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Most scientists would agree that a sixth mass extinction is on the horizon unless radical changes are made in how Western society treats nature. At the same time, another extinction crisis is unfolding: the loss of many of the world's languages. More and more work in applied biology, anthropology, linguistics, and other related fields is now driven by the assumption that we are approaching a threshold of irreversible loss, that events during the next few decades will decide whether we cross over into a fundamentally changed and significantly diminished world. This leads to a very simple question that has not, until now, been answered satisfactorily: Why should anyone care? David Harmon takes a unique approach to answering this essential question by drawing on insights from conservation biology, evolutionary theory, linguistics, geography, psychology, philosophy, and ethics. His interconnected discussion explores the works of Voltaire, A.O. Lovejoy, Darwin, Wittgenstein, William James, Dobzhansky, and many others to explain why everyone must be concerned about the loss of diversity. When more and more elemental differences are erased from the natural world and human societies, the field of possible experience becomes more constricted and our essential humanity becomes jeopardized. The very reason our planet can be said to be alive is because an amazing variety of organisms, streams of human thought and behavior, and geophysical features exist that provide a congenial setting for the interworkings of nature and culture. Harmon's timely, important book elucidates how as we lose diversity, we risk losing ourselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Recommended!
I can't say enough good things about this book. Harmon's accomplishment is that he makes difficult subject matter both extremely interesting and eminently readable.If you care about preserving the world's linguistic diversity, you MUST read this book. If you don't care now, read it anyway, and you WILL.A tour de force!

A Thought-Provoking Read
The author makes a fascinating case for regarding linguistic diversity in the same way we treat biodiversity. The shrinkage of world languages and concomitant homogenization of global culture should be just as threatening to us as the more emotional response we have when facing the loss of a furry or feathered creature. In addition to being a painstakingly constructed argument, complete with a fascinating rehabilitation of the philosophy of William James, the book itself is extraordinarily well-written. Not a common occurrence in the field of scientific treatises. A must-read for anyone concerned with the prospects for intelligent life on Earth.

Interesting subject/highly readable
Don't be intimidated by the subject matter.Harmon's style of writing is straightforward, clear, and accessible.I found many of his ideas extremely unique.I recommend this!

Highly readable - reviewed by Danita Switzer
Don't be intimidated by the subject matter. Harmon's style of writing is straightforward, clear, and accessible. I found many of his ideas extremely unique. I recommend this! ... Read more

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The current issues of Somalia are explained in human terms in a title from the new DON'T FORGET US series which explores the problems and sufferings created by political upheaval, with case studies, photographs, maps and diagrams, a glossary and index. Relevant to National Curriculum Key Stage 2. ... Read more

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A collection of travel writing by continental writers about Cork, Ireland from medieval times to the present. ... Read more

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This is an introduction to the ground below us for young children featuring Harry and Ralph, a young boy and his dog as they journey around the world in a hot-air balloon. On the way they come across all sorts of things, from weather balloons to polar bears and the geographic principles which shape our environment. This title introduces the components of our natural environment, focusing on rocks, soil and water. It also explains the way in which land formations such as mountains , valleys and volcanoes were formed long ago. ... Read more

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Damp wet rainforests and bone-dry deserts are nicely juxtaposed in this third bind-up in the "Horrible Geography" series. ... Read more

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Building on experiences from children's everyday lives, this book on rain has simple text and concise information intended to stimulate learning and discussion, and introduces children to the theme of weather. Building on the experiences from children's everyday lives, this book shows how weather is one of the wonders of the world around us. The author covers forecasting rain and pollution, to reservoirs and rain worship. ... Read more

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Learn about the history and geography of China with iMindsJNR learning series for younger minds.

China is a fascinating country where mountains tower over vast plains, deserts collide with lush farmlands, and ancient cultures mix with modern cities.
So, if you went to China, where would you start? Well, you might want to pack a big bag because China is actually the 3rd largest country in the world! Most of western China is mountainous, including the Himalayan range. These mountains are the tallest on Earth. They are so big that they help control the world’s weather.

Perfect to engage, entertain and broaden young thinkers.. iMindsJNR brings targeted knowledge to your eReading device with short information segmentsto whet your mental appetite and broaden young minds.

iMindsJNR offers 6 main categories for ages 7-14years including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Maths, The Arts and History.Clear, concise and engaging, open young minds to a love of learning. ... Read more

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• Hands-on Activities
• Contemporary Problems & Issues
• Student-centered Investigative Activities
• Creative & Imaginary Activities
• Games & Simulations
• Geography in History
Have you ever wanted to…
• design your own country?
• find out what was on the land where your house or school is before it was built?
• redraw confusing borders?
• analyze the geography of fantasy worlds?
• map along with an explorer?
• redesign your city?
• win a geography trivia contest?
Now you and your students can have fun doing do these things and more with:
Creative Geography Activities for the 21st Century

30 lesson plans that allow students to go beyond worksheets, and map work to investigate and create on their own!

... Read more

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Learn about the world's greatest Mountain Ranges with iMindsJNR learning series for younger minds.

A mountain is defined as any hill that reaches 600 metres or more. Mountains come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have sharp, pointed edges; others slope more gently. The terrain of a mountain is made up of peaks, valleys, escarpments and plateaus. And the collective name for a group of mountains is a mountain range.
Two of the most famous mountain ranges in the world are America’s Sierra Nevada and Africa’s Atlas mountains. But there are bigger mountain ranges. In some places, there are whole chains of them. These are given the name cordillera.

