Simon & Schuster's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the World (Nature Guide Series)

Book Description

Filled with fascinating details and illustrated with more than 200 striking color photographs, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the World provides everything the nature-lover needs to know about these unique and unusual members of the animal kingdom.

An illuminating introduction provides the reader with evolutionary and characteristic information about reptiles and amphibians. The individual entries that follow describe over 200 species -- their physical characteristics, geographical distribution, morphology -- and offer visual symbols for their habitat as well as whether they are poisonous, diurnal or nocturnal. A detailed glossary and index are also included. Simon & Schuster's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the World is a spectacular and authoritative reference to these curious and intriguing animals.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent for the specifics........2004-07-03

Simon and Schuster's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians is one of the most beautifully photographed guides on the market, but also one of the most specific. There are not as many species of newts, salamanders, or snakes mentioned, as in the Peterson Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Though Simon and Schuster's pales in comparison, it is a solid contribution to field identification. This book contains the species you are most likely to see, as Peterson's contains rarer and uncommon species.
There are two editions of this guide, and one is newly updated. I own the decade old edition of this, and this is probably why it is so specific. Buy the new edition, of course, since it is likely that there are more species added to the original print.

Simon & Schusters Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians:review.......2000-05-08

For general information and a quality photo of each animal, this is a very hard book to beat. The book contains information on the most popular species kept as pets throughout the world. I have found it usefull in indentification of several species of turtles and lizards. I would highly recommend this book to anyone needing a quick reference for identification, general habitat and basic requirements of a large selection of reptiles and amphibians. This book gets an A+ on my list.

Book Description

When I was six months old, I dropped from the sky -- the lone survivor of a deadly Japanese plane crash. The newspapers named me Heaven. I was adopted by a wealthy family in Tokyo, pampered, and protected. For nineteen years, I thought I was lucky.

I'm learning how wrong I was.

THE OLD HEAVEN KOGO DIED WEEKS AGO.

I AM A NEW PERSON -- TRAINING TO STAY ALIVE.

THE PEOPLE I TRUSTED, I NOW FEAR.

THE PEOPLE I TRUST NOW, I AM PLACING IN DANGER.

I'M TOLD A GOOD SAMURAI CAN MAKE HERSELF INVISIBLE.

AND I WANT TO BE INVISIBLE RIGHT NOW...

TO EVERY PERSON EXCEPT ONE.

I AM SAMURAI GIRL.

Customer Reviews:

Uhhhh..........2005-04-15

I know these type of books. They're popular,catch your eye, and sound like an action movie. They drag in every trick of entertainment known to man and stick it into the plot thinking enough mass-appeal will turn a plethora of gimmicks into something substantial. Unfortunately, it does not.

Samurai Girl is one of those series. A none-too flawed premise taken and squandered in a presentation that reeks of trying too hard. Heaven is pleasant enough girl, save for a few unforgivable things the author does to glorify her image. You know the story of the pushy talent agent forcing thier clients to do things against thier will for publicity? That's like what they've done to Heaven. They have her trying to fill the role of waif, tough-girl, leader, follower, good friend, and trash-talker all in one.

Another thing... why the heck is her name Heaven? She's japanese, right? Why not keep it whatever Heaven is in japanese? Or does the author not want to risk having potential english-only readers turn it away because it's too ethnic? Heaven is way too cool of a name- what happened to trying to identify with characters as normal?

Mostly, it's not so terrible-THe biggest, biggest problem is the books tries to be something it's not. In other words, this attempt to put an action anime in print failed horrificly. You just can't translate the cool visual moments of a samurai story into words this easily, especially not if you're just trying to write a book for teens who are into this samurai/ninja craze. Meanwhile, I'm hoping people won't think the "training" Heaven does under Hiro is an accurate representation.

The best and probably only reason to read the Samurai girl series- something embaressingly obvious in being "cool enough for today's youth"-is for the nice pictures.

