History of science Books

Book SynopsisA User's Guide to Melancholy takes Robert Burton's encyclopaedic masterpiece The Anatomy of Melancholy as a guide to melancholy, from cause to cure. Through case studies, it explores a Renaissance disease of the mind that inclined its sufferers towards sadness and fear but also delusion, despair, hilarity, and artistic creativity.Trade Review'I didn't think it possible for my favourite book to be summarised, and analysed, and explained so well. Mary Ann Lund has done Burton a great service, and us readers too, whether or not we've embarked on the wide and turbulent sea of his prose. What I found particularly enlightening was the author's examination of other texts, ancient and medieval and from Burton's own time, about this endlessly absorbing subject, and the perspective she reveals on the condition of melancholy from a modern viewpoint. Burton is inexhaustible and irreplaceable, of course, but this delightfully written and brilliantly informative guide is the best introduction to this great book I have ever seen. I hope it has a great success, and remains in print for four hundred years.' Philip Pullman'At last there is an accessible way into Robert Burton's labyrinthine masterpiece! Dr Lund has distilled all the wit, recondite learning and human empathy of The Anatomy of Melancholy into this wonderful guide.' Colin Gale, Bethlem Museum of the Mind'A truly fascinating historical journey through an extraordinary range of mental health experiences. Full of captivating descriptions, with Mary Ann Lund the perfect engaging and enlightening guide.' Daniel Freeman, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Presenter of BBC Radio 4's A History of Delusions'A rich and fascinating tour through the territory of melancholy in seventeenth-century England and beyond. Lund provides an expert but very readable introduction to Burton's masterpiece, and her entertaining exploration of the cultural resonances of the Anatomy's medical, psychological, and literary subject matter also prompts us to think seriously about the lasting historical legacies of those who wrote about and struggled with melancholy in the past.' Angus Gowland, Reader in Intellectual History, University College London'In her superb new monograph about Burton's work, A User's Guide to Melancholy, Mary Ann Lund, a scholar of Renaissance literature, explains how melancholy has always had a span as wide as the mind's horizon.' Horatio Clare, UnHerd'At a time when challenges to mental health are severe and widespread, Mary Ann Lund is a welcome guide to a classic work on the subject.' Casper Henderson, The Spectator'A learned, broad and readable picture of Renaissance medicine.' Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian'A fine guide to a classic work.' Morning Star'Throughout, Lund's lucid prose brings Burton life for a new generation of readers and succeeds at imposing order on a most disorderly masterpiece.' Times Literary Supplement'The book's slim size and modest price could help make it a good choice for courses either in the history of medicine or literature. Instructors of senior seminars in English or history in particular might wish to discuss with students whether Lund's methodology could be applied to other primary sources, time periods, or geographical locales … Highly recommended.' A. K. Ackerberg-Hastings, Choice'Mary Ann Lund's A User's Guide to Melancholy gives Robert Burton's Anatomy a contemporary clarity that will make it a companion to his classic for years to come.' Timothy Barr, Renaissance QuarterlyTable of ContentsIntroduction; Causes: 1. Sorrow and fear; 2. Body and mind; 3. The supernatural; Symptoms: 4. Delusions; 5. Love and sex; 6. Despair; Cures: 7. The non-naturals; 8. Medicine and surgery; 9. Lifting the spirits; Robert Burton, 'The Author's Abstract of Melancholy'; Conclusion: The Two Faces of Melancholy.

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Book SynopsisA concise survey of the field of physics, Grissom's book offers students and professionals alike a unique perspective on what physicists do, how physics is done, and how physicists view the world.Trade ReviewAn excellent book for any student who is interested in learning about what physics really is without needing any math more advanced than high school algebra... A clear and succinct account of what physics fundamentally explains about the universe. ChoiceTable of ContentsA Note to the Reader1. The Ancient Quarrel2. Motion3. To Be or Not to Be4. Atoms and the Void5. Motion Constrained6. How versus Why7. Enter Newton8. The Laws of Motion9. Action at a Distance10. Matter and Light11. Heat and the Arrow of Time12. Who's Really Moving and What's the Correct Time?13. Curved Space and the New Gravity14. What You See Is What You Get15. A Footnote on Quantum Gravity16. Equations That Go Berserk17. The Physicist's WorldSuggested ReadingsIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOur relationship with nature goes far beyond resources, amenity, or the scientific idea of an archive we learn to read. There are, as The Environment shows, ethical complexities in how we use and abuse the planet—and in how we frame its improbable riches.—NatureDespite the importance in recent decades of environmentalism, environmental protection, environmental science, and so on, there has been strikingly little discussion of what exactly the environment is. Paul Warde, Libby Robin, and Sverker Sörlin examine the history of the concept as it has developed since the end of the Second World War, when they argue it took on its modern significance. The book is strongest in tracing the ways that changes in scientific institutions helped develop the modern idea of environment, as well as in its discussion of the ways that idea entered the popular imagination through works by Rachel Carson and others.—Environmental HistoryThis engaging and accessible book should be required reading for anyone concerned with the development of 'the environment' as a conceptual lodestone of both science and politics in the mid- to late-twentieth century. Moreover, it will be richly rewarding for anyone wishing to teach, research, or simply better understand the path dependencies and political dynamics of environmental issues today.—Local EnvironmentDemonstrates the power of history to speak into the present. A wonderfully succinct, compelling, and revealing piece of writing.—Australian Book ReviewThis is a highly recommended book that agricultural and rural historians will appreciate the significance of in tracing the history of the environment. It will be of interest to a wide academic readership, including historians of the environment, ideas, politics, science and technology. More importantly, this book deserves to be read by the wider public as it explains how perceptions of the environment have evolved relative to the history of the twentieth century. Understanding this history can inform contemporary responses to present and future environmental issues.—Agricultural History ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrologueChapter 1. Road to SurvivalChapter 2. Expertise for the FutureChapter 3. Resources for FreedomChapter 4. Ecology on the MarchChapter 5. Climate Enters the EnvironmentChapter 6. "The Earth Is One but the World Is NotChapter 7. Seeking a Safe FutureNotesBibliographic EssayIndex

