March is the month of our "world famous in Christchurch" book sale. - Friday 11 March, 9:00am - 7:00pm
- Saturday 12 March, 9:00am - 4:00pm
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"Technology doesn't make us more worldly or knowledgeable. It doesn't protect us. It's just a change of venue for the same old principles of confidence. What are you confident in? The con artist will find those things where your belief is unshakable and will build on that foundation to subtly change the world around you. ~ from Maria Konnikova's The Confidence Game
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The annihilation of nature: Human extinction of birds and mammals by Gerardo CeballosThis book shows us the face of Earth's sixth great mass extinction, revealing that this century is a time of darkness for the world's birds and mammals. In The Annihilation of Nature, three of today's most distinguished conservationists tell the stories of the birds and mammals we have lost and those that are now on the road to extinction.Thousands of populations have already disappeared, other populations are dwindling daily, and soon, our descendants may live in a world containing but a minuscule fraction of the birds and mammals we know today. The Annihilation of Nature is a clarion call for engagement and action. These outspoken scientists urge everyone who cares about nature to become personally connected to the victims of our inadequate conservation efforts and demand that restoration replace destruction. Only then will we have any hope of preventing the worst-case scenario of the sixth mass extinction.
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The confidence game: Why we fall for it... every time
by Maria Konnikova
Take your finger and trace the letter "Q" on your forehead. In which direction does the tail point? The answer could determine your likelihood of committing fraud. But whether you're a born grifter or an ideal mark, you're not alone. "The con is the oldest game there is," explains science writer Maria Konnikova, adding that everyone has the potential to deceive or be deceived. Examining the psychological underpinnings of confidence games, the best-selling author of Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes describes how and why scams work, offering readers an opportunity to learn to protect themselves from tricksters (or exploit unsuspecting others).
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The curious nature guide: Explore the natural wonders all around you
by Clare Walker Leslie
Offers a variety of ways to connect with nature, describing the colours, textures, sounds, and shapes of plants, trees, birds, insects, clouds, and the night sky, with journal entries and sketches by the author
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Lions in the balance: Man-eaters, manes, and men with guns by Craig PackerFrom flat-topped acacia trees to great migrations of wildebeest across an edgeless expanse of grass, the Serengeti is one of the world's most renowned ecosystems. Celebrated lion researcher and conservationist Craig Packer takes us back into the complex, tooth-and-claw worlds of lion conservation and behaviour. Packer is sure to infuriate poachers, politicians, and conservationists alike as he minces no words about the problems he sees. But with a narrative stretching from Arusha to Washington, DC, and marked by Packer's signature humour and incredible candour, Lions in the Balance is a tale of courage against impossible odds, a masterly blend of science and storytelling, and an urgent call to action that will captivate a pride of readers.
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Dam Builders: The natural history of beavers and their ponds by Michael RuntzFew animals in the world are as famous or as infamous as the beaver, and none save our species has the ability to so dramatically transform its environment. Beavers are remarkable animals. They have teeth that self-sharpen and never stop growing, and a heart that slows down and valves that close in their ears and noses when they dive. Their tail is the most multi-purpose of any animal on this planet; in addition to commication its many functions include serving as an air conditioner in summer and a food pantry in winter. This book is a comprehensive overview of the lives of beavers and the habitats that arise from their actions. It is a visual extravaganza: approximately 400 photographs provide intimate insights into the lives of beavers and the inhabitants of their ponds and related habitats.
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| The invention of science: A new history of the scientific revolution by David WoottonWhat is a revolution? What does it mean to discover something? These are concepts that, according to author David Wootton, didn't exist prior to the Scientific Revolution. In this thought-provoking history of science, Wootton explains that much of what seems obvious to modern humans has originated within the last four centuries, beginning in 1572 with Tycho Brahe's nova (which demonstrated, contrary to ancient philosophy) that the stars were not fixed in place). Considering the contributions of Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon, Newton, Descartes, and others, The Invention of Science explores not only the origins of scientific knowledge, but also the development of the thought processes that make science possible. |
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Focus on: Endangered Places
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John Muir: The man who saved America's wild places by Mary ColwellJohn Muir is regarded as the 'father of America's national parks' and is a towering figure in the history of that country's involvement with ecology. Born into a harsh home in Dunbar, Scotland he would often escape to revel in the birds and wildlife of the area. When his father suddenly uprooted the family and moved to the United States, the oppression he associated with his childhood continued - and so did his involvement with the natural world. He was a fascinating character: on the one hand a recluse, who sought solitude, and on the other a passionate activist, determined to save the places he loved. This wonderful memoir pays tribute to a giant of ecology and is essential reading for lovers of natural history.
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| Fire and ice: Soot, solidarity, and survival on the roof of the world by Jonathan MingleWelcome to Kumik, India, a 1,000-year-old village in the Himalayas whose inhabitants long ago learned to cultivate the harsh mountain terrain by collecting water from melted snow. However, as the region's glaciers recede, the village declines. The main culprit? Soot. Among the most toxic, yet least studied, of pollutants, soot -- also known as black carbon -- is the byproduct of combustion. And while the Himalayas may seem remote, Kumik's plight parallels that of places all over the world. This sobering account of environmental devastation provides insight into a lesser-studied aspect of climate change. |
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| The Galapagos: A natural history by Henry NichollsHome to some 4,000 species of flora and fauna (of which 1,600 are endemic), the Galápagos Islands are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity. Made famous by Charles Darwin, who featured the Galápagos prominently in The Voyage of the Beagle, this archipelago off the coast of Ecuador has also hosted many human visitors, from fishermen and pirates to scientists and ecotourists. In addition to exploring the islands' unique geological features and ecology, this sweeping account examines ongoing threats to the Galápagos caused by human activity, including pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. |
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| Mother of God: An extraordinary journey into the uncharted tributaries of the western Amazon by Paul RosolieUncharted territory is difficult to find these days, which is part of what makes the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon Basin unique. Nature writer Paul Rosolie first visited the area as an 18-year-old college student volunteering at a biological research station in Peru, where he fell in love with the jungle's primeval splendor. In this "vividly written narrative" (Kirkus Reviews), Rosolie recounts eye-opening adventures, from fostering an orphaned anteater and encountering isolated tribes to contracting MRSA and nearly being devoured by a 25-foot anaconda. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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