Perfect to engage, entertain and broaden young thinkers.. iMindsJNR brings targeted knowledge to your eReading device with short information segmentsto whet your mental appetite and broaden young minds.

iMindsJNR offers 6 main categories for ages 7-14years including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Maths, The Arts and History.Clear, concise and engaging, open young minds to a love of learning. ... Read more

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Based on European and key worldwide destinations, this book provides an underpinning of geography knowledge and skills for a range of tourism and leisure and travel courses. It provides an overview of tourist attractions, from natural and historical attractions to tourist resorts from the Serengeti to Disneyland. Each chapter has an activity for practising skills such as atlas-reading, brochure research, giving comparative studies, responding to clients' letters, and using the Viewdata electronic information system. The book should be useful for GNVQ in Leisure and Tourism, BTEC Travel and Tourism, GCSE courses in tourism, and a range of City & Guilds courses. ... Read more

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While in the past, corporate community involvement was mainly considered a form of philanthropy, nowadays the argument is gaining credit that corporate community involvement is not only a matter of ethics, but also of self-interest. As companies recognize their interest in the welfare of the city, they may become inclined to invest in some way in that city's welfare. Assuming that the interests of public and private stakeholders tend to converge as companies become aware of their interest in an attractive environment, then corporate community involvement may bring along a new type of public-private partnership, as an instrument of urban regeneration. Bringing together comparative case studies from Amsterdam, Chicago, Leeds, London, Munich, New York, Seattle, St. Louis and The Hague, this considers the potential implications of corporate community involvement for the sustainable development of cities and the creation of cross-sector partnerships. It analyses the involvement of companies in urban challenges in the fields of education, employment, safety, affordable housing and the living environment.It also looks at the efforts made to establish strategic partnership between "enlightened" corporations and public authorities. The book reveals that "pro-active" firms attach much value to investments in their "urban environment" as part of their corporate strategy. But it also shows that cities do not yet take full advantage of these arising opportunities. ... Read more

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Instant revision guide, with self-check questions and grade-boosting tutorials in a pocket-sized pack. Written by senior examiners and experienced teachers who know what students need for that final, instant check, this edition is in pocket book format. It has: clear explanations of what you need for GCSE; ready-made, instant revision notes; short self-check questions for all GCSE areas; answers to every question asked in the text; grade-boosting tutorials from the examiner; and a score chart to help you check your progress. ... Read more

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Phil Purcel was a singular character, for he was never married; but notwithstanding his singularity, no man ever possessed, for practical purposes, a more plentiful stock of duplicity. All his acquaintances knew that Phil was a knave of the first water, yet was he decidedly a general favorite. ... Read more

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Interrogates the yearning of discontented children, imagined homes, strangers and histories, as the century draws to an end. The irreverent and ironic narrator asks: Who are the melancholy architects of the future and how do we measure value, as we sleepwalk across the rubble of demolished utopias. ... Read more

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The theme of this book is the teaching and learning of the humanities in the primary years. While it dwells on the National Curriculum, it also examines issues of current international concern, drawing upon international research literature. ... Read more

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This bestselling book has been praised for providing general readers with an excellent introduction to major geographic concepts and fundamental themes. The new seventh edition builds on this success, presenting updated and revised material. It includes information from the 2002 agricultural census and the 2005 mid-point US population census. Readers will also find updated coverage of the Southern Coastlands and Hurricane Katrina as well as new details on the Northlands and the impact of global warming. Anyone interested in the geography of Canada and the US will find this a valuable resource. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great shape
I received this book earlier than expected and it was in wonderful condition when I received it. I will definitely use these people again. ... Read more

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Part of a fab series of 6 Science Topic Workbooks aimed at 7-8 year olds, this book covers helping plants grow well. It's got loads of questions, as well as a mini-project, pull-out answers and a fantastic A3 plant poster. And it's perfectly matched to the National Curriculum so it's ideal for following the school Scheme of Work or using at home as helpful practice material. ... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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Telling her story at the end of the 20th century, Laydia Spain O’Hara, untangles the past of fourteen characters’ lives tied together in a small southern Illinois town from the mid-1950s of Elvis through the mid-1960s post-JFK. Her comic tale of faces unmasking—and conflicts resolving—is a human journey about coming of age and inventing one’s self, despite all gossip, while keeping the torch of true love burning. In a triangle with her two best friends, Jessarose and Mizz Lulabelle, Laydia Spain outwits convention, opens her own boarding house, and discovers a solidarity in new ideas of family, home, and the human heart that mirror the vast social changes sweeping American culture during the mid-century.

In the tradition of spunky small-town girls whose vernacular descends from Huck Finn, Laydia Spain dares to take on her own father, Big Jim O’Hara, the postman and accordion champ who named her Laydia Spain; Mister Henry Apple, the prescription-eating pharmacist who marries the bleach-blond Mizz Lulabelle; and Mister Wilmer Fox, the red-headed traveling salesman whose revolving returns to the little town of Canterberry always upset everyone’s plans to live happily ever after.

Ultimately, the dark-skinned cinnamon girl, Jessarose, who takes off on the road to fame and fortune as a roadhouse blues singer, defines the direction of love, because, while "the human face is a limitless terrain that just pulls you right in....the geography of women is where nature itself takes course homeward bound, the long route or the short, the high road or the low."
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

nmrose
this book is dreadful! the jargon and accent is overwhelming. the plot and characters are poorly developed. the first half of the story is little more than soft core porn. definitely not worth the ttime or the money. ... Read more