Interesting Addition to the Samurai Girl Series.......2004-03-17

Heaven Kogo was a mere six months old when she was dropped from the sky, being noted as the only survivor in a deadly Japanese plane crash. She was named Heaven by the newspapers, to signify that she had fallen from the Gods. Later she is adopted by a wealthy family in Tokyo, where she is protected and pampered. Now, at the age of nineteen, she's realizing that all of her life things have been a sham, and she's not as lucky as she originally thought she was.

In SAMURAI GIRL: THE BOOK OF THE SHADOW, Heaven is training to stay alive, and defend herself against all evil. A few weeks ago, the people she trusted were her friends, now she fear's them. And the people who are helping her now, who have gained her trust, are now being placed in grave danger. Heaven is a good samurai, and good samurai's are able to make themselves invisible. Or so she hears. She's never actually been invisible, although she wants to become invisible to everyone around her, everyone except one.

I have yet to read the first SAMURAI GIRL book, but even so, I was able to understand, and enjoy the story told in SAMURAI GIRL: THE BOOK OF THE SHADOW. Heaven is an enjoyable character, whom reminds me greatly of the character of Gaia Moore of the FEARLESS series written by Francine Pascal. Carrie Asai has written an interesting, and complex story that girls of all ages will find captivating. The illustrations by Renato Alarcao are also a nice touch, that add immensely to the story, as there are so few YA books that offer them. A must have book for all. Especially if you're looking for a girl-empowering read.

Erika Sorocco

Samurai Girl is gearing up to be an awesome series.......2003-08-03

I loved the first book, and just today I finished reading the second. The characters, storyline, and feelings as written by the author are terrific! It has romance, pop culture, and lots of (butt) kicking! It's just a great read. If you're interested in love, martial arts, or Japanese culture, this is a terrific book~ Even if you're not, give it a read, you'll love it~

samurai girl book 2.......2003-06-27

This second book in the continuing series of Samurai Girl is as good as the first book. Here is the back of it first:

I am a new person-training to stay alive. The people I trusted, I now fear. The people I trust now, I am placing in danger.
I'm told a good samurai can make herself invisible. And I want to be invisible right now...to every person except one.

The Book of the Shadow continues to follow Heaven's growth as a person. After another attack, she finally makes the decision to move out on her own. Finding a job for the first time(and then having to quit it right away), Heaven lives with her new found friend from the last book, Cheryl. More information about her adopted family, the Kogos, and the Yukemuras comes about. While still trying to figure out Heaven's old life, her new one becomes even more complex. Now, Hiro and Karen are dating. Teddy's attitude and actions towards Heaven are not only genuine, but are confusing Heaven even more.

I really enjoy this series so far and I am looking foward to the future books. It is not only a funny look at how people are, Samurai Girl teaches much about how Heaven finds herself when her life is turned upside down. I can really relate to this book in the sense that my life has also been very sheltered and pampered. Although not to Heaven's extreme, Carrie Asai shows a part of the Asian society that many people must live. In each book, you can see the struggle one must go through. Even though this is an adventure book, the characters are very human. How greed, power, and loyal intertwines. That no one is really a superhero and everyone has flaws. Every character has their reason for how they live, and those reasons are not necesarily wrong. Just different. I can go on and on about the different analysis of each character and theme, but I'll leave that up to the reader. It isn't a book for everyone, but it is very entertaining. The deeper meanings in this book (as in every single book in existance, since we all know that books have those deep hidden meanings...er...sort of) are up to the individual readers to decided. I just like it. If only the publisher would hurry up.

Keep 'em coming, Ms Asai!.......2003-06-18

I wrote a review for #1 of this series, and just mostly want to confirm that it's still good. Fun story line and illustrations! Can't wait for further volumes.

3 Titles By Carrie Asai Samurai Girl Series : The Book Of the... Heart / Wind / Shadow

Average customer rating:

3 Titles By Carrie Asai Samurai Girl Series : The Book Of the... Heart / Wind / Shadow
Carrie Asai
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S2SPWK

Product Description

multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.

