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Waterfalls of Stars by Rosanne Alexander: New
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Approximately£20.10
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Item specifics
- Condition
- Book Title
- Waterfalls of Stars
- Publication Date
- 2017-04-10
- Pages
- 360
- ISBN
- 9781781723807
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Seren Books
ISBN-10
178172380X
ISBN-13
9781781723807
eBay Product ID (ePID)
3038681298
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
352 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
Waterfalls of Stars : My Ten Years on the Island of Skomer
Publication Year
2017
Subject
Environmental Conservation & Protection, Environmentalists & Naturalists, Europe / Great Britain
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Nature, Travel, Biography & Autobiography
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1.5 in
Item Weight
20.8 Oz
Item Length
8.5 in
Item Width
5.2 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Scholarly & Professional
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
I have been fascinated by the Pembrokeshire islands since going on a field trip to Skokholm as a schoolboy, so I was delighted to be given this book to review. Delighted, but a little apprehensive that it would not be worthy of the jewel-like, other-worldly dream-place that is Skomer. After all, much has been written before, notably by R.M. Lockley, whose works are classics of their genre. On receipt of the book I was also somewhat daunted by its format of small-font, closely-spaced text running to about 350 pages. I need not have worried. What we have here is a beautifully written, highly personal account of a young woman's life-changing ten years on a small island with just one companion. There is something deeply moving about this seemingly timid and unassuming young woman taking the enormous step of incarceration on a small island with her barely-known husband. This takes the book beyond nature writing into an almost anthropological investigation into the workings of the human spirit.Having said that, it is, indeed, nature writing of a high order: truthful, compelling and at the same time clearly expressed with modestly understated poesy. Lucid and original description enables an appreciation of this jewel of an island. Rosanne Alexander's metaphors are well thought out and pleasingly avoid the banal and the obvious. There is a good mix of natural history and reflective introspection, and the reader quickly warms to the bold and courageous ways in which she adapts to her unique circumstances, rather like the animals with which she shares her situation.There is no shortage of drama. Skomer is only a few miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, but the seas are extremely fickle and treacherous. There are many days when it is impossible for boats to cross the sound, and the inhabitants (in the winter just Rosanne and Mike) can be stuck on the island for weeks on end. They are dependent on their own resources and resilience. Some of the storms are truly ferocious, and the author describes them with admirable force, and sometimes terror.In the ten years that they were there, they had to cope with two major oil-spills from tankers in the Irish Sea. These tragic events were dealt with by superhuman efforts from a team of both naturalists, the RAF and workers from the oil industry, and Alexander covers the process with thoughtful compassion as well as seething anger at the despoliation of her once pristine adopted home.There are many lyrical moments when the author revels in the serenity and beauty of her surroundings. In describing the phosphorescent autumn sea she says, it all added to the feeling that Skomer had almost endless layers to be unravelled, more than anywhere I had ever known. She has unravelled many of these layers, and will leave readers longing to experience the island for themselves, as well as admiring the dedicated and resourceful people who look after it for us.Richard HartnupIt is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com , with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com , trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.
Number of Volumes
1 vol.
Dewey Decimal
333.72092
Synopsis
In 1976 Rosanne Alexander's boyfriend Mike was offered the job of Warden of uninhabited Skomer Island, giving them ten days to leave college, get married (a job condition) and move their belongings to their new home. This is Alexander's account of the next ten years, spent in a place that became part of their lives. At its heart is their work as wardens, caring for important colonies of shearwaters, puffins and kittiwakes, and all the other wildlife on the Skomer. Waterfalls of Stars also covers their many trials on the island, from isolation and dwindling food during months of winter storms to witnessing the devastation of the island's grey seal colony by an oil spill. The combination of natural observation and resourceful tackling of the problems of island life makes this an attractive narrative for naturalists and would-be castaways alike and the pre-digital technology adds to the book's retro appeal. Alexander writes lyrically about all these things. Her depiction of the natural habitat, the weather, storms and, in particular, the island's seals is exceptional in its immediacy and physicality. The reader experiences all the delights and hardships of Skomer as though firsthand., Waterfalls of Stars is Rosanne Alexander's love letter to Skomer Island, the nature reserve where she spent ten years as a warden. It portrays a relationship with nature enthralling in its immediacy and engages readers as she cares for Skomer's bird and seal colonies while exploring her own character during periods of isolation from the mainland.
LC Classification Number
QH77
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- _***s (6)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseWhen I'd originally placed this order, I had accidentally put in the wrong shipping address. However, the seller was more than helpful, and the CD arrived!! The packaging was wide open when it arrived, but luckily nothing was damaged. Additionally, there was nothing protective on the CD, so that open package made me feel kind of nervous. Otherwise, absolutely great! The customer service was awesome, and the product was as described.
- r***w (229)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseItem was lost in delivery- but after some communication, seller was understanding and provided a refund. I ordered another and had it sent elsewhere. My main issue was that it felt as if I was getting automated responses at first!! Please have humans review human inquiries!! It was painstaking explaining the situation to an A.I. who only repeats unhelpful replies. Thanks again!! Otherwise. Great price! Great seller!
- e***r (331)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseAlthough I received the incorrect book with my order (that had a title close to what I had ordered), AlibrisBooks apologized, said they could not re-send the book, and refunded my money and told me to keep the book that I had received, and either donate it or give it away, so I gave it to someone. That was very kind on their part to do that, and I would highly recommend them. Mistakes happen I get that.
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Seller Feedback (507,667)
- _***s (6)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseWhen I'd originally placed this order, I had accidentally put in the wrong shipping address. However, the seller was more than helpful, and the CD arrived!! The packaging was wide open when it arrived, but luckily nothing was damaged. Additionally, there was nothing protective on the CD, so that open package made me feel kind of nervous. Otherwise, absolutely great! The customer service was awesome, and the product was as described.
- r***w (229)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseItem was lost in delivery- but after some communication, seller was understanding and provided a refund. I ordered another and had it sent elsewhere. My main issue was that it felt as if I was getting automated responses at first!! Please have humans review human inquiries!! It was painstaking explaining the situation to an A.I. who only repeats unhelpful replies. Thanks again!! Otherwise. Great price! Great seller!
- e***r (331)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseAlthough I received the incorrect book with my order (that had a title close to what I had ordered), AlibrisBooks apologized, said they could not re-send the book, and refunded my money and told me to keep the book that I had received, and either donate it or give it away, so I gave it to someone. That was very kind on their part to do that, and I would highly recommend them. Mistakes happen I get that.