Product Description
The sequel to Skull Rack (Oct. 2007), Hummingbird God continues the tale of Rodrigo de la Pena and Enrique Mendoza--two men of God reliving some of the worst atrocities in history. The story of the conquest of Mexico resumes with de la Pena, the Spanish Inquisitor General, describing the first meeting of Cortes and Moctecuzoma. De la Pena has captured Mendoza, a Jesuit historian, to force him to retell history--so that the noble conquest of Mexico will forever be remebered exactly as he commands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Outstanding, enjoyable read!
Author Braithwaite has again rendered an outstanding work. This time he adds suspense as De La Pena relates to his scribe his own escape from the reach of merciless Cortes. Nonetheless, Braithwaite does not abandon history. He describes the pillage and plunder of Cortes, all in the name of God, and the annihilation of a society, which despite cannibalistic rituals, prospered free of imposition of others' values. Braithwaite continues the jousting between De La Pena and his scribe, Mendoza, both men of the cloth. Their dichotomy is striking, one transparent in his contempt for religion and what Cortes did in the name of the church, and the other feigning allegiance to the church and Cortes, while profaning all with his own secretion of purloined wealth. An enjoyable read about a horrendous conquest told by a bitter survivor to his own subjugated scribe.

Hummingbird God
In Author Ron Braithwaite's sequel to SKULL RACK, he tells of Rodrigo de la Peña's further adventures as a Spanish soldier. Open HUMMINGBIRD GOD and read in amazement Braithwaite's skillfully extracted historical facts taken from what must have been a mountain of research material. It's an easy read that gripped my interest. In this page turner of a novel, Braithwaite reports the wounds and post mortem bodily conditions as only a pathologist can. My hopes rose at the end that the author may be incubating another book when de la Peña says "...but that is another story." Each of Braithwaite's books will serve as fine script material in a movie sequel to Apocalypto.

HUMMINGBIRD GOD
This review applies to both, The Skull Rack and Hummingbird God.
Some months ago I was at a medical meeting and a colleague asked me if I enjoyed reading historical novels and particularly if I was interested about the events that occurred around the time when Cortez set out for his conquest of Mexico. My reply was that what I knew a little about Cortez, I had learned at school and had very much enjoyed having read Aztec by Gary Jennings some year's back. Not too many weeks went by before I received a copy of Skull Rack and Hummingbird God both books written by Ron Braithwaite. I took the opportunity of a medical meeting in Europe and the unavoidable time that one spends in airports, planes, etc to read both books. This in hindsight proved to be a fantastic decision as it made the whole trip more memorable. I enjoyed the story and the way it's cleverly developed so much so that I managed to finish both books in record time. The books give you a fantastic perspective of what Spain was at the time of the inquisition and it details the Mexican conquest.

The books revolve around the desire of a bishop who also happens to be the Spanish inquisitor General, Rodrigo De La Pena, and an unwilling Jesuit historian who also is an inquisitor, to accurately describe the Mexican conquest. In the beginning of the Skull Rack, the book concentrates on the early years of the bishop and his war experience. Both books then concentrate on the conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortez and 500 Spaniards (De La Pena being one of them). Even though there is a lot of confusing native names, the books are very well written and easy to read. I would certainly recommend these two books and as other reviews have stated, they need to be read in sequential order as they neatly follow each other. I would like to wish Ron Braithwaite all the luck with these books since it would be a tragedy if he was not to continue and tell us what happens next in what is certainty a very, interesting and memorable part of human history.

Conquest Completed
Great, the novel Hummingbird God, the sequel to Skull Rack, is even more gripping than its predecessor. Truly high adventure and detailed imagery keep the reader envolved and feeling he/she is where the action is. The conquest of Mexico is complete, but the hero, Rodrigo, lives on. Hopefully, we will hear more from him.

Great historical fiction,Braithwaite does it again
I waited months for the sequel of Skull Rack and was not disappointed. Although each book can be read and enjoyed separately, I would recommend reading both in chronological order. This is a great read and puts you right in the middle of Cortez's conquest of Mexico. It brings it down to the level of how things really were,not the glorified stories in many of our history books. The moving back and forth between the story itself and the dialogue between Obispo and Mendoza keeps the reader's interest at a high level and keeps things in perspective. Although I read both books for entertainment, I could not help learning something about history that up until now I had paid little attention to. Both books would make a great movie sequel to Apocalypto which left off when the Aztecs saw the Spanish fleet first coming ashore. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the magic of the Hummingbird Bakery with this delicious collection of recipes for irresistible cupcakes and muffins. The adorable kit includes a hardback book with 25 easy-to-follow recipes from Tarek Malouf and his Hummingbird bakers and 100 coloured paper cases for stylish baking. The book and cases come in a pink and chocolate-coloured box. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Review by www.beachbrightsreviews.blogspot.com
Those of you who know me, know I can't bake. Cook, yes. Bake, no and yes, there is a difference. However, that has all changed my friends. I now can bake cupcakes. Here is my review of this simply marvelous, magical cupcake recipe book. Buy it. I promise your cupcakes will be TO. DIE. FOR.

