History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Lot of Information but not too much
Fun stuff!
A good Premise For A Book-- But Only Decent writing And No Pictures
Required Reading for Disney Addicts
Amateur Writing, but Interesting Info Nonetheless.

The Disneylands That Never Were
Shaun Finnie
Manufacturer: Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1847285430

Book Description

In 1955 Walt Disney presented the world's first theme park. Disneyland opened with just 18 rides and attractions. Today there are eleven Disney parks around the globe. Visitors can spend weeks at a time in these resorts, often staying in one of Disney's own hotel rooms. But in the last fifty years the Disney Imagineers have designed thousands of rides, attractions, hotels, and even entire theme parks that have never been built. Many of these concepts have remained hidden in the company's private archive for decades. until now. The Disneylands That Never Were documents the biggest, best and most outrageous of these abandoned plans. It details everything from Walt Disney's initial ideas for Mickey Mouse Park to his planned ski resort in California. From small developments like The Disney Hotel in New York's Times Square to the huge Port Disney concept, over five decades of dreams are brought to life in The Disneylands That Never Were.

Customer Reviews:

Lot of Information but not too much.......2007-06-20

This book give us lot of very interesting information but without pictures. It's a bit frustating. Else, my first impression was a few spoofing with the use of a very big font for all pages.

Fun stuff!.......2007-06-08

For Disney park aficionados, this is a great read to hear about ride, land, park, and resort ideas that never came to be. One caution: the book contains little in the way of verification or validation: it reads like a high-school book report without supporting references. Not a scholarly work, but certainly fun for those with a Disney Jones!

A good Premise For A Book-- But Only Decent writing And No Pictures.......2007-05-31

For true fans of the Disney theme parks, this book is a good list of the many ideas considered by Imagineers for projects that, for various reasons, were never completed.

If you can ignore the many typos -- and the self-published vibe -- of the book, you'll enjoy the research that reveals the dozens-and-dozens of concepts for attractions, hotels, shops (and entire theme parks) that were never built due to politics, finances and/or public resistance.

My one MAJOR complaint is the complete lack of any photographs or artists renderings of all the "lost" Disney ideas. The writing is decent, but in no way is able to fully convey some of the GREAT ideas that have been tossed-around in the hallways of Disney's Imagineering division. Not having pictures for this sort of premise is silly (though I understand that Disney was probably uncooperative on this venture), and in a way, self-defeating. I'd love to see a revision -- under the Disney publishing arm -- loaded with the artwork from Imagineering's "morgue" of discarded ideas. Maybe the author can approach Disney with that proposal in a year or two?!? One can hope...

Required Reading for Disney Addicts.......2007-05-14

This book is required reading for Disney Addicts. The information in this book is extremely interesting to even the most seasoned Disney lover. The book is an easy read with tons of interesting info. You can't go wrong with this book...a definite buy!!!!

Amateur Writing, but Interesting Info Nonetheless........2007-05-12

This book is a flawed product of good intentions. It is poorly edited, misstates facts and names, and generally makes a mishmash of its subject, but it is still full of interesting stuff for the casual and inexperienced fan of things Disney. Most of the info here is better told in first-hand memoirs of Disney people, the book is poorly organized, and the author, who clearly hails from the UK, uses mistaken terminology to describe American subjects in a way that grates if you care about language as I do. The book jumps back and forth, repeats itself, and is kind of painful to read...BUT...the info is there hiding beneath the bad writing, so if you really want the basic background on many historical curiosities about the Disney theme park empire and especially about the attractions and plans that were never completed (even though many of the reasons and facts given about WHY they weren't are wrong or half-baked) then read the book anyhow. But you've been warned. It is realy rough going.

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Average customer rating:

Great information
Disney behind the scenes.
A must have - great addition to the series!
I Love Disney
Understanding Disney's best theme park

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World
Imagineers
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Travel | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1423103203
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Customer Reviews:

Great information.......2007-10-10

This book give a lot of fun information that you might not find anywhere else

Disney behind the scenes........2007-07-23

For all you Disney-aholics, this was a great behind the scenes book that tells much about Animal Kingdom that is not public knowledge. It takes each 'Land' in AK & gives background, foreground & sideways looks at what is and what might have been. Very enjoyable book, as were the ones about MK & Epcot. Now I'm waiting for one about MGM.

