Human biology Books

Book SynopsisCan you taste words, feel flavours as a shape, or hear colors? If so you may well have synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a ''merging of the senses''.This Very Short Introduction describes synaesthesia''s many forms, and delves into the underlying neuroscience. Explaining the scientific basis for synaesthesia, Julia Simner considers how we can measure the effects synaesthesia has on the everyday lives of people living with it. Exploring the fascinating stories of different synaesthetes'' experiences of the world, she also discusses the documented links between synaesthesia, childhood development, memory, personality, and artistic creativity, and the potential limitations synaesthesia might impose.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewCan reality be measurably different inside different heads? Synaesthesia teaches us that the answer is yes, and no one is better positioned than Simner to tell the story of this remarkable phenomenon. She and her colleagues have helmed the cutting edge of this research for decades, and she has now penned a wonderful book that deftly balances brevity with depth. * Dr David Eagleman, neuroscientist at Stanford University *Table of ContentsPreface 1: What is synaesthesia? 2: Synaesthesia in the brain 3: Synaesthesia and the arts 4: The ups and downs of synaesthesia: is it a 'gift' or a 'condition'? 5: Where does synaesthesia come from? The role of genetics and learning 6: The question of synaesthesia Conclusion Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisBiomedical Scientists are the foundation of modern healthcare, from cancer screening to diagnosing HIV, from blood transfusion for surgery to food poisoning and infection control. Without Biomedical Scientists, the diagnosis of disease, the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment, and research into the causes and cures of disease would not be possible. The Fundamentals of Biomedical Science series has been written to reflect the challenges of practicing Biomedical Science today. It draws together essential basic science with insights into laboratory practice to show how an understanding of the biology of disease is coupled to the analytical approaches that lead to diagnosis. Assuming only a minimum of prior knowledge, the series reviews the full range of disciplines to which a Biomedical Scientist may be exposed - from microbiology to cytopathology to transfusion science. Haematology provides a broad-ranging overview of the study of blood, the dynamic fluid that interfaces with all organs and tissues to meditate essential transport and regulatory functions. Written with the needs of the Biomedical Scientist centre-stage, it provides a firm grounding in the physiology of blood, and the key pathophysiological states that can arise. It demonstrates throughout how an understanding of physiology underpins the key investigations carried out by a Biomedical Scientist to forge a clear link between science and practice. The third edition has been thoroughly revised to remain up to date with the latest scientific research, with new sections and case studies added to support your learning. The online resources to accompany Haematology have also been updated and include multiple choice questions to test understanding, a Journal Club which provides discussion questions for relevant research papers, and answers to case study and self-check questions. Students and lecturers will also have access to the FBMS series online resources, which feature video interviews with practicing biomedical scientists and ''in the lab'' footage showing biomedical techniques. Also available as an ebook with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support.Trade ReviewA great, friendly text to develop haematology knowledge with a good laboratory practice perspective. * Patricia Procter, Keele University *It's the first book I recommend on my haematology courses. * Dr Carol Rea, University of Lincoln *A really good reference text for use at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and it also meets the needs of many working Biomedical Scientists. * Dr Colin Casimir, Middlesex University *Table of ContentsPart 1 1: Gary W. Moore, Gavin Knight, Andrew D. Blann and Alexis Henley: Intro to haematology 2: Andrew D. Blann, Gary W. Moore and Gavin Knight: Major haematology parameters and basic techniques 3: Andrew Blann and Gavin Knight: Haemopoiesis and the bone marrow Part 2 4: Andrew Blann and Pam Holtom: The red blood cell in health and disease 5: Andrew Blann and Sukhjinder Marwah: Anaemia 1: The bone marrow, micronutrients, and disease in other organs 6: Andrew Blann and Sukhjinder Marwah: Anaemia 2: Haemolysis 7: Gary W. Moore: Blood-borne parasites 8: Gavin Knight: White blood cells in health and disease Part 3 9: Gavin Knight: An introduction to haematological malignancies 10: Gavin Knight: The laboratory investigation of haematological malignancies 11: Gavin Knight: An introduction to classification systems: myeloid neoplasms 12: Gavin Knight: An introduction to classification systems: lymphoid neoplasms Part 4 13: Gary W. Moore: Normal haemostasis 14: Gary W. Moore and David A. Gurney: Bleeding disorders and their laboratory investigation 15: Gary W. Moore and Ian Jennings: Thrombophilia 16: Gary W. Moore: Acquired disorders of haemostasis 17: Gary W. Moore and Jane M. Needham: Haemostasis and anticoagulation Part 5 18: Andrew D. Blann, Gavin Knight and Gary W. Moore: Case studies in haematology

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Book SynopsisPART OF THE ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES- What is pain and can we measure it?- What is chronic pain and can we treat it?- Can we make pain pleasant?UNDERSTAND the causes and the reasons for pain. This complex, subjective but vital perception is experienced by the entire animal kingdom. We may not enjoy feeling it, but living without pain would be dangerous - it is our body''s way of telling us when something isn''t right.YOUR BODY''S BUILT IN ALARM SYSTEMWritten by Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, Irene Tracey, PAIN is an accessible and fascinating illustrated introduction to one of our body''s most important sensory and emotional experiences.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, PEN America""One of Waterstones' Books of the Year 2020: Popular Science""Longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books for Young Adults""The role of happenstance in determining the fate of the world may seem a matter for philosophy more than science, but Carroll, a biologist, shows how central the idea is to everyday existence." * New York Times Book Review *"With conversational wit, Carroll encourages us to embrace the randomness of the world."---Scott Hershberger, Scientific American"The Yucatan asteroid is an epic example of the sheer randomness which, as Sean B. Carroll argues in this short but thought-provoking book, rules both the universe and our own lives."---Nick Rennison, Daily Mail"Carroll takes readers on an entertaining tour of biological discovery that emphasizes the dominant role played by chance in shaping the conditions for life on Earth. Along the way, he provides insights and humor that make the book a quick, lively read that both educates and entertains. . . . Books such as this remind us to make our unlikely time here count."---Ivor Knight, Science"Carroll’s work renders hefty topics accessible, exploring the perfect storm of events responsible for evolution, the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs and every living person’s conception."---Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine"It is to biologist Sean B. Carroll’s credit that he’s found a way of taking a puzzle that could easily fill volumes (and probably has filled volumes), and presenting it to us in a slim, non-technical, and fun little book."---Dan Falk, Undark"A history book about humanity told with wit and style."---John Brandon, Forbes"A short, sweet, and scientifically solid view of life." * Kirkus, starred review *"I couldn’t put it down. If you’re at all interested in science, you’ll keep turning these pages."---Flora Taylor, American Scientist"If you enjoyed Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, you'll like this breezy, equally amusing trip through time. . . . A stellar little book about science.""---Jenny Nicholls, Waiheke Weekender"In Carroll, three traits that are rare in themselves conjoin in an even rarer alignment: a command of multiple scientific fields, an unrivaled ability to clearly explain complex scientific concepts, and a deep instinct for storytelling. It is only fitting that such an unlikely combination produced A Series of Fortunate Events, since this discipline-spanning, highly engaging volume is all about the unlikely combinations that gave rise to all life, to the human species, and to each of us as unique individuals."---Barbara N. Horowitz, The Quarterly Review of Biology"Entertaining and informative, Carroll’s latest is a real eye-opener."---Nick Smith, Engineering & Technology"Golf games, coincidental immunity, and pandemics: A Series of Fortunate Events ranges from examining trivial events to sobering ones, but remains relevant throughout, revealing how chance affects everyday life."---Rebecca Foster, Foreword Reviews"Entertaining and informative, Carroll’s latest is a real eye-opener."---Dr Alyson Hitch, The Bay"This book lays bare how often unpredictable events have shaped our world; it educates, engages, and entertains."---R. M. Denome, Choice"A short and charming book that will give you a new appreciation of the vagaries of life and their influence."---Ian Simmons, Fortean Times"This is an accessible and fun book but be forewarned that it might leave you wanting more. Personally, I take that as a good sign."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist

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Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive major academic textbook available on its topic, this classic text presents the most important research studies in the field. The author integrates engaging first-person accounts from patients, physicians, and other health care providers throughout the text. Since the bookâs inception, its principal goal has been to introduce students to the field of medical sociology and serve as a reference for faculty by presenting the most current ideas, issues, concepts, themes, theories, and research findings in the field. This 16th edition is heavily revised, with updated data and important new additions.New to this edition: Updated chapter on the social causes, impacts, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic (Chapter 3) Analysis of the widening 10-year gap in average life expectancy in American society between the wealthy and well-educated and the poor and less-educated (Chapter 4) Expanded discussion of the effects of racism on phys

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Book SynopsisA fresh and fascinating investigation into cancer and how genetics holds the key to overcoming it.Trade ReviewThis book is packed with big ideas about life. Every chapter has something in it which made me think wow. Having worked in a major cancer charity for many years, Arney writes with genuine in-depth understanding and is a perfect guide. * Daniel M. Davis, author of The Beautiful Cure *Rebel Cell is a bright, engaging read, fizzing with energy and metaphor. Kat Arney is a science writer for all of us - a powerful and talented story teller. * Stephen McGann *Kat's book is Dynamite. A crystal clear reappraisal of the story behind that word we fear to mention. * Dallas Campbell, author of Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet *Forget magic bullets and much hyped miracle cures, to improve the chances of cancer patients we need revolutionary new thinking. And that new thinking, Arney forcefully argues, is evolutionary. She not only places cancer in its evolutionary context but shows how understanding a cancer as an evolving entity leads to new therapeutic approaches that work. This lively, scholarly and accessible book should be essential reading. * Professor Laurence D Hurst, President of the Genetics Society *Better than just a history or scientific rundown of cancer, Kat Arney presents a philosophy for how to think about cancer. * Zach Weinersmith author of Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That Will Improve and/or Ruin Everything *Kat Arney does it again: taking the complex and making it easy to grasp, demystifying the mysterious, asking the right questions and finding the surprising answers - and all with rollicking good humour and bonhomie. The war on cancer would itself be far more advanced if its practitioners knew how to communicate with us and each other as well as Kat does in this mind-thrilling page turner. * Mark Stevenson, Futurist and Author of We Do Things Differently: the outsiders rebooting our world *A lively study of the Big C, which makes the case that cancer is the price we pay for our marvellously complicated bodies. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis"Congratulations on the purchase of this exclusive product, tailor-made just for you. It will provide you with years of continuous service."The brain is one of nature's most miraculous but misunderstood creations. In this fascinating user-friendly guide, you will discover all you need to know about what is ceaselessly happening inside your head - from the 38 million billion calculations the brain makes per second, to the complex distribution of memory (there is no central storeroom for information) and why love is an entirely neuronal experience.With wit and style, Marco Magrini cuts through the noise of cerebral misinformation to tell the real story of who you are and, crucially, what you are capable of achieving. N.B. Product comes with a 10-year warranty. T&Cs apply"A fantastically original and clever way to popularise neuroscience." - Professor Gilberto Corbellini, Philosophy of Science, La Sapienza University, Rome"In these pages, Magrini describes beautifully, and often very humorously, the extraordinary harvest of new neuroscientific discoveries shedding light on the most complex and astonishing thing in the universe itself." - Tomaso Poggio, MIT McGovern Institute

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Book Synopsis'Stylish and exhilarating... from a wide-ranging mind and a profound humanity... inspiring' Hilary Mantel 'A wonderful series of meditations - clinical, anthropological, literary and deeply humane - on his patients and their illnesses.' Henry Marsh Timely, thought-provoking and eloquent, brimming both with warmth and insight, he puts himself among the ranks of ... Oliver Sacks and Atul Gawande.' The Times Unreliable bodies and shifting symptoms are all in a day's work for a GP. In his years of practising, Gavin Francis has seen it all: the promising law student trapped under the spell of anorexia; the bodybuilder whose use of illegal steroids threatens his fertility; the teenager agonising over the perplexing physical dramas of puberty; and the surprisingly upbeat woman growing a horn in the centre of her forehead. In Shapeshifters he draws on his patients' bodily transformations, both welcome and unwelcome, bringing together case histories and accounts from the history of medicine, art, literature, myth and magic to show how the very essence of being human is change.Trade ReviewA wonderful series of meditations - clinical, anthropological, literary and deeply humane - on his patients and their illnesses. -- Henry MarshIn this provocative and important book about our shared future, Francis ranges broadly to describe altered human states and selves. He delves into medical history, and, with equal ease, into medical case studies, to reveal how humans are capable of changing our bodies and minds. -- Siddhartha MukherjeeWonderful, written with a deep feeling for language. A writer-physician who sees the drama and beauty in human life. -- Annie DillardFrancis's method is to weave together stories from his general practice, his medical training and his travels, with a host of quotes, references and anecdotes from art, literature and history. The result is a rich pleasure. -- James McConnachie * The Sunday Times *Timely, thought-provoking and eloquent... brimming both with warmth and insight, he puts himself among the ranks of physicians with fine pens, including Oliver Sacks and Atul Gawande, who, for all their learning, retain a deep humility. -- Janice Turner * The Times *Stylish and exhilarating... from a wide-ranging mind and a profound humanity. With warmth and wit, Gavin Francis examines the body's strategies for survival and change, embedding his thoughts in a broad frame of reference from across human culture and history. Each piece is a pleasure to read, and in sum they are inspiring. -- Hilary MantelAs compelling as it is affecting * Scotland on Sunday *Such is the breadth of Francis's interests that Shapeshifters is never less than intellectually energetic -- Brian Dillon * Guardian *[An] enthralling collection of illustrated pieces about human transformation. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *Shapeshifters is beautifully written as well as extremely absorbing -- Susan Flockhart * Sunday Herald *

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Book SynopsisFrom the animal world to the forces that make things go, young minds have big questions about how the world works. The answers to these questions wait in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Unlock the world around you with STEM and Me.

