Popular science Books

Book SynopsisA wry look at what the astonishing world of animal penises can tell us about how we use our own.

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Book SynopsisSimplexity. A groundbreaking new concept that reveals the hidden ways the world really works.

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Book SynopsisFor readers of On Trails, this is an incisive, utterly engaging exploration of walking: how it is fundamental to our being human, how we''ve designed it out of our lives, and how it is essential that we reembrace it.I''m going for a walk. How often has this phrase been uttered by someone with a heart full of anger or sorrow? Or as an invitation, a precursor to a declaration of love? Our species and its predecessors have been bipedal walkers for at least six million years; by now, we take this seemingly arbitrary motion for granted. Yet how many of us still really walk in our everyday lives?Driven by a combination of a car-centric culture and an insatiable thirst for productivity and efficiency, we''re spending more time sedentary and alone than we ever have before. If bipedal walking is truly what makes our species human, as paleoanthropologists claim, what does it mean that we are designing walking right out of our

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Book Synopsis* An engaging, accessible and fascinating look at science's 'best bits' by popular comedian and particle physicist Ben MillerTrade ReviewBen Miller has made a successful career out of concealing his intellect, but in this book he fails to obscure his scientific credentials beautifully. It's a fun and insightful ride through the whole of science - it's almost as if he'd finished his PhD! -- Professor Brian Cox This book makes climate change actually seem interesting. Not just important - it's obviously important - but interesting. As a result I bought lots of other books about climate change, something I now regret -- David Mitchell

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Book SynopsisWith his trademark brand of bulldozer-banter, Twitter legend James Felton guides you through the most morbidly fascinating facts you''ll then wish you could forget.Ever wondered why the chainsaw was invented?* How authorities dealt with a beached whale back in ye olde days of 1970?** Or what being a human decanter entails?*** Then you''ve come to the right place!Within these pages you''ll find the maddest, strangest and downright grossest stories from history, nature and science that you don''t want to know. (Except secretly you really do, you masochistic, beastly person you.) Illustrated, painfully funny and drop-your-jaw ridiculous, this is trivia from the cesspit of time that you won''t be able to stop reading once you start.*To aid childbirth.**They exploded it with 100 times too much dynamite and rained blubber down on unsuspecting people and buildings.***Decency prevents us from answering this one here. You''ll have to buy the book to fin

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Book SynopsisHow to clone a sheep. How to build a brain. How to boil a planet. How to save the world. From the microscopic to the cosmic, this book takes you on a glorious tour of the known universe and beyond, encompassing alien worlds, bizarre life forms, quantum weirdness, parallel dimensions and dissected brains along the way.Trade Review'Jha's clear writing style organises these big ideas in a way that makes them a pleasure to revisit, and an eye-opener if you're discovering them for the first time' BBC Science Focus Magazine. * Science Focus Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction. How to clone a sheep. How to start a plague. How to live forever. How to heal the sick. How to build a brain. How to turn sunbeams into oak trees. How to become invisible. How to put the world in order. How to make artificial life. How to build a Universe. How to make lightning. How to put the Universe to work. How to split an atom. How to know the mind of God. How to age slower than you twin. How to get life started. How to predict the unpredictable. How to fight for survival. How to boil and planet. How to build an Earth. How to control the weather. How to survive in space. How to find the missing parts of the Universe. How to programme your genes. How to find other universes. How to break codes. How to live with uncertainty. How to know yourself. How to spot a pseudoscientist. How to become a cyborg. How to read minds. How to think like an ant. How to save the world. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe Short Story of the Universe is a new introduction to the subject of the universe. Covering 130 key components that make it up - from dwarf galaxies and spiral arms to red giants and the planets of the solar sytem - and linking these to the universe''s structure and the theories that help us understand it, this book simplifies this riveting yet mind-boggling subject, telling the story of how it came into being and how it will eventually be no more. 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 the deepest depths of the universe.

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Book SynopsisA dramatic refutation of the dominant paradigm in biological thinking and popular science. A short introduction to evolutionary theory and the misconceptions that have come out of it. Short, clear and thought provoking - a must read for the general audience.

