This early work is an absorbing read for any chinchilla owner or historian of the breed, but also contains a wealth of information and anecdote that is still useful and practical today. Illustrated with forty text photographs. Contents Include: The Chinchilla and Its Fur; Checking; Care of Pregnant and Lactating Females and the Young; Feeding; Care of Sick and Injured; Breeding; Housing, Equipment and Sanitation; Records; Pelting; and a Glossary. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

'A brilliant book [that] shows a way out of the destructive trap of Anthropocentric arrogance.' Vandana Shiva, from the Foreword Biocivilisations is a fascinating, original and important exploration into how complex civilisations existed on Earth long before humans. What is life? This is arguably the most important question in all of science. Many scientists believe life can be reduced to ‘mechanistic’ factors, such as genes and information codes. Everything can be sequenced and explained. But in a world as rich and complex as this one, can such an assertion really be true? A growing army of scientists, philosophers and artists do not share this mechanistic vision for the science of life. The gene metaphor is not only too simplistic but also misleading. If there is a way to reduce life to a single principle, how does that principle acknowledge the creativity of life that turns both genetic and information determinism on their heads? Biocivilisations is a groundbreaking book exploring the mysteries of life and its deep uncertainty. Dr Predrag Slijep�ević turns anthropocentric scientific thinking on its head, showing how the humble bacteria created the equivalent of cities and connected them with information highways, bringing our planet to life three thousand million years ago. He explains how bacteria, amoebas, plants, insects, birds, whales, elephants and countless other species not only preceded human beings but also demonstrate elements of complex civilisation – communication, agriculture, science, art, medicine and more – that we associate with human achievement. More than 99.99 percent of life on Earth has existed without humanity, and life will continue without humans long into the future. Biocivilisations is an important rethinking of the current scientific paradigm. It challenges us to reconsider the limited scope and time-window of our current ‘scientific revolution’ and to fundamentally reimagine what we call ‘life on Earth’.

Since its appearance in 1859, Darwin's long awaited treatise in genetic biology had received reviews both favorable and damning. Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce presented arguments for and against the theory in a dramatic and widely publicized face-off at the 1860 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Oxford. Their encounter sparked a vigorous, complex debate that touched on a host of issues and set the stage for the Royal Society s consideration of whether or not they ought to award Darwin the Copley Medal, the society s most prestigious prize. While the action takes place in meetings of the Royal Society, Great Britain s most important scientific body, a parallel and influential public argument smoldered over the nature of science and its relationship to modern life in an industrial society. A significant component of the Darwin game is the tension between natural and teleological views of the world, manifested especially in reconsideration of the design argument, commonly known through William Paley s Natural Theology; or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity (1802) and updated by Wilberforce. But the scientific debate also percolated through a host of related issues: the meaning and purposes of inductive and hypothetical speculation in science; the professionalization of science; the implications of Darwinism for social reform, racial theories, and women s rights; and the evolving concept of causation in sciences and its implications for public policy. Because of the revolutionary potential of Darwin s ideas, the connections between science and nearly every other aspect of culture became increasingly evident. Scientific papers and laboratory demonstrations presented in Royal Society meetings during the game provide the backdrop for momentous conflict, conflict that continues to shape our perceptions of modern science.

Reacting to the Past is a series of historical role-playing games that explore important ideas by re-creating the contexts that shaped them. Students are assigned roles, informed by classic texts, set in particular moments of intellectual and social ferment.

An award-winning active-learning pedagogy, Reacting to the Past improves speaking, writing, and leadership skills, promotes engagement with classic texts and history, and builds learning communities. Reacting can be used across the curriculum, from the first-year general education class to capstone experiences. A Reacting game can also function as the discussion component of lecture classes, or it can be enlisted for intersession courses, honors programs, and other specialized curricular purposes."

The Irish Setter - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: The Illustrated Book Of The Dog by Vero Shaw (1879), The Dog Book by James Watson (1906), Dogs Of The World by Arthur Craven (1931) and many others.

