times Literary Supplement

Charles Robert Darwin (1880-1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the last 130 years. New York University Press' edition makes it possible for the first time to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is the first complete edition containing all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original paginations with Darwin's indexes retained. All illustrations and plates are presented, inclucing 82 color plates of birds and mammals and several folding maps and plates. The set also features a general introduction and index, and textural introductions in each volume.

Book Description

Skyrocket to the top of the world's tallest freestanding tower in under a minute, rub shoulders with the Hollywood elite—and see them onscreen, snap up Portuguese treats at a bustling outdoor market, and bring on the maple syrup—French toast for breakfast, lunch or dinner —Fodor's Toronto 2005 offers all this and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout this historic city to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best —"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

-New compact trim size make these guides even more portable
-Two-color interior design makes it easier to find the information you need
-Fodor's Choice Ratings flag must-see sights and hidden treasures
-Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets
-Plus multi-day itineraries to help you build the right trip for you and/or your family

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With Fodor’s you get much more than a guidebook–we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation.

Visit www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more!

And, for more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” online at www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.

Book Description

From the study of brainstem-based models of sleep cycle control, current research is moving toward combined brainstem/forebrain models of sleep cognition. The book presents five papers by contemporary leading scientists, and more than seventy-five commentaries on those papers by nearly all of the other distinguished authorities in the field. Topics include mechanisms of dreaming and REM sleep, memory consolidation in REM sleep, and an evolutionary hypothesis of the function of dreaming. The papers and commentaries, together with the authors' rejoinders, represent significant advances in the understanding of the sleeping and dreaming brain.

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How and why does the sleeping brain generate dreams? Though the question is old, a paradigm shift is now occurring in the science of sleep and dreaming that is making room for new answers. From brainstem-based models of sleep cycle control, research is moving toward combined brainstem/forebrain models of sleep cognition itself. The book presents five papers by leading scientists at the center of the current firmament, and more than seventy-five commentaries on those papers by nearly all of the other leading authorities in the field. Topics include mechanisms of dreaming and REM sleep, memory consolidation in REM sleep, and an evolutionary hypothesis of the function of dreaming. The papers and commentaries, together with the authors' rejoinders, represent a huge leap forward in our understanding of the sleeping and dreaming brain. The book's multidisciplinary perspective will appeal to students and researchers in neuroscience, cognitive science, and psychology.

Customer Reviews:

#1 Resource.......2003-10-05

If you are serious about understanding dreaming from the perspective of cognitive neuropsychology, this collection of papers is a must-read -- the cutting edge of current thinking in the field.

Sleep and Dreaming Scientific Advances and Reconsiderations

Average customer rating:

Sleep and Dreaming Scientific Advances and Reconsiderations
Stevan Harnad
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7EMRC

Average customer rating:

Sleep and Dreaming: Scientific Advances and Reconsiderations
Edward F. Pace-Schott
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MV4QRU

Book Description

This report presents the results of a communication theoretic model used to analyze the operation of IFOG. The IFOG is an all-solid-state rotation-rate sensor employed in miniature inertial measurement units (MIMU).

Book Description

The battles of World War II were won not only by the soldiers on the front lines, and not only by the generals and admirals, but also by the shadow warriors whose work is captured for the first time in Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs. Thanks to the interviews and narrative skills of Patrick O'Donnell and to recent declassifications, an entire chapter of history can now be revealed. A hidden war -- a war of espionage, intrigue, and sabotage -- played out across the occupied territories of Europe, deep inside enemy lines. Supply lines were disrupted; crucial intelligence was obtained and relayed back to the Allies; resistance movements were organized. Sometimes, impromptu combat erupted; more often, the killing was silent and targeted. The full story of the Office of Strategic Services -- OSS, precursor to the CIA -- is a dramatic final chapter on one of history's most important conflicts.

In a world made unrecognizable by the restrictions placed on the CIA today, OSS played fast and loose. Legendary chief "Wild Bill" Donovan created a formidable organization in short order, recruiting not only the best and brightest, but also the most fearless. His agents, both men and women, relied on guile, sex appeal, brains, and sheer guts to operate behind the lines, often in disguise, always in secret.

Patrick O'Donnell, called "the next Studs Terkel" by bestselling author Hampton Sides, has made it his life's mission to capture untold stories of World War II before the last of its veterans passes away. He has succeeded in extracting stories from the toughest of men, the most elite of soldiers, and, now, the most secretive of all: the men and women of OSS. From former CIA director William Colby, who parachuted into Norway to sever rail lines, to Virginia Hall, who disguised herself as a milkmaid, joined the French Resistance, and became one of Germany's most wanted figures, the stories of OSS are worthy of great fiction. Yet the stories in this book are all true, carefully verified by O'Donnell's painstaking research.

The agents of OSS did not earn public acclaim. There were no highly publicized medal ceremonies. But the full story of OSS reveals crucial work in espionage and sabotage, work that paved the way for the Allied invasions and disrupted the Axis defenses. Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs proves that the hidden war was among the most dramatic and important elements of World War II.

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Customer Reviews:

valuable but very dry.......2007-05-03

It is a very valuable piece of historic mosaic.

E.g. one of many fascinating parts is how blatant were Soviet spies in the State Department when they torpedoed any effort by OSS to obtain intelligence on the Soviet Union.

