Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

A great oyster book-Surprisingly informative!
My husband & I are fascinated with experiencing the pleasures of eating oysters. We were seeking a book to give us basic knowledge. This book is what we were looking for & more. This book is packed with very useful information. We plan to test our knowledge, as we set out to visit oyster farms & oyster fests, noted in the book.

Awesome fun bookMust read!!
Growing up on an island in Washington State and visiting relatives on Hoods Canal who had oysters outside their front door, I grew up loving oysters raw, in stew, bread and pan fried, and in casseroles.

So when I discovered this gem of a book I was overjoyed. Anyone who loves oysters or simply food history should love this book as well.Cannot recommend it enough.

Delicious Reading
Rowan Jacobsen writes about oysters in beautifully descriptive language, with offbeat humor thrown in. I've recommended this book even to those who won't eat a raw oyster, but love great writing and have a curious mind. If you are an oyster aficionado, then you simply must read this book! But, be warned, you'll then be on a mission to try as many of them as possible, immediately.

"At some level, it isn't about taste or smell at all. Because an oyster, like a lover, first captures you by bewitching your mind." -Rowan Jacobsen

A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur's Guide to Oyster Eating in North America
I love this book.I bought three for friends. I had no idea there were so many different speices of oysters.And so close to home, many of them. The book explains the tastes and textures to expect. The history of each from State to State. How they are harvested, recipes, and locations where to eat the best. If you enjoy oysters, you will really like this book.

Love Oysters but a Little Perplexed by Them? The Answers Are Here.
"A Geography of Oysters" is the guide that I've been looking for. I love raw oysters, but they have a mind-boggling number of names and farming methods that I never could sort out. The people selling them are of limited help. I've read books about oysters, but they said little about particular species or origins. Now Rowan Jacobsen has made sense of it all in this practical guide to oyster eating in North America. Like European wines or single malt whiskies, oysters taste like the place they come from, so Jacobsen takes us all over North America to learn how and where 132 common oysters are farmed. Although there are some recipes in the back, "A Geography of Oysters" is primarily dedicated to raw oysters, so this is for those of us who like to slurp the slimy things out of their shells.

The guide has three parts. The first, "Mastering the Oyster", tells us about the 5 species of oyster that are cultivated in North America, explains the life cycle of an oyster, oyster harvesting, farming, and hatcheries, how different methods of cultivation affect texture, taste, and shelf life, how and why season and place affects taste, and how modern aquaculture has created an environmentally beneficial, diverse oyster industry. It's a solid introduction to oysters. The meat of the book is the second part, "The Oyster Appellations of North America". This is where we get an ostreaphilic tour of the continent. For each region, state, or province, Jacobsen provides a history of oysters in that region, followed by how, where, and other particulars for the major oysters in that area.

The final section, "Everything You Wanted to Know about Oysters but Were Afraid to Ask", gives advice on how to choose an oyster, storing oysters, shucking oysters, serving oysters, wines that go well with oysters and those that do not. Jacobsen prefers his oysters raw but offers 21 recipes -which will presumably be reserved for those unfortunate occasional bland oysters. There are several recipes for mignonette to top your oysters, oyster stew, and oysters roasted, baked, fried, pickled, and even drunk. That's followed by notes about safety, nutrition, and a helpful list of oyster bars, festivals, and growers that ship direct. As the man says, we don't eat oysters because we are hungry. We eat them to experience them. "A Geography of Oysters" will help you experience more oysters. ... Read more

Product Description
Who killed the dead sea?...Where was the garden of Eden?...What's so bad about the badlands?

The author of the critically acclaimed national bestseller Don't Know Much About History now takes us on a fascinating, breathtaking and hilarious grand tour of the planet Earth -- opening our eyes and imaginations to a wide, wild, and wonderful world we never knew.Amazon.com Review
You might think you need to look at a map to learn "everythingyou need to know" about geography, but Kenneth C. Davis provesotherwise. In this hugely entertaining and informative program, Davistakes a different approach to learning about the world by pointing outits relevance--and importance--in every sphere of humanlife. Geography, Davis explains, has been sadly misunderstood, whichaccounts for the fact that Americans consistently score lowest amongpeoples of industrialized nations when it comes to "knowing where weare." He sets out to show listeners how this "mother lode of sciences,the hub of a circle from which all the other studies radiate" informsdisciplines ranging from meteorology, climatology, and oceanography toeconomics, ecology, and political science. Rather than looking atgeography as a parade of facts about where things are located, heencourages an approach that considers human and natural history in itslarger context--and the universe as a large canvas upon which thefascinating story of life is drawn. Using his familiar question-and-answer method, Davis offers interesting anecdotes to explain, forexample, who invented the compass; why wars are always fought overgeography; the differences between country, republic, nation, andstate; why the tallest mountain in the world is getting even taller;and much more. Succinct discussions coupled with Davis's livelywriting style makes this a perfect candidate for audiopresentation. Indeed, listening to this program without the aid ofvisuals underscores the sense conveyed that geography is as much abouthow we think about the world as where things are in physicalspace--that it is about the "tender connections that keep the earthalive." (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --UmaKukathas ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Quick lesson with wit and humor.
Don't Know Much About Geography is a quick lesson about all things geography.As Davis points out "Geography is History", and therfore a majority of the book also deals with the history of the world and exploration and understanding of it.

