Winter Weed Finder: A Guide to Dry Plants in Winter (Nature Study Guides)

Book Description

Key to identifying non-woody plants in late fall and winter by the dried structures that remain after frost, such as pods, dried flower heads, seed capsules, and burrs. Includes common native and naturalized herbs and native ferns. Area covered is the upper Midwest and eastern U.S. north of South Carolina, and eastern Canada. Illustrated with line drawings.

Book Description

This original and highly informative book examines several eras of Jewish history through the author's travels in Israel, France, Spain, and Italy. Highlighting the colorful experiences of Jews in many diverse environments, Jewish Time-Travel can serve as a travel guide, or offer an imaginary voyage for the armchair traveler.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent mixture of history and travelogue........2000-04-05

Jewish Time Travel is a wonderful and unexpected combination of chatty travel narrative and serious scholarship. Mae Sander's first book gives us a window into Jewish life in four periods and places where cultures collided, and takes us to revisit those places with her today. In Israel, France, Spain, and Italy, we learn details of the past that are usually available only to those who are willing to spend hours in graduate libraries. But the author distills this material for us, and her book is a pleasure to read and re-read.

We are transported to ancient Israel, where Herod , doomed to madness, tries to please both his Roman overlords and his Jewish subjects. The tenuous peace unravels after his death, and the dispersion of the Jews begins anew under Roman rule. Jewish Time Travel takes us to many places in today's Israel where there are echoes of this cultural crossroads. A true historian, Mae Sander relates the stories told by 20th century guides and archeologists, but also shows us the political climate in which they work.

Following the travels of medieval merchant Benjamin of Tudela, we get a glimpse of daily life in the south of France during a period that is almost never covered in history books. We journey to Spain, in the years just before and during the expulsion of the Jews. And we travel to the Jewish ghetto in Venice, where a famous Jewish printer plies his trade. Each time, we accompany Mae as she visits these places centuries later. We are left with a sense of sorrow for what is lost, interest in what is preserved, and awe that Jewish culture could have survived at all.

Best of all, Mae Sander's fresh voice and comfortable style give us the benefit of years of scholarly research without the struggle. Whether you are an intrepid voyager or an armchair traveler, you'll find Jewish Time Travel a fascinating and indispensable volume.

Customer Reviews:

A VERY FAST STUDY GUIDE FOR CONCISE BATTLESHIP INFO.......2007-01-09

IN A NUTSHELL: CONCISE ILLUSTRATED OVERVIEW IN A HANDY COMPACT VOLUME

Organized by country and class, the major battleships of world war 2 are given a concise and useful overview plus a larger than expected narrative regarding some of the highlights of their design and service record which begins with the following stats for each class of vessel ;

TYPE: DISPLACEMENT: DIMENSIONS: ARMAMENT: ARMOR: PROPULSION: PERFORMANCE: COMPLEMENT:

NAME - BUILDER - COMMISSIONED DATE [of each ship in class]

Also, at least 1 photo, illustration and/or interior anatomy of the vessel class is included for each class. In some cases, such as the Bismarck, all of the above are included.

SOMETHINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

Color photos, however, are only included for the 'Iowa' class U.S. Battleships but these color photos depict the Iowa class ships after there last refit in the 1980s, and therefore include notable features that did NOT exist during World War 2 [helicopter landing pads - electronic equipment & their antennas] which makes them inconsistent with the theme of the book and the other ships' photos. Bear in mind that for the most part, the other battleships in this volume were sunk or scraped at least a half century ago or stated differently, 30-50 years before the improvements pictured in the Iowa class photos were installed! Helicopters did not even exist [as more than a prototype] during World War 2.

JUST WHAT DIFFERENCES WITHIN CLASSES ARE NOTEWORTHY?

Certain ships of the same class, such as Dunkerque and Strasbourg of the 'Dunkerque' class have major differences in their designs. This text however, often overlooks these types of differences. In fact, this book states, that the Strasbourg; "differed from her sister ship only in the details of her bridge". This is not correct as the Strasbourg has much more armor than the Dunkerque, over 2,000 tons of additional armor is certainly noteworthy.

PERHAPS A CERTAIN BIAS?

This text does show a certain preference for English ships. Certainly, there is much to be said for the innovations of the British Navy, but often that translates into a somewhat more positive narrative regarding the British ships than deserved and a bit more negative toward the German, and Italian Battleships than deserved as well.

