The Life of an Oak: An Intimate Portrait

Book Description

The Life of an Oak takes an intimate look at all aspects of the oak tree, from a microscopic examination of its cellular processes to a survey of the grand Diaspora by which members of this remarkable family have spread around the world and diversified. The separate yet exquisitely coordingated development of male and female flowers, the bursting of buds, the outpouring of leaves, and the groping of roots are described in language and art that will enchant the professional and armchair botanist alike.

Customer Reviews:

Just about everything you ever wanted to know about oak trees and more.......2007-08-20

This is an outstanding piece of work that may be a bit too technical in parts for some readers. I know it was for me as a neophyte botanist. I may read this again when I've gained more experience because Glenn Keator's in-depth look at oak trees worldwide is as exhaustive as any popular book I've seen, and the artwork by Susan Bazell is wonderful.

Glenn Keator begins with "Oak Architecture," by which he means the nature of the roots, trunk, limbs, branches, leaves, etc. of the tree including epiphytes and the tree itself as an ecosystem. The mighty oak is indeed quite an ecosystem, nourishing many creatures and being nourished itself not only by water, air, sun and soil, but through a mycorrhizal relationship with fungi. Next he goes into the life cycle of the trees from acorn to death to being recycled by nature. The diversity and the evolution of oaks is explored to some considerable depth, and finally there is look at the various habitats that oaks are part of.

I am familiar with the oaks of California, but it was interesting to read about oaks from all parts of the world including those of the high lands of northern Mexico where there is the greatest diversity. Interesting too are the oaks of the tropical rain forests which have evolved differing techniques for survival. Keator reports on the prehistory of the oak and how it has evolved globally beginning at least 40 million years ago.

The most interesting part of the book for me covered the many different kinds of galls that live on these endlessly fascinating trees. Most of us are familiar with the potato and apple shaped galls but how about the rose-colored urchin gall or the mushroom gall or the jumping gall? I had brought some leaves home with what looked like rose-purple colored flowers, each about a quarter inch in diameter, growing on the underside of some leaves, and I wondered what they were. I was surprised to learn that they are but one of many galls that the chemistry of insects incites the oak to grow. Bazell's drawings of the galls on pages 88, 89 and 91 are beautiful and instructive. To me, the presence of so many kinds of galls, which are really ancient adaptations to living with insects, testifies to the great antiquity of the oaks themselves.

I had hoped this book would help me identify oak trees by species--and in the long run it may. But for now what I've learned is that the promiscuous oak, pollinated by the wind, morphs into hybrids that are difficult to identify. Not only that, but what is even more confusing, the oak tree shapes its leaves differently depending on the climate and even on which side of the oak the leaves grow. Furthermore, even though some oaks are named because of the color of their bark, that doesn't always aid identification since the bark is often covered by lichen and mosses. It helps to know that some oaks are deciduous and some are evergreen, and that the acorns themselves are a good key to identification. However the flowering parts of oaks are small and their season is brief, ensuring that those who seek positive identification will have to do some serious fieldwork.

In addition to information about oaks, Keator writes about the other kinds of plants that coexist in oak habitats--flowers, fungi, insects, and other trees, especially beeches.

Complementing Bazell's artwork are full color photos and maps showing the habitats and the global distribution of oaks and similar trees, and there is an excellent glossary. I suspect most people with a spirited interest in oak trees own or are familiar with this excellent book.

A remarkable book.......2000-03-28

I picked up this book thinking that I should have it in my library but not much more. I was soon captivated by its lovely figures and pictures and by its insightful discussions of ALL the various aspects of the oak. I'm not a botanist or even an ecologist, and this book is not just for oak-wonks or something. On the other hand, I just gave my copy to the resident scientist at a local oak preserve (in the hills above San Diego) and so here I am back to buy yet another copy for my library. Highly recommended.

Best Book on Oaks.......2000-02-13

I bought this book for my father who is developing an oak park. He has an insatiable appetite for books, especially those on oaks, he loved it and said it was the best book on oaks he'd ever read...

A complete and enjoyable book about the oaks of the world........1999-01-26

I enjoyed this book because it was complete and had much up-to-date information. Many botancial texts are often out-of-date by the time they have been in print for a time, so it was nice to find soch good, up-to-date material. It's also well written. It's actually a fun read about oaks. Good pictures also. AFter reading this book, whether you are an expect or just a fan, you'll never pass an oak without a much deeper understanding and appreciation of what a unique plant it is.

Book Description

Celebrating this beloved city, London Then and Now offers a unique combination of historic interest and contemporary beauty. This book features dozens of fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. Each work is a visual lesson in the historic changes of one of our greatest urban landscapes.

Customer Reviews:

Rather disappointing: strange choice of subjects.......2004-02-19

This book contains some beautiful illustrations of London, together with much interesting information. The "then" photos seem to date mostly from 80-150 years ago. I learned several things from the commentaries, even though I lived in or near London for many years, and made every effort to learn about the city! However, the choice of subject for many of the comparisons seems less than ideal. Surely, in a "Then and Now" book, we want to see how much things have changed over the years, don't we? Hence, we don't really need to see locations where the comparative photos prove that very little has changed! For example, do we really need to see "then and now" pictures of Westminster Abbey, just to confirm that it really has NOT changed perceptibly during the past hundred years or so? I don't think so. In a world-class city where so much has changed, via either redevelopment or wanton destruction, there are many fascinating locations that should have been afforded priority in such a book, but which are omitted altogether. Examples: the South Kensington Imperial Institute/Imperial College site (actually mentioned in the book's Introduction), Holland Park House, etc. I can only imagine that the author was forced to draw on a limited stock of "then" photographic material.

