The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town

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indispensable for an urban stroll

A Mighty Acorn of a Book

A Tree Grows in Nashville

A budding Peattie?

An Uncommonly Fine Field Guide

The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town
Arthur Plotnik
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Seed-Bearing Plants | Trees | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0812931033
Release Date: 2000-05-16

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North America's cities may be crowded and tumultuous places of steel and glass, but there is scarcely one of them that does not have some quiet forested corner, some green place of solace and repose. Arthur Plotnik, the author of the fine writer's handbook The Elements of Editing, celebrates such places in The Urban Tree Book, an information-rich, entertaining guide to the trees you are likely to encounter in places such as Toronto, Washington, Vancouver, and Kansas City. (For residents of cities farther south and west, he includes a section on palm trees.) A late bloomer--he writes that he came to an appreciation of city greenery not as a naturalist, but as a writer given to staring out his window at a cluster of silver maple, ash, and horse chestnut trees--Plotnik has mastered a wide variety of materials. He describes not only the ranges, biology, and life histories of some 50 common urban trees, but also gathers oddments of folklore and nicely appropriate bits of urban history, such as, for instance, the fact that Al Capone favored an ash bat "to keep his goons in line."

As Plotnik observes, at the dawn of the 21st century, 75 percent of all North Americans live in cities. In his pages these urbanites will find a wealth of information to help better acquaint themselves with the natural life that perseveres in their midst. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

Open The Urban Tree Book and discover the joys of forest trekking--right in your city or town. This first-of-a-kind field guide introduces readers to the trees on their block, in neighborhood parks, and throughout the urban landscape. Unlike traditional tree guides with dizzying numbers of woodland species, The Urban Tree Book explores nature in the city, describing some 200 tree types likely to be found on North America's streets and surrounding spaces, including suburban settings.

With telling descriptions and precise botanical detail, this unique guide not only identifies trees but brings them to life through history, lore, anecdotes, up-to-date facts, and hundreds of fascinating characteristics. More than 175 graceful illustrations capture the charm of trees in urban settings and depict leaf, flower, fruit, and bark features for identification and appreciation.

The Urban Tree Book will inform even the most knowledgeable plant person and delight urbanites who simply enjoy strolling beneath the shade of welcoming trees. An engaging excursion into the "urban forest," this complete guide to city trees will both entertain and enlighten nature lovers, urban hikers, gardeners, and everyone curious about their environment. Includes a tree planting-and-care section, tree primer, and exploration guide
Is backed by the expertise of the renowned Morton Arboretum
Incorporates new "urban forestry" perspectives
Covers urban trees across the continent
Lists key organizations and institutions for tree lovers
Selects the best tree sites on the Internet
Updates many guides by 20 years

Customer Reviews:

indispensable for an urban stroll.......2005-12-20

The Urban Tree Book richly deserves its five stars. I am a bit of an afficionado of tree books; I actually enjoy reading most field guides and I often hike with several in my backpack. For the urban environment, though, I have found none as thorough or as well-written as this book.

Plotnick begins with a short description of general features of trees and a brief description of important vocabulary. The writing achieves an excellent balance, being neither overly technical nor overly simple. The drawings are also quite well done. Even from the beginning, they illustrate and complement well the points in the text.

Then, the majority of the book covers the trees themselves. Each tree has its own little chapter which includes names, decriptions, stories, and lovely drawings. I really appreciated how the stories focus on the trees in the context of the urban environment. I have seen this emphasis in no other book.

Plotnick ends with a short glossary, further resources, and an index.

In summary, if I were to carry only one book on a stroll through a city, this would be the book.

A Mighty Acorn of a Book.......2004-02-12

I got this book to help me learn about--not just identify--my neighborhood trees. It's excellent. It's written for the layman, and it is so comprehensive and interesting to read.

I've gone through much of this book with my kids, who, because they're city-dwellers, rarely get a chance to thoughtfully examine the fauna that's all around us. Now my 9-year-old can explain differences between maples as well as point out ash, linden, and several species of oak.