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Book SynopsisWhere did we come from? Where are we going?Homo sapiens is the most successful, the most widespread and the most influential species ever to walk the Earth. In the blink of an evolutionary eye we have spread around the globe, taken control of Earth's biological and mineral resources, transformed the environment, discovered the secrets of the universe and travelled into space.Yet just 7 million years ago, we were just another species of great ape making a quiet living in the forests of East Africa. We do not know exactly what this ancestor was like, but it was no more likely than a chimpanzee or gorilla to sail across the ocean, write a symphony, invent a steam engine or ponder the meaning of existence. How did we get from there to here?Human Origins recounts the most astonishing evolutionary tale ever told. Discover how our ancestors made the first tentative steps towards becoming human, how we lost our fur but gained language, fire and tools, how we strode out of Africa, invented farming and cities and ultimately created modern civilisation - perhaps the only one of its kind in the universe. Meet your long-lost ancestors, the other humans who once shared the planet with us, and learn where the story might end.ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe three environmental policy positions and their exemplary representatives would be enough to turn the study into a cutting edge look at the recent past and present of one of the world's most controversial and at the same time most vulnerable ecosystems. Blavascunas can and wants to do more, namely not only to write ethnographically, but also to convince. It expressly does not absolutize the Kossaks, Szumarskis and Korbels, as would contemporary historical approaches, whose narratives cannot do without heroes and a simple conclusion: for or against the jungle and its preservation or deforestation. But it sets other accents; it is about a mapping of what would be possible outside of this pro-contra dichotomy. . . . Foresters, Borders, and Bark Beetles . . . dares a partisan intervention for the not so human actors in an ancient forest. -- Bruno Arich-Gerz * TEXTEM *Table of Contents1. Puszcza: Of Forests and Time 2. The Forester 3. Scientists and the Communist Past: Syndromes, Disorders, and a Proper Elite 4. Post-peasant Cosmopolitics: Man of the Forest 5. Borderline Engagements: Relict Forest, Relict Communism 6. Resurgence: Outbreaks of Bark Beetle and Right-wing Nationalism 7. Temporal Dimensions: The Past is not Safe at all

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Book SynopsisIn this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.Trade Review"A tour de force." -- Christopher Boehm - Nature"A writer marshaling the evidence of his life, particularly his life as a scientist, to express a passionately held belief in the possibility of a more compassionate society." -- Meehan Crist - New Republic"A primatologist who has spent his career studying chimpanzees and bonobos, two of humanity’s closest living relatives, Mr. de Waal draws on a lifetime of empirical research. His data provides plenty of evidence that religion is not necessary in order for animals to display something that looks strikingly like human morality." -- The Economist"The perpetual challenge to atheists is that moral behavior requires religion—all that prevents tsunamis of depravity is a deity or two, some nice hymns, and the threat of hellfire and damnation. De Waal shows that human morality is deeply rooted in our primate legacy, long predating the invention of that cultural gizmo called religion. This is an immensely important book by one of our most distinguished thinkers." -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv"Frans de Waal’s new book carries the important message that human kindness is a biological feature of our species and not something that has to be imposed on us by religious teaching." -- Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An Economist Book of the Year""A thought-provoking read."---Jerry Coyne, Washington Post"The ultimate claim of The Genetic Lottery is an extraordinarily ambitious act of moral entrepreneurialism. Harden argues that an appreciation of the role of simple genetic luck—alongside all the other arbitrary lotteries of birth—will make us, as a society, more inclined to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy lives of dignity and comfort."---Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker"A book that is closely argued and packed with compelling scientific and statistical evidence. . . . This is a fascinating and detailed discussion of how genetic and environmental factors are braided together in all of us, shaping our destinies for good or ill. Harden’s ideas challenge existing orthodoxies, and she is also aware that complex research such as this is often misused. But her passionate commitment to tackling inequality and changing society is not to be doubted."---P. D. Smith, The Guardian"The Genetic Lottery is one of the most thought-provoking books I've read this year."---Dan Falk, CBC Radio"The Genetic Lottery is a good read, peppered with relatable stories and examples. Harden pulls off the trick of simultaneously introducing a technical field to newcomers; addressing deep, specialist debates; and taking seriously the intersection of scientific and philosophical analyses of inequality."---Aaron Panofsky, Science"Harden diligently fights a desperate battle to enlist science to serve progressive social reform." * Kirkus Reviews *"[An] outstanding new book. . . . It’s scientifically spot on, historically adroit, and excellently written. Required reading."---Adam Rutherford"While acknowledging the roles our environment and experiences play in shaping our lives, Harden makes the case that social scientists who want to address the roots of inequality must reckon with genetics. . . . The more researchers understand about the myriad factors that influence how our lives turn out, the more they can help improve outcomes for everyone. Genetics is one of those factors, Harden argues: when we ignore it, the most vulnerable suffer."---Jennifer Latson, Texas Monthly"A welcome resource for scholars and policy makers who want to advocate for and initiate equitable social changes with the help of reliable, expert knowledge."---J. F. Heberle, Choice"An engagingly written and highly accessible account of how genes shape our lives. . . . [The Genetic Lottery] richly merits the widespread attention it has received."---Robert H. Frank, Administrative Science Quarterly"[Harden] is a beautiful writer, weaving together personal narrative and complex technical concepts skillfully. Her writing is accessible to nonexperts, and the argument she makes—that it is both valuable and politically progressive for researchers of social outcomes to study DNA—is provocative. With this argument, The Genetic Lottery invites a necessary debate."---Daphne Oluwaseun Martschenko, Hastings Center Report"One of the most impressive things about [The Genetic Lottery] is Harden’s crystal-clear exposition of complex scientific research and methods. This alone is a gift to the public and every scientist should be grateful to her for helping the public understand genomic research and causal inference."---Jonathan T. Rothwell, Rothwell's Newsletter"Kathryn Paige Harden's The Genetic Lottery is both a novel contribution to this set and a novel kind of contribution, in that she does something much of the rest of this work does not: take a definite position on the political and social implications of behavioral genetics. . . . The book is a masterly tour of the state of the art of behavioral genetics and its relevance for pressing social questions."---Bryan Cwik, Bioethics"In creating a new synthesis that neither ignores the role of genetics nor misappropriates it, Harden acknowledges the importance the genetic lottery plays in shaping our life outcomes, while cautioning against misinterpreting the genetically laden differences among people as implying inborn, societal superiority. Harden examines the nascent field of behavioral genetics in an intellectually humble way, by detailing in lay terms the science of genetics and its applicability to differential life outcomes among people, and by incorporating this knowledge to advance social policies and social considerations that limit inequities."---Mark Rapala, International Social Science Review"Harden has illuminated a path forward free of racial bias and 'superior-inferior' dichotomies to build on seeking applications for greater social equality."---E. B. Boatner, Lavender Magazine"Kathryn Paige Harden has been waging a noble battle to liberate genetic science from its reactionary connotations, and especially the foul practice of eugenics. Her point, pithily made in this important book, is that knowledge of genetics is essential to any progressive politics and can be harnessed to advance the cause of equality."---Matt d’Ancona, Tortoise ​​​​​​​

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Book Synopsis Detailing up-to-date research technologies and approaches, Research Methods in Biomechanics, Second Edition, assists both beginning and experienced researchers in developing methods for analyzing and quantifying human movement. Trade Review“From how to understand and build concepts to new chapters on new techniques and research in the works, this provides a fine college-level analysis of the math and data collection systems behind biomechanics, and makes for a fine reference for any research interested in analyzing human movement.” -- Midwest Book ReviewTable of ContentsPart I. KinematicsChapter 1. Planar Kinematics D. Gordon E. Robertson and Graham E. Caldwell Description of Position Degrees of Freedom Kinematic Data Collection Linear Kinematics Angular Kinematics Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 2. Three-Dimensional Kinematics Joseph Hamill, W. Scott Selbie, and Thomas M. Kepple Collection of Three-Dimensional Data Coordinate Systems and Assumption of Rigid Segments Transformations between Coordinate Systems Defining the Segment LCS for the Lower Extremity Pose Estimation: Tracking the Segment LCS Joint Angles Joint Angular Velocity and Angular Acceleration of Cardan Joint Angles Summary Suggested Readings Part II. KineticsChapter 3. Body Segment Parameters D. Gordon E. Robertson Methods for Measuring and Estimating Body Segment Parameters Two-Dimensional (Planar) Computational Methods Three-Dimensional (Spatial) Computational Methods Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 4. Forces and Their Measurement Graham E. Caldwell, D. Gordon E. Robertson, and Saunders N. Whittlesey Force Newton’s Laws Free-Body Diagrams Types of Forces Moment of Force, or Torque Linear Impulse and Momentum Angular Impulse and Momentum Measurement of Force Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 5. Two-Dimensional Inverse Dynamics Saunders N. Whittlesey and D. Gordon E. Robertson Planar Motion Analysis Numerical Formulation Human Joint Kinetics Applications Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 6. Energy, Work, and Power D. Gordon E. Robertson Energy, Work, and the Laws of Thermodynamics Conservation of Mechanical Energy Ergometry: Direct Methods Ergometry: Indirect Methods Mechanical Efficiency Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 7. Three-Dimensional Kinetics W. Scott Selbie, Joseph Hamill, and Thomas Kepple Segments and Link Models 3-D Inverse Dynamics Analysis Presentation of the Net Moment Data Joint Power Interpretation of Net Joint Moments Sources of Error in Three-Dimensional Calculations Summary Suggested Readings Part III. Muscles, Models, and MovementChapter 8. Electromyographic Kinesiology Gary Kamen Physiological Origin of the Electromyographic Signal Recording and Acquiring the Electromyographic Signal Analyzing and Interpreting the Electromyographic Signal Applications for Electromyographic Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 9. Muscle Modeling Graham E. Caldwell The Hill Muscle Model Muscle-Specific Hill Models Beyond the Hill Model Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 10. Computer Simulation of Human Movement Saunders N. Whittlesey and Joseph Hamill Overview: Modeling As a Process Why Simulate Human Movement? General Procedure for Simulations Control Theory Limitations of Computer Models Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 11. Musculoskeletal Modeling Brian R. Umberger and Graham E. Caldwell Musculoskeletal Models Control Models Analysis Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Part IV. Further Analytical ProceduresChapter 12. Signal Processing Timothy R. Derrick and D. Gordon E. Robertson Characteristics of a Signal Fourier Transform Time-Dependent Fourier Transform Sampling Theorem Ensuring Circular Continuity Smoothing Data Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 13. Dynamical Systems Analysis of Coordination Richard E.A. van Emmerik, Ross H. Miller, and Joseph Hamill Movement Coordination Foundations for Coordination Analysis Quantifying Coordination: Relative Phase Methods Quantifying Coordination: Vector Coding Overview of Coordination Analysis Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 14. Analysis of Biomechanical Waveform Data Kevin J. Deluzio, Andrew J. Harrison, Norma Coffey, and Graham E. Caldwell Biomechanical Waveform Data Principal Component Analysis Functional Data Analysis Comparison of PCA and FDA Summary Suggested Readings

