The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter

Book Description

There are redwoods in California that were ancient by the time Columbus first landed, and pines still alive that germinated around the time humans invented writing. There are Douglas firs as tall as skyscrapers, and a banyan tree in Calcutta as big as a football field.

From the tallest to the smallest, trees inspire wonder in all of us, and in The Tree, Colin Tudge travels around the world—throughout the United States, the Costa Rican rain forest, Panama and Brazil, India, New Zealand, China, and most of Europe—bringing to life stories and facts about the trees around us: how they grow old, how they eat and reproduce, how they talk to one another (and they do), and why they came to exist in the first place. He considers the pitfalls of being tall; the things that trees produce, from nuts and rubber to wood; and even the complicated debt that we as humans owe them.

Tudge takes us to the Amazon in flood, when the water is deep enough to submerge the forest entirely and fish feed on fruit while river dolphins race through the canopy. He explains the “memory” of a tree: how those that have been shaken by wind grow thicker and sturdier, while those attacked by pests grow smaller leaves the following year; and reveals how it is that the same trees found in the United States are also native to China (but not Europe).

From tiny saplings to centuries-old redwoods and desert palms, from the backyards of the American heartland to the rain forests of the Amazon and the bamboo forests, Colin Tudge takes the reader on a journey through history and illuminates our ever-present but often ignored companions. A blend of history, science, philosophy, and environmentalism, The Tree is an engaging and elegant look at the life of the tree and what modern research tells us about their future.

Customer Reviews:

Difficult to Read.......2007-08-09

As a layperson, interested in learning about the biology of the life forms around me, I bought this book with high hopes only to find it essentialy useless and unreadable.I didn't expect a tree ID guide, but this book doesn't tell the story of trees well. It's not a smooth narrative. It's 400 pages full of technical sounding Latin names and totally lacking pictures.In short, it's just not a good basic intro to trees or a good read.

Fascinating read.......2007-05-31

I've been sort of collecting books on trees the last few months. Though still an amateur on the subject, this book is a winner from where I sit. An I-can't-put-it-down book that makes me happy I'm only half way through right now.

If you are interested in understanding the flora around you and you aren't already degreed in botany but kinda would like to be, this book is for you!

Disappointed.......2007-05-13

Mr. Tudge is obviously very well educated on trees, but he gets a bit dry and lost in the details from time to time.

Everything you wanted to know about Trees .......2006-10-15

One of the most beloved and memorable of all popular poems is Joyce Kilmer's 'Trees' " I think that I shall never see/ a poem as lovely as a tree'/ A tree whose hungry mouth is prest/ against the earth's sweet flowing breast/.
The sheer wonder, delight, and inspiration 'Trees' give to our poetic nature is only one side of what they are.
In this learned and detailed study of Trees,Colin Tudge tells us more about them than we might ever have wanted to know. He describes the different species, provides a survival guide to the way Trees manage in often challenging environments, considers the special qualities of different kinds of trees, helps us understand how Trees are a benefit not only to the 'natural world' but to human civilization and society.
He does this as he also points out the new dangers facing various species from global- warming. And he has specific recommendations on how we can better create an environment more beneficial to the natural world as a whole.
The book is disappointingly poor in one element most of its readers will certainly want to have, good illustrations of Trees. But it nonetheless is an overall encyclopediac treasure for those for whom one of the natural world's great stars are an ongoing source of interest and attraction.

Arboreal trilogy.......2006-05-11

"I never met a Tudge I didn't like" is a fitting adage for this wide-ranging author. Having written an "unauthorised biography" of life, the impact of agriculture on human development and other works, Tudge has created a masterpiece of science writing. No longer can we claim that we can't "see the woods for the trees" since he has detailed the mechanics of both in exquisite detail. At) least so far as we know now. If nothing else is clear from this book, what we don't know about the mechanisms of trees far exceeds what we've learned. Trees, so ubiquitous in their presence and so meaningful in our lives, remain a great mystery to be solved. In three almost independent segments, he spells out what is known and what needs to be revealed.

He opens with one of the most understated definitions in science writing: "a tree is a big plant with a stick up the middle". From this simplistic opening, he then develops an image of how complex that "stick" and "plant" combination is in the final product. This complexity didn't appear from nowhere - the author explains how evolution built it from simple beginnings. Most readers will be familiar with the fact that 46 chromosome are needed to make a human. Trees, through various mechanisms, may develop hundreds of chromosomes depending on conditions. The structure of a single tree almost pales against the variety of trees growing around our planet. Tall trees, spreading ones, trees that we often call "shrubs" - which are merely superbly adapted to their local environment - all reflect the immense diversity trees have developed over the ages. Although generally divided into but two forms, conifers and "flowering" trees, they comprise thousands of species, many probably still unknown.