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Book Synopsis''These minibiographies of women who persisted will move anyone with an avid curiosity about the world.'' Publishers Weekly With a foreword by Athene Donald, Professor of Experimental Physics, University of Cambridge and Master of Churchill College.Ten Women Who Changed Science tells the moving stories of the physicists, biologists, chemists, astronomers and doctors who helped to shape our world with their extraordinary breakthroughs and inventions, and outlines their remarkable achievements.These scientists overcame significant obstacles, often simply because they were women. Their science and their lives were driven by personal tragedies and shaped by seismic world events. What drove these remarkable women to cure previously incurable diseases, disprove existing theories or discover new sources of energy? Some were rewarded with the Nobel Prize for their pioneering achievements -Madame Curie, twice - others were not and, even if Trade ReviewThese minibiographies of women who persisted will move anyone with an avid curiosity about the world. * Publishers Weekly *Students of the history of science will also find the detailed stories of these women fascinating. The biographical details merge effortlessly with their professional challenges. What also keeps the interest intact is the fact that these women all hailed from a variety of disciplines within the sciences. -- Debashis Gangopadhyay * Telegraph (India) *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2022 BARKER BOOK AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION.Heartwarming.' THE TIMESA delightful read.' KATE MACDOUGALLJust the thing for dog lovers.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLYBrilliant.' PROFESSOR ALICE ROBERTSAmusing and enlightening.' COUNTRYMANFascinating and eye-opening.' DR JESS FRENCHA wonderful book!' VIRGINIA MORRELLProfound.' THE GUARDIANHow dogs defied science and changed the way we think about animalsWhat do dogs really think of us? What do dogs know and understand of the world? Do their emotions feel like our own? Do they love like we do?Driven by his own love of dogs, Charles Darwin was nagged by questions like these. To root out answers, his contemporaries toyed with dog sign language. To reveal clues, they made special puzzle boxes and elaborate sniff tests using old socks. Later, the same perennial questions about the minds of dogs drove Pavlov and Pasteur to unspeakable cruelty in theiTrade ReviewA brilliant history of how we came to know our best friends better – the trials and tribulations, the highs and lows. Jules Howard reveals how we came to know dogs better and how that’s helped us understand ourselves. * Professor Alice Roberts, biological anthropologist, broadcaster and author of 'Ancestors' *Full of insight and brilliantly researched, Wonderdog is a delightful read and a fascinating look at how much more there is to learn from man’s best friend. * Kate MacDougall, author of 'London’s No. 1 Dog Walking Agency' *The book about dogs I never knew I needed, full of answers to questions I never thought to ask. A fascinating and eye-opening read for anyone that has ever loved a dog. * Dr Jess French, veterinarian, zoologist, broadcaster and author of 'Puppy Talk' *With Wonderdog, Jules Howard explores the highs and the lows of science's sometimes troubled relationship with the domesticated wolf with which we share our homes and lives. With his characteristic lightness of touch, Howard takes us on journey of discovery that will leave no dog lover unmoved and no dog hater unconverted. A splendid, entertaining and hugely informative read! * Professor Adam Hart, scientist, broadcaster and author of 'Unfit for Purpose' *Turning wolves into dogs took knowledge, insight and a few cheeky treats along the way. This book contains all three and is the perfect companion to any dog lover. * Professor Ben Garrod, evolutionary biologist, primatologist and broadcaster *Howard does a masterful job blending the latest science with doses of common sense as he covers what we know and still need to know to give dogs the best lives possible. Wonderdog is a must-read. * Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado, author of 'Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do' *Howard’s portrayals of the villains and heroes in the research world of the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries makes for fascinating reading [...] his transformed view of love is a fitting end to an account describing the arc of dog research as bending towards just treatment for dogs. * Barbara J. King, anthropologist and author of 'Animals' Best Friends' *Wonderdog offers readers a whirlwind tour of 150 years of research on the minds and behavior of man’s best friend. From Darwin and Pavlov to the latest research in canine science, Wonderdog reflects first-rate scholarship yet reads like a detective novel. This book puts Jules Howard in the top ranks of contemporary science writers. * Hal Herzog, author of 'Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals' *Wonderdog is a paean to these clever, flexible, charming animals who sit and walk alongside us -- and also a humane, thoughtful consideration of the science using and about dogs. You'll want to read it with a dog by your side, so you can regularly turn to them admiringly and tickle their ears. * Alexandra Horowitz, professor and bestselling author of 'Inside of a Dog' *A wonderful book! I loved it. Informative and engaging. * Virginia Morrell, author of 'Animal Wise' *An informative homage to dogs and to the scientists who have tried to get to the bottom of dog psychology. -- Ysenda Maxine Graham * Daily Mail *Wonderdog succeeds in drawing readers in and delivering reliable scientific information packaged in compelling and sometimes heart-warming anecdotes. I have no doubt that even the science-phobic among dog lovers can find Wonderdog exhilarating. * Forbes *In his book Wonderdog, the zoologist Jules Howard writes that dogs, unlike wolves, make eye contact with humans. They have a specific facial muscle group for those “puppy dog eyes”, and after sustained human contact, according to one study, their oxytocin levels soared. The spike was much more pronounced in their owners, though. This directs us to the more important thrust of Howard’s book, which is that the question isn’t how well dogs love us; it’s how we are changed by loving dogs. Fascinating and profound. -- Zoe Williams * The Guardian *Amusing and enlightening [...] It's a celebration of "a vibrant and engaging era in the history of animal science", and a love-letter to man's best friend. -- Mark Whitley * Countryman *In Wonderdog, science writer Jules Howard explores how for centuries scientists have studied dogs … many gems are there. -- Julia Llewellyn Smith * The Mail on Sunday *Heartwarming -- Kevin Maher * The Times *Zoologist Howard (Death on Earth) enlists the help of veterinary professionals, psychologists, ethologists, neurologists, historians, and others in this eclectic history of dogs [...] Howard peppers in charming stories of his own childhood dog, Biff, giving the survey equal parts heft and heart: 'We had all the hallmarks of love for one another, Biff and I.' This is just the thing for dog lovers. * Publishers Weekly *This insightful historical account of the study of canine minds is essentially a love letter to science, through the good times and the bad [...] Engagingly written, 'Wonderdog' is a refreshing celebration of dogs' minds. * Your Dog *This book tells the fascinating story of how we came to understand the complex minds of dogs, while making key discoveries about ourselves along the way. * Woman's Own *Table of ContentsPrologue Introduction SECTION I: SIT, STAY 1: From the streets they came 2: Emancipation Day 3: Sacrificed for science 4: The Brown Dog Affair SECTION II: FETCH, RETRIEVE 5: Alpha, beta, doubter 6: Skinner, unboxed 7: The cognition ignition 8: How nature met nurture SECTION III: MEET, PLAY, LOVE 9: What is it like to be a dog? 10: Flip, the switch 11: The power of play 12: To see love coming Epilogue: ... and see love depart Acknowledgements Research notes and further reading Index

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Book SynopsisDescribes a new, systematic process philosophy of science and technology focused on the agency and mobility of objects.

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Book SynopsisInside the lives of the scientists who are exploring the world, our universe, the past and ourselves.Based on the interviews broadcast on BBC Radio 4''s hugely popular series, The Life Scientific: Explorers takes science out of its box and introduces us to the men and women who make it happen.The explorers featured in this volume include: Michele Dougherty, the mathematician who persuaded the Cassini mission to Saturn to make a diversion; Richard Fortey on his love of trilobites; Monica Grady, Meteorite Lady; neurosurgeon Henry Marsh on slicing through our thoughts; the Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Jane Francis; Brian Cox on quantum mechanics; and Nobel Prize winner John Sulston on why he thought it would be a good idea to sequence the human genome.Trade Review'Both inspirational and richly human, the book offers a compelling picture of science at the cutting edge' * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *'Anna Buckley, the producer of The Life Scientific, distils the scientists' passions skilfully into print' * Sunday Times, Science Books of the Year 2018 *

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Book SynopsisA thrilling investigation into one of the big unanswered questions that science has to offer: the origins of life on EarthTrade ReviewMarshall has rounded up all the past and current thinking about this profound and puzzling question - how did life begin? - into a neat, enthralling and highly digestible package. * Philip Ball, author of How To Grow a Human *Prepare yourself for a dazzling intellectual journey: the science is fascinating, the cast of characters all-too-human, and the philosophical insights deep. Written in clear and entertaining prose, like a Sherlock Holmes story, this is the best book I know for general readers about the quest to solve one of our most enduring mysteries: how and where, in a seemingly purposeless universe, life began on planet earth. * Oren Harman, author of Evolutions: Fifteen Myths that Explain Our World *The Genesis Quest recounts remarkable episodes in the history of attempts to scientifically understand the origin of life. Combining exceptionally clear expositions of what is scientifically at stake, distinctive humor, and a roving eye for the telling anecdote, this is anything but a tedious scientific genealogy. Marshall has a flair and talent for explaining each individual experiment and its intellectual context. The Genesis Quest offers a well-done romp through some fascinating and complicated terrain. * Luis A. Campos, author of Radium and the Secret of Life *The book's distinctive style comes from well-researched analysis of the behaviour and lifestyles of the various scientists who have contributed to this fascinating and uniquely difficult question... an extremely stimulating read and I recommend it most strongly to scientists and laymen alike. * The Biologist *A fascinating and challenging story. * New York Review of Books *This is an incredibly absorbing and insightful book about the most important scientific question of our age. * Mark Miodownik, author of Stuff Matters *

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Book SynopsisIn 1938, one year into the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese military found itself in dire medical straits. Soldiers were suffering from deadly illnesses, and were unable to receive blood transfusions for their wounds. The urgent need for medical assistance prompted an unprecedented flowering of scientific knowledge in China and Taiwan throughout the twentieth century. Wayne Soon draws on archives from three continents to argue that Overseas Chinese were key to this development, utilizing their global connections and diasporic links to procure much-needed money, supplies, and medical expertise. The remarkable expansion of care and education that they spurred saved more than four million lives and trained more than fifteen thousand medical personnel. Moreover, the introduction of military medicine shifted biomedicine out of elite, urban civilian institutions and laboratories and transformed it into an adaptive field-based practice for all. Universal care, practical medical education, and mobile medicine are all lasting legacies of this effort.Trade Review"Wayne Soon's excellent book shows how elite diasporic actors were a powerful force in the development of Chinese biomedicine. They injected their visions into policy discussions, mobilized their networks, and led with an authority based on their experiences and expertise. Drawing on an impressive range of sources, Soon breaks new ground in illustrating how diaspora is a rich category of analysis for knowledge and institutional production."—Shelly Chan, Associate Professor of History, University of California, Santa Cruz"Global Medicine in China could not be more-timely or more relevant. As we face a life-altering pandemic in the twenty-first century, this study provides powerful historical lessons about how the local and global have always been intertwined in the history of public health and modern medicine. Opening with the Manchurian Plague of 1911 and moving to wartime medicine, the book sheds important light on how overseas Chinese diasporic figures played a crucial role in the making of biomedicine in modern China. This book is a must read for all of us today as we are reminded daily of the global entanglements of health and politics."—Eugenia Lean, Columbia University"Global Medicine in China demonstrates the central roles Overseas Chinese played to integrate biomedicine into the military medicine of war-torn Republican China. This illuminating transnational history integrates major biomedical transformations within the dramatic political convulsions of mid-century China."—Marta Hanson, Johns Hopkins University"Wayne Soon's book on the rise of global medicine in China in the first half of the twentieth century addresses its lessons directly to the People's Republic of China in the midst of a global pandemic—transparency and global cooperation are key to coming to terms with a health crisis... It offers a necessary corrective to a false dichotomy that medical developments were either indigenous or imperialist interventions."—David Luesink, Technology and Culture"Although scholars have paid plenty of attention to Dr Wu Lien-Teh, the efforts of other prominent medical personalities and Overseas Chinese as a whole have as yet been under-researched. Soon's new book represents a timely effort to fill this academic gap and offers a new lens through which to understand how China and the world have been connected through the Chinese diaspora."—Yan Yang, Journal of Chinese Overseas"This meticulous study is based upon research in more than twenty archives and libraries on three continents. In addition to re-centering the role of the Chinese diaspora in global health history, Soon follows both monetary donations and disagreements about how to best develop biomedicine across boundaries, both geopolitical and temporal."—Rachel Core, Bulletin of the History of MedicineTable of ContentsIntroductory Chapter: Diasporic Medicine 1. Prewar International Strategies 2. Wartime Military Medicine 3. Making Blood Banking Work 4. Transnational Politics of Military Medical Education 5. Reconstructing Biomedicine across the Taiwan Straits Concluding Chapter: Legacies of Wartime Medicine

