FEATURED TITLE

                                                                                  
1) Allen, Sarah G., Joe Mortenson, and Sophie Webb. Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast: Baja, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia. 2011. University of California Press. Paperback: 569 pages. Price: $24.95 U.S.

SUMMARY: From gray whales giving birth in the lagoons of Baja California to sea otters nestled in kelp beds off California to killer whales living around Vancouver Island—this spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast boasts one of the most abundant populations of sea mammals on earth. This handy interpretive field guide describes the 45 whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage from Baja in Mexico to British Columbia in Canada. The guide’s rich species accounts provide details on identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation. They also tell where and how these fascinating animals can best be viewed. Introductory chapters give general information on the ecology, evolution, and taxonomy of marine mammals; on the Pacific Coast’s unique environment; and on the relationship between marine mammals and humans from native cultures to today. Featuring many color illustrations, photographs, drawings, and maps, this up-to-date guide illuminates a fascinating group of animals and reveals much about their mysterious lives in the ocean.
RECOMMENDATION: A must have for anyone interested in marine mammals! This book is packed with lots of information about the species covered and on marine mammals in general. The artwork by Sophie Webb highlights this book! A real bargain too!

New Titles

    The Golden Eagle: Second Edition                                                                              
1) Watson, Jeff. The Golden Eagle (Second Edition). 2011. Yale University Press/ Poyser. Hardbound: 448 pages. Price: $65.00 U.S.

SUMMARY: A majestic and awe-inspiring bird, the golden eagle flies throughout the northern hemisphere and is one of the largest birds of prey in North America. Among ornithologists and other scientists today, the species attracts great interest and extensive research. The golden eagle has also captured the imaginations of everyday people throughout history, playing various symbolic roles and appearing in the folklore of societies around the globe.
     This all-encompassing book presents full current information on the biology and ecology of golden eagles. It includes both original research by raptor expert Jeff Watson and a synthesis of the findings of an array of international scientists. Chapters on such further topics as the cultural importance of golden eagles, conservation issues, and predation on livestock, along with more than 70 superb depictions of the raptors and their landscapes, combine to make this volume the definitive account of the golden eagle. After Watson passed away in September 2007, the book was finished with the help of Des Thompson and Helen Riley.
RECOMMENDATION: A must have for anyone interested in Golden Eagles! People interested in other raptors will like this book also.

2) Lumpkin, Susan and John Seidensticker. Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide. 2011. Johns Hopkins University Press. Paperback: 235 pages. Price: $24.95 U.S.

SUMMARY: To some, rabbits are simply a docile pet for the classroom or home. To others, they are the cute animals munching on clover or the pests plaguing vegetable gardens. Whatever your interest, in Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide you will discover that they are a more complex group than you might have first imagined. Lumpkin and Seidensticker take these floppy-eared creatures out of the cabbage patch and into the wild, answering 95 frequently asked questions about these familiar and fascinating animals.
     With informative photographs and an accessible format, Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide is the one resource you will need to learn about rabbits' anatomy and physiology, evolutionary history, ecology, behavior, and their relationships with humans. Lumpkin and Seidensticker also talk about conservation, because while rabbits may breed like, well, rabbits, several species are among the most endangered animals on Earth.
RECOMMENDATION: A good general overview on rabbits.

New Title

                                                                                
1) Meinwald, Jerrold and John G. Hildebrand (editors). Science and the Educated American: A Core Component of Liberal Education. 2010. American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Paperback: 266 pages. Price: $6.00 U.S. (plus $1.00 U.S. for shipping and handling).

