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The Philosopher and the Wolf: Lessons from the Wild on Love, Death, and Happiness
by Mark RowlandsThe charming and poignant story of the relationship between a philosophy professor and his pet wolf. Mark Rowlands was a young philosophy professor, rootless and searching for life's greater meaning. Shortly after arriving at the University of Alabama, he noticed a classified ad in the local paper advertising wolf cubs for sale, and decided he had to investigate, if only out of curiosity. It was love at first sight, and the bond that grew between philosopher and wolf reaffirms for us the incredible relationships that exist between man and animal. When Mark welcomed his new companion, Brenin, into his home, but more than just an exotic pet, Brenin exerted an immense influence on Rowlands both as a person, and, strangely enough, as a philosopher, leading him to reevaluate his attitude toward love, happiness, nature, death, and the true meaning of companionship.
The Philosopher's Dog: Friendships with Animals
by Raimond GaitaThe philosopher Raimond Gaita has always been fascinated by animals– their obvious intelligence and disturbing brutality, their uncanny responsiveness to our moods and needs, the deep feelings they elicit from us and seem to return. In this marvelous, luminous book, Gaita trains the lens of philosophy on the mystery and beauty of the animals he has known and loved best. The Philosopher’s Dogis one of those rare works that engage the heart from the very first paragraph and haunt the mind long after one has finished reading. What does Gaita’s dog, Gypsy, think about while she sits on her mat gazing out to sea for hours on end? Why did the irascible cockatoo Jack greet Gaita’s father with kisses each morning but bite everyone else? How can we acknowledge that animals are sentient and yet deny that they have consciousness? Is it possible to love animals and still eat meat? In contemplating questions like these, Gaita weaves together personal stories–inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking accounts about the animals he and his family members have sheltered–with the reflections and analysis of a professional philosopher. A graceful, engaging stylist, Gaita is perfectly lucid as he grapples with great thinkers through the ages–from Socrates to Wittgenstein, Descartes to Hannah Arendt. And yet, as important as formal philosophy has been to him, Gaita frankly acknowledges that he has learned much about the nature of life from Gypsy and Jack and his courageously arrogant cat Tosca. In the end, he argues that love should be the essence of our bond with animals, the critical factor that guides how we treat them and think about their place in our world. In pondering the meaning and morality of his relationships with animals, and with the natural world more generally, Raimond Gaita has created a surprising masterpiece, a book of startling insights, spellbinding stories, meticulous observations, and wise reflection. At once engrossing and thought-provoking,The Philosopher’s Dog is a supremely enjoyable book. From the Hardcover edition.
The Philosopher's Plant: An Intellectual Herbarium
by Michael MarderDespite their conceptual allergy to vegetal life, philosophers have used germination, growth, blossoming, fruition, reproduction, and decay as illustrations of abstract concepts; mentioned plants in passing as the natural backdrops for dialogues, letters, and other compositions; spun elaborate allegories out of flowers, trees, and even grass; and recommended appropriate medicinal, dietary, and aesthetic approaches to select species of plants.In this book, Michael Marder illuminates the vegetal centerpieces and hidden kernels that have powered theoretical discourse for centuries. Choosing twelve botanical specimens that correspond to twelve significant philosophers, he recasts the development of philosophy through the evolution of human and plant relations. A philosophical history for the postmetaphysical age, The Philosopher's Plant reclaims the organic heritage of human thought. With the help of vegetal images, examples, and metaphors, the book clears a path through philosophy's tangled roots and dense undergrowth, opening up the discipline to all readers.
The Philosophy of Animal Minds
by Robert W. LurzThis volume is a collection of fourteen new essays by leading philosophers on issues concerning the nature, existence, and our knowledge of animal minds. The nature of animal minds has been a topic of interest to philosophers since the origins of philosophy, and recent years have seen significant philosophical engagement with the subject. However, there is no volume that represents the current state of play in this important and growing field. The purpose of this volume is to highlight the state of the debate. The issues which are covered include whether and to what degree animals think in a language or in iconic structures, possess concepts, are conscious, self-aware, metacognize, attribute states of mind to others, and have emotions, as well as issues pertaining to our knowledge of and the scientific standards for attributing mental states to animals.