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Book SynopsisTrans seems to be everywhere in American culture. Yet there is little understanding of how this came about. Are people aware that there were earlier periods of gender flexibility and contestability in American history? How well known is it that a previous period of trans visibility in the 1960s and early 1970s faced a vehement backlash right at the time that trans, in the form of what was then termed transvestism and transsexuality, seemed to be so ascendant? Was there transness before transsexuality was named in the 1950s and transgender emerged in the 1990s? Barry Reay explores this history: from a time before trans in the nineteenth century to the transsexual moment of the 1960s and 1970s, the transgender turn of the 1990s, and the so-called tipping point of current culture. It is a rich and varied history, where same-sex desires and identities, cross-dressing, and transsexual and transgender identities jostled for recognition. It is a history that is not at all flattering to US psychiatric and surgical practices. Arguing for the complexity of a trans past and present, Trans America will be a groundbreaking work for the trans community, as well as anyone interested in the history of medicine, sexuality, psychology and psychiatry.Trade Review‘Trans America places the recent conversation about trans issues in its historical context, in impressive depth. Sweeping across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Barry Reay provides an accessible yet comprehensive guide to the important people, places and trends, in the USA and beyond – ideal for anyone who wants to understand what came before the “Transgender Tipping Point”.’Juliet Jacques, author of Trans: A Memoir ‘The richly varied nature of the current trans movement is so beautifully explored and uncovered in Barry Reay's new book. A pleasure to read.’Fayette Hauser of The Cockettes ‘This is an admirable contribution to trans history by a highly respected scholar. It is a story of shifting categorizations, often highly medicalized and limiting, but above all a narrative of agency as trans people pushed definitions to the limit, bent them, and broke them and increasingly spoke for themselves in a powerful, if not always singular, voice. It’s a major achievement and deserves to become a classic.’Jeffrey Weeks, London South Bank University ‘This book is of very high quality. Reay is a major scholar in the field and writes with great authority and assurance.’Thomas Laqueur, University of California at Berkeley ‘Trans America is a thoughtfully written and impressively researched treasure trove of resources for those interested in understanding the history of transgender people and ideas in the USA.’Eric Plemons, Social History of Medicine‘Barry Reay is an innovative historian of sexuality with a special talent for finding ‘sex in the archives’… Reay is also a sharp and vivid writer, frequently hitting that sweet spot between scholarly rigour and mainstream accessibility.’History AustraliaTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1 Before Trans 2 The Transsexual Moment 3 Blurring the Boundaries 4 Backlash 5 The Transgender Turn Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisDepression has colonized the world. Today, more than 300 million of us have been diagnosed as depressed. But 150 years ago, "depression" referred to a mood, not a sickness. Does that mean people weren't sick before, only sad? Of course not. Mental illness is a complex thing, part biological, part social, its definition dependent on time and place. But in the mid-twentieth century, even as European empires were crumbling, new Western clinical models and treatments for mental health spread across the world. In so doing, "depression" began to displace older ideas like "melancholia," the Japanese "utsushô," or the Punjabi "sinking heart" syndrome. Award-winning historian Jonathan Sadowsky tells this global story, chronicling the path-breaking work of psychiatrists and pharmacists, and the intimate sufferings of patients. Revealing the continuity of human distress across time and place, he shows us how different cultures have experienced intense mental anguish, and how they have tried to alleviate it. He reaches an unflinching conclusion: the devastating effects of depression are real. A number of treatments do reduce suffering, but a permanent cure remains elusive. Throughout the history of depression, there have been overzealous promoters of particular approaches, but history shows us that there is no single way to get better that works for everyone. Like successful psychotherapy, history can liberate us from the negative patterns of the past.Trade Review"Drawing from literature, medicine, psychology, anthropology, and memoir, Jonathan Sadowsky shows how much the history of depression informs our present understanding of it. This is an immensely readable book which challenges dogmatic opinions about a complex condition which may be 'hard to manualize' but, sadly, is also too often politicized."—Linda Gask, writer and psychiatrist "Sadowsky deftly guides the reader across history and continents in search of depression's past, present, and future. Engagingly written, measured in tone, and nuanced in its conclusions, The Empire of Depression never loses sight of the human suffering at the heart of its subject."—Greg Eghigian, editor of The Routledge History of Madness and Mental Health "fascinating."—New Statesman "a wise and discerning work."—Shepherd Express "What would an updated Anatomy of Melancholy look like? Perhaps something like Jonathan Sadowsky's The Empire of Depression.... Though neither a Galenist nor an Anglican priest, Sadowsky reminds one in many ways of Burton: wry, practical, humane...."—Gregory Hayes, New York Review of Books "With humour and personal reflexivity, Sadowsky unravels the history of depression in a comprehensive synthesis of a staggering range of sources, weaving classical, medical and academic literature with the tragic stories of prominent people such as artist, Mark Rothko and writer, Sylvia Plath."—Jacqueline Leckie, Health and HistoryTable of ContentsPreface 10 Acknowledgments 19 1 Depression is a Thing 23 2 Too Dry and too Cold 52 3 Turned Inward 79 4 A Diagnosis in Ascent 108 5 "Just Chemical" 152 6 Darkness Legible 187 Epilogue: Depression's Past and Future 216 Note on the Historiography 221 Partial Bibliography 226 Index 232

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Book SynopsisThroughout the world, schizophrenia is a diagnosis now in decline, representing a radical shift in our historical and medical understanding of madness and mental distress. But what does this medical term, first coined by a Swiss psychiatrist in 1908, mean? And why is it increasingly unpopular among patients and the medical establishment? Historian and clinician Orna Ophir unearths the stories of patients and doctors as they struggle to make sense of this debilitating condition. At different times, patients have been depicted as possessed by demons, or simply “inspired,” as hearing voices, suffering from a “split-mind,” or merely having difficulty in “integrating” experiences. Now, a century after its birth, schizophrenia is increasingly viewed not as a radical, abnormal disease defined by an ever-changing cluster of symptoms, but the extreme end of a spectrum on which we are all located. The story Ophir tells is a hopeful one: As patients and doctors sought to overcome stigma and improve therapeutic outcomes, they have shown ever-greater sensitivity to diversity and difference. Schizophrenia: An Unfinished History gestures toward a future in which clinicians and patients will collaborate in the search for better outcomes.Trade Review“Ophir’s survey of schizophrenia is magisterial. Diagnostic categorization has served general medicine and physical health very well. But this book conveys that we may have to consider such a process as abnormal, even inhuman, when it comes to personal experiences.”Robert Hinshelwood, psychoanalyst and author “We have long awaited a history of schizophrenia that brings to bear a deep understanding of that word’s past and present. This excellent look backwards will become a new starting point for us to better consider our future.”George Makari, MD, author of Of Fear and Strangers: A History of Xenophobia “A superb account of the vicissitudes of the schizophrenia concept.”Ruth Leys, Johns Hopkins University“captivating […] thoughtful and compassionate”History Today “Ophir covers this ground skillfully, piquing the interests of readers coming from many different backgrounds and disciplines.”Meghan Wildhood, Mad in AmericaTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: The Ends of a Diagnosis 1 From the Bible to Bleuler 2 Kraepelin, Bleuler, and the Birth of “the Schizophrenias” 3 Psychoanalysis and Schizophrenia 4 The Legacy of the DSM: “The Schizophrenic” as a Moving Target 5 Hearing Voices 6 Schizophrenia and Stigma: Considering a Name Change 7 A Beautiful or Split Mind: The Ethical Implications of a Diagnosis Notes Index

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Book SynopsisTea on the terrace takes the reader on a journey up and down the Nile with famous archaeologists and Egyptologists. Spending time with these fascinating men and women at their hotels and on their boats, the book reveals that a great deal of archaeological work took place away from field sites and museums.Arriving in Alexandria, travellers such as Americans Theodore Davis, Emma Andrews and James Breasted. The book follows them on their journey, listening in on their conversations and observing their activities. Applying insights from social studies of science, it reveals that hotels in particular were crucial spaces for establishing careers, building and strengthening scientific networks, and generating and experimenting with new ideas.Combining archaeological tourism with the history of Egyptology, Tea on the terrace takes the reader behind the scenes of familiar stories, showing Egyptologists’ activities in a whole new light.Trade Review'Will delight all those with an interest in the early development of Egyptology.'Anna Garnett, Ancient Egypt Magazine -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: archaeologists in Egypt1 Alexandria: archaeological tourism in a city forgotten2 Cairo: the city and tourist victorious3 Up the Nile: l’esprit du Nil4 Luxor: archaeology with Thomas CookConclusion: going back homeIndex

