Popular science Books
Profile Books Ltd The Norm Chronicles: Stories and numbers about
Book SynopsisMeet Norm. He's 31, 5'9", just over 13 stone, and works a 39 hour week. He likes a drink, doesn't do enough exercise and occasionally treats himself to a bar of chocolate (milk). He's a pretty average kind of guy. In fact, he is the average guy in this clever and unusual take on statistical risk, chance, and how these two factors affect our everyday choices. Watch as Norm (who, like all average specimens, feels himself to be uniquely special), and his friends careful Prudence and reckless Kelvin, turns to statistics to help him in life's endless series of choices - should I fly or take the train? Have a baby? Another drink? Or another sausage? Do a charity skydive or get a lift on a motorbike? Because chance and risk aren't just about numbers - it's about what we believe, who we trust and how we feel about the world around us. From a world expert in risk and the bestselling author of The Tiger That Isn't (and creator of BBC Radio 4's More or Less), this is a commonsense (and wildly entertaining) guide to personal risk and decoding the statistics that represent it.Trade ReviewFascinating * Daily Mail *Helping people make sense of the barrage of confusing (and often misrepresented) statistics that riddle every day is a noble goal. * Economist *A fast-paced, whizz-bang style * The Times *Witty and illuminating, essential reading for anyone wanting to know whether they should try skydiving, or accept that third glass of wine * Financial Times *Accessible yet deep, The Norm Chronicles explains how statistical regularities and irregularities are central to every aspect of our lives. If Jonathan Coe and Gerd Gigerenzer were to collaborate on a sardonic self-help book, this is what it might look like. -- Andrew Gelman, Professor of Statistics and Political Science, Columbia University
£9.49
Quercus Publishing The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate
Book SynopsisFor more than a century, we were restricted to studying evolution from the outside, observing its progress only through the fossil record. No longer. We can now also read the DNA record. As well as containing the operating instructions for everyday existence and for making the next generation, DNA contains a vast and detailed history of the three-billion-year development of life on Earth. It is a living chronicle of evolution, pinpointing the precise changes that have enabled Earth's marvelous creatures to inhabit the planet's shifting environments, from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to the lush canopy of the rainforest. Captivating and lucid, The Making of the Fittest delves deep into the DNA record to reveal not just how the fittest survive but also how they are made.Trade ReviewDazzling work, passionate and magisterial. Nothing of more lasting importance than the core narrative of this book will be published this year - Guardian * Guardian *Table of ContentsPreface Beyond Any Reasonable Doubt. Chapter 1 Introduction: The Bloodless Fish of Bouvet Island. Chapter 2 The Everyday Math of Evolution: Chance, Selection, and Time. Chapter 3 Immortal Genes: Running in Place for Eons. Chapter 4 Making the New from the Old. Chapter 5 Fossil Genes: Broken Pieces of Yesterday's Life. Chapter 6 Deja Vu: How and Why Evolution Repeats Itself. Chapter 7 Our Flesh and Blood: Arms Races, the Human Race, and Natural Selection. Chapter 8 The Making and Evolution of Complexity. Chapter 9 Seeing and Believing. Chapter 10 The Palm Trees of Wyoming. Sources and Further Reading. Acknowledgements. Index.
£11.69
Quercus Publishing 50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know
Book SynopsisWe encounter physics before we've even left the house in the morning; an alarm clock tracks time, a mirror reflects light waves and our mobile phones rely on satellites held in their orbit by gravity. Where would we be without the Bernoulli equation to explain how planes fly, electromagnetic waves enabling us to communicate around the world or the discovery of X-rays? In 50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know Joanne Baker will uncover the physics all around us, from basic concepts like gravity, light and energy through to the complexities of quantum theory, chaos and dark energy. Featuring short biographies of iconic physicists, explanatory diagrams and timelines showing discoveries within their historical context, this book is the perfect guide to the fundamental concepts of physics, making even the most challenging theories easy to understand. Contents include: Newton's law of gravitation, Brownian motion, Chaos theory, Fleming's right hand rule, Planck's law, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrodinger's cat, Superconductivity, Rutherford's atom, Nuclear fission and fusion, The God particle, String theory, Special and general relativity, The big bang and the Anthropic principle.Table of ContentsIntroduction. MATTER IN MOTION: Mach's principle; Newton's laws of motion; Kepler's laws; Newton's law of gravitation; Conservation of energy; Simple harmonic motion; Hooke's law; Ideal gas law; Second law of thermodynamics; Absolute zero; Brownian motion; Chaos theory; Bernoulli equation. BENEATH THE WAVES: Newton's theory of colour; Huygens' principle; Snell's law; Bragg's law; Fraunhofer diffraction; Doppler effect; Ohm's law; Fleming's right hand rule; Maxwell's equations. QUANTUM CONUNDRUMS: Planck's law; Photoelectric effect; Schrodinger's wave equation; Heisenberg's uncertainty principle; Copenhagen interpretation; Schrodinger's cat, The EPR paradox; Pauli's exclusion principle; Superconductivity. SPLITTING ATOMS: Rutherford's atom; Antimatter; Nuclear fission; Nuclear fission; Nuclear fusion; Standard model; Feynman diagrams; The God particle; String theory. SPACE AND TIME: Special relativity; General relativity; Black holes; Olbers' paradox; Hubble's law; The big bang; Cosmic inflation; Dark matter; Cosmological constant; Fermi paradox; Anthropic principle. Glossary. Index.
£12.34
Royal Society of Chemistry Brewing
Book SynopsisIt is believed that beer has been produced, in some form, for thousands of years - the ancient Egyptians being one civilization with a knowledge of the fermentation process. Beer production has seen many changes over the centuries, and Brewing, Second Edition brings the reader right up to date with the advances in the last decade. Covering the various stages of beer production, reference is also made to microbiology within the brewery and some pointers to research on the topic are given. Written by a recently retired brewer, this book will appeal to all beer-lovers, but particularly those within the industry who wish to understand the processes, and will be relevant to students of food or biological sciences.Trade Review"""... a fascinating read ... delightful ...""""""... a superb introduction to the science and practice of brewing beer.""""""It is written in an easy-to-read descriptive style and there is a good mix of the historical and scientific aspects. The well-constructed diagrams and charts aid understanding along the way.""""""... a very readable text ... can certainly be recommended to students, in particular for its treatment of fermentation and microbiology ...""""""... a concise and extremely informative volume ... which will appeal to individuals within the brewing and food industries, students of food, chemical or biological sciences, and all beer-lovers!"""Table of ContentsHistorical Material; Barley and Malt; Hops;The Brewhouse; Fermentation;Beer post-fermentation; The Brewery Laboratory; Subject Index.
£26.59
Headline Publishing Group The Little Book of the Elements: A Pocket Guide
Book SynopsisEverything in the universe is made up of the elements – including us. Forged in the Big Bang, the elements and their resulting compounds created the solar system, planet Earth, the air we breathe, the water we rely on and the proteins that would become life. In fact, everything in the known Universe is made up of one of the 118 elements of the periodic table – so we really should know something about them! This little book is the perfect guide, listing all the elements' vital stats, and exploring their astonishing histories and usages in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. Table of ContentsHydrogen • The Alkali Metals • The Alkaline Earth Metals • The Transition Metals • The Lanthanoids • The Actinoids • The Boron Group • The Carbon Group • The Nitrogen Group • The Oxygen Group • The Halogens • The Noble Gases • The Transuranium Elements.
