Pedia Books

"One of American Institute of Graphic Arts' Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021" Joan Maloof is founder and director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, a national organization that works to save threatened forests, and professor emerita of biological sciences at Salisbury University. Her books include Nature's Temples and Teaching the Trees. Twitter @OldGrowthFN Maren Westfall is an illustrator, designer, and photographer. A captivating A–Z treasury for the tree hugger in all of us Treepedia is an entertaining and fact-filled illustrated compendium of tree lore. Featuring nearly 100 entries-on topics ranging from tree ecology and conservation to the role of trees in religion, literature, art, and movies-this enticing collection is a celebration of all things arboreal. In this charming book, Joan Maloof explains the difference between a cedar and a cypress, and reveals where to find the most remarkable trees on the planet. She tells the story behind the venerable Bodhi Tree, and describes peculiar species like baobabs and Fitzroya. Maloof profiles legendary conservationists such as Julia "Butterfly" Hill, John Muir, Wangari Maathai, and Ken Wu. She discusses reforestation, proforestation, emerald ash borers, the ents from The Lord of the Rings, culturally modified trees, the ill-fated and controversial Redwood Summer, and much more. The book's portable size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your love of the forest may lead you. With enchanting illustrations by Maren Westfall, Treepedia is a fun and informative book that is guaranteed to inspire anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk in the woods. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design • Uses 100 percent recycled, uncoated, wood-free paper "This little volume is a collection of fact-filled snippets about trees and related topics – people and places, facts and figures, the odd and unusual, the fascinating and the amazing . . . . Maloof is . . . the perfect person, given her experience and enthusiasm, to assemble such a collection."---Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener "As the author says in her preface Treepedia is "a mini encyclopaedia for our times, short and precious titbits, not to be read in one sitting, but to pick up and put down at a moment's notice." This sums up this book nicely."---Patricia MacDuff, British Naturalists Association "What a wonderful book. Readers can explore the historical and cultural importance of trees while learning about the botanical, anatomical, and physiological marvels of trees. I am astounded at the breadth of information covered in such a relatively short volume, and the illustrations are beautiful, with excellent attention to detail."-Brett A. Huggett, Bates College

"One of American Institute of Graphic Arts' Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021" Lawrence Millman is a mycologist and author of numerous books, including Our Like Will Not Be There Again, Last Places, Fascinating Fungi of New England, and At the End of the World. He has done mycological work in places as diverse as Greenland, Honduras, Iceland, Panama, the Canadian Arctic, Bermuda, and Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has documented 321 different species. Amy Jean Porter is an artist, illustrator, and naturalist. Her illustrated books include Of Lamb and The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook, and her artwork has appeared in such publications as McSweeney's and The Awl. "This little book is big fun."-Michael Pollan An illustrated mini-encyclopedia of fungal lore, from John Cage and Terence McKenna to mushroom sex and fairy rings Fungipedia presents a delightful A–Z treasury of mushroom lore. With more than 180 entries-on topics as varied as Alice in Wonderland, chestnut blight, medicinal mushrooms, poisonings, Santa Claus, and waxy caps-this collection will transport both general readers and specialists into the remarkable universe of fungi. Combining ecological, ethnographic, historical, and contemporary knowledge, author and mycologist Lawrence Millman discusses how mushrooms are much more closely related to humans than to plants, how they engage in sex, how insects farm them, and how certain species happily dine on leftover radiation, cockroach antennae, and dung. He explores the lives of individuals like African American scientist George Washington Carver, who specialized in crop diseases caused by fungi; Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit, who was prevented from becoming a professional mycologist because she was a woman; and Gordon Wasson, a J. P. Morgan vice-president who almost single-handedly introduced the world to magic mushrooms. Millman considers why fungi are among the most significant organisms on our planet and how they are currently being affected by destructive human behavior, including climate change. With charming drawings by artist and illustrator Amy Jean Porter, Fungipedia offers a treasure trove of scientific and cultural information. The world of mushrooms lies right at your door-be amazed! "This little book is big fun." "The cultural encyclopedia of mushrooms that we need right now." "A delightful collection of notes on a wide variety of mycologically related topics . . . . This is a book you can pick up for a few minutes, or get hooked into for an hour."