For this review I completed the vanilla cupcakes recipe (page 16) with vanilla icing (page 11). Honestly, I wanted to try the red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing but I have never had success with baking cupcakes and I did not want to try a recipe that required any additional work than necessary. The vanilla cupcakes turned out so delicious and perfect, I wish I had made the red velvet. Now I have the confidence to make both. Honestly, when I tell you I can't bake, I mean it. This is my very first successful batch of cupcakes.

What I loved most about this book is the simple ingredients and small serving sizes. The recipe did call for caster sugar which I found I could make my own by putting regular sugar in a food processor.

I also had to buy unsalted butter and whole milk, both common ingredients but not what I normally keep on hand. Everything else I had (of course every kitchen will be different). The book is small but very cute and Peter Cassidy does a great job photographing all the different varieties of cupcakes & muffins. Several to cupcakes note: vanilla, red velvet, chocolate, lemon, strawberry cheesecake, black bottom, lavender, banana & chocolate, green tea, pumpkin, & marshmallow. Several muffins to note: carrot & zucchini, spinach & cheese, blueberry and maple & pecan. Buy this book. 5 stars!

*One thing I would note. I like my cupcakes to have a little more icing on top. Next time I will consider doubling the icing recipe.

You can view pictures of my cupcakes here:
[...] ... Read more

Product Description
"Ace photographer Dan True conveys his passion for these buzzing aeronauts by describing all 16 species of North American hummers, listing their favorite flowers and going into detail about their habits, courtship, and distribution. He then tells us how to photograph them as he does with such consummate skill. Here in one book is all you could hope to know about our hummingbirds north of the border."--Roger Tory Peterson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Perfect for the Humming bird lover
We really enjoy watching humming birds and have several books about them. This book, however, stands out as the best we've found to date! It is filled with lots of well organized information and pictures. We are pleased to have it in our library.

Hummmed...Up Close and Personal
My granchildren and I love to sit on the porch and watch the dozen or so faithful hummingbirds that visit our two feeders.We use binoculars sometimes, but mostly just sit back and enjoy their beauty and the antics.We decided that we needed some more info on the hummers so we'd know what type they were and some of their history.This book is just filled with very interesting info on all the American hummingbird types, as well as wonderful pictures that help to identify and diferentiate between the females and males.We have also picked up lots of wonderful trivia about the birds.

Yes, we sit on the porch and sometimes get "hummmmed" very up close and personal, but now we do it with knowledge!

One of the true joys of nature...
...announced by that high-pitched hum that is the onomatopoeia origins for the bird's name. Dan True explains in his introduction that when he lived in the Palo Duro canyon, near Amarillo, he was actually trying to photograph the bird at the opposite end of the size spectrum - the bald eagle - when his obsession with the hummingbird began.This book is a distillation of his experiences with these magnificent creatures, valuable for the specialist, as well as those who simply hang a feeder in their backyard.

In this book he covers their migration, one of whose principal routes, no doubt due to the uplift provided, is along the Continental Divide.He raises reasonable speculation that the tiny Rufous might actually fly further than the known distance record set by the Arctic tern, which is 11,000 plus miles as it makes its way from the Arctic to the Antarctic. He also covers their colors, mating habits, nesting, and predators. He provides practical advice on feeders, the timing for placing them outside, and the recommended percentage of sugar, which my wife faithfully follows, with excellent results.He also identifies the flowers most likely to attract them. The section on feeding is a good fourth of the book.

Almost half the book is a specific guide to the 16 breeding species in North America. The guide includes their geographic distribution, with maps, excellent photographs of each, their winter locations and size specifications. Of the species, the Rufous is the most aggressive. He also includes a detailed chapter on how to photograph the birds, and appendixes on hummer "trivia" and geographical distribution by state.

This is an essential book for anyone wanting to expand one's knowledge about this most unique bird category.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Astonishing Micro Birds

Everything about hummingbirds is astonishing and amazing. This excellent book provides an overview of the intricacy and wonder of these remarkable creatures.

Attractively designed and filled with gorgeous color plates, Jewels in Flight invites casual flipping through its pages. However, delving into the text is where the real rewards lie, as the reader is treated to many almost unbelievable facts of hummer natural history.

Here is a smattering of what we learn:

* During courtship a hummer's heart may race to 20 beats per second.

* Hummingbird wings, which flex at the shoulder and rotate through 180 degrees, move through a complete cycle in 1/500 of a second.

* In the course of crossing the Gulf of Mexico during its migration a ruby throated hummingbird will beat its wings over four million times without stopping.

* Hummingbird eggs are tiny averaging less than .02 ounce. Nevertheless in relative terms this is very large, representing 2 to 4 % of the adult's body weight. In human terms, this would compare to a 130 pound mother giving birth to a 20 pound child.

* Some hummingbird feathers are modified to produce particular sounds in addition to color and flight characteristics.

And on and on and on.

It makes for an utterly fascinating read.

Highly recommended.

Excellent!!!
This book is excellent!!Great condition.Prompt shipping.Couldn't have asked for more.Fascinating information and pictures. Better than expected!!