The book jumps from topic to topic with interesting stories and aneqdotes and answers commonly asked geography questions.This is a fabulous book for teachers who want a quick overview of geography and world history and then will be able to answer the most frequently asked questions in the classroom.Some topics can be a little dry, but others are wildly entertaining. My favorite being the discussion of the Amazon women. (From the Caspian Sea, not South America which were named for the former.)

"To the Greeks, the Amazons were a race of brave female warriors who cut off one of their breasts in order to be able to carry their shields or to draw their bows with greater ease; their name derives from the Greek word for breastless. The Amazons supposedly fought on the side of Troy in the Trojan War. Amazonia was an empire of women who did not tolerate the presence of men. Their only contact with the opposite sex was at an annual festival designed to ensure the reproduction of their race. Once in Amazonia, the males were dispassionately used and then transformed into eunuchs and kept as slaves or expediently disposed of. Only the female children were kept by the Amazons; the boys were sent away."

Kenneth C. Davis has a collection of "Don't Know Much About..." books. Everything from History, to the Bible, planet earth, kings and queens of Europe, mythology, the 50 States, the Civil War, etc.They are a great read to brush up on your knowledge quickly all while being entertained with wit and humor.

Interesting but too many errors
At least one of his dates are off by 401 years. The suicide at Masada took place in 70 A.D. not 471. Clearly this is one thing that you don't need to know because it didn't happen 30 years short of a time period we call medieval Europe. Does this guy even know what was really happening in Jerusalem in 471?

Educational But Has Many Mistakes
Don't Know Much About Geography is a very interesting and easy to listen to audiobook.The problem with the book, which is well-known, is that is contains many factual errors.That's why it's hard to recommend this book.

But I enjoyed listening to it and learned more than I expected.Many basic subjects of geography are covered, and I never tire of this subject.Geography affords the opportunity to include a lot of excellent trivia, and this book does not disappoint in that regard.I won't spoil anything by telling these trivia facts.

I think this is a worthy book to listen to providing that you can tolerate the errors, and it would be embarrassing to take the errors as fact and then represent them as such to others.

Rambling and encyclopedic
The basis of this book is an outline of general geographic terms.Each discussion is usually introduced with a some playful question that is then properly explained.After providing a brief answer, the author then tends to go off in some direction, adding facts and opinion related to that subject.Sometimes this discussion is merely an encyclopedia-like enumeration of geographic features.At other times, he goes rambling off in tangentially related discussion (such as a long war discussion.)Nearly all discussions are filled with wit and opinion.Some of these discussion were quite enjoyable, while others are a mere waste of paper.The book is more than a decade old, so some discussion (especially is diversions into current events and politics) seem quite dated.

While there is a very lose narrative, each section is fairly independent, making it easy to read any given section.However, some of these independent sections seem to be a little too rambling to be used as a 'bathroom' book.

The book is certainly more enjoyable than a geography textbook, however it will take a lot longer to get through than a simple encylcopedia article.

"Don't Know Much About.." Series is Excellent!
I've read all of the books in the "Don't Know Much About.." series. If you're interested in getting a rather thorough overview without becoming an expert, these books are for you. They are so easy to read, that I couldn't but them down. ... Read more

Product Description
With the clarity, insight, and sheer exuberance of language that make her one of The New York Times's premier stylists, Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Angier lifts the veil of secrecy from that most enigmatic of evolutionary masterpieces, the female body.Angier takes readers on a mesmerizing tour of female anatomy and physiology that explores everything from organs to orgasm, and delves into topics such as exercise, menopause, and the mysterious properties of breast milk.

A self-proclaimed "scientific fantasia of womanhood." Woman ultimately challenges widely accepted Darwinian-based gender stereotypes.Angier shows how cultural biases have influenced research in evolutionary psychology (the study of the biological bases of behavior) and consequently lead to dubious conclusions about "female nature." such as the idea that women are innately monogamous while men are natural philanderers.

But Angier doesn't just point fingers; she offers optimistic alternatives and transcends feminist polemics with an enlightened subversiveness that makes for a joyful, fresh vision of womanhood.Woman is a seminal work that will endure as an essential read for anyone intersted in how biology affects who we are?as women, as men, and as human beings.Amazon.com Review
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, as far as thehealth care profession is concerned the standard operating design ofthe human body is male. So when a book comes along as beautifullywritten and endlessly informative as Natalie Angier's Woman: AnIntimate Geography, it's a cause for major celebration. Writtenwith whimsy and eloquence, her investigation into female physiologydraws its inspiration not only from scientific and medical sources butalso from mythology, history, art, and literature, layering biologicalfactoids with her own personal encounters and arcane anecdotes fromthe history of science. Who knew, for example, that the clitoris--with8,000 nerve fibers--packs double the pleasure of the penis; that thegene controlling cellular sensitivity to male androgens, ironicallyenough, resides on the X-chromosome; or that stress hormones likecortisol and corticosterone are the true precursors of friendship?