---Susan Kayser, Fungus Friends "If your fungal forays have been limited to identifying toadstools, this A-Z of the fungal kingdom, written with profound knowledge and wry good humour, will be a revelation."---Phil Gates, BBC Wildlife "[Millman] illuminates some obscure corners of mycology for sure, but better, he brings a kind of feisty joyousness to the endeavor that makes the facts feel fresh. . . . As far as I am concerned, there can never be enough mushroom books out there. And I call this one a treasure."---Eugenia Bone, New York Mycological Society Newsletter "Fungipedia can be read in less than two hours and will prove useful to all. It would make a great stocking stuffer or gift for anyone with whom you may want to share your passion for fungi."---Dianna Smith, The Mycophile " Millman is an excellent guide through a wide variety of topics in this relatively small but loaded package."---Ron Tracy, Mushroom: The Journal of Wild Mushrooming "Small, fun filled . . . quirky, fact filled book."---Steve Rutherford, Country-Side "Fungipedia is a fun, fast-paced, fascinating, fungi foray formatted on facsimile foolscap (OK, that last one about it being printed on facsimile foolscap I just made up, but the paper is indeed quite nice)."---Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist "A delightful little introduction to the world of fungi. . . . a whimsical 184-page A-Z miscellany that could be slipped into you

"One of American Institute of Graphic Arts' Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021" Carol Gracie was a naturalist, photographer, and lecturer with a special interest in plants and insects. Her books include Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast and Summer Wildflowers of the Northeast (both Princeton) and Wildflowers in the Field and Forest. Amy Jean Porter is an artist, illustrator, and naturalist. She is the illustrator of Fungipedia (Princeton) and The Artists' and Writers' Cookbook. A delightful illustrated treasury of botanical facts and fancy Florapedia is an eclectic A–Z compendium of botanical lore. With more than 100 enticing entries-on topics ranging from achlorophyllous plants that use a fungus as an intermediary to obtain nutrients from other plants to zygomorphic flowers that admit only the most select pollinators-this collection is a captivating journey into the realm of botany. Writing in her incomparably engaging style, Carol Gracie discusses remarkable plants from around the globe, botanical art and artists, early botanical explorers, ethnobotanical uses of plants, botanical classification and terminology, the role of plants in history, and more. She shares illuminating facts about van Gogh's sunflowers and reveals how a hallucinogenic weed left its enduring mark on the early history of the Jamestown colony. Gracie describes the travels of John and William Bartram-father and son botanists and explorers who roamed widely in early America in search of plants-and delves into the miniature ecosystems entangled in Spanish moss. The book's convenient size allows for it to be tucked into a pocket or bag, making it the perfect companion on your own travels. With charming drawings by Amy Jean Porter, Florapedia is the ideal gift book for the plant enthusiast in your life and a rare pleasure for anyone interested in botanical art, history, medicine, or exploration. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design "[An] enticing variety of facts." "A compendium that cannot fail to fascinate anyone with an interest in plants and flowers."---Patricia MacDuff, British Naturalists Association "The perfect book for that impossible-to-satisfy gardening nerd in your life. . . . A perfectly general collection of bits and pieces, a compendium of botanical snippets, that will inform, amuse and entertain anybody with an interest in gardening, botany or nature in general."---Paddy Tobin, An Irish Gardener "I really like [Gracie's] investigations of things we all have heard like floral idioms. . . . There are also charming discussions about plants that we know and others that we don't, from other parts of the world." "Florapedia is an aptly named gem of a book, with an A-Z of informative cover to cover interest, providing the reader with a new found knowledge and insight to a different perspective on the flora of our world."---Neville Davies, Gwent Wildlife Trust