This book is great for people who want to train themselves to notice details, like leaf arrangement, general shape, and bark patterns. It makes you a better observer, and it helps you notice much more than the trees themselves (like what lives on, or in, them).

This is fun to take on a walk through the park.

A Tree Grows in Nashville.......2002-01-12

I bought this guide when it first came out and enjoyed every tree, word and atticism. I am going to revisit this wonderful book to journey back into the life of a city's street trees. Wonderful, delightful and perfectly good reading for the neighborhood tree-hugger. A must have for any one who appreciates trees and literature. Mr. Plotnik gives us a vortiginous account of what trees are. "It's not what you look at, but what you see." - H.D.T.

I will always keep this book close at hand throughout my journey through life. Excellent. Vostellung!

A budding Peattie?.......2000-12-02

When after all those rave reviews I bought a copy I was slightly dissappointed. This is an unassuming paperback. There are books on trees you buy for the illustrations: this is not one of them. The illustrations are nice, even tasteful (although I assume they would look a lot better in color) but are nothing more than just that, an illustration of the text.

However, when actually reading in the book I was quickly forced to the conclusion that this is a real find. Arthur Plotnik not only is inspired by trees, he also did his home-work (in a big way!) and he surely can write. This book reminds me very strongly of D.C.Peattie, as he would write if he were to live today. What can I add to that?

P.S. I can add that this book has an impressive list of references for further reading and a perhaps even more impressive list of internet sites on trees.

An Uncommonly Fine Field Guide.......2000-10-16

Typically, when I browse learned books, be they history, science, art, whatever, if the author's qualifications to teach me about the subject don't measure up, they go back on the shelf. Talented amateurs have their place, but with so many good books out there, I can't afford to risk having my time wasted.

This book is a great exception. By touching only lightly on the dry botanical aspects of the trees, and focussing on their characters, the author shows confidence in the subject while letting his enthusiasm and wit have full rein.

Again, most illustrations drawn by authors' partners usually serve for breaking up the text. Not these. The unison between the illustrations and the textual descriptions is evidence of true collaboration and a rare conjunction of talent.

If you're interested in "those big things with the leaves", and you don't happen to live in a forest, but this book.

Book Description

The Complete Jewish guide to Britain and Ireland is the only resource for everything you need to know to embark on a trip through Jewish Great Britain. Travel writer and journalist Toni Kamins catalogs information on well-known sights and little-known treasures as varied as the beautiful Moorish West London Synagogue, the Manchester Mikveh, the lost Jewish Cemeteries of Glasgow, and the Jewish Museum of Dublin, as well as transportation, lodging information, and places to buy kosher food. Selected photographs and maps fill out the picture.Kamins also recounts nearly one thousand years of related history-from the first appearance of Jews on the British Isles following the Norman Conquest, through the Crusades and the Expulsion, to the Restoration and up to the present day. She focuses on the turbulent and captivating histories of England, Scotland, and Ireland through the prism of the Jewish experience. The Complete Jewish Guide to Britain and Ireland has everything you will need to make your trip a success-and put it into a historical context that will make it even more worthwhile.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant!.......2002-02-03

This ex-pat Jewish Brit loved this book! Not only did it make me nostalgic for home, but it told me things I never knew! This is a concise but complete guide indeed. I fully intend to take it with me on my next trip back to England.

Like having a smart friend with you.......2001-09-20

I am planning a trip to London and the surrounding countryside and I stumbled across this guidebook. Because I am Jewish, I was interested in learning more about the culture and history of British Jewish places while I traveled. This book is packed with facts that are presented in a very entertaining way. The author talks about places regular guidebooks miss, and she makes you aware of the great contributions Jews have made to England. The book is well laid out and very easy to use. I can't wait to use it for walking tours when I am abroad!

Book Description

Jordan Starling has to keep up with her friends' stories of their summer romances. Unfortunately, she begins a strand of lies that are bound to keep her tied up and in trouble, especially when her "boyfriend" doesn't even know he's her boyfriend, yet.

