Reading the Roots is an unprecedented anthology of outstanding early writings about American nature--a rich, influential, yet critically underappreciated body of work. Rather than begin with Henry David Thoreau, who is often identified as the progenitor of American nature writing, editor Michael P. Branch instead surveys the long tradition that prefigures and anticipates Thoreau and his literary descendants. The selections in Reading the Roots describe a diversity of landscapes, wildlife, and natural phenomena, and their authors represent many different nationalities, cultural affiliations, religious views, and ideological perspectives. The writings gathered here also range widely in terms of subject, rhetorical form, and disciplinary approach--from promotional tracts and European narratives of contact with Native Americans to examples of scientific theology and romantic nature writing. The volume also includes a critical introduction discussing the cultural, scientific, and literary value of early American nature writing; headnotes that contextualize all authors and selections; and a substantial bibliography of primary and secondary sources in the field. Reading the Roots at last makes early American landscapes--and a range of literary responses to them--accessible to scholars, students, and general readers.

This is book is a gem! We thought long and hard about what else the serious Latin scholar or general scholar might need, and we have really outdone ourselves with this one. The Book of Roots offers weekly exercises based on a comprehensive list of English derivatives and Latin root words coordinated with the vocabulary in Latina Christiana. Students will learn the definition and etymology of over 1,500 English derivatives, along with prefixes, suffixes, and supplemental Latin vocabulary lists. This is definitely the book to use if your student loves words or if you want him to! The Book of Roots will surely impart how pervasive Latin is in the English language and provide yet another reason to study Latin. Fascinating on its merits as a vocabulary roots course, this book also has significant practical appeal - it is an ideal standardized test prep course, training students to uncover the meanings of words by deciphering parts. The Book of Roots is a Latin roots course, vocabulary building course, Latin dictionary, and etymology reference book all in one! It is enthusiastically recommended for all Latin students! The Book of Roots is a self contained vocabulary course that doesn t require a Latin background, however, it does coordinate with Latina Christiana I for students who are studying Latin grammar at the same time."

Explains what roots look like and how they function in plants.

Understanding Roots uncovers one of the greatest mysteries underground—the secret lives and magical workings of the roots that move and grow invisibly beneath our feet. Roots, it seems, do more than just keep a plant from falling over: they gather water and nutrients, exude wondrous elixirs to create good soil, make friends with microbes and fungi, communicate with other roots, and adapt themselves to all manner of soils, winds, and climates, nourishing and sustaining our gardens, lawns, and woodlands. Understanding Roots contains over 115 enchanting and revealing root drawings that most people have never seen, from prairies, grasslands, and deserts, as well as drawings based on excavations of vegetable, fruit, nut, and ornamental tree roots. Every root system presented in this book was drawn by people literally working in the trenches, sketching the roots where they grew. The text provides a verydetailed review of all aspects of transplanting; describes how roots work their magic to improve soil nutrients; investigates the hidden life of soil microbes and their mysterious relationship to roots; explores the question of whether deep roots really gather more unique nutrients than shallow roots; shares the latest research about the mysteries of mycorrhizal (good fungal) association; shows you exactly where to put your fertilizer, compost, water, and mulch to help plants flourish; tells you why gray water increases crop yields more than fresh water; and, most importantly, reveals the science behind all the above (with citations for each scientific paper). This book contains at least eighty percent more new information, more results of the latest in-depth and up-to-date explorations, and even more helpful guidelines on roots than the author’s previous book (Roots Demystified: Change Your Garden Habits to Help Roots Thrive). This is not a revised edition—it’s a whole new stand-alone book.

From Memoria Press: We are often asked if we have a program that includes the study of both Latin and Greek roots. We do now! Roots of English is an introduction to English, designed for students as young as third grade, but it is also a great test prep program for older students planning on taking any test with a vocabulary section. Most of the Latin roots covered in this book correspond to the Latina Christiana I Latin vocabulary set. The course also introduces Greek roots commonly found in English words. Words with Latin and Greek roots are longer and more difficult than the short words for ordinary objects that form the first layer of an English-speaking child s vocabulary. Their meanings are more nuanced, more specialized. In order to acquire these words and learn how to use them appropriately, a young student needs to understand the meanings of their roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Roots of English presents careful analysis of these word elements so that the student learns not only the modern meanings of the words but also their underlying, ancient meanings. Context exercises and periodic quizzes help the student learn the correct and appropriate uses of these words. Roots of English may be used along with Latina Christiana I Latin course. Roots of English is, in part, a presentation of the basic Latin roots introduced in Memoria Press Book of Roots I, but with the addition of the basic Greek roots."

A complicated topic is made easier with this title introducing roots and explaining their anatomy and how they help plants and soil. Labeled diagrams and photographs and a glossary will make learning about roots even simpler!