"One of American Institute of Graphic Arts' Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021" Christopher W. Leahy holds the Gerard A. Bertrand Chair of Natural History and Field Ornithology (Emeritus) at the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His books include Birds of Mongolia and The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife (both Princeton). Abby McBride is a sketch biologist. She travels globally to write and illustrate stories about ecological research for outlets such as National Geographic and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A captivating A–Z treasury about birds and birding Birdpedia is an engaging illustrated compendium of bird facts and birding lore. Featuring nearly 200 entries-on topics ranging from plumage and migration to birds in art, literature, and folklore-this enticing collection is brimming with wisdom and wit about all things avian. Christopher Leahy sheds light on "hawk-watching," "twitching," and other rituals from the sometimes mystifying world of birding that entail a good deal more than their names imply. He explains what kind of bird's nests you can eat, why mocking birds mock, and many other curiosities that have induced otherwise sane people to peer into treetops using outrageously expensive optical equipment. Leahy shares illuminating insights about pioneering ornithologists such as John James Audubon and Florence Bailey, and describes unique bird behaviors such as anting, caching, duetting, and mobbing. He discusses avian fossils, the colloquial naming of birds, the science and history of ornithology, and more. The book's convenient size makes it the perfect traveling companion to take along on your own avian adventures. With charming illustrations by Abby McBride, Birdpedia is a marvelous mix of fact and fancy that is certain to delight seasoned birders and armchair naturalists alike. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design "This dinky compendium ticks all the boxes. Compact and well-presented, it will appeal to anyone intrigued by bird life, as well as those with a penchant for attractive miniature books . . . . A finely-tuned at birding culture and etiquette."---Elizabeth Fitzherbert, The Lady "There's something for everyone in this approachable, compact guide. Whether you're a new birder or a hardcore enthusiast, be prepared to plunge into a plethora of knowledge about bird species, avian research, and birding culture."---Jennifer Walter, Inverse "[This] enticing collection is brimming with wisdom and wit about all things avian." "A fun book to dip into to impress your friends with your grasp of little-known bird facts."---Rebecca Armstrong, Birdwatch Magazine "[A] delightful little volume. … Every page contains something illuminating."---Elizabeth Palmer, Christian Century "Birdpedia is an enlightening, entertaining, often witty compendium of facts and notions that includes art, literature, folklore, religion and others."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog "A compendium of bird lore fun guaranteed to entertain. . . . If you relish humorous bird trivia it will tickle your sense of humour."---Eric Brown, News Shopper "[A] sweet little book about all things bird. ... Any bird lover will want this in their library for quick reference or a delighted deep dive."---Elayna Trucker, Napa Valley Register "There are lovely pieces on dusting or dust -bathing, preening and poop, and fascinating sections on bird intelligence." "[A] marvelous little book, inside and out."---Jim Williams, Star Tribune "A pocket-sized book full of interesting facts that would delight any ornithologist.""---P. MacDuff, British Naturalist's Association "Fascinating from start to finish, and just when I thought I knew pretty much everything about the life of birds . . . this 260-page book opened my eyes to learning so much more."---Neville Davies, Gwent Wildlife Trust "Entertaining and informative new book."---Lincolnshire Bird Club newsletter, Jim Wright "This book is a banquet, each

"One of American Institute of Graphic Arts' Top 50 Books / 50 Covers of 2021" Darren Naish is an author, illustrator, and zoologist affiliated with the University of Southampton, and has worked as a consultant for museums, traveling exhibitions, and media outlets such as the BBC. His books include Hunting Monsters: Cryptozoology and the Reality behind the Myths and Dinosaurs: How They Lived and Evolved. Website tetzoo.com Instagram @tetzoo Twitter @TetZoo An illuminating and entertaining collection of dinosaur facts, from A to Z Dinopedia is an illustrated, pocket-friendly encyclopedia of all things dinosaurian. Featuring dozens of entries on topics ranging from hadrosaur nesting colonies to modern fossil hunters and paleontologists such as Halszka Osmólska and Paul Sereno, this amazing A–Z compendium is brimming with facts about these thrilling, complex, and sophisticated animals. Almost everything we know about dinosaurs has changed in recent decades. A scientific revolution, kick-started in the late 1960s by astounding new discoveries and a succession of new ideas, has shown that these magnificent creatures were marvels of evolution that surpassed modern reptiles and mammals in size, athletic abilities, and more. Darren Naish sheds invaluable light on our current, fast-changing understanding of dinosaur diversity and evolutionary history, and discusses the cultural impacts of dinosaurs through books, magazines, and movies. Naish also shows how our emerging view of these animals is very much a human story about ambition and competing egos, revealing that controversy and disagreement are commonplace in the vigorous field of dinosaur studies. With a wealth of original illustrations by the author, Dinopedia is an informative and entertaining collection of lore for the dinosaur lover in all of us. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design " A handy A-Z updating dinosaur fans and those with a general interest in natural history on the fascinating and ever-changing world of dinosaur research. The book has the feel of a real labour of love, the author sharing his passion for palaeontology with the general reader. Even the horned dinosaur on the front cover seems to be smiling."---Mike Walley, Everything Dinosaur "[A] friendly and breezy tour of dinosaurs and what paleontologists have come to know about them."---Riley Black, Science " Darren Naish has done a masterful job in avoiding arcane terminology as much as possible. ... I can say without reservation, it is a very satisfying little book from start to finish."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds "Dinopedia is both a book of well-written trivia to be whipped out at a dinner party and an up-to-date primer on dinosaur diversity."---Leon Vlieger, Inquisitive Biologist

"Longlisted for the Non-Obvious Book Awards" Marcia Bjornerud is professor of geosciences and environmental studies at Lawrence University and a contributing writer for the New Yorker, Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times. Her books include Timefulness: How Thinking like a Geologist Can Help Save the World (Princeton). Haley Hagerman is a graphic artist and the illustrator of Timefulness. A garden of geologic delights for all Earthlings Geopedia is a trove of geologic wonders and the evocative terms that humans have devised to describe them. Featuring dozens of entries-from Acasta gneiss to Zircon-this illustrated compendium is brimming with lapidary and lexical insights that will delight rockhounds and word lovers alike. Geoscientists are magpies for words, and with good reason. The sheer profusion of minerals, landforms, and geologic events produced by our creative planet demands an immense vocabulary to match. Marcia Bjornerud shows how this lexicon reflects not only the diversity of rocks and geologic processes but also the long history of human interactions with them. With wit and warmth, she invites all readers to celebrate the geologic glossary-a gallimaufry of allusions to mythology, imports from diverse languages, embarrassing anachronisms, and recent neologisms. This captivating book includes cross-references at the end of each entry, inviting you to leave the alphabetic trail and meander through it like a river. Its pocket-friendly size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your own geologic forays may lead you. With whimsical illustrations by Haley Hagerman, Geopedia is a mix of engaging and entertaining facts about how the earth works, how it has coevolved with life over billions of years, and how our understanding of the planet has deepened over time. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design "The subtitle says it all-Bjornerud and graphic artist Hagerman have compiled a wonderfully quirky collection of 'curiosities' that, collectively, detail the Earth's transformation over eons and illustrate how our understanding of the planet has deepened through time. . . . A charming work, chock-full of information."---Laurie Selwyn, Library Journal, starred review "This is a garnet of a geology book: rooted in the planet, jewel-like and multi-coloured."---Andrew Robinson, Nature "[Geopedia] is a buffet of bite-size chapters perfect for dipping in and out of. . . . Its pocket-size format makes it perfect as a traveling companion, and its short chapters suit our frazzled attention spans, making it a fun alternative to night-time doomscrolling or heavier nonfiction. No matter if you're a hard-core rockhound or a geological outsider, you'll get something worthwhile from this little gem of a book."---Howard Lee, Ars Technica "A neat little book . . . . Take a dip into Geopedia for a bit of quirky fun." "A fascinating, illuminating read. Organized alphabetically, the articles span the gamut of the sub-disciplines. Bjornerud explores both the etymology of the scientific terms and their scientific import. Readers who pick it up will learn a lot."---I. D. Sasowsky, Choice "perfect for casual reading .... Bjornerud...is a gifted writer" "A cute little book of curiosities to dip in and out of but, like a box of rich chocolates, you probably will not want to finish it off all in one sitting."---Helen Coombs, Proceedings of the Open University Geological Society

