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In a Desert Garden
Love and Death Among the Insects
by John Alcock
ISBN: 0393041182
ISBN-13: 9780393041187
Format: Hardcover
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Summary
This introduction to the complex lives of desert insects in the Alcock's Tempe, Arizona backyard, where he transformed his suburban-style lawn into a small desert habitat, demonstrates ways in which the relationship between the various insects and plants on his property can be applied to larger ecological concepts.
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"A spirited primer in Sonoran Desert ecology, cloaked in a memoir of gardening....[A] graceful little study of insects and desert plants....Ever original, Alcock encourages readers to view the desert with new eyes through this fine contribution to arid-lands literature."
-- Kirkus
"Making no claims to biocentric virtue, Alcock makes clear he's in it for the voyeuristic pleasure of watching bugs court, mate, and when he's lucky, bite each other's heads off postcoitally."
-- New York Times Book Review
"[S]hould be required reading for anyone who thinks of insects as the enemy — or doesn't think of them at all....Here is scientific nature writing for a general audience at its very best. Wonderful line drawings by Turld Forsyth depict many of the sometimes strange critters that Alcock discusses." -- Allen Lacy
-- Homeground
Bibliographic Details
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Published date: 1997
Size: 7.75 x 10.5 inches
Weight: 1.45 pounds
Pages: 186
Publisher's Notes
John Alcock, a specialist in the ecology of the American Southwest, introduces us to the lives and loves of desert insects as they forage through his backyard oasis. Two male earwigs caught in each other's pincers battle for a prized female. A female mantis finishes copulating, beheads her mate, and cannibalizes his body for its precious protein. Soaring above, a retinue of drone honey bees pursue their queen on her nuptial flight. The one who succeeds in mating with her will fertilize up to ten thousand eggs. With each gritty detail, Alcock pieces together the entire ecosystem of his desert paradise. We discover the chains of survival that link species - how a simple compost heap becomes a complex ecology of beetles, wasps, worms, and birds.
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In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects
Alcock, John, Stewart, Marilyn H. (illustrator)
W W Norton & Co Inc, 1997 Clean DJ in excellent condition under plastic protector. Ex-Library marking. Boards tight and square. Unmarked interior. . Presentable Ex-Library. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. ( more information)
Offered by Lakeshore Used Books (United States)
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In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects
Alcock, John
Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: W W Norton & Co Inc, 1997 Good in Good jacket Ex Library Text is CLEAN, in good condition! retired library book, may contain minor stickers or stamps,. 1st. Hard Cover. Good/Good. ( more information)
Offered by Midwest Book Company (United States)
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3)
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In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects
John Alcock; Illustrator-Turid Forsyth
W. W. Norton & Company, 1997-09. Hardcover. Very Good. Very good: BIND: hardback ED: DJ: [very good] clean, straight. COVER: [very good] clean, straight. SPINE: [very good] clean, straight, tight. PAGES: [very good] clean, straight, unmarked. JCC ( more information)
Offered by affinnallc (United States)
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6)
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In a Desert Garden
Alcock, John
Very Good. W. W. Norton & Co; New York, NY; 1997; 1st Edition; Hardcover; Gardening; Desert Gardening in Good+ dust jacket; With great bone dry with, John Alcock recounts his observations of his Tempe, AZ desert garden. From soil to plants to the insects that coexist within. With B&W sketches and some color photographs. ; B&W Illustrations; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 186 pages . ( more information)
Offered by Francos Old Books & Oddities (United States)
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In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects
Alcock, John
Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: W W Norton & Co Inc, 1997. Binding is tight and pages are clean. No marking or writing noted in book. DJ is clean and whole with original price.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. ( more information)
Offered by idaho jim (United States)
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10)
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In a Desert Garden: Love and Death Among the Insects
Alcock, J
New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co., 1997. 186pp. ills., color photos. Focusing on his own garden in Tempe, Arizona the author examines the lives and behavior of insect and plant life in this desert habitat, the use of native plants, and methods of encouraging beneficial insects. List of common and scientific names of plants. References, index.. Cloth. Fine/Very Good. 8vo.. ( more information)
Offered by Z & Z Books (United States)
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