- Table View
- List View
The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas
by Scott EllsworthA saga of survival, technological innovation, and breathtaking human physical achievement -- all set against the backdrop of a world headed toward war -- that became one of the most compelling international dramas of the 20th century.While tension steadily rose between European powers in the 1930s, a different kind of battle was raging across the Himalayas. Contingents from Great Britain, Nazi Germany, and the United States had set up rival camps at the base of the mountains, all hoping to become recognized as the fastest, strongest, and bravest climbers in the world.Carried on across nearly the entire sweep of the Himalayas, this contest involved not only the greatest mountain climbers of the era, but statesmen and millionaires, world-class athletes and bona fide eccentrics, scientists and generals, obscure villagers and national heroes. Centered in the 1930s, with one brief, shining postwar coda, the contest was a struggle between hidebound traditionalists and unknown innovators, one that featured new techniques and equipment, unbelievable courage and physical achievement, and unparalleled valor. And death. One Himalayan peak alone, Nanga Parbat in Kashmir, claimed twenty-five lives in less than three years.Climbing the Himalayas was the Greatest Generation's moonshot -- one shrouded in the onset of war, interrupted by it, and then fully accomplished. A gritty, fascinating history sure to enrapture fans of Hampton Sides, Jon Krakauer, and Laura Hillenbrand, The World Beneath Their Feet brings this forgotten story back to life.
The World Beneath Their Feet: The British, the Americans, the Nazis and the Mountaineering Race to Summit the Himalayas
by Scott EllsworthLonglisted for the 2020 William Hill Sports Book of the Year'A gripping history' THE ECONOMIST 'The World Beneath Their Feet contains plenty of rollicking stories' THE TIMES'Gripping' THE SUNDAY TIMES'So far as adventure stories go, this book is tops.' Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump'[Ellsworth] recasts the era as a great Himalayan race...[and] it works brilliantly...his account of the 1953 ascent of Everest...feels unusually fresh' THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Like if Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air met Lauren Hillenbrand's Unbroken ... an inviting and engrossing read' SPORTS ILLUSTRATEDOne of the most compelling international dramas of the 20th century and an unforgettable saga of survival, technological innovation, and breathtaking human physical achievement-all set against the backdrop of a world headed toward war.While tension steadily rose between European powers in the 1930s, a different kind of battle was raging across the Himalayas. Contingents from Great Britain, Nazi Germany, and the United States had set up rival camps at the base of the mountains, all hoping to become recognized as the fastest, strongest, and bravest climbers in the world.Carried on across nearly the entire sweep of the Himalayas, this contest involved not only the greatest mountain climbers of the era, but statesmen and millionaires, world-class athletes and bona fide eccentrics, scientists and generals, obscure villagers and national heroes. Centered in the 1930s, with one brief, shining postwar coda, the contest was a struggle between hidebound traditionalists and unknown innovators, one that featured new techniques and equipment, unbelievable courage and physical achievement, and unparalleled valor. And death. One Himalayan peak alone, Nanga Parbat in Kashmir, claimed twenty-five lives in less than three years.Climbing the Himalayas was the Greatest Generation's moonshot--one shrouded in the onset of war, interrupted by it, and then fully accomplished. A gritty, fascinating history that promises to enrapture fans of Hampton Side, Jon Krakauer, and Laura Hillenbrand, The World Beneath Their Feet brings this forgotten story back to life.