BOTTOM LINE: SHRINKS BATTLESHIPS' DOWN TO A SIZE THAT IS MORE EASILY GRASPED

'An Illustrated Data Guide to Battleships of World War II (Illustrated Data Guides)' by Christopher Chant, offers a very neat and compact format with a great deal of substance for so small an illustrated volume. Excellent for students and enthusiasts who would like a quick reference guide to the topic of World War 2 battleships of the world. Bear in mind however, that this is niether an all inclusive volume or a completely objective analysis of the subject. With the aforementioned in mind, this is a book I can recommend for its organized, concise, illustrated and fairly comprehensive treatment of a rather large topic.

Illustrated Data Guides : Battle Tanks of World War Ii, Battleships of World War Ii, Modern Fast Attack Craft, Submarines of World War Ii, Modern reco: ... War II Bombers (Illustrated Data Guides)

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Illustrated Data Guides : Battle Tanks of World War Ii, Battleships of World War Ii, Modern Fast Attack Craft, Submarines of World War Ii, Modern reco: ... War II Bombers (Illustrated Data Guides)
B. Marvis
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The development of a substitute for transfused red blood cells is a highly sought-after goal. Such products potentially would be safer than human (allogeneic) blood because they would eliminate the possibility of transmitting infectious agents such as HIV. In addition, red cell substitutes will revolutionize the practice of transfusion medicine: they will eliminate the need for cross-matching, and could lead to an overhaul of current blood bank operations because they may be more stable and thus easier to store than blood. Before reaching this ambitious goal, the fundamental obstacle appears to be a lack of understanding of the way in which cell-free oxygen carriers transport oxygen, with consequent implications for clinical trials and eventual approval of new products. This volume is a collection of essays by outstanding authorities in a wide range of fields. Each chapter focuses on the problem of red cell substitutes from a different perspective. The discussion in the first chapter of the world-wide impact that blood substitute products would have is of particular interest and importance. All in all, this collection elucidates the current status of red cell substitute research and development in a unique and timely manner.

Blood Substitutes: Physiological Basis of Efficacy.

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Blood Substitutes: Physiological Basis of Efficacy.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IBND82

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Migration of Interacting Systems (Monographs on Physical Biochemistry)
L.W. Nichol , and D.J. Winzor
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General & Reference | Chemistry | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Organic | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0198546173

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Migration of Interacting Systems.
L. W. Nichol
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKWVOO

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Migration of Interacting Systems.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IBQZ9Q

Book Description

This comprehensive work presents the status and likely development of fault diagnosis, which has become an emerging discipline of modern control engineering. It covers the fundamentals of model-based fault diagnosis in a wide context relevant to industrial engineers and scientists as well as academics pursuing the reliability and fault detection issues of safety-critical industrial processes. The wide scope of the book provides graduate and postgraduate students of control and mechanical engineering or system sciences with a good introduction to the theoretical foundation and many basic approaches of fault detection, while providing useful bibliographical information. It is a valuable reference book and practical help for industrial control engineers who are in charge of the improvement and safety of the technical control systems, condition-based maintenance and repair, or of the design of fault tolerant control systems.

Customer Reviews:

What in the world is wrong with the world?.......2002-09-15

I absolutely refuse to believe that I am the first person to review this book. It being one of the most innovative and (truly) groundbreaking collection of short stories in the German literary canon, and influencing massively such big shots (probably with lots more reviews) as Kafka and Deleuze, you will forgive a little cognitive dissonance on my part. So, that being noted, I'll just reiterate what all the other reviewers have already said:
Kleist balances on a fragile strand of (in)sanity that slides lengthwise throughout these stories, not a one of them failing to reinvent the wheel--not only formally but substantively, as it behooves us readers to admit on the double. Don't let the cover fool you either... I did, for a long time, and there should be a dead lady's freaked-out ghost surrounded by three brothers with empty eyes, chanting the 'gloria in excelsis,' all backed by a burning castle with mutilated horses. I'm referring specifically to three stories in this collection---and only three---but there are far more mind-benders, crude and massive explosions of language, and just ouright amazing plots to all of them, that my skimpy comments can do no sort of justice to them. But that's o.k., because you can look at all the other reviewers for more informative responses.
Truly disturbing, truly maddening, truly genius. Kleist notoriously blew his brains out in 1811, after shooting another woman in an altogether fitting (yes, fitting...read and see why) suicide pact formed by Kleist in order to stick one last finger up at the world that had robbed him of his "lifeplan" as a rational youth. The world, that is, responsible for his "madness" (yeah right) and these stories, which clearly many of us have taken great pleasure in absorbing. The world, responsible for his funked up play Penthilesia, which Goethe avoided like the plauge, and for which Kleist had to be physically restrained from challenging the man to a duel.
If so many people hadn't reviewed this already, I tell you, I may have agreed with him about this absurd world. Thank God he was wrong!

