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Customer Reviews (16)

Made for Each Other was made for us
My wife andabsolutely loved reading it and couldn't put it down.Best thing we've read since Michael Pollan's Botany of Desire!(a paradigm changing book about how plants have used US in their successful evolution).We zipped through Made for each other Sunday and Monday and were sorry at the end of it that there wasn't more to read.We tried to even read the footnotes.We're afraid we had to settle for your cover's quotes plus the acknowledgements and about the writer sections.

We found it very easy to read, enlightening, scholarly but not pedantic, believable but not full of excessive hype.We wish that more scientific theory and data were so readable.It's way better than those academic articles and scientific descriptions we usually plod through to find out what we want to know.Those articles reward us, but we wish they didn't make obfuscating the goal.

When my wife worked on Wall St, everyone tried to make financial data seem obtuse too.They like those smoke and mirror effects.It hides the very scant amount of clothes the emperor is wearing.

We love how Meg Olmert de-mystifies the mysterious!

I always knew my dog-love was more than just 'cute!'
This book is not a touchy-feely story of how much humans love their pets.No anecdotes about how Spot saved my life.Instead, this is a thoroughly researched, readable explanation of how humans evolved alongside of animals...watching them, then catching and using them, domesticating them.How our evolution was impacted by them.And how our biological systems are effected by them and vice versa. Completely compelling. I've given it as a gift to several friends with dogs.Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond (Merloyd Lawrence Books)

Exceeds expectations
I have read a number of books on human/animal relationships, none of them match the scope and clarity of Olmert's MADE FOR EACHOTHER. The book's lighthearted cover art betrays it's vast contents. This is not a cutesy,nostalgic tribute to pets; this is a serious scholarly inquiry that breaks down the human/animal bond on a molecular level. This book also presents afascinating history of the domestication of mammals. What you are in for is a engaging history that shows how oxytocin has shaped interspecies relationships. If you like science writers like E.O. Wilson, then you will be sure to appreciate Olmert's MADE FOR EACHOTHER.

Amazing Book!
I am an animal lover, have been around them most of my life -- cats, dogs, horses --and have found, during the rare periods when I didn't have at least one of the above, that my life was curiously empty and sort of gray.And now, I understand why.This is a compelling account of the history of animal/human interdependence, gracefully written, with lots of insights into both sides of the equation.Olmert writes very clearly, with plenty of detail, but is not forbiddingly technical.Lots and lots of insights, great stories -- just a wonderful book! It's a keeper!!

A good Book About Dogs
I like the book.I haven't read very much, but I learned a lot from what I have read.I am looking forward to finishing this book ... Read more

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Iowa State Univ., Ames. Textbook covers the fundamental process of growth from a systems viewpoint and at organ level. Discusses nutrition, genetics, and environment as contributing factors to growth. Also discusses man's relationship with animals . Covers origins of domestic animals, hormones, bone growth, and cellular development. For undergraduate and graduate students. ... Read more

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This book should be of interest to those interested in the physiology, biochemistry and general biology of animals. ... Read more

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This is a comprehensive account of all known types of animal eyes. Taking diversity of optical mechanisms as a framework, it also discusses aspects of structure and function of eyes, including visual ecology, design philosophy, properties of light critical to vision, factors in eye adaptation and capabilities of a wide variety of eye types. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

stinky, but informative
For some reason people often quote Darwin as being especially uncertain about whether the existence of the eye was a problem for his theory of evolution.But he actually spent some time analyzing how eyes could evolve.Here's what he said:

"Reason tells me, that if numerous gradations from a simple and imperfect eye to one complex and perfect can be shown to exist, each grade being useful to its possessor, as is certain the case; if further, the eye ever varies and the variations be inherited, as is likewise certainly the case; and if such variations should be useful to any animal under changing conditions of life, then the difficulty of believing that a perfect and complex eye could be formed by natural selection, should not be considered as subversive of the theory."

It turns out that he was right -- the current best estimate for the time to evolve a "camera" eye from a light-sensitive spot is about 500,000 years.Piece of cake.

