Sypolt has compiled the first comprehensive national bibliography since 1943 of the Civilian Conservation Corps— of which he himself is a former member. Over 2,000 sources are meticulously cited, making this work an essential one-stop reference guide for those interested in learning more about the institution which has, since its humble 1933 inception, provided jobs for many unemployed youth, planted billions of trees, built many miles of trails, and created numerous pavilions, picnic areas, lakes, and dams across America. Practical sub-divisions within the book aid in making research efficient for the reader, so that he or she may look up sources directly pertaining to his or her interest— whether that be the role of minorities in the Corps or seeing what has been written about CCC Camp Libraries— instead of having to wade through countless irrelevant works. Civilian Conservation Corps spans more than just the traditional sources of information; incorporated into this research guide are all types of literature, training guides, and other media, including: Films; Photographs; Maps; Internet Resources; Oral Histories; Museums. The author's primary purpose in compiling this edition is to direct scholars, researchers, federal and state parks, forests, and preservation personnel and historic preservationists in their research and to point them in the direction of the vast literature pertaining to the topic.

There are more than 1,300 species of bats—or almost a quarter of the world’s mammal species. But before you shrink in fear from these furry “creatures of the night,” consider the bat’s fundamental role in our ecosystem. A single brown bat can eat several thousand insects in a night. Bats also pollinate and disperse the seeds for many of the plants we love, from bananas to mangoes and figs. Bats: A World of Science and Mystery presents these fascinating nocturnal creatures in a new light. Lush, full-color photographs portray bats in flight, feeding, and mating in views that show them in exceptional detail. The photos also take the reader into the roosts of bats, from caves and mines to the tents some bats build out of leaves. A comprehensive guide to what scientists know about the world of bats, the book begins with a look at bats’ origins and evolution. The book goes on to address a host of questions related to flight, diet, habitat, reproduction, and social structure: Why do some bats live alone and others in large colonies? When do bats reproduce and care for their young? How has the ability to fly—unique among mammals—influenced bats’ mating behavior? A chapter on biosonar, or echolocation, takes readers through the system of high-pitched calls bats emit to navigate and catch prey. More than half of the world’s bat species are either in decline or already considered endangered, and the book concludes with suggestions for what we can do to protect these species for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. From the tiny “bumblebee bat”—the world’s smallest mammal—to the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, whose wingspan exceeds five feet, A Battery of Bats presents a panoramic view of one of the world’s most fascinating yet least-understood species.