5 comments about A Primer on CO2 and Climate, 2nd Edition.

1. Dr. Hayden (Professor Emeritus of Physics from the University of Connecticut) has written a wonderful little book giving a non-technical description of the role of CO2 in the atmosphere. In 53 pages he lays out a large number of facts about CO2 and it's possible contribution to a warming earth.
   
   He covers the general questions:
   "<< Is the earth warming?
   << If the earth is warming, is mankind responsible?
   << If the earth is warming is that a bad situation?
   << If the earth is warming, and if mankind's use of fossil fuels is
   responsible, and if the situation is bad, is there anything we
   can do to remedy the situation?"
   
   Dr. Hayden uses 36 figures and 8 tables to clearly illustrate his points.
   
   His summary is succinct and he reaches each point very quickly. He starts with the greenhouse gas phenomenon and contrasts the role of the CO2 absorption spectrum with the role of the spectrum of H2O, it's dimer and trimer.
   
   He discusses the increase in CO2 in recent years and then goes back to discuss the CO2 and temperature graph covering the last 400,000 years publicized recently by Al Gore. He also covers the 1812 - 1964 period, and then discusses CO2 over about 500 million years (the CO2 was many times higher in almost all earlier geologic periods).
   
   Dr. Hayden points out many of the difficulties in making reasonable temperature measurements and argues (successfully in my opinion) that by far the best global temperatures are those from satellites. These currently show (Dec. 78 - Jun. 07) an increase below 0.13 degrees / decade. The short time satellites have been in orbit covers less than 30 years. Many think this period records the most rapid global temperature increase in the last 150 years, so I believe this small temperature increase cannot be reasonably counted as part of a long term trend. The shorter trends often reverse several times in a 100 year period so the record does not yet permit reasonable extrapolation.
   
   He also discusses how the discredited 1,000 year "hockey stick" graph of temperatures (Mann, et. al.) has been corrected and shows higher temperatures in the 1400's than at present. The hockey stick appearance was a statistical error that is common among non-statistically trained economists and financiers. Physical evidence in the form of 1,000 and 5,000 year old tree stumps above the present tree line, confirm a warmer period in earlier human history.
   
   He provides a brief discussion of O-18 measurements as a proxy for long term temperature trends as well as C-14 and Be-10 and their use in measuring past solar activity.
   
   Dr. Hayden has an excellent discussion backed up by several illustrations of carbon flows into an out of the various sinks. The biggest flows of carbon into the atmosphere are the it's release by warm ocean water and soil respiration. The biggest flows out of the atmosphere are photosynthesis on land and CO2 uptake by cold ocean water. These are about 30 times and 40 times respectively the flow of carbon into the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning. He also provides a brief explanation for the decreasing greenhouse effect for each addition of CO2 to the atmosphere. There is also a comment on the retroactive causality implied by suggesting that increases in CO2 cause increases in temperature.
   
   His discussion of computer models is dear to my own heart as I spent several years modeling infinitely simpler flows using the best research at the time (early 1980's). We found that our 2 phase, crude, water, gas flows with pressure, temperature and orifice variations were only going to be able to predict a short distance from measured conditions. Those predictions required "training" on a longer past measured history and even then were subject to occasional contradiction by the real world. The only justification was they were better (fewer million dollar mistakes) than an experienced engineer's top-of-the-head guess. I believe the global climate models suffer from so many omissions and even some assumptions that seem to violate physical laws that any reliance on their predictive ability is religion not science.
   
   This summary work has discussions of the special temperature situation in the Antarctic, the claims of more violent storms, the effects of aerosols, correlations, solar activity, glacial retreat, polar ice caps on Mars, sea levels, mosquitoes, and the supposed scientific consensus.
   
   When discussing anthropogenic global warming in his summary, Dr. Hayden concludes that "yes, the earth has been warming up." Are humans responsible "to some minor extent, probably; to a large extent, no." He argues that, based on past history, warming may be good for some areas and bad for others.
   
   Assuming the foregoing summary is incorrect and humans are causing our planet to warn, Dr. Hayden discusses the political solution and what he calls "Engineering Dreams by non-Engineers." He discusses the problems with 6 of these "Dreams" including: greater efficiency, sequestration, renewables, fission, fusion, and hydrogen. While some can be useful, none offer a replacement for fossil fuels to the level the global warmers deem necessary.
   
   I have read a number of interesting papers covering many of the topics he includes, but Dr. Hayden has produced a remarkable summary of the global warming issue in a very small book.



