Popular science Books
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The End of Eden
Book SynopsisAt once an elegy and an exhortation.ELIZABETH KOLBERT A revelatory exploration of climate change from the perspective of wild species and natural ecosystems - an homage to the miraculous, vibrant entity that is life on Earth.The stories we usually tell ourselves about climate change tend to focus on the damage inflicted on human societies by big storms, severe droughts, and rising sea levels. But the most powerful impacts are being and will be felt by the natural world and its myriad species, which are already in the midst of the sixth great extinction. Rising temperatures are fracturing ecosystems that took millions of years to evolve, disrupting the life forms they sustain - and in many cases driving them towards extinction. The natural Eden that humanity inherited is quickly slipping away.Although we can never really know what a creature thinks or feels, The End of Eden invites the reader to meet wild species on their own terms in a range of ecosystems that span the glTrade ReviewA moving, chilling elegy for biodiversity as we know it … The world that Adam Welz describes is in terminal collapse. The tone of the book … is measured and precise, the atmosphere cool, displaying not outrage but instead careful attention to accuracy in descriptions and analyses. A disturbing and important book. * New York Times *Climate change, Adam Welz shows, is already pushing many creatures toward oblivion, and its impacts are only going to grow. The End of Eden is at once an elegy and an exhortation—a plea to save what’s left of the Earth’s magnificent diversity. * Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of THE SIXTH EXTINCTION *Welz’s elegy for the natural world will leave you marveling at the intricacies of animal adaptations over millenniums of evolution even as you mourn their rapid loss in the face of human culture. * New York Times Review of Books *Adam Welz’s The End of Eden should begin with the same kind of content warning that flashes across TV screens before the start of certain shows. “This program contains graphic images. Viewer discretion is advised.” … it is a book that fundamentally changes us as we read. * Washington Independent Review of Books *Welz’s study, which he conceived as an attempt to examine such disruptions ‘without turning myself to stone,’ amounts to a haunting warning. * The New Yorker *Eye-opening … A poignant elegy for creatures lost to climate change and a rigorous call to arms against further devastation. * Kirkus Reviews *An eloquent, deeply informed account of the unfolding consequences of the climate crisis for all life on Earth. * Michelle Nijhuis, author of BELOVED BEASTS: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction *A beautifully rendered tour of a natural world on the brink. * Publisher's Weekly *Adam Welz has thrown a wonderfully wide net over the natural world, from birds to corals to mammals, in Europe, North America and Australia, to portray the array of life at risk in a rapidly warming world. He evokes wonder, which may well be the last arrow we have in the quiver to convince us to change our course. * Jim Robbins, New York Times correspondent and author of THE WONDER OF BIRDS *
£18.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Political Tribes
Book Synopsis''A beautifully written, eminently readable and uniquely important challenge to conventional wisdom'' J. D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy''A page-turner and revelation, Political Tribes will change the way you think'' Tim Wu, author of The Attention Merchants In Political Tribes, Amy Chua argues that we must rediscover an identity that transcends the tribalism we see in politics today. Enough false slogans of unity, which are just another form of divisiveness. When people are defined by their differences to each other, extremism becomes the common ground. It is time for a more difficult unity that acknowledges the reality of our group differences and fights the deep rifts that divide us.Trade ReviewPolitical Tribes is a beautifully written, eminently readable, and uniquely important challenge to conventional wisdom ... Chua's book is a clarion call, encouraging us to reject the primal pull of identitarianism and return to that most radical of ideas, that Americans share something bigger than race or ethnicity or ideology: common citizenship and purpose -- J. D. Vance, author of 'Hillbilly Elegy'Political Tribes is a punchy book that advances a single idea with admirable clarity. And also with admirable brevity -- Danny Finkelstein * The Times *Amy Chua speaks hard truths that no one can ignore. We are, as Chua makes clear, living in denial about the power of tribalism over our domestic and foreign policy - blinded, it seems, by our own optimism and distaste for essentialism. A page turner and revelation, Political Tribes will change the way you think -- Tim Wu, author of 'The Attention Merchants' and 'The Master Switch'America is now bitterly polarised into rival identities. Amy Chua does a brilliant job of showing how it has happened and why it is a tragedy. In Britain, we need to read Political Tribes as a warning. For Americans, it is too late for that: it will need to be force-fed to them -- Paul Collier, Oxford UniversityAs an explanation of why American politics has become so sectarian and polarised, Chua’s analysis feels spot-on. And it is increasingly relevant to our politics as well * Spectator *Amy Chua confronts the failures of modern liberalism to understand ethnic and group attachments. Anyone who wants to understand the contemporary west, and its foreign policy failures, should read this revealing and important book -- David Goodhart, journalist and think-tanker and author of ‘The British Dream’ and ‘The Road to Somewhere’True to form, Amy Chua presents a provocative prescription to cure our political ills. She challenges us to cross the chasm between groups - not by denying differences, but by celebrating them -- Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of 'Give and Take' and 'Option B' with Sheryl SandbergAnother wonderful book by Amy Chua! In Political Tribes, she demonstrates once again that she ranks with the keenest observers of the contemporary landscape, establishing convincingly that 'Humans are tribal', and that this reality holds significant implications for America if we truly are to achieve a ‘more perfect union' -- General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret), former commander of coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIABrilliant, timeless and timely. Political Tribes concisely explains the forces that made our experiences in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq so maddeningly difficult to comprehend, and brings that same thoughtful analysis to America today. Amy Chua provokes thought – and we need that -- General Stan McChrystal, US Army (Ret)Amy Chua’s insightful, provocative and deeply troubling book is the place to begin our long overdue national discussion on how to repair the deep divisions in the American political landscape. Political Tribes is a wake-up call to the dangers of surrendering national unity to a fractured landscape of feuding and narrow interests -- Tom Brokaw, author of 'The Greatest Generation'
£9.99
Orion Publishing Co Frozen in Time
Book SynopsisA vibrant and richly detailed guide to fossils for readers with a passion for the natural world and those that inhabited it long ago.This is a book for those that want to learn to scan the beach for fossils, who love the simple pleasure of getting outside or those who want to develop their relationship with the world around them. From the Jurassic Coast to the Antrim Coast, our nation is home to some of the most incredible fossil sites in the world.Weaving an intricate tapestry of knowledge on the landscape of our own pre-historic planet, palaeontologist and Education Officer of the Bristol Dinosaur Project, Rhys Charles beautifully communicates the joy of fossil-hunting and where best to hunt for them in the country. Under his guidance, and with The Natural History Museum, this book invites readers to unlock breath-taking fragments of a lost world.
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Geek Nation
Book SynopsisThe fascinating story of how India is transforming itself into a global science superpower.Trade Review'Those who want to understand how India is shaping up as a scientific superpower will find it a worthwhile and engaging read'. * New Scientist *Many entertaining and informative stories. * Sunday Times *This is an engaging and eye-opening exploration of a subject that traditionally we rely on clichés to understand, providing a much more informed and effective understanding of the progress of Indian technology. Recommended. * Popular Science *GEEK NATION's emphasis on personalities and places provides an engaging introduction for those who want deeper understanding than facts and figures alone can provide. * New Scientist *With engaging first-hand accounts she explores gleaming technology hubs, visits space centres and labs researching GM crops...you do get a vivid impression of a nation emerging as a scientific contender. * BBC Focus *'Saini has a genuine talent for describing science'. * Sunday Times Culture *'Saini's vivid portrait of hi-tech India reveals a country in a hurry'. * FT Weekend *'Eye-opening, warmhearted and cliché-free, her book gives Indians' minds the respect so often and so easily given to their spirit'. * Wanderlust *'Saini has produced an eye-opening survey of scientists in today's India...engagingly written and remarkably, GEEK NATION shatters many myths while not discouraging guarded optimism'. * Independent *Saini is well qualified to explain why Indians are "famous for being swots, nerds, dweebs, boffins and dorks", and whether India can become a scientific superpower... * Guardian *
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group Elemental
Book SynopsisSELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2018 BY THE DAILY MAIL ''A hugely entertaining tour of the periodic table and the 118 elements that are the basic building blocks of everything'' Daily MailIn 2016, with the addition of four final elements - nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson - to make a total of 118 elements, the periodic table was finally complete, rendering any pre-existing books on the subject obsolete.Tim James, the science YouTuber and secondary-school teacher we all wish we''d had, provides an accessible and wonderfully entertaining ''biography of chemistry'' that uses stories to explain the positions and patterns of elements in the periodic table. Many popular science titles tend to tell the history of scientific developments, leaving the actual science largely unexplained; James, however, makes use of stories to explain the principles of chemistry within the table, showing its relevance to everyTrade ReviewA hugely entertaining tour of the periodic table and the 118 elements that are the basic building blocks of everything * Daily Mail *Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing. . . . From the composition of the stars to the elements most useful to humans, James offers a cheerful selection of short, fascinating chapters suitable for reading in any order. A wide audience can enjoy this accessible peak into the history of chemistry and the periodic table. * Publishers Weekly *Perfect for students and newcomers to science writing . . . From the composition of the stars to the elements most useful to humans, James offers a cheerful selection of short, fascinating chapters suitable for reading in any order. A wide audience can enjoy this accessible peak into the history of chemistry and the periodic table. * Publishers Weekly *
£14.24
Little, Brown Book Group Smoke Mirrors