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Book Synopsis'The most sheerly enjoyable history of science of recent years' The Spectator'This is one of the best science books I have read in a decade' Paul DaviesLife is Simple tells the remarkable story of how a thirteenth century monk's search for simplicity led to the emergence of the modern world.We begin in the turbulent times of the medieval friar, William of Occam, who first articulated the principle that the best answer to any problem is the simplest. This theory, known as Occam's razor, cut through the thickets of medieval metaphysics to clear a path for modern science. We follow the razor in the hands of the giants of science, from Copernicus, to Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Darwin, Einstein, Rubin and Higgs. Its success suggests that we live in the simplest possible habitable universe and supports the revolutionary theory that our cosmos has evolved.By highlighting the very human passion, curiosity, mistakes and struggles of those who were inspired by Occam's razor to create the modern world, Johnjoe McFadden provides new insight into what science is really about. And that the principle of simplicity is as relevant today as ever.Trade ReviewLIFE IS SIMPLE tells, in an entertaining and engaging way, the remarkable story of a simple idea that begins its epic journey 800 years ago with a medieval Franciscan friar and yet somehow still influences some of the most profound ideas in science today. -- Jim al-KhaliliOccam's razor, like Hobson's choice and Schrödinger's cat, is a phrase that's entered the language. We know more or less what it means without necessarily knowing anything about its inventor or realising the immense power it has as a philosophical and scientific principle. LIFE IS SIMPLE describes brilliantly the context in which William of Occam lived and worked, and the transforming effect that his simple-seeming doctrine has had on the development of our understanding of nature and the universe. -- Philip PullmanThe most sheerly enjoyable history of science of recent years -- Simon Ings, The SpectatorI read LIFE IS SIMPLE and found myself captured by the central premise: that science, though perceived as complicated, is actually the pursuit of simplicity. Johnjoe has created a fascinating book that weaves history, science and humanity together to illuminate what science really is - a topic that could not be more timely. The world is currently waking up to the complexities of science and its role in our world, and this book is an enlightening aid to that new understanding. -- Michael Brooks, physicist and science writerIn LIFE IS SIMPLE, geneticist Johnjoe McFadden offers a breezy but well-researched look at how the razor has inspired some of science's biggest ideas...his examples illustrate with persuasive power how 'simplicity continues to present us with the most profound, enigmatic and sometimes unsettling insights' into how the universe works -- Scientific AmericanLIFE IS SIMPLE is a history that takes you through many centuries of understanding the changing language and philosophy of science. I highly recommend you buy it -- Robin Ince, broadcaster and author of The Importance of Being Interested: Adventures in Scientific CuriosityWith flair and accessibility, McFadden walks readers through Occam's many intellectually revolutionary ideas...A dense, provocative, and satisfying foray into the history of science -- Kirkus ReviewsA compelling assessment of an idea many of us know but few deeply understand -- John Keogh, BooklistI learned a great deal from reading this book and I thought that the concept of simplicity as the main plot of the story worked well -- Bernard Lightman, Distinguished Research Professor, University of York, Canada. President History of Science Society and editor of Isis, the preeminent international History of Science journal.McFadden's love for William is hard to resist. If you are at all interested in the history of ideas, this is a fabulous read. Even after you've taken a few detours through other material to become better oriented in the controversy over what exactly he's good for, William plausibly still stands as a daring, original figure who deserves a place in the Pantheon, and McFadden has done a great service in bringing the whole William and his influence to wider attention. In short, Life is Simple is enthralling. -- Prospect MagazineCenturies ago, the principle of Ockham's razor changed our world by showing simpler answers to be preferable and more often true. In Life Is Simple, scientist Johnjoe McFadden traces centuries of discoveries, taking us from a geocentric cosmos to quantum mechanics and DNA, arguing that simplicity has revealed profound answers to the greatest mysteries . . . Recasting both the history of science and our universe's origins, McFadden transforms our understanding of ourselves and our world -- Irish Tech NewsA tour through two millennia of scientific discovery . . . interesting and illuminating -- Wall Street JournalFor all its technical triumphs, science does not take place in a cultural vacuum. McFadden's wonderful and thoroughly-researched account of the history of ideas reveals how simplicity as an overarching principle weaves through all the sciences, telling us something profound about the nature of reality. His vivid descriptions and clear exposition make the subject come alive, and resonate with significance. This is one of the best science books I have read in a decade. -- Paul Davies, Regents’ Professor of Physics at Arizona State University and author of What’s Eating the Universe?Like a talented stylist or editor, courageous scientists have identified what is redundant . . . and promptly scratched it out. McFadden's book brings this observation to life using two millennia of scientific advancement, never castigating those who were wrong, but instead highlighting how they helped to shape the correct answers that came later -- Caroline Delbert, Popular MechanicsMcFadden includes much interesting material drawn from Ockham and other historical sources. His evident enthusiasm is particularly welcome as this book is directed not only at fellow scientists but also at a wider readership -- Geoffrey Cantor, Times HigherJohnjoe McFadden's delightfully lucid book is itself a model of deceptive simplicity. The words glide off the page in this trenchant analysis of nature's complexities that brings fresh life to centuries of scientific discovery and also points the way towards a clearer future -- Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and award-winning author of Science: A Four Thousand Year HistoryThoroughly fascinating . . . Far from being a narrow specialist, [McFadden] has a firm grasp of the complexities of many branches of science . . . Breath-taking in its comprehensiveness and clarity -- Irish Times

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Book SynopsisThe Nobel laureate Otto Warburg was widely regarded as one of the most important biochemists of the twentieth century. A Jewish homosexual living openly with his partner, he was also among the most despised figures in the Third Reich. Yet top Nazi officials—perhaps even Hitler himself—dreaded cancer and protected Warburg in the hope he could cure it. Using new archival sources and interviews with current cancer authorities, Sam Apple depicts a relentless figure, hungry for fame, who pursued his research even as the world around him disintegrated. Remarkably, Warburg’s theory about the metabolic origins of cancer has been revived in our own time, as scientists investigate the dangers of sugar and the link between obesity and cancer. Ravenous is a book for readers of Alan Turing and The Emperor of All Maladies: a tale of scientific discovery, personal peril and the race to end a disastrous disease.Trade Review"While millions of other Europeans with Jewish heritage were being rounded up and sent to their deaths, Otto Warburg enjoyed Nazi protection and a comfortable life in Berlin. Sam Apple, author of a new book, Ravenous, explores his remarkable tale of survival." -- BBC History Revealed"The research that Warburg is best known for today, and the work that forms the backbone of Ravenous, is his discovery that cancer cells behave differently from healthy cells in two very specific ways: They consume massive amounts of glucose — Apple compares them to ravenous shipwrecked sailors — and they eschew aerobic respiration in favor of fermentation... Apple covers everything from Hitler’s obsessive preoccupation with cancer to how the German Empire’s transformation into an industrial powerhouse led to a Romanticism-fueled movement that emphasized both environmental and racial purity. The fact that Apple can make these stories... feel so immediate is a testament to his canny knack for choosing apposite details." -- Seth Mnookin - The New York Times Book Review"Eye-opening... filled with... outrageous and entertaining stories... I walked away from Ravenous thinking of Otto Warburg as a sort of Sigmund Freud of cancer research." -- Sam Kean - The Wall Street Journal"Ravenous tells the story of an extraordinary life, and of the visionary work that sustained it... Apple has a gift for elegant analogies and illuminating similes… [An] exceptionally interesting and well-written book..." -- Thomas Morris - Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisThe bald eagle is regal but fearless, a bird you’re not inclined to argue with. For centuries, Americans have celebrated it as “majestic” and “noble” yet savaged the living bird behind their national symbol as a malicious predator of livestock and, falsely, a snatcher of babies. Taking us from before the United States’ founding through inconceivable resurgences of this enduring all-American species, Jack E. Davis contrasts the age when native peoples lived beside it peacefully with that when others, whether through hunting bounties or DDT pesticides, twice pushed Haliaeetus leucocephalus to the brink of extinction. Filled with spectacular stories of Founding Fathers, rapacious hunters, heroic bird rescuers and the lives of bald eagles themselves—monogamous creatures, considered among the animal world’s finest parents—The Bald Eagle is a much-awaited cultural and natural history that demonstrates how this bird’s wondrous journey may provide inspiration today, as we grapple with environmental peril on a larger scale.

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Book SynopsisOn August 10, 1632, five leading Jesuits convened in a sombre Roman palazzo to pass judgment on a simple idea: that a continuous line is composed of distinct and limitlessly tiny parts. The doctrine would become the foundation of calculus, but on that fateful day the judges ruled that it was forbidden. With the stroke of a pen they set off a war for the soul of the modern world. Amir Alexander takes us from the bloody religious strife of the sixteenth century to the battlefields of the English civil war and the fierce confrontations between leading thinkers like Galileo and Hobbes. The legitimacy of popes and kings, as well as our modern beliefs in human liberty and progressive science, hung in the balance; the answer hinged on the infinitesimal. Pulsing with drama and excitement, Infinitesimal will forever change the way you look at a simple line.Trade Review'A well-spun yarn, a cracking read… engaging…unique’ -- History Today‘A gripping and thorough history of the ultimate triumph of the mathematical tool… Infinitesimal will inspire you to dig deeper into the implications of the philosophy of mathematics and knowledge’ * New Scientist *‘A complex story told with skill and verve… Alexander does an excellent job of presenting both sides of the debate.’ * THES Book of the Week *‘Amir Alexander’s enthralling book presents a controversial mathematical breakthrough, vividly describing the players and showing exactly what was at stake.’ * Tony Mann, Director of the Maths Centre, University of Greenwich and Former President of the British *“Bertrand Russell once wrote that mathematics had a ‘beauty cold and austere’… Amir Alexander shows that mathematics can also become entangled in ugliness hot and messy… [a] fascinating narrative.” * New York Times *“[Told with] high drama and thrilling tension.” * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *‘A gripping tale of mathematical, philosophical, and theological controversies in the run-up to calculus.' * Ian Stewart, author of Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities *‘Clever and enthralling.' -- Simon Schaffer, Professor of the History of Science, University of Cambridge‘A real-world Da Vinci Code’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Fascinating.. Amir Alexander vividly recreates a wonderfully strange chapter of scientific history... You will never look at calculus the same way again.’ -- Jordan Ellenberg, Professor of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin-Madison‘Gripping… Amir Alexander writes with elegance and verve... A page-turner full of fascinating stories about the struggles of remarkable individuals and ideas, Infinitesimal will help you understand the world at a deeper level.’ -- Edward Frenkel, Professor, University of California at Berkeley, and author of Love and Math‘We thought we knew the whole story: Copernicus, Galileo, the sun in the centre, the Church rushing to condemn. Now this remarkable book puts the deeply subversive doctrine of atomism and its accompanying mathematics at the heart of modern science.’ -- Margaret C. Jacob, Distinguished Professor of History, University of California, Los Angeles‘A seamless synthesis of cultural history and storytelling... The history of mathematics has rarely been so readable.’ -- Michael Harris, Professor of Mathematics, Columbia University and Université Paris Diderot‘You may find it hard to believe that illustrious mathematicians, philosophers, and religious thinkers would engage in a bitter dispute over infinitely small quantities. Yet this is precisely what happened in the seventeenth century. In Infinitesimal, Amir Alexander puts this fascinating battle in historical and intellectual context.’ -- Mario Livio, Astrophysicist, Space Telescope Science Institute, and author of Brilliant Blunders: Fr

