Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals

Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals

Author: Richard Conniff

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2010-06-28

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0393071537

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"Hilariously informative…This book will remind you why you always wanted to be a naturalist." —Outside In this thrilling foray into the animal kingdom, Richard Conniff takes readers on an adventure-packed journey as he courts the most dangerous animals and lives to tell the tale. He lets African wild dogs sniff his neck to test the idea that they are vicious man-eaters, sticks his hand in a fire ant mound and does multiple takes for a pretty camerawoman on a television shoot, and flings chicken carcasses into piranha-infested waters to clock how quickly they disappear—before diving in himself. This collection offers a rare chance to go along on these death-defying treks and see life through the eyes of a bona-fide field naturalist.


Book Synopsis Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals by : Richard Conniff

Download or read book Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals written by Richard Conniff and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2010-06-28 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Hilariously informative…This book will remind you why you always wanted to be a naturalist." —Outside In this thrilling foray into the animal kingdom, Richard Conniff takes readers on an adventure-packed journey as he courts the most dangerous animals and lives to tell the tale. He lets African wild dogs sniff his neck to test the idea that they are vicious man-eaters, sticks his hand in a fire ant mound and does multiple takes for a pretty camerawoman on a television shoot, and flings chicken carcasses into piranha-infested waters to clock how quickly they disappear—before diving in himself. This collection offers a rare chance to go along on these death-defying treks and see life through the eyes of a bona-fide field naturalist.


Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals

Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals

Author: Richard Conniff

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2010-06-28

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0393304574

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An award-winning nature writer takes readers on a thrilling journey deep intothe domains of strange--and often dangerous--animals.


Book Synopsis Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals by : Richard Conniff

Download or read book Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals written by Richard Conniff and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2010-06-28 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An award-winning nature writer takes readers on a thrilling journey deep intothe domains of strange--and often dangerous--animals.


The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide

The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide

Author: Richard Conniff

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2003-10-17

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 0393345785

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A tantalizing, droll study of the idiosyncratic existence of the very rich, through the unexpected lens of the naturalist. Journalist Richard Conniff probes the age-old question "Are the rich different from you and me?" and finds that they are indeed a completely different animal. He observes with great humor and finesse this socially unique species, revealing their strategies for ensuring dominance and submission, their flourishes of display behavior, the intricate dynamics of their pecking order, as well as their unorthodox mating practices. Through comparisons to other equally exotic animals, Conniff uncovers surprising commonalities. • How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? • How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? • What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? • How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas? This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal.


Book Synopsis The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide by : Richard Conniff

Download or read book The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide written by Richard Conniff and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2003-10-17 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A tantalizing, droll study of the idiosyncratic existence of the very rich, through the unexpected lens of the naturalist. Journalist Richard Conniff probes the age-old question "Are the rich different from you and me?" and finds that they are indeed a completely different animal. He observes with great humor and finesse this socially unique species, revealing their strategies for ensuring dominance and submission, their flourishes of display behavior, the intricate dynamics of their pecking order, as well as their unorthodox mating practices. Through comparisons to other equally exotic animals, Conniff uncovers surprising commonalities. • How did Bill Gates achieve his single greatest act of social dominance by being nice? • How does the flattery of the rich resemble the grooming behavior of baboons? • What made the British aristocracy the single most successful animal dominance hierarchy in the history of the planet? • How does Old Money's disdain for the nouveaux riches resemble the pig-grunting of mountain gorillas? This marvelously entertaining field guide captures in vivid detail the behaviors and habitats of the world's most captivating yet elusive animal.