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Book SynopsisGet ready for the shocking truth about botanical sex. Did you know bee orchids trick insects into having sex with them? Or that avocado flowers open female one day and male the next? Discover over 200 of nature’s most unseemly creations in this sensational exposé. Trade ReviewThe sex life of plants did not top my list of "things one is curious about" but on reading Michael Allaby's neat hardback I had a change of heart. There is much switching of gender and some rather modern practices, but the light-hearted tone is supplemented by genuine erudition. -- Alexandra Henton * The Field *What secret raunchiness is going on in your garden without your knowledge? No, the doggers haven’t come to town, it’s the plants that are getting naughty in this light-hearted botanical volume, packed with delightful illustrations. -- Prudence Ivey * Ham & High *Delve into the world of botanical sex and discover the techniques used by plants to enter into unseemly liaisons to reproduce and survive. * Gardens Illustrated *

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Book SynopsisParis at the time of the French Revolution was the world capital of science. Its scholars laid the foundations of today''s physics, chemistry and biology. They were true revolutionaries: agents of an upheaval both of understanding and of politics. Many had an astonishing breadth of talents. The Minister of Finance just before the upheaval did research on crystals and the spread of animal disease. After it, Paris''s first mayor was an astronomer, the general who fought off invaders was a mathematician while Marat, a major figure in the Terror, saw himself as a leading physicist. Paris in the century around 1789 saw the first lightning conductor, the first flight, the first estimate of the speed of light and the invention of the tin can and the stethoscope. The metre replaced the yard and the theory of evolution came into being. The city was saturated in science and many of its monuments still are. The Eiffel Tower, built to celebrate the Revolution''s centennial, saw the worlTrade ReviewAn ingenious guidebook to the scientific past of Paris, written in lucid, erudite prose -- Ruth Scurr * New Statesman *Every section provides a richly informative guide to the history of a different scientific subject - from evolution to the rise of the potato * Daily Mail *A wonderful read * Guardian *Jones makes his mark as a popular science historian * New Scientist *[An] erudite mixture of science and history . . . a wide-ranging look at the discoveries of the era * Publishers Weekly *The outcomes are never what anyone could have guessed, and watching Jones unfurl them is spellbinding -- Peter Carey * Sunday Times *Jones is an excellent writer of popular science, but he is also able to cross over seamlessly into lucid discussions of culture and history * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisIn The Accidental Universe, physicist and novelist Alan Lightman explores the emotional and philosophical questions raised by discoveries in science, focusing most intently on the human condition and the needs of humankind.Here, in a collection of exhilarating essays, Lightman shows us our own universe from a series of fascinating and diverse perspectives. He takes on the difficult dialogue between science and religion; the conflict between our human desire for permanence and the impermanence of nature; the possibility that our universe is simply an accident; the manner in which modern technology has divorced us from enjoying a direct experience of the world; and our resistance to the view that our bodies and minds can be explained by scientific logic and laws alone.With his customary passion, precision, lyricism and imagination, in The Accidental Universe Alan Lightman leaves us with the suggestion - heady and humbling - that what we see and understandTrade ReviewAlan Lightman might be the only writer who can dance through not just one but seven universes in a book not much larger than a human hand. * The Columbus Dispatch *

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed popular-science writer Brian Clegg and popular TV and radio astronomer Rhodri Evans give us a Top Ten list of physicists as the central theme to build an exploration of the most exciting breakthroughs in physics, looking not just at the science, but also the fascinating lives of the scientists themselves. The Top Ten are: 1.Isaac Newton (1642-1727)2.Niels Bohr (1885-1962)3.Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)4.Albert Einstein (1879-1955)5.James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879)6.Michael Faraday (1791-1867)7.Marie Curie (1867-1934)8.Richard Feynman (1918-1988)9.Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937)10.Paul Dirac (1902-1984)Each of these figures has made a huge contribution to physics. Some are household names, others more of a mystery, but in each case there is an opportunity to combine a better understanding of the way that each of them has advanced our knowledge of the universe with an exploration of their often unusual, always interestiTrade ReviewThis is a lovely book, easy to read, and sure to provoke debate * John Gribbin, author of In Search of the Multiverse *

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Book Synopsis''A dazzling chronicle, a bracing challenge to modernity''s smug assumptions'' - Bryce Christensen, Booklist''O what a world of profit and delightOf power, of honour and omnipotenceIs promised to the studious artisan.''Christopher Marlowe, Dr FaustusBetween the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, Europe changed out of all recognition and particularly transformative were the ardent quest for knowledge and the astounding discoveries and inventions which resulted from it. The movement of blood round the body; the movement of the earth round the sun; the velocity of falling objects (and, indeed, why objects fall) - these and numerous other mysteries had been solved by scholars in earnest pursuit of scientia. Several keys were on offer to thinkers seeking to unlock the portal of the unknown:Folk religion had roots deep in the pagan past. Its devotees sought the aid of spirits. They had stores of ancient wisdom, particTrade ReviewA dazzling chronicle, a bracing challenge to modernity's smug assumptions -- Bryce Christensen * Booklist *Covers a lot of ground without being superficial . . . a rich and interesting book -- Kostas Kampourakis * Springer Nature *

