During the second decade of human life, the body and brain undergo a profound and complex transformation, with emotions and intellect changing as rapidly and unpredictably as weight and height. These changes can be baffling - to teenagers and to those around them alike - but adolescence plays an important evolutionary role in who we become as adults and there are hard scientific facts behind the spots, the smells and the sexual experimentation, as well as the existential angst, the anger a...

An illustrated look at the art and science of paleontology from its origins to todayHumans have been stumbling upon the petrified remains of ancient animals since prehistoric times, leading to tales of giant dogs, deadly dragons, tree gods, sea serpents, and all manner of strange and marvelous creatures. In this richly illustrated book, David Bainbridge recounts how legends like these gradually gave rise to the modern science of paleontology, and how this pioneerin...

A wonderfully illustrated history of geology from ancient times to the present dayThe geological processes that underlie all life on Earth can seem intimidatingly vast, ancient, and sometimes even alien. Our planet’s dynamics have fascinated humans for millennia, yet only recently have we developed a clear picture of how they work. This book presents the discoveries and critical scientific advances that inform our understanding of Earth’s origins and the forces dri...

Humankind’s fascination with the animal kingdom began as a matter of survival – differentiating the edible from the toxic, the ferocious from the tractable. Since then, our compulsion to catalogue wildlife has played a key role in growing our understanding of the planet and ourselves, inspiring religious beliefs and evolving scientific theories. The book unveils wild truths and even wilder myths about animals, as perpetuated by zoologists – revealing how much more there is to learn, and un...

The complex interaction of economics, politics, culture and ecology were described in Volume 1—Fur War. This second volume reveals the remarkable people of the Fur War. The heroes, scoundrels, survivors, oligarchs, observers and psychopaths. Learn how they shaped history.Consider yourself in their shoes.Could you command a ship around the world at the age of nineteen with twenty-two men (most of them older than you) as crew?Could you hike, ride, and...

Keep an eye out for the local ravensWatch the joy they get from lifeWe could all learn from themExplore the raven world, from the glaciers of the arctic to the deserts of the American Southwest, through this collection of poems and illustrations that highlight the cleverness and adaptability of these strong birds.

Humankind’s fascination with the animal kingdom began as a matter of survival – differentiating the edible from the toxic, the ferocious from the tractable. Since then, our compulsion to catalogue wildlife has played a key role in growing our understanding of the planet and ourselves, inspiring religious beliefs and evolving scientific theories. The book unveils wild truths and even wilder myths about animals, as perpetuated by zoologists – revealing how much more there is to learn, and un...

True Cost Accounting = Environmental and Social ResponsibilityHistorically, our markets and educational system have ignored the economics of sustainability. As a result, we consider only a small part of the exchanges we make and the impact of our actions.This book provides guidance and support for adopting true cost accounting.The challenge is to make true cost reporting and accounting easier for consumers, accountants, CEOs, CFOs, engineers, design...

A tiny scrap of genetic information determines our sex; it also consigns many of us to a life of disease, directs or disrupts the everyday working of our bodies, and forces women to live as genetic chimeras. The culprit--so necessary and yet the source of such upheaval--is the X chromosome, and this is its story. An enlightening and entertaining tour of the cultural and natural history of this intriguing member of the genome, The X in Sex traces the journey toward our current unde...

Dryland degradation and desertification now affect almost a billion people around the world. Tragically, the biological resources and productivity of millions of acres of land are lost to desertification each year because people remain unaware of strategies and techniques that could improve yields, reduce risk, and begin healing the world's deserts. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration is the first book to offer practical, field-tested solutions to this critical problem....

The animal fur trade played a key role in the development and ultimate ownership of lands and resources on the West Coast of North America. Yet it is often neglected in histories and understanding of the west. In California classrooms it is skipped almost entirely.The players in this complex conflict included Russia, Great Britain, America, France, Spain, Mexico, Hawaii, and the many First Nations whose lands it had been. At times the fur trade was incredibly profitable and helped ...

In the new ‘knowledge-intensive economies’ Intellectual assets increasingly play a key part on balance sheets. There is an increasing global awareness that in order to promote innovation and the growth of the economy, businesses must fully recognise and exploit their intellectual assets. A company’s ability to innovate rapidly and successfully is now regarded as essential and most breakthroughs are made by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), usually with no in-house legal profession...