Threads From The Web Of Life

Creative, science-grounded stories about nature for the curious and imaginative of all ages.

Ecology, like all literary narrative, has the potential for turnabout, surprise, lessons learned, and tragedy. The stories in Threads from the Web of Life and The Shark and the Jellyfish describe protagonists, their competitors, and the habitats that provide the setting for their interaction—habitats that have become surprisingly complex with the passage of evolutionary time. One niche moves across a world of flowers that reaches its earliest peak bloom in the low valleys and then peaks later among the slopes of the foothills—a rolling habitat. Another hop-scotches across the ocean floor, compelling its occupants to migrate from the fallen body of one dead whale to the next. Yet another appears in the aftermath of typhoons, requiring its inhabitants to search the tropical coastline for the latest storm landfall. These tales are filled with no less intrigue than other literary works, but they transpire out of the sight of most readers. Once known only to ecologists, in Threads from the Web of Life and The Shark and the Jellyfish, available for the first time in a single deluxe paperback, these stories become accessible to everyone with an interest in natural history.

This book, the first to catalogue ecologically important insects by their roles, gives us an enlightening look at how insects work in ecosystems--what they do, how they live, and how they make life as we know it possible. Waldbauer combines anecdotes from entomological history with insights into the intimate workings of the natural world, describing the intriguing and sometimes amazing behavior of these tiny creatures. As entertaining as it is informative, this charmingly illustrated volume captures the full sweep of insects' integral place in the web of life.

"The best general-audience dinosaur book since the Dinosaur Renaissance began in the 1970s."—Philip J. Currie, coeditor of Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, from the foreword “Dinosaur Odyssey is not only a personable and highly accessible tour of the up-to-date discoveries about the gigantic and famous. It also builds on dinosaur paleontology to far-ranging topics like extinction, climate change, and the possibility of life on Mars. The gift to the reader is both fascination and enlightenment.”—Michael Novacek, author of Terra and Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs "An odyssey indeed! One of the world's leading dinosaur paleontologists, Sampson draws on a wide variety of sciences, from astronomy and cosmology to microbiology and ecology, in order to portray dinosaurs as living animals. The reader is in for a treat and will emerge with fresh and valuable insights."—Peter Dodson, author of The Horned Dinosaurs

Life is about relationships, good and bad.

Individualism may feel strong. In reality, it’s much weaker than when we stand together.

Much of the joy of life comes from the manner in which others touch our lives. Do you remember the last time someone touched your life with a word of encouragement? Your response may have been a smile or a sense of joy. Not all touches are like that. Some people touch our lives with pain through hurtful comments, insinuation, or even lies.

Solomon declared that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our conversations are a key contributor to the effects we have on one another. This book is an invitation to explore the impact of others on us and our influence on them. It takes courage to nurture others and accept their nurturing. Communication coupled with action is the key to growth when we’ve experienced God as the source of our spiritual lives in Christ.

“Glenn Taylor’s writing on the subject of healthy relationships is the outcome [of] a lifelong commitment to living fully into all aspects of life. As a result, this book has deep roots and a solid foundation. I commend it to you.”
—Dr. Rod Wilson, Vancouver, B.C.

“There is no substitute for a firsthand witness. This is as true today as it was for the Resurrection. This book is the direct result of a truly empathetic faithful witness… This is a must read for anyone who is involved in ministry, counseling, or leadership of any kind.”
—James Tughan, Canadian Artist, Oakville, Ontario

“I believe the chapter on the importance of the community of faith as a place for receiving love, nurture, and healing meets a critical need in our disconnected society.”
—Marvin Brubacher, Director of MentorLink Canada