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For the untrained observer, it can be quite a challenge to sort out the many trees that make up a stand of older forest in, say, New England or the Ozarks. This well-illustrated guidebook, covering 364 species, comes to the rescue with photographs organized in several ways: by, for example, the shape of the leaf or needle, by the fruit, by the flower or cone, and by autumn coloration. Following one visible characteristic or another, the reader can narrow the range of possibilities, then turn to an informative text that describes a tree's physical characteristics, habitat, and range. Many of the species covered are relatively rare, such as the "stinking cedar" of the Georgia-Florida border; others are locally abundant, such as the paper birch of the boreal forest, used to make ice-cream sticks; still others, such as the smooth sumac, are widespread. The guidebook also covers ornamentals introduced from other continents, such as the Chinese privet and Mahaleb cherry. --Gregory McNamee
Book Description
Tree peepers everywhere will enjoy these two guides which explore the incredible environment of our country's forests-including seasonal features, habitat, range, and lore. Nearly 700 species of trees are detailed in photographs of leaf shape, bark, flowers, fruit, and fall leaves -- all can be quickly accessed making this the ideal field guide for any time of year.
Note: the Eastern Edition generally covers states east of the Rocky Mountains, while the Western Edition covers the Rocky Mountain range and all the states to the west of it.
Customer Reviews:
Great homeschool material.......2007-10-17
My age 14 grandson's biology text book had a few pages of information about trees, which were enough to whet his appetite to know more. We gave him the Audubon Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern - which was perfect for the NE Tennessee - North Carolina area where he lives. This book greatly increased his knowledge of trees and his environment.
Great Guide that is ALMOST Perfect.......2007-08-18
I have always liked the Audubon Society Field Guides. This particular guide is great in the amount of color photos for sometimes easily identifying species in all seasons, whether from the fall leaves, bark, summer leaves, and the fruit it produces. Also the organization of the guide is very good. My cons below are NOT enough to prevent me from recommending this guide. Compared to other guides it's still the best.
CONS: The amount of information in the back is not always consistent. Also there still isn't always an easy way to differentiate some of the similar species (e.g. Oaks). In other words the pictures and/or the descriptions are not enough to distinguish like species.
helpful.......2007-07-03
Very much help for figuring out what trees we have and we have a lot. Pictures are very nice and cross reference if you aren't totally sure of what you are looking at. Very handy size too
Great Book.......2007-06-27
Every tree and every leaf that you can think of is in this book. Great clear pictures and the information is great. So glad I purchased this book for my husband. The equivalant to bird watching. Tree watching.
Information Packed.......2007-05-17
My new hobby is woodturning bowls so I bought this book to help me identify trees that supply my wood. Once I learned how to search the material, this book has been great fun and very useful. I take it with me when I walk my dog around the neighborhood to identify trees.
Book Description
Edible Forest Gardens is a groundbreaking two-volume work that spells out and explores the key concepts of forest ecology and applies them to the needs of natural gardeners in temperate climates. Volume I lays out the vision of the forest garden and explains the basic ecological principles that make it work. In Volume II, Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier move on to practical considerations:concrete ways to design, establish, and maintain your own forest garden. Along the way they present case studies and examples, as well as tables, illustrations, and a uniquely valuable "plant matrix" that lists hundreds of the best edible and useful species.
Taken together, the two volumes of Edible Forest Gardens offer an advanced course in ecological gardening-one that will forever change the way you look at plants and your environment.
What is an edible forest garden?
An edible forest garden is a perennial polyculture of multipurpose plants. Most plants regrow every year without replanting: perennials. Many species grow together: a polyculture. Each plant contributes to the success of the whole by fulfilling many functions: multipurpose. In other words, a forest garden is an edible ecosystem, a consciously designed community of mutually beneficial plants and animals intended for human food production. Edible forest gardens provide more than just a variety of foods. The seven F's apply here: food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizer, and "farmaceuticals," as well as fun. A beautiful, lush environment can be a conscious focus of your garden design, or a side benefit you enjoy
Customer Reviews:
These two books could keep you busy for quite some time..........2007-08-23
It's really amazing how much information the authors have compiled on the subject matter they cover. Which, by the way, has to to with creating forest gardens, but with so much more as well, and in incredible depth.