Answered all my hummingbird questions-and then some!
With it's beautiful, extremely close-up color photos, this book about hummingbirds looks like a coffee table book.But I was very surprised and pleased upon reading the text that this is really a very serious book that will answer literally any hummingbird question you might have.Some of the questions I had about hummingbirds were:do hummingbirds eat anything but nectar?why do we only have ruby-throated hummingbirds east of the Rocky Mountains?how old do hummingbirds live to be?do all hummingbirds migrate?do male hummingbirds aid in raising the babies?do they migrate in flocks?Not only are all these questions and many more answered, there was a chapter about migration that started with a baby hummingbird born in northern New York state, and followed him to his winter home in Argentina.I was amazed at how quickly the tiny bird could make it from NY to VA, and then, the suspense of how he could possibly fly across the Gulf of Mexico- obviously no place to rest, and no food available.If, like me, you have had long unanswered questions about hummingbirds, this is the ideal book.I would think it would be great to read parts of this book and look at the beautiful pictures with older children, too.

Essential reference of the life of hummer, great phots
This is an essential reference on the life of hummingbirds. Over 100 beautiful color photos show many species of these elegant birds eating, resting, & in mid-flight.

The book starts out with the author'spersonal experiences with hummingbirds. It then explains the birds'history, classification, distribution, & habitat, comparing the varioustypes of hummingbirds. How they fly, what & how they eat, matingrituals & nest building are then detailed.Conservation, migration,tracking, & banding are covered as well. There even a whole section onhummingbird meccas.

Finally, the book gives tips on how to attract thebirds. Types of plants that attract hummingbirds are listed for 6 differentregions, with both common & Latin names. The bird types native to eachregion are also given. ... Read more

Product Description
One of Henry Miller's most luminous statements of his personal philosophy of life, Stand Still Like the Hummingbird, provides a symbolic title for this collection of stories and essays.Many of them have appeared only in foreign magazines while others were printed in limited editions which have gone out of print. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Stand Still Like A Hummingbird
Henry Miller was so far ahead of his time it's amazing, or maybe it is simply that Henry Miller is timeless.The writing is glorious, the thinking is startling in it's clarity and his wisdom and understanding of what it is to live as a human being is needed in our current world more than ever.If you are a writer and desire to read what a master 'voice' is, this book is for you.If you are someone who wants to think out-of-the-box and in depth, this book is for you.If you want your mind activated intellectually and creatively, this book is for you.

a clear vision of Miller's life-affirming philosophy
In this book, Miller presents a series of essays of various topics, including his friends, other artists, and Miller's social concerns. The longest piece is "Money and how it gets that way". Of course, this piece is written with subtle sarcasm throughout. Although the longest piece of the book, it doesnt stand out as the best, and in fact, doesnt seem to fit in with the rest of the essays. In the other essays, Miller demonstrates his ability to exploit what is powerful and life-affirming, laughing off all that is refined, petty, and weak. This comes out especially in the essays on fellow writers. There is an essay on Thoreau, Miller writes: "He found Walden, but Walden is everywhere if man is there". It is this sort of formula that is constant throughout both "Stand Still Like the Hummingbird" and the rest of Miller's work: There is something positive and life-affirming everywhere so long as one is alive, it is only a matter of recognizing the greatness of life itself. Although not naively bashing all forms of technology, Miller urges us in "The Hour of Man" to take the time to return the basics and discover not technology, but ourselves, our families, and our friends. As Miller explores that which affirms life, he also takes the time to present piercing criticisms directed at those who are petty, controlling, and all too caught up in the rat-race; for example, he writes: "What, moreover, can you call your own? The house you live in, the food you swallow, the clothes you wear-you neither built the house nor raised the food nor made the clothes. The same goes for your ideas. You moved into them ready-made". This passage is indicative of Miller's insistance on creation and his general emphasis on overabundance and embracing the brilliance of nature and life as opposed to trying to control it. In "Tropic of Cancer", Miller writes that he "loves everything that flows", and one gets the impression that according to Miller, everything flows. Thus, the formula in "Stand Still Like a Hummingbird" can be summed up by saying that rather than try to stop these great flows of life, we should flow with them and embrace their power. Overall, this book is enjoyable, intelligent; yet, for a book of personal philosophy, rarely preaches morality and is never sentimental.

As Fresh As Flowers that bloom in the snow
These highly readable pieces reflect the incredible vitality and variety of interests of the writer who extended the frontiers of modern literature.If you think the New Thought movement has some Ancient Wisdom roots, youwill enjoy this collection of stories and essays.If you have read, evenoccasionally, Henry David (Thoreau), Ralph Waldo (Emerson), Uncle Walt(Whitman), this volume is for you.Henry Miller says nothing here eithermore offensive or less insightful than these three Transcendentalists wholived before him.

Miller's genius for comedy is at its best in "Moneyand How It Gets That Way"-a tongue-in-cheek parody of "economics" provokedby a postcard from Ezra Pound which asked if he had "ever thought aboutmoney."Stand Still Like the Hummingbirdprovides a right and perfectmetaphor for this outstanding collection, one of Henry's Miller's mostluminous statements of his personal philosophy of life.Much of this book,while previously published, appeared only in foreign magazines or in smalllimited editions which have gone out of print.