2. Well done, Howard Haden. A succinct and understandable tome on CO2 and its relationships to the earth's environment. I read this short book this evening as "desert" after the main course of "Climate Confusion" by Roy Spencer. Combine Hayden's information about the science and graphic representation (and misrepresentation) of measurements of temperature variations and CO2 levels (not to mention Milankovitch Cycles and ice ages) with Spencer's insights on weather, climate, and the economy and in the time span of a few hours, of enjoyable and understandable reading, I have learned more useful information on these topics than ever before. It would seem that Al Gore has some inconvenient explaining to do. . . and Hayden deserves (not carbon) credit for his excellent contribution in debunking the CO2 = global warming myth.



3. This is an excellent book for those who have only basic science skills, yet have an interest in learning what a qualified scientist can teach them about fundamental science relating to climate change and global warming and their relationship to atmospheric CO2. You will learn that the theory espoused by Mr. Gore and the IPCC is baseless for the simple reason that the atmosphere does not work like a typical "greenhouse" and that, in any event, atmospheric CO2 is severely limited in its potential impact on climate and climate change. Highly recommended for both novices and those who are experienced with this topic.



4. If you care about climate change, read this book: it is much the best introduction to CO2 and climate change, and is a superb guide for those who seek to influence or to understand energy and climate change policy.



5. As one who is relatively well read in the literature of the GW debate, it's rare to find a book that gives a new insight into things. Although on the short side, this book is one such. Well written for the most part while sometimes covering complex things. The author argues convincingly (which may be easier than it sounds) against the accuracy of GCM's (Global Circulation Models).

5 comments about A Contract with the Earth.

1. I really like Newt.
   
   I think Newt Gingrich is one of the most important political philosophers of our time. From the Conservative Opportunity Society to the Contract for America, he's been on the cutting edge. My complaint with this book is that while his heart is in the right place, the book is short on details, and the devil is always in the details.
   
   Global warming/climate change is a real threat. It's caused by human activity. I've run the numbers, and it can't be significantly slowed, and certainly can't be reversed, without nuclear energy. That having been said, the word "nuclear" only appears in the book once.
   
   Without nuclear energy, and because nuclear probably can't be brought on line soon enough to make a real difference, drastic changes in the American way of life will be necessary to slow down the process of global warming---smaller houses, fewer trips by airplanes, higher thermostats in the summer, lower in the winter. However, Newt and Terry never address these topics.
   
   The placebos, compact florescent lights bulbs, bio-fuels, and others, which make us feel like we are contributing, but which actually deter us from taking effective action, are as close as we get to details.
   
   I left the book feeling empty. Like Rodney King, Newt and Terry tell us "can't we all just get along" but don't give any real guidance about where we are going.
   
   I'm a little disappointed. I still love Newt, but this isn't my favorite Next book.
   
   The Devil is in the Details, and the details have been left out.



2. Gingrich and Maple have created a well thought out bipartisan plan to "save the earth" from exploitation by people who, knowingly or unknowingly are in the process of destroying the environment. Historically Dr. Terry Maple dragged Zoo Atlanta from the abyss and created one of the finest exhibits in the world. Dr. Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House and college professor has a vivid imagination for change (real change) and shows his adroit imagination in this work. These men offer many solutions from problems with animal waste to saving plants and animals for future generations to enjoy. I read the book and also listened to an audiobook version. Both are very enjoyable-I urge people of all ages to enjoy this very timely work. Douglas W. Matheson Professor Emeritus University of the Pacific. Stockton, CA



3. I have great respect for the intellect of Newt Gingrich - his take on "global warming" is interesting if for no other reason it suggests that a public/private partnership will really be the only way the issue will ever be effectively addressed.
   
   This book does drone on and on about what government is NOT doing. I mean ON and ON. Fine - I get it. What is the solution?
   
   All in all, it is a good book - but I wish I had borrowed it from the library and not paid good money for it.



4. The basic theme of conservation and recycling is valid. But the presumption that man made Carbon Loading a primary cause of Global climate change is a concern. A concern because of the potental harm to the human condition if we are to take radical actions to midigate this UNPROVEN theory. Radical actions as promoted by the Left wing radicals - including Al Gore - would cause a major decline in world economy, putting more people into poverty.
   The promotion of reforestation and managed forest land is good. But where to Human civilization meets nature, the answer cannot always be that nature trumps Human activity. Again that would cause a decline in the human condition. I agree there needs to be a balance and technology will certainly be our salvation.