Book Synopsis''Stop following the news until you''ve read Gemma Milne''s persuasive analysis of the hype and bullshit that distort our understanding of emerging science. As she shows, the starting point to grasping the genuine opportunities of AI, life sciences and climate tech is a healthy dose of critical thinking''David Rowan, founding editor of WIRED UK and author of Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World''s Smartest Minds''Couldn''t be more timely. Fascinating and vitally important''Jamie Bartlett, author of The People Vs Tech''A much-needed blast of fresh air! Gemma Milne expertly shows us how to separate the truth from the hype surrounding the emerging techs of today, and those of the near-tomorrow''Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins: How the Earth Made Us''I loved this book! This is exactly the sort of sceptical, cut-through-the crap-but-still-excited-about-what''s-emerging book around tech innTrade ReviewStop following the news until you've read Gemma Milne's persuasive analysis of the hype and bullshit that distort our understanding of emerging science. As she shows, the starting point to grasping the genuine opportunities of AI, life sciences and climate tech is a healthy dose of critical thinking'Couldn't be more timely. Fascinating and vitally important'A much-needed blast of fresh air! Gemma Milne expertly shows us how to separate the truth from the hype surrounding the emerging techs of today, and those of the near-tomorrow. -- Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins: How the Earth Made UsI loved this book! This is exactly the sort of sceptical, cut-through-the crap-but-still-excited-about-what's-emerging book around tech innovation that's sorely needed, yet is so hard to find. Gemma Milne's writing sparkles and delights as she strips away the hype around nine cutting-edge areas of science and technology while revealing possibilities that are all the more compelling as a result. More than an antidote to over-hyped tech, Smoke & Mirrors is essential reading for anyone who's serious about how real-world advances might be effectively harnessed to build a better future. -- Dr Andrew Maynard, scientist and author of Films from the Future and Future RisingSmoke & Mirrors is a vital contribution in a world where technological progress promises so much, but too often disappoints. If, like me, you believe that advances in science and technology are our best hope for solving the grand challenges of our times, this book is the indispensable guide to avoiding the mirages and the charlatans along the way.A refreshingly grown-up, clear-headed look at the interaction between science, technology and the media - readable without being dumbed down, acknowledging complexities without being heavy.In this book, we see technological hype for what it is: not mere exuberance, but a form of attention-seeking. As some technological hucksters stake claims on our future and try to foreclose alternatives, we need strong defences. Gemma Milne offers a spotter's guide to hype, using science to bring speculation down to earth. People inside and outside the world of technological innovation need this book.A much-needed blast of fresh air! Gemma Milne expertly shows us how to separate the truth from the hype surrounding the emerging techs of today, and those of the near-tomorrow.I loved this book! This is exactly the sort of sceptical, cut-through-the crap-but-still-excited-about-what's-emerging book around tech innovation that's sorely needed, yet is so hard to find. Gemma Milne's writing sparkles and delights as she strips away the hype around nine cutting-edge areas of science and technology while revealing possibilities that are all the more compelling as a result. More than an antidote to over-hyped tech, Smoke & Mirrors is essential reading for anyone who's serious about how real-world advances might be effectively harnessed to build a better future.Smoke & Mirrors is a vital contribution in a world where technological progress promises so much, but too often disappoints. If, like me, you believe that advances in science and technology are our best hope for solving the grand challenges of our times, this book is the indispensable guide to avoiding the mirages and the charlatans along the way.A refreshingly grown-up, clear-headed look at the interaction between science, technology and the media - readable without being dumbed down, acknowledging complexities without being heavy.In this book, we see technological hype for what it is: not mere exuberance, but a form of attention-seeking. As some technological hucksters stake claims on our future and try to foreclose alternatives, we need strong defences. Gemma Milne offers a spotter's guide to hype, using science to bring speculation down to earth. People inside and outside the world of technological innovation need this book.A really interesting read . . . thought-provoking. It shines a spotlight on issues that are all too frequently left out of the narrative around over-hyped technological innovation. For those working in science communication and general tech lovers alike, this book will certainly open your eyes to some important questions. -- Jamie Durrani * Chemistry World *Healthy and informed scepticism. * Financial Times *
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group Microlands
Book Synopsis''An epic travelogue, brimming with the excitement of discovery. With characteristic panache, Venter unveils the teeming array of bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes that crowd our planet''s oceans'' - Siddhartha Mukherjee''This page-turner gives . . . the thrill of seeing our planet''s largest universe through the brilliant, intrepid eyes of the scientist who has done more than anyone to unlock the secrets of life'' - Martine Rothblatt''A tour de force . . . Venter has expanded biology''s horizons. This book explores microbial life on a global scale, providing cutting-edge solutions to problems of environmental change'' - Aristides Patrinos''A ripping tale . . . to revolutionize our understanding of our bodies, the oceans, and the planet'' - Jack Gilbert''An exhilarating account of how creative science is accomplished'' - Sir Richard J. Roberts''[A] fascinating tour of Planet Microbe'' - Bill McKibbenTrade ReviewWriting with award-winning science journalist Duncan, Venter presents a lively account of a groundbreaking exploration of the microbiome of the Earth's waters...Important and adventurous science on the high seas. * Kirkus Reviews *An epic travelogue, brimming with the excitement of discovery. With characteristic panache, Venter unveils the teeming array of bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes that crowd our planet's oceans. His research will undoubtedly shape our understanding of the global ecosystem for decades to come. -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of * The Emperor of All Maladies *An exhilarating account of how creative science is accomplished. Few would guess just how many microbes live with us and how much they contribute to human health, both directly in our bodies and by making sure the air we breathe supports life. I have always loved bacteria, but after reading this I have an enhanced appreciation of their value to life on this planet. I highly recommend it. -- Sir Richard J. Roberts, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or MedicineThe Voyage of Sorcerer II combines panoramic linguistic imagery with trenchant scientific insights to provide the reader a virtual seat aboard the most important ship of discovery since Darwin's Beagle. Venter reveals to us why Earth should be called 'Water' and why the ocean's microscopic life is our deepest and most magical reservoir of genetic diversity. This page-turner gives each of us the thrill of seeing our planet's largest universe through the brilliant, intrepid eyes of the scientist who has done more than anyone to unlock the secrets of life. -- Martine Rothblatt, founder and CEO, United TherapeuticsA tour de force. Following in the paths of the Beagle and the Challenger, Venter has expanded biology's horizons. This book explores microbial life on a global scale, providing cutting-edge solutions to problems of environmental change. -- Aristides Patrinos, Chief Scientist and Director of Research, NOVIMA fascinating inside look at Venter's historic expeditions that makes the experiences, the analysis, and the transformative discoveries come alive. -- Margaret Leinen, Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San DiegoWe humans may think we are the most important species on Earth, but we're actually just bit players in a far broader and more complex microbial world. In this exciting journey into that deeper world, Venter and Duncan expand our scope of what it means to be alive. -- Jamie Metzl, author of * Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity *A ripping tale of how a sailing adventure and science can be combined to revolutionize our understanding of our bodies, the oceans, and the planet. -- Jack Gilbert, Associate Vice Chancellor for Marine Science and Director of the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center, UC San Diego School of Medicine
£21.25
Little, Brown Book Group Microlands
Book Synopsis''An epic travelogue, brimming with the excitement of discovery. With characteristic panache, Venter unveils the teeming array of bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes that crowd our planet''s oceans'' - Siddhartha Mukherjee''This page-turner gives . . . the thrill of seeing our planet''s largest universe through the brilliant, intrepid eyes of the scientist who has done more than anyone to unlock the secrets of life'' - Martine Rothblatt''A tour de force . . . Venter has expanded biology''s horizons. This book explores microbial life on a global scale, providing cutting-edge solutions to problems of environmental change'' - Aristides Patrinos''A ripping tale . . . to revolutionize our understanding of our bodies, the oceans, and the planet'' - Jack Gilbert''An exhilarating account of how creative science is accomplished'' - Sir Richard J. Roberts''[A] fascinating tour of Planet Microbe'' - Bill McKibben
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group Astronomical
Book Synopsis''In the same light-heartedly informative spirit as his previous Elemental, Tim James gives us an entertaining gallop through light years of space science, from the big bang to UFOs''Andrew Crumey, author of The Great Chain of UnbeingPRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR''Humorous, yet deep . . . Fundamental will speak to all readers'' Professor Charles Antoine, Sorbonne University''Who said science was dry? Certainly not Tim James'' New York PostDoes the Big Bang prove the existence of God? What''s the Universe expanding into? Is Earth the only planet which supports life? Why did the greatest astronomer in history murder his pet moose?Space is the biggest, oldest, hottest, coldest, strangest thing a human can study. It''s no surprise then, that the weirdest facts in science (not to mention the weirdest scientists themselves) are found in astrophysics and cosmology. Trade ReviewIn the same light-heartedly informative spirit as his previous Elemental, Tim James gives us an entertaining gallop through light years of space science, from the big bang to UFOs. -- Andrew Crumey, author of The Great Chain of UnbeingPRAISE FOR THE AUTHORHumorous, yet deep . . . Fundamental will speak to all readers. -- Professor Charles Antoine, Sorbonne UniversityWho said science was dry? Certainly not Tim James. * New York Post *
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Life Changing
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON GLOBAL CONSERVATION''Pilcher is both very funny and very, very clever.'' Gillian Burke''Richly entertaining throughout.'' Sunday TimesFor the last three billion years or so, life on Earth was shaped by natural forces. Evolution tended to happen slowly, with species crafted across millennia. Then, a few hundred thousand years ago, along came a bolshie, big-brained, bipedal primate we now call Homo sapiens, and with that, the Earth's natural history came to an abrupt end. We are now living through the post-natural phase, where humans have become the leading force shaping evolution. This thought-provoking book considers the many ways that we've altered the DNA of living things and changed the fate of life on earth. We have carved chihuahuas from wolves and fancy chickens from jungle fowl. We've added spider genes to goats and coral genes to tropical fish. It's possible to buyTrade ReviewTackles how humans are altering existing animal life. It has some good lines and is richly entertaining throughout, but under the surface it is pretty serious.' * Sunday Times *Helen Pilcher takes on the unenviable task of describing how our species has been on a collision course, spanning roughly 300,000 years of history, with the rest of life on earth. It shouldn't make for good reading but, mercifully, Pilcher is both very funny and very, very clever. -- Gillian Burke, biologist and TV presenterWith warm wit and glorious pace, Life Changing delivers an eloquent commentary on this, the age of post-natural history. Expertly pulling together and detailing the work of hundreds of scientists around the world, Pilcher encourages us to ask timely questions about our role as stewards and curators of a planet struggling under our influence. -- Jules Howard, naturalist, science writer and author of Sex on EarthTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Wolf that Rolled Over Chapter 2: Strategic Moos and Golden Gnus Chapter 3: Super Salmon and Spider-Goats Chapter 4: Game of Clones Chapter 5: Screwworms and Suicide Possums Chapter 6: The Age of the Chicken Chapter 7: Sea-Monkeys and Pizzly Bears Chapter 8: Darwin’s Moth Chapter 9: Resilient Reefs Chapter 10: Love Island Chapter 11: Pigs and Purple Emperors Chapter 12: The New Ark Additional Reading Acknowledgements Index
£10.44
John Murray Press Will We Ever Speak Dolphin
Book SynopsisEver wondered . . . - what is earwax for?- when is the moon blue?- why are there only two sexes?- do doctors live longer?Informative, hilarious, sometimes unsettling and always unexpected, the questions and answers from New Scientist readers in the magazine''s popular ''Last Word'' column are endlessly fascinating. Will We Ever Speak Dolphin? brings the best of the bunch together in another witty, weird and wise compendium that''s irresistible for ''Last Word'' fans and new readers alike.If you''ve ever wanted to know why you can''t hear shouting underwater, whether ants get scared of humans towering over them, how butterflies know where they''re heading, or whether there really is a difference between martinis shaken or stirred, New Scientist has all the weird and witty answers.
