Books in Of the World Series series

Dogs have become an integral part of the lives of millions of people around the world - as working animals or simply as domestic pets - but their wild relatives are being pushed ever closer to extinction. The ancestor of the domestic dog, the grey wolf, has been eliminated from most of Europe and, in the USA, the red wolf's plight is such that it is currently the subject of an intensive captive-breeding and reintroduction program.This book examines all members of the Canidae, showing where the existing 34 species are distributed, and how they have been affected by human pressures. David Alderton describes fully the form, function, reproduction, lifestyles and distribution of the wild canids. The text is illustrated throughout by superb color photographs, specially taken for this book. There are also clear distribution maps for every species, and a full checklist of the Canidae.It is the ultimate irony that though we have accepted the domestic dog into our homes, we still generally perceive its ancestor as an evil killer. Such a lack of understanding is probably the greatest barrier to the effective conservation of wolves and other wild canids. Foxes, Wolves and Wild Dogs of the World breaks down these popular misconceptions and shows that positive action is needed to safeguard the future of wild canids.

This latest title in the "Of the World" series - the seventeenth - covers that fascinating group of animals whose evolution into their present forms and life-styles seems almost contradictory. While seals, sea lions and walruses are indeed mammals, their habitat is very much an aquatic one, their limbs now fully adapted for swimming rather than land locomotion.The various families of the order Pinnipedia - fur seals, sea lions, walruses and the phocid seals - are described and illustrated. Evolution, classification, distribution, life-cycles, zoology and their current status and future are all fully discussed. In addition, the complex question of their relationship with humans is examined. As with other marine-dwelling mammals, the issues are controversial. In examining topics such as conflicts between seals and fishing and culling and the fur trade, expert author Nigel Bonner adopts a professional and unemotional approach, based on first-hand knowledge and much experience.Their aquatic life and the remoteness of their habitats make the seals and their kin hard to study. Yet encounters with these species have produced in many people a particularly strong response, sometimes becoming sentimental. This book sensibly places them in context through a clear understanding of their natural history and their interactions with humans. The text is enhanced throughout by some 100 color photographs, detailed diagrams and maps.

Perceived for too long as predatory killers, crocodilians face their gravest danger--extinction--with little human help and sympathy. As this volume proves, alligators and crocodiles can be extremely fascinating. Examine this creature's anatomy to see why it makes such a fine hunter: its almost fully submerged body remains nearly invisible, its slit eyes help it see in the dark and judge distance precisely, and its tough skin protects it against the salt water. Many societies viewed crocodiles with awe because of their power and size, and even made them a part of their folklore and religion. Information on origins, evolution and distribution, courtship, reproduction, and many individual species paint a thorough portrait. Maps of their habitats, disappearing swiftly because of environmental damage, trace their presence worldwide, and excellent color photos bring these sometimes scary reptiles up close and personal. Blandford 192 pages, 40 color illus., 80 b/w illus., 6 x 9.

Celebrate and explore the diversity of Native American cultures in this superbly illustrated gift book.The North America ‘discovered’ by Christopher Columbus in 1492 was actually home to millions of people across the continent. Through lively, informative text and detailed reconstructions, find out how these different peoples adapted to their individual surroundings – how the Plains Indians depended on the great buffalo for food and raw materials, which tribes lived in dome-shaped wigwams and which tribes wore snowshoes in the winter.Complete with detailed maps, glossary, index, and a suggested reading section, this book is the perfect introduction to the fascinating and diverse cultures of the native Americans.

** Amazon Bestselling children's author Kate K. Garcia presents ** NEW Kids Book About Dinosaurs Dinosaurs: Kids book of fun facts & amazing pictures on animals in nature (Animals of The World Series) reveals young readers one of the most notorious animals on the planet. Kate in her writing uses carefully chosen simple words that every young reader will feel and understand. The book is packed with breathtaking high-resolution pictures that help your child to understand the fun facts about those magnificent animals. Sections covers what did dinosaurs look like, the daily life of a dinosaur , dinosaur extinction and much more. The last chapter concludes the whole book with a knowledge test. This test ensures your child to remember as much as possible about dinosaurs. Each section features one or more full-color amazing pictures that look fabulous on the full color Kindle. Kate also writes about the smallest and biggest shark on the planet and recommends resources for further reading. In the book, there are also picture captions that provide more information to talk about with your child. Nevertheless, a child of any age can just look at the images and appreciate its beauty. Get this Kindle book at this exceptional price exclusive to the Amazon Store now. *** it is guaranteed that your child is going to love this book. ***

Marco Polo (1254-1324) was an Italian merchant and explorer, who spent more than 20 years travelling around the world. This book describes some of his adventures, the people he met, the places he visited and the sights he saw. It also highlights what was happening elsewhere in Marco Polo's time in countries he did not visit. This book covers the years 1200-1350 so that the reader may see his life in context and understand how the world was before Marco Polo was born and what happened in the years soon after he died. To help the reader find their way through the book, each chapter has been divided into seven sections. Each section describes a different part of the world, and is headed by a colour bar. There is also a time line giving an outline of world events in Marco Polo's time and a map which shows some of the most important places mentioned in this book.