The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection: Volume One (The Phoenix #1)
by Contributor VariousA stunning full-color bind-up of content from the amazing Phoenix comic. From humor to adventure to non-fiction to puzzles to the just plain awesome, this bind-up is a smorgasbord for everyone.Laughs, advenutres, thrills!Slug private detectives!Terrifying kittens!Intergalactic foes and evil penguins! The Phoenix Colossal Comics Collection: Volume One is arriving on our shores from a top secret location. A collection of different comics content taken from the issues of The Phoenix, this bind-up pulls together different humorous, informative, action-packed, and brain-teasing stories into one mega-comic bind-up! From humor to adventure to non-fiction to puzzles to the just plain awesome, this bind-up is a smorgasbord for everyone.
The Photographic Garden: Mastering the Art of Digital Garden Photography
by Matthew BensonThe garden is a rich canvas of visual ideas, all waiting to be skillfully captured and evoked by the camera. With in-depth discussions on creative technique and technical literacy, The Photographic Garden is an inspiring guide for understanding the complexities of light and design in the garden and a primer on the latest digital image-making tools, from cameras to postproduction software. Professional photographer Matthew Benson shows you how to become a better, more intuitive artist in the landscape; helps you foster a deeper understanding of design and aesthetics; and encourages you to develop your own visual sensibility—through hundreds of his own thoughtprovoking, evocative garden images. You'll learn how to explore the garden with your camera; how to apply the fundamentals of composition, light, and color to image-making; and how to use digital technology to improve and enhance (and even rescue!) the images you've taken. Most of all, you'll be motivated to see like a camera, work like a professional, and imagine and create like an artist.
The Physics and Psychophysics of Music
by Juan G. RoedererThis introductory text deals with the physical systems and biological processes that intervene in what we broadly call "music." It analyzes what physical properties of sound patterns are associated with what psychological sensations of music, and describes how these sound patterns are actually produced in musical instruments, how they propagate through the environment, and how they are detected by the ear and interpreted in the brain. Without using complicated mathematics, the author weaves a close mesh between the disciplines of acoustics, psychophysics, and neurobiology, offering an integral picture of not only the science of music, but also the "music of science", that is, the beauty and excitement of scientific research, reasoning and understanding. This text should be accessible to undergraduate-level students, whether from science, arts or engineering schools, but it should also be useful to professional musicians, physics educators, acoustical engineers and neuroscientists. The fourth edition incorporates recent research on tone generation in musical instruments and latest findings in brain science.
The Physiology of Fishes (CRC Marine Biology Series)
by Suzanne Currie and David H. EvansThe fifth edition of The Physiology of Fishes represents a compendium of knowledge across fish physiology, collecting up-to-date research into an easy-to-access single textbook. Written by the leaders in the field, it provides a comprehensive, accessible review of the core topics, integrating physiology with environmental science, ecology, evolution, and molecular cell biology. New chapters address Epigenetics, Biomechanics and Locomotion, and Behaviour and Learning. Each chapter contains an extensive bibliography, providing readers with the best sources from the primary literature. Almost three decades after the publication of the first edition, this book remains the only published single-volume work on fish physiology. The fifth edition provides an important reference for new students of fish biology, marine and freshwater biologists, ichthyologists, fisheries scientists, and comparative physiologists.
