New Releases

In this extraordinary follow-up to the critically acclaimed The Lucifer Principle, Howard Bloom—one of today's preeminent thinkers—offers us a bold rewrite of the evolutionary saga. He shows how plants and animals (including humans) have evolved together as components of a worldwide learning machine. He describes the network of life on Earth as one that is, in fact, a "complex adaptive system," a global brain in which each of us plays a sometimes conscious, sometimes unknowing role, and he reveals that the World Wide Web is just the latest step in the development of this brain. 

These are theories as important as they are radical. Informed by twenty years of interdisciplinary research, Bloom takes us on a spellbinding journey back to the big bang to let us see how its fires forged primordial sociality. As he brings us back via surprising routes, we see how our earliest bacterial ancestors built multitrillion-member research and development teams a full 3.5 billion years ago. We watch him unravel the previously unrecognized strands of interconnectedness woven by crowds of trilobites, hunting packs of dinosaurs, feathered flying lizards gathered in flocks, troops of baboons making communal decisions, and adventurous tribes of protohumans spreading across continents but still linked by primitive forms of information networking. We soon find ourselves reconsidering our place in the world. 

Along the way, Bloom offers us exhilarating insights into the strange tricks of body and mind that have organized a variety of life forms: spiny lobsters, which, during the Paleozoic age, participated in communal marching rituals; and bees, which, during the age of dinosaurs, conducted collective brainwork. This fascinating tour continues on to the sometimes brutal subculture wars that have spurred the growth of human civilization since the Stone Age. Bloom shows us how culture shapes our infant brains, immersing us in a matrix of truth and mass delusion that we think of as reality.
Global Brain is more than just a brilliantly original contribution to the ongoing debate on the inner workings of evolution. It is a "grand vision," says the eminent evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson, a work that transforms our very view of who we are and why.

Golden Retriever: All That Glitters gives potential new owners, new converts and veteran Golden lovers all they need to know about this ultimate companion. There are chapters on buying a dog, grooming, training, understanding the breed standard, breeding, health concerns and more. Dog shows, hunting and obedience competitions and all the activities Goldens can participate in are discussed. 

When the Beatles touched down in New York on February 7, 1964 for their first visit to America, they brought with them a sound that hadn't been heard before. By the time they returned to England two weeks later, major changes in music, fashion, the record industry, and the image of an entire generation had been set into motion.

Coming less than three months after the assassination of President Kennedy, the Beatles' visit helped rouse the country out of mourning. A breathless and condescending media concentrated on the band's hairstyles and their adoring fans, but their enduring importance lay in their music, their wit, and style, a disconnect that signaled the beginning of the generation gap.

In this intriguing cultural history, Martin Goldsmith examines how and why the Beatles struck such a lasting chord.

Since the initial publication, coauthor Sarah Hodgson has become the media's favorite puppy expert—a dog trainer who writes for The New York Times, appears on the Rosie O'Donnell Show,"" the ""Today Show,"" and other programs, and even helped Katie Couric choose a puppy.""

In The New Complete Portuguese Water Dog, author Kathryn Braund salutes the dogs in the limelight and also discusses the essentials of puppy and adult care, health issues, breeding, grooming, training for Obedience, Agility and Water Trials and gives fascinating insights into the "Portie" in other countries. In every way this exciting, new edition is a "must have" for every owner and admirer of this distinctive breed.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Known for its hunting skills and endless energy, the Jack Russell Terrier is absolutely a breed apart. In addition to discussion of the breed's development and working history, this book will serve as a new owner's reference, with guidance on care, feeding and training the companion dog.

You'll rethink banishing Rex to the basement after you've spent a few minutes with Bad Dog! True Tales of Trouble Only a Best Friend Can Get Away With. This hilarious compendium of stories, shared by the offenders themselves, is guaranteed to make readers laugh out loud. Bad Dog features the best of the Bad Dog Chronicles, a Web site created in 1996 for canine Webmasters. Dogs on the net tell of their proudest momentsofrom trashing furniture, stealing steaks and ireadjustingi the plumbing. Every dog lover will relate to the writers' well-earned pride in their accomplishments, and the damages incurred. The book's tear-out card lets you vote for your favorite bad dog, with prizes for the voters who win the contest.
Doug Brown's Web site, Baddogs.com, grew out of his posting the story of his own bad dog. The site has become a smash with Web Interactive, Websight Magazine, Yahoo Internet Life Magazine, and many others. Mr. Brown has selected the very best of Baddogs.com for Howell.