SUMMARY: This volume explores whether American colleges and universities are providing students with the foundation necessary for lifelong scientific learning. Jerrold Meinwald, co-editor of the volume and the Goldwin Smith Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Cornell University, suggests that "we need a widespread reexamination and reevaluation of the contents as well as the methods of presentation employed in science courses designed to be of interest and value for all."
      The volume targets university administrators and faculty members who are interested in assessing and improving their institutions' curricula. In particular, detailed descriptions of five university science courses highlight innovative methods for conveying complex science information to non-science majors.
       Several common themes emerge in the volume:
*Without a basic level of scientific literacy, the public cannot rely on even the best science journalism and communications to equip them with the ability to make informed decisions about science issues.
*Science courses belong in the liberal arts curriculum for the benefit of both science and non-science majors.
*Teaching science should convey the wonders and rewards of science but also the limits of science and the  dangers of misapplying it.
*Science and the humanities have much more in common than is generally appreciated.
RECOMMENDATION: For those with a technical interest in science education. The publication can be ordered or downloaded here: http://www.amacad.org/publications/scienceSLAC.aspx

The weekly Birdbooker Report

My weekly Birdbooker Report can be found here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/feb/06/2

Forthcoming Title

Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding (Kaufman Field Guides)

1) Kaufman, Kenn. Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Paperback (vinyl cover): 448 pages. Price: $21.00 U.S. DUE OUT: 19 APRIL 2011.
SUMMARY: Birders can memorize hundreds of details and still not be able to identify birds if they don’t really understand what’s in front of them.Today birders have access to almost too much information, and their attempts to identify birds can be drowned out by excess detail. The all-new Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding takes a different approach, clarifying the basics and providing a framework for learning about each group. Overall principles of identification are explained in clear language, and ten chapters on specific groups of birds show how these principles can be applied in practice. Anyone with a keen interest in identifying birds will find that this book makes the learning process more effective and enjoyable, and that truly understanding what we see and hear can make birding more fun.

Dinosaur Wars

These two titles are by author Thomas P. Hopp:

1) Dinosaurs Wars. 2001(revised  2004). iUniverse. Paperback: 371 pages. Price: $21.95 U.S.
SUMMARY: A U.S. space probe discovers a 65 million-year-old derelict outpost at the moon's south pole. Now the owners of the moonbase are returning to reclaim their home world-our world. In Montana, wildlife biologist Chase Armstrong and rancher's daughter Kit Daniels survive attacks by T-Rex and deadly Megaraptors to find that they are at ground-zero, where the invaders' lost city lies buried under a mountain of sandstone. Deep in the underground catacombs, trapped by human-sized, intelligent carnivorous dinosaurs, they may be mankind's last hope for survival.

2) Dinosaur Wars: Counterattack. 2002. iUniverse. Paperback: 401 pages. Price: $21.95 U.S.
SUMMARY: War for possesion of the Earth has resumed. Soldiers in tanks and aircraft vie with intelligent, human-sized dinosaurs who have returned from space to reclaim their home world--OUR WORLD!

RECOMMENDATION: Think of these books as hybrids between Jurassic Park and Independence Day. Fans of dinosaurs will enjoy these books. These titles are available here: http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=dinosaur%20wars
You can visit the author's website here: http://thomas-hopp.com/

Alex and Me: The Movie

                                                                                                                                               
Saw this in the February 2011 issue of The Ornithological Newsletter:

"ALEX AND ME: THE MOVIE – Hello fellow bird lover! It is my great pleasure to announce the launch of a brand new website offering fans of Alex, the genius African Grey Parrot, a unique opportunity to take part in the motion picture adaptation of the New York Times bestseller “Alex & Me.”  The website (URL: http://www.alexandmethemovie.com/) was created by independent filmmakers working with the book’s author, Dr. Irene Pepperberg, to develop a screenplay based on her remarkable true story.  We want to promote a film about love and triumph, groundbreaking scientific research, and the journey of one woman to reveal the secrets of avian intelligence to the world.  This is your chance to help some young filmmakers make a dream come true and bring the story of Alex to the silver screen. The process of adapting a screenplay from a book requires immense amounts of research and financial resources, and we need your help.  For more information, visit the website.  If you would like to contact the writing team to request an interview or additional information about the project for a news article, contact Producer Joshua Dinner (EM: alexandme@earthrisepictures.com)."