5. A lot of rehash of old ideas and trite science. I was disappointed, especially since i have been a big fan of Newt's philosophies and politics.

5 comments about Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users.

1. If you analyze data and make maps, this is well worth the money.
   It helps if you use ArcGIS too....



2. Since I am relatively new to the world of GIS Mapping, this book was an invaluable aid to designing more attractive maps. It's a beautifully laid-out book with lots of common-sense tips in it. Well worth the price!
   
   Linda Pierce
   Pray, Montana



3. This book reviews the very basics of map design and hardly touches on cartographic representations. It is probably a good starting point for first timers to GIS and mapping, but for the average map maker/cartographer it is too rudimentary.



4. An excellent book, but a bit tedious. Gives the GIS user an excellent review of what makes a map visually useful. GIS users aren't necessarily the best cartographers and this can help them along



5. This book addresses all major topics needed when considering what color to assign to a group of layers, which symbols and scales to use, how to annotate maps and how to complement maps with text boxes.
   
   It is well written so it's easy reading and does not require extensive background from other fields.
   
   Getting from here to there is simple enough by scanning the chapter index.
   
   Great reference for map designers, both beginners and experienced ones.

1 comments about When Man is the Prey: True Stories of Animals Attacking Humans.

1. Loved this book. I couldn't put it down once I started. The author does an excellent job recounting the horrendous animal attacks experienced by those unfortunate ones. Although the accounts are sad, they are also educational for those of us who ever spend time outdoors.

No comments about The Earth After Us: What Legacy Will Humans Leave in the Rocks?.

5 comments about Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala, Revised and Expanded (David Rockefeller Center Series on Latin American Studies).

1. America has staged many coup's throughout the years but this one will always hold a special place in history. Feeling good from our overthrow of the Shah we attempted to put our own government in Guatemala and entered a botched attempt that would lead to disaster. America's involvement in Latin America has always been tenuous with the natives but this account really shows why they fear and hate us at times. It is very well written and covers the information clearly. Highly recommend.



2. After reading this one, you will not forget Guatemala.



3. Whether you're a connoiseur with a PhD in international relations, a high-school dropout looking to enhance their missing education, or someone who just wants to read an engrossing book with a little intellectual flare to it, one can be both entertained and appalled by the story contained in "Bitter Fruit".
   Kinzer and Schlesinger's writing is impeccable, and somehow manages to stay apolitical. The authors do an excellent job of not flaunting the miscues of the American overthrow of Guatemala's democratically elected government, but merely let the facts from all angles tell their own story. In addition, the writing is quite fast-paced in style but pays attentive detail to fact and exhautively denotes the sources behind the writing. I purchased this for reading as part of a class assignment - and then cited it in two places in my senior essay!
   So instead of buying a FICTIONAL thriller or adventure or spy novel for your downtime reading, why not pick up a book where the plot . . . actually happened?! In addition, despite being originally published a quarter century ago, the book is amazingly relevant to issues in today's foreign policy (*cough* Iraq *cough*). Also, I HIGHLY recommend for history buffs like myself - but this book can be enjoyed by anyone. Well, "enjoyed" isn't really the word - after reading this book, I felt a sense of anger towards our government for their selfish actions 50 years ago, and a sense of pity toward the people of Guatemala, who had no idea what hit them. But the feelings weren't on the level as to wish that I had never read the book - on the contrary, it made me feel more enlightened both about the Cold War era as well as today's international climate.



4. This is a very interesting book, but its premise is false and misleading.
   The book is advertised as revealing a wicked conspiracy among the CIA and the United Fruit Company, against the people of Guatemala, who were
   purportedly robbed of their country and murdered by those terrible American Capitalists. Not quite. There's another side to it.
   
   In order to uncover this, however, the reader must skip past the
   introduction, the forward, the preface, and the first few chapters,
   and begin with the FIFTH chapter. Chapter 5. Use the index, folks:
   United Fruit Company, background of, pages 65-69.
   
   In Chapter 5 we read about how this supposedly nefarious American
   corporation, United Fruit Company, came about.
   
   In 1870, Captain Loranzo Dow Baker discovers bananas in Jamaica,
   takes them to America where they are unknown, and begins a very
   successful business. In 1885 the Boston Fruit Company is formed.
   The company grows, and soon the fields of Jamaica, Cuba and
   Santo Domingo are insufficient, so Central American countries are
   considered. Enter Mr. Minor Keith, Brooklyn-born entrepreneur who
   has built a railroad in Costa Rica, the first one, in 1870.
   