There are chapters on the breed's true nature, essential aspects of living with and caring for the breed and an insightful evaluation of the official Standard. There are chapters on performance, on training sled dogs and a special chapter on the Iditarod from a Siberian Husky lover who accepted its challenge. If Siberian Huskies are an important part of your life, this book belongs in your library.
Howell Best of Breed Library

"A splendid introduction to geology and paleontology for the lay reader. To compress Earth's history into a single, lucidly written volume is a major achievement." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Few people have both the knowledge and the writing ability to capture such a long and varied history in a compelling manner. In A Short History of Planet Earth, J.D. Macdougal demonstrates that he is one of the few." —Earth

This exhilarating survey of the four and half billion years of Earth's history charts both the geological and biological history of the planet. It moves from the origin of the earth's iron core to the formation of today's seven continents, and from the primordial building blocks of life to the evolution of the human form.

• feeding
• housing
• grooming
• health care
• what to expect from the pet
• basic training

In addition, owners of more unusual pets will particularly appreciate the expert advice in these books because professional care for their animals may be difficult to come by. As always, the instruction is from experts—people who know their pet intimately, but also remember what it was like to have one for the first time. Happy, Healthy Pet guides are rich with professional quality color photos and are designed to be enjoyable and easy to learn from.

Covering a wide range of knowledge, The New York Public Library African American Desk Reference is a magnificent resource for home, family, and business, and an essential addition to your personal reference library.

In over 5,000 fascinating information capsules, this landmark reference captures the most vital people, places, organizations, movements, and creative works of a people, and provides a practical resource for everyday living. In its nineteen chapters, you'll find:

• Timelines of African American History
• Political and Civil Rights Leaders
• African Contributions to the Making of the Americas
• Holidays and Celebrations
• Museums and Historical Sites
• Religion and Spirituality
• Health Tips and Recipes
• Business Contacts and Professional Associations
• Demographics and Population
• Major Writers, Artists, and Musicians
• Musical Forms
• Sports
• and more

"This book will give anyone interested in the spectrum of core meditative practices stemming from the Buddhist tradition but in essence universal the deepest of perspectives on what is possible for us as human beings as well as excellent guidance in the essential, time-tested attitudes and practices for actualizing our innate capacity for wisdom, compassion, and well-being, right here and right now."
—Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Coming to Our Senses and Full Catastrophe Living

"In Genuine Happiness, Alan Wallace displays his rare talent in boiling down the complex to the clear and in guiding readers through a practical path to contentment. A gift for all moods and seasons."
—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

"This lucid and rich book offers brillant, wise, and accessible teachings on the essentials of four core meditation techniques that lead one to genuine joy and happiness. Alan Wallace's years of practice and teaching shine through every page, as with ease and great humanity, he brings to the reader the possibility of liberation."
—Joan Halifax Roshi, abbot of Upaya Zen Center

"Genuine Happiness is a treasure chest of wisdom: clear, inspiring teaching jewels. It is an excellent support for any student of meditation."
—Sharon Salzberg, author of Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience

In today's overstimulated world, many are realizing that happiness gained through material wealth and frivolous conquests is short-lived. To achieve long-term happiness, you must access your own bountiful resources—housed in your heart and mind. In Genuine Happiness, longtime Buddhist practitioner Alan Wallace shows you the path to bliss.

Drawing on more than three decades of study under His Holiness the Dalai Lama and sixty other teachers, as well as 2,500 years of Buddhist tradition, Alan Wallace guides you step by step through five simple yet powerful meditations to help you focus your mind and open your heart to true happiness. Featuring a Foreword by the Dalai Lama, this book will help you discover that it is possible to experience genuine happiness every day.