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Book SynopsisFrom pseudoscience to incorrect assumptions and unfounded belief, science hasn’t always been right…Contrary to recent debate on the internet, nowadays we are fairly confident that the earth is not flat and that we are in fact inhabitants of a spherical planet. However, this was not always the case, with a widespread belief that if you reached the horizon, you would simply fall off into space.Along with assumptions about the health benefits of heroin, the advantages of injecting monkey glands into the human body and bumps on your head being indicators of personality and temperament, science has a colourful past. In this entertaining and informative look at a dubious history, Graeme Donald examines the origins of some of the most extraordinary and mind-boggling scientific theories of the past.Trade ReviewA fun read * Significance magazine *

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the 2023 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award Follows the fascinating story of musical timekeeping, beginning in an age before the existence of external measuring devices and continuing to the present-day use of the Smartphone app. The book opens with an exploration of musical time keeping as expressed in the artwork and musical writing of the Renaissance, sources that inform our early understanding of an age when music making was bound up with motions of the body and the pulsing of the human heart. With the adoption of the simple pendulum and the subsequent incorporation of tempo-related language, musicians gained the ability to communicate concepts of speed and slowness with ever-increasing precision. The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries witnessed the development of a diverse array of musical time-keeping devices, yet it was not until the nineteenth century that a single device combined the critical elements of accuracy, functionality and affordability. Enter the metronome: portable and affordable, a triumph of innovation that enabled musicians to establish and faithfully reproduce musical time with accuracy and ease. From Beethoven to Ligeti, Moskovitz looks to a number of distinguished composers who used or refused this revolutionary machine and explores the complicated relationship that unfolded between the metronome, the musical world and practitioners in other disciplines who sought to exploit its potential. Engagingly written, Measure: In Pursuit of Musical Time will appeal to professionals and amateurs alike.Trade ReviewThrough its historical depth, vivid explanations, and engaging narrative, Measure provides a valuable resource for those seeking to think more pointedly about the history of and ideas surrounding musical time. With this book, readers will find a captivating journey into the heartbeat of music itself. -- Katie Bank * H-NET REVIEWS *This is a fascinating study of the history of keeping time in music, from pulse to pendulum to metronome. It reminds us that such seemingly dry and rigorous methods were developed to preserve a composer's intentions or to perfect a performer's rhythm, thus allowing for maximum freedom and faithful inspiration in performance. * Stephen Hough, pianist, composer, writer. *Table of ContentsIntroduction HANDS 1 Hand and Heart 2 Motion and Rest PENDULUMS 3 A Logically Ordered Universe 4 A Line, a Weight and a Nail 5 Court and Académie 6 New Systems 7 Curiosities and Chronometers 8 Revolutionary Minds 9 Clockwork 10 Hammers, Dials and Barrels METRONOMES 11 Winkel's Prototype 12 Maelzel's Metronome 13 Composer's Calibrations 14 An Incomparable Lack of Judgement 15 New Currents 16 Metronome Sense Afterword: Last Object Works Cited

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Book Synopsis‘A lively, intelligent and persuasive history of speech...Expertly and patiently explained’ The TimesWhy are human beings the only animals that can speak? And why does it matter?If you’ve ever felt the shock of listening to a recording of your own voice, you realise how important your voice is to your personal identity. We judge others – and whether we trust them – not just by their words but by the way they talk: their intonation, their pitch, their accent.Now You’re Talking explores the full range of our voice – how we speak and how we sing; how our vocal anatomy works; what happens when things go wrong; and how technology enables us to imitate and manipulate the human voice. Trevor Cox talks to vocal coaches who help people to develop their new voice after a gender transition; to record producers whose use of technology has transformed the singing voice; and to computer scientists who replicate the human voice in their development of artificial intelligence.Beginning with the Neanderthals, Now You’re Talking takes us all the way to the digital age – with the frightening prospect that we may soon hear ‘Unexpected item in the bagging area’ more frequently than a friendly ‘Hello, how are you?’ in the street.Trade ReviewFull of well-I-never insights... A lively, intelligent and persuasive history of speech...Expertly and patiently explained -- Laura Freeman * The Times *Fascinating... Illuminating… The book draws on the latest scientific research and is studded with arresting statistics... [Cox] wears his learning lightly... A rewarding read... Cox knows how to make his subject sing. And the narrative is enlivened by colourful anecdotes. -- Sebastian Shakespeare * Daily Mail *[T]his is a continually interesting and instructive account of our conversational abilities, and a much needed exposé of our remarkable incapacity to infer anything from each other’s talk. -- Harry Ritchie * The Spectator *[A] fascinating examination of how the nature of voices invoke prejudice and preconceptions -- Adrian Woolfson * New Statesman *A brain-pleasing and entertaining read. Cox’s passion for his subject comes through on every page. An entertaining read for anybody. -- Abi Jackson * UK Press Syndication *

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Book SynopsisJohn Gribbin, author of Six Impossible Things, shortlisted for the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize, presents a tour of seven fundamental scientific truths that underpin our very existence.These 'pillars of science' also defy common sense. For example, solid things are mostly empty space, so how do they hold together? There appears to be no special 'life force', so how do we distinguish living things from inanimate objects? And why does ice float on water, when most solids don't? You might think that question hardly needs asking, and yet if ice didn't float, life on Earth would never have happened.The answers to all of these questions were sensational in their day, and some still are. Throughout history, science has been able to think the unthinkable - and Gribbin brilliantly shows the surprising secrets on which our understanding of life is based.Trade Review[In] the last couple of years we have seen a string of books that pack bags of science in a digestible form into a small space. John Gribbin has already proved himself a master of this approach with his Six Impossible Things, and he's done it again ... [Seven Pillars of Science is] light, to the point and hugely informative. ... It packs in the science, tells an intriguing story and is beautifully packaged. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.co.uk *'[Gribbin] deftly joins the dots to reveal a bigger picture that is even more awe-inspiring than the sum of its parts.' -- Laura Hiscott * Physics World *