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Book SynopsisHIGHLY COMMENDED for the British Medical Awards book prize for Popular Medicine''Filled with emotionally resonant stories, Can''t Just Stop helps us understand not only the underpinnings of some forms of mental illness, but also the everyday worries that drive so much of our behaviour. A fascinating peek into the human mind in our age of anxiety.''David Kessler, author of Capture: Unraveling the Mystery of Mental Suffering Do you check your smartphone continuously for messages? Or perhaps do the weekly shop with military precision? Maybe you always ensure the cutlery is perfectly lined up on the table?Compulsion is something most of us have witnessed in daily life. But compulsions exist along a broad continuum, and at the opposite end of these mild forms are life-altering disorders.Sharon Begley''s meticulously researched book is the first of its kind to examine the science behind both mild and extreme compulsive beha

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Book SynopsisIs it possible for humans to live on other planets?What will happen on the next mission to the Moon?And was there really once life on Mars?Brought to you by the infectiously enthusiastic team behind The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society, The Year in Space highlights the most exciting space news from the past twelve months and looks forward to the year ahead. Packed with features, interviews, in-depth explainers and stunning photography, it covers everything from the extraordinary new images from the James Webb telescope to the search for extraterrestrial life. You''ll also find practical tips on what to look out for in the night sky in 2023. Fun, engaging and accessible, this is essential reading for every space enthusiast.Trade ReviewEverything you could possibly want to know about recent space science accomplishments. Expertly delivered with a human touch. * Professor Lucie Green *What a superb astronomical companion book this is. A fantastic snapshot and collection of all our astro and space travel events in this feverishly busy chapter we're travelling through! A fascinating and accessible read that shows what a hugely inspiring period this is, consolidating our place ever further into space. * Jon Culshaw *

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Book SynopsisWhat is Big Data, and why should you care?Big data knows where you''ve been and who your friends are. It knows what you like and what makes you angry. It can predict what you''ll buy, where you''ll be the victim of crime and when you''ll have a heart attack. Big data knows you better than you know yourself, or so it claims.But how well do you know big data?You''ve probably seen the phrase in newspaper headlines, at work in a marketing meeting, or on a fitness-tracking gadget. But can you understand it without being a Silicon Valley nerd who writes computer programs for fun?Yes. Yes, you can.Timandra Harkness writes comedy, not computer code. The only programmes she makes are on the radio. If you can read a newspaper you can read this book.Starting with the basics what IS data? And what makes it big? Timandra takes you on a whirlwind tour of how people are using big data today: from science to smart cities, business to politics, self-quantification to the Internet of ThiTrade ReviewA superb explanation of how we got to today. * Evening Standard *Harkness has the perfect combination of wit, charm and statistical insight to crunch big data. It's the book about stats, life and big data we've all been waiting for. -- Matt Parker, Stand-up MathematicianHarkness raises some very big questions indeed, not just about the grandiose claims of the big data evangelists, but also about how in the age of universal surveillance we can defend the concept of privacy. * The Herald *A wonderful collection of fascinating data stories, all told in Timandra's smart and chatty style. But this book also asks the important questions. If big data brings new opportunities, just what are the implications? -- Hannah Fry, author and mathematicianA brilliant guide to our brave new world. -- Brian CleggThis book is a great read – full of interesting stories and fun interviews. But it is not just another credulous tale of technological wonders – Harkness is suitably sceptical of the hype about data analytics, and serious about the challenges is brings. -- David Spiegelhalter, author and mathematicianTable of ContentsIntroduction: What is it? Where did it come from? 1: What Is Data? And what makes it big? 2: Death and Taxes. And Babies. 3: Thinking Machines What Has Big Data Done For Us? 4: Big Business 5: Big Science 6: Big Society 7: Data Driven Democracy Big Ideas? 8: Big Brother 9: Who Do We Think You Are? 10: Are You A Data Point Or A Human Being? Appendix - things you can do to keep your data private Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisAs you read this, billions of neutrinos from the sun are passing through your body, antimatter is sprouting from your dinner and the core of your being is a chaotic mess of particles known only as quarks and gluons.If the recent discovery of the Higgs boson piqued your interest, then Why The Universe Exists will take you deeper into the world of particle physics, with leading physicists and New Scientist exploring how the universe functions at the smallest scales. Find out about hunt for dark matter and why there is something rather than nothing. Discover how accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland are rewinding time to the first moments after the big bang, and how ghostly neutrino particles may hold the answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe. ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subject