£9.99
John Murray Press Statistics An Introduction Teach Yourself
Book SynopsisDo you need to gain confidence with handling numbers and formulae? Do you want a clear, step-by-step guide to the key concepts and principles of statistics? Nearly all aspects of our lives can be subject to statistical analysis. Statistics: An Introduction shows you how to interpret, analyze and present figures.Assuming minimal knowledge of maths and using examples from a wide variety of everyday contexts, this book makes often complex concepts and techniques easy to get to grips with. This new edition has been fully updated.Whether you want to understand the statistics that you are bombarded with every day or are a student or professional coming to statistics from a wide range of disciplines, Statistics: An Introduction covers it all.
£13.49
Orion Publishing Co The Star Builders
Book SynopsisIs it possible to build a star on earth?When asked what problem he hoped scientists will have solved by the end of the century, Professor Stephen Hawking replied ''I would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.'' But what is nuclear fusion, and could it really be the answer to the climate emergency? Fusion exists already in the stars that fill our universe with light, but can we harness that power here on earth? This is the question The Star Builders seeks to answer. In his compelling new book, Dr Arthur Turrell makes the case for cutting-edge new techniques in nuclear energy - innovations that would allow us to recreate the power of the stars on our own planet. Filled with the remarkable stories of the scientists and entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to a seemingly impossible dream, The Star Builders is an unmissable insight into the future of life - aTrade ReviewA gobsmackingly good read... Turrell's portraits of the undaunted star-building scientists who are trying to make fusion a reality are not just compelling but, dare I say it, fun. I learned a lot by reading this book. You will, too. * Robert Bryce, author of A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations *The Star Builders surveys this vibrant frontier of science and technology clearly and realistically. It brings a timely, hopeful message. * Frank Wilczek, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and author of Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality *Incredibly readable and entertaining. The book's first-hand accounts of what is occurring inside fusion startups are especially enthralling. Turrell skillfully tells the fascinating story of the personalities, science, and technology that have brought this fledging industry to the point of takeoff. * Jason Parisi, coauthor of The Future of Fusion Energy *Painstakingly researched. Turrell gives us a front-row seat to the hard-fought race for fusion, and he offers convincing reasons for optimism. In fact, he shows us a galaxy of effort being directed toward 'building a star.' * James Mahaffey, PhD, author of Atomic Adventures *Arthur Turrell captures the excitement of the race to produce the first commercial fusion energy-perhaps the most important technological race of all. * Sir Steve Cowley, director of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory *The Star Builders is realistic and positive - an interesting snapshot of the current situation and key players * Nature *
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co From Our Own Correspondent
Book SynopsisFor over fifty years, From Our Own Correspondent has been one of BBC Radio 4's flagship programmes. Every week BBC foreign correspondents, journalists and writers reflect on current headlines, often bringing a personal perspective to them. There are few countries and subjects which have not featured on the programme - places as diverse as the Faroes, Moldova in Eastern Europe, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and one of Africa's smallest countries - Sao Tome and Principe.So many of the outlets that correspondents work for demand little more than writing to television pictures or covering the day's events in one report of perhaps only a minute's duration. In From Our Own Correspondent, the reporter can tell us so much more: a bit of context, some relevant history, one or two of the characters encountered en route, some description of a foreign country or capital. It is a programme where the correspondents will often relate the unexpected: the dayTrade ReviewA flagship BBC radio programme for 65 years, From Our Own Correspondent has always sought to bring listeners the stories behind the headlines and unexpected tales that don't make the news. Here, editor Polly Hope compiles engrossing dispatches from the past decade, spanning every continent. These powerful, personal testimonies from the BBC's foreign correspondents transport the reader from the World Cup to the Arab Spring via refugee camps and the Vatican, and meditate on issues ranging from Brexit to climate change. * RADIO TIMES *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan E=mc2
Book SynopsisBy the end of the astonishing E=mc2, a dedicated reader will have achieved, if only by osmosis, an understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity and feel quite at ease dining with Nobel Prize winners. It's a lucid, even thrilling study: the very best kind of science journalism. I didn't know I could know so much.' Fay Weldon, Books of the Year, Washington Post In 1905, Albert Einstein produced five historic papers that shattered many cherished scientific beliefs. One of those papers introduced the theory of special relativity and his legendary equation, E=mc2. Generations have grown up knowing that equation changed the shape of our world, but without understanding what it really means and why it is so significant. In this fascinating biography David Bodanis tells the story of one of the greatest scientific discoveries in history. He looks at the elements 'e', 'm' and 'c'; and honours the scientists whose landmark discoveries paved the way for Einstein. He plots the course of the equation through the twentieth century, showing how our lives have been revolutionized by its applications; and looks far ahead to the future. But as with any biography, it is the human stories that really ignite the subject - stories of love, courage and tragedy, of near misses, disappointments and disasters that, brought together by Bodanis in this remarkable book, turn Einstein's seemingly impenetrable theory into a dramatic and accessible human achievement. 'Both informative and highly readable...E=mc2 is a wonderful romp through Einstein's famous formula.. this is everything a popular science book should be' DAILY EXPRESS 'Bodanis himself seems like an intellectual thermonuclear explosion, a kind of Jonathan Miller on speed...This is an outstanding introduction to relativity by a gifted practitioner of popular science' INDEPENDENT 'With skill and plenty of colourful anecdotes Bodanis traces the intellectual ancestry of E=mc2...fast moving and entertaining' THE TIMES 'E=mc2 reveals, amongst other wonders, how many women physicists were involved in the story. Which makes this morally improving, as well as fascinating reading' George Walden, Books of the Year, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'The book fizzes in the readers imagination' TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT
£9.49
Cornerstone The Astronaut Selection Test Book: Do You Have
Book Synopsis_________________________*The OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD puzzle book, as featured in the Times, Daily Telegraph, BBC Radio 4, and BBC Breakfast, and a Guardian Book of the Year pick. Have YOU got what it takes to be an astronaut?This book will help readers of all ages find out. Featuring 100 real astronaut tests and exercises from the European Space Agency's rigorous selection process, ranging from easy to fiendishly hard, The Astronaut Selection Test Book goes where no puzzle book has gone before. Including puzzles and tests on:· visual perception and logic· mental arithmetic and concentration· psychological readiness· teamwork and leadership· survival, physical and medical skills· foreign languages (every astronaut has to know Russian!)and much more, this richly illustrated book draws on Tim Peake's first-hand experience of applying to be an astronaut in 2008, when he and five others were chosen - out of over 8,000 applications!We've all dreamed of being an astronaut, though of the estimated 100 billion people who have ever lived, only 557 people have travelled to space. But with this unprecedented look into real astronaut selection, you might just find out your dreams can become reality..._________________________HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM SOLVER...Tim Peake and the ESA will receive no royalties from this book; instead, they will be donated to the Prince's Trust charity._________________________'Engrossing... a brain buster of a book... You'll learn plenty about space and what it takes to be an astronaut, but you'll also sharpen up your broader knowledge. For anyone interested in the space race and the imminent journey to Mars, here's the perfect stocking filler.' - STARBURST'It's a brain work-out on steroids, stuffed with authentic selection tests... Entertaining and engaging... innovative, earnest, soulful and exhilarating' - BBC SKY AT NIGHT MAGAZINE (5 STARS, Book of the Month)'It's such a good idea... this is a very good thing for Christmas Day' - GRAHAM NORTON, BBC RADIO 2'Everybody, get this book... it's a fascinating read' - CHRIS MOYLES, RADIO X'A fantastic gift... more than just a quiz' - WI LIFE'The perfect [book] for big thinkers' - BBC ARTS, 2018's Biggest BooksTrade ReviewThe Astronaut Selection Test Book should corner the gift market much in the same way that GCHQ and Bletchley Park Brainteasers have done in the past couple of years. * Guardian *Engrossing... a brain buster of a book... You’ll learn plenty about space and what it takes to be an astronaut, but you’ll also sharpen up your broader knowledge. For anyone interested in the space race and the imminent journey to Mars, here’s the perfect stocking filler. * Starburst *It’s a brain work-out on steroids, stuffed with authentic selection tests… Entertaining and engaging… innovative, earnest, soulful and exhilarating * BBC Sky at Night Magazine (Book of the Month) *A hugely entertaining and demanding challenge… an ideal gift for budding space cadets. * The Daily Mail *Entertaining and engaging, this intelligent book is educational and for the serious-minded… a route to the stars but also a road map for any career application. * 5* review and chosen as the book of the month in BBC Sky at Night Magazine *
£14.24
John Murray Press How to Be Human: The Ultimate Guide to Your
Book SynopsisIf you thought you knew who you were, THINK AGAIN.Did you know that half your DNA isn't human? That somebody, somewhere has exactly the same face? Or that most of your memories are fiction?What about the fact that you are as hairy as a chimpanzee, various parts of your body don't belong to you, or that you can read other people's minds? Do you really know why you blush, yawn and cry? Why 90 per cent of laughter has nothing to do with humour? Or what will happen to your mind after you die?You belong to a unique, fascinating and often misunderstood species. How to be Human is your guide to making the most of it.
£9.99
John Murray Press The Quantum World: The disturbing theory at the
Book SynopsisForget everything you thought you knew about reality.The world is a seriously bizarre place. Things can exist in two places at once and travel backwards and forwards in time. Waves and particles are one and the same, and objects change their behaviour according to whether they are being watched. This is not some alternative universe but the realm of the very small, where quantum mechanics rules. In this weird world of atoms and their constituents, our common sense understanding of reality breaks down - yet quantum mechanics has never failed an experimental test. What does it all mean? For all its weirdness, quantum mechanics has given us many practical technologies including lasers and the transistors that underlie computers and all digital technology. In the future, it promises computers more powerful than any built before, the ability to communicate with absolute privacy, and even quantum teleportation. The Quantum World explores the past, present and future of quantum science, its applications and mind-bending implications. Discover how ideas from quantum mechanics are percolating out into the vast scale of the cosmos - perhaps, in the future, to reveal a new understanding of the big bang and the nature of space and time.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.
£10.44
John Murray Press Eureka!: Mindblowing Science Every Day of the
Book SynopsisIntroduced by Jim Al-KhaliliCould you surf down an erupting volcano?Why do zebras have stripes?Are you breathing the same air as Leonardo da Vinci?Are there any green mammals?Why do pineapples have spikes?Why do songs get stuck in your head?What happens when black holes collide?Can you extract your DNA?New Scientist has been a treasure trove of fascinating and surprising questions and answers for over a decade. From how to measure the speed of light using chocolate, to why dogs howl at sirens, Eureka! brings together 365 mindblowing questions, fascinating facts and exciting experiments.If you've ever wondered how to escape quicksand, what would happen if the moon vanished, and why cats (nearly) always land on their feet, you've come to the right place.