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The Marquise of O and Other Stories
Heinrich von Kleist
Manufacturer: Signet / NAL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000KSB2BI

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The Marquise of O and Other Stories
Heinrich von ; Luke, David (translator); Reeves, Nigel (translator) Kleist
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MJ8CL8

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The Marquise of O,: And other Stories
Thomas Mann (preface), Martin Greenberg (transl.) Heinrich von Kleist
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQFRO0

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Marquise of O & Other Stories
Heinrich Von Kleist
Manufacturer: NEW AMERICAN LIBRARY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WD56D6

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The Marquise von O and other stories
Heinrich Von Kleist
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ7OU6

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This poor poor doctor

Not a global view, but a wonderful sharp focus

take a look

Also a lesson of survival from Dr. Li

If I could recommend only one China book...

The Private Life of Chairman Mao: The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician Dr. Li Zhisui
Zhi-Sui Li
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | China | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Mao: The Unknown Story

Mao: A Life

Hungry Ghosts: Mao's Secret Famine

Life and Death in Shanghai

Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China

ASIN: 0679400354
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Book Description

Chairman Mao's personal physician and confidant for twenty two years, takes us for the first time into the Chinese dictator's very private world.

Customer Reviews:

This poor poor doctor.......2007-08-24

All the while while reading this book, the only thing I could think about was to feel for this poor poor doctor. Dr. Li was supposedly headed for a great life as a doctor in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, by following his brother's urging, he returned to China to a pretty much "doomed" career. Not only did he not get to pick his hospital job as wanted after returning, but after being summoned to be Mao's personal doctor, his dreams as a neurosurgeon was pretty much over. He was abolished to pretty much treating common colds and maladies, and acting as "nanny" to the Mao family, living in fear throughout the 20 years that he would be blamed for any illness of Mao.

I also felt so much for Dr. Li's wife Lillian whose career was reduced to rudimentary tasks.

Not a global view, but a wonderful sharp focus.......2007-01-18

This is a fascinating examination of one of the most powerful and (arguably) destructive world leaders of the 20th century. For somebody like me with a very basic familiarity of the history of Communist China, this book is a little lacking as a biography. It offers little detail on Mao's background and nothing about his rise to power. It does provide, however, a unique perspective on the Chairman's life between the years of 1954, when Dr. Li became Mao's personal physician, and Mao's death in 1976. It is the first biography I've ever read to so closely examine the head/body connection in terms of how one's politics affect one's health and one's health, one's politics.

The book has a natural bias, since Dr. Li lived with Mao throughout most of this time and was directly involved in many of the events described. He seems to strive for frankness, but a reader might sense that his memories are colored by his own attempts to save face. In some respects, it's more memoir of Li than biography of Mao--though that seems a small point to quibble about, since Mao was such a profound presence and influence in Li's life. Those seeking a detached perspective are advised to look elsewhere; this is a purely personal view.

I found it very rewarding. It humanized Mao to a much greater extent than biographies of political leaders generally do. Li seems to want to do justice to his subject, casting blame where appropriate and giving credit where he believes credit is due. The overall picture it presents of the Chairman is of a man with a sharply manipulative mind, but far more power than he could manage; with a much greater love for himself and his image than for the people he professed to serve. But at the same time, though Li may not intentionally have presented the image, Mao also emerges as a prisoner of the system he helped to emplace and so liberally exploited, particularly as he ages and his heath deteriorates. Hounded by his own superstitions and paranoias, he was ill-served by the sycophants he chose to surround him, but so blinded by his own cult of personality that he could never accept a true friend. This towering and terrifying figure is reduced to a querulous, feeble old man with no recourse to privacy or claim to humanity even in death, where his objectification extended to the point that his doctors were ordered to preserve his bloated corpse for eternal display. Sadly, I can't help but think that the Chairman would have approved.

take a look.......2007-01-06

Fascinating reading but not substaniated with facts. A personal experience point of view which may well be close to the truth.