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Book SynopsisThe story of how our ancestors made the first tentative steps towards becoming human, how we lost our fur but gained language, fire and tools, and how we strode out of Africa, invented farming and cities and ultimately created modern civilisation

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Book SynopsisA myth-busting, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping and fun-filled expedition through the world of Game of Thrones.Trade ReviewThe book is a breezy, funny, but thoroughly researched survey of the fantastic wonders on Game of Thrones. * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisBy the simple expedient of asking questions and conducting experiments to answer them, science has transformed our understanding of the world. It has made us who we are, and revealed a universe that is older, bigger and stranger than we could ever have imagined.The Big Ideas in Science is an accessible and easy-to-use introduction to the scientific world, what it has achieved over the past few hundred years and what it promises for the future. Covering everything from the Big Bang to global warming, it provides everything you need to know in one book.You will learn what science has discovered about matter, space, energy, life, weather and information, and how we have transformed these discoveries into our modern technologies. You will witness the birth of the solar system, follow ocean currents for thousands of miles, ride on beams of light and, ultimately, gain a deeper understanding of issues as complex as global warming, and as controversial as synthetic life.ABOUT THE SERIESThe Complete Introduction series from Teach Yourself is the ultimate one-stop guide for anyone wanting a comprehensive and accessible entry point into subjects as diverse as philosophy, mathematics, psychology, economics and practical electronics. Loved by students and perfect for general readers who simply want to learn more about the world around them, these books are your first choice for discovering something new.Table of Contents : How we got here 1.: Bang, we're off 2.: Molecules in space 3.: Recipe for a solar system 4.: Life begins 5.: Evolution and extinction : Way of all flesh 6.: Life in sequence 7.: From the bottom up 8.: Getting it on 9.: Man the defences 10.: Attack of the nerves : Earth, wind and fire 11.: Ground beneath our feet 12.: Shake, rattle and roll 13.: Earth rocks 14.: Wet and windy 15.: Stormy water : We have the technology 16.: Full of energy 17.: Coming in waves 18.: Information overload 19.: Pedal to the metal 20.: It's alive : When science goes bad 21.: Fraud, fakery and fantasy 22.: Shocks and scares 23.: Hot enough for you? 24.: Apocalypse now 25.: Know your limits : Science of the future 26.: Back to the future 27.: A.I. 28.: Innerspace 29.: A space odyssey 30.: Things to come

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Book SynopsisThe Four Horsemen - War, Pestilence, Famine and Death - first appeared in the Book of Revelations a thousand years ago, but they continue to track us in our own time. This original and inspiring study bycelebrated historian Emily Mayhew traces the advances in science, technology and humanitarianism that are enabling us to take them on, one by one.'The beauty of The Four Horsemen is how she takes her quaking readers to the edge of the abyss . . . I was left moved and uplifted . . . [A] first-class example of popular science' The Times'[A] thoughtful and ultimately uplifting analysis of the unsung heroes of our age' IndependentIt begins in Mosul, our oldest surviving city, and the extraordinary coalition created in a matter of days to save its people from the worst horrors of the liberation battle against ISIS. As the city and the humanitarian operation that helped it to survive are restructured for a new age, Mayhew shows other people whose work gives us hope for the future, from the search to find new ways to discover and use antimicrobial medicines and the innovations in preventing the spread of deadly viruses; the laboratory work being taken to protect crops from disease and reduce famine, and why the potato, not the banana is the future; to the unique courage and resolution of those dedicated to securing the rights of the dead and their families. Standing in the way of the Horsemen is what Emily Mayhew calls, 'the most extraordinary alliance ever to come together in defence of our humanity.' These are the doctors, scientists, statisticians, engineers, peace negotiators, pharmacists, historians, forensic scientists, vaccinators and volunteers who are creating solutions to life and death problems which threaten us all. They are the new heroes of our age and this book is about them.Trade ReviewThe most gripping non-fiction book I have read in a very long time -- Mark Haddon, on A Heavy ReckoningA Fascinating book * The Times, on Wounded *An engaging piece of research, history and recollection * The Economist, on The Guinea Pig Club *[A] thoughtful and ultimately uplifting analysis of the unsung heroes of our age * Independent *Mayhew's book is rich in explanation and background detail...Although this is a scary book, it is also one full of hope * Independent *The beauty of The Four Horsemen is how she takes her quaking readers to the edge of the abyss, encouraging them to peek into the darkness below, then gently pulls them back, explaining how the worst can be averted, by dint of carefully accumulated wisdom, generosity of spirit, hard work and sheer ingenuity . . . I was left moved and uplifted . . . [I]n this first-class example of popular science Mayhew demonstrates that's also where salvation lies. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis'What I like best about this fascinating book is the detail. Brian Butterworth doesn't just tell us stories of animals with numerical abilities: he tells us about the underlying science. Elegantly written and a joy to read' - Professor Ian Stewart, author of What's the Use? and Taming the Infinite'Full of thought-provoking studies and animal observations' - Booklist'Enlightening and entertaining' - Publishers WeeklyThe Hidden Genius of Animals: Every pet owner thinks their own dog, cat, fish or hamster is a genius. What makes CAN FISH COUNT? so exciting is the way it unveils just how widespread intelligence is in nature. Pioneering psychologist Brian Butterworth describes the extraordinary numerical feats of all manner of species ranging from primates and mammals to birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Whether it's lions deciding to fight or flee, frogs competing for mates, bees navigating their way to food sources, fish assessing which shoal to join, or jackdaws counting friends when joining a mob - every species shares an ability to count.Homo Sapiens may think maths is our exclusive domain, but this book shows that every creature shares a deep-seated Darwinian ability to understand the intrinsic language of our universe: mathematics CAN FISH COUNT? is that special sort of science book - a global authority in his field writing an anecdotally-rich and revelatory narrative which changes the way you perceive something we take for granted.Trade ReviewHis densely detailed but remarkably clear exploration, illuminated by fascinating experiments, maps our understanding of numeration in the animal kingdom * Nature *

