November book recommendation
Kath Stathers: The Bucket List: Wild: 1,000 Adventures Big and Small: Animals, Birds, Fish, Nature
The most complete life list yet to the world's best places to see wildlife-both on and off the beaten path-from bird watching in an Ecuadorian cloud forest and floating among the corals in the Maldives to volunteering at wild animal rescue groups or caring for injured endangered rhinos in Africa.
For anyone who is passionate about wildlife, this bucket list offers around-the-world listings of ways to experience animals and birds in their natural habitats. Fun, life-affirming activities are the focus from action-packed adventures (riding with wild horses in France, snorkeling with sharks in Belize) to more relaxing experiences (walking through a wildflower reserve in South Africa or floating among corals in the Maldives).
Each activity is location-specific and geographically unique - kayaking with whales in Canada, watching snow monkeys take a sauna in Japan, going on a desert safari in Dubai. The book also addresses the issues facing vulnerable and endangered species, and suggests ways that travelers can help. Conservation-themed adventures include working as a Giant Panda keeper in China, volunteering at an endangered orangutan rescue in Indonesia, and guarding baby turtles in Costa Rica as they make their way from beach to ocean.
Everyone has lifelong dreams of experiences they yearn to have, and this bucket list provides all the inspiration and practical advice necessary for the seasoned globetrotter or armchair traveller alike.
https://www.amazon.com/Bucket-List-Adventures-Animals-Nature/dp/0789334453
Eva-Maria Bast: The Queen
In 1938, when the young Elizabeth met the charming Prince Philip in Greece, there was no question for the aspirant to the throne: she wanted to spend her life with this man. Her family, however, opposes her relationship with the destitute nobleman; even so, Erzsébet sticks to her chosen one, and shows what she is really like: strong-willed, honest and modest. Together, the couple tackles Elizabeth's biggest task, namely to prepare for her role as Queen of England. The bumpy road to the throne presents the young married couple with hard trials, and the struggle with these largely determine the future life of the queen.
Eva-Maria Bast's biographical novel highlights key periods from Queen Elizabeth’s extraordinary life path, putting the queen in a whole new light. We can gain an insight into the life of the British royal family full of duty and dedication, while getting to know the everyday life of young Elizabeth before she ascended the throne.
Alexa Kaye: Eco-Thrifty
Living well doesn’t have to cost the earth. We all want to do our bit for the planet, and now it’s easier than ever. This book is your guide to eco-thrifty living: the way to look out for the climate and your budget at the same time. Explore the art of recycling and upcycling to spruce up your home and garden, find out how to revamp old clothes and how to say no to waste, and learn the secrets to conscious, creative living - all without the hefty price tag. There is no planet B, but with eco-thrifty living, we won’t need one. From nifty cleaning tips, to stylish home decor and natural beauty, discover the countless ways to reduce your carbon footprint and live a life you love that’s sustainable - both for the world and your wallet.
https://www.amazon.com/Eco-Thrifty/dp/1787832600
John C. Lennox: 2084: Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Humanity, and the God Question
Where did we come from? Where we are going? How will the increased incorporation of AI into our lives affect our individual and corporate privacy, the security of our jobs, our political and personal freedoms, and the future of our species as a whole?
Popular answers to these questions portrayed in the bestsellers Sapiens and Homo Deus by historian Yuval Noah Harari and Origins by novelist Dan Brown wildly differ: from utopian vistas of super-humans working alongside super-intelligent AI to Orwellian outcomes where humans are controlled or outcompeted by super-intelligent machines or superior versions of ourselves.
In 2084, scientist and philosopher John C. Lennox addresses the questions of where humanity is going in terms of technological enhancement, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence. He provides a clear overview of the current capacity of AI, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the potential future implications, clearly defining the terms associated with this field and delineating between the current scientific facts and more speculative claims. Lennox argues that the worldview, and therefore ethics, with which we approach this area will have serious implications for any future AI and how it interacts with humanity.