£8.50
Clairview Books Planet Ocean: Our Mysterious Connections to Water
Book SynopsisAfter introducing the concept of the birthing pool in the 1970s, Michel Odent has continuously expanded his interest in the mysterious connections between humans and water. In Planet Ocean he shows that the evolution of the oceans - particularly the fluctuations of sea levels - and the evolution of humans are inseparable. The oceans are the givers and sustainers of life, holding ninety-five per cent of the planet's habitable space within their immense depths. Odent steers us towards a radically new vision of human nature. Our defining feature - a supersized brain - becomes a leitmotif that enables links between topics as diverse as our nutritional needs, our relationship with sea mammals, and the way members of our species give birth. He relates 'transcendent emotional states' with what the French writer Romain Rolland referred to as 'the oceanic feeling' - both suggesting the absence of limits. Access to such states can be associated with, for example, a 'foetus ejection reflex'. This leads to the extraordinary conclusion that swimming - as learnt behaviour among humans - the birth process and access to transcendence are interrelated topics for students of human nature. Planet Ocean is a fascinating interdisciplinary study that demonstrates our manifold connections to water and suggests their relevance to everyday life.Table of ContentsAbstracts - 1. Mysteries - 2. Fluctuations of sea levels - 3. Homo navigator - 4. Looking towards the future? - 5. Homo's best friends - 6. The super brainy mammals: Homo and Tucuxi - 7. From Aesop to Elaine Morgan-What pioneers have in common - 8. Straight to the point - 9. The mammal that cannot swim - 10. Why is human birth occasionally easy? - 11. The Oceanic feeling - 12. Humanity and Mother Ocean - 13. From a garden paddling pool to the Pacific Ocean - Notes and References
£11.69
Octopus Publishing Group Unexplained Deaths: How one woman changed
Book SynopsisFor most of human history, sudden and unexpected deaths of a suspicious nature, when they were investigated at all, were examined by lay persons without any formal training. People often got away with murder. That is, until Frances Glessner Lee.Frances Glessner Lee (1878-1962), born a socialite to a wealthy and influential Chicago family, was never meant to have a career, let alone one steeped in death and depravity. Yet she became the mother of modern forensics and was instrumental in elevating homicide investigation to a scientific discipline. Frances Glessner Lee learned forensic science under the tutelage of pioneering medical examiner Magrath. A voracious reader too, Lee acquired and read books on criminology and forensic science - eventually establishing the largest library of legal medicine. Lee went on to create The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death - a series of dollhouse-sized crime scene dioramas depicting the facts of actual cases in exquisitely detailed miniature - and perhaps the thing she is most famous for. Celebrated by artists, miniaturists and scientists, they were first used as a teaching tool in homicide seminars at Harvard Medical School in the 1930s, subsequently becoming an integral part of the longest-running and still the highest-regarded training for police detectives of its kind in America. In Unexplained Deaths, Bruce Goldfarb weaves Lee's remarkable story with the advances in forensics made in her lifetime to tell the tale of the birth of modern forensics.Trade ReviewA culmination of years of historical research, including the papers of Frances Glessner Lee herself. As this absorbing and evocative book will show you, Frances Glessner Lee should be recognized as the matriarch of the modern practice of forensic pathology. * Judy Melinek, M.D., co-author of Working Stiff *Frances Glessner Lee's dioramas of death have long been objects of fascination; now Bruce Goldfarb, the man who knows them best, has written a definitive account of how they came to be, and of the compelling, complex woman who created them. This book will beguile anyone with an interest in the history of crime investigation. * Rachel Monroe, author of Savage Appetites: Four True Stories of Women, Crime and Obsession *Eye-opening biography of Frances Glessner Lee, who brought American medical forensics into the scientific age...genuinely compelling. * Kirkus Reviews *Thorough research helps him paint a captivating portrait of a feminist hero and forensic pioneer. * Booklist *Goldfarb's clearly written and well-researched book is recommended for history and legal studies audiences. * Library Journal *
£11.07
Unicorn Publishing Group White Blood: A History of Human Milk
Book SynopsisWhite Blood is a history of human milk and tells the story of how babies have been fed from antiquity to modern times and why it matters. 'Breast is Best' is the popular mantra, but there is a perennial debate about the pros and cons of 'breast and bottle'. White Blood explores this vital question, which has implications for the health and wellbeing of mothers, their young, families, communities and even countries. Starting in Ancient Greece and Rome, where human milk was thought to be blood diverted from the womb to the breast and there whitened and vivified, it lets the voices of those concerned with the care of newborn infants, and those who followed them, speak across the centuries of how they were, and should best be, nourished.Trade Review"[Weaver] takes readers on a detailed, 2000-year journey through the biology, technology, medicalization, and truth of the distribution of human milk to babies and young children. The book reads much like a well-thought-out article in the New Yorker, cumulatively building reader interest, every turn of the page revealing more new information. . . . The volume includes a variety of visual enhancements including color photographs and medical drawings that support the surrounding content. . . . This is definitely a source not to be overlooked by readers who want a comprehensive historical depiction of human milk as the vital nutritional resource for babies worldwide. . . . Recommended." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface 1 Human Milk – Miraculous Fluid 2 Humours – White Blood 3 Alchemy – Soft Sweet Subtil Substance 4 Science – Corpuscular Fluid 5 Nature – Nature's Bountiful Urn 6 Paediatrics – Medicalisation of Infant Feeding 7 Puericulture – Maternal and Child Welfare 8 Biology and Technology – Breast and Bottle Acknowledgments and Sources Bibliography Picture Credits Index
£15.00
Orion Publishing Co The Short Story of Science: A Pocket Guide to Key
Book SynopsisThe Short Story of Science is a new introduction to the complete subject of science. Covering 60 key experiments, from Archimedes' investigations of buoyancy to the discovery of dark matter, and then linking these to the history of science, as well as to the key theories and methods, the book simplifies and explains all the key breakthroughs.Accessible and concise, generously illustrated throughout, and with all the essential information presented without jargon, readers are given all the tools they need to enjoy the fascinating history of scientific knowledge.
£13.49
World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd Discovering The Nature Of Light: The Science And
Book SynopsisThis book is a science text about light for the general reader; it is also an adventure story and a detective story revealing how the secrets of light were uncovered. Readers can share in the thrill of each discovery and learn about some of the myriad applications opened up by these fascinating discoveries, including the telescope, fiber optics, the laser, and even the recent optical detection of gravitational waves from space.With Professor Fortson, distinguished experimental physicist, as your tour guide, follow the journey from the 17th century — when Descartes first calculated the size of the rainbow — to the 20th century, when the quantum theory of light was born. Learn how Huygens, Newton, Planck, Einstein and many other great scientists solved one mystery after another, from the reason underlying the law of refraction to the puzzle of the photoelectric effect. The journey ends with the solution to the most challenging mystery of all: that light is both a wave and a particle — a fascinating finale.
£23.75
John Murray Press Human Origins: 7 million years and counting
Book SynopsisWhere did we come from? Where are we going?Homo sapiens is the most successful, the most widespread and the most influential species ever to walk the Earth. In the blink of an evolutionary eye we have spread around the globe, taken control of Earth's biological and mineral resources, transformed the environment, discovered the secrets of the universe and travelled into space.Yet just 7 million years ago, we were just another species of great ape making a quiet living in the forests of East Africa. We do not know exactly what this ancestor was like, but it was no more likely than a chimpanzee or gorilla to sail across the ocean, write a symphony, invent a steam engine or ponder the meaning of existence. How did we get from there to here?Human Origins recounts the most astonishing evolutionary tale ever told. Discover how our ancestors made the first tentative steps towards becoming human, how we lost our fur but gained language, fire and tools, how we strode out of Africa, invented farming and cities and ultimately created modern civilisation - perhaps the only one of its kind in the universe. Meet your long-lost ancestors, the other humans who once shared the planet with us, and learn where the story might end.ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.
£8.24
PublicAffairs,U.S. Radical Abundance: How a Revolution in
Book SynopsisK. Eric Drexler is the founding father of nanotechnology,the science of engineering on a molecular level. In Radical Abundance , he shows how rapid scientific progress is about to change our world. Thanks to atomically precise manufacturing, we will soon have the power to produce radically more of what people want, and at a lower cost. The result will shake the very foundations of our economy and environment.Already, scientists have constructed prototypes for circuit boards built of millions of precisely arranged atoms. The advent of this kind of atomic precision promises to change the way we make things,cleanly, inexpensively, and on a global scale. It allows us to imagine a world where solar arrays cost no more than cardboard and aluminum foil, and laptops cost about the same.A provocative tour of cutting edge science and its implications by the field's founder and master, Radical Abundance offers a mind-expanding vision of a world hurtling toward an unexpected future.Trade ReviewKirkus"A stimulating tour through current thinking about and future possibilities for nanotechnology, from one of its creators... A crackerjack piece of science and technology writing." Albany Times Union"K. Eric Drexler writes in his accessible new book "Radical Abundance" that the digital revolution is about to give way to a form of production that will radically transform the world economy and that could also save the environment: nanotechnology, or more specifically, atomically precise manufacturing." Nature Magazine"Nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler bids us to leap in at the technological deep end. We can transform the way we make everything from bridges to circuit boards, he argues, by harnessing molecular machines that operate on digital principles. The result? Desktop or garage facilities that use less fuel, land and energy than today's vast factories and supply chains. The technical and political challenges of unleashing 'atomically precise manufacturing' are substantial, but Drexler cuts deftly through the complexities."
£31.37
WTM Publishing & Communications Pty Ltd Free the End of the Human Condition
Book Synopsis
£14.24
WW Norton & Co The Bonobo and the Atheist
Book SynopsisIn this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.Trade Review"A tour de force." -- Christopher Boehm - Nature"A writer marshaling the evidence of his life, particularly his life as a scientist, to express a passionately held belief in the possibility of a more compassionate society." -- Meehan Crist - New Republic"A primatologist who has spent his career studying chimpanzees and bonobos, two of humanity’s closest living relatives, Mr. de Waal draws on a lifetime of empirical research. His data provides plenty of evidence that religion is not necessary in order for animals to display something that looks strikingly like human morality." -- The Economist"The perpetual challenge to atheists is that moral behavior requires religion—all that prevents tsunamis of depravity is a deity or two, some nice hymns, and the threat of hellfire and damnation. De Waal shows that human morality is deeply rooted in our primate legacy, long predating the invention of that cultural gizmo called religion. This is an immensely important book by one of our most distinguished thinkers." -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv"Frans de Waal’s new book carries the important message that human kindness is a biological feature of our species and not something that has to be imposed on us by religious teaching." -- Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape
£13.29
NewSouth Publishing Flying Dinosaurs: How fearsome reptiles became
Book SynopsisDinosaurs didn’t die out when an asteroid hit Earth 66 million years ago. Get ready to unthink what you thought you knew and journey into the deep, dark depths of the Jurassic.The discovery of the first feathered dinosaur in China in 1996 sent shockwaves through the world of palaeontology. Were the feathers part of a complex mating ritual? A stepping-stone in the evolution of flight? And just how closely related is T. Rex to a chicken? In Flying Dinosaurs award-winning journalist John Pickrell reveals how dinosaurs developed flight and became the birds in our backyards. He delves into the latest discoveries in China, the US, Europe and Australia and goes beyond the science to uncover a thriving black market in fossils, infighting between ego-driven dinosaur hunters, and the controversial plan to use a chicken to bring dinosaurs back from the dead.
