5 comments about Ecological Economics: Principles And Applications.

1. Here at last is a book that sees ecological economics not as a branch of economics or a school of economics but as a broader and deeper system of ideas that includes the sound elements of conventional economics. Herman Daly, the Grand Old Man of the steady state economy, and Joshua Farley, his able younger follower, have produced a comprehensive and very readable synthesis. Traditional economists see natural resources as a subsystem of the world economy. This book presents the economy as a subsystem of the global ecosystem. The effect is like that of climbing a tall tower and seeing that a familiar city was all along part of an island whose fields and forests are in danger of disappearing under the advancing suburbs. The authors have not shied away from including controversial ideas, and there are some that I do not agree with, but that just adds to the stimulation. Not only have I adopted this as the textbook for a course in ecological economics, but I would like to see it read by all economists. This is not a specialist branch of economics; it is the only kind of economics appropriate to the new century.



2. Bring ecological economics to every day life will be the greatest defy of this century. The autor writes brillantly how we can, now, change our economic view and achieve sustainable development. Every student must read this book...



3. And I'm not just saying that because I like ecological economics. Before this I used to hate even the idea of textbooks...mostly the fault of high school I guess, but also many college courses. In fact that is the reason why I hesitated to buy this book, but I'm glad I did. This is the only textbook I have been able to read straight through (though slowly and critically) and maintain my focus, interest, and energy. It's very well written and organized, and it's honest and upfront, highlighting debates and differences in opinions, as well as their implications. It is even entertaining on a fairly regular basis.
   
   No prior knowledge of economics or natural sciences is necessary, though of course having some helps to make it an easier read. The 2nd edition should take care of some of the minor typos and other editing mistakes. I have seen no serious flaws in the book.
   
   If you
   1) Have an open mind
   2) Respect solid, provocative arguments that challenge the status-quo
   3) Are interested in the nature of the relationship between humans and our environment, economics, ecology, sustainability, social justice, or democracy
   4) Have tried a standard econ. course and was frustrated by the hordes of inane and offensive or otherwise false assumptions, contradictions and overall lack of scholarly rigor
   You will probably enjoy this book.
   
   I also suggest getting the companion workbook, especially if you are
   1) A student (of any age, shape or form)
   2) Interested particularly in the fields of environmental policy/management, economics, or ecological economics or
   3) Interested in the education system and education reform.
   
   It has valuable supplemental information as well as suggestions on how to advance your knowledge and possibly put you into a career path. The pedagogical philosophy espoused in the book is great from my perspective--a student frustrated with the hypocrisies and contradictions of academia and our current education system. Farley makes it clear that fundamental education reform is necessary in order to advance democracy and for us to continue to develop into our greatest human potentials.



4. Book recomendations, index, glossary, macroeconomics, microeconomics, a very didactic book made for anyone interested in the subject or people already familiar with economics. The first day I read 100 pages non-stop. Different from some other books on the theme, this is not a book to build anyones consciousness(and definitely not eco-economics for dummies)but a realistic transdisciplinary outlook on the subject.



5. The authors of this book demonstrate a deep understanding of the negative role and impact on econmic growth that results from speculation in national and international currencies,stocks,and other financial assets.This book is especially strong in chapters 13 and 14 where they discuss macroeconomics and the effects of worldwide speculative activity.The Nobel Prize winning chemist,Fredrick Soddy,whose 1930's book " Wealth,Virtual Wealth,and Debt ", demonstrated an excellent understanding of the dangers of speculative finance,is given his due along with Keynes(pp.256-257),who had always understood the severe negative impacts speculative finance can have on both economic growth and income distribution.
   
   The intellectual rigor of the authors suffers on pp.224-225 when they discuss Adam Smith's Invisible Hand .It is simply not the case that Smith took the view(micro economic decision making in the aggregate always leads to an optimal macro economic outcome )foisted on him.Smith himself was well aware of the great dangers of speculation(see Smith's extensive discussions on pp.290-340 of the Wealth of Nations[1776,Modern Library(Cannan)edition] and the need to prevent it from occurring in the first place ,as well as the negative consequences of the Invisible Hand process that could only be overcome by government action(see pp.734-741 on the necessity for the government to provide universal education supplied for free for those unable to pay).

