*************************************************** Stuff : The Secret Lives of Everyday Things (New Report, No 4) by John C. Ryan, Alan Thein Durning Our Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (January 1997) 88 pages Reviews : Mother Jones, September/October 1997 "Documenting a day in the life of the average North American consumer, Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things deconstructs the American Dream by unraveling the hidden costs behind the objects around us. From our morning cup of Colombian coffee to our South Korean-made sneakers, the book traces the environmental impact of the consumer decisions most of us make without thinking. Authors John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning of Seattle's Northwest Environment Watch tell us greenhouse gases produced in making one burger are equivalent to those emitted in a six-mile drive to the burger joint. Only occasionally verging on preachiness, this readable 88-page book is definitely worth the paper it's printed on." Susan McGrath, The Household Environmentalist, Seattle Times,, 5/11/97 "...A lively and mind-boggling investigation of what goes into the 120 pounds of resources we each consume every day. You can read it and be horrified by the impact of our consumption or read it and marvel at the complexity of modern commerce, depending on your outlook." Asta Bowen, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/17/97 "Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things is a book I always wanted to write. It is a call to explore the possibility that 'less stuff can mean more happiness.'" Bill McKibben, author of Hope, Human and Wild "Wow! Great Stuff!" From the Back Cover : If you don't know your stuff, you don't know your world. Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things takes you to the places and people you touch every day-when you sip your coffee, tie your shoes, click your mouse, or step on the gas. Once you follow a day in the life of an average North American and see the secret lives of your food, your clothes, and your toys, your world will never look the same. About the Author : Alan Thein Durning is founder and executive director of Northwest Environment Watch and author of award-winning books such as This Place on Earth and How Much Is Enough? Formerly senior researcher at Worldwatch Institute, he lectures widely and drinks more coffee than he cares to admit. *************************************************** How Much Is Enough? : The Consumer Society and the Future of the Earth (The Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series) by Alan B. Durning Our Price: $7.96 You Save: $1.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (June 1992) 200 pages Reviews : Synopsis Consuming goods and services has become a central goal of life in industrial lands the world over. In this book, Alan Durning of the Worldwatch Institute explores the roots of the consumer society, exposes the toll that our appetites have taken on the earth's natural systems, and suggests that there are other paths to fulfillment. Customer Comments : A reader from Boston, MA , September 10, 1998 Good but something was missing. I read the book. I agreed with all the points. I was properly impressed with his statistics and anecdotes. But overall I felt something was missing, although I can't put my finger on it. After reading this book, rather than feeling charged up to go and do something about it I felt rather ho-hum instead. I don't think the book is polemical enough. It doesn't offer clear cut guides on what needs to change. The threat is always vague, "We can't keep this up or someday we'll run out." His discussion of the necessity of growth left me unconvinced, even though I desperately wanted to be convinced. The book is an interesting read, but it was just lacking something that kept it from being amazing. sue@kepler.lsmsa.edu from louisiana , July 5, 1998 Brilliant and informative evaluation of the consumer society Has it ever occurred to you that Americans go to shopping malls more often than they attend church or synagogue? Did you know that, directly or indirectly, we consume our own weight in basic resources EVERY DAY? Half a billion people--those who belong to the consumer society--use up almost all of the world's resources and create most of the pollution. This is one of those books that leaves a lasting impression upon the way you perceive the society you live in. This book is not only a smooth read, but is PACKED with carefully researched information in a most wonderful way. Durning backs up all his statements with solid facts. What else would you expect from a senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute? And aside from the conscientious fact-checking, Durning has another Worldwatch habit: he not only presents complex problems in understandable ways, but also presents multi-pronged, workable solutions. Overall, a concise book chock full of careful thinking. *************************************************** This Place on Earth : Home and the Practice of Permanence by Alan Thein Durning Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (September 1997) 336 pages Reviews : Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book. Alan Durning spent several years traveling the world as an environmental policy analyst. When a Filipino tribeswoman asked him to describe his home, he found that he could not, answering weakly, "In America, we have careers, not places." Determined to change all that, he brought his family to his native Northwest to make a home--by which Durning means learning the geology and ecology of a place, as well as its human present and past. Durning looks into matters such as recycling, urban planning, and community building, and he proposes ways in which we can all tread a little more lightly on the earth, especially by sharing goods and knowledge with our neighbors. This is a lively, hopeful addition to the literature of place. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Booklist , October 1, 1996: Weary of traveling the globe while working for an environmental organization, Durning decided it was time to put down some roots. He and his family moved to Seattle, in search of a community as much as a home. Interspersed with the story of Durning and his family is an environmental history of the Pacific Northwest, and it is not a cheery tale. From the near extinction of certain wildlife species in the early 19th century to the explosion of the beef industry in the late 20th century, people exploited the land for wealth. In the present day, though, Durning finds many people who are working to strike a balance between economic activities and conserving the planet. Business-wise, the book calls for us to embrace an idea that Japanese industry adopted a few years ago: any form of waste equals money being lost. A significant book that deserves a wide readership. From Kirkus Reviews , August 15, 1996: A thoughtful portrait of the Pacific Northwest from a recent returnee there. With family roots in Seattle, Durning spent several years working in Washington, D.C., for environmental-policy groups. While he was visiting the Philippines in connection with his work, however, a tribeswoman asked him to describe his home. He could not, he relates, answering weakly, ``In America, we have careers, not places.'' Seeing the pity in her eyes, he decided to bring his wife and young children back to the Northwest and make a true home there. To gauge by this modestly written but rich book, he has done well. By making a home, Durning means knowing the geology and ecology of a place--but also knowing the patterns of human history and change. Dense with information lightly presented, Durning's book turns to discussions of such matters as recycling, the history of suburbs, and the causes of urban sprawl. He notes that the assumption that mobility, not accessibility to goods and services, underlies Americans' desire to own private cars ``is lethal to cities,'' and that each of us lives at some cost to the planet (``at one cup a day, I go through the harvest of a coffee tree every six weeks''). Durning proposes ways in which we can trim that cost by reducing materialist expectations, by recycling, and by sharing things and talents with our neighbors, making community as a result. (His account of erecting a recycled basketball hoop for the neighborhood children is a charming case in point.) Along the way he looks at large-scale efforts to make the Northwest more livable, among them the Boeing Corporation's installation of energy-efficient lighting at an annual savings of $375,000 and downtown Portland's closing several thoroughfares to create pedestrian malls. ``The politics of place is a politics of hope,'' Durning observes. This is a hopeful, and welcome, addition to the literature of place, and there is much to learn in its pages. Book Description : Simplify, downshift, sustainability. What does it all mean? Alan Durning returns to his home ground to consciously carve out a new life away from the mainstream of politics and power. This Place on Earth is both a personal journey and a working blueprint for anyone interested in a better life. Customer Comments : platerb@ksg.harvar.edu from Cambridge, MA , November 22, 1998 Well written but could have been so much more. Durning pulled his punches on several topics in this book, depriving readers of his valuable insight on some of the most controversial topics in the environmental movement today. The two most glaring examples of this are his cursory discussions of immigration and abortion. He doesn't discuss whether we should address the environmental impacts of immigration, or even write about whether these impacts actually exist. And although Durning goes into great detail about his wife's precarious health during her second pregnancy and his own fears about overconsumption in the US, Durning doesn't dive into why he and his wife decided to carry to term their third pregnancy instead of aborting. Durning has written extensively and eloquently on the problems of overconsumption in the US, it would have been very enlightening to see how Durning reconciled their decision to have a third child with his environmental convictions. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title tomgray@igc.org from Vermont , September 7, 1998 Penetrating look at the problem of sustainability. This is an excellent book, covering the topic of sustainability and mingling personal experiences and episodes with illustrative examples from the Pacific Northwest. Durning offers up-to-the-minute ideas on the policies that are needed to achieve a truly sustainable society, and provides specific case studies where the exist to back up his recommendations. But this book is more than policy blather--Durning chronicles his own decision to return to the region of his childhood and shares his personal thoughts and reactions as that decision is played out. Fine writing and a message that our throwaway, consumer society badly needs to hear. A reader, January 21, 1997 One of the most important books of 1996 Durning has written a fascinating book that examines the potential of the Pacific Northwest bioregion and the people that live there. This book demonstrates that the personal is political, and shows readers how his/her own impact on the planet can be lessened. It is, by far, one of the most important books written in 1996, and one of the most important books that you can read in the year ahead! - *************************************************** Beyond Growth : The Economics of Sustainable Development by Herman E. Daly Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1997) 264 pages 1st Fl, Shelves Alexander library 333.7 DAL BENTLEY 333.7 DAL Kalgoorlie-Boulder 333.7 DAL ARMADALE 333.7 DAL Public Library Stock 333.7 DAL Reviews : Herman Daly is probably the most prominent advocate of the need for a change in economic thinking in response to environmental crisis. an iconoclast economist who has worked as a renegade insider at the World Bank in recent years, Daly has argued for overturning some basic economic assumptions. He has a wide and growing reputation among environmentalists, both inside and outside the academy. Daly argues that if sustainable development means anything at this historical moment, it demands that we conceive of the economy as part of the ecosystem and, as a result, give up on the ideal of economic growth. We need a global understanding of developing welfare that does not entail expansion. These simple ideas turn out to be fundamentally radical concepts, and basic ideas about economic theory, poverty, trade, and population have to be discarded or rethought, as Daly shows in careful, accessible detail. These are questions with enormous practical consequences. Daly argues that there is a real fight to control the meaning of "sustainable development," and that conventional economists and development thinkers are trying to water down its meaning to further their own ends. Beyond Growth is an argument that will turn the debate around. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Booknews, Inc. , December 1, 1996 If you're beginning to feel that the phrase "sustainable development" might be going down the semantic doublespeak path where being fired from your job is now dubbed "occupationally challenged," then Daly is the economist for you. The innovative scholar and World Bank rabble rouser argues that the catchword of environmentalists and international financiers is being used by both to further their own ends. Sustainable development, as conceived by Daly, becomes a radical proposition of economy as part of the ecosystem, requiring that we give up an ideal of economic growth and reevaluate basic ideas about economic theory, poverty, trade, and population. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : Tom Birdwell (bim@fred.net) from Washington, DC , June 19, 1998 Fuses Christian ethics w/environmental economics effectively Herman Daly fills a spiritual void in the field of economics. He explains how current capitalist economic theories dependent on unlimited growth are not only destructive to the environmental resource base upon which the economy depends, but also morally indifferent to unwanted side effects such as the unequal distribution of wealth. The strength of Daly's work is such that it may help bring two important advocacy groups that are not normally associated we each other--environmentalists and Christians--together into a powerful constituency. *************************************************** For the Common Good : Redirecting the Economy Toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future by Herman E. Daly, John B. Cobb (Contributor) Our Price: $16.00 You Save: $4.00 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (April 1994) 534 pages 1st Fl, Shelves, Alexander library 330.1 DAL Reviews : Booknews, Inc. , April 1, 1990 Daly (economist, the World Bank) and Cobb (philosophy, Claremont Graduate School) expose the outmoded abstractions of mainstream economic theory. They conclude, in particular, that economic growth--the prevailing yardstick for measuring economic success--is no longer an appropriate goal as energy consumption, overpopulation, and pollution increase. Instead, they propose a new measure for the economy--the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. - Customer Comments : A reader from Iowa, USA , September 7, 1998 Interesting though a bit biased in analysis The text is not bad in any way; meaning that the conclusions are reachable based on the assumptions made to get there. Although definitely biased against "free-market" (which is clearly not "free" nor a "market" in the examples chosen), it is not as prescriptive as I had expected. Perhaps four stars is a bit generous, but the book was better than I expected and better than most of this genre. If someone is interested in getting a left-end-of-center view on the issues of sustainability, it does have some good commentary. dgeson@plinet.com from Denver, CO , January 27, 1998 United Nations proponent, environmentalist and socialist. A very leftist view point that encourages to not let the common individual make his own decisions in a free market place, unless of course those decisions are in line with the philosophy of the United Nations, otherwise they are over ruled by the self-appointed "I am right" elitists. *************************************************** Our Ecological Footprint : Reducing Human Impact on the Earth by Williams E. Rees, Phil Testemale (Illustrator), William Rees, Mathis Wackernagel (Contributor) Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (November 1995) (avail in Perth library system -- call # 333.7 WAC) Reviews : Synopsis Equipped with useful charts and thought-provoking illustrations, this book introduces a revolutionary new way to determine humanity's impact on the Earth and presents an exciting and powerful tool for measuring and visualizing the resources required to sustain households, communities, regions, and nations. Customer Comments : LanceOlsen@aol.com from Montana, USA , June 13, 1998 Science News gave good review of "ecological footprint" I came upon this book in Science News, a weekly that covers breaking science news across the world. SN reviewers, hard to impress after seeing so much science every week, gave the concept of "ecological footprint" a good discussion. hakoon@tm.net.my from Masai, Johor, Malaysia. , September 7, 1997 Thought provoking, jolts one from the rat race... I stumbled upon this book in the journal D&G, at a time I was thinking hard about the direction of the civilization. So I ordered one. It was an unassuming book, neatly printed and illustrated with black and white caricatures. At first I thought it was a mistake to order such a book. But as I read on, the insights of the authors emerged, so profound, yet so simply explained. Really, after swallowing all the contents for five consecutive nights, one will ask, "How come I did not think of this??". The concept is vivid : it tried to explain what the ecological footprint means : how much of land is required to support yourself. And it turned out that there is already not enough for the world. Further proliferation of current lifestyles is suicidal. The authors devoted a whole long chapter on proposals of alternative lifestyles. These are nowhere hardcore technical, rest assured. They are blindingly simple, and yet hard to swallow. Just ask any Tom, Dick and Harry whether he or she wants such a life, you will get an awkward stare : are you in your right mind? The authors may be right, but when we have gone so far astray, we have forgotten the road from which we come. This book cannot score 10 points, though. The examples on how an economy can develop without growth are not solid enough. While the writers are not economists, to force the reader to think twice about current lifestyles, they must fork out a marvelous thesis, which has yet to be clearly stated. This is a good book at the introductory level. Although it sometimes touch on the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the reader is not expected to have an a priori understanding. Its explanation is vivid and simple. While it may insult Professors and those high brow academics, it is a book easy to follow. Worth a try. *************************************************** Nature's Services : Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems by Gretchen C. Daily (Editor), Joshua S. Reichert Our Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (February 1997) 416 pages Reviews: Nature's Services brings together world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines to examine the character and value of ecosystem services, the damage that has been done to them, and the consequent implications for human society. Contributors present a detailed synthesis of our current understanding of a suite of ecosystem services and a preliminary assessment of their economic value. Nature's Services represents one of the first efforts by scientists to provide an overview of the many benefits and services that nature offers to people and the extent to which we are all vitally dependent on those services. The book enhances our understanding of the value of the natural systems that surround us and can play an essential role in encouraging greater efforts to protect the earth's basic life-support systems before it is too late. *************************************************** The Work of Nature : How the Diversity of Life Sustains Us by Yvonne Baskin, Abigail Rorer (Illustrator), Paul R. Ehrlich Our Price: $27.50 Usually ships in 2-3 days Hardcover - (April 1997) 288 pages Reviews : From Booklist , April 15, 1997 Baskin, a science journalist with a pleasingly lucid style, reports on the findings of an innovative ecological survey conducted in the hopes of answering the question, "What are the possible consequences of the accelerating losses in biodiversity?" Biodiversity is more than the earth's "lavish array of organisms," to use Baskin's lovely phrase; it embraces the myriad interactions among those species (at least 100 million, according to some estimates) that make the planet "hospitable for humanity." As scientists become increasingly attuned to the complexity of the interconnectedness of plants and animals, from the tiniest of microflora that keep our soil fertile, to the largest of mammals, they are beginning to recognize the functional role of each species in the ceaseless work of keeping our air and water clean. People do, indeed, need each and every life-form on the planet; the eradication of other species through the destruction of natural habitats will lead inexorably to the demise of their own. Donna Seaman Copyright 1997, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis The lavish array of organisms known as "biodiversity" is an intricately linked web that makes the Earth a uniquely habitable plane. In this book, a noted science writer examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity and explains key findings from the ecological sciences. It is the first book of its kind to clearly explains the practical consequences of declining biodiversity of ecosystem health and function and, consequently, on human society. In The Work of Nature, noted science writer Yvonne Baskin examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity. She summarizes and explains key findings from the ecological sciences, highlighting examples from around the world where shifts in species have affected the provision of clean air, pure water, fertile soils, lush landscapes, and stable natural communities. Distilling and bringing to life the work of the world's leading ecologists, The Work of Nature is the first book of its kind to clearly explain the practical consequences of declining biodiversity on ecosystem health and functioning. *************************************************** Earth Community, Earth Ethics by Larry L. Rasmussen Our Price: $21.00 You Save: $9.00 (30%) Usually ships in 1-2 weeks Hardcover - (October 1996) 366 pages Reviews: Midwest Book Review Earth Community, Earth Ethics scans our global situation and brings into relief the extraordinary range of dangers threatening all life on our planet. Earth Community, Earth Ethics goes on to explore the worlds of religion, ethics, and human symbolism to glean from them the resources for a necessary "conversion to earth". Earth Community, Earth Ethics concludes by sketching a constructive ethic that can guide us out of our present situation. Earth Community, Earth Ethics builds on the foundations of international discussions of sustainable development and dhows how the environmental predicaments underscores a variety of crisis afflicting modern industrial society in economics, politics, gender discrimination, and reproductive relations. Earth Community, Earth Ethics is a vitally important contribution for all personal, academic, governmental, corporate, and organizational ecological studies reference book collections. The author, Larry L. Rasmussen : lrasmusn@uts.columbia.edu , May 13, 1997 Book award for Earth Community, Earth Ethics Earth Community, Earth Ethics has been selected for the Grawemeyer Award in Religion, 1997. This $150,000 prize for best book in religion joins the Grawemeyer Awards in music, education, and world order. *************************************************** The Forgotten Pollinators by Stephen L. Buchmann, Gary Paul Nabhan (Contributor) Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1997) 320 pages Reviews : Amazon.com In The Forgotten Pollinators, two researchers delve into the little-known and fascinating world of pollination. The authors, an entomologist and an ethnobotanist and nature writer, illustrate in clear yet proficient language the importance of this interaction between insect and plant, which provides the world with one-third of its food source. Using colorful examples--including a moth that rappels down cliffs to pollinate a plant in Hawaii--they also explain how modern developments are threatening this essential process. Published through the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the book is aimed at raising awareness about the potential loss of pollinators and their plants, while showing the larger picture of a fragile ecosystem through the eyes of some of its more unnoticed inhabitants. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title The New York Times Book Review, Carol Kaesuk Yoon A pleasing concoction of natural and cultural history illustrating how pollination works and how easily it can be disrupted. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Booklist , July 19, 1996 : Nearly everyone is familiar with Rachel Carson's alarming prediction of a "silent spring," but few remember that she also predicted a "fruitless fall." This dire phenomenon is inevitable: if the bees, bats, butterflies, birds, and beetles that pollinate plants go extinct, the plant species they fertilize will die, too. What we're really seeing in the loss of biodiversity is the "extinction of ecological relationships" between plants and animals. Nature is, after all, interaction and mutuality. Buchmann, a research entomologist, and Nabhan, author of eight books, including The Geography of Childhood (1994), and director of science at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, offer their own form of mutualism in this eye-opening and, thanks to illustrations by Paul Mirocha, eye-pleasing book. Buchmann and Nabhan take turns relating their fascinating observations of the habits of various pollinators in such diverse locales as Utah's Virgin River watershed and the Galapagos Islands in an effort to convey a sense of what exactly is at risk: nothing less than our sources of nutrition--ultimately, our very lives. Donna Seaman Copyright 1996, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Kirkus Reviews , May 1, 1996 :Pollinators are the Rodney Dangerfields of the animal world: They just don't get no respect. So claim entomologist Buchmann (Hayden Bee Research Center) and Nabhan (Director of science/Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) in this at once delightful and disturbing tour d'horizon of those for whom the flowers bloom. ``One in every three mouthfuls of food we eat, and of beverages we drink'' is served up to us by pollinators, notes E.O. Wilson in his introduction. Butterflies are out there working for us, as are the hummingbirds and fig wasps, pygmy gliders and panurgine bees, carrying pollen to stigma, allowing seeds to set. Pollination is one of nature's vital processes, fine-tuned and mesmeric in its endless cycles, feedback loops, checks and balances. But as in so many other instances, humans are busy as the bees disrupting the process, bombing pollinators with pesticides, fragmenting their habitat, cutting off the nectar corridors, such that the ``current rate of species loss constitutes a biodiversity crisis of unprecedented proportions.'' Buchmann provides the hard science of the pollinators' world: flower stalk architecture and nectar chemistry and flowering sequences; Nabhan contributes a felicitous dose of pleasing prose, framed as anecdotal remembrances: He's never happier than when poking about in a sere landscape, following the monarch butterflies on their winter migration, taking stock of the floral pantries. While this book can only be considered a preliminary investigation, trends indicate that pollinators may be getting ever more limited in supply as their world shrinks around them. Buchmann and Nabhan make the case for increased wildlands, intact forests, an ecological approach that prevents pollinator habitat from becoming islands, thus coffins, in a developed landscape. A cautionary tale: Kill the pollinators and you might as well kill yourself. Another of nature's elegant loops. (b&w illustrations) (Author tour) -- Copyright 1996, Kirkus Associates, Synopsis : ". . . a pleasing concoction of natural and cultural history illustrating how pollination works and how easily it can be disrupted. . . . More than the species and the land that holds them, the book suggests, the living world to be cherished includes everything that these creatures, plants, and places do--the much more vital and intangible biodiversity of interactions and relationships."--The New York Times Book Review. Synopsis : Without interaction between animals and flowering plants, the seeds and fruits that make up nearly 80% of the human diet would not exist. Here, the authors explore the vital but little-appreciated relationship between plants and the animals they depend on for reproduction--bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, and countless other animals. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title In The Forgotten Pollinators, Stephen L. Buchmann, one of the world's leading authorities on bees and pollination, and Gary Paul Nabhan, award-winning writer and renowned crop ecologist, explore the vital but little-appreciated relationship between plants and the animals they depend on for reproduction - bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, bats, and countless other animals, some widely recognized and others almost unknown. Scenes from around the globe - examining island flora and fauna on the Galapagos, counting bees in the Panamanian rain forest, witnessing an ancient honey-hunting ritual in Malaysia - bring to life the hidden relationships between plants animals and demonstrates the ways in which human society affects and is affected by those relationships. Buchmann and Nabhan combine vignettes from the field with expository discussions of ecology, botany, and crop science to present a lively and fascinating account of the ecological and cultural context of plant-pollinator relationships. More than any other natural process, plant-pollinator relationships offer vivid examples of the connections between endangered species and threatened habitats. The authors explain how human-induced changes in pollinator populations - caused by overuse of chemical pesticides, unbridled development, and conversion of natural areas into monocultural cropland - can have a ripple effect on disparate species, ultimately leading to a "cascade of linked extinctions." --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Booknews, Inc. , December 1, 1996 : By invoking Rachel Carson in the volume's first chapter, entitled, "Silent Springs and Fruitless Falls," Buchmann and Nabhan let readers know right away that they are pleading another endangered species case. The wonder of their writing is that they make bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, bats and other pollinators come vividly alive even as they emphasize that the destruction of their habitat will destroy them too. Readers are treated to some rare anecdotal descriptions from around the globe and careful scientific research into the delicate balance between fauna, flora, and the birds and bees. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title The publisher, Island Press/Shearwater Books , July 15, 1996 :Alert to story in current issue of Time Magazine The July 15th issue of Time Magazine, on newstands now, carries a terrific story on pollinators and the role they play in the production of most of our food on page 60. Additional reviews are forthcoming in the book review sections of many major metropolitan papers. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader, December 23, 1996 The world is complex and wonderful, especially reproduction. Ever wonder where most plants come from? They come from seeds. Ever wonder where seeds come from? They come from sex. Ever wonder what plant sex is about (or why this is an issue)? It comes from beetles, bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats and winged pseudogenitalia in general, whether great or small. Pollination is the key to life on the terrestrial earth. Pollination of plants is also the key to life in much of the aquatic part of our planet, which is about the only omission for which the authors might be faulted. It is a mind-expanding exercise, to be sure, to ask ourselves what would happen if pollinator "X" suddenly disappeared from the scene. Buchmann and Nabhan have taken great care both to inform us that all would not be lost, because pollinator "Y" or "Z" is frequently waiting in the wings. But in many, many cases, pollinator "X" has never been studied and cannot even be named, let alone conserved. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Going Native : Biodiversity in Our Own Backyards (Handbook, No 140) by Janet Marinelli (Editor) Our Price: $9.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 112 pages (August 1995) Brooklyn Botanic Garden; ISBN: 0945352859 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.31 x 9.02 x 5.96 *************************************************** Invasive Plants : Weeds of the Global Garden (21st Century Gardening Series, Handbook No. 149) by John M. Randall (Editor), Janet Marinelli (Editor) List Price: $9.95 Our Price: $7.96 You Save: $1.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 112 pages (January 1997) Brooklyn Botanic Garden; ISBN: 0945352956 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.28 x 9.03 x 6.04 Customer Comments : A reader , July 11, 1997 Concerned about weeds in the natural environment? stop here I work for the Department of Conservation in New Zealand. This book is refreshingly simple. Excellent pictures of around 50 species of invasive plants. The text explains weed environmental impacts, origins and distribution within the USA, and how to control the problem. It is designed to be understood by all, layman and professional alike. It probably has wider application than the authors intended, although the title hints at their broad understanding of environmental weeds as an international problem. They knew we are needing simple on the ground solutions for identification and control of these species that threaten natural ecosystems everywhere. It is applicable in New Zealand with many of the species being recognised as a problem here and in Australia. The other plants in this book may well become a problem here in future and I will be looking out for them here as I go about my business. The section on control methods was balanced covering both mechanical and chemical methods. As we say down under "Good on you" to the authors. *************************************************** All About Weeds by Edwin Rollin, Spencer, Emma Bergdolt (Illustrator) List Price: $8.95 Our Price: $7.16 You Save: $1.79 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 333 pages (August 1974) Dover Pubns; ISBN: 0486230511 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.69 x 8.42 x 5.43 Reviews : Synopsis To the gardener and farmer, weeds have to be hoed out and plowed under, but weeds are also a fascinating group of plants. This veritable Who's Who among weeds (good and bad) describes and illustrates 102 of the most common found throughout the United States--the most likely you are to come upon in nature jaunts and come to terms with in your garden and landscape. *************************************************** The Wild Lawn Handbook : Alternatives to the Traditional Front Lawn by Stevie Daniels Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1997) 256 pages Reviews : From Booklist , January 15, 1995 Native grasses, wildflowers, ground covers, and moss are Daniels' answer to "monotonous single-species turfgrass lawns." Her book is a primer for gardeners who want to reduce or stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, conserve water, or turn their yards into a collection of plants that attracts birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. There are detailed instructions on choosing a wild lawn and on installing and maintaining the lawn, and even a chapter on landscaping ordinances. Daniels divides the wild lawns into chapters on prairies and native grasses, meadows, moss lawns, woodlands, ground covers, and front-yard gardens. The result is little need for polluting fertilizers and demanding watering regimens--and you won't have to mow ever again. This comprehensive book includes 16 color photographs. George Cohen Copyright 1995, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Book Description : Now available for the first time in paperback, The Wild Lawn Handbook is the definitive guide to transforming the traditional grass lawn into a beautiful alternative lawn using native grasses, ferns, mosses, wildflowers, low-growing shrubs, and perennials. In the last few years, there has been a media outcry to raise the publics awareness of the toxicity and water-wasting nature of the American lawn, making wild lawns one of today’s hottest gardening topics. This is the first comprehensive book to show you the way step-by-step. If you are unsure of the consequences...you’ll be convinced when you see the beautiful alternatives in a portfolio of color photography in the center of the book and the fat lists of sources and support material in the back. The New York Times Stevie Daniels, the former editor of Organic Gardening magazine, has written articles on natural gardening and environmental Synopsis : The definitive guide to transforming the traditional grass lawn into a beautiful alternative lawn using native grasses, ferns, mosses, wildflowers, low-growing shrubs, and perennials is now available in paperback. color insert. Customer Comments : A reader, June 19, 1997 An indispensable guide for progressive gardeners. There are quite a few books out now about why we shouldn't stick with the traditional grass lawn, but this is the best one I've seen to explain the practical alternatives, with inspiring photos and helpful appendices. Ms. Daniels is really concerned with the aesthetics as well as the politics of environmentally friendly yards. I recommend it to all my friends who are thinking about getting rid of some or all of the grass. A "9" just because I wish it had more pictures! --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Noah's Garden : Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards by Sara Bonnett Stein Our Price: $9.60 You Save: $2.40 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1995) Reviews : Amazon.com : What kind of grass is planted behind your house? What insects burrow in your soil, and what birds eat them? What's happening in that compost pile you're so proud of? This book may well change the view from your patio. A former old-style suburban gardener, Sara Stein writes convincingly of the ecological history of suburbia and the necessity of good stewardship of the land stolen from prairies and forests to make our back yards. Michael Pollan, author of Second Nature : A gentle but important manifesto. It joins the ecologist's vision to the gardener's art in the urgent work of translating the American lawn into something more beautiful and interesting and alive. The Washington Post : By offering readers a thousand and one fun things to know and do, Stein has made a contribution to environmental literature that is both useful and delightful. From Kirkus Reviews , March 1, 1993 : A personal perspective on the growing movement toward more natural and ecologically sound gardens in which snakes are as welcome as butterflies. In chapters that loosely follow the course of a year-- beginning in the fall and ending the following Thanksgiving--Stein (My Weeds, 1988, etc.) describes how she came to change radically the way she gardened. The author, who lives with her husband on six acres in Pound Ridge, New York, began to question conventional practices--large lawns surrounded by neat beds of flowers and occasional specimen plantings--when, a few years ago, she noticed the absence of many creatures she could recall from childhood. Creatures like orioles, bluebirds, box turtles, and Monarch butterflies, once common, were seen no more. Stein began reading books and consulting experts, and decided to try to reverse the trend by changing the way she maintained her land. To restore the delicate balance necessary for a native ecology to flourish, she planted not only shrubs and trees native to the region but ones that would encourage birds and beneficial insects to return. She deepened her pond so that fish and turtles could flourish in water purified by appropriate plant life; replaced most flower beds with plantings of native flowers and shrubs; restricted the lawns to a small patch; seeded the old lawns with native grasses; and began to restore woodland areas to their pristine state. Stein still plants favorite foreign species, but argues forcefully that the old methods of gardening not only require inordinate amounts of labor and chemicals to keep unsuitable plants alive but are dangerously inhospitable to indigenous inhabitants. A persuasive and informed plea to change the way we garden, thoughtfully defying old wisdom and suggesting, without ever being didactic, just what can be achieved even on the smallest suburban lot. -- Copyright 1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis : This book shows us how our landscape style of neat yards and gardens has devastated suburban ecology, wiping out entire communities of plants and animals. When Stein realized what her intensive efforts at making a garden had done, she set out to "ungarden." Her book interweaves an account of her efforts with an explanation of the ecology of gardens. Illustrations. Synopsis Arguing for a radical new approach to gardening, the author discusses the ravages of suburban landscaping and proposes a plan for restoring native plant and animal life to the nation's communities. By the author of My Weeds. Tour. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis : America's landscape style of neat yards and gardens has devastated suburban ecology. After a decade of intensive gardening, Stein thought she had created her personal Eden and then realized she had banished animals from her paradise. This book tells of her efforts to build a garden that welcomes all creatures. Line drawings and maps. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Customer Comments : adunten@netcenter.net from Houston, Texas , November 20, 1998 Wonderful book... a real eye-opener! I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone who ever hopes to own and landscape a plot of land, and to everyone else, too. I read it, then re-read it two weeks later. Sara Stein opened my eyes and changed my perspective, and she can open yours, too. More of a philosophical work than a practical how-to guide... most of her practical advice is specific to New England, but the fundamental ideas are universal. billyland@worldnet.att.net from Flat Rock, North Carolina , August 30, 1998 wonderful book about bringing Nature back into your garden. I was in the middle of reading Mrs. Stein's book when I encountered wild turkeys in my front yard, and realized what a fragile world exists here in my subdivision. Our formal garden was constructed with some thought about attracting birds, but with too many exotic species unsuitable to the place. Her careful research and explanation of the complexities of habitats is utterly convincing and we will be making significant changes in our gardens. If you read this book, I think you will, too. It was a joy to read. Lee Story (story@zk3.dec.com) from Massachusetts , May 15, 1998 Best of type, without a doubt. Very likely the best "how to" book I've read, Sara Stein's masterpiece is unquestionably the best introduction to natural planting and landscaping. The prose is a delight too. I look forward to reading her recent sequel. A reader , April 3, 1997 Possibly the best book ever written on this subject. Being a writer of similar books on the same subject I've read many books of ecological gardening. When I was researching for my latest book which would be called in English "THE WILD GARDEN-a gardening guide for the lazy" I drew extensively and benefited greatly from Ms. Steins book. Of all the books I've ever read on the subject this one is absolutely the tops. Ms. Stein has a way of making the reader aware of the disastrous muck-up we've done to ecology, blissfully ignorant of our actions. At the same time she refrains from preaching and her prose is fluid, easily understood and fun to read. It is my opinion, and I truly believe this, that Ms. Stein has done more for the conservation of nature than many national and international institutions. A shopper , February 24, 1997 The "Bible" for practical, native landscaping. It is rare that a book actually makes a change in your life but Noah's Garden did for me. Years ago my husband and I tried to explain to a landscape architect the natural effect we wanted. He did a pretty good job but suggested all sorts of exotic plants. If we had only had Sara Stein's book then! It is full of lower care native and natural planting tips and information. For those of you who find the sameness and sterility of suburban landscaping unattractive, Sara Stein has paradise waiting for you in this book. Do you wonder why you no longer have fireflies? Find out why and how to right this in Noah's Garden. A great, great book. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. *************************************************** Planting Noah's Garden : Further Adventures in Backyard Ecology by Sara Bonnett Stein Our Price: $24.50 You Save: $10.50 (30%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Hardcover - (May 1997) 448 pages Reviews : Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book : In Noah's Garden, published in 1994, gardener and writer Sara Stein addressed the business of making a messy backyard--of restoring a naturally chaotic and dynamic "floral-faunal-microbial system" in the place of neatly tended, carefully selected and weeded, and ultimately artificial gardens. Just as charmingly written as its predecessor, Planting Noah's Garden furthers Stein's campaign to make lawns animated, full of disorder, life, and wildness. Studded with ringing tributes to alumroot, trillium, goldenrod, bellworts, and mayflowers, this is a lovely gardener's manifesto. Packed with practical instructions for planning and maintaining a garden of one's own, it's also wonderful entertainment for anyone with a green thumb. Fine Gardening : Stein's radical approach was never destined for everyone. But for those who may want to follow her lead, Planting Noah's Garden provides a wealth of how-to detail for reestablishing a natural landscape, inviting the rest of us to contemplate--and implement--a real compromise between Stein's ungardening and our suburbs' unyieldingness. Synopsis : Sara Stein's brilliant book, Noah's Garden, placed the author at the forefront of the new field of ecological gardening. In Planting Noah's Garden, she tells the even more fascinating story of the many ways people are redesigning their surroundings to welcome back the birds, butterflies, fireflies, and other creatures driven away by the sterility of the typical suburban landscape. 70 color photos. 100 illustrations. Synopsis The ecology-minded author of Noah's Garden offers a guide to transforming suburban backyards into attractive gardens using the area's common native flora, along with advice on killing weeds, collecting wild seeds, and much more. In this new book, Sara Stein travels beyond her own garden to report on the many and diverse ways in which people in all parts of the country are working to undo the damage and help restore their backyard ecosystems. Along the way, we watch her transform a new subdivision lot into the kind of natural landscape that existed before the bulldozers of suburban sprawl erased everything in their path; we are introduced to an Omaha man whose tiny city lot serves as a migration stop for monarch butterflies; we see a multitude of wonderful variations on the American lawn; and we visit the author's own "stone terrace," a magical landscape that attracts all manner of fauna, including hummingbirds, butterflies, flocks of bluebirds - and people. If the first half of Planting Noah's Garden is an inspiration, the second half is practical. Here readers will find very specific descriptions of the ways in which they can take the necessary steps to transform their own gardens into rich and lively landscapes. Customer Comments : horthhill@yahoo.com from Vancouver, Canada , October 14, 1998 A brilliant book. "Planting Noah's Garden : Further Adventures in Backyard Ecology" is really Sara Steins' third book in a trilogy - it follows "My Weeds; A Gardener's Botany" (the first book) and "Noah's Garden : Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards". Planting Noah's Garden starts off as the how-to sequel of Noah's Garden but becomes much more than that ...Stein not only candidly corrects mistakes and false assumptions from the earlier books but re-builds her vision of gardening, plants, wildlife restoration and growing old. She more or less takes apart her earlier reflections and explorations and re-fashions them into a concrete example of how to actually perceive and achieve a nation-wide natural backyard. Really, a brilliant book: a brilliant series... full of good thought and good advice. Jack Lewnes (jackl@olg.com) from Port Republic, MD USA , July 20, 1998 Essential reading for back yard, native plant oriented souls This book is totally enchanting. When I first read "David Copperfield" I told myself that I would read it again in a few years and it would read differently. And it has. "Planting Noah's Garden" has exactly the same feel. I have spent the last six months recommending this book to my naturalist friends. I have often though of passing my copy on, but have decided not to. I buy another copy instead. I have the feeling that this is a book that I will want to read again .and again. Sara states that "Children are part of the mega-fauna of every landscape." She writes about the basic need of children to look under rocks and logs, to climb trees, to discover the natural wonders that await them there. And, or course, she tells us how to make this happen. If you enjoy planting things, if you enjoy your yard, your children and your grandchildren, buy this book. It is a masterpiece. *************************************************** Gardening by Mail : A Source Book (5th Ed) by Barbara J. Barton, Ginny Hunt (Editor) Our Price: $19.20 You Save: $4.80 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (October 1997) Reviews : Synopsis This guide has long been acclaimed for its invaluable roster of plant and seed companies, nurseries, garden accessories, services, libraries, societies, newsletters, and books. Now, with a much requested and much needed guide to gardening resources on the Internet, Gardening by Mail is as current as it is authoritative. Line drawings. Synopsis : The most complete, best organized, and up-to-date source book for everything a gardener wants to know or buy. Over 2,000 listings cover mail-order suppliers of seeds, plants, and garden accessories and service companies in the US and Canada, plus magazines, newsletters, and books--each category with its own index. Line drawings. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader from Hartlepool, England , October 22, 1998 Beg steal or borrow!! GARDENING BY MAIL Now on its 5th edition Barbara J Bartons book is just about the most comprehensive directory of gardening resources available. My copy is very well thumbed! Very wide ranging but top class! Beg, steal, borrow or buy. Published by Houghton Mifflin. $24.00 ISBN 0 395-87770-9 *************************************************** Second Nature : A Gardener's Education by Michael Pollan Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (August 1995) Reviews : Synopsis More than eight years ago, Harper's editor Michael Pollan bought an old Connecticut dairy farm. He planted a garden and adopted Thoreau's viewpoint: Do not impose your will upon the wilderness, the woodchucks or the weeds. Here is his timely meditation and social history on man's relationship with nature and the environment. Customer Comments : A reader from Cary, North Carolina , December 14, 1998 Thought through. Even though the garden philosophy gets a little tiresome, the other 90% of the book is educational and extremely interesting. A reader, July 1, 1997 Captivating writer - recommending to all my friends. I read Pollans "A Place of My Own" and couldn't wait to read his first book "Second Nature". His writing captivates me and I hope he writes many more stories about anything. He's a wonderful teacher, story teller, yarn spinner and his inquisitive nature struck a strong cord. All my friends and relatives will get to enjoy it as a gift from me. Thanks Michael for a great read. A reader, November 24, 1996 A fresh exploration of gardens and what it means to garden. Many of us fall into the trap of thinking that our relationship to the land must be one of either two choices: either we ruthlessly exploit it, with no regard for any but short term use, or we refuse to "meddle" in it at all, letting nature do what it will. _Second Nature_ explores the third alternative, that of working with nature respectfully to produce something that we intend. Believing that our relationship with nature can not be broken down into simple nature versus culture arguments, Pollan explores the overlapping of nature and culture. To that end, he discusses Americans' historical and contemporary ideas of what makes a garden a garden and attitudes toward gardening and wilderness. There is wonderful, thought-provoking commentary on the tyranny of the American lawn, the sexuality of roses, class conflict in the garden, privacy, trees, weeds, and what it means to have a green thumb. Pollan's stories of his own adventures in the garden are interesting and often amusing. His writing is thoughtful and his insight frequently unexpected, as when, in the chapter " 'Made Wild by Pompous Catalogs' ", he points out that garden catalogues are selling not merely seed but their ideas about gardens. Pollan is also highly readable. It is hard not to like an author who says things like "...the Victorian middle class simply couldn't deal with the rose's sexuality" or "...there is a free lunch and its name is photosynthesis". _Second Nature_ is well worth reading. *************************************************** A-Z of Useful Plants by Jackie French, 1990. From after-shave, cough-mixture, glue and shampoo to tranquillisers, spices and wine. How to grow and make your own products. Includes Australian supplier list. Available from WA public libraries - 581.61 FRE Incredible Plants - Oddities, Curiosities & Eccentricies by Robert Lee Behme, 1992. Nature’s weirdest; little-known facts about rare and common plants; history of plant development; meanings behind botanical names; herbal cures; ancient knowledge and new scientific discoveries. Available from WA public libraries - 581 BEH <><><><><><><><><><><><> Fri 19 Feb 93 8:43 By: ALLAN BALLIETT Re: COMMUNITIES BK LST A Book List of Communities, Co-ops, Collectives 2/93 [ TITLE Author xxxx (publisher) xxxxx-xx-xx (ISBN) $.