Diane

A must have - great addition to the series!.......2007-07-13

As a Disney fanatic, I have found this series of books to be a wonderful treasure. The Animal Kingdom is a wonderful continuation of this series, and, in many ways, is the best one yet. The details of how the Animal Kingdom was conceived, developed, and built are completely fascinating! I can't wait to visit the park again and notice all of the details I have missed on past trips!

I Love Disney.......2007-06-27

I love all of these guides for the Disney Parks by the Imagineers. They give you a sense of the parks and why things were done the way they are. If you are Disney fanatic, you will enjoy this book and the other two that have been written for The Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Understanding Disney's best theme park.......2007-05-11

Like taking one of Disney's backstage tours, reading this book gives you insight into one of the company's theme parks that you just can't get anywhere else. In this case that park is a Disney conceptual masterpiece, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.

The book begins with an overview of Disney's Imagineering Department. It includes two pages of unique Disney lingo, from Audio Animatronics (the technology behind Disney's famous animated robots) to Wienie (a visual element, here the Tree of Life, that draws a crowd into and around a space). Then there's a brief introduction to Animal Kingdom, which traces the park's lineage back to Walt Disney himself.

The rest of the book, about 100 pages or so, focuses on the architecture and set design of each of Animal Kingdom's themed lands, each of which gets its own chapter. There are a lot of topics here, and not much depth, but the information is interesting. For example, the Discovery Island chapter describes how the Tree of Life is actually an oil derrick, and how the surrounding buildings use animal motifs not just as applied decorations, but also as doorway headers, window frames and other structural components. The Asia chapter explains how the designers used exploratory trips to the real Asian continent to come up with details such as bicycle-tracked pavement, decaying prayer trees and wire-wrapped power poles.

I only wish the illustrations were presented better. The guide is filled with many conceptual watercolors and sketches, but they're only an inch or two big. Worse, the printer of this book really botched its color, oversaturating all of the drawings and photographs. Many details, even those mentioned in captions, are just too small, or too dark, to see. The book is a joy to read; too bad it's a little ugly to look at.

Still, the information makes it worthwhile. In fact, this book fits together nicely with the other new Disney guide, The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World. Whereas this Field Guide is filled with Animal Kingdom's conceptual theming and general design, the Complete Guide has all of the park's backstories, attraction story lines and "fun find" detailing. And its photos are stunning.

Only a few inches wide and little more than a quarter inch thick, "The Imagineering Field to Animal Kingdom" slips easily in a purse, so it's perfect to take with you in the park. They sell it at Disney World, but I recommend buying your copy ahead of time. Many people underestimate how long it takes to see and appreciate everything at Animal Kingdom, and having this book early will make it much easier to plan your time well.

The Ultimate Study Guide For Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (Topics: Kingdom Animalia, Organization of the Animal Body, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction, Development and Behavior) Volume 3

Average customer rating:

This book helped me tremendously.

The Ultimate Study Guide For Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (Topics: Kingdom Animalia, Organization of the Animal Body, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction, Development and Behavior) Volume 3
Patrick Leonardi
Manufacturer: Silver Educational Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1933023023

Book Description

This is the most specific and thorough study guide for college biology. It is written in an "easy to understand style." This test preparation study guide covers the following: Kingdom Animalia, Organization of the Animal Body, Animal Form and Function, which includes Skeletal System & Muscular System, Digestive System, Circulatory System & Respiratory System, Nervous System, Endocrine & Immune System, Excretory System. In addition, this volume also includes Animal Reproduction, Development and Behavior.

This is Volume 3 of a three volume series. Volume 1 covers Origin of Living Things & Chemistry of Life, Structure and Function of the Cell & Energy Pathways, Reproduction, Heredity and Genetics. Volume 2 covers Evolution, Ecology, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi & Viruses. Volume 2 also includes Plant Form and Function.

