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Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin found this slim 1955 novel on a shelf in the house of friends, and, struck with the "plain, succinct evocation and beauty" of Fred Bodsworth's writing, suggested its reissue to a publisher. This is a quick, elegant, devastating read. The Eskimo curlew was a species of shorebird that migrated (and perhaps, in extremely small numbers, still migrates) south from arctic Canada every fall, in a flight that took it eastward across Canada, and then, after feeding, south over the Atlantic to South America--this latter journey nearly 2,500 miles of nonstop flight. The curlew was almost unique among shorebirds for its ability to make this grueling passage.
Bodsworth, a respected ornithologist, makes us care about his fictional bird protagonist--a lone curlew in search of a mate--while still cautiously riding the line between description and anthropomorphism. Of his curlew preparing for a mate, he writes: "He waited within the borders of his territory, flying in tightening circles and calling excitedly as the other bird came nearer. The female was coming. The three empty summers that the male had waited vainly and alone on his breeding territory were a vague, tormenting memory, now almost lost in a brain so keenly keyed to instinctive responses that there was little capacity for conscious thought or memory."
The demise of this species at the hands of hunters and hungry consumers was so rapid and thorough that the "millions that darkened the sky" in Newfoundland in the 1870s during their annual migration were reduced to only a few lone fliers by the 1890s. An afterword by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann and line drawings by Abigail Rorer add context to this remarkable book. --Maria Dolan
Book Description
The Eskimo curlew, which once made its migration from Patagonia to the Arctic in flocks so dense that they darkened the sky, was brought to the verge of extinction by the wanton slaughter of game-hunters.
Following the doomed search of a solitary curlew for a female of its kind, Fred Bodsworth’s novel is a haunting indictment of man’s destruction of the natural world.
Customer Reviews:
Last of the Curlews.......2007-04-02
A sad story of human greed and destruction, but one we all should read and learn from.
There's Always Hope..........2003-11-16
This is a Classic and recognized as one of the finest Natural History books in North America as well as abroad.First published in 1955 it has been re-issued ,probably as many as 20 times over the years. Suffice it to say ,anyone with any interest in nature,birds, extinct species,conservation,preservation of species,would find this an excellent read.As a matter of fact,I would go so far as to suggest that after reading this book,one would probably agree it is the best natural history book they have ever read.Just look at the other reviews.
The main reason for my writing this review is to tell you that after reading 'The Last of the Curlews'you might want to read some of Bodsworth's other lesser known but also excellent works.
"The Strange One"
"The Sparrows Fall"
"The Atonement of Ashley Morden"
and,
"The Pacific Coast"
Another excellent thing about 'The Last of the Curlews' are the superb scratch board illustrations by T M Shortt,one of Canada's finest artists;so make sure they are in the edition you get.
With regards to my title...for several decades the search has continued without success.There have been a few reports of sightings,but none confirmed.There is a lot of territory in it's range,between the tip of South America and the Arctic Circle where there may be survivors...there's always hope.
I still see Fred on occasion;so let's hope we see another book from him soon.
A must read.......2003-06-11
This is a wonderful, heart-wrenching short book, a fictionalization of the migration of a lone Eskimo Curlew from the arctic to South America and back.
The Eskimo Curlew was once a plentiful shorebird that was highly sought after by hunters because of the succulence of its flesh and the ease with which it could be taken. Usually flying in dense swarms, a score or more birds could be brought down by a single shotgun blast. In some cases so many were killed, that the hunters left those that could not be transported to market in massive piles. And so it came to pass that by the late 19th-century, the Eskimo Curlew population declined rapidly, to the point where it was virtually extinct at the time Bodsworth wrote the book.
Although a work of fiction, this is a book that should be read by everyone who has an interest in Nature and the environment.
A Haunting Classic ...........2000-06-14
Bodsworth is brilliant in his capacity to provide the reader with an emotionally arrousing text, supported by fascinating technical details of bird migration. I cannot imagine that anyone having even a remote interest in birds, nature or life, would not be moved by this great piece.