American Zoo

American Zoo

Author: David Grazian

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2017-12-05

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 0691178429

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A close-up look at the contradictions and wonders of the modern zoo Orangutans swing from Kevlar-lined fire hoses. Giraffes feast on celebratory birthday cakes topped with carrots instead of candles. Hi-tech dinosaur robots growl among steel trees, while owls watch animated cartoons on old television sets. In American Zoo, sociologist David Grazian takes us on a safari through the contemporary zoo, alive with its many contradictions and strange wonders. Trading in his tweed jacket for a zoo uniform and a pair of muddy work boots, Grazian introduces us to zookeepers and animal rights activists, parents and toddlers, and the other human primates that make up the zoo's social world. He shows that in a major shift away from their unfortunate pasts, American zoos today emphasize naturalistic exhibits teeming with lush and immersive landscapes, breeding programs for endangered animals, and enrichment activities for their captive creatures. In doing so, zoos blur the imaginary boundaries we regularly use to separate culture from nature, humans from animals, and civilization from the wild. At the same time, zoos manage a wilderness of competing priorities—animal care, education, scientific research, and recreation—all while attempting to serve as centers for conservation in the wake of the current environmental and climate-change crisis. The world of the zoo reflects how we project our own prejudices and desires onto the animal kingdom, and invest nature with meaning and sentiment. A revealing portrayal of comic animals, delighted children, and feisty zookeepers, American Zoo is a remarkable close-up exploration of a classic cultural attraction.


Book Synopsis American Zoo by : David Grazian

Download or read book American Zoo written by David Grazian and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2017-12-05 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A close-up look at the contradictions and wonders of the modern zoo Orangutans swing from Kevlar-lined fire hoses. Giraffes feast on celebratory birthday cakes topped with carrots instead of candles. Hi-tech dinosaur robots growl among steel trees, while owls watch animated cartoons on old television sets. In American Zoo, sociologist David Grazian takes us on a safari through the contemporary zoo, alive with its many contradictions and strange wonders. Trading in his tweed jacket for a zoo uniform and a pair of muddy work boots, Grazian introduces us to zookeepers and animal rights activists, parents and toddlers, and the other human primates that make up the zoo's social world. He shows that in a major shift away from their unfortunate pasts, American zoos today emphasize naturalistic exhibits teeming with lush and immersive landscapes, breeding programs for endangered animals, and enrichment activities for their captive creatures. In doing so, zoos blur the imaginary boundaries we regularly use to separate culture from nature, humans from animals, and civilization from the wild. At the same time, zoos manage a wilderness of competing priorities—animal care, education, scientific research, and recreation—all while attempting to serve as centers for conservation in the wake of the current environmental and climate-change crisis. The world of the zoo reflects how we project our own prejudices and desires onto the animal kingdom, and invest nature with meaning and sentiment. A revealing portrayal of comic animals, delighted children, and feisty zookeepers, American Zoo is a remarkable close-up exploration of a classic cultural attraction.


The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor

Author: Linda K. Fuller

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2011-09-12

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 0313379955

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This text provides a unique examination of The Christian Science Monitor, a highly respected, venerable news publication that has survived over a century of changes and challenges. The Christian Science Monitor is one of the world's leading journalistic publications, having won multiple Pulitzer prizes for its reporting. CSM is innovative and forward-thinking as well—it was one of the first newspapers to provide an online copy of its daily reporting in 1996, well before the popularization of the Internet. But just like other publications, The Christian Science Monitor will need to continue to reinvent itself in order to stay relevant and solvent in the face of plummeting readership numbers, corporate takeovers, and a widespread assumption that all of today's news sources are biased and inaccurate. This book provides a thorough discussion of CSM's treatment of sensitive topics like terrorism, international crises, gender issues, and sexual orientation. The paper's attitudes toward ethnicity, ethics, economics, philosophy, and racism are also profiled. The conclusion provides readers with an opportunity to draw upon their new knowledge of The Christian Science Monitor's past to project its direction for the future.


Book Synopsis The Christian Science Monitor by : Linda K. Fuller

Download or read book The Christian Science Monitor written by Linda K. Fuller and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2011-09-12 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This text provides a unique examination of The Christian Science Monitor, a highly respected, venerable news publication that has survived over a century of changes and challenges. The Christian Science Monitor is one of the world's leading journalistic publications, having won multiple Pulitzer prizes for its reporting. CSM is innovative and forward-thinking as well—it was one of the first newspapers to provide an online copy of its daily reporting in 1996, well before the popularization of the Internet. But just like other publications, The Christian Science Monitor will need to continue to reinvent itself in order to stay relevant and solvent in the face of plummeting readership numbers, corporate takeovers, and a widespread assumption that all of today's news sources are biased and inaccurate. This book provides a thorough discussion of CSM's treatment of sensitive topics like terrorism, international crises, gender issues, and sexual orientation. The paper's attitudes toward ethnicity, ethics, economics, philosophy, and racism are also profiled. The conclusion provides readers with an opportunity to draw upon their new knowledge of The Christian Science Monitor's past to project its direction for the future.