Customer Reviews:

This book helped me tremendously........2004-12-24

This is a great study guide because it helped me with my college biology class. It alerted me to type of questions to know for my exams. This study guide is written in a reader-friendly way. The explanations after the questions helped me to drill into my mind the important facts also. I also used used Volume 1 and 2 of The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology and found it also to be excellent sources for test preparation.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom

Average customer rating:

Interesting Book
Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science Of Evo Devo And The Making Of The Animal Kingdom
New views of Darwinian evolution
Endless Forms Most Beautiful: Evo Devo Popularized
The mechanics of evolution

Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom
Sean B. Carroll
Manufacturer: W.W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0393060160

Amazon.com

"Every animal form is the product of two processes--development from an egg and evolution from its ancestors," writes Sean B. Carroll in his introduction to Endless Forms Most Beautiful. The new science of "evo devo"--or evolutionary developmental biology--examines the relationships between those two processes, embryonic development and evolutionary changes, despite their radically different time scales. Carroll first offers a recap of how genes express themselves in a growing embryo, then peers into the life histories of real-life examples to explain how those genes have changed (or not changed) over millions of years of evolution. Paraphrasing Thomas Huxley, he asks us to consider evolution and development as two sides of the same coin.

We may marvel at the process of an egg becoming an adult, but we accept it as an everyday fact. It is merely then a lack of imagination to fail to grasp how changes in this process that assimilated over long periods of time, far longer than the span of human experience, shape life's diversity."

The book's second half is where Carroll really gets at the meat of evo devo, explaining how regulatory genes control such mysteries as individual and population changes in butterfly's spots, jaguar fur, and hominid skulls. Evo devo is one of the hottest areas of study in 21st-century biology, and Carroll's outline of the field is a great place to start understanding it. --Therese Littleton

Book Description

What Brian Greene did for string theory, Sean Carroll—a leading biologist—does for Evo Devo.

Evo Devo is evolutionary developmental biology, the third revolution in evolutionary biology. The first was marked by the publication of The Origin of Species. The second occurred in the early twentieth century, when Darwin's theories were merged with the study of genetics. Now the insights of Evo Devo are astonishing the biology world by showing how the endless forms of animals—butterflies and zebras, trilobites and dinosaurs, apes and humans, are made and evolved.

Perhaps the most surprising finding of Evo Devo is the discovery that a small number of primitive genes led to the formation of fundamental organs and appendages in all animal forms. The gene that causes humans to form arms and legs is the same gene that causes birds and insects to form wings, and fish to form fins; similarly, one ancient gene has led to the creation of eyes across the animal kingdom. Changes in the way this ancient tool kit of genes is used have created all the diversity that surrounds us.

Sean Carroll is the ideal author to lead the curious on this intellectual adventure—he is the acknowledged leader of the field, and his seminal discoveries have been featured in Time and The New York Times. 16 pages of color and 100 black-and-white illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Book.......2007-08-23

I read this book over the summer for my AP Biology class. I was a bit nervous when I saw that this was a bargain book, but it was very informative and it kept me interested. Sean B. Carroll is an amazing author and this book opened my eyes to Evo Devo.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science Of Evo Devo And The Making Of The Animal Kingdom.......2007-07-30

This book offers a fresh perspective to evolution. The fact that our most complex human genetic processes take origin at a very primitive level. That is, we have evolved from a more primitive life form and our complexity evolves because we use or not use certain inherent basic genes or what the author calls "tool kits". The book gets pretty esoteric at times but the examples are good and the author writes clearly. I recommend the book for scientists and non-scientists. I suggest the creationists read the book to counter their argument that man is too complex to be left to the whim of random evolution. That is not to say there is not a higher power guiding the process but it is clear that the theory of evolution is sound and supported by works of Dr. Carroll, her colleagues and other developmental biologists.

New views of Darwinian evolution.......2007-01-03

Evo Devo consists of the merged sciences of evolution and embryology. The relationship between these two branches of science isn't new, but it has expanded hugely over the last several decades. Darwin anticipated the role that embryology played (and would play) in the theory of evolution, as Carroll shows by quoting Charles Darwin in his September 10, 1860 letter to Asa Gray:

"Embryology is to me by far the strongest single class of facts in favor of change of forms, and not one, I think, of my reviewers has alluded to this.

Even though Darwin clearly understood the implications of embryology to evolution, Carroll's book is a breathtaking example of previously (perhaps) unimagined insights into evolution that embryology has brought to modern science, much of which has been discovered and expanded upon over the past 20 years.

