A wild, inventive ride of a short story collection from a distinctive new American storyteller. The author of the forthcoming novel, The Afterlives. The stories in Thomas Pierce’s Hall of Small Mammals take place at the confluence of the commonplace and the cosmic, the intimate and the infinite. A fossil-hunter, a comedian, a hot- air balloon pilot, parents and children, believers and nonbelievers, the people in these stories are struggling to understand the absurdity and the magnitude of what it means to exist in a family, to exist in the world. In “Shirley Temple Three,” a mother must shoulder her son’s burden—a cloned and resurrected wooly mammoth who wreaks havoc on her house, sanity, and faith. In “The Real Alan Gass,” a physicist in search of a mysterious particle called the “daisy” spends her days with her boyfriend, Walker, and her nights with the husband who only exists in the world of her dreams, Alan Gass. Like the daisy particle itself—“forever locked in a curious state of existence and nonexistence, sliding back and forth between the two”—the stories in Thomas Pierce’s Hall of Small Mammals are exquisite, mysterious, and inextricably connected. From this enchanting primordial soup, Pierce’s voice emerges—a distinct and charming testament of the New South, melding contemporary concerns with their prehistoric roots to create a hilarious, deeply moving symphony of stories.

“Ridiculously good” (The New York Times) author Thomas Pierce's debut novel is a funny, poignant love story that answers the question: What happens after we die? (Lots of stuff, it turns out). Jim Byrd died. Technically. For a few minutes. The diagnosis: heart attack at age thirty. Revived with no memory of any tunnels, lights, or angels, Jim wonders what--if anything--awaits us on the other side. Then a ghost shows up. Maybe. Jim and his new wife, Annie, find themselves tangling with holograms, psychics, messages from the beyond, and a machine that connects the living and the dead. As Jim and Annie journey through history and fumble through faith, they confront the specter of loss that looms for anyone who dares to fall in love. Funny, fiercely original, and gracefully moving, The Afterlives will haunt you. In a good way.

From the tiny shrew to the black bear, Pennsylvania's hills and valleys are teeming with sixty-three species of wild mammals. Many of these animals are rarely seen except when pursued by an interested biologist, mammologist, or nature photographer. Now, with the publication of this book, student, scholar, and nature lover alike will have a ready reference to distinguish between a deer mouse and a white-footed mouse, to identify raccoon tracks, and to learn about Pennsylvania's other inhabitants. An attractive backpack-size volume, written in lively prose, the Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania opens with a short introduction to Pennsylvania's environment and the characteristics defining a mammal. The bulk of the book consists of species accounts of the mammals grouped into families and orders. Each account includes a short list of data, a Pennsylvania range map, a North American range map, and a narrative of the physical, ecological, and behavioral characteristics of the species. Exciting photographs of each of the species in its natural habitat, 17 in color, and drawings of animal tracks are especially useful for identification, and a glossary and a bibliography provide definitions and references for the serious reader. Naturalists, whether amateur or professional, will find the book useful in the field; it will be an indispensable tool in the classroom.

A fully updated edition of the bestselling guide to the mammals of India Covering the rich diversity of mammal species in India, from tigers, elephants, rhinoceros and whales to primates, rodents and bats, Indian Mammals is field-ready, illustrated and comprehensive in approach. Rigorously researched, Indian Mammals reflects a lifetime's work by Vivek Menon, one of India's leading authorities on Indian wildlife. Planned for easy reference, this compact guide is the essential resource for wildlifers of any age, including animal watchers, eco-tourists and active conservationists. * More than 440 species of both terrestrial and aquatic mammals with introductory pages on each order * Describes key identification features, biometrics, behaviour, social strategies, habitat and distribution * Over 1,000 carefully curated photographs and supplementary illustrations * 140-plus updated distribution maps * Colour tabs for sections to facilitate ease of use * Live-action field notes from the author

This is a fully revised new edition of this essential text covering anaesthesia and analgesia in all large and small animal species. The new edition has greatly expanded sections on anaesthesia of exotic species such as small mammals, llamas, camels and many more, and also has a new section on anaesthesia of wild animals, both large and small, and birds. The book is divided into 3 sections; the first, Principles and Procedures covers pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, monitoring, sedation and premedication and much more. The second section comprises chapters on anaesthesia in all the main species and the third section covers anaesthesia in special cases, complications and crises ! Almost 200 prints and line illustrations enhance the comprehensive text, and make the new edition of Veterinary Anaesthesia 10/e an essential purchase for all vets ! - all large and small animal species covered in one book: includes new advances in anaesthesia in horses, birds, lab animals and wild animals - glossary of USA and UK drug names: up-dated coverage of all new anaesthetic agents in Europe and the USA - first section covers principles of drug action, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics - the only book to discuss anaesthesia of individual species in detail: lot of info on anaesthesia of goats, sheep and other herbivores such as camels and llamas - also covers analgesia in all species - chapter on special cases such as anaesthesia in obstetrics - chapter on anaesthetic accidents and crises ! - Presents a range of new chapters from contributors of international repute. - The evidence base has been expanded and, wherever possible, information is supported by a review of the literature. - Now in colour throughout, the all-new design includes check-list boxes to facilitate understanding/troubleshooting and increase safety. - New illustrations have been added in many chapters to clarify practical points of technique.

The definitive guide to all lagomorphs—pikas, rabbits, and hares. Numbering 92 species worldwide, members of the order Lagomorpha are familiar to people throughout the world, and yet their remarkable diversity and ecological importance are often underappreciated. In this book, Andrew T. Smith and his colleagues bring together the world’s lagomorph experts to produce the most comprehensive reference on the order ever published, featuring detailed species accounts, stunning color photos, and up-to-date range maps. Contributors highlight the key ecological roles that lagomorphs play and explain in depth how scientists around the globe are working to save vulnerable populations. Thematic introductory chapters cover a broad spectrum of information about pikas, rabbits, and hares, from evolution and systematics to diseases and conservation. Each animal account begins with the complete scientific and common names for the species, followed by a detailed description of appearance and unique morphological characteristics, including a range of standard measurements of adult specimens. Subsequent sections discuss known paleontological data concerning the species, the current state of its taxonomy, and geographic variation. Each account also includes dedicated sectioins on habitat and diet, reproduction and development, ecology, behavior, and management. The definitive work on lagomorphs, this book is an invaluable reference for naturalists, professional biologists, and students. It will also be beneficial for those conducting biodiversity surveys and conservation throughout the world.

This in-depth look at the science of decomposition showcases how and why living things are recycled by the planet and its creatures after death. Full color.