Customer Reviews:

A lighter side of McDaniel.......2004-09-16

Even though this book is not the typical "cryin' and dyin'" stuff Lurlene McDaniel's readers are used to, My Secret Boyfriend is still a great read. She has created characters that are like most teenagers--self-conscious and pressured to be like everyone else. This novel is good because we see the main character get herself into a real pickle and get to watch her wiggle her way out of it. This would make a GREAT movie!

Not up to standard..........2004-06-07

But maybe that is because this was originally released in the late 1980's, before she began writing realistic fiction. If you like McDaniel, give it a read, but be warned not to expect too much from it.

My Secret Boyfriend.......2002-04-05

This book was ok, but not quite up to Lurlene Mcdaniel's normal standards. I normally read her books that have disease; so, I was shocked to see that there was no disease. I would recommend you read this book, but I want to say if you normally read her books that have disease be forewarned there is no disease.

Bye,
E.J.P.

Not one of McDaniels best........1998-11-16

She seems to stray away from the topics of her other books. If you read L. mcDaniels Books for the drama of them, dont pick up this one

8 Titles By Lurlene McDaniel - I'll Be Seeing You - Telling Christina Goodbye - My Secret Boyfriend - The Girl Death Left Behind - How Do I Love Thee - When Happily Ever After Ends - Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Until Angels Close My Eyes

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8 Titles By Lurlene McDaniel - I'll Be Seeing You - Telling Christina Goodbye - My Secret Boyfriend - The Girl Death Left Behind - How Do I Love Thee - When Happily Ever After Ends - Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Until Angels Close My Eyes
Lurlene McDaniel
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Suicide | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000LY4MS6

Product Description

8 massmarket paperback Titles By Lurlene McDaniel - I'll Be Seeing You - Telling Christina Goodbye - My Secret Boyfriend - The Girl Death Left Behind - How Do I Love Thee - When Happily Ever After Ends - Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - Until Angels Close My Eyes

Book Description

This book contains a selection of articles presented at an International Workshop on `Mathematical Modeling for Flow and Transport Through Porous Media'.
The major topics of the meeting were free and moving boundary problems, structured media, multiphase flow, scale problems, stochastic aspects, parameter identification and optimization problems. The volume also represents a few contributions on the incorporation of chemical and biological processes in mathematical models for transport in porous media.
The book is directed at researchers active in porous media, mathematical modeling, petroleum and geotechnical engineering and environmental sciences.

Book Description

tevenson's famous exploration of humanity's basest capacity for evil, "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," has become synonymous with the idea of a split personality. More than a morality tale, this dark psychological fantasy is also a product of its time, drawing on contemporary theories of class, evolution, criminality, and secret lives. Also in this volume are "The Body Snatcher," which charts the murky underside of Victorian medical practice, and "Olalla," a tale of vampirism and "the beast within," with a beautiful woman at its center.

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"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Stevenson's famous exploration of humanity's basest capacity for evil, has become synonymous with the idea of a split personality. More than a moral tale, this dark psychological fantasy is also a product of its time, drawing on contemporary theories of class, evolution, criminality, and secret lives. Also in this volume are "The Body Snatcher," which charts the murky underside of Victorian medical practice, and "Olalla," a tale of vampirism and "The Beast Within" which features a beautiful woman at its center. This new edition features a critical introduction, chronology, suggestions for further reading, explanatory notes, and appendixes, including an abridged extract from "A Chapter on Dreams" and an essay on the scientific context of Jekyll and Hyde.

Customer Reviews:

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The Dual Nature of Man........2006-10-11

_The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other Tales of Terror_, in the Penguin Classics series, consists of three tales by Robert Louis Stevenson, an essay by Stevenson, as well as an introduction and "diagnosis of Dr. Jekyll" by the editor Robert Mighall. Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish writer in the Victorian period who grew up to a strict Presbyterian upbringing which would lead him to become obsessed with sin, the nature of evil, and death throughout much of his life. Originally Stevenson wrote adventure tales and stories of pirates (_Treasure Island_ for example); however, he was to turn his writing talents to tales of horror and the supernatural, particularly with the stories seen here. Stevenson wrote these stories to be read during the Christmas season (one traditionally associated with the supernatural and tales of dread). While Stevenson was much influenced by his own strict upbringing, he also was influenced by the various evolutionary theories of criminology then popular in the Victorian period. In particular, the eugenic theories of Francis Galton and the criminological theories of Caesare Lombroso (who claimed to have found the source of the "atavistic criminal type") were then popular. Stevenson also may have been interested in sexual pathology (a taboo topic during the Victorian era). In particular, many of his stories hint at homosexuality or possibly sexual sadism (and the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was to influence the writing of Oscar Wilde who was convicted of sodomy in his time). Stevenson's stories reveal the dark side of man and the hypocrisy of the "respectable" during the Victorian period.

