3 comments about The Last Panda.

1. It's now known -- after a comprehensive Chinese-U.S. panda census carried out between 2001 and 2003/2004 -- that there are over 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. The previous, oft-quoted estimate of "fewer than 1,000" was way too low. The benefit of hindsight on the part of a recent reader of this book, by naturalist George Schaller, makes this book less than believable. Schaller spends much time criticizing the Chinese government as well as Western governments for what he perceives to be ignorance and apathy toward the "plight" of the giant panda. But, one must ask, if he had indeed spent more time researching pandas instead of writing numerous books -- seriously, no matter how smart you are, the amount of waking hours, and working hours, you have are always limited, not to mention the amount of time one must expend in order to travel to the remote areas Schaller has -- Schaller should have known, or found out, that 1) there were more pandas out there in the wild, and 2) several Chinese research institutions, including Wolong Nature Reserve, had already made ground-breaking discoveries in captive breeding by the time this paranoid book was published.
   
   Granted, Schaller seems to have felt a great deal for the giant panda. I don't doubt his sincerety. But by bluntly criticizing others -- and forgetting that conservation takes a lot of money, money to protect the animals, money to research into the animals, and money to help locals escape poverty without resorting to poaching and logging -- he trivializes the amount of effort needed to preserve the panda or any other endangered species. His blindness to what officials in China and in the West, including those at the WWF (where he now works), had already been doing is simply disheartening and misinforming.



2. This book left me with a feeling one has after seeing a very moving film--sad, but reflective and motivated. I'll think about this book and any global conservation partnership differently now. The Last Panda gives equal time to the ecology and lives of wild pandas, but also to the difficulties of forging an international conservation project between Western and Eastern cultures, in this case the WWF and the Chinese government. Bureacratic apathy, even malfeasance, differing ideas of what constitutes "research" and even sad grasps at publicity using pandas as pawns disrupt and ultimately damage the precious few pandas in the study. Schaller's droll voice lends a small bit of humor to what must have been an extreme challenge in self-control when dealing with the friction between involved parties. This is not an uplifting success story, but almost rather a story of candid warning of the realities of forging global partnerships in any realm. Ultimately, concerned citizens, researchers, NGOs and governments have to remember why we're all involved: not for personal glory or public relations, but to save the endangered animal.



3. In this book, George Schaller depicts the giant panda of China not only as a "cute" and lovable creature, but that it is also in a struggle to overcome extinction. I enjoyed reading this book because George Schaller writes down his most inner thoughts and feelings regarding the panda project in China. He does not hold anything back from the reader. From reading this book, I learned about the plight of the panda that other books have failed to mention.

2 comments about The Pomeranian (Terra Nova Series).

1. I am a very detail-oriented person, and this book answered all of my questions and some I wouldn't have known to have! I feel well-prepared for my new pom and am confident I can make informed decisions about the health, safety, and happiness of my pup. The pictures are wonderful too - I'm sure this book would already be dog-eared (no pun intended) if it wasn't a hardcover!



2. This is a very good book and covers the POM subject very well. This book is excellent and is a very good buy.

1 comments about The Lhasa Apso: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. When I bought my Lhasa Apso, this book kept me from freaking out! It does an excellent job of explaining the breed and all the challenges (and joys!) of owning one of these wonderful dogs. I use this book as my Lhasa "Bible" and it has helped me raise a healthy and very happy little puppy!

3 comments about 101 Eventing Tips: Essentials for Combined Training and Horse Trials (101 Tips).

1. This a good book for anyone who is trying to start up in the eventing. However, it offers only basic advice (101 tips) and it is definitely not for a professional rider, or for one who is familiar with the world of 3-day eventing showing. There is not much practical advice of solving actual problems that a competitor may encounter, nor are schooling exercises presented...



2. I absolutely loved this book. Exactly as titled it is the essential tips of dressage, showjumping and cross country from one of the most highly respected eventers of all time. A quick read that you can go back to over and over for a brush up prior to your competitions or whenever you have a problem and need to get back on track, it is written with Jim's trademark sense of humor. Riding is all about great basic skills and this book covers the bases perfectly.