The World Beneath Their Feet: The British, the Americans, the Nazis and the Mountaineering Race to Summit the Himalayas
by Scott EllsworthThe stories of the extraordinary men and women - the athletes, aristocrats, opportunists and oddballs - who launched the race to the roof of the world.From 1931 to 1953, there was a race like no other. It was a race to the top of the world-a race primarily between Great Britain, Nazi Germany, and the United States.Carried on across nearly the entire sweep of the Himalayas, it involved not only the greatest mountain climbers of the era, but statesmen and millionaires, world-class athletes and bona fide eccentrics, scientists and generals, obscure villagers and national heroes. Centred in the 1930s, with one brief, shining postwar coda, the contest was a struggle between hidebound traditionalists and unknown innovators, one that featured new techniques and equipment, unbelievable courage and physical achievement, and unparalleled derring-do. And death. One Himalayan peak alone, Nanga Parbat in Kashmir, claimed twenty-five lives in less than three years. Fuelled by deep national needs, the great Himalayan race captured the attention of the world. British superiority, German innovation, American determination and the wonder of Sherpas dominated the newsreels, radio broadcasts, books and magazines of the age. The World Beneath Their Feet will bring this forgotten story back to life. It will resurrect what was, in fact, one of the most compelling international dramas of the 1930s, a saga of survival, technology, and some of the most breathtaking human physical achievements, and athletes, ever known, all set against the backdrop of a world headed toward war.(P) 2019 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
A World Between Waves: Politics And Extinction On A Hawaiian Island
by Frank StewartA World Between Waves is a collection of essays on the natural history of Hawaii by some of America's most renowned writers. It is a testament to the biological and geological wealth of this unique and threatened island landscape, and a passionate call to action on behalf of what may soon be gone.
The World Ends in April
by Stacy McAnultyIs middle school drama scarier than an asteroid heading for Earth? Find out in this smart and funny novel by the author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. <P><P>Every day in middle school can feel like the end of the world. <P><P>Eleanor Dross knows a thing or two about the end of the world, thanks to a survivalist grandfather who stockpiles freeze-dried food and supplies--just in case. So when she reads about a Harvard scientist's prediction that an asteroid will strike Earth in April, Eleanor knows her family will be prepared. Her classmates? They're on their own! <P><P>Eleanor has just one friend she wants to keep safe: Mack. They've been best friends since kindergarten, even though he's more of a smiley emoji and she's more of an eye-roll emoji. They'll survive the end of the world together . . . if Mack doesn't go away to a special school for the blind. <P><P>But it's hard to keep quiet about a life-destroying asteroid--especially at a crowded lunch table--and soon Eleanor is the president of the (secret) End of the World Club. It turns out that prepping for TEOTWAWKI (the End of the World as We Know It) is actually kind of fun. But you can't really prepare for everything life drops on you. And one way or another, Eleanor's world is about to change.
A World Full of Wildlife: and how you can protect it
by Neal LaytonEvery animal and plant on earth is part of an incredible WEB OF LIFE. But living things are disappearing all over the world, and it's a big problem. Award-winning author-illustrator Neal Layton is here to introduce the concept of biodiversity to younger readers, explaining what it is, why it's so important, and how the actions of humans are hurting it. But he's also FULL of ideas for how you can help! From building a bug hotel to growing flowers on a windowsill and eating more organic food, A World Full of Wildlife will get young readers excited about how they can make a difference to keep the web of life bursting with energy.This brilliant non-fiction picture book is perfect for readers aged 5-7 who love nature and want to help the environment.Also available in this series:A Planet Full of PlasticA Climate in Chaos
World Heritage Benefits Beyond Borders
by Amareswar GallaPublished on the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, this thematic collection of case studies provides a thorough understanding of World Heritage sites and their Outstanding Universal Value in the context of sustainable development. The case studies describe twenty six thematically, typologically and regionally diverse World Heritage sites illustrating their benefits to local communities and ecosystems and sharing the lessons learned with the diverse range of stakeholders involved. The volume emphasises a holistic and integrated view of World Heritage, linking it to the role local communities play in management and protection, and to issues of ecosystem sustainability, and the maintenance of biological, linguistic and cultural diversity. Cross-disciplinary in its scope, this book will provide a meeting point for researchers, practitioners, community representatives and the wider public and will promote cultural and natural heritage conservation as a key vector of sustainable development and social cohesion.
