Southern Africa Wildflowers

Product Description

This book takes readers on a journey through the diverse landscapes of southern Africa, showcasing the unique richness of its wild flowers along the way. Each chapter focuses on a specific region, highlighting the most beautiful, interesting and rare plants occurring there. The journey begins at the Zambesi River and then moves down the eastern part of the region through the well-watered land of plenty. From here, the reader is taken through the splendors of the Cape fynbos and then northwards, to end in the parched thirstlands of the west. Beautiful full-color photographs by well-known botanical photographer Colin Paterson-Jones celebrate the flora of the region, while the authoritative text reveals insights into the plants themselves, their origins, interactions with other living organisms, and their often remarkable adaptation to sometimes hostile environments. Emphasis is given to the context in which the flowers grow; the changing vegetation and landscapes are featured throughout, displaying the extraordinary diversity within the region.

Customer Reviews:

A stunningly visual survey of the diverse landscapes of windflowers that South Africa has to offer.......2005-10-06

Southern African Wild Flowers: Jewels Of The Veld is a coffee table book that presents the reader with a stunningly visual survey of the diverse landscapes of windflowers that South Africa has to offer. Each individual chapter focuses upon a specific region, highlighting and showcasing the most beautiful, interesting, and unusual plants occurring there. Beginning at the Zambezi River, this "book bound expedition" continues through the splendors of the Cape fynbos, then northwards, to conclude with the parched "thirstlands" of the west. The gorgeous full-color images by botanical photographer Colin Patterson-Jones is the perfect complement to research botanist's John Manning informed and informative text about the plants, their origins, their interactions with other living organisms, and their remarkable adaptations to sometimes hostile environments. Southern African Wild Flowers is especially commended to the attention of botanists, horticulturalists, landscapers, and adventurous gardeners!

Average customer rating:

Great refference book.
A magnificent guide to a magnificent group of plants

The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs
John C. Manning , Peter Goldblatt , and Dee Snijman
Manufacturer: Timber Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0881925470

Book Description

This first complete account of all the bulbous plants of the Cape Floral Region is an essential aid to the identification of all species presently in cultivation.

The Cape Region, at the southern tip of Africa, is easily among the richest centers for bulbous plants and probably the most famous. Nearly 1200 species of bulbous plants find their home there and almost three-quarters of them occur nowhere else. This first complete account of all the bulbous plants of the Cape Floral Region is an essential aid to the identification of all species presently in cultivation as well as the many others that are potentially valuable horticultural subjects. The book is richly illustrated with high-quality color photographs of more than half the species of Cape bulbs, many of which have never been illustrated before.

Customer Reviews:

Great refference book........2003-07-26

An excellent reference book on cape bulbs. A wealth of photo's and information. Aspects of the book are on the technical side for a layman. But worth having.Highly recomended.

A magnificent guide to a magnificent group of plants.......2003-07-24

The flora of South Africa is a stunning example of bio-diversity in the world. Due to a large variety of habitats many plant families have developed a wide range of species, a lot of them endemic to this region. While botanical enthusiasts worldwide focus on succulent and caudiciform plants the unbelievably rich geophytic flora of the Cape (including the orchids) is not fully discovered for cultivation yet.

The Color Encylopedia of Cape Bulbs is a wonderful approach to overcome this situation. The authors present essential information about everything concerning this topic. Their book provides a general survey of the physical and biological features of the habitats. The topics cultivation and gardening are included as well. The information given is concise and precise and a very helpful background for botanists and cultivators, too. A glossary, a key to the species, a table of synonyms and a suppliers list at the end of the book finish the bulk of basic information.

The encyclopedic part of the book offers detailed descriptions of a wide range of bulbous plants of different monocot families. It is built up following an alphabetical order of the genera which allows to quickly find a species without expert knowledge about botanical taxonomy. Specified information about habitat and cultivation is given in the genus description.The species descriptions include all necessary items and are accompanied by wonderful photographs of many of these impressingly beautiful plants. It is astonishing to see what a variety of different looking species some genera have produced, for instance Gladiolus and Moraea from the Iridaceae family.

Book Description

This guide to more than 1,000 varieties of tree species is arranged in easy-to-use format. Leaf and stem silhouettes help direct the user to the correct species, and full color photographs make identification that much easier.

