There have been many books written to assist churchwardens in discharging their duties, detailing their responsibilities in respect of the intricacies of ecclesiastical law and making the role seem quite a challenge. The office of churchwarden is one of the oldest recognised forms of Lay Ministry and is the highest position of trust and responsibility that the Church gives to its lay people. The churchwarden is a lay official in a parish or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. They are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parochial church council, or in the case of a cathedral parish, the chapter. Over the centuries churchwardens have acquired many 'hats,' carrying out tasks that required a broad range of skills both practical and pastoral. They came to the fore during the time when the vestry evolved to be a key element of political democracy in local government. The aim of this, sometimes whimsical, book is to illustrate the various roles and situations churchwardens would have had to deal with, from the early years of the Christian Church to the present time. By exploring these important roles and their dilemmas in interpreting complex laws and social problems throughout the ages, will perhaps reassure current post-holders that they are indeed better off than their predecessors.

On September 12, 1609, Henry Hudson first set foot on the land that would become Manhattan. Today, it’s difficult to imagine what he saw, but for more than a decade, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson has been working to do just that. Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City is the astounding result of those efforts, reconstructing in words and images the wild island that millions now call home. By geographically matching an 18th-century map with one of the modern city, examining volumes of historic documents, and collecting and analyzing scientific data, Sanderson re-creates the forests of Times Square, the meadows of Harlem, and the wetlands of downtown. His lively text guides readers through this abundant landscape, while breathtaking illustrations transport them back in time. Mannahatta is a groundbreaking work that provides not only a window into the past, but also inspiration for the future.

Many experts agree that energy is the defining issue of this century. Climate change, decimated wildlife, lost farmlands and foreign wars are only a few of the results of our dependence on oil. In Terra Nova, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson takes us on a journey of discovery, probing the interconnectedness of oil, cars and transportation, suburban living and land use. Divided into two sections, Sanderson takes a uniquely cross disciplinary approach to delve into the roots of our oil dependence, explaining not only the natural history and chemistry of oil, but also detailing how it frames our definition of ourselves as a country and continues to shape our economic and foreign policies. The second half of the book lays out a radical plan for moving away from the shackles of oil through a thought provoking re-imagining of everything: from our cities, to our public works, to our tax laws. Along with his compelling narrative, Sanderson illustrates his ambitious ideas with maps, data graphics, photography and simulated views of the future.