Wall Disease

Jessica Wapner The Experiment（2020）

Since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, border walls have multiplied, notes science journalist Jessica Wapner in her global survey. In the decade after the September 2001 terrorist attacks, 47 appeared worldwide; Wapner investigates their geography and psychological effects. “Wall disease” consists of fear, isolation, a sense of immobility, financial insecurity and suspicion of “the other” on the far side.

The Brutish Museums

Dan Hicks Pluto（2020）

This timely book echoes the British Museum’s decision this year to redisplay a bust（半身像）of its founder with labels about his links to the slave trade. Dan Hicks is a curator（馆长）at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK, which, like the British Museum, holds many prized objects robbed by colonial forces in 1897 from Benin, in what is now Nigeria. Rejecting the view of Oxford colleague John Boardman that “the rape proved to be a rescue”, Hicks fiercely advocates that “brutish” museums urgently begin restoration of stolen objects.

A Manual of the Mammalia

Douglas A. Kelt & James L. Patton Univ. Chicago Press（2020）

The subtitle of this comprehensive reference book terms it “an homage” to Timothy Lawlor’s acclaimed Handbook to the Orders and Families of Living Mammals. As wildlife ecologist Douglas Kelt and mammal curator James Patton note, Lawlor’s final edition featured about 4,170 species of mammal; today’s figure is 6,495. “Do not be overwhelmed,” they advise students, “Simply be happy about the diversity of the Mammalia.”

Yellowstone Wolves

Eds Douglas W.   Smith et al. Univ. Chicago Press（2020）

Twenty-five years ago, the authors reintroduced wolves to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Here, they relate what they’ve learnt of the animals’predation, mating, play, genetics, disease and more, and their impact on other species and the landscape. Also detailed are the history, politics and implications ofrewilding. Glorious pictures bear witness to fragile gains. US President Donald Trump’s silver-anniversary gift? Rolling back protections on the wolves.

【推荐1】Many of the world’s most wondrous and beautiful destinations are in danger of being destroyed by a combination of environmental and social factors. Below are some popular locations worth visiting before they disappear.

Glacier National Park

United States and Canada

Glacier National Park contains some of the most beautiful and primitive wilderness in the Rocky Mountains. There are more than 200 glacier-fed lakes and much wildlife. However, the latest warm period has caused the number of glaciers to decrease from 150 in 1850 to 26 today. If current global warming trends continue, there will be no glaciers left in the park by 2030.

Venice

Italy

With as many as 40 floods per year between March and September, Venice is slowly sinking at an estimated rate of 2.5 inches every ten years. A severe flood in December 2008 brought renewed attention to Venice’s vulnerable(脆弱的) state and approaching fate as an underwater city.

Taj Mahal

Agra, Uttar Pradesh State, India

The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of the late style of Indian Islamic architecture. The building is visited by three to four million tourists each year. The crowds and air pollution, however, have caused irreversible(不可逆转的) damage to the building, making tourism officials consider closing the historic site to the public.

Pyramids of Giza

Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids have witnessed a heavy traffic in this sightseeing area for centuries, but the pollution and great number of visitors have caused damage to the ancient structures, which are not protected by Egyptian officials. Although camel and horseback tours are now banned from the site, the structures are still difficult to see through the crowds and vendors.

【推荐3】Four big music festivals in Canada

Celtic Colours International Festival, Nova Scotia

9 days and 300 events focused on Celtic celebration, hosted on Cape Breton Island (North America’s only living Celtic culture). Concerts are set in many unique places, including a beautifully reconstructed French church.

Montreal International Jazz Festival, Quebec

The Montreal Jazz Festival is the largest jazz festival on the planet, with 1, 000 concerts and 3, 000 artists from over 30 countries. The event lasts 11 days and attracts around two million attendees. But it’s not just about the music, it’s about practicing your French while you linger over (逗留) five-course tasting menus, shop in chic boutiques (精品店) and snack on pain au chocolat at an outdoor cafe.

Winnipeg Folk Festival, Manitoba

The Winnipeg Folk Festival takes place five days and includes seven performance stages and many famous artists. This signature summer event mixes it up with traditional folk, roots, gospel, blues, Celtic, French-Canadian and world music. Looking to learn to do it yourself? Try a song writing workshop or instrument lesson. Looking for a place to rest your head? Camping is the way to go, since the action takes place outside at Birds Hill Provincial Park.

Craven Country Jamboree, Saskatchewan

Going since 1983, this is “one of the granddaddies of music festivals”. It’s an annual country music party that takes place four days every July in the Qu’Appelle Valley near Craven; here you’ll find bull riding, saloon dance party and song-writer circles, too. Greats like Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and John Denver have played Craven. On the jamboree’s very first stage, Ray Orbison performed. Need we say more?