3. It is a well known fact that James Wofford is one of the best instructors of our time and a superior rider. That being said, don't expect an advanced treatise on Eventing from "101 Eventing Tips". The majority of the tips are basic at best, often downright obvious (eg: "Follow the Rules"). That is not to say this book doesn't have its place or wouldn't be valuable to many riders, but with most tips only a couple paragraphs in length, there is little depth to the material.
   
   I have never read anything from the "101 Tips" series, and was hoping to find some technical advise on difficult Eventing "questions" (especially in Cross Country, the discipline unique to Eventing), or suggestions for improving my show-day performance which can only be learned after years of experience. While there were some very helpful tips, I would say by and large most of the information is fairly obvious to anyone who has Evented before, or perhaps even just shown before.
   
   I do believe that this book would be valuable to the right rider: a beginner to horses who is thinking about taking up Eventing might find these tips invaluable. However, for the experienced (even mildly so) rider, I would recommend you take your money elsewhere (for example, Mr. Wofford also has an EXCELLENT book on gymnastic exercises).
   
   I was also surprised to discover this book is undersized (I had envisioned a large book from the picture, but it is actually only about 4 or 5 inches long at the spine), and has no color pictures. I was able to read it in less than 2 hours (it may have been even quicker than that, as I was reading it while doing other things). To summarize, this book would be helpful for the beginner interested in Eventing, but don't expect anything truly life-altering. If you have been Eventing before, this book will probably not give you "that edge" that you're looking for. For the intermediate to advanced rider, you will get only paltry value from this book and may be better served looking elsewhere.

2 comments about Bullmastiff (Comprehensive Owners Guide).

1. This book is very useful for first time bullmastiff owners. I would recommend it to anyone who plans to buy or just wants to learn about bullmastiffs.



2. the author has a good approach on every topic... many good information about this wonderful and rare breed... to be perfect it could only have a little more topics about training ....

1 comments about Retriever Training Drills for Marking.

1. This book and it's companion (Blind drills) are my favorite retriever training books for the intermediate to advanced retriever. The books include endless drills to improve your dog's performance. With all these different drills, each training session can be unique and such keeps the trainer and the dog from getting bored.

   Further, I have read nearly every retriever training book out there, and I think that Mr. Spencer's writing style is bar none the best.

No comments about The Idea of Race (Hackett Publishing Co.).

4 comments about Dachshunds: Lightweights Littermates.

1. I purchased French Bulldogs: Lightweights Littermates and Dachshunds: Lightweights Littermates together, as gifts... I flipped through them prior to sending them off to their final recipient and was pleased to find that the photography and composition was appealing to my tastes. Sharon Montrose's composition skill is what sets these photos out from the rest. I like the bold imagery. And having tried to take pictures of my own pets, I know it's a VERY tough experience to have them pose... they're curious little creatures. My 1-star off of the review is pretty much for repetitiveness; the concept is fresh to begin with, but it gets boring, real fast.



2. I have always loved dachshunds and owned a couple. It is a race you can get addicted on: loads of personality and energy and the funny shape - despite which they are really highly mobile and athletic and strong and brave - and cleverness that can baffle humans. I found this book by accident, opened it - of course - and adored it. There are litters of dachshund puppies, mostly 4-5 weeks old, together and then on individual portraits, each of the puppies on a scale, their name and weight written on the page. And that's all. The scales are of different types and puppies come in smooth- and long-haired variations and several colours, all of them are cute and clearly have their own personality already. Just watch these coy, mischievous, sulking, endearing faces and their round little bums, short legs and long ears! You need to get a living dachshund puppy after these pictures - but watch out: I can tell you from personal experience that a 2-month-old dachshund puppy can wear down two young, healthy, highly fit retrievers and still bounce around yapping "What are you lying there for? I just got started!! Get up and play!!!"



3. Love the adorable pictures! I have had dachshunds my whole life, and these pictures capture just how precious they are, especially as puppies. I would highly recommend this book if you are a dachsie lover!