The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth

The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth

Author: Richard Conniff

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2011-10-25

Total Pages: 481

ISBN-13: 0393341321

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Conniff tells the story of bold adventurers who risked death to discover strange life forms in the farthest corners of planet Earth.


Book Synopsis The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth by : Richard Conniff

Download or read book The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools, and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth written by Richard Conniff and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2011-10-25 with total page 481 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conniff tells the story of bold adventurers who risked death to discover strange life forms in the farthest corners of planet Earth.


The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas

Author: David Almond

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0763661694

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When his mentally unstable uncle's obsessions take an unexpectedly cruel turn, young Stanley Potts is forced to leave and joins a carnival of eccentric characters before meeting the legendary Pancho Pirelli, who swims in piranha tanks and invites Stanley to become his apprentice.


Book Synopsis The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by : David Almond

Download or read book The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas written by David Almond and published by Candlewick Press. This book was released on 2013 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When his mentally unstable uncle's obsessions take an unexpectedly cruel turn, young Stanley Potts is forced to leave and joins a carnival of eccentric characters before meeting the legendary Pancho Pirelli, who swims in piranha tanks and invites Stanley to become his apprentice.


DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna

Author: DK Eyewitness

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2023-08-22

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 0744089913

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A city that emanates elegance, Vienna wows with its monumental palaces, grand boulevards, shimmering ballrooms and decadent café culture. Make the most of your trip to this beautiful city with DK Eyewitness Top 10. Planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the very best that Vienna has to offer and ensuring that you don’t miss a thing. Best of all, the pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable; the perfect companion while out and about. DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna you will find: - Top 10 lists of Vienna’s must-sees, including Stephansdom, the Hofburg, the Belvedere and Hundertwasserhaus - Vienna's most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink and shopping - Themed lists, including the best art galleries, music venues, Viennese dishes, things to do for free and much more - Easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend or a week - A laminated pull-out map of Vienna, plus six full-color area maps Looking for more on Vienna’s history, culture and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Vienna or DK Eyewitness Austria. About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.


Book Synopsis DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna by : DK Eyewitness

Download or read book DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna written by DK Eyewitness and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2023-08-22 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A city that emanates elegance, Vienna wows with its monumental palaces, grand boulevards, shimmering ballrooms and decadent café culture. Make the most of your trip to this beautiful city with DK Eyewitness Top 10. Planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the very best that Vienna has to offer and ensuring that you don’t miss a thing. Best of all, the pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable; the perfect companion while out and about. DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Top 10 Vienna you will find: - Top 10 lists of Vienna’s must-sees, including Stephansdom, the Hofburg, the Belvedere and Hundertwasserhaus - Vienna's most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink and shopping - Themed lists, including the best art galleries, music venues, Viennese dishes, things to do for free and much more - Easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend or a week - A laminated pull-out map of Vienna, plus six full-color area maps Looking for more on Vienna’s history, culture and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Vienna or DK Eyewitness Austria. About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.


The Speaker's Wife

The Speaker's Wife

Author: Quentin Letts

Publisher: Constable

Published: 2015-11-26

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1472121996

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The Rev Tom Ross's quiet and semi-alcoholic life as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons is about to be shattered. Pastor Petroc Stone of a central London, evangelical church gives sanctuary to a young man being chased by the police for making an anti-Islamic protest. Politicians rage about the Church of England giving a safe haven to a dangerous criminal and Islamists surround the church building, furious at the boy's insult. Meanwhile, the charismatic, white-maned Don of Doubt, Augustus Dymock, and his secular campaign, the Thought Foundation, are pressuring the Church to sell hundreds of its under-used places of worship. As the stories twist and flow together, Ross finds himself caught up in a world of bribes, violence and political spin and, at high personal cost, he must confront his demons. The Speaker's Wife mixes Westminster intrigue with searching depictions of an England which has neglected its beliefs. Laugh-aloud satire is mixed with moving passages about the human condition and even a fairytale love story.