One of the most important discoveries of Evo Devo is the ancient origin of the genes used to build basic body plans. From fins to legs, fingers, and wings, nature has a tendency to use many of the same basic genes. The fact that a common set of genes is used to form such a wide variety of different body shapes and appendages was unanticipated, and shows the great antiquity of life while illuminating the literal truth of the fundamental thesis of evolution: decent from a common ancestor. The author presents detailed examples and evidence showing the different ways in which ancient - very ancient, in many cases - tool kit genes are used to shape the evolution of animal forms from Urbilateria to Homo sapiens.

A not uncommon misconception is that different features in living organisms require different genes. In this flawed world view there are things like an "elephant trunk gene" and an "intelligence gene." To understand why an elephant looks the way it does and why people are smart (supposedly) you simply need to find the genes that make them unique. Through the science of Evo Devo we've learned that body shapes are determined not simply by what genes are present, but when and how various genes are turned on and off. As the old saying goes: "timing is everything." It's the timing of how genes are activated during development that largely results in the stark physical differences between humans and mice, even though the two species share more than half their genes. As Carroll puts it:

"We have seen that insects, pterosaurs, birds, or bats did not invent "wing" genes (chapter 7), butterflies a "spot" gene (chapter 8), or humans a "bipedalism" gene (chapter 10). Rather, innovation in all of these groups has been a matter of modifying existing structures and of teaching old genes new tricks. The key to innovation at the genetic level is the multifunctionality of too kit genes. The multifunctionality of tool kit genes stems from their deployment at different times and places through batteries of genetic switches. In this manner a protein such as Distal-less can act at one time to promote limb formation, and at another to promote eye-spot development."

Historically, some biologists supposed that different genes would be used for similar solutions in different species. Carroll shows that "this view is entirely incorrect." Much of his book is devoted to showing how a relatively small group of "tool kit" genes is used in many different species to accomplish the same general task. He uses examples from fly legs, mouse feet, and the tube feet of sea urchins. Although these structures look and act in entirely different ways, they are all governed by the distal-less gene. As it turns out, it's not just the genes that determine body shape and function but when and how the genes are tuned on/off during embryological development.

The use of common genes goes beyond development of different structures. Organs that were once thought of as distinctly different, such as eyes and hearts, are now understood to have common genetic ingredients that control their formation. This, Carroll explains "has forced a complete change in our picture of Cambrian animals..." The real lesson here is the great power of combinatorial genetics, and its ability to create vastly more complexity. For example, in a simple case we might imagine four genes, each responsible for a single function. Those same four genes, if used together - in combination - can be responsible for dozens of functions. Quoting Carroll again: "The combinatorial power of the genetic tool kit acting on vast arrays of genetic switches has produced this complexity and diversity [of the natural world]"

This book rates as one of the best I've read in 2006. Carroll is a fine writer and accomplished scientist, and his book offers insight into one of the great developing scientific fields of the 21st century. My copy of the book is hardbound with color prints, as well as many black-and-white figures/drawings that help bring Carroll's writing to life. For anyone fascinated by life and its origins, this is one book you'll definitely want to read.

Endless Forms Most Beautiful: Evo Devo Popularized.......2006-10-31

Despite vast differences in form and function common principles coordinate animal development from a single fertilized egg. Master genes that control development are found across widely divergent species - Drosophila fruit flies and humans share a deep genetic legacy - many of the genes identified as controllers of vertebrate development were originally discovered in these flies.

Multicellular plants and animals are essentially societies of cells that vary in configuration and complexity. Darwinian evolution shaped these multitudinous forms as a result of small changes in offspring and natural selection of those best adapted to their environment. Variation arises from mutations in genes that control how cells in developing embryos behave. This tight linkage between evolution and development lies at the heart of the questions evo devo, shorthand for evolutionary developmental biology, is attempting to answer. Sean B. Carroll is perfectly positioned to explain evo devo, and his comprehensive understanding illuminates "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom."

When and where genes are expressed determines how animals develop. The control regions of these genes - switches that change existing patterns of gene activity into new patterns - are crucial and a single gene can have many control regions. This flexibility underlies the fact that 95% of genes coding for proteins are similar in humans and mice. Evolution of control regions has made us human - and different from our primate ancestors.

Drosophila is utilized to explain the basic developmental tool kit shared by all animals. Carroll introduces the master Hox genes and intercellular signaling molecules such as proteins specified by hedgehog genes. The economy of signaling proteins utilized during development is also emphasized - the same molecules can be employed multiple times since cells respond differently according to their genetic characteristics and developmental history. Carroll also illustrates how individual animals are made up of similar parts - modular construction plays an important role in evolution. Structures ranging from vertebrae to spots on butterfly wings are artfully presented to drive this point home.