Tudge dedicates the second part of his book to descriptions of those variations. It is a catalogue of wonders as he depicts the oaks, beeches and other "common" types along with palms, celery pines and fruit trees. He begins with the ancient conifers, trees with a lineage stretching back nearly three hundred million years. That heritage shows in the varieties the conifers incorporate. From stately pines to humble ground-huggers, the conifers even include a parasitic member among their ranks. Angiosperms, the "flowering" trees, have surpassed the conifers in species number. The author lists each Order, with a list of the families and species. He explains why the numbers of species are in flux as new information about relationships comes to light. Tree habitats are also described with indications of where to find typical specimens.

In last third of the book: "How Trees Live", Tudge demonstrates why he's one of today's leading science writers. He has accumlated a vast repetoire of information, and presents it with almost passionate style. Seemingly static from our viewpoint, trees have much to do in the course of their lives. They must keep the sun in view, and many forests are competitive arenas to lift leaves into the light. There are seasons to keep track of, predators to discourage and to entice and employ helpers in the process of reproduction. Lacking brains, or other "intelligent" means, trees cannot manufacture devices for these needs. All must be accomplished with chemistry. Much of "the secret life of trees" is hidden here. With but five hormones and a handful of pigments to achieve their tasks, they have built up forms and methods to accomplish it all with an astounding degree of success.

Tudge's adulation of trees goes beyond being simply informative. In his conclusion, he both endorses our need to increase our knowledge of trees and warns of the effects of our failure to do so. We may view trees as aesthetically pleasing or as a source of lumber or paper. Either way, we must deal with them properly. Hewing down vast forests does far more than leave a barren landscape. Trees are the source of the oxygen we breathe. They take up the carbon dioxide our society produces in such imposing quantities. Their capacity for that role has likely been exceeded at this point. Trees matter, he argues, and we need to know why and how. This book is an excellent starting point to find the answers to that learning quest. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Need to Know to Become a Qabalist

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
FIVE-STAR Book On Qabalah For Beginners
I love this book!
GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR TOO!
THE CHICKEN QABALAH BY LON MILO DUQUETTE

The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford: Dilettante's Guide to What You Do and Do Not Need to Know to Become a Qabalist
Lon Milo Duquette
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1578632153

Book Description

A unique and humorous—and also uniquely practical—approach to the increasingly popular study of Qabalah. This is a seriously funny book! Learn the basics of Qabalah in spite of yourself! Traditional Qabalistic (or Cabalistic, or, indeed, Kabbalistic—read this book to find out what the difference is…we know you've always wondered) sources tend to be a bit, er, dry. DuQuette spices up the Qabalah and makes it come alive, restoring the joy of learning the fundamentals of this admittedly arcane system by using simple, amusing anecdotes and metaphors. This account, written psuedepigraphically (fictitiously attributed to a supposed authority), allows DuQuette as Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford to soar to outrageous heights and, when necessary, stand apart from the silliness to highlight the golden eggs of Qabalistic wisdom nested therein. Sure to be a revelation to those all who think that teaching about the Qabalah needs to be tedious and serious, DuQuette shows that great truths can be transmitted through the medium of laughter.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-09-21

The most accessible and best place to start to study this oft confusing and difficult topic.

FIVE-STAR Book On Qabalah For Beginners.......2007-09-18

Archbishop DuQuette has been teaching Qabalah for many years; he explains this complex Hebrew magical system in clear and straightforward language. I have heard many of my friends say that this book really taught them Qabalah when they could not figure it out from other sources. Any student of Jewish Mysticism will appreciate this book. Lady Janestra

I love this book!.......2007-02-07

I've read a couple of books on Qabalah and I thought I knew quite a lot on the subject so I put off buying this book for a long time. I like Lon Duquette so eventually I got around to reading it anyway.

Wow! This is a very good look at Qabalah, the Tree of Life, and the Tarot. If you like Lon be sure you get this book, you won't be disappointed!

The DVD "Tarot, Qabalah, and Oracles" is basically this book on DVD. If you like the book I recommend you check out the DVD too.

GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR TOO!.......2006-11-06

In this oddly-named work, Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford (the alter ego of occult author-humorist, Lon Milo Duquette) proves that illumination can be achieved by appreciating the "Universal Joke". Anyone who has ever attempted to plumb the depths of the esoteric study of the Kabbalah (Cabala? Qabalah?) already knows that it is obscure, complex, boring and hardly something you could describe as 'funny'. Yet, it is the golden esoteric essence of Judism. The best comedians in the world have been (and ARE) Jews. Spiritual comedy is in our souls. Ben Clifford not only makes practical qabalistic principals understandable, he does so through the medium of profoundly (and sometimes corny) outrageous humor. Just take a look at the reviews from the Qabalah snobs who prove Ben Clifford's point by not getting the point. If you can't unveil the Divine humor in your own spirituality, my friends, how do you expect to ever unravel the mysteries of the universe? Sorry guys. I'm a Jew too! and this is hands down the best first book on Kabbalah (Cabala, Qabalah ..... it doesn't matter) ever written. Six stars if I could!

THE CHICKEN QABALAH BY LON MILO DUQUETTE.......2006-08-20

I am a big fan of DuQuette's book and I have loved everyone that I have read so far. The Chicken Qabalah was no exception and is most definitely recommended. I particularly enjoyed the section on the Hebrew alphabet and found it to be of particular value as an introduction to the Hebrew alphabet. However, the parts on the `Tree of Life' and the Tetragrammaton are also particularly useful. My only critique on the book is that it sometimes feels as if DuQuette goes a bit overboard on the humour aspect of his effort.

What Wood Is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification (Studio Book)

Average customer rating:

Focus on foreign...what about domestic?
Great Book
Focus On European Not USA Species
Quiet and straightforward
Great samples. Great book.

What Wood Is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification (Studio Book)
Herbert L. Edlin
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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World Woods in Color
Know Your Woods: A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers
Identifying Wood: Accurate Results with Simple Tools
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ASIN: 0670759074

Amazon.com

The title of this book could not be more explicit or apt. With 40 actual wood specimens in popular use, descriptions of grain, color and texture, how to identify trees by their leaves, fruit, and bark, and much more, this is a small encyclopedia for woodworkers, carpenters, hobbyists, dealers, architects, craftsmen, nature lovers, teachers, or anyone with the urge to learn about wood. With small, aromatic samples of 40 varieties of wood, from afrormosia to zebrawood, this book even smells good! --Mark Hetts

Book Description

Strong, pliable, and natural, wood is the world's most versatile structural resource. But how to tell one kind from another and choose just the right wood for your project? This remarkable collection of forty actual wood samples shows the color, grain, and texture of the leading varieties. Detailed drawings identify uncut, unfinished trees by their leaves, fruits, and bark. Originally published in 1969, and now in its eighth printing, this straightforward text explains where each kind of tree is grown and how to use its wood to the best advantage--from lamination to veneering, from carving and molding, to finishing. Here, too, is the history of man's use of wood from the Stone Age ax to modern-day conservation issues and rare rain-forest species. What Wood Is That? is an invaluable resource for builders, homeowners, and hobbyists--and a fascinating companion for forest guides and nature lovers.

Customer Reviews:

Focus on foreign...what about domestic?.......2007-04-04

This book is very handy when identifying and working with foreign wood, but for domestic wood identification try the United State's Department of Agriculture's "The Encyclopedia of Wood." It's extremely in-depth and informative.

Great Book.......2007-01-05

Gift for my husband. He just loves it. Very informative and helpful.

Focus On European Not USA Species.......2000-12-04

This book is of little value for the woodworker trying to identify woods commonly used on the American continent. When the species are described (with wood samples provided) the European varieties are given to the exclusion of woods from this continent. Species vary enough from the Euopean continent to make the book of very little use in identifying American woods and can even be misleading. The grain pattern on Birch is a classic example and Birch is used a great deal on funiture.

The book is very badly outdated and lists uses for various woods not seen since the late fifties and early sixties.

Consider carefully before purchasing this book.

Quiet and straightforward.......2000-10-27

This is a very friendly and straightforward book. It starts with veneer samples (quite small, but big enough) of 40 woods and finishes with descriptions of the trees that yield these 40 woods.

In between there is quite a bit of useful information on wood, and the history of woodworking. A pretty good introduction to wood for and woodworking. This book will be only modestly useful in identification, since it is limited to naked eye observations of those 40 woods.

