Here Be Monsters!

Michael Largo's The Big, Bad Book of Beasts describes both some of the world's most unusual and mundane creatures, real and imagined.  For example, under "D" you'll find entries for Dodo, Dog, Dolichorhynchops (aka Prehistoric "Sea Wolf"), and Dragons.  I particularly enjoyed Largo's well-researched asides on the folklore of various beasts, as well as the numerous illustrations and renderings (such as the detailed Harpy skeleton on p. 187).  Definitely worth checking out!  HM

Everywhere Around the World

In her book, Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy, author Barbara Ehrenreich explores what exactly it is that makes us want to get together and kick up our heels. From ancient Greek cults to the manic displays of soccer fans, we have a long history of sharing our happiness and exuberance with others -- why? By providing historical examples, Ehrenreich makes a strong argument that we are actually hard-wired to experience the greatest joy amongst our fellow human beings. HM

Thanksgiving

In the spirit of the season, check out Margaret Visser's The Gift of Thanks, a look at gratitude from an anthropological perspective. Visser divides her book into six parts, journeying from the outwardly mundane exercise of saying "thank you" to exploring the genuine feeling of gratefulness. She also delves into the cultural and biological roots of emotions and how they have shaped our civilizations and interpersonal relationships for millennia. HM