Nature

Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize and winner of the Royal Society Prize for Science Books, Richard Holmes's dazzling portrait of the age of great scientific discovery is a groundbreaking achievement.

In this revelatory book, Callum Roberts uses his lifetime's experience working with the oceans to show why they are the most mysterious places on earth, their depths still largely unexplored. In The Ocean of Life we get a panoramic tour beneath the seas: Why do currents circulate the way do? Where exactly do they go? How has the chemistry of the oceans changed? How polluted are we making them? Above all, Roberts reveals the richness of their life, and how it has altered over the centuries. The oceans are now under unprecedented threat. Not only does Roberts show how we are fishing our oceans to extinction, crucially, he explains how this directly affects our lives on land. Ninety-five percent of habitable space on earth lies in the oceans, and marine plants produce half the world's oxygen; the oceans themselves absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide. The life they support is now in the balance.The Ocean of Life should galvanise debate worldwide. Roberts shows how we can arrest and reverse the damage we are doing. Tantalisingly, it is within our grasp to restore the life of the oceans. There is still time.

In 922 AD, an Arab envoy from Baghdad named Ibn Fadlan encountered a party of Viking traders on the upper reaches of the Volga River. In his subsequent report on his mission he gave a meticulous and astonishingly objective description of Viking customs, dress, table manners, religion and sexual practices, as well as the only eyewitness account ever written of a Viking ship cremation.Between the ninth and fourteenth centuries, Arab travellers such as Ibn Fadlan journeyed widely and frequently into the far north, crossing territories that now include Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Their fascinating accounts describe how the numerous tribes and peoples they encountered traded furs, paid tribute and waged wars. This accessible new translation offers an illuminating insight into the world of the Arab geographers, and the medieval lands of the far north.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERBy the star of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm.Amanda Owen has been seen by millions on ITV's The Dales and Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm, living a life that has almost gone in today's modern world, a life ruled by the seasons and her animals. She is a farmer's wife and shepherdess, living alongside her husband Clive and seven children at Ravenseat, a 2000 acre sheep hill farm at the head of Swaledale in North Yorkshire. It's a challenging life but one she loves. In The Yorkshire Shepherdess she describes how the rebellious girl from Huddersfield, who always wanted to be a shepherdess, achieved her dreams. Full of amusing anecdotes and unforgettable characters, the book takes us from fitting in with the locals to fitting in motherhood, from the demands of the livestock to the demands of raising a large family in such a rural backwater. Amanda also evokes the peace of winter, when they can be cut off by snow without electricity or running water, the happiness of spring and the lambing season, and the backbreaking tasks of summertime - haymaking and sheepshearing - inspiring us all to look at the countryside and those who work there with new appreciation.

Great Maps takes a close look at the history of maps, from ancient maps such as medieval mappae mundi to Google Earth. Why do we put north at the top of maps? Which maps show us the way to Heaven, and which show the "e;land of no sunshine"e; or the land of "e;people with no bowels"e;? In Great Maps, author and historian Jerry Brotton tells the hidden story behind more than 60 of the most significant maps from around the world, picking out key features, stories, and techniques in rich visual detail to reveal the inner meaning buried within the landscape.Maps are not just geographical data: they reflect a particular ideological, historical, or cultural context. Providing a unique insight into how mapmakers have used maps to shape and depict their world view, this beautifully illustrated book traces the development of human development and culture through its maps. From the earliest rock carvings to the latest geospatial technology, from ancient medieval mappae mundi to the first road atlas, Great Maps explores in stunning photographic detail how maps have influenced and reflected our world throughout history.

A beautifully illustrated reference guide to trees across the globe, in a substantially updated new large-format edition.

Christina Strutt of Cabbages & Roses reveals how to have a calmer, healthier, eco-friendly home.

"Techniques and systems for processing food scraps, manure, yard debris, paper, and more"--Cover.

The Botanical Bibletells the story of plants and flowers, beginning with an overview of the plant kingdom and the basics of botany, then offering strategies for gardening with purpose. Later chapters introduce seasonal eating, the healing properties of plants and the world of botanical art.

The astonishing story of the maps and atlases throughout history that got it completely wrong

Prepare learners for IB assessment. Fully updated to cover the revised syllabus for first examination 2019, this comprehensive Study Guide reinforces the essential understanding learners need for IB exams. With an accessible format that clarifies and explains all the essential principles, this book supports maximum achievement in assessment.

This beautifully illustrated, full-color guide provides everything readers need to know about the medicinal powers of 90 native herbs of Iceland--85 of which also grow in North America. Anna Rosa Robertsdottir describes the history, uses, harvesting, drying, and storage of the plants, and includes a wealth of detailed instructions for their preparation--including infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and syrups. Generous color photographs of both the leaves and flowers facilitate plant identification, allowing both amateur and professional herbalists to use the guide to full advantage. User-friendly layout, meticulous research, a wealth of detailed information, and an extensive bibliography make this an essential, one-of-a-kind reference for anyone interested in the subject.   For each herb, sidebars describe: Habitat Parts used Harvesting Constituents History Action Uses Research Dosage

"Agriculture is rightly blamed as a major culprit of our climate crisis. But in this groundbreaking new book, Eric Toensmeier argues that agriculture--specifically, the subset of practices known as "carbon farming"--can, and should be, a linchpin of a global climate solutions platform"--

A Primer of Ecological Statistics emphasizes a general introduction to probability theory and provides a detailed discussion of specific designs and analyses that are typically encountered in ecology and environmental science. The second edition has been updated and features two new chapters on estimating ecological metrics.

Japanese gardeners have fine-tuned a distinctive set of pruning techniques that coax out the essential characters of their garden trees, or niwaki. Discussing the principles that underpin the techniques, this work offers guidelines for shaping pines, azaleas, conifers, broadleaved evergreens, bamboos, and deciduous trees.

The Wild Flower Key, written by the renowned author Francis Rose, is a captivating book that will surely grip the interest of its readers. Published in 2006 by Penguin Random House Children's UK, this book falls under a genre that is both educational and intriguing. The Wild Flower Key is not just a book, it's a journey that takes you through the beauty and intricacies of nature. Francis Rose, with his eloquent writing style, has beautifully encapsulated the essence of wildflowers. The book is a key, unlocking the mysteries and wonders of wildflowers that we often overlook. It is a must-read for nature enthusiasts and budding botanists. It's not just a book, it's an experience that educates and fascinates. The book is a testament to Francis Rose's profound knowledge and love for nature. Published by Penguin Random House Children's UK, a name synonymous with quality literature, this book is a treasure trove of knowledge and beauty. Experience the wildflowers like never before with The Wild Flower Key.

This is the story of how Thor Heyderdahl and five other men crossed the Pacific Ocean on a balsa-wood raft in an extraordinary bid to prove Heyderdahl's theory that the Polynesians undertook the same feat on such a craft over 1000 years ago.

The definitive guide to the underwater life of the Red Sea region, home to the richest and most varied dive sites in the world.

The first of four volumes in the Eco-Technology series, which makes available for the first time Viktor Schauberger's original writings and passionate debates.

A sublime bedside poetry companion for every autumn evening.

A carbon neutral future is possible - we have the technology to transform the global economy and guard against the worst effects of climate change. So how do we get to net zero?In The Way to Net Zero, entrepreneur and climate tech consultant Chris Goodall tackles sixteen challenges that we must overcome in making a just transition to carbon neutrality. He explores the technologies that will solve these challenges - from changing how steel, cement and fuel are made, to locking carbon in healthy soils, and from green hydrogen storage to building climate-resilient homes. With case studies and success stories from entrepreneurs across the globe, Goodall illustrates the incredible potential of a Net Zero future, as well as the determination we will need to overcome these problems.New tech featured includes Sweden's H2 Green Steel, California's Fortera cement substitute, Hong Kong garment-to-garment recycling, Finnish turbine company Coolbrook, Norwegian e-fuels, and Captura's innovative ocean CO2 capture.