£11.69
Quercus Publishing Fat: the Secret Organ: The surprising science
Book Synopsis The International Bestseller, as featured in The Times Fat is a vital yet hugely under-rated organ. Fat has become a dirty word, but we know so little about how it really works. In Fat, expert doctors and obesity researchers Dr Mariëtte Boon and Professor Liesbeth van Rossum present the ground-breaking research which explodes many of the myths and prejudices surrounding body fat and will make us completely rethink our relationship with it. Making use of the cutting-edge research in this specialist field, this fascinating and entertaining book will explain how fat generates important hormones, communicates with our brains and is, indeed, essential for staying alive. Informative yet accessible, Fat: The Secret Organ is important reading, not only for people who have struggled with their weight, but for everybody who is serious about their health.Trade ReviewWorried about piling on the pounds while stuck at home on lockdown? Give yourself a break, because fat is VITAL. New book Fat: The Secret Organ by doctors Mariette Boon and Liesbeth Van Rossum, an obesity specialist, aims to shed light on an aspect of our body that gets a bad press. * Sun *an eye-opening book which casts a tired subject in a new light * Glasgow Herald *
£11.69
Penguin Putnam Inc Poseidon's Steed: The Story of Seahorses, from
Book SynopsisAn underwater adventure with the sea creature that has captured human imagination for thousands of years.
£12.59
Orion Publishing Co The Human Brain: A Guided Tour
Book SynopsisLocked away remote from the rest of the body in its own custom-built casing of skull bone, with no intrinsic moving parts, the human brain remains a tantalising mystery. But now, more than ever before, we have the expertise to tackle this mystery - the last 20 years have seen astounding progress in brain research. Susan Greenfield begins by exploring the roles of different regions of the brain. She then switches to the opposite direction and examines how certain functions, such as movement and vision, are accommodated in the brain. She describes how a brain is made from a single fertilized egg, and the fate of the brain is traced through life as we see how it constantly changes as a result of experience to provide the essence of a unique individual.Trade ReviewDr Susan Greenfield ... is rightly admired as a popular communicator and THE HUMAN BRAIN: A GUIDED TOUR will appeal as a Baedeker to the brain, even to the non-scientist - THE TIMESSuperb ... I recommend it to anyone interested in this area of science - SUNDAY TIMES
£9.99
Profile Books Ltd Psy-Q: A Mind-Bending Miscellany Of Everyday
Book SynopsisPsychology is everywhere. Our emotions and desires, the decisions we make on a daily basis - absolutely every aspect of the way we think and feel has been studied by psychologists. Through dozens of interactive puzzles, IQ tests, quizzes, jokes, puns and visual illusions, Ben Ambridge guides us through this wealth of research, showing us how we can better understand ourselves. Debunking tabloid speculation, revisiting old favourites such as the Stanford Prison Experiment and unearthing bleeding edge research unknown to the general reader, renowned psychologist Ben Ambridge blows away the received wisdom to reveal to enthusiasts and novices alike the psychology behind our daily lives. With wit and humour aplenty, he explains whether your blue eyes make you more or less trustworthy, how analogies can help cure cancer, whether Rorschach's famous inkblot tests really work, what your love for heavy metal (or Mozart) says about you, how psychology could help solve the obesity crisis and countless other revealing, entertaining and downright astonishing tests of your Psy-Q. Visit Ben's accompanying website, http://benambridge.wordpress.com/, and test yourself - and your friends.Trade ReviewBoth broad and deep, serious but lots of fun. Recommended -- Tim Harford, author of * The Undercover Economist *A clear and engaging explanation of many psychological phenomena you've vaguely heard of, and many more you'll be glad to learn about -- Steven PinkerClever, broad-minded and fun * Sunday Times *He has a trickster's charm of "How did he do that?" presentation and a stage magician's "Hey presto!" delight in revelation * Times *For all its easy-peasy, playful, tick-in-the-box larkiness, Psy-Q makes some very interesting points about the counter-intuitive nature of human psychology, and has a fresh and often iconoclastic take on even the most celebrated experiments -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *A cornucopia of brain-teasers and other (psycho)logical delights that will challenge, surprise and amuse -- Guy Deutscher, author of 'Through the Language Glass'A readable, accessible and un-putdownable book that I managed to devour in an entire afternoon * The Bookbag *As I completed what Ambridge calls my "psych-odyssey", I did have a better understanding of myself * BBC Focus *A playful insight into the world of the human mind...Once finished with, it makes for great fun to turn psychologist and test friends and family and watch them sweat while you raise a brow uncomfortably * Irish Examiner *
£10.44
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Vaccine Race: How Scientists Used Human Cells
Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE WELLCOME BOOK PRIZE****A GUARDIAN SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR**‘Riveting … invites comparison to Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’NatureThe epic and controversial story of a major breakthrough in cell biology that led to the conquest of rubella and other devastating diseases.Until the late 1960s, tens of thousands of children suffered crippling birth defects if their mothers had been exposed to rubella, popularly known as German measles, while pregnant. There was no vaccine and little understanding of how the disease devastated foetuses. In June 1962, a young biologist in Philadelphia produced the first safe, clean cells that made possible the mass-production of vaccines against many common childhood diseases. Two years later, in the midst of a German measles epidemic, his colleague developed the vaccine that would one day effectively wipe out rubella for good. This vaccine - and others made with those cells - have since protected hundreds of millions of people worldwide, the vast majority of them preschool children. Meredith Wadman’s account of this great leap forward in medicine is a fascinating and revelatory read.Trade ReviewIt is a thriller - a beautifully researched and paced thriller - and is destined to be a classic piece of science writing in its navigation of the nexus of personality, research and ethics. -- Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with the Amber EyesAn extraordinary story and Wadman is to be congratulated, not just for uncovering it but for relaying it in such a pacy, stimulating manner. This is a first-class piece of science writing' -- Robin McKie * Observer *Extraordinary...The Vaccine Race is a tremendous feat of research and synthesis, its lucid technical explanations combined with forays into the business politics of big pharma, and portraits of the scientists whose work has saved untold lives. -- Steven Poole * Daily Telegraph *Marvellous…fascinating…Wadman doesn’t shy away from some very difficult and unpleasant truths…The Vaccine Race bears comparison with Richard Rhodes’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb. I can pay no higher compliment to Meredith Wadman and her fine book -- Manjit Kumar * The Literary Review *Wadman's brilliantly researched book unfolds like a thriller, but asks some tough ethical questions along the way. -- Sophie Ratcliffe, Associate Professor of English Literature, Oxford UniversityA riveting tale of scientific infighting, clashing personalities, sketchy ethics and the transformation of cell biology from a sleepy scientific backwater to a high-stakes arena where vast fortunes are made. * Wall Street Journal *Riveting... invites comparison to Rebecca Skloot's 2007 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks... Wadman stands back from the sources and material to guide the reader through a narrative that is no less captivating. * Nature *Epically readable - superb -- Chris van TullekenMeticulously researched... a success story for grown-ups... plenty of ammunition for those arguing with family or Facebook friends who have swallowed the conspiracy theories of the anti-vaccination community -- Sheena Cruickshank * New Scientist *Superb ... It is a tale – told with pace and authority – of theft, evasion, deceit and obdurate overregulation -- Robin McKie * Observer, Books of the Year *Meticulously researched and carefully crafted . . . The Vaccine Race, is an enlightening telling of the development of vaccines in the mid-20th century. . . . an intelligent and entertaining tome . . . [and] a comprehensive portrait of the many issues faced in the race to develop vaccines. * Science *Explains complex science in methodical detail. * Mail on Sunday *Excellent... an important story, well told * The Scotsman *The Vaccine Race is an important read—for scientists, politicians, physicians, parents and everyone interested in how the world of medical research works... it is so important to read this book, to see how science works and how politics can and does interfere with what science does best and what is best for us. * Huffington Post *An exemplary piece of medical journalism, and Wadman makes strikingly clear the human costs of medical developments as well as the roles of politics and economics. * Publishers Weekly *
£10.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd Science in the Soul: Selected Writings of a
Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERRichard Dawkins - author of The Selfish Gene, The Blind Watchmaker, and The God Delusion - is one of science's greatest communicators. This anthology of more than forty pieces is a kaleidoscopic argument for the power and the glory of science. Breathtaking, brilliant and passionate, these essays, journalism, lectures and letters make an unanswerable case for the wonder of scientific discovery and its power to stir the imagination; for the practical necessity of scientific endeavour to society; and for the importance of the scientific way of thinking – particularly in today’s ‘post-truth’ world.With an introduction and new commentary by the author, subjects range from evolution and Darwinian natural selection to the role of scientist as prophet, whether science is itself a religion, the probability of alien life in other worlds, and the beauties, cruelties and oddities of earthly life in this one. Alongside the explications, the celebrations and the controversies are wonderfully funny ventures into satire and parody, and moving personal reflections in memory and honour of others.Science in the Soul is a sparkling showcase for Professor Dawkins' rapier wit, the clarity, precision and vigour he brings to an argument, the beauty of his prose, the depth of his feeling and his capacity for joy.Trade Review[Dawkins] is a thunderously gifted science writer -- Oliver Moody * The Times *One of the best non-fiction writers alive today * Steven Pinker *The illumination of Dawkins’ incisive thinking on the intellectual world extends far beyond biology. What a treat to see so clearly how matter and meaning fit together, from fiction to philosophy to molecular biology, all in one unified vision!’ Daniel C. Dennett * Daniel C. Dennett *In this golden age of enlightened science writing it is stunning that no scientist has ever won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Pulitzer Prizes, yes, but it is time literature's highest award be granted to a scientist whose writings have changed not just science but society. No living scientist is more deserving of such recognition than Richard Dawkins, whose every book reflects his literary genius and scientific substance. Science in the Soul is the perfect embodiment of Nobel quality literature." -- Michael Shermer, Publisher Skeptic magazine, columnist Scientific American, author The Moral Arc and Heavens on EarthI thank Thor and Zeus that in their infinite wisdom they chose to make the great wordsmith of our age a great rationalist and vice versa. -- Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist and The Evolution of EverythingA writer of tremendous clarity and force...in full polemical flight, Dawkins is a marvel. -- Kevin Powers * Sunday Business Post *This Dawkins is a dangerous guy. Like Marx. Or Darwin. * W. Daniel Hillis *The most influential man of reason…intellectually rigorous to a fault. -- Oliver Thring * Sunday Times News Review *With his latest book, ‘Science in the Soul’, Richard Dawkins continues the legacy of Carl Sagan, though of course, in a more combative mode...Richard Dawkins is one of the best science popularisers of our times. He is also an eminent evolutionary biologist...All the articles in this compilation are ultimately soul-elevating in the sense that they emphasise the importance of reason and spirit of science in approaching many of the problems which we may think as being outside the realm of science or domains where inducing a hostility to a scientific approach is possible....Dawkins is an extraordinarily talented author and persuader ...Dawkins also comes across in this collection of essays as a warm rational scientist who is interestingly so open to the innocent human fascination for the grandeur of nature. -- Aravindan Neelakandan * Swarajya Magazine *Dawkins at his most delicious. These are some of the finest treasures of non-fiction you'll find anywhere * Derren Brown *Now, more than ever, public intellectual scientists like Dawkins are needed to counter the forces of faith, fiction, and farce dominating our so-called “post-fact” society.The Oxford University professor is the embodiment of the concept of the public intellectual -- Iain Ellis * www.popmatters.com *