I browsed through the 1969 edition and it clearly is from another era (with the chainsaw just being introduced!). I can well imagine that those who equate woodworking with roaring high speed machines may find this quiet book not to their liking.

Great samples. Great book........1999-05-15

If your working on a project involving exotic woods, then this book should be added to your library. The REAL wood samples are great. The book also has very useful information about many types of wood. I find this book to be a handy reference tool and am glad to have added it to my collection.

Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution

Average customer rating:

Ideas that snap, crackle and pop
Essays on our roots

Tree of Origin: What Primate Behavior Can Tell Us about Human Social Evolution
Richard Byrne , Robin Dunbar , W.C. McGrew , Anne Pusey , Charles Snowdon , Craig B. Stanford , Karen B. Strier , and Richard Wrangham
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

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Our Inner Ape
Good Natured: The Orgins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals
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ASIN: 0674010043

Book Description

How did we become the linguistic, cultured, and hugely successful apes that we are? Our closest relatives--the other mentally complex and socially skilled primates--offer tantalizing clues. In Tree of Origin nine of the world's top primate experts read these clues and compose the most extensive picture to date of what the behavior of monkeys and apes can tell us about our own evolution as a species.

It has been nearly fifteen years since a single volume addressed the issue of human evolution from a primate perspective, and in that time we have witnessed explosive growth in research on the subject. Tree of Origin gives us the latest news about bonobos, the "make love not war" apes who behave so dramatically unlike chimpanzees. We learn about the tool traditions and social customs that set each ape community apart. We see how DNA analysis is revolutionizing our understanding of paternity, intergroup migration, and reproductive success. And we confront intriguing discoveries about primate hunting behavior, politics, cognition, diet, and the evolution of language and intelligence that challenge claims of human uniqueness in new and subtle ways.

Tree of Origin provides the clearest glimpse yet of the apelike ancestor who left the forest and began the long journey toward modern humanity.

Customer Reviews:

Ideas that snap, crackle and pop.......2004-12-07

I checked this book out of the local library many weeks ago, having come across it via a desultory shelf scan. I was so engrossed by the book, I kept renewing it, then returned it to the library and bought my own copy.

Each chapter got my synapses firing with interesting information about how the evolution of human culture might be inferred from primate behaviors and primate and human physiology. I scribbled numerous notes that started with "I wonder if ... " or "Is it possible that ...", using the data from the authors as jumping-off points.

For example, before I read the book, I'd been wondering if it'd be possible to identify and track back as far as possible in time a collection of aphorisms that all cultures shared, such as "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," to see what might be learned about our cultural evolution - and how closely our "culture" was actually tied to our physiological hard-wiring. Lo and behold, one of the articles in Tree of Origin appears to offer a heart-through-stomach theory for how humans came to pair off as couples.

The discussion about the size of our neocortex (neocortices?) and its relationship to the size of social groups we can "manage" expanded another line of thinking on my part about what might really be at the roots of what we call racism and of our propensity toward bloody conflict. It's possible that one core cause is our brains' maximum capacity for social complexity, rather than "just" a learned behavior that one can discard through an intellectual process.

The book reminded me of Desmond Morris' books, The Human Ape and The Human Zoo, both of which I also found fascinating.

Now that I own this book, I can re-read it and mark it up as I wish!

Essays on our roots.......2002-08-27

The greatest scientific quest is finding our place in Nature. This leading primatologist has collected a series of essays on primate behaviour in an outstanding effort aimed at answering that question. De Waal's credentials as a student of chimpanzee behaviour are well-known. He's joined here by researchers of equal status in presenting the most recent findings in the field. De Waal states in the Introduction that research in human behaviour falls into two camps - human beings are an entirely unique species or human evolutionary roots are visible in many of our related species. He and his fellow essayists adhere to the second theme, the one that has gained significant adherence over the past several decades of research. "The proliferation of research on monkeys and apes . . . has influenced the way we look at our place in nature."

This collection brings to view much of that research, a compendium long overdue in de Waal's estimation. His team provides new insights into primate behaviour. They combine the research finding with speculations on how modern monkeys and apes reflect the evolutionary roots of our own relations with each other. The topics covered show the impact of environment, the patterns of sex and reproduction, social organization and cognition. The collection addresses the "process of hominization" leading from ape-like ancestors to modern humans. If all this sounds like a series of lofty scientific pedantry, fear not. All the authors present their information in open, conversational style. Although the result of a scholarly seminar, the writing throughout is clear and unpretentious. Anyone interested in their evolutionary roots or in the status of the research will find this collection rewarding.