Why did T-Rex become extinct? Why did the Mayan civilization disappear? If the ancient Israelis did indeed cross the Red Sea, as reported in the Bible, what weather phenomena might have produced the parting of the waters? Why was nearly all human life swept away 73,000 years ago? And what factors created the Great American Dustbowl of the 1930s?
The extraordinary people who are interested in asking--and answering--such questions are known as climatologists. In a lively narrative full of intriguing facts, award-winning, internationally known climatologist Randy Cerveny takes the reader on a fascinating tour of some of the world's most perplexing and provocative climate mysteries, past and present. Cerveny explains the science of climate study--from digging ice cores in Antarctica to counting tree rings in Arizona--and the various specialists whose ingenious techniques help to sort out climate's intricate components. He also delves into the human impact of weather through fictional introductions to each chapter that depict how climate change might have affected a typical inhabitant of the ancient Sahara or Indus Valley, a peasant during Europe's "Little Ice Age," or an aviation expert probing a deadly jet crash in New York City. Finally, he discusses research that attempts to forecast the weather of the next 10,000 years--essential information for planning the nuclear waste depository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
For readers of An Inconvenient Truth, devotees of the Weather Channel, history buffs, popular science fans, or anyone who wonders what makes our weather tick--and how it will impact our future, this engaging book offers much to ponder and to enjoy.

This fascinating book here in its complete and unabridged form makes a worthy addition to the bookshelf of all those interested in the subject. This boo is primarily devoted to reliable dog portraiture. This book will still be found interesting and serviceable to three main classes of its particular public; the Breeder, the Fancier and the Owner. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

From the New York Times bestselling author of H is for Hawk and winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for nonfiction, comes a transcendent collection of essays about the human relationship to the natural world. Animals don't exist in order to teach us things, but that is what they have always done, and most of what they teach us is what we think we know about ourselves. In Vesper Flights, Helen Macdonald brings together a collection of her best loved essays, along with new pieces on topics ranging from nostalgia for a vanishing countryside to the tribulations of farming ostriches to her own private vespers while trying to fall asleep. Meditating on notions of captivity and freedom, immigration and flight, Helen invites us into her most intimate experiences: observing the massive migration of songbirds from the top of the Empire State Building, watching tens of thousands of cranes in Hungary, seeking the last golden orioles in Suffolk's poplar forests. She writes with heart-tugging clarity about wild boar, swifts, mushroom hunting, migraines, the strangeness of birds' nests, and the unexpected guidance and comfort we find when watching wildlife. By one of this century's most important and insightful nature writers, Vesper Flights is a captivating and foundational book about observation, fascination, time, memory, love and loss and how we make sense of the world around us.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The question about whether the Universe is guiding our lives has remained a mystery throughout all the ages. While scientific explorations have enabled us to venture far into space, we have come to recognize a vastness that is well beyond our human imagination. In spite of these enormous achievements, we have not come upon other life outside our small planet Earth. As the only known life-supporting planet in the universe discovered thus far, we should consider ourselves as unique and even special. This then raises the question whether we are the creation of a divine plan and if we are meant to serve a greater purpose. While we are limited to recognizing a physical world that exists around us, this book looks beyond the physical and into the possibility of a spiritual existence within the universe. Much of the world's population believes in a higher being, a divine creator, a God. This very idea provides us with a spiritual foundation from which we can venture into the silent, but by no means, lifeless realm of the universe. While we may be unaware of our purpose for being here with any degree of certainty, it should not deter us from attempting to explore this issue. By assuming that we each have a purpose to fulfill, should we be curious to know who out there determines this for each of us? How are we guided along this path and what is our connection with these unseen forces? The author attempts to explore this mystery based on both past and current practices within society. By sharing from his own unique life's experiences, he points to a possible spiritual intervention in our own daily lives. While certainly not everyone may agree with the author's assumptions, it should, however, leave the reader with a good deal of cause for thought.

