Ammonites and the Other Cephalopods of the Pierre Seaway: Identification Guide (Fossils & Dinosaurs)

Customer Reviews:

Excellent, well written and documented, and informative........1999-09-12

This book was written by the folks at Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research. Neal is the leading authority of invertibrates of this period. The book lists species and where specimens have been found. I have found it to be an excellent desk reference as well as a great field guide. Recommended reading for the Ammonite hunter.

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Interesting but could be better

Ammonites
Neale Monks , and Philip Palmer
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1588340473

Book Description

The beautiful spiral shells of these long-extinct marine invertebrates are among the most sought after and recognizable of fossils, yet little has been published about ammonites outside of geological journals. Neale Monks and Philip Palmer look at the latest ideas on ammonite biology and ecology to present this detailed picture of a once diverse and widespread group of animals.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting but could be better.......2003-01-25

The book has superb photographs, both black and white and color.
The extended discussion of the attempts to establish what ammonite biology might have been like by comparing them with living and dead realative was fascinating.

On the negative side, I missed any discussion of the human context of ammonites. When were they first noticed? What was the process of ascertaining what they really were? As a non-specialist, I could have done with less information on the history and details of various species.

Overall, while worth reading, this book suffers in comparison with Richart Fortley's book Trilobite.

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Anthropological science fiction

A typical female fantasy

Opens up a new genre

An Interesting Mixture of Themes

Something for everyone who likes science fiction

Ammonite
Nicola Griffith
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Griffith, Nicola | ( G ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345452380
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Amazon.com

In Ammonite, the 1994 James Tiptree Jr. Award winner, the attempts to colonize the planet Jeep have uncovered a selective virus that kills all men and all but a few women. The remaining women undergo changes that enable them to communicate with one another and the planet itself, and give to birth to healthy, genetically diverse children. Marguerite Angelica Taishan is an anthropologist who realizes this phenomena and makes the decision to give herself up to the planet to uncover its mysteries.

Book Description

Change or die. These are the only options available on the planet Jeep. Centuries earlier, a deadly virus shattered the original colony, killing the men and forever altering the few surviving women. Now, generations after the colony has lost touch with the rest of humanity, a company arrives to exploit Jeep–and its forces find themselves fighting for their lives. Terrified of spreading the virus, the company abandons its employees, leaving them afraid and isolated from the natives. In the face of this crisis, anthropologist Marghe Taishan arrives to test a new vaccine. As she risks death to uncover the women’s biological secret, she finds that she, too, is changing–and realizes that not only has she found a home on Jeep, but that she alone carries the seeds of its destruction. . . .

Ammonite is an unforgettable novel that questions the very meanings of gender and humanity. As readers share in Marghe’s journey through an alien world, they too embark on a parallel journey of fascinating self-exploration.

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Change or die. These are the only options available on the planet Jeep.

Centuries earlier, a deadly virus shattered the original colony, killing the men and forever altering the few surviving women. Now, generations after the colony has lost touch with the rest of humanity, a company arrives to exploit Jeep -- and its forces find themselves fighting for their lives. Terrified of spreading the virus, the company abandons its employees, leaving them afraid and isolated from the natives. In the face of this crisis, anthropologist Marghe Taishan arrives to test a new vaccine. As she risks death to uncover the women's biological secret, she finds that she, too, is changing -- and realizes that not only has she found a home on Jeep, but that she alone carries the seeds of its destruction....

Ammonite is an unforgettable novel that questions the very meanings of gender and humanity. As readers share in Marghe's journey through an alien world, they too embark on a parallel journey of fascinating self-exploration.

"A knockout... Strong, likeable characters, a compelling story, and a very interesting take on gender."
    URSULA K. LE GUIN

"A powerful story of connection, allegiance, and obligation. Read Nicola Griffith's book -- and keep an eye out for her name in the future."
    VONDA N. McINTYRE

Customer Reviews:

Anthropological science fiction.......2007-08-05

Ammonite reminds me a lot of Sheri Tepper and Ursula K. Le Guin. It's a tale of Marghe, an anthropologist sent to work on the Company-owned planet Jeep. Jeep is inhabited by group of Company forces, the original colonists and a deadly virus that kills all men and quite a few women as well. There's no proven vaccine, either.

Marghe sets out to understand the world and the people who live in it. The mysteries of the virus and the colonists (if they're all women, where do the babies come from?) offer a tempting challenge to an anthropologist, despite the resistance from the Company commander.

It's a good story. It's well written, beautiful as the planet it describes. Marghe's journey is packed with action, adventure, romance and exploration. For those seeking lesbian themes or strong female characters in science fiction, this is a must-read book, and I'd recommend Ammonite to anybody who likes science fiction with sociological or anthropological leanings.

