Books by Charles Hood

An all-access guide to the abundant natural splendor of Sonoma CountyWild Sonoma celebrates the spectacular and resilient natural landscapes of Sonoma County, which along with its neighboring counties is one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions.  Our exploration launches with an entertaining primer on ecology basics, including the impact of fire, before a fun fact–filled survey of sixty-two of the area’s iconic and commonly encountered species—from vivacious acorn woodpeckers to disease-neutralizing Western fence lizards. It caps off with a tour of six sites to experience Sonoma’s diverse natural beauty, with a special emphasis on access. Written by Wild LA author Charles Hood, introduced by renowned naturalist Jane Goodall, and illustrated by John Muir Laws, Wild Sonoma offers residents and tourists from eight to eighty a sense of wonder and cause for hope.

"For families wanting to explore their local wildlife as well as an engaging read for those with a general interest in the subject." -Booklist The American West is home to a wide array of reptiles and amphibians-from the rare and curious to those that can be found in parks and backyards. With this user-friendly guide in hand, discover the most likely-to-be-encountered lizards, snakes, turtles, and amphibians native to Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, plus the western parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Whether you are a dedicated herper or simply have a keen interest in wildlife and natural history, Sea Turtles to Sidewinders-from Charles Hood, Erin Westeen, and Jose Gabriel Martfnez-Fonsec-will help you appreciate and celebrate the amazing diversity represented by reptiles and amphibians of the West.

Looks at the culture and terrain of Antarctica, as well as the people who choose to live and work there. This book presents life in Antarctica and the history of polar aviation as both a miracle of achievement yet also as a way to understand humanity's longing to be creatures of the heavens as well as the earth.