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Book SynopsisBook of the Year in The Economist, Guardian, New Statesman, Wall Street Journal and New York Times.Shortlisted for the Duff Cooper Prize & the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography.'A wonderful book about one of the most important, brilliant and flawed scientists of the 20th century.' Peter Frankopan'Superb' Matt Ridley, The Times'Fascinating... The best Haldane biography yet.' New York TimesJ.B.S. Haldane's life was rich and strange, never short on genius, never lacking for drama. He is best remembered as a geneticist who revolutionized our understanding of evolution, but his peers thought him a polymath; one student called him 'the last man who knew all there was to be known'.Beginning in the 1930s, Haldane was also a staunch Communist - a stance that enhanced his public profile, led him into trouble, and even drew suspicions that he was spying for the Soviets. He wrote copiously on science and politics for the layman, in newspapers and magazines, and he gave speeches in town halls and on the radio, all of which made him, in his day, as famous in Britain as Einstein. Arthur C. Clarke called Haldane 'the most brilliant science popularizer of his generation'. He frequently narrated aspects of his life: of his childhood, as the son of a famous scientist; of his time in the trenches in the First World War and in Spain during the Civil War; of his experiments upon himself; of his secret research for the British Admiralty; of his final move to India, in 1957. A Dominant Character unpacks Haldane's boisterous life in detail, and it examines the questions he raised about the intersections of genetics and politics - questions that resonate all the more strongly today.Trade ReviewDeliciously full of danger, adventure and scandal. * 'Science Books of the Year', Guardian *Superb... Subramanian does a masterly job of summarising a rich and rough life. He uses sharp analogies and arresting images... Haldane deserves a biographer who is eloquent, intelligent, fair, but unsparing and as good at explaining science as politics. Not an easy combination, but he has got one. -- Matt Ridley * The Times *It's hard to recommend a single science book from 2020, but the one I've kept returning to, mentally, is Samanth Subramanian's A Dominant Character... Beautifully written, it's a reminder that no scientist can be extracted from his or her time. * Laura Spinney, 'Books of the Year', New Statesman *Fascinating... Subramanian is a strong writer, and he recounts Haldane's communist adventures with brio... A Dominant Character is the best Haldane biography yet. With science so politicized in this country and abroad, the book could be an allegory for every scientist who wants to take a stand. * New York Times *Samanth Subramanian is a crisp, elegant writer who has produced a compelling biography of this dazzling man. A Dominant Character is perfectly paced... It can be read with the utmost pleasure by everyone who likes to admire a fine intellect in action and to see respect paid to outstanding intelligence. -- Richard Davenport-Hines * Wall Street Journal *A wonderful book about one of the most important, brilliant and flawed scientists of the 20th century - that explains much not only about J.B.S. Haldane but about the complex times he lived in. -- Peter Frankopan, bestselling author of THE SILK ROADSEven if there had been no scientific legacy, the rich and at times outrageous life of J.B.S. Haldane would justify a biography... Intelligent and energetic. * Sunday Times *Sympathetic and astute * The Economist *The 20th century British geneticist J.B.S. Haldane remains one of the most influential scientists of modern times. And this remarkable biography by Samanth Subramanian, which brings to life Haldane at his brilliant, unpredictable, outspoken, visionary best, will make you see exactly why his light still shines so brightly today. -- Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE POISON SQUADA wholly delightful, even brilliant, exploration of the scientific mind. Subramanian brings alive J.B.S. Haldane's rollicking, unbelievable life journey from privileged English childhood to Indian asylum. He writes with grace and confidence about both the science and the man, a "Darwinian preacher" whose life explains why scientists in our age of artificial intelligence and revolutionary genetics need to think politically. A Dominant Character is a captivating story of prickly genius, sexual scandal, and radical politics. -- Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of AMERICAN PROMETHEUSA marvellous, comprehensive, and entertaining biography of J.B.S. Haldane, who made major contributions to many fields. His biggest impact was on evolutionary biology, as a major founder of the theory of population genetics. Subramanian has done impressive research on Haldane's background, scientific contributions, and political controversies - this will be the definitive work on his life from now on. -- Joe Felsenstein, Professor Emeritus of Genome Sciences and of Biology, University of WashingtonExcellent.... Full of insight and felicitous writing. -- David Brown * American Scholar *If you were looking for a model protagonist for a ripping yarn, you could do a lot worse than John Burdon Sanderson Haldane... A Dominant Character turns on the Lysenko affair, examining how scientists wedded to both their work and their political ideals can be forced to choose between them. * Literary Review *Insightful...This portrait of a brilliant, egotistical contrarian illustrates how science and politics can collide, a subject with ample relevance for the modern world. * Publishers Weekly *A rich biography of a central figure in the 20th-century genetics revolution... Succeeds superbly. * Kirkus Reviews *Captures Haldane's outsize character, productive scientific career, and communist convictions.... Explaining clearly Haldane's science and discerning astutely Haldane's personality, Subramanian delivers a well-judged biography. * Booklist *Attempting to encompass the entirety of the polymath that was J.B.S. Haldane (1892-1964) is no easy task.... Social historians will appreciate the emphasis on the man and his politics, over an emphasis solely on the science, in this excellent biography. * Library Journal *Balanced and modern ... [A Dominant Character] should prove engaging to readers interested in the birth of genetics and in the intersection of science and political belief. * Science *A fascinating portrait of Haldane's life. Subramanian succeeds in capturing his public life, fame, and influence, while giving readers a sense of Haldane as a person and as a groundbreaking scientist. * American Scientist *Table of Contents1: The Scientific Method 2: The Deep End 3: Synthesis 4: Red Haldane 5: The War at Home 6: India 7: Ten Thousand Years

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Book SynopsisIsaac Newton's influence on our world is immense. He formulated the theory of gravity, devised a radical new theory of light and created a calculus that would revolutionize mathematics. His theory of matter in motion sparked the Industrial Revolution. But there was far more to Newton even than these great discoveries. Opening with an informative foreword by the bestselling author of The Body Bill Bryson, the book is then divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of Newton's life, upbringing, education and achievements; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating Newton's actual spoken or written words whenever possible. Biographer Michael White brings Newton to life through detailed research and giving Newton a free voice to tell you about his unorthodox upbringing, his eminent political career, his bitter feuds with rivals and his secret explorations of the occult.

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Book SynopsisBased on the landmark Radio 4 series, this beautifully illustrated modern history of the connections between science and art offers a new perspective on what that relationship has contributed to the world around us. __________ Throughout history, artists and scientists have been driven by curiosity and the desire to experiment. Both have wanted to make sense of the world around them, often to change it, sometimes working closely together, certainly taking inspiration from each other's disciplines. The relationship between the two has traditionally been perceived as one of love and hate, fascination and revulsion, symbiotic but antagonistic. But art is crucial to helping us understand our science legacy and science is well served by applying an artistic lens. How exactly has the ingenuity of science and technology been incorporated into artistic expression? And how has creative practice, in turn, stimulated innovation and technological change?The Art of Innovation is a history of the past 250 years viewed through the disciplines of art and science. Through fascinating stories that explore the sometimes unexpected relationships between famous artworks and significant scientific and technological objects - from Constable's cloudscapes and the chemist who first measured changes in air pressure, to the introduction of photography and the representation of natural history in print - it offers a new way of seeing, studying and interpreting the extraordinary world around us.Trade ReviewA timely and compelling history of the springs of thought. * Melvyn Bragg *A wonderful insight into the way art and science can be interwoven. * Cornelia Parker *

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Book Synopsis*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 BARBELLION PRIZE* *A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week* As seen on Sky Arts Book Club with Elizabeth Day and Andi Oliver An eye-opening account of disability, identity, and how robotics and technology are changing what it means to be human - from the bestselling author of Anatomy of a Soldier Harry Parker's life changed overnight, when he lost his legs to an IED in Afghanistan. That took him into an often surprising landscape of a very human kind of hacking, and he wondered, are all humans becoming hybrids? Parker introduces us to the exhilarating breadth of human invention - and intervention. Grappling with his own new identity and disability, he discovers the latest robotics, tech and implants that might lead us to powerful, liberating possibilities for what a body can be. 'I loved Hybrid Humans. A way of looking at the future without nostalgia for the past' - Jeanette WintersonTrade ReviewFascinating ... Parker's writing is elegant and often lyrical ... As someone who has lived as a "hybrid" for more than a decade, Parker never forgets the realities of everyday life, which encompass both pain and beauty. This may be a tour of the scientific avant garde, but the focus is always on the human heart and mind -- Book of the Day * Observer *Harry Parker has explored the cutting edge of interaction between humanity, computing and AI ... a captivating and cautionary travel guide to a new world -- Gavin Francis, author of Adventures in Human BeingI loved Hybrid Humans. It is modest, wise ... and a way of looking at the future without nostalgia for the past -- Jeanette WintersonA terrific writer -- Elizabeth DayHybrid Hymans is an argument for the work of salvage ... The cracks - the brokenness intimating precarity and mortality - create value and even beauty, as well as ways to connect with others * Times Literary Supplement *Absorbing ... Parker takes us on a tour of the weird and wonderful world where man and machine meet * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisScience & Scientists in Berlin is a richly illustrated guidebook providing informative biographies of 22 major scientists and 11 mathematicians linked to the metropolis, from polymath Gottfried W. Leibniz (b. 1646) to computer inventor Konrad Zuse (d. 1995). As well as renowned figures like Albert Einstein, the book includes scientists who deserve to be better known, such as flight pioneer Otto Lilienthal. Their world-changing achievements are described in a lively and accessible style. Follow in the footsteps of the protagonists using the comprehensive gazetteer and 18 colour maps which guide you to almost 200 sites associated with their lives: such as plaques, monuments, laboratories, museums, residences & graves. Anyone who is interested in both science and Berlin’s history, and who wants to learn about the people who created this unique past and experience the places where it comes alive, needs a guidebook like this…

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Book SynopsisSynthesizes Welsh history of science during the long eighteenth century.‘A World of New Ideas’: 1650–1820 is a series of two volumes revealing the often-forgotten contributions made by Welsh scientists to the scientific history of the long eighteenth century. The first volume—The Isles—centers on the contribution made in Wales particularly, but also includes England, Scotland, and Ireland. By presenting a synthesis of published material and original research in three sections (Theory, Practice, and Results), its chapters examine how Welsh contributions fit into the history of science developed from the quasi-magical worlds of alchemy and early chemistry, through the advent of Cartesian and Newtonian science, to the world of technological innovation and industrial development.