£10.44
Vintage Publishing The Gendered Brain: The new neuroscience that
Book SynopsisBarbie or Lego? Reading maps or reading emotions? Do you have a female brain or a male brain? Or is that the wrong question? On a daily basis we face deeply ingrained beliefs that our sex determines our skills and preferences, from toys and colours to career choice and salaries. But what does this mean for our thoughts, decisions and behaviour? Using the latest cutting-edge neuroscience, Gina Rippon unpacks the stereotypes that bombard us from our earliest moments and shows how these messages mould our ideas of ourselves and even shape our brains. Rigorous, timely and liberating, The Gendered Brain has huge repercussions for women and men, for parents and children, and for how we identify ourselves.‘Highly accessible… Revolutionary to a glorious degree’ ObserverTrade ReviewA highly accessible book. It’s also an important one… it has the power to do vastly more for gender equality than any number of feminist “manifestos”… revolutionary to a gloriuos degree ... supremely clear-eyed … thought-provoking -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *A treasure trove of information and good humour, The Gendered Brain offers thought-provoking perspectives on the latest debates about sex, gender and the brain. -- Cordelia Fine, author of TESTOSTERONE REXEssential reading -- Katy Guest * Guardian *A smart and witty addition to the literature on sex differences. Gina Rippon is one of the most outspoken scientists in this area, and she debunks a whole host of sexist stereotypes in her new book. -- Angela Saini, author of INFERIOR[An] excellent…book… it will reward those willing to put in the effort… [and] put weapons in the arsenal of those trying to tackle sexism -- Rosamund Urwin * Sunday Times *A brilliant and thorough debunking of the popular myths around sex differences in brains and behaviour. -- Dr Emily Grossman, broadcasterA fresh and much-needed perspective on the gender debate -- Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, founder of STEMETTESThe history of sex-difference research is rife with innumeracy [and] misinterpretation… Rippon, a leading voice against the bad neuroscience of sex difference, uncovers so many examples in this ambitious book that she uses a whack-a-mole metaphor to evoke the eternal cycle… a juicy history… [and] the book accomplishes its goal of debunking the concept of a gendered brain -- Lise Eliot * Nature *Rippon…takes a scalpel to the research surrounding sex differences in the brain with precision and humour, exposing everything… [The] examples are what makes The Gendered Brain so enjoyable… [and] enlightening -- Sue Nelson * Financial Times *Rippon… [writes] in a cheerful, no-nonsense style, she draws on a dizzying array of studies to conclude, rather thrillingly, that the premise underpinning over 150 years of scientific endeavour is plan wrong… a convincing case -- Charlie McCann * Tablet *The Gendered Brain expertly and meticulously argues that essential sex differences are grossly overstated * Institution of Engineering and Technology *
£9.99
Icon Books Astroquizzical: A Curious Journey Through Our
Book SynopsisIn this enthralling cosmic journey through space and time, astrophysicist Jillian Scudder locates our home planet within its own 'family tree'. Our parent the Earth and its sibling planets in our solar system formed within the same gas cloud. Without our grandparent the Sun, we would not exist, and the Sun in turn relies on the Milky Way as its home. The Milky Way rests in a larger web of galaxies that traces its origins right back to tiny fluctuations in the very early universe.Following these cosmic connections, we discover the many ties that bind us to our universe. Based around readers' questions from the author's popular blog 'Astroquizzical', the book provides a quirky guide to how things work in the universe and why things are the way they are, from shooting stars on Earth, to black holes, to entire galaxies.For anyone interested in the 'big picture' of how the cosmos functions and how it is all connected, Jillian Scudder is the perfect guide.Trade ReviewA wonderful jaunt through the universe at every scale, and a great way to fill in every gap in knowledge you have about astronomy. -- Zach Weinersmith, creator of SMBC, and co-author of the NYT bestselling book, Soonish.Astroquizzical from Dr Jillian Scudder is a superb astronomy book, written with a distinctive tone which is both pragmatic and poetic at the same time. It's perfectly attuned to the kind of awestruck curiosity we feel whilst taking in the majesty of a clear, starlit night sky. This book intelligently decodes those profound astronomical topics without swamping us in confusion. It also explains the intriguing importance of many astro and space exploration matters we might have underestimated or never even considered before. Dr Scudder's book brings the perfect blend of fact and fascination to help us feel a greater sense of our place within the clockwork of the universe. Astroquizzical is a most informative and highly engaging astronomy book. -- Jon CulshawScudder's mission is to provide the lay reader with a thorough grounding in the basics of astronomical knowledge. ... The writing is fluid and direct with the subject material brought vibrantly to life. ... For astro novices this book ... will bring a welcome depth to their appreciation of the night sky and the wonders it holds. -- BBC Sky at Night magazinegenuinely entertaining ... well-written ... fascinating ... quirky ... an excellent balance of enthusiasm and facts ... a good balance of illustrations ... Scudder is particularly good at explaining how the stunning colour images are multi-layered black and white images from different coloured filters. This is the kind of book that would be excellent to get either a teenage reader or an adult with limited exposure to astronomy interested in the field. It reads well and gives basic details without being patronising. It's a cosmic journey that I enjoyed. -- popularscience.co.ukScudder is an astrophysicist who studies star formation in very distant galaxies but takes time out to passionately engage in outreach, getting into schools and the community as often as she can. This, her first introductory book on astronomy, benefits from that outreach. ... The narrative form that Scudder employs is an imaginary cosmic journey that begins on our home planet and takes us in seven steps to the furthest galaxies. This simple format has been tried countless times before by big-name astronomers. What's different here is an intense level of engagement between writer and reader. Vivid storytelling explains the physics without equations. ... Her aim is to get people to think issues through for themselves, and that works. The clarity of Scudder's writing is impressive. -- Simon Mitton, Times Higher Education[Jillian Scudder's] excellent debut book is all about making complex concepts, if not exactly easy to understand, then at least a little easier to grasp. ... In her enthralling cosmic journey through space and time, astrophysicist Jillian Scudder discusses our home planet's place in the universe. ... The result is a highly readable primer for a basic understanding of phenomena such as shooting stars, black holes, galaxies and the origins of the universe. Beyond the flawless presentation of known facts and current thinking, Scudder explores further by positing counterfactuals and thought experiments. ... The real triumph of Scudder's Astroquizzical is that it brings high-altitude, notionally abstract ideas to the general reader, presented in an entertaining and accessible way. For those more familiar with the universe it will also help to fill some of the knowledge gaps created by advancements in current thinking. In short, it should be required reading for every engineer and technologist. -- Engineering & Technology magazineAstroquizzical approaches astronomy at a unique angle. It begins by stating that we are all distantly related to the stars; everything we're made of can be traced back to when they explode. By making this comparison at the start of the book, you instantly become intrigued and involved and from then on, the author ¬- Jillian Scudder - does a fine job of covering a variety of topics and interests in space science. The book starts at our home planet and the universe expands as the story unfolds, explaining the intricacies of our Solar System, the variety and evolution of stars, galaxies and finally the broader universe. These areas are well explained and accompanied by a series of illustrations, thought experiments and images. This is a welcome element to the book, particularly when it comes to explaining difficult concepts such as the behaviour of particles travelling at the speed of light and other more in depth, complicated topics. -- All About Space
£15.29
Icon Books The Curious World of Science: A visual
Book SynopsisTo some, science is simply a means to an end; to others it is an almost spiritual meditation on theoriesand formulae.The Curious World of Science embraces both views and much more besides. Focusing on the human endeavours at the heart of science, it presents a miscellany of essential classifications, intriguing biographies, amusing curiosities, and irresistible trivia. Bite-size morsels of text explore the worlds of physics, chemistry, biology, and maths, while also venturing into those magical areas where science meets art.This illustrated edition is brimming with graphics and illustrations, and includes a system of icons to signpost different paths through the miscellany. From the Large Hadron Collider rap to the sins of Isaac Newton, it offers a dizzying flight through the wonderfully human world of scientific knowledge.
£17.00
Icon Books Biomimetics: How Lessons from Nature can
Book SynopsisAn exploration of the transformative ways in which nature has inspired the technological advancement of humankind.Biomimetics literally means emulating biology - and in a broader sense the term covers technological advances where the original inspiration came from nature. The Earth is a vast laboratory where the mechanisms of natural selection have enabled evolutionary solutions to be developed to a wide range of problems. In this new title in the Hot Science series, science writer Brian Clegg looks at how humans have piggybacked on natural experimentation, redeploying a solution to create things that make our lives easier. He looks at how the hooks on burdock seeds inspired the creation of Velcro, how the stickiness of the feet of geckos and frogs has been used to create gripping surfaces, such as tyre treads, and how even the most basic optical enhancement in the form of spectacles is itself a form of biomimetics.