The mysteries of evolution are not a new subject for Angier, aPulitzer Prize-winning biology writer for the New York Timeswhose previous books include The Beauty of the Beastly andNatural Obsessions. The strengths of Woman begin withAngier's witty and evocative prose style, but its real contribution isthe way it expands the definition of female "geography" beyond womb,breasts, and estrogen, down as far as the bimolecular substructure ofDNA and up as high as the transcendent infrastructure of the humanbrain. --Patrizia DiLucchio ... Read more

Customer Reviews (140)

Exposing and illuminating
I first read this book from my local library. I loved it so much and referenced it so often in my class discussions that I decided to buy it. The book gives you a whole new view of a womans body that you probably would never had been exposed to if it wasnt for Natalie Angier. She has a engaging writing style and boils down complex science to give the reader confidence in what she is describing. She is very well versed in her subject (which is obvious since she is a highly educated scientist). I left the book knowing alot more about the female body and had alot of new ideas that counters prevailing myths/concepts about women. Definitely recommended! One of my most favorite books!

yikes!
Garbage. Bad science coupled with anecdotes and far-flung speculations. Add to this an annoyingly poetic writing style and a tone that demonstrates the author's contempt of all things male and you have one of the most overrated books I've ever come across.

great read...enjoyed every page
Woman: An Intimate Geography, by Natalie Angier, is an absolute must read...a must read for Women, definitely; but, also, I would even recommend it for men to read--married men. It is a brilliant masterpiece.

Angier is a gifted writer. Her sentences are fluid, informed, and entertaining. She says things and phrases things in ways I would not be able to even if I had spent hours planning. She is a "feminist"; but, she is not angry, does not hate men, and loves being a woman. This is the kind of woman I would love be around.

Angier's book starts at the ground level and works its way up through woman: the intricacies of female anatomy--the who, what, why, where, when, and how--right through to the heart, the brain, and out into society where women encounter other women and men. This book is not about stereotypes--although many stereotypes are dealt with--and, it is not about woman being better than or inferior to man--the sexes are not pitted against each other. Angier presents Woman: plain and complex, simple and intricate, beautiful and homely, passive and aggressive, clean and dirty, and freed and bound.

The one major contention I have with the book is the heavy dependence on the theory of evolution. Where she can't explain something by evolution's terms, she just shrugs her shoulders--never once considering a Divine Author, an Intelligent Designer. And, while I greatly appreciated and learned a lot from the constant comparison of humans to certain types of apes, I have a hard time swallowing the idea that I can learn a lot more about myself from watching a female rhesus monkey. Yes, I learned a lot about those chimps and monkeys, and found that there were some "correlations", but, at the end of the day couldn't help but think, "Uhhh...but I'm a human." Though a Chimp's DNA encoding might be similar to ours by 99% (Angier 15), that small 1 % carries a lot of weight and makes a huge difference: we're not that similar.

In spite of that one minor, minor contention (I can't stress how minor it is), the book is high on my list of "must-reads". This will do for you, as a woman--Christian and not, alike--what all those other "women" books fail to do: breath life into your weary, tired bones. Angier proclaims on every page: it's effing great to be a woman; let's celebrate!

NOTE:I just read some reviews that gave this book a poor rating, and some of them seemed to have credence and I appreciate the concern they expressed; and, this is why i have given the book a four star rating and not five.It seems there may be some argument over Angier's data and her examination of that data.However, it is still a great read, as long as we take it for what it is: an interesting book written by a woman and not a scientific text book for biology class.

fascinating!!!
the book is filled to the brim with exciting descriptions of biology/humanity/women/etc.angier writes with a concise and poetic style, begging you to continue reading

she does a phenomenal job dispelling various caricatures and stereotypes of femininity, drawing on a wide range of cultural and biological sources. i can't vouch for the reliability of angier's translations of scientific studies, but i greatly enjoyed them and she was comprehensive enough i suspect her main points hold up even if a few of the (many!) studies are not current/represented-accurately/etc

as a fellow child of christian scientists (and unfortunately, like natalie, having a needlessly and prematurely dead father), i greatly appreciate her fresh-eyed look at the fields of medicine and biology.. a rare and exciting perspective, imo

otherwise/overall i found the work most compelling for its insight into humanity and biology at large, and while its woman-centricity makes a good catalyst for this discussion, i found it regressive at times

on page 374, angier quotes patricia gowaty ->

"all of these strategies and counterstrategies are going on in real time, so that we have responses associated with learning and experience rather than as a result of coded genetic modules.. the ecological problems that one sex has to solve are produced by the other sex. nothing is fixed. until we incorporate that notion, of the dynamic and dialectic pressures underlying human mating systems, we'll never get to the real meat of human behavior, and we'll continue repeating the extreme, and extremely boring, parodies"

wow!!but rather than employ this dialectic perspective, angier simply states it (at the end).she does an astounding job of connecting a huge number of exciting topics - nominally a discussion of womanhood, and effectively one of humanity - but she digs her heels in for the sexual tug-o-war, most noticeably by floating casual/negative/frequent male stereotypes.a particular zinger (p251) reads ->

"men do not live as long as women do, after all, and the disparity in lifespan applies globally. maybe they don't have to live as long. or maybe they don't want to. maybe they get tired of losing their hair, and of the political pomp of the hunt, and of making bad jokes about their mothers-in-law"

try substituting "men" and "women" along with your most despised of the tired-female-stereotypes, and it's a career finisher (in some circles)

gowaty's transcendent approach would make a significantly more powerful/shattering/foundational work (imo).but, it's still a great (5 star!) read - and i highly recommend it to anyone who's intrigued

Woman: An Amazing Book!!
This book is fantastic.Natalie Angier writes poetically and creatively, and she seems to know a little bit about everything!It's fascinating how she weaves things like evolutionary biology, history, and personal interviews with women into a cohesive story about the femalebody. It's truly entertaining and educational to read, and has even helped me review for a class that covers reproductive biology!

... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Science / Earth Sciences / Geography; Social Science / Human Geography; Travel / General; Travel / Essays ... Read more

Product Description
Over the next half century, the human population, divided by culture and economics and armed with weapons of mass destruction, will expand to nearly 9 billion people. Abrupt climate change may throw the global system into chaos; China will emerge as a superpower; and Islamic terrorism and insurgency will threaten vital American interests. How can we understand these and other global challenges? Harm de Blij has a simple answer: by improving our understanding of the world's geography.
In Why Geography Matters, de Blij demonstrates how geography's perspectives yield unique and penetrating insights into the interconnections that mark our shrinking world. Preparing for climate change, averting a cold war with China, defeating terrorism: all of this requires geographic knowledge. De Blij also makes an urgent call to restore geography to America's educational curriculum. He shows how and why the U.S. has become the world's most geographically illiterate society of consequence, and demonstrates the great risk this poses to America's national security.
Peppering his writing with anecdotes from his own professional travels, de Blij provides an original treatise that is as engaging as it is eye opening. Casual or professional readers in areas such as education, politics, or national security will find themselves with a stimulating new perspective on geography as it continues to affect our world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Interesting and Informative
Though this book can be a little tedious (it's rather technical; I did have to read it for a class), it is actually quite informative and interesting. The author generally does a good job of avoiding touchy political demonstrations, however his opinions regarding global warming and evolution are there if you are looking hard enough. It is not in your face in any way; he offers strong evidence and insight into matters of geography that I never knew before. An enriching and interesting book.

A very well written book
that provides not just food but rather a feast for thought.This book will vastly improve one's understanding of the world today.

Somewhat Interesting, but No New Insights
Blij tells readers that improving our understanding of the world's geography is key to understanding the key challenges of the next half-century:Population growth to nearly 9 billion, climate change possibly causing chaos, China's emergence as a superpower, and Islamic terrorism threats for America.Unfortunately, Blij's efforts to convince us of the need to re-emphasize geography fails.

A globe tells us that most of the earth's surface is water or ice, and much of the land is mountains or desert.It also tells us that the Northern Hemisphere countries dominate the world because most of the habitable territory is north of the Equator.

All titles and other legal documents in the U.S. have been expressed in English measures - converting to metric would be impractical.

Assuming you are in North America, the room you are in will move about 1/2" in the next year; over a geologic time of 1 million years it will move 8 miles.

About 200 years ago the Earth's population was only about 900 million, reaching 1 billion in 1820.Another 110 years was required to double (2M), and only 45 more years to double again (4M in 1975).Blij anticipates doubling again by 2035, reflecting a slower growth rate.However, Blij reports that it is important to look at the data for individual countries.

Increasing lifespans adds another important dimension.Currently 35 of every 100 in Europe are of pensionable age, and this will rise to 75 by 2050.

Blij sees Sunni Muslims as a greater potential terrorism problem due to their decentralized nature, vs. Shiites (ayatollahs, imams).Haiti and Paraguay in South America, and Sudan and Somalia in Africa are potential future terrorist hotbeds - large Muslim population, weak states.

Russia remains the largest territory, almost twice the size of #2 Canada.Having 13 neighbors, and lying roughly entirely north of Boston are problems for it.If trends continue it will have a mere 100 million population by 2050.

Good read for anyone
I teach AP Human Geography and every time I pick this book up I find a little more to share with my students. Of course, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the world today.

Geography Does Matter
Why Geography Matters is a well-researched and written book by an expert in the field, but the subtitle is a bit misleading. Sure, the book covers the three threats the author claims are confronting the United States, namely climate change, a growing China and global terrorism, but it also covers geology and the history of the world from the beginning of time. The author also spends considerable amounts of time with chapters on the European Union, Russia as well as Africa. While there are some insights and useful information contained in the book, the arguments tend to be articulated better in other sources. I wholeheartedly agree that geography is a critical discipline that does not often get the respect it deserves, but this book is not the final authority when it comes to geo-politics and the current state of the world. ... Read more

Product Description
From the top of Everest to the deepest point in the ocean, children will journey to some of the Earth's extraordinary spots in this fantastic companion to The Amazing Pop-Up Grammar Book and The Amazing Pop-Up Music Book. Between the covers of this book are pop-up mountains and volcanoes, lift-the-flap continents and countries, swirling storms, jittering earthquakes, and much, much more.There is even a pop-up globe for kids to twirl as they learn hundreds of fascinating facts about our special planet.

Kate Petty and Jennie Maizels have created a unique series of books that take the terror out of difficult topics through an irresistible combination of quips, hints, exuberant illustrations, and ingenious paper mechanics.Amazon.com Review
Contrary to popular belief, the earth is not flat. Therefore it stands to reason that a geography book should pop up, spin, and reveal the world's secrets in all its three-dimensional glory. This truly Amazing Pop-Up book, virtually exploding with action and visual stimulation, is divided into eight main categories: "Our Place in Space," "Sunshine," "Continents and Oceans," "Rivers and Mountains," "Countries," "Disaster!," "Journey Time," and "Who Lives Here?" Each page is jam-packed with flaps to lift, wheels to dial, tabs to pull, and exciting pop-ups. There's even an expandable globe hanging on an elastic string, so readers can take a closer look at Earth as they learn more about its components. Scientific, political, and geographical information is presented in an easy-to-absorb, lighthearted way, so even the reluctant geographer will have no problem mastering the basics and much more. Silly characters named Sonny Sun, Eartha Earth, the Quizmaster (a walrus in a top hat), Disastrous Dan, Julian Journey, and Otis Ocean guide readers through the pages, and encourage everyone to take good care of the world. This lively book is a terrific companion to Kate Petty and Jennie Maizels's other Amazing Pop-Up books: The Amazing Pop-Up Multiplication Book, The Amazing Pop-Up Grammar Book, and The Amazing Pop-Up Music Book. Death-defying paper mechanics and truly fascinating information about the universe ensure a happy surprise for children who've wondered if there isn't anything more to geography. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

colorful, fun, educational
We recently purchased this pop up type geography book.I am using it as part of a young elementary homeschool co-op group.It has great, bold photos... lots of little nooks and crannies to explore.I'm very please with the purchase.I have amazon prime and it came in 2 days, as promised.I think this would make an excellent gift, too since it's a "fun" book!
One caution is that a toddler or younger may easily rip out the pop-ups (experience talking) so reserve this for kids who understand taking good care of a book.