£16.10
Pan Macmillan Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can
Book Synopsis'A must-read for all athletes, from the professional to the weekend warrior.' - Wall Street JournalThe New York Times Bestselling account of the new frontier of sports recovery science, which shows what we should and shouldn't be doing between exercising to achieve maximum performance.All athletes, from Olympians to weekend warriors, must find the balance between training and recovery to maximize the benefits of workouts and reach optimal performance. For the longest time, coaches and training manuals have emphasized training above all else. However, science shows that recovery is a crucial component of exercise training and it may even be the most important one.Good to Go is the first definitive account of this new frontier in sports and exercise science. Christie Ashwanden takes you on a first-person tour through the science of exercise recovery, from ice baths and cryogenic freezing chambers to the science behind Usain Bolt’s love of chicken nuggets and Tom Brady’s recovery pyjamas.Full of eye-opening revelations, Aschwanden takes us on an invigorating journey through the science and potions of sports recovery and debunks the junk to give a clear picture of what we should actually be doing to achieve peak performance.Trade ReviewOne of the best science writers in the world . . . Good to Go is the definitive tour through a bewildering jungle of scientific (and pseudo-scientific) claims that comprise a multi-billion dollar recovery industry. -- David Epstein, bestselling author of The Sports Gene and RangeThe most important book about training you’ll read this year -- Alex Hutchinson, bestselling author of EndureThis authoritative, delightful, and much-needed book slices through the hype around athletic recovery -- Ed Yong, bestselling author of I Contain MultitudesDeeply researched and artfully written. . . a must-read for all athletes, from the professional to the weekend warrior * Wall Street Journal *Immensely enjoyable and relatable examination of the science of recovery . . . a tour de force of great science journalism -- Nate Silver, bestselling author of The Signal and the NoiseHow to best adapt to and benefit from training is still fraught with confusion . . . Christie Aschwanden offers much-needed clarity * Runner's World *Fascinating! Christie Aschwanden makes the mind-boggling world of sports recovery a hilarious adventure, and she mixes science with stories that everyone can relate to -- Jessie Diggins, member of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and 2018 Olympic Gold MedalistAppealing to more than just gym rats and weekend warriors. It’s for anyone who wonders how scientific studies happen, and how they influence the claims on products found in grocery stores and athletic stores alike * Science News *Table of ContentsIntroduction - Introduction: Introduction Chapter - 1: Just-So Science Chapter - 2: Be Like Mike Chapter - 3: The Perfect Fuel Chapter - 4: The Cold War Chapter - 5: Flushing the Blood Chapter - 6: Calming the Senses Chapter - 7: The Rest Cure Chapter - 8: Selling Snake Oil Chapter - 9: Losing Your Zoom Chapter - 10: The Magic Metric Chapter - 11: Hurts So Good Section - Conclusion: Conclusion Acknowledgements - Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements Section - Notes: Notes Index - Index: Index
£9.49
Simon & Schuster The Dorito Effect
Book SynopsisA lively argument from an award-winning journalist proving that the key to reversing America’s health crisis lies in the overlooked link between nutrition and flavor: “The Dorito Effect is one of the most important health and food books I have read” (Dr. David B. Agus, New York Times bestselling author).We are in the grip of a food crisis. Obesity has become a leading cause of preventable death, after only smoking. For nearly half a century we’ve been trying to pin the blame somewhere—fat, carbs, sugar, wheat, high-fructose corn syrup. But that search has been in vain, because the food problem that’s killing us is not a nutrient problem. It’s a behavioral problem, and it’s caused by the changing flavor of the food we eat. Ever since the 1940s, with the rise of industrialized food production, we have been gradually leeching the taste out of what we grow. Simultaneously, we have taken great leaps forwardTrade Review"Illuminating and radical." * The New York Times Book Review *“Mark Schatzker’s book comes at a time when healthful eating and sustainability are increasingly on everyone’s minds. The Dorito Effect is a quick, engaging read that examines the essential role that flavor plays in the way we eat today. As a chef, I know that people want to eat delicious food, but Schatzker goes further and investigates how we engage with flavor to address the growing health crisis.” -- Daniel Boulud, Chef/Owner, The Dinex Group“Mark Schatzker has done something monumental in The Dorito Effect, he explained how the American food industry has interfered with our body's conversation with itself. The use of flavor to change this conversation is one of the major reasons for the decline in the American diet leading to major health issues. The Dorito Effect is one of the most important health and food books I have read.” -- David B. Agus, M.D., author of The End of Illness and A Short Guide to a Long Life“In The Dorito Effect Mark Schatzker explores a novel - and to my mind, key – theory to explain our increasing consumption of the low-quality food that is undermining health. Modern food production has made much of what we eat flavorless, and a multibillion dollar flavor industry has stepped in to fool our senses, leaving us unsatisfied and craving more and more. I strongly agree with his advice to go back to eating real food.” -- Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. New York Times bestselling author of Healthy Aging"I don't know when this much science has been this fun to read. Brilliant." -- Joel Salatin, author of Folks, This Ain't Normal and farmer at Polyface Farm"After decades of conflict over sugar, carbs and fat, this extremely well researched book journeys to the heart of the food problem—flavor—and delivers the perfect solution." -- Dr. Richard Bazinet, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto"If you want to understand why the future of healthy eating is delicious eating, read this book." -- Howard Moskowitz, inventor of Prego Extra Chunky Spaghetti Sauce and food industry legend“Mark Schatzker knows food. He is dedicated to quality and is always looking for the best ingredients. This is an important book that tells us why good food is so essential for everyone.” -- Bonnie Stern, bestselling author of HeartSmart Cooking for Family and Friends"A sobering account of humanity’s attempt to overcome modern food blandness with flavor compounds, at the expense of nutritional integrity. Schatzker's engaging chronicle of how naturally occurring food flavor is as an evolutionary tuned sensory marker of nutritional value is bound to give consumers and scientists a new perspective on judging food quality and health effects." -- Dr. Ameer Taha, Department of Food Science and Technology, UC Davis"This book is important, possibly life altering for anyone who eats!! In The Dorito Effect, Schatzker gets to the heart of where our relationship with food has gone wrong. Through lively storytelling and proficiency he points out the many issues we are facing and that the solution is right in front of us." -- Jonathan Gushue, Principal, Gushue Hospitality Inc.“Entertaining storytelling… After reading this engaging book, readers may wonder with every bite of food if what they are tasting is real.” * Kirkus Reviews *"Schatzker dishesup a 5 star serving!” * The Washington Post *
£14.70
Wooden Books Li: Dynamic Form in Nature
Book SynopsisWhy does Nature use the same special patterns over and over again? What are the main families of natural design? How are they formed? Did the ancient Chinese really study this subtle and elegant subject? In this beautiful book, illustrated by the author, a new perception of organic pattern, 'Li', is presented for the first time in the West. Essential reading for designers, artists, philosophers and natural scientists. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.
£7.49
Oxford University Press Embracing Complexity
Book SynopsisThe book describes what it means to say the world is complex and explores what that means for managers, policy makers and individuals.The first part of the book is about the theory and ideas of complexity. This is explained in a way that is thorough but not mathematical. It compares differing approaches, and also provides a historical perspective, showing how such thinking has been around since the beginning of civilisation. It emphasises the difference between a complexity worldview and the dominant mechanical worldview that underpins much of current management practice. It defines the complexity worldview as recognising the world is interconnected, shaped by history and the particularities of context. The comparison of the differing approaches to modelling complexity is unique in its depth and accessibility. The second part of the book uses this lens of complexity to explore issues in the fields of management, strategy, economics, and international development. It also explores how to facilitate others to recognise the implications of adopting a complex rather than a mechanical worldview and suggests methods of research to explore systemic, path-dependent emergent aspects of situations. The authors of this book span both science and management, academia and practice, thus the explanations of science are authoritative and yet the examples of changing how you live and work in the world are real and accessible. The aim of the book is to bring alive what complexity is all about and to illustrate the importance of loosening the grip of a modernist worldview with its hope for prediction, certainty and control.Trade ReviewAn important contribution to our understanding of complexity science and its relevance for tackling the problems being faced in todays world. * Gareth Morgan, author of Images of Organization *Enjoyable, thought provoking, and insightful. A superb introduction to complexity science for all readers! * W. Brian Arthur, author of Complexity and the Economy and Recipient of the Lagrange Prize in Complexity Science *In the social and physical sciences, complexity is everywhere, changing how we think and act. But how? This book provides an excellent overview both of the underlying concepts and also their implications for how we think about changein economics, organizations and international development. Highly recommended. * Duncan Green, Strategic Adviser, Oxfam GB *Embracing Complexity takes a critical stance in relation to dominant ways of thinking about the social world. It presents complexity thinking as a way of understanding how the world works, and challenges the dominant expectation that leaders can control the evolution of the social and the organisational world. Those willing to take a critical approach will _ nd this an important book. * Ralph Stacey, Complexity and Management Group, Hertfordshire Business School *Table of ContentsEmbracing Complexity ; 1. Introduction ; 2. The Nature of a Complex World ; 3. Unpacking Complexity ; 4. Have We Thought Like This Before? ; 5. The Complexity of Complexity Theories ; 6. Complexity and the Social World ; 7. Complexity and Management ; 8. Complexity and Strategy ; 9. Complexity and International Development ; 10. Complexity and Economics ; 11. Final reflections: what we hope you take away from this book
£40.49
OUP Oxford The Making of Mr Grays Anatomy