A typical female fantasy.......2007-01-07

At the end of the book the author wrote a note in explanation of her choice of theme, complaining that heroines were made heroic only by acquiring male attributes and that real fiction ought to treat women as themselves. Then she proceeded to write a novel so perfused with cliches, one wonders why she bothered. Despite the futuristic setting, this novel should not be classified with science fiction. It would fit better in the fantasy section, with all those dragons and sourceresses, where people dress in skins, live in tiny villages, bathe yearly, and ride on horses, because that is what you will find in this novel.

Whatever little technology is present in the beginning of this book is quickly discarded as everyone descends into the sort of lifestyle practiced in 4000BC and likes it. If you read other fantasy novels written by female authors, you will know what you will find here. There is plenty of suffering, helplessness, and sickness, there are mental powers of empathy, there is that "wishing makes it so" mindset, there are suffocating socialist communities that suck you down into an inescapable web of obligations and virtual slavery, and all the men are effete and feminine.

Oh, wait; there are no men in this novel. Forgive me my short lapse, but it is rather hard to remember at times. There are female characters and there are male characters who are really women. Many of the mirrors especially, act like men rather than women and you tend to forget their gender. Ms.Griffith apparently intended something like this, as evidenced by the postscript explanation, but it just does not come out believable. Women simply don't act that way; I don't care if you put them on a world without men, I don't care if they are soldiers, they just wouldn't act or speak that way. Go to some army base, find some female soldiers and you'll see.

The theme of parthenogenesis may sound like it would involve some technological cause, since Ammonite is supposed to be a science fiction novel. Unfortunately, there is no technology involved, and I doubt I would be spoiling your surprize if I told you that those women just wish themselves pregnant and they become so. After two dozen pages you would figure this out for yourself anyway.

The only reason I am giving this book a rating of two stars is the author's masterful use of language. Content nonwithstanding, this woman sure knows how to write a good story, with words painting depth and color, sound and texture, thoughts and character. The descriptions are immersive and tangible, making you feel the air and storms of Jeep on your own skin. Perhaps you might read it just for that.

Opens up a new genre.......2005-09-24

Before this book I never even contemplated the science fiction genre. This book is just amazing. And it's so much more then just a story about lesbians, because there really isn't any overt lesbianism until about half way through the book. However, the story deals with a lot of themes. Such as belonging, trust, heritige, change and love. I'd definantely reccammend this book

An Interesting Mixture of Themes.......2005-01-30

Ammonite was an interesting blend of various themes, from the Wise Woman traditions to various concepts of hard SF. The basic premise, a personal awakening set within the backdrop of a women's only garden of eden, worked pretty well.

The text has many layers, and draws from many different sources. For example, Greek and Norse myth provide the plot, setting, and names and archetypes of the characters. A thorough critique of colonialism, militarization, globalization and corporate control are skillfully handled within this futuristic setting. Elements of the utopia theme of SF figure prominently in the story. New Age and eco-hip beliefs also find their way into the story, particularly in the heroine's ultimate choice of calling in life. Even the Garden of Eden (a planet where women can be womyn), complete with the Serpent(technology, or the cure to the virus), of biblical fame makes an appearance. These are but a few of the disparate ideas pulled into the story's orbit, and they work well here.

One element of the story, however, was weak. Spontaneous meiosis without a conjugating event is thoroughly unsupported by current science. This element of the storyline deviates significantly from the author's attempt to bring hard science to bear in making the story seem more real. The virus as vector (and possible conjugating element) would not be plausible, as viral genomes are way too small for such tasks. But this is a minor point, and in passing, much of the 'science' in SF classics we all know and love actually in many instances came to be realized. Still, female-only self-fertilization is an interesting idea, and may well be possible, if the gene jockeys can get around the self-imprinting problem.

I liked the story on the whole, and was surprised that someone could pull something this complicated off. The author even made the concept of Grrl Power interesting and viable. This book is a great entry in the SF genre.

Something for everyone who likes science fiction.......2000-01-09

This is a fantastic blend of lots of different science fiction elements: a quest story, a huge planetary landscape, anthropology, sociology, viruses and galactic political intrigue. It's populated by humans of all descriptions--flawed, complex, with good and bad intentions. It's a beautifully written book about people and how they respond to crisis and to change. I'm recommending it to all my friends and will definitely be looking for her other work.