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Book SynopsisThe readership for this book has historically been the upper-undergraduate/graduate level. Professors who wish to bring in more on human evolution, which has increasingly become an important topic in evolutionary biology, genetics and developmental biology courses, will assign this book.Trade Review"This book should neither be on your coffee table nor in your waste-paper box. It should not even be on one of your book-shelves. It should be on your desk, within reach, and always immediately at hand whenever wanted. A good buy!" PalArch, January 2006 "This is an excellent book for reference and, for the intelligent student who wants to go into real depth, this is an effective, user-friendly and up-to-date resource." Institute of Biology, July 2006Table of ContentsPreface. Part I: Human Evolution in Perspective:. 1. Our Place in Nature. 2. Human Evolution as Narrative. 3. Historical Views. 4. Modern Evolutionary Theory. 5. The Physical Context of Evolution. 6. Extinction and Patterns of Evolution. Part II: Background to Human Evolution:. 7. Dating Methods. 8. Systematics: Morphological and Molecular. 9. Science of Burial. 10. Primate Heritage. Part III: Humans as Animals:. 11. Bodies, Size, and Shape. 12. Bodies, Brains, and Energy. 13. Bodies, Behavior, and Social Structure. 14. Nonhuman Models of Early Hominins. Part IV: Hominin Beginnings:. 15. Ape and Human Relations. 16. Origin of the Hominoidea. 17. Origin of Bipedalism. 18. Jaws and Teeth. 19. The Earliest Known Hominins. Part V: The Hominin Adaptation:. 20. The Australopithecines. 21. Early Homo. 22. Hominin Relations. 23. Early Tool Technologies. Part VI: Homo erectus: Biology and Behavior:. 24. The Changing Position of Homo erectus. 25. New TechnologiesUnit 26: Hunter or Scavenger. Part VII: Origin of Modern Humans:. 27. The Neanderthals. 28. Anatomical Evidence. 29. Genetic Evidence. 30. Archeological Evidence. Part VIII: The Human Milieu:. 31. Evolution of Brain, Intelligence, and Consciousness. 32. The Evolution of Language. 33. Art in Prehistory. Part IX: New Worlds:. 34. The Americas and Australia. 35. Origin of Agriculture and The First Villagers. Glossary. Index

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Book SynopsisTop ten Sunday Times BestsellerEngaging, ambitious and creative' GuardianWhere are we? Are we alone? Who are we? Why are we here? What is our future?Human Universe tackles some of the greatest questions that humans have asked to try and understand the very nature of ourselves and the Universe in which we live.Through the endless leaps of human minds, it explores the extraordinary depth of our knowledge today and where our curiosity may lead us in the future. With groundbreaking insight it reveals how time, physics and chemistry came together to create a creature that can wonder at its own existence, blessed with an unquenchable thirst to discover not just where it came from, but how it can think, where it is going and if it is alone.Accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox: ‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian ‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times ‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express ‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday

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Book SynopsisIn this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.Trade Review"Frans de Waal’s new book carries the important message that human kindness is a biological feature of our species and not something that has to be imposed on us by religious teaching." -- Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape"De Waal’s decades of patient work documenting the ‘building blocks’ of morality in other animals has revolutionized not just primatology but moral psychology. By revealing our commonalities with other species, he gives us more compassion for them and also for ourselves. It’s impossible to look an ape in the eye and not see oneself, de Waal tells us, and this beautifully written book is one long riveting gaze." -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion"Frans de Waal offers us a wealth of inspiring observations from the animal realm, combined with thoughtful reflections on the evolution of morality. He makes a convincing case for the natural foundations of a secular ethics that is fully independent of religion without being dogmatically against it." -- Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist monk, scientist, and author of Happiness and The Quantum and the Lotus"The perpetual challenge to atheists is that moral behavior requires religion—all that prevents tsunamis of depravity is a deity or two, some nice hymns, and the threat of hellfire and damnation. De Waal shows that human morality is deeply rooted in our primate legacy, long predating the invention of that cultural gizmo called religion. This is an immensely important book by one of our most distinguished thinkers." -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv"A well-composed argument for the biological foundations of human morality." -- Kirkus Reviews"This is a writer marshaling the evidence of his life, particularly his life as a scientist, to express a passionately held belief in the possibility of a more compassionate society." -- Meehan Crist - New Republic"A primatologist who has spent his career studying chimpanzees and bonobos, two of humanity’s closest living relatives, Mr. de Waal draws on a lifetime of empirical research. His data provides plenty of evidence that religion is not necessary in order for animals to display something that looks strikingly like human morality." -- The Economist

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Book SynopsisIngrid S Clay is a Celebrity Fitness Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Figure Bodybuilder, and Plant-Based Chef. She has over 10 years' experience in the Health and Wellness space. She has been featured on Fabletics Fitness App, Livestrong, and Popsugar. She has spent several years designing and teaching HIIT classes. Ingrid has a background in Physics & Electrical Engineering. Her science background influences the way she approaches creating HIIT based programs. Insta: @ingridsclay www.ingridsclay.com

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Book SynopsisTo my knowledge...no one...has ever written a comprehensive book dealing with physicians through the ages and recounting their history in a coherent fashion.So wrote Syrian physician Ibn Abi Usaybi''ah, circa 1243, as he embarked on the first world history of medicine ever attempted. Many physicians served at the royal courts of their time and were firmly part of the intellectual and cultural scene, where the ability to write stylishly and entertain one''s peers in both prose and verse was the basis of social credibility. The work Ibn Abi Usaybi''ah created contains over 432 biographical accounts of physicians from those of ancient Greece, such as Galen, through Avicenna and Maimonides, to the author''s own colleagues of the 13th century. As such, his work includes important accounts of medical activity in medieval hospitals. Through this book, a window opens not only on to the origins of the medical profession, but also into the truly multi-cultural, multi-religious world of the medieval Middle East. Anecdotes and Antidotes is an abridged version of this world history of medicine. It comprises 103 biographies of physicians and philosophers, organized geographically and chronologically, from the 4th century BC to the 13th century, and includes seminal Muslim, Christian and Jewish figures. It contains vital medical and historical information, as well as revealing the cultural values, interests and concerns of the literary and intellectual elite of the time.Table of ContentsIntroduction Note on Transliteration and Pronunciation Editorial Note Select Bibliography Chronology Map Anecdotes and Antidotes. A Medieval Arabic History of Physicians. A New Translation. Explanatory Notes Appendix 1: Weights & Measures Appendix 2: Gazetteer of Place-Names Appendix 3: Concordance of biographies with those in the full text Appendix 4: List of Sources used by Ibn Abi Usaybi'ah List of Illustrations and Diagrams

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Book SynopsisAn inquisitive, expansive and fascinating exploration of humans as creatures of our own makingOther species adapt to their environments; we alone create ours. Over generations, we have remade the world to suit ourselves - using improved knowledge and technology to confront the traditional scourges - and for the most part we enjoy prosperity beyond the dreams of our ancestors. What''s more, in changing our world, we have also reshaped the human phenotype - the interaction between genes and environment that moulds our bodies and minds. The results can be seen in the streets of our post-industrial cities. We grow taller and heavier than before, and live longer. We think and behave differently, and die from once rare diseases. Our experiences of life have been transformed, and in turn so have our societies.Weaving together biology, social anthropology, epidemiology and history, Edwin Gale examines the shifting physical and mental dimeTrade ReviewA fascinating thesis argues that biologically we are unlike any generation that has gone before... [Gale's] book is humane and fascinating and it boasts a compelling argument. You will not be bored reading it and if you can't be bothered to read it cover to cover you can simply open it at random to find a good story for your next dinner party. -- James Marriot * Times *

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Book SynopsisIt''s time for a story of human evolution that goes beyond describing ape-men and talks about what women and children were doing.In a few decades, a torrent of new evidence and ideas about human evolution has allowed scientists to piece together a more detailed understanding of what went on thousands and even millions of years ago. We now know much more about the problems our ancestors faced, the solutions they found, and the trade-offs they made. The drama of their experiences led to the humans we are today: an animal that relies on a complex culture. We are a species that can and does rapidly evolve cultural solutions as we face new problems, but the intricacies of our cultures mean that this often creates new challenges.Our species'' unique capacity for culture began to evolve millions of years ago, but it only really took off in the last few hundred thousand years. This capacity allowed our ancestors to survive and raise their difficult children during times of extreme climate chaos. Understanding how this has evolved can help us understand the cultural change and diversity that we experience today.Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson, a husband-and-wife team based at the University of California, Davis, began their careers with training in biology. The two have spent years together and individually researching and collaborating with scholars from a wide range of disciplines to produce a deep history of humankind. In A Story of Us, they present this rich narrative and explain how the evolution of our genes relates to the evolution of our cultures. Newson and Richerson take readers through seven stages of human evolution, beginning seven million years ago with the apes that were the ancestors of humans and today''s chimps and bonobos. The story ends in the present day and offers a glimpse into the future.Trade ReviewEncapsulating seven million years of human history can be challenging; however, the authors have done a brilliant job of extrapolating key themes and explaining them in a consumable format. An additional strength of this book is the acknowledgment of females and children in the evolutionary journey. In closing, this book is a great read for people of all levels of background in evolutionary science, who want to learn more about the recent findings in this field. * Yvanna Todorova, Evolutionary Anthropology *This is a splendid book ... Sometimes a book really works and this is one such case. * Michael Ruse, Quarterly Review of Biology *... a smart and engaging book by two seasoned thinkers and scientific writers... The stories embedded in each chapter by Newson and Richerson are ingenious, appealing, and reflect the solid scholarly material presented simply and directly before and after any given story. All the pieces fit together nicely... enjoyably readable and profoundly informative about the power of cultural evolution. * leonardo.info *A Story of Us provides a thoroughly modern and refreshingly gender-balanced analysis of human evolution. Accurate and authoritative, with superb illustrations, and innovative use of storytelling to bring the science to life, Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson have produced an exceptional book. Readers are not only given an up-to-date precis of human evolution, but also treated to an expert analysis of the role of culture as a driver of evolutionary adaptation and a much-needed critique of 'human nature.' * Kevin Laland, author of Darwin's Unfinished Symphony: How Culture Made the Human Mind *Jargon-free books about human origins are rare as hens' teeth. A Story of Us—an easily readable 'new look' by biologists Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson—is hence extremely welcome. It displays an expert command of recent developments in fields ranging from anatomy and behavior through fossils to genetics, providing an engaging account of our evolution over the past 7 million years. The focus on social behavior and cooperation offsets past over-emphasis on competitiveness and aggression. It's also refreshing to see proper inclusion of women and youngsters, typically pale background figures in previous accounts. * Robert D. Martin, Emeritus Curator of Biological Anthropology, The Field Museum in Chicago and Academic Guest, Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zürich *A Story of Us hits all the right notes in imagining what life was like at seven major stopping-points of the human journey from our ape ancestors. Original, colorful and well-informed, Newson and Richerson's time machine is a beautifully conceived introduction to the evolutionary science of us. * Richard Wrangham, Ruth B. Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University *In this highly original approach to telling the seven-million-year human story, Newson and Richerson bring our ancient ancestors back to life, showing us that the key to being human is not just having a larger brain: it is having highly interconnected minds that generate and share cultural adaptations. No Homo sapiens is an island. I loved reading this book, because it really is the 'story of us.' * Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University—Stern School of Business and author of The Righteous Mind *With plainspoken erudition, Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson integrate narrative accounts and lucid descriptions to deftly guide the reader from the dawn of humanity, through dense thickets of scientific research, to the origins of agriculture, and into the modern age. A Story of Us provides a rich and accessible account of how humans evolved and why we are so different from other species. * Joseph Henrich, Professor and Chair of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University and author of The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous *A Story of Us is, without a doubt, the best current account of the evolutionary history of our species. The Newson-Richerson team skillfully blends engaging narrative with solid scientific review of recent exciting advances that illuminate the human origins. * Peter Turchin, Project Leader of Social Complexity and Collapse at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna and author of Ultrasociety: How 10,000 Years of War Made Humans the Greatest Cooperators on Earth *Table of ContentsChapter 1: Getting Beyond the Ape-Men Chapter 2: Ape Ancestor (About 7 Million Years Ago) Chapter 3: Apes that Walked Upright (About 3 Million Years Ago) Chapter 4: Early Humans (About 1.5 Million Years Ago) Chapter 5: Humans Like Us (About 100 Thousand Years Ago) Chapter 6: Ice Age Humans (About 30,000 Years Ago) Chapter 7: Building Today's World Chapter 8: Another Transformation - Modern Times Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn humans, the perception of odours adds a fourth dimension to life, from the scent of flowers, the aroma of foods, and all the subtle smells in the environment. But how many types of odours can we distinguish? Why do we like the food we like? Which are the most powerful odorants, and how well does the human sense of smell perform compared with that of a dog or a butterfly? The sense of smell is highly complex, and such complexity discouraged scientists for a long time, leaving the world of smell in an atmosphere of mystery. Only recently, thanks to the new tools furnished by molecular biology and neuroscience, are we beginning to answer these questions, uncovering the hidden secrets of our sense of smell, and decoding the language used by most animals to communicate. In this book, Paolo Pelosi, one of the leading figures in the development of the science of olfaction, recounts how the chemical alphabet behind smell has been pieced together over the past three decades. Drawing on anecdTrade ReviewLeaving no stone unturned, Pelosi provides an overview as broad as it is deep, covering the history of the science of olfaction and also how the sense of smell works in diverse organisms from worms to insects to rodents to birds to humans. [...] The author does an excellent job of showcasing how our knowledge of the sense of smell has been gained through research across vastly different scientific disciplines, from chemistry to molecular biology and genetics to neuroscience and ecology. * William B. Walker III, The Quarterly Review of Biology *This is fascinating science and one that will intrigue different levels of readersgeneral, scientists, or practitioners. The language of the book is intended for the general reader; Pelosi effectively communicates the science to those with minimal background in chemistry or biology, even when the subject includes a few chemical names or drawings of molecules. * P. W. Baures, CHOICE *a fascinating exploration at the interface between science and a particular form of qualia. * Network Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; PART ONE - SMELLS AND MOLECULES; PART TWO - MESSENGERS OF SEX AND DANGER; PART THREE - PROTEINS AND SMELLS; PART FOUR - AT THE EDGE OF THE IMAGINATION; CONCLUSION; REFERENCES; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAn award-winning physician and scientist makes the game-changing case that genetic females are stronger than males at every stage of life''A powerful antidote to the myth of a weaker sex'' Gina Rippon, author of The Gendered BrainFrom birth, genetic females are better at fighting viruses, infections and cancer. They do better at surviving epidemics and famines. They live longer, and even see the world in a wider variety of colours. These are the facts; they are simply stronger than men at every stage of life. Why? And why are we taught the opposite?Drawing on his wide-ranging experience and cutting-edge research as a medic, geneticist and specialist in rare diseases, Dr Sharon Moalem reveals how the answer lies in our genetics: the female''s double XX chromosomes offer a powerful survival advantage. And he calls for a long-overdue reconsideration of our one-size-fits-all view of the body and medicine - a view that still frames women through the lens of men. Revolutionary, captivating and utterly persuasive, The Better Half will make you see women, men and the survival of our species anew.''Brilliant, original and groundbreaking, highly readable and genuinely useful'' Daily MailTrade ReviewLet's hear it for the X-chromosome! After decades, if not centuries, of bad press for women and their vulnerable biology, The Better Half gives chapter and verse to show that 'almost everything that is biologically difficult to do in life is done better by females'. An eye- and mind-opening celebration of the reserve genetic horsepower that having two X-chromosomes can bestow, The Better Half is a powerful antidote to the myth of a 'weaker sex'. * Gina Rippon, author of The Gendered Brain and Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Neuroimaging at Aston University, Birmingham *Moalem's essential thesis is valid and important, and deserves attention both within the scientific community and beyond. This is a readable and lively book, making an argument long overdue * The Irish Independent *Although Dr. Moalem had me at the subtitle, I tore through this fascinating, eye-opening book in one sitting. Provocative, crackling with wit and insight, THE BETTER HALF argues that science has shortchanged women in all levels of research and convincingly reveals that the true differences between men and women come down to longevity, intellect, resilience, and immunity to disease. Now it all makes sense why 95 percent of people who have reached the age of 110 are women. -- Jancee Dunn * New York Times bestselling author of 'How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids' *A mind-opening celebration of women -- Kate Garraway, broadcaster and journalistThis book provides the crucial scientific reasoning behind why it is essential to include males and females, both in people and animals, in order to get accurate results in medical research. * Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of 'The Autistic Brain' and 'Thinking in Pictures' *A compelling argument for the resilience seen in women. But the real genius is the poetic justice he metes out by highlighting the brilliant women who remain unsung heroes in these discoveries. -- William J. Sullivan * Showalter Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and author of 'Pleased to Meet Me' *The Better Half explores the genetic differences between males and females in a way that is both original and scientifically compelling. This book provides a great read, and lots to think about, for specialists and the public alike. -- Han G. Brunner, MD, PhD, Professor of Human Genetics at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, and Maastricht University Medical Center, the Netherlands.Moalem brings deep, yet highly-readable, scientific analysis to the perennial question of what makes men and women different. Ideally, this book will re-set that conversation in research labs, doctors' offices, classrooms, and dinner tables around the world." -- E. Kinney Zalesne, New York Times bestselling collaborator on 'Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes'

