Some animals and plants injure or kill millions of people annually, others cause trillions of dollars in property damage and loss. Such harmful species are understandably hated. However, the vast majority of the planet’s millions of species are disliked simply because of how they look and act. This bias is endangering numerous species that play important roles in maintaining both the natural ecosystems and the human economies of the world. In Defense of the World’s Most Despised Species examines the psychological motivations that lead people to make judgments about the attractiveness of species, noting the overwhelming importance of visual cues. It describes in considerable detail the physical and behavioral traits of species that lead us to love or hate them. Full color illustrations throughout present beautiful, charming animals and plants, species that seem loathsome, behavior of people in relation to such divergent species and their characteristics, and numerous explanatory diagrams of relevant biological and psychological phenomena. The aim of this book is to give readers insights into how we humans arrive at biased judgments and to promote the welfare of valuable, albeit sometimes unlovable animals and plants that consequently suffer from discrimination. Many of the ugliest, most disgusting, and feared species, such as vultures, toads, hyenas, sharks, spiders, and even the vast majority of cockroaches, in reality are some of our most valuable friends. Features Theme of the book – human preferences for and against species – is novel, scarcely examined to date. Multidisciplinary analysis, especially psychology, biological conservation science, and ecology, as well as philosophy, agriculture, urban planning, human health, and law. Text is accessible, user-friendly, concise, and well-organized, making numerous complex topics comprehensible, readable not only by specialists, but also by students and the educated layperson. Includes over 2,000 high-quality, entertaining, and informative color figures.

The relationship between humans and animals has always been strong, symbiotic and complicated. Animals, real and fictional, have been a mainstay in the arts and entertainment, figuring prominently in literature, film, television, social media, and live performances. Increasingly, though, people are anthropomorphizing animals, assigning them humanoid roles, tasks and identities. At the same time, humans, such as members of the furry culture or college mascots, find pleasure in adopting animal identities and characteristics. This book is the first of its kind to explore these growing phenomena across media. The contributors to this collection represent various disciplines, to include the arts, humanities, social sciences, and healthcare. Their essays demonstrate the various ways that human and animal lives are intertwined and constantly evolving.

This book traces the history of bird guano, demonstrating how this unique commodity helped unite the Pacific Basin with the industrialized world.

Target Earth is the continuing saga and greatly anticipated sequel of the award winning book, Earth is Ours, "Best" Fantasy/SciFi 2005 from the prestigious San Diego Book Awards Association. The beloved characters developed in the original story evolve and begin an exciting new adventure as they defy monstrous, invading aliens dedicated to the total destruction of the human race. Amy is a self-aware female computer whose only connection to the outside world is through a telepathic link. Levi was a dying elderly Indian man who is rejuvenated through this telepathic connection with Amy. It is a story of this forced symbiotic relationship dictated by mutual needs for their survival in a world stripped of technology. Although they have separate and individual minds, they must co-exist in Levi's augmented body, sharing differing emotions and motivations, while simultaneously battling the enemy. Female brains and male brawn must unite as one in love and power to create a new entity to lead the fight against the aliens. They are aided in this war by human armies and rescued alien slaves, but they are still vastly outnumbered in this conflict. These affable aliens will touch your heart with their loyalty and action, while the enemy will rouse your rage and fear. This is truly a Good versus Evil tale, but does good always win? The male versus female conflict of minds, emotions and motivations remain a large portion of the story as it unfolds from both viewpoints. The struggle continues against formidable invaders led by an awe inspiring supreme leader. In this fast paced and compelling adventure, battles wage across the California and Arizona deserts. These unique characters, and the riveting story, are strong and their saga continues into the third book of this series Earth's Dragons.