Books with author Richard Smith

Meet the world's most fascinating sea creatures—see the lives and curiosities of colorful fish and coral reefs—this spectacular volume has more than 300 color photos and extraordinary text from a leading marine biologist and underwater photographer, and the international expert on seahorses.In this richly informative volume, brimming with new discoveries and more than three hundred colorful images of jaw-dropping fish and coral reefs, you'll swim in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; you'll be dazzled in the Coral Triangle and amazed in Triton Bay. Up close you'll meet the Cenderawasih fairy wrasse, with its florescent yellow streak; the polka-dot longnose filefish; and the multicolored seadragon. There are scarlet-colored corals, baby-blue sponges, daffodil crinoids, and all sorts of mystifying creatures that change color at the drop of a hat. The whale shark is almost larger than life and the author's beloved pygmy seahorse, unless photographed, is almost too tiny to see.The wondrous creatures inside are charmers and tricksters and excel in the arts of seduction and deception, and you'll have the rare chance to see and delight in their antics. You'll also learn what they eat, how they play, and how they care for one another, live on one another, and mimic others when they're afraid. There is also compelling insight into the naming process, which sea creatures are facing extinction, and how we can help them before it's too late.

Meet the world's most fascinating sea creatures—see the lives and curiosities of colorful fish and coral reefs—this spectacular volume has more than 300 color photos and extraordinary text from a leading marine biologist and underwater photographer, and an international expert on seahorses. In this richly informative volume, brimming with new discoveries and more than three hundred colorful images of jaw-dropping fish and coral reefs, you'll swim in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; you'll be dazzled in the Coral Triangle and amazed in Triton Bay. Up close you'll meet the Cenderawasih fairy wrasse, with its florescent yellow streak; the polka-dot longnose filefish; and the multicolored seadragon. There are scarlet-colored corals, baby-blue sponges, daffodil crinoids, and all sorts of mystifying creatures that change color at the drop of a hat. The whale shark is almost larger than life and the author's beloved pygmy seahorse, unless photographed, is almost too tiny to see. The wondrous creatures inside are charmers and tricksters and excel in the arts of seduction and deception, and you'll have the rare chance to see and delight in their antics. You'll also learn what they eat, how they play, and how they care for one another, live on one another, and mimic others when they're afraid. There is also compelling insight into the naming process, which sea creatures are facing extinction, and how we can help them before it's too late.

A popular fossil field in Arizona has been visited by hundreds of Paleontology students from all over the world for more than half a century. Now, the state of Arizona, utilizing its National Guard, has locked down the area, prohibiting access to the sight.The locals have heard rumors about the strange thing discovered in the field, and how six students from the University of Arizona have gone missing. They also heard that one of the students escaped and spoke of seeing a creature that has been extinct for over 65 million years.Nineteen year old David Baker had one goal in life now. He was determined to get back to the field and save his friends.

If you like the Tunnels Series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams then take a look at this...A special stone hidden in a quiet cove in Cornwall more than 200 years ago, is the object of a desperate search by two opposing factions. When Harry and his school friends discover a code whilst holidaying in the cove, they assume it will lead them to hidden treasure. But dark forces, with seemingly supernatural powers, are working against them. The teenagers soon find themselves caught up in a deadly battle, and will be lucky to escape with their lives, let alone get their hands on the treasure.

The old aquarium had been abandoned for years, but Beverly, Pete and Butch knew that something sinister still lurked in the huge, waterless tank. They had heard stories for years, and now the three 15 year olds were determined to uncover the truth about the legend of the ghost shark."The Shark's Window," is a fast paced story about three curious teens who discover much more than they bargained for in the quest to solve a local mystery. Spanish treasure, hidden temples, ghosts and gangsters combine in a story that ultimately leads the three teens deeper and deeper into a dangerous web of suspense and intrigue.

September 1940, and the world is at war. Britain stands alone, and the fate of the world might just rest on the actions of one girl, Emily Cartwright. In tragic circumstances Emily discovers that she has the power to see the future. Sensing danger, her father sends her away to Exeter, hoping to keep her from the clutches of those he fears would use her abilities for ill - be they the Nazis or even the British government.Emily soon discovers that Exeter is a city full of mysteries of its own; Unexplained disappearances, an innocent man wrongly imprisoned, and a strange series of underground passages. Together with her friend Jack, she begins to investigate the murder of a local girl when they stumble upon a dark secret that puts their lives at risk.Second Sight is a thrilling, heart-stopping page turner which will leave you breathless. Fans of Philip Pullman, Markus Zusak and Suzanne Collins will love this book.

A Guardian ‘Readers’ Choice’ Best Book of 2017Birdsong is woven into our culture, our emotions, our landscape; it is the soundtrack to our world. We have tried to capture this fleeting, ephemeral beauty, and the feelings it inspires, for millennia.In this fascinating account, Richard Smyth asks what it is about birdsong that we so love. Exploring the myriad ways in which it has influenced literature, music, science and our very ideas of what it means to be British, Smyth’s nuanced investigation shows that what we hear says as much about us, our dreams and desires, as it does about the birds and their songs.At a time when our birdsong is growing quieter, with fewer voices, more thinly spread, A Sweet, Wild Note is a celebration of the complex relationships between birds, people and the land; it is also a passionate call to arms lest our trees and hedgerows fall silent.

The citizens of Winklethorpe are in terrible danger. Young scientist and inventor, Fuzzy Jones, has tried to warn them but who listens to kids? Scorned by all but a few trusty friends, Fuzzy crafts an audaciously cunning plan. With the clock ticking, can he and his friends complete the great pumpkin deliverance, saving the villagers from certain doom?For fans of classic children's adventure stories, this uproarious tale will make you laugh until you cry - or at least giggle a bit - as Fuzzy bumbles his way through one ridiculous adventure after another.

Believing their stolen camping gear to be hidden inside an old abandoned mine, Scott, Jason and Jill reluctantly enter the dark hole in the mountain. Just yards inside the tunnel, the three young teens discover more than they ever bargained for.The old mine shaft becomes a terrifying link to a magical, mystical city. As the three begin a desperate struggle to get back home, they find that the golden city of Topia holds both incredible treasure and unforeseen terror. A strange world inhabited by Snags, Garps and Dittles, and ruled by three powerful queens - two very good, but one very evil.

Birdsong is woven into culture, emotions, and landscape. It is the soundtrack to our world, shaping experiences of place and belonging. We have tried to capture this fleeting, ephemeral beauty, and the feelings it inspires, for millennia. In this rich and insightful account, Richard Smyth asks what it is about birdsong that we so love, exploring the myriad ways in which it has influenced literature, music, and art, our feelings about the natural world, and our very ideas of what it means to be human. Does the song-thrush mean to sing "a full-hearted evensong/Of joy illimited," as he does in Hardy’s poem "The Darkling Thrush?" Examining his own conflicted love of birdsong, Smyth’s nuanced investigation shows that what we hear says as much about us, our dreams and desires, as it does about the birds and their songs. At a time when birdsong is growing quieter, with fewer voices, more thinly spread, this beautiful book is a celebration of the complex relationships between birds, people, and landscape; it is also a passionate call to arms and an invitation to act lest our trees and hedges fall silent.