World Heritage Conservation: The World Heritage Convention, Linking Culture and Nature for Sustainable Development
by Claire Cave Elene NegussieThe UNESCO World Heritage Convention has become one of the most successful UN instruments for promoting cultural diplomacy and dialogue on conservation of cultural and natural heritage. This book provides an overview of the convention through an interdisciplinary approach to conservation. It shows that based on the notion of outstanding universal value and international cooperation for the protection of heritage, the convention provides a platform for sustainable development through the conservation and management of heritage of significance to humanity. With increasing globalization of heritage, World Heritage Conservation is reviewed as an emerging interdisciplinary field of study creating new opportunities for inclusive heritage debate both locally and globally, requiring common tools and understanding. With over a thousand properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, from biologically diverse sites such as the Central Amazon Conservation Complex to the urban landscape of the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the book will help students, researchers and professionals in the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of World Heritage. Targeted at a diversity of disciplines, the book critically describes the strategies for implementing the convention and the processes of heritage governance for sustainable development.
World Heritage Conservation in the Pacific: The Case of Solomon Islands (Palgrave Series in Asia and Pacific Studies)
by Stephanie Clair PriceThis book explores the opportunities and challenges associated with the legal protection of World Heritage sites in the Pacific Islands. It argues that the small Pacific representation on the World Heritage List is in part due to a lack of strong legal frameworks for heritage conservation, putting such sites under threat. Providing a comprehensive analysis of the nomination, listing and protection of the Solomon Island World Heritage Site, it examines the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Pacific context. It explores how the international community’s broadening interpretation of the notion of ‘outstanding universal value’ has increased the potential for Pacific heritage to be classified as ‘World Heritage’. This book also analyses the protection regime established by the Convention, and the World Heritage Committee’s approach to heritage conservation, identifying challenges associated with the protection of Pacific Island heritage.
World Hunger: 10 Myths
by Joseph Collins Frances Moore LappéFrom bestselling authors Frances Moore Lappé and Joseph Collins comes the 21st century’s definitive book on world hunger. Driven by the question, "Why hunger despite an abundance of food?" Lappé and Collins refute the myths that prevent us from addressing the root causes of hunger across the globe. World Hunger: Ten Myths draws on extensive new research to offer fresh, often startling, insights about tough questions-from climate change and population growth to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the role of U.S. foreign aid, and more.Brimming with little-known but life-changing examples of solutions to hunger worldwide, this myth-busting book argues that sustainable agriculture can feed the world, that we can end nutritional deprivation affecting one-quarter of the world’s people, and that most in the Global North have more in common with hungry people than they thought. For novices and scholars alike, World Hunger: Ten Myths will inspire a whole new generation of hunger-fighters.
The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization
by Vince BeiserThe gripping story of the most important overlooked commodity in the world--sand--and the crucial role it plays in our lives.After water and air, sand is the natural resource that we consume more than any other--even more than oil. Every concrete building and paved road on Earth, every computer screen and silicon chip, is made from sand. From Egypt's pyramids to the Hubble telescope, from the world's tallest skyscraper to the sidewalk below it, from Chartres' stained-glass windows to your iPhone, sand shelters us, empowers us, engages us, and inspires us. It's the ingredient that makes possible our cities, our science, our lives--and our future.And, incredibly, we're running out of it.The World in a Grain is the compelling true story of the hugely important and diminishing natural resource that grows more essential every day, and of the people who mine it, sell it, build with it--and sometimes, even kill for it. It's also a provocative examination of the serious human and environmental costs incurred by our dependence on sand, which has received little public attention. Not all sand is created equal: Some of the easiest sand to get to is the least useful. Award-winning journalist Vince Beiser delves deep into this world, taking readers on a journey across the globe, from the United States to remote corners of India, China, and Dubai to explain why sand is so crucial to modern life. Along the way, readers encounter world-changing innovators, island-building entrepreneurs, desert fighters, and murderous sand pirates. The result is an entertaining and eye-opening work, one that is both unexpected and involving, rippling with fascinating detail and filled with surprising characters.
A World in a Shell: Snail Stories for a Time of Extinctions
by Thom van DoorenFollowing the trails of Hawai&‘i&’s snails to explore the simultaneously biological and cultural significance of extinction.In this time of extinctions, the humble snail rarely gets a mention. And yet snails are disappearing faster than any other species. In A World in a Shell, Thom van Dooren offers a collection of snail stories from Hawai&‘i—once home to more than 750 species of land snails, almost two-thirds of which are now gone. Following snail trails through forests, laboratories, museums, and even a military training facility, and meeting with scientists and Native Hawaiians, van Dooren explores ongoing processes of ecological and cultural loss as they are woven through with possibilities for hope, care, mourning, and resilience. Van Dooren recounts the fascinating history of snail decline in the Hawaiian Islands: from deforestation for agriculture, timber, and more, through the nineteenth century shell collecting mania of missionary settlers, and on to the contemporary impacts of introduced predators. Along the way he asks how both snail loss and conservation efforts have been tangled up with larger processes of colonization, militarization, and globalization. These snail stories provide a potent window into ongoing global process of environmental and cultural change, including the largely unnoticed disappearance of countless snails, insects, and other less charismatic species. Ultimately, van Dooren seeks to cultivate a sense of wonder and appreciation for our damaged planet, revealing the world of possibilities and relationships that lies coiled within a snail&’s shell.
The World Is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean's Are One
by Sylvia A. EarleExplorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, oceanographer Earle adds blue to the green movement by explaining the importance of the earth's ocean to the health of its life. She begins by setting out the conventional vision of the ocean's limitless bounty for harvesting wildlife and infinite resiliency as the ultimate garbage disposal. Then she explains how the ocean is suffering from biodiversity loss, drilling, mining, shipping, spilling, and changing climate and chemistry. The final section surveys opportunities for reversing the tide by exploring and governing the ocean, smart aquaculture, and protective measures. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The World Is Ours to Cherish: A Letter to a Child
by Mary Annaïse HeglarThis hopeful picture book--written in the style of a letter--gives kids an honest take on climate change and urges them to band together to help the planet.The world is a big, beautiful place full of natural wonders--everything from bees to rainfall can seem magical.The world is also changing. Climate change has already had a devastating effect on the planet.But it's not too late! If we work together and show a little more care, both for the environment and each other, we can keep this world beautiful.This moving debut from climate writer Mary Annaïse Heglar is perfect for budding environmentalists and anyone in need of a little hope for the future of our planet.
World Lakes (Core Knowledge History and Geography)
by Core Knowledge FoundationWORLD LAKES begins with a review of map skills and geographical terms. Students learn about the benefits and resources provided by lakes, including, in Asia, the Caspian and Aral Seas; in Africa, Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, and Chad; in South America, Lakes Maracaibo and Titicaca; and, in North America, Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Ontario.
World Metal Demand: Trends and Prospects (Routledge Revivals)
by John E. TiltonIn the early 1970s, the post-World War II boom in world metal consumption came to a halt. As time passed, it became clear that what many first thought to be a cyclical downturn was instead a long-term, substantial decline in world metal demand. In this volume, first published in 1990, editor John E. Tilton and four fellow scholars of mineral economics analyse the causes and consequences of this decline and the prospects for future growth in world metal demand. This book will be of interest to students of business and environmental studies.
World Mineral Trends and U.S. Supply Problems (Routledge Revivals)
by Leonard L. FischmanEven though the United States relies heavily on imports for many non-fuel minerals, mineral supply has played only a small role in foreign policy since World War II. Originally published in 1980, this report investigates seven major non-fuel minerals in relation to long-term potential supply and price problems and any short-term issues that may arise to put concerns about supply in perspective for policy-makers. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental Studies and professionals.
The World Never Sleeps (Tilbury House Nature Book #0)
by Natalie Rompella Carol SchwartzMidnight. Stars speckle the darkness with bits of light. A cockroach skitters across the kitchen floor to snatch a forgotten breadcrumb. In the backyard, a spider weaves an intricate design on the fence. Winged insects dance and flicker in the porch light. Day and night, small creatures are busy working, eating, hunting, hiding. This nonfiction picture book reveals the hidden lives of insects and other small creatures from one midnight to the next. The world may appear to be sleeping in the dead of night, but it is not. As moonflowers open and stars shine, nature goes about her business. The world never sleeps. Natalie Rompella’s lyrical text is vividly complemented by Carol Schwartz’s watercolors. A cat roams through the illustrations—silent witness, in the house and in the yard, to the myriad lives of night and day. A sense of mystery pervades all—even the backmatter natural-history portraits of the animals met in the book. This nature book invites children into a parallel universe, one that teems with life while they sleep. Lexile Level 700; F&P Level O
The World of Bees
by Gilbert NixonAn entomologist presents a beautifully illustrated study of bees, from their behavior to social structures, colonies, and relationship to the environment. In this engaging and scholarly volume, entomologist Gilbert Nixon shares his lifelong fascination with bees. Nixon&’s childhood love of these curious insects led to decades of study as he learned to identify their distinctive markings and pursued the secrets of their mystifying behaviors.The World of Bees offers a comprehensive introduction to various species of bees, including honey bees, bumblebees, and leafcutter bees, as well as information on related insects such as botflies and wasps. With color illustrations by Arthur Smith, this expert volume covers all major topics in melittology, including mating habits, life cycles, pollination, bee dances, and more.
The World of Kew
by Carolyn FryWithout plants, there would be no life on earth. Kew Gardens is famous for its breathtaking displays of flowers and tree,s but this World Heritage Site is also a globally important scientific and historical organization. Scientists and gardeners use the plants and knowledge that have been collected at Kew since the eighteenth century to advance understanding of the earth's environment and of how plant lfe can be used for human benefit. Published to accompany the ten-part BBC2 series A New Year at Kew, this fascinating book takes us behind the scenes to show the extraordinary range of work carried out at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place - home to the Millenium Seed Bank - and by Kew staff overseas. From using forensic botant to micropagating plants facing extinction, from investigating herbal cures from Alzheimer's disease to replanting the volcano-ravaged island of Montserrat, the book shows us aspects of Kew's work that are largely hidden from view abut the benefits of which are far reachingl In the process it provides an absorbing and accessible introduction to such topical subjects as biodiversity, practical conservation and economic botany. Lavishly illustrated and filled with engrossing stories and engaging characters, this book brings to life the world of Kew and the global importance of its work.
The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books
by Marta McDowell“For gardeners, botanists, and fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this book looks at the beloved Little House on the Prairie author’s relationship to nature.” —Publishers Weekly The universal appeal of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books springs from a life lived in partnership with the land, on farms she and her family settled across the Northeast and Midwest. In this revealing exploration of Wilder’s deep connection with the natural world, Marta McDowell follows the wagon trail of the beloved Little House series. You’ll learn details about Wilder’s life and inspirations, pinpoint the Ingalls and Wilder homestead claims on authentic archival maps, and learn to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the series. Excerpts from Wilder’s books, letters, and diaries bring to light her profound appreciation for the landscapes at the heart of her world. Featuring the beloved illustrations by Helen Sewell and Garth Williams, plus hundreds of historic and contemporary photographs, The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a treasure for anyone enchanted by Laura’s wild and beautiful life.