Average customer rating:

Bulky but handleable

Trees of Southern Africa
Keith Coates Palgrave , Keith Coates Palgrave , R. B. Drummond , Eugene John Moll , and Meg Coates Palgrave
Manufacturer: New Holland Publishers, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1868723895

Customer Reviews:

Bulky but handleable.......2000-06-15

This is a botanical reference work on the trees of Southern Africa (mostly S-Africa & Rhodesia/Zimbabwe?). Its printing history speaks for itself. First published in 1977; second revised edition by Dr E.J.Moll in 1984, third impression 1988 (when 12 pages were added with updates on nomenclature); ninth impression in 1997. What can I add to that?

This is an identification key and reference work to Southern African trees, giving per species a short description, a distribution map and one (or more) line drawings of a detail, usually a leaf (sometimes a fruit, sometimes both. Upon occasion a tree habit). Names listed include full scientific name, in some cases synonyms, always an english name and usually an afrikaans name. There are close to a thousand pages of this, supplemented with over a hundred pages of color illustrations (both photographs and colored drawings).

Book Description

This extensively illustrated primer is the first English edition of Sun's classic 1919 book which explores both the theory and practice of the style, with emphasis on movements and postures. Tim Cartmell's translation provides both a standard by which practitioners can judge themselves and valuable information relevant to all versions of taijiquan. Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into English.

Customer Reviews:

If only one.......2007-03-05

If I were to own only one taiji book, it would be this one. The translation is none too good. They don't even use the original pictures in all the right places. They seem to add quite a bit to, expansively translate you might say, the original text. Still, I prefer this to all my other taiji books. Stuck on a desert island that is serviced by USPS? Combine this book with Ralston's "Cheng Hsin" and you'll probably get to the root of taiji all by your lonesome.

Excellent book .......2005-01-19

From this English speakers perspective, Tim Cartmell's translation of a classic text by Sun Lutang is superb.
I began my Taiji training a year ago in the Yang style as it appears to be the most popular style available in Australia. However, I saw a video of competition Sun style taiji and was hooked.
This book has helped to feed my hunger for knowledge about the unique style developed by Sun Lutang.
Based upon this book (and Tim's input in Dan Millars translation of Sun Lutang's Xing Yi Quan book) I would not hesitate to recommend any book which has Tim as a participating author/translator.

Excellent.......2004-03-17

Tim Cartmell has done the American Taijiquan community a great service translating Sun Lutang's books into english. While the Sun style is one of the five orthodox styles of Taijiquan it isn't well known outside the Community but is gaining more acclaim due to the efforts of Dr. Paul Lam. The First 61 pages (not including the Introduction) gives the reader a breif biography of Grandmaster Sun illustrating and explaining some of his genius. Then page 62 to 193 gives a photo of a movement from the Sun empty-hand form followed by a short explanation paragraph. Finally page 197 to 220 gives a brief explanation of Push Hands. This book introduces the reader to the Sun style.

A Study of Taijiquan.......2003-11-21

I don't know who wrote the editorial review, but they didn't do any research. This isn't the first English edition. Smiling Tiger Martial Arts published an English translation of Sun Lutang's "Taijiquan Xue" in 2000.

Taijiquan and the Search for the Little Old Chinese Man: Understanding Identity through Martial Arts

Average customer rating:

Taiji stories, contemporary style
Looking for Mr. Brush Knee Twist Step

Taijiquan and the Search for the Little Old Chinese Man: Understanding Identity through Martial Arts
Adam Frank
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1403968284
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Book Description

The first book-length ethnography of a Chinese martial arts association, the book tackles the general question of how human beings form viewpoints of themselves and others through the practice of an art--in this case, the art of taijiquan (a.k.a. "tai chi"). The first half of the book focuses on the author's own experience of studying taijiquan with teachers in the People's Republic of China and the United States, then expands the discussion to include taijiquan as national symbol, taijiquan in the context of urban China, and the globalization of "Chineseness" through taijiquan.

Customer Reviews:

Taiji stories, contemporary style.......2007-08-27

If you've been involved in taijiquan for any length of time, you've heard the stories: about the bird in the hand, or about the founding of the art, or about its theft.

