Popular science Books

Book SynopsisIncreasing evidence suggests that hidden, low-level inflammation may be the number one cause of modern disease. Shilpa Ravella, an expert in nutrition and the gut, explains why our immune systems are turning against us and what we might do about it.'Controlling inflammation is the key to good health and this beautifully written and researched book is the best way to understand it' TIM SPECTOR, #1 bestselling author of Food for Life'A beautiful and authoritative dive into one of the most important scientific frontiers of our time' DANIEL M. DAVIS, Professor of Immunology and author of The Beautiful Cure___Inflammation is the body's response to injury and foreign microbes. But as our environments and diets have changed, low-level inflammation, simmering quietly and undetected, has been identified behind everything from heart disease and cancer to mysterious autoimmune conditions.Shilpa Ravella is a doctor at the forefront of this field, specialising in gut transplants, nutrition and the microbiome. In A Silent Fire she interweaves the latest research with unusual case studies from her own practice and the history of immunology to explain what we know about this elusive phenomenon. She debunks common myths about 'anti-inflammatory' lifestyles and explains the simple principles by which we can reform our relationship with food and our microbiomes to benefit our health.___'As gripping as a mystery story and as useful as a self-help book' BEE WILSON, author of First Bite'Compelling, thoughtful and rigorously researched' The TimesTrade ReviewAs gripping as a mystery story and as useful as a self-help book, A Silent Fire may change the way you eat as well as opening your eyes to the hidden connections between microbes and medicine, the food we eat and the air we breathe * Bee Wilson, author of First Bite and The Way We Eat Now *Controlling Inflammation is the key to good health and this beautifully written and researched book is the best way to understand itCompelling, thoughtful and rigorously researched ... Ravella fuses scientific history with something more in the line of a self-help guide ... if your new year's resolution involves a promise to take care of yourself, this book might just help it stick too * The Times *A beautiful and authoritative deep dive into one of the most important scientific frontiers of our time. Big new ideas in health and medicine are explained brilliantly, using case studies, history and cutting-edge research. Every page is fascinating * Daniel M. Davis, author of The Beautiful Cure and The Secret Body *A must read ... Shilpa Ravella, a gastroenterologist with a writer's gift for translating complex science into clean, beautiful prose, is the perfect person to tell this gripping taleRavella's fascinating exploration of the body food, and history will sweep you up ... A book that could not only reshape readers' understanding of their own systems and choices but possibly medicine itselfA spellbinding tale ... unveils how the two-edged sword of inflammation shapes the past, present, and future of our healthAn enlightening dive into the medical science at the root of the modern epidemic of chronic diseases and what it all means for healthy eatingAccessible and engaging, [winds] together a wonderful historical perspective with cutting-edge scienceA fascinating primer on the crucial role of inflammation in our bodies ... Ravella's writing style keeps even the most dense page engaging. She breathes life into biological functions ... [this] book is perfect for those looking to delve deeper into the history and intricate workings of immunology, diet and disease * New Scientist *[A] fascinating, case-oriented, story of inflammation, diet and disease * Nature *