It broke my heart........1999-10-08
I doubt anyone will ever see this review, but I thought I'd submit one anyway. Never have I experienced a book that so forced me to put it down every few pages, from its overwhelming sadness and beauty. Merwin, who championed this rare gem, once wrote: "If I were not human, I would have nothing to be ashamed of." Truly, this is the kind of reading experience that cuts to the core of our species' tragic history.
Average customer rating:
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LAST OF THE CURLEWS.
Manufacturer: London Museum Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CJC9R |
Product Description
Autumn 1955 1st Edition with the following stories:"This is Goggle; Run Slient, Run Deep; Marjorie Morningstar; Last of the Curlews;First Train to Babylon"
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Look at Plants With E.T.
Manufacturer: Pockets Books (J)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
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| Plants
| Biological Sciences
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ASIN: 0671464353 |
Book Description
Insight Guide Peru includes a section detailing Peru's history, 9 features covering the country's life and culture, ranging from the Quechua-speaking people of the Andes to the fusion of Catholic, Inca and early agricultural rites, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus many exciting photographs and 10 maps.
Customer Reviews:
Armchair Traveller.......2006-09-24
I've always wanted to visit Peru and see for myself not only the ancient places and the beautiful landscape but also the cities, villages, markets, and Peruvians of today. And now too many years have gone by when I had neither the money nor the time. Time is abundant now, but health not any longer. So I just bought the Insight Guides book on Peru and what an excellent purchase this has been: The interesting articles on Peru's geography, history, culture, economics, traditions, and politics accompanied by a multitude of beautiful fotos and, last not least, good tips for the traveller as to what to do and take along, and where to go, and when to be careful, really make possible a personalized guided tour at your own leisure even while you comfortably sit in your armchair and, perhaps, have some CDs on with Peruvian folk music as a background. It is true that the book - because of the paper used to make the colourful fotos look their best - is a bit heavy to take along. But it certainly provides for an excellent preparation for those who are lucky enough to make the trip.
heavy.......2006-01-11
The upside is that this book has a lot of really teriffic color photos. However, the upside is also its downside...since the pages are all the heavy glossy material, it makes for a disproportionately heavy book considering its small size. Good for reading before your trip, but might become too heavy to lug around while trekking through the country.
A great Guide, specially for specific interests.......2004-12-01
Insight Guide Peru has one noticiable strenght by its side: This is probably the best source of deep background on specific destinations and activities. As a tour operator in Latin America I always recommend this particular guide when, for instance, travelers are deeply interested in bird watching in, say , the Manu Reserve in the peruvian amazon jungle, a less well known destination when comparing to Macchu Pichu, the Nazca Lines or Senor de Sipan.
Nevertheless, this level of detail is also available for the above mentioned "classic" destinies as well. Visually stunning, Insight Guide is the National Geographic of the Travel Guides.
Bart cat-travel
Gorgeous!.......2004-07-04
This is a beautiful, wonderfully illustrated book. I bought it, but didn't take it on my trip because friends were bringing along a copy. Even though we were on a tour, I found Danbury's "The Inca Trail: Cusco and Machu Picchu" a nice carry along. It's a good size and approaches Peru from a more "do-it-yourself" perspective.
In contrast, I look at the Insight Guide every day at home and thrill to the pictures and production quality. It is worth every penny and will stay in my house to remind me of an amazing place to visit.
Great for Planning a Trip & Understanding the Culture.......2004-04-23
If you want to travel to Peru, this is the guide that will bring you cultural information, history of the sacred sites, the people, villages, fiestas, as well as climate, major attractions, places to stay, and info on the coastal desert, highlands and jungle geography.
Beautiful full color pictures bring Peru to life, and a thorough index will guide you to just about anything you would want to know about this amazing place.
A great guide for planning, and learning!