Also a lesson of survival from Dr. Li.......2006-11-29

This book is not only an entertaining way to learn Chinese modern history as many of the reviewers here pointed out but also an important personal lessons of survival when we have to deal with a difficult boss for example. Borrowing the language from "7 habits of effective people," it is to focus your energy on your circle of influence and not on the circle of concern. In this book there are countless examples of people who did the latter (voiced their concern about the welfare of China as a nation and the common people) and invited misfortune upon themselves almost without exception. Dr. Li taught us that we must be aware of what we can do and never worry about what we cannot do.

If I could recommend only one China book... .......2006-08-27

Dr. Li was the man responsible for Mao's health from 1954 until Mao's death in 1976. He saw a lot. He's honest, eminently readable, and eye-opening. The translation is excellent. A cover blurb by Professor Andrew J. Nathan, Columbia University, calls it, "The most revealing book ever published on Mao, perhaps on any dictator in history." I agree with that. Even though it's almost 700 pages, I enjoyed every word. Long-time subscribers know I prefer to read a book in one sitting instead of two. Dr. Li had me for three, despite my notoriously short attention span. If I could recommend only one China book...

As I've mentioned elsewhere, this book makes me feel like I've been "behind the scenes" during Mao's regime. I almost want to go back and reread all my "China books" and enjoy my new perspective.

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao
Li Zhisui
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HEO3JI

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao
Zhisui Li
Manufacturer: Chatto and Windus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

The Private Life of Chairman Mao The memoirs of Mao's personal physician

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao The memoirs of Mao's personal physician
Li, Dr. (Andrew J. Nathan, Foreword) Tai Hung-Chao, Trans) Zhisui
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0Q0MI

The Private Life of Chairman Mao: The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician Dr. Li Zhisui

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao: The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician Dr. Li Zhisui

Manufacturer: Random House Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GS6E2E

The Private Life of Chairman Mao Part 1 of 2

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao Part 1 of 2
Zhisui
Manufacturer: Books On Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 5557123008

The Private Life of Chairman Mao Part 2 of 2

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao Part 2 of 2
Zhisui
Manufacturer: Books On Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 555712313X

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Private Life of Chairman Mao, The
Zhisui Li
Manufacturer: Arrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHY9GA

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The Private Life of Chairman Mao: The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician Dr. Li Zhisui
Li Zhi-Sui
Manufacturer: Random House Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MYY5S2

Book Description

The B-29 Superfortress was, for many years, one of the cornerstones of American military aviation. While it is best known as a bomber, it also served in military and weather reconnaissance, as a tanker, and as a rescue plane. The B-29 has a long and storied history, and was a crucial tool for American and Allied forces during World War II, Korea and beyond.

This operational history of the B-29 gives in-depth information on the career of each plane. A brief introduction explains each section. There is a list of the names and serial numbers of the planes, each plane's history from delivery date to removal from service, a description of the B-29's physical characteristics and performance parameters, and a description of the five B-29 variants. Sections of the book give complete mission data for the B-29's World War II service in the China-Burma-India theater of operations, operations over Japan, aerial mining missions and test atomic bombing runs. Mission lists are provided detailing the B-29's service in Korea, and there is a list of B-29s loaned to the British Royal Air Force. A list of definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations for relative terms is included. An appendix provides a matrix reference system for determining full serial numbers from the last three digits, and there is a bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

not detailed, some errors, over priced.......2007-10-13

Having flown a B-29 during the Korean war I wanted to find out what happened to some of the 98th bomb group aircraft. My aircraft "Good Old Gus was listed but no serial number or status was noted. Also the details of the final status of the aircrcaft are not detailed.
I think the cost of the book should be reduced.
.

Outstanding Resource for WWII enthusiasts.......2007-03-13

Mr. Mann has, with this superlative, book given me the tool I need I match my extensive B-29 photo collection to the "noseart" and serial numbers. This allows me to identify which B-29 belongs in it's assigned squadron and it's genisis. Invaluable when deciphering cryptic crew and mission reports as to which each Superfortress' role was in WWII, Korea and it's extended service as weather ship and air re-fueling tanker.

Thanks, Mr Mann for the thousands of hours of getting it right.