These two books can provide one with material to study for a long time and be a reference source forever.
PermaCulture for Temp. climates!!.......2007-06-15
This book is a must for anyone who wants a future on this planet, especially in temperate climates
Excellent for anyone hoping to get a handle on sustainable agriculture.......2007-01-04
As a graduate of a Permaculture Design Course, organic farm worker and someone generally interested in virtually all aspect of sustainable ag, I found this book incredible. Now, I've only read the first one (about to start on volume number 2), but the quality of information in the first volume in outstanding. Volume 1 is concerned with the theory behind forest gardening, but with a keen eye towards using that information in the second volume (which includes detailed information on actually creating a forest garden). David Jacke does a great job of covering everything from invasive plants to forest succession to what a guild is and how to build one to underground microbes and why we should care about them. Full of informative figures, graphs and sidebars, this book does an excellent job of filling a niche that has been otherwise missed by many permaculture and sustainable ag books - what to do in the more temperate, rainy parts of the world. I'd recommend this book over Patrick Whitfield's great book if you live in the U.S. because it suggests a variety of plants native to the U.S. and has a larger number of useful species for people who live in the U.S. and are dealing with colder temperatures than those seen in Britain. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone with the slightest interest in creating an edible landscape on a piece of property.
Permaculture Tour-de-force!.......2006-08-24
If you are a home gardener who has ever stopped to wonder whether permaculture was useful to you, you need to read these books. If you are an intermediate to advanced permaculturist, you will revel in these books. If you want to understand how a single individual with a garden can make the world a better place, you need to read these books.
Jacke and Toensmeier lay out an incredible vision in Volume I for the potential that permaculture holds for gardeners in the northern US. And they lead the reader through an eye-opening education in the scientific theory which supports that vision. In Volume II, they walk the reader through the process of creating their own unique vision for the reader's own permaculture design. Then they lay out, step by step, how to progress from vision to reality.
Along the way, they range from the theoretical to the highly practical, from how many miles of fungal strands are in a teaspoon of soil from the forest floor, to exactly how to plant a tree so that it not only survives but thrives. And they do it in a voice which is both learned and whimsical, enthusiastic and serious -- and downright fun.
I'm buying a second set of these books. I need to keep one set with me as I build my garden; I learn new things every time I turn the page, knowledge I need on a "how to" level. But I need a second set, so that I can lend it to my friends who would get tremendous insight from reading these books...my order for my second set is going in today!
Full disclosure: I am a very pleased client of Dave Jacke's design practice.
Product Description
Bringing the world of Trees to your fingertips, Fandex presents a foolproof field guide. Four visual keys - die-cut leaf, bark pattern, flower, nut or seed, and photo of the full tree - plus descriptions of habitat and more combine to give a complete picture of North America's forest and backyard trees. In addition, Trees is a cultural history - of the mighty White Oak, California Redwood, Ailanthus, the tree that grows in Brooklyn, and the stately White Ash, as important for the bows of early Native Americans as for the baseball bats of today. 50 die-cut cards Full color throughout Knowledge at your fingertips For the whole family Measures 10.5" by 4"
Customer Reviews:
A cute guide to trees for kids and parents alike..........2001-02-24
My kids find the Fandex format easy to use, and the information on them accessible. We have several, and they're fun for all of us to use together.
I like the fact that each page has illustrations that show the leaf, bark, and seeds. There is a brief description of the tree, some history as well as typical usage. Each page has the following descriptive categories: Leaves; Bark; Flowers; Fruit or Cones; Seeds; Tree Shape; Habitat; Range; and Other Names. Mind you, this is not a complete and scientific field guide for adults, but rather a book a family can take out on a day hike and have fun using.
The only quibble I have about these decks is that sometimes when they're completely fanned out, the edges of the illustrations get caught up in each other, making it hard to close them properly. But other than that, they're cute, informative, and a nice format for kids.
Disappointment.......2000-11-14
I was very disappointed with this "book." I felt the variety of trees found in this collection to be far too minimal. If you plan on learning about trees in the winter, good luck. The primary method for identification is based on leaves. Although you can identify trees based on bark, etc. it would take hours with this manual. Also, it is far to bulky and awkward to comfortably carry along on a hike.
a stroke of genius.......2000-08-31
I read a lot of field guides, and the format of this one is a stroke of genius. You match the leaf to the die cut leaves at the top of the "book" and you're well on your way. My kids also adore it.