Book Synopsis The Speaker's Wife by : Quentin Letts

Download or read book The Speaker's Wife written by Quentin Letts and published by Constable. This book was released on 2015-11-26 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Rev Tom Ross's quiet and semi-alcoholic life as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons is about to be shattered. Pastor Petroc Stone of a central London, evangelical church gives sanctuary to a young man being chased by the police for making an anti-Islamic protest. Politicians rage about the Church of England giving a safe haven to a dangerous criminal and Islamists surround the church building, furious at the boy's insult. Meanwhile, the charismatic, white-maned Don of Doubt, Augustus Dymock, and his secular campaign, the Thought Foundation, are pressuring the Church to sell hundreds of its under-used places of worship. As the stories twist and flow together, Ross finds himself caught up in a world of bribes, violence and political spin and, at high personal cost, he must confront his demons. The Speaker's Wife mixes Westminster intrigue with searching depictions of an England which has neglected its beliefs. Laugh-aloud satire is mixed with moving passages about the human condition and even a fairytale love story.


Hope Beneath Our Feet

Hope Beneath Our Feet

Author: Martin Keogh

Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Published: 2011-06-21

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 1583944036

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An inspiring anthology for anyone seeking guidance, hope, and strength in the midst of our current environmental crisis—featuring writings from Barbara Kingsolver and Barry Lopez The environmental “tipping point” we approach is more palpable each day, and people are seeing it in ways they can no longer ignore—we need only turn on the news to hear the litany of what is wrong around us. Serious reflection, inspiration, and direction on how to approach the future are now critical. Hope Beneath Our Feet creates a space for change with stories, meditations, and essays that address the question, “If our world is facing an imminent environmental catastrophe, how do I live my life right now?” This collection provides tools, both practical and spiritual, to those who care about our world and to those who are just now realizing they need to care. Featuring prominent environmentalists, artists, CEOs, grassroots activists, religious figures, scientists, policy makers, and indigenous leaders, Hope Beneath Our Feet shows readers how to find constructive ways to channel their energies and fight despair with engagement and participation. Presenting diverse strategies for change as well as grounds for hope, the contributors to this anthology celebrate the ways in which we can all engage in beneficial action for ourselves, our communities, and the world. Contributors include: Diane Ackerman Paul Hawken Derrick Jensen Barbara Kingsolver Francis Moore Lappé Barry Lopez Bill McKibben Michael Pollan Alice Walker Howard Zinn


Book Synopsis Hope Beneath Our Feet by : Martin Keogh

Download or read book Hope Beneath Our Feet written by Martin Keogh and published by North Atlantic Books. This book was released on 2011-06-21 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An inspiring anthology for anyone seeking guidance, hope, and strength in the midst of our current environmental crisis—featuring writings from Barbara Kingsolver and Barry Lopez The environmental “tipping point” we approach is more palpable each day, and people are seeing it in ways they can no longer ignore—we need only turn on the news to hear the litany of what is wrong around us. Serious reflection, inspiration, and direction on how to approach the future are now critical. Hope Beneath Our Feet creates a space for change with stories, meditations, and essays that address the question, “If our world is facing an imminent environmental catastrophe, how do I live my life right now?” This collection provides tools, both practical and spiritual, to those who care about our world and to those who are just now realizing they need to care. Featuring prominent environmentalists, artists, CEOs, grassroots activists, religious figures, scientists, policy makers, and indigenous leaders, Hope Beneath Our Feet shows readers how to find constructive ways to channel their energies and fight despair with engagement and participation. Presenting diverse strategies for change as well as grounds for hope, the contributors to this anthology celebrate the ways in which we can all engage in beneficial action for ourselves, our communities, and the world. Contributors include: Diane Ackerman Paul Hawken Derrick Jensen Barbara Kingsolver Francis Moore Lappé Barry Lopez Bill McKibben Michael Pollan Alice Walker Howard Zinn