   Boston Fruit merges with Keith and, on March 30, 1899, United Fruit
   is born. The new firm has 112 miles of railroad in Central America,
   and 212,394 acres of land, 61,263 of which is producing bananas.
   
   Pay attention to this: "At that time, LAND in the undeveloped tropical
   lowlands could be had for almost nothing, since the local rulers
   HAD NO OTHER USE FOR IT [emphasis mine], AND WERE HAPPY
   TO BE PAID ANYTHING FOR IT [emphasis mine]." (page 67)
   
   The land was not "stolen," it was purchased, and sold voluntarily.
   Later, some greedy communists decided to STEAL this land
   away from the Americans, and THAT'S why it got rough. And bloody.
   GREEDY COMMUNISTS, NOT GREEDY AMERICAN CAPITALISTS.
   THIEVING, greedy communists, who STOLE land that had been
   purchased LEGITIMATELY. Not merely legally, but LEGITIMATELY.
   
   Why don't we have a look at another source:
   http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/guatemalacoup.htm
   
   Here's an excerpt: "These reforms were continued by his successor,
   Colonel Jacobo Arbenz, ...also legalized the communist Guatemalan Labor Party."
   
   [NOTE:] "The Labor Party BEGAN TO CONTROL labor unions,
   peasant organizations, and the governing political party." [emphasis mine]
   
   "American firms in Guatemala such as the United Fruit Company
   became increasingly discontent with the Guatemalan government,
   especially after the Arbenz government passed a law expropriating large estates, a law which greatly affected the United Fruit Company's plantations."
   
   "The United States itself also began to fear the increasingly communist nature of the Arbenz government and coupled with pressure from the
   United Fruit Company and other firms, the CIA supported a coup that invaded Guatemala from Honduras and quickly took control of the government, installing military dictator Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas."
   
   "The coup and the resulting regime began an almost 50-year period of
   military dictators, fraudulent elections, and civil wars that claimed 200,000 lives, many of them civilians." [ end of excerpt ]
   
   Remember Kruschev's threat: "We will BURY you!" Communism was a REAL THREAT to the United States back then...
   
   On the back of the book: "David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University"
   
   Hmmm..."Haaah-vid" Land of Timothy Leary and his fallen legacy...
   
   Author Steven Schlesinger is "Director of the World Policy Institute"
   (New York City...that figures...) Kinzer -- Boston Globe, New York Times, ditto...Coatsworth and Nuccio, Haaa-vid...Amherst...Typical C-SPAN panel of elitist liberal academics, all speaking matter-of-factly, as though they were speaking the truth, rather than half-truths and, at times, outright misinformation.
   
   Does the public buy it? Some do, some don't. Listen to the callers...
   no, don't bother ! They screen them, and it's all sooooo predictable...
   
   Books like this one, "Bitter Fruit," are interesting, but are funded by
   spoiled, wealthy liberals with burnt-out brain cells, and marketed by
   those who probably believe all that stuff...don't know any better...
   
   The problem I have with this brand of propaganda is that it says that America is an EVIL country, founded by EVIL men, who "stole" the land from the poor, helpless indigenous folks...The people who come up with all these interpretations generally have some form of collectivist agenda, be it Marxist, or socialist...(Howard Zinn, for example).
   
   What would they have done instead?
   Well, consider Stalin, and Chairman Mao...They would've done
   the same AND WORSE. Therefore, these revisionist "historians"
   are HYPOCRITES ! What are their "solutions?" Reparations?
   Punish the great-grandchildren? Massive immigration as a punitive
   measure, punishing the white race, working-class included, for some
   imaginary crimes others supposedly committed, balkanizing the
   country...Teaching schoolchildren to be ashamed of their country...



5. To be honest, I would never have made it through this book if it had not been required for my class but I am glad that I did. The history of the coup and how it has played out and affected Guatemala to this day is a horrific example of American history, but one that should be common knowledge to the American public in order to keep a closer eye on our international affairs.
   
   The authors did a great job of narrating the history in way that reads more like a story than a history book, though at times it can be a bit hard to read through (though that could be my own weakness in reading) with many different people involved. However, the intro giving a brief overview of the history of the coup helps give the reader an overview and the afterword is much appreciated.
   
   The five stars I'm giving this book is in part due to the authors' ability to make the book an interesting read on history, but mostly because this is a book and a history that people should know.

4 comments about The Next Sustainability Wave: Building Boardroom Buy-in (Conscientious Commerce).