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Book SynopsisNearly two decades in the making, The Warped Side of Our Universe marks the historic collaboration of Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne and award-winning artist Lia Halloran. It brings to vivid life the wonders and wildness of our universe’s “Warped Side”—objects and phenomena made from warped space and time, from colliding black holes and collapsing wormholes to twisting space vortices and down-cascading time. Through poetic verse and otherworldly paintings, the authors explicate Thorne’s and colleagues’ astrophysical discoveries and speculations, with an epic narrative that asks: How did the universe begin? Can anything travel backwards in time? And what weird and marvellous phenomena inhabit the Warped Side? Featuring more than 100 paintings, including a soaring Stephen Hawking, this one-of-a-kind volume, with its multiple gatefolds, takes us on an Odyssean voyage into and through The Warped Side of Our Universe.Trade Review"A fascinating account of our universe's most bewildering phenomena written entirely in verse... Dimension-defying paintings decorate every page. The textual and visual narrative that emerges is something akin to an epic poem about the nature of spacetime.... The enigmatic concepts discussed in ‘The Warped Side of Our Universe’ are some of the most difficult for humans to understand, but Mr. Thorne’s verse and Ms. Halloran’s art bring these far-out concepts down to earth. Even what the eye can’t see can be beautiful." -- Angelina Torre - The Wall Street Journal"Evocative... an ambitious art-science artifact.. grounded in cutting-edge research" -- David Kaiser - Science Magazine"Physicist Kip Thorne and artist Lia Halloran find a novel approach to exploring these topics in startling detail. The collaboration between the two is just as fascinating as the book itself...Written in verse form, Thorne’s writing is perfectly complemented by Halloran’s vivid illustrations in explaining how that research has pierced a universe that is ‘varied and vast.’ The paintings portray a swirling universe of wonders, explaining a black hole’s characteristics with images of Halloran’s wife being bent by its warped spacetime." -- Andrew DeMillo - Associated Press

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Book SynopsisWhat are the chances?! This exclamation greets the scarcely believable coincidence – you’re picked up by the same taxi driver several years and thousands of miles apart or, in a second-hand bookshop far from home, you find your own childhood copy of Winnie-the-Pooh on the shelf. But the unlikely is more probable than you think. Against every fibre of common sense, the fact is that it’s quite likely that some squirrel, somewhere, will be struck by lightning as it crosses the road. The chaos and unpredictability of our lives is an illusion. There is a rational order to the universe, and it’s called mathematics. Fluke is a fascinating investigation into the true nature of chance, a must-read for maths enthusiasts and avid storytellers alike, it tears down the veil of improbability to reveal the wonderfully possible. Trade Review‘Delightfully written.’ * E&T Magazine *'[An] entirely delightful slice of popular science...I'm no mathematician, and I was both fascinated and enchanted'. -- Alison Flood * Bookseller *‘Mazur uses probability to strip chance events of some of their mystery.’ * Guardian *‘Always entertaining and frequently insightful, Fluke is never less than thought-provoking.’ * Amir Alexander, Wall Street Journal *‘With charm and clarity, Joe Mazur leads us through the strange terrain of chance and surprise... A terrific read, and a welcome antidote to superstition and gullibility.’ -- Ian Stewart, author of Professor Stewart’s Incredible Numbers‘The chances are very slim that you’d ever read this blurb. A simple-minded calculation puts the odds at about 50,000 to one against. Yet... here you are. How weird is this seemingly far-fetched coincidence? Well, dear reader, you’ve picked up the right book to answer that question.’ -- Charles Seife, author of Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea‘Joe Mazur’s Fluke walks the reader, hand in steady hand, through the weird and dangerous landscape of extreme probability, distinguishing cause from correlate, and phenomenon from mere coincidence.’ -- Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not To Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking‘An exciting addition to the ranks of books exploring the mysteries of chance and coincidence in the vein of The Black Swan and The Improbability Principle.’ -- David J. Hand, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Imperial College London and author of The Improbability Principle

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Book SynopsisToday, the language of science is English. But the dominance of this particular language is a relatively recent phenomenon - and far from a foregone conclusion. In a sweeping history that takes us from antiquity to the modern day, Michael D. Gordin untangles the web of politics, money, personality and international conflict that created the monoglot world of science we now inhabit. Beginning with the rise of Latin, Gordin reveals how we went on to use (and then lose) Dutch, Italian, Swedish and many other languages on the way, and sheds light on just how significant language is in the nationalistic realm of science - just one word mistranslated into German from Russian triggered an inflammatory face-off between the two countries for the credit of having discovered the periodic table. Intelligent, revealing and full of compelling stories, Scientific Babel shows how the world has shaped science just as much as science has transformed the world.Trade ReviewInsightful, engaging and based on superb scholarship, lightly worn -- Mark Viney * New Scientist *Erudite and engaging * Nature *He has hit on a marvellous idea and executed it with panache and laconic humour. -- John Gallagher * Guardian *It is hard to imagine that anyone with even the slightest interest in science or language will fail to find this book a treat * Prospect *Perceptive ... insightfully and engagingly written, a masterful mix of intelligence and style. He illuminates an important side of science with academic rigor, but without a trace of academic obfuscation. * Science News *