Great for many ages.
My daughter is 3 and loves the "our place in space" page and telling me how many moons Earth has vs Jupiter and Saturn etc., and finding the flags of countries she's been to.
I can see the content continuing to educate and interest her for many years to come.
A great book to grow with as she discovers more advanced facts.

Great way to learn
My grandchildren, 6 and 9, give this book two thumbs up.Finding the facts about geography is a treasure hunt that makes remembering them much easier than when presented in a standard book.The visual format is colorful and appealing and even though the six-year-old couldn't read all the information, that didn't stop her from seeking it out and asking her brother to read it to her.They both learned--and they got along so well :)I'd love to see other subjects done in this format as it is such a hit with the kids.Each page is an adventure and the book has been sought out several times by one or the other, or both together.They open all the little doors, slide the tabs and enjoy the spectacle while rereading the facts.Highly recommended way to learn and have fun in the process.

VERY Fun and Educational
This is a wonderful little book.The pages are packed with things to do.It covers the solar system, global geography, some details about continents and countries, rivers, lakes and mountains, natural disasters including a pop-up volcano, and a way to estimate how fast different modes of travel will get you from one place to another.My 7 year old is enthralled with this book and I must admit to loving it too.It's a great supplement to our homeschool.

The only negatives-the flat globe is attached by only a string, and my daughter pulled it out accidentally the first day we got the book.I haven't seen it since.Also, the tiny print is designed for young eyes.But those are minor.I highly recommend this book and I'd pick up anything similar put out by the author.

Fantastic Book
The Amazing Pop-Up GeographyBook (Amazing Pop-Ups)Purchased this book for a 5 year old and got more wows from the adults. Wonderful way to learn about geography for young and old. ... Read more

Product Description
EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH GLENCOE AND THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

The National Geographic Society took an integral role in creating this exceptional program, which is unsurpassed in ensuring geographic literacy. The world-renowned organization’s maps, charts, and graphs and stunning photography engage students and show them the world in a whole new way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Deal
This book arrived in excellent condition. Prompt delivery. I am very pleased and plan to order from this seller again. ... Read more

Product Description
The popular Rookie Books expand their horizons - to all corners of the globe! With this series all about geography, emergent readers will take off on adventures to cities, nations, waterways, and habitats around the world…and right in their own backyards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great books for young child's initial steps into geography
We bought the entire set of these books for our daughter ( who was five at the time) and she loves them. They are great for young learners and offer benefits for both early reading skills and gaining an interest in the world. I was expecting them to be larger, but was disappointed to see how thin they were when they arrived. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by them since then. They are small and not so much reference books as brief introductions to the various continents. We read them a lot at bed time and it's amazing how much my daughter has learned from them. Between these books and the sheppard software web site she has a great head start in geography! ... Read more

Product Description
Updated to reflect the latest actual exams, the new edition of this manual presents two full-length practice exams in AP Human Geography with answers and explanations, plus a detailed eight-chapter subject review. The new second edition also includes a brand-new diagnostic test to help students target specific areas where they need more study. Topics covered include a description of Human Geography and its applications, map reading and understanding scale, population geography, cultural geography, political geography, economic geography, agricultural and rural geography, and urban geography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Barron's AP Human Geography, 2nd edition
Amazon Market place is great.Quick shipping! Book arrived in a week. Amazing price, the new version 3rd edition in Barns & Noble is priced at $29.

Excellent reinforcement
This book is an excellent resource to reinforce the classroom teaching.My kids often refer to this book when they have a question or as they prepare for their regular exams, as well as in preparing for the AP Exams in May.

Good review of APHG
This book was a good length and explained concepts concisely. Some of the information was unnecessary for the exam, like the different kinds of map projections, but the book did a good job of emulating the actual exam. It was better overall than other review books.

A book you need if your teacher isn't a good one!
This book really helped me do well in the class and helped me pass the AP test. The reason why i only gave it 3 stars was because my friend had th kaplan 2009 one and it was alot more descriptive like it had a number 5 scored essay it was also alot bigger. Though the thing is I got a 4 while my friend who bought the kaplan got a 3 and she had a better overall average in this AP class than I did. So get this to pass and understand better but if you need major help in this subject spend a little more and buy the kaplan.

THE BEST GUIDE OUT THERE
This is honestly the best AP Human Geography study guide I can find, and it is SERIOUSLY worth every penny!!!

If you're going to take the exam (or even if you aren't but are taking the class) I recommend that you get a copy of this book! ... Read more

Product Description

In her critically acclaimed Leaving Church ("a beautiful, absorbing memoir"—The Dallas Morning News), Barbara Brown Taylor wrote about her experience leaving full-time ministryto become a professor, a decision that stretched the boundaries of her faith. Now, in her stunning follow-up, An Altar in the World, she shares how she learned to encounter God far beyond the walls of the church.