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Book SynopsisTable of Contents1 Study Skills The Proper Care and Feeding of a Human Brain 2 Basic Maths Review Crunching the Numbers 3 Terminology You Say Humerus, I Say Funny Bone 4 Body Basics The Hip Bone’s Connected to the… 5 Chemistry The Science of Stuff 6 Cell Biology Life’s Little Factories

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Book SynopsisFrom a New York Times bestselling author comes the gripping, untold history of science's darkest secrets, 'a fascinating book [that] deserves a wide audience' (Publishers Weekly, starred review).Science is a force for good in the world—at least usually. But sometimes, when obsession gets the better of scientists, they twist a noble pursuit into something sinister. Under this spell, knowledge isn’t everything, it’s the only thing—no matter the cost. Bestselling author Sam Kean tells the true story of what happens when unfettered ambition pushes otherwise rational men and women to cross the line in the name of science, trampling ethical boundaries and often committing crimes in the process.The Icepick Surgeon masterfully guides the reader across two thousand years of history, beginning with Cleopatra’s dark deeds in ancient Egypt. The book reveals the origins of much of modern science in the transatlantic slave trade of the 1700s, as well as Thomas Edison’s mercenary support of the electric chair and the warped logic of the spies who infiltrated the Manhattan Project. But the sins of science aren’t all safely buried in the past. Many of them, Kean reminds us, still affect us today. We can draw direct lines from the medical abuses of Tuskegee and Nazi Germany to current vaccine hesitancy, and connect icepick lobotomies from the 1950s to the contemporary failings of mental-health care. Kean even takes us into the future, when advanced computers and genetic engineering could unleash whole new ways to do one another wrong.Unflinching, and exhilarating to the last page, The Icepick Surgeon fuses the drama of scientific discovery with the illicit thrill of a true-crime tale. With his trademark wit and precision, Kean shows that, while science has done more good than harm in the world, rogue scientists do exist, and when we sacrifice morals for progress, we often end up with neither.

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Book SynopsisTheoretical Approaches in Bioarchaeology emphasizes how several different theoretical perspectives can be used to reconstruct the biocultural experiences of humans in the past.Over the past few decades, bioarchaeology has been transformed through methodological revisions, technological advances, and the inclusion of external theoretical frameworks from the social and natural sciences. These interdisciplinary perspectives became the backbone of bioarchaeology and strengthened the discipline's ability to address questions about past biological and social dynamics. Consequently, how, why, and when to apply external theory to studies of past populations are central and timely questions tied to future developments of the discipline. This book facilitates ongoing dialogues about theoretical applications within the field and interdisciplinary connections between bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, and other disciplines. Each chapter highlights how a theoretical Table of ContentsForeword; Chapter 1 – Theory in Bioarchaeology: An Introduction; Chapter 2 – Embodying Bioarchaeology: Theory and Practice; Chapter 3 – Gender; Chapter 4 – Bioarchaeological Applications of Intersectionality; Chapter 5 – Life Course Approaches and Life History Theory: Synergistic Perspectives for Bioarchaeology; Chapter 6 – Reconstructing Immune Competence in Skeletal Samples: A Theoretical and Methodological Approach; Chapter 7 – Niche Construction Theory in Bioarchaeology; Chapter 8 – Live Through This: Developing a Sustainable Pathway for Resilience Theory in Bioarchaeological Research; Chapter 9 – Structural Violence and Political Economy: Epistemological Considerations for Bioarchaeology; Chapter 10 – Making Silenced Voices Speak: Restoring Neglected and Ignored Identities in Anatomical Collections; Chapter 11 – Theoretical Approaches to Bioarchaeology: The View from Across the Pond; Chapter 12 – Towards a Bioarchaeology beyond Nature and Culture: Potentials and Possibilities in Contemporary Theoretical Bioarchaeology

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Book Synopsis“With…evidence from recent genetic and anthropological research, [Zuk] offers a dose of paleoreality.” —Erin Wayman, Science NewsTrade Review"Much-needed…Zuk’s nutritionally rich scientific fodder…will certainly bring intellectual benefits far greater than those provided by the pseudoscientific confections with which we are so often tempted." -- Cordelia Fine - Wall Street Journal"Ably presents a skeptical and light-hearted view of a long list of paleofantasies and supposed solutions." -- John Hawks - Nature"Briskly dismisses…misunderstandings about how evolution works and…offers a lively, lucid illustration of the intricacies of this all-important natural process." -- Laura Miller - Salon"Thoroughly engaging and witty…Whether [Zuk is] shredding the underlying premises of the paleo diet, the paleo exercise regimen, or the structure of the paleo family, she does so via cogent discussions of the nature of evolution and accessible elucidations of cutting-edge science." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Zuk’s take on the many controversies and uncertainties surrounding evolution is both wise and measured." -- Guardian"Marlene Zuk’s quest to understand prehistory is an elegant guide for the perplexed. Paleofantasy cuts through a confusing tangle of facts and claims to give us a trustworthy road map to the glorious problems of who we are and where we come from." -- Richard Wrangham, author of Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human"We tend to idealize our ancestors, as if they had the perfect life and perfect diet. In highly readable style, Marlene Zuk downplays our paleo-heritage. Not only did we change culturally, we are also genetically a different animal." -- Frans de Waal, author of Mama's Last Hug

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Book SynopsisRobert Winston is one of the country's best-known scientists. As Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College, University of London, and Director of NHS Research and Development and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Hammersmith Hospital, he has made advances in fertility medicine and been a leading voice in the debate on genetic engineering. His television series, including Your Life in Their Hands, Making Babies, The Human Body, Superhuman and A Child Against All Odds have made him a household name across Britain. He became a life peer in 1995.Trade ReviewWide-ranging and thoroughly entertaining * New Scientist *Devastaingly good...Every chapter bursts with clear logic, style, wit and imagination. * Brian May, Guitarist for Queen *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An Economist Book of the Year""A thought-provoking read."---Jerry Coyne, Washington Post"The ultimate claim of The Genetic Lottery is an extraordinarily ambitious act of moral entrepreneurialism. Harden argues that an appreciation of the role of simple genetic luck—alongside all the other arbitrary lotteries of birth—will make us, as a society, more inclined to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy lives of dignity and comfort."---Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker"A book that is closely argued and packed with compelling scientific and statistical evidence. . . . This is a fascinating and detailed discussion of how genetic and environmental factors are braided together in all of us, shaping our destinies for good or ill. Harden’s ideas challenge existing orthodoxies, and she is also aware that complex research such as this is often misused. But her passionate commitment to tackling inequality and changing society is not to be doubted."---P. D. Smith, The Guardian"The Genetic Lottery is one of the most thought-provoking books I've read this year."---Dan Falk, CBC Radio"The Genetic Lottery is a good read, peppered with relatable stories and examples. Harden pulls off the trick of simultaneously introducing a technical field to newcomers; addressing deep, specialist debates; and taking seriously the intersection of scientific and philosophical analyses of inequality."---Aaron Panofsky, Science"Harden diligently fights a desperate battle to enlist science to serve progressive social reform." * Kirkus Reviews *"[An] outstanding new book. . . . It’s scientifically spot on, historically adroit, and excellently written. Required reading."---Adam Rutherford"While acknowledging the roles our environment and experiences play in shaping our lives, Harden makes the case that social scientists who want to address the roots of inequality must reckon with genetics. . . . The more researchers understand about the myriad factors that influence how our lives turn out, the more they can help improve outcomes for everyone. Genetics is one of those factors, Harden argues: when we ignore it, the most vulnerable suffer."---Jennifer Latson, Texas Monthly"A welcome resource for scholars and policy makers who want to advocate for and initiate equitable social changes with the help of reliable, expert knowledge."---J. F. Heberle, Choice"An engagingly written and highly accessible account of how genes shape our lives. . . . [The Genetic Lottery] richly merits the widespread attention it has received."---Robert H. Frank, Administrative Science Quarterly"[Harden] is a beautiful writer, weaving together personal narrative and complex technical concepts skillfully. Her writing is accessible to nonexperts, and the argument she makes—that it is both valuable and politically progressive for researchers of social outcomes to study DNA—is provocative. With this argument, The Genetic Lottery invites a necessary debate."---Daphne Oluwaseun Martschenko, Hastings Center Report"One of the most impressive things about [The Genetic Lottery] is Harden’s crystal-clear exposition of complex scientific research and methods. This alone is a gift to the public and every scientist should be grateful to her for helping the public understand genomic research and causal inference."---Jonathan T. Rothwell, Rothwell's Newsletter"Kathryn Paige Harden's The Genetic Lottery is both a novel contribution to this set and a novel kind of contribution, in that she does something much of the rest of this work does not: take a definite position on the political and social implications of behavioral genetics. . . . The book is a masterly tour of the state of the art of behavioral genetics and its relevance for pressing social questions."---Bryan Cwik, Bioethics"In creating a new synthesis that neither ignores the role of genetics nor misappropriates it, Harden acknowledges the importance the genetic lottery plays in shaping our life outcomes, while cautioning against misinterpreting the genetically laden differences among people as implying inborn, societal superiority. Harden examines the nascent field of behavioral genetics in an intellectually humble way, by detailing in lay terms the science of genetics and its applicability to differential life outcomes among people, and by incorporating this knowledge to advance social policies and social considerations that limit inequities."---Mark Rapala, International Social Science Review"Harden has illuminated a path forward free of racial bias and 'superior-inferior' dichotomies to build on seeking applications for greater social equality."---E. B. Boatner, Lavender Magazine"Kathryn Paige Harden has been waging a noble battle to liberate genetic science from its reactionary connotations, and especially the foul practice of eugenics. Her point, pithily made in this important book, is that knowledge of genetics is essential to any progressive politics and can be harnessed to advance the cause of equality."---Matt d’Ancona, Tortoise ​​​​​​​

