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The Nature Handbook: A Guide to Observing the Great Outdoors
Nature is full of fascinating stories, stories that attract our attention at a young age and keep us amazed throughout our entire lives. The need to understand nature draws us back to its simple beauty again and again, yet underneath this simplicity lies a complex web of associations and patterns. The Nature Handbook does what no other field guide explores and explains nature through these connecting patterns, revealing them to the many different types of nature lovers.
All naturalists-- from birders to gardeners, hikers to environmentalists, wildflower enthusiasts to butterfliers-- will appreciate the different approach of the Handbook , even those whose interest in the natural world is just beginning to develop. Naturalists who are already well versed in one group of organisms--birders, for example--will find new explanations and patterns for their favorite group, as well as new patterns all around them that they had previously overlooked. Observations in the Handbook are arranged in the three main sections of plants, animals, and habitats. These sections are then connected through discussions of the relationship of size and shape, adaptations, distribution patterns, behavior, and diversity of life. Since the emphasis is on patterns rather than individual species, each chapter has cross-references to related topics. For example, tree-related topics such as leaf shape, treelines, and fall colors, are all discussed in different chapters even
though they are related. Leaf shape is associated with trees as organisms, and therefore is in Chapter 2: Trees ; treelines are most associated with mountains, so their description is in Chapter 8: Mountains ; fall colors apply more broadly to forests than to individual trees, and they are discussed in Chapter 9, Forests .
Approximately 500 color photographs help make the more than 200 patterns apparent and recognizable for readers, and each pattern is accompanied by a detailed description and a brief list of sources. The book is designed to invite browsing, and readers will gain a rich ecological perspective and insight. Curiosity about the world around us is a basis for human learning; The Nature Handbook serves to aid all nature lovers in their quest for understanding the many stories that our living world provides.
All naturalists-- from birders to gardeners, hikers to environmentalists, wildflower enthusiasts to butterfliers-- will appreciate the different approach of the Handbook , even those whose interest in the natural world is just beginning to develop. Naturalists who are already well versed in one group of organisms--birders, for example--will find new explanations and patterns for their favorite group, as well as new patterns all around them that they had previously overlooked. Observations in the Handbook are arranged in the three main sections of plants, animals, and habitats. These sections are then connected through discussions of the relationship of size and shape, adaptations, distribution patterns, behavior, and diversity of life. Since the emphasis is on patterns rather than individual species, each chapter has cross-references to related topics. For example, tree-related topics such as leaf shape, treelines, and fall colors, are all discussed in different chapters even
though they are related. Leaf shape is associated with trees as organisms, and therefore is in Chapter 2: Trees ; treelines are most associated with mountains, so their description is in Chapter 8: Mountains ; fall colors apply more broadly to forests than to individual trees, and they are discussed in Chapter 9, Forests .
Approximately 500 color photographs help make the more than 200 patterns apparent and recognizable for readers, and each pattern is accompanied by a detailed description and a brief list of sources. The book is designed to invite browsing, and readers will gain a rich ecological perspective and insight. Curiosity about the world around us is a basis for human learning; The Nature Handbook serves to aid all nature lovers in their quest for understanding the many stories that our living world provides.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 4, 2020
I’ve read a lot of “nature” books over the years and this one provided a very interesting approach by focusing in on the patterns of nature and why they appear that way. Learned a lot and loved the “pattern” approach. He also provided references for each pattern if you wanted more details. Very well done. If you love nature or the natural world you will enjoy this book. It is short and also has great pictures which add to the overall enjoyment of the book!😎
February 4, 2016
Short and simple descriptions of patterns found in nature. Sometimes, the explanations were a little too simple, though, and made understanding the science behind the observations useless. The author draws his information from actual science literature, and references are provided. From subjects that I had prior knowledge, what the author wrote was correct. However, there were some topics where he neglected to mention relevant information such as when talking of fire regimes, he doesn’t mention the history of fire management by American Indians. I learned new things, but was expecting something more cutting edge and informative.
August 23, 2009
This is a great book for anyone who enjoys nature and the outdoors. It provides answers more than 200 questions about nature in three sections which include plants, animals, and habitats. The illustrations and descriptions are accurate, readable, and referenced for further study. This book has added to my enjoyment of nature by increasing my understanding of the causes behind what I observe.
May 5, 2010
"Look deep into nature. And you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein.
This book is fascinating. It points out and explains so many patterns in nature I've wondered about and never even thought of. It divides up each section easily so you can flip through to find things that interest you. I don't own this book, yet (It's one I've always wanted) but I check it out from the library constantly. It is so interesting - I LOVE it!
This book is fascinating. It points out and explains so many patterns in nature I've wondered about and never even thought of. It divides up each section easily so you can flip through to find things that interest you. I don't own this book, yet (It's one I've always wanted) but I check it out from the library constantly. It is so interesting - I LOVE it!
August 31, 2013
An interesting text based on tracking and explaining the patterns to be found in nature; it details the speculated causes of various phenomenon, but it is by no means a field guide. Very thoroughly researched and cited (each phenomenon is cited with 2-5 academic papers), this makes a nice one-time read, but it is not much of a reference.
February 16, 2012
This is the best book about nature I have ever picked up. Not only does it talk about what different traits of plants and animals exist for, but it discusses why. The plant section is absolutely spectacular--it made me want to jump into a career for husbandry!
October 21, 2010
Excellent resource and great way to go over some fundamental ideas in ecology and animal behavior, long ago learned.. and distant memories as an undergraduate.
December 9, 2012
First book of its kind I've seen. The why in nature, not just the what!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews