A dysfunctional childhood, Catholic school, and Navy stint dont help a young man through a recession and changing times, and he hops a bus without money or plans just to escape. He fixes up a cabin, clears the land, and gets to know his animal and human neighbors. Its a reprieve, however, because tooth and claw abound everywhere. As his journey leads him back to New York in the 1980s, Calvin realizes he is not prepared for the challenges lurking in the shadows. Despite landing on his feet in the city, he feels trapped again and looks for a way out. He wonders if his goal of being a writer is a waste of time, and his unpredictable story comes full circle. Worms Drowning in the Rain shares the poignant tale of a young mans trip through early adulthood as he searches for his identity in a place where nothing is certain.

General Zoology: Investigating the Animal World is an introductory level college biology textbook that provides students with an accessible and engaging look at the fundamentals of zoology. Written for a one-term, undergraduate course of mixed majors and non-majors, this reader-friendly text is concept driven vs. terminology driven. That is, the text is based on the underlying concepts and principles of zoology rather than strict memorization of terminology. Written in a student-centered, conversational style, this educational research-based textbook uniquely connects students and our society to animals from various perspectives—economic, ecologic, medical, and cultural, exploring how the animal world and human realm are intimately intertwined. End-of-chapter questions challenge students to think critically and creatively while incorporating science process skills and zoological principles.

GENERAL BIOLOGY is an introductory level college biology textbook that provides students with an understandable and engaging encounter with the fundamentals of biology. Written for a two-semester undergraduate course of biology majors and presented as a bound set of two distinct volumes, this reader-friendly textbook(s) is concept driven vs. terminology driven. That is, the book(s) are based on the underlying concepts and principles of biology rather than the strict memorization of biological terms and terminology. Written in a student-centered and conversational style, this educational research-based book(s) connects students to all aspects of biology from the molecular to the biosphere. End-of-chapter questions challenge students to think critically and creatively while incorporating science process skills and biological principles.

Rethink Your Refuse Hundreds of millions of tons of solid waste are produced in the U.S. annually, and the landfills simply store it, not eliminate it. Recycling diverts significant amounts of waste, but the fact remains that the majority of landfill space is occupied by organic material. The good news is composting is a natural and beneficial way to eliminate this waste, and anyone can do it. Whether you live on a farm, in the suburbs or a city apartment, composting is possible. Composting Inside and Out will introduce you to the essentials and explore various methods of indoor and outdoor composting to help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Inside you'll find: • A compete overview of the composting process • Advice on finding the right equipment • Step-by-step instruction for fourteen different composting methods • Ideas for using the soil you produce • Quick answers to common problems Whether you create a compost heap, bury your scraps, ferment them, tumble them or feed them to the worms, you too can be successful with composting. Use the fruits of your labor on you houseplants, your lawn, your flowerbeds or your garden. Put your waste and your energy to good use. Reclaim the benefits of participating in the planet's health through composting—its rewards are simply miraculous.

Learn to “see” the forecast in the hidden weather signs all around you—from the New York Times–bestselling author of How to Read a Tree and The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs In The Secret World of Weather, bestselling author Tristan Gooley turns his gaze up to the sky, bringing his signature brand of close observation and eye-opening deduction to the fascinating world of weather. Every cloud, every change in temperature, every raindrop, every sunbeam, every breeze reveals something about our weather—if you know what to look for. Before you know it, you’ll be able to forecast impending storms, sunny days, and everything in between, all without needing to consult your smartphone. But The Secret World of Weather goes far beyond mere weather prediction, changing the very way we think about weather itself. Weather is not something that blankets an area; rather, it changes constantly as you walk through woods or turn down a street. The weather is never identical on two sides of a tree—or even beneath it. Take, for example, Gooley’s remarkable discovery that breezes accelerate beneath a tree. To Gooley, this is “weather,” a tiny microclimate that explains why people sit beneath a tree to cool down—not only for the shade but, subconsciously, for cooler breeze. And so Gooley shows us not only what the weather will be like five days from now, but also what to expect about the weather around every corner. By carefully observing the subtle interplay of wind, cloud, fog, temperature, rain and many other phenomena, we not only form a deeper understanding of weather patterns, but also unlock secrets about our environment. Weather forms our landscape, and landscape forms our weather. Everything we see in the sky reflects where we are. When we learn to read weather’s signs, Gooley shows us, the weather becomes our map, revealing to us how it has made our towns, cities, woods, and hills what they are. You’ll never see your surroundings the same way again.

A field guide that explores and explains the patterns of nature, revealing them to the many different types of nature observers--from birders to gardeners, hikers to environmentalists, wildflower enthusiasts to butterfliers.