3 comments about The Carbon Age: How Life's Core Element Has Become Civilization's Greatest Threat.

1. Carbon is everywhere. While many people have gone through life without realizing this basic fact, this captivating new book shows us why it is time to reconsider this position. Roston opens the door to the world of carbon - an element that impacts everything from global warming to your new bike. A former Time magazine reporter, Roston writes in an engaging, clear and accessible style carrying us from the beginning of the universe to today's debates around carbon emissions. This is a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about the universe and where it is going. Carbon ... who knew!?!



2. First of all, the first review by Michael is obviously written by the author or friend. Right away that is a sign the book probably sucks. The book skips around and never gets into detail about any certain subject.



3. To solve 80% of global warming, the world would have to go veg!
   For more info, check out youtube. com/user/StopClimateCrisis

1 comments about Environmental Science.

1. This book is more than enlightening in describing and explaining in detail how we have impacted and abused our environment and what we can do to counter act some of the damage. The one thing that I find ironic about preserving the "natural way" is that scientists in all of the science type books that I have read, want to stop the natural pro-creation of man, yet clone animals and man Wow! Wierd, isn't it?

3 comments about Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science (3rd Edition).

1. I purchased this book after looking at several on the web. Of course all you get to see is the index. The index for this book looked great so I ordered it. It is filled cover to cover with general philosophy and no real application or even a difinitive solution to a problem. Even trying to edeucate yourself on a pinpoint subject matter requires going through several chapters to get the whole scoop. I'd gladly sell mine back at a loss, but I like bon fires.



2. This book is a great undergraduate level introduction to the concepts in environmental engineering. The various issues are explained in clear English. The text applies college level math and science to environmental issues. Overall, it is an textbook that can help a student figure out if he or she would like to study environmental engineering, and gives the studen context for further study.



3. I found this to be a great survey text for environmental engineering. I purchased it for my intro class and it served as a good reference for basic math and chemistry needed for my classes. I found that it explained the general chemistry (e.g. ammonia striping, carbonate chemistry, and acid-base chemistry) more clear and with better examples that my higher level texts. It gives a good foundation and basis for further study, but, again, it is definitely and intro level text and not recommended for anything higher than a 300-level course.

4 comments about There's a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry).

1. The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library books are all great tools to get beginning readers to read and explore different topics at the same time.
   
   There's a Map on my Lap is my favorite in this series. It explains in typical Cat in the Hat rhyme and stance all the different uses for maps.
   It explains the difference between a globe and a map, what latitudes and longitudes and other features of maps are. You learn to read a map by using the windrose or a grid.
   The book goes well beyond town or country maps. It features weather maps, topographical maps and even marine charts.
   
   What truly separates this book from the crowd: it is shockfull of hands-on things to do. It begins with peeling an orange while leaving the skin in one piece to demonstrate what a world map should really look like - brilliant idea! Then it goes on to make a map of your room, town, imaginary countries. Or how to measure the length of a curved road on a map using a straight ruler and string.
   
   At the end of the book you find a glossary that explains the "big" words like topographical map and others again. Also a list of more books about maps and globes for children.
   If you like doing hands on things with your preschool through 2nd graders this book is for you! Hours of fun and education all rolled into one big happy Cat in the Hat poem.



2. This book is classic Dr. Seuss...fun, silly, and children don't realize they're learning something. Great book for teaching about maps. I bought this for my 6 year old prior to going on vacation. We had been looking at maps and talking about what states we'd be driving through on our trip. He enjoyed listening to the book and because of the way the information is presented (fun and silly rhymes), he has retained what he learned. He has even referred back to specific bits of information we read from the book (i.e. Never Eat Shredded Wheat to remember North, East, South and West.)
   
