Know Your – serie

Can you read the skies? Clouds produce an ever-changing skyscape and a vital clue to predicting whether it’s going to rain or shine. This handy little cloud-spotting guide explains:•How to identify each type of cloud•The processes are at work to produce them•The significance they have for our weather•Optical phenomena produced by certain cloudsLearn the lost countryside art of cloud reading and understand the most essential of nature’s clues and signs.

Chris has tried to show the tractors carrying out a wide range of tasks. His concise text explains what is going on in the pictures. He includes some basic technical specifications such as power outputs so that the reader can roughly compare different tractors and have an idea of the size and capability of each. The 41 tractors chosen come from 25 marques. Many of the tractor manufacturers have parent companies, some of which own a number of tractor makers. Chris gives these details as well as the country of assembly and/or manufacture. Tractor enthusiasts will enjoy this book, but it is particularly designed to be an introduction for visitors to rural shows, farm parks and country bookshops.

The range of manufacturers is surprisingly wide, including: Case, Claas, Deutz-Fahr, International Harvester, John Deere, Laverda, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Ransomes, Sampo and Wintersteiger. Some of the manufacturers have several models shown, with Claas particularly well represented. Each of the photographs has a full right-hand page. Opposite it is a concise text that describes the model's attributes and gives details of its range. The author describes the company ownership as well as country of assembly or manufacture. Cut-away diagrams showing the layouts of the three main combine types supported by a glossary of technical terms make this the ideal book for a novice enthusiast.

This selection is designed to satisfy the curiosity of people interested in the plant and machinery they commonly see as they travel around the UK. Paul Argent's selection includes diggers, excavators, backhoes, rollers, cranes, demolition machines, loaders, dumpers and a road planer. The author shows products from most of the major manufacturers such as JCB, Caterpillar, Volvo, Case, Komatsu, Hitachi, Kubota and Liebherr. Each of the examples is seen at work in a full-page photograph. Paul's accompanying text gives details of the class of machine represented, the work for which it is suitable and some technical specifications. The range of machinery is wide, offering novice enthusiasts a chance to get to grips with many different types, a springboard to a deepening interest in the plant and machinery at work every day in Britain.

These 44 models of train have been chosen to represent well-loved contemporary machines as well as a few unusual examples. Each machine has been photographed in the UK where most of them can be see working today. Accompanying each picture is a concise, informative text which gives details of the history, manufacture and engine specifications. This pocket-sized paperback is idea for a young or new enthusiast or simply the casually interested.

Bees play an essential role in the pollination of crops, but they face an increasing number of threats. This book provides information about 32 bee species including their size, habitat, location, nesting and eating habits, plus other interesting facts. A photograph of each species allows easy identification of these beautiful and important insects. Jack Byard is a former mechanic, jewellery craftsman and school technician. He is retired and now lives in Bradford. This is his 13th book in the popular "Know Your" series which also includes Know Your Sheep, Know Your Cattle and Know Your Pigs.

The fresh waters of the British Isles are diverse, ranging from torrential hill streams to powerful rivers and wide, meandering lowland channels. Canals and drainage channels, ranging in size from ditches to the large Fenland drains of eastern England also hold fish, as do reservoirs, lakes, ponds and other still water bodies. The fish themselves are correspondingly varied. This pocket-sized book provides information about the 54 native, invasive and naturalised species found in the UK today, and includes a photograph of each to allow easy identification

Know Your Farm Machinery follows on from the successful publication of Know Your Tractors, Know Your Combines and Know Your Classic Tractors.This pocket-sized book details 43 types of farm machinery most commonly seen on farms today including ploughs, cultivators, drills, spreaders and balers. A photograph of each machine is included.Chris Lockwood is a Suffolk based freelance agricultural journalist and producer of a long list of farming and farm machinery DVDs. This is his fourth book in the popular Know Your series.