Many of our national parks; monuments; and seashores were established because of their inspiring geological features―from the geysers of Yellowstone to the granite peaks of Yosemite. In Parks and Plates; Robert J. Lillie explains the fascinating geological processes that have formed these dramatic volcanoes; shorelines; and landscapes. Structuring the text around major geological features; Lillie highlights geologic patterns across many different parks and uses over 100 park sites to illustrate plate tectonics visually. Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs; diagrams; and maps; Parks and Plates is the ideal text to enrich undergraduates’ experience of our national parks. 336 color plates; illustrations and maps
#87013 in Books Anand Giridharadas 2015-04-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .90 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 0393350797336 pagesThe True American Murder and Mercy in Texas
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Important for a number of reasonsBy Mary ReinertIf this book were fiction; it could easily be deemed "unrealistic". The lives of two very different men are forever intertwined due to an act of violence which changes the future of each man. Following 9/11 Mark Stroman takes it upon himself to avenge the deaths of Americans by killing Arabs. After two murders of convenience store clerks; he shoots Rais Bhuiyan in the face. Bhuiyan is from Bangladesh; none of his victims are Arabs.Following that act of violence; the author retraces the lives of both men. Stroman; born into a dysfunctional loosely- knit family; has a record of trouble from early days in school. Bhuiyan was raised in a tightly knit Muslim family and served as a disciplined pilot in the Bangladesh Air Force. He comes to American to pursue what he understands to be the American dream. Their past and their future prospects couldn't be further apart.The author retells the events of the murder; the trial; and the path both men follow to find redemption. Believing he owes God for saving his life; Bhuiyan eventually overcomes anger and disappointment and forgives Stroman and works to appeal his death sentence. Due to several encounters with others in prison and the forgiveness of Bhuiyan; Stroman comes to believe that his death sentence is actually a "life saving" event as he finds a sense of peace.This is a book about faith and religion; poverty and ambition; culture and politics; and a view of American values from the viewpoint of an immigrant and a man who believes himself to be the "true American." The final chapters given an insightful view of generational poverty; dysfunction; and lack of direction. Although the events in the book are complicated; the book is extremely readable and griping and provides plenty of food for thought.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Redemption in Post-9/11 AmericaBy @tarik_aThe story of Rais Bhuiyan's life; from humble Bengali beginnings; to post-9/11 casualty; redemption and outspoken advocate against violence and the roots of post-9/11 hate in America; is nothing short of extraordinary. For this alone; I give Anand Giridharadas's True American a solid 5 stars.And while I applaud Giridharadas's courage in telling the story of a Muslim who defies the stereotypes and generalities of today's 'War on Terrorism' world; and his attempt to uncover and help his readers understand the roots of the prejudice; frustration and hatred that led Mark Stroman to murder 2 innocent immigrants and seriously injure another shortly after 9/11; for much of True American; particularly the latter half; I felt like I was somewhere between a docudrama and high level social study. For this I give True American 4 stars; and 4 stars overall.True American is an important and revealing book; however; especially if you've never been exposed to the underbelly of today's meth-addicted; transient social stratum. Following Mark Storman's execution (another form of violence explored in the book); Giridharadas takes his readers on a journey through the lives of Stroman's children as they deal with the horror and guilt of their father's racism and violent actions; while concurrently struggling to free themselves from the vicious cycle of poverty; addiction and extreme disfunction they were brought up in. The same roots that led Stroman to murder and his ultimate fate.There are many valuable topics and messages in True American. Skipping through the lessor details; it is definitely worth a read and follow up discussion. Hope that you find the same.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A well-woven storyBy Trish HooperI really enjoyed reading this story; and was impressed by the writer's compassion toward the Stroman family. It would be easy to dismiss Mark Stroman as the worst of America; and in my mind; I did. It was worth continuing to read to further understand the complications of a marginalized person's life. I appreciated learning about Rais and how he also managed the complications of his life back in Bangladesh and here in the US as he recovered from this hate crime; and became profoundly American.This work can be a wonderful tool in helping all of us to understand each other more deeply and see what makes all of us Americans. I'm glad I read it.