If you're an artist(starving or successful), you'll appreciate Miller's deep concern for therole of artist in society, in "An Open Letter to All and Sundry," and in"The Angel Is My Watermark."If you're a writer (struggling to be oralready published), you'll find inspiration in words like these, scatteredlike gemstones--generous and true-throughout these pages:"...when you areconvinced that all the exits are blocked, either you take to believing inmiracles or you stand still like the hummingbird.The miracle is that thehoney is always there, right under your nose, only you were too busysearching elsewhere to realize it.The worst is not death but being blind,blind to the fact that everything about life is in the nature of themiraculous." In short, there is much for many: timeless wisdom, notonly for us still living "in this world," but also for us, who, like HenryMiller, have always suspected we are "not of this world." ... Read more

Product Description
A girl and boy from rival tribes have their love protected and immortalized when they are changed into a red flower and a hummingbird. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Delightful - but I don't really "get it'
A few years ago I purchased several Puerto Rican childrens classic for my new niece...this was my favorite despite the fact that the story itself rather confused me. Admittedly, I tend to be somewhat befuddled by many of the old sayings and metaphors from the island and this is in the same flavor. Illustrations are very nice, the story is delightful and it is my personal favorite even if I don't "get it". Great book for kids, those interested in Puerto Rican folktales or latino literature.

The Legend of the Hummingbird
I use this book to teach elementary school children about Puerto Rico. The story as well as the illustrations teach the reader about the history and climate/vegitation of Puerto Rico. The last five pages include informationabout Puerto Rico's history and traditions. More examples of legends arealso included, providing a starting point for the children to create theirown transformation tales. ... Read more

Product Description
Hummingbirds may be the smallest birds in the world, but they have the biggest appetites. Their wings flutter on average fifty to eighty times each second as they visit hundreds of flowers over the course of a day to sip the sweet nectar that sustains them. Their hearts beat nearly twelve hundred times a minute and their rapid breathing allows these amazing birds to sustain their unique manner of flight. They can hover in the air for prolonged periods, fly backwards using forceful wings that swivel at the shoulder, and dive at nearly two hundred miles per hour. Native only to the Americas, some hummingbirds have been known to migrate from Mexico to Alaska in the course of a season. Watching a hummingbird at a backyard feeder, we only see its glittering iridescent plumage and its long, narrow beak; its rapidly moving wings are a blur to our eyes.



These tiny, colorful birds have long fascinated birders, amateur naturalists, and gardeners. But, do they really hum?



In Do Hummingbirds Hum? George C. West, who has studied and banded over 13,500 hummingbirds in Arizona, and Carol A. Butler provide an overview of hummingbird biology for the general reader, and more detailed discussions of their morphology and behavior for those who want to fly beyond the basics. Enriched with beautiful and rare photography, including a section in vivid color, this engaging question and answer guide offers readers a wide range of information about these glorious pollinators as well as tips for attracting, photographing, and observing hummingbirds in the wild or in captivity.. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hummingbird Secrets
"Do Hummingbirds Hum?" is a wealth of information for the lay person, yet technical enough for the more knowledgeable bird enthusiast.This book has greatly enhanced our back porch experience as we have learned how truly amazing these little creatures are.It is a wonderful reference tool that we keep in easy reach with the rest of our birding guides.This book also makes an excellent gift - especially when given with a hummingbird feeder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A wonderful book
I had the pleasure of taking a course in Latin American history taught by Professor Padden.He was a wonderful lecturer and very supportive of the students in his class.This book is one of the few I kept after graduation, and I still have it 24 years later.Padden tells the story of the small band of Spaniards who used guile and strength and disease to conquer a nation of millions.His description of the culture and religious practices of the Aztecs and other Mexican tribes is unforgettable.I can't vouch for the accuracy of his translations of the original documents.I can say that his character as a teacher gives me faith that he was sincere in his research and interpretations.It is also easy to understand why Mexican academic and government authorities would be uncomfortable with Padden's unflinching description of the brutality of the Aztec system.Almost any culture you can find from the 16th century will have violence and brutality that are unthinkable today.It is a disservice to history to whitewash the facts.I gained respect for the ingenuity, strength and resilience of the Aztec and Spanish people in spite of being abhorred by some of their behaviors.And the overall story of the Mexican conquista is full proof that truth is stranger than fiction.

Padden has edited another wonderful book about the Potosi silver mines in Bolivia called Tales of Potosí.Anything he is involved in is worth reading!

Book review
Rapid, timely delivery.Book was fair condition, written understored in, but not torn.Would purchase again from Woody's.

The Mirror of Time
Although it has been years since I have read this book, I found it significant enough to have the author personally sign it.I located professor Padden, who is retired, alive and well.I spoke to him about writing this book and he indicated that the reason his book is so significant, is that most of the modern writings about meso-america are taken from the modern translations of the original manuscripts.These manuscripts were written by the monks that recorded the history of the spainards as they spread their imperialism.However, his research was not from the modern translations, he studied and learned the (now ancient) spanish used by their original writers and translated the manuscripts himself.