A World of Love
by Aimee Elizabeth ReidThere are a world of ways to show love for our young!Animal parents shower their little ones with love in so many unique ways. Doves coo and dolphins whistle, while penguins huddle with their chicks for warmth and mountain goats shield their kids&’ falls. Eye-catching collage illustrations and a lyrical text invite readers to explore animal behavior around the globe and celebrate the universal nature of a caregiver&’s love.
World of Made and Unmade
by Jane MeadMead's fifth collection candidly and openly explores the long process that is death. These resonant poems discover what it means to live, die, and come home again. We're drawn in by sorrow and grief, but also the joys of celebrating a long life and how simple it is to find laughter and light in the quietest and darkest of moments.
The World of Northern Evergreens
by E. C. PielouPraise for the first edition—"This book is guaranteed to enrich the reader's next forest visit."—Library Journal"Pielou's book brings forest ecology to naturalists, bird lovers, hikers, cyclists, canoeists, skiers, mountaineers, and back-country campers."—Seattle Post-Intelligencer"It is E. C. Pielou's contention that evergreen forests... are taken for granted and rarely well understood. To remedy this, the distinguished biogeographer has written a book focusing on the northern evergreen forests. This is a book that many naturalists, both novice and experienced, will read with pleasure and interest."—Canadian Field-Naturalist "Pielou makes a strong, irrefutable, case for the preservation of old-growth forests and wilderness. Anyone who appreciates the outdoors should have this book and take its message to heart."—Forest Planning Canada Global warming and human-driven impacts from logging, natural gas drilling, mining of oil sands, and the development of hydropower increasingly threaten North America's northern forests. These forests are far from being a uniform environment; close inspection reveals that the conifers that thrive there—pines, larches, spruces, hemlocks, firs, Douglas-firs, arborvitaes, false-cypresses, junipers, and yews—support a varied and complex ecosystem. In The World of Northern Evergreens, the noted ecologist E. C. Pielou introduces the biology of the northern forests and provides a unique invitation to naturalists, ecologists, foresters, and everyone living in northern North America who wants to learn about this unique and threatened northern world and the species that make it their home. Through identification keys, descriptions, and life histories of the conifer tree species, the author emphasizes how different these plants are both biologically and evolutionarily from the hardwoods we also call "trees." Following this introduction to the essential conifers, the author's perceptive insights expand to include the interactions of conifers with other plants, fungi, mammals, birds, and amphibians. The second edition, enriched by new illustrations by the author of woodland features and creatures, updates the text to include new topics including mycorrhizal fungi, soil, woodlice, bats, and invasive insects such as the hemlock woolly adelgid. Emphasis is given to the very real human-driven impacts that threaten the species that live in and depend on the vital and complex forest ecosystem. Pielou provides us with a rich understanding of the northern forests in this work praised for its nontechnical presentation, scientific objectivity, and original illustrations.
The World of the Beaver
by Leonard Lee Rue III"According to a Cherokee legend," writes Leonard Lee Rue in The World of the Beaver, "it was the Great Spirit, with the help of gigantic beavers, who created the earth. The earth had been covered with water until the Great Spirit sent the beavers diving down beneath the surface to dredge up mud from the bottom to form land masses." Although the beaver is not, nowadays, as big as his legendary ancestors, he continues to be enormously helpful to man and beast. Here Leonard Lee Rue reveals the world and way of life of the good -natured, industrious American beaver and follows him through a full year of his ordinary activities. How does a beaver fell a tree? What does he eat? Is he polygamous or monogamous? How does he build a dam? What does the inside of his lodge look like? Who has been his most deadly enemy in America? The author-whose interest in beavers has caused him to go swimming with them and, on one occasion, led to his becoming stuck in the passage to a lodge-answers all these questions and many others. The informal narrative and the author's remarkable photographs make this really first-rate reading for the nature student and for the ordinary reader. "As intent as man seems to be on destroying the earth," writes Leonard Lee Rue in conclusion, "the Creator may again have to call upon the beavers to help patch things up. The earth's future couldn't be in better paws."