£10.44
Oneworld Publications Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and
Book SynopsisWho has the answer to the world's fuel problems? How can we bring ruined land back to life? Where do roboticists turn when they try to engineer a hive mind? Termites. Strange though it seems, scientists look to tiny termites for answers to some big ideas. Lisa Margonelli tracks them, deep into their mounds to find out how termites can change the world. Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and Technology touches on everything from meditation, innovation and the psychology of obsession to good old-fashioned biology.Trade Review‘Turns cutting-edge science into rich narrative by plunging deep into the termite’s world...Margonelli’s masterly book is a timely, thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human, as much as what it means to be termite, and a penetrating look at the moral challenges of our ongoing technological revolution.’ * The New York Times *‘…one of the finest writers and most original thinkers we have. A surprising, swirling, fantastically unpredictable, thought-provoking, funny, and (depending on your species) delicious book.’ -- Mary Roach, author of Grunt and Gulp‘An eminently readable melange of the termite microcosm.’ * BBC Wildlife *‘A book about termites landed on my desk and, dear reader, it is so good that it came within a whisker of achieving the full weight of a maximum 9.8 Newtons…Governments and businesses (and the military) have invested a lot of money into termite investigations. And this excellent book follows the twists and turns of the eccentric scientists involved.’ * BA Business Life *‘In a unique voice that’s wry, inventive, and acrobatic, Margonelli takes us on a termite-guided exploration of subterranean tracts of nature, science, and robotics. The book is brimming with flair. Prepare to find yourself absorbed.’ -- Peter Godfrey-Smith, author of Other Minds‘Termites are not just the destructive force that homeowners know and hate―“architects of negative space,” as environmental writer Lisa Margonelli wittily puts it. They also comprise a kind of entomological three-ring circus, and this round-up of research on the eusocial insects is a ticket to the show… This is a wild ride through a hidden microcosmos stretching from Australia to Namibia.’ * Barbara Kiser, Nature *‘A revealing exploration of one of the most inscrutable insects ever to dominate our planet.’ -- Jonathan Balcombe, author of What a Fish Knows‘Unlikely but fascinating...[this] far-ranging work touches on the nature of individuality, the use of drones by the military, the applicability of concepts of good and evil to science, and the creation of biofuels created using the termite gut, among other topics. Margonelli brings all of this to light by making complex, cutting-edge science understandable to the general reader, while also conveying the excitement, frustration, and plain drudgery inherent in the scientific endeavor... Margonelli has written a book as entertaining as it is informative.’ * Publishers Weekly *
£9.49
Watkins Media Limited Gladiators, Pirates and Games of Trust: How Game
Book SynopsisGame Theory isn't just for poker players or economists. You don't have to be a microeconomics or political science expert to understand it _ discover the theory of decision making and optimize your strategic thinking with the help of Gladiators, Pirates and Games of Trust.Have you ever struggled to make a decision? Tried to figure out the winning bidding strategy at an auction? Wondered how best to split the bill in a restaurant? Divide an inheritance? Wished you were better at negotiating? Thought about how to discourage a spouse from cheating?Then Haim Shapira's fascinating exploration of Game Theory and how it affects our everyday life will delight and captivate you. Topics include how to respond to ultimatums, playing chicken, the diner's dilemma, the blackmailer's paradox and matchmaking strategies.Make buying this book your first winning decision.Trade Review"One of the best Decision Making and Game Theory books of all time." —Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn founder) and Nassim Nicholas Taleb (author of Black Swan), BookAuthority
£9.49
Quadrille Publishing Ltd Dogology: The Weird and Wonderful Science of Dogs
Book SynopsisDogology explores the bizarre and very funny world of canine science.Vital questions answered include: Why do dogs fart (but cats don’t)? Do dogs feel guilt, love, happiness or jealousy? What does it mean when a dog wags its tail more to the right or the left? Why do dogs poo with their bodies aligned north-to-south? Do dogs dream? If so, what about? How do dogs smell epilepsy, cancer and human sadness? How many hairs are there on your dog? What does your dog hear when you talk? Packed with fascinating facts, quirky scientific revelations and weird stories about our furry friends, Dogology offers a secret glimpse inside the canine body and mind.
£12.59
Headline Publishing Group How Do You Get An Egg Into A Bottle?: Scientific
Book SynopsisContaining around 200 fascinating science puzzles posing real-world questions for you to ponder and solve at home. The answer to each problem explains a scientific principle in easy-to-understand terms, so not only are you solving puzzles, you are also having fun while you learn. This fun book takes a slightly different look at puzzle questions, and all of the posers are based on real-world science. So you'll learn how to boil water in your palm, why you can crack your knuckles, how to walk on fire, why feet feel cold on a wooden floor and of course how you get an egg into a bottle. Table of Contents200 science puzzles, with answers.
£13.49
Headline Publishing Group The Human Age: How we caused the climate crisis
Book SynopsisThe Human Age is an intrepid exploration of the new geological epoch in which we now find ourselves: the Anthropocene. Defined as the Age of Man, this is the epoch in which human beings have become the driving forces that mould, transform and destroy Earth. Where natural occurrences once controlled climate, geology and the genesis and demise of species, humankind now holds the reins. Bringing together scientific theory, political argument, philosophical questioning and our deepest fears and hopes for the future, The Human Age explores this new age through informative and compelling text, and astounding photographs of the impact of human life on Earth. Powerful graphics depict the changing nature of the landscape and the very bedrock of our planet, and the destruction of ancient systems and environments that is resulting in global upheaval and climate breakdown. Creating a visual and written timeline of the age of human domination, The Human Age reveals how this era was born, the ways in which it is impacting us and our planet now, and the outlook for the future. Table of ContentsIntroduction: The new epoch • The strange case of freezing lava • Conceptual debates • The birth of deep time • Early insights and missed opportunities • Excessive heat • Melting of glaciers • Weather extremes • Draining of wetlands • Plastic islands • The ocean • Drilling and fracking • Mass extinction • Inequality • The African Anthropocene • Outer space • Denial • The geosocial turn • Extinction rebellion • Geopolitics • Conclusion • Index.
£17.00
Headline Publishing Group Essential Science: The Only Science Book You Will
Book SynopsisEssential Science aims to be the most detailed, accessible and authoritative book of its kind. Each of the 34 discoveries is broken down into seven essential elements to aid comprehension and inform the reader about what really matters: THE ESSENTIAL IDEA: a concise summary of the idea or discovery that makes complex ideas as simple as possible. ORIGINS: where does the discovery come from, who made it and how does it fit in the wider scientific context? KEY THEORIES AND EVIDENCE: even our most familiar ideas and discoveries are far from 'common sense'. How do we know what we know? What is the evidence? What are the dominant theories? CRITICS: science is a constant process of criticism and revision. How have various ideas survived attempts to discredit them? How secure is our knowledge and is it complete? WHY IT MATTERS: how important is the discovery in the wider scientific context? How much has it reshaped our perception of reality? FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS: what remains to be discovered? Might even dominant ideas and discoveries be superseded by better ones? THE ESSENTIAL SUMMARY: a visual outline of all the key insights from the above analytical headings. The consistent structure not only breaks down complex topics into simple, easy to understand chunks, but also helps readers to think for themselves about the process of scientific discovery, testing and progress, showing that science is not just a set of ideas to be learned, but a never-ending process that is constantly reshaping our perception of reality. Table of ContentsPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY: work, power and energy; thermodynamics; classical mechanics; electromagnetism; light; quantum theory; relativity: time and space; forces and particles; gravity; the Big Bang; stars and solar systems; dark matter and dark energy; the multiverse and other mysteries. CHEMISTRY: atomic structure; states of matter; the Periodic Table; bonding and chemical reactions; organic and inorganic chemistry; industrial chemistry. BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION: what is life? evolution and natural selection; genetics; simple life forms; complex life forms; diversity and population; extinction. EARTH: formation; structure; origins of life; carbon cycle; rock cycle; weather systems; climate change.
£17.00
Royal Society of Chemistry Perfume in the Bible
Book SynopsisPerfume is part of the biblical text from Genesis through to Revelation, just as perfume pervades our modern life. Identifying the ingredients used in biblical times is difficult when information and meaning is lost in ancient languages. As expected, biblical perfumes were made from natural products but the range employed is surprisingly different from those of modern perfumes. The biblical ingredients are either defensive substances or products of decay, opening up an avenue of speculation as to why this is so. Charles Sell started his research into this area whilst working at Givaudan, the world’s leading manufacturer of perfumes and flavours. The introductory chapter of this book gives a brief outline of the history of the Bible lands, paving the way to understanding the difficulties in identifying exactly which plant sources the original authors meant. Other chapters discuss how plants make chemicals and how the sense of smell functions. The book explores the preparation, storage and uses of perfume, both sacred and secular, and compares and contrasts biblical perfumes with their modern equivalents. It recounts some interesting biblical events involving perfume ranging from courtship through seduction to prostitution and murder. The use of beautiful images from the windows of Canterbury Cathedral, where the author is a guide, illustrate some of the people and events in the biblical accounts and enable visualization of the historical uses of perfumes. The book is aimed at a broad audience and requires no prior specialised knowledge. The subject matter will be of interest to everyone, including chemists and general scientists, historians, those interested in perfumery, those interested in religious studies, and anyone interested in exploring chemistry in the world of art and the creative professions.Trade ReviewIt is a wide-ranging study in which, in addition to chemistry, Dr Sell examines geographical sources, botany, sensory science, medicine, and the arts. There is even a section on perfume storage. Bottles, interestingly, have survived from before 500 BC, and Isaiah mentions the ownership of perfume bottles as one of the trappings of wealth, along with bracelets, charms, and nose-rings. -- Ted Harrison * The Church Times *It's amazing how often the subject of smell comes up in the Bible, whether it be pleasing odours of sacrifice of Noah or the perfumes of the Song of Songs - and of course that expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus's feet, much to Judas's horror. Dr. Sell takes us on a fascinating journey through both Bible and science, laying bare the mechanism of smell and then seeking to explain how these perfumes (all natural ingredients in those days) were obtained. The evidence is often fragmentary (let's face it, the Bible was never meant to be an instruction in the art of perfume formulation), but Dr. Sell teases out many fascinating details, and augments them with beautiful illustrations using the stained glass windows, particularly those of Canterbury cathedral. A must for anyone interested in perfumery or chemistry. -- Teemacs * Amazon Review *Ted Harrison follows his nose through the Bible Christianity can be an olfactory faith. Low Church Protestantism might smell rather bland; but the further the worshipper moves towards the Catholic end of the spectrum, the more the nose is assaulted and delighted. Smell plays an important part in the biblical narrative, from the aromas of burnt offerings in the Old Testament through to the precious perfume used shortly before the Passion to anoint Christ. From Genesis 2 to Revelation 18 there are more than 200 references to perfume, odour, and smell. The old Temple in Jerusalem must have produced an over-powering stench of sweaty humans, frightened animals, burning flesh, and incense. The scene of the resurrection must have had a distinctive smell of embalming chemicals mixed with the early morning scents of