Samurai Girl Set 1-3: The Book of the Sword; The Book of the Shadow; The Book of the Pearl

Average customer rating:

Samurai Girl Set 1-3: The Book of the Sword; The Book of the Shadow; The Book of the Pearl
Carrie Asai
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MSBRAW

Product Description

The first three volumes in the Samurai Girl series. 218 pages; 214 pages; 229 pages

Book Description

Life-Cycle Assessment presents a brief overview of the development of the life-cycle assessment process and develops guidelines and principles for implementation of a product life-cycle inventory analysis. The book describes inventory analysis, impact analysis, and improvement analysis-the three components of a product life-cycle assessment. It discusses the major stages in a life cycle, including raw materials acquisition, materials manufacture, final product fabrication, filling/packaging/distribution, and consumer use and disposal.

Book Description

The Final Theory presents the first truly comprehensive and viable alternative to mainstream scientific beliefs, showing how a simple overlooked principle in nature finally explains and resolves many of the mysteries and paradoxes in today's science. Expand and liberate your mind with simple, sensible explanations for the most perplexing problems in physics today - without having to be a science scholar. What actually is gravity and how does it operate - is it a force, warped space-time, or something else entirely? Is anti-gravity possible? Is the speed of light truly a limit? Is faster-than-light communication possible? Does light truly have a dual wave-particle nature or has it simply been misunderstood? What does Einstein's E = mc2 equation actually mean? What is the true nature of energy? Are the new additions of "dark matter" and "dark energy" to our science really proper, and do they solve anything or just deepen the mysteries? The new scientific perspective in this easy-to-read book takes the reader through a wealth of compelling answers to the many unresolved questions that still plague mainstream science today.

Customer Reviews:

A Revolutionary and Unifying Theory of Matter!.......2007-08-31

I am astounded that I did not discover this remarkable book sooner. Though I am not really a zealous follower of theoretical science, I have always been fascinated by the possibility that a "theory of everything" might resolve some of the fundamental mysteries of our universe.

For example, although our current theory of gravity is that it is simply one of the four fundamental forces in nature, it is clear that we have little understanding of the physical foundations of gravity; that is why we have all the divergent hypotheses being put forward: gravity waves, gravity particles, warping of space-time, etc. Plus, there is a good argument that the earth's gravity, as is is modeled in Newtonian terms, does in fact do real work in "pulling" objects (though this is rarely openly acknowledged), including the moon, from an otherwise straight-line motion and into a circular orbit; doing this for millions of years with no known energy source to power this work. That concern is often obscured by what seems to me a bogus use of the "work function." Where does the energy come from to divert the moon, or any orbiting object, from its straight-line momentum? And if we go with relativity theory, why do objects in space create a warping of "space-time"? Isn't that just an ad hoc theoretical position to hide the gaps of knowledge without offering any real explanatory value?

This book addresses these and so many other stubborn gaps and contradictions in current theory.

There is much to recommend this book. It provides a unique alternative to today's inadequate jumble of theories. It provides a theory that might well completely unify our understanding of basic physical phenomena. Although it might be argued that to call this theory the "final theory" is premature, and I agree that that is so, the claim is (to my surprise) actually plausible once you reflect carefully the ideas presented.

Of course skepticism is always in order in any aspect of theory construction. But skepticism is a two edged sword. It is just as foolish to "will to believe" the status quo as it is to be a naive true believer of a new theory. Open mindedness does not mean that everything that comes along is plausible. But it does mean that new ideas are considered with sincerity and not dismissed or ridiculed simply because they are startling or because they completely overturn our current understanding. The ideas in The Final Theory are quite revolutionary and startling. But it is not surprising that an idea to make sense of what is now so mysterious would indeed to be revolutionary and startling.