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Aventis Science Book Prize. 'A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Gray's anatomy' J G Ballard, New Stateman Books of the YearTrade ReviewA fascinating and immensely readable exploration of the whole topic * NEW SCIENTIST *A scientific detective story, a brilliant cross between Edgar Allan Poe and Gray's anatomy * NEW STATESMAN BOOKS OF THE YEAR *Limpidly written, dryly witty and extraordinarily wide-reaching, this is surely the most inclusive and erudite popular account of asymmetry yet produced * SPECTATOR *A fascinating study of the origins of asymmetry in life, culture and myth * TLS *Spanning disciplines from genetics to folklore, McManus's account of 'handedness' must be one of the most intellectually capricious science books this year * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *Wonderful book...He has done a marvellous job of summarising and integrating a wide range of findings from various disciplines addressing questions on the nature of right and left * NATURE *An excellent mix of hard science and engaging games and tricks, and a treasury of anecdotes -- Margaret Drabble

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Book SynopsisBill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. His bestselling books include The Road to Little Dribbling, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. In a national poll, Notes from a Small Island was voted the book that best represents Britain. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and is the biggest selling non-fiction book of the 21st century. The Body: A Guide for Occupants was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and is an international bestseller.Bill Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University 2005-2011. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in England.Trade Review'Classic, wry, gleeful Bryson... richly interesting... an entertaining and absolutely fact-rammed book. If it sells hundreds of thousands of copies, like the last one, it will be no bad thing.' * Sunday Times *A directory of wonders. Extraordinary stories about the heart, lungs, genitals ... plus some anger and life advice - all delivered in the inimitable Bryson style -- Gavin Francis * Guardian *SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019: 'so packed with arresting facts (you eat 60 tons of food in a lifetime) and unlikely anecdotes (such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel's six weeks with a half-sovereign lodged in his throat) that you barely notice the sheer volume of anatomical knowledge you're digesting ... makes complex subjects simple and eminently entertaining.' * The Sunday Times *Bryson feeds the pith, pulp and bitter pips of a subject into his brain and produces a sweet, zingy quantity of juice - this book is a delight. * The Spectator *Remarkable ... Every page is dense with scientific facts written as vividly as a thriller, as well as answers to conundrums such as why we don't fall out of bed when we are asleep ... It is woven through with the kind of human stories that Bryson has made his trademark. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisBioarchaeology covers the history and general theory of the field plus the recovery and laboratory treatment of human remains.Bioarchaeology is the study of human remains in context from an archaeological and anthropological perspective. The book explores, through numerous case studies, how the ways a society deals with their dead can reveal a great deal about that society, including its religious, political, economic, and social organizations. It details recovery methods and how, once recovered, human remains can be analyzed to reveal details about the funerary system of the subject society and inform on a variety of other issues, such as health, demography, disease, workloads, mobility, sex and gender, and migration. Finally, the book highlights how bioarchaeological techniques can be used in contemporary forensic settings and in investigations of genocide and war crimes.In Bioarchaeology, theories, principles, and scientific techniques are laid out in a clear, understandable way, and students of archaeology at undergraduate and graduate levels will find this an excellent guide to the field.

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Book SynopsisThe Archaeology of Human Bones provides an up to date account of the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites, introducing students to the anatomy of bones and teeth and the nature of the burial record.Drawing from studies around the world, this book illustrates how the scientific study of human remains can shed light upon important archaeological and historical questions. This new edition reflects the latest developments in scientific techniques and their application to burial archaeology. Current scientific methods are explained, alongside a critical consideration of their strengths and weaknesses. The book has also been thoroughly revised to reflect changes in the ways in which scientific studies of human remains have influenced our understanding of the past, and has been updated to reflect developments in ethical debates that surround the treatment of human remains. There is now a separate chapter devoted to archaeological fieldwork on burial Table of Contents1. THE NATURE OF BONES AND TEETH; 2. THE NATURE OF THE BURIAL RECORD; 3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK ON BURIAL GROUNDS; 4. THE ASSESSMENT OF AGE AND SEX; 5. METRIC VARIATION IN THE SKULL; 6. METRIC VARIATION IN THE POST-CRANIAL SKELETON; 7. NON-METRIC VARIATION; 8. BONE DISEASE; 9. DENTAL DISEASE; 10. TRACES OF INJURY ON THE SKELETON; 11. STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS; 12. DNA ANALYSIS; 13. CREMATED BONE; 14. ETHICS AND HUMAN REMAINS

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Book SynopsisThe Routledge Handbook of Medical Anthropology provides a contemporary overview of the key themes in medical anthropology. In this exciting departure from conventional handbooks, compendia and encyclopedias, the three editors have written the core chapters of the volume, and in so doing, invite the reader to reflect on the ethnographic richness and theoretical contributions of research on the clinic and the field, bioscience and medical research, infectious and non-communicable diseases, biomedicine, complementary and alternative modalities, structural violence and vulnerability, gender and ageing, reproduction and sexuality. As a way of illustrating the themes, a rich variety of case studies are included, presented by over 60 authors from around the world, reflecting the diverse cultural contexts in which people experience health, illness, and healing. Each chapter and its case studies are introduced by a photograph, reflecting medical and visual anthropological respoTrade Review"The international scope of its authorship, both of editors and contributors, is something else that sets this book apart from others. It represents intellectual institutional homes in Western Europe, Australia, North America, and Southern Africa. Theories emanating from the University of Amsterdam and other Western European schools are well represented throughout, like Annemarie Mol’s writings on ontology and technology. Manderson’s vast professional archive on gender, health and the environment supports the volume as a whole, as does Hardon’s work on pharmaceuticals and HIV/AIDS and Cartwright’s on structural vulnerabilities, indigeneity, and immigration." - Casey Golomski, Somatosphere "The volume offers very enjoyable and accessible reading. Given its richly ethnographic case studies, the central conclusion of the book is then the necessity of paying attention to the particular contexts of health and illness across the globe and communities, and of understanding the complex entanglements in which they emerge and materialize. In other words, the volume speaks undeniably about the invaluable input that medical anthropologists may bring into important discussions on health and illness and their potential contribution to global health policy making. Thus, the volume goes well beyond what a handbook entails, becoming a fabulous resource for addressing health (in)justices across the globe."-Cristina Doughlas- Anthropology Books ForumTable of Contents1. INTRODUCTION: SIGN POSTSLenore Manderson, Elizabeth Cartwright and Anita Hardon2. CHANGING CHILDHOODSLenore Manderson, Elizabeth Cartwright and Anita Hardon 2.1 Children with diabetes (Christine Dedding) 2.2 Rare diseases in children in Italy (Alice Larotonda) 2.3 Autism spectrum disorder in Vietnam (Vu Song Ha) 2.4 Children’s idioms of distress (Ria Reis) 3. SEXUALITY AND TECHNOLOGYAnita Hardon, Lenore Manderson and Elizabeth Cartwright3.1 Feminizing the body (Panoopat Poompruek, Pimpawun Boonmongkon and Thomas E. Guadamuz) 3.2 Body, sex, and diet in Mozambique (Arianna Huhn) 3.3 Empowerment and the use of vaginal microbicides (Robert Pool) 3.4 Donating semen in Denmark (Sebastian Mohr) 4. THE SOCIALITIES OF HIV Anita Hardon, Lenore Manderson and Elizabeth Cartwright4.1 Freedom Corner (Emmy Kageha Igonya and Eileen Moyer) 4.2 Chronicle of a Mosotho boy (Ellen Block) 4.3 Coming of age on the streets (Thomas Stodulka) 5. STRESSES IN EVERYDAY LIFEAnita Hardon, Elizabeth Cartwright and Lenore Manderson 5.1 A cold of the soul (Junko Kitanaka) 5.2 Psychoanalysis in Buenos Aires (P. Sean Brotherton) 5.3 Promoting smoking in Indonesia (Mark Nichter and Mimi Nichter) 6. BODILY RESISTANCESElizabeth Cartwright, Anita Hardon, and Lenore Manderson6.1 Rebellion and co-morbidity (Megan Wainwright)6.2 Relatedness in anorexia (Megan Warin) 6.3 Governing by complaint (Jessica Mulligan)7. THE CHRONICITY OF ILLNESS AND DISEASELenore Manderson, Elizabeth Cartwright and Anita Hardon7.1 Mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases (Tim Allen and Melissa Parker) 7.2 Diagnosis and the punctuated life-course (Carolyn Smith-Morris) 7.3 Amputated identity (Narelle Warren) 7.4 Facing up to breathlessness (Marjolein Gysels and Irene J. Higginson) 8. WAYS OF CARINGElizabeth Cartwright, Anita Hardon and Lenore Manderson8.1 Care, self-management and the webcam (Hilde Thygesen and Jeanette Pols) 8.2 E-care in Kerala (Tanja Ahlin) 8.3 Illnesses without a cause (Gesine Kuspert Hearn) 9. ENDINGSLenore Manderson, Elizabeth Cartwright and Anita Hardon 9.1 Becoming old and frail in coastal Tanzania (Piet van Eeuwijk and Brigit Obrist) 9.2 Alzheimer’s disease in urban Brazil (Annette Leibing) 9.3 Caring for corpses in Singapore (Ruth E. Toulson)10. MARKETING MEDICINEAnita Hardon, Lenore Manderson and Elizabeth Cartwright10.1 The compounding pharmacy in Brazil (Emilia Sanabria) 10.2 Policing ‘counterfeit medication’ (Julia Hornberger) 10.3 How a lifestyle product became a pharmaceutical specialty (Laurent Pordié)10.4 Cosmopolitan phytoremedies in Senegal (Alice Desclaux)11. THE ANTHROPOCENEElizabeth Cartwright, Lenore Manderson and Anita Hardon11.1 Inuit health in a changing Arctic (Noor Johnson) 11.2 Environmental pollution and allergies (Roberta Raffaetá) 11.3 Reading the environment (Ben McMahan)11.4 Disastrous recovery (Vincanne Adams)12. GLOBAL VULNERABILITIESElizabeth Cartwright, Lenore Manderson and Anita Hardon12.1 Medical travel (Andrea Whittaker and Chee Heng Leng)12.2 Health care along the US/Mexico border (Heide Castañeda) 12.3 “I haven’t paid this karma yet” (Susann Huschke) 13. WAR, VIOLENCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSELenore Manderson, Elizabeth Cartwright and Anita Hardon 13.1 Honduras: Practicing wartime healing (Adrienne Pine) 13.2 Does Sgt Pearson have PTSD? (Alexander Edmonds) 13.3 Life in a state of fear (Meagan Wilson) 13.4 Exhuming the disappeared (Rachel Carmen Ceasar) 14. GENES, KINSHIP AND RISKAnita Hardon, Lenore Manderson and Elizabeth Cartwright 14.1 Direct-to-consumer genetic testing in China (Suli Sui and Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner) 14.2 Harvesting umbilical cord blood (Simonetta Cengarle) 14.3 Genetics, childhood development and kinship (Janice McLaughlin) 14.4 Suicide and the epigenetic turn (Stephanie Lloyd) 14.5 Techno-benefits and social risks (Barbara Herr Harthorn) 15. HOW THE LOGICS OF BIOMEDICAL PRACTICE TRAVEL Elizabeth Cartwright, Anita Hardon and Lenore Manderson15.1 Humanistic obstetrics in Brazil (Eugenia Georges and Robbie Davis-Floyd) 15.2 Entrepreneuring barren grounds (Trudie Gerrits and Viola Hörbst) 15.3 Surgery and the cultural politics of global health (Adia Benton)15.4 ‘Safe burials’ and the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone (Raphael Frankfurter)15.5 Doctors Without Borders and the global emergency (Peter Redfield) VITAL SIGNS: MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURYLenore Manderson, Anita Hardon and Elizabeth Cartwright