$$ (Suggested retail) ] (H)= Hardback (0) = oversize pbk (Q) is quality pbk =============================================== ANCIENT FUTURES: LEARNING FROM LADAKH StC 25.00 (preface by the Dalal Larna) (H) Norberg-Hodge, Helena 87156-559-S ART OF SUPPORTIVE LEADERSHIP: PRACTICAL CryC 7.95 HANDBOOK FOR PEOPLE IN POSmONS OF RESPONSIBILITY Walters, Donald (Krlyananda) 916124-20-7 AT ONE WITH ALL LIFE A PERSONAL JOURNEY FlnC 14.9S IN GAIAN COMMUNITIES (O) Bolce, Judlth 905249-74-7 BEST INVESTMENT: LAND IN A LOVING Well 8.50 COMMUNlTY Felder, D~ 910959~5 BOOK OF COMMON POWER: NARRATIVES AGAINST LURA ll.9S THE CURRENT Schaper, Donna 931055-67-9 BUILDERS OF THE DAWN: COMMUNITY SIRI 17.95 LIFESTYLES IN A CHANGING WORLD McLaughlln, C. & Davldson, G 913990-68-X BUILDING WITH HEART: A PRACTICAL APPROACH EB2 ll.95 TO SELF AND COMMUNITY BUILDING Day, Christopher 1-870098-08-0 CITIES ON A HILL: A JOURNEY THROUGH S&S 9.9S CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CULTURES Fltzgerald, Francls 671-64561-7 CITIES OF LIGHT: A PLAN FOR A NEW AGE CryC 9.95 Walters, Donald (Krlyananda) 91612444-4 CLEARNESS: PROCESSES FOR SUPPORTING NSP 3.45 INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN DECISION-MAKING (b) Woodrow, P. 86571-011-2 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: A JOURNEY OF SPIRITUAL RPC 14.95 DISCOVERY & ADVENTURE McNay, Ro~d laln 9517206 1-9 CO-OPBRIDGE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION W 7.95 LINKING STUDY & WORK, STUDENTS & THE COMMUNITY Parsons, Cynthla 88007-186-9 COMMUNrFY LIFE, INNER DEVELOPMENT, AP 14.95 SEXUALITY AND THE SPLUTUAL TEACHER Stelner, Rudolph 88010-354-X COVENANT AND CONSENSUS Cypser, Cora E. KIM ll.9S 9625774-9-9 DIFFERENT DRUM: COMMUNITY MAKING AND S&S 9.9S PEACE Peck, M. Scott 671-66833-1 DIRECTORY OF INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES: AConun 16.00 GUIDE TO COOPERATIVE LIVING (O) Cornrnunities Directory 9602714-14 DOCKLANDSCAPE Peters, H. 7Z24-0173-6 EB 5.75 ECOCITY BERKELEY: BUILDING CITIES FOR A NAB 9.95 HEALTHY FUTURE Reglstet, R. 1-55643-0094 ===========THIS IS _THE_ CSA TITLE ======================== FARMS OF TOMORROW: COMMUNITY SUPPORTED BFGA 12.00 FARMS, FARM SUPPORTED COMMUNITIES Groh, Trauger & McFadden, S. 938250-28-0 ======================================================== FINDHORN COMMUNITY: CREATING A HUMAN FlnC 14.95 IDENTITY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Rlddell, Carol 905249-77-1 GREAT GAY IN THE MORNING! ONE GROUP'S TCPr 10.95 APPROACH TO COMMUNAL LIVING & SEXUAL POLmCS (H) 25 to 6 Baklng & Trucklng Soc. 87810-521-2 HOME! REINHABITING NORTH AMERICAA NSP 14.95 BIOREGIONAL READER (O) Andruss, Van et al. (Eds.) 86571-188-7 INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES: HOW TO START CryC 7.95 THEM AND WHY Walters, Donald (Kdyananda) 916124-51-7 JANUARY THAW: PEOPLE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN TCPr 7.25 RANCH WRITE ABOUT LIVING TOGETHER IN THE MOUNTAINS NSA 87810-030-X LEADER AS MARTIAL ARTIST: AN INTRODUCTION HR 16.00 TO DEEP DEMOCRACY (H) Mlndell, Arnold 06-250614-5 MAKING ART TOGETHER STEP-BY-STEP Perr, H. RPI 12.95 89390-118-0 MANUAL FOR GROUP FACILITATORS Center for NSP 12.95 Confllct Resolutlon NEEDS OF A NEW AGE COMMUNITY: TALKS ON BENN 11.00 SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY & FOURTH WAY SCHOOLS Bennett, J.G. 9621901-2-8 NEIGHBORHOOD CARETAKERS: STORIES, KSI 18.95 STRATEGIES & TOOLS FOR HEALING URBAN COMMUNITY Dyson, B. & B. 941705-08-0 NETWORKING BOOK PEOPLE CONNECTING WITH PENG 10.95 PEOPLE Llpnack, J. & Stamps, S. 14-019116-X NEW AGE COMMUNITY GUIDEBOOK (O) HSpr 7.95 Communlty Referral Servlce 944202-03-9 NEW CONSCIOUSNESS SOURCEBOOK: SPIRITUAL ArcP 8.95 COMMUNITY GUIDE #6 Spiritual Communlty Pub. 89509-058-9 NIBBLE THEORY AND THE KERNEL OF POWER: Pau 4.95 BOOK ABOUT LEADERSHIP, SELF EMPOWERMENT/PERSONAL GROWTH Jamlson, K. 8091-26214 ORIGINAL SEX AND BROADCASTING: A HANDBOOK Mho 12.95 ON STARTING A RADIO STATION FOR THE COMMUNITY Mllam, L. 91732(}01-8 PUTTLNG POWER IN ITS PLACE: CREATE NSP 9.95 COMMUNITY CONTROL! Plant, Judlth & Christopher 86571-2174 REAL POWER STAGES OF PERSONAL POWER IN WS 11.95 ORGANIZATIONS Hagberg, J. 86683-823-6 RECEIVING THE COSMIC CHRIST: THE KARU 15.00 EXPERIENCE OF GLOBAL COMMUNITY Jon, Shahan 9624414~6 REVOLUTION FROM THE HEART O'Brlen, Mall OrbB 10.95 88344-765-7 SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES SHP 6.95 Rankln, Dav1d 89407-014-2 STEPS TOWARD INNER PEACE: SUGGESTED USES OTB 4.50 OF HARMONIOUS PRINCIPLES FOR HUMAN LMNG Peace Pllgrlm 943734-07-X SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: A NEW DESIGN SIC 20.00 SYNTHESIS FOR CmES, SUBURBS & TOWNS (O) Van der Ryn, Slm et al. 87156-629-X THREE VOICES Hollands, J. 89407 012-6SHP 6.9S TIME DOLLARS (H) Cahn, Edgar & Rowe, Jonathan R 19.95 878S7-98S-0 WE BUILD THE ROAD AS WE TRAVEL NSP 16.9S MONDRAGON, A COOPERATIVE SOLUTION Morrlson, R 86S71-173-9 WE OWN IT: STARTING & MANAGING Bel 14.00 COOPERATIVES & EMPLOYEE-OWNED VENTURES (O) (revised) Beatty, J. & Karnoroff, B. 917S10-08-9 WITHYMEADE: JUNGIAN COMMUNITY FOR THE EB 13.95 HEALING ARTS Stevens, Anthony 904S7S-32-2 WOMEN TOGETHER, WOMEN ALONE Shreve, Anlta Faw 8.95 449-90S33-o WOODSTOCK THE ORAL HISTORY Makower, Joel Dou 14.9S 38S-24717-6 YEAR I (ONE): GLOBAL PROCESS Arka 7.9S WORKCOMMUNITY CREATION FROM GLOBAL PROBLEMS, TENSIONS & MYTHS Mlndell, A. 14-019210-7 ===================================================== Not responsible (in any respect!) for typos, etc... If you can't get these titles through Inter-Library loan, they are avaialable from Intergalactic Garage POB 3047, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 PPD at the publisher's suggested retail price. Allow 3-4 wks for delivery. <><><><><><><><> Cooking from the Gourmet's Garden : Edible Ornamentals, Herbs, and Flowers by Coralie Castle, Robert Kourik (Contributor) List Price: $12.95 Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 224 pages 2nd edition (March 1998) Cole Pub Co; ISBN: 1564265633 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.54 x 8.01 Reviews From Booklist , May 15, 1994 An intriguing alliance by a prolific cookbook writer and a landscape designer presenting recipes featuring ornamental edible plants with savory taste appeal. Many dishes highlight exotic culinary ingredients that should pique the interest of adventurous cooks; included are cardoon, a popular Italian vegetable; chayote, produced on vigorous perennial vines in mild areas; feijoa, fruit borne on a decorative evergreen tree or shrub; and elaeagnus (also called goumi) berries. This sophisticated fare generally focuses on a melding of herbal seasonings with both the familiar and the unusual. Contains a list of resources and also of poisonous plants. *************************************************** Philippine fruit and vegetable processing guide / compiled and edited by Sonia Y. de Leon and Virginia D. Garcia. Published Manila : National Book Store, 1978. LOCATION CALL NO STATUS 2nd Fl, Tec Stack 664.8 REQUEST NEEDED Descript'n 210 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. Subject Canning and preserving. Food -- Preservation. Cookery, Philippine. *************************************************** Preserving summer's bounty : a quick and easy guide to freezing, canning, preserving, and drying what you grow edited by Susan McClure and the staff of the Rodale Food Center. Published Emmaus, Pa : Rodale Press ; [New York] : Distributed in the book trade by St. Martin's Press, c1995. LOCATION FLOREAT PARK 641.4 PRE VINCENT 641.4 PRE MT CLAREMONT Descript'n xi, 372 p. : ill ; 25 cm. Series A Rodale garden book ISBN 0875966489 (hardcover : acid-free paper) Note Includes bibliographical references (p. 361) and index. Subject Vegetables -- Preservation. Fruit -- Preservation. Cookery (Vegetables) Cookery (Fruit) Added author McClure, Susan, 1957- Rodale Food Center. *************************************************** Unif title Stocking up III Title Stocking up : the third edition of the classic preserving guide / by Carol Hupping and the staff of the Rodale Food Center. Edition 1st Fireside ed. Published New York : Simon & Schuster, 1990. Descript'n ix, 627 p. : ill ; 24 cm. ISBN 0671693956 Note "A Fireside book.". Reprint. Originally published: Stocking up III. Emmaus, Pa. : Rodale Press, c1986. Includes index. Unif title Stocking up III Subject Food -- Preservation. Added author Rodale Food Center. 641.4 HUP COTTESLOE VICTORIA PARK PERTH CITY *************************************************** Keeping the Harvest : Preserving Your Fruits, Vegetables & Herbs (Down-To-Earth Book) by Nancy Chioffi, Gretchen Mead, Linda M. Thompson, Jill Mason (Editor), Kim Foster (Editor) List Price: $14.95 Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 208 pages Rev/Updtd edition (May 1991) Storey Books; ISBN: 0882666509 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.56 x 10.97 x 8.52 Reviews From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Ilene Rosoff , February 1, 1997 This book gives you all the basics for canning, freezing, drying, preserving and storing a variety of fruits and vegetables, and drying herbs. There are also recipes and instructions for making jams and jellies, pickled vegetables and even sauerkraut. Food preservation has a long tradition; it's practical for reasons of economy and convenience, but it evokes a special feeling to serve peaches in mid- December to your family, or to give something home-canned to a friend. Booknews, Inc. , October 1, 1991 Practical, accessible information, updated to reflect current Dept. of Agriculture standards. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 A reader from Salt Lake City , December 30, 1998 I'm a 1st time canner & this book was helpful. I found this book in the library and used it for my first garden bounty -- my first canned peaches, my first jam, and my first frozen green beans. Keeping the Harvest is informative, fairly comprehensive and simple to follow. I'm buying it now so I'll be ready for next summer! *************************************************** Backyard Meat Production : How to Grow All the Meat You Need in Your Own Backyard by Anita Evangelista Our Price: $14.95 Paperback (June 1997) Loompanics Unlimited; ISBN: 1559501685 Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Reviews The author, ale@townsqr.com , February 12, 1998 The Best Meat You've Ever Eaten. Tired of wondering where your meat came from, how it was handled, or what's living on it? It's surprizingly easy to grow your own protein -- and even a teeny urban balcony can produce the best tasting, most fresh, most nutritious meats you can imagine. (That urban balcony could house a trio of quiet, clean, "pet" rabbits -- who could provide two dinners per week for years to come! And cheaper than you can buy chicken!) Just imagine what you could do with a REAL yard -- bacon and sausage coming along nicely over there; scrambled eggs and fried chicken growing on the other side; a handful of roasted quail bouncing around; some milk and cream -- and baked goat -- near the gate.... You don't have to be a farmer, simply a conscientious animal raiser and a person who likes to eat the very best. Plus....the book is written for folks on a budget, with low-cost solutions to high-priced equipment. Let me know how your meat-garden grows! *************************************************** How to Live Without Electricity -- And Like It by Anita Evangelista Our Price: $13.95 Paperback (May 1997) Loompanics Unlimited; ISBN: 1559501626 Availability: This title is currently on back order. We do not have a reprint date for this title, but we expect to be able to ship it to you within 3-5 weeks. Reviews How-To Editor's Recommended Book How to Live Without Electricity--And Like It could perhaps be more appropriately called How to Live Without Being Hooked Up to Commercial Electrical Utilities, Save Money, and Like It. Whether you seek to be completely "off the grid" or simply prepared for occasional or frequent power outages, you'll find the concrete information you need. Among a number of other ways to be independent of the local utility company, learn how to monitor your current power usage accurately; convert to solar energy--both passive and active systems; pump and store potable water; refrigerate food without electricity; and generate electrical power independently and charge batteries. How to Live Without Electricity is a surprisingly nontechnical book, easy to read and understand, with many diagrams and helpful illustrations. It also includes a list of the best resources for ordering the products and materials discussed and a bibliography of additional books on cooking, heating, and cooling with alternative sources of energy. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 richard evey r-evey@usa.net from Boone, NC , January 5, 1999 An excellent general introduction to the subject. This is the kind of book than can be difficult to find - a general work. Too many books will explain minor details of using a specific type of alternative power, but not any comparison with other forms. That is why I like this book so much. It gives side-by-side-by-side comparisons of the choices for heating, cooking, etc. Armed with the basics, you can then research into specific areas. That task is also assisted, as there is a listing of companies and books for further reading. For those considering or curious about living at least somewhat off the power grid it is a must-have book. A reader , August 2, 1997 Electric! There are a few books out there about living without electricity and/or making your own. This is the best one I've come across. It hits lots of areas, from wood cook stoves to candle making to generators to kerosene lamps. If you ever plan to be without electricity on purpose, or if you think you might be cut off accidentally (and who hasn't), buy this book. Recommended reading for all back-to-the-land types. *************************************************** The Encyclopedia of Country Living : An Old Fashioned Recipe Book by Carla Emery List Price: $27.95 Our Price: $22.36 You Save: $5.59 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 864 pages 9th edition (May 1994) Sasquatch Books; ISBN: 0912365951 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.90 x 10.90 x 8.48 Amazon.com Sales Rank: 103 Number of Reviews: 22 Customer Comments : A reader from Eastern Shore, Maryland , January 20, 1999. It's like being able to talk with my grandmother! Growing up in New England, we were quick to accept the "modern" life styles. I never had the opportunity to sit with my grandmother and gather all the valuable wisdom from her life - how to live a simple life close to the land. How I could sustain my family off the land. In 1977, I purchased my first copy of this book. It has been greatly USED and ABUSED! The front cover has since fallen off, along with the first few pages. It is tattered. Notes have been scribbled in it. Pages are spattered with stains. And I would NOT trade it for anything. If my grandmother could have written me a book, covering ALL areas of daily life, I believe this is how she would have written it. When I get stumped by something, my husband says, "Well, what does Carla Emery say. She could tell you what to do." And he's right, she does. "How to" - just about anything!I have recently purchased my second copy, as a spare in case one gets destroyed. I definitely wouldn't want to be without a copy when the year 1999 roles over. For my family's well being, I consider it a very crucial tool. amazonred@webtv.net from Wakeman, Ohio USA , January 7, 1999 Excellent for anyone that wants advice on primitive living This is the best book I've found yet offering everything imaginable for "country living". I have used it many times for recipes from soap making to planting guides. Their candle making section is excellent. They have the most informative book that I've found yet covering a very broad spectrum without being too vague on any particular topic. A reader from The Bayous of Louisiana , December 15, 1998 The most comprehensive choice for self-reliant living! This book covers everything from gardening to cooking to taking care of your animals. She also has a section of encouragement at the beginning (actual testimonies) for those who are trying to get off-the-grid so to speak. It has very detailed information on the various breeds of livestock so you can make an educated purchase, as well as how to raise, butcher and cook them. Ms. Emery also has a very inclusive section on gardening and harvesting the various grasses and grains and vegetables. The recipes include soap making as well as tasty dishes from your pantry. An excellent all around choice! Pat Hoffman (burenh@tstar.net) from Tow, TX (pop. 500) , December 9, 1998 There's no book like it! I have an older version,'70's ((currently looking for an updated copy)and have always asked "Carla" when I need to know something from milking goats to making snow ice cream. She was the ONLY one who knew what snow ice cream was. We are getting ready to move to Guatemala and "back to the land" and Carla absolutely has to go with me!! tannis@elko.net from Elko, Nevada , December 8, 1998 The way to step back in time in memory as well in actuality. I am a friend of Carla's but have lost touch with her over the years. I was a pen pal for many years and finally in 1992 I got to meet Carla at the North Fork Barter Faire. She was working on this edition and adding some first hand stories from the mountain people who were venders at the Faire. Carla if you read this, know that you are loved and it sure is good to have another edition out. love you girl. tannis A reader from America the Beautiful , December 3, 1998 A necessity for the year 2000+ I bought this book years ago when it was first published. I learned all the lost arts my grandmother lived by. Now that we face uncertain times with the new millenium, I'm buying this book for family members who may need to know how to survive if our government fails to protect us. masonpamela@sprintmail.com from Aromas, California on five acres , November 17, 1998 A Great Book, But... I received this book two days ago and already I've learned that my beets might cross pollinate and that my Hampshire Reds are heavy layers. BUT - and this really worries me - this book is printed on paper like newsprint. This is a book I mean to go back to time and time again. I'm really sorry it's not built more substantially. A reader from Yakima, WA, USA , November 16, 1998 The style in which this book is written makes it delightful Mrs. Emery has done a wonderful job of bringing practical advise in an entertaining style. It many ways it feels like reading letters from a good friend. The information is general for the most part but detailed enough to be very usable. A reader from Middle Tennessee , November 11, 1998 Best darn encyclopedia/how-to diary available! I thought I'd do Carla a favor and tell the world what a wonderful book she'd written. Too late! The whole world already seems to know! This book truly is an Encyclopedia! It's crammed full of how-to information that I refer to as the lost arts. Unlike most books, it's not generic information, but instead, step by step useful stuff and little known hints from folks who've spent a lifetime learning it! In addition to being all inclusive, it's also her life's work.... A personal diary of her triumphs and heartaches as she worked on this masterpiece. When you finally put this book down, you feel like you really know her personally. As a mother of 4 small children, all close in age, I have been inspired by her. As a homemaker, I have learned a great deal from her. Thank-you, Carla for being true to your inner voice and putting down on paper a thousand lifetimes worth of knowledge. My family is better prepared and living a simpler, happier life because you've enlightened me! Nashville, TN Lynette(lynylooper@juno.com) from southern California , November 9, 1998 No back to the land manual is more comprehensive I purchased this manual in 1978 & still refer to it regularly. Its just like the old five & dime- there's nothing you can't find there. We are living a very different life than we would have had we not found this treasure. A reader from Reddick, Fla , October 23, 1998 I LIVED IT! Unlike the previous reviewers, I lived this book. I was raised in a big city in Florida and moved to a small country town (pop. 181) in the Arkansas mountains. I was in my late 20's and imagined myself as part of the back-to-the-earth movement. A friendly librarian pointed me to this book, which I bought after checking it out so often. Since we moved to a small community where "everyone was related" except us, we did not get much neighborly help at first. The first week there we bought baby goats (which rode home in the front seat with me), 2 pigs (which didn't), and planted our garden. Using Carla's book we mail-ordered baby chicks who lived in our bathtub until the weather got warmer. We bought a wood stove and learned to can and dry vegetables. I tried most everything, using Carla's book as a reference. When it came time to butcher our hogs, we could not get anyone to help us, even for $$. The closest we had been to a hog before moving to Oden was in the grocery store. So we checked out Carla's book and I sat on the cab of the truck reading the instructions aloud while DH took aim and shot the pig. We were both very nervous, so we went inside (it was very cold) and had a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, when we went back outside, the pig was up and boy, was he mad! I won't go into any further details except to say we had funny looking meat that winter, but it was tasty. By the way, the townsfolk treated us differently from then on. Anyway, I just wanted to say that you can really do what she says and make it happen. Carla gives you practical backyard-to-table "hands-on" advice, and I've recommended it to may people. A reader from USA , October 22, 1998 Great resource that Carla keeps up-to-date This is an awesome guide for many country skills and a great starting point for the rest. Carla covers best the skills she's experienced in and gives a very thorough introduction and references to other resources to get you going on just about anything else. For more involved skills that you are really interested in, you should also get a book that is specifically about that subject. Some suggestions include "Deerskins into Buckskins" for hide tanning, "How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Thought Possible" on gardening, any of Michael Moore's guides for herbalism, and "The Natural Pregnancy Book" and "Spiritual Midwifery", for home birthing. Amazon.com sells all of these. A reader from Kansas City, KS , September 27, 1998 THE MOST COMPLETE, HELPFUL BOOK IN TEN YEARS OF SEARCHING! Carla's priceless collection of country living wisdom from all over and from all ages has been the most valuable, practical, and utilized in our home, after a ten-plus year of collecting such back-to-basics publications. Her down-home presentation doesn't leave you feeling like you just walked out of a city classroom. Folks from the city and life-long country-dwellers alike find the Recipe Book a delightful resource. kgilles14@aol.com from Alta Loma, California , August 11, 1998 The most complete and thorough book ever! When I purchased an 8-acre ranch in 1985 I had a six-month old baby one on the way and had never been off of concrete in my life. Now I had 8-acres, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese, pigs, 60 fruit and nut trees and an acre garden. I had no clue how or what to do! I learned everything from reading that book. How to harvest, can and cook up your garden & orchard harvest, feed and butcher animals, all kinds of doctoring for kids and animals, crafts, and even how to cut hair. That book is so dog-eared with tape from all of my years of use. I owe my sanity to that book. It has every scenario imaginable. I recommend it to anyone living in the country or on a farm or thinking of it. What I learned from Carla Emery's book will stay with me forever! The knowledge is priceless. Dawn Feken (dawny8671@aol.com) from Lakewood, Illinois U.S.A , June 16, 1998 One book I dont want to live without! Ms. Emery has truly been an inspiration in my life. This book has everything from making soap to Butchering hogs! I use it in my everyday life. I would love to her write even more so I can get more information on how to live a pure and Natural life! The chapter on Poultry I have found to be very useful. Many things that are in there I have never heard of before .But now thanks to this book I have. I have told many of my friends of this book and convinced a few that they couldn’t be without it either. To sum it up if all people lived their lives as Carla and her children do there would be a lot more peace in the world! A reader from Albuquerque , June 1, 1998 A great book for everyone! Even though I am a confirmed city dweller, I enjoyed this book. I read it more as an encyclopedia, rather than a how-to manual. It was great! Have you ever wanted to know how women fed their families hundreds of years ago? This book will answer all your questions. It explains all about country living and gives some incite into the struggles and the many rewards that come with that kind of life. It is a must for any reference library! Rambler@pop.skyenet.net from Indiana, USA , May 16, 1998 A "MUST HAVE" for anyone interested in "country" living! I read this book quite a few years ago. I borrowed it so much from my library, I got others hooked on it! So much so, I soon was unable to check it out because someone else always had it checked out!!! Silveroak.@centuryinter.net , February 25, 1998 What a Great Book This big, thick book is full of all kinds of wonderful information. I love it! I use it as a reference all the time. It includes almost everything to do with farming and "doing things the old-fashioned way" as well as references on where to go if you desire still more information and a helpful list of contacts and books for each subject. I think it has something to teach everyone. I farm as a hobby and have found the book indispensable and my relatives, who are homesteaders, found lots of new and helpful information in it. This book would make a great gift and is a must-have for a library. It's like a country friend that sits on a shelf, ready to give answers when you have a question! A reader from Washington, USA , November 24, 1997 My wish The Encyclopedia of Country Living is the essential wish book. I never imagined dreaming of hard work, but Carla has me dreaming it. Through my correspondence with Carla, I've learned the woman in the book is the real Carla. She is a warm, caring, knowledgeable person. If she were to write 3 more books that were twice as long, I would read them all. Carla writes with such detail and such truth. She doesn't try to make country living sound easy or glamorous. My wish is that there were more Carla's and more books with the honesty of hers. A reader , July 31, 1997 Carla Emery fills in where our grandparents have failed us As someone whose grandparents grew up on farms but abandoned the rural life and neglected to pass on family traditions and wisdom, I am grateful to Carla Emery for spending almost 30 years compiling this wonderful collection. As my generation rediscovers herbs, natural foods, organic gardening, frugal living, recycling/reusing, home births, home education, home health care, and the importance of family ties, we need something like this book to get us started on our quest for information. So far our family has used it to build a chicken house, select chicks for our flock of laying hens, build a rabbit hutch, can bread & butter and dill pickles, plant, harvest and dry herbs, and much more. Reading this book is the next best thing to asking Mom or Grandma how the old-timers did it, including the warm, folksy, conversational style. A reader , February 16, 1997 The most complete book for countryfolk ever published If you have ever wanted to get back to nature and live in a self-sufficient environment, this encyclopedia is a must! Carla Emery has grown up living off the land and explains how to do everything from growing your own food and butchering your own animals to birthing babies at home. It is chock full of delightful recipes and anecdotes. Once you read her book, you will feel a part of Ms. Emery's life and literary success. A reader , August 28, 1996 THE "BACK TO THE LAND" BIBLE OF HOW TO DO ANYTHING Carla Emery started out peddling recipes by mail to make ends meet and gradually expanded them, by answering questions sent to her, into a telephone book size compendium of everything you might need to know in order to live in the any country with little money. It tells how to do everything from locating your land, digging a well, growing, canning, preserving, storing, pickling, your food, raising, birthing, milking animals, making cheese, making do, and surviving in the country. There are a few recipes included. Buy two copies! The first you will wear out the first year. The second will be a reference. You will know Carla as a friend with her personal story intertwined with a book as enjoyable as it is informative. Reviews Amazon.com For twenty years people have relied on these hundreds of recipes, instructions, and morsels of invaluable practical advice on all aspects of growing and preparing food. This definitive classic on food, gardening, and self-sufficient living is a complete resource for living off the land with over 800 pages of collected wisdom from country maven, Carla Emery--how to cultivate a garden, buy land, bake bread, raise farm animals, make sausage, milk a goat, grow herbs, churn butter, catch a pig, make soap, work with bees and more. Encyclopedia of Country Living is so basic, so thorough, so reliable, it deserves a place in every home--whether in the country, the city, or somewhere in between. Mother Earth News Carla Emery is certifiably one of the craziest, warmest, (sometimes unintentionally) funniest, wisest, most lovable, and idealistic zanies now walking the face of the earth and we think this old world would be a lot better off if we had a few more people like her. Organic Gardening If you're dreaming about moving "back to the land" someday, or if you're already there and want to live more self-sufficiently (wherever you may be) you'll want a copy of the ninth edition of The Encyclopedia of Country Living...We think you're pretty swell, Carla. Country Woman Rural Life from A to Z is well covered in Carla Emery's Encyclopedia of Country Living...Carla taps into her rural roots to bring forth a bounty of folksy information. Book Description No home is complete without this one-of-a-kind encyclopedia! For twenty years people have relied on the hundreds of recipes, instructions, and invaluable practical advice in this definitive classic on food, gardening and self-sufficient living. Whether you're in the city, the country, or somewhere in between, you'll find The Encyclopedia of Country Living indispensable. From The Woman Source Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Tara Springer , February 1, 1997 Carla Emery started this ambitious reference project in 1969 as a complete guide to family food production and now, in its ninth edition, it has grown into an all-encompassing encyclopedia spanning everything from buying land to family farming to raising livestock to barn building to beekeeping to bread baking to making your own yogurt, plus a generous helping of suppliers, catalogers, books and magazines, and organizations. Hundreds of unique down-home recipes fill these pages, along with advice and instructions on all manner of food growing and preparation and a wealth of folk wisdom collected over the years from homesteaders that Carla has met or corresponded with. This book is an absolute gold mine of how-to, where-to information, whether you want to head for the hills or you just want to learn to live more self-sufficiently. Synopsis From the garden or barnyard to the kitchen table, here is a comprehensive resource for step-by-step information about food production. Filled with more than 1,000 recipes, 700 mail-order sources, how-to instructions, and earthly wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of self-sufficient living, this thorough, reliable treasury should be in every home. Features 300 illustrations. Midwest Book Review No library is complete without this one-of-a-kind encyclopedia. There isn't a more complete source of step-by-step information about food production, from the garden or barnyard, all the way to the kitchen table. Filled with hundreds of recipes , detailed instructions, and wisdom gleaned from a multitude of readers, The Encyclopedia of Country Living is so basic, thorough, and reliable it deserves a place in every country life collection. With a wealth of practical information, anecdotes, recipes, and personal advice, readers will quickly become devoted fans of growing and processing every kind of food! The author, Carla Emery CarlaEmery@aol.com , November 3, 1998 Hi to My Readers from Carla! What a privilege and joy it is to have authored a book read by more than 400,000 persons. For 25 years, I've collected information about family food production and related rural subjects. It feels good at this stage of my life to know that work was well done. My life is now a perpetual speaking tour, helping folks understand what's coming, "How to prepare for Y2K." (I hope for lecture invites also from overseas.) Everywhere I go, I meet old friends whom I've never personally met before. These folks have enjoyed and relied on the how-to-do-it information in the Encyclopedia of Country Living for years. Their beat-up old books tell a beautiful story of hard work and dedication.. Sometimes I've felt foolish for insisting on telling readers things like how to save seeds and how to grow their own feed for farm animals. At times, I've been scorned and berated for trying to keep oldtime skills alive. But as Y2K approaches, inexorably as the clock ticks, this information is becoming mainstream again. I love you, dear readers. You have been a beautiful thing in my life, too. God be with you in the coming years. *************************************************** Back to Basics : How to Learn and Enjoy Traditional American Skills List Price: $26.95 Our Price: $18.87 You Save: $8.08 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Hardcover (March 1997) Readers Digest; ISBN: 0895779390 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.05 x 8.68 x 10.97 9 Reviews Amazon.com "Voluntary simplicity" has become a catch phrase for what seems to be a yearning for a simpler, more self-sufficient and economical way of living in the late 20th century. This book, first published in 1981 and recently updated, was probably many folks' first in-depth exposure to the idea of a simpler life, making things by hand, and enjoying a stronger sense of control over personal budgets, home projects, and lifestyles. Hundreds of projects are listed, illustrated in step-by-step diagrams and instructions: growing and preserving your own food, converting trees to lumber and building a home from it, traditional crafts and homesteading skills, and having fun with recreational activities like camping, fishing, and folk dancing without spending a lot of money. This book will have you dreaming and planning from the first page! -- Mark A. Hetts Synopsis With so many urban and suburban dwellers moving toward simplifying their lives, Reader's Digest has updated its popular Back to Basics series to provide the ultimate how-to book. It's packed with hundreds of projects and illustrated step-by-step sequences to help you learn to live more self-sufficiently, with sections on shelter, alternative energy sources, growing and preserving food, home crafts, and even recreation. Includes over 2,000 photos, diagrams and drawings. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 9 A reader from St. Charles, Illinois , December 30, 1998 Far and away the most thorough primer on self-sufficiency!! This book covers it all...canning, energy, gardening, structures, recipes, tanning...the list goes on and on! All accompanied by easy to follow diagrams and illustrations. For anybody seeking a simpler life, or any family trying to prepare for Y2K, I cannot imagine a better text. Get it now!! A reader from New Jersey , December 13, 1998 This Encyclopedia has Something for Everyone! This book is extremely interesting and varied with directions for building your own house, growing your own food, and all areas of crafts and recreation. A must-have! Chris Hedemark (chris@yonderway.com) from Timberlake, North Carolina, USA , October 5, 1998 Would you survive a serious crunch in today's society? This book does an excellent job of giving you an overview of the basic skills that previous generations took for granted, and the current generation has pretty much forgotten. This book is a great starting point for learning how to be more self-sufficient and able to survive even under the looming threat of Y2K, politicians slowly killing our nation for personal gain, and overall greed and laziness that has been sapping our pioneer spirit over the last 100 years. stormhnd@sound.net from Kansas City, Missouri , October 1, 1998 A thorough guide to self-sufficiency This book has practically everything the serious Y2K preparer will need...information on everything from building your own home to supplying your own power and growing your own crops. And each article comes with references to other works where you can find more details. It's like having a self-sufficiency encyclopedia in one volume. A must-have, whether you believe in Y2K or just want to get back to a more rural way of life. A reader from San Jose, CA , August 25, 1998 A Good Starting Point for Simplifying Your Life This is definitely a good starting point, whether you are simplifying for enjoyment or because of the impending y2k (Millenium Bug) Computer crisis. This is definitely a survival tool that WILL be needed then..... Paul Brand from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho , July 23, 1998 A One-Volume Encyclopedia of Country Living Skills If I could only have one reference book on simple skills for country living this is the one I'd pick. It has how-to-do-it narratives with a multitude of color illustrations, diagrams, and photos. The authors have endeavored to show how previous generations built their homes, produced and stored their food, clothed and entertained themselves without our high-technology gadgets. While each section may not be more than a page or two about a particular skill or task, it is replete with references to books and resources which can be turned to for detailed instruction. This will whet anyone's appetite for becoming a homesteader - even if it's only in your armchair. This is the kind of book kids (and grown-ups) love to read. crazyratt@juno.com from Denver, Colorado , July 2, 1998 New isn't always better This a book to be read by anyone who owns a bread machine and has never made bread by hand. Step away from technology for a weekend and step into the past. Watch your stress level plummet and see how Grand-ma and Grand-pa lived as kids. Laura (laguess@yahoo.com) from Houston, Texas , June 15, 1998 This is the best book I've read. It's great to learn old-fashioned stuff. Doing things the old-fashioned way is not necessarily easier, but definitely funnier. A reader , April 10, 1997 THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE! Every American should own a copy of this book! If you thought making your own bread was exhilarating, you'll love this! It's great! I learn new things every time I pick it up. This book has everything - from making a slide whistle to actually building your own house! If you don't own this book, you're really missing out on those traditional American skills everyone loves! *************************************************** How to Develop a Low-Cost Family Food-Storage System by Anita Evangelista Our Price: $8.00 You Save: $2.00 (20%) Back Ordered Paperback - (October 1995) 112 pages Reviews The author, ale@townsqr.com , January 17, 1997 It's wise to plan ahead. Thank you for taking the time to consider this book on food storage. This book is designed to help you make the important food choices that will affect you and your family in the event of difficult circumstances. As I write this (Jan /97), a third of the nation is in severe blizzard, snow or ice conditions; another third is recovering from flooding. Only the tip of Florida and Southern California have avoided some kind of catastrophic situation. And, as usual, the evening news has found a way to interview folks who have had to drive through snow drifts or across flooded riverbeds to get to the supermarket. It wouldn't take much in the way of food storage to prevent this kind of risky situation....and even folks on the tightest budget with the smallest storage areas can "put aside" SOMETHING. Just a little planning and some prudent action can help prevent putting yourself in danger's way, or can help keep you comfortable during the inevitable downturns of life. Avg. Customer Review: ; Number of Reviews: 6 A reader from Good ol'St.Louis , November 13, 1998 Excellent food storage resource This book covers all the basics and more with very practical applications to your real life situation. Recommended for anyone preparing for Y2K. Very good starter book for folks who want to know about food storage on a tight budget. A reader from Interior Alaska , September 9, 1998 She fills in the gaps that others forget to fill in Evangilista is a wonderful lady. With a bunch of children and a husband who is frequently gone with his job, I had the "good fortune" to benefit from her wisdom. My car was dead, my nearest friends gone, and my pantry was getting pretty sparse. I was in a panic mode, on the verge of tears when my oldest reminded me of my occasional storage in-- well, in the place that I keep the extras. I had forgotten about it, even though the storing had become natural and not something that I had to hunker down to do. I looked and there was all the stuff I had been accumulating from the occasional pack or two of TP to canned fruit to soda pop (she has a list of psychological boosters) and the little emergency that we had was not one any longer. It is good to know that you are prepared. A reader , February 11, 1997 Wow! The Militia meets Betty Crocker. Anita Evangelista's book has the recipe for keeping yourself alive in dangerous times. Buy extra copies and give them to people you care about. A reader , February 4, 1997 Good, basic common sense, and lots of it. God talks to some folks directly. To the more sane among us, he sends messages along more conventional routes. This book is one of those gentle proddings. HOW TO DEVELOP A LOW-COST FAMILY FOOD-STORAGE SYSTEM is a direct appeal to common sense. Whether you believe the world is coming to an end or not, one day you might encounter a snow storm, a trucker strike, or a short period of unemployment that could disrupt your ability to come by food easily. Having some goodies stored up, then, is nothing more than a buffer against that eventual rainy day that comes to all of us. And Ms. Evangelista tells us how to accomplish this simple, but generally overlooked, form of personal insurance with a straightforward, no nonsense delivery. Read the book and find out how to develop a food supply that will see you happily through any tough days that might come along. Then, in the event you find yourself house bound by an icy road, or being threatened by an impending hurricane, you won't look at an empty kitchen and curse yourself for being so short sighted. Take that old Boy Scout motto to heart, and "Be prepared." A reader , January 30, 1997 Don't be caught without this book! An important volume for anyone living in an isolated rural setting, or anyone contemplating a "back-to-the-land" move. Lots of useful information. A reader , December 14, 1996 A useful "how-to" book. Every family in America should have a copy of this book. In times of bad weather, earthquakes, riots, and crop failures, such a well thought out volume could save lives. *************************************************** Solar Gardening : Growing Vegetables Year-Round the American Intensive Way (The Real Goods Independent Living Books) by Leandre Poisson, Gretchen Vogel Poisson (Contributor), Robin Wimbiscus (Illustrator) List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 288 pages (September 1994) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 0930031695 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.69 x 11.00 x 8.55 Reviews From Booklist , September 1, 1994 "American intensive" gardening is what the authors call a continuous food-producing system that provides an ideal growing environment for the entire plant. By creating and maintaining a deep, well-balanced, fertile soil, the system optimizes growing conditions below the ground. By using heat-assisting devices to create beneficial microclimates for seedlings and mature plants, it ensures optimum growing conditions above the ground. The authors have designed solar devices--insulated pods, cones, and pod extenders--to ensure fresh harvests even in winter. These solar structures capture and retain the sun's heat in winter and diffuse strong sunlight and protect tender plants in summer. The book gives step-by-step instructions on building the solar devices and offers a month-by-month gardening guide for the three main North American growing zones--northern, moderate, and southern. There is advice on garden sites and soil, harvesting, storage, and seed-savings, as well as growing tips on 90 vegetables divided into heat-loving, cool-hardy, and cold-tolerant. George Cohen Copyright 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved Booknews, Inc. , December 1, 1994 Solid, plentiful guidance for increasing annual square-foot yield, extending growing and harvesting seasons, selecting crops that will thrive in the coldest and hottest months of the year (without artificial heating or cooling systems). The authors thoroughly describe and explain how to build a variety of solar appliances<-;- >mini greenhouses--that make the increased, extended harvest possible, particularly in severe climates. Includes abundant color and b&w photos and a list of resources. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. *************************************************** Four-Season Harvest : How to Harvest Fresh Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long by Eliot Coleman, Kathy Bary (Illustrator), Kathy Bray (Illustrator), Barbara Damrosch List Price: $19.95 Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 224 pages (October 1992) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 0930031571 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 9.96 x 8.01 Amazon.com Sales Rank: 1,419 Synopsis Shows home gardeners how to grow and harvest up to forty different vegetables in season all year round by using cold frames, mobile greenhouses, high-quality compost, and other simple and inexpensive tools and techniques. Synopsis w Organic Grower, Coleman now speaks to the home gardener and shows how to eliminate the confines of the growing season. The Four-Season Harvest provides a simple and elegant way for gardeners in any climate to grow vegetables year-round using inexpensive techniques. 100 illustrations. Synopsis The new organic grower is back! Having established himself as the expert on organic growing techniques with his first book, The New Organic Grower, Coleman now speaks to the home gardener and shows how to eliminate the confines of the growing season. The Four-Season Harvest provides a simple and elegant way for gardeners in any climate to grow vegetables year-round using inexpensive techniques. 100 illustrations. Booknews, Inc. , January 1, 1993 Everyone who grows vegetables must know Coleman. He's the organic methods expert--the one who knows how to maximize both garden yield and gardening pleasure, year round. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 Becky Michelsen (childrensgarden@hotmail.com) from Petoskey, MI, USA , August 1, 1998 A unique resource This book is the only one of it's kind I have found. Not only does it have step-by-step instructions and tables on when and how to plant and harvest, it also has plans for building your own cold frames and a portable greenhouse (hoop house). Many books on the same subject focus on artificially heating a greenhouse to grow warm-weather vegetables. This one does not! The focus is instead on how to use what is naturally cold tolerant, and how to keep your plants harvestable throughout the winter. JANGAUCK@AOL.com from Pennington, NJ , November 22, 1997 wonderful tips and instructions on raising food organically This book is full of wonderful tips and instructions on raising fruits and vegatables organically and how to best improve the soil. I use this book so much as a reference in the garden that it is covered with soil and the pages are wrinkled from rain so I am ordering a new copy. *************************************************** The New Organic Grower : A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener by Eliot Coleman, Sheri Amsel (Illustrator), Molly Cook Field (Illustrator) List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 304 pages 2nd Rev&ex edition (October 1995) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 093003175X ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.07 x 9.90 x 8.08 Reviews Booknews, Inc. , May 1, 1996 This expansion of a now-classic guide originally published in 1989 is intended for the serious gardener or small-scale market farmer. It describes practical and sustainable ways of growing superb organic vegetables, with detailed coverage of scale and capital, marketing, livestock, the winter garden, soil fertility, weeds, and many other topics. Booknews, Inc. , March 1, 1996 This expansion of a now-classic guide originally published in 1989 is intended for the serious gardener or small-scale market farmer. It describes practical and sustainable ways of growing superb organic vegetables, with detailed coverage of scale and capital, marketing, livestock, the winter garden, soil fertility, weeds, and many other topics. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Booknews, Inc. , October 1, 1990 Coleman presents the production techniques that have placed him at the forefront of biological agriculturists and gardeners. For home and market gardeners. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Midwest Book Review Revised and expanded is a new edition of a classic gardening guide. Here master grower Coleman presents a simple, effective formula for growing quality organic vegetables, updating details on marketing harvests and using small-scale equipment. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 A reader from Seattle , December 13, 1998 An excellent source book for farmers or gardeners Eliot has done so much research on soil management that can be used by anyone. He has helpful information on maintaining soil, crop rotations and helpful hints for starting seeds to harvesting. A book I return to often. devault@fast.net from Emmaus, PA (won't be in Moscow until next week) , November 3, 1998 Eliot Coleman Outdoes himself! The New Organic Grower and Eliot Coleman's Four Season Harvest are two of the absolute best books ever written on the sunject of cold-climate market gardening. For the latest on Coleman's ingenious techniques, check out his newest publication: "The Winter Harvest Manual." The sub title is "Farming the back side of the calendar." He is doing commercial greenhouse production of fresh vegetables -- throughout the Maine winter -- without supplemental heat! This is MUST reading! *************************************************** Backyard Market Gardening : The Entrepreneur's Guide to Selling What You Grow by Andrew W. Lee, Andy Lee, Jim Hightower List Price: $19.95 Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 352 pages (April 1995) Good Earth Pub; ISBN: 0962464805 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.88 x 8.99 x 6.02 Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 A reader from Indiana, USA , June 18, 1998 This is not your typical "how-to" book If you are tired of the plodding prose of most how-to books, prepare yourself for a pleasant surprise. Andrew Lee has crafted a fantastic guide for those new to organic gardening, and has done so with style, wit and humor. He walks you through soil types, composting, marketing techniques, and tool selection. He also compares and contrasts Community Supported Farms, Farmers' Markets, Subscription Farming, etc. Andrew Lee covers it all. And on top of that he has produced a lively and entertaining read in the process. *************************************************** Sell What You Sow : The Grower's Guide to Successful Produce Marketing by Eric L. Gibson Our Price: $22.50 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (January 1993) New World Publishing; ISBN: 0963281402 Reviews From Booklist , November 15, 1993 Gibson begins by noting that corporate farming's economies of scale have led to a decline in produce quality. Fruit is picked green, so that it may be shipped; fewer varieties are available, because only a few can withstand mechanical harvest; infestations of insects abound--in turn leading to higher use of pesticides--because of repeated, concentrated plantings. Therefore, there has never been a better time to become a niche marketer, not only by producing the "Yuppie fruits" that California became known for in the 1980s, but simply by providing organic tomatoes, tree-ripened peaches, and fresh sweet corn. The key is marketing: Gibson discusses roadside markets and pick-your-own operations, suggesting ways to enliven these old methods (by making your farm into a sort of theme park for city dwellers, or providing information on canning and freezing, or passing out recipes). Then he moves to more ingenious methods: contacting local restaurants, and planting crops they will buy directly; selling "subscriptions," or growing produce on order; advertising; establishing a brand; and joining a co-op. Given Gibson's focus--marketing, rather than growing, produce--it's hard to imagine a more thorough treatment. John Mort Copyright 1993, American Library Association. All rights reserved Reviews From Booklist , November 15, 1993 Gibson begins by noting that corporate farming's economies of scale have led to a decline in produce quality. Fruit is picked green, so that it may be shipped; fewer varieties are available, because only a few can withstand mechanical harvest; infestations of insects abound--in turn leading to higher use of pesticides--because of repeated, concentrated plantings. Therefore, there has never been a better time to become a niche marketer, not only by producing the "Yuppie fruits" that California became known for in the 1980s, but simply by providing organic tomatoes, tree-ripened peaches, and fresh sweet corn. The key is marketing: Gibson discusses roadside markets and pick-your-own operations, suggesting ways to enliven these old methods (by making your farm into a sort of theme park for city dwellers, or providing information on canning and freezing, or passing out recipes). Then he moves to more ingenious methods: contacting local restaurants, and planting crops they will buy directly; selling "subscriptions," or growing produce on order; advertising; establishing a brand; and joining a co-op. Given Gibson's focus--marketing, rather than growing, produce--it's hard to imagine a more thorough treatment. John Mort Copyright 1993, American Library Association. All rights reserved Reviews From Booklist , November 15, 1993 Gibson begins by noting that corporate farming's economies of scale have led to a decline in produce quality. Fruit is picked green, so that it may be shipped; fewer varieties are available, because only a few can withstand mechanical harvest; infestations of insects abound--in turn leading to higher use of pesticides--because of repeated, concentrated plantings. Therefore, there has never been a better time to become a niche marketer, not only by producing the "Yuppie fruits" that California became known for in the 1980s, but simply by providing organic tomatoes, tree-ripened peaches, and fresh sweet corn. The key is marketing: Gibson discusses roadside markets and pick-your-own operations, suggesting ways to enliven these old methods (by making your farm into a sort of theme park for city dwellers, or providing information on canning and freezing, or passing out recipes). Then he moves to more ingenious methods: contacting local restaurants, and planting crops they will buy directly; selling "subscriptions," or growing produce on order; advertising; establishing a brand; and joining a co-op. Given Gibson's focus--marketing, rather than growing, produce--it's hard to imagine a more thorough treatment. John Mort Copyright 1993, American Library Association. All rights reserved *************************************************** Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse and Business : A Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a High-Profit Business That's Beneficial to the Environment by T.M. Taylor Our Price: $19.95 Special Order Paperback 280 pages The author, Ted M.Taylor greenearth@compuserve.com , October 17, 1997 1997 Edition is 154 pages and includes updated info. Secrets to a Successful Greenhouse And Business is the NEW TITLE NAME, University of California at San Louis Obispo says, "If you operate a greenhouse for profit you need this book", The Growing Edge, Magazine says "Its a Excellent how-to-guide..a gold mine of information" Many great reviews!100% Money-Back with no time limit from Publisher. There are not enough greenhouse growers in the country te be anywhere near the saturation point - making it an excellent business venture for those who love working with plants. My pragmatic no-nonsense guide offers a complete course for such a business venture. I discuss everything you need to know: plant containers, buying plugs, propagation, hydroponics, specialty crops, watering and growing care, soil and fertilizer mixes and selling to local and national chains. A chapter on greenhouses discusses different types of structures, coverings, heating and cooling systems, and provides plans for a 30'x96' solar greenhouse Another chapter on insect and disease control outlines an excellent organic program emphasizing prevention, organic sprays, and beneficial insects. I pay ample attention to the business side as well, explaining marketing, accounting, sales, plant deliverer, bill collecting, computers, financing, licenses and permits. There is also a wholesale price list as guides and a large list of plant buyers and suppliers. The publisher, Ted Taylor-- ted@greenhouse.net , October 18, 1998 1999 Edition now available! New edition is 90% larger--280 pages and is now available! Lots of real good information. The publisher, GreenEarth ------- greenearth@compuserve.com , October 17, 1997 1997 Edition - 154 pages being shipped NOW ! Edible flowers, tropical fruits, hydroponically-grown vegetables-pesticide-free, native trees, and water purification are just some of the interesting reasons why greenhouse growers are becoming one of the important business occupations in the environment movement. Organic, pesticide-free vegetables are in big demand nationwide, one reason is because of the popularity of Juicers. Specialty vegetables, fruits and herbs are becoming great items to grow and market for the rual or urban gardener because of 200% sales increase for the last two years. Native tree seedlings are being sold by the millions and many more growers are badly needed. Demand has skyrocketed for aquatic plants for water treatment and gardens, sales of bedding and foliage plants have steadily increased. Equally important, it is being used to encourage and help develop greenhouse programs in schools to give students a hands-on experience in biology, agriculture, science and business while producing a profitable crop and a nutritional addition to their lunches. The book is designed for the beginner or hopeful grower to show how, with a small investment, anyone can have a profitable home-business growing plants. The publisher, More info? greenearth@compuserve.com , October 17, 1997 Our purpose is Preservation This 11-section guide was written by T.M.Taylor, one of the nation's quality growers, to encourage and facilitate the environmentally beneficial and profitable home business of growing herbs, vegetables, trees and flowers. Reviews The author, Ted M.Taylor ted@greenhouse.net , August 12, 1998 1998 Edition is 154 pages -paperback We have come a long way since the '89 edition. That was the edition we printed at PiP printing and was 34 pages BIG and spiral bound. We started small and have been updating it yearly. The way to make money in this business is to grow large quantities and only one or two buyers are often all that is needed, so hardly no time is spent selling. I personally would never start a business if I did not love what I was doing so play-a-holic is how I describe me. This book is guaranteed to please with the most info on the business aspect of greenhouse that is available for the beginner. Click here for all reviews... Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 3 shonnagizmo!@aol.com from Atlanta, Georgia , November 21, 1998 This book is Great! You won't believe all the secrets in this pragmatic book. Its so easy to find buyers using their method. Some really good money saving tips about everything. Not a lot of the same old info on how to grow but the secrets on how to produce top quality plants. A reader from Melbourne, FL , October 30, 1998 This book saved me ten years! If you want the best info on greenhouses that was written in this country and is very up to date, this book is for you. Info on hydroponic tomatoes was the latest available (very important). The info on getting customers is the best that I have read. Real good ideas on building a greenhouse and the many extras you can get for this wonderful business. Suggestions on what to grow first for new growers and how many. Even what to say to prospect buyers. A buyers list that has real buyers! Just a great book and will save you many years. A reader from Alabama , July 15, 1998 Good Primer for Beginning Growers I bought this book back when it first came out, printed I believe on some antiquated machine with a spiral binding. Mr. Taylor takes you step-by-step into the world of growing plants for profit in a homemade greenhouse. Good book to get you started, but you better get a salesman to sell all those plants you'll be growing because you won't have time to do both with his numbers. He' talking about growing thousands of plants to sell to the big markets like Walmart and K-Mart. I guess if you were a work-a-holic you could do it. *************************************************** Herbs for Sale : Growing and Marketing Herbs, Herbal Products, and Herbal Know-How by Lee Sturdivant, Peggy Sue McRae (Illustrator) Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1994) Reviews From Booklist , July 19, 1994 Sturdivant offers insightful interviews with entrepreneurs who have developed creative approaches to small businesses related to herbs. In most cases, the personal goals cited are tied to a more gratifying lifestyle, a love of gardening, or a desire to live in rural areas. For anyone thinking about venturing into the world of herbal products and herbal lore, or interested in delving into aspects of growing fresh herbs or selling craft items, the research here will be an asset. Sturdivant has many tips on basic small business skills, and her book is also a good resource for related publications, associations, and suppliers of plants, seeds, and equipment for growing and marketing herbs. Alice Joyce Copyright 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved Midwest Book Review Gardeners who want to consider starting a herb farm business will find this a practical guide blending growing tips with insights on how to market herbal products. This goes beyond the usual gardeners' guide approach, telling how to turn a small acreage into a profitable production and how to utilize a myriad of marketing approaches, from making extracts and body care products to selling to herb shops and restaurants. *************************************************** Growing Your Herb Business by Bertha Reppert Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (July 1994) 192 pages Reviews Synopsis The founder of the Rosemary House, a Pennsylvania herb and spice shop, provides readers will all the necessary information for transforming an herb hobby into a successful herb business, and shares her secrets for developing and designing herbal products and packaging them effectively. Illustrations; resource list. The publisher, Storey Publishing, Pownal, Vermont. , November 10, 1997 Practical advice on budgets, locations, business plans, bookkeeping, staffing, inventory, and pricing. Case histories of 50 thriving herb businesses. Additional topics include developing products, packaging, special events and workshops, and methods for expanding. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 saww dust @aol.com from Lancaster, PA , December 31, 1997 Required reading, better still, the Bible for herb business As a amateur herb enthusiast, I purchased this book and even with my limited time and sometimes limited concentration level I was unable to put this book down. I was able to take a number of Bertha's ideas and suggestions and implemented them on a small scale and with wonderful results. I feel this book and it's author is a asset to the gardening community. *************************************************** Profits from Your Backyard Herb Garden by Lee Sturdivant Our Price: $8.76 You Save: $2.19 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (December 1995) Reviews Midwest Book Review Learn not only how to grow, but how to market fresh-cut culinary herbs for the restaurant and specialty food market with the aid of a completely revised second edition designed with would-be professional growers in mind. From marketing strategies to special recipes, this provides many important tips. *************************************************** Pay Dirt : How to Raise and Sell Herbs and Produce for Serious Cash by Mimi Luebbermann Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1997) 256 pages Reviews Book Description The market for specialty herbs, vegetables, and fruits is exploding, and there's also money to be made in selling wreaths, flowers, gourds, and items found in the wild. This book tells all about a pleasurable, environmentally friendly, and potentially lucrative independent enterprise--from growing the inventory to growing the business. This is a revised and updated second edition of a popular how-to book. *************************************************** The Bootstrap Guide to Medicinal Herbs in the Garden, Field & Marketplace by Lee Sturdivant, Tim Blakley, Peggy S. McRae (Illustrator) Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (July 1998) 375 pages Reviews From Booklist , October 1, 1998 In this guide to growing and selling medicinal herbs, part 1 presents detailed information on growing medicinal herb blossoms, echinacea, ginseng, Chinese medicinal herbs, and mushrooms. The authors discuss "wildcrafting" (collecting herbs from the wild and from public land), the practice of medical herbalism, processing herbs into products, and regulations governing the herbs. Part 2 discusses the importance of growing herbs and what machinery and tools are needed to get started. Instructions are given on propagation, planting and cultivation, harvesting, processing, drying, and selling. There is an alphabetical list of 75 medicinal herbs, including bloodroot, catnip, dandelion, garlic, horehound, lavender, licorice, nettle, plantain, and Saint-John's-wort (which seems to be the accepted cure-all these days). The latest in the publisher's Bootstrap guides. George Cohen Copyright 1998, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis Featuring a thorough discussion on the propagation, planting, cultivation, harvest, processing, and drying of 75 specific herbs now used in the medicinal herb market, this complete book also includes information on average market prices and herbal safety and product standardization. 35 line drawings. *************************************************** Handmade Herbal Medicines : Recipes for Potions, Elixirs, and Salves by Christopher Hobbs Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1998) 120 pages Reviews The author, Christopher Hobbs L.Ac., A.H.G. , May 2, 1998 Making herbal preparations at home is a healing experience! Contents include recipes and instructions for making herbal tinctures, powdered extracts, dried juices, salves, creams, elixirs with formulas; exclusive menstruum chart for making maximum-strength tinctures. *************************************************** Herbal Emissaries : Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West : A Guide to Gardening, Herbal Wisdom, and Well-Being by Steven Foster, Yue Chongxi Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (May 1992) 356 pages *************************************************** Herbal Renaissance : Growing, Using & Understanding Herbs in the Modern World by Steven Foster, D. D. Dowden (Illustrator) Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Back Ordered Paperback - (October 1993) *************************************************** Growing Herbs from Seed, Cutting & Root : An Adventure in Small Miracles by Thomas Debaggio Our Price: $7.96 You Save: $1.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (November 1995) 72 pages Customer Comments: A reader, February 2, 1997 This is a great book for anyone interested in growing herbs. It is full of information and fun to read. *************************************************** The Pleasure of Herbs : A Month-By-Month Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying Herbs by Phyllis V. Shaudys Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (October 1986) 288 pages Reviews Synopsis Now you can create different gifts for every season--herbal wreaths for Christmas, valentine sachets, bridal bouquets, autumn potpourris--with this delightful collection of herbal gift ideas. The Pleasure of Herbs is a month-by-month guide to growing, using, and enjoying herbs. Now in its 13th printing. The publisher, Storey Publishing, Pownal, Vermont. , November 10, 1997 This lively book is brimming with information about herbs and herb growing and features both indoor and outdoor herb-growing, recipes, and craft projects. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 Susan Carpenter (Cherryval@aol.com) from N. Scituate, RI , August 11, 1998 THE BEST herb book - for beginners or old-timers alike! This book is apt to be overlooked in favor of glossy pictures, and what a shame!! It has so much useful information to offer, and the unique format of organizing info monthly is helpful. I own a shop and recommend this as my favorite book, and everyone comes back to tell me how great it is. When my copy arrived in the mail years ago, I never went to sleep that night (my husband will attest!!) and now I have an eleven year old herb shop that is going strong. And this is due in no small measure to this wonderful lady and her great book. A must have for anyone interested in the wonderful world of herbs!! A reader, June 25, 1997 This is the best book for beginners-bar none!!! This is definitely the best herbal book for the beginner or the experienced, to plant, grow harvest, cook, craft, it's all here. I have a hard time to put it down, in order to get anything done *************************************************** Herbal Treasures : Inspiring Month-By-Month Projects for Gardening, Cooking, and Crafts by Phyllis V. Shaudys, Cindy McFarland (Illustrator), Gwen Steege (Editor) Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (November 1990) 320 pages Reviews : A compendium of the best herb crafts, recipes, and gardening ideas, Herbal Treasures is another wonderful offering from the author of The Pleasure of Herbs. Gardeners, cooks, and craftspeople alike will find a vast array of projects and recipes in this beautiful book. Customer Comments: Bernadette James from Milford, Michigan , January 7, 1999 One of my favorite books This is a very enjoyable book. If you like crafts, gardening, cooking and just enjoyable reading I'm sure you will find this book to be on your favorite list. I enjoyed reading about her daughter’s wedding preparation. A reader, June 24, 1997 Wonderful book. This is one book that I am constantly getting into, rain or shine, cold weather and hot. It’s a great book just to read and look at, not because of pictures, but just for the recipes, ideas, suggestions and general information. Its simple to use and its not full of technical jargon that you have to look up constantly to understand what she is talking about. I highly suggest for anyone who cooks, wants gift ideas, or for any other reason. *************************************************** Little Herb Gardens : Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens--Indoors and Out (A Garden Style Book) by Georgeanne Brennan, Mimi Luebbermann (Contributor) Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (May 1993) 96 pages Reviews Synopsis The age-old art of cultivating home-grown herbs comes alive in this book, with all the information needed to grow productive herb gardens year round in even the smallest spaces. Includes recipes for herb-infused oils and vinegars, herb-scented biscotti, herb-flavored sorbets, as well as a resource directory, bibliography, and an index. Full color. *************************************************** Potager : Fresh Garden Cooking in the French Style by Georgeanne Brennan, John Vaughan (Photographer), Alice Waters Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (November 1992) 145 pages Reviews Synopsis The French country traditional cooking from a potager, or kitchen garden, has for centuries produced meals that are seasonally fresh, simple, and sparkling with the essential flavors of their carefully chosen ingredients. This collection of 58 recipes captures the full vitality of a justly-celebrated cuisine. 80 full-color photographs. *************************************************** In the French Kitchen Garden : The Joys of Cultivating a Potager by Georgeanne Brennan, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator) Our Price: $13.27 You Save: $5.68 (30%) Usually ships in 24 hours Hardcover - (October 1998) 120 pages Reviews Amazon.com Georgeanne Brennan became enamored of the concept of the potager, or kitchen garden, while living in the south of France, and has created potagers everywhere she's lived in the nearly three decades since then. The potager, explains Brennan, is more than a garden: it's a chance to observe the seasons, a provider of ingredients for signature local dishes, and a great social democratizer that keeps neighbors in touch as they share their bounty with each other. One of the main features of a potager is that it is intended as a year-round garden, rather than just a summer, or harvest, garden. To that end, Brennan explains which plants do well in different seasons and how to stagger the plantings during seasonal transition periods so as to use the space efficiently throughout the year. The garden itself can be quite small--9 feet by 12 feet can keep a family of four in fresh produce. Like a potager, this guide is small and sweet. It's attractively illustrated with Melissa Sweet's watercolors, and includes 25 easy recipes that make stars of simple, fresh ingredients. --Barrie Trinkle *************************************************** The Art of French Vegetable Gardening by Louisa Jones, Gilles Le Scanff (Photographer), Joele car Mayer, Joelle C. Mayer (Photographer) Our Price: $28.00 You Save: $7.00 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Hardcover - (September 1995) 208 pages Reviews Synopsis An original look at the most beautiful French vegetable gardens, this book is both inspirational and practical. It combines 175 original color photos shot throughout France with an informative text. Elements of garden design--including layout, hedging or walls, benches, and vertical accents--are detailed. Includes an extensive list of resources and 80 recipe ideas. *************************************************** Heirloom Vegetable Gardening : A Master Gardener's Guide to Planting, Growing, Seed Saving, and Cultural History by William Woys Weaver, Peter Hatch Our Price: $31.50 You Save: $13.50 (30%) Usually ships in 24 hours Hardcover - (June 1997) 592 pages Reviews Amazon.com William Woys Weaver has written an important book in Heirloom Vegetable Gardening--important for the kitchen gardener, the cook, the historian, and any American who might wonder what our forebears were up to when they sat down to eat. What was the food on their table? Where did it come from? How did they get it? All these questions are addressed in Weaver's elegant prose. But there's another side to the story, and Weaver meets his reader there, too: Where is food headed, and what's an individual to do? We have seen the rise of hybrid crops in the years since World War II. They are good for the seed business because the grower can't just let a few plants grow to seed, save the seed, then plant that seed next season. Hybridized plants don't yield seed that's true to the character of the plant, so the grower has to return to the seed rack year after year. Buying seed on a commercial level is a big deal, as is growing enough of it to meet the market. A lot of tillable land in South America isn't growing food for hungry South Americans, but growing corn seed for American farmers, and the biggest use of corn in this country is animal feed. Not many hungry South Americans get to eat corn-fed American beef and pork. In one sense, he who controls seed controls food. Or, he who owns seed owns food, and the highest bidder takes all. Heirloom seed, then, is more than a trinket or curiosity from the past. It represents the chance of survival in the future. Should an as-yet-unknown plant virus come along and take out the American hybrid corn crop (something that has in fact come close to happening), it's the genetic diversity available in heirloom, open-pollinated seeds that will save the bacon. Governments maintain plant gene banks, but individuals can do much the same, and authors like Weaver show how. What Weaver injects into the tale is the incredible pleasure that comes of growing heirloom crops and saving seed, and of eating from a table laden with 17th- and 18th-century foods. He shares his own history and his family's history, all of it tied up in gardening and sharing and caring. This lovely book is an extension that can reach into any garden being dug today. In other words, don't hesitate with this title, whether history, science, gardening, or a rich enthusiasm for constructive ways the individual can affect the future drives your interest. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 A reader from Austin Texas , November 9, 1997 Outstanding book helps gardeners choose heirloom varieties Heirloom Vegetable Gardening by W.W. Weaver provides detailed descriptions of cultivation and cooking of hundreds of varieties of old and ancient food plants. His narratives are wonderful, and make very interesting reading. His tips on cultivation, though primarily focused on his region of the country, are complete and helpful. Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable book, that provides insight and tremendous expertise in an area that is vitally important. *************************************************** Heirloom Vegetables : A Home Gardener's Guide to Finding and Growing Vegetables from the Past by Sue Stickland, Kent Whealy, David Cavagnaro (Photographer) Our Price: $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (February 1998) 192 pages Reviews Amazon.com The very act of vegetable gardening implies a sense of care for the environment and a desire to control one's own food supply. There is a huge diversity of vegetable varieties available, but many gardeners have been limited by seed supplies to a few industrially engineered hybrids that lack the natural pest tolerance, environmental range, and flavor of the older types. In recent years, however, a cadre of dedicated natural gardeners such as Sue Stickland have begun to spread the word about heirloom vegetables that used to be grown by farmers and home gardeners, their seeds preserved by organizations such as the Seed Savers Exchange. Heirloom Vegetables offers a wealth of historical and practical information about these varieties: where to find them, how to select the right ones for your garden, and how to ensure their growth. It's an excellent addition to any serious gardener's library. From Booklist , February 15, 1998 Before the not-so-future designer gene banks for humans are established now come the very real repositories for seeds of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Stickland, along with consultant Whealy (one of the founders of Seed Savers Exchange), proffers a much-needed introduction for gardeners and chefs who realize that variety is more than just the spice of life. Here is the rationale for preserving vegetable beginnings--and the penalty for not doing so; in the space of 10 years, the authors estimate, more than two-thirds of nonhybrid vegetable varieties disappeared from popular catalogs. Add to the proselytizing some true, hard data: a discussion of corporate involvement, breeding trends, and legal and illegal sproutings, among other topics. Yet an even more functional resource follows: a directory--complete with description, germination time, cultivation, best use, and suppliers--that could easily go solo as a welcomed reference. Copyright 1998, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis Endorsed by the world-famous Seed Savers Exchange, an international organization for promoting and conserving plant diversity, "Heirloom Vegetables" is an beautifully illustrated, authoritative, and practical guide to growing and preserving more than 350 varieties of old-fashioned edible plants. Garden Book Club Alternate. 62 photos, 42 in color National print & radio publicity. . *************************************************** Earthly Delights : Tubs of Tomatoes and Buckets of Beans by Jack Kramer Our Price: $12.76 You Save: $3.19 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (May 1997) Reviews Midwest Book Review Those gardening in limited spaces will appreciate this guide to growing vegetables, fruits and herbs in containers which range from milk cartons to planters. From varieties suited to container gardening to indoor gardening, this offers plenty of specific advice on growing in a small space. *************************************************** Square Foot Gardening : A New Way to Garden in Less Space With Less Work by Mel Bartholomew Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (1981) 347 pages Reviews Synopsis Square Foot Gardening presents a new way to garden in less space with less work. The book has been overwhelmingly accepted by gardeners across America. Bartholomew also hosts the popular PBS series of the same name. 37 photos. 63 illustrations and charts. The author, Mel Bartholomew c/o The Flyer Factory - caflyer@townsquare.net , May 18, 1998 Many Thanks Hi, this is Mel Bartholomew. Thank you so much for all your great comments, I really appreciate them. If you saw my T.V. show back when it was on PBS and the Discovery Channel and then the Learning Channel, you'll know that Square Foot Gardening can reduce all the work, space, and expense of an old fashioned garden by 80%. Since it's so simple and easy to understand it's especially good for beginners and non-experts. Why even kids can learn it in a few hours. So, good luck and happy gardening to all of you. Keep the comments coming and let me know what you'd like in the next Square Foot Gardening book. Customer Comments Write an online review and share your thoughts with other readers! Avg. Customer Review: ; Number of Reviews: 7 A reader from Washington State, U.S.A. , January 1, 1999 Do yourself a favor and buy this book! Mel, Great Book! It's getting me past a lot of my earlier gardening problems such as having all my crops come in at the same time (you really *can* strain friendships trying to give away zucchini). Could you include more on potatoes in the next edition with such details as "Is it safe to grow them in old tires?", etc. Thanks for this book!! Tom Murray (murrayrn@aol.com) from Delaware , September 29, 1998 Now anyone can garden!! It's too good to be true; but it is. I've had this book for years. I also recommend "Cash from Square Foot Gardening" If it's still in print. It's a realistic and practical method to not only enjoy fresh produce but earn honest income while you’re at it. Thank you Mel. avmeter@voicenet.com from Philadelphia, PA , July 23, 1998 A great book for city gardeners! I've just recommended this book to a friend starting in a small yard. It is absolutely the *best* way to grow everything you want in a very small space! Eight years ago, as a new homeowner, I was very intimidated by the spacing recommended on seed packets. Now my neighbors run when they see my tomatoes coming :-) (and my peppers, eggplant, peas, carrots, lettuce, basil, oregano...) A reader from Illinois , June 2, 1998 A truly fantastic idea ... neat and successful way to garden I purchased this book years ago (don't remember when) and was "talked" out of it by a dear friend who lived in England. I told him about the book and the gardening methods recommended. He was and is an avid gardener but living in England he was very limited by space. Mel Bartholomew's method of gardening (4x4 foot squares) was ideal for him and I just had to give the book to him. I recently was discussing gardening with another friend here in the States and I mentioned "Square Foot Gardening." They were also interested in the method. Just on a hunch I checked Amazon.com and sure enough here was the book. Can't wait to get my hands on it again and build a couple of squares in the back yard. This time I will keep the book ... and refer my eager friends to Amazon.com! A reader from Los Angeles, CA , March 21, 1998 Terrific book-- A common-sense revolution in gardening. I received this book as a gift and it has been my near-constant companion ever since. I can't imagine gardening any other way now. Mel has a gift for explaining things in a clear and entertaining manner. Join the Square Foot revolution and enjoy more produce with less work! A reader , March 19, 1997 I love this book. This book changed the way I perceived intensive gardening. It's simple-to-follow instructions and accompanying artwork made the gardening process incredibly simple. I am now in my third year of following this methodology. The yield in my garden is a testimony to the author's knowledge on the subject and I look forward to reading other books he has written and will write. A reader , March 18, 1997 A great book for a suburban gardener. This is one of the 2 books that actually got me into gardening (the other being Christopher O. Bird's _Modern Vegetable Gardening_). Like most suburban dwellers, I have a back yard that does not lend itself to traditional gardening. With Mr. Bartholomew's method, I grew green and wax beans, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn, pumpkins, lettuce, swiss chard, carrots and radishes all in a garden consisting of two 4'x8', one 4'x4' and one 1'x8' plots. It is an excellent book for beginners, providing basic information on where to place a garden, when in the year to start it, amending your soil (or even making soil, if necessary), etc. There is also a guide for every popular vegetable, showing how and when to plant it, how often to water, how often to fertilize, how to harvest, common problems, and other such things. In conclusion, if you are typical suburban dweller who is interested in starting a garden, this book is a "must read". Not only will you gain great knowledge about a non-traditional form of gardening, but you'll learn that it is really something that you can do, no matter what your level of expertise. *************************************************** Rodale's Low-Maintenance Gardening Techniques : Shortcuts and Time-Saving Hints for Your Greatest Garden Ever by Barbara W. Ellis, Joan Benjamin, Deborah L. Martin List Price: $27.95 Our Price: $19.57 You Save: $8.38 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Hardcover - 374 pages (June 1995) Rodale Pr; ISBN: 0875966411 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.17 x 10.32 x 8.34 Reviews Synopsis A guide to planning and planting a beautiful, bountiful garden includes all-organic, low-work techniques for building healthy soil and hundreds of ideas for easy-care plants and gardens in a "tips" format that is easy to follow. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 A reader from Greenville, South Carolina , November 3, 1998 Ingenious techniques and easy-to-follow illustrations For new homeowners or experienced gardeners, this book is filled with simple, ingenious techniques for landscaping with a minimum of sweat, time, and natural resources. In addition to covering flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees, and other plant types, the book has a most useful section on lawns and groundcovers. It also includes information on pruning and other techniques. The layout is user-friendly, and the illustrations are plentiful and easy to follow. Nearly everyone who comes to my house asks to borrow this book! *************************************************** Successful Small-Scale Farming : An Organic Approach by Karl Schwenke, Ben Watson (Editor) List Price: $14.95 Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 144 pages 2nd edition (April 1991) Storey Books; ISBN: 0882666428 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.43 x 10.88 x 8.56 Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2 A reader from Chicago area , November 24, 1998 Fair but basic coverage of the topic For the person unfamiliar with agriculture, this book has some value. It covers the field (pun intended) from about the 50,000 foot level. For additional information, the reader will have to get specific books on what was covered in a paragraph or two in this book. A reader , June 3, 1997 If you read it, you will farm! Or you'll run elsewhere FAST. If you're thinking of small scale commercial farming, this is the book for you! If you know about soil and crop rotation and yields and harvest logistics, there's still plenty of information about equipment and storage and seeds and... If you don't know about those things, this book is the place to start. With the information here and a little current market research, (ie. surf the web for 20 minutes to get prices,) you can write a complete farm business plan. Well written, clear and to the point, it's full of tips and tricks to make your venture a success. It would be a bargain at ten times the price! (And I'm a hard grader.) *************************************************** The Contrary Farmer by Gene Logsdon List Price: $16.95 Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 288 pages (June 1995) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 0930031741 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.65 x 8.98 x 6.01 Reviews How-To Editor's Recommended Book Gene Logsdon offers an alternative to the decline of the family farm by explaining how to successfully engage in what he calls "cottage farming" part-time for enjoyment as well as profit. This book gives readers the tools and information they need to grow their own food in a sustainable and Earth-friendly fashion, but it also tells some great, hilarious stories and includes some truly beautiful and evocative writing. This is not a dry, "how-to" book; it's a really great read even if you haven't a clue about (or any interest in) farming. From Booklist , April 15, 1994 No learned gentleman farmer, Logsdon earns his moments of lyricism by analyzing at length the daily demands on the cottage farmer (one whose holdings are much smaller than the 50 acres that economists deem "small"). He recommends alternatives: ways to avoid backbreaking work, to use gardens to test prospective crops, to ameliorate the "gruesome" tasks of butchering and tail docking, to access water for irrigation, to avoid the pitfalls of "controlled rational grazing," to determine the most functional crop for the working cottage farm (it's corn), and so on. All this by a man who also reads widely and has a down-home sense of humor, as well as no reluctance to express his opinions. So if at first you think that these farming essays are too technical for you, you're wrong. "Yeah, I could do that--avoid buying gadgets I don't need, be a lender rather than a borrower, live near a village where I can buy a home for $40,000," we muse, even if eventually we hear from Logsdon that we must "learn to fix cars and tractors" ourselves, and sigh, "Too much, too much." Logsdon deserves a larger audience than he will probably get. Roland Wulbert Copyright 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Customer Comments : A reader from South Lyon, Michigan, USA , October 13, 1998 Very, Very Good! A classic! The Contrary Farmer is very informative about small scale farming. Logsdon has many creative and interesting ideas. The book interlaces information with good stories and philosophizing. It is often rather humorous. Overall, it is perhaps one of the most enjoyable farming books on the market, if not THE most enjoyable. This is true whether you farm or whether you are only interested in farming. Very highly recommended! joeyrosa@cari.net from San Diego, CA , July 19, 1998 Agriculture with Attitude! Mr. Logsdon's wisdom and simple common sense (not so common anymore!) give all us "Contrarians" a little support. In a world of full of farmers that follow the edicts of the chemical-company-supported extension services and consultants it is a relief to hear from someone who does it the old fashioned way, which is the only way for a farmer without thousands of acres and millions of dollars to succeed. A great primer on the foolish basis for our economic system which ignores the primary industry of any civilization: farming. My only reservations came from personal biases that we don't share. I don't really fault him for these things, it just made me value the book a shade less. I have passed it on to my most "contrary" friends who have an interest in farming or the earth. jchamber@unlinfo.unl.edu from Adams, Nebraska USA , January 8, 1998 One you pick up over and over again. Contains both very practical information on small scale farming with intellectually stimulating analyses of rural society. One of my must have around books. A reader from Corwin Springs, Montana , August 20, 1997 Full of humor and labor-saving tips. Table of Contents: The Ramparts People; 1. At Ease with the Work of Farming; 2. Pastoral Economics; 3. The Garden is the Proving Ground for the Farm; 4. The Peaceable Kingdom of the Barnyard; 5. Water Power; 6. A Paradise of Meadows; 7. Groves of Trees to Live In; 8. King Corn; 9. Cottage Mechanics; 10. Winter Wheat, Spring Oats, Summer Clover, Fall Pasture; Books the Contrary Farmer Treasures; Index *************************************************** The Contrary Farmer's Invitation to Gardening by Gene Logsdon List Price: $16.95 Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 242 pages (June 1997) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 0930031962 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.63 x 9.07 x 6.08 Reviews : How-To Editor's Recommended Book Gene Logsdon has done it again! One of his earlier books, The Contrary Farmer, is one of the most moving, sensible, readable books about sustainable farming on the market. Now Logsdon successfully applies that wry wit, wisdom, and storytelling faculty to gardening. The result is a perceptive and inspirational volume: it is nearly impossible to resist dreaming about getting out there and raising your own food after reading this intelligent, enjoyable book. Logsdon's voice is utterly personal and sensible: he uses his experiences as well as tales of people he knows to point out absurdities of modern agricultural horticultural silliness. This same humor and clear-headedness are employed in considering the futility of industrialized farming, pesticide use, and the highly destructive methods of corporate and commercial farming and gardening. Gene Logsdon breaks down the garden walls and celebrates the side of gardening that isn't a finicky, style-obsessed, and expensive hobby but rather a hilarious, sensual, and endlessly satisfying way of life. The borders of the contrary garden are limited only by the imagination. Why should "crops" be merely common vegetables? Why not wheat? Why not the pigeons on the rafters of the barn, or bluegills and edible cattails from your own homestead pond? This is Gene Logsdon at his provocative best. Frequently irreverent, but always optimistic and practical, he uses the tools of good humor and common sense to smash conventional gardening to smithereens. Customer Comments : ananda@pioneer.net from Blodgett, OR , January 4, 1998 Hilarious, insightful, and brilliant Gene Logsdon's thoughts on gardening are jewels of wisdom and humor, as usual. He's one of those rare writers who can take the reader deep into unimagined worlds under the surface of a topic, exploring whimsical and practical concepts of farming/gardening. Buy this book! You'll read it BR to tatters and beg for more. I'm giving copies to every gardener I know. *************************************************** You Can Go Home Again : Adventures of a Contrary Life by Gene Logsdon List Price: $22.95 Our Price: $16.07 You Save: $6.88 (30%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Hardcover - 224 pages (November 1998) Indiana Univ Pr; ISBN: 0253334195 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.81 x 8.72 x 5.70 Reviews From Booklist , October 1, 1998 Logsdon--the contrary farmer, as one of his earlier (1994) books' title styles him--offers warmth and insight in his autobiography. He describes the pressures that compelled him to leave the Ohio farm of his childhood for seminary training and the epiphany that propelled him back to secular life to pursue the dream of returning to the lifestyle of his childhood. He discusses the slow death of the agrarian lifestyle at the hands of agribusiness and clearly delineates the economic and political forces destroying small farming in America. But he doesn't just talk. For years he has lived the contrary lifestyle he advocates, using ecologically informed farming techniques and the agricultural wisdom of his background on a sustainable, highly profitable 32-acre "garden farm" in the valley in which he grew up. And he provides not just a fascinating glimpse of a lifestyle that has nearly disappeared but also a blueprint for those who want to lead a similar way of life. The simpler life is within our reach--if we will choose it. Bonnie Johnston Copyright 1998, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis Gene Logsdon's story embodies both the frustration and longing so many individuals feel as they search for their essential selves and a harmonious life. The measure of his courage--and contrariness--is that he has been successful. In "You Can Go Home Again", he tells readers what has motivated him and what success has meant. The author, Gene Logsdon , October 21, 1998 I try to consider deeper thoughts. Dear readers of my books: Thanks to all of you for buying my droll musings about life beyond the parking lots. Without you, my wife and I would have to get government welfare assistance like all the millionaire farmers do. Thanks especially to those who have taken the time to write nice reviews. Sometimes my nose gets so high up in the air I can hardly work this damn computer. I notice one reviewer describes our farming as "highly profitable." It is highly profitable in human values, which I presume is what the reviewer meant, but the amount of cash money we make from it is pretty small potatoes. Our potatoes are rather small too, come to think of it. My latest book, YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN, is a little different from most of the earlier ones in that I try to consider deeper thoughts. Deeper than potatoes. I manage to insult institutional religion, institution education, commercial journalism, and commercial agribusiness, which probably means that I will lose what few friends I have remaining. I notice that Amazon now carries another new book of mine (with Steve Zender, my good friend) called THE BIG THINGS IN LIFE ARE THE LITTLE THINGS. You won't hear much about this one because we published it ourselves and can't afford to advertise it much. If you want to learn what life in all its humor, charm and sadness is really like in rural areas and small villages, this is a good book to start with. I get lots of requests for my old, out of print books. Sometimes Powell on the Internet has some. I am trying to get my publishers to reissue these books with, finally, a bit of success. My older WILDLIFE IN THE GARDEN will be out next year, updated, and with some changes to make you laugh while the deer eat your shrubbery. I wanted to retitle it "Wild In the Garden" and add a chapter on nude gardening, but my publishers are such killjoys. Sincerely, Gene Logsdon *************************************************** At Nature's Pace; Farming and the American Dream by Gene Logsdon, Wendell Berry (Introduction) THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. The publisher is out of stock. If you would like to purchase this title, we recommend that you occasionally check this page to see if it's been reprinted. Paperback (March 1995) Pantheon Books; ISBN: 0679758445 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.66 x 8.01 x 5.20 Reviews From Booklist , February 15, 1994 Logsdon is as impersonal as a politician seeking office in these essays on the small commercial farmer. The operant word is commercial, for Logsdon is no gentleman farmer. Although he writes about the spiritual rewards of farming, he always counterposes to them the thoroughly material woes suffered by the small "food and fiber producer"--his term for farmer. Such attention to terminology bespeaks Logsdon's resistance to the conventional wisdoms of the agribusiness executive, the noble ecological farmer, and even his constituency, the vanishing commercial farmer. It indicates, too, three pervasive features of his writing: tough-mindedness, historical perspective, and close attention to particularities. Thus, when he discusses the decline of the small commercial farmer, he invokes not some vague urban alienation but the changing curriculum in the department of agriculture at Ohio State; and when he writes about small farmers, he describes in detail--skillfully enough to shame most professional ethnographers--extended conversations in the Pour House restaurant. So we take seriously his prophecy that small farming will revive. Even should it fail, his writing documents with rare honesty and perspicacity a calling that has become all but invisible to most of us. Roland Wulbert Copyright 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Kirkus Reviews , December 15, 1993 The author (Two Acre Eden, 1971) has written a good deal about farming in books and articles, and these essays (1980-92) were written, by Logsdon's own admission, ``out of anger'' at the decline of rural society, the result, he believes, of ``a nation's greed.'' Here he targets some root causes--from educational, media and governmental malfeasances. In 1986 Logsdon took on some of the thorny matters leading to ``agricultural suicide'': the emphasis on surplus, insuring market glut; interest-rate devilment; and particularly the 70's boom psychology, then the lowering inflation, undercutting the paper- rich farmer who'd learned to borrow money, buy a farm and buy another when the price rose. In a 1980 essay, Logsdon has an instructive imaginary dialogue with three model farmers-- ``agribusiness''; the middle-income farmer; and--the happiest--the small farmer. (Definitely teacher's pet, this last is the skilled farmer like the Amish variety Logsdon admires: doesn't borrow or buy new equipment, rotates crops, uses no herbicide, etc.) In other essays, Logsdon comes down heavily on the side of the small-scale farm, which diversifies with complementary, independent farm units. He has pleasant things to say about horses and old tools, all economically sound. He is merciless, though, in his precision- bombing of the colleges of agriculture, mere ``havens for golf-turf science'' and for the waste of soil through heavy machinery, toxic chemicals, and erosion. The closing essays are nice appreciations of woodcutters' pleasures and of viewing the acres (Logsdon paces his in Ohio.) With an introduction by poet Wendell Berry, a sturdy blast for the rural life. Good reading for farmers and Aggie majors and for those who might ponder, as consumers, Logsdon's caveat: ``It is cheaper to raise a zucchini in your garden than on your megafarm.'' -- Copyright 1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Book Description Now in paperback, seminal, environmental and agricultural essays by the acclaimed journalist and Ohio farmer, Gene Logsdon, who has written regularly for publications such as Orion, Whole Earth Review, Mother Jones, The Utne Reader, Organic Gardening, and New Farm. Synopsis Now in paperback, seminal, environmental and agricultural essays by the acclaimed journalist and Ohio farmer, Gene Logsdon, who has written regularly for publications such as Orion, Whole Earth Review, Mother Jones, The Utne Reader, Organic Gardening, and New Farm. Synopsis A collection of essays on the decline of rural society and the need for agricultural reform explains why today's single-crop megafarms are headed toward an economic and biological crisis. 10,000 first printing. Tour. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 jgarriso@mail.mlmc.utah.edu from Salt Lake City, Utah , November 17, 1997 It's been done before, but rarely better than this. Gene Logsdon, writing from anger and experience, has put together a collection of poignant, and persistent essays. His discomfort follows you long after you have envisioned a strip of grains from the midwest to Florida, the workings of dung beetles, and the mission of the "contrary farmer." Logsdon gives insight into the weaknesses of industrial agriculture and how its woes are most painfully obvious in rural communities. Such a reasonable subject is rarely taken on so furiously and so well...Logsdon has become a spokesman worthy of friend Wendell Berry's praise as the finest of the farmer essayists. *************************************************** Rfd by Charles Allen Smart, Gene Logsdon Our Price: $17.95 Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 288 pages Reprint edition (October 1998) Ohio Univ Pr (Trd); ISBN: 082141254X ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.77 x 7.45 x 4.97 Reviews : Charles Allen Smart was a New York novelist and prep-school teacher when he inherited his aunt's farm in 1935. He and his wife moved into the rustic stone farmhouse in remote southern Ohio, determined to combine their lives as working farmers with their literary-intellectual life and political progressivism. Smart conveys the feel of their lives at a time when "living in the country" was a meaningful distinction in America. RFD (derived from the old rural-free delivery postal designation) was a best-seller in 1938; this new paperback edition features an insightful foreword by noted Ohio farm writer Gene Logsdon. Told with sensitivity, gusto, and a fierce honesty, RFD ultimately is about one couple's earliest, joyful attempt to live meaningful lives. *************************************************** Gene Logsdon's Practical Skills : A Revival of Forgotten Crafts, Techniques, and Traditions by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0878575774 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. Customer Comments : Anita Evangelista (ale@townsqr.com) from Missouri Hillbilly Ozarks , December 9, 1998 Super information in a very readable format Gene Logsdon's book is my all-time favorite useful title, with plenty of pictures and simple descriptions of the skills. When we moved "back to the farm" (actually, we'd been raised in Los Angeles, and were just starting out in a self-sufficient life-style), this book was literally a lifesaver. We're building a privy now, using some Logsdon ideas -- I can't thank this guy enough! Crystal Jensen ~weber@midwest.net~ from Illinois/Missouri , August 23, 1998 Common Sense Everyday Skills For Survival If you want a book to help you through tough times cheaply, this is it! An emergency situation may cause books such as this one to be a life saver. You can find it on Bibliofind & other online used book shops. Covers: 1. Maintaining & Repairing House Items 2. Home Comfort: Buying a Wood Stove; Getting the most heat from fireplaces; Running Water. The Hydrolic Ram. 3. Making and Making Do 4. Food Prep: Milk from the cow to the fridge; Homemade Butter, Butchering a chicken, Hog Butchering, Practical Wild Foods. 5. Yard & Garden: Things To Build & Maintain A Practical Privy, Septic Tank principals, cistern, dry stone walls & fences, building Icehouse Coolers, A Wood heated fruit dryer (dehydrator) Garden Skills: Hoemanship, Low Cost Hothouse frame, Homemade bug fighters. 6. Around The Barn: Basic Construction & Livestock Tips. 7. On The Land: In The Fields: A Farm is a large garden OR a garden is a small farm. Tools for small Time gardens. (NOTE: I just hit the "basics of this book.) I have used several of his ideas: One was how to keep a mile long gravel road from "washing" out using a gravel trench type drain with 2 railroad ties filled with loose rock. I weigh 100 lbs. soaking wet, am a female, & can honestly say this book is high on my list for learning practical skills! CJ *************************************************** Gene Logsdon's Moneysaving Secrets : A Treasury of Salvaging, Bargaining, Recycling, and Scavenging Techniques by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 087857624X Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Homesteading; How to Find New Independence on the Land. by Gene. Logsdon ASIN: 0878570683 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Getting Food from Water : A Guide to Background Aquaculture by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0878572325 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** The Low-Maintenance House by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0878577181 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Organic Orcharding by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0878573569 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Small-scale grain raising by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0878571477 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. Customer Comments : Pete Kinyon (gkinyo01@shepherd.wvnet.edu) from Shepherdstown, WV , February 24, 1998 Excellent Reference Book Logsdon provides the expertise needed plant, grow, harvest, and store all common (and some uncommon) grains using a low level of technology. If you want to know how to raise your own grains without major equipment - THIS IS THE BOOK. At least some of this knowledge is in danger of being lost. An EXCELLENT reference book! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. *************************************************** Successful Berry Growing; How to Plant, Prune, Pick, and Preserve Bush and Vine Fruits. by Gene. Logsdon ASIN: 0878570896 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Two Acre Eden by Gene. Logsdon ASIN: 0878572902 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** The Last Days of a Farmer : A Personal Account by Gene Logsdon ASIN: 0865473773 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** How to Grow More Vegetables : Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops by John Jeavons List Price: $16.95 Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback 5th edition (October 1995) Ten Speed Pr; ISBN: 0898157676 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.67 x 10.92 x 8.47 Reviews Amazon.com Now in its fifth edition and printed in seven different languages, Jeavon's book is considered a classic in the field (literally) and has brought about a kind of green revolution in food production around the world. This book is based on Alan Chadwick's biointensive gardening techniques. It will show you how to raise enough fresh, healthy, organic vegetables for a family of four on a parcel of land as small as 800 square feet! Nothing could be more fundamental to the needs of an increasingly crowded world than food. Jeavons and the group he heads, Ecology Action, are making a quiet but earth-shaking revolution in how people raise nutritious food. If you have a small, flat rooftop, access to a bit of open space between your house and your neighbor's, or any small patch of land, here's the ultimate how-to manual for making the most of it to raise your own food, including ways to enhance soil fertility and productivity, non-chemical pest controls, where and when to plant what in your climate or location, the tools you'll need, and the problem-solving skills essential to success. This "ground-breaking" book is used by gardeners around the globe and is as hopeful, inspiring, and motivating a gardening book as has ever been written. --Mark Hetts Customer Comments : Jim Coombs (zog@ime.net) from Maine, USA , July 14, 1998 A book that unlocks knowledge long needed in today's society This book is not just about growing more vegetables in the vein of "Throw some more fertilizer on in the garden!" This book is about a way of life, a philosophy. It gives one a whole systems view of healthy, living soil creation and plant growing. When one reads, absorbs and applies the material, it becomes almost a religious experience. A reader from Long Beach, CA , May 13, 1998 The best book for starting a vegetable garden. Like a bible. If you're starting a garden from scratch or know nothing about gardening, this book is a great way to begin. If you're an accomplished gardener and want to learn more about composting, companion planting, and improving sustainability of your garden, this is a wonderful book. I use it and read it over and over again. It's a wealth of information. The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. Gregory Leiber (gleiber@pobox.com) from Oregon, USA , May 6, 1998 Best Introduction To Biodynamic/French Intensive Gardening I learned organic gardening principles by reading the first edition of this book back in the mid '70s while I was living in Santa Cruz, California. I have been practicing the techniques outlined in the book for over twenty years now and all I can say is that it really works. I'm on my fourth garden started from scratch using BioIntensive techniques: 2,500 square feet with 18 double-dug raised beds. The soil at the beginning was covered with low weeds and was heavy clay with a lot of small and medium-size rocks. That was seven years ago...Now the soil is a rich loam with plenty of organic matter and crawling with the biggest worms you ever saw! (We have before-and-after pictures that say it all...). We use a "U-Bar" most of the time to dig the beds; it's not much slower than a rototiller and we can still "double-dig" a bed with a spade and fork if we want to. Pest problems are minimal, the yields are substantial and the produce is the tastiest I've ever had. In 1981 I began teaching workshops on the method and I have seen similar results among the students who adopted these techniques in their own gardens. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wishes to get started in organic gardening and is looking for a book that brings together the basic concepts and techniques in one volume. A reader , June 15, 1997 homestead gardener's constant companion for raising food John Jeavons' handbook guides you through the details of raising high-quality food while improving the health of the soil. This bible of biointensive techniques is homestead-friendly. Whether your garden plot is rural or urban, measured in acres or paces, brand-new or well-established, Jeavons' book works as a reference manual, a planning tool, and a problem-solver. My copy is dirty and dog-eared from years of use. The planting tables and charts are a great resource wherever your garden lives. Havi Hoffman Vegetable Gardens *************************************************** The Backyard Homestead : Mini Farm and Garden Log Book by John Jeavons, J. Mogador Griffin, Robin Leler Our Price: $16.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (April 1983) Ecology Action of the; ISBN: 0898150930 Customer Comments : A reader from Priest River, ID , August 21, 1998 Excellent log book and reference guide for food gardeners. This book explains biointensive gardening, which would be enough to recommend it. But, it also provides abundant planning charts for your own situation, including garden space and layout, length of growing season, frost dates, and desired crops. You can keep records of cultivars chosen and how they did (over several seasons), fertilizers used and the results, planting dates and methods. There's a whole year planning calendar with log pages in the back, a schedule for planting based on YOUR frost dates, and log pages for each type of veg. or other crop. Also included are recommendations for an herbal lawn, fruit trees, and small livestock, reference data for many different crops, and tons more. Publishing date is 1983, but it's not one bit outdated. Get this book! *************************************************** The Humanure Handbook : A Guide to Composting Human Manure by Joseph C. Jenkins List Price: $19.00 Our Price: $15.20 You Save: $3.80 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 198 pages (July 1996) Chelsea Green Pub Co; ISBN: 096442584X ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.56 x 8.88 x 7.21 Reviews The author, J. C. Jenkins (JCJenkins@JenkinsPublishing.com) , November 29, 1996 This may be the start of a Big Movement. Customer Comments : robert1776@yahoo.com from Moscow, south carolina , September 28, 1998 Very Funny, Excellent technical info. One of the few memorable books I would own. Ideal for anyone concerned with individual responsibility of their own waste. Excellent reference material. midwife @mailcity.com, MARI Patkelly from San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico , July 20, 1998 Always wanted to write this one, but he did it first!!!! This book tells all you'll ever need to know about how you can save the precious by-products of the food you eat. Joe tells us organic gardeners how (our shhhh)it can be completely recycled - safely and simply while saving lots of: 1. water, 2. time, 3. money spent on commercial fertilizer and/or 4. sweat lugging so much animal manure from far away places to our gardens. A reader , September 16, 1996 "dangerous writing, subversive, wonderful!!!" If you eat (therefore defecate), a must read ....... So much "fecophobia" has driven our society that this is (pardon the expression) a breath of fresh air. I can't say enough about the big picture approach Jenkins displays when discussing resource recovery. Grandma said "what's taken from the earth, should go back" and can be easily and inexpensively started with thinking such as this book. I can personally attest (I wish I could leave my Email add.) to the simplicity of Jenkins' system. In the wheel of life it has helped to close the circle......... *************************************************** Cottage Water Systems : An Out-Of-The City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies by Max Burns List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 160 pages (August 1993) Cottage Life Books; ISBN: 096969220X ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.41 x 10.99 x 8.89 Reviews From the Publisher The subtitle for this attractive paperback is "An Out-of- the-City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies," and it deftly fulfils its promise. Mr. Burns uses humor interspersed with excellent illustrations to convey technical information in layman's terms. He provides a comprehensive overview of all possibilities... the pros and cons of each alternative are thoroughly examined. (Gordon Bock and Lynn Elliot, May/June, 1996, Old-House Journal) From the Publisher The do-it-yourselfer's dream for household water systems. Cottage Water Systems is a well-written, well-illustrated guide to providing your "cottage" (or rural home) with water-in and water-out. It clearly explains water supplies, water quality, water in winter (very important), and wastewater. Includes troubleshooting guides for common problems. (Larry Dieterich, Whole Earth Review #85, Spring 1995, Special Water Edition) From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Ilene Rosoff , February 1, 1997 Written as a comprehensive guide for designing and building water systems for off-the-beaten-path dwellings, Cottage Water Systems is a how-to manual for harnessing a variety of water sources and their necessary peripherals (i.e., pumps, toilets, filtration systems). Chapters cover finding water, putting together a pump system, plumbing, water testing and purification, outhouses, winterizing and the plethora of details any water do-it-your-selfer needs to concern themselves with. This book is worth reading just as an education on home water technology. And it goes beyond putting in a water system for your weekend cabin; the chapters on alternative toilets and on water purification systems are useful to any home dweller. As the proud owner of a septic tank, I found the chapter on septic systems highly informative, particularly in terms of its care and feeding (had I read it sooner I could have probably avoided the $150 I just shelled out to have mine siphoned). About the Author : Max Burns has been a freelance writer since 1981. The subjects Max writes about are as varied as his interests-- everything from butter tarts to motorcycles. He is currently building a passive solar home in northern Ontario, he and his wife doing all the work including installing the septic system, digging the well, designing and installing the house plumbing, and relocating the outhouse. Martha (a 90-pound Newfie-Shepherd) and Cat (self-explanatory) sometimes assist with construction. A curriculum vitae of writing and related experience. Books The Dock Manual (The Ultimate Book About Planning, Building, and Buying Residential Docks), to be published spring/1999 by Storey Communications Inc. Cottage Water Systems (An Out-of-the-City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies), ISBN 0-9696922-0-X, 1993. The Winged Wheel Patch (A History of the Canadian Military Motorcycle and Rider), co-authored with Ken Messenger, ISBN 0- 920277-85-3, 1993. Collections (various authors) Harrowsmith Country Life Reader, ISBN 0-944475-09-4, 1990. The Cottage Book, ISBN 1-895261-03-1, 1991. Docks and Projects, ISBN 0-9696922-1-8, 1994. Magazines General Interest: Cottage Life, Harrowsmith, Harrowsmith's Country Life (US), Outdoor Canada Special Interest: Snow Goer (Cdn), Water Goer, Photo Life Motorcycle: Cycle Canada (since 1981 Max has been at times a contributor, a contributing editor, an associate editor, a monthly columnist, and a feature editor), MDT (Cdn motorcycle trade journal), (Qubec) Moto Journal, (U.S.) Cycle World, Rider, Motorcyclist, Iron Horse, (Australia) Two Wheels, (England) Motorcycle International, (Germany) Motorrad Reisen & Sport Seminars and other media Hosted and participated in four seminars at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto (1994-96). Wrote and performed a live, weekly segment on CBC radio's Morning North show titled "Max at the Cottage". Keynote speaker at the 1995 Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association annual general meeting in Winnipeg. Various TV appearances and radio interviews, including Morningside with Peter Gzowski on national CBC radio. Awards Max has been nominated for seven Canadian National Magazine Awards, winning one gold, three silver, and three honorable mentions. Motorcycle Award for Excellence in Journalism, 1994, for the The Winged Wheel Patch. Excerpted from Cottage Water Systems by Max Burns (as appears in The WomanSource Catalog & Review). Copyright(c) 1993. Reprinted by permission, all rights reserved The most obvious connection to nature is via the cottage water system. This system is whatever means we use to obtain water and whatever means we use to expel it (including the water that has been run through the human ingestive system) after use. It includes all manner of conventional cottage connections such as a water pump to an intake line, and a toilet to a septic tank-as well as more traditional alternatives such as a rain barrel and an outhouse. The cottage water system is a private system; we are the owner/operators, totally responsible for all its strengths and failings. It can be a serious pain when it ceases to function-because as the owner/operators, it's our job to fix it. Customer Comments : Alex Murdoch (murdoch@nbnet.nb.ca) from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada , January 7, 1999 Wonderful source of information for anyone with a well I am a Health Inspector in New Brunswick and many houses in rural areas require well and septic disposal fields. I found this book well written and informative. A must-read for new home owners who are dealing with wells and on-site sewage disposal fields for the first time. A reader from Houston, TX , August 25, 1998 Beautifully illustrated, easy to read, humorous, educational I posted this review on an internet forum discussing rural retreats... "Cottage Water Systems: An Out-Of-The-City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies" by Max Burns. ISBN 0-9696922-0-x. 1993. $24.96 Retail, I paid $19.96 at Amazon. 150 pages. 4 color, large size paper back book. This book is like a "Time-Life" series... it has many colorful and well-drawn illustrations about water systems. Maybe that's why the publisher's name is "Cottage Life Books." This is a very informative and easy to read book... particularly given the unusually narrow focus of this book. If you are about to build a cottage out in the woods (maybe for Y2K)... then this is the very first book you should read to understand how to obtain a water supply and how to handle the sewage/septic systems. The explanations could not be clearer. The author even shows you several beautiful designs for outhouses. He also discusses and illustrates such alternative toilets as: electric, self-contained composting toilets. His clear diagrams show how leaching systems work. Same with pumping water in from lakes or up from wells. This is an EXCELLENT book... and if you are interested in the subject matter, I would rate it a MUST READ. The author is Canadian, I believe... and he refers to the bathrooms as "loos". I would imagine they would say... "Hey Joe... Let's pull over so I can hit the loo." Here's a sample discussing water quality: "...The nutrients of primary concern to cottagers are phosphorus, because of its effect on aquatic life in our waterways, and nitrogen, because of its potential health effect on humans. They also tend to travel together. Most fresh-water ecosystems, like lakes, are phosphorus limited in their natural state, meaning that phosphorus is in relatively short supply in that system. So aquatic plant life is also limited. But as phosphorus is introduced into the water - the process being greatly accelerated by faulty septic and municipal sewage systems, continued use of phosphate-based soaps... (and he goes on to discuss blue-green algae)... Other than affecting taste, phosphorus doesn't directly degrade the quality of water for drinking purposes. Nitrogen, however , is another matter. High levels of nitrates have been linked to methaemoglobinemia, a disease causing oxygen deficiencies in blood... (and he continues on about the negative side of nitrogen)..." OK, this was just a short passage on the nutrients and contamination of water supplies that would affect a cottager. He spends most of his time discussing the practical/how to side of getting your water supply ready. But without the ability to show the beautiful illustrations, you would not appreciate the clarity of his explanations. Again, I think it is a great read, and good luck on your cottage water system. John www.dunbarco.com George Mathews (geomathews@mindspring.com)ng.com from Dawson County, Georgia , April 1, 1998 Cottage Water Systems tells you what you need to know! The importance of establishing a good water supply is unsurpassed for those living beyond the reaches of municipal amenities. This simple fact requires an effective manual dealing with all aspects of water-- its acquisition, preservation, use, and disposal-- because it's up to the homesteader to know all about it. Max Burns provides this invaluable companion text in Cottage Water Systems, an easily read and remarkably entertaining guide to being your own little water and sewer company. This he accomplishes with a folksy wisdom which transforms the potentially tedious subject matter into the common theme in a series of interesting fireside chats. For the reader with a limited attention span, the book is expertly sectioned into short how-to passages with timely sidebars and very effective illustrations. The chapter on outhouses finds the author in his best form and should not be missed. I found Cottage Water Systems to be the definitive guide I needed to confidently tackle the indispensable project of successful water management. However, the reader must consider how much he or she agrees with the author when he declares,"..part of the fun is in the fixing." If your idea of an enjoyable cottage experience does not include extensive labor (sometimes requiring a backhoe), then some of the tasks explained in the book will be passed on to others. Still, the reader/cottager enjoys the future benefit of knowing what he or she is talking about. I get the feeling that I'll be going back to Cottage Water Systems again and again for its complete how-to information and learned wisdom. topgun10@aol.com from USA , December 18, 1997 This ones a keeper. Mr. Burns does a good job in this book telling you how to; for me as a youth camp site manager this book has been a big help, but Max also tells you the why. Any one who has a camp of any kind would find this book helpful. Thanks Mr. Burns. *************************************************** Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh List Price: $12.95 Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 296 pages Reprint edition (March 1996) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1558214321 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.66 x 7.02 x 4.48 Reviews Amazon.com Originally published in 1909, "Handy Farm Devices" is more than an engaging trip down memory lane. For any small farmer or homesteader, the techniques and devices described in detail are just as useful, durable, and fully functional today as they were 75 years ago. You will learn to build a portable chicken coop, a stone boat (for moving stone), a lightweight orchard ladder, gates that don't sag, and a handy wood splitter, as well as rudimentary farm structures, well houses, bee hives, a baby's cradle, a cheese press and much more. The charming, turn-of-the-century language and useful and inspirational quotes from Shakespeare, the Bible, Bacon, Longfellow and many others make this book a delight to read. --Mark A. Hetts Customer Comments : Dave Lilligren (dave@lilligren.com) from Minnesota , August 11, 1998 This book will save you both time and money. This reprint of the 1909 classic should be on the shelf of every serious homesteader. Farming is hard work, and this book will teach you how to save both time and money to get the job done. In this little gem you’ll learn how to make your own tools for your workshop, how to build things for around the house, for the barns, and for your livestock, in addition to other devices for your garden and orchard, including a section that discusses fence-making and gate-making. Several pages are devoted to building a farmhouse (including the floor plan for my wife’s dream house), barns, and other outbuildings. This book also makes for very entertaining reading. Peppered throughout are worthwhile quotes from famous (and not-so-famous) farmers from the past. I’m glad I found this book. I hope you will be, too! *************************************************** The Home Water Supply : How to Find, Filter, Store and Conserve It by Stu Campbell, Roger Griffith (Editor) Our Price: $18.95 Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 240 pages (October 1983) Storey Books; ISBN: 0882663240 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.62 x 10.91 x 8.42 Customer Comments : A reader from Auburn, KS , October 15, 1998 Excellent read I bought this book based on the review from the NC reader. This is a great book on the topic. Easy read, good examples, great information. If you are looking to get into well work or building a lateral system, get this book. A reader from North Carolina, USA , September 10, 1998 Comprehensive, practical, and fun to read. Covers everything from finding water to getting it to treating it and controlling it. Describes ponds, catchments (roofs and paved areas), wells of several different kinds, springs, and running water. *************************************************** Root Cellaring : Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables by Mike Bubel, Nancy Bubel, Pam Art (Editor) Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (October 1991) 320 pages Customer Comments : pat@simplyhealthfarms.com from Montana USA , January 20, 1999 Straight-forward, no nonsense and filled with valuable infor This book has many tremendous, no nonsense, inexpensive, simple, low-tech, and energy saving ways to keep our harvests fresh. It has reminded me of some simple techniques I'd forgotten, and taught me several new ones. I highly recommend it for those interested in what Y2K might present. A reader from Wisconsin , January 17, 1999 This book gives the complete root cellaring picture. We're fortunate to have bought a property with a well designed root cellar already in place. Until I read this book, I had no idea how a root cellar 'worked'. This book suggests what foods are best for root cellaring, how long to expect to store them, and what temperatures should be maintained. Had I not read this book I would have wasted time and energy, and lost the nutrients in some foods by canning them rather than root cellaring them. A city dweller friend of mine borrowed my book and has decided to buy it. There are variety of good root cellar plans complete with illustrations and drawings for nearly any situation. Annette Kent troykent@ safelink.net from Rupert, Idaho, USA , October 6, 1998 very informative, and complete in all areas of information. I was looking for how to build a root cellar. Several Ideas were presented, along with what can be stored, how to store it and how long it could likely be stored. I first saw this book as a loan from another library. Now I want to get one to have as reference in my library. *************************************************** Woodstove Cookery : At Home on the Range by Jane, Cooper, Sherry Streeter (Illustrator) Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Back Ordered Paperback - (August 1983) 208 pages *************************************************** Living Without Electricity by Kenneth Pellman, Stephen E. Scott Our Price: $5.56 You Save: $1.39 (20%) Back Ordered Paperback - (February 1990) 128 pages *************************************************** The Evolution of an Independent Home; The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer by Paul Jeffrey Fowler Our Price: $21.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 254 pages (August 1995) Fowler Enterprises; ISBN: 0964511177 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.69 x 10.02 x 8.05 Reviews The New Sunpaper, September 1995 Reading this book is like having a good friend tell you how he did it because he hopes his experience will help you to decide to do it yourself.....More than any technical manual could, Fowler's book invites the reader to realize the ideals of building an earth friendly house while encouraging them to appreciate the many facets of what it takes to get the job done. Rhode Island Solar Energy Association, Summer 1995 This book is for those who want to know how to build a passive solar house powered by a solar electric system. It is a working diary, interestingly written.....and easily understood. Northeast Sun, Autumn 1995 The Evolution Of an Independent Home provides interesting insights for those seeking broad treatment of the whys and hows of passive solar, photovoltaics, battery storage systems, gardening, being an owner-builder, and running your own business. This book's straight-forward delivery and engaging story make it a worthwhile read. Backwoods Home Magazine, March/April 1996 Jeffrey Fowler is one the pioneers in the home solar electric field and his book is the account of his odyssey to an independent lifestyle. Along the way he became a respected solar electric expert with a successful solar electric business. If it is your intention to build a solar home, read Fowler's advice and see how to plan it from the start. Home Power, February/March 1996 The inspiration and knowledge we can gain through Fowler, and his willingness to jump into his dream with both feet, are as valuable as technical data. His dream came true, and ours can too. This book is motivational and useful to anyone beginning to plan a renewable energy or efficient home project. It will help you ask many good questions, and will help you decide which answers are best for you. Fine Homebuilding, December 1995/January 1996 Fowler discusses building an independent homestead and living off the grid in the New England town where he grew up. There is a certain Walden Pond quality about Fowler's experience-building a home, learning about how to build it at the same time and then writing about the experience-that is appealing, and although Fowler's writing doesn't resemble Thoreau's, his firsthand knowledge of the solar electric industry over the past two decades more than makes up for the rough edges. Green Living, Fall 1995 Armed with a shoestring budget and plenty of creativity, Fowler built his home and developed into one of the country's leading authorities on solar electric homes. The book is part autobiographical and part how-to. While we follow the story on Jeff's life, we also learn how an alternative energy system works and why we need such things as inverters. For those who are technically adverse, the human element keeps the pages turning so you learn without glazing over. Fowler has a knack for making technical information accessible for the uninitiated - a talent that made his earlier books on solar electric homes popular. Library Journal, July 1995 An environmentalist "child of the Sixties," Fowler sought a simpler life in the early Eighties. Since it would have cost $20,000 to bring electricity to his homesite in western Massachusetts, he designed a solar home that would not be dependent on the power company. This is a well-written autobiographical account of the growth and development of his personal life, going from self-contracting a house with passive solar heating through the addition of increasingly larger and more sophisticated solar electric systems. Along the way, he became a solar electric dealer and authored two "how-to" books on solar electric energy systems to assist other solar electric pioneers..... A good buy for libraries where interest in alternative energy and alternative lifestyles is high. Book Description The site was up a winding dirt road, in the remote hills of western Massachusetts, 1.3 miles removed from the power line. After a long search, Jeffrey Fowler found the piece of land he had been looking for -- one that he could call home. This is the story of how one man used local resources, ingenuity, imagination, and patience to create a homestead powered by the sun. Fowler, who later used his knowledge and experience to become an authority on remote solar electric homes, recounts the unique successes and struggles in developing this new technology for his lifestyle. Read this book and learn to live the good life - solar electrically. From the Publisher The success of The Evolution of an Independent Home is best expressed by its wide range of readers. We have received letters of praise form current alternative energy users, environmentalists, architects, Y2Kers, and people who so far only dream of energy independence. From the Author The Evolution of an Independent Home is my story of living the good life - solar electrically. I wrote this book for both alternative energy homeowners and those who dream of energy independence down the road. This is a narrative of my experience building and designing a solar electric powered, passive solar home. When you read this book you not only get a good story and a lot of practical knowledge, but you just might find you have painlessly learned to think and plan like someone with my level of expertise. This can help a dreamer turn his dream to reality, or help a current alternative energy homeowner to stop, think, and refine his or her own solar electric system, house, and homestead.. From the Back Cover The Evolution of an Independent Home is a coming of age tale of independent living. Jeffrey Fowler went from neophyte to one of the country's experts on solar electric homes. Evolution of an Independent Home tells that story and more by Fowler's recounting the creation of his homestead. If Walden Pond self-sufficiency with computers and hot showers on demand appeals to you, it is a must read. - Marshall Glickman, Publisher and Editor of Green Living magazine. "We are taking energy into our own hands, as we did with computers. Likewise, new thinking is required. In this fine book, Jeffrey Fowler displays a rare combination of technical competence, whole-life experience, and the ability to communicate." - Windy Dankoff, Dankoff Solar Products, Inc., Santa Fe, NM. "This book is Yankee ingenuity in its purest form. Jeffrey Fowler's honest and straightforward depiction of his experience with solar electricity should be an inspiration for readers to start using solar electricity now." Joel Davidson - Author of The New Solar Electric Home. "I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Jeffrey Fowler's personal account of the building and powering of his independent home. I recommend this book to even the readers who only dream of energy independence." Ken Cox - President of Trace Engineering Company, Inc. About the Author Jeffrey Fowler resides in Worthington, Massachusetts in a passive-solar, solar-electric powered home with his family. He founded, developed, and later sold Fowler Solar Electric Inc., a successful business that supplies alternative energy components to power remote homes. Fowler wrote several successful how-to books and booklets on solar electricity while working at his former business. He has a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University and Masters Degree in Environmental Studies from Antioch New England Graduate School. Excerpted from The Evolution of an Independent Home; The Story of a Solar Electric Pioneer by Paul Jeffrey Fowler. Copyright 1995. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved Chapter 26: What Is Next: Our current solar electric system consists of a 32-battery, battery bank, 24 33-watt modules, and eight 48-watt modules. The battery bank is rated to store 42,000 watt-hours of electrical energy. The sum of all the modules is rated to produce 1,200 peak watts. This output is roughly equivalent to the output of 24 50-peak-watt modules that are sold today. Our 1,200-peak-watt arrays produce an average of 2,400 watt-hours per day of usable electrical energy in the winter months, and an average of 4300 watt-hours per day of usable electrical energy in the summer months. For most of the year we use our appliances, never worrying about the solar electric system. It fully charges the batteries on the next completely sunny day. We are careful with our electrical use during a span of four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once every ten years we are confronted with a span of three weeks where we never have a sunny day. We still receive a small amount of output from the modules in cloudy weather. We cut back our use as the length of a no-sun period increases. Our goal is to never discharge the battery bank below half full. Most years, we have a week of poor weather, then a sunny day that partially recharges the battery bank before the next cloudy week. We conserve only a small amount during these years. I have lived with a solar electric system for twelve years. I ran a solar electric business for the majority of those years. For most of the years running the business, I spent most of each day designing solar electric systems and solving unique problems for solar-electric-system owners. Our system is ideal for our needs. Still, I confess that I have trouble leaving well enough alone. On any given day, I follow Lea around telling her my next daydream of improvements or future expansion. My rational side stops me from actually expanding our system. I do, however, have many ideas of what we will and will not do in the future. Our current 2600 watt Trace inverter has a large internal battery charger that is meant to be powered by a 120VAC generator. If our need for power increases, the most logical addition to our alternative energy system would be a portable generator to charge our battery bank during the worst winter months. We do not really want to invest in a generator, listen to its noise, or maintain another gasoline engine. However, this would be the next expansion that I would professionally recommend. If our loads increase, what we would really need would be the on-demand, winter supplement to our energy production. This could only be provided by a standby generator. Our choice for now would be to discharge our battery bank no lower than half full during a winter low-sun stretch, and to then rent a generator for a day to recharge our large battery bank to full. We plan to replace our Trace 2600 watt inverter with the new Trace 4000 watt inverter in the next few months. The size of our current inverter is adequate. We will upgrade to the 4000 watt inverter for two reasons. This new inverter produces a true sine wave. Many appliances will run more efficiently. We will eliminate electrical interference noise in problem appliances and radio frequency interference on our AM radio reception and our telephones. The second reason we want the new Trace inverter is because this inverter has a much improved, and much larger, battery charger. If we ever need to rent a generator, we will have better and quicker capabilities for recharging the battery bank. This summer as I considered a wind machine installation similar to the Cooks', I realize I have been dreaming of larger alternative energy systems that would power larger loads. On a small scale this is analogous to a utility company planning to build another power plant for customers whom they will have to convince to expand their use. If the power company would listen, I would advise them to urge their customers to conserve and avoid building that next power plant. On my small scale, I must also follow the same advice. In the future, I hope to harness my desire to design an expanded alternative energy system and direct it toward refining my conservation without changing my standard of living. Our life here on Bashan Hill is different from the normal American life. When the power is out in the town, we have electricity. When the winter is severe and cold, we are warm and our heating bill is unaffected. We are aware of the stresses and the inconsistencies of modern life. We try to make decisions that avoid some of these pitfalls and give us a more rewarding life. Buddhists profess that suffering is a result of expectations and wanting. Their solution for a life of contentment is the cessation of suffering. They believe we should see the world as a glass half full, not as a glass half empty. New Englanders remind us that the grass is not really greener on the other side of the fence. Lea and I, and Terry too, are content here on Bashan Hill. We enjoy making our own power and growing much of our own food. Our other children, Bethy, Kurt, and Jarod, who live primarily with their father in a large house, on an income many times greater than ours, sometimes ask in their adolescent confusion, "Are you and Mom poor?" I answer them, "We are rich. We have everything we could possibly want." Customer Comments : A reader from Central Vermont , January 14, 1999 Year 2000 worriers should read this book This fun book taught me how to think in terms of independent living. One of the best on my shelf. A reader from Newton, Massachusetts , November 24, 1998 An extremely clear and well written book As a Biologist, I have been looking for a book that would give a clear and concise introduction to solar energy and photovoltaics. Paul Fowler's book does just that. It is written for the person who has an interest in solar power, but who does not have the technical background to immediately delve into more detailed texts. It's story format is engaging, yet also very informative. I highly recommend this book. dougl@dri.edu from Reno, Nevada , September 30, 1998 An interesting autobiography AND technically informative This is much more than a "how to" book. Nonetheless, it contains ample basic and detailed information on energy efficiency and construction of a solar-powered house. It is a must read for those who are thinking about living "off the grid". It is also a fascinating personal history. Fowler has used his innate abilities and creativity to forge an independent lifestyle. The evolution of his wonderful home goes hand in hand with the growth of his family. It's an inspiring story for anyone seeking to redirect his or her life away from some of the more toxic aspects of our culture. And though he's passed away, Fowler's little dog Rollo will always live in my heart. twhalen@phs.org from Albuquerque, NM , September 22, 1998 Enjoyable, humorous, informative AND inspiring! A very readable story of Jeff Fowler's 20+ year development of his independent homestead in the Berkshire Hills of Mass. This is a homegrown story of a hometown boy grown into solar pioneer and returning to a simpler way of life. His embrace of hometown friendship and simple life-style has been an inspiring wake up call to me. In the past 4 years, I have lived in three regions of the US (Northeast, Florida and Southwest) and have found the technical aspects of the book readily adaptable to each of these regions - a book for all seasons. I encourage you to read and learn and enjoy. *************************************************** The Solar Electric House : Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home by Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller (Contributor) Our Price: $17.56 You Save: $4.39 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (January 1994) 288 pages Customer Comments : Bob Hammond (b.hammond@asu.edu) from Tempe, Arizona , January 30, 1999 ...the most comprehensive solar electric book available Steven Strong's book "The Solar Electric House" is the most comprehensive book available regarding the application of solar-generated electricity (photovoltaics). The book is well organized, well written, and easy to understand. Although this book was first printed in 1987, it is amazingly current today (1999). I have been using this book since 1987 when I build my stand-alone PV-powered home in Prescott Arizona, and referred to Mr. Strong's book on a regular basis during design and construction of the solar-electric system. I still use this book today -- as the primary textbook in two classes that I teach at Arizona State University: "Introduction to Solar Energy and Photovoltaics" and "Photovoltaic System Design". wlord@bu.edu from Cape Porpoise, Maine , January 25, 1999 A necessary companion for those building a solar house I have long wanted to be able to harvest the sun's energy for heat and electricity, but I was in doubt about whether the technology was dependable or affordable. Steven Strong's book erased my concerns. While the science of converting the sun's rays to electricity eludes me still, I found Steven's down-to-earth examples reassuring - so much so that we engaged him to design our solar home in Maine. This book will help us all envision a new Millenium with less pollution and more independence. *************************************************** The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook : The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Techologies and Sustainable Living (9th Ed) by John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor), Real Good Staff (Editor), Douglas R. Pratt Our Price: $24.00 You Save: $6.00 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (July 1996) 670 pages Reviews Amazon.com It is arguably a form of cultural insanity that industrial civilizations constantly bathed by free and clean energy from the sky (the sun and the wind) continue to depend upon dirty and limited chemical fuels that poison the people, their foods, and the land upon which they depend. Happily, this comprehensive sourcebook provides those of you with foresight a way out of this madness; it includes products ranging from simple energy-saving devices such as compact fluorescent lights to home-scale energy-harvesting systems that utilize the sun, wind, and water to make electricity for people living "off-the-grid." Chapters focus on Independent Living, Land, Shelter, Harvesting Energy, Managing Energy Systems, Heating and Cooling, Water, Energy Conservation, the Nontoxic Home, Home and Market Gardening, Mobility and Electric Vehicles, and Livelihood and Learning. Committed to selling only products that promote environmental responsibility at an honest value, The Real Goods Trading Company is one of the fastest-growing companies in America. Many of the products listed in another of our favorites, the Millennium Whole Earth Catalog, can be purchased by mail from Real Goods. Whole Earth Review The Sourcebook remains the best introduction to energy-efficient technology for common folks. Customer Comments : Mark Stevens (genesis1@adnc.com) from San Diego, CA , September 21, 1998 An Outstanding Starter and Reference I found this book to be a very informative and well researched compendium of information for those who wish to learn more about independent living. This book is an excellent mixture of common sense advice (based on real world experience), technical information and a practical guide to a myriad of products. It may not be everything I wanted to know about a new subject but it comes as close to delivering that as any book I have ever read. Good job! windsun@windsun.com from Phoenix, AZ USA , September 7, 1997 An excellent book in general, but watch out for the agenda.. I found some chapters to be excellent, others less so. The less technical chapters especially seemed to be a lot of "feel good" inspiration without a lot of practical value unless you live in a place with good rain, moderate climate, running streams, and no neighbors. Lotsa luck. The technical chapters on solar and energy savings were much better, and make up about 75% of the book. Well worth the money, but some of the editorial comment reminds of the sixties. *************************************************** Cooking With the Sun : How to Build and Use Solar Cookers by Beth Halacy (Contributor), Dan Halacy Our Price: $7.96 You Save: $1.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (May 1992) 114 pages Reviews Amazon.com Solar cooking is easy, free, and clean, and you can build a solar oven and a solar hot plate with a few dollars' worth of materials and hand tools. Cooking With the Sun gives simple directions for both, along with a host of recipes -- pizza, chicken, pecan pie -- that will convince you that low-tech is the way to go. Endorsed by the American Solar Energy Society and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. How-To Editor's Recommended Book Here's a way to cook food without the use of fuels and with no smoke or fumes--in your back yard, in woods where you can't build a fire, and while camping or traveling. Not only do the authors show you how to build your own solar cooker simply and inexpensively, with detailed plans and suggestions for materials, they devote a good proportion of the book to yummy-sounding recipes, too! Customer Comments : jdhowell@ix.netcom.com from Lafayette, CA , November 17, 1998 Simple solar ovens and "hot plates' made easy! Cooking with the Sun is the only book that gives a brief history of solar cooking and explains how to construct with clear text, line drawings, and photos an oven that is as efficient as the expensive commercial solar ovens. You can build it for under $25 in materials and it will reach 350 to 375 degrees F. The "hot plate" just like the burner on your stove top is also easy to build and will reach temperatures of 650 degrees F within minutes. You can fry, steam, grill, poach with instant heat The book offers all you need to know to use solar cookers and over 90 recipes with resources. The sales of this book has tripled since the awareness of the Y2K problem. People are looking for easy ways to cook should they loose their power source. THE SOLAR STOVETOP COOKER: PATTERN, ISNTRUCTIONS RECIPES ($12.00) is now available. This amazing product allows you to build the fascinating "hot plate" with ease. It gives you all the critical angles so there is no figuring to do. All you have to do is cut out the angles and trace them onto cardboard and assemble the cooker. It can be built in a weekend. It comes with an easy step-by-step instruction booklet with recipes, how-to information, and other solar cooking resources. jbanks@hsc.unt.edu from Texas , August 23, 1998 Excellent rewrite of an older book The original "Fun With The Sun" (1961) by Dan Halacy has been revised and updated. The section on building a box cooker has been completely rewritten and results in a more elegant and easily built cooker. The chapter on building a reflector cooker produces a more compact and easier to handle unit but the construction involves a bit more work. The second half of the book is devoted to some excellent recipes. I have tested several and found them to be very good. This is an excellent book for teaching anyone to use our most plentiful energy source. *************************************************** Complete Book of Underground Houses : How to Build a Low-Cost Home by Robert L. Roy, Rob Roy Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (November 1994) 144 pages Reviews From Booklist , March 1, 1995 According to Roy, underground or "earth-sheltered" houses are unexpectedly livable. Judging by his book's attractive pictures, that's easy to believe. The house he bases his point-by-point guide on is indeed a showplace. Its homey touches are just that, though, and Roy's main concern is creating such a house, from drawing up the plans to surveying the site to the actual building. Roy's instruction is insightful and comprehensive; for example, he writes that he has poured the four-inch cement floor over the waste plumbing in all the houses he has built and has had no trouble yet, but he also suggests another strategy for those leery of not being able to get at the pipes in an emergency. Throughout, he covers construction and installation details that are extremely important for nonprofessionals brave enough to undertake building their own homes. Mike Tribby Copyright 1995, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis Build a home in accord with nature--underground. Let one of the foremost leaders of the underground house movement--and director of the acclaimed Earthwood Building School--help you choose a piece of property and show you how to build, landscape, and enjoy your underground home. You'll find natural light streaming in from above and the beauty of Mother Earth all around you. Booknews, Inc. , June 1, 1995 Instead of marring a grassy knoll or field with the construction of a conventional house, you could design and build an environmentally sound underground or earth-sheltered home. Roy, director of the Earthwood Building School, provides detailed instructions, from choosing a piece of property to excavating and building a home from top to bottom, with case studies, photos and diagrams, and further resources. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. *************************************************** The Fifty Dollar and Up Underground House Book by Mike Oehler Our Price: $13.95 Back Ordered Paperback - (March 1982) Customer Comments : Jeff Frame from Atlanta, Georgia , January 8, 1999 Incredible techniques for the advanced and novice Mike Oehler has created a visionary style of underground architecture that is unparalleled to any before him in this timeless book. Recently I met Mike and we discussed the advantages to living underground and also the problems. Mike has now lived underground in his self made house for over twenty years. He is a brilliant man that lives a simple life in a very much confused world. He is currently writing a book on the approaching millennium problem and how to survive it. I am looking forward to the publishing of that book and hope to see more from Mike. This book is definitely worth every penny even if you never plan on building underground, I don't but love the book. A reader from South Central Ontario Canada , January 6, 1999 Not quite what I expected. An O.K. read for someone still stuck in the 60's. I found the 50 dollar house most interesting in design but the book done an about face and went from funky to far out in it's illustrations of various designs. Who on earth would keep a loaded gun in a house where children seem to be occasional guests?(Check the pictures closely and you will see what I mean). Ron@UpstateWeb.com from Greenville, SC , November 1, 1998 Great book-good pictures Good book...well thought out. Highly recommended. Glad I bought it. *************************************************** Earthship : How to Build Your Own by Michael E. Reynolds Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (September 1990) Customer Comments : A reader from Seattle, WA , October 1, 1998 Amazing Building Method Using Car Tires and Aluminum Cans These books are way ahead of their time. The author first describes the idea of a self-contained "earthship" -- a home that provides for it's own power, sewage, food and water needs. He then talks about the structure, the ideas behind it, and why it works. The rest of the book is all about how to actually build one. Don't pass this up, once you get the idea in your head, you'll want to build one of your own! *************************************************** Earthship : Systems and Components by Michael Reynolds Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (November 1991) *************************************************** Earthship : Evolution Beyond Economics by Mike Reynolds Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1993) *************************************************** The Independent Home : Living Well With Power from the Sun, Wind, and Water (A Real Goods Independent Living Book) by Michael Potts, John Schaeffer (Designer) Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (October 1993) 224 pages Reviews How-To Editor's Recommended Book Whether you already own a home or plan to build one, The Independent Home will show you how to transform it into an energy-efficient, comfortable, self-sustainable home of the future-- right now. Michael Potts's home has been featured on the ABC evening news as an example of the sane approach to simple living; he demonstrates how one can live well, save money, save resources, and still retain modern conveniences and comfort. The Independent Home proves that it is not necessary to live in mud-floored huts and cook brown rice over a campfire to go back to the land. From Booklist , October 15, 1993 An instructive guide to living without the electric and gas companies, by Potts and interviewees who have broken from the "power grid." The homes of people interviewed are far from primitive, containing all the conveniences of modern life, though there is the occasional cold shower. Potts advocates a return not to nature, but to a more independent time, and that's accomplished here mostly by college-educated people who like doing things for themselves. Their experiences are as instructive from a social point of view (a sort of enviro-ethic meets Yankee pragmatism) as for the many possible ways of converting your house to energy independence. Potts also suggests home improvements for energy savings in existing homes, as well as explanations of how our appliances, heating, and air-conditioning systems do--and don't--work from an energy point of view. A commonsense approach to energy self-reliance. Brian McCombie Copyright 1993, American Library Association. All rights reserved The author, Michael Potts : : mpotts@solarnet.org , August 31, 1996 We can all learn from renewable energy pioneers It took me 20 years to get ready to write my book -- tinkering, visiting, figuring arcane technology out -- it is SO much easier now! But independent homesteaders offer us all lessons on using our energy better. We waste half the energy we buy, while they, who carefully harvest every electron, teaspoon of water, and therm of heat, strive to waste as little as possible. This work reconnects them with the planet in ways we all need to emulate as the last fossil fuel energy crisis takes us over. There are important lessons in my book about phantom loads, free energy sources, and small habit changes that have helped many "on-the-gridders" reduce their energy bills by 30% - 60% -- enough to buy a new copy of my book (and give it to a friend) every month! I am continuing the work and planning a new book for the rest of us, who in the next 20 years will have to reform our own domestic energy use. Please visit my web page: www.solarnet.org for ideas and to help me gather the best energy tips. Customer Comments : jboett@wcnet.net from Houston, Texas , December 18, 1998 Enjoyable and informative book I found Living Well to be a pleasure to read, and as the author Michael Potts stated above, helpful even for "on-the-gridders" in reducing their energy consumption and bills. I am currently planning on building an on-the-grid house (a house that depends on the local power company for its power), but found the book very helpful in our designing for energy efficiency. The book also bolstered my confidence in doing some things with the house that are unusual for our area. I look at homemade energy now with a new hope and enthusiasm and would recommend this book to anyone. Who knows? I might try a photovoltaic cell or two as a result.... A reader, October 9, 1996 Required reading for all homosapiens! Because of my total infatuation with the first book (I'm assuming, first) I would get the next without question. Occasionally, this is a mistake, but I don't think it will be a disappointment. Please quote anything from me regarding how great I think this work is. I find the book an escape on the line of the old, big Sears catalogs that we called the "wish book" when I was a kid. An often somewhat dry subject spiced with real people living the "life." I have read and re-read it many times. I hope for a sequel that depicts the continuing state of the art and the folks he interviewed 5 years later. A style with the technical interspersed with the personalities is very refreshing. It's like learning while reading People Magazine. I felt myself wanting to read more about the people and their feelings. Where Potts injected his opinions, this made me want to read more of what he thought about the life styles and conditions he visited. His opinions about the building departments and regulatory agencies were right on! I wanted to go storm the local building Department with his book in hand as ammunition. *************************************************** Wind Power for Home & Business : Renewable Energy for the 1990s and Beyond (Real Goods Independent Living Book) by Paul Gipe Our Price: $28.00 You Save: $7.00 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (May 1993) 432 pages Reviews Booknews, Inc. , October 1, 1993 A comprehensive guide to using wind to power private houses and small businesses and farms. Describes and illustrates the wide range of systems now commercially available; suggests criteria for citing; includes equations for figuring out the power potential of various sizes in various conditions; and discusses legal and safety issues. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Excerpted from Wind Power for Home & Business : Renewable Energy for the 1990s and Beyond by Paul Gipe. Copyright 1993. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved Wind works. It's reliable. It's economical. It makes environmental sense. And it's here now. Wind machines are not tomorrow's technology. Whether it's on a giant wind farm in California, in a small village in Morocco, or in the backyard of a Kansas wheat farmer, wind energy works today in a variety of applications around the world. You too can put this renewable resource to work. The following chapters explain how to go about doing just that: how to select and install the small wind power systems on the market today. Wind technology has come a long way since the mid-1970s when the only wind turbines available were 1930s-era machines salvaged from ranchers on the Great Plains. During the past decade wind technology has come of age with the development of advanced small wind turbines. These rugged yet extremely simple designs have greatly improved the reliability and performance of small wind machines. But as you'll see in the chapters ahead, wind machines are not for everyone. To use the wind successfully you must have a good site, have enough wind, and select the right machine. You also need something else. Using wind energy takes courage. Wind machines are not cheap, and whether you install it yourself or contract a dealer to do it, the installation of a wind machine is an undertaking fraught with risk and uncertainty. At some point, after considering all the pros and cons, a decision must be made that only you can make. You must weigh the options, then act. The people who use wind energy are prudent, but they're doers. People use wind machines for many reasons: economic, environmental, and philosophical. The knowledge that you're saving money--in some cases earning it--is often sufficient reward for plunging into wind energy. Yet for many there's more to it than that. Windmills have fascinated us for centuries and will continue to do so. Like campfires or falling water, they're mesmerizing, indeed, entrancing. People respond almost instinctively. Few escape the excitement created by a sleek turbine whirring in the wind. Working with the wind is more than just a means to cheap electricity. It becomes a way of life, a way of living in closer harmony with the world around us. Harnessing the wind for energy enables us to regain some sense of responsibility for meeting our own needs, and for reducing our impact on the environment. By generating our own electricity cleanly and with a renewable resource we can reduce the need for distant power plants and their attendant ills. *************************************************** Earth to Spirit : In Search of Natural Architecture by David Pearson, William McDonough List Price: $17.95 Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 160 pages (May 1995) Chronicle Books; ISBN: 0811807312 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.61 x 10.28 x 8.64 Reviews Synopsis From the author of The Natural House Book comes a provocative volume for anyone interested in design, designing or building which integrates the lessons of the past with today's technology to create structures where the land, the home, and the spirit coexist harmoniously. 146 color photos. 18 illustrations. Customer Comments Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 1 blumberg@jerusalemail.com from Auckland, New Zealand , October 7, 1998 Harmony of nature and Technology Earth to spirit explores classic habitats from all corners of the world, and introduces us to the basic, and common shelter needs of us all. Although the book concentrates more on rural, and ethnic dwellings, Pearson also shows the adaptations relevant to Western cosmopolitan life. Too often an author is either "high tech" or "green". In Earth to Spirit, we see how it is possible to live in an ecologically sound dwelling, while maintaining and incorporating the modern technologies prevalent in modern homes. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Places of the Soul : Architecture and Environmental Design As a Healing Art by Christopher Day List Price: $20.00 Our Price: $16.00 You Save: $4.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 192 pages Reprint edition (June 1993) Thorsons Pub; ISBN: 1855383055 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.47 x 9.23 x 5.99 Reviews Synopsis : At a time when the environment is increasingly under the spotlight, "Places of the Soul" examines how people can reinstate the human factor in the building equation. From the Publisher : Challenges conventional building and design practices and demonstrates how our built environments can be made physically, socially, and spiritually enriching. Customer Comments : penina@intermind.net from Nevada, USA , October 13, 1997 Buildings really do harm or heal us: Here's the how and why. Christopher Day's "Places of the Soul" is an eye-opening examination of why and how buildings impact our health, our productivity, our moods, and even our spirits. Written both to architects and non-architects, he speaks in plain English to bring many different aspects of the built environment to our awareness. Books like this tend to be pedantic, possessing a narrow aesthetic (i.e. the author's). However, Day, while admitting his biases, is more focused on how to enrich the world we live in now, whether with the softening textures of sensitive landscaping or the appropriate use of harder angles when the mood these conjure is necessary. If you are thinking about building or remodeling, and/or want to understand more about your built surroundings, this book is certain to challenge your viewpoint, and leave you with a few ideas of your own about how you can relate consciously, sensitively, and responsibly to your present environment. *************************************************** The Natural House Catalog : Everything You Need to Create an Environmentally Friendly Home by David Pearson (Editor) List Price: $23.00 Our Price: $18.40 You Save: $4.60 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (January 1996) Fireside; ISBN: 0684801981 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.81 x 9.66 x 8.29 Reviews Synopsis Featuring specific "how-to" projects written by specialists, as well as an index organized by city and region, this book is a natural for home builders, renovators, decorators, and fixer-uppers who cherish the environment now--and want to preserve it for future generations. 91 photos, 16 in color. Synopsis Provides dozens of ideas on how to create a home that is compatible with wholistic living, covering such topics as construction materials, soft energy, healthy lighting, natural furnishings, and nontoxic home care. 30,000 first printing. *************************************************** Smart Kitchen : How to Create a Comfortable, Safe, Energy-Efficient, and Environment-Friendly Workspace by David Goldbeck, Merle Cosgrove (Illustrator) Our Price: $16.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback 2nd edition (May 1994) Ceres Pr; ISBN: 0960613870 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.33 x 10.87 x 8.39 *************************************************** Greenhome : Planning and Building the Environmentally Advanced House by Wayne Grady Our Price: $12.76 You Save: $3.19 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (October 1993) 208 pages Reviews : The publisher, Firefly Books , June 25, 1998 Learn How the Most Cutting-Edge Home in N. America was Built. Designed and constructed in Ontario, Canada, as part of the Advanced Houses Program, the Greenhome represents the cutting edge in energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in house construction. From the basement floor to the solar panels on the roof, the Greenhomes' material and systems were selected by a team of environment-conscious engineers and builders to ensure that this house will live more lightly on the land than any other house in North America. Wayne Grady, former editor of "Harrowsmith" magazine, followed the Greenhome from its planning stages. In this book, he takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the complex decision making involved in building a house with a respect for the environment. Learn why pre-cast concrete was chosen for the foundation; why steel roofing is cheaper than asphalt; what heating system cuts fuel bills by 80 percent; which windows actually gain more heat than they lose; which appliances are the most energy-efficient; and a great deal more. With its wealth of practical information and insight, "Greenhome" is a must read for anyone who plans to build or buy a house and for all those who recognize that the housing decisions we make today will affect the planet we live on forever. *************************************************** Residential Windows : A Guide to New Technology and Energy Performance by John Carmody, Stephen Selkowitz (Contributor), Lisa Heschong (Contributor) Our Price: $17.60 You Save: $4.40 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (October 1996) 214 pages Reviews The publisher, www.wwnorton.com (akatler@wwnorton.com) , April 16, 1997 Everyone knows that windows give us views, fresh air, and light , and recognizes the important role windows play in how buildings look What is less obvious is that windows have undergone a remarkable technological transformation over the last fifteen years. Based on the latest research, Residential Windows offers a fascinating look at the state of the art today as well as the windows of the future, and the information necessary to evaluate windows and make intelligent choices. Emphasizing energy performance, residential Windows covers every aspect of window design and technology: the basic mechanisms of heat transfer; new products and rating systems; the effects of the window frame material and installation; and how to make the best decisions when specifying or purchasing windows for a new house or renovation. *************************************************** Handbook of Doormaking, Windowmaking, and Staircasing by Anthony Talbott (Editor) ASIN: 0806988967 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Handcrafted Doors and Windows by Amy Zaffarano Rowland ASIN: 0878574247 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** The New Natural House Book : Creating a Healthy, Harmonious and Ecologically Sound Home by David Pearson List Price: $22.00 Our Price: $17.60 You Save: $4.40 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 304 pages Rev edition (July 1998) Fireside; ISBN: 0684847337 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.80 x 8.34 x 9.70 Reviews Amazon.com The Natural House Book, first published in 1989, originated the phrase "natural house" and established the presence of the Green movement in home design. Author David Pearson has updated and expanded this eco-aware homebuilder's classic with new resource listings, a new photo-essay in the introduction, and revised text describing the latest and best developments in natural construction. The first part of the book deals with the interaction between the home and the external environment, the second part with the home's components, and the third part with the design of the living space itself. Throughout the book, well-drawn illustrations and numerous photographs show how enlightened home design makes Green living easier by encouraging builders and residents to take advantage of natural light and heat. They're also a powerful tool for convincing those who might not yet be committed to natural living, as many of the homes are luxurious and warm looking. (The natural bathrooms are so beautiful and comfortable, one can only wonder why anyone settles for the prefab "luxury master baths" that the construction industry pushes on new homebuilders.) It's truly a book that takes a larger view, appealing not only to those with fewer resources who have always wanted to live simply, but also to those who can afford to live where they want, in effect saying to them, "Our way is better--for the environment and for you." Book Description This completely revised and redesigned edition of the bestselling Natural House Book brings you hundreds of practical energy- and money-saving ideas to enhance your home, your environment, and your well-being. Originally published in 1989, The Natural House Book anticipated our problems with garbage disposal, indoor air pollution, water purification, and environmental hazards. Today more than ever, we need inspiration and cutting-edge information to transform our homes into havens for the body, mind, and spirit. Lavishly illustrated with more than 100 full-color photos, combining the expertise of top architects, designers, and ecology authorities from all over the world, here is a hands-on, step-by-step, room-by-room architectural and design guide to bring you and your family safely and happily into the twenty-first century. You'll find out how to: Use the latest toxin-free materials Improve air and water quality Save energy Minimize maintenance Create green space Combat environmental hazards Incorporate aromatherapy and feng shui Design a personal space for contemplation Build an exercise room Use color, texture, and design to create a nourishing, stress-free environment for your family Featuring a new Gaia House prototype design, a new Charter for Natural Building, and completely updated appendices on natural paints and varnishes, household cleaners, and indoor air pollution, as well as a mail-order resource list for furniture, carpeting, water filtration, and textiles, The New Natural House Book will help you create a better future. Synopsis With completely updated resource lists, dozens of new photos, and increased coverage on greenspace building, "The New Natural House Book" is destined to be even more successful than its bestselling predecessor. 144 color photos. *************************************************** Prescriptions for a Healthy House : A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders and Homeowners by Paula Baker, Erica Elliott, John Banta Our Price: $29.95 Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 250 pages 1 Ed edition (January 1998) Inword Pr; ISBN: 1566903556 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 10.04 x 8.04 Reviews The author, Paula Baker E-Mail: pbaker@trail.com , January 20, 1998 Its not that complicated! The book is designed to make healthy home building easy. We walk homeowner, architect and builder step-by-step through the construction process. We explain why certain standard building practices are detrimental to your health, what to do instead and where to obtain products and expertise. We welcome your comments, experiences with using the book and knowledge so that we can best serve those who come to us for help. The publisher , May 11, 1998 Reviewer comment ...The best thing about the book is the ease of use. It has an easy-to-read text, an approachable index, and abundant appendices with sources for materials, help, and other books on the subject. Stop before you buy that can of paint--some kinds are better than others. Listen to experts succinctly guide you and your contractor before buying "treated" wood that won't treat you well.--Glenda Burnside in "The Bloomsbury Review," May/June 1998 The publisher , April 7, 1998 Review comments Many good books have been written on healthy building, but until now there has not been a nitty-gritty reference manual that covers everything from theory to specification language in a way that can be applied to any construction type. Prescriptions for a Healthy House is introductory enough to be used by someone new to the field, yet detailed and practical enough to be a valuable referenced for the more experienced. The best thing about this book is that it is laid out to be USED. The graphic design allows for easy perusal to find the charts, case studies, specification language, resources, details, or supporting text. In fact, I made use of "Prescriptions" the first day I got it: a client called with a question, and I went straight to the relevant page and read her a concise list of practical suggestions. I was relieved not to have to comb my mental or physical database! The backgrounds of the authors--experienced architect, M.D., and healthy building consultant--combine to give the book a breadth and depth rarely found in one place. More than an admonition to go nontoxic or a list of materials, the book includes practical strategies and procedures, clearly gained from experience, to ensure that the finished home is a haven, not a nightmare. The case studies bring home the authors' points. When you read that a cleanup product caused a nearly finished house to be uninhabitable, you know WHY you need to specify everything that is used on the site. In fact, it makes me want to specify that every contractor read this book! --Carol Venolia, publisher of "Building with Nature" newsletter and author of "Healing Environments" I liked this book very much--it fills a real need. --Vincent A. Marinkovich, M.D., Immunologist, allergist, and pediatrician, Menlo Park, CA I will definitely recommend this book to my patients. --William Shrader, M.D., Allergist, specialist in environmental medicine, Santa Fe, NM The publisher , April 7, 1998 Contents This book takes the mystery out of healthy house building by walking the owner/architect/builder team through the construction process. It explains where and why standard building practices are not healthful, what to do differently, and how to obtain alternative materials and expertise. Provides information on how to design interior and exterior space, and select construction materials that enhance and promote physical well-being. Foreword Part I: Overview Description of the Problem and Solutions Part II: Specification Division 1-General Requirements Division 2-Site Work Division 3-Concrete Division 4-Masonry or Other Alternatives to Frame Construction Division 5-Metals Division 6-Wood and Plastics Division 7-Thermal and Moisture Control Division 8-Openings Division 9-Finishes Division 10-Specialties Division 11-Equipment Division 12-Furnishings Division 13-Special Construction Division 14-Conveying Systems Division 15-Mechanical Division 16-Electrical Appendix A Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or Environmental Illness Author Testimonials on MCS Appendix B: Page References to Brand Name Products and Services Appendix C: Manufacturers, Service Providers, and Catalog Sources Index *************************************************** The Healthy House : How to Buy One,How to Build One, How to Cure a Sick One by John Bower Our Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (March 1998) 669 pages Reviews : Today's Homeowner, April 1998 With the publication of this updated The Healthy House, Bower offers a wealth of carefully organized, practical information...His mastery of building techniques and house design is evident: He explains hands-on practical diagnostic techniques and offers thorough coverage of virtually every material used in homes, identified by generic name, brand name, and supplier...For people trying to reduce toxic or irritating materials from their home, its comprehensive coverage and thorough research make the book essential. If you're planning a new home or remodel, the list of suppliers and information sources alone make it worth the purchase price. Book Description : The best book on healthy construction is now available in a completely revised third edition! Packed with over twice as much information as previous editions. Entirely reorganized and up-to-date, covering new research and products. An easy-to-read, in-depth look at building materials and their effects on human health. Nearly 500 addresses and phone numbers of suppliers. Fully referenced. A whopping 672 pages! The Healthy House has been praised by builders, architects, and homeowners as an essential reference for selecting less-toxic construction materials. From the Publisher : We are pleased to be publishing this greatly expanded, updated third edition of The Healthy House by John Bower. Since the first edition came out back in 1989, this single book has not only expanded the awareness about the problems of common, but unhealthy, building materials and practices, but more importantly, it has offered real solutions in easy-to-understand language with listings of hundreds of safer alternative products. In short, we feel this is one book that is essential for anyone wanting to be a truly informed homeowner or housing (designer, contractor, builder) professional. Booknews, Inc. , October 1, 1989 Information on subjects that include airtightness and ventilation, mold and moisture, wood and wood products, and their noxious and toxic potentials. Includes source listings of manufacturers and suppliers. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From the Back Cover : You and your family deserve a healthy house and this book will tell you how to have one. You'll learn: Why many houses make people sick. Why the air indoors is much worse than it is outdoors. Why carpeting and kitchen cabinets can be unhealthy. How your furnace can be dangerous to your health. How to select healthier building products. How tight construction can be a healthy idea. How to properly ventilate houses. What you can do if you live in an unhealthy house. How to reduce your exposure to electromagnetic fields. What to do about lead, asbestos, radon, and mold. About the Author : John Bower (BS Purdue University, MA Ball State University) has been involved with healthy house construction since 1984. He has written extensively on the subject in several books (The Healthy House Answer Book, Healthy House Building, and Understanding Ventilation) as well as in articles for such publications as Custom Builder, The Journal of Light Construction, and Mother Earth News. In addition, he has been an invited speaker at builders' conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada sponsored by such organizations as the National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Institute of Architects. In 1991, he was honored with a Professional Achievement Award for "healthy house advocacy" from Professional Builder magazine. He is currently serving on the Editorial Advisory Board of Indoor Environment Review. Excerpted from The Healthy House : How to Buy One, How to Build One, How to Cure a Sick One by John Bower. Introduction. Americans are overwhelmingly interested in better health today. Most television news shows include regular health segments, and many have special health corespondents or doctors on their payrolls. In a poll taken by Organic Gardening magazine, 70% of American consumers said, if they had a choice, they'd buy organic fruits and vegetables at their local market--and more than half of them would be willing to pay as much as 20% more. Yet, many of us are unaware of the health threats inside our own homes. While a survey found that one-third of building managers recognized that indoor air pollution is a "serious" health threat, almost none regard it as a serious risk in their own buildings. But, it probably is. A house is not simply a benign structure in which you relax. It's an active, enclosed system. And, when you are inside it, you become an integral part of that system. If your house is like most being built in the U.S. today, it is composed of many individual components that contain toxic chemicals. Carpeting and floor tiles are chemically treated to render them stain resistant. Wall coverings are chemically treated with mold inhibitors. Wood windows are made with chemically treated lumber. These treatments can be harmful in their own right, but when they outgas into the living space of your house, they can interact to form new toxic compounds. Enter you and your family. You have now linked into this enclosed system for better or worse. Probably worse. As the components of your home outgas (release chemicals into the air), they contaminate the air you are breathing. As they are inhaled, they are absorbed by your lungs and pass into your bloodstream. Some are absorbed through your skin. As an article in Interior Design pointed out, "our interiors, once our chief refuge from urban terrors, are now themselves seen as sources of danger." When you consider the number of hours spent indoors, it only makes sense to build a healthy house rather than an unhealthy one. The federal government has barely begun to promote the concept of healthy houses. In fact, many products with known negative health effects are widely available and are being actively promoted by manufacturers and lumberyards. Examples include particle board (which is loaded with formaldehyde), and salt-treated lumber (which contains arsenic). Nations like West Germany, Canada, and Sweden are much more involved in promoting healthy building products and techniques. They have already learned that the ill health of their citizens is often related to housing. What symptoms can you expect by living in an unhealthy house? Actually, you can experience anything from a headache, insomnia, or skin rash, to severe joint pain, anxiety, or depression. While much of the medical community is unaware of the true cause-and-effect relationship between indoor air quality and human health, there is a growing minority of health care professionals who are well-informed about the devastating consequences of living in sick houses. Some architects and builders are also starting to become aware of the problem. Yet, most houses continue to be built in unhealthy ways. The good news is that healthy building materials and practices are available. It only takes a little more time, planning, and money--but not much--to build a healthy house instead of one that will put you and your family at risk. Surveys have shown, homeowners not only want organic vegetables--they also want healthy houses. Professional Builder magazine has been asking questions of home buyers for several years about healthy housing. In 1990, they found that over 80% of home buyers felt environmental issues were important and a survey done in Bellevue, Washington found that home buyers would pay as much as $15,000-25,000 more for healthy-house features, based on a $240,000 home. But healthy features can also be incorporated into lower-cost housing. This book will show you how traditional house construction causes poor indoor air quality. However, more importantly, it will present hundreds of healthier alternative building materials and construction techniques. To help you locate suppliers, Appendix I contains the addresses and telephone numbers of organizations and manufacturers shown in bold type throughout the text. This is not a step-by-step instruction book on how to build one particular healthy house. Instead, it is a reference book that can help you buy, build, or remodel any house so that it won't make you sick. Here's to your house, and to your health. John Bower *************************************************** The Healthy House Answer Book : Answers to the 133 Most Commonly Asked Questions by John Bower, Lynn Marie Bower Our Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (March 1998) 192 pages Reviews Building with Nature, Issue #18 This little book replaces extensive research and expensive consultants for those who need answers. The Q&A format makes the information highly accessible; topic-centered chapters guide the reader toward the appropriate question; and references lead the reader to sources of further information. Book Description Do you have health concerns about interior paints, flooring, air filters, water filters, drywall, treated wood, foundations, furnaces, cabinets, electromagnetic fields, insulation, or cleaning products? Do you wonder what's safe to use--and what isn't? Well, here's a new book with the easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, concise answers you've been searching for. If you're interested in better health for your family, The Healthy House Answer Book is a must-have home reference. From the Publisher : Among healthy housing books we publish, The Healthy House Answer Book by John and Lynn Bower is something a little different. While the rest of our offerings in this field are thick, very comprehensive volumes, this is a smaller book in both size and depth--sort of a "pocket healthy housing guidebook." While covering the major concerns anyone would have about all aspects of construction and maintenance, all the information is presented in a very concise Q and A format. With subject chapters and a complete index, this is a great introductory book for anyone interested in the subject. From the Back Cover : You've got questions? We've got answers! Do you have health concerns about interior paints, flooring, air filters, water filters, drywall, treated wood, foundations, furnaces, cabinets, electromagnetic fields, insulation, or cleaning products? Do you wonder what's safe to use--and what isn't? Well, here's the book with the easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, concise answers you've been searching for. Be sure. Know the facts. If you're interested in better health for your family, The Healthy House Answer Book is a must-have home reference guide. About the Author : John Bower (BS Purdue University, MA Ball State University) has been involved with healthy house construction since 1984. He has written extensively on the subject in several books (The Healthy House, Healthy House Building, and Understanding Ventilation) as well as in articles for such publications as Custom Builder, The Journal of Light Construction, and Mother Earth News. In addition, he has been an invited speaker at builders' conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada sponsored by such organizations as the National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Institute of Architects. In 1991, he was honored with a Professional Achievement Award for "healthy house advocacy" from Professional Builder magazine. He is currently serving on the Editorial Advisory Board of Indoor Environment Review. Lynn Marie Bower has a BS in education (magna cum laude) from Western Michigan University. She has been a public school teacher, and an accomplished graphic designer and fine artist. She became personally interested in the subject of healthier houses when she acquired Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) nearly two decades ago during a home remodeling project. Since that time she has written scores of articles on creating and maintaining a healthier lifestyle, and has co-edited a statewide MCS support-group newsletter. Her previous book, The Healthy Household, continues to be a well-reviewed and is a popular classic in its field. Excerpted from The Healthy House Answer Book : Answers to the 133 Most Commonly Asked Questions by John Bower and Lynn Marie Bower. Introduction. If we would've been asked us in 1976, when we bought our first house, if indoor pollution was an important issue, we probably wouldn't have thought so. But we would have been wrong. A government report has stated that "Indoor air pollution...accounts for 50% of all illness (and) health care costs (from its effects) are estimated at $100 billion per year." That's an astounding statement. Think about all the times you, a friend, or a family member have been sick. Half of all those illnesses were probably caused by poor indoor air quality. What we're talking about includes all forms of illness. Perhaps that case of the sniffles was due to a dust-mite allergy, or when you thought you had the flu, it was because of a malfunctioning chimney. Your grandfather's lung cancer may have been due to radon gas, and your daughter's menstrual irregularities could have been caused by the formaldehyde given off by the kitchen cabinets. Many people have heard of Sick Building Syndrome. From time to time, the news media reports on a new office building where some employees are mysteriously ill. These people are healthy when they're away from work, but as soon as they get back on the job, they experience a variety of symptoms. Well, guess what? Houses can be sick too. We all have different levels of tolerance. In a sick office building, the air might only be bad enough to affect 10% of the workers. Similarly, houses usually aren't so bad that everyone gets seriously ill. In fact, in a typical sick house, there's usually only one person affected. It's common for other family members, who feel OK, to label the sick person a hypochondriac. One of the illnesses that's increasingly being recognized is a condition called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). People with MCS are much more sensitive than the rest of the population to common indoor air pollutants. Like all illnesses, there are degrees of MCS. Some reports have estimated that it affects up to 15% of the population. We learned about MCS the hard way a few years after we bought out first house. That house wasn't much to look at--it was a dilapidated old farm house that was built in the 1850s. Between 1976 and 1982, we completely rebuilt much of the inside and outside ourselves--while we were living in it. We were proud of the end result and where honored with a preservation award from the county historical society. But the exposure to all the new construction materials literally destroyed Lynn's health. It took us another couple of years to learn that many common building products can make you sick. Frankly, we were shocked. We used the same plywood, cabinets, paints, and carpeting that anyone can buy at lumber yards and building-supply centers--and they almost destroyed Lynn. At first we couldn't figure out why she has so many different and unrelated symptoms. She couldn't sleep, she had joint and muscle pain, couldn't digest food, couldn't think straight, had inflamed sinuses, her hair and nails became brittle, she had difficulty breathing, the odor of printing ink and new clothing bothered her. Then we heard about MCS, and realized that our award-winning house had made her sick. We found out that many doctors have never heard of MCS, and that some simply don't believe it's a valid medical condition. On the other hand, hundreds of doctors specialize in treating MCS, and they see thousands of patients every day. For a referral, contact the American Academy of Environmental Medicine[...] Since learning about MCS, and how bad the air is in most houses, we've devoted out lives to spreading the word about why houses make people sick and, more importantly, how to create healthy houses. We've found that, even though many everyday materials are unhealthy, there are hundreds of other products that are inert. This book discusses those healthy alternatives and includes addresses for some that you may have difficulty finding locally. Many of our answers include numbers in parentheses that refer to other questions and answers containing additional relevant information. We've found that every question has two answers, a short one a long one. For example, it's possible to answer a particular question with either a single sentence, or an entire book. What follows are relatively short answers, but they're certainly not incomplete. By following the advice given in these pages, you can definitely improve the healthfulness of your house and your family--often considerably. Even if you're after more in-depth information, this is an excellent book to start with, because it will give you an overall background in all aspects of healthy housing. John and Lynn Marie Bower, The Healthy House Institute *************************************************** Clean and Green : The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping by Annie Berthold-Bond, Annie Berhold Bond Our Price: $8.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback Updated edition (October 1994) Ceres Pr; ISBN: 1886101019 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.35 x 8.20 x 5.25 Reviews The publisher, David Goldbeck dgoldbeck@aol.com , January 5, 1999 This is a very valuable book. This book changed my life in a small but significant way. I am now free of expensive, polluting ugly-scented cleaning supplies. (Formulas actually cover wood finishes, car cleaning, spot removal, etc. - just about anything you need in this category of products.) Annie's recipes are simple, easy to follow and generally employ common ingredients. I simply reuse empty spray and other bottles for the formulas. (One tip is to put the recipe right on the bottle covered with tape - for ease of refill. If success is any sign of the value of a book - the nearly 100,000 people who bought this book have proved its value! Customer Comments : A reader from Michigan , October 19, 1998 Very thorough. Annie Berthold-Bond's recommendations for cleaning recipes are compact, exact, and varied. Recipes are included for nearly every cleaning situation encountered in households today. The book may seem short and lacking the discussion typical of many "stay green" books. Don't let this fool you. When you just want to choose a good cleaning recipe (they're conveniently ordered by type of cleaning situation) using ingredients you probably already have in your home, then this book is the one to choose. *************************************************** The Green Kitchen Handbook : Practical Advice, References, and Sources for Transforming the Center of Your Home into a Healthy, Livable Place by Annie Berthold-Bond, Mother, Others for a Livable Planet, me Streep, Meryl Streep List Price: $15.00 Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 304 pages (March 1997) HarperCollins (paper); ISBN: 0060951869 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.28 x 5.01 x 8.65 Reviews From Booklist , March 15, 1997 Berthold-Bond's practical guide answers dozens of questions environmentally conscientious and curious cooks have wondered about for years, such as the geographic origin of common healthful foods, their processing or production, and what makes them healthful or not. High points are the detailed discussion of oils and their uses, fatty acid profiles, and smoke points; the microbiology and biochemistry of food preservation in lay language, along with step-by-step procedures for freezing, drying, canning, and preparing a root cellar; a survey of organic agriculture and its standards; and suggestions on how to reduce food packaging and its attendant toxins and nonbiodegradable waste. The last section covers nonfood issues, including household hazardous waste, alternative and safe cleaning supplies and pest control, water purity and conservation, energy-saving appliances, and equipment choices. Well formatted for easy reference, this handbook offers numerous charts of equivalencies, substitutions, and cooking times and concludes with a resource list and an index. Penny Spokes Copyright 1997, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis A comprehensive, sensible guide to maintaining the health of the kitchen offers a wide range of economical and environmentally sound alternatives for the home, with helpful advice on additives, organic foods, kitchen appliances, canning, and more. 40,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo. Synopsis Featuring everything from lessons on reading labels on packaged foods to buying organic, from canning and community gardening to creating a root cellar, this unique handbook offers suggestions for economical and environmentally conscious alternatives which make keeping a green kitchen a viable, practical option. Maintaining an ecologically sound kitchen makes cooking and eating more enjoyable and contributes to the well-being of the environment and your health and family. The Green Kitchen Handbook offers a wealth of practical advice, references, and sources for turning your kitchen into a healthful, livable space. It contains simple tips for immediate use: how to buy organic foods as inexpensively and conveniently as supermarket foods, how to clean and control pests with nontoxic materials, what to look for on food labels, and how to reduce packaging. It also offers advice for more ambitious solutions, including information on canning, creating a root cellar, foraging, and joining community environmental projects. In addition, there are valuable insights on how to buy seasonal, fresh, local foods; how to avoid processed foods and refined sugars; how to recognize the hidden costs in commercial packaging; the best way to prepare and store foods; and how to embrace the "new green diet" without wasting time and money. From the Publisher The Green Kitchen Handbook contains basic tips on and simple solutions to: what to look for on packaged food labels, how to recognize which food additives to avoid, and how to buy organic foods as inexpensively and conveniently as supermarket foods. And it offers advice for more ambitious projects including information on canning, creating root cellars, buying kitchen appliances, and joining community gardens. The Green Kitchen Handbook also includes valuable insights on how to buy local foods in season; how to avoid excess fat, sugars, and salt; where to locate the best food sources; preparing and storing foods; and integrating the principles of keeping a green kitchen with your daily routine. This unique handbook offers economical and environmentally conscious alternatives that make keeping a green kitchen simple, sensible, and delicious. *************************************************** How to Grow Fresh Air : 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office by B. C. Wolverton List Price: $15.95 Our Price: $12.76 You Save: $3.19 (20%) Paperback - 144 pages (April 1997) Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0140262431 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.41 x 9.38 x 7.43 Availability: This title is currently on back order. We do not have a reprint date for this title, but we expect to be able to ship it to you within 3-5 weeks. Reviews Synopsis Plants are the lungs of the earth. This revolutionary guide, based on 25 years of research by NASA, shows how common houseplants can combat sick building syndrome and cleanse the home or office of common pollutants. Color photos & illustrations. Online promo. In research designed to create a breathable environment for a NASA lunar habitat noted scientist Dr. B. C. Wolverton discovered that houseplants are the best filters of common pollutants such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene. Hundreds of these poisonous chemicals can be released by furniture, carpets, and building material, and then trapped by closed ventilation systems, leading to the host of respiratory and allergic reactions now called Sick Building Syndrome. In this full-color, easy-to-follow guide, Dr. Wolverton shows you how to grow and nurture 50 plants as accessible and trouble-free as the tulip and the Boston fern, and includes many beautiful but commonly found varieties not generally thought of as indoor plants. He also rates each plant for its effectiveness in removing various pollutants, and its ease of growth and maintenance. Customer Comments : A reader from Washington, D.C. , October 28, 1998 Excellent, Simple - Easy Reading ! What a great book. The author writes with a style that is easy to read and easy to understand. It's hard to imagine the results he reports originated with space based research. I'm in the interior plantscape business, and this is a must have for all of my employees. A reader , April 2, 1997 Highly informative, and fun to browse through. This is a great new book on the rarely discussed subject of using houseplants to clean indoor air. The book starts with a few well written and illustrated chapters on indoor air pollution, sick-building syndrome and the process by which plants can help. The remainder of the book discusses 50 common plants and outlines the care and needs of each one, as well as each plant's ability to clean various toxins from the air. Not only is this an informative book, but it's fun to read, and beautifully photographed and designed, with lots of excellent full-page color photography. I keep mine out on my coffee table. A reader , April 2, 1997 Highly informative, and fun to browse through. This is a great new book on the rarely discussed subject of using houseplants to clean indoor air. The book starts with a few well written and illustrated chapters on indoor air pollution, sick-building syndrome and the process by which plants can help. The remainder of the book discusses 50 common plants and outlines the care and needs of each one, as well as each plant's ability to clean various toxins from the air. Not only is this an informative book, but it's fun to read, and beautifully photographed and designed, with lots of excellent full-page color photography. I keep mine out on my coffee table. *************************************************** Healing Environments : Your Guide to Indoor Well Being by Carol Venolia, Debra Lynn Dadd List Price: $12.95 Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 224 pages (July 1988) Celestial Arts; ISBN: 0890874972 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.72 x 8.97 x 6.02 Reviews From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by SH , February 1, 1997 The physical environments we live, work and play in have a direct, but often unrecognized, effect on the harmony of our lives. Becoming aware of our interactions with these spaces and making changes to improve them can help create balance and emotional well-being. Healing Environments provides ways in which to reconfigure our lifestyles and surroundings that will enhance our lives and spiritual beings. For instance, adding accents of silver, the color of the moon, can aid creativity, soothe emotions and soften the ambience in our surroundings. An architect by profession, Carol Venolia guides us beyond the structural dimensions and into the sensorial realms of the spaces we inhabit. This book is presented as a way to get to know ourselves and evaluate our environments, as well as to teach us how the components of color, sound, temperature, light, arrangement and texture can be cultivated to create a healthier and more fulfilling existence. Excerpted from Healing Environments by Carol Venolia (as appears in The WomanSource Catalog & Review): A friend of mine found another way to change his environment via his perceptions. His heart was in the Sierras, but his work was in San Francisco. He made his peace with the city by knowing the origins of its parts: the granite veneer on his high-rise office building was quarried in the mountains; his drinking water came from the snowfall of the Sierra Nevada; his Victorian row-house was built from the redwood forests; the sun that shone on him also irritating, but necessary requirements for home-dwellers. *************************************************** Nontoxic, Natural and Earthwise : How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Harmful Products and Live in Harmony With the Earth by Debra Lynn Dadd ASIN: 0874775841 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. Reviews Synopsis Debra Lynn Dadd leads the way for consumers to protect both themselves and the environment, by establishing new product-buying criteria that reflects the linkage between environmental protection and our health. Readers will find recommendations for more than 2,000 brand-name products are safe and environmentally sound. Printed on 100% recycled paper. *************************************************** Green Building Resource Guide by John Hermannsson Our Price: $30.36 You Save: $7.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (May 1997) 152 pages Reviews How-To Editor's Recommended Book Green Building Resource Guide is the first truly comprehensive resource guide for environmentally friendly building materials. It includes both structural and finish materials such as recycled lumber, natural-fiber carpeting, low-toxic adhesives, and energy- and resource-efficient appliances. Author John Hermannsson rates and compares the materials against more commonly known examples and lists manufacturers and suppliers, along with their phone numbers. Whether building a home or remodeling, Green Building Resource Guide is an essential source for anyone who wants to proceed the Earth-friendly way. Who doesn't? Synopsis "Green" products are non-toxic, contain more recycled material, are more durable and require less maintenance than standard products. This professional reference for residential construction lists more than 600 environmentally friendly products and their manufacturers. Readers see product descriptions, suppliers' current addresses and phone numbers, and cost comparisons to conventional materials. A timely sourcebook updated annually. Color illus. The author, John Hermannsson, , April 10, 1997 A comparison of the cost of green to conventional products The greatest obstacle to using green building materials in construction today is the misconception that it will always cost a lot more than conventional materials. I wrote the Green Building Resource Guide and created a unique feature which is a cost comparison between each green product and a conventional one it could replace. The purpose of this feature is to eliminate the fear of the unknown obstacle of cost, and become a "tool for application" to promote the use of green building materials and products. Many books have been written about the deterioration of our environment and health from toxic materials but not enough is being done to solve these problems. As an architect, I wrote this book to bring us a step closer to solving these problems with residential construction and indoor air quality. *************************************************** Builder's Guide to New Materials and Techniques by Paul Bianchina Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1997) 352 pages Reviews Book Description Builders today need to beat the competition by providing cutting-edge technology at an affordable cost for their clients. From earth-friendly engineered lumber and concrete/masonry systems to inventive siding, hvac systems, and more, this book addresses these latest technologies as well as tips from field-tested situations on what tools and techniques to use in conjunction with them. Synopsis This professional's guide focuses on innovative building materials, describing the best ways for contractors and subs to put these products to use to outperform competitors. From environmentally friendly engineered lumber to energy saving concrete/masonry homebuilding systems, this unique book addresses the latest technologies and provides field-tested advice on tools and techniques. A volume in the Builder's Guide Series. From the Back Cover Learn how to capitalize on hundreds of today's exciting new building products Are you finding it difficult to keep up with all the new building products flooding the market these days? Well, this practical, easy-to-read guide will tell you everything a modern builder needs to know about hundreds of new products-ranging from engineered lumber and composite wood products to hardware trim, and even plastic lumber. You'll get an introduction to the technology that's shaping the way we build, plus expert coverage of: Lumber products and specialty items such as joists, trusses, wood bridges, and studs; Panel products, including plywood, hardboard, fiber-board, melamine, and particleboard; Plywood and wood-based siding products; Other wood-based and nonwood products, such as shingles, siding, doors, trim, moldings, fencing, and windows; Hangers, connectors, and fasteners. This complete reference also takes you through computerized design services. . .product selection and specification. . .and proper storage, handling, and installation. In addition, it provides an appendix of products listed by trade name and manufacturer-plus a handy directory of manufacturers, with phone numbers and addresses. Customer Comments : A reader from Atlanta, Georgia , January 5, 1999 The book contains tons of building data I was very impressed with the book. I was looking for new techniques and this is what the book provided along with information on how to obtain the materials. Also detailed information on how to use the materials. The book was a great help. *************************************************** Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate by Alex Wilson, Jen Uncapher, Lisa McManigal, L. Hunter Lovins Our Price: $54.