An in-depth look at the radical changes occurring in our nation’s zoos—from cement-paved mazes to simulated rain forests to completely natural landscapes—as well as the history behind the actual idea of the zoo. Following the lead of private menageries in Europe, public zoos began to proliferate throughout America. What once started as symbols of prestige and power are now educational centers, developing advanced technologies in the race to conserve all that remains of the natural world. With DNA fingerprinting, artificial insemination, embryo transfers, and egg harvesting, zoos play a critical role in the fight to save endangered species.

Could a ship be constructed that would be able to survive the global flood described in biblical book of Genesis? Could it be built without the modern techniques of today being available to Noah?This groundbreaking book answers both of these questions with a resounding "yes"!Join naval expert and mechanical engineer Tim Lovett in "thinking outside the box" as you consider groundbreaking research in this innovative new study on Noah's ark. Lovett builds on traditional research into this historic event using the latest techniques in computer modeling and testing.

A scientific look at creationism from a former creationist A significant number of Americans, especially evangelical Christians, believe Earth and humankind were created in their present form sometime in the last 10,000 years or so—the rationale being that this is (presumably) the story told in the book of Genesis. Within that group, any threatening scientific evidence that suggests otherwise is rejected or, when possible, retrofitted into a creationist worldview. But can this uncomfortable blend of biblical literalism and pseudoscience hold up under scrutiny? Is it tenable to believe that the Grand Canyon was formed not millions of years ago by gradual erosion but merely thousands of years ago by the Great Flood? Were there really baby dinosaurs with Noah on his ark? Janet Kellogg Ray, a science educator who grew up a creationist, doesn’t want other Christians to have to do the exhausting mental gymnastics she did earlier in her life. Working through the findings of a range of fields including geology, paleontology, and biology, she shows how a literal interpretation of the book of Genesis simply doesn’t mesh with what we know to be reality. But as someone who remains a committed Christian, Ray also shows how an acceptance of the theory of evolution is not necessarily an acceptance of atheism, and how God can still be responsible for having created the world, even if it wasn’t in a single, momentary, miraculous event.

The recent translation of a Babylonian tablet launches a groundbreaking investigation into one of the most famous stories in the world, challenging the way we look at ancient history. Since the Victorian period, it has been understood that the story of Noah, iconic in the Book of Genesis, and a central motif in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, derives from a much older story that existed centuries before in ancient Babylon. But the relationship between the Babylonian and biblical traditions was shrouded in mystery. Then, in 2009, Irving Finkel, a curator at the British Museum and a world authority on ancient Mesopotamia, found himself playing detective when a member of the public arrived at the museum with an intriguing cuneiform tablet from a family collection. Not only did the tablet reveal a new version of the Babylonian Flood Story; the ancient poet described the size and completely unexpected shape of the ark, and gave detailed boat building specifications. Decoding this ancient message wedge by cuneiform wedge, Dr. Finkel discovered where the Babylonians believed the ark came to rest and developed a new explanation of how the old story ultimately found its way into the Bible. In The Ark Before Noah, Dr. Finkel takes us on an adventurous voyage of discovery, opening the door to an enthralling world of ancient voices and new meanings.

New York Times bestseller and award-winning illustrator Charles Santore retells the beloved Bible story of Noah's Ark through the eyes of a charming new hero that children will love: a stowaway mouse! Achbar the mouse hears a kindly old man tell the animals of the world that there will be a great flood, and that he has built an ark big enough for two of each kind of animal to ride out the storm. But by the time Achbar works his way through the tangle of paws and hooves, two other mice have already been selected. Achbar is terrified and does not want to be left behind! His survival instincts tell him to stow away. But will he be discovered by the old man--and will they ever see dry land again? This Classic Edition of A Stowaway on Noah's Ark features: A beautifully designed hardcover Illustrations by renowned artist Charles Santore, the critically-acclaimed illustrator of multiple classic tales, including The Night Before Christmas, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit, and Aesop's Fables Is a wonderful gift for young readers for birthdays, holidays, or a Christmas gift Charles Santore’s works has been widely exhibited in museums and celebrated with recognitions such as the prestigious Hamilton King Award, the Society of Illustrators Award of Excellence, and the Original Art 2000 Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. He is best known for his luminous interpretations of classic children’s stories, including The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and The Wizard of Oz.

No other object mentioned in the annals of ancient history and mythology has so stirred the imagination of amateur archaeologists as the ship known to us as Noah's ark. In The Ark File, the author has traced the almost unbelievable tale of research and frustration that has accompanied the modern search for it. Is the story of Noah's ark and the Flood a mere myth, or is it possibly the agonizing account of a survivor of the greatest tragedy ever to befall mankind? This book presents the answers connected with this age-old mystery.

Archaeologist Dilara Kenner and former combat engineer Tyler Locke realize that they have just seven days to find the remains of Noah's Ark before shadowy agents use its secret to wipe out civilization.