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Book SynopsisWhat is illness? Is it a physiological dysfunction, a social label, or a way of experiencing the world? How do the physical, social, and emotional worlds of a person change when they become ill? Can there be well-being within illness?In this remarkable and thought-provoking book, Havi Carel explores these questions by weaving together the personal story of her own illness with insights and reflections drawn from her work as a philosopher. Carel's fresh approach to illness raises some uncomfortable questions about how we all whether healthcare professionals or not view the ill, challenging us to become more thoughtful. Illness unravels the tension between the universality of illness and its intensely private, often lonely, nature. It offers a new way of looking at a matter that affects every one of us.Revised and updated throughout, the third edition of this groundbreaking volume includes a new chapter on organ transplantation. Illness: The CryTrade Review"This short, powerful and wise book by noted philosopher Havi Carel has much to offer all those affected by illness. Patients and healthcare professionals, as well as academics with an interest in the experience of illness, should all read this book." Rachel Cooper, University of Lancaster, UK. "Havi Carel's Illness: The Cry of the Flesh is a wonderful introduction to phenomenology of medicine. It is a clearly written and richly nuanced personal and philosophical account of living with uncertainty, progressive disability, and fear of early death. Epicurus, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and others are used as sources of ideas for living well – creatively and flexibly – with illness. This third edition is revised and updated throughout (including a new chapter on the meaning of organ transplantation), yet keeps the import and directness of the original 2008 edition. I look forward to using it in my Philosophy of Medicine classes." Miriam Solomon, Temple University, USA "Havi Carel weaves her own experience of breathlessness with lessons in the philosophy of health and illness. Combining analysis and memoir, her book shows how philosophy can provide a form of therapy to deal with the expectations and desires that an illness can destroy. The cry of Carel's flesh is philosophically moving and deeply human." David Teira, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, SpainPraise for previous editions:"One of the most profoundly moving (as well as academically worthwhile) books I have had the pleasure (if that is the correct word) to read. The book will be a useful addition on reading lists for modules that examine illness and disability and death and dying and it has the potential to generate excellent discussions about how both the individual and society deal with illness and disability." Times Higher Education Supplement"A thoroughly readable, engaging book which should be warmly welcomed, not only for the personal nature of the writing, but for its ambition to draw on the insights of philosophers to improve the lives of ill people. It is a truly commendable effort which showcases the practical relevance of philosophy by applying it to the concrete situation of illness. Illness reflects the distinctly Epicurean idea of philosophy as ‘medicine for the soul’." Philosophical Quarterly"This book achieves something rare among works of philosophy: it speaks with a heartfelt directness that instantly engenders an intimate connection between author and reader. It demands a level of personal engagement, both emotional and self-reflective, that is at times hard to bear, as the author courageously and persistently lays before us the painful details of her experiences of being ill and shares with us the philosophical insights that those experiences have informed or inspired. Despite its profoundly unsettling subject-matter, the book is eminently readable and engrossing; it exhibits a depth of humanity that is sadly lacking in much of the increasingly technical and jargon-laden products of contemporary philosophical discourse, and constitutes a vivid testament to the possibility of philosophical optimism in the face of potentially crushing adversity." International Journal of Philosophical Studies"Illness makes a powerful argument for exploring the experience of illness and the associated philosophical questions. Carel’s inclusion of herself in the book is often moving and shows well the power of bringing philosophy and personal life together." Philosophy in Review"This book offers an important contribution to the ongoing project of the phenomenology of illness, and offers a powerful argument for the inclusion of applied phenomenology in medical and healthcare training. One of the main strengths of this book is that it forces you to think, and to think philosophically. Carel neatly lifts philosophy off the page, and places it out there like a talisman in our everyday life. The book deserves to be read widely by the public, and I would suggest needs to be read widely by clinical practitioners as a point of reference for their own practice." Metapsychology"Illness offers us something that we all need to read and think about … If I were to write a book about illness, I would want it to be just like this one." Arena"a marvelous book … a very clear and detailed account of the phenomenology of illness and the contribution it could make to medical practice and research." Homeopathy"A masterpiece. Moving seamlessly between an unsparingly honest personal narrative and philosophical reflections on our condition as embodied subjects, Havi Carel has fashioned a uniquely authentic account of the lived experience of illness. It should be read – and reread – by everyone who is professionally involved with illness, who is ill, or is likely to become ill; which is to say, by all of us." Raymond Tallis, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and formerly Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester"A genuinely important philosophical work. Carel succeeds in offering a wide-ranging, original, wholly convincing and quite beautiful account of the phenomenology of illness. This is a remarkably insightful book about what it is to be human and how to live. Anybody who cares about who they are and how they live ought to read it." Matthew Ratcliffe, Professor of Philosophy, University of Durham"A tremendous achievement, as well as being a very moving personal document." Christopher Bertram, Professor of Social and Political Philosophy, University of Bristol"This short, powerful and wise book by noted philosopher Havi Carel has much to offer all those affected by illness. Patients and healthcare professionals, as well as academics with an interest in the experience of illness, should all read this book." Rachel Cooper, University of Lancaster, UK"Havi Carel's Illness: The Cry of the Flesh is a wonderful introduction to phenomenology of medicine. It is a clearly written and richly nuanced personal and philosophical account of living with uncertainty, progressive disability, and fear of early death. Epicurus, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and others are used as sources of ideas for living well – creatively and flexibly – with illness. This third edition is revised and updated throughout (including a new chapter on the meaning of organ transplantation), yet keeps the import and directness of the original 2008 edition. I look forward to using it in my Philosophy of Medicine classes." Miriam Solomon, Temple University, USA "Havi Carel weaves her own experience of breathlessness with lessons in the philosophy of health and illness. Combining analysis and memoir, her book shows how philosophy can provide a form of therapy to deal with the expectations and desires that an illness can destroy. The cry of Carel's flesh is philosophically moving and deeply human." David Teira, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain"The first edition was a book about suffering, but the third, to me, reads like a book on the philosophical and psychological experience of hope and suffering. This is best encapsulated in the work's own closing words: I continue to ride my electric bike to work, go to yoga class, and see friends and family. I continue to walk my dog, listen to music, write. I continue to live. Sometimes my illness makes life hard. It often takes up more time and space than I would like it to. But it has also given me an ability to bew truly happy in the present, in being here and now. (p. 185) The shadow is overcome." - Alexander Westenberg, Metapsychology Praise for previous editions:"One of the most profoundly moving (as well as academically worthwhile) books I have had the pleasure (if that is the correct word) to read. The book will be a useful addition on reading lists for modules that examine illness and disability and death and dying and it has the potential to generate excellent discussions about how both the individual and society deal with illness and disability." Times Higher Education Supplement"A thoroughly readable, engaging book which should be warmly welcomed, not only for the personal nature of the writing, but for its ambition to draw on the insights of philosophers to improve the lives of ill people. It is a truly commendable effort which showcases the practical relevance of philosophy by applying it to the concrete situation of illness. Illness reflects the distinctly Epicurean idea of philosophy as ‘medicine for the soul’." Philosophical Quarterly"This book achieves something rare among works of philosophy: it speaks with a heartfelt directness that instantly engenders an intimate connection between author and reader. It demands a level of personal engagement, both emotional and self-reflective, that is at times hard to bear, as the author courageously and persistently lays before us the painful details of her experiences of being ill and shares with us the philosophical insights that those experiences have informed or inspired. Despite its profoundly unsettling subject-matter, the book is eminently readable and engrossing; it exhibits a depth of humanity that is sadly lacking in much of the increasingly technical and jargon-laden products of contemporary philosophical discourse, and constitutes a vivid testament to the possibility of philosophical optimism in the face of potentially crushing adversity." International Journal of Philosophical Studies"Illness makes a powerful argument for exploring the experience of illness and the associated philosophical questions. Carel’s inclusion of herself in the book is often moving and shows well the power of bringing philosophy and personal life together." Philosophy in Review"This book offers an important contribution to the ongoing project of the phenomenology of illness, and offers a powerful argument for the inclusion of applied phenomenology in medical and healthcare training. One of the main strengths of this book is that it forces you to think, and to think philosophically. Carel neatly lifts philosophy off the page, and places it out there like a talisman in our everyday life. The book deserves to be read widely by the public, and I would suggest needs to be read widely by clinical practitioners as a point of reference for their own practice." Metapsychology"Illness offers us something that we all need to read and think about … If I were to write a book about illness, I would want it to be just like this one." Arena"A marvelous book … a very clear and detailed account of the phenomenology of illness and the contribution it could make to medical practice and research." Homeopathy"A masterpiece. Moving seamlessly between an unsparingly honest personal narrative and philosophical reflections on our condition as embodied subjects, Havi Carel has fashioned a uniquely authentic account of the lived experience of illness. It should be read – and reread – by everyone who is professionally involved with illness, who is ill, or is likely to become ill; which is to say, by all of us." Raymond Tallis, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and formerly Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester"A genuinely important philosophical work. Carel succeeds in offering a wide-ranging, original, wholly convincing and quite beautiful account of the phenomenology of illness. This is a remarkably insightful book about what it is to be human and how to live. Anybody who cares about who they are and how they live ought to read it." Matthew Ratcliffe, Professor of Philosophy, University of Durham"A tremendous achievement, as well as being a very moving personal document." Christopher Bertram, Professor of Social and Political Philosophy, University of BristolTable of ContentsPreface to the third edition. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. The body in illness. 2. The social world of illness. 3. Illness as dis-ability and health within illness. 4. Fearing death. 5. Sewn open. 6. Living in the present. LAM: facts and figures. References. Index.

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Book SynopsisSituated at the intersection of natural science and philosophy, Our Genes explores historical practices, investigates current trends, and imagines future work in genetic research to answer persistent, political questions about human diversity. Readers are guided through fascinating thought experiments, complex measures and metrics, fundamental evolutionary patterns, and in-depth treatment of exciting case studies. The work culminates in a philosophical rationale, based on scientific evidence, for a moderate position about the explanatory power of genes that is often left unarticulated. Simply put, human evolutionary genomics - our genes - can tell us much about who we are as individuals and as collectives. However, while they convey scientific certainty in the popular imagination, genes cannot answer some of our most important questions. Alternating between an up-close and a zoomed-out focus on genes and genomes, individuals and collectives, species and populations, Our Genes argues thTrade Review'Winther's book is a synthesis of philosophical perspectives on modern evolutionary genomics, written by one of the few people in the world who have a sufficiently deep understanding of both philosophy and biology to achieve such an undertaking. It is a remarkable tour de force of the philosophy of genomics that should be essential reading for students and scholars interested in the broader implications of human genomic research. But the book will also appeal to a more general audience interested in understanding genetics and in finding out what genetics and evolutionary biology can, and cannot, tell them about the fundamental question: Who am I?' Rasmus Nielsen, University of California, Berkeley, USA'Our Genes makes a significant and welcome contribution! Race theorists seeking to reconcile humanities training and impulses with the insights of contemporary genomics will find Winther's rigorous but accessible study particularly valuable. This is vital work.' Paul C. Taylor, Vanderbilt University, USA'It's a rare book indeed in which someone from another discipline examines the basic suppositions and habits of thought characteristic of one's own field with equal parts inspiration and care such that it gives you a whole new perspective on what you do and why. Rasmus Winther's Our Genes is one such book. It is a seamless alloy of evolution, genetics, and the philosophy of biology in which each topic is explained in a manner accessible to non-experts. It also subjects these ideas to deep examination and cogent criticism with pressing implications both for how philosophers should approach problems in population genetics and how population geneticists might sharpen their questions. It should be widely and closely read in philosophy and population genetics seminars alike and could well form the foundation for a new generation of fruitful collaborations between philosophers and population geneticists.' Charles S. Roseman, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA'Our Genes isn't the last word, it's the first words you should read on the population genetics, molecular genetics, and gene/environment interaction that shaped Homo sapiens over the last several hundred thousand years. Rasmus Winther has produced a tour de force of scientific synthesis, and philosophical analysis, and wisdom about the uses of both.' Alex Rosenberg, Duke University, USATable of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction; 2. Origins and Histories; 3. The Mind, the Lab, and the Field: Three Kinds of Populations; 4. Metrics and Measures; 5. Models and Methodologies; 6. Six Patterns of Human Genomic Variation; 7. Natural Selection; 8. Intelligence, Female Orgasm, and Future Discovery; 9. Is Race Real?; 10. The Conscious Universe: Genes in Complex Systems; Bibliography; Index.