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Book SynopsisReveals the lesser-known facts about famous inventors, including their less successful and sometimes ludicrous inventions.

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Book SynopsisConventional wisdom has it that science is boring. “The Science Files,” an hourly radio call-in talk show about science, is anything but boring, and certainly none of the listeners, emailers or tweeters who participate in the call-in radio talk show think science is boring either. Richard Zurawski has been hosting “The Science Files” for eight years and has fielded literally thousands of questions. This book, The Science Files, is about the questions that listeners have been asking about science and the way the world, nature and the universe works. Compiled by Zurawski, the questions and answers in this book are lively, engaging and interesting discussions about a wide range of topics. Present throughout is Zurawski’s passion for learning and his genuine fascination with the natural world. Furthermore, The Science Files is a dialogue that encourages readers and participants alike to continue to learn and to ask questions.

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Book SynopsisAuthor of the best-selling book The Elements Theodore Gray demonstrates essential scientific principles through thrilling daredevil experiments. 'What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in.' ?Adam Savage, cohost of Mythbusters 'Theodore Gray?has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire.' ?Cecil Adams, 'TheStraight Dope' 'Gray's encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun.' ?Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings, Musicophilia, and Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical BoyhoodIn Mad Science, Theodore Gray launches a toy rocket using the energy released from an Oreo cookie, ignites a phosphorus sun by suspending half a gram of white phosphorus in a globe filled with pure oxygen and creates a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. These are just a few of the 54 experiments included in this astonishing book that demonstrates essential scientific principles in ways you were likely never exposed to in school. Every experiment in Mad Science is accompanied by full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to rarely seen chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. To further enhance the hands-on experience, Gray includes step-by-step instructions for nearly every experiment. Following all of the safety guidelines, readers can even re-create some of the experiments in the book. Mad Science is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things chemical, electrical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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Book SynopsisAuthor of the best-selling book The Elements Theodore Gray demonstrates essential scientific principles through thrilling daredevil experiments. 'What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in.' ?Adam Savage, cohost of Mythbusters 'Theodore Gray?has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire.' ?Cecil Adams, 'TheStraight Dope' 'Gray's encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun.' ?Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings, Musicophilia, and Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical BoyhoodIn Mad Science, Theodore Gray launches a toy rocket using the energy released from an Oreo cookie, ignites a phosphorus sun by suspending half a gram of white phosphorus in a globe filled with pure oxygen and creates a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. These are just a few of the 54 experiments included in this astonishing book that demonstrates essential scientific principles in ways you were likely never exposed to in school. Every experiment in Mad Science is accompanied by full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to rarely seen chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. To further enhance the hands-on experience, Gray includes step-by-step instructions for nearly every experiment. Following all of the safety guidelines, readers can even re-create some of the experiments in the book. Mad Science is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things chemical, electrical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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Book SynopsisThe Periodic Table of Poems is a unique collection of 93 short poems that explores the properties and nuances of each element in the periodic table. Davern discusses the science, history, and quirks of each element--things like why potassium reacts explosively with water, what about arsenic makes it both a deadly poison and a cure for syphilis, and how mercury inspired the term "mad as a hatter". For example- Li, small and light, the soft metal with mettle! Keeps much of our mobile-power'd world in good fettle; In sea and in soil, Floats on water and oil, Has helped many's the troubled mind settle.Trade Review"Delightful poems about the chemical elements that inhabit the periodic table" -- Dr. Eric Scerri, UCLA and author of The Periodic Table: Its Story and its Significance "An extraordinary book" -- Sir Martyn Poliakoff, University of Nottingham and Co-Presenter of The Periodic Table of Videos

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining and digestible volume that demystifies science, from the author of 16 bestselling popular science books.