Average customer rating:

A marvellous book

The East End Then and Now

Manufacturer: After the Battle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0900913991

Customer Reviews:

A marvellous book.......2006-09-16

This is a doorstep of a volume that will tug at your heart strings and give you a glimpse of London's East End in recent years and from way back when. If you are from the East End, and haven't been there in a while, the progress will make you yearn for simpler times. Ah but progress hurtles on.

Winston Ramsey took on a colossal task in putting this book together. Practically every page has photographs on it, there are interesting tidbits of information and lengthier pieces on the history of certain parts of the East End, or aspects of its being. He surpassed his own expectations, I think.

The result is a wonderful book that you will return to again and again, perusing the old photographs and looking for places and things that you remember.

This book is well worth the cost, it's value is so much more. I'm glad to have a copy of my own. I first saw my mum's copy a few years back and had wanted my own since then. For anyone with roots in the East End, or interested in East End history, this is a must! Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

London then, London now;: The London scene changes: the camera does not forget

Average customer rating:

London then, London now;: The London scene changes: the camera does not forget
David Whitehead
Manufacturer: London House & Maxwell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

The Blitz: London Then & Now
John Neville
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

A Certain Information Of a Certain Discourse. That happen'd at a Certain Gentlemans House, In a certain Country. Written by a certain Person then present, to a certain Friend now at London. From whence you may Collect the great Certainty of the Account.

Average customer rating:

A Certain Information Of a Certain Discourse. That happen'd at a Certain Gentlemans House, In a certain Country. Written by a certain Person then present, to a certain Friend now at London. From whence you may Collect the great Certainty of the Account.
Thomas, Sir]. [Burnet
Manufacturer: London: Printed and Sold by John Baker,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J0PVDW

Average customer rating:

Chiswick, Then and Now (Then & Now)
Carolyn Hammond , and Peter Hammond
Manufacturer: Tempus Publishing, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This book is part of the Then & Now series, which matches old photographs with modern ones taken from the same camera locations, to demonstrate the changes that have occurred over the years. The images include streets, buildings, people, and social activities in each local area.

Kingston-Upon-Thames Then & Now (Archive Photographs: Then & Now)

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Kingston-Upon-Thames Then & Now (Archive Photographs: Then & Now)
Celia Mannings
Manufacturer: Tempus Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0752422588

Average customer rating:

London Buses Then and Now
Ian Cowley
Manufacturer: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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London's Railways: Then and Now
Edwin Course
Manufacturer: B T Batsford Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Traffic & Safety | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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London's Trams Then and Now
Julian Thompson
Manufacturer: Specialist Marketing International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Product Description

Publisher: Edition: first

American Jews: Their Lives and Achievements A Contemporary Biograpical Record Volume II ONLY

Average customer rating:

American Jews: Their Lives and Achievements A Contemporary Biograpical Record Volume II ONLY
(American Jewish Literary Foundation)
Manufacturer: American Jewish Literary
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PUI6T2

Many Lives, Many Stories; A Biography Reader, Volume II, Supplement

Average customer rating:

Many Lives, Many Stories; A Biography Reader, Volume II, Supplement
Kathryn A. Abbott , and Patricia H. Minter
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Biographies & Memoirs | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0130989320

African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom, Volume II

Average customer rating:

African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom, Volume II

Manufacturer: Pearson; Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Education | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0321345819

Product Description

African American Lives: The Struggle for Freedom uses a unique biographical approach to present the history of African Americans as active and thoughtful agents in the construction of their lives and communities. The text places African American lives and stories at the center of the narrative and as the basis of historical analysis. Each chapter opens with a vignette focusing on an individual involved in a dramatic moment or event. Personal stories are told throughout the narrative, as the lives and experiences of individuals provide the lens through which the story of African American history is viewed.

Average customer rating:

Eat well and live cookbook: Volume II
Rosanne Curto Dauphinee
Manufacturer: Majestic House Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0964866811

Lives of the Lord Chancellors: Volume II: 1940-1970

Average customer rating:

Lives of the Lord Chancellors: Volume II: 1940-1970
R. F. V. Heuston
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books

General | English Law | Law | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0198200749

Book Description

For centuries, the British Lord Chancellor has combined the functions of a judge, a Cabinet minister, and a legislator, and in recent decades has also assumed responsibility for law reform. This new volume examines vital issues and changes associated with the role through six biographical
studies of Lord Chancellors who held office between 1940 and 1970, drawing on unpublished diaries and letters to present a full picture of their personal and professional lives.

Customer Reviews:

A springboard to creativity, but..........2000-03-31

Probably of greatest value to Agencies. The designs in this book will only be purchased by clients with BIG budgets!

At least 25% of the examples, are ideas I will never have an opportunity to use in this lifetime.

Some of the examples are for clients with very specific niche markets. Still there are helpful over-arching principles that can be applied to your projects.

I see this book as part of your non-core library. A good resource, but you won't use it everyday.

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