Book SynopsisThe Making of Mr Gray's Anatomy tells the story of one of the most iconic scientific books ever published: a textbook of anatomy that is still a household name 150 years since its first edition. It is the story of the remarkable and dedicated characters who created it, of poverty, class, and science and society in Victorian London.Trade ReviewFascinating. * Christopher Hirst, The Independent *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The Words: Mr Gray of Belgravia ; 2. The Pictures: Dr Carter of Scarborough ; 3. The Enterprise: J.W.Parker & Son of West Strand ; 4. The Process of Creation: Person or Persons Unknown ; 5. The Raw Material: The Friendless Poor of London ; 6. The Process of Creation ; 7. The Process of Production ; 8. 1858: The Book Appears ; 9. Calamity ; 10. Futurity ; Acknowledgements ; References ; Bibliography ; Index
£13.29
Oneworld Publications Hormonal: How Hormones Drive Desire, Shape
Book SynopsisProvocative, ground-breaking and entertaining, the world’s leading expert on sexuality and the ovulation cycle reveals the hidden intelligence of hormones. In this paradigm-shifting book, Martie Haselton explains how hormonal intelligence works - both its strengths and its weaknesses - and shows women how to track and understand their desires, fears and perceptions with a radical new understanding of the biological processes that profoundly influence our behaviour. Rigorously researched, entertaining and empowering, Hormonal offers women deep new insights into their bodies, brains and relationships, and will encourage women everywhere to embrace the genius of female biology.Trade Review‘Such common sense is, sadly, remarkable.’ * Evening Standard *'Haselton is part of a new conversation that is emerging; she is a pioneering researcher pushing the politics of hormones in a new direction.' * Observer *'In her book she shows that there are no simple answers, but lots of fascinating possibilities, when we start to think about the biological aspects of our sexual lives.' * The Sunday Times *‘What a refreshing book. Finally, a feminist with the courage to discuss women not as victims of their hormones but as elegantly built captains of their minds and lives.’ * Helen Fisher, author of The First Sex and Why Him? Why Her? *'A very detailed and fascinating book which explores hormones to different level. Many women (and men) should read this to understand how women’s hormones can have both negative and positive effects on our lives.' * Dr Louise Newson, the Menopause Doctor *'Anchored in deep science, Haselton takes the reader on a mesmerizing tour from the stirrings of puberty to the aftermath of menopause, from sexual fantasies to the ways in which women often call the shots in the game of mating.' * David M. Buss, author of The Evolution of Desire *'Haselton shows there are no simple answers - but lots of fascinating possibilities - when we start to think about the biological aspects of our sexual lives.’ * Alice Dreger, author of Galileo's Middle Finger *'In Hormonal, Martie Haselton gives us a brave and fascinating tour of what we know we know about sex differences, but are often afraid to discuss. Read it, whether or not you have a uterus.' * am Harris, author of five New York Times bestsellers and host of the Waking Up podcast *'This book is essential reading for both women and men...Hormonal is engaging, clever, very funny at times, and always scientifically impeccable.' * Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, author of New York Times bestseller Zoobiquity *‘Your hormones have a lot to answer for, and you'll struggle to find someone to give you a better schooling than UCLA professor Martie Haselton.’ * Women's Health *'Deep, thoughtful, and eye-opening, this book teaches us that the more we know about hormones, the more we can manage our lives.' * Maria Shriver, author of I've Been Thinking... *'A smart and engaging scientific story about the amazing molecules that drive our behaviour.' * Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness *'Written with passion and wit, Hormonal provides important insights about the female experience.' * Joan Silk, professor, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, and co-author of How Humans Evolved *
£9.49
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Inc Photographic Card Deck Of The Elements: With Big
Book SynopsisA companion to the bestselling book The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, this beautiful photographic card deck features all 118 elements in the periodic table. One element per card appears as a full-size image on the front and fascinating information about the element on the back.The Photographic Card Deck of The Elements is the most detailed, lush, and beautiful set of cards ever produced on the subject of the periodic table. With 126, 5'X5' cards in all, it includes one card for every one of the 118 elements, plus additional cards that explain the arrangement of the periodic table, present the elements sorted by various properties, and suggest activities and uses for the cards. The front side of each card shows a full-size, photographic image of the element, while the back gives scientific information including atomic weight, density, melting and boiling point, valence, and the percent of the element found in the universe, in the Earth's crust, in oceans, and in humans. Graphics show melting/boiling points, density, electron configuration, and atomic radius. A fascinating fact about the element, as well as the date of its discovery, is also included.The cards are perfect for students but also make an excellent gift for a scientist or anyone who enjoys the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
£23.76
Penguin Books Ltd The Science of Meditation
Book SynopsisDELVE INTO THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PRACTICE WITH THIS ESSENTIAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MEDITATION ''This is a book that really can change your life'' Arianna Huffington, author of the New York Times bestseller The Sleep RevolutionMeditation is fascinating, but often it feels elusive. How can simple exercises change your mental state? How can focussing your breathing lead to changes in your personality? For the first time, Harvard collaborators Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson share the science behind the practice. Drawing on cutting edge research and sweeping away common misconceptions, they show how to improve your technique, how smart practice can cultivate selflessness, equanimity, love and compassion, and even redesign our neural circuitry.Whether you''re a beginner or have meditated for years, bring mindfulness and meditation into your life with an essential read for the world we live in now. ''A happy synthesis of the authors'' remarkable careers.'' Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Mindfulness for BeginnersTrade ReviewThis is a book that really can change your life. Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson not only show the power of meditation, but also the smartest way to practice for the maximum possible benefit. The Science of Meditation is your roadmap to a more mindful, compassionate, fulfilling life - who doesn't want that? -- Arianna Huffington, author of the ‘New York Times’ best seller ‘The Sleep Revolution’A happy synthesis of the authors' remarkable careers, which grew from the intuition they shared as students that there was something deep and transformative about meditation, The Science of Meditation tells the story of what has been discovered since and why it matters critically at this moment on the planet -- Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of 'Full Catastrophe Living' and 'Mindfulness for Beginners'The definitive book on the science of meditation. Rigorously researched and deeply illuminating, The Science of Meditation is a must-read for anyone interested in the hidden potential of the human mind -- Daniel Gilbert, PhD, author of the New York Times bestseller 'Stumbling on Happiness'This exquisite duet between a down-to-earth science writer and path-breaking neuroscientist is a tour-de-force, revealing how training the mind can transform the brain and our sense of self, inspiring us to create a greater sense of well-being, meaning, and connection in our world. Bravo! -- Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of the ‘New York Times’ best sellers, ‘Mind’ and ‘Brainstorm’Here is a message that is both powerful and joyful. Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson reveal groundbreaking science showing how mindfulness and compassion practices can help each of us individually and thus the entire planet. One of the most exciting books I have read! -- Chade-Meng Tan, author of the 'New York Times' bestsellers, 'Joy on Demand' and 'Search Inside Yourself'In this engaging and well-researched book, Goleman and Davidson help us sort out the many claims now being made about the benefits of meditation. Drawing on their own long personal meditative experience and the ever increasing number of scientific studies, The Science of Meditation breaks new ground in illuminating the power of meditation to transform our lives -- Joseph Goldstein, author of 'Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening'A remarkable collaboration between two brilliant and courageous pioneers, The Science of Meditation shares the scientific basis and practical realities of the remarkable impact meditation has on altering the mind. As I have personally experienced, regular meditation practice brings compassion, calm, and clarity for all of us, from beginners to experienced practitioners -- Bill George, Senior Fellow, Harvard Business School; former Chair & CEO, Medtronic; and author of 'Discover Your True North'Impressive in its scope and depth, staggering in its implications -- Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD on 'Emotional Intelligence'Don't miss this smart and lively book by the world's foremost expert on emotion and the brain -- Daniel Gilbert, PhD on 'The Emotional Life of Your Brain'Goleman uses the emerging science of neuro-sociology to show how priming our brains for meaningful connectivity with others can make the world a better place . . . Fascinating * Sunday Telegraph on 'Social Intelligence' *Sure to provoke oodles of debate about declining attention spans in the young * Bookseller on 'Focus' *
£10.44
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd The One Thing You Need to Know: The Simple Way to
Book SynopsisFrom gravity to black holes, special relativity to global warming, this authoritative and entertaining book from bestselling author Marcus Chown breaks down complex science into manageable chunks, explaining the one thing you really need to know to get to grips with the subject.Rather than trying to bend your mind around all the vast and confounding details of things such as gravitational waves, electricity and black holes, wouldn’t it be easier to understand just one central concept from which everything else follows?If you’ve ever found yourself fascinated by the idea of quantum computing but feel a little overwhelmed by the mindblowing subject of quantum mechanics or concerned by climate change but haven’t been able to get to grips with the details of global warming, this book is for you. Let’s take atoms, for example – what on earth are they? Well, if you start to think of them less like things you can’t see with complex little nuclei and more like the alphabet of nature, which in different configurations can make a rose, a galaxy or a newborn baby, they might start to feel a little more understandable. Or gravitational waves – they sound poetic, but why are they creating so much excitement? Think of them as the voice of space, vibrations on the drumskin of space-time – before delving into all their complexities. In twenty-one short and engaging chapters, Chown explains the one thing you need to know to understand some of the most important scientific ideas of our time. Packed full of astounding facts, scientific history and the entertaining personalities at the heart of the most pivotal discoveries about the workings of our universe, this is an accessible guide to all the tricky stuff you’ve always wanted to understand more about.