Because eyes are relative easy to evolve, and because lighting conditions differ substantially across the planet, there is a great variety of eyes to be found and studied.That's what this fascinating book is about.The structure and function of eyes are determined by two main constraints:the ecological niche inhabited by the organism and, of course, optics.The main challenges are to capture enough light to enable the animal to see accurately and to focus the light so as to maximize resolution.Thus the balance between sensitivity and acuity will be determined by the environment in which the animal lives (and of course natural selection).It helps to know a bit about optics before tackling the book (or to be willing to look up the basics).

I have a somewhat unusual complaint about this book:It smells bad, apparently because of chemicals used in the production of the color plates inserted into the middle.Control experiments with other books failed to support the null hypothesis that the smell was coming from me or my immediate environment.

Fascinating variation across the animal kingdom

This book started with 'what makes a good eyeball' and went on to describe the amazingly different arrangements for vision with examples from animals like hawks, scallops, shrimp and cats. I wouldn't agree with a previous reviewer that the book is jargon-free, but I was richly rewarded for blowing past the unexplained biology words like 'phototaxis' or the optical calculations. The illustrations clearly explain the concepts.

This book is a rare find - fascinating throughout, it gave me a deeper understanding of the variety of solutions life will find.

Darwin's Scariest Problem: Origin of the Eyeball
This book is a treasure for anyone with an interest in the puzzle that fascinated and terrified Darwin:-the origins of such an exquisitely-designed and multi-purpose structure as the eye.

In succinct and accessible prose, supplemented by 130 superb graphics and 16 colour plates, these two genius-savants of the world of eyeballs share 60 years of acquired wisdom about the breathtaking diversity of eyes on our planet, where even today new kinds of optical arrangements are being discovered in the eyes of different creatures.

Both authors have made numerous discoveries of new kinds of eyes and came together professionally when they independently discoveredan image-forming system that uses mirrors instead lenses. In the book they share their extensive knowledge of eyes in a straight-talking and approachable waywithouttalking down to the reader,yet withoutusing specialist jargon. The clean graphics equal the text in weight and importance if one bears in mind the old adage about pictures being worth thousands of words, .......especially pictures like these, which cannot be drawn withouta perfect understanding of the optical world being illustrated. Even if one has little knowledge of optics, the clear diagrams enable one to grasp the essential details of the different eye designs. There are also "boxes" outside the main text for those who would like added details about lens systems and optical design.Engineers may be interested to discover that different animals independently "invented" most of the optical designs currently being used in man-made devices, and that some discoveries, such as the box-mirror design without lenses, have been successfully used in industry after being inspired by the discoveries in animals of these two biologists.

The book sets the diversity of optical design into an evolutionaryframeworkwhich helps to reduce the immensity of the puzzle with which Darwin originally grappled, while perhaps adding some new aspects. We still have some distance to go to understand the origins of many aspects of the diversity of eye design, particularly how multi-purpose eyes appeared that seem to combine, into the one design, all the specialized solutions seen in different animals . The book highlights such questions, and answers others, in a particularly clear way that may owe something to the authors' expertize with straight-tending paths of light.

The book is also very timely, given the vigorous current debate about the evolution of eyes and the possibility of a single "master gene" (pax6) thatinitiates the development of all kinds of eyes. This book is essential, fascinating reading for anyone interested in that debate if they are to be aware of the mind-boggling variety of eyes and optical systems involved. Even if that hot debate does not interest you, there is enormous satisfaction to be gained in contemplating these radically different solutions adopted by animals to image their worlds. ... Read more

