Have you heard the interesting, true story about the cow that saved its owner during a flood in the Manawatū? If you’d like more stories along the same theme, below we have books on remarkable dogs, pigeons, and horses helping and saving their human friends during war and peace times – and vice versa.

Animal heroes / Long, David
“The first recipients of the Dickin Medal in December 1943 were three pigeons serving with the Royal Air Force, all of whom contributed to the recovery of aircrew from ditched aircraft. And Treo, a black Labrador, was awarded for his ‘heroic actions as an arms and explosives search dog in Afghanistan’. Olga the courageous police horse, who bolted from the path of a flying bomb in World War II only to return to duty. These true tales of heartrending devotion and duty are told from first-hand accounts.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Alfie & me : what owls know, what humans believe / Safina, Carl
“A moving account of raising, then freeing, an orphaned screech owl, whose lasting friendship with the author illuminates humanity’s relationship with the world. When ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in a near-death baby owl. Alfie’s feathers were not growing correctly, requiring prolonged care. As Alfie grew and gained strength, she became a part of the family, joining a menagerie of dogs and chickens and also braided Carl and Patricia into her world.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The diggers’ menagerie : mates, mascots and marvels : true stories of animals who went to war / Stone, Barry
“From the Boer War to the conflict in Vietnam, from the Somme to Afghanistan, from beasts of burden and bomb detectors, animals have played a vital role and provided companionship in Australian military history. Dogs, cats, pigeons, camels and horses are documented by Barry Stone, through letters, journals, photographs and first-hand accounts. The stories of the myriad creatures added a poignant layer to Australia’s military history.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

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The sky is no longer the limit, with people’s endless exploration. This blog collects books about the lives of astronomers and scientists, whose imagination and research lead to space. Some of these books are witty and funny, while some records the challenge they had to face, whether personally or academically.

An astronomer’s tale : a life under the stars / Fildes, Gary
“Gary Fildes left school at sixteen, got a trade like most of his mates and was soon married with four kids. He practised a secret with a few like-minded friends. Then one day, middle age approaching alarmingly, he acted on his lifelong passion, to be an astronomer. Today, Gary is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, world’s top ten stargazing sites. Situated within Europe’s largest protected dark sky park, it offers some of the UK’s most spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Star-craving mad : tales from a travelling astronomer / Watson, F.
“Most people world harbor the romantic notion that astronomers spend every night with their eyes clapped to giant telescopes. Members of the public normally ask astronomer Fred Watson whether he’s recently found anything? Sadly, astronomers normally spend huge amount of time investigating things they already know about. Fred Watson takes us on a witty, funny, and knowledgeable ride through space, ruminating on Pluto’s demotion from planetary status and Peru’s ancient sky watchers.” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Celestial geometry : understanding the astronomical meanings of ancient sites / Taylor, Ken
“Since the dawn of civilization, humans have sought inspiration and guidance in the night sky. “Celestial Geometry” explores the remarkable achievements of ancient astronomers at over 60 archaeological sites, from European stone circles like Stonehenge to the pyramids of Egypt and Central America, the medicine wheels of North America, the carved monoliths of Easter Island, and the sun clock of Goseck.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

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