What I find most interesting about this book is that it is painfully aparent that the tactics of the ruling elite have not changed after all these centuries, they all seem to be obsessed with Eugenics.Who said that Malthus was the father of Eugenics?The Incans and the Aztecs were busy, even back then, manipulating their population, engaging in social engineering and brain washing "their" property. As Winston Churchill said, "The farther you look back, the further you can see forward."Amazing paralells exist between the Meso-America of that time and our own current social delimad.Some of the parallels are: Population control, they sacraficed infants, we have abortions.They had human sacrifice and we have aids, cancer, drugs and rampant homosexuality.Their societies were morally corrupt and so is ours.Their societies were obsessed with sports, so is ours.Their wars were planned in advance by and between the ruling class of the "allegedly" conflicting societies and so are ours (often both sides financed by the same mega bankers).They had Montazuma's revenge (not dysentery, as most people know the term) for not paying their taxes and we have the IRS.Its simply amazing that very few people draw these analogies or even have the clarity of thought to see them.Contrary to one of the reader's comments this book is not fictional nor was it intended to be.It is purely a reflection of what was recorded by the monk historians.As stated ealier, they traveled with Cortez and others, as the Church-State's watchdogs, forced upon them as part of financing their venture (The church wanted their cut of the riches. Not just gold, but knowledge as well).

Of course Mexican cultural apologists are not going to like this book, because of every societies narcissitic view of "their" history.It pulls the mask off of politically correct history.According to Padden's book, an Aztec male could have sex with any woman that slept under his roof, e.g., wife, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, it didn't matter who they were.Obviously these women had children and a lot of them.Obviously, their culture had to devise some form of population control. Child sacrifice, war, human sacrifice, who cares - it is absolutely the same thing that is going on today (a rose by any other name).That's how things are still getting done in the real world, the last time I checked anyway.

Another fact that I found most interesting in the book, was that the "so called" savage/primative Aztecs & Incans were more advanced in astronomy than their European counter parts.This is especially amazing since during this period of the time line, Europeans had somewhat refined the telescope.There were several astronomical bodies that the Aztecs were aware of that had not yet been discovered by Europeans.(You can read how and why in another absolutely fascinating book by Peter Thompkins, which describes and explaines the use of pyramids as telescopes.I found Thompkins research unbelievable at first, but after doing my own research, I had to concur.By the way, the same system that was used by both the Aztec and Egyptians is still currently employed by our "modern" Naval Observatory.However, instead of using water as a refractor, we use mercury.)Most interesting!

I recommend this book to anyone that is tired of reading the sugar coated crap put out by members of the mutual admiration society - who have the audacity to call themselves scholars.This is History - raw and uncensored - deal with it.A rare book indeed.

Not Popular in Mexico
This book is not going to be popular in Mexico. Padden unflinchingly documents the excesses of the Aztec State with regards to human sacrifice and cannibalism. He makes the case that the Aztec Pipiltin (the ruling elite) used human sacrifice to intimidate not only enemy nations but their own proletarian class called the Macehualtin. His estimate of 20,000 children sacrificed every year to the rain god Tlaloc makes the practice even more revolting. Padden further contents that the exceesive number of human sacrifices was a deliberate policy initiatedby the Aztec King Itzcoal and his prime minister, Tlacaellel, who hoped to terrify their neighbors and control their own lower classes. Padden's assertions, if true,certainly clarifies why the Aztec neighbors flocked to fight on the Spanish side against these brutal masters.

Padden's stand is bitterly resented by the archaeological community of Mexico and Mexicans in general who claim that human sacrifice was not extensive and was motivated by deep seated religious conviction. The same groups either completely deny the existence of the cannibalistic element in Aztec society or else claim it was rarely resorted to. As recently as April 23rd, 2008 a PBS Special had Mexican archaeologists claiming that cannibalism was restricted to captured Spaniards.

The Mexican reaction is mirrored in other ethnic groups that react critically to accusations of human sacrifice and cannibalism in their own pasts. For instance,Danes question archaeological evidence in their prehistory of human sacrifice, and modern Pueblo Indiansare equally fierce in their denunciation of cannibalism among their ancestors, the Anasazi. Even some Roman historians are uncomfortable with accusations of human sacrifice among the earliest inhabitants of Rome.

It is hard for this reader to believe that modern Mexicans and other ethnic or national groups feel that evidence of ancestral practices of cannibalism and human sacrifice somehow reflect on their modern selves?

With this thread running through the book it is a wonderful read, detailed enough for the expert and entertaining enough for the lay person.

Pretty good.
If you want to learn more about the Spanish conquest of the Aztec civilization while being entertained, this is the book to read.Padden conveys the facts while not obscuring them with excessivefiction.The fact that Padden does not include gratuitous fiction does make the book a little dry at times but it is very interesting a nd truly worth the effort. ... Read more

Product Description
A short but detailed guide to understanding the fascinating and complex lives of hummingbirds and transforming virtually any yard or garden into a hummingbird haven. Chapters cover the basic biology and behavior of these living jewels as well as how to create healthy hummingbird habitat in the home landscape, select regionally-appropriate plants for the nectar garden, select and maintain feeders, and identify 23 species of hummingbirds found in the United States and Canada. A list of books, videos, magazines, organizations, and web sites gives readers a starting point for further study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Informative and Enjoyable
Short, readable and worthwhile book.I refer often to the list of plants (annuals and perennials) that attract hummingbirds.