This book contains the following tales (and essay):

_Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde_ (1886) - This is the classic tale of a double consciousness. The respectable Dr. Jekyll, an upright citizen of a higher status, begins to develop a secret nature (to become a "secret sinner") which eventually leads him to construct the personality of a Mr. Edward Hyde as an alter. Mr. Hyde is a repulsive figure to behold, uniformly despised by those who see him, short in stature, possibly deformed, and bearing some resemblance to the simian. Mr. Hyde is also the classic atavistic criminal type, believed to be lower on the evolutionary ladder than the righteous Dr. Jekyll. Dr. Jekyll concocts a potion which he intakes and becomes the sinister Mr. Hyde. Thus, begins a classic conflict between the good and evil natures within man. While Dr. Jekyll leads an upright life, his alter Mr. Hyde engages in brutal activities, nearly plows over a child on the street, and eventually murders a man. The story unfolds as Dr. Jekyll's lawyer and friend tries to understand why Dr. Jekyll should choose such a repulsive individual as Hyde as his benefactor to his will and the ensuing transformation in Jekyll. Eventually the transformation begins to occur in Jekyll without the use of the potion, so Jekyll vows to stop taking it. However, he returns to the potion again eventually (perhaps hinting at the horrors of alcoholism or other addiction) and becomes Mr. Hyde again. Eventually the personality of Mr. Hyde is to overcome completely Dr. Jekyll (as his potion runs out). Thus is revealed the dual nature of man.

"The Body Snatcher" (1884) - This tale involves the procurement of bodies to be dissected by medical students. At the time, the bodies used by medical students were in short supply. These bodies are supplied to a Dr. K__ (perhaps, Robert Knox, a real life physician who was implicated in a similar scandal); however, it soon becomes apparent that they have been murdered. The story ends with a bizarre twist. This story was a precursor to _Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde_, and it features many of the same surroundings.

"Olalla" (1885) - This is a classic Gothic tale featuring a voyage by a man suffering from tuberculosis (which Stevenson himself was to suffer from) to Catholic Spain. There he stays with an ancient family which is under a horrifying curse - degeneracy of the blood. Stevenson based this story on many of the evolutionary beliefs popular at the time, including the hereditary nature of madness and "bad blood". The family described in this story, though of noble birth, has a history of this "taint of the blood" brought about by too much inbreeding. The story involves vampirism (the longing for blood, which perhaps influenced the later writings of Bram Stoker, whose Dracula was also an atavistic criminal type of a tainted heritage) and the narrator falls in love with Olalla, a daughter of the family.

"A Chapter on Dreams" (Abridged) (1888) - This is an essay written by Stevenson in which he discusses his dreams (the role of the "Brownies" (elfin creatures) in their creation) and the source of his inspiration for _Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde_.

The final section of this book is an essay by the editor Robert Mighall, entitled "Diagnosing Jekyll: The Scientific Context of Dr Jekyll's Experiment and Mr Hyde's Embodiment". This essay discusses the role of double-consciousness (the possibility of multiple personality), moral insanity, criminal responsibility, and sexual perversion in the character of Dr. Jekyll. It is most interesting for its remarks on the evolutionary theories of criminology popular at the time and the possible sexual perversion of Dr. Jekyll. This essay also discusses the case of "Jack the Ripper", which played out in London at the same time as _Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde_ was appearing on the stage, and its relationship to this story.