Customer Reviews (41)

This woman can write!
I've read three of Barbara Brown Taylor's books (Leaving Church, The Luminous Web, and An Altar in the World) and I am struck by her writing style and her insightful treatment of these descriptions of her spiritual journey.My journey has somewhat paralleled hers, though I am no priest.I used to worship regularly in an established church (Methodist), then cast about for something more in other Protestant denominations before leaving formal religious organizations for active reading and discussion with friends of like mind.

We have found altars wherever we have looked, ones that are more spiritually satisfying than those found among the dictates of established religion.

Another delight
If you've read other books by Barbara Brown Taylor, then you already know what I treat you're in for. And if you haven't read any of her previous books, then prepare yourself to be amazed, delighted, and blessed by this one.

Also, some reviewers have complained that this book doesn't sufficiently explain or defend the unique role of Jesus. My answer to this is that Taylor is not so much trying to "batten down the hatches" of "true" Christianity, but rather she is trying to fill the sails of Christian faith, trying to expland our consciousness beyond the points of doctrine. Like vitamins, doctrine is important, and of course there are plenty of books on Christian doctrine. But sometimes you want more than a vitamin pill. Sometimes you want a piece of fresh-baked apple pie.

Refreshing and thought-provoking
This little book reminds us how significant and inspiring our environment is. If we are attune to our surroundings, we are aware of God all around us. It is such a lovely piece that I ordered several copies to have on hand for friends when we celebrate special occasions in their lives.

How to Make Everyday Life Sacred
Barbara Brown Taylor takes aspects of life we all encounter and gives them sacred meaning and interest. I love her writing and finished the book right away. She is a favorite writer of one of my favorite ministers.

Good enough to give
Barbara Brown Taylor has a gift of saying so much in clear, meaningful language.This personal faith journey connected to my
experience of God.I ordered several copies for friends.It may be Taylor's best book, yet. ... Read more

Product Description
Don’t know much about geography?

This updated edition will bring readers up-to-date on new country names, capital cities, flags, ruling governments, changes to production and economics, and more. It also examines the basis for recent geographical, environmental, and political events shaping geography.

—Presents up-to-date statistics related to country size, population, and geopolitical makeup
—Emphasizes human geography for students needing assistance with the Advanced Placement Human Geography exam ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Awesome!
The book came in a week and I love it!It was very helpful and exactly what I was looking for!:)

Great Book!
It is an excellent book who wants to know the basics of geography. The book has information that you will get what you didn't get it in school. Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to know the geography of the world.

Idiot's Guide To Geography Review
This book does what the schools will not, give information on Geography. It gives a more graphic idea and gives more information on geography than most other books of it's kind. ... Read more

Product Description
The world is not as mobile or as interconnected as we like to think. As Harm de Blij argues in The Power of Place, in crucial ways--from the uneven distribution of natural resources to the unequal availability of opportunity--geography continues to hold billions of people in its grip. We are all born into natural and cultural environments that shape what we become, individually and collectively. From our "mother tongue" to our father's faith, from medical risks to natural hazards, where we start our journey has much to do with our destiny. Hundreds of millions of farmers in the river basins of Asia and Africa, and tens of millions of shepherds in isolated mountain valleys from the Andes to Kashmir, all live their lives much as their distant ancestors did, remote from the forces of globalization. Incorporating a series of persuasive maps, De Blij describes the tremendously varied environments across the planet and shows how migrations between them are comparatively rare. De Blij also looks at the ways we are redefining place so as to make its power even more potent than it has been, with troubling implications. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Solid scholarship, but a bit dull for my taste
Harm de Blij is a professor of geography who has written widely used textbooks for many years.In this book, he summarizes much of the information you would find in one of those textbooks, but with an emphasis on demonstrating that the world is neither close to being "flat" (equal in opportunities and/or outcomes) nor likely to be become flat any time in the foreseeable future.This is in direct contrast and response to the arguments of globalization advocates like Tom Friedman (who is a great writer, but a journalist, not a scholar).

By deploying abundant details, de Blij shows that these inequalities are found in just about all spheres of human life, including health, physical security, education, overall standard of living, etc.And he shows that these inequalities are closely tied to geographic location ("the power of place") because the physical, cultural, and historical factors which affect outcomes are themselves tied to geography.In this regard, de Blij also forecasts where current trends may take us in the future, and his outlook is not encouraging when one considers the potential for cultural, religious, and military conflicts, along with the related likelihood of widening inequalities.

For me, the one significant negative of the book is that, frankly, it became progressively more tedious and boring as I got closer to the end.This was because the book starts to sound repetitive and rambling after a while, throwing out more details than I really wanted to know, while increasingly lacking an integrative perspective which gives a clear sense of the forest rather than just describing the trees.Because of this, I found it difficult to finish the book, and so I'm tempted to give it 3 stars, but I'll stick with 4 stars because I recognize that other readers may be more interested in the details than I was.

Overall, I do recommend this book to readers interested in a detailed description of why the world is not flat.However, again, beware that some readers may find the level of detail somewhat tedious.

Thought provoking
Having read Jared Diamond's books, I expected no surprises in the Power of Place. I was pleasantly surprised with this author's similar views but also by the different way he tackled the subject. Highly recommended.