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Book SynopsisMartin Lister, royal physician and fellow of the Royal Society, was an extraordinarily prolific natural historian with an expertise in shells and molluscs. Disappointed with the work of established artists, Lister decided to teach his daughters, Susanna and Anna, how to illustrate the specimens he studied. The sisters became so skilled at this that Lister entrusted them with his great work, 'Historiæ Conchyliorum', assembled between 1685 and 1692. This first comprehensive study of conchology consisted of over 1,000 copperplates of shells and molluscs collected from around the world. 'Martin Lister and his Remarkable Daughters' reconstructs the creation of this masterwork, from the identification of the original shells to the drawings themselves, and from the engraved copperplates to the draft prints and final books. Susanna and Anna portrayed the shells not only as curious and beautiful objects, but also as specimens of natural history rendered with sensitivity and keen scientific empiricism. Beautiful in their own right, these illustrations and engravings reveal the early techniques behind scientific illustration together with the often unnoticed role of women in the scientific revolution.Trade ReviewThis is the extraordinary and compelling story of how a scientific father and his two artistic daughters created the first comprehensive, illustrated account of the biology of molluscs. -- T.R. Birkhead, author of 'The Wonderful Mr Willughby''Historian Anna Marie Roos marshals her considerable talents as a researcher to recover the story of how Lister’s daughters learnt to draw and etch scientifically accurate natural history illustrations ... lucid and surprisingly funny ... Roos is to be congratulated on recovering an important episode in the intertwined history of art and science in the early modern period, the history of scientific book production and the hidden role of women in the history of science.' * Nature *‘Fascinating glimpse of 17th-century female artistic endeavour – unstinting, unpaid and, until now, unsung.’ * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisA Daily Telegraph book of the year. This is a landmark in science writing that resurrects from the vaults of neglect the polymath Jerome Cardano, a Milanese of the sixteenth century. Who is he? A gambler and blasphemer, inventor and chancer, plagued by demons and anxieties, astrologer to kings, emperors, and popes, and the unacknowledged discoverer of the mathematical foundations of quantum physics. The Quantum Astrologer's Handbook, like Jerome, has multiple occupations: it is at once a biography, a history of science, an explanation of quantum theory, and an engrossing story which reads like the best kind of novel. It is a science book like no other about a scientist like no other. Trade Review‘Jerome Cardano is my all-time favourite mathematical rogue. Michael Brooks has brought him vividly to life in entertaining, informative, and highly original conversations about frontier physics, held across a gulf of centuries. A daring and successful experiment and a new kind of popular science writing.’ -- Ian Stewart“A near-novelistic account that’s part quantum science, part biography, and part history, this story of 16th-century polymath Jerome Cardano delivers enjoyment on every level … The author breathes life into the intrigues of the 16th century, from a political crisis point which turns on a king receiving a favorable horoscope, to public math battles in the town square between bitter rivals. Brooks’s work offers a bewitching and intimate mix of biography and science.” STARRED REVIEW * Publishers Weekly *‘Michael Brooks is a magician in the old sense — both scientist and artist. He uses both disciplines to create a compelling, fresh look at the quantum world. A fantastic read for students of reality.’ -- Gwyneth Lewis, author of Sunbathing in the Rain‘Michael Brooks is the canniest science writer around. He writes, above all, with attitude.’ * The Independent *‘Brooks communicates difficult stuff in an amiable and lucid manner.’ * New Statesman *‘[Brooks’s] history of [quantum theory] and his sketches of its principals — Einstein, Schrödinger, Bohr — are swift and precise, but he really shines in his lucid discussions of theory and experiment.’ * Financial Times *‘4 stars ... Cardano turns out to be an intriguing figure, deserving of Brooks’ obsession ... [they] make for very entertaining and illuminating companions.’ * The Mail on Sunday * ‘An enthralling biography of the polymath Jerome Cardano, which doubles as a primer on the strangeness of quantum physics ... This vivid book offers belated recompense to a gambler who lost more than he won in an eventful and turbulent life.’ * The Sunday Times *‘This beautifully written book is a kind of experimental scientific biography that mashes up science with what seems to be non‑science, the better to explore the boundaries of what we still don’t know … a quite superb book.’ * The Guardian *‘A beautifully novelistic fusion of physics and biography.’ * The Daily Telegraph *‘This unconventional biography reads like a playful, postmodern novel full of ambition, intrigue, tragedy and an amazing array of scientific discoveries … a risky conceit but Brooks pulls it off magnificently.’ * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘Brooks is an exemplary science writer. His explanations have the sort of clarity you often yearn for when you read about science, but rarely find.’ * The Daily Telegraph *‘[A] fascinating and accessible primer on some of the meatiest and most controversial ideas in modern science … Brooks is known for his ability to explain difficult science to non-specialist audiences, and his passionate interest in quantum physics and history animates every page of this engrossing book.’ * The Saturday Paper *‘The premise of Michael Brooks’s book linking Cardano and quantum physics is bonkers but curiously effective.’ * New Statesman *‘The most original non-fiction book I’ve read in years.’ -- Andrea Wulf, author of The Invention of Nature and Founding Gardeners‘This is one of the best & imaginative non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Hands down. US readers ... I promise. Absolutely fantastic.’ -- Andrea Wulf

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Book Synopsis2022 marks the 45th anniversary of the Voyager probe launches. Launched into space in 1977, these twin probes explored the farthest reaches of the Solar System before venturing on a one-way journey beyond, all the while testing the bounds of science, robotic exploration and our collective imagination. This heavily revised commemorative book takes a comprehensive look at their incredible achievements, future potential and overall legacy.Chronicled herein is an epic journey to unveil the mysterious outer reaches of the Solar System for the first time. The book recounts the Voyagers’ travels through the asteroid belt and past the giant gaseous planets Jupiter and Saturn, as well as Voyager 2’s forays near the distant ice giants Uranus and Neptune. Each chapter details in full the game-changing scientific data and glorious imagery they sent back to Earth.This new edition incorporates all the new data we have learned in the nearly 20 years since its original publication, discussing how the knowledge first gleaned with Voyager has been built upon in subsequent decades by Cassini, Juno and New Horizons.The Voyager probes captured imaginations around the world; now is an opportune time to reflect on their unparalleled quest across the edges of the Solar System and the enigmatic interstellar medium beyond.Table of ContentsPREFACE Chapter 1 – to explore the history of planetary observation from prehistory through the invention of the telescope and into modern times, prior to the dawn of the Space Age. Chapter 2 – to trace early efforts to explore the Solar System and planets with space telescopes and space probes in the 1960s and 1970s and the state of knowledge on the eve of the Voyagers’ launch. Chapter 3 – to explore the origins of Project Voyager as a continuation of Mariner, with emphasis on early designs, nuclear power, Saturn V and other boosters and the evolution and expense of TOPS. Chapter 4 – to focus on the construction, processing and launch of the spacecraft, together with initial problems experienced and how communications and data processing occurred, as well as the background to the Voyagers’ respective trajectory plans. Chapter 5 – to explore the Voyagers’ surveys of Jupiter, from early observations to completion of science phase, lessons learned and as in the original volume this story will be brought up to date with more modern Galileo and Juno data. Chapter 6 – to explore the Voyagers’ surveys of Jupiter, from early observations to completion of science phase, lessons learned and as in the original volume this story will be brought up to date with more modern Galileo and Juno data. Chapter 7 - to explore the Voyagers’ surveys of Saturn, from early observations to completion of science phase, lessons learned and as in the original volume this story will be brought up to date with more modern Cassini data. Chapter 8 - to explore the Voyagers’ surveys of Uranus, from early observations to completion of science phase, lessons learned and as in the original volume this story will be brought up to date with more modern Hubble and Keck-II data, in addition to ongoing Decadal Surveys to explore future mission concepts. Chapter 9 - to explore the Voyagers’ surveys of Neptune, from early observations to completion of science phase, lessons learned and as in the original volume this story will be brought up to date with more modern Hubble and Keck-II data, in addition to ongoing Decadal Surveys to explore future mission concepts. Chapter 10 – to explore the Voyagers’ respective trajectories and discoveries after their planetary encounters, including the 1990 family portrait, gradual deterioration of instrument usage from the late 1990s and beyond and the current state of the missions, together with expectation of end-of-contact and the legacy of the mission. Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe 70 years from 1880 to 1950 witnessed the final ascent of humankind into the modern age. Historically, this period is characterized by deep political, social and economic crises. However, parallel to this and much less known in the public, rational scientific thinking also experienced the darkest and deepest crisis of its own history. All the great modern scientific discoveries like quantum theory, genetics and neurology are products of this. Ground-breaking discoveries, profound crises, revolutionary thoughts, refutation of previously unshakable beliefs - these years are marked by scientific achievements of numerous great minds, who overturned our understanding of the world, of space, time and infinity, of life, logic and calculability almost overnight. The "intuitive genius" of these pioneers still forms the foundation of today’s scientific thinking and technological progress. In fact, tackling and overcoming those deep scientific crises shaped our modern life like nothing else. The resulting reorientation of our understanding of nature and ourselves allowed ancient philosophical questions to appear in a new light: "What is reality?", "What can we know about the world?" or "What is man's place in nature?". The most exciting period in the history of science is retold here in an entertaining way.Table of ContentsNewton's World Formula that was not a World Formula - How the Speed of Light Shook up Classical Physics.- The Battle about the Atom: From Boltzmann to Einstein – How Pure Chance Broke into the Well-Ordered World of Physics.- Mathematics Becomes Paradoxical - Georg Cantor and the Insurmountable Contradictions in Infinity.- Darwin's Hesitation and Mendel's Diligence - Life as a Plaything of Molecular Elements.- No more Ground Beneath our Feet - The Collapse of Classical Sciences.

