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A fascinating description of how utilizing the biochar embedded in terra preta, the recently rediscovered sacred soil of the pre-Columbian peoples of the Amazon rainforest, can cut our dependency on petrochemicals, restore the health of our soils, remove carbon from our overheating atmosphere, and restore the planet to pre-industrial levels of atmospheric carbon by 2050. The authors show that the rediscovery of terra preta is an opportunity to move beyond the West's tradition of plunder and genocide of the native civilizations of the Americas by offering an invitation to embrace the deeper mystery of the indigenous methods of inquiry and to participate in an animate cosmos that gave rise to such a powerful soil technology. Sacred Soil, in recognizing the need for biocultural regeneration, takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the phenomenon of biochar soils, utilizing mythopoeic, historical, anthropological, and scientific perspectives to embrace the deep past, the vexed present, and the prospectus for our future. Coming at this crucial juncture in human history, the potential resting in biochar is also an open doorway into the indigenous ways of knowing that enabled the pre-Columbian Amazonian high civilizations to support a population of millions while leaving their lands more fertile than when they arose.

Ectoparasites are of growing significance in modern veterinary medicine and a detailed understanding of the biology of these parasites is fundamental to their appropriate treatment and control. The authors of this book have therefore provided a complete overview of the biology, and behaviour of arthropod ectoparasites along with the pathology and treatment of diseases in livestock and companion animals of temperate habitats. This is the only up-to-date book available written specifically for practitioners and students of veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and applied animal sciences. Such a unique volume is essential because in veterinary parasitology, ectoparasites such as the lice, mites, ticks, fleas or dipteran agents of myiasis assume far greater prominence than in other parasitological disciplines. Ectoparasite infestation of domestic and companion animals, therefore, has overt clinical features requiring a distinct approach to diagnosis and control. This book has been written with this in mind. The text takes a unique integrated approach combining both ectoparasite biology and veterinary dermatology. In the second edition of this successful book (previously, entitled Veterinary Parasitology), the detailed coverage of individual ectoparasite species has been expanded. Up-to-date information of new veterinary drugs and modes of application has been included and the practical clinical relevance of the information has been strengthened.

The nature and role of paid foreign forces have altered considerably in the late twentieth century. ‘Military companies'– private firms providing active military assistance, in some cases involving combat – have exploited the increasing reluctance of Western governments and multilateral organizations to intervene directly in civil conflicts. As a result, their influence has increased. David Shearer argues that the debate over the use of these companies – notably the South African firm Executive Outcomes (EO) – has not, however, kept pace with their development. Companies such as EO are widely seen as merely modern-day mercenary outfits exploiting violence for private gain. Shearer contends that the need to recast the debate on military companies is urgent. These companies are not a passing phenomenon; if anything, their influence and activities are set to increase in the next century as Western military retrenchment continues. Efforts to restrict the activities of military companies by drafting international or domestic legislation have to date been ineffective, and are likely to remain so. This paper – the first detailed analysis of the private military sector – argues that dismissing it as an unpleasant aberration is misleading and unhelpful. Military companies can claim success in achieving immediate strategic objectives. The author cites two examples at length – EO's operations in Angola in 1993–94, and in Sierra Leone in 1995–96 – and suggests that military force can stabilize a crisis. Engagement with military companies may create possibilities for them to complement international and regional peacekeeping efforts. Traditional UN peacekeeping is flawed in terms of its speed of mobilization and lines of authority, and is hampered by interference from contributing countries. The private sector may avoid many of these difficulties. Private Armies and Military Intervention concludes that transparency of operations and business relationships is a crucial first step towards ensuring the accountability of the private military sector. However, a coherent policy towards military companies has yet to be formulated. Current frameworks under international law are insufficient and inappropriate. Characterizing the activities of military companies as ‘mercenary'offers few useful means to tackle the issue within a framework of international policy. What is required is a more pragmatic approach that assesses the effectiveness of – and engages with – private armies.