Excellent Book on Hummingbirds
I highly recommend this book. Lots of great information on the lives of hummingbirds, pros & cons of various feeders, types of plants to attract hummers, plus very beautiful photos.Also, gives info for different regions of the U.S.

great information, terrific photographs
This small but information-packed guide is the best I've found for detailed, practical advice about viewing and caring for these little flying jewels.The photographs are breathtaking and the text is well-written and filled with wonderful advice and tips about feeders, habitat, gardens, identification and further resources.

Terrific.

Best little hummingbird book available
Although this gem of a book certainly covers attracting and feeding hummingbirds, including extensive advice on selecting flowers appropriate for each region of the continent, its modest size and simple title don't hint at the true gift within: an ecologist's insight into the natural history of one of our most highly-specialized and most fascinating bird families. The first 14 pages of text and photos are a concise, well-balanced examination of how hummingbirds fit into their environment, written for neither children nor scientists, but for the inquisitive layman. You won't find this content in any other book I've seen.

The second part is about plants, and again compresses a wealth of useful information into a succinct but rich overview of what flowers hummingbirds like, and why. More than a plant list, this section will help you understand how to plan a garden that works.

There are also sections on feeders, habitat, and species identification. Each is invested with an equally-impressive amount of insight, although as the author advises you'll want a good field guide for serious ID questions (and Sheri is writing one now). Finally, there's a nice listing of organizations and both printed and online resources for further study.

I have a collection of hummingbird books, assembled to help me build and maintain hummingbirds.net. This one is one of the three I wouldn't be without. ... Read more

Product Description
An innovative retelling of the classic Christmas tale, Native American Night Before Christmas presents a whimsical look at a Native American Christmas Eve, when Old Red Shirt (the Indian Santa Claus) comes a-calling on his wooden sleigh pulled by a team of flying white buffalo. Jesse Hummingbird's inspired illustration transform the author's playful adaptation into a fresh and modern work of art. A delight for people of all ages and cultures. Winner of the 2010 Moonbeam Award for Holiday Books. ... Read more

Product Description

The hummingbird brings a whole new meaning to the word "unique." Boasting the smallest bird in the world, this family ranges in size from the two inch long bumblebee hummingbird to the giant hummingbird, which reaches a length of eight inches. The hummer's metabolism is as powerful as the engine of a high-performance race car, its heart pumping at a stunning 1,260 beats per minute to maintain a steamy body temperature of 105 degrees F. Its mighty chest muscles account for more than one third of its weight and allow it to flap disproportionately large wings at a dizzying 50 to 200 times per second. No wonder a hummingbird sighting in a backyard garden is cause for delighted celebration. In Hummingbirds: A Beginner's Guide, award-winning writer Laurel Aziz explores these details and many more, bringing to life this tiny force of nature. Hummingbirds is illustrated throughout with stunning full color photographs.

Product Description
The hummingbird is a compact wonder of physiology, and has long been a source of fascination for observers of the natural world. This tiny creature is a record breaker on many fronts, from its highly efficient use of food for energy to its staggeringly impressive annual long-distance migrations. The mystery and achievement of the hummingbird has clearly made its mark.

A zoologist by training and a bird lover by nature, author Robert Burton marries a rigorous scientific knowledge about these unique birds with an engaging appreciation for and a delight in his subject.

In lively and informative text, Burton introduces the hummingbird and deftly explores its natural history, its essential relationship with plant life, the miracle of its flight, its elaborate social life as well as its nesting behavior and renowned migratory habits. Also addressed is the hummingbird's rich relationship with humans, including its place in myth and legend. Burton also discusses the post-contact trade in hummingbird feathers, which has significantly depleted its populations, and the current threats to its habitat. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beautiful photos of hummingbirds
Since my wife is a huge fan of hummingbirds, she loved this book. Very good information presented with some beautiful photos of these stunning birds.

Gave as a gift- the recipient LOVED it.
I gave this book to a friend of mine who volunteers "banding" hummingbirds. She raved about the book, telling me that the book was excellent. Excellent birthday gift.

A Gorgeous Book
I charged this book out of the Beaverton, Oregon, library and may buy it for a friend who loves hummingbirds.It's beautiful. It contains many interesting facts and was an easy read. Some of the information could be used by school teachers to do a nice lecture for their students with a subsequent homework assignment to learn more about birds.