Excellent, easy to find what you're looking for.......1998-12-17
This guide is very easy to reference the tree that you are looking for without having to read a tremendous amount of information in typical identification guides.
concise, wonderful color pictures,historical antenotes........1998-09-16
The Guide is good for initial identification to instruct and interest children. It also contains enough important information to impress the nature lover. The historical data and other interesting information makes for good reading.
Book Description
Smell the bark of the aromatic Sassafras. Wonder at the Lodgepole Pine, whose heat-activated cones reseed forests destroyed by fire. Search for the Sugar Maple, whose foliage blazes red and yellow in autumn. North America's trees rank among nature's most awesome creations. This premier field guide features all characteristics-tree shape, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and twig-for quick identification, making it a superior choice for trail walks, creating displays, and scientific or commercial needs.All of North America in one volumeOver 730 species in 76 families and 160 range mapsNative species and important introduced foreign varietiesText, range maps, and illustrations seen together at a glanceCommon and scientific namesConvenient measuring rules
Customer Reviews:
Poor Choice for Tree Identification.......2007-09-17
Despite the excellent illustrations and detailed information, this is a POOR book for actually identifying an unknown tree from its foliage, bark, or other characteristics.
The book divides trees into their families. Unfortunately, this requires that you have some idea of what you are looking for before you start. There is no cross-reference to bark to reinforce a choice. Also, since it includes both Eastern and Western North American trees, one can easily make a false choice.
However, its handbook size is convenient for a carry along.
What is that Tree anyway?.......2007-07-23
I bought this for a friend who is a Master Gardener and couldn't put it down before I wrapped it! Simple illustrations show differents types of trees (and I'm always saying, what is that tree anyway?).
NO Good........2007-07-16
I was disappointed in this book. I'll start with the good, though. It had a nice explanation of the tree traits and what to look for when you are identifying trees. It's also small and easy to carry. There's the good. The bad is that all the pictures were drawn. Now, before you buy the book, it does state that the book does not have a complete list of all the trees found in the USA. That said, the three trees in my hood that I wanted to identify, were not in there. I'm going to buy a more complete guide to find these trees.
A lot of info in a small package.......2007-06-29
Price and size are what makes this guide so great. It provides a good overview of the trees of North America in a very portable format.
The small size, however, means that the illustrations are not as large or detailed as we would prefer. It also limits the amount of specific information that can be included. We recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest and have found region-specific books (particularly from Lone Pine Publishers) to be superb.
I recommend this as a great resource at a very good price.
Nice Little pocket book.......2007-05-16
This is a nice little pocket book that can be taken just about anywhere. Though not as complete as some of the larger books, it really does help to identify most trees. The color photos help with the identification and it is well worth the price to throw in your backpack or on your bike when in the woods.
Average customer rating:
- Worth every penny for arborists and homeowners alike
- Another book on my Horticulture Short List
- Practical introduction for the novice arborist
|
Pirone's Tree Maintenance
John R. Hartman ,
Thomas P. Pirone , and
Mary Ann Sall
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Arboriculture: Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, Fourth Edition
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Diseases of Trees and Shrubs, Second Edition (Comstock Book)
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Illustrated Guide to Pruning
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A Field Guide to Eastern Trees (Peterson Field Guides)
ASIN: 0195119916 |
Book Description
Praised by The New York Times as "an indispensable guide for the homeowner and the professional," Tree Maintenance has been the definitive source on maintenance of North American landscape trees for over fifty years, an essential reference not only for arborists, nurserymen, and landscape architects, but for all homeowners who want to keep their trees healthy and pest free. The Seventh Edition, now named in honor of Dr. P. P. Pirone, who authored the first five editions and co-authored the sixth, has been revised to reflect the enormous amount of new information available since the last edition, including the latest techniques in selecting, planting, and protecting trees. The authors explain how to evaluate the site (the soil, drainage, and exposure), how to select the right tree for that location, and how to prune, fertilize, and spray for pests. There is an extensive section on the diagnosis and control of tree pests and diseases, and on problems such as construction damage, gas injury, sunscald, leaf scorch, and air pollution. While the general structure of the sixth edition has been retained, there are several topics--notably hazardous trees and coping with tree pests and diseases--that have received greater attention than in previous versions of the book. The second half of the book comprises a systematic listing of the major landscape trees found in North America, describing the specific pests and diseases that attack each species. Well organized, clearly written, and beautifully illustrated with many new photographs, Pirone's Tree Maintenance is an encyclopedic resource, the first place to turn for information on dogwoods and elms, magnolias and redwoods, or any other tree growing in North America. Anyone serious about gardening will want this book on their shelf.