The quality of this compilation makes choice of place difficult, if not impossible. Each author presents new information and delightful analyses of the importance of the findings. Craig Stanford discusses the role of meat eating [not hunting] in building social relationships. Studied closely in the field in both ape and human societies, meat distribution and sex have a clear evolutionary role. Richard Wrangham carries this theme a step further in his analysis of the social role of food preparation - cooking. He stresses how early cooking must have emerged in hominid evolution and what its likely social impact was in our development. Richard Byrne extends this analysis to describe several forms of food acquisition and processing among various primate species.

If any issue transcends the others in the role of humanity, it is that of human cognition. To those contending only human cognitive abilities are worth studying, several authors respond that "evolution does not proceed by inspired jumps . . . but by accretion of beneficial variants" over time. In order to comprehend the evolutionary path of cognition, definitions are of primary importance. Cognition is here defined as "a species' package of information-processing capabilities" encompassing individual, social, technical and other skills. Robin Dunbar shows how these skills were likely reinforced through selectively chosen group size. He examines variations in primate group size and how these impact social behavior. Charles Snowdon addresses the mainstay of human "uniqueness" in an outline of language
development. In the final essay, William McGrew considers the question of "culture." What is it and how was it derived? McGrew refers to eight criteria, developed many years ago by Alfred Koeber, and applies them in a historical context. McGrew emphasizes that humans are not the only social species. Language enhanced abilities inherited from our predecessors.

Book Description

Look What I Did with a Leaf! will show young art and craft lovers how to use nature's bounty to create fanciful animals and natural scenes. Readers will develop their artistic eye and soon learn to see the artistic possibilities that surround them. Morteza E. Sohi gives careful directions on how to choose leaves for shape and color, how to arrange them in an animal form, and how to preserve the finished work of art. A field guide helps young leaf artists learn more about the tools of their craft.

Customer Reviews:

Naturecrafts ohhh the endless possibilities.......2003-10-08

I am using this book this fall with my preschoolers. After reading the book we will go for a nature walk and then will us the leaves and such found to make their own creatures, which we will turn into placemats to use at snack time. This is a great book and their are so many ways you can use this in the classroom.

An excellent combination of art and science........1999-09-24

I am a teacher who has used Look What I Did With a Leaf during my science study of trees. The children collected leaves from the school campus, sorted them, and talked about their purpose as a part of the tree. The children then used their leaves to create leaf creatures which they used to make leaf print t-shirts. This book was a hit with the children and certainly served us well by getting their creative juices flowing.

Janice VanCleave uses this book to link to her sci-fun facts.......1998-10-05

Hi, I am Janice VanCleave, the author of Play and Find Out about Nature. It is my goal to provide educators and kids fun, safe, workable experiments. The End.

Bugling Elk and Sleeping Grizzlies: The Who, What, and When of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

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Bugling Elk and Sleeping Grizzlies: The Who, What, and When of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Shirley A. Craighead
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0762728647

Book Description

Restructured from Dr. Frank C. Craighead's popular book, For Everything There Is a Season, Bugling Elk and Sleeping Grizzlies illuminates the natural seasonal world of Yellowstone-Grand Teton National Parks. With text and numerous color photographs woven into a month by month timeline, park visitors will learn the activities and stages of the flora and fauna in the parks. Author Shirley A. Craighead, a naturalist in her own right, presents this nature calendar for young readers (ages 8 to 12), showing the most visible species as well as the most curious and hidden. Readers will learn what to look for when and how to know what is going on behind the scenes.

Average customer rating:

What Tree is that?
Sterling Macoboy
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517060965
Release Date: 1991-09-21

Surviving the Iron Curtain: A Microscopic View of What Life Was Like Inside a War-Torn Region

Average customer rating:

A must-read book on surviving in Biafra
Surviving the iron curtain by Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku

Surviving the Iron Curtain: A Microscopic View of What Life Was Like Inside a War-Torn Region
Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1424170702
Release Date: 2007-03-26

Book Description

The NIGERIA-BIAFRA war started in mid 1967 when a tiny region of Nigeria seceded from Nigeria to become Biafra. With the complete support of the British government, Nigeria instituted a very powerful and effective blockade on Biafra. The only communication that Biafra had with the rest of the world was through the RED CROSS and CARITAS relief flights that were flown into Biafra at nights under heavy attacks from Nigerian forces. Some of the planes were shot down. With no powerful nation backing Biafra, coupled with the blockade and the consequent lack of food and medicine, surviving in Biafra became a matter of improvisements for both Biafran forces and citizens. In an area that was replete with diseases like malaria, typhoid and kwashiorkor, this book explains how the Biafran citizens were able to survive for almost three years until Biafra was defeated in January 1970.