Packed with both color photos and fascinating facts
There have been many books written on hummingbirds; so why another? Robert Burton's World Of The Hummingbird provides a focus on the science of the hummingbird more than its coffee-table predecessors, considering the bird's survival tactics, daily patterns, and habitats. From feeding to migration patterns, this is packed with both color photos and fascinating facts easily accessible to lay readers. ... Read more

Product Description
Of all the beuty a gardener can cultivate, nothing equals that of the hummingbird.Little wonder that millions of North Americans attempt to attract these spunky birds to their gardens. Hummingbird Gardens provides how-to information on feeders, plant combinations, and garden design.It showcases the continent's 20-plus hummingbird species.By breaking North American into six regions, the authors give tips that are tailored for gardeners in all parts of the United States and Canada.Amazon.com Review
A guide full of sensible and easy to follow advice for gardeners inall parts of the country who want to experience the magic of hummingbirds intheir garden. Hummingbird Gardens provides specific recommendationsfor the best varieties of flowers to plant in order to attract the elusivecreatures, while integrating gardening ideas and designs with an informativeintroduction to the general habits, including migrating and nesting patterns,of hummingbirds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beautiful photos and stories
I love this beautiful book with gorgeous hummingbird photos and tons of stories about them interacting with people. It is writting in a warm style, and while it might not be the best book for recognizing the species(I couldn't find dark brown hummingbird I saw), the book is a delight to read and look at.

A wealth of informative text and spectacular photos.
Long, long ago - experience taught me the smoothest way through life is to "never make recommendations to anybody about anything." Sam and Ihave learned to qualify those don't-miss-it things encompassing: greatplaces to eat, visit, read, watch, etc. For example, we now say, "Thefood was great the night we were there," or "You would love themovie if you enjoy such-and-such."

With all of those lessons inmind, I'm unequivocally saying, "Get your hands on Hummingbird Gardensas soon as possible." I don't think the co-authors, Nancy Newfield andBarbara Nielsen, have yet realized the true scope of what they haveaccomplished.

I knew Nancy was working on a book with somebody, butthought it was strictly for the southern Louisiana area. When Sam broughthome my unexpected copy, it took only a few minutes of browsing for me totell him something like, "Good lord, this thing is really, really good- and I mean good!" That's saying a lot for a person who is not easilyimpressed, and the more I read, the better it got.

Somehow, Nancy andBarbara truly did it all in Hummingbird Gardens by combining a wealth ofwell written, informative text with spectacular photographs of both thehummingbirds and the flowering plants so loved by these creatures. Thebeautiful birds and blossoming plants are well covered in their ownseparate chapters.

At the same time though, the content flows smoothlyinto pertinent regional information for those in: California, The PacificNorthwest, The Southwest, The Western Mountains, The Southeast and The Eastand Midwest. They so skillfully blend bird and bloom with helpful tips andenthusiasts' experiences that you will want to read on and on about otherhummers in other gardens!

As far as I can determine, they left no stoneunturned. All who open its covers will soon learn to appreciate theinclusion of subjects often left out of other publications. This one didnot forget such things as: References and Further Reading (greatbibliography), Resources (supermarkets for the hummers' favorite naturalfoods), and an excellent Index.

One last thing. Although HummingbirdGardens was primarily done for the millions of us who simply love and enjoythese particular bounties of nature - I sincerely believe ornithology, as awhole, will gain as well. The professionals cannot be out in the field allof the time, thus what we see "our" hummers doing in our yardscan contribute a great deal to the science. Meanwhile, we are very lucky,indeed, that Barbara and Nancy decided to share their knowledge anddiscoveries with the rest of us!

An excellent resource
Including information from real-life hummingbird gardeners around the U.S., this book will be useful to virtually anyone in North America who's trying to create backyard habitat for these fascinating birds. The mainshortcoming of this book is in the depth of coverage of the plants,particularly photos. There were not enough showing an entire plant (thoughmore than enough of the birds themselves), and the one feeder illustratedcontained dyed sugar water (a no-no and contradictory to the text). Novicehummingbird gardeners should cross-reference the plant names with nationaland regional gardening guides for photos and cultural information such assize and temperature tolerance.

Beautiful and Informative
This book has incredible photographs and gobs of information about these amazing creatures.It's an unabashed sales-job to get you to become a hummingbird gardener.(That's not a bad idea!) ... Read more

Product Description
A young chief who had been protected by a hummingbird is killed by his jealous uncle and then transformed into a quetzal, symbol of freedom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great!
This legend is a great way to start talking to students about the Mayan people of long ago.The illustrations are bright and interesting.The pictures could start a discussion!The message about a jealous uncle and a kings passing could be compared to the Lion King if you are comparing legends.

A great story for older kids
I bought this book for my Guatemalan born son and can't wait until he's old enough to read it to him. The illustrations are quite beautiful. It troubles me a bit that the story is violent with the evil uncle plotting against his nephew - but at the same time it's the same plot as the Lion King, only with a different ending. Nevertheless I would say this is a story for five-year olds and above.

The Hummingbird King:A Guatemalan Legend
This is a great book if you teach native american history and culture.Especially if you teach about native american tribes that existed in Mexico and Central America.The book does a great job of portraying Maya life/culture.It tells the story a Mayan prince who receives a visit froma sacred bird when he is born.The sacred bird leaves a feather as apresent for this newborn prince.From this day on the prince carries thefeather with him forgood luck and fortune.The feather protects him ofall evil or from being hurt, he is basically invincible.His people lovethis prince because he protects them.But there is a Mayan warrior who isjealous of the prince.His envy makes him steal this feather from theprince, the prince then dies in a battle.But the Mayan people stillbelieve that this prince protects over them in a mysterious way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beautiful
This book is awesome!If you love hummingbirds, you'll love this book!!!Hi gloss pages are *extra* nice.You'll like it.