Eric H. Chudler is executive director of the Center for Neurotechnology and a neuroscientist at the University of Washington in Seattle. His books include Brain Bytes: Quick Answers to Quirky Questions about the Brain and The Little Book of Neuroscience Haiku. Kelly Chudler is a multidisciplinary artist and musician. A fun and fact-filled A–Z treasury for anyone with a head on their shoulders Neuropedia journeys into the mysteries and marvels of the three pounds of tissue between your ears-the brain. Eric Chudler takes you on a breathtaking tour of the nervous system with dozens of entries that explore the structure and function of the brain and cover topics such as the spinal cord and nerve cells, the methods of neuroscientific research, and the visionary scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding what makes each of us who we are. The brain has fascinated and puzzled researchers, physicians, and philosophers for thousands of years and captivated us with each new discovery. This compendium of neuroscientific wonders is brimming with facts and insights, helping us to make sense of our current understanding of the nervous system while identifying the frontiers in our knowledge that remain unexplored. Chudler guides readers through a variety of rare and common neurological disorders such as alien hand disorder, Capgras syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke, and discusses the latest brain-imaging methods used to diagnose them. He discusses neurochemicals, neurotoxins, and lifesaving drugs, and offers bold perspectives on human consciousness that enable us to better appreciate our place in nature. With marvelous illustrations by Kelly Chudler, Neuropedia is an informative and entertaining trip into the inner world of the brain. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design

Eric R. Eaton is a naturalist and writer whose books include Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect (Princeton) and, with Gregory S. Paulson, Insects Did It First. He runs the blogs Bug Eric and Sense of Misplaced. Twitter @BugEric Amy Jean Porter is an artist, illustrator, and naturalist. She is the illustrator of Florapedia and Fungipedia (both Princeton). A fun and fact-filled A–Z treasury for the insect lover in all of us Insectpedia introduces you to the wonders of the insect world while inviting you to make discoveries of your own. Featuring dozens of entries on topics ranging from murder hornets and the "insect apocalypse" to pioneering entomologists such as Margaret James Strickland Collins and Douglas Tallamy, this beautifully illustrated, pocket-friendly encyclopedia dispels many common myths about insects while offering new perspectives on the vital relationships we share with these incredible creatures. This entertaining collection celebrates the long and storied history of entomology, highlights our dependence on insects for food and ecosystem services, and explains the meaning behind various entomological terms. With Eric Eaton as your guide, you will circle the globe in search of African Toktokkies and Australian beer bottle beetles, and witness the peculiar spectacle of cricket fighting in Asia. Profiles of influential figures in entomology provide insights into the curious minds that animate this extraordinarily broad field of scientific inquiry, while the book's portable size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your own entomological adventures may lead you. With captivating illustrations by Amy Jean Porter, Insectpedia is an engaging blend of insect facts and folklore that will inspire anyone who delights in the marvels of nature. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design " A delightful little book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in the majority of life on Earth. It is packed with information that educates and entertains." "[An] eclectic roundup of bug miscellany. . . . Eaton's writing is crisp, informative, and at times humorous, and he does a great job of demonstrating insects' important role on the planet, as they pollinate plants, control pests, and serve as a food source for fish and wildlife." "Wonderful… lots of good information in here"---Adam Del Rosso, AccuWeather "Insectpedia will appeal to all ages and is written for everyone interested in learning new things about our environment. . . . This book is perfect for piquing interest and encouraging further studies."---Ann Chilcott, Beekeeper's Quarterly "This engaging and delightful A-Z of the insect world, is packed full of fascinating, and often amusing facts. On the one hand, the format makes this great little book easy to dip in and out of; on the other, Eaton's wit and enthusiasm for his subject keeps you turning the pages."---Amanda Williams, Buzz About Bees "A great pocket-sized book to pick up for moments of awe and wonder."---Stephen Fleming, Bee Craft "A terrific little book."---Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog "An engaging and interesting read for anyone who delights in the marvels of nature."---Frances McKim, Pest Magazine ​​​​​​​ "[If] you want a fun read, try this one."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter "Fun and fact filled this entertaining collection . . . . offers new perspectives on the vital relationship between insects and humans." "Even the most learned supporters of entomology will find a place on their bookshelf or coffee table for this little gem of a book."---Jacintha Cloney, An Beachaire "The author is very much an insect champion . . . His works really need to get out amongst the unconverted."---Paul Hetherington, Atropos Magazine "An engaging blend of insect facts and folklore that will inspire anyone who delights in the marvels of nature."---British Journal of Entomology and Natural History,