1. I've been looking for quite awhile for a book that provides support for introducing sustainability thinking into business planning in a way that might appeal to CEOs. I didn't find one until I found this new book by Bob Willard. (Note: Hunter Lovins provides a foreword).
   Bob Willard claims this book fills a unique niche, and as far as I know he's right. And it's an important niche for readers who are trying to build a business case for sustainability.
   The book is an easy read, which shouldn't be confused with a simplistic treatment of complex information. Willard organizes a lot of material drawn from a wide range of sources into a coherent and well-argued whole. He also includes a lot of well selected quotations around the topic.
   His bibliography at the end of the book is also very good.



2. This is the first book I read on the topic of sustainability and I found it to be very approachable. The concepts were easy to grasp and it was written/formatted to be part example, part theory. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.



3. My job brings me in contact with many F1000 executives who have responsibility for CSR/citizenship/responsibility/sustainability/etc and I read this book to broaden my view of the topic. I found it to be interesting in its format, content and point of view. I highly recommend it if sustainability is taking on a strategic importance to your business and you need to hold your own when discussing the finer points of it all with senior management and boards. Or, you are a senior manager and need to reach decisions about the role of sustainability in your planning. Read this book. You won't regret the investment of time or money.



4. This book was required reading for a course in Environmental Intrapreneurism. The author's background in corporate management makes him ideally suited to help position environmental recommendations in the context of the corporation by helping to build the business case on a solid economic as well as "green" foundation. The writing is very straighforward and based on many interviews of corporate as well as non-profit leaders. The inclusion of quotation from many of the interviews (which seems at first to be a bit incidental) ultimately helps to reinforce the content.

5 comments about Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, Third Edition.

1. This is an excellent reference book that covers a myriad of geographical locations. The maps are also excellent. I highly recommend this book. A previous reviewer claims that the editors made an egregious mistake by including Slovenia as part of the Balkan states. Maybe that person should do a little research because virtually every resource, including Microsoft Encarta, includes Slovenia in the Balkans. And yes, the Ottomans did conquer Slovenia. The Ottomans had to surrender Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia to the Hapsburgs in 1699. The editors of this book got it right on the money. As for that reviewer -- a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.



2. I had been using the 1988 edition without the need to update my library with the Second Edition until last year. Owing to geopolitical changes since 1988, a more recent edition of Webster's New Geographical Dictionary seemed necessary and the Third Edition was the current version available. The Third Edition contains more current background information (e.g. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), expanded entries (e.g. Palghat), a subtle, easier-to-read font, sidebars, and cleaner maps (e.g. Palestine). That said, if you want more detailed maps or more concise country profiles, you might be better off checking other resource materials such as National Geographic (Magazine maps) and The CIA World Fact Book respectively. Where this boook retains its advantage is that it contains diacritical notation for the proper pronunciation of the place names.



3. The dictionary was delivered as promised and in excellent condition. I consider Amazon to be a great site and I will order from them again in the future.



4. I have used this book as a reliable geographical reference for years and never found it wanting. Both historic and modern places and geographic features are included. I have found everything I needed, from Ash Flat to Pskov.
   
   The appendix contains a thorough table of geographical terms in languages other than English, as well as a useful glossary.



5. In a description of the Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, it states that this volume lists "more than 48,000 alphabetically arranged entries of mountains, lakes, towns, and countries." I had to check whether mountains were indeed included, as my first searches of prominent places in the Andes were not successful using this volume.
   
   This reference has received many accolades here so I was looking forward to getting the copy I ordered as part of my reference books. But after a cursory examination, I must say that my first impression is one of disappointment, rather than accolades.
   
   I looked first for several places in South America where I have been in years past and am familiar with, as I am sure this is what most people do with this volume when they first receive it. When I looked up Alpamayo, a mountain in Peru, it was not in the book at all. This is not just any old mountain. Alpamayo was named the "most beautiful mountain the world" by a German Mountaineering Club in the 1920's or 1930's. In addition, Alpamayo was declared "the most beautiful mountain in the world" by UNESCO in 1966. So imagine my surprise when it was not listed in the book.
   
   Also, Huascaran, the second highest mountain in South America, was not listed at all. I had to do a double check to believe this. Huaraz, the city that is an embarkation point into the Andes of Peru was listed, but Huascaran was not.
   
   Again, these were only preliminary and cursory checks, but these are not just any mountains or places on a map. They are significant points of interest which were entirely omitted from a book devoted to geographical points of interest. And if these are not in the book, what else has been ommitted?

