Life ​Stories

David Attenborough - Life ​in the Undergrowth
David ​Attenborough reveals a secret universe it is teeming with life and is all around us, yet we never see it. It is the world of the very small, and it is a world of sex, drugs and violence. Here David shows us not just bugs, beetles and creepy-crawlies, but scorpions and centipedes, mites and mantids, spiders and dragonflies. And not just life in the undergrowth, but the dramatic battles between predator and prey that are happening in the corner of your living room and in your larder. See magnificent spectacles: swarming antler moths; millions of desert locusts; a mountain of locusts. For every pound of humans on Earth, there are 300 pounds of insects.

Joy Adamson - Queen ​of Shaba
Story ​of Penny the Leopard. Queen of Shaba records Joy's life with Penny, a female leopard whom she raised at her home at Lake Naivasha, with the intent to release her to the wild in Shaba (in Kenya, East Africa) when Penny reached maturity. Splendid photographs, document the beauty and gracefulness of the leopard and admirably complement the text.

David Attenborough - The ​Trials of Life
A ​book about how animals use their bodies and how they behave and why. Each chapter looks at a separate stage in the life of animals and how they all have to solve a particular set of problems if they are to survive and eventually pass on their genes to the next generation. The crab with stinging boxing gloves, the mother bat finding her baby among 10 million others, the cleaner-fish whose customers queue up in the sea, the lion who kills the cubs of a rival, the navigating ant and the viper that is a caterpillar - all behave as they do for the same

David Attenborough - Errol Fuller - Drawn ​from Paradise
Birds ​of paradise are so breathtakingly beautiful that when their plumes first reached Europe at the beginning of the sixteenth century even the most learned naturalists believed they lived high in the sky, feeding on dew, in paradise. In the following centuries, more species arrived, each more extravagantly and strangely plumed than the last. This book surveys the paintings made by some of the greatest natural history artists as they struggled to picture the reality of birds they had never seen alive and tells the story of how the several dozen species in this amazing family were eventually discovered in the forests of remote New Guinea.

David Attenborough - The ​Life of Birds
Based ​on the spectacular ten-part program on PBS, The Life of Birds is David Attenborough at his characteristic best: presenting the drama, beauty, and eccentricities of the natural world with unusual flair and intelligence. The renowned writer and filmmaker treks through rain forests and deserts, through city streets and isolated wilderness, to bring us an illuminating panorama of every aspect of birds' lives--from their songs to their search for food, from their eggs and nests to their mastery of the air. Beautifully illustrated with more than a hundred color photographs, the book will delight and inform both bird lovers and any general reader with an interest in nature. Attenborough begins at the beginning: reviewing ideas about how and when creatures first took to the air--and why ostriches, kiwis, and other flightless birds later returned to the ground. He introduces us to the marvels of flight. We encounter the albatross, which can soar for hours without flapping its wings; hummingbirds that beat their wings two hundred times a minute; and the swift, which eats, sleeps, and mates in mid-air. We read about birds' extraordinary methods of hunting and gathering--about crows that use twigs and leaves to hook and harpoon insects, and eagles that can stamp venomous snakes to death. Attenborough explains why and how birds sing and why many have such dazzling plumage. He reviews courtship and mating strategies, including the extravagant dances of cranes and the bizarre and ornate pavilions that male bowerbirds build to attract females. We learn how birds defend their young against predators. Attenborough explains how birds have colonized the globe more effectively than any other vertebrates, adapting to Antarctic winters and African summers, to vast oceans and the densest, most polluted cities. He also outlines the threat that humans pose to many species, showing how we have already driven many to extinction. The book presents birds in all their complexity and glory, revealing in clear and elegant prose Attenborough's infectious sense of wonder about the rich variety of life on Earth.