Book Description
Insight Pocket Guides deliver personal service in a sleek, portable format. Fun, colourful, informative, Insight Pocket Guides give you the inside scoop on you destination, making it ideal for long weekend getaways or for the traveler with limited time to spare. It's like having a tour guide in your pocket or purse. .Full-colour photos and pull-ou map .Tailor-made itineraries .Recommended excursions .Full listings on shopping, restaurants, nightlife and special events
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Peru Insight Guide (Insight Guides)
Manufacturer: APA Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guidebooks
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ASIN: 9624211280 |
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Peru Insight Guide (Insight Guides)
Manufacturer: APA Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guidebooks
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ASIN: 9624212384 |
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Peru Insight Guide (Insight Guides)
Manufacturer: APA Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
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Peru
| South America
| Latin America
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General
| Travel
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ASIN: 9624214433 |
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Peru Insight Fleximap
American Map Corporation
Manufacturer: American Map Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map
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| Latin America
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Peru
| South America
| Latin America
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ASIN: 9812584773 |
Book Description
Peru Insight FlexiMap features detailed city, street and road maps clearly marked with all the sites and services of particular interest to travelers. Text and photographs offer a wealth of valuable tourist information including "10 sights you shouldn't miss", plus information on transportation, visas, currency, important telephone numbers, emergency services, and more.
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Peru Insight Guide
*
Manufacturer: APA INSIGHT GUIDES (
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K2U0D0 |
Customer Reviews:
Rio Grande From the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.......2000-08-02
The Rio Grande River (Great River) is the third longest river in the United States that divides Mexico and the US. Peter Lourie travels the entire river from it's headwaters in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a wonderful account of his travels on this grand river. The history, rich land and people of the Rio Grande are captured in the detailed and colorful photographs. Each region that the Rio Grande travels through is unique and beautiful. I admire Peter Lourie because he is very respectful of the people and the delicate land of the Rio Grande. He did a wonderful job in illustrating the beauty and importance of this remarkable river. I absolutely enjoyed this book because the Rio Grande is very close to home!
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Pvd for Microelectronics: Sputter Deposition Applied to Semiconductor Manufacturing (Thin Films)
Ronald A. Powell
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 012533026X |
Book Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SERIES
Physics of Thin Films is one of the longest running continuing series in thin film science, consisting of 25 volumes since 1963. The series contains quality studies of the properties of various thin films materials and systems.
In order to be able to reflect the development of today's science and to cover all modern aspects of thin films, the series, starting with Volume 20, has moved beyond the basic physics of thin films. It now addresses the most important aspects of both inorganic and organic thin films, in both their theoretical as well as technological aspects. Therefore, in order to reflect the modern technology-oriented problems, the title has been slightly modified from
Physics of Thin Films to
Thin Films.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VOLUME
This volume, part of the
Thin Films Series, has been wholly written by two authors instead of showcasing several edited manuscripts.
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Classical and Fuzzy Concepts in Mathematical Logic and Applications, Professional Version
Mircea S. Reghis , and
Eugene Roventa
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0849331978 |
Book Description
Classical and Fuzzy Concepts in Mathematical Logic and Applications provides a broad, thorough coverage of the fundamentals of two-valued logic, multivalued logic, and fuzzy logic. Exploring the parallels between classical and fuzzy mathematical logic, the book examines the use of logic in computer science, addresses questions in automatic deduction, and describes efficient computer implementation of proof techniques. Specific issues discussed include: o Propositional and predicate logic o Logic networks o Logic programming o Proof of correctness o Semantics o Syntax o Completenesss o Non-contradiction o Theorems of Herbrand and Kalman The authors consider that the teaching of logic for computer science is biased by the absence of motivations, comments, relevant and convincing examples, graphic aids, and the use of color to distinguish language and metalanguage. Classical and Fuzzy Concepts in Mathematical Logic and Applications discusses how the presence of these facts trigger a stirring, decisive insight into the understanding process. This view shapes this work, reflecting the authors' subjective balance between the scientific and pedagogic components of the textbook. Usually, problems in logic lack relevance, creating a gap between classroom learning and applications to real-life problems. The book includes a variety of application-oriented problems at the end of almost every section, including programming problems in PROLOG III. With the possibility of carrying out proofs with PROLOG III and other software packages, readers will gain a first-hand experience and thus a deeper understanding of the idea of formal proof.