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Book SynopsisFINALIST for the Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books“This book shows that chemistry is not just relevant to life; it’s really, really interesting.”—Foreword Reviews, STARRED reviewA perfect book for readers of The Physics of Everyday Things and Storm in a TeacupHave you ever wondered why your alarm clock sends you spiraling? Or how toothpaste works on your teeth? Why do cakes and cookies sometimes turn out dry? (Hint: you may not be adding enough sugar.) In Chemistry for Breakfast, award-winning chemist and science communicator Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim reveals the amazing chemistry behind everyday things (like baking and toothpaste) and not-so-everyday things (like space travel). With a relatable, funny, and conversational style, she explains essential chemical processes everyone should know—and turns the ordinary into extraordinary.Over the course of a single day, Mai shows us that chemistry is everywhere: we just have to look for it. In the morning, her partner’s much-too-loud alarm prompts a deep dive into biological clocks, fight-or-flight responses, and melatonin’s role in making us sleepy. Before heading to the lab, she explains how the stress hormone cortisol helps wake us up, and brews her morning coffee with a side of heat conduction and states of matter.Mai continues her day with explainers of cell phone technology, food preservation, body odor, baking, the effects of alcohol, and the chemistry behind the expression “love drunk.” All the while, she shows us what it’s really like to be a working chemist, and fights against the stereotype of a nerd playing with test tubes in a lab coat.Filled with charming illustrations, laughter, and plenty of surprises, Chemistry for Breakfast is a perfect book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of chemistry without having prior knowledge of the science. With Mai as your guide, you’ll find something fascinating everywhere around you.Trade Review“This book shows that chemistry is not just relevant to life; it’s really, really interesting. Its is an insider’s look into scientists’ minds, social interactions, and laboratories that will change the way that readers view their lives, surroundings, and bodies … and gives advice that you didn’t know you needed. Chemistry for Breakfast is an engaging, accessible, and downright fun science book.”—Foreword Reviews, STARRED review“With its wealth of examples taken from everyday life, from soap to toothpaste, Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim’s charming romp through the essence of chemistry may just inspire a new generation of chemists.”—Larry Gonick, author of The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry“In Chemistry for Breakfast, Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim uses her passion for science to give us a lighthearted and enjoyable look into the fascinating discoveries hidden in the things we encounter every day.”—Dr. Steven Farmer, author of Strange Chemistry: The Stories Your Chemistry Teacher Wouldn't Tell You“It is hard to resist being swept up in Mai's enthusiasm and begin to see the world—as she does—as a wonder of interacting chemical processes.”—Dr. Paul May, professor at the University of Bristol, editor of the website Molecule of the Month, and co-author of Molecules that Amaze Us“Chemistry for Breakfast bristles with imaginative ideas, and its fresh style will commend it to many readers, particularly those who would not usually read a ‘chemistry book’.”—Dr. Simon Cotton, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham“As readers journey through revelations about chemicals found in the likes of toothpaste, hamburgers, the brain and even human flatus, they may hardly notice that along the way they have been painlessly educated in the nuances of chemical bonding. Chemistry for Breakfast is a wonderful remedy for chemophobia, a condition that seems to be infectious and is much in need of treatment.”—Joe Schwarcz, Chemistry Professor and Director, McGill Office for Science and Society“Blended with physics, biology and medicine, Mai’s book Chemistry for Breakfast is a magical tour of the fundamentals of chemistry and its impact on science and society.”—K.C. Nicolaou, PhD, Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry at Rice University and CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research

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Book SynopsisThe discovery of vitamins changed our world dramatically. Terrifying diseases such as scurvy, which had claimed the lives of millions, became preventable and curable. But before long word of these ‘miracles’ had spread from the laboratory and into the hands of food marketers. Decades of over-hyped advertising later and we’ve accepted as fact the idea that dietary chemicals can be used as shortcuts to improving our health. Award-winning journalist Catherine Price goes in search of the truth about vitamins, taking us to vitamin manufacturers, food laboratories and military testing kitchens. In this page-turning investigation of the history, science and future of nutrition, she reveals just how much we still don’t know about vitamins – the way they work in our bodies and the amounts we really need. Engaging, witty and personal, The Vitamin Complex proposes an alternative to our obsessive vitamin-driven approach to nutrition – given our lack of knowledge, the best way to decide what to eat is to stop obsessing and simply embrace this uncertainty head-on.Trade Review'An excellent book...10/10...a deeply satisfying masterpiece of nutrition science writing'. * NHD Magazine *‘Gets to the nub of how we have become nutritionally idiotic… alarming’ * Sunday Times *‘Engaging… makes a compelling case for the importance of eating real food’ * BBC Focus *'Measured, funny and fascinating. . . . If you need vitamins to survive (you do), you should read this book.' * Scientific American *'[An] absorbing and meticulously researched history of the beginnings and causes of our obsession with vitamins and nutrition.' * New York Times *'Behind the bizarre disconnect between rigorous drug regulation and a ‘whatever’ approach to dietary supplements are industry lobbying, Oz-like doctors and politicians on both sides of the aisle whose states benefit from the thousands of jobs provided by the multi-billion-dollar supplement industry. It is not a new story, but Ms. Price gives it a vigorous retelling. She also reminds us that the prophets of vitamania, and their political allies, would all be powerless if it were not for a peculiar kind of deficiency in ourselves that keeps us reaching for ‘a salve against uncertainty.’ Faced with such primal fears, it seems, science is powerless.' * Wall Street Journal *'[Price’s] investigation, full of scurvy-ridden sailors, questionable nutritional supplements and solid science, is both entertaining and enlightening.' * Discover *‘Well told’ * Spectator *‘A much-needed critique of the nation’s obsession with nutritional supplements. Price exposes the less-than-scientific roots of what has become a multi-billion industry, along with the inadequate regulatory oversight that drives unsavory marketing practices. The book concludes with this refreshing advice: get your nutrition from eating real food.’ -- Michele Simon, President of Eat Drink Politics, and author of Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back‘This is a fascinating look at what we know – and mostly what we don’t – about vitamins. You'll never look at the a bottle of multivitamins the same way again.’ -- Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better‘This entertaining and informative book traces the history of vitamins and nutritional diseases . . . Readers interested in health, and those who enjoy Marion Nestle’s books will want to read this work . . . An excellent addition to collections in public and consumer health libraries.’ * Library Journal *‘Catherine Price gives us a journalist’s entertaining romp through the fascinating history of the discovery of vitamins, and their use and marketing as objects of health obsession. Faith in vitamins, she advises, should be tempered by scientific uncertainty and dietary complexity, and the understanding that foods are better sources than pills.’ -- Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University and author of What to Eat'Price’s sharp wit, skillful and vivid translation of science into story, and valiant inquisitiveness (she insists on tasting synthetic vitamins and gets buzzed on the military’s caffeinated meat sticks) make for an electrifying dissection of our vitamin habit in contrast to our irrevocable need for naturally nutrient-rich food.' * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWhat can we learn from fish in a pond? How do social networks connect the world? How can artificial intelligences learn? Why would life be different in a mirror universe? Mathematics is everywhere, whether we are aware of it or not. Exploring the subject through 35 of its often odd and unexpected applications, this book provides an insight into the 'hidden wiring' that governs our world. From the astonishing theorems that control computers to the formulae behind stocks and shares, and from the foundations of the internet to the maths behind medical imaging, Chaotic Fishponds and Mirror Universes explains how mathematics determines every aspect of our lives - right down to the foundations of our bodies.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Knowing me, knowing you - The mathematical hierarchies of knowledge. An average chapter - Mathematical definitions of the typical. Atomic networks and chemical trees - Chemical graph theory and the make-up of molecules. All-conquering algorithms - The backbone of the computer age. Getting a proper perspective - Projective geometry and the world of art. Our pixellated planet - The mathematics of digital photography. The dynamic solar system - The mathematics of planetary motion. Creating electronic brains - The mathematics of machine learning. Untangling the stuff of life - The mathematics of DNA. Ballot box paradox - The mathematics of elections. Our CGI world - Triangulation and computer-generated imagery. Mirrors and molecules - The (a)symmetries of the universe. Syphilis and Christmas lights - The mathematics of group-testing. The chaos in the fishpond - The untidy growth of populations. The rise of homo economicus - The mathematical basis of decision theory. The hole story - The shapes of the universe. Rain or shine? - The mathematics of weather forecasting. Smoke and mirrors - Statistical illusions and numerical mirages. Where are we? - GPS geometry and Einstein's explorations. More bang for your buck - Optimizing the world. Our electronic friends - The mathematics of social networks. Tea-tasting and trials - The mathematics of significance. The calm at the eye of the storm - Fixed points and the nature of equilibrium. One small step... - The mathematics of space travel. Tulip bubbles and hedge funds - Futures, options and the ups and downs of markets. Teacher troubles - The tricky world of timetables. Let there be light - The extraordinarily useful geometry of optics. The battle against disease - Mathematical models and the spread of infection. Wave-worlds - The mathematics of sound and light. Search-engine society - The algorithm behind Google's PageRank. Hold the line, please! - The mathematics of queues. Avoiding bad language - Correcting mistakes in digital communication. Automata and articulation - The mathematics of robot movement. Hot stuff - The mathematics of energy and entropy. The perils of paradox - Type theory and programming. Index.

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Book SynopsisCan We Travel Through Time? addresses 20 of the most fundamental and frequently asked questions in physics. What is the God particle? Does chaos theory spell disaster? Am I unique in the universe? What is light? Each 3,000 word essay examines these eternally perplexing questions in a way that is comprehensible to everyone, providing the ultimate guide to understanding the very nature of the world we live in.Trade Review'clearly and concisely encapsulates some of the more interesting conundrums that those not in the know might want to ask those who ought to know ' How It Works Works magazine. * How It Works Works magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction. What is the point of physics? - Impossible questions, unexpected rewards, and the never-ending quest for understanding. What is time? - Progress, disorder and Einstein's elastic clocks. What happened to Schrodinger's cat? - Quantum physics and the nature of reality. Why does an apple fall? - Gravity, mass and the enigma of relativity. Are solids really solid? - Atoms, quarks and solids that slip through your fingers. Why is there no such thing as a free lunch? - Energy, entropy and the search for perpetual motion. Is everything ultimately random? - Uncertainty, quantum reality and the probably role of statistics. What is the God Particle? - The Higgs boson, the LHC and the search for the meaning of mass. Am I unique? - The limits of our universe and the search for parallel worlds. Can we travel through time? - Where relativity meets science fiction. Is Earth's magnetic shield failing? - Drifting poles, the planet's churning core and the threat to life on Earth. Why does E=mc2? - The equation that underpins the universe. Can I change the universe with a single glance? - Spooky quantum links and the chance to rewrite history. Does chaos theory spell disaster? - The butterfly effect's influence on weather, climate and the motions of the planets. What is light? - A strange kind of wave, and an even stranger kind of particle. Is string theory really about strings? - The vibrations that create our universe. Why is there something rather than nothing? - The Big Bang, antimatter and the mystery of our existence. Do we live in a simulation? - Human nature, the laws of physics, and the march of technological progress. Which is nature's strongest force? - The ties that bind the universe, and their origin in the superforce. What is the true nature of reality? - Beyond the quantum world lies the realm of information. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisHow did the atom bomb help save the elephant? Have we found the secret to eternal youth? Could a parasite be manipulating you right now? This dazzling collection of stories reveals the key recent breakthroughs in science, across all fields. Inside you will meet the killers lurking in Earth's ice, the super-coral that could save our seas and the neuroscientists hunting ghosts. You will travel beyond our galaxy to worlds where the sun sets twice, and beyond our time to a future where the Internet is unhackable and chickenosaurs roam the land. Divided into sections covering physics, space, humanity, the brain, plants and animals, and linking stories from different fields, Unbelievable Science offers a boundless journey of discovery for anyone with a passion for the world around them. Prepare to be shocked and amazed on every page.

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Book SynopsisThe atom. The Big Bang. DNA. Natural selection. All ideas that have revolutionised science - and that were dismissed out of hand when they first appeared. The surprises haven't stopped: here, Michael Brooks, bestselling author of 13 Things that Don't Make Sense, investigates the new wave of unexpected insights that are shaping the future of scientific discovery. Through eleven radical new insights, Brooks takes us to the extreme frontiers of what we understand about the world. He journeys from the observations that might rewrite our history of the universe, through the novel biology behind our will to live, and on to the physiological root of consciousness. Along the way, he examines how the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials means that many of the drugs we use are less effective on women than men and more likely to have adverse effects, explores how merging humans with other species might provide a solution to the shortage of organ donors, and finds out if there is such a thing as the will to live. When we think about science, we often think of iron-clad facts. But today more than ever, our unshakeable truths have been shaken apart. As Michael Brooks reveals, the best science is about open-mindedness, imagination and a love of mind-boggling adventures at the edge of uncertainty.Trade ReviewMichael Brooks is the canniest science writer around. He writes, above all, with attitude * Independent *Brooks reawakens us to the astonishing fact of our mere existence, the strangeness of the world around us, and the astonishing amount that science has yet to discover * Sunday Times *

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