This is a storybook for the modern day.

The academic bits in this book seem either commonsense or incomprehensible (I'm sure the author won't be surprised to hear this). But whether from his anthropological training, his background in drama, or just his inborn talent, Adam Frank is a great storyteller. He presents multiple perspectives on the art--including his own--with neither scepticism nor belief, but with a relaxed and tolerant curiosity.

We get to find out what it's like eat bitter in solitary, intensive practice, to study with a master on the streets of Shanghai, and to negotiate being a white student of a Chinese art; about the politics within a taijiquan family organization, the shape of taiji tourism, Chinese nationalist reformulations of the art, and the way martial arts films have formed our imaginations.

This book should be on the shelf of every serious player. I hope the publisher puts it into paperback soon!

Looking for Mr. Brush Knee Twist Step.......2007-06-13

This is an excellent book about the experience of studying taijiquan in Shanghai. The author is personable, sympathetic and intelligent. He manages to study with a lot of different teachers within the Wu (Wu Two not Wu/Hao) school in China. It is very much like a modern "Masters and Methods" by Smith with the added focus of being taiji only. Imagine the Cheng chapter in Smith's book made booklength. Unfortunately this is an academic book with the bogus academic pricetag. However, the author is more taiji student than academic so it is definitely worth your time. Until the publisher wakes up and drops the price to $16.95, just go to your public library and put in an InterLibraryLoan request for this puppy. That's what I did for a whopping $2.34 in postage charges -- a savings of $60.

Classical Taijiquan: Taijiquan Xue: A Study of Taijiquan

Average customer rating:

An Excellent Translation!

Classical Taijiquan: Taijiquan Xue: A Study of Taijiquan
Lutang Sun
Manufacturer: Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1929047177

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Translation!.......2005-09-07

Book Description: This is master Sun Lu Tang's famous treatise on Tai Ji Quan- A Study of Taijiquan. Consider it a classic text, This is the first complete English translation available to the public.

The original preface written in 1919 and contains photos of Sun performing the 98 part Sun Style Tai Ji routine.

The first part of this book contains several chapters describing the Taiji routine that Sun developed based on what he learned from Hao Weijin.

The second part of this book contains several chapters describing Sun's version of Push Hands sparring exercise, and an addenda with texts on Taiji theory written by Li Yiyu. This book has 100 pages.

The treatise also contains an explanation of its use as a bridge from the 98 movement form to free style sparring and ultimately to combat.

The illustrations are reproductions of the photos used in the Chinese version of Sun's book. These reproductions do not always copy well and quality may be poor.

My opinion: This ["word f/ word"] translation does not get into any unique opinions or advice.

The translator delivers the core message of Sun Lutang that's precise and concise. It gets a 5 Stars recommendation from me.

Book Description

Writers and publishers depend on one another, but it often seems as if they speak two different languages. Getting It Published is a lively, insider's guide to academic publishing—a book that will tell you not only how publishing works, but how you can make it work for you. Written by a veteran editor with experience in both the university press and commercial worlds, the book fields the big questions in a scholar's life. Why do editors choose some books and decline others? How does a writer decide where to submit a project? How does the review process work, and why is it necessary? What can an author expect from a publishing house—before, during, and after publication? William Germano answers these questions and more, and along the way, offers encouragement, tips, and warnings.

This savvy guide unravels the mysteries of publishing and walks you through the process from start to finish. You'll learn how to think about your book before you submit it and what you need to know about your contract. With wit and humor, Germano also addresses some of the finer points of publishing etiquette, including how—and how not—to approach a busy editor and how to work with other publishing professionals on matters of design, marketing, and publicity. Graduate students, recent Ph.D.'s, and experienced authors alike will appreciate the chapters on "Quotations, Pictures, and Other Headaches" and on compiling and editing collections and anthologies.

"Scholarly publishing is a big, noisy, conversation about the ideas that shape our world," Germano writes, "Here's how to make your book part of that conversation."

Customer Reviews:

Very useful for anyone interested in publishing his or her work.......2006-12-12

This is a great end-to-end book on the publishing business for scholars and trade publication authors. It gives an excellent overview of the business, talks about the ins and outs of contracts and provides a lot of useful inside information.