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Book Synopsis... Useful background information is displayed in blue boxes, and good use is made of numerous tables and diagrams... a useful book for the undergraduate medical or allied health professional... Oncology News, May/June 2010 This forward looking cancer biology book appeals to a wide ranging audience. Introductory chapters that provide the molecular, cellular, and genetic information needed to comprehend the material of the subsequent chapters bring unprepared students up to speed for the rest of the book and serve as a useful refresher for those with previous biology background. The second set of chapters focuses on the main cancers in terms of risk factors, diagnostic and treatment methods and relevant current research. The final section encompasses the immune system's role in the prevention and development of cancer and the impact that the Human Genome Project will have on future approaches to cancer care. While best suited to non-majors cancer biology coursesTrade Review"In summary, this is a useful book for the undergraduate medical or allied professions." (Oncology News, June 2010) “The style of writing is very clear. Questions are posed to the reader promoting thought and greater understanding of the text. Useful information is displayed in blue boxes and good use is made of numerous tables and diagrams.” Dr Karin Baria, Onocology News, 2010Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. 1. The Basics of Cancer. Cancer is a Complex Entity. Cancer Through the Ages. Modern Day Cancer Research and Treatment. Prevalence and Mortality Varies With Each Cancer. Risk Factors Have Been Identified. Will Cancer be Conquered Within Our Lifetime? 2. Cells: the Fundamental Unit of Life. Seven Hierarchal Levels of Organization. Four Types of Macromolecular Polymers. Cell Structure and Function. Relationship Between Structure and Function is Important. 3. The Human Genome and Protein Function. The Composition and Function of the Human Genome. Having a Diploid Genome has its Advantages. Proteins Carry Out Diverse Functions. 4. Cell Cycle, Oncogenes, and Tumor Suppressor Genes. Cell Division in Germ-line and Somatic Tissues. Consequences of Germ-line and Somatic Tissue Mutations. Cell Division, Differentiation, and Maturation Occur to Form Functional Tissues. Cell Division is Under the Regulation of the Cell Cycle. Loss of Cell Cycle Control Results in Uncontrolled Cell Growth. 5. Tumor Formation, Growth, and Metastasis. Tissue Changes that Occur in Response to Stimuli. Feeding Tumor Growth by Angiogenesis. Characteristics of Benign and Malignant Tumors. Events that Occur During the Process of Metastasis. 6. Cancer Screening, Detection and Diagnostic Procedures and Tests. Factors that Determine the Accuracy of a Diagnostic Test or Procedure. Common Screening Tests. Diagnostic Procedures for the Confirmation of a Disease. Tumor Grade and Stage Factors into the Type of Treatment Regimen and Prognosis. 7. Cancer Treatment Modalities. Surgery: the Oldest and Most Commonly Used Treatment Method. Radiation Kills by Causing Extensive DNA Damage. Cytotoxic Effects of Chemotherapeutic Drugs. Side Effects and Risks From the Use of Cytotoxic Drugs. Hormonal Deprivation Treatment: Used for Estrogen- and Androgen-dependent Cancers. Can Cancer Growth be Controlled by Inhibiting Angiogenesis? Additional Enzymes Targeted for Inhibition. Biological Therapy Stimulates the Body’s Ability to Fight Cancer. 8. Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Statistics. Women’s Breast Tissue: Unique in Structure and Function. Causes of Breast Cancer. Regular Examinations of the Breast are Important for Early Diagnosis. What Follows a Positive Diagnosis? Treatment Options are Unique for Each Individual. Much has Been Accomplished, More Needs to be Done. 9. Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian Cancer Statistics. Structure and Function of Ovaries. There are Three Tissue Categories of Ovarian Cancer. Symptoms are Vague and Often Missed. Certain Factors Have Been Associated with a Higher Risk. Diagnostic Tools are Available But Not Always Used or Recommended. Additional Procedures are Necessary to Confirm Suspicious Results or if there is Metastasis. The FIGO System May be Used to Stage Ovarian Cancer. Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer. Steps are Taken to Prevent Recurrence But Do Not Always Work When the Cancer is Advanced. Much Needs to be Done in the Future. 10. Cervical Cancer. Cervical Cancer Statistics. Structure and Function of the Cervix. Symptoms of Cervical Cancer. Pelvic Examinations and Pap Tests Enable Early Detection. Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer. The HPV Test is a Vital Diagnostic Tool. Additional Tests are Necessary to Examine the Cervix. Treatment Depends on the Stage. A Vaccine will Prevent Many Cases of Cervical Cancer. 11. Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer Statistics. Function of the Prostate Gland. Certain Factors Influence the Development of Prostate Cancer. Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate. Screening and Diagnostic Tests for Prostate Cancer. There are Traditional and Unique Treatment Options Available. Prostate Cancer Mortality Rates Have Decreased. Much Attention is being Given to the Number One Cancer Affecting Men. 12. Testicular Cancer. Testicular Cancer Statistics. Structure and Function of Testicles. There are Three Types of Testicular Tumors. Risk Factors for the Disease. Symptoms of Testicular Cancer. Testicular Self-examination (TSE) is Recommended. Blood and Imaging Tests are Used to Determine Diagnosis and Possible Metastasis. Testicular Cancer Treatment Results in a High Cure Rate. Causes and Treatments are being Studied. 13. Skin Cancer. Skin Cancer Statistics. Structure and Function of the Skin. Three Types of Skin Cancer. Risk Factors for Developing Skin Cancer. Methods Used to Screen for Skin Cancer. Surgery and Chemotherapy are Standard Treatments for Metastatic Skin Cancer. What Happens After Skin Cancer Treatment. Limited UV Radiation Exposure is the Number One Form of Prevention. 14. Lung Cancer. Lung Cancer Statistics. Lungs are the Site of the Exchange of Gases. Risk Factors Associated with the Development of Lung Cancer. Lack of Distinctive Symptoms Makes Early Diagnosis Difficult. Lung Cancer is Often Diagnosed at an Advanced Stage. There are Two Main Categories of Lung Cancer. Three Traditional Therapies are Used in Lung Cancer Treatment. Is There Discrimination in Cancer Research Funding? 15. Colorectal Cancer. Colon and Rectum are the Last Two Sections of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer. Screening Tests. Treatment Options. Targeted Therapies. Screening Tests Performed After the Course of Treatment. 16. Leukemia and Lymphoma. Leukemia Statistics. Leukemia is a Cancer of the Blood Cells. The Exact Cause of Leukemia is Unknown. Early Symptoms of Leukemia. Laboratory Studies are Necessary to Determine the Diagnosis. There are Many Types of Leukemia. Nonchemotherapeutic Options have Significantly Improved Survival Rates. Lymphoma is a Malignancy of the Lymphatic System. Hodgkin’s vs. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Certain Risk Factors are Associated with an Increased Incidence of Lymphoma. Diagnosing Lymphoma Involves Biopsies and Imaging Tests. Lymphomas Must be Classified to Determine Appropriate Treatment. Treatment Options Depend on the Type of Lymphoma, Stage, and Extent of Metastasis. Glossary. Index. Companion website www.wiley.com/go/almeida/cancer

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Book SynopsisA short but engaging exploration of the brain. In Brains, scientist Leif Ostergaard explores our most complicated and mysterious organ. From the dissection of Einstein's brain to research on how to map networks of neurons, Ostergaard deconstructs the different parts of the brain and provides an engaging overview of its essential functions. He explains how we store information in the synapses of neural networks and how these networks carry commands to our muscles and internal organs and receive sensory input from our skin, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Delving into the subconscious, we learn what our brains are doing while we daydream and how neurotransmitters play a role in addiction. In this fascinating book, Ostergaard reveals how this enigmatic organ is even more complex than we thought it was. In Reflections, a series copublished with Denmark's Aarhus University Press, scholars deliver 60-page reflections on key concepts. These books present unique insights on a wide range of toTable of ContentsThe Mind of a GeniusThe Subconscious BrainMapping the CerebrumThe Learning BrainLet Your Mind Soar

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Book SynopsisA clear and straightforward explanation of genetics in this new edition of the popular 101 series. Our genetic makeup determines so much about who we are, and what we pass on to our children—from eye color, to height, to health, and even our longevity. Genetics 101 breaks down the science of how genes are inherited and passed from parents to offspring, what DNA is and how it works, how your DNA affects your health, and how you can use your personal genomics to find out more about who you are and where you come from. Whether you’re looking for a better scientific understanding of genetics, or looking into your own DNA, Genetics 101 is your go-to source to discover more about both yourself and your ancestry.

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Book Synopsis**A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 and FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2023***Shortlisted for the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize 2023*From the author of Spillover, the book that predicted the pandemic, Breathless is the story of Covid-19 and its fierce journey through the human population, as seen by the scientists tasked with fighting it.Bestelling author David Quammen draws on countless interviews with experts, including leading virologists, to take us inside the global race to understand SARS-CoV-2, it's ever-changing nature and capacity to kill. In doing so, he explains how new viruses emerge when we disrupt ecosystems and suggests why the coronavirus may be here to stay.By peering over the shoulders of the brilliant scientists leading the chase, Breathless uncovers the warnings from infectious diseases experts that went unheeded; and which clues are the most compelling in the hunt for the virus' origin.'A viral howdunnit that is pacy and unafraid to educate readers' Observer'A luminous, passionate account of the defining crisis of our time' New York Times'A classic...a masterpiece' Stanley Prusiner, Nobel Prize Winner'As close to authoritative history as we have... It reads like a real-time thriller' Chicago TribuneTrade ReviewA supernova in among science journalists * Oprah Daily *An expert eye on Covid's past and present [and] a viral howdunnit that is pacy and unafraid to educate readers * Observer *[A] tour de force...A luminous, passionate account of the defining crisis of our time - and the unprecedented international response to it. * The New York Times Book Review *As close to authoritative history - from the virus's origins to vaccines and variants - as we have, told through scientists involved, and the signature ease of Quammen's prose. It reads like a real-time thriller. * Chicago Tribune *Will likely prove to be a classic in the history of science ... a masterpiece * Stanley Prusiner, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine *[An] engrossing, at times breathless, scientific narrative of the COVID-19 * Nature *A frightening and fascinating masterpiece of science reporting that reads like a detective story * Walter Isaacson on Spillover *Fascinating and terrifying, Spillover is a real-life thriller with an outcome that affects us all * Elizabeth Kolbert on Spillover *A tremendous book... this gives you all you need to know and should know. Quammen's research and analysis makes sensationalism unnecessary * Sunday Times on Spillover *Chilling... [A] brilliant, devastating book * Daily Mail on Spillover *Travelling deep into the rainforest with the scientists hoping to identify the next pandemic pathogen, Quammen's book is plotted like a detective thriller * Gaia Vince, Guardian on Spillover *David Quammen might be my favourite living science writer: amiable, erudite, understated, incredibly funny, profoundly humane * New York Magazine on Spillover *Come for the compelling interviews with key scientists, including Anthony Fauci; stay for the deep dive into the wild and unpredictable world of viruses * Financial Times, *Books of the Year* *