An enchanting, fact-filled treasury for the bee lover in all of us Beepedia is a one-of-a-kind celebration of bees, from A to Z. Featuring dozens of alphabetical entries on topics ranging from pollination and beekeeping to the peculiar lifestyles of cuckoo bees and carrion-eating vulture bees, this enticing, pocket-sized compendium takes you on an unforgettable journey into the remarkable world of bees. Explore the many wonders of bee morphology, behavior, and ecology, and learn about the role of bees in agriculture, art, literature, and religion. With more than 20,000 described species, bees can be found anywhere on the planet where flowering plants are pollinated by insects. With Laurence Packer as your guide, you will meet some of the most inquisitive and prolific bee experts who ever lived and marvel at the astonishing variety of wild bees and the creative methods scientists use to study them. Discover why bees have intrigued us for millennia, why Napoleon Bonaparte chose the bee as his emblem when he became emperor, where the expression "the bee's knees" comes from, and much more. With captivating drawings by Ann Sanderson, Beepedia is an informative and entertaining blend of fact, folklore, and fancy that will captivate anyone who has ever been curious about these amazing insects. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Laurence Packer is a leading expert on wild bees and the author of Bees of the World: A Guide to Every Family (Princeton) and Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them. He is Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus of Melittology at York University in Toronto. Ann Sanderson is a science illustrator whose books include A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee. "This charming little book lives up to every pixel of its purple promise."---Rusty Burlew, American Bee Journal "Beepedia is timely in so many ways. . . . It's a great little book with a mountain of information from an impeccable scientist. Read, enjoy, learn - and help the bees in your area."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds "Packed with gems of knowledge and trivia about bees."---Paul Hetherington, Atropos

An eclectic collection of strange and amazing stories about body parts you never knew you had, from acetabulum to zygomaticus major Bodypedia is a lively, fact-filled romp through your body, from A to Z. Featuring almost 100 stories on topics ranging from the beastly origins of goosebumps to the definitive answer to the Motown classic "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," these fascinating tales from your entrails explore the wonders of anatomy, one body part at a time. With a keen scalpel, Adam Taor peels away the layers to bring your underappreciated insides to light. What distinguishes crocodile tears from yours? What possessed Isaac Newton to stick a needle into his eye socket? How does brain glue thwart self-improvement gurus? Why did one of the world's most influential surgeons steal a giant? Providing insights into these and other curiosities, Taor illuminates the ingenuity, mystery, and eccentric history of your anatomy like never before. Along the way, you will meet the geniuses, mavericks, and monsters (sometimes all the above) who got their hands bloody discovering, dissecting, and naming your parts. With beautiful drawings by Nathalie Garcia, Bodypedia celebrates what makes you tick, and reveals why the best stories are hidden inside you. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Adam Taor is an author, journalist, and codirector of emotivate, a health care advertising agency in Sydney, Australia. He is the author of There's a Worm on My Eyeball! Nathalie Garcia is creative director of emotivate. "A fun, sometimes gross, mostly fascinating A-Z anatomical compendium of facts about the surreal realities of human bodies."---Thomas O'Brien, Library Journal, starred review "Taor provides offbeat and intriguing stories showing connections between seemingly unrelated body parts."---Kevin McDonough, Booklist "At times [Bodypedia] is downright hilarious! Adam Taor has done a fantastic job, but it would be churlish to not praise equally the substantial contribution of Nathalie Garcia, whose exquisite, anatomically precise drawings measurably enhance the text. . . . If a book can furnish a couple of hours of pleasant reading, while simultaneously delivering a cornucopia of knowledge, it seems to me that's a winning combination by any standards."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds "An eclectic collection of tales from your entrails, featuring 101 body parts you never knew you had, and reveals why the best stories are hidden inside you."