Complex animals arose in the Vendian period (650 - 543 MYA). During the Cambrian (543 - 490 MYA) animals with hard body parts enter the fossil record. Evo devo shows that genes responsible for Cambrian animals were plausibly derived from Vendian precursors. Cambrian arthropod dominance is probably due to Hox genes that specify different body segments and the corresponding appendages that formed their bodies. Carroll explores how the number of distinct appendage types increased - the relative shifting of Hox genes could have lead to the ancestral biramous (forked) limb that eventually diversified into structures ranging from gills to wings.

Butterfly spots are a beautiful and clever example of evolutionary tinkering. Each spot appears to evolve its shape, color and size independently of other elements. Evolution has tinkered not only with the qualities of each spot, but with the making of the spot itself. Carroll's group discovered that at the center of each spot the gene Distal-less - a key gene controlling the distal development of appendages such as insect limbs - is expressed and initiates spot development.

Carroll also addresses creationists - the bizarre bibliolaters who think Flintstones reruns on late night TV are documentaries - by pointing out the importance of evolution and evo devo to science and human knowledge in general. The PR campaign known as Intelligent Design is similarly debunked as irreducibly insipid. Science is full of mysteries, that is why there are still employment opportunities for scientists.

After reading this important book try From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design by Sean B. Carroll, Grenier, and Weatherby for a more detailed discussion or The Plausibility of Life: Resolving Darwin's Dilemma by Kirschner and Gerhart - who introduce "facilitated variation" based on evo devo insights to explain the evolution of complexity and novelty.

The mechanics of evolution.......2006-10-31

The main title of the book comes from the final paragraph of Darwin's "Origins of Species". This is quite appropriate as this book is a great add-on to original classic of biology. The book begins with a history of evolutionary thought, and shows how the spread of genetics has helped to support, or refute, evolutionary thought. The book then introduces the reader to evo - devo; or evolutionary development. In essence, the development of an embryo can be used to track the evolution of that particular species. The author expounds on this by first explaining the science of genetics, how genes are used to generate proteins, how specific genes are expressed or not expressed in an organism, how the embryo develops, and how the artificial (by man) manipulation of genes affects the development of an embryo into a different organism. The author then focuses on specific examples to illustrate evo devo in progress. These include wings, spots, black skin due to melanin, and the hominid skull. The author concludes the book by showing how evo devo can be used in the debate of creationism versus evolution.

Overall, a great book. There are multiple images and color figures that helps to explain the concepts explained in the text. I only give it four out of five stars as there is no commentary on how applicable is evo devo to plants, protists, fungi and other types of organisms. For evo devo to be an accurate tool to explain how evolution occur, it must apply to all organisms, and not just animals.

Grace Coddington & Didier Malige: The Catwalk Cats

Average customer rating:

In a world ruled by felines
Perfect Book For All Cat Lovers

Grace Coddington & Didier Malige: The Catwalk Cats

Manufacturer: Edition 7L
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 3865213448
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Book Description

For more than 20 years, the fashion powerhouses Grace Coddington and Didier Malige have lived together with a menagerie of incorrigible cats. This delightful, giftworthy book records their relationship through photographs (Malige's) and drawings (Coddington's) that document the couple's highly entertaining private and work lives through the eyes of their feline friends. These include Henri, an old-school, catnip-addicted, surfing chartreuse; his sister Coco, a couture-obsessed chartreuse on a sashimi diet; and her pal Baby, who doesn't quite share Coco's discipline, and will, sadly, never fit into a sample size. Then there's Puff, a mixed-up long-hair from Harlem whose curiosity--anyone for fortune-telling at Dave?--hasn't killed him yet; and finally Bart, the Persian youngster who would rather sit on the rooftop terrace than in the front row. The Catwalk Cats, a visual diary introduced by the irrepressible Puff, gives us a window into four madcap seasons in the life of this fabulous furry brigade, with sections devoted to the Collections, the Campaigns, and, of course, the Catfights. At once delightful and dishy, it is both a convincing argument for the fundamental similarities between felines and fashionistas and a moving meditation on love and life as a family.

Customer Reviews:

In a world ruled by felines.......2007-03-15

Coddington and Malige would be up to their ears in catnip offerings. The authors have donated large sums to cat rescue (and convinced others to do the same). The illustrations are zany, artful fantasies that will make you laugh while the photos capture those deep cat feelings that make us fall in love with our pets over and over again. The text is sheer delight--& I promise you that you'll give it more than one read. You couldn't choose a better gift for yourself or anyone who knows what it's like to live with a little cat hair on their clothes, in their food--and wouldn't have it any other way!

Perfect Book For All Cat Lovers.......2007-01-31

Grace Coddington and Didier Malige have written a wonderful book that is both entertaining and moving. While all pet owners imagine the "secret" adventures of their pets, Ms. Coddington and Mr. Malige have created an enchanting version of urban cat life - with charming parallels to their city-dwelling owners. More importantly, this book is a moving tribute to the real importance of companion animals in our lives, to their ability to transform our perspective with their (feline) mystery and inscrutable kitty intelligence. This book is a must-read for any cat lover! - Karen Leslie, Executive Director, The Pet Fund

Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good

Average customer rating:

Don Graves
Fascinating for animal lovers
a really suberb book!
Catmaven.........
Focusing on the postive aspects of animals' lives

Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good
Jonathan Balcombe
Manufacturer: Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Rights | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1403986010
Release Date: 2006-05-02

Book Description

The recognition of animal pain and stress, once controversial, is now acknowledged by legislation in many countries, but there is no formal recognition of animals ability to feel pleasure. Pleasurable Kingdom is the first book for lay-readers to present new evidence that animalslike humansenjoy themselves. It debunks the popular perception that life for most is a continuous, grim struggle for survival and the avoidance of pain. Instead it suggests that creatures from birds to baboons feel good thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort, aesthetics, and more. Combining rigorous evidence, elegant argument and amusing anecdotes, leading animal behavior researcher Jonathan Balcombe proposes that the possibility of positive feelings in creatures other than humans has important ethical ramifications for both science and society.

Customer Reviews:

Don Graves.......2007-08-06

An excellent if somewhat concise read for anyone interested in examining how the evolutionary fitness of animal species may be influenced by individual's needs for pleasure. Science can not measure many of the diverse qualities that make up human or other animal interactions, nor should it try to do so. Whatever the evidential shortcomings of anecdotes or experiential observations, the author encourages the reader to draw on their own life experiences to corroborate the thesis that animal nature is not an inherently fearful nor a brutal competitive struggle for survival of the strongest, most ruthless or toughest. However unpleasant that any life may end, much of daily life existence is instead balanced with hedonistic individuals and inter- or intra-species collectives, benefiting from collaborative, companionable and enjoyable actions.

Fascinating for animal lovers.......2007-06-01

As an animal lover, a rabbit and bird fancier, I literally could not put this book down. I search out books on animal behavior and intelligence and there is little out there. The info on insect behaviour I found the most fascinating. It's about time that scientists are proving what us animal lovers have known all along.

a really suberb book!.......2007-04-06

This book could open new directions for serious scientific work on subjective feelings and emotions of non-human animals. At the same time, the approach provided by Balcombe sheds new light on evolutionary explanations and their applicability to explaining human and non-human behavior and psychological/mental processes. A remarkable book indeed. Don't be misled by the sentimental cover-picture... it's a really important scientific achievement. A pioneering work.

Catmaven................2007-03-11

A great, interesting book that is well written and explain that animals have feelings, too.

Focusing on the postive aspects of animals' lives.......2006-09-15

It was a pleasure to discover 'Pleasurable Kingdom'. In fact, I read Balcombe's book in one go - I could not put it down - and have been totally inspired by it. It has changed the way I am observing and relating with the animals who share my home. There were several aspects of "Pleasurable Kingdom" that I was particularly taken with: the author's astute critique of wildlife documentaries which concentrate on the violent deaths of animals (the 'struggle for survival' narrative in such films is relentless), and neglect all the other positive moments - and times for leisure -in a creature's life; Balcombe's respectful inclusion of insect, chicken and fish pleasure; and his compelling analysis of the implications for the future of our knowing non-human animals feel and appreciate pleasure as much as human animals do (albeit in different ways). The author's use of personal anecdotes is also very effective. I will be setting 'Pleasurable Kingdom' as a text for my course in human-animal studies. It will be challenging for students - in the very best kind of way.

Dr Annie Potts, University of Canterbury

Average customer rating:

Verifying the magic - I was there.
A brilliant insider's view

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Melody Malmberg
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Architecture | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0786864028

Customer Reviews:

Verifying the magic - I was there........2004-09-20

This is a wonderful look behind the scenes at a truly magical park. I had the priviledge of working for Walt Disney Imagineering from 1996 through 2000. My main assignment was supporting the engineers' computers during the construction of Animal Kingdom. As I recall Melody was all over the place and now I know why. She has done a spectacular job of documenting how the park was put together. From the drawings and sketches to the actual construction photos, this book gives names to the many talents that were brought together to create this masterpiece.

A brilliant insider's view.......1998-11-12

This is the first book that takes a look at *how* Disney designs and builds its theme parks. This information was once only available to those who work for Walt Disney Imagineering and others in the Walt Disney Company. Now, we all get to go behind the scenes to learn how it's done--from the experts themselves. This book is a must-have for any fans of Walt Disney Imagineering

Wild Health: Lessons in Natural Wellness from the Animal Kingdom

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Read: Healthy Living using "Nature's Pharmacy"
Excellent review
great book--fascinating
More than Common Sense
Interesting book for Wildlife's vets and animals lover!!

Wild Health: Lessons in Natural Wellness from the Animal Kingdom
Cindy Engel
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0618340688

Book Description

As Dr. Engel emphasizes in this "enticing, well-referenced, [and] entertaining book" (Science), we can learn a lot about human health by studying animal behavior in the wild. Indeed, some of the natural, holistic, and alternative human medicine being practiced today arose through the observation of wild animals. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Engel points out fascinating parallels between animal and human medicine. She offers intriguing examples of how animals prevent and cure sickness and poisonings, heal open wounds, balance their diets, and regulate fertility. For instance, *chimpanzees carefully eat bitter-tasting plant "medicines" that counter intestinal parasites *elephants roam miles to find the clay they ingest to counter dietary toxins *broken-legged chicks have been known to eat analgesic foods that alleviate pain. By observing wild health we may discover (or rediscover) ways to benefit our own health. As Craig Stotlz of the Washington Post noted, this "highly readable assessment . . . triggers more outside-the-double-helix thoughts about human health than anything I've read recently."

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Read: Healthy Living using "Nature's Pharmacy" .......2007-06-09

Have you ever wondered what happens to a wild animal that breaks a leg? What does it do if it gets infested with parasite worms, or if there is are many infectious bugs around?

Read this book to find out.

The author takes a very scientific approach explaining how there are important differences between romantic notions about animals magically knowing exactly what they need to stay well vs. hard scientific evidence of an animal intentionally seeking and engaging in self-medication.

In truth, animals don't magically know what is good for them, for when animals raised in captivity are let go in the wild, they can die from eating poisonous plants that no one taught them to avoid. It is also exceptionally difficult to meet a scientist's rigid definition of self-medication which entails a observation in the wild of 1) an animal is visibly unwell 2) it starts eating things that it normally does not eat 3) it goes out of its way to find those things to eat 4) it becomes visibly better after consuming the unusual `food' in a reasonably short period of time and 5) there is a clear cause and effect link between the treatment and the condition.

Such observations are hard to make because most animals are healthy and fit most of the time just by living a naturally healthy lifestyle with varied diet, plenty of exercise etc. If you get plenty of vitamin C in your diet, you will never get scurvy. Similarly, many animals from mice to primates to elephants eat clay on a regular basis - it seems to prevent many forms of disease.

Yet such examples do exist. A most interesting one is the widespread consumption of rough textured bitter leaves which are carefully folded up accordion-style before eating by primates. The texture and folding is used to catch and mechanically expel worms.

Animals have been observed chewing on the root of a specific tree known to protect against malaria, during times of heavy infestation. Animals watch other animals to see what is safe to eat, or to see what they are eating when sick.

Native people have watched what animals eat to learn how to treat human ills. Bears are a particularly good source of information. Western societies have in turn, learned much from native peoples about medicine.

There is a lot to learn from this book, both in terms of what we can apply in our lives, as well as just remarkable facts from nature. Like: why do so many animals seemingly intentionally get drunk on fermenting fruit? Could it be that alcohol reduces stress which is keeps animals healthy and thus has an adaptive benefit?