Book Description
With A Dead Man in Deptford, Burgess concluded his literary career to overwhelming acclaim for his re-creation of the Elizabethan poet Christopher Marlowe. In lavish, pitch-perfect, and supple, readable prose, Burgess matches his splendid Shakespeare novel, Nothing Like the Sun. The whole world of Elizabethan England—from the intrigues of the courtroom, through the violent streets of London, to the glory of the theater—comes alive in this joyous celebration of the life of Christopher Marlowe, murdered in suspicious circumstances in a tavern brawl in Deptford more than four hundred years ago.
Customer Reviews:
Which Marlowe are we talking about? Oh, that one........2006-04-25
O O O O that Marlovian Rag-
So incredible
Even bed-able
Elizabethan!.......2005-07-11
First time I read this book I considered it pretty much a bunch of sex scenes strung together with philosophical ramblings. Later I went back to it for another try, and I'm glad I did. It's an incredible book. It *feels* Elizabethan, not just in the language, not just in the historical accuracy, but in every detail of the characters' thought and sensibility that's typical of Burgess at the very top of his game. It also makes amends (in plenty) for anyone who was disgusted by the attitude toward homosexuality portrayed in The Wanting Seed (in fact, remembering that Burgess had written this book was the only thing that kept me from flinging TWS across the room, well, that and the fact that it was a library book). Readers interested in Marlowe will also find an insightful if maybe not totally groundbreakingly original view of his philosophy, life and plays and the relationship between them.
Dead Man in Deptford.......2003-07-18
A novelization of the career and death of Elizabethan writer Kit Marlowe.
Wonderfully clever on a sentence level, and also a realistic evocation of period mentalities. I found nothing that seemed anachronistic here; the characters are steeped in the thought, literature, and problems of their times.
Sometimes the cleverness detracts from the story. The unusual dialogue punctuation in particular makes conversations hard to follow. At times the themes have great power, but too often they, as well as plot and characterization, sag under the weight of verbal expression. A framing device -- as well as a puzzling new voice coming in at the end -- doesn't add much and seems unnecessary.
Overall, I found this to be an ambitious and well-written book which will probably lose a number of readers who can't follow its verbal twists and turns, but which is well worth reading.
Stick With It, It's Worth It.......2003-03-06
While some have said this is a difficult book (and I must admit I felt that way at first) if you relax and stick with it you'll find that it will begin to flow very smoothly.
Burgess takes us into the mind of Marlowe; his images are vivid. There were many passages that I had to reread, not because they were difficult, but because they were so beautiful. Sir Walter Raleigh introducing Kit to tobacco is marvelous.
I have to agree with those who found that following the characters was a bit confusing. I had the good fortune to have read Charles Nichol's book 'The Reckoning" first, a true story about the death of Marlowe. That work is a great introduction to most of the players in Burgess's book.
Please, don't be intimidated by "Dead Man", it is a pleasing and enlightening work.
Breathtakingly fine work..........2000-08-17
Marlowe is presented in full here. You can feel him touching the pages as you read them. You can taste the food he eats, drink what he drinks. This is a visceral book. Burgess was a linguist, so, of course, the dialect might prove a challenge to some, but, in the same way that the invented slang of Clockwork Orange made the experience of that book more vivid and real, the Elizabethanisms of Dead Man only give it more depth and color. The "Elizabethanisms" of this book are, in any case, less challenging than those served up in Burgess' earlier, more difficult but also astonishingly rewarding Shakespeare book "Nothing Like The Sun". Disregard those few on here who warn you off this book, particularly if you revel in language that comes rich and thick and genuine.
Books:
- Latin American Insects and Entomology
- Learning Landscape Ecology
- Legends of the American Desert : Sojourns in the Greater Southwest
- Lentivirus Gene Engineering Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology (Cloth))
- Lessons from the Wolverine
- Living in the Appalachian Forest: True Tales of Sustainable Forestry
- Look at the Sky and Tell the Weather
- Magnitude 8: Earthquakes and Life Along the San Andreas Fault
- Man's Origin, Man's Destiny: A Critical Survey of the Principles of Evolution and Christianity
- Molecular Biology Made Simple and Fun, Third Edition
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