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Book SynopsisThis book constructs a history of Newtown Creek’s industrial expansion during the period that began in the 1840s and continued through the early years of the 20th century. In that period, the production of reagent chemicals and refined materials near the center of modern-day New York City grew steadily, as practitioners, alert to European advances in chemical science, developed and applied increasingly sophisticated technologies. Innovations in methods of production, ready access to domestic and international markets, and sustained growth in volumes of production at Newtown Creek in the late 19th century had profound consequences for the practice of industrial chemistry in the United States and for the economic vitality of the City of New York. Industrial practice progressed from the recovery of animal tissues to the refining of crude petroleum and the production of high-purity copper and other metals from mineral ores. With attention to each company’s technical expertise and principal products, this book examines the interdependence of the chemicals- and materials-producing industries that thrived along Newtown Creek’s shores. The author recounts Newtown Creek’s industrial history alongside the stories of well-known New Yorkers – Peter Cooper, Charles Pratt, John D. and William Rockefeller – and other less celebrated or less notorious characters. This book provides a valuable account of New York’s history in the manufacture of reagent chemicals and refined fuels and metals and will appeal to researchers, scholars and historians interested in the early years of industrial chemistry.Table of ContentsNewtown Creek and New York City.- Skin and Bones.- Oil of Vitriol: Martin Kalbfleisch and the Manufacture of Reagent Chemicals at Newtown Creek.- Superphosphate.- Abraham Gesner and the New York Kerosene Oil Company.- Benjamin Silliman, Jr., and the Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company.- Charles Pratt, Henry Rogers, and Astral Oil.- Acid and copper: The 50-year Partnership of John Brown Francis Herreshoff and William Nichols.- The Standard Oil Company and New York City.- Industry, Invention, and the Americans; Newtown Creek, then and Now.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a small but practical summary of how one can and should learn science. The author argues that science cannot be taught but has to be learnt. Based on historical examples he shows that practicing science means putting one’s intellect into the understanding of simple questions like what, why, how and when events around you happen. The reader understands that the search for the cause and effect relationship of so called normal happenings is a very provocative experience and learning science leads one to it. This is underpinned by looking at everyday experiences and how they can help any lay-person learn science. The author also explains the methodology of science and discusses an integrated approach to science communication. Finally he elaborates on the influence and role of science in society. The book addresses interested general readers, teachers and science communicators.Table of ContentsWhat is Science?.- Science in Daily Life - Can One See Science in Routine Actions?.- Scientific Methodology.- Language of Science.- Mathematics - The Common Base for Science.- Integrated Approach to Science Communication.- Experience and Experimenting in the Development of Science.- Observation and Inference.- Science as a Profession.- Science and Society.

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Book SynopsisWritten in an accessible style, this unique book aims at describing the Nobel prize winning works in astronomy to readers who only have a background of high school physics. It gives a glimpse of the work done by those prize-winning astronomers at the forefront of research and the state-of-the-art techniques used for that, to an interested reader. There have been 11 years when Nobel prizes in physics have been given to astronomers. These award-winning works cover almost the entire subject of astronomy, starting from stellar structure all the way to cosmology. The prizes have been divided in 7 categories which are described in 7 chapters. For each prize a brief biography of the winner(s) is given first. The subject of the award is put into context and the reader is reminded of all the basic concepts needed for understanding the work before, finally, the prize-winning work is described. This enjoyable book will give the interested reader an excellent overview of the highlights and development of astronomy of the 20th and early 21st century.Table of ContentsFor detailed ToC see attachments

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Book SynopsisChapter 1: Introduction and General Context.- Chapter 2: An Abridged History of the Mesoamerican Peoples.- Chapter 3: The Glorious Civilizations of the Aztecs and Maya.- Chapter 4: Mesoamerican Writing and Historical Sources.- Chapter 5: The Xiuhpohualli and the Tonalpohualli of the Aztecs.- Chapter 6: A Cyclical Time: the Haab and the Tzolkin of the Maya.- Chapter 7: The Religion and Mythology of the Aztecs.- Chapter 8: The Religion and Cosmology of the Maya.- Chapter 9: The Astronomy of the Aztecs.- Chapter 10: The Sky of the Maya and the Power of the Kings.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of Bernie Mills, Chris Christiansen, Paul Wild and Ron Bracewell, members of a team of radio astronomers that would lead Australia, and the world, into this new field of research. Each of the four is remembered for his remarkable work: Mills for the development the cross type instrument that now bears his name; Christiansen for the application of rotational synthesis techniques; Wild for the masterful joining of observations and theory to elicit the nature of the solar atmosphere; Bracewell for his contribution to imaging theory. As well, these Four Pillars are remembered for creating a remarkable environment for scientific discovery and for influencing the careers of future generations. Their pursuit of basic science helped pave the way for technological developments in areas ranging from Wi-Fi to sonar to medical imaging to air navigation, and for underpinning the foundations of modern cosmology and astrophysics.Trade Review“The book tells a highly readable story of four scientists/engineers who contributed to the development and high international standing of radio astronomy in Australia. … The book is abundantly filled with original photos and illustrations. I can recommend it to all radio astronomers that are old enough to have personally known the Four Pillars. It will be a good read to anyone with an interest in the development of science in post-war Australia … .” (Jacob W. M. Baars, The Radio Science Bulletin, Issue 365, June, 2018)“Four Pillars of Radio Astronomy: Mills, Christiansen, Wild, Bracewell, by R. H. Frater, W. M Goss, and H. W. Wendt, provides a fascinating window on the remarkable development of Australian radio astronomy in the decade following World War II. … The book is short, concise, entertaining, and very well illustrated.” (James Moran, Physics Today, Vol. 71 (09), 2017)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- The Early Years.- Pawsey – Grand old man of Radio Astronomy.- The Rebirth of Fleurs - Christiansen.- The Radioheliograph and Beyond - Wild.- The One Mile Cross - Mills.- A Transformed World - Bracewell.- Discussion.- Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisA non-technical (but serious) treatment of those parts of Earth history leading up to human history, as well as some pre-historical aspects of humanity. Many “events” in Earth’s history necessarily preceded the emergence of human beings (and intelligence). Geology has provided us with a great deal of information about these various steps on the way to intelligent life, and how and why they were important. Some of these events were on a cosmic scale (no universe – no life!), some were planetological/astronomical (no Earth – no life), some were essentially chemical (how did life emerge in the primordial ocean and why do we have oxygen in the atmosphere?), and some were details of evolutionary history (how did life colonize the land and how did mammals develop?). In this book an enthusiastic professor of geosciences presents a broad introduction from the Big Bang to the present and into the future, lucidly explaining aspects from various disciplines to interested, non-specialist readers.Trade Review“The book would be a wonderful resource for advanced undergraduates or for a graduate-level seminar, as each chapter focuses on a key question regarding life on Earth. … The index is brief; the few images are useful additions to the text. … Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals.” (L. T. Spencer, Choice, Vol. 56 (11), July, 2019)Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction.Chapter 2. In the beginning…and somewhat later.Chapter 3. How to make a habitable planet.Chapter4. Prebiotic chemical synthesis.Chapter 5. The origin of life.Chapter 6. Interlude.Chapter 7. Photosynthesis – the game changer.Chapter 8. The rise of oxygen and the origin of the eukaryotic cell.Chapter 9. Earliest plants and animals.Chapter 10. The Cambrian explosion and emergence of “modern” body plans.Chapter 11. The end of the Ordovician and the colonization of the land.Chapter 12. The Permian extinction and the rise of the dinosaurs.Chapter 13. End of Cretaceous extinction – the end of the dinosaurs.Chapter 14. The rise of mammals, the Genus Homo, and the ongoing extinction event.Chapter 15. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisThe humanities include disciplines as diverse as literary theory, linguistics, history, film studies, theology, and philosophy. Do these various fields of study have anything in common that distinguishes them from, say, physics or sociology? The tripartite division between the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities may seem self-evident, but it only arose during the course of the 19th century and is still contested today. 'History and Philosophy of the Humanities: An Introduction' presents a reasoned overview of the conceptual and historical backgrounds of the humanities. In four sections, it discusses: - the most influential views on scientific knowledge from Aristotle to Thomas Kuhn; - the birth of the modern humanities and its relation to the natural and social sciences; - the various methodological schools and conceptual issues in the humanities; - several themes that set the agenda for current debates in the humanities: critiques of modernity; gender, sexuality and identity; and postcolonialism. Thus, it provides students in the humanities with a comprehensive understanding of the backgrounds of their own discipline, its relation to other disciplines, and the state of the art of the humanities at large.Trade Review''History and Philosophy of the Humanities: An Introduction' is a book that gives structure and meaning to a rich and vital academic field. It is well-structured, clearly written, and with useful summaries at the end of each chapter. A guiding light for our academic thinking and practice.' - Frits van Oostrom, University Professor, Utrecht University, former president of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a general introduction to fluid mechanics in the form of biographies and popular science. Based on the author’s extensive teaching experience, it combines natural science and human history, knowledge inheritance and cognition law to replace abstract concepts of fluid mechanics with intuitive and understandable physical concepts. In seven chapters, it describes the development of fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, experimental fluid dynamics, wind tunnel and water tunnel equipment, the mystery of flight and aerodynamic principles, and leading figures in fluid mechanics in order to spark beginners’ interest and allow them to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field’s development. It also provides a list of references for further study.Table of ContentsFoundation of Fluid Mechanics.- Aerodynamics.- Hydrodynamics.- Computational Fluid Dynamics.- Experimental Fluid Mechanics.- Wind tunnel and water tunnel equipment.- Flight Mystery and Aerodynamic Principles.- Introduction to Celebrities in Fluid Mechanics.

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