Worth reading, but. . .
After reading the outstanding Why Geography Matters by the same author, perhaps my expectations were too high.The Power of Place is certainly not a bad book, but it is guilty of overreach.In his eagerness to prove a particular thesis, the author appears to have slanted some of his topics in a particular direction.That is not necessarily a bad thing when attempting to make a point, but one should not carry the proof beyond the evidence.The weakest chapter, by far, is the one on religion.The author cites only those who are either generally or unmitigatedly hostile to religion.Getting your information on religion from the atheist writer and blogger Sam Harris and the atheist author and biologist Richard Dawkins is like getting your information on capitalism from Karl Marx (with extreme apologies to Marx).A chapter on religion is essential to the author's thesis, but he did such a poor job on this chapter, that the book would have been improved by leaving out this chapter entirely.

Given that caveat, this is still a book and an author worth reading.

The Rough Guide to Globalization
Here geographer Harm de Blij tackles globalization in a fascinating and well-researched refutation of dimwitted "the world is flat" theories thrown around by armchair globalization proponents, in the belief that all will be well when economic policies make the whole world the same. It's not nearly that simple because people are still at the root of all economics and they have different worldviews and life experiences that are largely influenced by where they come from. And despite oncoming economic standardization, human beings are as prone as ever to breaking up into small groups, with place-based values easily trumping global ideologies.

de Blij applies geographic theory to topics like health, literacy, urbanization, and many others with surprising connections to cultural and physical geography. The book contains many excellent maps and de Blij writes in a readable style. Granted, de Blij's thoughts on religious conflict seem rather simplistic, and the closing chapter on proposed solutions to geographic problems is a bit unfocused, with vague prescriptions that don't line up with the details of the previous chapters. But otherwise, this is a rewarding book for those interested in the diversity of the world's peoples and their experiences, and you'll find that the world is only "flat" for certain economic elites. For everyone else, geography creates many "rough" cultural and economic landscapes that will preserve not just diversity but also inequality. [~doomsdayer520~]

Not a melting pot and the world isn't flat, either.
Though the globalization debate has been raging for awhile, this book looks at it from a new perspective: geography. The author persuasively claims that place--physical and cultural geography--imposes severe limits on human thought and action. Lots of maps help make this unique perspective even clearer. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Homeschooler's Blessing
Absolutely the best resource book for homeschoolers I've found in 20 years of teaching. Also a fantastic resource for those who "just want to know more". Can't praise this book or the set of "Everyting You Need..."!!!

A Winning Reference
This book deserves an A+!It's a well organized text that clearly explains Geography.Geography can be a difficult subject for the young students, but Scholastic's use of colorful graphics and understandablelanguage make the subject reachable!As a home schooler, books are veryimportant in our house and this book will be well used. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Love it!
I'm using this with my soon to be 3rd grader and she loves it!It has a wealth of information broken down into child sized portions and it is easy to read and REMEMBER!

This is a TEXT book -
I had purchased this book thinking that it would be a fun after-school book for my 6 yr old and I to work through.Well, this book is too much like school and not a "fun" educational book.It would be great if you homeschooled and needed a text book however, it was not at all what I was wanting (something with at least a few pictures and not pages black with text).I needed to return it. If you wanted a text book for your kids it may be a good book.

This is AWESOME material!
How wonderful for my children to learn about this world, God created, through that wonderful perspective of exploring His Earth.We are very much enjoying it!And how refreshing to read Scripture in a Geography Study.Bringing the two together to show children HIM, who created EVERYTHING there is.This material is just what I was, as a parent, looking for and wanting to do for (and with) my children.Thank you Ann Voskamp for bringing together this study of our world.Like you said, "by the word of His mouth" it ALL came to be.God CERTAINLY created an AWESOME one (universe)!

Excellent child's geography book
This book teaches about the Earth and helps the child explore all about the different aspects of the Earth as our home. Great for children, but also full for the parents to read. Interesting and packed full of ideas and activities and even extra reading lists, it makes a great home schooling tool.

My 2 kids love it
I bought this book after downloading the sample from the publisher's website and my kids LOVE IT!!Even my 11 year old is having fun after each lesson doing the postcard.I have 2 children 9 & 11 and this is the only subject we truly do together and it's quick, easy - but in-depth.They ran around yesterday telling people that they were in the troposphere (which many adults didn't even know).So it's fun, enjoyable to read to them and even more fun that they sit back listen, ask good questions, and understand at the end of the chapter. ... Read more

Product Description
Anyone interested in learning about geographic concepts will appreciate this concise text, that highlights the most important concepts. The fifth edition presents authoritative content, currency, and outstanding cartography. It continues to build on its strength for understanding maps with the help of additional question types. New coauthor Jan Nijman also helps provide a current view of the field. With its up-to-date information and accessible introduction, this text is engaging for any student. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

The World Today:Concepts and Regions in Geography
The price of this book brand new was cheaper than what the college bookstore was selling a used one for. Thanks Amazon.com!

The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography
VERY VERY fast shipping! got it in like 3 days! great buyer, book was used as stated, but not too beat up, only the cover was a little curved. pages itself were pristine

Clear & Concise Textbook
This is a great textbook for a student or just for someone wanting to learn more about the world around them. It could also serve as a world atlas but with more detail. There is a great balance between maps, photos, and text.

Easy Reading and Good Maps
I bought this book for a college class, but I actually don't mind reading it.It is pretty easy to understand (a HS kid or even motivated junior high kid could understand it with no problem) and not too dry (written in a clear and engaging style).It contains a lot of interesting information and some great maps.This would be a great book for your kid if you're home schooling him/her.Also, adults will probably like it too; it really gives you a rough feel for the world around you without overwhemling you with too many obscure facts.If you're some well traveled worldly type, it will probably be stuff you already know, but if you're a typical simple person like myself, it is a great book and you'll learn a lot from it.