David Attenborough - Life ​in Cold Blood
Reptiles ​and amphibians ruled the world for nearly 200 million years and today there are still over 12,500 of them. Some are huge, the deadliest creatures on earth. Some are tiny, among the strangest to be found anywhere. Together they not only outnumber mammals or birds but in their colourful variety and extraordinary behaviour, they far surpass them. So where did these ancient creatures come from? How have they transformed themselves into the bizarre and beautiful forms that are alive today? And what's the secret of their epic success? In Life in Cold Blood, David traces the story of their evolution and overturns the myth that these creatures are just primitive killers to reveal them for what they truly are.

Steven M. Goodman - Jonathan P. Benstead - The ​Natural History of Madagascar
Separated ​from the mainland of Africa fro 160 million years, Madagascar offers an incredible wealth of biodiversity, with thousands of species that can be found nowhere else on earth. The Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation's priceless biological treasures. Contributions by nearly three hundred experts from around the world cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, its geology, climate, forest and human ecology, as well as marine and coastal ecosystems. Detailed discussions of conservation efforts also highlight several successful reserve programs that could serve as models for other areas. With over one hundred color illustrations and fifty color photos by nature photographer Harald Schütz, The Natural History of Madagascar is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in the Malagasy environment.

Thomas O. McCracken - Robert A. Kainer - David Carlson - Color ​Atlas of Small Animal Anatomy
This ​new resource provides a basic foundation in small animal anatomy for students of veterinary medicine, animal science, and veterinary technology. Extraordinary accuracy and beautiful original artwork make this a truly unique learning tool that includes the anatomy of all organ systems in the dog, cat, rabbit, rat, and guinea pig - all described in a consistent manner. Learning features include: carefully selected labeling helps students learn and remember structures and relationships; male and female of species are depicted on facing pages so topographic anatomy can be compared; structures common to various animals are labeled several times, whereas unique structures are labeled on one or two species so students can make rapid distinctions of the structures peculiar to certain animals; and an introduction that provides readers with a background in nomenclature and anatomic orientation so they can benefit from the atlas even if they lack training in anatomy. The Atlas depicts topographic relationships of major organs in a simple, yet technically accurate presentation that's free from extraneous material so that those using the atlas can concentrate on the essential aspects of anatomy. It will be an invaluable resource for veterinary students, teachers and practitioners alike.

Gerald Durrell - Lee Durrell - Az ​amatőr természetbúvár
Gerald ​és Lee Durrell Az amatőr természetbúvár című könyve bizonyára elnyeri minden természetbarát tetszését: a bogarakat gyufásskatulyába gyűjtő kisdiákét éppúgy, mint a szenvedélyes madármegfigyelőét, a ki-kiránduló családét éppúgy, mint a komolyabb tanulmányokra készülő természetbúvárokét. Gerald Durrell azt szeretné, ha egy kicsit mindannyian természetbúvárok lennénk, és megtanulnánk megőrizni a ma még oly gazdag élővilágot az utánunk jövő nemzedékek számára. Könyvének fő mondanivalóját éppen ezért a gyakorlati tudnivalók alkotják: mi a teendő a terepen és otthon. A szerző végigvezeti az olvasót a Föld legkülönbözőbb tájainak természetes élőhelyein, és megmutatja, mit kell keresnünk, hol kell keresnünk, mire következtethetünk a látottakból és mit érdemes hazavinni további tanulmányozás vagy preparálás céljából. Az amatőr természetbúvár hatalmas ismeretanyagával, gyönyörű képeivel és a Gerald Durrelltől megszokott remek történetekkel a család minden tagjához szól. Kagylószedéshez és lábnyomok azonosításához, rovar- vagy növénygyűjtemény létesítéséhez és egy-egy fa életközösségének föltérképezéséhez, a vadak védelméhez és hogy egyszerűen csak észrevegyük kiránduláskor, amit érdemes - mindehhez útmutatást és ösztönzést ad ez a könyv.