Customer Reviews:

A must-read book on surviving in Biafra.......2007-05-07

Chief Jim Ojiaku has written a fantastic and excellent expose' of the events of the Nigerian civil war from the home perspective. The rendition of his experiences, his free style of writing, enabled him to compress a large volume of facts with eloquence and details, thus, reminding the reader about why 'war is raw'. Chief Ojiaku wrote from the heart--a testament of the originality that would be a point of reference for future writers, hence there were no bibliographical references. The book portrayed how a determined people (Biafrans) courageously persevered over a thirty-month bloody civil war in the face of adversity perpetrated by world super-powers who coerced the international community to look away while they helped the Federal Government of Nigeria in its failed effort to win the war in forty-eight hours, then resorted to blockade and blanket the Biafrans both by sea, air, and land and executed the blood-letting and starvation that led to an eventual surrender to peace in 1970.
Chief Ojiaku indicated that although the battle ended in the war front, the war rages on as people from the Biafran side continue to be marginalized in almost all aspects of Nigerian life--politics, university admissions, road constructions and what have you! This book showed that Chief Jim Ojiaku can successfully make use of good advice. Thanks to his brother in law--Professor Joe Akunna who sincerely advised him to put down his thoughts in black and white.
Surviving the iron curtain exemplified how Biafra was killed in a genocidal civil unrest, but the people refused to die. The planned extermination of the Biafrans from the surface of the earth--how civilians were tortured and starved, the poor state of Biafra, how ill-equipped young people joined the war to save their people, how the Biafrans used improvises to fight valiantly as the Biblical David against Goliath. Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku did not forget the benevolence of the Red Cross and other relief organizations in breaking the iron curtain despite enemy attack. Worst still was the only twenty pounds which Biafrans received from the Nigerian Government who had any bank account in Biafran banks--being the only rehabilitation received since after the war.
Chief Jim Ojiaku deliberately refused to deal with the blame game that characterizes every war. He was right to blame both sides in order to allow the reader to understand his reason for writing the book. Finally Biafra surrendered through the courage and bravery of Colonel Philip Effiong who helped to salvage the human skull that was left of Biafra--in 1970. I strongly recommend this book to all who profess to the Biafran cause-both old and young--a reminder of the indelible scar--that was Biafra.

Surviving the iron curtain by Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku.......2007-04-23

In reading Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku's book I learned a piece of history that needs to be read by everyone and the world needs to remember the horrors of the war between Nigeria and The Republic Of Biafra and a war that tore apart a country.
He tells of one story about his brother Emmanuel who is killed at the front at the young age of 19 and the beautiful touching letter his father writes to his dead son, "An Epitath To Lt. Emmanuel Ojiaku."

This letter is heart breaking and no one would forget reading it. He writes very lovingly about his mother, father, brothers and sisters and especially about his love for his people. He brings forth in his book many beautiful photographs and diagrams on the many foods in his region and explains in great detail on each food and how they're prepared.

This book is a must read. Jim brings forth the great love he has for his people, his family and most of all his great country.

I give Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku five stars ***** for a book well written.

Joseph Frank Baraba

The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants: Wild plants at the brink of extinction, and what is needed to save them

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The Top 50 Mediterranean Island Plants: Wild plants at the brink of extinction, and what is needed to save them

Manufacturer: World Conservation Union
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 283170832X

What Is a Plant? (The Science of Living Things)

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What Is a Plant? (The Science of Living Things)
Bobbie Kalman
Manufacturer: Crabtree Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Biology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Botany | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 077877645X

Book Description

Slithering snakes, jumping kangaroos, flying albatrosses, and swimming salmon-every animal, including humans, has its own unique way of getting around. This beautiful new book explains the how, why, and "are we there yet?" of animals large and small across the globe. Topics include: ¥how an animal's environment affects its movement ¥how an animal's skeleton affects its movement ¥unusual animal movers such as the water-walking basilisk ¥how a parent helps its young move around

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