Customer Reviews:
Worth every penny for arborists and homeowners alike.......2006-06-01
Printed by Oxford University Press, Pirone's Tree Maintenance has the heft and durability to withstand countless consultations. The text is informative beyond measure and very readable. The photography is black-and-white and didn't reproduce all that well, especially for small and detailed items; photos range from 'Fig. 7-15. Brush chipper and dump truck' (oh please...) to a hollowed-out, decayed Silver Maple resting comfortably on what appears to be a four-bedroom Dutch Colonial (illustrating the section on Identifying Hazard Trees). Good section on insects and diseases (with the caveat that the photos aren't that great); excellent tree-specific section. You will learn a lot from this book--it's a must if you want to rely on another source besides the local tree guy with a chainsaw.
Another book on my Horticulture Short List.......2005-08-30
Pirone's Tree Maintenance (Seventh Edition) is one of about a half dozen books I keep within arms reach. While Parts I and II provide a fantastic amount of information on the care of trees and identifying problem, it is Part III that I use the most. This section lists common insects, diseases, and problems associated with specific tree species. While by no means comprehensive, it is an excellent place to start when trying to figure out what is going on with a tree.
Like any such book, be careful when looking at the pesticide recomendations. Chemicals come and go and the labels change (and the authors remind you of that). There are several products that are off the market that are listed in this book.
Practical introduction for the novice arborist.......2000-05-25
This classic text gives a broad introduction to the field of tree management, including common health problems associated with trees and practical advice for solving them. It is an excellent primer for the novice arborist.
Book Description
With more than 700 mushrooms detailed with color photographs and descriptive text, this is the most comprehensive photographic field guide to the mushrooms of North America. The 762 full-color identification photographs show the mushrooms as they appear in natural habitats. Organized visually, the book groups all mushrooms by color and shape to make identification simple and accurate in the field, while the text account for each species includes a detailed physical description, information on edibility, season, habitat, range, look-alikes, alternative names, and facts on edible and poisonous species, uses, and folklore. A supplementary section on cooking and eating wild mushrooms, and illustrations identifying the parts of a mushroom, round out this essential guide.
Customer Reviews:
Great guide for a risky hobby........2007-10-15
If you know anything about mushroom hunting, or even if you don't. This book is a must have. If you know anything about mushrooms or mushroom hunting you know that it is a dangerous adventure. Some are poisonous, some are just plain NASTY! Some will alter the mind, some are delicious. If you are into mushrooms or mushroom hunting this is a must have to identify mushrooms. I trust this book with my life. I have many times.This guide displays the mushrooms vividly and has great in depth details about the mushrooms in it. It will tell you a variety of information that will keep you safe, and remember, "If in doubt...throw it out." If you cannot without a doubt identify something, do NOT eat it. It is a helpful guide and an excellent buy for anyone. Very nice compact guide for field identification.
best mushroom guide.......2007-09-10
This guide has the clearest most detailed pictures of any field guide I've seen. The info on how to use the guide is simple and understandable. I've identified and documented many mushrooms using this guide.
A Wonderful Guide.......2007-07-09
This is book is an excellent guide to mushrooms for the money. Its portability and durability are also second-to-none.
The book is full of beautiful color photographs and full descriptions. The pictures are grouped into categories (like all Audubon field guides) for quick identification. Personally, I am very pleased with it and highly recommend it.
Pretty Darn good.......2007-03-13
This book is pretty good, a little dificult for me to use, the photos and written data are in two different sections, but is it pretty comprehensive, and not very hard to use with a little practice.