   The back of the book contains a glossary of terms mentioned in the book. Highly recommended as an additional tool for teaching about maps.



3. Children enjoyed this book. Used in map unit for PS and elem. settings.



4. This is a fun book for introducing young children to maps. I will use it in my early childhood classroom but I wish I'd had it when my own chldren were young. They would have loved it!

5 comments about Getting to Know ArcObjects (With CD-ROM).

1. When you outgrow this one, or if you already have some VB programming background, go for Programming ArcObjects with VBA: A Task-Oriented Approach, Second Edition, it is an excellent complement to this volume. Far more to learn there.



2. The best way to learn computer programming is by actually doing it, which makes this book great. Each chapter starts with an explanation of a new concept, such as looping or subroutines, then there are 2 or 3 exercises that demonstrate the concept and use what you have learned. One minor problem is the lack of large chunks of code. Most of the code in the book is just small snippets of code, and that makes it difficult to learn about the overall structure of the whole program, because all you see is 5 or 6 lines of code at a time. But this is only a minor problem. I don't like VBA, but I have to learn it for a GIS class, and this is a great book to learn from.



3. This book is easy to follow and understand even having little computer programming experience. The "Cookbook" style exercises make it easy to create your own modifications to ArcGIS. Great book!



4. My Major is GIS. But it is my first time to learn arcObject. I think it is good for my starting with its example and theories.



5. This book is a great overview of not only ArcObjects but component programming as well. The text is to the point. The tutorial examples are short and put together well to illustrate the topic. The amount of material and exercises for each topic are just right. The writing style is very approachable. I really enjoyed going through the book and tutorials.
   
   This book may not be for someone who does not know Visual Basic very well. I would not consider this an intro to VB or programming. It is as the title says - getting to know ArcObjects. Examples revolve around customization of ArcMap and ArcCatalog. Does not cover ArcGIS server or ArcGIS Engine.

5 comments about Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things (New Report, No 4).

1. I bought the "HTML edition" thinking that I'd save a tree and burn pixels instead. But the HTML is not the book; it is a very short essay. If you're expecting the same content as what's on paper, be warned.



2. Stuff is a terrific exploration of the lifecyle of products and services that we pay for as consumers. This book feeds us info, but more importantly, shows us how to be more aware of what we consume and why. Great exercise for anyone interested in learning or teaching about our environment, (which should be everyone!)



3. This book is fantastic!! It really get into the details so you clearly understand the path of where things come from. It's enlightening and well worth the money. While educational in nature it is also very interesting. You can't help running around the house looking for someone to tell them what you just read.



4. This book goes into detail on several commonly used items. The two biggest issues I had with the book are: it's a little outdated, it could use more research on the solutions to reducing waste.



5. This is mis-labeled. There is a link from the paperback book to this article. I mistook it as being an online copy of the book, which I need to read for a report for my Psychology class. It is not, and I accidentally wasted 6 bucks on this. It is not a paperback copy of the book; it is merely some random article by some random person. The confusion should probably be cleared up.

5 comments about Streetwise Barcelona Map - Laminated City Street Map of Barcelona, Spain - with integrated metro map including lines and stations.

1. An excellent map - easy to read and to fold. Highly recommended.



2. I bought this map for my son and his wife, as they are in Barcelona at this very moment on a vacation. They were very pleased with the map and I'm assuming it is helping them to get around very nicely, I will know more when they get back.