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This book provides a clear foundation, based on physical biology and biomechanics, for understanding the underlying mechanisms by which animals have evolved to move in their physical environment. It integrates the biomechanics of animal movement with the physiology of animal energetics an the neural control of locomotion. The author also communicates a sense of the awe and fascination that comes from watching the grace, speed, and power of animals in motion. Movement is a fundamental distinguishing feature of animal life, and a variety of extremely effective mechanical and physiological designs have evolved. Common themes are observed for the ways in which animals successfully contend with the properties of a given physical environment across diversity of life forms and varying locomotor modes.Understanding the common principles of design that span a diverse array of animals requires a broad comparative and integrative approach to their study.This theme persists throughout the book, as various modes and mechanisms of animal locomotion are covered. Since an animal's size is equally critical to its functional design, the effects of scale on locomotor energetics and mechanics are also discussed. Biewener begins by examining the underlying machinery for movement: skeletal muscles used for force generation, skeletons used for force transmission, and spring-like elements used for energy savings.He then describes the basic mechanisms that animals have evolved to move over land, in and on the surface of the water, and in the air.Common fluid dynamic principles are discussed as background to both swimming and flight. In addition to discussing the locomotor mechanisms of complex animals, the locomotor movement of single cells is also covered.Common biochemical features of cellular metabolism are then reviewed before discussing the energetic aspects of various locomotor modes.Strategies for conserving energy and moving economically are again highlighted in this section of the book.Emphasis is placed on comparisons of energetic features across locomotor modes. The book concludes with a discussion of the neural control of animal locomotion.The basic neurosensory and motor elements common to vertebrates and arthropods are discussed, and features of sensori-motor organization and function are highlighted.These are then examined in the context of specific examples of how animals control the rhythmic patterns of limb and body movement that underlie locomotor function and stability. ... Read more

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Comprehensive and up-to-date, this book makes a useful reference devoted to companion animals. It provides underpinning principles and time-tested practical information for those preparing for careers related to the health and quality of life of all creatures–with special emphasis on companion animals. Chapter topics include choosing a dog or cat; companion birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, ferrets, and lagomorphs; medical records and case histories; feeding and nutrition; care, management, and training of dogs and cats; fitting, grooming, and showing; companion animal health; kennel/cattery design and management; career opportunities associated with companion animals; and trends/future of companion animals and related functions. For pet food manufacturers, pet stores, pet owners, pet breeders, and veterinary medical groups.

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This textbook is intended as a comprehensive introduction to the biology, care, and production of domestic animals and freshwater fish raised to provide food, as well as pets kept for companionship and recreation. The authors teaching and research experiences in agriculture, animal and dairy sciences, and veterinary medicine provide the professional expertise that underpins the clearly written discussions of advances in animal sciences affecting humans globally. Coverage includes breeds and life cycles of livestock and poultry; nutritional contributions of animal products to humans; the principles of animal genetics, anatomy, and physiology including reproduction, lactation, and growth; animal disease and public health; and insects and their biological control.Each chapter stands on its own. Instructors can assign higher priority to certain chapters and arrange topics for study in keeping with their preferred course outlines. The text has been classroom-tested for four decades in more than 100 colleges and universities at home and abroad. Additionally, it is pedagogically enhanced with glossary terms in boldface type, study questions at the end of each chapter, more than 350 illustrations, and historical and philosophical quotations. These useful features aid students in comprehending scientific concepts as well as enjoying the pleasures derived from learning more about food-producing animals, horses, and popular pets.TABLE OF CONTENTS:1. Animal Agriculture 2. Breeds and Life Cycles of Livestock and Poultry 3. Animal Products 4. Companion Animals 5. Horses 6. Aquaculture 7. State of Being of Domestic Animals 8. Fundamental Principles of Genetics 9. Principles of Selecting and Mating Farm Animals 10. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals 11. The Application of Endocrinology to Selected Animals and Humans 12. The Physiology of Growth and Senescence 13. Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction and Related Technologies in Farm Mammals 14. Artificial Insemination 15. Physiology of Lactation 16. Physiology of Egg Laying 17. Ecology and Environmental Physiology 18. Principles of Nutrition: Plant and Animal Composition 19. The Physiology of Digestion in Nutrition 20. The Nutritional Application of Vitamins to Human and Animal Health 21. The Nutritional Contributions of Minerals to Humans and Animals 22. Animal Disease and the Health of Humans 23. Selected Insects and Parasites of Significance to Humans and Animals 24. Ethology and Animal BehaviorAppendices: Common Terms or Names Applied to Selected Farm Animals Convenient Conversion Data Tables of Weights and Measures Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations in the United States and Its Territories Alphabetical List of Elements and Symbols / Glossary ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good
Another satisfied purchase.The book was in great condition and it saved me so much money going through Amazon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Resource
As a molecular biologist in Animal Health research, I have found this book to be invaluable.In fact, I frequently reference this book over the Field's Virology volumes because of the complete and up-to-date information supplied.I would recommend this book to anyone in the molecular virology field (actually, my background is in molecular bacteriology and this book helped me easily transition to virology).Invaluable! ... Read more