The best portable field guide out there........2006-12-30
Some reviewers here are not real mushroom collectors. As portable field guides go, this is one of the best ones. Other bigger books may do it better but for preliminary identification and portability this is the one you want. One reviewer says there are no colloquial names. There are for virtually every one where one exists. Another said there were no latin names. There are latin names for every one. Any time you use one photograph to represent a species, there will be questions since most species are quite variable. Other field guides are guilty too. Peterson's guide uses drawings rather than photographs. That said, the photographs are good. The descriptions are a bit economical but this book is almost 1000 pages. Everyone serious about mushroom collecting and identification needs more than one book. Period. This one is for the field. If you need a more comprehensive book or books you may need to buy a 4 wheeler to carry them around. This book has served me well since 1981.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent reference for your nature walks through unfamiliar territory.......2007-04-20
This book is an excellent reference book for the nature lover who isn't up to speed regarding the particulars. For each tree, there is a blowup photo of the leaves, a smaller one of the bark and a black and white sketch of the general appearance of the tree from a distance. There is also the English and scientific names and some textual explanation of the tree. This explanation is a paragraph description of the appearance, a paragraph on how to identify it and one sentence descriptions of the habitat and geographical range where it is found.
A great introduction for kids.......2006-11-11
Ok, this isn't the full blown Audubon Tree book(s), but at this price, what do you expect?
This and all the Pocket Guides are great stocking stuffers for kids, especially for those blessed with parents who think getting the latest Gameboy or Hero Clix is more important (hint hint, you know who you are).
As they get older, their interests will become more defined and you'll know what (more expensive/extensive) particular field guide(s) to buy them.
Yeah, it's cliche, but a child's mind *is* a terrible thing to waste.
I've bought all the Audubon Pocket guides more than once (kept a few for myself, yes they're that good) and I've only been disappointed with one (most of the photos were blurry). No, I won't say which one, as it may not matter to someone else (but I'm picky about that kind of stuff).
Hand them out to your nieces and nephews, and any other kid that can't tell an oak from a pine tree or quartz from slate or Pleiades from Orion or ... well, you get the picture.
They've thanked me later on(and actually meant it, lol) and they'll thank you too.
Small enough to use while backpacking.......2006-08-30
I like these small Audubon books because they are light and easy to use. The pictures are clear and the information is easy to read and use. They aren't as detailed as the bigger Audubon books, but then the larger ones are heavier and in a back pack, being light weight is everything.
Disappointed.......2001-07-11
Bought this book to take on walks/hikes. The first time out I could not find anything on two out of the first four trees of which I was not familiar!! Very limited coverage of any trees other than those we all know from everyday experience---rather a disappointment!!
A Handy Informative Guide for Trees.......2000-03-29
I bought this book because I was tired of only being able to identify a handful of the most distinctive trees. This small, colorful and easy-to-use guide was a godsend. It it paperback and can easily fit into a breast pocket, yet the full-page color photos of leaf shapes and sizes are adequate - even for a novice like me - to identify trees. It shows tree silhouettes, bark types and leaves and explains about various tree families to help us all be able to distinguish the trees from the proverbial forest! The information, organization and size of this book make it a "strong-buy" for anyone with an interest in "knowing" trees better!
Book Description
The Sacred Tree was created by the Four Worlds Development Project, a native American inter-tribal group, as a handbook of Native Spirituality for indigenous peoples all over the Americas and the world. Through the guidance of the tribal elders, native values and traditions are being taught as the primary key to unlocking the force that will move native peoples on the path of their own development. The elders have prophesied that by returning to traditional values, native societies can be transformed. This transformation would then have a healing effect on our entire planet. This handbook is being used by the Four Worlds Development Project to eliminate widespread drug and alcohol abuse in tribal communities. It is now being shared for the first time with all members of the human family desiring personal growth.
Customer Reviews:
Enduring Classic.......2005-10-30
This quiet sleeper is more than just a supplementary tool for Native American rites of passage programs. This is a bondafide spiritual growth tool which is suitable for youth and adults. I have seen few books that are written in such easy to read language but truly FULL of information.
This book will cause introspection and it will give a wonderful roadmap for those that are courageous enough to take the journey. I recommend this book to peoples of all colors. The Native American Sacred Tree and Medicine Wheel applications in this book are incredibly useful.
The Sacred Tree.......2005-08-02
Great message presented in an almost poetic way. The kind of book you would not abandon in the bookshelf but would use as a companion throughout your journey into becoming your very best.