The World Today: Concepts and Regions in Geography
I never received my order; I notified the seller whom responded only once but the problem was never resolved. I notified Amazon but have not respond to date.
Over Eighty bucks and I have not been credited for not receiving the book.
I am not happy with the seller and amazon. ... Read more

Product Description

An illustrated history of explorers' maps and the questions they answer.

More than the detailed representation of the geographical areas that their makers explored, maps reveal their makers' worldview as well as the myths, beliefs and legends of their times. By patiently creating maps, globes, charts and atlases, humans have sought to understand the universe and our place in it.

Mapping the World explores many rare and fascinating mapping artifacts, beginning with the first crude drawings and progressing to the stunning satellite views of today. Many of these examples will be unfamiliar even to serious cartographers and collectors. Thirty essays answer the questions map-makers have asked and reveal the roles their maps played in finding those answers.

Color reproductions of beautiful maps and charts include:

• A Chinese map dated to 1229 that shows the city's bridges, pagodas and gardens
• A French 15th-century interpretation of the four corners of the Earth
• A painted silk map of the universe dating from the 1830s
• A modern "inverse" world map from Australia's perspective
• The cosmos as imagined in 1750.

With 87 maps in all, Mapping the World will fascinate general readers, map collectors, geographers, cartographers and historians.

Customer Reviews (1)

Thoughtful, innovative
Although I believe this book is intended for a young audience, I is incredibly thought-provoking, creative, and innovative, but above all accessible. I bought this for a nephew and then turned around and got one for myself. ... Read more

Product Description
With clear, critical, and constructive surveys of key terms by leading researchers in the field, The Dictionary of Human Geography, fifth edition, remains the definitive guide to the concepts and debates in human geography.

• Comprehensively revised new edition of a highly successful text with over 300 key terms appearing for the first time

• Situates Human Geography within the humanities, social sciences and sciences as a whole

• Written by leading experts in the field

• Major entries not only describe the development of concepts, contributions and debates in Human Geography but also advance them

• Features a new consolidated bibliography along with a detailed index and systematic cross-referencing of headwords

Customer Reviews (2)

Informative and Invaluable!
This dictionary is an invaluable resource for the student, academic, and researcher of anything "cultural".Although it was specifically created to fill a reference gap in the field of geography, it contains hundreds of useful and expansive definitions, each with a complete bibliography, that are useful to anyone who studies humans and cultures.

It is NOT a "dictionary of places/names", but rather focuses on concepts, applications, and general terms related to humans and cultures.It is also encyclopedic in its scope, giving both breadth and depth of coverage for each term, application, and concept.Most of the definitions are stated in simple terms, and then expanded upon, drawing from multiple sources, often times outside the field of geography.

The list of contributors spans the global gamut of experts in human- and cultural-related fields.It is well-researched, well-formatted, and easy to follow.If you want/need to know anything about human/cultural features in the world, chances are, you will find the explanation in this dictionary.

Great book for both students and professionals
Yes, It's a great book -- Not only a dictionary of jargons, but also a collection of guidelines for study and research in various fields within the discipline. Most items provide a brief but critical review on the topics, all by preeminent figures in related areas. It's will be great helpful for both students and professionals. ... Read more

Product Description
Reproducible maps and challenging activities help students gain a thorough knowledge of world geography. Students learn not only about rivers, mountains, climate, and vegetation, but also about people--their cities, languages, religions, clothing, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very handy and useful
We are using this with a group of kids to learn geography, we love it! I looked through many materials and this was the best!

Easy to Use
I bought this to use with my 5th grade students. The book is easy to use, has essential information and is creative in its presentation.

World Geography
I really like the approach of this book. It is possible to study by continent or by subject matter (world deserts, populations, etc.). The skills covered include cartography, comparative studies, traditional clothing, and many other areas of interest. I am using this as a supplement to my daughter's homeschooling and highly recommend it. But you need access to encyclopedias (paper or digital) and/or internet access.

A Great Resource Book of Factual Knowledge and Research Projects in World Geography
I would really recommend this book to any student, parent or teacher who wants to learn or teach world geography. The book contains factual lessons and research topics about every continent, covering maps, physical features, climate, resources, flora and fauna, population, languages, flags, dress and culture. At the back of the book, there are games, quizzes and answers to all the exercises. Although the cover states that the book is for Grades 5 to 8, it really is a book for all ages. I bought this book to teach world geography to the children and teenagers that I tutor in general knowledge classes. It will be a wonderful resource for my lessons, and I know my students will enjoy it too.
... Read more

Product Description
This classic best-seller helps give you a solid understanding of Earth and its physical geography. Its clear writing style, superior art program, and other learning aids appeal to students in many majors. This edition includes thoroughly updated content and introduces renowned illustrator Dennis Tasa—yet it maintains the proven approach first presented by respected authority Tom L. McKnight more than 20 years ago. ... Read more

Product Description
Contemporary World Regional Geography provides a current, balanced geographical study of world issues through analysis of ten world regions and the countries in each. It integrates the themes of "global connections" and "local voices" and utilizes a consistent structure within each chapter. Per reviewer requests, each chapter is now organized to begin with environmental issues of the region followed by historical geography, global and local issues and economic, political, cultural, and social issues.The greatest advantage of the new organization is that students will be able to easily compare one region with another to understand similarities and differences. ... Read more