This book includes several interesting stories by Stevenson which reveal his continuing obsessions, the dual nature of man and the evolutionary taint of "bad blood". They show us how even the most respectable, upright individuals may have a dual nature (a dark side), though it is often hidden. They also have much to say about the societal hypocrisy which makes such a thing possible to begin with. The need to "keep up appearances" often betrays a darker side.

A Short Masterpiece.......2006-07-17

I will not give away the plot, and I encourage all to read this literary masterpiece. The author's technique in this novel is to use an independent observer, a Mr. Utterson, who re-tells what has happened to his friend Dr. Jekyll. The story is short: just 70 pages.

I would have never picked this book to read without some guidance. It was on Nabokov's books to read list from his Cornell teaching notes on European Literature (circa 1950) now available in book form: Lectures on Literature (Paperback) by Vladimir Nabokov.

His seven books or novels are:

Jane Austen - Mansfield Park
Charles Dickens - Bleak House
Gustave Flaubert - Madame Bovary
Robert Louis Stevenson - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Marcel Proust - The Walk by Swann's Place
Franz Kafka - The Metamorphosis
James Joyce - Ulysses

Why is the present book on that list? The reason - without giving away the plot - is that it is not a simple science fiction or similar story. It is about human failings and about obsession, compulsion, and human weakness. The story is the battle between a doctor and the counter character that he has created. Who will win this battle: good or evil?

This is a terrific but short novella just 70 pages long. The present Penguin classic contains a good analysis of the story by Robert Mighall, plus two other short stories: "The Body Snatcher" and "Olalla." These have similar macabre themes but on different subjects and they are not as deep as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." The latter is a literary work of art similar in spirit to "Lolita," another book about human failings and compulsions. The plot details are obviously very different as is the London setting here.

Excellent edition of a classic tale.......2005-06-24

Stevenson's famous "shilling shocker" from 1886 has almost been distilled into a diagnostic commonplace. The notion of the "Jekyll & Hyde" personality has become a shorthand description for someone who leads a psychological double-life. Stevenson's tale dwells on the dangers of duplicity and addiction, and the unpredictable consequences of starting down the slippery slope: once you start giving in to the darker half of your nature, it isn't always possible to go back. The idea is well known, generally from the numerous screen adaptations, but the original story isn't. It's well worth reading, especially in this fine edition from Penguin. Apart from including some lesser known tales from Stevenson, editor Robert Mighall provides detailed notes, an excellent introduction, and a fascinating final essay entitled, "Diagnosing Jekyll: the Scientific Context to Dr Jekyll's Experiment and Mr Hyde's Embodiment". This essay situates Stevenson's tale in the context of nineteenth-century London society, considers the likely contemporary medico-scientific explanations for Jekyll's "case" (including the memorably named condition of "masturbatic insanity"), and also reveals the impact Stevenson's work had on the public's interpretation of the real-life criminal case of Jack the Ripper. Mighall's commentary will also appeal to literary-critical readers who'll want to think about the narrative device of presenting a supernatural tale through the testimony of doctors, lawyers and written documents. Mighall also identifies some slip-ups in Jekyll's final confession which suggest he isn't quite as neatly divided as he claims. This is an excellent edition for student readers, or for those who like to read so-called classics in context.

Interesting horror/study.......2004-08-17

This is an interesting book to read, although since pretty much everyone know's what's going to happen, that takes some of the fun out of it.
Other than that, it has some good points to think about, good for provoking ruminations on what your own ideas about the goodness/evilness of your own self!

A Great Horror Story.......2004-07-27

This was the first of three Victorian horror novels I read this summer. This is a great story of how Dr. Henry Jekyll becomes obsessed with his alter ego, Edward Hyde, and continues to turn himself into Hyde. Hyde kills people and people get angry and put a bounty on Hyde's head. Dr. Jekyll vows not to drink his potion again, but one day his friend Gabriel Utterson and his butler Poole hear strange noises in Jekyll's study and have their suspicions who it is...

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other tales of Terror

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The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Other tales of Terror
Robert Louis STEVENSON
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPCTNM

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde : And Other Tales of Terror (Penguin Classics)

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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde : And Other Tales of Terror (Penguin Classics)
Robert Mighall Robert Louis Stevenson
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJA9IU

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