A fun, pocket-size A–Z treasury about sharks, featuring fascinating, little-known facts and captivating illustrations Sharkpedia is an entertaining and enlightening celebration of sharks featuring close to 100 entries, based on the latest knowledge and enriched by original illustrations. Avoiding tired factoids, shark authority Daniel Abel gives new bite to essential information about sharks, including their adaptations as top predators, 450-million-year evolution, behavioral complexity, ecological importance, existential threats, and often sensationalized appearances in popular culture, from Jaws to Shark Week. The notion that sharks are insatiable killing machines is a toothless myth-yet the fear of shark attacks still holds on to many people like a set of locked jaws. Sharkpedia reveals that sharks are much less to be feared-and much more interesting, complicated, and important-than many realize. Filled with compelling stories, Sharkpedia debunks shark myths (for example, that sharks are large and coastal when in fact most are small and inhabit the deep sea), describes their lives (where and how long they live, how many offspring they have, what they eat, and how their bodies function), introduces a variety of iconic and obscure species (such as the Happy Eddie Shyshark), explores our love/hate relationship with sharks, and much more. With charming drawings by leading shark artist Marc Dando, Sharkpedia is a scientific and cultural treasure trove that will leave you with new insights about these remarkable animals. Dive in! • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Daniel C. Abel is professor of marine science at Coastal Carolina University, where his research focuses on shark ecology and physiology. He is the coauthor of The Lives of Sharks and Tooth and Claw: Top Predators of the World (both Princeton), among other books. Marc Dando is a scientific illustrator and publisher and the coauthor of many books, including Sharks of the World, Field Guide to Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of the East Coast of North America, and Field Guide to Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of Europe and the Mediterranean (all Princeton). "Snug in size, with the no-nonsense design of a professional guide, Sharkpedia resembles the sort of thing a maritime adventurer might slip into the breast pocket of a sou'wester. This compact volume . . . contains vast quantities of factual information, engagingly presented."---Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal "[A] lively new book."---Katherine Rundell, New Yorker "In his list of Twentieth Century Shark Biologists Abel, as might be expected, modestly excludes himself, but I have no doubt that he ranks highly and deserves inclusion."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds "It is addictive. once you start reading, you just have to find the next nugget of information. And then you want to share it with the other shark-lovers you know! This will also make a perfect gift (or dare I mention it now – a stocking filler) for anyone that is interested in the ocean, marine life and, of course, sharks."---Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse " What a treat this pocket-sized compendium is, packed with fascinating facts and peppered with delightful drawings .. . . This is the perfect book to dip into, but beware, wherever you alight, you will be drawn in and find yourself reading a further half a dozen entries. . . . The last word must go to the glorious illustrations. Marc Dando is in a class of his own. He is by far the best shark illustrator around."---Graeme Gourlay, DIVE Magazine "This is far more than a jokey book but it does make what is at heart serious subject matter very digestible. A nice little gift for a shark-diver."---Steve Weinman, Divernet.com

An illustrated mini-encyclopedia about the weird and wonderful world of lichens Lichenpedia is a delightfully entertaining and beautifully illustrated A–Z treasury about the strange, obscure, and remarkable world of lichens, from their unique and essential roles in nature and the ways they are used in dyeing, brewing, and drug-making to how they have inspired writers and artists, from Henry David Thoreau to modern painters. In 100 brief entries written in a vivid, lively style, Kay Hurley introduces key aspects of lichen biology, environmental roles, emerging uses, scientific history, and myth. She describes the variety of forms that lichens take, from leafy to filamentous to things reminiscent of skin diseases, with imaginative names like witch's hair. She explains the surprising ways that birds and beasts-from reindeer and moose down to tiny tardigrades-use lichens, and how lichens survive in extreme environments, from deserts to Antarctica to outer space. Hurley also introduces some of the innovators who have advanced the knowledge of lichens, from the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus to today's professional lichenologists. With charming drawings by Susan Adele Edwards, Lichenpedia promises to put you in touch with the natural world in a new way by opening your eyes to these vital organisms, which are all around us, hidden in plain sight. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Kay Hurley is an avid naturalist who specializes in fungi and has studied lichens for twenty years. She is the author of Who's Who in the Natural World: Selections from a 10-year Ramble through a Corner of New England. Susan Adele Edwards is an artist and filmmaker. Her award-winning documentary, Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000, has been shown in schools, universities, and conservation education organizations to inspire civic engagement. "The author does a great job blending scientific accuracy and succinctness with an engaging narrative."---Kevin McDonough, Booklist "In addition to Hurley's scintillating prose, the book is superbly illustrated by Susan Adele Edwards."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