This book is relatively short, but it is organized well and packed with useful "to the point" tips. It also introduces the vocabulary one needs to understand and negotiate publishing a book or other work.

As the title suggests, this is a serious book, but it is an easy an enjoyable read. The author is very credible and you can trust the information contained within.

I learned about this book from a fairly well known author and editor. He thought it was the single best resource on the topic. I own at least 5-6 other books on this subject and this is probably my favorite too.

Useful for scholars and trade authors alike!.......2005-05-11

Having read a number of books on publishing in the past several months, I was delighted to stumble upon "Getting It Published." Although it isn't directly related to my current career path - presently, I'm self-publishing a general trade nonfiction book, as opposed to a scholarly tome - I found Germano's advice to be helpful, thoughtful, and eloquent nonetheless.

In welcome contrast to the many publishing books that are aimed at more general audiences, "Getting It Published" does not dumb itself down for the lowest common denominator. Germano's writing is witty, enjoyable, and informed - it's as though you're receiving guidance from your academic advisor rather than reading a how-to book written by some faceless, self-proclaimed publishing "guru." It should come as no surprise that Germano is the VP and publishing director at Routledge. His wealth of insight is remarkable - he covers the process of publishing scholarly work from beginning to end. From writing the manuscript, to crafting a successful proposal, signing a contract, and seeing the work through to publication, Germano doesn't miss a beat. He even covers the not-so-little details, like copyrights, permissions, quotations, artwork, and cover design. His discussion of the various publishing houses and their tasks ("What do publishers do?") was most informative.

"Getting It Published" is a must-have for those new to scholarly publishing. Newbies to the world of publishing who aren't looking to publish scholarly work won't be disappointed, either - there's plenty of useful information in here for everyone. It also serves as a much-needed break from all those awful "For Dummies" books and "Idiot's Guides" that seem to saturate the publishing market!

- Kelly Garbato

Author & ePublisher
Peedee Publishing / Hot Dog!, LLC

useful handbook.......2002-08-27

Gives consistent and straight-forward advice, with a few bits of practical inspiration. There are no real trade secrets here, and Germano makes some points that are certainly arguable, but these qualities may be why this guide will remain current and useful for some time.

Tremendous.......2001-07-27

The former editorial director of the Columbia University Press lays it all out for aspiring non-fiction authors. From finding a publishing house to choosing a title for your work Germano provides solid advice which the would-be writer should ignore at his or her peril. His advice certainly made me re-think the working title "Get Over the Schmuck: Bereavement for Dummies" when submitting my motivational guide to coping with loss, and it paid dividends. An indispensible guide.

An expert publishing guide for scholars.......2001-07-07

William Germano became an expert in scholarly book publishing as editor in chief of Columbia University Press. Today, he is vice president and publishing director of Routledge. This book summarizes the most important lessons of a life in editorial development.

Germano explains book development from two perspectives. As an editor and publisher, he explains what a book must do for the press that releases it. He helps aspiring authors - and editors - to understand their role in the process of creating and developing the book a publisher will produce.

Germano's easygoing, informative style reminds me of the old-fashioned editors and publishers I have known. This is an overview of working with books intended for a scholarly or scientific audience. It is a systematic guidebook to the publishing process. It explains what publishers do, how a manuscript must be prepared, how to select a publisher, and how to propose a book. Then it explains how to work with publisher or editor from proposal to finished product.

First-time authors and editors will find this a valuable resource that helps beginners to avoid common mistakes. Seasoned authors will find value in the concise, well structured tour of the publishing process.

Book review published in Design Research News, Volume 6, Number 7, Jul 2001 ISSN 1473-3862.