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (January 1998) 528 pages Reviews The publisher, John Wiley & Sons "Green building"--the trend toward more environmentally responsible construction--has become a popular movement among architects, but it is less well understood by the developers and owners who control funding. This book is the first to demonstrate the advantages of green development, using case studies of developers and owners who built environmentally responsible projects that have delivered superior financial rewards. Customer Comments : Christian Overbey (cdosem@halcyon.com) from Seattle, Washington , December 1, 1998 Thoroughly presents sustainable land development This book thoroughly presents sustainable real estate development. It answers the basic questions of how, what, when, why and who with text and photos (CD also) illustrating numerous case studies. It is written for a wide and concerned audience, composed of real estate professionals, financiers and designers. This book is not technical. It is a conceptual book and guides the reader toward sustainable solutions. This subject is very large and this book is necessarily a summary, which includes recent projects. This book does not "preach to the choir". It addresses difficult obstacles to the sustainable development paradigm and provides workable solutions. *************************************************** Design With Nature by Ian L. McHarg Our Price: $39.96 You Save: $9.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (February 1995) Reviews Synopsis The first book to describe an ecologically sound approach to the planning and design of communities, Design with Nature has done much over the past 25 years to shape public environmental policy. This paperback edition makes this classic accessible to a wider audience than ever before. Lavishly illustrated with more than 300 color photos and line drawings. *************************************************** Ecological Design by Sim Van Der Ryn, Stuart Cowan (Contributor), Stuart Cowen Our Price: $17.56 You Save: $4.39 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (December 1995) 200 pages Reviews Synopsis Ecological Design presents a vision of how the living world and the human world can be rejoined by taking ecology as the basis for design--adapting and integrating human design with natural processes. The authors weave together case studies, personal anecdotes, images and theory to provide a thorough treatment of the concept of ecological design. *************************************************** From Eco-Cities to Living Machines : Principles of Ecological Design by Nancy Jack Todd, John Todd Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1994) 185 pages *************************************************** Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates : Helping Your Garden Flourish, While Conserving Water! by Robert Kourik, Heidi Schmidt (Illustrator) List Price: $15.00 Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 118 pages (April 1993) Metamorphic Pr; ISBN: 0961584823 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.37 x 10.86 x 8.39 *************************************************** Energy-Efficient Operation of Commercial Buildings : Redefining the Energy Manager's Job by John Carmody, Peter H. Herzog Our Price: $45.00 Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Hardcover - 197 pages (June 1997) McGraw Hill Text; ISBN: 0070284687 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.80 x 9.53 x 7.55 Reviews Book Description After a building has been designed (or retrofitted) and constructed in accordance with accepted energy-efficient practices, how do we guaranteed that it will continue to be managed in an efficient way? Buildings are much "smarter" than they used to be-they respond very sensitively to use patterns, climatic changes, and tenancy changes-and efficient operation is no longer a matter of reading a few thermostats and gauges. This useful book provides a proven practical methodology for achieving and sustaining energy efficiencies in building operation. Synopsis A book for architects and building, facilities, and energy managers, it features a graphic format filled with charts, graphs, diagrams, and worksheets. This no-nonsense guide introduces the basic concepts and presents a sex-step process for identifying savings potential, operating efficiency, and building performance. Whether you're a building owner, facility manager, performance contractor, energy manager, or building operator, this book will show you the role you can play in a new, common-sense approach to energy cost-containment. The methods described will revitalize your energy cost reduction efforts by providing a clear path to achieving operational improvements. This unique resource features a user-friendly format that takes you through a step-by-step process to identify savings potential and achieve measurable cost reduction. From the Back Cover Proven methods for saving energy dollars by improving a building's operating efficiency Whether you're a building owner, facility manager, performance contractor, energy manager, or building operator, this book will show you the role you can play in a new, common-sense approach to energy cost-containment. The methods described will revitalize your energy cost reduction efforts through a step-by-step process to identify savings potential and achieve measurable cost reduction. Included are: An approach to energy-efficient operations that combines a knowledge of technical systems and common-sense management procedures; Methods for quantifying the dollars consumed by each significant energy user; Strategies for discovering energy waste that typically goes undetected; Expert guidance on setting up a process to minimize energy waste and continuously improve operating efficiency. *************************************************** Bioshelters, Ocean Arks, City Farming : Ecology As the Basis of Design by Nancy Jack Todd, Jack, John, John Todd ASIN: 0871563487 Availability: This title is out of print. Although it is no longer available from the publisher, we'll query our network of used bookstores for you and send an update within one to two weeks. *************************************************** Handbook of Alternative Materials in Residential Construction by Richard T. Bynum, Daniel L. Rubino Our Price: $59.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Hardcover - 496 pages (September 1998) McGraw Hill Text; ISBN: 0070119783 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.45 x 9.35 x 6.23 Reviews Book Description This book gives the builder, architect and owner information on alternative construction materials that are proven, more durable and easy to work with than wood, and will save construction time and costs. It details information on at least three alternative materials per building phase. Each material is compared to conventional materials in the terms which matter most-costs, time considerations, durability, handling-as well as providing other strengths and weaknesses. The book's primary focus is single-family homes, with some coverage of multi-family dwellings. A case study chapter provides actual plans and CAD drawings from residential buildings that were built entirely of new materials. An index of manufacturers and suppliers will give the reader sources of additional information. At a time when limited natural resources, greater environmental awareness, improved technologies, and home safety are industry-wide issues, this indispensable handbook guides you through the new materials and the implementation of new methods for the present and future. Written by experts who have hands-on design and construction experience with these tested and proven new homebuilding materials, this book shows you how to expedite the building process and cut costs. From the Back Cover Squeezed by the high price of traditional materials? After 100 years of conventional training and construction methods, there is a better way to build houses with materials that are: cheaper; easier to use; stronger; more durable; more fire resistant; and kinder to the environment. At a time when limited natural resources, greater environmental awareness, improved technologies, and home safety are industry-wide issues, this indispensable handbook guides you through the new materials and the implementation of new methods for the present and future. Written by experts who have hands-on design and construction experience with these tested and proven new homebuilding materials, this book shows you how to expedite the building process and cut costs in: foundations and basements; floor systems; exterior walls and roof systems; interior doors and hardware; interior partitions; heating and cooling systems; plumbing; electrical systems. The author, Richard T. Bynum, Jr., AIA , October 26, 1998 New innovations and thinking will result in better quality The main reason that Dan and I embarked on such a project as The Handbook of Alternative Materials in Residential Construction was basically a response to our frustrations with the current state of the homebuilding industry. As an architect, I am constantly involved in the process of exploring better ways to design structures and improve habitable spaces. It became obvious that the residential construction industry was not only becoming stagnate in its evolution but somewhat ignorant as to the changes in methodology and material improvements available. The mass production approach by the extensive number of national homebuilders has only exacerbated this trend that is resistant to change. One of the problems is that although the information is out there, it is not easily accessible to those not regularly involved in design or research. With this in mind, Dan and I set a course to not only gather but to effectively disseminate the most appropriate and promising research in a clear manner to illustrate how easy it is to build homes better than they have ever been built before. We wrote this book with the construction professional AND the homeowner in mind because in this unique market, both parties function as the primary instruments for change. The materials discussed in this book are cutting edge, however that does not mean they have not been time tested. In fact many of these materials have been used in European markets or the commercial construction industry for years. As far as we know, this is the truly the first and only book that assembles such a variety of information that competently and adequately covers such a broad scope in an effort to improve home construction. Tankless water heaters, lightweight masonry units, steel framing, engineered wood products, deterioration resistant siding, home automation and geothermal heat pumps are but a few of the technologically advanced products discussed. Since the homeowner and homebuilder are the audience, the technical data is presented in an easy to understand style without compromising the professionals interests and inquiries. An exhaustive appendix is also furnished to provide direct access to product manufacturers if more information is needed. We hope that this book will not only edify the reader, but ultimately improve the quality of the homes that we all live in. Customer Comments : A reader , November 10, 1998 Great Book for Everyone from Weekend Workers to Foremen The Handbook of Alternative Materials in Residential Construction was truly a fascinating read for me. I discovered there were so many things that I took for granted when it comes to home design and construction. Such a simple notion as how to make your home wheelchair accessible for anyone at any age at practically negligible additional cost is such a logical idea that I do not understand why more people are not building their homes with this in mind. The material was presented in such a clear and logical fashion that it was very simple to compare the common construction materials in use for homebuilding today to the "new and improved", innovative materials. Very enlightening. The comprehensive appendix in the back of the book also made it very simple to contact the manufacturers for more detailed information, product brochures and store locations. A reader from Buffalo Flats, SD , October 27, 1998 Excellent How-to book. My wife and I were getting ready to finalize plans to build our dream home in South Dakota. We did not want to do it the same way that every else did. In other words we were looking for something different. We heard about this book and thought we would give it a try. Rebecca Dianne and I have been very pleased to say the least. This book has given us so many alternatives to look at in the building process that it amazes me that we didn't think of it before. It would be wonderful if there would be a follow-up every year or so to keep us abreast of changes in the field. The one thing that pleased me greatly was that the book was written so that anyone could understand it. Most of these books are written like college textbooks, this one I am happy to report is written for the lay person. Hats off to Rick and Dan. *************************************************** The Power Guide : An International Catalogue of Small-Scale Energy Equipment by Wim Hulscher, Peter Fraenkel Our Price: $47.50 Paperback 2nd edition (August 1993) Intermediate Technology; ISBN: 1853391921 Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. Reviews Booknews, Inc. , January 1, 1995 An illustrated catalog of small-scale energy equipment (up to 250Kw), providing information on hundreds of products from almost 500 manufacturers and suppliers in some 40 countries throughout the world. It covers the following areas: solar photovoltaic equipment; wind pumps and wind generators; micro-hydro, hydraulic ram, and river current turbine products; and biomass pre-treatment, combustion, and steam systems, and gasifiers. The guide provides assistance with choosing an appropriate energy source and conversion technology, and finding out where the necessary equipment can be obtained. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. *************************************************** The Tech and Tools Book : A Guide to Technologies Women Are Using Worldwide by Ruby Sandhu, Joanne Sandler (Compiler) Our Price: $20.95 Paperback (December 1986) Intermediate Technology; ISBN: 0946688176 Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. *************************************************** Mothers and Daughters of Invention : Notes for a Revised History of Technology by Autumn Stanley Our Price: $30.00 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 708 pages (October 1995) Rutgers Univ Press; ISBN: 0813521971 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.48 x 9.24 x 6.12 Reviews Booknews, Inc. , November 1, 1993 A broadly focused compensatory history of technology, not only including women's contributions, but beginning the task of redefining "technology" and "significant technology" to value these contributions rightly. The volume traces women's inventions in five vital areas of technology worldwide--agriculture, medicine, reproduction, machines, and computers--from prehistory (or origin) forward, profiling hundreds of women, both famous and obscure. While focusing on facts, Stanley doesn't ignore theory, and a significant contribution of her work is a paradigm for male takeovers of technologies originated by women. The 125-page bibliography is both massive and eclectic. Hugely valuable, not least for the further research it should engender. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Do It Herself : Women & Technical Innovation by Helen Appleton (Editor) Our Price: $29.95 Paperback (July 1995) Women Ink; ISBN: 1853392871 Availability: This title usually ships within 4-6 weeks. Please note that titles occasionally go out of print or publishers run out of stock. We will notify you within 2-3 weeks if we have trouble obtaining this title. *************************************************** Biomimicry : Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine M. Benyus Our Price: $17.50 You Save: $7.50 (30%) Usually ships in 24 hours Hardcover - (June 1997) 256 pages List Price: $13.00 Our Price: $10.40 You Save: $2.60 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 320 pages Reprint edition (May 1998) William Morrow & Co Paper; ISBN: 0688160999 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 9.21 x 6.09 Reviews Publishers Weekly The natural world, says Benyus (Beastly Behaviors), has an enormous amount to teach us, if only we would "tune in"--as some scientists are beginning to do--before it's too late. Touring the laboratories of a wide array of researchers, she reports on the emerging race to mimic natural processes (hence "biomimicry") in the business-driven quest for better products, environmentally sound technologies and miracle drugs. The scientists speak with palpable excitement, explaining the principles behind a utopian future of unlimited possibilities: energy harnessed by simple, non-toxic molecules modeled on the principles of photosynthesis, so efficient they put our best solar cells to shame; an organic computer, thousands of times faster and more powerful than that most advanced Pentium, that emulates the principles embodied in DNA; farms with abundant yields requiring virtually no pesticides, fertilizers, or "energy inputs," mimicking a natural ecosystem--and more. Benyus's shotgun approach can be disorienting, but the possible breakthroughs, the technologies behind them and the scientists themselves are invariably fascinating. And Benyus's observations are engaging as well, bringing to her tech-oriented subject a non-didactic moral framework and an invigorating sense of wonder: "By deliberately looking for creatures that awe us, we may just stumble upon a whole new chemistry--the spoils of survival." (June) The New York Times Book Review, Dorion Sagan : The sophisticated, almost pro-growth angle of Benyus shows the great potential profitability of copying some of nature's time-tested, non-polluting room-temperature manufacturing and computing technologies. The colors of Benyus, a splendid Stevensville, Mont., science writer with a grasp of several sciences, contain far more shades of green than of chrome. From Booklist , June 1, 1997: Forget the notion that technology improves upon nature. Benyus introduces us to pioneering engineers making technological breakthroughs by uncovering and copying nature's hidden marvels. These engineers are devising solar fuel cells as efficient as plants, fibers as tough as abalone shell, and computers as sophisticated as the brain. For Benyus, though, a technology that mirrors nature does more than enlarge human powers and gratify human ambitions. Such a technology teaches us how to live in harmony with nature, rather than how to dominate it. Unless we learn this urgent lesson, Benyus warns, our highly unnatural and exploitative technologies will soon render the earth unfit for life. Sobering yet hopeful, this book will bring help bridge the dangerous chasm between technophiles and environmentalists. Bryce Christensen Copyright 1997, American Library Association. Book Description : Biomimicry is a revolutionary new science that analyzes nature's best ideas - spider silk and eyes, seashells and brain cells, photosynthesis and DNA - and adapts them for human use. Janine Benyus takes us into the lab and out in the field with the maverick researchers who are discovering nature's ingenious solutions to the problem of human survival: studying leaves to learn how to make microscopic solar "power packs" that will clean up toxic spills and light our homes; harnessing DNA's coding power to make blindingly fast computers; discovering miracle drugs by observing what animals eat; and much more. The answers are there for the finding, poem like in their elegance and economy. Anyone interested in the people and ideas that are shaping our future must read this book to know where the most exciting revelations lie-literally all around us. Synopsis : Biomimicry is a revolutionary new science that analyzes nature's best ideas--spider silk and eyes; seashells and brain cells; photosynthesis and DNA--and adapts them for human use. Janine Benyus follows the maverick researchers who are harnessing DNA's coding power to make blindingly fast computers; discovering miracle drugs by observing what animals eat, and much more. Read this book to know where the most exciting scientific revelations lie. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title Synopsis : Biomimicry is a revolutionary new science that analyzes nature's best ideas--spider silk, seashells, and brain cells, photosynthesis, DNA and eyes--and adapts them for human use. Now, in the tradition of James Gleick's Chaos comes an essential book for understanding nature's intriguing and ingenious solutions to planetary survival. Biomimicry is the quest for innovation inspired by nature. Biomimics are scientists and inventors who study nature's greatest achievements - spider silk and tallgrass, seashells and brain cells, photosynthesis and forests - and adapt them for human use. Their findings are revolutionizing how we invent, compute, heal ourselves, harness energy, repair the environment, conduct business, and feed the world. In Biomimicry, science writer Janine M. Benyus names and explains this phenomenon that has been unfolding in all the science disciplines. She takes us into the lab and out into the field with the maverick thinkers who are stirring vats of proteins to unleash their signaling power in computers...analyzing how spiders manufacture a waterproof fiber five times stronger than steel...watching electrons zip and pop in a leaf cell, converting simple sunlight into fuel in trillionths of a second...discovering miracle drugs by noting what chimps eat when they're sick...studying the hardy prairie as a low-maintenance model for agriculture...and much more. From the Publisher In the tradition of James Gleiek's Chaos, an essential book for understanding our world. About the Author : Janine M. Benyus is the author of four books in the life sciences, including Beastly Behaviors: A Watchers Guide to How Animals Act and Why. She is a graduate of Rutgers with degrees in forestry and writing and has lectured widely on science topics. She lives in Stevensville, Montana. Excerpted from Biomimicry by Janine M. Benyus. : It's not ordinary for a bare-chested man wearing jaguar teeth and owl feathers to grace the pages of The New Yorker, but these are not ordinary times. While I was writing this book, Moi, an Huaorani Indian leader whose name means "dream," traveled to Washington, D.C., to defend his Amazonian homeland against oil drilling. He roared like a jaguar in the hearings, teaching a roomful of jaded staffers where real power comes from and what homeland actually means. Meanwhile, in America's heartland, two books about aboriginal peoples were becoming word-of-mouth best-sellers, much to their publishers' surprise. Both were about urban Westerners whose lives are changed forever by the wise teachings of pre-industrial societies. What's going on here? My guess is that Homo industrialis, having reached the limits of nature's tolerance, is seeing his shadow on the wall, along with the shadows of rhinos, condors, manatees, lady's slippers, and other species he is taking down with him. Shaken by the sight, he, we, are hungry for instructions about how to live sanely and sustainably on the Earth. The good news is that wisdom is widespread, not only in indigenous peoples but also in the species that have lived on Earth far longer than humans. If the age of the Earth were a calendar year and today were a breath before midnight on New Year's Eve, we showed up a scant fifteen minutes ago, and all of recorded history has blinked by the last sixty seconds. Luckily for us, our planet-mates- -the fantastic meshwork of plants, animals, and microbes--have been patiently perfecting their wares since March, an incredible 3.8 billion years since the first bacteria. In that time, life has learned to fly, circumnavigate the globe, live in the depths of the ocean and atop the highest peaks, craft miracle materials, light up the night, lasso the sun's energy, and build a self-reflective brain. Collectively, organisms have managed to turn rock and sea into a life-friendly home, with steady temperatures and smoothly percolating cycles. In short, living things have done everything we want to do, without guzzling fossil fuel, polluting the planet, or mortgaging their future. What better models could there be? Customer Comments : A reader from NSW, Australia , December 11, 1998 More of a rave about unsustainability than about biomimicry The purported subject of this book is fascinating, however most of the book seems to be about something else. The author lectures about current poor ecological practices (which were "news" about ten years ago). I found very little in this book regarding actual progress in technologies that were inspired by biological systems. Rather disappointing. A reader from Atlanta, USA , November 23, 1998 Enlightening. The human race may have a chance after all. Biomimicry gives an insight into where future technology could take us without getting too technical on its explanations. Benyus takes us into a variety of different natural world arenas and shows us how scientists are working to use millions of years of evolution in our everyday lives. Mother Nature is a smart cookie. We all should listen. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title A reader from Helsinki , July 26, 1998 Fascinating topic, disappointing book . Solar cells modeled after green plants, fibers stronger than steel, chemical factories without pollution, ceramics as hard as abalone shell. Nature has invented many things that outperform engineering feats, and this is book about nature's innovations. Biomimicry is a hard book to classify: it is partly a popular science book (ca. 50%) but also a manifesto for sustainable development, a collection of mini-portraits of scientists, and wild speculation of future engineering applications. All of this is embedded in Benyus' personal odyssey of figuring out what bio-mimetics is all about. Lack of clear focus makes this book a difficult read: in the middle, materials science exposee Benyus has decided to describe rock climbing hobbies of some prominent materials scientists. A reader from Ottawa, Canada , May 28, 1998 This book will make you excited. The details are complex but well explained, making for a very exciting and satisfying read. Biomimicry is elegantly written (not just a collection of separate chapters), with a soft personal side to the story. The science will make you want to run out and invest some money! Chapter on photosynthesis is life-changing! *************************************************** Kinship to Mastery : Biophilia in Human Evolution and Development by Stephen R. Kellert List Price: $25.00 Our Price: $17.50 You Save: $7.50 (30%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Hardcover (June 1997) Island Press; ISBN: 1559633727 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.01 x 9.25 x 6.31 Reviews Amazon.com Do human beings have an innate, biologically-based attraction to nature? According to Stephen R. Kellert, author of Kinship to Mastery, "biophilia" is a distinct possibility. Certainly humankind's relationship with the physical world has long been evident in our dependence on nature for the tools of survival--everything from clothing to fossil fuel--but is there also a deeper, less obvious role that nature plays in our lives? Kellert posits that our abilities to emotionally bond, to create, imagine, or even simply recognize our existence as purposeful all stem from our relationships with the world around us. And if our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being depends on the natural world, then the environment's degradation could have more disastrous effects than we realize. With Kinship to Mastery, Stephen Kellert presents yet another element in the ongoing debate over conservation, growth, and the environment; this is a book well worth reading. The New York Times Book Review, Dorion Sagan : Modern science, like law, requires a preponderance of evidence to convince us. In Kinship to Mastery, Kellert ... uses a method that is the antithesis of that--he tells anecdotes: a boy brought back from despair at the death of his father by the gift of a dog from his sister; a parrot-toting prisoner who becomes an expert on psittacines; a yuppie couple whose marriage is saved by a trip to an island off Nova Scotia ... Unlike the often seen, numbingly impersonal statistics on the biological decrepitude of our planet, these anecdotal fictions strike home personally. Kellert's vignettes wake us up to smell the flowers--the ones that are left. Customer Comments : A reader , July 25, 1997 "Kinship" a good read but not complete "Biophilia" is a term used to describe the innate human affinity to nature. This book provides a fairly exhaustive exploration into this concept. Notable observations include that of nature as a metaphor, an abstract, freeform world to apply meaning to and derive meaning from. He makes a good case for natural settings as critical to our mental and physical well being. Unfortunately the core notion of biophilia is fuzzy at best, not scientifically studied at all-one could make a case that this is all just talk. Furthermore the book barely delves into biophobia at all, despite it being a certain characteristic of our ancestors. Still, I give this book an 8. *************************************************** The Biophilia Hypothesis by Stephen R. Kellert (Editor), Edward O. Wilson (Editor) List Price: $19.95 Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 439 pages Reissue edition (April 1995) Island Pr; ISBN: 1559631473 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.35 x 8.97 x 5.99 Reviews Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book : Why is it that most of us find baby animals irresistibly cute? Why do so many people fear even the sight of snakes? What prompts us to feed birds, to allow cats to roam around the house at will, to admire the lines of dogs and horses? Stephen Kellert and Edward Wilson, the prolific Harvard biologist, gather essays by various hands on these and other questions, and the result is a fascinating glimpse into our relations with other animals. Humans, Wilson writes, have an innate (or at least extremely ancient) connection to the natural world, and our continued divorce from it has led to the loss of not only "a vast intellectual legacy born of intimacy" with nature but also our very sanity. There is much to ponder in this timely book. Synopsis This book brings together the views of some of the most creative scientists of our time, each attempting to amplify and refine the concept of biophilia. Contributors to this volume include Jared Diamond, Aaron Katcher, Richard Nelson and others. Synopsis : Today's scientists offer a variety of perspectives on such theoretical issues as people's preference for trees that are climbable, fears of snakes and spiders as opposed to a lack of fear of knives, guns, and cars, and other topics. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Booknews, Inc. , April 1, 1994 : A collection of invited papers exploring Edward O. Wilson's biophilia hypothesis, which declares humanity's innate affinity for the natural world to be a biological need, integral to our development as individuals and as a species. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader from USA , October 8, 1998 Sorry, but the authors got it all backwards The great biologist Edward O. Wilson noted that human beings seem to have some constants in what they like in the natural world. Everybody likes the landscape they grew up in, but there appears to be a surprising consensus, at least among men, in favor of landscape with these features: grassy parklands with intermittent trees, water, high points providing vistas across a complex landscape, and the ability to see but not be seen. Researchers believe that this represents an inborn affinity toward the superb hunting grounds in which humans evolved in East Africa. From this work, Wilson announced the existence of biophilia, the innate human love of nature, and asserted that this means we should Save the Rainforests (home to most of the species of Wilson's beloved ants). As much as I admire Wilson, I have to point out that his political argument is absolutely not supported by this research, which demonstrates not that humans like all forms of nature but that they have strong opinions about which landscapes they prefer. Reread the description of the consensus pleasurable landscape: does it remind you of anything that modern humans all around the world spend billions upon? Yup, what we males really have an innate affinity for are golf courses. In fact, we probably have an innate aversion toward rainforests, with their snakes, bugs, and lack of sunlight. Humans have largely avoided rainforests throughout our history, and today rainforests are much more popular on the Upper West Side of Manhattan than in the Amazon. None of this implies that we shouldn't Save The Rainforests *************************************************** Ecological Identity : Becoming a Reflective Environmentalist by Mitchell Thomashow List Price: $14.95 Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback Reprint edition (September 1996) MIT Press; ISBN: 0262700638 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.57 x 8.90 x 5.96 *************************************************** The Nature Reader by Daniel Halpern (Editor), Dan Frank (Editor) List Price: $16.00 Our Price: $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 368 pages 1st Ecco p edition (March 1998) Ecco Press; ISBN: 0880015543 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.06 x 9.02 x 6.30 Reviews Synopsis : A rich anthology of essays and articles on nature, natural history, and the environment features contributions by Barry Lopez, Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Dillard, Peter Matthiessen, Edward O. Wilson, Ann Zwinger, Edward Hoagland, Gretel Ehrlich, and many others. - Synopsis : This remarkable and exciting anthology proves beyond a doubt that some of the finest writing today is being done by nature writers--26 of whom are featured in this text. The Nature Reader belongs on the short shelf of the best books of nature writing. -- A splendid anthology that began as a sellout issue of Antaeus more than a decade ago, this completely revised and expanded edition is larger by half than its forebear - reflecting the virtual explosion of great writing on nature that has taken place in the interim. Twenty-seven writers from a wide range of disciplines have added to the original roster of contributors. Whether it's Julia Blackburn describing the disappearance of a paradise called St. Helena's between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, David Quammen describing twentieth century "Rattlesnake passion," David Abrams introducing us to local magic in Indonesia, or Terry Tempest Williams locking horns with her family over the Endangered Species Act, the subject of Nature is no longer limited to contemplative pastorales. Without a doubt, some of the most exciting work being written late in the twentieth century is about nature and natural history, as we begin again to assess the serious question of how humankind is part of nature, and how nature expresses itself through us. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Green Space, Green Time: The Way of Science by Connie Barlow List Price: $25.00 Our Price: $17.50 You Save: $7.50 (30%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Hardcover - 327 pages (December 1997) Copernicus Books; ISBN: 0387947949 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.23 x 6.48 x 9.48 Reviews George Eberhardt, Booklist, October 1, 1997 This is cutting-edge science on the broadest scale. Kurt Lauren de Boer, EarthLight, Fall 1997 This book takes a giant step toward clearing up some of the confusion around eco-spiritual thought and religious environmentalism...Connie is a sure-footed and spirited guide, equally at home in the two terrains of scientific theory and eco-religious experience. Customer Comments : Curtiss Hoffman (teximus@erols.com) from Ashland, Mass. , November 30, 1998 A much-needed synthesis of science and religion Connie Barlow's Green Space, Green Time is a testimonial to the emerging bridge between science and religion. Writing primarily from the perspective of biology and ecology, Barlow predicts that a New Age religion is now in the process of forming, and that its underlying tenets will be the wonderful discoveries about evolution and ecology which science has provided. She acknowledges that previously science has not really provided an image of the meaningfulness of human life within the greater cosmos, and this has been a shortcoming. Humanity needs a story in order to achieve integration, to feed the human spirit. What better story, she asks, than the one which science provides us about where we all come from and why we (all beings) need to relate to each other in harmony? The book is well written and easily accessible to the non-scientific reader. Moreover, it celebrates the cooperation of a group of leading-edge scientists and inclusive religionists, in the form of conversations and dialogues with leading thinkers in both fields such as Edward Wilson, Ursula Goodenough, Brian Swimme, Loyal Rue, Lynn Margulis, James Lovelock, and Stephen Harding. Jay Dixit,M.D (Krishni@aol.com) from DeRidder, La , February 27, 1998 Interesting reading. Interesting and enlightening. However, difficult to separate facts from faith. Similar to Tiplers' "Physics of immortality". Difficult to imagine that a tiny superficial layer of life is a major geologic force on a planet of 8000 miles in diameter. *************************************************** Forcing the Spring : The Transformation of the American Environmental Movement by Robert Gottlieb List Price: $19.95 Our Price: $15.96 You Save: $3.99 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Paperback - 413 pages Reprint edition (January 1995) Island Press; ISBN: 1559631228 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.15 x 8.96 x 6.04 Reviews From Kirkus Reviews , September 1, 1993 An earnest dissertation on environmentalism as a complex social movement that began in response to industrialization, urbanization, and the closing of the frontier. Gottlieb (A Life of Its Own, 1988, etc.), an environmental activist and lecturer at UCLA's Urban Planning Program, rejects as too narrow the view of the environmental movement as one rooted in the struggle to preserve nature. This view, he claims, overlooks environmentalism's urban and industrial ancestry: the social-reform movements of the 19th century that sought to improve the daily lives of working people. Gottlieb diligently traces the history of this more broadly defined environmentalism from the 1890's on. He selects Earth Day 1970 as a transitional event, marking the emergence of a new mainstream environmentalism as a powerful force in shaping policy at the federal level, and he scrutinizes the conflict between this professional, institutionalized environmentalism and alternative, community- based, direct-action groups. Unlike mainstream environmentalists, whom Gottlieb describes as working closely with government and industry, alternative groups are more confrontational, and the issues they tackle are often ones in which gender, race, and class play significant roles--e.g., exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, with its disproportionately greater impact on blue-collar workers. The picture that emerges is one in which mainstream environmentalism has lost its way, with new direction coming from the alternative groups, the true descendants of 19th-century champions of social justice. By recognizing its social-reform roots and by redefining itself in broad terms, Gottlieb asserts that environmentalism can transform itself into a more democratic movement, one concerned with the total human environment. Impressive research and a clear message--if somewhat tedious in the telling. - Synopsis : After considering the historical roots of environmentalism from the 1890s through the 1960s, Gottlieb discusses the rise and consolidation of environmental groups in the years between Earth Day 1970 and Earth Day 1990. A comprehensive analysis of the origins of the environmental movement within the American experience. Booknews, Inc. , May 1, 1994 : Placing the American environmental movement within the larger context of American social history, Gottlieb challenges the conventional focus on the conservation organizations that grew out of Gifford Pinchot's and John Muir's activities, to offer a broader interpretation that takes into account the wide range of 20th-century social movements that developed in response to the urban and industrial forces of the past hundred years. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Nature's Economy : A History of Ecological Ideas (Studies in Environment and History) by Donald Worster Our Price: $17.95 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 505 pages 2nd edition (July 1994) Cambridge Univ Pr (Pap Txt); ISBN: 0521468345 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.38 x 9.17 x 6.09 Reviews : Book Description : Including portraits of Linnaeus, Gilbert White, Darwin and Thoreau as well as key twentieth-century ecologists, this wide-ranging investigation of the field of ecology's past shows how it in turn has shaped the modern perception of our place in nature. *************************************************** The Wealth of Nature : Environmental History and the Ecological Imagination by Donald Worster List Price: $13.95 Our Price: $11.16 You Save: $2.79 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback Reprint edition (October 1994) Oxford Univ Pr (Trade); ISBN: 0195092643 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.78 x 9.18 x 6.12 Reviews: From Kirkus Reviews , April 1, 1993 Sixteen thoughtful essays that examine the present and future implications of America's past relationship to the land--and that draw, as Worster (American History/University of Kansas; Rivers of Empire, 1986, etc.) puts it, a ``picture of the human past that is radically unlike anything you will find in the standard undergraduate history textbooks.'' In these pieces (some of which appeared originally in academic journals and books), Worster speaks with awe of the ``search to discover a less reductive, less ecologically and spiritually nihilistic, less grasping kind of materialism.'' In this spirit, reminiscent of Thoreau and Joseph Wood Krutch (one of the author's early inspirations), Worster sounds deeply skeptical over the prospect that a market economy can ever be compatible with responsible stewardship of this country's natural resources: His own preference is for an environmentalism ``that talks about ethics and aesthetics rather than about resources and economics.'' Not surprisingly, given these views, Worster throws a wet rag over the concept of ``sustained development''; hails an American conservation revolution that views the land as an interdependent ecosystem; and calls for an end to all federal subsidies of western irrigation projects. As an alternative to federal and state management of resources, he speaks eloquently about individual responsibility for the environment. And when he's not warning about our current encroachments on nature, Worster can be especially illuminating about how the environment has affected our past- -pointing, for example, to the Midwest's overemphasis on wheat- growing as a cause of the Dust Bowl crisis of the 1930's; discussing the 1935 Soil Erosion Act, the first comprehensive legislation to preserve the lifeblood of American agriculture; and carefully tracing the evangelical fervor of America's greatest environmentalists to the dissident and missionary spirit of Protestantism. Probably too pessimistic on reconciling conservation with a market economy, but informed and lucid about how we've lost ground in the fight to save our natural resources. - *************************************************** Earthcare : Women and the Environment by Carolyn Merchant List Price: $19.99 Our Price: $15.99 You Save: $4.00 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (September 1995) Routledge; ISBN: 0415908884 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.73 x 8.95 x 6.01 *************************************************** Ecofeminism : Women, Culture, Nature by Karen Warren (Editor), Nisvan Erkal (Editor) List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $19.96 You Save: $4.99 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 480 pages (April 1997) Indiana Univ Pr; ISBN: 0253210577 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.01 x 9.24 x 6.14 Reviews : The author, Karen J. Warren (warren@macalester.edu) , November 30, 1998 What motivated me to write this book. Dear readers, "Ecofeminism" has become both a popular grassroots activist movement and an exciting area of feminist scholarship internationally during the last two decades. As an ecofeminist philosopher, I have been especially interested in the conceptual, ethical, and theoretical connections between the oppression of women and other human Others, and the domination and degradation of the natural world. That concern undergirds all of my own writing. But I also have learned and benefitted from individuals who have a different starting point or perspective on ecofeminism--whether it be the arts, politics, community organizing, science, social science, or theology. In ECOFEMINISM: WOMEN, CULTURE, NATURE I wanted to bring a variety of scholarly ecofeminist concerns to an interested lay audience by addressing three sets of issues: the empirical data (including experiences of environmental racism, environmental sexism, and environmental classism) which have motivated ecofeminist praxis and theory; the relevance of ecofeminist insights to a wide variety of academic disciplines (e.g., anthropology, biology, communication studies, chemistry, development studies,education, English, leisure studies, political science); and hitherto largely unexplored philosophical perspectives on ecofeminism (e.g., ecofeminism and Kant, ecofeminism and Wittgenstein, ecofeminism and the Western philosophical canon). By addressing these three sets of issues, I hoped to provide both a broad and a varied scholarly introduction to ecofeminist praxis and theory. I welcome your comments on the book generally, or on particular articles contained in the book. I am currently completing a book entitled ECOFEMINISM: A WESTERN FEMINIST PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS, your comments (particularly about what you found interesting or puzzling, what you found useful, or what you would have liked included or expanded) could be very helpful as I prepare the final manuscript of this new book project. Thank you for expressing an interest in reading about ecofeminism. For me, ecofeminism is an exciting, dynamic, inclusive feminism which analyzes and responds to the multiple forms of oppression and domination that women and other Others, including nonhuman nature), experience. I hope you find some of the projects of ecofeminism illuminating, engaging, and compelling. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Reweaving the World : The Emergence of Ecofeminism by Irene Diamond, Gloria Orenstein (Editor) List Price: $16.00 Our Price: $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (October 1990) Sierra Club Books; ISBN: 0871566230 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 8.99 x 6.00 Reviews Synopsis This breakthrough collection signals the coming together of the ecology, feminist and women's spirituality movements--three major cultural forces that share a mutual, life-affirming concern for the well-being of the earth. Booknews, Inc. , September 1, 1990 A collection of articles, essays, and poetic prose pieces by 26 of the foremost writers, scholars, activists, artists, and spiritual teachers of ecofeminism, an emergent synthesis of the environmental, feminist, and women's spirituality movements. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. *************************************************** Gaia & God : An Ecofeminist Theology of Earth Healing by Rosemary Radford Ruether List Price: $16.00 Our Price: $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 320 pages Reprint edition (June 1994) Harper San Francisco; ISBN: 0060669675 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.88 x 7.96 x 5.27 Reviews Synopsis Now in paperback--the most significant work of an internationally acclaimed author and teacher. Sifting through the legacy of Christian and Western history, Ruether traces the development of beliefs and ethics that define our relationship with each other and the earth. At once provocative and inspiring, the author's insights assert an ecofeminist vision of a healed world. In her most significant work to date, Rosemary Radford Ruether sifts through the legacy of the Christian and Western cultural heritage - the beliefs and stories that have influenced our relationships with each other and with the earth - to illuminate future models for earth healing. "Ecological healing is a theological and psychic-spiritual process," writes Ruether. Although she examines the Western patriarchal tradition from an ecofeminist perspective, Ruether insists that "classical traditions did not only sacralize patriarchal hierarchy over women, workers, and the earth. They also struggled with what they perceived to be injustice and sin and sought to create just and loving relations between people in their relation to the earth and to the divine. Some of this effort to name evil and struggle against it reinforced relations of domination and created victim-blaming spiritualities and ethics. But there are also glimpses in this heritage of transformative, biophilic relationships. These glimpses are a precious legacy that needs to be separated from the toxic waste of sacralized domination." Ruether sees the work of eco-justice and the work of spirituality as interrelated, the inner and outer aspects of one process of conversion and transformation. In juxtaposing the terms Gaia and God in the title of this book, she explores crucial issues surrounding the relationship between the living planet, earth, and our Western religious traditions. Gaia is the Greek earth goddess, and a term adopted by biologists such as James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis in reference to their thesis that the entire planet is a living system behaving as a unified organism. Growing numbers of people have begun to see the Jewish and Christian male monotheistic God as a destructive concept that rationalizes alienation from and neglect of the earth, while Gaia, as an immanent divinity, is seen as the all-nurturing earth mother goddess. Ruether points out that merely replacing a transcendent male deity with a female one does not answer the "god-problem." What we need, in her view, is a vision of a much more abundant and creative source of life. "A healed relation to each other and to the earth calls for a new consciousness, a new symbolic culture and spirituality." writes Ruether. "We need to transform our inner psyches and the way we symbolize the interrelations of men and women, humans and earth, humans and the divine, the divine and the earth." Gaia and God is a major critical work by an internationally acclaimed writer and teacher. It is a sweeping ecofeminist theology that argues for healing relationships between men and women, classes and nations, and humans and the earth. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From the Publisher Internationally acclaimed author and teacher Rosemary Radford Ruether presents a sweeping ecofeminist theology that illuminates a path toward "earth-healing"--a whole relationship between men and women, communities and nations. "This is theology that really matters."--Harvey Cox *************************************************** The Idea of Wilderness : From Prehistory to the Age of Ecology by Max Oelschlaeger Our Price: $20.00 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (February 1993) Reviews Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior James Watt may have seemed only a passing nightmare in his day, but he acted out of a very old tradition of American attitudes toward the land and its proper use. So did Henry David Thoreau. So did Edward Abbey. Americans have been arguing about the environment since the first boats landed at Jamestown, and by all appearances they'll keep right on arguing into the next millennium. The Idea of Wilderness packs the centuries-old story into a lively narrative with its full complement of heroes--Thoreau, John Muir, Aldo Leopold--a few choice villains of the robber-baron and bureaucrat persuasion, and a few middling souls like Gifford Pinchot, founder of the United States Forest Service. Max Oelschlaeger writes persuasively on the philosophical and religious underpinnings of various environmental positions, showing that indeed there's nothing new under the sun. *************************************************** Losing Ground : American Environmentalism at the Close of the Twentieth Century by Mark Dowie List Price: $15.95 Our Price: $12.76 You Save: $3.19 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (November 1996) MIT Press; ISBN: 0262540843 ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.42 x 8.20 x 5.70 Reviews : From Booklist , April 1, 1995 Dowie is an award-winning journalist with a penchant for radical inquiry. He has tackled the American environmental movement out of frustration, believing that it should have accomplished much more than it has. Why environmentalism has failed to live up to its potential occupies much of Dowie's rigorous analysis. He begins with a scathing history of the movement's first stirrings, an effort by well-heeled, elitist white men to maintain wilderness areas for recreational purposes. The next phase pitted conservationists interested in "wise use" against the more prescient preservationists. Dowie tracks the rapid devolution of "wise use" into abuse during the Reagan years and the foolish fallback tactics of the green movement, which bureaucratized itself into little more than a direct-mail machine. As critical as Dowie is, he does see hope in the next phase of this phoenix-like movement. He believes that a genuinely democratic form of environmentalism--linked to civil rights, focused on urban as well as rural environmental issues, and involving women and men of all races and cultures--is possible and promising. Let's hope so. Donna Seaman Copyright 1995, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Synopsis : Losing Ground unveils the inside stories behind American environmentalism's undeniable triumphs and its quite unnecessary failures. Journalist Mark Dowie, who broke the stories on the Dalkon Shield and the Ford Pinto, delivers an insightful, informative, and often damning account of the movement many historians and social commentators at one time expected to be this century's most significant. Illustrations. Synopsis : The journalist who broke the stories on the Dalkon shield and Ford Pinto offers a critique of the mainstream American environmental movement, from its conservationist origins to the advent of the ""fourth wave"" of today's environmentalists. UP. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Synopsis : Journalist Dowie weaves a spellbinding tale, from the movement's conservationist origins as a handful of rich white men's hunting clubs, through the evolution in the 1960s and '70s into a powerful political force that forged landmark environmental legislation. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader , October 5, 1996 Critique of mainstream's blindsiding of the environment. Perhaps the greatest weakness of individual environmentalists and the environmental "movement" is the absence of public self-examination. While political insiders may clearly see the difference between the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club, the public has few resources to gauge them. Opening the doors is author Mark Dowie, a champion of local activism and the integration of environmental issues with other social movements. Tracing the origins and bureaucratization of the environmental movement, Dowie criticizes the most recent surge of co-option, the "third wave" or economics-based environmentalism. "Regulatory flexibility and 'constructive engagement' with industry have created some business heroes, but they can be counted on one hand," he writes. "The rest, unfortunately, need to be regulated." This is not to say this book is a rant against environmental business. There are no heroes or villains in this book, which makes it a rarity in the environmental lexicon. Instead, Dowie criticizes the corporate structure of environmental groups, and portrays each organization with their individual merits and flaws. Compromising Local Leadership Dowie reminds readers of the decision by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Cultural Survival to negotiate with the Ecuadorian government over oil drilling in the Yasuni Reserve. Arguing that oil drilling would be inevitable, and "without consulting the Huaorani people or the appropriate Ecuadorian environmental organizations, [NRDC's] Scherr and Kennedy struck a deal: Conoco could drill on the Huaoroni reserve in return for a $10-million donation to an Ecuadorian foundation created by NRDC and Cultural Survival, an indigenous-rights groups based in Cambridge, Massachusetts." The NAFTA debate saw essentially the same argument made: free trade is inevitable, so environmentalists have to go along and get what they can. NAFTA's "It's a win-win-win situation" argument was accepted by various environmental groups. In the long run, the agreement and side provisions may indeed provide resources and rewards for cross-border environmental planning. But Dowie draws back to review the consequences of increased commerce. "It should be clear to any environmental thinker that free trade can only lead to the globalization of massive, consumer- based economies that are, in the long run, whatever the legislated safeguards, ecologically destructive. But mainstream environmental officials evidently don't think a lot about the distant future. Like the corporations they have come to resemble, they tend to be occupied with the day-to-day imperatives of strategy, competition and survival." From a parochial viewpoint, it would have been interesting had Dowie included a critique of the way in which many D.C. groups finally "discovered" environmental problems along the border and how most of these organizations lost interest in the border after NAFTA passed. It would also be interesting to document the criticism the mainstream groups made of those local groups that disagreed with them on the potential consequences of NAFTA. At the Center and Stumbling The problem with mainstream environmental groups stems from their decisions in the 1980s to focus energies on power plays in Washington, D.C., instead of reaching out to state and community organizations. Had the focus remained on "reaching out to state, local and regional organizations," he writes, "the American environmental movement today would be much stronger and more consequential than it is. An explosive critical mass of national activism could have been formed. Instead, a relatively harmless and effete new club appeared." Dowie suggests that the disproportionate ratio of funding (70 percent to 30 percent) between mainstream and grassroots groups remains an obstacle for community organization, suggesting that "a 20-point shift, of $200 million would change the complexity of the entire environmental community." The publication of Losing Ground offers readers an insightful view of relations among environmental groups, many of which demand transparency in government and business circles, but not among themselves or their colleagues. This is one of the most valuable guidebooks and is one of the year's must-reads. *************************************************** Environmental Values in American Culture by James S. Boster, Willett M. Kempton, Jennifer Hartley (Contributor) Our Price: $17.50 Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback (November 1996) MIT Press; ISBN: 0262611236 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.74 x 8.89 x 5.94 Reviews: Booknews, Inc. , June 1, 1995 An anthropological study of how Americans view global warming and other environmental changes, drawing on interviews and surveys of the general public as well as members of groups ranging from Earth First! to laid-off Oregon sawmill workers. Among the findings are that the public and scientists have completely different understandings of some critical environmental problems and proposed policy solutions, that environmental values have already become intertwined with other American values, and that an environmental view of the world is more universal than previous studies have suggested. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader , June 27, 1996 What do Americans really think about environmental issues? Kempton has done a real service to students and activists on all sides of environmental issues, by going out to find out what people "in the street" really think. With surveys and interviews, presented simply and clearly (without a jungle of tables and graphs) this study shows us just how deeply environmental values have penetrated the national consciousness. This book shows that environmental conservation is a majority, mainstream issue in the USA today. Americans from all walks of life, even people who make their living from cutting down forests and fishing our lakes and rivers, are now "environmentalists." And most are willing to make economic sacrifices to improve the state of the natural environment. The book has already had an impact on Washington. After this book came out, the Republican party suddenly dropped its anti-environmental rhetoric (though not its policies), and stopped trying to gut the EPA. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title A reader : Tells you what Americans really think about the environment. This book should give pause to the Republicans in Congress who are trying to dismantle the major environmental legislation of the 1970s. The people are not behind them. Not at all. Until recently we knew surprisingly little about what Americans think and believe about the environment and conservation. There were only a few opinion polls and a lot of anecdotes. Most of the data came from interest groups with axes to grind. A group of anthropologists set out to get better information, mainly by sitting down and talking at length with a lot of different people, from various places in the middle of the road to the extreme groups on the fringes of pro- and anti-environmentalism, including laid-off sawmill workers in Oregon. They also talked with scientists, and conducted their own statistical survey. This book describes the cultural models, myths, and emotions that shape the way Americans think about global warming, animal rights, fuel taxes, and a host of other issues. The real voices of citizens come through loud and clear, pushing out among enough tables and statistics to satisfy the hardest-nosed political strategist. The good news is that three quarters of Americans consider themselves environmentalists, and most of them are willing to give up a lot for clean air and water, energy conservation, and preserving endangered species. There is an amazingly high level of support out there for the core beliefs of the environmental movement, which have now become part of American cultural values in general. The bad news is that most Americans have no idea what is causing global warming or ozone depletion, and they are not too clear on who is doing the polluting either. Now that there is such strong consensus on basic environmental issues, how do we mobilize more activism and better policies? This book can help plan the way. p. 223 "Our analysis of American values suggested that environmental advocates are missing an opportunity by basing their arguments primarily on utilitarian grounds (i.e., protect the rainforest because it has potential medicines). The only utilitarian value we found with real emotional force held that the earth should be preserved for our children and subsequent descendants. Two additional value bases for environmentalism are held by significant proportions of the population but are not now addressed by environmental activists: traditional religious teachings and an emerging biocentrism. Although these values are not as universal as utilitarianism, for those that hold them, they are stronger and more emotionally held." p. 225 "...current environmental values represent a major change in how our culture conceives of the relationship between humanity and nature. The speed of this change is stunning---it has surely occurred since the end of the nineteenth century and perhaps mostly over the last thirty years, since Rachel Carson published Silent Spring." from an interview with a coal truck driver in West Virginia (p. 277) "The environment is just, like dying. Its just like your mother or whatever. You never go visit your mother or your father because you're busy doing this, you're busy doing that, you're working this and that. And then when they die, you say "Oh, I wished I would have done this, I wished I'd done that." An interview with a retired fireman (p. 66) ""Have you heard about the greenhouse effect?" Is that what they're talking about the ozone layer? ...That last year...created the hot spell?...But I couldn't understand that, last year we had it, what made it change this year? We don't have it quite as severe...." A retired science teacher (p. 92) "You're never nearer the Lord than when you're outdoors...out in the country or at night with the stars shining down in the pure air and so forth...The most restful and calming and healing process a human being can undergo is to be out in the natural, quiet place of nature...Nature and human beings should be in perfect harmony. It just gives you an ethereal feeling to look into the starlight or to look at a sunset or see a flower that's perfect or something. Its just unbelievable what nature can do and how it can revitalize everything in you." *************************************************** Earth's Insights : A Survey of Ecological Ethics from Mediterranean Basin to the Australian Outback by J. Baird Callicott, Tom Hayden List Price: $16.95 Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 292 pages Reprint edition (December 1997) Univ California Press; ISBN: 0520085604 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.71 x 8.87 x 6.05 *************************************************** State of the World 1999 : A Worldwatch Institute Report on Progress Toward a Sustainable Society (Serial) by Lester R. Brown Our Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (January 1999) 256 pages Reviews : Book Description The newest volume in the series that has become the bible of the global environmental movement-and has sold over one million copies. This State of the World Millennium Edition provides national leaders and concerned citizens with a comprehensive framework for the global debate about our future in the twenty-first century. This annual survey by the award-winning Worldwatch Institute has become an indispensable analysis of negative environmental trends and a guide to emerging solutions. State of the World 1999 takes an insightful look at the sweeping changes of the last one hundred years and the challenges we face in the next century to build a sustainable economy that reuses and recycles materials, is powered by renewable energy sources, and has a stable population. Written in clear and concise language, with easy-to-read charts and tables, State of the World 1999 presents a view of our changing world that we, and our leaders, cannot afford to ignore. Synopsis The latest edition of this bible of global environmental facts provides a comprehensive framework for the debate about man's future in the 21st century. Tables & figures. The author, dbell@worldwatch.org , January 27, 1999 A guide to the challenges of the 21st century. (Adapted from Worldwatch Press release) NEW CENTURY TO BE MARKED BY GROWING THREATS, OPPORTUNITIES The bright promise of a new century is clouded by unprecedented threats to the stability of the natural world, according to a special millennial edition of the State of the World report, released by the Worldwatch Institute today. "In a globally interconnected economy, rapid deforestation, falling water tables, and accelerating climate change could undermine economies around the world in the decades ahead," said Lester Brown and Christopher Flavin, lead authors of the new report. During the past century, world population grew by more than 4 billion-three times the number of people when the century began. At the same time, the use of energy and raw materials grew more than ten times. "These trends cannot continue for many more years," said the authors. "As the 21st century approaches, the big question is whether we can muster the ingenuity to change-and do so rapidly enough to stave off environmentally-based economic decline. The one thing we can say for sure is that the 21st century will be as different from the 20th as that one was from the 19th." Since our emergence as a species, human societies have continually run up against local environmental limits that have caused them to collapse, as local forests and cropland were overstressed. But the advances in technology that have allowed us to surmount these local limits have transferred the problem of environmental limits to the global level, where human activities now threaten planetary systems. Among the problems we now face: * World energy needs are projected to double in the next several decades, but no credible geologist foresees a doubling of world oil production, which is projected to peak within the next few decades. * While protein demands are projected to also double in the century ahead, no respected marine biologist expects the oceanic fish catch, which has plateaued over the last decade, to double. Eleven of the 15 most important oceanic fisheries and 70 percent of the major fish species are now fully or over-exploited, according to experts. And more than half the world's coral reefs are now sick or dying. * Growing stress can also be seen in the world's woodlands, where the clearing of tropical forests has contributed recently to unprecedented fires across large areas of Southeast Asia, the Amazon, and Central America. * Environmental deterioration is taking a growing toll on a wide range of living organisms. Of the 242,000 plant species surveyed by the World Conservation Union in 1997, some 33,000, or 14 percent, are threatened with extinction-mainly as a result of massive land clearing for housing, roads, and industries. * The atmosphere is also under assault. The billions of tons of carbon that have been released since the Industrial Revolution have pushed atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to their highest level in 160,000 years-a level that continues to rise each year. As scientists predicted, temperatures are rising along with the concentration of carbon dioxide. The latest jump in 1998 left the global temperature at its highest level since record-keeping began in the mid-19th century. * The early costs of climate change may already be evident: weather-related economic damages of $89 billion in 1998 exceeded losses for the decade of the 1980s. In Central America, 11,000 people were killed by Hurricane Mitch, and Honduras suffered losses equivalent to one-third of its annual GDP. * Human societies may also face growing stress in the new century. In Africa, for example, where populations have doubled in the last three decades, economic growth is already failing to keep up with human needs. Several African countries, including Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where 20-25 percent of the adult population is now HIV-positive, are expected to lose one-fifth or more of their people within the next few decades. This could undermine their societies in the same way the plague did those of Europe in the Middle Ages. "Our analysis shows that we are entering a new century with an economy that cannot take us where we want to go," said Worldwatch President Lester Brown. "Satisfying the projected needs of 8 billion or more people with the economy we now have is simply not possible. The western industrial model-the fossil-fuel-based, automobile-centered, throwaway economy that so dramatically raised living standards in this century-is in trouble." The shift to an environmentally sustainable economy may be as profound a transition as the Industrial Revolution. The foundation of such a system is a new design principle-one that shifts from the one-time depletion of natural resources to an economy that is based on renewable energy and that continually reuses and recycles materials. A sustainable economy will be a solar-powered, bicycle/rail-based, reuse/recycle economy, one that uses energy, water, land, and materials much more efficiently and wisely than we do today. In the absence of a concerted effort by the wealthy to address the problems of poverty and deprivation, building a sustainable future may not be possible. Growing poverty, and the political and economic chaos that can be provoked by it, reverberate around the world, as was seen in 1998 with the Asian economic meltdown, which pushed tens of millions of people below the poverty line in just a few months. One key to reversing environmental degradation is to tax the activities that cause it, according to the report. By putting a price on these activities, the market can be harnessed to spur progress. If coal burning is taxed, solar energy becomes more economically competitive. If auto emissions are taxed, cleaner forms of transportation become more affordable. The effort to replace today's unsustainable economy with one that is suited to the demands of the 21st century will create some of the new century's largest investment opportunities. "No challenge is greater, or more satisfying, than building an environmentally sustainable global economy, one where economic and social progress can continue, not only in the 21st century, but for many centuries beyond," the authors conclude. *************************************************** The Ecology of Commerce : A Declaration of Sustainability by Paul Hawken Our Price: $11.20 You Save: $2.80 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (August 1994) 272 pages Reviews : Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book Paul Hawken, the entrepreneur behind the Smith & Hawken gardening supplies empire, is no ordinary capitalist. Drawing as much on Baba Ram Dass and Vaclav Havel as he does on Peter Drucker and WalMart for his case studies, Hawken is on a one-man crusade to reform our economic system by demanding that First World businesses reduce their consumption of energy and resources by 80 percent in the next 50 years. As if that weren't enough, Hawken argues that business goals should be redefined to embrace such fuzzy categories as whether the work is aesthetically pleasing and the employees are having fun; this applies to corporate giants and mom-and-pop operations alike. He proposes a culture of business in which the real world, the natural world, is allowed to flourish as well, and in which the planet's needs are addressed. Wall Street may not be ready for Hawken's provocative brand of environmental awareness, but this fine book is full of captivating ideas. From Kirkus Reviews , October 15, 1993 It's not easy being green but, here, Hawken (Growing a Business, 1987, etc.) proposes a utopian scheme that, for all its good intentions, could make the process even harder. Proceeding from the assumption that the environmental depredations of profit-making enterprises ``are destroying life on earth,'' the author offers grim warnings on the status quo's presumptive perils. Among other vague and unsourced claims, he asserts: ``Given current corporate practices, not one wildlife reserve, wilderness or indigenous culture will survive the global economy.'' Bolstering his worst-case scenario with evidence that's longer on anecdotal vignettes than scientific data, Hawken goes on to present a three-point program in aid of what he calls a ``restorative'' economy. Among other recommendations, he calls for eliminating waste by recycling all resources; mandating the use of solar energy over fossil fuels; and encouraging diversity. Informed by an apparent antipathy toward big business, conspicuous consumption, mass production, and other of capitalism's hallmarks, the Hawken agenda envisions some decidedly radical solutions to the problems of an advanced industrial society. Cases in point range from cutting Fortune 500 companies down to size through imposing controls on markets (which, though effective at setting prices, fail in Hawken's view to reckon costs like pollution); nurturing smaller firms with government-supplied incentives; and levying penalty taxes on, say, farmers who use chemical (as opposed to organic) means of cultivation. Nor does Hawken much care for competition (``expensive and degrading for all involved''), advocating instead an interdependent private sector ``that co- evolves with the natural and human communities it serves.'' High-minded--if sometimes highhanded--prescriptions that will appeal to Hawken's large readership--as well as to, no doubt, Chicken Littles everywhere. -- Copyright 1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis : Provides a visionary blueprint for a marketplace where businesses and environmentalists work together, showing companies how to redesign and manufacture products in innovative ways, reeducate customers, and work closely with government toward a profitable, productive, and ecologically sound future. Reprint. Synopsis : A revolutionary program of restorative economics explains how businesses can change their methods and use their power and social responsibility to reconstruct and repair Earth's social, environmental, and commercial problems. 100,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis : The bestselling author of Growing a Business presents a visionary new program which businesses can follow to help restore the planet. "A daring, urgent vision of a kind of 21st century Canaan that Hawken yet believes we can reach."--San Francisco Chronicle. Customer Comments : A reader from Pacfic Northwest... , November 1, 1998 Thoughtful and optimistic, but it won't happen... Mr. Hawken is absolutely correct that the GDP must account for the true costs to the environment. Unfortunately, he presents a hopelessly unworkable solution from a political and economic perspective. There are myriad reasons why Mr. Hawken's suggestions will not work. However, I offer my appreciation for his attempts to redefine the debate and offer unconventional solutions to what are certainly difficult challenges. jason.hyman@ey.com from Atlanta, GA , October 23, 1998 Optimistic, realistic analysis/guide for business & ecology. An in-your-face analysis of the current business/environmental landscape coupled with an optimistic blue print for the future. Perhaps the most sobering AND uplifting book I've read regarding either business or the environment. A must read for any influential business person, environmentalist, or concerned citizen. Paula James (pjames@prismnet.com from Austin, Texas , July 16, 1998 thorough, well-written, convincing, well-documented. This is a compelling, well-documented, and riveting account of the take-over of national economies by corporations whose only guideline is profit. The result is environmental devastation, rampant disease, and spiritual bankruptcy. Hawkens, himself a successful entrepreneur, is not anti-capitalism; rather, he insists that corporations bear the true cost of creating and disposing of their products so that society can make informed choices and prices are rationally related to their long-term effects. The market cannot work properly if price is artificially low due to society's picking up the tab for a product's environmental impact. jwbecker@aol.com from Austin, Texas , May 29, 1998 Superb, thought-provoking and long overdue. Hawken comes at the environmental crises not from the perspective of someone worried about saving animals and beautiful spaces (although he clearly loves those things), but as an economist who sees our system as inherently unsustainable. The resources for our lifestyle are quickly running out, and the result will be global catastrophe. He bravely points the finger at the root cause of it all, laissez-faire capitalism, our culture's sacred cow. Though this is not a new suggestion, Hawken goes further than anyone I've ever read to describe realistic ways of fixing the problems. The key to accomplishing this is to get as many young people as possible aware of the truth (minus corporate propaganda), so that the next generation might work toward some of the changes Hawken proposes. Another good writer on this subject is Daniel Quinn, whose book "Ishmael" is excellent. Stefan.M.Haney@ac.com from Chicago, Illinois , January 27, 1998 Please incorporate in MBA curriculums The author questions the fundamental principles that managers use to make decisions. In a day where corporations are too large for any one individual to be aware of ALL corporate actions, this self examination is key. Hawken offers another voice upon which corporate processes can be redefined. A reader , June 28, 1996 Essential Reading for anyone who hopes for a future on earth. The Ecology of Commerce is not easy reading, not because Hawken's prose or style is difficult, but because it is difficult to remain optimistic or hopeful in the face of the overwhelming case made by him about the certainty with which our current system of business is doomed to destroy us. The changes he proposes are both incredibly simple, yet incredibly unlikely to be implemented or even paid attention to in the next twenty to thirty years. It will take virtual eco-collapse in the Industrialized nations before the wise words of Hawken and his colleagues will be heeded. And of course it will be much, much too late. Should you have the stomach for it however, you will find the Ecology of Commerce an extremely well crafted argument for some simple logical principles that could save the life that we love and actually improve business and our standard of living in the process. *************************************************** Limited Wants, Unlimited Means : A Reader on Hunter-Gatherer Economics and the Environment by John M. Gowdy (Editor) Our Price: $27.00 Special Order Paperback - (January 1998) 300 pages Customer Comments : NS(shadago@sbcm.com) from New York , April 6, 1998 insightful and timely This is a wonderful collection of articles on economic anthropology. The book begins with the seminal article by Marshall Sahlins' on the "original affluent society" which debunked the myth that pre-agricultural life was "short, nasty and brutish". Monographs by Richard Lee and Lorne Marshall that originally appeared in 'Man the Hunter' are included. The main thrust of the book is that primitive cultures had found a way of living on this planet that was sustainable, but in the Neolithic era our farming ancestors abandoned this way of living for a much more arduous life-style that is ecologically unsustainable. What was the basis for this change? This book explores some of the canonical assumptions in our economic thought and how it differs fundamentally from that of primitive cultures. This is a great starting point for anyone interested in paradigms for sustainable development. References and further reading lists are particularly useful. *************************************************** A Green History of the World : The Environment and the Collapse of Great Civilizations by Clive Ponting Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (April 1993) Reviews From Kirkus Reviews , February 15, 1992 A comprehensive assessment of humanity's assault on the environment across the centuries, by British historian Ponting (University College, Swansea). Examining the interaction between societies and their surroundings from the earliest hunter-gatherer groups on, Ponting describes the first great leap of civilization--the development of crops and agriculture--as the start of a systematic environmental transformation. As groups settled near their fields and as populations grew, the burden on the land increased, and at times the ecological pressure grew too great. Crop irrigation, the author says, led to increased salination and diminished yields, while a loss of forest cover brought erosion and the destruction of precious arable land. The Sumerian civilization in the Middle East and the Mayans of Central America, among others, fell victim to these limits to growth, with the collapse in some cases being precipitous. Other societies survived, however, to participate in the more recent great transition involving the use of fossil fuels for energy. With this step, Ponting says, environmental degradation increased exponentially through pollution at all stages of the industrialization process--and, in addition, the industrialized societies, by their exploitation of others less advanced, created the Third World, with its Pandora's Box of poverty, overpopulation, and other social ills that continue to worsen today. Ponting suggests no solutions, marking instead the devastating course of human progress and the ruins that serve as its milestones. Few colorful anecdotes, but an impressive accumulation of evidence culled from the annals of recorded history: a sobering view of a planet deeply in peril. (Maps and charts.) -- Copyright 1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis For the first time, a professional historian examines human history not in terms of war, politics, or economics, but from an environmental perspective: how nature has affected the growth of human civilizations, and how humanity has altered the earth. Maps and charts throughout. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis An examination of human history in terms of the environment explores how nature has affected the growth of human civilization and how human civilization has affected nature, from the earliest hunter-gatherer groups to the present. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Synopsis In an important work that forces readers to view history with new eyes, Ponting shows in compelling detail how, over and over, human beings throughout history have prospered by exploiting the Earth's resources to the point where they could no longer sustain societies' populations, causing collapse. Publicity to tie in with Earth Day (April 23rd). Booknews, Inc. , May 1, 1993 Historian Ponting examines human history from an environmental perspective--how nature has affected the growth of civilizations, and how humanity has altered the earth--and concludes that if the current global civilization follows the pattern of earlier civilizations, it will outstrip its resource base, bringing about its own destruction. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Customer Comments : remik@geocities.com from Hoboken, NJ , September 22, 1998 A must read. It may change how you think. This just isn't some greenpeace hippy book. It really gets into many fascinating aspects of mankind's err with our world. Things might change for a better future if everyone read this book. A reader from Hoboken, NJ , September 10, 1998 decent This book is very interesting. It also moves very slowly. The format is well thought out, and there has been a lot of time and research put into the book *************************************************** Cannibals and Kings : The Origins of Cultures by Marvin Harris Our Price: $10.40 You Save: $2.60 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (June 1991) Reviews Book Description By the distinguished American anthropologist, the brilliant study that shows how the endless varieties of cultural behavior- often so puzzling at first glance- can be explained as adaptations to particular ecological conditions. Customer Comments : nancymc@voicenet.com from New Jersey, USA , February 23, 1998 One of the most important books of the 20th century This is the book that introduced me to Marvin Harris and cultural materialism - one of the most important intellectual developments of the 20th century. If you like this book and you want to delve even further into Harris's theories, check out "Cultural Materialism - the Struggle for a Science of Culture". Not only does he explain CM, he explains and refutes competing schools of anthropology. afreese@cstp.umkc.edu from Kansas City, MO , October 22, 1997 Very High Quality Writing. Thought provoking to the extreme This book was used as one of the textbooks in a Sociology class that I took. I was very impressed by the quality of writting and with the reasoning and thoughts contained within. I highly recomend it; even for recreational reading. Especially if you enjoy thinking along lines that you may not have explored before. *************************************************** Our Kind : Who We Are, Where We Came From, and Where We Are Going by Marvin Harris Our Price: $13.60 You Save: $3.40 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1990) 560 pages Customer Comments : apiontek@pomona.edu from Roseville, MN, USA , August 4, 1998 Good, but dated, and has the usual failings of pop-sci books A nice survey of what we know about why we humans are the way we are in LOTS of different areas. However, it's now a little dated, and Harris says a lot that we actually don't know. It's always difficult to find popular books about Anthropology that actually say something about questions Anthropology is still struggling with, and probably always will. There are anthropologists who view humans in a very reductionist, cause-and-effect-with-nature kind of way, like Harris does. But there are also Anthropologists who view humans as a products of their own invention, of cultural mutation. I think the best road is the middle one. It's a great book that tells most of the story, but don't make it the only one you read. rnepean@ncs.com from Toronto , August 28, 1997 Thought Provoking Despite the hamburger on the cover this book is one of the most thought provoking books I have read. The book explores how humankind originated and evolved to where we have and where we are possibly headed. Explanations of food, religion, war, race, sex, and gender roles all provide the basis for some deep coffee drinking contemplation of what is humankind. *************************************************** Restoring the Earth : Visionary Solutions from the Bioneers by Ken Ausubel, Kenny Ausubel Our Price: $10.36 You Save: $2.59 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (August 1997) 288 pages Reviews : E.M., Willamette Week Ausubel's message - that we're entering an era in which we will live within our biological limits - might seem overly optimistic, but he somehow manages to suspend disbelief. At least while you're reading his book, an observation once made by Margaret Mead rings true: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Restoring the Earth is a good book to reach for when life looks particularly grim. Network Quarterly : This book contains stunning information for everyone. Problems with the environment, whether it’s soil erosion, pollutants, food tampering, or any other area of concern, are given attention by this incredible compilation of bio-pioneers. The positive aspect of this book is that the solutions that work are described. Within the text is the intelligence for survival and healing of ourselves and the planet through relying on nature and ancient knowledge providing Earth Wisdom and Earth Harmony. These are heroic stories, hopeful stories especially since some of the information is shocking. These bioneers are our hope and our future. The solutions they offer are remarkably simple in some cases and can be implemented on may levels. Whole Earth, Spring 1998 : A lot of good news for a change, or, more accurately, of change. Restoring the Earth presents many of the heavy cutters at the fabled cutting edge of what is loosely dubbed sustainability. Kenny Ausubel, founder of Seeds of Change, is interested in affairs of the spirit, inspiring readers with the stories of and from real people doing what needs to be done instead of fretting about finding a job or being downsized. Or quitting in despair. You'll probably be glad to meet them all, even if you don't need role models. NAPRA ReVIEW, Summer 1997: I first encountered Ausubel at a slide show he was giving to promote his first book, Seeds of Change (Harper, San Francisco), which profiled a company of the same name that markets organic and heirloom seeds to backyard gardeners in an effort to preserve bio-diversity. To describe his presentation as inspiring would be an understatement: Here was someone combining grassroots (literally!) activism with entrepreneurial spirit to address a very real environmental concern. His portrayal of the interests of agribusiness was harrowing as his pictures of New Mexico farm/seed bank were stunning, even moving. Here was environmentalism being carried out on a variety of levels, blending optimism with beauty, politics with enterprise. His new book profiles others who are committed to the same vision: an Indian scientist preserving native seed stocks and traditional farming practices; a German minister of environmental affairs pioneering green public policy; a mestizo poet whose work passes on a strong Earth-honoring tradition; and many more. The efforts of each of these visionaries demonstrate that solutions to environmental problems do exist, inspiring and emboldening us to personally participate in restoring the Earth. The Earth Times, November 1997 : All great religious movements and may powerful ideological systems are birthed in visions. Often those visions were inspired by the urgent need for solutions to awful situations in which humans found themselves on Earth. There is an almost mystical relationship between this ethereal vision, this intangible dream, and the gritty reality it purports to ameliorate. Kenny Ausubel's Restoring the Earth, honestly subtitled Visionary Solutions from the Bioneers, is like a seedbed of ideas for healing the ailments of the globe we call home, especially those diseases inflicted on it by us, the very species now menaced by them. If the very good, dedicated and intelligent people who are making their way through life working to alleviate our slide into an ecological hell, if they appear to be Quixotic, tilting vainly against windmills of profit and greed, let us remember that all great tides of history were set in motion by such people. Often, history has awarded these heroes and heroines their garlands of victory only in retroactive appraisal. There is a lot to chew on here, so many facts, so many solutions. What with all the threats of extinction hurled at us, it is encouraging to learn about peoples who haven’t thrown in the sponge, except into the ocean where it is ecologically correct. Larry Dossey, M.D., Author of Prayer is Good Medicine and Healing Words : If you've ever wondered what you can do to restore the Earth, read this book. Starhawk, author of Walking to Mercury and The Fifth Sacred Thing : Restoring the Earth is a vitally important and much-needed book than will challenge us to change our vision of the environmental movement. Ausubel makes it clear that our environmental problems are not hopeless, that in fact solutions exist. He challenges us to find the political will to support the vision of the Bioneers. Everyone interested in the future of the Earth should read this book. Fritjof Capra, author of The Web of Life : Restoring the Earth is full of concrete examples of how ecological pioneers are rising to the great challenge of our time, creating sustainable communities. This wonderful book gives us hope and inspires us to become bioneers ourselves." "Restoring the Earth is a guide to a future that works - a future that's healthy and sustainable and magnificently beautiful. Restoring the Earth shines a beacon of hope and clarity." (John Robbins, author of Reclaiming Our Health and Diet for a New America) Book Description : Restoring the Earth is destined to become the central enterprise of the years ahead. Leading that effort is a growing movement of bioneers, biological pioneers who are using nature to heal nature, and working with individuals, communities, business, and governments to implement real change. Offering practical solutions for virtually all our critical environmental problems, these working models hold keys to planetary survival that can be refined, replicated, and rapidly spread around the world. Biology is indeed destiny, and the survival of humankind rests upon our ability to live within the limits of the natural world. Impassioned visionaries, the bioneers are pointing the way. Synopsis : The founder of the Bioneers conference, an annual event for ecologists from around the world, presents a collection of profiles of visionary men and women and their solutions to the planet's most pressing ecological problems. Restoring the Earth is destined to become the central enterprise of the years ahead. Leading that effort is a growing movement of "bioneers," biological pioneers who are using nature to heal nature and working with individuals, communities, business, and governments to implement real change. Offering practical solutions for virtually all our critical environmental problems, these working models hold keys to planetary survival that can be refined, replicated, and rapidly spread around the world. From the Publisher : To our readers: The books we publish are our contribution to an emerging world based on cooperation rather than on competition, on affirmation of the human spirit rather than on self-doubt, and on the certainty that all humanity is connected. Our goal is to touch as many lives as possible with a message of hope for a better world. - Hal and Linda Kramer, Publishers From the Back Cover : Restoring the Earth is destined to become the central enterprise of the years ahead. Leading that effort is a growing movement of bioneers, biological pioneers who are using nature to heal nature, and working with individuals, communities, business, and governments to implement real change. Offering practical solutions for virtually all our critical environmental problems, these working models hold keys to planetary survival that can be refined, replicated, and rapidly spread around the world. Biology is indeed destiny, and the survival of humankind rests upon our ability to live within the limits of the natural world. Impassioned visionaries, the bioneers are pointing the way. What People Are Saying About Restoring the Earth "Restoring the Earth is a guide to a future that works - a future that's healthy and sustainable and magnificently beautiful. Restoring the Earth shines a beacon of hope and clarity." (John Robbins, author of Reclaiming Our Health and Diet for a New America) "Restoring the Earth is about wise guides and heroes - people whose lives embody solutions to our ecological crisis. If you've ever wondered what you can do to restore the Earth, read this book." (Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Prayer is Good Medicine and Healing Words) "Restoring the Earth is full of concrete examples of how ecological pioneers are rising to the great challenge of our timecreating sustainable communities. This wonderful book gives us hope and inspires us to become bioneers ourselves." (Fritjof Capra, author of The Web of Life) "Restoring the Earth is a Declaration of Interdependence that is not to be missed - a road map to a future we world all want to live in."(Jim Hightower, Progressive populist radio host and commentator) "Restoring the Earth tells the stories of present-day pioneers who see the world in an entirely novel way. From their vision, an extraordinary new world is emerging." (Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce) About the Author : Kenny Ausubel is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and author. It was his vision that founded the company Seeds of Changes, a pioneer enterprise that markets heirloom seeds to backyard gardeners in an effort to preserve the bio-diversity of our food supply. He is the co-founder of the Bioneers conference, an annual event that attracts leading restoration ecologists from around the world. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife Nina. Excerpted from Restoring the Earth : Visionary Solutions from the Bioneers by Ken Ausubel and Kenny Ausubel. : The signs are everywhere, when you know where to look. Like grass sprouting thorough the pavement, the force of life is reclaiming the earth and infiltrating culture the moment the machines go silent and their guards fall asleep. Awareness of the inevitability of global restoration is spreading steadily among giant corporations, government institutions, grassroots activists, and individuals and communities around the world. Restoring the Earth is destined to be the central enterprise of the years ahead, and leading the effort is a growing movement of bioneers, biological pioneers who are using nature to heal nature. As environmental restoration emerges as a major global industry, the bioneers are acting as the pilot fish guiding the dynamic transition to a future environment of hope. Through it is not widely known, the bioneers have devised practical solutions for virtually all our crucial environmental problems, and the problems are truly grave. Brother Can You Spare a Paradigm? Try as we might, human beings have been unable to repeal the law of gravity or regulate the weather. In that sense, biology is indeed destiny, as the ultimate fate of our species rests upon our ability to live within the limits of the natural world. As we witness the widespread degradation of the basic life-support system upon which human and all biological life depends, we are realizing that Earth itself is stronger than we can imagine and will certainly survive our folly. But human beings as a species may not prevail, and we are permanently destroying countless other species in a cascade of extinction bearing the unprecedented mark of the human hand. Many scientific experts tell us that we have only the decade of the 1990s to launch a fundamental reversal of the devastating damage we have visited upon Earth. 1. Environmental conditions are also precipitating mounting political crises, as journalist Robert Kaplan disturbingly illustrated in his article The Coming Anarchy. Characterizing the environment as a hostile power, he wrote, "For a while the media will continue to ascribe riots and other violent upheavals abroad mainly to ethnic and religious conflict. But as these conflicts multiply it will become apparent that something else is afoot, making more and more places like Nigeria, India, and Brazil ungovernable. It is time to understand the environment for what it is: the national security issue of the early twenty-first century. The political and strategic impact of surging populations, spreading disease, deforestation and soil erosion, water depletion, air pollution, and, possibly, rising sea levels in critical, overcrowded regions like the Nile Delta and Bangladesh - developments that will prompt mass migrations and, in turn, incite group conflicts - will be the core foreign-policy challenge from which most others will ultimately emanate, arousing the public and uniting assorted interests over from the Cold War." 2. How have our advanced science and technology led our society to the brink of the most unnatural disaster? What is our place in the natural world? How do we set about restoring Earth, our home? In fact, practical solutions do exist for almost all our environmental problems. Dedicated bands of bioneers have been persistent in creating and demonstrating innovative models. They span fields as divergent as restorative agriculture, ecological design, power generation, water purification, natural medicine biodiversity conservation, economic renewal, cultural revival, and spiritual politics. They have produced successful prototypes and shown their effectiveness. These working models hold the keys to our survival and can be refined, replicated, and rapidly spread around the world. The optimistic bioneer vision is already empowering individuals, communities, groups, and companies to act as a primary force in the fabric of restoration. The bioneers herald a coming Age of Biology, one in which as human beings we ground our lives within the limits of the natural world. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we are learning to emulate natural systems to fashion benign technologies and just forms of social organization. Above all, the bioneers call for us to grow a culture that connects with the sanctity of all life through the heart of nature. The Superb Art of Relationship Biology is not rocket science. It if far more complex and subtle than the physics of sending metal to the moon. Ecology is the superb art of relationship in the fantastically elaborate web of life. As geneticist David T. Suzuki observes, In fact, so exquisitely orchestrated is this global system of flowing energy and matter that the biosphere as a whole seems at times to have the self-perpetuation qualities that we normally associate only with intact living organisms. The entire Earth, within its extraordinary capacity (within limits) to regulate and maintain its own global ecological balance, acts as if it were a single great superorganism of planetary proportions. 3. This concept, elaborated as the Gaia Hypothesis by scientists James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, views the very Earth as a whole living system that is self-regulating. 4. Margulis, a revolutionary microbiologist who has spent her life studying bacteria, happily underscores the fact that we live in a microbial world. Our bodies may be little more than convenient hosts for the three-and-a-half-billion-year-old microbial community. Microbes, which make up at least 80 percent of the Earth's biomass, are now believed to have been the dominant player in creating and arranging the rocks, seas, oil, soils gases, metals, and minerals of the Earth's surface. 5. Without these organisms, all life would cease because decomposition would no longer occur and we would be buried in a matter of weeks under a heap of eternal biomass. Perhaps we should learn some respect for this invisible microbial polyverse, which cohabits our own universe and generously harbor us as guests. The mystery of life and living organisms is probably so intricate and profound as to be ultimately unknowable by human beings. Esteemed Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson paints this remarkable tableau of biological relationships among leafcutter ants and fungi: The leafcutter colony is a single organism. The superorganism's brain is the entire colony.Through a unique step in evolution taken millions of years ago, the ants captured a fungus, incorporated it into the superorganism, and so gained the power to digest leaves. Or perhaps the relationship is the other way around. Perhaps the fungus captured the ants and employed them as a mobile extension to take leaves into the moist underground chambers. In any case, the two now own each other and will never pull apart. The ant-fungus combination is one of evolutions master clockworks, tireless, repetitive and precise, more complicated than any human invention and unimaginably old. 6. It is this sort of model of symbiosis that infuses the work of the bioneers. Their solution mimic natural forms and systems with biomorphic (imitating biological forms) technologies based on nature and containing live intelligence. They embody complex dynamic systems characterized by constant change. Bioneer systems have a pulse. They are alive and sovereign. Customer Comments : A reader from Houston TX , October 27, 1998 A resource book that inspires This book gave me a positive pre-view of the future I always hoped could be. For example, In the references for one of the chapters on finances I found several mutual funds operated by environmental friendly companies. These eco-mutual funds have made me money and a percentage of the profits the funds earn go to very respectable environmental 'charities' etc. Read this book if you want to find a way to feel good about what you investments are doing! A reader from Vancouver , October 5, 1998 Exceptional, truly visionary! The solutions to local and global challenges are the PEOPLE featured here. >From architecture to medicine to agriculture, this book offers leading-edge problem-solvers who will knock your socks offhand teach you much in the process. Get ready to re-vision the world I find inspiration in every chapter, and can't wait for the world to feast here as I have. The author shows a deep understanding of a number of disciplines that, together, present a systemic view of how we might move forward. A must read for teachers, college students, and parents concerned about the world their children will inherit. eliz@sgi.com from Palo Alto, CA , November 22, 1997 Don't miss this book! Ausubel's Restoring the Earth is vital, inspiring, and unique. In reading it, you will see the future of agriculture, design, medicine, and much more. For once, a book that fluidly merges and illuminates both social and environmental realities. For once, instead of simply depressing you or just screaming "somebody do something!"--it addresses these urgent realities with exciting solutions that are *already* tried and true. This is more than a lucid, intelligent outline of our planet's most pressing circumstances, it is a series of well-written stories about today's visionaries: innovative, real people that have come up with almost magical solutions to save biodiversity and money at the same time. Reading Ausubel's book is a great way to be educated and uplifted at the same time. *************************************************** Eco-Pioneers : Practical Visionaries Solving Today's Environmental Problems by Steve Lerner, Jonathan Lash Our Price: $19.25 You Save: $8.25 (30%) Usually ships in 24 hours Hardcover - (October 1997) 440 pages Reviews : Synopsis Lerner has spent four years searching out what he calls "eco-pioneers"--people who are working to reduce the pace of environmental degradation. Here he provides case studies of eco-pioneers who are exploring sustainable ways to log forests, grow food, save plant species, clean up cities, conserve water, protect rivers and wildlife, treat hazardous waste, and reduce both waste and consumption. 45 illustrations. The publisher, The MIT Press , August 27, 1998 : Following the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Steve Lerner spent four years searching out people he came to call "eco-pioneers" - the modern pathfinders who are working in the American pragmatic tradition to reduce the pace of environmental degradation. In this book, Lerner puts a human face on Earth Summit rhetoric, finding out what sustainable actually looks like in the United States. He provides case studies of eco-pioneers who are inventing sustainable ways to log forests, grow food, save plant species, run cattle, build houses, clean up cities, redesign rural communities, generate power, conserve water, protect rivers and wildlife, treat hazardous waste, reuse materials, and reduce both consumption and waste. Together they are creating ways of living and working that many analysts believe are essential to an ecologically sustainable future. "Rarely does a book about the environment appear that is not filled with 'eco-dread,' author Steve Lerner's word for gloomy environmental thinking...There's food for thought here for policymakers, students of many disciplines, people who want to achieve environmental justice but do not know how to go about it, and, most particularly, for conservation skeptics." -Janet Trowbridge Bohlen, WASHINGTON POST "This engaging, unpretentious book suggests active, do-it-yourself environmentalism is alive and well in grassroots America." -Frederic Golden, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "Everyone concerned about long-term environmental preservation will want to read this book. Highly recommended."