garden plants. About 12 years ago, Dr Charles Sell, a chemist who was then working for an industrial fragrance company in Kent, started a research project into the history and chemistry of the biblical references. The results of his work have now been published as a book by the Royal Society of Chemistry, Perfumes in the Bible (pubs.rsc.org). It is a wide-ranging study in which, in addition to chemistry, Dr Sell examines geographical sources, botany, sensory science, medicine, and the arts. There is even a section on perfume storage. Bottles, interestingly, have survived from before 500 BC, and Isaiah mentions the ownership of perfume bottles as one of the trappings of wealth, along with bracelets, charms, and nose-rings. Some of the substances referred to in Perfumes in the Bible are familiar. Frankincense and myrrh are central to the nativity story as two of the gifts of the magi. Yet there were also many rare and exotic scents available to the people of the ancient world, with names that are no longer instantly recognised, such as onycha, galbanum, styrax, and nard. Matching the original Hebrew and Greek to modern names was not, Dr Sell found, always a matter of straightforward translation, and required additional linguistic research. The story starts with the mention of the river flowing from the Garden of Eden. One branch led to the land of Havilah, where, as well as gold and precious stones, bdellium was to be found, a fragrant gum resin and an early ingredient of perfume. For many centuries — until science devised ways of analysing the chemical make-up of smells — the perfumers’ practice was a secretive art. Formulae were rarely published. When Herodotus asked the perfumers of Arabia where they found labdanum, they told him a cock-and-bull story about how they combed it from the beards of goats. Given such reticence, it comes as a surprise to find two recipes set out in the book of Exodus. They were protected not by secrecy, but by threat of punishment: those who tried to recreate sacred tabernacle perfumes for their own use would be sent into exile. Measured out in shekels, the Lord told Moses to take portions of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and orris, and, having dissolved them in olive oil, to use the mixture to anoint all the holy vessels as sacred, and to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. The sacred incense was to contain equal amounts of styrax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, ground together into a fine powder. On the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to burn clouds of incense to obscure the Ark of the Covenant to protect him from seeing God. Strict instructions were given that only the priests were to use the special holy incense, and, when 250 men disobeyed the command, they were destroyed by divine fire, the book of Numbers relates. The ancient world of the Middle East was the centre of a network of trade routes that enabled aromatic ingredients to be sourced from many hundreds of miles away. Frankincense, according to Jeremiah, was brought from Sheba, and is today produced in the Horn of Africa and the south-west tip of the Arabian peninsula. Of all fragrances that get a mentionb only galbanum, a resin extracted from a flowering umbelliferous plant, is a true native of the Bible lands. Cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka, and cassia and agarwood are products of China. Frankincense is collected as “tears”: nuggets of a pale-yellow resin that oozes from wounds cut in the incense tree, one of the Burseraceae family. As with many types of tree, when the bark is damaged nature responds by producing a chemical to protect the tree from bacterial and fungal attack. The chemical solidifies to form a substance that exudes a fragrant smoke when burned. Myrrh is also sourced from Burseraceae trees, in the same regions of the world as frankincense. The antimicrobial chemicals produced by the trees to protect themselves have properties that can also be used in the embalming of bodies. Nard, or spikenard comes from much further afield. It is extracted from the roots of a shrub growing at high altitude in the Himalayas. It formed the highly expensive perfume used by the woman, probably Mary Magdalene, who anointed Christ’s feet and dried them with her hair, in St John’s account. The perfume’s cost can be attributed to both its rarity and the distance it had to travel. Exactly how valuable it was became a matter of some debate in the Gospels, and the quantity used by Mary was probably worth the equivalent of a year’s wages. What a waste, the disciples said — the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. But Jesus rebuked them, telling them: “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” Perfume in the Bible is found in prophecy, metaphor, and poetry. The gifts of the magi — gold, frankincense and myrrh — served a prophetic purpose as they foretold Christ’s kingship, priesthood and death. St Paul employs metaphorical references to perfume in his Epistles. In writing to the Corinthians, he talks of sharing the good news of Jesus as spreading the pleasing aroma of Christ. And the Ephesians are told that followers of Christ should be an offering whose fragrance is pleasing to God. Poetry, however, provides the richest vein of references. In the Song of Songs, the celebrated book of erotic love, the bride says of her bridegroom: “Fragrant is the scent of your perfume and your name like perfume poured out. While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.” Psalm 45 is one of several employing the language of fragrance (“All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia”). In Psalm 141, prayers are likened to incense. The sense of smell is one of the oldest in animal evolution. And, even if it is not the prime sense for humans, it remains one of great potency. As the Bible writers knew well, smell has a powerful effect on the emotions. Smell evokes memories and, in the right circumstances, can induce a sense of the sacred. Modern researchers have examined the chemistry of the vapours given off by burning incense and identified the chemical incensole acetate, which is known to induce a feeling of calm. Modern church incense, such as that used on special occasions at Canterbury Cathedral, where Dr Sell now works as a volunteer guide, might also contain rose oil, although the exact recipe of Rosa Mystica, as made by the monks at Alton Abbey, is a secret. Every individual responds to smell in his or her unique way. As Dr Sell points out, when St Paul wrote about the different responses to the gospel as being like different responses to the same odour, “he was touching on a profound truth about human individuality.” To understand smell in modern scientific language — to identify, for instance, that the curious smell encountered on entering an old church is the chemical geosmin — is not to diminish the mystery. “The more deeply I look into the mechanism of odour perception,” Dr Sell writes, “the more I agree with the psalmist who wrote: ‘We are fearfully and wonderfully made.’” -- Ted Harrison * The Church Times *Table of ContentsForeword by the Dean of Canterbury; Preface; Introduction; How the Sense of Smell Works; Perfume Ingredients in Nature; Sources of Perfume Ingredients; Identifying Perfume Ingredients in the Bible; The Ingredients of Biblical Perfumes; Perfumery; Perfume in the Bible; Perfume at Bethany; Appendix 1 Bible References to Perfume, Odour and the Sense of Smell; Appendix 2 The early medieval windows of Canterbury Cathedral; Bibliography
£18.99
Profile Books Ltd The Rules of Contagion: Why Things Spread - and
Book SynopsisAn Observer Book of the Year A Times Science Book of the Year A New Statesman Book of the Year A Financial Times Science Book of the Year 'Astonishingly bold' Daily Mail 'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next. Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true. Now revised and updated with content on Covid-19.Trade ReviewAstonishingly bold * Daily Mail *Perfect timing * Financial Times *Popular science at its best ... sparkling and clear. The subject is deeply fascinating and highly relevant ... Once you have read it, you will want to make sure others read it too. -- Alex Bellos, author * Alex's Adventures in Numberland *An impressively fluent, fascinating and accessible introduction to how epidemics, trends, behaviours and ideas start, spread - and end ... a work of contemporary relevance that Malcolm Gladwell devotees would enjoy. * New Statesman *It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it. * The Times *Adam Kucharski [is] fast becoming a key voice of reason in the media circus surrounding the virus ... Here he gives a clear, calm, historical overview of the mathematical ideas at the forefront of our pandemic response, where they came from and how well they stand up when you put them to the test. -- Hannah Fry * Guardian *This is a hell of a moment for a book like this to come out ... the principles of contagion, which, Kucharski argues, can be applied to everything from folk stories and financial crises to itching and loneliness, are suddenly of pressing interest to all of us. * Sunday Times *Rich in stories, The Rules of Contagion is a down-to-earth account of how mathematical approaches can help us better understand and, in turn, better respond to contagion in all its dynamic forms. Tackling issues from pandemics and gun violence, to financial crises and misinformation, Adam Kucharski inspires us all to think like mathematicians. A must read for anybody interested in epidemics and other crises. -- Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineFor anyone wanting to know how diseases spread, Adam Kucharski's book, The Rules of Contagion is a timely introduction. * Irish Independent *For now Adam Kucharski's The Rules of Contagion is the book you want to reach for ... interesting and topical -- Laura Spinney * Guardian *Illuminating ... Coronavirus has prompted hot-headed public and media reaction; this book offers comfort in the form of cold, hard facts. * Prospect Magazine *One of the Economist's 'five books of science and history that cast light on covid-19': This book charts the history of this now-pivotal science, from its origins in understanding the spread of malaria at the turn of the 20th century, to its central role in predicting the dissemination of everything from diseases to fake news in the 21st. * Economist *The Rules of Contagion is a timely reminder of the importance of disease modelling. Without such models, we would be in far greater trouble battling COVID-19. * Lancet *Lively, intriguing and elegant * Spectator *A geeky but fascinating exploration of the mathematics of things that go viral-not least of them viruses ... Kucharski takes his readers down provocative detours, such as the use of public-health models of disease transmission to examine how social networks figure in urban gun violence, with algorithms that take into account such things as 'age, gang affiliations, and prior arrests.'... Utterly timely and readable. * Kirkus *Essential reading to truly process the pandemic -- Anjana Ahuja * New Statesman *Perhaps no commentator has been in greater demand this year than Adam Kucharski ... The Rules of Contagion is an accessible guide to the mathematical rules that govern the spread of infectious diseases in populations ... [which] makes a convincing case that just as mathematics can predict the arc of an epidemic, so it can also help us understand how social contagions, from financial panics to vaccine conspiracy theories, "go viral". -- Gaia Vince, winner of the Royal Society Prize and author of Adventures in the Anthropocene * Observer *
£9.49
Bonnier Books Ltd A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe: From
Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation, A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe is a delicately existential and welcoming exploration of the cosmos - one that examines and marvels at the astonishing principles, laws, and phenomena that we exist alongside, that surround us.Have you ever found yourself wondering what we might have in common with stars or why the Moon never leaves us? Thinking about the precise dancing of planets, the passing of time or the nature of natural things? Our world is full of unshakeable mystery, and although we live in a civilisation more complicated than ever, there is beauty and reassurance to be found in knowing how and why.
£11.69
Bonnier Books Ltd A Housefly Buzzes in the Key of F: Hilarious and
Book SynopsisFROM THE TEAM BEHIND BBC RADIO 4'S AWARD-WINNING NATURE AND COMEDY SERIES NATURE TABLEDid You Know That...A housefly buzzes in the key of F?A cockroach can live for a week without its head, before dying of starvation?Slugs have four noses? So, if you thought that couldn't get slimier, now imagine them with a cold ...The fingerprints of a koala are so indistinguishable from humans that they've been confused at a crime scene?During its lifetime, a cow can produce nearly 200,000 glasses of milk? Which is extraordinary, because where is it getting all those glasses?The natural world is an amazing, compelling and funny place: a place where fact is always more staggering - and often funnier - than fiction. Based on BBC Radio 4's hit science and comedy series Nature Table, and with a foreword from the show's presenter, Sue Perkins, A Housefly Buzzes in the Key of F is a celebration of the astonishing everyday occurrences that happen right under our noses. With fascinating facts from the programme's expert guests along with big jokes, witty anecdotes and fun games, this bumper collection showcases our planet's flora and fauna in all its remarkable and surprising glory.