Irish Dogs - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breeds from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breeds - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of each breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: My Dog And I by H. W. Huntington (1897), Dogs Of The World by Arthur Craven (1931), Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopaedia by Walter Hutchinson (1935) and many others. The breeds included in this Volume are: The Irish Setter, the Irish Terrier, the Irish Water Spaniel, the Irish Wolfhound and the Kerry Blue Terrier.

Walling and Hicks make a direct assault on the "Everest" of scientific mysteries. The authors trace the first glimmerings of consciousness in evolution and during emergence from anesthesia. There are no formulae or equations; all the difficult concepts have been presented as allegories and pictures. Unlike many philosophical books about consciousness, they have evidence to back up their ideas. This book is also an attempt to bridge the chasm between science and religion which the authors believe to be largely unnecessary.

Always be prepared: essential tips and tricks for keeping safe in the outdoors with Survive. Whether you're going for a leisurely hike or setting off into the wilderness, there is nothing more important than being properly prepared. Being knowledgeable about survival techniques can be the difference between having fun outside and an emergency rescue. Survive provides essential tips and tricks for anyone who spends time outdoors so that they will know how to recognize potential emergencies, apply basic first aid, build fires and shelter, identify poisonous plants, and more--all in the name of being able to survive in any conditions should an emergency arrive. From fishers and hunters to hikers and cyclists, this guide is perfect for anyone in your life who enjoys the great outdoors so they can keep the time they spend in nature fun by staying safe!

The Harrier - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: House Dogs And Sporting Dogs by John Meyrick (1861), The Illustrated Book Of The Dog by Vero Shaw (1879), The Kennel Encyclopaedia by J. Sidney Turner (1908) and many others.

Get away from it all and reignite your wanderlust with this unique collection of epic landscape photography from some of the remotest and most spectacular locations around the globe. Curated by award-winning travel and lifestyle photographer Finn Beales, Let's Get Lost offers pure visual escapism with over 200 spectacular shots of remote and beautiful places which will inspire you to get back out into the world after months and years of lockdowns and travel restrictions. For the adventurous amongst us, this book dares you to get off the beaten track andgo in search of the most remarkable natural environments on the planet. Chapters capturing off-grid coastal views, rugged mountain landscapes, majestic forests and expansive wildernesses are all featured, stirring within you a sense of adventure. From the Pacific Northwest to Southeast Asia, New Zealand to Scandinavia, these are the places where amazing photos are taken, now you need to experience them. For the armchair traveller, this book represents a breathtaking visual compendium of how beautiful the world can be, with truly awe-inspiring full page reproductions of some of instagram's most talented landscape photographers. Each of the photographers profiled reveal their unique stories and the little-known locations they have discovered that allow them to capture such breathtaking images, from Chris Burkard's perilous tour of Russia's extremities, and Emilie Ristevski's wanderlust-filled journey through Namibia's wild heart, to Timothy Allen's airborne search for a long-lost Bulgarian monument. Photographers featured: Finn Beales (finn) Alex Strohl (alexstrohl) Jonathan Gregson (jonathangregsonphotography) Richard Gaston (richardgaston) Cath Simard (cathsimard) Emilie Ristevski (helloemilie) Reuben Wu (itsreuben) Laura Pritchett (bythebrush) Lucy Laucht (lucylaucht) Chris Burkard (chrisburkard) Molly Steele (moristeele) Benjamin Hardman (benjaminhardman) Greg Lecoeur (greg.lecoeur) Charly Savely (charlysavely) Timothy Allen (timothy_allen) Hannes Becker (hannes_becker) Tobias Hagg (airpixels) Callum Snape (calsnape) Nicolee Drake (cucinadigitale) Holly-Marie Cato (h_cato) Mads Peter Iversen (madspeteriversen_photography)