Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the orange glow that arrives before sunset, or why we flock to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Is there a reason that people -- regardless of gender, age, culture, or ethnicity -- are mesmerized by baby animals, and can't help but smile when they see a burst of confetti or a cluster of colorful balloons? We are often made to feel that the physical world has little or no impact on our inner joy. Increasingly,...

Why did Eurasians conquer, displace, or decimate Native Americans, Australians, and Africans, instead of the reverse? In this groundbreaking book, evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond stunningly dismantles racially based theories of human history by revealing the environmental factors actually responsible for history's broadest patterns. Here, at last, is a world history that really is a history of all the world's peoples, a unified narrative of human...

"Evolution isn't just a thing of the past. It is happening right now, in every species across the world-and our influence on the future of the plants and animals around us is much bigger than we might think. A closer look at the science behind evolution shows how human behaviors like hunting, farming, and urban development have contributed to major physical changes in everything from rhinos to pigs to lizards. And these changes impact us in turn-triggering...

"With spare prose and evocative paintings ... implores readers to think more deeply about what our only planet is telling us, ultimately asking--what do you want Earth to feel? This compelling narrative follows the planet's relationship with humans and engages with themes around empathy and environmentalism; a perfect book to spark conversations and inspire a new generation of young leaders"--

Unfolding in a series of mythic vignettes, this late work by Akira Kurosawa brings eight of the beloved director's own nighttime visions, informed by tales from Japanese folklore, to cinematic life.

"In an era of cell phone addiction and ever-expanding cities, many of us fear we've lost our connection to nature--but Peter Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the forest remain alive and intact. Whether we observe it or not, our blood pressure stabilizes near trees, the color green calms us, and the forest sharpens our senses. Drawing on new scientific discoveries, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans...

"From rural Alaska to coastal Florida, a vivid account of Americans working to protect the places they call home in an era of climate crisis"--

"Now more than ever before, we know that having access to natural, green spaces is vital to our mental and physical well-being. But, as urban development spreads, gray has become the new green. Already, concrete outweighs every tree, bush, and shrub on Earth. Nature deprevation is a fast-growing epidemic, harming the health and happiness of hundreds of millions of people worldwide--especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. ...Ellen brings...

"How amazing is the home we all share, planet Earth! It's home to millions and billions of animals and plants, but have you ever wondered how everything is connected? In Precious Planet, learn all about our home that was formed almost 4.6 billion years ago-- the earth's crust, the continents we live on, and the oceans in between--and dive into the planet's fascinating geography. One of the most important parts of living in a home that you love is...