Calming.......2003-03-30
For all the people of the earth, the Creator has planted a sacred Tree, under which they may gather to find healing, power, wisdom and security. Its roots spread deeply into Mother Earth, its branches reach to Father Sky. Its fruits are the good things that our Creator has given to all peoples, the path to love, compassion, generosity, patience, wisdom, justice, courage, respect, humility and other great gifts.
The life of the Tree rests with life of the people, but if they forget to take its nourishment, many would grow sick at heart, lie, quarrel, and abuse the land, poisoning everything they touch. The people would be as in sleep, to awaken again to their search for the Tree, whose knowledge rests with the elders. I find this an especially calming and beautiful book for these terrible times.
--Alyssa A. Lappen
Spirituality 101.......2000-07-01
This book is simple and profound. It started me on a path that helps me see the big pictue and still feel comfortable on the planet.
Average customer rating:
- Cute, but didn't impress me
- Original story
- Great Read!
- This book was excellent!
- AN ENJOYABLE READ
|
The Bean Trees
Barbara Kingsolver
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Pigs in Heaven
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Animal Dreams
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Small Wonder: Essays
ASIN: 0060915544
Release Date: 2003-11-25 |
Book Description
Clear-eyed and spirited, Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goals of avoiding pregnancy and getting away. But when she heads west with high hopes and a barely functional car, she meets the human condition head-on. By the time Taylor arrives in Tucson, Arizona, she has acquired a completely unexpected child, a three-year-old American Indian girl named Turtle, and must somehow come to terms with both motherhood and the necessity for putting down roots. Hers is a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places.
Available for the first time in mass-market, this edition of Barbara Kingsolver's bestselling novel, The Bean Trees, will be in stores everywhere in September. With two different but equally handsome covers, this book is a fine addition to your Kingsolver library.
Customer Reviews:
Cute, but didn't impress me.......2007-09-25
This is a story of Taylor Greer. Taylor is from a small Kentucky town and is lucky enough to stay in school, get an education, get a job, save some money, leave town and head west. After inheriting a little girl named "Turtle" she settles down in Tuscon, Arizona where she gets a job and makes some interesting friends. There was something missing from this book. I am struggling with exactly what. I thought some of the characters, like Lou Ann and Taylor, were developed well enough. Some characters could have been developed more. I thought the story dragged in some parts. I felt like I was missing some key points that should have been mentioned in the book but weren't. Although there was some good humor and some interesting parts that kept my attention, I can't say this book left an impression.
Original story.......2007-09-15
I loved this book. I think it is a very original idea- I have never read a book quite like this one. Kingsolver always does such an amazing job of painting characters that seem so real. The story is just strange enough to be true!
Great Read!.......2007-08-05
Barbara Kingsolver has a way of making her characters come to life. In this novel, she uses her colorful (mostly female) characters to get us thinking about racism, being a parent, life paths, and family. I've also read the sequel "Pigs in Heaven" and enjoyed it, but I think this one is a bit better.
This book was excellent!.......2007-07-23
A friend gave me this book to read and she insisted that I read it right away. I was a little reluctant but I was glad I decided to give it a chance. It is a captivating story of a young outspoken girl and her life-changing road trip. It is written in a real-life way and keeps the reader interested with a colorful dialogue. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good storyline and interesting word structure.
AN ENJOYABLE READ.......2007-05-23
This is a story about a Taylor - a young woman who leaves her small Kentucky town and heads west - hoping to make something of her life. In her travels, Taylor's handed a 3 year old American Indian girl who, it's clear, has been heiniously abused. When there's no trace of this child's parents, Taylor takes on the role, and by the time the two land in a small town outside Tuscon, Arizona, for all intents and purposes, Taylor is the child's mother.
Written in wise and lyrical prose, this story is about loyalty in love and friendship, and about discovering how far in life these treasures can take you.
Book Description
Grouped by color and by plant characteristics, 1,293 species in 84 families are described and illustrated. Included here are all the flowers you're most likely to encounter in the eastern and north-central U.S., westward to the Dakotas and southward to North Carolina and Arkansas, as well as the adjacent parts of Canada.
Customer Reviews:
Great help for class wildflower project.......2007-10-11
This book really helped my son with his wildflower project for science class.