The Picasso of Pee: A Short Story
by Gwen CooperSome cats have "accidents" on rugs or furniture. This wily cat raises outside-the-litter-box thinking to an art form! Vashti was a drop-dead gorgeous, snow-white rescue cat whose sweet temper and gentle nature made her irresistible to all. But behind this femme fatale's angelic façade lurked a crafty feline mind and a steely determination to retain sole possession of the person she loved most—by any means necessary. Vashti's challenging, creative spirit would leave its mark on her human's heart as the years went by—and also on the furniture, clothing, and cherished belongings of the friends and boyfriends she viewed as competition for her "mom's" affections. Along the way, Vashti would teach her human mom what true love looks like: rare, beautiful, and more than a little messy. A riotously funny and ultimately tender exploration of the ineffable bonds between human and feline, "The Picasso of Pee" is the latest entry from the Curl Up with a Cat Tale series—true-life short stories from Gwen Cooper, bestselling author of the smash hit Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale. It's the purr-fect read for anyone who knows what it means to love a cat unconditionally, and to be loved wholeheartedly in return.
The Pickwicks' Picnic: A Counting Adventure
by Renée Kurilla Carol BrendlerCommunity cooperation turns a traffic jam into an opportunity for fun in this inventive counting book starring a pair of clever canine siblings. In this highly original counting tale, the Pickwicks—Pip and Peach, Mom and Daddy—leave the hot hazy city for a picnic by the shore. Along the way, they are passed by 2 scooters, 3 jeeps, and more—until they hit a sudden roadblock of 10 cruisers. Traffic stops and drivers grow grumpy, but Pip and Peach know exactly how to turn an unexpected glitch into a festive occasion for everyone! Engaging rhythm and detail-filled art reward repeated readings of Carol Brendler and Renée Kurilla’s countable account of a very special picnic.
The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium
by Gerald DurrellUproarious antics fill this genre-crossing collection of six stories from the beloved British naturalist and author of the Corfu Trilogy. The eccentric Durrell family sets off on an ill-fated excursion in &“The Picnic&” and embarks on a Greek cruise in &“The Maiden Voyage.&” Next, things take a turn for the diabolical when a solo Durrell runs into a former flame in &“The Public School Education&”—and then finds trouble of a different sort in &“The Havoc of Havelock.&” Finally, the typically jocular Durrell unexpectedly shifts to the macabre with the surprise cuisine of &“The Michelin Man&” and the spine-tingling horror of &“The Entrance.&” With his knack for describing his often outlandish, always entertaining adventures, Gerald Durrell serves up an engrossing blend of genres in this intriguing collection of stories. Including both fiction and nonfiction, The Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium reveals the wide-ranging talents of the famed naturalist and memoirist. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author&’s estate.
The Picture of Dorian Greyhound (Classic Tails 4): Beautifully illustrated classics, as told by the finest breeds!
by Oscar Wilde Eliza GarrettCLASSIC TAILS - the greatest works of literature, as told by the finest breedsWe all have our favourite classic tales; books that have been beloved to us since childhood, whose wonderful stories and rich tapestry of characters are unsurpassed in modern literature. How, you may ask, could these marvellous works ever be improved upon?Reader, ask no more...for we present The Picture of Dorian GreyhoundDorian Greyhound is the best of his breed - well-tempered, beautiful and pure of heart. So Basil Basset, an artist, paints a portrait that reflects the very essence of Dorian's soul.But soon Dorian befriends selfish hedonist Lord Henry Wooffon, and then the moral corruption of this sweet creature begins. On the outside, Dorian remains young and sleek - but as his naughtiness increases, the portrait starts to reveal the extent of his inner decay...What readers are saying about The Picture of Dorian Greyhound:'The whole book is hilarious. I need more of these Classic Tails editions in my life''Clever text, lovely illustrations''Fun references and amazing artwork. It's certainly made me want to read the original'
The Picture of Dorian Greyhound: Beautifully illustrated classics, as told by the finest breeds! (Classic Tails)
by Oscar Wilde Eliza GarrettCLASSIC TAILS - the greatest works of literature, as told by the finest breedsWe all have our favourite classic tales; books that have been beloved to us since childhood, whose wonderful stories and rich tapestry of characters are unsurpassed in modern literature. How, you may ask, could these marvellous works ever be improved upon?Reader, ask no more...for we present The Picture of Dorian GreyhoundDorian Greyhound is the best of his breed - well-tempered, beautiful and pure of heart. So Basil Basset, an artist, paints a portrait that reflects the very essence of Dorian's soul.But soon Dorian befriends selfish hedonist Lord Henry Wooffon, and then the moral corruption of this sweet creature begins. On the outside, Dorian remains young and sleek - but as his naughtiness increases, the portrait starts to reveal the extent of his inner decay...What readers are saying about The Picture of Dorian Greyhound:'The whole book is hilarious. I need more of these Classic Tails editions in my life''Clever text, lovely illustrations''Fun references and amazing artwork. It's certainly made me want to read the original'