Col. Bill Copeland
Commemorative Air Force

Book Description

How do people come to think of themselves as part of a nation? Dramas of Nationhood identifies a fantastic cultural form that binds together the Egyptian nation—television serials. These melodramatic programs—like soap operas but more closely tied to political and social issues than their Western counterparts—have been shown on television in Egypt for more than thirty years. In this book, Lila Abu-Lughod examines the shifting politics of these serials and the way their contents both reflect and seek to direct the changing course of Islam, gender relations, and everyday life in this Middle Eastern nation.

Representing a decade's worth of research, Dramas of Nationhood makes a case for the importance of studying television to answer larger questions about culture, power, and modern self-fashionings. Abu-Lughod explores the elements of developmentalist ideology and the visions of national progress that once dominated Egyptian television—now experiencing a crisis. She discusses the broadcasts in rich detail, from the generic emotional qualities of TV serials and the depictions of authentic national culture, to the debates inflamed by their deliberate strategies for combating religious extremism.

Customer Reviews:

TV melodramas as a technology of modern self-making.......2005-11-12

I have no firsthand knowledge of Egyptian TV dramas, and I read this book as an introduction to Egyptian contemporary society. This is a serious scholarly work, based on extended fieldwork and with firm grounding in cultural anthropology. At the same time, the book is inspired by a feeling of sympathy and respect for the many women that the author interviewed or spent time with: village dwellers in Upper Egypt, household maids and nannies in Cairo, as well as professionals engaged in the making, diffusion or commentary of TV dramas.

Abu-Lughod treats the relationship between television and its viewers as an encounter mediated by class, gender and national ideology. The world that her viewers inhabit is often light-years away from the urban middle class lifestyle and modern values that are reflected in melodramas. These two worlds sometimes collide, as when television serials raise contentious issues such as rural backwardness, women emancipation or the influence of radical Islam, themes that echo differently among secular producers and their underprivileged audiences. But more often than not, women viewers develop a sentimental attachment to the lively characters and roller-coaster plotlines that become part of their everyday life.

There are at least three ways that TV melodramas help produce a sense of nationhood and contribute to the shaping of modern subjects. First, by riveting the whole population to their TV sets at certain hours of the day, regardless of class, gender or regional affiliation, they provide a unifying tempo and a common set of reference that become an inexhaustible source for gossip and everyday conversations. Second, more than Latin America's telenovelas, these melodramatic dramas are often closely tied to political and social issues. According to Abu-Lughod, they serve as a vehicle for an ideology of developmentalism that idealizes education, progress and modernity as a solution to the nation's backwardness. This national ideology is currently on the defensive, assaulted by the thrust of Islamism and globalism that offer competing visions for Egypt's future, but it still dominates the national media and inspires many TV writers and directors, who like to think of themselves as being the voice of the people. Third, Egyptian dramas are not only a national phenomenon: they are also watched enthusiastically across the Arab world, propelling local actresses to international stardom and giving Egyptians a sense of national pride and moral superiority.

For those who despair that Hollywood or the American television industry dominates and defines globalization, the success of Egyptian melodramas suggests that nationhood is still a pervasive force that shapes individuals' sense of being and belonging.

Dramas of Nationhood: The Politics of Television in Egypt

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Dramas of Nationhood: The Politics of Television in Egypt
Lila Abu-Lughod
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOLAVA

Book Description

In a remarkable text, Eric Grace sets out to discover the true nature of lions. His lively and informed discussion of these creatures is accompanied by stunning photographs by the world-renowned wildlife photographer Art Wolfe.

From how a lion's physical construction makes it one of nature's greatest hunters, to the conditions that have made lions the only truly social cats, all aspects of lions' biology and behavior are discussed in The Nature of Lions. The book explores the magical and checkered relationship between humans and lions from prehistory to the present, and includes a look at the status of lions today and efforts to preserve them.

Throughout, spectacular photographs show lions chasing a herd of wildebeests, eating their kill on the savanna, caring for their young, or basking in the shade of an acacia tree. Together, the images and text capture the power and majesty of this most social of cats.

Customer Reviews:

Great Gift But I'm Keeping Mine.......2003-04-03

I've read "The Nature of Lions: Social Cats of the Savannas" as I was going to give it as gift to my (school aged), nephews and neices for a Christmas present... I guess I'll just have to get another copy of it as I enjoyed it so much myself. Various aspects of these big cats, including the evolution of lions, their anatomy, social behavior, mating rituals and birth are all covered in this study. As well, there's lots of stunning photos that compliment the book well.

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