As with any revolutionary new theory this theory will likely be fiercely resisted by many who have invested their careers and reputations in the current array of theoretical approaches. But I believe that there will inevitably be serious consideration of this theory by very qualified scientists. It will take time before we will see much evidence of it, however. Scientists must be very cautious. They have families to support, just as the rest of us. To prematurely voice support for a theory this revolutionary will be a great risk to both aspiring and established scientists. This theory is far more fundamentally revolutionary than the new theories we see every few years in cosmology.

The book is extremely well written. The concepts are carefully explained, often with the aid of helpful diagrams, so that the reader can easily grasp the concepts. I often have trouble with advanced mathematical treatments, but in this book the mathematics is tightly argued but easily comprehended even by the mathematically impaired. The author has put in a considerable effort to help the reader understand every step of the reasoning process and the evidence marshalled to support the theory.

I have commuicated with the author and I am convinced of his complete sincerity and his deep thirst for understanding. He seems to be the kind of person who I most admire for his curiosity, his integrity, and his courgage.

If you are open-minded, yet healthily skeptical, and have a taste for the intrepid and relentless pursuit of truth, I think you will not be disappointed with this book. It is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read.

A Fresh Look At Physics.......2007-08-18

This book offers some stimulating non-mainstream ideas on many subjects in physics that are fun to read and thought provoking. The author also does a great job itemizing the fundamental inadequacies, failures and physical law violations of the standard model of physics. That alone is worth the price of the book.

It is clear a great deal of thought and effort went into writing this book. The author really seems to have put his heart and soul into this work. He goes to great pains trying to explain his ideas in a clear logical fashion.

It is a shame the author did not spend more time working out the details of his core theory of gravity before trying to use it as a jumping off point to try and explain most of the rest of physics. The heart of "The Final Theory" of gravitation contains a logical contradiction that invalidates everything that logically follows. The theory claims that the gravity of a planet or object is directly proportional to its size, not its mass. On page 93, the theory also claims that all objects in our universe double in size every 19 minutes due to universal atomic expansion. Assuming both these claims are true, the earths gravity would have to double every 19 minutes. While we may not be able to percieve the doubling in size due to universal atomic expansion, we could certainly percieve a doubling in gravitational force every 19 minutes.

Instead of relying solely on thought experiments and logic the author could have done a simple physics experiment to validate his theory. One could prove or disprove The Final Theory simply by placing a moderately sensitive (say 0.1 gram) scale measuring a small fixed mass of about 1 Kg in a transparent sealed container. Measure the weight at the base of a tall skyscraper. Then take the elevator to the top floor and measure the weight again. If "The Final Theory" is correct the weight would increase (by about 0.5 gram assuming the skyscraper was 1200 feet tall) due to the increase in distance from the earths center of mass. If Newtons Law of Gravity is correct the weight should decrease by about 1.2 grams over the same height difference due to the inverse square law decrease in gravitational force with increasing distance from the center of the earth.

While this may not be "The Final Theory" of everything, it does offer some fresh and thought provoking ideas. Its refreshing to read fresh ideas from a young mind not overly constrained by better established theories of physics. At least the author tried to explain how and why things work the way they do. He may not have succeeded in the particulars, but I applaud and appreciate his sincere efforts. With a little more formal training in physics he may make a great physicist some day.

A must read.......2007-07-24

There seems to be a lot of debate about whether or not this book provides any sound science. Our science is based upon mental models of the world; if our mental models are incorrect then how sound is our "sound science"? Instead, I would encourage you to not even bother with such a debate. Regardless of whether or not this book provides a truthful view of the world is actually irrelevant. The beauty of this book -- and why it is a must read -- is that it will take you on a mental journey (and challenge your current mental models) like none other. From this perspective, even if you take this book merely as a mental exercise you will thoroughly enjoy it. And, if perhaps, you stick with his arguments and persist to understand them (email the author if necessary; it really helped me) you may find more than what you bargained for. What more could you ask for in a book?

Final Theory - ALMOST final.......2007-07-24

An excellent book - quite articulate and well worth the price for the fresh look at physics.