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Ammonite
Nicola Griffith
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000N2BPL8

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The Ammonite
Blaine C Thomsen
Manufacturer: Herald Pub. House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0830902201

THE AMMONITE BODY-CHAMBER, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BUOYANCY AND MODE OF LIFE OF THE LIVING AMMONITE

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THE AMMONITE BODY-CHAMBER, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BUOYANCY AND MODE OF LIFE OF THE LIVING AMMONITE
ARTHUR E. TRUEMAN
Manufacturer: FROM THE QUATERLY JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S52X1Q

Ammonite Inscription from Tell Siran. Reprinted from 'Berytus Archaeological Studies', vol. XXII, 1973

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Ammonite Inscription from Tell Siran. Reprinted from 'Berytus Archaeological Studies', vol. XXII, 1973
Fawzi and Henry O. Thompson Zayadine
Manufacturer: American University of Beirut
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UF79EU

Ammonite Language of the Iron Age (Harvard Semitic monographs)

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Ammonite Language of the Iron Age (Harvard Semitic monographs)
Kent P. Jackson
Manufacturer: Scholars Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0891305920

Ammonites from the Navesink Formation at Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (Geological Survey professional paper ; 845)

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Ammonites from the Navesink Formation at Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (Geological Survey professional paper ; 845)
William Aubrey Cobban
Manufacturer: U.S. Govt. Print. Off
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The ammonites of the English Chalk Rock (Upper Turonian) (Bulletin of the British Museum)

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The ammonites of the English Chalk Rock (Upper Turonian) (Bulletin of the British Museum)
C. W Wright
Manufacturer: British Museum (Natural History)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Theology, Music and Time (Cambridge Studies in Christian Doctrine)

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A true surprise

Theology, Music and Time (Cambridge Studies in Christian Doctrine)
Jeremy S. Begbie
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521785685

Book Description

Theology, Music and Time shows ways in which music can deepen our understanding of the Christian God and his involvement with the world. Without assuming any specialist knowledge of music, the author explores rhythm, meter, resolution, repetition and improvisation, and through them opens up some of the central themes of the Christian faith--creation, salvation, eschatology, time and eternity, eucharist, election and ecclesiology. He shows that music can refresh theology, giving it new ways of coming to terms with God.

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Theology, Music and Time aims to show how music can enrich and advance theology, extending our wisdom about God and God's ways with the world. Instead of asking: what can theology do for music?, it asks: what can music do for theology? Jeremy Begbie argues that music's engagement with time gives the theologian invaluable resources for understanding how it is that God enables us to live 'peaceably' with time as a dimension of the created world. Without assuming any specialist knowledge of music, he explores a wide range of musical phenomena - rhythm, metre, resolution, repetition, improvisation - and through them opens up some of the central themes of the Christian faith - creation, salvation, eschatology, time and eternity, Eucharist, election and ecclesiology. He shows that music can not only refresh theology with new models, but also release it from damaging habits of thought which have hampered its work in the past.

Customer Reviews:

A true surprise.......2005-08-26

Begbie skillfully deals with a much neglected topic. He draws in the reader and expands the way one looks at both theology and music.

Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year (Ancient-Future)

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Good Introduction to the Christian Year

Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year (Ancient-Future)
Robert E. Webber
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0801091756
Release Date: 2004-10-01

Book Description

Millions of Christians worldwide follow the liturgical Christian calendar in their worship services and in their own personal devotions. The seasons of the Christian year connect believers of diverse backgrounds and offer the sense of unity Jesus desired. Robert Webber believes that we can get even more out of the Christian calendar. He contends that through its rich theological meanings the Christian year can become a cycle for evangelism and spiritual formation. He offers pastors, church leaders, and those of the ''younger evangelica'' mind-set practical steps to help achieve this end, including preaching texts and worship themes for Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent, and Christmas.

Customer Reviews:

Good Introduction to the Christian Year.......2006-02-04

In this book, Robert Webber presents a basic and accesible introduction to the ancient Christian practice of the liturgical year. Dating back to at least the 4th century, the Christian year, consisting of the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost has been a source of spiritual formation and practice. For many evangelicals today, the Christian year is an oddity at best. However, many are likewise fascinated by it and the theological and spiritual messages that it may have to offer the contemporary evangelical church.

Webber is a superb guide for such people. Writing in a readable style, loaded with charts and summaries, Webber explicates all the seasons and major holidays of the Christian year, showing how all of them center on Christ and guide the church toward deeper participation in Christ's pattern of life.

This book is very thorough and will be a good guide to churches that are just begining to rediscover the Christian year and things like Lectionary readings. There are some things that Webber doesn't place much emphasis on, such as Holy Saturday (a day which I find incredibly significant, see my review of Alan Lewis's 'Between Cross and Resurrection').

All told, this is an excellent guide to the Christian year. I am currently using it to teach a class on that very topic in my congregation and the book is working very well with students at very different levels of reading and expertise. Highly recommended.

Pastoral Prayers in Public Places (Just in Time!)

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Pastoral Prayers in Public Places (Just in Time!)
F. Belton, Jr. Joyner
Manufacturer: Abingdon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0687495679

Women Preaching Revolution: Calling for Connection in a Disconnected Time

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Women Preaching Revolution: Calling for Connection in a Disconnected Time
Elaine J. Lawless
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0812231988

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