Ismeretlen szerző - A ​természet ABC-je
A ​természettel kapcsolatban mindig is rengeteg kérdés merült fel. Miért forog a Föld? Hogyan készítik a méhek a mézet? Melyik a leggyorsabb állat? Becsaphat-e a villám kétszer egymás után ugyanarra a helyre? Ilyen és ezekhez hasonló összesen 1000 kérdésre ad választ a könyv, és ezzel segít a természettel kapcsolatos ismeretei bővítésében, illetve azok alkalmazásában. Ritkaságszámba menő fényképek, színes grafikák és táblázatok teszik egésszé ezt a nélkülözhetetlen kézikönyvet. Mindenre szakértőktől kap magyarázatot: erdészektől, geológusoktól, meteorológusoktól, botanikusoktól, zoológusoktól, ökológusoktól - s mindezt egyetlen kötetben!

Dougal Dixon - Dinosaurs
Explore ​Jurassic landscapes inhabited by fierce meat-eaters, sneaky scavengers and gentle giants, and meet the amazing creatures that walked the Earth millions of years ago. Bursting with colour and drama, lively artwork scenes draw children into favourite subjects and provide a wealth of information. Written in a clear , friendly style and full of fascinating fact, Explorers is a fresh and fun first reference series for inquisitive young readers. * Explorers Dinosaurs is the perfect start to a journey of exploration!

Douglas Adams - Mark Carwardine - Last ​Chance to See
"Very ​funny and moving...The glimpses of rare fauna seem to have enlarged [Adams'] thinking, enlivened his world; and so might the animals do for us all, if we were to help them live." THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD Join bestselling author Douglas Adams and zooligist Mark Carwardine as they take off around the world in search of exotic, endangered creatures. Hilarious and poignant--as only Douglas Adams can be--LAST CHANCE TO SEE is an entertaining and arresting odyssey through the Earth's magnificent wildlife galaxy.

Pénzes Bethen - A ​közeli tengerek élővilága
A ​neves ismeretterjesztő szerző legújabb könyvében a hazánkhoz legközelebb eső tengerekhez kalauzolja el az olvasót. A tengerek általános ismertetése után - igazi horgászcsemegeként - a tengeri horgászat fortélyaival ismerkedhetnek meg azok, akik a tengereken is próbára szeretnék tenni horgászszerencséjüket. Ezután a tengeri élőlények megfigyelésének, begyűjtésének, tartásának, preparálásának ismertetése következik. Azok is találnak a könyvben olvasnivalót, akiket az állatok csak a tányéron érdekelnek, mert a szerző egy egész fejezetet szentel a különböző tengeri ínyencfalatoknak. A mű utolsó nagy részében ismerteti a gyakrabban szem elé kerülő tengeri növények és állatok küllemét, előfordulási helyét, és felhívja a figyelmet a veszélyes állatokra. Mindegyik élőlényről szerepel egy-egy rajz is. A könyvben mindegyik élőlényről szerepel egy-egy rajz is, és 1 ívnyi színes fényképmelléklet ad hangulatos képet a tenger alatti élővilágról.

Nick Garbutt - Mammals ​of Madagascar
An ​adaptation and update on the highly acclaimed Mammals of Madagascar (Pica Press, 1999), this book quickly gained international recognition and has become a best seller. Featuring all 184 native mammal species from the island, including several newly described, the book features detailed authoritative text combined with a wealth of stunning colour photos, plus ink drawings and maps for all species. Both reference and practical field guide, there is also a comprehensive chapter detailing the best mammal–watching sites on Madagascar.

Jared Diamond - Guns, ​Germs and Steel
In ​this "artful, informative, and delightful" (William H. McNeill, New York Review of Books) book, Jared Diamond convincingly argues that geographical and environmental factors shaped the modern world. Societies that had had a head start in food production advanced beyond the hunter-gatherer stage, and then developed religion --as well as nasty germs and potent weapons of war --and adventured on sea and land to conquer and decimate preliterate cultures. A major advance in our understanding of human societies, Guns, Germs, and Steel chronicles the way that the modern world came to be and stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, the Rhone-Poulenc Prize, and the Commonwealth club of California's Gold Medal.

