Jumbo: This Being the True Story of the Greatest Elephant in the World

Science & Math

Paul Chambers

Biological Sciences

Andre Deutsch Ltd.

A magical blend of true story and popular science, "Jumbo" is the wonderful, colourful biography of the greatest elephant ever known. Born in Africa in 1863, Jumbo was orphaned by ivory-hunters, 'rescued' and taken to France. Mistaken for a runt, he was sold to London Zoo, where he became the favourite of the British populace, from Queen Victoria to the young Winston Churchill - until, talent-spotted by the American circus-owner P.T. Barnum, and despite public outcry and Royal protestations, he was taken across the Atlantic to New York. There, having once more conquered public hearts and now a beast of giant proportions, he 'befriended' a smaller elephant, Tom Thumb - in saving whose life he was to meet a tragic end.This book not only unravels the story, but also looks at Jumbo from a zoologist's point of view. Why was he thought to be a runt? What helped or hindered him in adapting to unfamiliar surroundings from one hemisphere to the other? How was he likely to have reacted to the overwhelming public attention - and to isolation from his natural habitat? The author draws illuminatingly on modern knowledge of elephant behaviour and biology to shed light on the mysteries surrounding Jumbo's life.

Jumbo: The Greatest Elephant in the World

Biographies & Memoirs

Andr Deutsch

The most exciting view of prehistoric life.  "Comprehensive, illustrated encyclopedia to prehistoric animals... lifelike detail... this easily readable book should appeal to dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages." -Science News

The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life

Tim Haines

Earth Sciences

The famous the infamous and the supernatural. dw, 1998, 224pp

PARANORMAL PEOPLE

Blandford

Just when the fuss over Darwin's Origin of Species was getting really heated, an extraordinary fossil was found in Germany. Apparently, half bird, half reptile, it was christened Archaeopteryx and hailed as the missing link which proved that species could change as Darwin had claimed. The reaction was furious and immediate and has remained so to the present day.;Since its discovery the Archaeopteryx has caused more trouble than any other scientific icon. It has been used not just to support dozens of differing views on evolution but to start feuds, destroy reputations, further personal ambition and promote nationalism.;Bones of Contention tells a story not just about a fossil but about the lengths to which people will go to prove themselves right. Sometimes the consequences are funny, often they are disastrous or tragic, but they are never dull. This is the first book to look not only at the life and times of Archaeopteryx but also at the chaotic scientific world into which it emerged.From Victorian bravado to modern-day media, the meaning and relevance of this humble fossil have changed continually with the times, holiding up a mirror to ideals of science, and attitudes to natural history and the material world. It offers a rare insight into the way scientists can really behave in public and behind closed doors.

Bones of Contention: The Archaeopteryx Scandals

John Murray

Paul Chambers's Bones of Contention recounts the story of the famous "bird-reptile" Archaeopteryx and the scientists who have spent the past 140 years arguing over it. Chambers deals particularly well with the human characters lurking behind Archaeopteryx's enigmatic feathers, a contrast with Pat Shipman's excellent 1998 book Taking Wing, which is scientifically more absorbing. The controversy surrounding the nature, origin and meaning of this animal began soon after the first specimen was discovered in 1861. Although not all of its reptilian characteristics were evident, eventually it became clear that this feathered "bird" had a long bony tail and tooth-lined jaws. Here was a chimera that seemed to support Darwin's notion that one type of creature could evolve into another, a "missing link" between birds and their reptilian ancestors

Bones of Contention : The Archaeopteryx Scandals

Politics & Social Sciences

Archaeology

TRAFALGAR SQUARE +

Genealogy has seen a phenomenal rise in popularity over the last decade. It constitutes the second most common use of the internet and local and family history societies are recording their highest membership totals ever. With its strong appeal to the sense of continuity, of personal and social identity and its ease of application to the information revolution, genealogy looks set to become the nation's favourite productive pastime. Many people consider themselves lucky to be able to trace their ancestors for more than a few generations back in time. However, as genealogical information becomes more organised and accessible, an increasing number of people find that they are able to go back not just a few generations but back to Tudor times and earlier. Until now there has been nothing to help the amateur genealogist research records before 1600 AD. Yet there is an enormous wealth of information from earlier than this just waiting to be accessed. Medieval Genealogy provides a clear and comprehensive account to the records available and the techniques needed to find and understand them. obvious gap in the genealogists' library

Medieval Genealogy

Reference

Genealogy

Sutton Publishing+ltd

Exam Board: SQA Level: National 5 Subject: Physics First Teaching: September 2017 First Exam: Summer 2018 Fully updated to account for the removal of Unit Assessments and the changes to the National 5 exam, this book contains all the advice and support you need to revise successfully. It combines an overview of the course syllabus with advice from top experts on how to improve exam performance, so you have the best chance of success. - Refresh your knowledge with complete course notes - Prepare for the exam with top tips and hints on revision technique - Get your best grade with advice on how to gain those vital extra marks

How To Pass National 5 Physics 2nd Ed

Hugh McGill

Hodder Gibson

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Books by Paul Chambers