£16.97
HarperCollins Publishers Human Universe
Book SynopsisTop ten Sunday Times BestsellerEngaging, ambitious and creative' GuardianWhere are we? Are we alone? Who are we? Why are we here? What is our future?Human Universe tackles some of the greatest questions that humans have asked to try and understand the very nature of ourselves and the Universe in which we live.Through the endless leaps of human minds, it explores the extraordinary depth of our knowledge today and where our curiosity may lead us in the future. With groundbreaking insight it reveals how time, physics and chemistry came together to create a creature that can wonder at its own existence, blessed with an unquenchable thirst to discover not just where it came from, but how it can think, where it is going and if it is alone.Accompanies the acclaimed BBC TV series.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox: ‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too.’ Guardian ‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things.’ Independent ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’ The Times ‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’ Sunday Express ‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’ Independent on Sunday
£21.25
Oxford University Press Physical Chemistry
Book SynopsisWith the development of a variety of exciting new areas of research involving computational chemistry, nano- and smart materials, and applications of the recently discovered graphene, there can be no doubt that physical chemistry is a vitally important field. It is also perceived as the most daunting branch of chemistry, being necessarily grounded in physics and mathematics and drawing as it does on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical thermodynamics.With his typical clarity and hardly a formula in sight, Peter Atkins'' Very Short Introduction explores the contributions physical chemistry has made to all branches of chemistry. Providing an insight into its central concepts Atkins reveals the cultural contributions physical chemistry has made to our understanding of the natural world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe collection A Very Short Introduction from Oxford University Press is directed to people who want a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject. From this perspective, Peter Atkins has successfully met the collection's goal. In his characteristic clear style, he walks us through a short but rather interesting journey through the core ideas that form the conceptual infrastructure of physical chemistry. This intellectual trip takes the reader through different levels at which physicochemical models describe, explain, and predict the structure and properties of matter. From the subatomic world to the macroscopic scale; from single-particle to multi-particle systems; from the theoretical realm to the experimental setting. * Science & Education *[Physical Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction] is carefully written and captures the breadth of the subject. * Chemistry World *An exemplary book, both for those who, like me, want to refresh and modernize his obsolete knowledge, and for those (students, pupils) whom you will introduce into this fascinating subject. Without any reserve: cordially recommended! * Hans Bouma, NVOX *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Matter from the inside ; 2. Matter from the outside ; 3. Bridging matter ; 4. States of matter ; 5. Changing the state of matter ; 6. Changing the identity of matter ; 7. Investigating matter ; Further reading ; Index
£9.49
Princeton University Press Welcome to the Universe in 3D
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Hands-On category""Welcome to the Universe in 3D, the ideal gift for star gazers of all ages, brings readers a built-in stereo viewer...that enables a 3D tour of the universe. Armchair astronomers can peer through the stereo viewer, page through nearly 60 double images of the solar system and take in three-dimensional images from as far away as 13.8 billion light years .... Cheaper than a telescope, this is a marvelous introduction to astronomy" * Shelf Awareness *
£19.80
Hodder & Stoughton The Consolations of Physics
Book SynopsisA wise and inspiring manifesto about why understanding physics can make you happier, by one of the leading science writers of our time.Trade ReviewTim Radford's The Consolations of Physics is a love letter to the Voyager space probes. The poetry of their journey stimulated Radford to wax lyrical about the purpose of science. It is a beautiful, moving book that roams through the grand physics of recent decades. -- Michael Brooks * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Lyrical hymn to space exploration, knowledge and the enquiring mind... Helps quench our curiosity, yet deepens the mystery, about the cosmos and our attempts to discover more about it. -- Darragh McManus * Irish Independent *Beautiful, joyful, inspiring. A celebration of physicists' quest to understand the universe, from one of the best science writers around. -- Jo Marchant, New York Times bestselling author of CUREIt's rare that you get a book that connects Dante's Divine Comedy to the Higgs boson and the geology of limestone cliffs, and this weaving together of two thousand's years of intellectual thought is one of the many delights of this book. It's a hymn to scientific endeavour. -- Professor Mark Miodownik, New York Times bestselling author of STUFF MATTERSWow... Tim Radford's writing is so beautiful, it reads like poetry. A book more about life and passion than physics. People who have never cared a jot about physics (like me) must read this book. -- Suzanne O'Sullivan, Wellcome Prize-winning author of IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEADA beautiful, inspiring reflection on science, humanity, space, and matter - this would blow Boethius's mind. -- Sarah Bakewell, Sunday Times-bestselling author of HOW TO LIVE and AT THE EXISTENTIALIST'S CAFEAn appreciative survey of the vast canvas on which physicists do their creative work - the entire observable universe, from the beginning of time to its end (assuming there is one)... Beneath his jocularity, Radford is an unapologetic intellectual. -- Graham Farmelo * Guardian *Beautifully crafted 'love letter to physics'... His deft narrative interweaves discoveries such as the Higgs boson, the Hubble Deep Field and gravitational waves with Dante Alighieri's epic fourteenth-century poem The Divine Comedy, which intuited the laws of motion found by Galileo Galilei some 300 years later. -- Barbara Kiser * Nature *Engaging and delightful... In Radford's persuasive and genial company, as he roams from the initial singularity to dark energy, from Saint Augustine's City of God to Dante's The Divine Comedy, from the Higgs bosun to the multiverse, it's hard not to be moved by the fact that there are those who are capable of dreaming up and executing complex undertakings that explore the order that underpins creation. -- Manjit Kumar * Observer *Physics may not be a subject many people find consoling, but in this poetic paean to mankind's quest to make sense of the universe Tim Radford...might convert a few. -- Rob Kingston * Sunday Times *
£8.09
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Inc The Secret Language Of Color: Science, Nature,
Book SynopsisIn this beautiful and thorough investigation, The Secret Language of Color celebrates and illuminates the countless ways in which color colors our world.Why is the sky blue, the grass green, a rose red? Most of us have no idea how to answer these questions, nor are we aware that color pervades nearly all aspects of life, from the subatomic realm and the natural world to human culture and psychology.Organized into chapters that begin with a fascinating explanation of the physics and chemistry of color, The Secret Language of Color travels from outer space to Earth, from plants to animals to humans. In these chapters we learn about how and why we see color, the nature of rainbows, animals with color vision far superior and far inferior to our own, how our language influences the colors we see, and much more. Between these chapters, authors Joann Eckstut and Ariele Eckstut turn their attention to the individual hues of the visible spectrum?red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet?presenting each in fascinating, in-depth detail.Including hundreds of stunning photographs and dozens of informative, often entertaining graphics, every page is a breathtaking demonstration of color and its role in the world around us. Whether? you see red, are a shrinking violet, or talk a blue streak, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in the history, science, culture, and beatuty of color in the natural and man-made world.
£22.50
Orion Publishing Co Stuff You Should Know
Book SynopsisJosh Clark and Chuck Bryant started the podcast Stuff You Should Know back in 2008 because they were curious-curious about the world around them, curious about what they might have missed in their formal educations, and curious to dig deeper on stuff they thought they understood.As it turns out, they aren''t the only curious ones. They''ve since amassed a rabid fan base, making Stuff You Should Know one of the most popular podcasts in the world. Armed with their inquisitive natures and a passion for sharing, they research and discuss a wide variety of topics-always working to uncover the weird, fascinating, delightful, or unexpected pieces of any given subject, and then talking about it together in an accessible and humorous way.The pair have now taken their near-boundless whys and hows from your earbuds to the pages of a book for the first time-and with it comes loads of new content, covering subjects about which they''ve long wondered or wanted to exp
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity by Design and
Book SynopsisRichard Dawkins on how nature and humans have learned to overcome the pull of gravity and take to the skies. 'A masterly investigation of all aspects of flight, human and animal... A beautifully produced book that will appeal across age groups' Alexander McCall Smith 'Dawkins has always been an extraordinarily muscular, persuasive thinker. What feels new here is that he writes with such charm and warmth' The Times Have you ever dreamt you could fly? Or imagined what it would be like to glide and swoop through the sky like a bird? Do you let your mind soar to unknown, magical spaces? Richard Dawkins explores the wonder of flight: from the mythical Icarus, to the sadly extinct but spectacular bird Argentavis magnificens, from the Wright flyer and the 747, to the Tinkerbella fairyfly and the Peregrine falcon. But he also explores flights of the mind and escaping the everyday – through science, ideas and imagination. Fascinating and beautifully illustrated, this is a unique collaboration between one of the world's leading scientists and a talented artist.Trade ReviewRichard Dawkins writes with admirable clarity and Jana Lenzova illustrates in much the same way... A masterly investigation of all aspects of flight, human and animal. This is a beautifully produced book that will appeal across age groups' -- Alexander McCall-SmithDawkins writes with such an irresistible combination of mastery of the subject, delight in it, and vividness. A total pleasure -- Michael FraynDawkins's prose feels as if it were cut with a laser ... Dawkins has always been an extraordinarily muscular, persuasive thinker. What feels new here is that he writes with such charm and warmth. Genial Uncle Richard, for me, is the most likeable Dawkins yet * Sunday Times *He has made Darwinism cooler than it has any right to be * Sunday Times *PRAISE FOR RICHARD DAWKINS: 'Written with all the clarity and elegance of which Dawkins is a master. It should have a place in every school library – especially in the library of every 'faith' school' Philip Pullman, on The God Delusion. 'One of the best non-fiction writers alive today' -- Steven Pinker
£11.69
John Murray Press New Scientist The Origin of almost Everything
Book SynopsisIntroduction by Professor Stephen Hawking.When Edwin Hubble looked into his telescope in the 1920s, he was shocked to find that nearly all of the galaxies he could see through it were flying away from one another. If these galaxies had always been travelling, he reasoned, then they must, at some point, have been on top of one another. This discovery transformed the debate about one of the most fundamental questions of human existence - how did the universe begin?Every society has stories about the origin of the cosmos and its inhabitants, but now, with the power to peer into the early universe and deploy the knowledge gleaned from archaeology, geology, evolutionary biology and cosmology, we are closer than ever to understanding where it all came from. In The Origin of (almost) Everything, New Scientist explores the modern origin stories of everything from the Big Bang, meteorites and dark energy, to dinosaurs, civilisation, timekeeping, belly-butTrade ReviewImportant... The Origin of (Almost) Everything doesn't look like a typical science book. It's friendly and colourful. Its blocks of text and ample images, makes it read more like a magazine than textbook. Unravelling dozens of life's biggest mysteries, Lawton and Daniel's irreverent storytelling approach answers nagging questions that have inspired centuries of scientific inquiry... Like The Origin of (Almost) Everything suggests, the best science writing and illustrations don't just answer your questions - they compel you to ask more. * WIRED *
£9.74
Oxford University Press Brainwashing
Book SynopsisBringing together cutting-edge research from psychology and neuroscience, Kathleen Taylor puts the brain back into brainwashing and shows why understanding this mysterious phenomenon is vitally relevant in the twenty-first century.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition A magisterially detailed survey... Taylor is never less than direct and engaging. The subject may be difficult but the writing never is. With no hint at all of academic pretension, this is a model of how to make hard science accessible without rendering it impossibly watered down or patronising. This is an outstanding book. Academic researchers and human rights professionals will find it a goldmine of relevant research and information. And anyone else interested in psychology will find it a thrill. * Focus Magazine 12/2004 *The book is to be commended. Taylor writes engagingly. * THES *I can't remember when I last encountered such a thoroughly argued book which was also so accessible. A miracle of cogency. * Morning Star *An ambitious and well-written study * The Guardian *Table of ContentsPART 1: TORTURE AND SEDUCTION; PART 2: THE TRAITOR IN YOUR SKULL; PART 3: FREEDOM AND CONTROL
£12.34
Cambridge University Press Atlas of the Messier Objects
Book SynopsisMessier''s catalog of 110 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies is the most popular list of deep sky gems. The first edition of this stunning reference atlas was hailed as the most comprehensive, detailed, and beautiful account of the Messier objects then available. The second edition continues this trend, with thoroughly investigated and updated astrophysical, historical, and observational information for every object. The main object photos have all been replaced with more than 150 new images from some of the world''s best amateurs displaying the objects'' splendor through large-scale color images. Historical sketches from classical observers from the nineteenth century are presented, alongside the author''s modern deep-sky drawings. Extensive information is given on visual observation from using the naked eye and binoculars through to large modern amateur telescopes. Astronomers of all abilities will delight in the Atlas''s return as your guide to the sky''s finest objects.
£56.99
Harvard University Press Third Thoughts
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the 20th century’s greatest physicists, in this collection of essays, shares his strongly-held opinions on everything from the Higgs boson to the state of theoretical physics and the problems of science and society. If you’re a big Steven Weinberg fan, you won’t want to miss his latest. -- Ethan Siegel * Forbes *Weinberg has a knack for capturing a complex concept in a succinct, unforgettable image…[He’s] one of the smartest and most diligent scientists around. -- Robert Crease * Nature *This book should be read not only for its insightful and illuminating explanations of a wide range of physical phenomena but also for the opportunity it affords to follow the wanderings of a brilliant mind through topics ranging from high-energy physics and the makeup of the cosmos to poetry, and from the history and philosophy of science to the dangers of economic inequality…[A] captivating book. -- Mario Livio * Science *This collection is an easily digestible glimpse into the mind of a thoughtful scientific communicator and shows the truly all-encompassing nature of theoretical physics. -- Andrea Gawrylewski * Scientific American *A stimulating and admirable book. -- N. David Mermin * Physics Today *Weinberg’s finest collection yet—chock-full of informative content, wise opinion, and intelligent comment. He is an extreme rarity—a great physicist whose writings are entertaining and accessible for both experts and non-specialists. Superb. -- Graham Farmelo, author of The Strangest ManSteve Weinberg’s essays are fascinating and thought-provoking as always. Readers will find a lot to think about on a wide range of topics. -- Edward Witten, Institute for Advanced StudyThe phrase ‘public intellectual’ is much bandied about. Just a few real heavyweights in the world merit the title, and Steven Weinberg is preeminent among them. His collection ranges from deep science on the very frontier of human comprehension, through his trenchant views on public policy, to history and the arts. Compelling reading. -- Richard Dawkins
£16.10
Orion Publishing Co The Book of Humans: A Brief History of Culture,
Book Synopsis*FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYONE WHO EVER LIVED and HOW TO ARGUE WITH A RACIST* WHAT MAKES US HUMAN?Waging war?Sex for pleasure?Creating art?Mastery of fire?In this thrilling tour of the animal kingdom, Adam Rutherford tells the story of how we became the unique creatures we are today. Illuminated by the latest scientific discoveries, THE BOOK OF HUMANS is a dazzling compendium of what unequivocally fixes us as animals, and reveals how we are extraordinary among them. ***'Adam Rutherford is a superb communicator, who eruditely explores the borderlands of history, archaeology, genetics and anthropology in this fascinating tour of our species' DAN SNOW'This superbly accessible discussion about who we humans really are is important and necessary' CHRIS PACKHAM'Charming, compelling and packed with information. I learned more about biology from this short book than I did from years of science lessons' PETER FRANKOPAN'An outstandingly clear and witty account that shows beyond doubt how much we are part of the animal world, and yet at the same time how different we have become' HENRY MARSHTrade ReviewAn excellent book that I definitely recommend. I referred to it a lot in my own research. * BILL BRYSON writing in BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE *Adam Rutherford is a superb communicator, who eruditely explores the borderlands of history, archaeology, genetics and anthropology in this fascinating tour of our species -- DAN SNOWThis superbly accessible discussion about who we humans really are is important and necessary -- CHRIS PACKHAMCharming, compelling and packed with information. I learned more about biology from this short book than I did from years of science lessons. Adam Rutherford has a knack of making complex ideas understandable - and also fun. Our species is a lot stranger than I'd ever realised, but a lot more normal too. A weird and wonderful read -- PETER FRANKOPANAn outstandingly clear and witty account that shows beyond doubt how much we are part of the animal world, and yet at the same time how different we have become -- HENRY MARSHIn Adam Rutherford's splendid The Book of Humans, we learn how giraffes enjoy homosexual assignations, how dolphins use sponges to protect their noses, and how birds of the raptor class have been observed picking up smouldering twigs from forest fires, flying away and dropping them to start new fires, at which point they swoop and gobble up the panicked mammals and lizards rushing away -- Steven Poole * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Adam Rutherford is a master storyteller. THE BOOK OF HUMANS is packed to the brim with intriguing tales, clever twists and up-to-the-minute scientific discoveries, offering a completely new perspective on who we are and how we came to be -- HANNAH FRYAdam Rutherford is a delightful, eclectic, hilarious and often filthy guide to what we know about human genetics. But even more than that, there are parts of this book I wish were graven into the walls of public buildings and above the desk of anyone who writes about science. Next time someone tells you that men "evolved" to behave in one way while women "evolved" to behave differently, pull out your copy of THE BOOK OF HUMANS and set them right -- NAOMI ALDERMANThis delightful and charming book will change the way you see yourself, and your place in the natural world -- ED YONGA book that is deftly outlined, concisely constructed and filled with intriguing observations and anecdotes. Rutherford is an engaging, witty writer ... An entertaining and blessedly succinct read -- Robin McKie * THE OBSERVER *I've learned more about myself and my species than I thought possible. A beautiful, compassionate book exploring not just human nature but also the human condition. I'm more in love with Adam Rutherford's writing than ever -- ANGELA SAINIA kind of intellectual enema, exposing the popular myths about human exceptionalism ... [Rutherford] makes a charming guide, giving the impression that, like us, he finds it all rather mysterious, though he clearly knows what he is talking about -- Michael Bond * NEW SCIENTIST *Did you know that bottlenose dolphins deliberately protect their beaks with sea sponges when they are foraging on the seabed? Or that New Caledonian crows will strip twigs down into spears to search inside logs for wheedlegrubs? With these and many other examples of intelligence, geneticist Dr Adam Rutherford explores to what extent other animal species ('Humans are animals,' he says pointedly at the very start of the book) display characteristics we would normally classify as exclusively human -- Chris Fitch * GEOGRAPHICAL *[Rutherford] is well able to explicate scientific complexities, including the origin and development of man. He writes with intellectual authority and also, as a popular lecturer and broadcaster, expresses himself in a clear and persuasive manner with natural charm -- Patrick Skene Catling * THE SPECTATOR *Turns out we're not the only species that makes tools or uses fire - so what does that mean for humanity? Adam Rutherford takes us on a myth-busting tour of human history, exploring whether we really are as exceptional as we think * BBC FOCUS MAGAZINE *In his entertaining The Book of Humans, Adam Rutherford assails the notion of human exceptionalism while simultaneously detailing why it is that humans are, nevertheless, a highly distinctive species -- Adrian Woolfson * LITERARY REVIEW *Adam Rutherford's entertaining and pithy The Book of Humans focuses on the features that make Homo sapiens so special - language, tool-making, and war-mongering - and finds startling parallels for each attribute in manyother animals -- Robin McKie * THE OBSERVER *If teaching is what makes humans special, then Adam Rutherford is superhuman - the paragon of teachers, a truly gifted transmitter of knowledge: lucid, enlightening, witty and delightful -- KATE FOXThis is a beautiful compendium of sketches about the wonders of evolution, which also takes in genetics, the origins of language and much else -- Steven Poole * THE GUARDIAN *An ideal read for a family history enthusiast who's keen to learn more ... The story entertainingly weaves through the long view of history, taking in our key developments that together we see as making us human (tools, fire, language, for instance), and comparing us to our fellow creatures, with some surprising results ... I'd recommend this book to anyone wishing to feed their curiosity about the human story and how we've evolved -- Helen Tovey * FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE *A sensational tour of life on Earth and an illustration of the things we consider unique to us humans but are, quite simply, not -- Lucy Fisher * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *An entertaining exploration of human evolution, showing that, amidst the teeming multitudes of lifeforms surrounding us, we are really not that special. And yet we are ... Wonderfully crafted, this is a readable, fun exploration of human evolution and how we compare to the animals surrounding us -- Leon Vlieger * THE INQUISITIVE BIOLOGIST *[A] fascinating, well-researched, and at times both funny and disturbing book -- Bianca Nogrady * CANBERRA TIMES (Australia) *It is his story-writing that makes the book a page-turner, and we challenge anyone not to learn something astonishing along the way. -- Rachel Pells * THE I PAPER *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Everyday Physics: Unusual insights into familiar
Book SynopsisFascinating, fun and friendly, this physics book is perfect for anyone with a healthy dose of curiosity. How can you tell where a sound is coming from? What is the human energy equivalent of a vacuum cleaner? How does GPS work? Why do eggs explode in the microwave? Is there a vacuum inside double-glazed windows? Can you get less wet by cycling faster? With clear explanations and hundreds of colourful photos and diagrams, Everyday Physics is an engaging physics book accessible for all ages. You can read this brilliant book in whatever order you want, dipping in and out of the different sections. Based on Hermans' Everyday physics lecture series, it combines deep physical insights with back-of-the-envelope calculations, relating abstract physics concepts to the real world, often in a surprising way. Everyday Physics also features lots of intriguing home experiments to further demonstrate the explanations. Most of these can be done using simple items from the kitchen, such as using a glass of water, a torch, and a few drops of milk to understand why the sky is blue and the setting sun red. If you want to dig a bit deeper, there are extra resources in the shaded boxes throughout. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, college student or just have a healthy interest in the world around you, this book will bring the magic of physics to your everyday life. Once you discover the beauty of science, ordinary things will become extraordinary.Trade ReviewEveryday Physics is written in a very accessible style with fantastic use of pictures. It provides satisfyingly clear explanations and it covers a lot of ground. A lovely book to have. * Prof Jeff Forshaw, Professor of Physics at the University of Manchester and author of 'Why Does E=mc2?' *A gold mine of physics in the world around us, ranging from light to sound and from indoors to outdoors, written in a friendly style with beautiful diagrams, photos, and explanations. Each chapter is a joy to read. * Prof Sanjoy Mahajan, Associate Professor of Applied Science and Engineering at Olin College of Engineering *Everyday phenomena explained simply and clearly for all to understand. * Prof Mete Atature, Professor of Physics at Cambridge University *This is an interesting collection of explanations & discussions of the physics of everyday situations. The range of topics and the number of situations is extensive. By providing clear information, it encourages further thought. * Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine *Do try this at home. Satisfaction guaranteed for every inquisitive soul. * Dr Eppo Bruins, politician and physicist *Table of ContentsPart A - Outdoor Life How does GPS navigation work? (With a nod to Albert Einstein) Why are some mountain winds so warm? What is wind chill? Why is ice so slippery? Waves at the beach How fast do raindrops fall? Why don’t fog drops fall? Skydiving: how fast can you fall? How high will the sun rise today? How hot does the sun feel? Parallel light beams from the sun Summer and winter, why such a big difference? Why do you walk the way you do? Part B - Bicycle and Car The human engine The human energy equivalent of a vacuum cleaner How do you keep your temperature constant? How efficient is cycling? What forces affect a cyclist? Can you cycle at 100 km/ h? How fast can you cycle on the moon? Is cycling really harder with a side wind? Minimizing your journey time The cyclist’s soggy back Can you get less wet by cycling faster? Rolling resistance, air resistance and fuel consumption How many cars per hour can a road take? Part C - Light and Colour Cosy candlelight Why are incandescent bulbs so inefficient? Luminous ideas: fluorescent lights and LEDs Why is the sky blue and the setting sun is red? Two kinds of smoke from the same cigarette? Swimming pools are deeper than they look Sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees How sharply can you see? Your eye is more sensitive than a camera Puddles on a dry road Seeing the sun after sunset Transparent windowpanes and opaque lace curtains Seeing clearly underwater What makes rainbows? Why are soap bubbles so colourful? Why are CDs so colourful? How does a hologram work? Why does the sea look so blue? What’s special about Polaroid glasses? Part D - Sound and Hearing What do your ears hear? Why isn’t there more noise pollution? The energy-cost of talking How can you tell where a sound is coming from? Discriminating between different voices: the cocktail party effect Do you hear better at night? Can the wind blow sound to you? Do noise barriers work? Can you hear whether the curtains are closed? Doh-re-mi: the physics of musical scales Why orchestras go out of tune Part E - In and Around the House Why do eggs explode in the microwave? Can you cool your home with your fridge? Curve balls, backspin and top spin How much power can you get from solar energy? The mystery of the wandering carpets Common misconceptions about the radiometer Is thick glass a better insulator than thin glass? Is there a vacuum inside double glazing windows? Can you feel energy consumption? Is a black central heating radiator better than a white one? Does black paint get hotter than white? Does Baby really need a hot water bottle? The lid on the saucepan Why does the air get so dry in winter? Why don’t you die of heat in the sauna? The wine-mixing problem The wandering tea leaves
£14.24
Princeton University Press Fossil Legends of the First Americans
Book SynopsisBeginning in the East, with its Ice Age monsters, and ending in the West, where dinosaurs lived and died, this richly illustrated and elegantly written book examines the discoveries of enormous bones in North America and uses of fossils for medicine, hunting magic, and spells.Trade Review"Mayor’s book is a fascinating exploration of how Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island held, and still hold, knowledge of fossils. Indigenous peoples observed the remains of enormous creatures found embedded in our land—from dinosaurs to giant buffalo—and integrated these findings into our ways of knowing. Mayor’s coupling of Indigenous stories of legendary beings to specific fossils, bone beds, and species makes this a must-read for anyone who thinks that the wisdom held in Indigenous oral traditions is anything less than science."---Kent Monkman, award-winning Cree visual artist"Mayor the storyteller relishes the opportunity to provide fascinating insights, but she shines most in her ability to stitch together a rich and varied body of oral history grounded in natural history. . . . Mayor clearly thrives at the intersection of science and folklore."---Bryn Nelson, Newsday"Marshaling the array of evidence available from scholarly and popular works, and contributing her own research, Mayor shows that far from ignoring fossils, many Native American groups took great notice of them and developed elaborate myths to explain their origin. . . . Though Mayor is careful not to homogenize native myths, she does note that virtually all of them exhibit a sense of 'deep time,' as geologists call it: an awareness that the world has existed for far longer than humans have walked it."---Eric A. Powell, Archaeology"Fossil Legends of the First Americans presents an interesting, intriguing and informative text, written in a fun, accessible way that will appeal to a wide audience, without scaring off the scientific community. The manner in which fossils legends and Native American tales are dealt with, is as original. . . . Adrienne Mayor has based her book on a substantial amount of relevant, up-to-date and to-the-point research data, and as such commands the reader's indulgence."---C. van Kooten, PaleoArchaeology"Through remarkably wide-ranging research, Mayor has recovered the fascinating story of how various tribes encountered and interpreted dinosaur bones and other remains of early life. . . . [She] illuminates the surprisingly relevant views of early peoples confronting evidence of prehistoric life. . . . This pioneering work replaces cultural estrangement with belated understanding." * Booklist *"Few books have had such an influence on my thinking as Adrienne Mayor’s book on fossil legends of the New World. For one thing, it invites one to ask how anyone can make old stories about old bones both so interesting and so worthwhile. . . . What Mayor has done is astonishing. She has been so thorough that it’s difficult to imagine anyone ever writing a more definitive book on her subject. . . . A hundred years from now, this book will surely continue to be read, consulted, and mined for data. I would not want to be a piece of data seeking to escape her attention. . . . Mayor not only shows how these stories cast light on cultural history but also demonstrates repeatedly that they anticipated many of the views of modern scientists."---Paul Barber, Journal of American Folklore
£16.14
RSC Publishing Science of Ice Cream
Book SynopsisWritten in an accessible style, the fully revised third edition of this bestseller aims to show how much science there is in ice cream.
£31.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Overloaded
Book SynopsisA NEW SCIENTIST BOOK OF THE YEAROur lives are ruled by one particular group of chemicals. These are the hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate and drive our brains. Overloaded looks at the roles these chemicals play in all aspects of our life experiences, from how we make decisions, who we love and what we remember to basic survival drives such as hunger, fear and sleep. Author Ginny Smith explores what these tiny molecules do, meeting scientists at the cutting-edge of brain chemistry research who are uncovering unexpected connections between these crucial chemicals. What roles do cortisol and adrenaline play in memory formation? What does dopamine do? And how do hormones affect the trajectory of our romantic relationships? In this eye-opening exploration of the remarkable world of neurotransmitters, Overloaded unveils the chemicals inside each of us that touch every facet of our lives.Trade ReviewGinny Smith brings clarity with aplomb, revealing the chemistry behind how we sleep, what we fear, who we love and even what we remember. * New Scientist *This mind-bending, eye-opening book looks at the role played by hormones and neurotransmitters in every aspect of our lives, from what we remember, how we make decisions and who we love to basic survival drives such as hunger, fear and sleep. * Your Healthy Living *A mind-blowing exploration into how brain chemical affect every area of your life. * Women's Health *There's so much more to the way our brains work than we can be aware of on a day-to-day basis, and it's fascinating to discover more about it ... the writing is engaging, so you don't need a science degree to understand it. * Top Santé *A delightfully fascinating and useful guide suitable for anyone who has been wondering what their brain is up to. * Robin Ince *Overloaded explains the breathtaking complexity and versatility of the chemicals that make us what we are, in a warm, engaging, and informative way. An impressive feat indeed. * Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author of The Happy Brain *Table of Contents1: The Chemical Brain 2: Thanks for the Memories 3: Getting Motivated 4: Mood Swings and Scary Things 5: Sleep, the Brain's Greatest Mystery? 6: Food for Thought 7: Logic, Emotion or Chemicals? 8: You've Got the Love 9: A Pain in the Brain Conclusion Glossary Diagram of the brain Acknowledgements Index
£11.39
Royal Society of Chemistry The Chemists' War: 1914-1918
Book SynopsisWithin months of the start of the First World War, Germany began to run out of the raw materials it needed to make explosives. As Germany faced imminent defeat, chemists such as Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch came to the rescue with Nobel Prize winning discoveries that overcame the shortages and enabled the country to continue in the war. Similarly, Britain could not have sustained its war effort for four years had it not been for chemists like Chaim Weizmann who was later to become the first president of the State of Israel. Michael Freemantle tells the stories of these and many other chemists and explains how their work underpinned and shaped what became known as The Chemists’ War. He reveals: • how chemistry contributed to the care of the sick and wounded and to the health and safety of troops; • how coal not only powered the war but was also an important source of the chemicals needed for the manufacture of explosives, dyes, medicines and antiseptics; • how Britain’s production of propellants relied on the slaughter of tens of thousands of whales; • how a precious metal played a critical role in the war; • how poisonous chemicals were used as weapons of mass destruction for the first time in the history of warfare and how chemists developed gas masks for protection against these weapons; • how the British naval blockade of Germany imperilled agricultural production in the United States. The book will appeal to the general reader as well as the many scientists and historians interested in the Great War.Trade ReviewThis is an interesting book offering a different view from the large number that have been written on the politics and strategies of the war. It is well written, extensively referenced and includes a useful last chapter on the top 50 chemicals of the Great War. There is a lot of interesting chemistry but the human story is also strong. -- School Science Review - Alex Chaplin"this is a highly professional account" "he explains - in approachable, layman's terms - the basic ingredients of wartime gas chemistry" "the book's most original contribution lies in drawing attention to the "metals of war", such as nickel, tin, tungsten, chromium, manganese, and zinc" "such metals took a "starring role" on the battlefield" "well worth including in any working library" "Like its predecessor, The Chemists’ War is a good introduction to the subject in its widest dimensions." -- Roy MacLeod * Bulletin for the History of Chemistry *"...a remarkably diverse collection of essays..." "The book will appeal to the general reader as well as the many scientists and historians interested in the Great War" -- Brian Clegg * Popular Science *Table of ContentsMore than Chemical Warfare; The Neglected Face of the War; A Single Round of Firearm Ammunition; Whaling for World War One; Acetone and the Birth of a State; An Element of War; The Synthesis of War; Khaki and Indigo; Chemistry and the Zepellins; Chemistry and the Sinking of the Lusitania; The Potash Problem; Bacilli Killed More than Bullets; The Chemists of War; War, the Mother of Invention?; Images of War; Periodic Table of War; The Scientific Legacy of the War; Subject Index