The Pied Piper's Magic
by Steven KelloggYou've heard tell of a long-ago city infested with rats. The Grand Duke of this place had commanded every grown-up to work night and day in his factories, and every child to take part in shooing the rats away from the monuments. But what you haven't heard is the tale of Peterkin the elf, a poor but cheerful fellow who had recently received the gift of a magical pipe. No, this isn't the pied piper you're imagining, a selfish and unforgiving man. This piper will work happy miracles before he resumes his journey. Open our book and see for yourself. Here's the Pied Piper tale reimagined as only beloved storyteller Steven Kellogg could: whimsical, friendly, and full of glorious surprises--an unabashed statement about the transformative power of generosity and love.
The Pier at the End of the World (Tilbury House Nature Book #0)
by Paul Erickson Andrew MartinezWith lyrical writing and stunning underwater photography, this picture book follows a day in the life of the denizens lurking in the cold, tide-swept waters beneath a remote pier on the shore of a northern sea. Vivid photos of a wolf fish munching a sea urchin, a hermit crab switching shells, a sea slug arming itself with stinging cells stolen from an anemone, a 35-pound lobster guarding his domain, and other exotic creatures take us from dawn to darkness. Colorful panoramic paintings show us the bigger picture, including the eyes of nighttime predators and the creatures who are missing the following morning.
The Pig Scrolls
by Paul Shipton"Filled with wild adventures, bad puns, and classical allusions, this slapstick sheds light on the gods, heroes, and philosophers of antiquity. " -- THE HORN BOOK Behold Gryllus, sarcastic former crewman of Odysseus, changed by Circe into a swine -- and happy to stay that way. Life is just fine until the prophetess Sibyl tells him that the world's in grave danger and that the only one who can save it is . . . a talking pig. Well, fan-bloomin'-tastic! Full of nonstop action and oddly familiar characters, from a lyres trumming poet to the testy gods and goddesses, this comical quest will tickle young readers and earn a place on teachers' and librarians' shelves.
The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional World of Farm Animals
by Jeffrey Moussaieff MassonJeffrey Moussaieff Masson's groundbreaking bestseller, When Elephants Weep, was the first book since Darwin's time to explore emotions in the animal kingdom, particularly from animals in the wild. Now, he focuses exclusively on the contained world of the farm animal, revealing startling, irrefutable evidence that barnyard creatures have feelings too, even consciousness. Weaving history, literature, anecdotes, scientific studies, and Masson's own vivid experiences observing pigs, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens over the course of five years, this important book at last gives voice, meaning, and dignity to these gentle beasts that are bred to be milked, shorn, butchered, and eaten. Can we ever know what makes an animal happy? Many animal behaviorists say no. But Jeffrey Masson has a different view: An animal is happy if it can live according to its own nature. Farm animals suffer greatly in this regard. Chickens, for instance, like to perch in trees at night, to avoid predators and to nestle with friends. The obvious conclusion: They cannot be happy when confined twenty to a cage. From field and barn, to pen and coop, Masson bears witness to the emotions and intelligence of these remarkable farm animals, each unique with distinct qualities. Curious, intelligent, self-reliant--many will find it hard to believe that these attributes describe a pig. In fact, there is much that humans share with pigs. They dream, know their names, and can see colors. Mother cows mourn the loss of their calves when their babies are taken away to slaughter. Given a choice between food that is nutritious or lacking in minerals, sheep will select the former, balancing their diet and correcting the deficiency. Goats display quite a sense of humor, dignity, and fearlessness (Indian goats have been known to kill leopards). Chickens are naturally sociable--they will gather around a human companion and stand there serenely preening themselves or sit quietly on the ground beside someone they trust. For far too long farm animals have been denigrated and treated merely as creatures of instinct rather than as sentient beings. Shattering the abhorrent myth of the "dumb animal without feelings," Jeffrey Masson has written a revolutionary book that is sure to stir human emotions far and wide.