An enchanting, fact-filled treasury for the dog lover in all of us, from A to Z Dogpedia is your gateway into the astonishing world of dogs. Featuring dozens of alphabetical entries on topics ranging from the wonders of dog evolution to the intricate ways dogs communicate with humans and each other, this enticing, pocket-friendly collection helps you to see dogs with new eyes and celebrate the amazing tapestry of our shared existence. Explore the remarkable interplay between humans and dogs with every turn of the page and discover how dogs have played starring roles in history, literature, and art. Immerse yourself in fun facts about dog biology and behavior, from appeasement signals and barking to counter surfing, dominance, growling, scent marking, and zoomies. Learn what fossilized poop can tell us about the history of dog domestication, how dogs in Siberia evolved adaptations to help them thrive in a frigid climate, how dogs have been weaponized for war and colonization, and why we refer to dogs as curs, mutts, and hounds. Meet famous dogs such as Argos, Balto, Boji, and Laika, and marvel at the interwoven destinies of our species and the profound impact dogs have had on our evolution, culture, and everyday lives. With captivating drawings that bring the entries to life, Dogpedia uncovers the enigma of dogs, revealing hidden treasures behind every wagging tail. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Jessica Pierce is a bioethicist known for her work in the field of animal ethics and the philosophy of human-animal relationships. Her books include Who's a Good Dog? and, with Marc Bekoff, A Dog's World (Princeton). Kelly Chudler is a multidisciplinary artist and musician and the illustrator of Neuropedia and "You Are Not Expected to Understand This" (both Princeton). "With helpful illustrations by Kelly Chudler, this handy little book is a veritable treasure chest of knowledge about our longest-standing non-human companions. It should be considered as mandatory reading for dog lovers."---John E. Riutta, The Well-Read Naturalist "An essential addition to any dog lover's library"---Ashley Grant, Famous Ashley Grant "A new title in the "Pedia" series from Princeton University Press is a cause for great celebration. . . . The book is nicely illustrated by Kelly Chudler in that very pleasing way that tastefully executed black-and-white pictures play a role in enhancing and supporting the text."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

From acclaimed folklorist and historian Adrienne Mayor, an enchanting collection of the ancient myths that emerged out of the wonders-and disasters-of the natural world Mythopedia is a fun, fact-filled A-Z treasury of myths inspired by natural events. Bringing together fifty legends from antiquity to the present, this delightfully entertaining book takes you around the world to explore sunken kingdoms and lost cities, accursed mountains and treacherous terrains, and lethal lakes and singing sand dunes, explaining the historical background and latest science underlying each tale. As soon as humans invented language, they told stories to explain mysterious things they observed around them-on land, in the seas, and in the skies. Even though these tales are expressed in poetic or supernatural language, they contain surprisingly accurate insights and even eyewitness descriptions of catastrophic events millennia ago. Drawing on her unique insights as a pioneer in the exciting new field of geomythology, Adrienne Mayor describes how cultural memories of tsunamis, volcanic disasters, and other massive geological events can reach back thousands of years as the stories were preserved, elaborated, told, and retold across generations. She shows how geomythology is expanding our understanding of our planet's history over eons, revealing the human desire to explain nature and weave imaginative stories intertwined with keen observation, rational speculation, and memory. With captivating drawings by Michele Angel, Mythopedia is a compendium of many marvels, from the Hindu monkey god Hanuman and his army of bridge-building primates to the terrifying sand demon Shensha shen of China, the gnawing glaciers of Austria, and the vengeful fish-headed snake god Nyami Nyami of Africa's Zambezi River. • Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design Adrienne Mayor is the author of many books, including The Poison King, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and The Amazons (both Princeton). She is a research scholar in classics and the history of science at Stanford University. Michele M. Angel is an award-winning watercolorist, illustrator, and graphic designer. "Mythopedia offers deep and enthralling insights into the many ways that human cultures have tried to make sense of geologic phenomena. The stories-wild, weird, and wise-reveal that our ancestors understood the power of nature and challenge our 'modern' belief that we humans are now in charge."-Marcia Bjornerud, author of Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks "This engaging and accessible volume is appropriate for laypeople and scholars of interdisciplinary fields connecting anthropology, disaster studies, folklore, science, and history." "Folklorist and historian Mayor, author of the National Book Award finalist The Poison King, draws on the new field of geomythology to explain the historical background and science behind 53 legends and myths of the earth. . . . A fascinating catalog of ancient cultures and unique geological events." "I can't say that Mythopedia deepened my relationship to the land, but it has shaken and shifted it like so many toads in a tornado."---Dan Piepenbring, Harper's "[A] captivating volume. . . . Written with wit and erudition, this delights."