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Getting It Published : A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
William Germano
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPE0SY

Average customer rating:
Getting It Published A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious About Serious Books
William Germano
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPA7AO

Average customer rating:

Many different takes

Mediocre Sherlock Holmes Stories

Excellent Holmes collection

Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden Years
Michael Kurland
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
British Detectives | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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The Ghosts in Baker Street : New Tales of Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes in New York: The Adventure of the New York Ripper

Murder, My Dear Watson: New Tales of Sherlock Holmes

My Sherlock Holmes: Untold Stories of the Great Detective

The Singular Adventures of Mr Sherlock Holmes

ASIN: 0312351569
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Book Description

In 1891, Sherlock Holmes, in a death struggle with his archenemy Professor Moriarty, disappeared over Reichenbach Falls and was presumed dead. Until, that is, he reappeared in London in 1894. Holmes remained mostly quiet on the events of those years, and for over a century speculation has run riot about what really happened during the hidden years. Now in this original collection, the truth is finally revealed. Including stories by Peter Beagle, Rhys Bowen, Bill Pronzini, Carolyn Wheat, Gary Lovisi, and others, Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden Years is a must-have book for every fan who has ever wondered what really happened to the worlds most famous consulting detective during his mysterious missing years.

Customer Reviews:

Many different takes.......2005-01-11

A nice assortment of stories based on Holmes' "missing years". I prefer this anothology to Michael Kurland's Moriarty novels since Holmes takes center stage in all but Richard Lupoff's story, which is from a previous anthology. Kurland's take on what really happened at Reichenbach is interesting, and explains several vague references in his novels. The first nine stories are quite good, taking Holmes all over the world. The only thing that keeps me from giving this a five stars is Michael Collins' tale - Doyle's Holmes never made political statements and authors shouldn't use him to promote their beliefs.

Mediocre Sherlock Holmes Stories.......2004-12-29

I find that I just have a hard time enjoying Sherlock Holmes pastiches. There are a few collections out there in which I have enjoyed some of the stories and not others. This collection is mediocre at best and frankly just does not quite fit with or come anywhere close to living up to the original.

This collection of stories ostensibly covers the years between Sherlock Holmes' presumed death at Reichenbach Falls in his death struggle with his arch enemy Professor Moriarity to his reappearance a few years later. The stories are connected by an underlying theme - that Holmes is working for his brother Mycroft under the pseudonym Mr. Sigerson, not as a spy exactly, but collecting intelligence that may be useful to the British government. The tales take us far and wide across the world from Tibet, Alaska, San Francisco, Thailand, etc. And of course Holmes runs into a number of unlikely crimes that he solves along the way.

But the bottom line is, these stories are mediocre at best and I would not recommend this book.

Excellent Holmes collection.......2004-11-06

Michael Kurland must be the reincarnation of Dr. John Watson with his powerful exciting Sherlock Holmes chronicles with the Moriarty twist. This time around he edits a terrific anthology from a who's who including many contributors who have written Baker St. stories. This time Mr. Kurland has his thirty-five writers (including himself) concentrate on the lost years, 1891 - 1894 when Holmes was thought dead having fallen over the edge of Reichenbach Falls while fighting with Moriarty.

Each tale is terrific so that more than just the Baker Street Irregulars will appreciate this compilation. Surprisingly some of the stories have Holmes in a back seat as others take the lead or explain away what really occurred at the Falls. Mr. Kurland, whose Moriarty tales are some of the best around, insures top quality that will have fans of the great detective taking the plunge.

Harriet Klausner

Average customer rating:

My Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden Years
Arthur Conan \ Kurland, Michael (ed.) Doyle
Manufacturer: St. Martin's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLN13Q

The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels (A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Valley of Fear) (Volume 3)

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The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels (A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Valley of Fear) (Volume 3)

Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Starred Review. Eminent attorney and Sherlockian Klinger completes the daunting mission he began with 2004's two volumes examining the original 56 short stories to feature the great detective with this robust third book containing the four Holmes novels. All the gifts that netted Klinger an Edgar Award for best critical/biographical work are again in evidence: clear definitions of obscure terms, pithy discussions of some of the issues that have puzzled and delighted Holmes fans for generations (where exactly was Watson wounded?) and lucid essays (which legend inspired The Hound of the Baskervilles?). Klinger manages the difficult feat of appealing both to those new to the world of Sherlockian scholarship and to those who can quote the stories like gospel. Ample use of illustrations, some from the novels' original appearances, adds to the enjoyment. A must-have for any serious mystery fan, this edition will stand as the benchmark for generations to come. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air A feast for any fans of the greatest detective who ever stalked the earth.

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Sherlock Holmes: the Hidden Years
Michael Kurland
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTGWI6

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