The Pig in a Wig
by Alan MacdonaldTHE HILARIOUS, HEARTWARMING story of a vain pig who loses confidence in her appearance only to have it restored in a surprising way. Peggoty loves to admire her reflection in the duck pond. She believes she is the prettiest, pinkest, most perfect pig in all the world. But one day, the woolly lambs--too young to have learned manners--tease her about her hairless head and body. A distressed Peggoty turns to the other barnyard animals for reassurance, but none can console her. A desperate attempt to fashion a wig for herself proves disastrous and humiliating. Only a chance eavesdropping on the farmer's wife cooing over her bald baby restores Peggoty's faith in her appearance. Young readers will be heartened by Peggoty's tenaciousness and spirit in this amusing and reaffirming story. Other books by this author are available in this library.
The Pig: A Natural History
by Richard LutwycheA comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction to the fascinating natural history of the pig, from prehistory to the present At any given time, there are around one billion pigs in the world; that's one for every seven of us. And where would we be without them? Prolific, ubiquitous, smart, adaptable, and providers of high-quality protein, pigs have been our companions since neolithic times, when they obligingly domesticated themselves, coming in from the wild to root around our waste pits. But it's not all about the bacon; today, bred in micro sizes, the resourceful pig has developed a whole new career as a popular pet. And thanks to genome mapping, we now know that the pig shares many common physiological features with humans, spurring the use of pig tissue and organs in medical research and surgery. Beautifully designed and illustrated, The Pig provides a snout-to-tail natural history of this important species, from the prehistoric "hell pig" to today's placid porker, covering the pig's evolution and domestication, anatomy and biology, behavior, role in human life and culture, and breeds. The book also features an engrossing and visually stunning photographic gallery of some thirty popular breeds from around the world, with essential information about each. Filled with surprising facts and insights, The Pig will delight anyone who loves these animals and wants to understand them better. Provides a comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction to the pig's evolution and domestication, anatomy and biology, behavior, role in human life and culture, and breeds. Features infographics, diagrams, and 250 stunning color photographs. Includes a beautiful photographic directory to some 30 popular breeds from around the world, with essential information about each
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
by Mo WillemsWhen a pigeon finds a delicious hot dog, he can hardly wait to shove the entire thing into his beak. But then ... a very sly and hungry duckling enters the scene and wants a bite. Who will be the more clever bird? Picture descriptions added.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! (Pigeon Ser.)
by Mo WillemsThe Pigeon must go to school, but frets about math, learning the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and other birds will think of him.
The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!
by Mo WillemsThis is the first book in a great series that all children will love.
The Pigeon Needs A Bath!
by Mo WillemsThe Pigeon is filthy! Do YOU think he should take a bath? The Pigeon really needs a bath! Except, the Pigeon's not so sure about that. Besides, he took a bath last month! Maybe. It's going to take some serious convincing to try and get the Pigeon to take the plunge.
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!
by Mo WillemsThe Pigeon really, really, REALLY wants a puppy. Do you think it's a good idea? Read literary classics to your puppy, starting with these. Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! The Pigeon has Feelings, Too! The Pigeon Loves Things That Go!