£18.99
Oxford University Press Deadly Companions
Book SynopsisEver since we started huddling together in communities, the story of human history has been inextricably entwined with the story of microbes. They have evolved and spread amongst us, shaping our culture through infection, disease, and pandemic. At the same time, our changing human culture has itself influenced the evolutionary path of microbes. Dorothy H. Crawford here shows that one cannot be truly understood without the other. Beginning with a dramatic account of the SARS pandemic at the start of the 21st century, she takes us back in time to follow the interlinked history of microbes and man, taking an up-to-date look at ancient plagues and epidemics, and identifying key changes in the way humans have lived - such as our move from hunter-gatherer to farmer to city-dweller -- which made us vulnerable to microbe attack. Showing how we live our lives today -- with increasing crowding and air travel -- puts us once again at risk, Crawford asks whether we might ever conquer microbes completely, or whether we need to take a more microbe-centric view of the world. Among the possible answers, one thing becomes clear: that for generations to come, our deadly companions will continue to shape human history.Oxford Landmark Science books are ''must-read'' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewAdmirably clear and engaging. * BBC History *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1: How It All Began 2: Our Microbial Inheritance 3: Microbes Jump Species 4: Crowds, Filth, and Poverty 5: Microbes Go Global 6: Famine and Devastation 7: Deadly Companions Revealed 8: The Fight Back Conclusion: Living Together Glossary Notes and References Index
£11.39
Penguin Books Ltd 15 Million Degrees
Book Synopsis110 times wider than Earth; 15 million degrees at its core; an atmosphere so huge that Earth is actually within it: come and meet the star of our solar systemLight takes eight minutes to reach Earth from the surface of the Sun. But its journey within the Sun takes hundreds of thousands of years. What is going on in there? What are light and heat? How does the Sun produce them and how on earth did scientists discover this? In this astonishing and enlightening adventure, you''ll travel millions of miles from inside the Sun to its surface and to Earth, where the light at the end of its journey is allowing you to read right now. You''ll discover how the Sun works (including what it sounds like), the latest research in solar physics and how a solar storm could threaten everything we know. And you''ll meet the groundbreaking scientists, including the author, who pieced this extraordinary story together.Trade ReviewThis is a fabulous introduction to our home star, written with an insight and an enthusiasm that makes it very approachable... there's far more to the Sun than you might suspect -- Helen Czerski, author of 'The Storm in a Teacup'Wonderful...makes you simply gaze out of the window pondering for a while. The future of solar science is bright, and Lucie Green an inspiring guide -- Lewis Dartnell * Daily Telegraph *This book takes a fascinating look at a literally brilliant subject... one of the most enjoyable books about science you could hope to find -- Paul Sutherland * Book of the Month - BBC Sky at Night Magazine *Thrilling ... Lucie Green's huge enthusiasm for the Sun is apparent throughout -- Pippa Goldschmidt * Spectator *Green, a solar physicist at University College London, is an engaging and careful companion. She is clearly enamoured of her subject and keen to acknowledge those who have gone before her ... Reading this book confirms what I felt as a student: that truly understanding the Sun is as much about philosophy as it is about physics -- Anjana Ahuja * Financial Times *Green's enthusiasm for her subject is infectious ... [a] fine book -- Marcus Chown * Times Higher Education *The author's passionate enthusiasm for her subject shines through on every page ... an outstanding and eminently readable book which conveys a remarkably comprehensive and wide-ranging account of our nearest star -- Iain Nicholson * Astronomy Now *Professor Green has been studying the sun for 20 years and her passion for her 'favourite star' burns from every page -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd What Do You Care What Other People Think
Book SynopsisWhat Do You Care What Other People Think? Further Adventures of a Curious Character is a captivating collection of reminiscences from freewheeling scientific genius Richard P. Feynman. Richard Feynman - Nobel Laureate, teacher and iconic intellect - possessed an unquenchable thirst for an adventure and an unparalleled gift for telling the extraordinary stories of his life. In this collection of short pieces Feynman describes everything from his love of beauty to college pranks to how his father taught him to think. He takes us behind the scenes of the space shuttle Challenger investigation, where he dramatically revealed the cause of the disaster with a simple experiment. And he tells us of how he met his beloved first wife Arlene, and their brief time together before her death. Sometimes intensely moving, sometimes funny, these writings are infused with Feynman''s curiosity and passion for life. ''Feynman''s voice echoes raw an
£10.44
Oxford University Press Radioactivity
Book SynopsisYou cannot hide from radioactivity. Even the book you are holding is slightly radioactive, but there are more serious risks. Radioactivity - the breakdown of unstable atomic nuclei, releasing radiation - is a fundamental process in nature. It is a process that has been harnessed to provide wide and important applications in science, medicine, industry, and energy production. But it remains much misunderstood - and feared, perhaps because nuclear radiation cannot be detected by human senses, and can undoubtedly do great harm if appropriate precautions are not taken. In recent times there have been increasing concerns about nuclear terrorism.The traces of radioactive atoms in rocks have allowed us to understand the nature and history of the Earth, in particular to date events in that history. Radioactive dating has been used for a variety of purposes, from determining the age of the first hominids to the dating of the Turin Shroud. The discovery of radioactivity has improved our survival kit, but also gave us the chance to reach a new level of awareness on the history of our species and its environmental impacts. In this Very Short Introduction, Claudio Tuniz explains the nature of radioactivity and discuss its role in nature. Describing radioactivity in the stars and in the Earth, he also looks at its wide range of applications in biomedicine and in science, as well as the mechanisms of nuclear fission and fusion, and the harnessing of nuclear power. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade Reviewan enjoyable discussion of the light and dark side of radioactivity. * Times Higher Education Supplement *Table of ContentsPROLOGUE; EPILOGUE; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING
£9.49
Troubador Publishing Rat Trap: The capture of medicine by animal
Book SynopsisWith devastating logic and clarity, Dr Pandora Pound, Research Director at Safer Medicines Trust, comprehensively dismantles the case for animal research, bringing to an end the 150-year-old debate about its value once and for all. Focusing on the science rather than animal suffering – and including no distressing details – she provides a riveting account of how the practice became so well established, before proceeding to painstakingly reveal the futility and shockingly poor quality of most animal studies. Medical progress is being thwarted by an obsolete and harmful practice, but Pound showcases the awe-inspiring technologies, both old and new, that would revolutionise medicine if only it could escape the stranglehold of animal research. Rat Trap slays the many myths about animal research and shows that, far from being a necessary evil, it is one of the most important and urgent scientific issues of our time. ‘What a corker of a book! A superb analysis of the promises and pitfalls limiting the use of animals in medical research. Lucid and elegantly written. Highly recommended.’ -- Dr James Le Fanu, doctor, columnist for the Daily Telegraph and author of Too Many Pills and The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine. ‘Beautifully written, her arguments hum with clarity. Destined to be a classic and to make a difference in the world.’ -- Dr Ricardo Blaug, political scientist and author of How Power Corrupts. ‘Dr Pandora Pound transformed the debate on animal experiments in 2004 as lead author of the landmark study ‘Where is the evidence that animal research benefits humans?’. Published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, it provoked a storm of controversy – and a series of scientific studies revealing the startling unreliability of animals as surrogates for humans in medical research. As a result, reports of ‘breakthroughs’ based on animal studies now routinely carry disclaimers about the implications for patients. In Rat Trap, Dr Pound brings us up to date with this deeply controversial issue. She sets out the evidence for animal models being abandoned as a matter of urgency, and shows how resistance from some elements of the scientific community poses a grave threat to medical progress.’ -- Robert Matthews, visiting professor in statistical science, Aston University, Birmingham, UK, and author of Chancing It and 25 Big Ideas
£9.49
Salammbo Press The Universe Explained to my Grandchildren
Book SynopsisThe master cosmologist and astrophysicist unlocks the secrets of the universe in a clear and accessible way for children.
£6.00
Penguin Books Ltd Dont You Have Time to Think
Book SynopsisDon''t You Have Time to Think? collects the witty, eccentric and moving letters letters of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman. Richard Feynman was no ordinary genius. Brilliant, free-spirited and irreverent, he upset those in authority, gave captivating lectures, wrote equations on napkins in strip joints and touched countless lives everywhere. He also wrote hundreds of letters to friends, family, critics, colleagues and devoted fans around the world. Now these letters have been brought together for the first time. From down-to-earth advice to eager students to discussions of time travel and the atom bomb, and from blunt rebuttals to journalists to poignant exchanges with his first wife as she lay dying, they will introduce you to a unique person whose wisdom and lust for life inspired all those who came into his orbit. ''Nobel-winning physicist, expert bongo-player, safe-cracker and all-round genius, Feynman was, as thi
£13.49