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It is widely accepted among conservation biologists that genetics is, more than ever, an essential and efficient tool for wild and captive population management and reserve design. However, a true synergy between population genetics and conservation biology is lacking. Following the first International Workshop on Population Genetics for Animal Conservation in 2003, the scientific committee felt that, given the global urgency of animal conservation, it was imperative that discussions at the conference were made accessible to graduate students and wildlife managers. This book integrates 'the analytical methods approach' with the 'real problems approach' in conservation genetics. Each chapter is an exhaustive review of one area of expertise, and a special effort has been made to explain the statistical tools available for the analysis of molecular data as clearly as possible. The result is a comprehensive volume of the state-of-the-art in conservation genetics, illustrating the power and utility of this synergy. ... Read more

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Instant Notes titles focus on core information and are designed to help undergraduate students come to grips with a subject quickly and easily.

Instant Notes in Animal Biology, Second Edition, is a student-friendly compendium of the essentials of animal biology. In four well-organized sections, the book reviews the Animal Kingdom, phylum by phylum; covers key coordinating principles; describes aspects of comparative physiology; and reviews reproductive physiology and developmental biology from birth through ageing. The new edition has been reviewed and updated and remains a concise, comprehensive overview of the field designed to provide accessible information in a format which is ideal for both ease of learning and rapid revision. ... Read more

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The world of science has never been so accessible to young readers! Science
Kids books offer a learning experience that kids, parents, and teachers are
sure to love. The lively and engaging text explains the basic principles of
favorite science subjects. Illustrations and stunning photography zoom in
on interesting details, and fun projects encourage further learning.

Investigate the exciting world of animal camouflage. Discover how
creatures blend in with their environment, mimicking leaves, stones,
and flowers, playing tricks on their predators, and even changing shape. ... Read more

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BIOLOGY is an authoritative majors textbook focusing on evolution as a unifying theme. Volume I covers Chemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics; Volume II covers Plant and Animal Biology; and Volume III covers Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology.

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Following the success of the first edition, this new edition has been expanded to include more information on small mammals, birds and fish. Intended as a foundation text for those on animal care, nurse auxiliary and veterinary care assistant courses, it introduces essential theoretical background information and clearly outlines the practical skills necessary when embarking on the care of any animal.

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In The Political Animal Stephen Clark investigates the political nature of the human animal. Based on biological science and traditional ethics, he probes into areas of inquiry that are usually ignored by traditional political theory. He suggests that properly informed political philosophy must take the role of women and children more seriously, and must be prepared to face up to the ethnocentric and domineering tendencies of the human animal. ... Read more

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This zoology text presents coverage of animal form, function, diversity and evolution. In this sixth edition, the cladistic perspective (phylogenetics systematics) has been added to the discussion of animal phyla, and cladograms of the relationships are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Disappointed
I waited about 4 weeks only to receive a book with the incorrect edition and that appears to be taken off the shelves of a dusty basement. I requested the 7th edition, but I was given the 4th. Thank God my professor still acknowledges this book. I would return this text; however, I'm well in the 8th week of college. My faith in buying books online has been diminished.

great book for learningbasic biological systems
I used this book in a zoology course freshman year; however, it is still an active reference for overview in many of my upper biology couse. I would suggest it for anyone wanting a starting point in the biological sciences. ... Read more