£13.49
Reaktion Books The Sea: Nature and Culture
Book SynopsisThis book explores the sea and its meanings from ancient myths to contemporary geopolitics, from Atlantis to the Mediterranean migrant crisis. Richard Hamblyn traces a cultural and geographical journey from estuary to abyss, beginning with the topographies of the shoreline and ending with the likely futures of our maritime environments. Along the way, the sea becomes a site of work and endurance, of story and song, of language, leisure and longing. By considering the sea as both a physical and a cultural presence, this book shines new light upon it, and its indelible place in the human imagination.Trade Review“A whirlwind tour of the world’s seas and oceans . . . from oceanography and marine biology to the specialist language of seafarers to the sea as it is represented in art, music, film, and literature, to a dire warning of the sea’s vulnerability to anthropogenic global warming, overfishing, and the eternal life of plastics tossed unthinkingly into the sea. . . . What makes The Sea rare is Hamblyn’s intellectual agility, his capacity to write freshly (and with extraordinary economy) about everything he touches on. He holds my interest and admiration throughout this gorgeously illustrated book.” -- Jonathan Raban, author of "Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings" and editor of "The Oxford Book of the Sea"
£15.26
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd Lightning Often Strikes Twice: The 50 Biggest
Book SynopsisA revealing and entertaining guide through some of the biggest misconceptions in science that many of us still believe.You may well be familiar with the fact that lightning, contrary to the popular saying, often strikes the same place twice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what many of us wrongly believe about the way the world works. Whether it’s word of mouth, myths you’ve read about online, or misremembered facts from school, we’re bombarded by misconceptions about the science we come into contact with every day – this book will uncover the most popular myths to help you avoid contributing to the perpetuation of these misunderstandings.Breaking it down into fifty of the most popular misconceptions in science, each chapter of this book will be headed up with a ‘fact’, followed by the real story, providing the science and theory that debunks the myth. From fears about the exponential growth of the human population to the embarrassment of always pointing out the north star as the brightest in the sky, this is the book to read if you want to separate the science fact from fiction.
£11.69
Headline Publishing Group The Hidden World: How Insects Sustain Life on
Book SynopsisInsects conquered the Earth long before we did and will remain here long after we're gone.They outnumber us in the billions and are essential to many of the natural processes that keep us alive and that we take for granted.Yet, despite this, very few of us know much about the hidden world of insects.In this fascinating new book, entomologist and broadcaster George McGavin takes a deep dive to reveal the unknown truths about the most successful and enduring animal group the world has ever seen, and to show the unseen effects this vast population has on our planet, if only we care to look.McGavin explores not only the incredible traits that insects have evolved to possess, such as dragonflies that can fly across oceans without resting or beetles that lay their eggs exclusively in corpses, but also the vital lessons we have learnt from them, including how therapy using maggots can save lives and how bees can help grow rich tomato yields.The Hidden World reveals the wonderful complexity of our relationship with insects, how they have changed the course of our history and how, if we continue to learn from them, they could even be the key to our future and survival.Trade Review'Every page drips with details to dissuade readers of the notion that insects are unsightly pests ... A compelling and very readable argument that we should all appreciate the hidden world of six-legged creatures far more' * The Biologist *
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Stuck Monkey: The Deadly Planetary Cost of the
Book SynopsisPeople hunting monkeys in the jungle once devised a simple yet effective trap: When the creature found a banana in a large jar with a narrow neck, it would plunge its paw in to retrieve it. But it couldn’t let go. And unless the monkey released the banana, it was stuck. We are, of course, the stuck monkey, paralysed by our modern lifestyles and consumer habits: our constant stream of online shopping deliveries, our compulsive dependence on digital devices, our obsession with our pets. These addictions, as small and harmless as they may seem, are quietly destroying the planet. And the eco-friendly alternatives that alleviate our guilt are often not much better. In Stuck Monkey, James Hamilton-Paterson uncovers the truth behind the everyday habits fuelling the climate crisis. Drawing on eye-opening research and shocking statistics, he mercilessly dissects a wide spectrum of modern life: pets, gardening, sports, vehicles, fashion, wellness, holidays, and more. Ferociously unflinching and intelligent, this book will make you think twice about the ‘innocent’ habits we often take for granted.Trade ReviewA marvellous, anecdote-packed mix of head-on and sideways takes on how corporate, personal and collective actions are trashing the planet and bringing about a climate and ecological emergency ... I would defy anyone to read this excellent book and not be forced into taking a long, hard look at how they live their life, and then take urgent steps to change it. * Professor Bill McGuire *A highly original and lucid portrayal of the eco-catastrophe we face ... throughout, Hamilton-Paterson's mordant humour offers some solace * Literary Review *Not an easy read, but a timely one, which cuts through a lot of nonsense * Saga Magazine *PRAISE FOR JAMES HAMILTON-PATERSON: 'A superb book, not only meticulously researched but also supremely readable' - Daily Mail 'A terrific story, told with tremendous relish, elegance and attention to detail' * Sunday Times *
£17.00
Transworld Publishers Ltd Learning to Think.
Book Synopsis''Tracy King''s memoir is heartbreaking and hopeful...An incredible true story of survival and forgiveness.'' TIM MINCHIN''Raw and unflinching.'' CAROLINE CRIADO PEREZ''A brilliant writer.'' ADAM KAY''What would you do if you began to suspect the events of your childhood didn''t happen as you remembered them? In this evocative memoir, Tracy King confronts the stories we all tell ourselves in order to live.'' HELEN LEWIS........................................................................................................................When you have nothing, you cling to whatever gives you hope.Put yourself in Tracy King''s shoes. Growing up in an ordinary council estate outside Birmingham; a house filled with creativity, curiosity and love, but marked by her father''s alcoholism and her mother''s agoraphobia.By the time she turns twelve her father has been killed, her sister taken into care and her mother ensnared by the promises of born-again Christianity.This isn''t the stuff of cult documentaries; this is the story of an ordinary family trapped in a broken system. It''s a story that could happen to anyone without the tools to transform their circumstances. And it''s the story of how Tracy found her way out.A shocking, inspiring and ultimately hopeful memoir that holds up a mirror to the everyday realities of living in poverty, it is also a testament to the power of books and to learning to question our world.
£10.44
Head of Zeus Planet Insect
Book SynopsisInsects are the most successful group of animals ever to have lived: they comprise a million species and perhaps 10 quintillion individuals. Much of life on earth depends on the activities of these busy, teeming arthropods, from pollination to the breaking down of waste matter. Each chapter of Planet Insect centres on one or more of the traits of insect life that have allowed them to hold dominion over the earth's terrestrial and freshwater environments for so long, from their staggering reproductive ability to their complex partnership with flowering plants. Planet Insect offers a winning fusion of glorious imagery and fine biological writing by an entomological specialist who writes both entertainingly and with authentic scientific rigour and who also happens to be a very gifted nature photographer.
£14.24
Royal Society of Chemistry Vampirology: The Science of Horror's Most Famous
Book SynopsisOur fascination with the vampire myth has scarcely diminished since Bram Stoker’s publication of the classic Dracula tale in 1897, but how much of the lore is based in fact and can science explain the origins of horror’s most famous fiend? Vampirology charts the murky waters of the vampire myth – from stories found in many cultures across the globe to our sympathetic pop-culture renditions today – to investigate how a scientific interpretation may shed light on the fears and phenomena of the vampire myth.Trade ReviewFascinating, compelling and informative, Vampirology is a must-read for fans of vampire media, regardless of the form! -- A. P. Sylvia * Journal of Vampire Studies *I simply couldn't get enough of Katheryn Harkup’s fascinating, sparkling and erudite account of the history of the vampire. Using actual accounts she demonstrates how the vampire myth spread like a contagion - gossip and rumour mixed with a very modern taste for sensation. How every country and region has its own particularly variety of the blood-sucker, from the upior and the vrykolas to the Romanian Striogi. And how this area of the world became a melting pot for the superstitions that would give birth to Dracula. She takes us through the endlessly shifting criteria - the Rules of the Beast, as it were - which govern the existence of the vampire: shape-shifting, sunlight and the primary importance of blood itself. She also examines in detail the physical processes of decay and how their misinterpretation could lead the credulous to believe their dear-departed were not so departed after all… As compulsively readable as a bloated undead feasting on a fresh corpse, this is an absolute must for all children of the night out there. The blood is the life! -- Mark Gatiss, writer, actor, director and co-creator of BBC’s DraculaTable of ContentsPrologue; Evolution; Vampirology; Undead; Blood; Sunlight; Supernatural; Shapeshifting; Disease; Species; Vampiroids; Prevention; Slaying; Epilogue
£18.99
Little, Brown Book Group A Brief Guide to the Great Equations: The Hunt
Book SynopsisHere are the stories of the ten most popular equations of all time as voted for by readers of Physics World, including - accessibly described here for the first time - the favourite equation of all, Euler's equation.Each is an equation that captures with beautiful simplicity what can only be described clumsily in words. Euler's equation [eip + 1 = 0] was described by respondents as 'the most profound mathematic statement ever written', 'uncanny and sublime', 'filled with cosmic beauty' and 'mind-blowing'. Collectively these equations also amount to the world's most concise and reliable body of knowledge.Many scientists and those with a mathematical bent have a soft spot for equations. This book explains both why these ten equations are so beautiful and significant, and the human stories behind them.
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd How Music Works: A listener's guide to harmony,
Book SynopsisHave you ever listened to an incredible piece of music and wondered exactly why it makes you want to dance or cry? Are you mystified by how musicians just 'know' what notes to play next when they're improvising? Or why certain notes sound great together and others clash? Discover the answers in this ear-opening tour of how music works. John Powell, a classically-trained composer and a physics professor, decided to write this entertaining, pain-free guide to the ingredients of music when he discovered that all the other books on the subject gave him a headache. Here he reveals the often little-known facts and fascinating science behind what we listen to, explaining the basics of harmony, scales, chords, keys and rhythm in a way that's easy for everyone to understand. He also shows us why a note has a different sound to a normal noise, why Chinese people are more likely to have perfect pitch, and even why Beethoven and Led Zeppelin are musically similar. This book reveals things that people who play music should know but often don't, and will help all of us - even if we can't read a note - increase our listening pleasure.Trade ReviewThoroughly accessible, and occasionally revelatory ... It's hard to imagine how Powell could have done a better job * Spectator *
£11.69