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Book SynopsisWhat if the most serious personal and global challenges won't be solved with more thinking or talking?The world is louder than ever. It's not just the noise in our ears, but also the noise on our screens and in our heads. 'Silence is golden,' the adage goes. But how do we find it in times like these?Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz take us on an unlikely journey exploring why silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, professional fulfilment, nourishing relationships, ecological sustainability, and vibrant community. Drawing on lessons from neuroscience, philosophy, business, politics, activism, and the arts, Golden teaches us how to go beyond the ordinary rules and offers tools of mindfulness to help individuals, organisations and whole societies dial down the noise and reclaim pristine quiet.Quietly profound and constantly surprising, Golden is a field guide to finding silence.Trade Review"Golden is a guide to getting out of the shallows and into the depths. It's a synthesis of many disciplines to chart a path toward a deeper, livelier, more aware and more peaceful way of being in the world." * Rebecca Solnit, Bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Hope in the Dark, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, and Wanderlust *"Through the heartfelt stories of teachers like Jarvis Jay Masters, this book shows how to practice patience and compassion in times of fear and distraction. Golden explores why equanimity matters not just for our own resilience and joy, but also for the social and ecological sustainability of this world that we love." * Pema Chödrön Buddhist teacher and bestselling author of When Things Fall Apart and The Places That Scare You *"Marz and Zorn make a convincing link between humanity's modern obsession with the pursuit of dopamine and our addiction to noise. Through extensive research and engaging storytelling, they point the way to more clarity, expansiveness, and calm." * Judson Brewer, M.D., Ph.D. New York Times Bestselling Author of Unwinding Anxiety and The Craving Mind *"Golden makes a radical claim: Unplugging andsavoring silence is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our world. " * Arianna Huffington Founder & CEO, Thrive Global *"Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz offer us a powerful vision and valuable roadmap for how to repair our society: find more silence." * U.S. Representative Tim Ryan Member of Congress from Ohio and author of A Mindful Nation *

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Book SynopsisSearching for meaning in what Nietzsche called "the rainbow colours" around the outer edges of knowledge and imagination, Edward O. Wilson bridges science and philosophy to create a twenty-first-century treatise on human existence. Once criticised for his over-reliance on genetics, Wilson unfurls his most expansive and advanced theories on human behaviour. Whether attempting to explicate "the Riddle of the Human Species", warning of "the Collapse of Biodiversity" or creating a plausible "Portrait of E.T.", Wilson believes that humanity holds a special position in the known universe. Alarmed, however, that we are about to abandon natural selection by redesigning biology and human nature as we wish them, Wilson concludes that advances in science and technology bring us our greatest moral dilemma in millennia.Trade Review"His [Edward O. Wilson's] prose is always so lucid and eloquent." -- The Bookseller"Written in Wilson’s usual engaging and highly readable style…" -- Times Higher Education

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Book SynopsisAs we continue to live through a pandemic, all eyes are on microbes: an imperceptible and pervasive threat that hangs heavy on the air and clings to surfaces. But the reality of micro-organisms is far more diverse and life-sustaining than such a notion would have us believe (hence the title of this book). Not only are they omnipresent, but we are highly attuned to their workings – both in the world at large and right here within our own bodies. Meanwhile, cutting-edge microbiome research is changing our understanding of reality, challenging fundamental concepts of free will and individuality. Threaded through everything are microbes: the very glue that holds ecosystems together. This topical, engaging and original book counters the prevailing narrative of microbes as the bane of society, along the way providing much-needed clarity on the overwhelmingly beneficial role they play. We discover how the microbiome is highly relevant to environmental and social equity issues, while there’s also discussion about how microbes may influence our decisions: even the way we think about how we think may need to be revisited. Invisible Friends introduces the reader to a vast, pullulating cohort of minute life – friends you never knew you had.Trade ReviewA fascinating exploration of the possibility of the microscopic world...This is not a book written to shock the reader, or to make the reader aghast at the number of microbes on their eyelashes, or in every breath they take. Rather, it is a book to prompt the restoration of the symbiotic relationship between the visible and invisible worlds, as well as the awareness and appreciation of what is contained within our microbiomes. -- Brian McHugh, Climate Thoughts with BrianInvisible Friends by Jake Robinson is just COOL. A journey through an ever changing understanding of the microscopic world. -- Charlie Bingham, nature and travel writerThis is an enthusiastic and hopeful romp through microbiology that encourages readers to rethink their relationship with nature and see themselves as embedded in it. -- The Inquisitive BiologistRefreshing... This book is a must for students of microbiology. -- Arindam Mitra, Microbiology TodayThis volume is an excellent introduction to the microbial world... The text is accessible to a lay audience, and it has a useful appendix with further scientific explanations and reading suggestions. Robinson uses storytelling and integrated interviews with scientists to make each point. This book could be used as a text in a general education science course as a way to introduce diverse topics such as ecology, environmental science, evolution, human health, and psychology as well as the obvious microbiology. -- D. Schulman, CHOICETable of ContentsIntroduction 1 The microbiome and humans as walking ecosystems 2 Rekindling old friendships in new landscapes 3 Antibiotic resistant landscapes 4 Microbes and social equity 5 The Psychobiotic Revolution 6 The Lovebug Effect 7 The Holobiont Blindspot 8 The glue that holds our ecosystems together 9 Microbes and trees 10 Rewild. Regenerate. Restore 11 Biointegrated design 12 Microbiome-Inspired Green Infrastructure (MIGI) 13 To catch a thief: forensic microbiology 14 Microbes in outer space 15 You are what your microbes eat 16 Nature connectedness Conclusion Microbes 101 Notes Glossary Bibliography

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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 SynopsisThe Earliest Europeans explores a fundamental question: how did Europe’s first hominin occupants cope with the year-round practical challenges of life. To do so, the book adopts a ‘year in the life’ perspective that draws on the increasingly rich and robust archaeological and Quaternary Science records for the European Lower Palaeolithic, combined with insights from modern ethnography and zoological studies. By exploring potential survival strategies and behaviours, Hosfield offers new insights into the character of Europe’s earliest occupations across more than 1 million years, and ultimately asks: what sorts of ‘humans’ were these hominins?The innovative season-by-season structure of the book explores cyclical fluctuations in resources and weather conditions. From the depths of cold winters to the bountiful foods of late summer, it considers the implications of these variations for hominin behaviours. Hosfield draws on a range of supporting examples and evidence from Lower Palaeolithic sites across Europe, spanning technology, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, hominin life history, and plant and animal food resources. In doing so, The Earliest Europeans highlights both the current and future potential of Europe’s earliest archaeological record.Trade ReviewThis book will be of interest to students of Palaeolithic archaeology and human origins, and Quaternary scientists with an interest in the hominin part of the faunal community. It would make a comprehensive, up-to-date textbook for final year undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. * The Holocene *...this is an excellent book that represents a long-overdue approach to understanding the Lower Palaeolithic archaeological record. * Antiquity *

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Book Synopsis'Gets right to the heart of what makes us what we are. Read it!' Angela Saini, author of Inferior and Superior: The Return of Race ScienceThe popular science equivalent of Who Do You Think You Are? Popular science master Brian Clegg's new book is an entertaining tour through the science of what makes you you.From the atomic level, through life and energy to genetics and personality, it explores how the billions of particles which make up you - your DNA, your skin, your memories - have come to be.It starts with the present-day reader and follows a number of trails to discover their origins: how the atoms in your body were created and how they got to you in space and time, the sources of things you consume, how the living cells of your body developed, where your massive brain and consciousness originated, how human beings evolved and, ultimately, what your personal genetic history reveals.Trade ReviewWhat's great about the book overall is both Clegg's gift as a storyteller - it's just an excellent, pageturning read - and the way he threads together so many revelations about us as humans, the sort of thing that you want to share with someone else. * popularscience.co.uk *The most interesting part is when the book explores what consciousness is (or, rather, highlights how little we know about it but still shows how much more there is to "us" than the conscious part) and pulls apart the old nature versus nurture debate with some remarkable material on genetics and how the influence of our environment is mathematically chaotic. * Peet Morris, Times Higher Education *

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Book SynopsisThis transformative guide completely breaks down our current understanding of biological sex and gender diversity.Introducing readers to seven variations of human sex, commonly considered intersex, the book challenges the myth that sex and gender are exclusively binary and explores the inherent diversity of biological sex and its relationship to gender identity and expression, and the impact this has on society. Examining historical, linguistic and socio-cultural understandings of sex and gender, as well as genetic and scientific definitions, the book is an important resource for dismantling gender and sexuality-based discrimination and promoting understanding and inclusivity.Co-written by one of the world's leading intersex activists and a highly respected scholar in biological sciences, and accompanied with detailed anatomical illustrations throughout, this pioneering text is the essential introduction to gender and sex diversity for gender studies, women's studies, biology and genetics courses, as well as professionals working with intersex and trans communities.Trade ReviewIt is said that no book can do it all, but The Spectrum of Sex does just that in terms of enlightening readers, of all backgrounds, about the complexities of sex and gender. The authors brilliantly explain complex anatomical and genetic jargon in accessible ways that will be eye-opening to everyone from high school students enrolled in a sex education course to doctors who wish to continue learning about the complexities of bodies in order to be better providers for their patients. The authors creatively incorporate first-person accounts of life from people from diverse sex and/or gender communities to remind readers that what they are learning has real world implications for all of us. Highly recommended. -- Georgiann Davis, author of Contesting Intersex: The Dubious Diagnosis and Associate Professor of Sociology University of Nevada, Las VegasThis extraordinary book needs to be required reading in all medical schools, by parents of intersex infants and everyone who cares about humanity. We are over due in our understanding of the beautiful spectrum of human diversity. -- Cheryl Cohen Greene DHS, author of An Intimate Life: Sex, Love, and My Journey as a Surrogate PartnerThis book provides a fascinating explanation of the wide range of gender expressions and biological sex traits that are a natural part of the human experience. The authors simplify very sophisticated scientific concepts and explain how the failure to acknowledge them marginalizes segments of our society. Their analysis makes clear that we must eliminate the binary classifications of gender and sex if we are to achieve equality for all. -- Michelle Waites, Civil Rights AdvocateThe Spectrum of Sex, gives readers a unique dual perspective on the science as well as the experiences of intersex individuals. It's unusual for a book to do such a thorough job of making science accessible while also telling a compelling story of human experience. Read this book to not only learn about the biology of intersex, but to also gain compassionate insights for the lived experiences of individuals with sexual variance. -- Jamie Marantz, Science Educator, Former Chief Academic Officer, Envision Schools, Executive Director of the Alameda County Office of Education and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at North Monterey County Unified School DistrictIt's time to take off the blinders and recognize and embrace the reality of a third sex - intersex, a diverse biological spectrum between male and female. The Spectrum of Sex: The Science of Male, Female, and Intersex helps us to do just that by integrating science and social, cultural and linguistic analysis of binary and non-binary sex. The inclusion of personal stories makes for an engaging book that is accessible to the lay reader, yet also beneficial and appropriate for medical students and academic professionals alike. This book opened my eyes to the need for activism and education to achieve the right of intersex people to exist and be recognized in society. -- Denice Lombard, Intersex Woman, Racial Justice and Anti-War ActivistRarely do we see the conversation between biology, identity, and sociology seamlessly melded together in the way that Viloria and Nieto have accomplished. The Spectrum of Sex provides a critical resource about the many aspects of intersex identity, and does so in a way that's engaging and accessible. -- Liza Brusman, University of Colorado, BoulderThis book combines the genetic mechanics found in a Genetics textbook with the usually not mentioned details leading to intersex variances. The biology is presented in a 'non-scary' and even entertaining manner, along with the social context, including the legal rights/status of intersex persons. The text also features vignettes from the lives of intersex persons, along with more extended biographical profiles. Overall, this is a welcome addition to the limited literature concerning being intersex. -- Dr. Martina Giselle Ramirez, Professor of Biology & Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Loyola Marymount University, co-author Happier as a Woman: Transforming Friendships, Transforming LivesSpectrum of Sex uniquely presents an intersex perspective on sex/gender diversity. The book clearly reviews the biology underlying intersex expression and features brief essays from intersex persons themselves, offering a forum for the intersex community to speak forth with their own voice. -- Joan Roughgarden Professor of Biology (Emerita) Stanford University Author of: Evolution’s Rainbow, Diversity, Gender and Sexuality in Nature and People. 2004. University of California PressTable of Contents1. Introduction: Hidden in Plain Sight; 2. We Are All Mutants; 3. Two in One; 4. Behind What We "See"; 5. Clitoris, Penis, or Something Else?; 6. To Be or Not to Be: The Androgynous Phallus; 7. Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg: Sex and Gender; 8. Sex and Gender Terms: Linguistic Collateral Damage; References

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