4. Ok.. i dont need to say much for this adorable cute book!
   This book has everything!!! high quality book, great photographs, bright color backgrounds make the book alive! and of course, Dachahund puppies! The photographs are very well taken and trust me!!! you can hear the puppies's "sigh...." , you want to jump into the book and give them kissy and smoochies their bellies......and you can smell puppies's breath!!!!!! at least i do.... great book for all dachshund lovers out there!! worth every penny!

3 comments about PupSnacks.

1. While I am having a bit of difficulty finding the type of flour called for, I love the recipes and plan to use them soon. Especially the "pupcicles" -- it gets hot in Texas and my hounds will LOVE them!



2. This is a really fun book to make healthy snacks for your pup. Very creative and yet easy to make recipes.
   Bow Wow - Misty likes it too!



3. When I was a kid in the 60's, they came out with the Betty Crocker Cookbook for kids. It wasn't a cookbook that taught kids how to cook, but rather a cookbook that had the most amazing recipes for children's parties like clown cupcakes, a Maypole cake, a heart cake, and even a soldier cake. LOL These seem so standard now, but once upon a time these recipes rocked the world of birthday parties for children.
   
   "Pupsnacks" reminded me of that first unique Betty Crocker book because it takes dog snacks COMPLETELY to another level! It is AWESOME. There are about 35 glossy and amazing recipes to make for your dog, as well as short sections on the basics of canine nutrition and dogs on a special diet, etc.
   
   Some of the yummy treats include: Catty-cakes (cupcakes with tasty peanut butter and banana and a cute cat decorated on top); turkey and cheese muffins; apple and cinnamon lollipops; liver bait fudge; fruity furrballs and more.
   
   The pictures are TERRIFIC and feature the cutest pictures of dogs as they wait for a particular treat. I would venture to say that the pictures are the BEST of ANY dog cookbook (and I actually have a few). Heck - I'll go out on a limb....this is the BEST dog cookbook that I've ever seen. Plus the recipes are really, really great. (Not your standard ho-hum type.)
   
   If your dog has been good - a great gift for Christmas. Plus - with all the scare of pet products, not a bad idea to cook for your pet!

4 comments about These Were Our Dogs.

1. These Were Our Dogs is a lifelong treasure to have or to give. Not only is the remarkable collection of photos of dogs and their companions beautiful but so is the book itself with all its carefully chosen details. That perfection of content and presentation was also true for Libby Hall's previous books, Prince and Others, Prince II, and Postcard Dogs.
   
   Some of the Photos have a known connection to human history. princesses, writers soldiers actors,
   while others invite you into their presence to wonder about their lives. Each time I look through These Were Our Dogs I find a treat I had overlooked the last time.



2. This is the culmination of several books Libby Hall has done of dog photographs and there is no doubt this is the pinacle. She saved her best photos for last. This book is bond well. The photographs are magnificently reproduced. Another book from a highly distinguished publisher and an author whose love of dogs and artistic eye are unmatched by any other dog book currently on the market. This has place of pride in my library.



3. I completely concur with the previous reviewer. This is a beautiful, thoughtful, carefully put together and highly enjoyable book. The photographs provide a window into the world of our grandparents, be they kings or carpenters, and their warm involvement with our dear dog friends. The book would be an exquisite gift for yourself or others. Libby Hall is the queen of the genre of historical dog imagery! The best!



4. Libby Hall's books always move this reader. This newest book of portraits of dogs (and their people) is no exception. The author, herself a photographer, has dipped into her large collection and shared her most favorite images. The book is exquisite for so many reasons: the book itself is lovely to look at and to hold; the photographic reproduction is high quality; its choice of photos and their positioning is evidently deliberate; photos come from several countries, showing dogs in many situations, from running quite wildly to sitting docilely; and the obvious relationship between the canines and their human companions is intense and moving. As is so often true, some dogs and their masters/mistresses look alike, especially in the eyes. The cover photo is a good example. I was glad to see that some humans were actually smiling in these early photographs. Of course, many of the dogs are smiling, but a century or longer ago, humans often didn't smile while being photographed- and being in the presence of their canine friends obviously budged them out of their rigid solemnity. This is a gorgeous, meaningful book - it would be a wonderful gift for any dog lover, any lover of old photographs, or anyone who loves animals, in general, and realizes their importance in our lives.