5 comments about Physical Hydrology.

1. Anyone that thinks hydrology is just "water flow" is wrong! This book introduces the reader to many different concepts and explains them from *both* a mathematical and physical perspective. Hydrology is not just water...it is soil, snow, evaporation, etc...you get the idea.

   In the first edition of his book (I have the old one), Dingman gives you all the tips and tricks that real-world hydrologists use and *explains* them. Keep in mind, however--this topic is very math intensive and if you are weak on algebra, hydrology--and this book in particular--could be difficult to follow. Some equations have more than a dozen variables...watch out!

   I found the questions at the end of each chapter to be reasonably good, but I would like more thought questions. Sure, once you get the hang of it, anyone can crunch numbers to determine rainfall or snowmelt or whatever. But if you want to understand how/why things happen, you'll have to read the chapters--there is no way to gauge that aspect of learning.

   As a meteorologist, I sometimes find myself referring to *this* book instead of my other textbooks--it is laid out well and I can quickly find what I need, when I need it. All in all, this is a very good book that I'll refer to again and again.




2. There is a lot of good information packed into this book but as a student, I have found it a very frustrating textbook to use. The reader is bombarded with equations without a good general overview first. A glossary would also be helpful. The units of many equations are left out. This is confusing since for many empirical equations, the units cannot be derived from dimensional analysis. Finally, like many hydrology textbooks, there are literally hundreds of Greek symbols used throughout. Without any glossary or table of symbols used in each chapter, it is very difficult to go back and find the original definition and derivation, should I forget what one of the symbols stands for.



3. In the past, if I needed a quick, understandable description of any hydrologic term or process, Dingman's text was the first choice. This is a well written, well organized text which offers all the fundamentals. If need to look up some hydro term or process, this text will invariably have it and if it doesn't offer a good description, it will give you a nugget of info to build on and further your research. Great text!!



4. I am using this book as a course text in one course at grad school. In particular, I was impressed with the delivery quickly and and good quality of book.
   
   At any rate, I am really satisfied with book and seller.



5. I'll echo others when I say first that this books has a lot of great information. However, it's difficult to actually learn from. It's very equation-based, which is good, but the equations are often simply presented without any discussion. The ambiguity of units is frustrating, and it's difficult to tell whether an equation has a typo or not. I really think it could be better organised. For my course, I ended up getting other textbooks on hydrology from the library and generally avoiding "Physical Hydrology."

5 comments about Home Ground: Language for an American Landscape.

1. ...but a little disappointing! I heard about this book on NPR. One small segment was read over the air. It was well-written and very evocative of the region described.
   However, the format of the book is the disappointing feature...I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't a dictionary! And not all the writing lives up to the standard of the author whose paragraph was read to us.



2. It's just a dictionary of landscape terms. There are a FEW crude black and white illustrations in the book - NO COLOR, NO ARTWORK LIKE THE COVER. If you like reading dictionaries then this book might work for you. It's sort of like a historic dictionary, coffee table book on landscape trems with no photos. Some of the definitions are well written. Some of the words have interesting, not to be forgotten histories. That is the value of this book. But I'm not sure what to do with this book. Perhaps it will end up in the pum pile.



3. A "vocabulary of place", collected and written by writers. Many great literary references in the short definitions and sidebar quotations.
   
   Not just a geographic lexicon, a travel book and memoir of places to go to and places to have been from.
   
   Great companion for books like Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men that use place as more than just settings, but as living characters.



4. This reference book has lots of information and landscape/nature quotes from many famous authors, but it is poorly organized; by using an alphabetical system, the reader cannot easily find a specific geographic area or description unless the user already knows the term s/he wants to use and merely wants a definition, is the format sensible. The index helps, but having to use it for everything is a pain in the neck.



5. Word lovers, geography and ecology buffs, this is for you...
   
   I initially found this book as suggested reading for those wanting to explore ideas about "a sense of place". Specifically, how this "sense" can become a kind of spiritual practice, enriching our lives and promoting a feeling of connection to our earth.
   
   I'd heard nothing else about the book and, so, had no preconceived notions. I felt truly awed when I opened it. I was unprepared for the emotional impact that the definitions, intimate descriptions and writings about features of our landscape would have on me. I've never been a geography or geology buff, but am a wordaphile and love reading about ecology. I've been thinking of all of the people I want to buy this for. It may not be for everyone, but if you love words and a sense of place in nature, you will love this!