Joy Adamson - Shaba ​királynője
A ​Shaba királynője az írónő utolsó könyve. Életének, kísérletének, vadvédelmi munkájának végső, 1976-1979 közé eső szakaszát foglalja magában. Penny, az árva leopárdkölyök 3 hónapos korában kerül Joy Adamsonhoz, aki szeretettel neveli és tanítja, s közben fáradhatatlanul keresi azt az ideális helyet, ahol fokozatosan visszavezetheti a szabad életbe. ezt a párducparadicsomot Észak-Kenya Shaba Rezervátumában találta meg a szerző. A könyv nemcsak Penny, a fiatal nőstény leopárd életét, kalandjait mutatja be, hanem a mai Kelet-Afrika akácialigetekkel tarkított szavannáinak lakóival, életével is megismertet.

Farley Mowat - Never ​Cry Wolf
Never ​Cry Wolf is a charming and engrossing scientific study that explodes many centuries-old myths about wolves. Far from being treacherous and vicious creatures, the author reveals that the wolf family he studied could be a model for its human counterpart in its loyalty, responsibility, hospitality, child-rearing practices, and even sense of humor. With engaging wit, with warmth and compassion, Mr. Mowat describes the captivating summer he spent in the Arctic with these long misunderstood animals. This is a book that seems destined to take its place on the shelf of classic animal stories.

Manfred Niekisch - Hüllők ​és kétéltűek
Kígyók, ​békák, gőték, gyíkok, szalamandrák - mintha csak egy mesebeli boszorkánykonyhába tévedtünk volna. A Mi Micsoda sorozat legújabb kötete azzal a nagyon izgalmas kérdéssel foglalkozik, hogy milyen átalakuláson mentek keresztül a Föld legősibb állatai, mit őriztek meg több millió évvel ezelőtti őseik tulajdonságai közül, és milyen különleges, egyedi információkat hoztak létre. Vajon melyik az az élőlény, amely évmilliók óta változatlan? Melyik marad lárva egész életében és mi ennek az oka? Miért nem száradnak ki a békák? Kell-e félnie az embernek a kígyóktól? Vannak-e repülő kígyók? Ezekre és hasonló kérdésekre keresi a választ a nemzetközi tekintélyű tudós, akinek könyvét a sorozat hagyományaihoz híven színes és különleges képek gazdagítják.

David Attenborough - Journeys ​to the Other Side of the World
From ​Madagascar and New Guinea to the Pacific Islands and the Northern Territory of Australia, he and his cameraman companion were aiming to record not just the wildlife, but the way of life of some of the indigenous people of these regions, whose traditions had never been encountered by most of the British public before. From the land divers of Pentecost Island and the sing-sings of New Guinea, to a Royal Kava ceremony on Tonga and the ancient art of the Northern Territory, it is a journey like no other. Alongside these remarkable cultures he encounters paradise birds, chameleons, sifakas and many more animals in some of the most unique environments on the planet. Written with David Attenborough's characteristic charm, humour and warmth, Journeys to the Other Side of the World is an inimitable adventure among people, places and the wildest of wildlife.

Jane Goodall - In ​the Shadow of Man
This ​best-selling classic tells the story of one of the world's greatest scientific adventures. Jane Goodall was a young secretarial school graduate when the legendary Louis Leakey chose her to undertake a landmark study of chimpanzees in the wild. In the Shadow of Man is an absorbing account of her early years at Gombe Stream Reserve, telling us of the remarkable discoveries she made as she got to know the chimps and they got to know her. This paperback edition, illustrated with 80 photographs, includes an introduction by Stephen Jay Gould and a postscript by Goodall. During Goodall's forty years of studying chimpanzees, she has become one of the world's most honored scientists. She tells of the later years in THROUGH A WINDOW, also available in Mariner paperback. AFRICA IN MY BLOOD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN LETTERS tells the story, through her letters, of childhood through the early years at Gombe.