It gave great solutions to supposed mysteries and weirdness of both Einstein's Relativity and Quantum Mechanics - blew them both out of the water. The answers given made you kind of slap yourself upside the head and say, why couldn't I think of that?

The one caveat: the author left things incomplete in the section of how the universe began AND that of the nature of time itself. It isn't to say that his theory of matter expansion is wrong. I don't believe he thought things through carefully enough with regards especially to the time dimension.

Other than that, it was quite excellent - and I hope Mr McCutcheon does reconsider and re-evaluate the time dimensional concept in his theory.

Theory is worth further review!!!.......2007-07-02

I am not a physicist or a scientist, but I loved this book!!!
I am an educated healthcare professional who seeks a deeper meaning and an understanding of our world and universe. McCutcheon's theory deserves at the very least, some detailed mathmatical investigations (which I would have liked to see in the text of his book!!!) He raises some profound insights into electromagnetism that seem very plausible.
I have been looking for more information about this theory and have instead found mostly blogs bashing him and this theory. Why can't we read some real discussion and analysis of the Geometry and math (particularly with regard to orbital dynamics)?
Read ALL of the book. Form an opinion. Open a dialog about the theory and work some proofs for people to check.
Mark McCutcheon....please rewrite this book and co-write it with a mathematician and something more substantial with which the scientists out there can wrestle.

Amazon.com

As is typically the case with anthologies, the quality of the writing in The Essayist at Work varies significantly. But the many fine essays--by the likes of Annie Dillard, Gay Talese, and Tracy Kidder--far outweigh the few that seem to limp along. Lee Gutkind, the book's editor, is an English professor at the University of Pittsburgh and a seemingly tireless proponent of the burgeoning field of creative nonfiction; most of the essays included here are reprinted from the journal Creative Nonfiction, which he edits.

In the book's introduction, Gutkind addresses the differences between creative nonfiction and other types of writing. "In creative nonfiction," he says, "writers can be poetic and journalistic simultaneously." In journalistic prose, the writer is invisible; in creative nonfiction, says Gutkind, "a writer's feelings and responses about a subject are permitted and encouraged."

One of the more illuminating pieces in The Essayist at Work is Michael Pearson's interview with John McPhee, a master of the essay form. According to Gutkind, it is the use of the intimate detail that sets creative nonfiction apart, and McPhee, says Pearson, "is a lover of small details." He has also been described as having "total recall," which is partly why, perhaps, he discourages Pearson's use of a tape recorder during their interview. But the main reason he disdains the tape recorder, McPhee says, is that "you'll get a better story without [it].... Writing is selection. It's better to start choosing right here and right now."

While writing fiction is a process of invention, writing nonfiction is one of discovery, and part of its allure, as McPhee says, is that "nonfiction writers go out not knowing what to expect." McPhee likens the nonfiction writer to "a cook foraging for materials.... In many ways, like a cook, you're only as good as your materials." That may well be, but where one cook sees a funky fungus another may see a prized wild mushroom; and a mediocre cook with fabulous materials will still turn out a mediocre meal. It helps, as a nonfiction writer, to come upon a good story, and then it helps to be John McPhee to make it a compelling one. --Jane Steinberg

Book Description

Today, creative nonfiction/literary journalism encompasses the length and breadth of the literary spectrum. The Essayist at Work offers proven methods for making a mark in this competitive genre.

Customer Reviews:

Inspirational & Practical Exploration of Creative Nonfiction.......2000-02-27

Compiled by the founder and editor of the journal, Creative Nonfiction, this book is a must-read for any writer interested in the practical and theoretical aspects of writing creative nonfiction. The anthology offers a diversity of contemporary literary voices ranging from John McPhee to Terry Tempest Williams. Although the writers profiled have sometimes conflicting opinions about the role of the essay in society or the way in which it should be written or approached, they are all passionate about and intimate with the form. Each writer discusses their process of creating an essay, offering personal and candid experiences that provide a great deal of guidance and support. Through reading this book, my understanding of the form expanded and deepened, as did my patience with my own writing practice.

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