Did you know that you can pluck the spines of a saguaro cactus and play a tune? Moore played "Ode to Joy." And it’s this recognition of the music that lives on around us that makes her book so special. In a series of poetic and moving essays, Moore show how much is at stake after decades of human greed and negligence. As she reminds us of Earth's beauty, she makes a powerful argument that love, care, and defiance can still save it--and us; reading this book is an uplifting and humbling experience, and an altogether unforgettable one.
Don't be put off by the word "math": Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World is a fun read--I loved it, and not only couldn't put it down--I wished there were more of it. This is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered how math impacts their lives. Matt Parker uses notable real life events to explain complex issues in an easy to understand and entertaining way. He also helps the reader realize how important math always has been, and shows how that importance is only going to increase. Yes, I’m a fan and I recommend this book!
As one of our prominent nature writers, Barry Lopez travels throughout the American Southwest and Alaska to explore the great abundance and diversity of some of our nation’s most pristine settings. His writing seamlessly blends science and history in a narrative that is as beautifully crafted as it is insightful and inspiring. The essays contained within Crossing Open Ground vary greatly in theme and subject, though along with the author, the reader too can lose the sense of urgency, rekindle a sense of what people were and a sense of “our endless struggle as a species to understand time and to estimate the consequences of our acts”. The great Barry Lopez leaves the reader with a lasting sense of wonder and respect for nature. A gem of our modern thinking about the human place and natural world.