Many of the other books we checked out of the library were too complicated for him (and I) to use and were not detailed enough.
It is organized by flower color which made it easier to get a correct identification. The only down side is that all of the flowers are not pictured in color...some of them are drawn in black and white within a color family.
However, I would recommend this book as it was easy for my 8th grade son to use on his own for the project.
indispensable!.......2007-01-26
I have used Petersons books for decades, and continue to update to new
issues while cherishing my issue from the 1970's. Anyone seeking to
comprehensively identify wildflowers from color plate photographs alone
is not only missing the point of field work, but may miss the flower as
well- colors look different in different light and in different photo- op's.
There are many other features to consider in correct plant ID.
The relevant ID features are often more obscure, yet are dutifully pointed
out in the Peterson guides - characteristics such as "mottled stems",
"fringed bracts", various leaf attachment features, size and range of
plant, and so on. As the director of a high quality school dealing in
herbal studies and nature research, as well as a college level teacher,
this and a small cadre of supplemental ID resources, including Steve
Brill's book, are going to remain on my list of required books for
all students , one they will use , along with their friends and family,
again and again.
A great help to flower identification.......2007-01-18
I have used this book for many years and it is the easiest most comprehensive book on the subject. It is never esay to identify a flower you do not know, but with a little practice, this book is a big help.
Easiest book for everyone.......2002-10-25
I've been teaching in the outdoors using field guides with novices for 18 years, so I offer this advice to assist beginners in choosing a wildflower guide. I have used both this book and the Newcomb book and greatly prefer this one, although Newcomb's is very good. Newcomb's uses a series of keys, which I guess some people find more "sophisticated." Although the key in Newcombs isn't hard to use, I find that the Peterson guide is faster and easier to use in the field. I have also observed that beginners are less likely to make mistakes using the Peterson wildflower guide. The big plus of the Peterson book is the identification system. The flowers are first arranged by color and the book is color coded. Although wild plants may not always be showing their flower colors, 9 times out of ten when the amateur is identifying a flowering plant, it will be in bloom. You can use the Peterson guide to learn the key characterisitics of a blooming plant so that later on when it is not blooming you will still be able to find it in the book and recoginze it.
In the next stage of the Peterson wildflower guide's organization, the plants are arranged by similar visual characteristics. There is a simple outline and description of this system at the beginning of the book. The book utilizes helpful icons, which are featured at the tops of all the descriptive pages for quick thumb-through reference. I have found this icon system very helpful in teaching plant identification because it provides a systematic approach that the beginner can pick up quickly and easily. The Peterson system greatly facilitates intial accuracy of identification at the level of plant family. Once you learn the system of what to look for when observing a plant, the icons allow speed and efficiency when using the book in the field.
At the final stage of identification, the species level, the Peterson guide has excellent written descriptions and the important subtle differences between species are well highlighted, with both text and arrows on the drawings. As other reviewers have stated, the Peterson book has more illustrations than Newcomb, and the highlighted habitat/range descriptions also help in quickly placing a plant. The black and white illustrations are not bothersome since you already know the flower color, and line drawings show key characteristics clearly. The use of illustrations instead of photos is always preferred in a field guide, even though photos seem like a good idea at first glance. A good illustrator shows the plant in the best light and makes sure the key features are visible and prominent.
Best For Laymen.......2001-07-28
I have used this book for 20 years to identify wildflowers successfully; the drawings and paintings capture the essence of the flower in a way no photo does; the book includes many less commonly found plants so you are more likely to find what you're looking for; and it is organized by flower color which is most likely to be what drew your attention in the first place. Excellent reference, easily used.
Books:
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region (Eastern)
- National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region (Eastern)
- National Audubon Society Pocket Guide to Familiar Trees of North America : East (The Audubon S ociety Pocket Guides)
- Native Plants in the Coastal Garden: A Guide for Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest
- Necropsy Guide: RODENTS AND THE RABBIT
- New Eyes for Plants: A Workbook for Plant Observation & Drawing (Social Ecology Series)
- Newcomb's Wildflower Guide
- Oak Forest Ecosystems: Ecology and Management for Wildlife
- Ozark Wildflowers
- Pacific Coast Fern Finder (Nature Study Guides)
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