I would like to locate a copy of this book..its wonderful.
I have been looking for a copy of this book for a very long time...its a wonderful book and very well illustrated. Would like information on how I may find a copy.

Old exquisite bird art reproduced with modern tech.
As many may know, John Gould(with the help of many) produced 418 hand coloured stone lithograph plates for his Monograph of the Hummingbirds which took 12 years to produce(1849-61). An original set sold recently for 1/4million dollars! At approx $100, this book gives a great deal of art bang for the buck! Albeit, the format is smaller and the exquisite hand coloring is lost to modern printing reproduction, it's a joy to own.Individual original plates are available at antique print shops($700-$2000 ea) and this book is your excellent reference for an contemplated purchase.

Beautiful book of fantastical hummingbirds, many now extinct
This is a beautiful coffee table book, filled with full-page illustrations of hummingbirds: some familiar, some fantastical, some, sadly, now extinct. Not just for hummingbird lovers. Anyone with an interest in nature will be delighted by some of these astonishingly wacky creatures. Each illustration is accompanied by a few concise paragraphs about the birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Beautiful, informative, affordable book
I had borrowed this book from the local library and, loving hummers anyway, was utterly enchanted with the photography and accompanying information about hummingbirds.What a delightful surprise to find it available so inexpensively on Amazon!I'm very pleased to own a copy that serves as both easy reference and a coffee table display item.

Fantastic Read!And Breathtaking Photographs Too!
This book is a must read for any naturalist.It provides the A to Z on hummingbirds.It's an excellent study guide for hummingbird lovers, students, and anyone else interested in these fascinating creatures.

Beautiful Book, Easy to Read, Terrific Pictures
Bought this to give as a gift and kept it myself. Easy to read, informative and the pictures are wonderful.A good book for the beginner!

fast read some of the very best pictures
Does not go into much detail but covers all areas of habits, feeding, mating, attracting, and some history.The pictures are delightful. ... Read more

Product Description
Reminiscent of nineteenth-century botanical prints, thefull-color illustrations in this small nature guide are miniaturewatercolors, as delightful to look at as they are accurate. With eachillustration the reader will find the polular and scientific names,size, range, and a concise description of the habitat or aninteresting bit of lore. Ideal for the backpacker or dayhiker, thebook fits handily in the pocket. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very nice pocket book
Excellent little field guide.Great writting and very nice art.Great for adults and children.

Good for both the beginning and the avid hummer-watcher!!
My grandmother had this book, which was a gift from my mother.A friend borrowed it and failed to return it, which almost broke my grandmother's heart!She really enjoys her hummers (averaging 25-30 on just twofeeders!), and refers to this book on a regular basis.It's full of factsthat everyone can enjoy.

informative, filled with terrific artwork & lots of facts
I wrote on my Backyard Habitats page that this is a wonderful little book, perfect for putting in your purse.It's as informative as it is artful.Gorgeous drawings and tons of info about all of the hummers found aroundthe USA ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Responding to the call of educators for easy-to-read nonfiction for younger students, each title in this series engages new readers in their own learning. A map activity, animal-body diagram, ... Read more

Product Description
"This book is . . . a romantic history of romantic collecting. It takes seriously, and by necessity shares, the tendency of romantic histories to dwell upon their own fragmentariness, on the impossibility of capturing an intact history. . . . It traces the particular ways in which objects stepped into the lives of romantic collectors, and also the ways in which the objects moved on."—from the Introduction

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the activity of collecting became democratized and popularized, allowing all kinds of people to become caught up in the collecting obsessions of the period: birds, books, Napoleonic relics, botanical specimens, Egyptiana, and fossils. Judith Pascoe invites readers to contemplate the ongoing allure of romantic collections.

Pascoe maintains that romanticism as a literary movement played a crucial supporting role in varied attempts by collectors of this era to fashion identities for themselves through collecting. She links the collecting craze during the romantic era with the subsequent fetishization of romantic poets and their possessions, revealing the extent to which an ongoing fascination with material objects—with Keats’s hair and Shelley’s guitar, for example—helped to produce an enduring image of these poets as spiritual emissaries of a less materialistic age. In language both witty and idiosyncratic, Pascoe makes the case that the romantic period stands out as a distinct moment in collecting history, a transition between the flourishing of the Renaissance wonder cabinet and the rise of the Victorian museum. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beautiful Book
Beautiful book, shipped very quickly. Was a gift for my grandmother and she loved it.

Scholarship that Sings
This book on collecting is itself a rare bird--a scholarly book so beautifully written one begins to think about the sentence itself as a material object.Provocative and artful, the book uses mosaic form to build its arguments.Of interest to general readers but also to scholars who wish to depart from the tired old forms. ... Read more