The Smell Of The Soil

Stories bring people to life, even the dead. They paint an indelible history. It's commendable to have an orderly and complete genealogy. It is the official family record, but it's only the bare bones. Stories put flesh on these people. "The Smell of the Soil" is both a montage of my stories (including a revealing account of why I danced naked in front of my mother) and an earnest plea that you write your family stories. My sincere hope is that my stories will jog memories of your stories. "Stories are for joining the past to the future," says author Tim O'Brien. "Stories are for those late hours in the night when you can't remember how you got from where you were to where you are. Stories are for eternity, when memory is erased, when there is nothing to remember except the story. That is a defining tribute to stories. It is compelling testimony why you should write yours. What could be more precious to preserve than the stories that comprise your family's life? What greater gift could you give to your family than a book of family stories? That's what I request, implore: that you write stories of zany Uncle Louie, sedate Aunt Daphne, cool cousin Corrine, those precocious grandchildren and all the characters in your life. You be the author. You can do it. I believe this book will help. -- Dale Kueter

Taste is the number one driving force in the decision to purchase a food product and food consumption is the most critical function for living organisms to obtain the energy and resources essential to their vitality. Flavor and aroma are therefore universally important concepts: intrinsic to human well-being and pleasure, and of huge significance for the multi-trillion dollar global food business. How Flavor Works: the Science of Taste and Aroma offers a fascinating and accessible primer on the concepts of flavor science for all who have an interest in food and related topics. Professionals and students of food science and technology who do not already specialize in flavor science will find it a valuable reference on a topic crucial to how consumers perceive and enjoy food products. In this regard, it will also be of interest to product developers, marketers and food processors. Other readers with a professional (eg culinary and food service) or personal interest in food will also find the book interesting as it provides a user-friendly account of the mechanisms of flavor and aroma which will provide new insights into their craft.

Jurassic, basalt, moraine, flint, alluvial, magma: what are these words and what do they have to do with wine? The answers are here in this book. They are geological terms that reflect a bond between wine and the land. Understanding geology, however, is tricky. Geological concepts are obscure; processes can be imperceptibly slow, invisible, and unimaginably ancient. The terminology is formidable, such that even the names of common rocks carry an air of mystery. Geology is introduced plainly, starting with basic principles, all in the context of wine. The emphasis is on the kinds of processes that shape vineyards, and on the minerals, rocks and soils that host the vines. Geological words now commonly seen in wine writings are systematically explained. You will learn the stories behind some of the names, the human face of geology. The book also explores how the geology-wine connection manifests in the finished product and evaluates its importance, particularly in the contexts of minerality, terroir, and wine taste. The fact is that geology is increasingly being promoted in the world of wine; the aim here is to help it be properly understood.

Audience: Students studying environmental science or participating in an Envirothon or Science Olympiad will find Know Soil, Know Life is an easily accessible resource. Undergraduate students in introductory ecology and environmental science classes will have a manageable soils textbook. Scientists in related disciplines wildlife, forestry, geology, hydrology, biology, zoology will enjoy this engaging introduction to soils.

The Study of Plants in a Whole New Light “Matt Candeias succeeds in evoking the wonder of plants with wit and wisdom.” ―James T. Costa, PhD, executive director, Highlands Biological Station and author of Darwin's Backyard #1 New Release in Nature & Ecology, Plants, Botany, Horticulture, Trees, Biological Sciences, and Nature Writing & Essays In his debut book, internationally-recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms. A botanist’s defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection. Using gardening, houseplants, and examples of plants around you, In Defense of Plants changes your relationship with the world from the comfort of your windowsill. The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. Inside, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plants as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms. In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you’ll find: • Fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism • Passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plant organisms • Personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants If you enjoyed books like The Botany of Desire, What a Plant Knows, or The Soul of an Octopus, then you’ll love In Defense of Plants.

Is there any difference between Mozart and rock music for a plant? After all, we know that plants cannot hear. They can perceive and choose frequencies that we cannot detect without their hearing organs, and they prefer Mozart or chants to rock music. They can lengthen and shorten their bodies, reduce their density by drilling holes, and even change their genes with music. It knows the owner who gives it water, gets stressed, falls in love, and favors its brother. They are in our subconscious. They read our thoughts and manage the animal kingdom as they please. Plants have amazing abilities. In the world of plants, there are wars and relationships that we do not realize and witness. The Aborigines, who are the protectors of the land and this planet, are preparing for the last day of the world or the first beginning by passing on their secrets, wisdom and culture from generation to generation. Think again before you touch, cut or pluck them. You didn't create them and you don't have the right to experiment on them. Only you can help them survive.