However, the presentation is too dry and too fragmented in my view.

Captivating History.......2007-01-06

This book was not only entertaining it was also informative. The book discusses an area of WWII that has not been fully covered. The descriptive stories and tales almost make you feel you were there.

Where are they now?.......2006-07-25

Where are they now?

Where are people like 'Wild Bill' Donovan, Corporal Drake, Elizabeth Pack, Moe Berg today? We need them in the 'War on Terror.' Instead we have the 'Keystone Cops.' Today we spy on Americans, perhaps because don't have enough intelligence agents who speak Arabic.

In early August, 2001 - a month before Sept. 11, the Keystone Cops of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. were offered intelligence that Osama bin Laden and Al Queda were planning `something.' They turned a blind eye and deaf ear. After Sept 11 they said "Figure out how Saddam did this."

This book is criticized by other reviewers for offering the facts but little context and less analysis. However, you could also say that it provides the facts, as remembered by the men and women of the OSS, and invites us to draw our own conclusions.

There are between the lines criticisms.

"OSS's first African American operator, a Corporal Drake.... Drake's membership in the OSS was purely happenstance since OSS, like the rest of America's armed forces, had not been integrated."

"Only 143 Americans died in the line of duty.... However, hundreds of foreigners were killed while working for the OSS."

And a singularly subtle reminder of who we fought.

"German intelligence dismissed the group as `a perfect picture of the mixture of races and characters in that savage conglomeration called the United States.'"

O'Donnell's book is a good read for a plane, beach, or weekend. The anecdotal style makes it easy to put down. The pace and content make you pick it up again and again to read thru and review.

Well organized and written.......2006-03-11

This book has a wealth of information. With so much, the author managed to organize everything in a sensible manner. The information builds on previous chapters. It can be hard to remember, but the author does manage to add some reminders.

First hand Interviews With Spies from WWII.......2005-12-19

This book is not "War and Peace", nor is it a comprehensive book on spies, but rather it is a collection of stories using first hand testimony of the participants in the OSS in WWII. In that context the book is different from most of what must now be a 1000 books on WWII. The strength of this book is the excellent writing and the series of interesting characters and their stories, all involving ordinary men that do heroic things. Thankfully their stories have been recorded by the author since many of these men are now many in the 80's and their first hand recollections will soon be lost. In any case the book is better that one might expect.

I first heard about this book on WABC where John Bachelor has interviewed a series of the living subjects or "spies" on air on his late daily show at 10:00 PM. The guys are ordinary but the stories are often riveting. They put themselves in tremendous danger with their patriotic actions. In many ways this book is like the recent Tim Russert book - a sleeper. The book seems okay from what you have heard from others and from interviews on the radio, but the book is actually a much better read. In many ways the both books (Russert and this book) are on subjects that when properly presented become compelling page turning reads. This is a great value and a good book.

Book Description

Juan Pujol, alias "Garbo," was the first major double agent in the history of espionage. Britain's Public Record Office has recently released this account of his wartime deception of the Germans, with an introduction on British intelligence in World War II.

Customer Reviews:

A dramatic story minus the drama........2001-08-06

Disappointing. I kept wanting to like this book, but it never engaged my interest. This is the Jack Webb version of the story, "Just the facts, M'am." This is strictly documentary reporting by his MI5 case officer, not storytelling. There's no drama, suspense or intrigue. Remember the Giants-Dodgers playoff game where Bobby Thompson hit his home run? This is like reading the boxscore in the newspaper, instead of hearing the sportscaster call the play on the radio. I hope somewhere there is a better Garbo book. He's an amazing, heroic man whose story deserves to be told with all the cleverness, imagination and dramatic flair that was no doubt his.

Book Description

In Transcendence and History, Glenn Hughes contributes to the understanding of transcendent meaning and the problems associated with it and assists in the philosophical recovery of the legitimacy of the notion of transcendence. Depending primarily on the treatments of transcendence found in the writings of twentieth-century philosophers Eric Voegelin and Bernard Lonergan, Hughes explores the historical discovery of transcendent meaning and then examines what it indicates about the structure of history.

Book Description

Edgar Wayburn may be the least-known yet most successful defender of America's natural heritage. A tenacious and tireless leader of the Sierra Club since the 1940s, he had a central role in the establishment of Redwoods National Park and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and in the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. For his visionary achievements, he was honored with the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1995 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.
Not a conventional autobiography, Your Land and Mine focuses on Wayburn's key conservation campaigns, some of the most crucial of the twentieth century, and the fascinating cast of characters that populated them. His accounts of hard-fought battles are full of telling details and lively portraits of legislators such as Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson and Representative Phil Burton; land officials such as Interior Secretaries Stewart Udall and Rogers Morton; and countless other personalities in the ongoing drama of preserving our nation's environmental heritage. Wayburn also offers glimpses of a personal life intimately woven with his conservation career--both shared with his wife, fellow activist, co-adventurer, and writer Peggy Wayburn, until her death in 2002.
Illustrated with rare photographs from Wayburn's personal collection, Your Land and Mine is required reading for anyone interested in the growth of America's conservation movement. It is also an engaging portrait of an important and inspiring American life.

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