Nature Culture

Medieval Robots recovers the forgotten history of fantastical, aspirational, and terrifying machines that captivated Europe in imagination and reality between the ninth and 14th centuries. E. R. Truitt traces the different forms of self-moving or self-sustaining manufactured objects from their earliest appearances in the Latin West through centuries of mechanical and literary invention. This original and wide-ranging study reveals the convergence of science, technology, and imagination in medieval culture.

Fluffy emperor penguin chicks. Playful Arctic fox kits. Learn how polar babies survive frigid temperatures and how many of them change color to blend in with their snowy environments.

For the Birds offers listeners a glimpse behind the binoculars and reveals birders to be important allies in the larger environmental conservation movement. With a wealth of data from in-depth interviews and over three years of observing birders in the field, environmental sociologist Elizabeth Cherry argues that birders learn to watch wildlife in ways that make an invaluable contribution to contemporary conservation efforts. She investigates how birders develop a “naturalist gaze” that enables them to understand the shared ecosystem that intertwines humans and wild animals.

Just as Martine is settling into life on the wildlife game reserve, she is whisked away on a school trip. Her class is going on an ocean voyage to witness the Sardine Run, a spectacular natural phenomenon, off the coast of South Africa. What begins as an exciting adventure quickly turns perilous when a storm blows up and Martine and her classmates are thrown overboard into shark-infested waters. They are saved by a pod of dolphins, only to end up marooned on a deserted island.

Americans have always loved guns. This special bond was forged during the American Revolution and sanctified by the Second Amendment. It is because of this exceptional relationship that American civilians are more heavily armed than the citizens of any other nation. Or so we're told. In The Gunning of America, historian Pamela Haag overturns this conventional wisdom. American gun culture, she argues, developed not because the gun was exceptional but precisely because it was not.

"Why do we do what we do?" This may seem like a simple question at first; in practice however, the closer we examine where our decisions come from, the less intention and independent reasoning we find. Instead, we find primitive instincts and ideas that are often based on nothing more than the imagination of someone who has been dead for centuries.

"A diamond is forever." Who among us doesn't recognize this slogan and, with it, the fascination that diamonds hold in our collective imagination as emblems of royalty, glamor, and eternal love? Rachelle Bergstein's cultural biography illuminates the enticing, often surprising story of our society's enduring obsession with diamonds - and the people who have worked tirelessly to ensure their continued allure.

Aquarium worker Ming gives a guided tour of the Blue Harbor Aquarium, where she explains such things as what kinds of jobs people have there, what kinds of fish and animals live there, and how food is prepared for aquarium dwellers.

In the last 20 years, pets have gone from the backyard to sleeping on our beds, then showing up in every corner of America. Pet Nation tells the story of this seismic shift and the economic, media, legal, political, and social dramas springing from this cultural transformation. Since 1998, the pet population in the US has almost doubled - about two-thirds of the country now owns a pet. No longer left to wander the neighborhood, dogs and cats eat special food, get individualized medical attention, and even fly in the cabin.

Selvi is a free spirit who loves climbing in the beautiful mountains behind her home. There, she befriended Lokka, a leopard with a beautiful coat and huge golden eyes. Together, they roam the wilderness as they please. But when hunters come with bows and arrows, Selvi knows she must stop them before they hurt Lokka. But what can she do against such powerful enemies, especially when the friends and family she turns to for help are not all they seem to be? To rescue her leopard friend, first Selvi must outwit the poachers and expose the mastermind behind it all.

Hail the size of golf balls drops from the sky. Strong winds send cars sailing through the air as if they were small toys. Most people look for cover when severe weather threatens. But storm chasers do the opposite - they look for the storms! Find out why these daredevils take the risk, what they’ve learned about severe weather, and the gear they use to stay safe.

The System is made up of thousands of planets housing trillions of people in tiny doms arranged in tiers. The people are fed drugs to keep them happy and are plugged into immersive tridee.The Consortium are a group of wealthy capitalists who live above the metropolis in floating mansions.The name of the game is expansion and profit. The Quships cross quantum space in search of planets to either colonise or plunder for resources in order to maintain the system.Quantum Fever is a disease that affects people who jump the weird reaches of quantum space. Was Tahsin Roeg suffering from Quantum ...

Old Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs.

Howler monkeys spend most of their lives in the trees. Learn about these noisy monkeys and their habitats in Howler Monkeys.

Journey through the breathtaking landscapes of one of nature's most dynamic treasures with "Seasons of the Gorge." This captivating eBook unveils the Columbia River Gorge in all its nuanced beauty, as it morphs through the rhythm of the seasons. From spring’s vibrant wildflowers and chirping birds to summer’s exhilarating outdoor adventures, the Gorge is a year-round spectacle waiting to be explored. Unearth the Gorge’s rich history and geographical significance, providing a perfect backdrop to the incredible seasonal stories that unfold. Wander along spring trails lined with blooming...

After surviving a nearly insurmountable peril, a starship captain returns to Earth with his badly distressed ship and remaining crew and passengers in hyper sleep over three hundred years after they were believed to be destroyed and finds his most perilous trial. In humanity’s drive towards individuality by being like everyone else, due to genetic manipulation there are only 33 standard female and male models and he and his crew will be made beautiful like everyone else unless he can figure out a way to stop it.

Trump the Animal Liaison Officer has her paws full with Dr. Jeanie’s new patient. Cranky Paws, the cat hates everyone: people, dogs, cats, and other animals. Dr. Jeanie can heal her injuries, but what will happen after that? Is there anyone who can offer Cranky Paws a home? And will Cranky Paws accept?

"Smart Ecosystems: Integrating Nature and Technology in Future Cities", the latest installment in the acclaimed Building Digital Twin Metaverse Cities series, delivers a visionary blueprint for urban environments of the future—where cutting-edge technology harmonizes with the beauty of nature. In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Samuel Li explores how cities can transition from resource-intensive hubs to regenerative spaces that nurture biodiversity, promote sustainability, and enhance human well-being.

In June of 2002, a mere nine months since the September 11 attacks, a very unusual ceremony begins in a far-flung village in Western Kenya. An American diplomat is surrounded by hundreds of Maasai people. A gift is about to be bestowed upon the American men, women, and children, and he is there to accept it. The gift is as unexpected as it is extraordinary. Hearts are raw as these legendary Maasai warriors offer their gift to a grieving people half a world away. Word of the gift will travel newswires around the globe.

High in a hot-air balloon, flying away, all alone. How is Suzy the cat ever going to find her way home? A heart-warming purrfect adventure based on Jill Tomlinson's classic story. Thirty minutes of audio entertainment, including story reading, soundtrack, songs and lots of listening fun all voiced by actress Sophie Aldred.