As you incorporate the meditations from Genuine Happiness into your life, you will discover that the joy you've sought has always been only a few meditative minutes away.

““The Accelerating Universe” is not only an informative book about modern cosmology. It is rich storytelling and, above all, a celebration of the human mind in its quest for beauty in all things.”
--Alan Lightman, author of Einstein's Dreams

“This is a wonderfully lucid account of the extraordinary discoveries that have made the last years a golden period for observational cosmology. But Mario Livio has not only given the reader one clear explanation after another of what astronomers are up to, he has used them to construct a provocative argument for the importance of aesthetics in the development of science and for the inseparability of science, art, and culture.”
--Lee Smolin, author of “The Life of the Cosmos”

“What a pleasure to read! An exciting, simple account of the universe revealed by modern astronomy. Beautifully written, clearly presented, informed by scientific and philosophical insights.”
--John Bahcall, Institute for Advanced Study

“A book with charm, beauty, elegance, and importance. As authoritative a journey as can be taken through modern cosmology.”
--Allan Sandage, Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington

At last, a book for cat owners that emphasizes total care and companionship and addresses the special needs of longhaired cats!

The Longhaired Cat: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet includes a description and beautiful color photo of each longhaired breed, information on how and where to choose your cat, sound advice on how to keep your cat healthy, insight into your cat's behavior, and much more.

The Longhaired Cat: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet is full of easy-to-reference sidebars on everything from what to put in your cat's first aid kit to old-world legends about cat history. Whether you're a new cat owner with questions about bringing home your new pet, or a long-time cat lover facing new feline dilemmas, this book will provide you with the answers you need.

At last, a book about your pet that emphasizes total care, training, and companionship! You'll not only learn about the species-specific traits of your special pet, you'll also learn what the world's like from your pet's perspective; how to feed, groom, and keep your pet healthy; and how to enjoy your pet through training and activities you can do together.

The Shetland Sheepdog is written by a breed expert and includes a special chapter on training by Dr. Ian Dunbar, internationally renowned animal behaviorist, and chapters on getting active with your dog by long-time Dog Fancy magazine columnist Bardi McLennan.

Best of all, the book is filled with info-packed sidebars and fun facts to make caring for your pet easy and enjoyable.

The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming For All Breeds presents the broad repertoire of the dog groomer's art for the pleasure and enlightenment of every reader. Comprehensive and comprehensible, this is the widest-ranging work ever on canine beauty culture. Here is the history and development of dog grooming from the beginning to its present sophisticated state. Here are the Basics and the Tricks of the Trade the little secrets that make the big difference in the finished product.

The Stone Guide to Dog Grooming For All Breeds includes grooming instruction for all 125 AKC recognized breeds, mixed breeds and even cats! There are chapters on equipment, setting up a shop and developing a thriving grooming business. This reliable guidance shows how to get the most out of a grooming business and avoid the pitfalls at the same time. Dozens of Specialty clubs have contributed show grooming sections for their breeds, and hundreds of to-the-point photos, drawings and charts show what the authors say as they say it.

The graphic value of the Stone Guide fully matches the expert text. Whether you are an established groomer, a grooming student, an owner who wants to groom the family dog or a hobbyist seeking information on the professional side of dog grooming, you'll find the Stone Guide a constant, indispensable reference for every question you'll ever have on the subject.

If you breed dogs for any reason, you must own this book. Genetic diseases are among the most serious hazards on the landscape of modern dog breeding and one of the most vexing challenges facing today's dog breeders. Is it appropriate to open the gene pool to unwanted conditions in the pursuit of physical perfection, or must breeding to the Standard take a back seat to producing healthy animals?

In Control of Canine Genetic Diseases, renowned authority George A. Padgett, DVM, provides an expert road map to help dog breeders everywhere avoid the pitfalls they are almost destined to encounter. For anyone whose goal is to produce healthy, functional and beautiful dogs, this is the book they need. Dr. Padgett provides clear explanations of modes of inheritance, how to conduct and analyze test matings and how to lower the chances of producing affected animals. Numerous tables, diagrams and graphs further enhance the text to facilitate the breeder's understanding.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction