The African Giant/Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) - it's Physiology, ecology, care & taming is a comprehensive rodent textbook and the first of its kind discussing the complete life of this rodent species. It includes information collected from the latest research and advice from current rat owners. It explores the evolution of this species and presents a detailed anatomical description of the adult rat. It also discusses the care of the rat and has a comprehensive section on disease and treatment thereof. The ecological importance of the rat in the wild is evaluated. Anatomical considerations are included. The book is an extremely useful reference source for those interested in rats, and for academics and students. It is well worth purchasing and would sit nicely on a library bookshelf.

The beetles are the largest group of insects. Beetles have a similar life history to butterflies and moths, i.e. egg, larva, pupa and adult. Larvae and adults possess biting and chewing mouthparts. The beetles are extremely interesting, colourful and varied in shape and size. Their ecological importance is unquestionable and as a consequence there is need to protect them from activities like deforestation and over-cultivation. This book is written to educate people about the beetle. The scarabs are one group of beetles discussed herein.

If one is genuinely nice and helpful the world is likely to be a better place. A person who becomes a soldier takes on responsibility. War claims many lives and leaves many devastated families behind on both sides. In order to cheer everybody up this book was written to enlighten the positive aspects of army life and how important it is to try and be nice, friendly, helpful and courteous. Cassy was one such soldier.

Oscar is a nice friendly ostrich. He is a flightless bird and the largest on earth. This book discusses his life in the wilds of Africa. After hatching, he grew up with his siblings and was privy to numerous animals, birds and other wildlife in the semi-desert, scrub area bordering the Kalahari Desert. His associations with other animals were discussed at length. Ostriches are an important and essential part of an ecological niche as are all animals and plants. Many of them are threatened with extinction and a supreme effort needs to be undertaken to prevent their demise. This book provides a useful read to the teenager interested in animal ecology and welfare.

Present was born in 1975 in a picturesque part of Rhodesia on a farm in the Eastern Border Districts. His rear right leg was injured and his life was saved by a vet who wanted to give Present as a gift to his son for Christmas. This hand-illustrated story, suitable for the teenager reader, describes Present's life in Chipinga and later in Harare, Zimbabwe. It provides a comprehensive account of his behaviour, play, interaction, truants and ends with his illness and death. Glimpses of the incredibly rich flora and fauna of Zimbabwe are described. The book emphasises the need to take care of dogs and to prevent their abuse and mistreatment. If a dog is taken care of it will rewards its owner with true companionship, dedication and loyalty for life. Dogs are extremely adaptable and despite Present's weaker leg, he did not let it interfere with his daily activities and he could run like the wind. Present was a courageous soldier. May he rest in peace!

"This unique autobiography describes the life of a white Zimbabwean growing up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and subsequently after the attainment of independence on 18th April 1980, in Zimbabwe, and, thereafter, his move and settling in the UK. It provides a comfortable, quick read and is not meant to be an exhaustive family, historical or political account. Instead, it was born from a desire to reveal and elucidate the perspectives and truth of poignant issues in the country's transition from a British colony to an independent, one-party state. This book also grants the reader an insight into the build-up of political and economic anarchy that has plunged Zimbabwe into a financial abyss and transformed the ""bread-basket"" of Africa, a once flourishing country, into a land ravaged by hunger, disease and poverty. Captivating and highly recommended "