3. I visited Barcelona in December 2007 and used the Streetwise Barcelona available at that time. Apparently the map has subsequently been updated (in Jan. 2008), but the one I used had at least one confusing error, and one irritating design/layout problem. The error is where the map showed the location of Gaudi's La Pedrera; the icon had the right shape to emulate the building's curvy shape, but it was placed one block over from where the building really is. Also confusingly, the map showed a separate location for Casa Mila (one block over), the icon for that being a plain little square shape. In reality, Casa Mila and La Pedrera are the same building, but the map had me quite confused on that point for awhile until other literature steered me right. (Where the small boxy "Casa Mila" icon is located on the map is where the organically curvy La Pedrera/Casa Mila really is.) The layout problem: normally with the Streetwise maps, you flip them over top to bottom to continue the map on the other side. But with the Barcelona map, you had to flip it side to side to get to the rest of the city, which was not conducive to continuity of the map. Overall I really love the Streetwise maps, they are so handy to carry and easy to use, and the laminating is a great feature. I trust that with the update of the Barcelona map they have corrected the problems I mentioned.



4. Spent 5 days in Barcelona in a wonderful apartment in Barri Gottic...this map was indespensible. Very sturdy,easy to read,lightweight,easy to store in backpack pocket. Perfect size print and useful key.



5. This map is an excellent resource for tourists who prefer independent travel in Barcelona. My wife and I used this map exclusively while touring Barcelona and it was well marked with all major attractions as well as having a complete listing of all street names and places of interest. Well worth the price.

2 comments about Arboretum America: A Philosophy of the Forest.

1. In Arboretum America: A Philosophy Of The Forest, botanist, medical researcher, and agricultural expert, Diana Beresford-Kroeger celebrates a diversity of trees and plants including how they can counteract the effects of pollution and global warming; which native plants complement the "bioplan"; how to plan them with ideas and tips; the medicinal uses trees and plants have had from the inception of aboriginal cultures down to the modern day, and so much more. Inviting, full-color photography by Christian H. Kroeger and an informative Foreword by Edward O. Wilson nicely embellish this informed and informative presentation which vibrantly reflects the Diana Beresford-Kroeger's love of nature and enduring passion for scientific inquisition. Arboretum America is an especially recommended addition to Ecological Studies reference collections and Botanical Studies supplemental reading lists.



2. What a holistic book on the forests of North America. Diana Beresford-Kroeger discuss the ecology of our trees in a scientific fashion as well as including a spiritual and healing aspects of the forest through the history of plants and medicinal properties. Wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the unique dynamics of forest life.

5 comments about Applied Hydrogeology (4th Edition).

1. As a student I was relieved to read ideas that were explained clearly, especially in the water chemistry chapter. I also appreciated how well the formulas were presented. The problems at the end of the chapter were a great way to study for exams.



2. I have the 3rd edition which I purchased in 1995 and although I enjoy the subject matter and use this book as a reference, I am still finding errors and making corrections to the textbook (typos in both text and problem sets). Someone should have paid closer attention to detail prior to submission to the publisher. I was going to get the 4th addition to add to my personal library, hoping there would be no errors. However, after a few minutes of research on the internet I found out that there are still errors in the 4th addition. However, the author does have a webpage with corrections posted. I wouldn't recommend this text to anyone unless they have time and are willing to go through the text to make the corrections. There are other texts in print covering the same subject matter with fewer or no errors.



3. I found this book the easiest to read, compaired to a few other groundwater textbooks out there. It concentrates on the practical applications as opposed to formula derivations.



4. I was very happy to use this text throughout my course on Hydrogeology. The verbage was succinct, the problems were applicable and well-complimented with the website for explanations, and the chapter reviews were impendious. At the end of each chapter, Fetter cocnluded with a detail of symbols; which I found to be a nice touch. Often an author uses a symbol once and expects the reader to always retain its significance, which is an unreal circumstance. The case studies were necessary to hammer home a concept! They were well-written and facilitated the goal of explaining a hydrogeological problem, and a solution.
   The typographical errors of the first edition were corrected in this edition.
   I recommend this text to all aspiring earth scientists.



5. This book is written much like your typical engineering textbook, which means it will probably stress out non-engineers. The organization of the book is unintuitive, especially for an undergraduate, which makes doing homework with it unecessarily time consuming. In addition, the index is very limited. I would have prefered an alternative for my undergrad Hydro class.