Did you know that when a giraffe starts eating leaves from a tree, the leaves turn bitter in 10-15 minutes. Furthermore, the nearby trees sense this is going on, and their leaves turn bitter as well. Yet this only happens to the leaves that are in reach. Those that are higher up in the tree out of reach, remain succulent. The trees are not wasting any more energy than needed. The giraffes have learned that after they graze on one tree, they need to go quite a distance (45 minutes or so) to find trees that did not get the signal from the last feeding.

Highly Recommended Reading!

Excellent review.......2007-01-12

Since I was writing a literature review on zoopharmacognosy I wasn't sure if this book was going to be too "light". It was in fact a lit review in itself with many interesting insights from the author and known scientists in the field. Although it could be more critical the points made are still valid. A must for the study of zoopharmacognosy!

great book--fascinating.......2002-09-16

This is a totally fascinating, wonderfully illuminating book--it's become a favorite for me. Cindy Engel is a superb writer.

More than Common Sense.......2002-07-14

This is the book I have been waiting for! Herbalists and other behavioral scientists such as nurses who have encouraged the public to look at their health behaviors will be buoyed up by Engel's research and ability to deliver the "message". This is a must for all health science collections both personal and institutional. Timely.

Interesting book for Wildlife's vets and animals lover!!.......2002-05-06

I have recently received this book at home and I started to read it. At the moment, I finished the chapter one and I started the second one and I can tell you that this book is very interesting. I had not listened about other similar book with this topic.
Really, I recommend that Wildlife and Zoo's vets read this book, in order to learn more about the means to be healthy in the wild.
We can learn more of Wild's medicine and probably to be able to use it in a captivity environment.

Congratulations To Cindy for this book!!

Average customer rating:

Hard to find, but worth the search!

The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem

This book should be required reading. It would put me out of business.

Lovable Book!

wonderful

The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem (Loomans, Diane)
Diane Loomans
Manufacturer: HJ Kramer, Starseed Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fiction | General | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
jp-unknown2 | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Today I Am Lovable: 365 Positive Activities for Kids (Loomans, Diane)

100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem and Teach Values (Loomans, Diane)

What All Children Want Their Parents to Know: Twelve Keys to Successful Parenting

Quest for the Crystal Castle

All I See Is Part of Me

ASIN: 0915811251

Book Description

A charming book filled with characters that children can relate to while learning the qualities of a positive self-image. Thirty-two pages of full color illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Hard to find, but worth the search!.......2007-01-05

I found my Autistic son crying over this book in a therapist's waiting room! He's 10 years old, but is so sensitive and has had such a hard road. Even though we were running late to our next appointment, I let him read the book twice and promised him I'd find it and buy it for him. I wrote the title/author down, but lost it. I went back to that office twice more just to get the title/auther again - and lost it! It's been almost a year now. Suddenly this morning, half asleep I remembered "LOVABLES!" I ran to the computer and found the book. I do recommend this purchase to any mother who is struggling to help her child find his way in life. Yes, to the rough and tough kids it may be sappy - who cares! If you have a sensitive, struggling child, this book will touch his heart at any age.

The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem.......2005-09-22

An opportunity for all parents to start their children with a gift of self love.

This book should be required reading. It would put me out of business........2005-08-12

I am a therapist who works with adults with depression and anxiety. My clients would not have to see me now if their parents had read something so loving to them when they were children. It's a great group reading. I recently had 6 kids of all ages come to visit and we read the book. Each of them asked if we could read it again. I am buying multiple copies and will give one away at each birthday party my daughter goes to. No one is to young or too old for this book.

Lovable Book!.......2005-05-24

This is a very reassuring book to readers that we all experience different feelings and emotions, and we also experience different perspectives on things happening around us. While we all attain the attributes of being courageous, childlike, accepting, respectful, kind, unique and beautiful, there is always so much more to who we are deep down inside. This is a wonderful illustrative book to show how one person can have many different qualities, while also being able to be proud of those qualities and build on them as we grow.

wonderful.......2004-06-28

my daughter is in college now. i bought this book when she was in kindergarten. it was always one of her favorite books. she was an avid reader and an a+ student in school. i have bought additional for gifts and will still by more. it is an absolutely wonderful book.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books