-WILDLIFE ACTIVIST - Customer Comments : A reader from Baltimore, US , May 1, 1998 Two dozen outstanding, thought-provoking case studies. Lerner's 10,000 mile journey around the U.S. to interview people at the cutting edge of new technologies and applying overlooked ancient ones is inspiring. Cases explore a wide range - low-impact building materials, greenhouse treatments of sewage, environmental solutions to inner city problems, hazardous waste transformed to industrial materials, urban rooftop ag, models of sustainable communities in neighborhoods, cities and reservations. Lerner, who has been reporting on the environment for twenty years, is an excellent writer who captures the vision of people he's profiling and explains what they are pioneering in plain English. *************************************************** Stuff : The Secret Lives of Everyday Things (New Report, No 4) by John C. Ryan, Alan Thein Durning Our Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (January 1997) 88 pages Reviews : Mother Jones, September/October 1997 "Documenting a day in the life of the average North American consumer, Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things deconstructs the American Dream by unraveling the hidden costs behind the objects around us. From our morning cup of Colombian coffee to our South Korean-made sneakers, the book traces the environmental impact of the consumer decisions most of us make without thinking. Authors John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning of Seattle's Northwest Environment Watch tell us greenhouse gases produced in making one burger are equivalent to those emitted in a six-mile drive to the burger joint. Only occasionally verging on preachiness, this readable 88-page book is definitely worth the paper it's printed on." Susan McGrath, The Household Environmentalist, Seattle Times,, 5/11/97 "...A lively and mind-boggling investigation of what goes into the 120 pounds of resources we each consume every day. You can read it and be horrified by the impact of our consumption or read it and marvel at the complexity of modern commerce, depending on your outlook." Asta Bowen, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/17/97 "Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things is a book I always wanted to write. It is a call to explore the possibility that 'less stuff can mean more happiness.'" Bill McKibben, author of Hope, Human and Wild "Wow! Great Stuff!" From the Back Cover : If you don't know your stuff, you don't know your world. Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things takes you to the places and people you touch every day-when you sip your coffee, tie your shoes, click your mouse, or step on the gas. Once you follow a day in the life of an average North American and see the secret lives of your food, your clothes, and your toys, your world will never look the same. About the Author : Alan Thein Durning is founder and executive director of Northwest Environment Watch and author of award-winning books such as This Place on Earth and How Much Is Enough? Formerly senior researcher at Worldwatch Institute, he lectures widely and drinks more coffee than he cares to admit. *************************************************** How much is enough? : the consumer society and the future of the earth Alan Thein Durning. Published London : Earthscan, 1992. LOCATION 1st Fl, Shelves 333.71 DUR Descript'n 200 p. ; 22 cm. Series Worldwatch environmental alert series The Worldwatch environmental alert series. ISBN 1853831344 Note Includes bibliographical references. Subject Human beings -- Influence on nature -- Forecasting. Consumer behavior -- Forecasting. Consumption (Economics) -- Forecasting. *************************************************** How Much Is Enough? : The Consumer Society and the Future of the Earth (The Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series) by Alan B. Durning Our Price: $7.96 You Save: $1.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (June 1992) 200 pages Reviews : Synopsis Consuming goods and services has become a central goal of life in industrial lands the world over. In this book, Alan Durning of the Worldwatch Institute explores the roots of the consumer society, exposes the toll that our appetites have taken on the earth's natural systems, and suggests that there are other paths to fulfillment. Customer Comments : A reader from Boston, MA , September 10, 1998 Good but something was missing. I read the book. I agreed with all the points. I was properly impressed with his statistics and anecdotes. But overall I felt something was missing, although I can't put my finger on it. After reading this book, rather than feeling charged up to go and do something about it I felt rather ho-hum instead. I don't think the book is polemical enough. It doesn't offer clear cut guides on what needs to change. The threat is always vague, "We can't keep this up or someday we'll run out." His discussion of the necessity of growth left me unconvinced, even though I desperately wanted to be convinced. The book is an interesting read, but it was just lacking something that kept it from being amazing. sue@kepler.lsmsa.edu from louisiana , July 5, 1998 Brilliant and informative evaluation of the consumer society Has it ever occurred to you that Americans go to shopping malls more often than they attend church or synagogue? Did you know that, directly or indirectly, we consume our own weight in basic resources EVERY DAY? Half a billion people--those who belong to the consumer society--use up almost all of the world's resources and create most of the pollution. This is one of those books that leaves a lasting impression upon the way you perceive the society you live in. This book is not only a smooth read, but is PACKED with carefully researched information in a most wonderful way. Durning backs up all his statements with solid facts. What else would you expect from a senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute? And aside from the conscientious fact-checking, Durning has another Worldwatch habit: he not only presents complex problems in understandable ways, but also presents multi-pronged, workable solutions. Overall, a concise book chock full of careful thinking. *************************************************** This Place on Earth : Home and the Practice of Permanence by Alan Thein Durning Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (September 1997) 336 pages Reviews : Nature and Ecology Editor's Recommended Book. Alan Durning spent several years traveling the world as an environmental policy analyst. When a Filipino tribeswoman asked him to describe his home, he found that he could not, answering weakly, "In America, we have careers, not places." Determined to change all that, he brought his family to his native Northwest to make a home--by which Durning means learning the geology and ecology of a place, as well as its human present and past. Durning looks into matters such as recycling, urban planning, and community building, and he proposes ways in which we can all tread a little more lightly on the earth, especially by sharing goods and knowledge with our neighbors. This is a lively, hopeful addition to the literature of place. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Booklist , October 1, 1996: Weary of traveling the globe while working for an environmental organization, Durning decided it was time to put down some roots. He and his family moved to Seattle, in search of a community as much as a home. Interspersed with the story of Durning and his family is an environmental history of the Pacific Northwest, and it is not a cheery tale. From the near extinction of certain wildlife species in the early 19th century to the explosion of the beef industry in the late 20th century, people exploited the land for wealth. In the present day, though, Durning finds many people who are working to strike a balance between economic activities and conserving the planet. Business-wise, the book calls for us to embrace an idea that Japanese industry adopted a few years ago: any form of waste equals money being lost. A significant book that deserves a wide readership. From Kirkus Reviews , August 15, 1996: A thoughtful portrait of the Pacific Northwest from a recent returnee there. With family roots in Seattle, Durning spent several years working in Washington, D.C., for environmental-policy groups. While he was visiting the Philippines in connection with his work, however, a tribeswoman asked him to describe his home. He could not, he relates, answering weakly, ``In America, we have careers, not places.'' Seeing the pity in her eyes, he decided to bring his wife and young children back to the Northwest and make a true home there. To gauge by this modestly written but rich book, he has done well. By making a home, Durning means knowing the geology and ecology of a place--but also knowing the patterns of human history and change. Dense with information lightly presented, Durning's book turns to discussions of such matters as recycling, the history of suburbs, and the causes of urban sprawl. He notes that the assumption that mobility, not accessibility to goods and services, underlies Americans' desire to own private cars ``is lethal to cities,'' and that each of us lives at some cost to the planet (``at one cup a day, I go through the harvest of a coffee tree every six weeks''). Durning proposes ways in which we can trim that cost by reducing materialist expectations, by recycling, and by sharing things and talents with our neighbors, making community as a result. (His account of erecting a recycled basketball hoop for the neighborhood children is a charming case in point.) Along the way he looks at large-scale efforts to make the Northwest more livable, among them the Boeing Corporation's installation of energy-efficient lighting at an annual savings of $375,000 and downtown Portland's closing several thoroughfares to create pedestrian malls. ``The politics of place is a politics of hope,'' Durning observes. This is a hopeful, and welcome, addition to the literature of place, and there is much to learn in its pages. Book Description : Simplify, downshift, sustainability. What does it all mean? Alan Durning returns to his home ground to consciously carve out a new life away from the mainstream of politics and power. This Place on Earth is both a personal journey and a working blueprint for anyone interested in a better life. Customer Comments : platerb@ksg.harvar.edu from Cambridge, MA , November 22, 1998 Well written but could have been so much more. Durning pulled his punches on several topics in this book, depriving readers of his valuable insight on some of the most controversial topics in the environmental movement today. The two most glaring examples of this are his cursory discussions of immigration and abortion. He doesn't discuss whether we should address the environmental impacts of immigration, or even write about whether these impacts actually exist. And although Durning goes into great detail about his wife's precarious health during her second pregnancy and his own fears about overconsumption in the US, Durning doesn't dive into why he and his wife decided to carry to term their third pregnancy instead of aborting. Durning has written extensively and eloquently on the problems of overconsumption in the US, it would have been very enlightening to see how Durning reconciled their decision to have a third child with his environmental convictions. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title tomgray@igc.org from Vermont , September 7, 1998 Penetrating look at the problem of sustainability. This is an excellent book, covering the topic of sustainability and mingling personal experiences and episodes with illustrative examples from the Pacific Northwest. Durning offers up-to-the-minute ideas on the policies that are needed to achieve a truly sustainable society, and provides specific case studies where the exist to back up his recommendations. But this book is more than policy blather--Durning chronicles his own decision to return to the region of his childhood and shares his personal thoughts and reactions as that decision is played out. Fine writing and a message that our throwaway, consumer society badly needs to hear. A reader, January 21, 1997 One of the most important books of 1996 Durning has written a fascinating book that examines the potential of the Pacific Northwest bioregion and the people that live there. This book demonstrates that the personal is political, and shows readers how his/her own impact on the planet can be lessened. It is, by far, one of the most important books written in 1996, and one of the most important books that you can read in the year ahead! - *************************************************** Tis a Gift to Be Simple : Embracing the Freedom of Living With Less by Barbara Degrote-Sorensen, David Allen Sorensen, Barbara Sorensen Our Price: $8.79 You Save: $2.20 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (August 1992) 110 pages Reviews : Synopsis Suggestions are given for telling the difference between needs and wants, using time and money wisely, relaxing more, enjoying family and friends, eating healthier food, conserving the earth's resources, and sorting through priorities. *************************************************** Beyond Growth : The Economics of Sustainable Development by Herman E. Daly Our Price: $12.00 You Save: $3.00 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1997) 264 pages 1st Fl, Shelves Alexander library 333.7 DAL BENTLEY 333.7 DAL Kalgoorlie-Boulder 333.7 DAL ARMADALE 333.7 DAL Public Library Stock 333.7 DAL Reviews : Herman Daly is probably the most prominent advocate of the need for a change in economic thinking in response to environmental crisis. an iconoclast economist who has worked as a renegade insider at the World Bank in recent years, Daly has argued for overturning some basic economic assumptions. He has a wide and growing reputation among environmentalists, both inside and outside the academy. Daly argues that if sustainable development means anything at this historical moment, it demands that we conceive of the economy as part of the ecosystem and, as a result, give up on the ideal of economic growth. We need a global understanding of developing welfare that does not entail expansion. These simple ideas turn out to be fundamentally radical concepts, and basic ideas about economic theory, poverty, trade, and population have to be discarded or rethought, as Daly shows in careful, accessible detail. These are questions with enormous practical consequences. Daly argues that there is a real fight to control the meaning of "sustainable development," and that conventional economists and development thinkers are trying to water down its meaning to further their own ends. Beyond Growth is an argument that will turn the debate around. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Booknews, Inc. , December 1, 1996 If you're beginning to feel that the phrase "sustainable development" might be going down the semantic doublespeak path where being fired from your job is now dubbed "occupationally challenged," then Daly is the economist for you. The innovative scholar and World Bank rabble rouser argues that the catchword of environmentalists and international financiers is being used by both to further their own ends. Sustainable development, as conceived by Daly, becomes a radical proposition of economy as part of the ecosystem, requiring that we give up an ideal of economic growth and reevaluate basic ideas about economic theory, poverty, trade, and population. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : Tom Birdwell (bim@fred.net) from Washington, DC , June 19, 1998 Fuses Christian ethics w/environmental economics effectively Herman Daly fills a spiritual void in the field of economics. He explains how current capitalist economic theories dependent on unlimited growth are not only destructive to the environmental resource base upon which the economy depends, but also morally indifferent to unwanted side effects such as the unequal distribution of wealth. The strength of Daly's work is such that it may help bring two important advocacy groups that are not normally associated we each other--environmentalists and Christians--together into a powerful constituency. *************************************************** For the Common Good : Redirecting the Economy Toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future by Herman E. Daly, John B. Cobb (Contributor) Our Price: $16.00 You Save: $4.00 (20%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (April 1994) 534 pages 1st Fl, Shelves, Alexander library 330.1 DAL Reviews : Booknews, Inc. , April 1, 1990 Daly (economist, the World Bank) and Cobb (philosophy, Claremont Graduate School) expose the outmoded abstractions of mainstream economic theory. They conclude, in particular, that economic growth--the prevailing yardstick for measuring economic success--is no longer an appropriate goal as energy consumption, overpopulation, and pollution increase. Instead, they propose a new measure for the economy--the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. - Customer Comments : A reader from Iowa, USA , September 7, 1998 Interesting though a bit biased in analysis The text is not bad in any way; meaning that the conclusions are reachable based on the assumptions made to get there. Although definitely biased against "free-market" (which is clearly not "free" nor a "market" in the examples chosen), it is not as prescriptive as I had expected. Perhaps four stars is a bit generous, but the book was better than I expected and better than most of this genre. If someone is interested in getting a left-end-of-center view on the issues of sustainability, it does have some good commentary. dgeson@plinet.com from Denver, CO , January 27, 1998 United Nations proponent, environmentalist and socialist. A very leftist view point that encourages to not let the common individual make his own decisions in a free market place, unless of course those decisions are in line with the philosophy of the United Nations, otherwise they are over ruled by the self-appointed "I am right" elitists. *************************************************** Our Ecological Footprint : Reducing Human Impact on the Earth by Williams E. Rees, Phil Testemale (Illustrator), William Rees, Mathis Wackernagel (Contributor) Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (November 1995) (avail in Perth library system -- call # 333.7 WAC) Reviews : Synopsis Equipped with useful charts and thought-provoking illustrations, this book introduces a revolutionary new way to determine humanity's impact on the Earth and presents an exciting and powerful tool for measuring and visualizing the resources required to sustain households, communities, regions, and nations. Customer Comments : LanceOlsen@aol.com from Montana, USA , June 13, 1998 Science News gave good review of "ecological footprint" I came upon this book in Science News, a weekly that covers breaking science news across the world. SN reviewers, hard to impress after seeing so much science every week, gave the concept of "ecological footprint" a good discussion. hakoon@tm.net.my from Masai, Johor, Malaysia. , September 7, 1997 Thought provoking, jolts one from the rat race... I stumbled upon this book in the journal D&G, at a time I was thinking hard about the direction of the civilization. So I ordered one. It was an unassuming book, neatly printed and illustrated with black and white caricatures. At first I thought it was a mistake to order such a book. But as I read on, the insights of the authors emerged, so profound, yet so simply explained. Really, after swallowing all the contents for five consecutive nights, one will ask, "How come I did not think of this??". The concept is vivid : it tried to explain what the ecological footprint means : how much of land is required to support yourself. And it turned out that there is already not enough for the world. Further proliferation of current lifestyles is suicidal. The authors devoted a whole long chapter on proposals of alternative lifestyles. These are nowhere hardcore technical, rest assured. They are blindingly simple, and yet hard to swallow. Just ask any Tom, Dick and Harry whether he or she wants such a life, you will get an awkward stare : are you in your right mind? The authors may be right, but when we have gone so far astray, we have forgotten the road from which we come. This book cannot score 10 points, though. The examples on how an economy can develop without growth are not solid enough. While the writers are not economists, to force the reader to think twice about current lifestyles, they must fork out a marvelous thesis, which has yet to be clearly stated. This is a good book at the introductory level. Although it sometimes touch on the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the reader is not expected to have an a priori understanding. Its explanation is vivid and simple. While it may insult Professors and those high brow academics, it is a book easy to follow. Worth a try. *************************************************** Nature's Services : Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems by Gretchen C. Daily (Editor), Joshua S. Reichert Our Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 2-3 days Paperback - (February 1997) 416 pages Reviews: Nature's Services brings together world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines to examine the character and value of ecosystem services, the damage that has been done to them, and the consequent implications for human society. Contributors present a detailed synthesis of our current understanding of a suite of ecosystem services and a preliminary assessment of their economic value. Nature's Services represents one of the first efforts by scientists to provide an overview of the many benefits and services that nature offers to people and the extent to which we are all vitally dependent on those services. The book enhances our understanding of the value of the natural systems that surround us and can play an essential role in encouraging greater efforts to protect the earth's basic life-support systems before it is too late. *************************************************** The Work of Nature : How the Diversity of Life Sustains Us by Yvonne Baskin, Abigail Rorer (Illustrator), Paul R. Ehrlich Our Price: $27.50 Usually ships in 2-3 days Hardcover - (April 1997) 288 pages Reviews : From Booklist , April 15, 1997 Baskin, a science journalist with a pleasingly lucid style, reports on the findings of an innovative ecological survey conducted in the hopes of answering the question, "What are the possible consequences of the accelerating losses in biodiversity?" Biodiversity is more than the earth's "lavish array of organisms," to use Baskin's lovely phrase; it embraces the myriad interactions among those species (at least 100 million, according to some estimates) that make the planet "hospitable for humanity." As scientists become increasingly attuned to the complexity of the interconnectedness of plants and animals, from the tiniest of microflora that keep our soil fertile, to the largest of mammals, they are beginning to recognize the functional role of each species in the ceaseless work of keeping our air and water clean. People do, indeed, need each and every life-form on the planet; the eradication of other species through the destruction of natural habitats will lead inexorably to the demise of their own. Donna Seaman Copyright 1997, American Library Association. All rights reserved Synopsis The lavish array of organisms known as "biodiversity" is an intricately linked web that makes the Earth a uniquely habitable plane. In this book, a noted science writer examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity and explains key findings from the ecological sciences. It is the first book of its kind to clearly explains the practical consequences of declining biodiversity of ecosystem health and function and, consequently, on human society. In The Work of Nature, noted science writer Yvonne Baskin examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity. She summarizes and explains key findings from the ecological sciences, highlighting examples from around the world where shifts in species have affected the provision of clean air, pure water, fertile soils, lush landscapes, and stable natural communities. Distilling and bringing to life the work of the world's leading ecologists, The Work of Nature is the first book of its kind to clearly explain the practical consequences of declining biodiversity on ecosystem health and functioning. *************************************************** Earth Community, Earth Ethics by Larry L. Rasmussen Our Price: $21.00 You Save: $9.00 (30%) Usually ships in 1-2 weeks Hardcover - (October 1996) 366 pages Reviews: Midwest Book Review Earth Community, Earth Ethics scans our global situation and brings into relief the extraordinary range of dangers threatening all life on our planet. Earth Community, Earth Ethics goes on to explore the worlds of religion, ethics, and human symbolism to glean from them the resources for a necessary "conversion to earth". Earth Community, Earth Ethics concludes by sketching a constructive ethic that can guide us out of our present situation. Earth Community, Earth Ethics builds on the foundations of international discussions of sustainable development and dhows how the environmental predicaments underscores a variety of crisis afflicting modern industrial society in economics, politics, gender discrimination, and reproductive relations. Earth Community, Earth Ethics is a vitally important contribution for all personal, academic, governmental, corporate, and organizational ecological studies reference book collections. The author, Larry L. Rasmussen : lrasmusn@uts.columbia.edu , May 13, 1997 Book award for Earth Community, Earth Ethics Earth Community, Earth Ethics has been selected for the Grawemeyer Award in Religion, 1997. This $150,000 prize for best book in religion joins the Grawemeyer Awards in music, education, and world order. *************************************************** The Forgotten Pollinators by Stephen L. Buchmann, Gary Paul Nabhan (Contributor) Our Price: $13.56 You Save: $3.39 (20%) Usually ships in 24 hours Paperback - (September 1997) 320 pages Reviews : Amazon.com In The Forgotten Pollinators, two researchers delve into the little-known and fascinating world of pollination. The authors, an entomologist and an ethnobotanist and nature writer, illustrate in clear yet proficient language the importance of this interaction between insect and plant, which provides the world with one-third of its food source. Using colorful examples--including a moth that rappels down cliffs to pollinate a plant in Hawaii--they also explain how modern developments are threatening this essential process. Published through the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the book is aimed at raising awareness about the potential loss of pollinators and their plants, while showing the larger picture of a fragile ecosystem through the eyes of some of its more unnoticed inhabitants. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title The New York Times Book Review, Carol Kaesuk Yoon A pleasing concoction of natural and cultural history illustrating how pollination works and how easily it can be disrupted. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Booklist , July 19, 1996 : Nearly everyone is familiar with Rachel Carson's alarming prediction of a "silent spring," but few remember that she also predicted a "fruitless fall." This dire phenomenon is inevitable: if the bees, bats, butterflies, birds, and beetles that pollinate plants go extinct, the plant species they fertilize will die, too. What we're really seeing in the loss of biodiversity is the "extinction of ecological relationships" between plants and animals. Nature is, after all, interaction and mutuality. Buchmann, a research entomologist, and Nabhan, author of eight books, including The Geography of Childhood (1994), and director of science at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, offer their own form of mutualism in this eye-opening and, thanks to illustrations by Paul Mirocha, eye-pleasing book. Buchmann and Nabhan take turns relating their fascinating observations of the habits of various pollinators in such diverse locales as Utah's Virgin River watershed and the Galapagos Islands in an effort to convey a sense of what exactly is at risk: nothing less than our sources of nutrition--ultimately, our very lives. Donna Seaman Copyright 1996, American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title From Kirkus Reviews , May 1, 1996 :Pollinators are the Rodney Dangerfields of the animal world: They just don't get no respect. So claim entomologist Buchmann (Hayden Bee Research Center) and Nabhan (Director of science/Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum) in this at once delightful and disturbing tour d'horizon of those for whom the flowers bloom. ``One in every three mouthfuls of food we eat, and of beverages we drink'' is served up to us by pollinators, notes E.O. Wilson in his introduction. Butterflies are out there working for us, as are the hummingbirds and fig wasps, pygmy gliders and panurgine bees, carrying pollen to stigma, allowing seeds to set. Pollination is one of nature's vital processes, fine-tuned and mesmeric in its endless cycles, feedback loops, checks and balances. But as in so many other instances, humans are busy as the bees disrupting the process, bombing pollinators with pesticides, fragmenting their habitat, cutting off the nectar corridors, such that the ``current rate of species loss constitutes a biodiversity crisis of unprecedented proportions.'' Buchmann provides the hard science of the pollinators' world: flower stalk architecture and nectar chemistry and flowering sequences; Nabhan contributes a felicitous dose of pleasing prose, framed as anecdotal remembrances: He's never happier than when poking about in a sere landscape, following the monarch butterflies on their winter migration, taking stock of the floral pantries. While this book can only be considered a preliminary investigation, trends indicate that pollinators may be getting ever more limited in supply as their world shrinks around them. Buchmann and Nabhan make the case for increased wildlands, intact forests, an ecological approach that prevents pollinator habitat from becoming islands, thus coffins, in a developed landscape. A cautionary tale: Kill the pollinators and you might as well kill yourself. Another of nature's elegant loops. (b&w illustrations) (Author tour) -- Copyright 1996, Kirkus Associates, Synopsis : ". . . a pleasing concoction of natural and cultural history illustrating how pollination works and how easily it can be disrupted. . . . More than the species and the land that holds them, the book suggests, the living world to be cherished includes everything that these creatures, plants, and places do--the much more vital and intangible biodiversity of interactions and relationships."--The New York Times Book Review. Synopsis : Without interaction between animals and flowering plants, the seeds and fruits that make up nearly 80% of the human diet would not exist. Here, the authors explore the vital but little-appreciated relationship between plants and the animals they depend on for reproduction--bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, and countless other animals. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title In The Forgotten Pollinators, Stephen L. Buchmann, one of the world's leading authorities on bees and pollination, and Gary Paul Nabhan, award-winning writer and renowned crop ecologist, explore the vital but little-appreciated relationship between plants and the animals they depend on for reproduction - bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, bats, and countless other animals, some widely recognized and others almost unknown. Scenes from around the globe - examining island flora and fauna on the Galapagos, counting bees in the Panamanian rain forest, witnessing an ancient honey-hunting ritual in Malaysia - bring to life the hidden relationships between plants animals and demonstrates the ways in which human society affects and is affected by those relationships. Buchmann and Nabhan combine vignettes from the field with expository discussions of ecology, botany, and crop science to present a lively and fascinating account of the ecological and cultural context of plant-pollinator relationships. More than any other natural process, plant-pollinator relationships offer vivid examples of the connections between endangered species and threatened habitats. The authors explain how human-induced changes in pollinator populations - caused by overuse of chemical pesticides, unbridled development, and conversion of natural areas into monocultural cropland - can have a ripple effect on disparate species, ultimately leading to a "cascade of linked extinctions." --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Booknews, Inc. , December 1, 1996 : By invoking Rachel Carson in the volume's first chapter, entitled, "Silent Springs and Fruitless Falls," Buchmann and Nabhan let readers know right away that they are pleading another endangered species case. The wonder of their writing is that they make bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, bats and other pollinators come vividly alive even as they emphasize that the destruction of their habitat will destroy them too. Readers are treated to some rare anecdotal descriptions from around the globe and careful scientific research into the delicate balance between fauna, flora, and the birds and bees. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title The publisher, Island Press/Shearwater Books , July 15, 1996 :Alert to story in current issue of Time Magazine The July 15th issue of Time Magazine, on newstands now, carries a terrific story on pollinators and the role they play in the production of most of our food on page 60. Additional reviews are forthcoming in the book review sections of many major metropolitan papers. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title Customer Comments : A reader, December 23, 1996 The world is complex and wonderful, especially reproduction. Ever wonder where most plants come from? They come from seeds. Ever wonder where seeds come from? They come from sex. Ever wonder what plant sex is about (or why this is an issue)? It comes from beetles, bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats and winged pseudogenitalia in general, whether great or small. Pollination is the key to life on the terrestrial earth. Pollination of plants is also the key to life in much of the aquatic part of our planet, which is about the only omission for which the authors might be faulted. It is a mind-expanding exercise, to be sure, to ask ourselves what would happen if pollinator "X" suddenly disappeared from the scene. Buchmann and Nabhan have taken great care both to inform us that all would not be lost, because pollinator "Y" or "Z" is frequently waiting in the wings. But in many, many cases, pollinator "X" has never been studied and cannot even be named, let alone conserved. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title *************************************************** Stalking the Wild Amaranth: Gardening in the Age of Extinction by Janet Marinelli Our Price: $17.50 You Save: $7.50 (30%) Usually ships in 2-3 days Hardcover - (April 1998) 256 pages Reviews Amazon.com It comes as no surprise to anyone that human society has had a pernicious effect on native plant life. What is surprising is that plants fall prey not only to the mechanical effects of suburban expansion, but also to such seemingly harmless processes as the introduction of nonnative rivals to their eco-regions. Oddly, in the case of the seabeach amaranth, it was the well-meaning efforts of various New Jersey and Long Island waterfront communities to curtail beach erosion that fragmented this normally hardy plant's habitat, leaving it unable to propagate. It is now, for all practical purposes, extinct. Throughout North America, approximately one-third of native plant species are considered endangered. Janet Marinelli's compelling history of the American landscape examines everything from the popular obsession with lawns to the sex life of plants. For example, much of the decline in plant diversity can be traced to the rise of asexual clones--one ubiquitous example is the Delicious apple--exacerbated by the American fondness for the neatly clipped garden, which discourages open pollination of the few remaining native plants. But Marinelli goes much deeper than mere statements of fact, using garden design as a metaphor that reveals changing social philosophies, from rationalist to romantic and back again, and sweeping Darwin, Einstein, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Gaia hypothesis into the mix. The latter half of the book concentrates on the past few decades of gardening and what changes in techniques and style have brought to the larger ecological communities. Never have the possible implications of the simple act of planting been made quite so entertaining. The New York Times Book Review, Michael Pollan ... Marinelli is so reasonable, and such a breezy writer, that the reader is happy to follow her deep into the thickets of horticultural politics. The Philadelphia Inquirer ...richly researched, intelligent and clearly written... From Booklist , February 1, 1998 Horticulture professionals, together with passionate gardeners, have been engaged for quite some time in an ongoing dialogue questioning the philosophy and methods of gardening today. As the director of publishing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Marinelli is intensely familiar with this important discourse. Here, most capably, she tenders a sparkling narrative melding personal memoir with scientific inquiry. Examining such areas as the impact of lessening numbers of plant species and the status of biodiversity, Marinelli looks, too, at the decades-long debate surrounding contemporary garden design. Revealing her own experiences as a gardener, and how pursued ideas and ideals have been reconsidered, Marinelli contributes an eloquent voice and stellar good humor to gardening literature. Opining that the new garden must act like nature, Marinelli, in this thoroughly researched effort, ultimately forges critical links between current ecological viewpoints .. . for all who value garden art, as well as for those sharing in a concern for the well-being of our natural world. Copyright© 1998, American Library Association. All rights reserved From Kirkus Reviews , January 1, 1998 A level and elegant introduction to (and history of) natural gardening from Marinelli. Not just the rainforest is in trouble, Marinelli reminds readers. The flora of East Hampton, NY, is in equal peril, as are fully one-third of this country's native plants. Is it possible that gardenersyour everyday, garden-variety gardenerscan have a role shepherding these waifs and wastrels from the brink, perhaps even rescue and restore ancient natural communities? Marinelli thinks so. Her gardens, one in New York City and another on nearby Shelter Island, are organic forms, part of the local ecosystem, evolving from the site and climate, taking their cues from native plants (but not hog-tied to them). In the city she seeks to re-create an echo of the primeval oak forest setting, while on the island it's a meadow/wetland. Her ideal garden would have room for a diversity of species within a variety of habitats: productive and fertile, subtle and refined, celebrating the connection between humans and nature. Marinelli's garden ethic is the product of many sources, which she details in her narrative: a well-rounded discussion of the natives vs. exotics; garden design from ancient Greece to the present; the possibilities and limitations of biodynamic agriculture, French intensive gardening, permaculture, and restoration; aspects of gardens within gardens: Gustav Stickley's pergolas, Frank Lloyd Wright's glass rooms, Zen dry gardens, kitchen and water gardens; as well as the many personalities who have shaped the ever-shifting aesthetic of garden design. She also takes readers on a sweet tour of, and offers an ode to, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, where she works as the director of publishing. Marinelli is too adventurous to be a strict nativist, but she also knows where help is needed: ``I'm all for planting natives unless there's a good reason not to, since indigenous species have lostand continue to loseso much ground.'' (22 line drawings) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Horticulture Online, April 1998 There's a staggering number of new gardening books hitting the marketplace these days. If your interests lie in heirloom vegetables, Texas natives, or tender perennials, you'll have no trouble finding a tightly focused tome (or two) to satisfy your curiosity. Likewise, if you want advice on how to make your garden attract birds, repel slugs, or discourage deer, it lies just pages away at the local bookstore. On occasion, however, you may find yourself hungry for another sort of "bigger picture" reading, one that tackles questions such as What has man done to the plants on the planet? Where is gardening headed? Are we happy with this direction? As heady as all this can be, it's this sort of reading that challenges us to take a more global view of our daily activities, from fertilizing the lawn to spinning donuts on the sand dunes in the family's four-wheel drive. If it's this type of insight that you are after, head to the bookstore for a copy of Stalking the Wild Amaranth: Gardening in the Age of Extinction by Janet Marinelli (Henry Holt, 1998). With a nod to natural writer Euell Gibbons' classic narrative, Stalking the Wild Asparagus, the director of publishing at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and editor of the BBG's highly praised series of handbooks embarks on a tale of the planet's plant life that's sure to provide you with thought-provoking reading. The goal of the book is to explore what the gardener can do in a "biologically homogenizing time" to bring back the species teetering on the brink of extinction. Writing in the tradition of essayists such as Roger B. Swain in Field Days: Journal of an Itinerant Biologist, Marinelli deftly weaves elements of personal experience with scientific fact, natural history, and ecological vision. It opens with Marinelli's search for the highly endangered seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) on the beaches of the Hamptons, which makes her realize the threatened nature of many plants in her own backyard. Subsequent chapters, which read more like essays, are so chock full of ideas, that they are admittedly a bit densely packed at times. But Marinelli's discussions are lively, articulate, and extremely engaging. She takes a nostalgic but honest look at the effects of the ever-growing suburbia of her childhood on the plant life of Long Island and juxtaposes it with a more scholarly debate over championing natives and controlling invasives. Her attempt (and ultimate failure) to emulate Sissinghurst in her shady Brooklyn lot exemplifies how gardening trends, with their nod toward fancy hybrids, monocultured lawns, and attempts to grow cannas in Zone 5, run counter to nature's landscaping practices of open pollination that provide regionally specific diversity... Book Description An important horticultural memoir articulating a new landscape art that's both environmentally sensitive and rich in creativity. Janet Marinelli left her comfortable city garden to join a botanist colleague in search of the rare Seabeach Amaranth--one of our many native species that is in danger of extinction. The result of the ensuing seven-year odyssey, Stalking the Wild Amaranth is a work of science and a work of art. Marinelli tells the story of her discovery that contemporary gardening is out of sync with theories evolving on the frontiers of science and philosophy. She also tells of her quest for a new garden art that nurtures a greater richness and variety of earthly life. Inspired by the legacy of Henry David Thoreau, Marinelli blends history, horticulture, erudition, and personal insight into a narrative that ponders the relationship between humankind and nature. She fleshes out a vision for a new, ecologically wise landscape art, disagreeing ultimately with those who insist that growing native plants is the only way to recover our environmental equilibrium. "Gardeners," she writes, "should be free to experiment, to let our imaginations run wild, to learn how to be the creators of biodiversity as well as the preservers and restorers." From the Back Cover Advance Praise for Stalking the Wild Amaranth "Not since Voltaire has anyone so eloquently proclaimed the wisdom and the necessity of cultivating our own gardens. Without exaggeration, herein lie the secrets of saving the world. And the greatest surprise is to find that so many of the truths have been at our fingertips all along." -- Roger Swain, science editor of Horticulture magazine and host of PBS's "Victory Garden" "For centuries gardening was taught and practiced for the subjugation of nature. Today we are so conscious of crowding out native species that a new garden ethic is emerging -- one in concert with nature. Janet Marinelli's provocative book gives us a new view and the tools to further this revolution." -- Rosalind Creasy, author of The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping "Janet Marinelli is a masterful storyteller. >From ancient pleasure gardens, Versailles and Sissinghurst, to the cutting edge of landscape restoration, she creates an engaging and entertaining tale of horticulture and ecology through time and place. As we begin the new millennium, she illuminates the dilemmas, opportunities, and responsibilities we face as architects and tenders of the global garden." -- C. Colston Burrell, ecological designer and author of A Gardener's Encyclopedia of Wildflowers "I loved Stalking the Wild Amaranth -- couldn't decide whether to ration myself to one chapter per day or race through nonstop. You'll know exactly why I took the path of least resistance as soon as you start reading Janet Marinelli's newest book. With her usual candor and purity of spirit, she has convinced me that my new garden in central Iowa can be as Old World formal as I might like and still be ecologically wise." -- Elvin McDonald, garden editor of Traditional Home magazine "In Stalking the Wild Amaranth, Janet Marinelli extends the horizons for gardeners and their gardens to provide them with a clearer vision of these vital locations where, in her own words, '...we nurture nature as nature nurtures us...' Threads of garden history, horticulture, and ecology are woven into a highly readable narrative that gives both guidance and hope for a fresh approach to gardening that goes beyond mere aesthetics to our interaction with gardens as essential ecosystems. The result is a book which challenges the reader to be not only a gardener, but an informed participant in the living landscape." -- Henry W. Art, Samuel Fessenden Clark Professor of Biology at Williams College and author of A Garden of Wildflowers: 101 Native Species and How to Grow Them "In Stalking the Wild Amaranth, Janet Marinelli enlightens and delights us with discourse on our gardening past. More importantly, she gives us nurturing food for thought about how as people who grow things we might become more effective caretakers of all that is green and growing in the global landscape that is our collective garden." -- Craig Tufts, director of the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat program and author of Backyard Naturalist "Marinelli's carefully collected information and thoughtful analysis should be given to nature-deprived suburbia all over America!" -- Lorrie Otto, environmental consultant and teacher/naturalist The author, Janet Marinelli , April 10, 1998 I grew up on Long Island on a block called Garden Place. Sounds like a perfect name for a horticultural soap opera. Well, ecologically it could have been scripted by Stephen King. Grandma grew tomatoes. Dad mowed the lawn. Every Mother's Day Mom got another pink azalea. Today, my childhood garden looks like just about every other suburban garden from Boston to Seattle, with its golf course-quality lawn, clipped yews, azaleas, and shade trees ringed by begonias. Across a continent of breathtaking biological diversity we've planted the same two dozen plants. No wonder botanists are worried about the long-time survival of about a third of this country's native species!My whole life I've watched New York City sprawl relentlessly eastward across Long Island, obliterating the natural landscape. About ten years ago it dawned on me that as wilderness shrinks and backyard acreage increases,the home gardener's role in the current extinction crisis grows ever greater. If gardeners are a big part of the problem, then they're certainly a key part of the solution. In fact, I'm convinced that humble gardeners will be the environmental heroes of the 21st century. That's what Stalking the Wild Amaranth is all about. Seven years ago, I joined botanist Steve Clemants, my colleague at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in a search for the seabeach amaranth, one of thousands of American plant species threatened with extinction. Seabeach amaranth hadn't been seen in New York or most of the other Atlantic coastal states in its historical range for decades. Then, out of the blue, it was spotted on Long Island in the summer of 1990! Nobody knows how it returned, though one theory is that its seed was washed ashore by Hurricane Hugo, which had lashed the Mid-Atlantic coast the year before.Steve and I set out to follow up on reports of the plant's mysterious comeback. After searching for days, we finally found it on the glamorous ocean beaches of eastern Long Island. The thrill of our discovery, however, was dampened by the fact that the plant, one of the rarest on the planet, had just been flattened by a four-wheel-drive vehicle. For me, the amaranth suddenly came to symbolize what is wrong with our attitude toward nature -- and with gardening, its consummate expression. Stalking the Wild Amaranth is the story of my realization that contemporarary gardening is out of whack with the theories evolving on the frontiers of science and philosophy, and of my personal quest for a new ecological garden that nurtures a greater richness and variety of earthly life. Stalking the Wild Amaranth is part detective story, part scientific study, part history book, part autobiography, and part blueprint for a new, ecologically wise landscape art. Above all, it is a story that melds personal memoir and scientific inquiry -- I can't think of another gardening book that ends with a 14-page, single-spaced bibliography in tiny type listing scores of technical scientific references. The cutting-edge science is brought to life with anecdotes that trace my own growth as a gardener, how my personal ideas and ideals have been reconsidered. And unlike most contemporary books about the state of the natural world, the book's message goes beyond gloom and doom; the fact that I chose as a symbol the seabeach amaranth -- a gravely threatened plant, to be sure, but one that reappeared serendipitously in at least part of its range after being presumed extinct for 40 years -- tells you that this is ultimately a hopeful book. In fact, it's a gardening journey marked by humor -- ecologically sensitive gardening needn't be a dreary affair. We can do our part and still have flair and fun. In a nutshell, what I mean is that when most people garden, they try to create a scene, an idyllic picture, an abstract, almost static form. The fact that the medium is living, growing plants -- not paint -- is almost beside the point. The basic assumption is that we humans are different and separate from nature, not a part of it. This nature-culture dualism, as it's been called, ignores some of the central tenets of 20th-century science. To give just two examples: it ignores the principal theory of evolution, which holds that people are descended from other animal species. It also ignores another fundamental idea of contemporary science, the ecosystem concept, which suggests that nature -- ourselves included -- is inextricably connected not only at the molecular level, as conventional reductionist science has implied, but at every level. In other words, what we do in our gardens has a profound effect on the rest of nature. I think hundreds of years from now when people look back at the late-20th-century, they'll see it as a time when we faced a momentous choice. If we decide to do nothing to stop the current torrent of extirpations, it will probably stand among the worst half-dozen episodes of mass extinction in the history of life on Earth. But unlike past ecological dominants responsible for similar cataclysms of extinction, such as the dinosaurs, we know what we’re doing. Which means that we can -- and should -- do something about it. How can we, in good conscience, let all these creatures slip away before our eyes? We've got to summon up the courage to play the leading role in the evolutionary drama for which we, the most aware and self-conscious of nature's creations, seem destined. Gardeners, with our centuries of practical experience in growing plants, are in a unique position to help save endangered species and natural communities. But in order to be able to do that, we need to learn how to distinguish destructive practices from creative ones that enhance the diversity and complexity of life on this incredibly beautiful planet. The new ecological gardens are organic forms, part of the local ecosystem, evolving from the site and climate, taking their cues from native plants, but not necessarily hog-tied to them. They nurture a diversity of species in a variety of habitats. In more traditional gardening terms, they include a variety of gardens within the garden -- from indoor gardens and outdoor garden rooms to wild gardens and water gardens. A true ecological landscape includes plantings that honor our own species' long and fruitful relationship with the land, whether an elegant formal herb garden or a patio edged with fragrant flower borders. There's certainly room on our properties for healthy, home-grown food. The new ecological garden also performs the vital task of reestablishing the complex web of biological relationships found in the natural landscape. In other words, it's a garden that acts like nature. About the Author Janet Marinelli is the director of publishing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She is the author of Your Natural Home and The Naturally Elegant Home. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.