At a time when ecological issues are prominent in religious and social discourse, this perfectly timed volume expresses a broad range of insights and opinions on ecology and the relationship between Christianity and the natural world. Topics are not limited to traditional environmental issues, but instead feature a variety of academic disciplines and experiences to dwell on "wildernesses" that are sometimes dangerous, sometimes sanctuaries, and often the source of graced encounter. (Publisher).

Birds were “the objects of my greatest delight,” wrote John James Audubon (1785–1851), founder of modern ornithology and one of the world’s greatest bird painters. His masterpiece, The Birds of America depicts almost five hundred North American bird species, each image—lifelike and life size—rendered in vibrant color. Audubon was also an explorer, a woodsman, a hunter, an entertaining and prolific writer, and an energetic self-promoter. Through talent and dogged determination, he rose from backwoods obscurity to international fame. In This Strange Wilderness, award-winning author Nancy Plain brings together the amazing story of this American icon’s career and the beautiful images that are his legacy. Before Audubon, no one had seen, drawn, or written so much about the animals of this largely uncharted young country. Aware that the wilderness and its wildlife were changing even as he watched, Audubon remained committed almost to the end of his life “to search out the things which have been hidden since the creation of this wondrous world.” This Strange Wilderness details his art and writing, transporting the reader back to the frontiers of early nineteenth-century America. Purchase the audio edition.

The international bestselling author of Fermat’s Last Theorem explores the eccentric lives of history’s foremost mathematicians. From Archimedes’s eureka moment to Alexander Grothendieck’s seclusion in the Pyrenees, bestselling author Amir Aczel selects the most compelling stories in the history of mathematics, creating a colorful narrative that explores the quirky personalities behind some of the most groundbreaking, influential, and enduring theorems. Alongside revolutionary innovations are incredible tales of duels, battlefield heroism, flamboyant arrogance, pranks, secret societies, imprisonment, feuds, and theft—as well as some costly errors of judgment that prove genius doesn’t equal street smarts. Aczel’s colorful and enlightening profiles offer readers a newfound appreciation for the tenacity, complexity, eccentricity, and brilliance of our greatest mathematicians.

Rebuilding trust and finding love An Unexpected Wife by Cheryl Reavis Giving up her out-of-wedlock son was the most difficult decision Kate Woodward ever made. She can't heal herself, but she can help former Confederate soldier Robert Markham rebuild his war-shattered life. As the two become close, Kate fears she can never be the one he deserves. But when her secrets are revealed and her child is in danger, can Robert win her trust? Into the Wilderness by Laura Abbot After a battlefield massacre and his fiancée's betrayal, cavalry officer Caleb Montgomery is unable to trust in anything. But then he's stationed in Fort Larned, Kansas, where Lily Kellogg, the lovely army surgeon's daughter, begins to rekindle his faith—and his hope. Since childhood, Lily has longed for the stability and culture only the big city can offer. Now both their dreams will be put to the test…

In Bounded Wilderness, Kathryn Jasper focuses on the innovations undertaken at the hermitage of Fonte Avellana in central Italy during the eleventh century by its prior, Peter Damian (d. 1072). The congregation of Fonte Avellana experimented with reforming practices that led to new ways of managing property and relations among clergy, nobles, and the laity. Jasper charts how Damian's notion of monastic reform took advantage of the surrounding topography and geography to amplify the sensory aspects of ascetic experiences. By focusing on monastic landscapes and land ownership, Jasper demonstrates that reform extended beyond abstract ideas. Rather, reform circulated locally through monastic networks and addressed practical concerns such as property boundaries and rights over water, orchards, pastures, and mills. Putting new sources, both documentary and archaeological, into conversation with monastic charters and Damian's letters, Bounded Wilderness reveals the interrelationship of economic practices, religious traditions, and the natural environment in the idea and implementation of reform.

The vast wilderness of Africa has inspired R. M. Ballantyne to set plots of several of his novels on the Black Continent; from safari tales and wild animal hunting to political thrillers and stories of tyrant monarch. Table of Contents: The Gorilla Hunters: A Tale of the Wilds of Africa Hunting the Lions Black Ivory: A Tale of Adventures among the Slavers of East Africa The Settler and the Savage: A Tale of Peace and War in South Africa The Fugitives: The Tyrant Queen of Madagascar Blue Lights: Hot Work in the Soudan The Middy and the Moors: An Algerine Story Six Months at the Cape

"This pictorial biography of Thomas Merton - revised now for the fortieth anniversary of his death - tells the story of the extraordinary Trappist monk whose writings, including his classic autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, have exerted a profound influence on millions. Beginning with Merton's early life and conversion, his entry into the Abbey of Gethsemani, and his fame as an author, Forest explores his increasing search for solitude, his emergence as a prophetic voice of peace and social justice, and the dialogue with other religions that continued until his sudden death in 1968." --Book Jacket.

Embark on a journey through the great unknown with the astounding eBook, "The Wilderness Wise." This comprehensive guide unearths the secrets to mastering outdoor survival, woven into a thrilling tapestry of discovery that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. Delve into the heart of nature's wonders and challenges with "Chapter 1 Understanding Wilderness Survival," where the elemental facets of outdoor skills are laid bare. Discover the psychological fabric that weaves together the resolve needed to survive against the odds, an indispensable compendium for both the neophyte and seasoned outdoors person. Confront the tangible edge of survival within "Chapter 2 Essential Survival Gear," arming you with quintessential knowledge for choosing the crucial equipment that could separate life from loss in nature's unforgiving embrace. The breakdowns of modern-versus-primitive tools provide an insightful look into survival's varied facets. Navigate through "Chapter 3 Wilderness Navigation Skills," a beacon that guides through the shadowy realms of the unknown with map, compass, and natural landmark expertise, ensuring you plot a course true through adventure's enticing clutches. From the reflective surface of survival, dive into "Chapter 4 Finding and Purifying Water," a wellspring of lifesaving information that assures the crystal clarity of safety in each gulp you take from nature's fountains. Branch out with "Chapter 5 Foraging for Wild Food," your passage into the wild pantry. Learn to discern the delicate dance of edible plants and sustainable sustenance, ensuring your place in the great food web with reverence and balance. Engage with the primal art of trapping and hunting in "Chapter 6 Trapping and Fishing for Survival," where subtlety meets skill. Lay bare the process of bringing nourishment from field to fire, and relish the flavors of autonomy. Shelter, that most basic of human needs, is exquisitely rendered in "Chapter 7 Building Shelters." Erect a sanctuary against the untamed elements, securing a fortress of solitude and resilience amidst the vast skies. Feel the warmth and watch the flames dance in "Chapter 8 Making and Managing Fire," a chapter that rekindles the ancient connection between humankind and the mesmerizing power of fire. When perils surface, "Chapter 9 First Aid and Health Management" is the salve to your soul. Learn to mend wounds and shield against nature's harsher bites, becoming an ambassador of health and safety on any trail you tread. Every subsequent chapter, from negotiating treacherous climates to entwining survival knots, from sending distress signals to emerging triumphant in survival sagas, becomes a thread in the rich tapestry of outdoor prowess that "The Wilderness Wise" weaves. Do not merely exist in the outdoors; thrive within them, mastering the art of living with this survival encyclopedia. Your journey is waiting. Are you ready to walk the path of "The Wilderness Wise"?