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Book SynopsisHow is The Colour Code different to other books on colour? Well, the short answer is that it is a whole lot more fun - not least because it is extensively illustrated. We don't just get a story about Mummy Brown (the pigment made from Egyptian mummies), we see a painting created with pigments from the remains of French kings. We are reminded of the blue/gold dress that swept Twitter, view paintings by Mondrian (red ones sell for higher prices) and Van Eyck (he invented an enduring green), and inspect the red soles of Louboutin shoes. We see what lumps of Indian yellow look like, while reading what they are made of (strained cow's urine). We get to see the latest most vibrant pigment - YinMn Blue - and have a real estate agent's tour of Frank Sinatra's ranch (he was obsessed by orange). We see William Morris's arsenic-inflected wallpapers and hear about whether wallpaper killed Napoleon. We encounter the pink pussy hats worn on the Women's March and Elvis's pink jackets from Lansky's in Memphis, take in a history of the black dress from Audrey Hepburn to Princess Diana and a rare black chicken (even its eggs are black) from Indonesia. Featuring a cast of actors, artists, chemists, composers, dentists, dictators, fashion designers, film-makers, gods, musicians, mystics, physicists, poets, quacks, tigers and tycoons, The Colour Code will change the way we all perceive the spectrum - and see the world.Trade ReviewSuch fun. An illuminating story for every stitch in your wardrobe and pigment on your wall -- Simon Garfield, author * Just My Type *Fun ... If you want to know about football strips or national flags, why fire engines are red, why the Pope wears white or why the leader of the Tour de France has a yellow jersey you'll find the answer here -- Honor Clerk * Spectator *An entertaining, surprisingly informative piece of work that might even change the way we see the things around us -- Derek Parker * Weekend Australian *

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Book SynopsisDo Aliens Exist? And if they do - what would they look like? Where would they live? Would they be conscious beings? And what would happen if they found us? These are the biggest questions we've ever asked - and here, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, theoretical physicist and host of BBC Radio Four's The Life Scientific, blasts off in search of answers. Coming with him are Martin Rees, Ian Stewart, Louisa Preston, Monica Grady, Sara Seager, Paul Davies and a crack team of scientists and experts who've made it their life's work to discover the truth. So get ready to visit the ice boulders and hydrocarbon lakes of Saturn's moon Titan, meet the tiny eight-legged critters that could survive in space, and learn about the neuroscience behind belief in alien abductions. Along the way, you'll enter the mind of an octopus, work out the probability of us finding an alien civilisation and discover whether quantum computing might hold the secret to life itself. Lively, curious and filled with scientific insights fresh from the cutting edge of the Galaxy, Aliens is the perfect book for anyone who has ever looked up into the starry sky and wondered: are we alone?Trade ReviewA brilliantly sharp collection -- Nicola Davis * Observer *Jim Al-Khalili has gathered a useful cross-section of the brightest minds in space science ... [Aliens] goes far beyond the what and the where and the when of extraterrestrial-hunting to the biggest conundrum of all: why bother? ... This book is always lucid and sometimes unexpectedly beautiful. -- Oliver Moody * The Times *With a handsome cover sprinkled with green glitter, and pages wittily edged in matching green, this is an ideal stocking-filler for keen alien-fanciers -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWhat are the strangest numbers? Where do numbers come from? Can maths guarantee riches? Why are three dimensions not enough? Can a butterfly's wings really cause a hurricane? Can maths predict the future? In How Big is Infinity?, acclaimed writer Tony Crilly distills the wisdom of some of the greatest minds in history to help provide answers some of the most perplexing, stimulating and surprising questions in mathematics.Table of ContentsIntroduction. What is mathematics for? - An introduction to purposes and prospects. Where do numbers come from? - From notches on bones to hexadecimals. Why are primes the atoms of mathematics? - Building blocks and the fundamental theorem of arithmetic. Which are the strangest numbers? - Real, irrational and transcendental numbers. Are imaginary numbers truly imaginary? - From the imaginary 'I' to octonions. How big is infinity? - Set theory and the infinity revolution. Where do parallel lines meet? - The birth of new geometries. What is the mathematics of the universe? - The Calculus miracle. Are statistics lies? - Data, proof and 'damned lies'. Can mathematics guarantee riches? - Uncertainty, chance and probability theory. Is there a formula for everything? - Mathematical recipes and the search for knowledge. Why are three dimensions not enough? - Higher dimensions, monster curves and fractals. Can a butterfly's wings really cause a hurricane? - Chaos theory, weather equations and strange attractors. Can we create an unbreakable code? - Ciphers, the Enigma machine and quantum computers. Is mathematics beautiful? - Music, art, golden numbers and the Fibonacci sequence. Can mathematics predict the future? - Mathematical models, simulations and game theory. What shape is the universe? - Topology, manifolds and the Poincare conjecture. What is symmetry? - Patterns, dualities and the fundamental nature of reality. Is mathematics true? - From Plato's reality to Godel's incompleteness theorems. Is there anything left to solve? - The great unsolved problems and the future of mathematics. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered why ice floats, how the GPS on your mobile phone works (and what it has to do with Einstein), or why woollen jumpers shrink in the wash?In this fascinating scientific tour of household objects, The One Show's resident scientist Marty Jopson explains the answers to all of these, and many more, baffling questions about the chemistry and physics of the stuff we use every day. Always entertaining and with no special prior scientific knowledge required, this is the perfect book for anyone curious about the science that surrounds us.

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Book SynopsisEver wondered what a superhero eats for breakfast? Do they need a special diet to feed their superpowers? The odd metabolisms of superheroes must mean they have strange dietary needs, from the high calorie diets to fuel flaming bodies and super speeds, to not so obvious requirements for vitamins and minerals. The Secret Science of Superheroes looks at the underpinning chemistry, physics and biology needed for their superpowers. Individual chapters look at synthesising elements on demand, genetic evolution and what superhero suits could be made of. By exploring these topics, the book introduces a wide range of scientific concepts, from protein chemistry to particle physics for a general scientifically interested audience. With contributions from leading science communicators the book hopes to answer some of these important questions rather than debunk or pick holes in the science of superheroes.Trade ReviewCover-to-cover, the book is short and sweet, an experience populated with quintessential superheroes and comic history (the authors' knowledge is impressive). It introduces a wide range of topics that can captivate a diverse range of readers - from those with general science knowledge to comic book and film enthusiasts. What I enjoyed most about this book was how well it made difficult concepts understandable. -- Cam Meze * Nature Reviews Chemistry, Volume 1, 2017, Article Number 0089 * I found this book very inspirational - I do not think that there are many books that join fundamental science and popular fiction in such an engaging way! [A]n illustration of the fact that serious subjects can be explained in a fascinatingly clear way to which broader audience can easily relate. -- Darja Lavogina * Darja Lavogina * The secret science of superheroes is fun, engaging and suitable for superhero fans of any level. -- Aurora Walshe * Chemistry World, December 2017 * The Secret Science of Superheroes is quite possibly the best book I have read that uses science fiction as a vehicle for science fact. -- Michael Follows * Physics World, November 2017 * Much like superheroes, scientists tend to assemble...at conferences or science festivals. At one such event, the 2016 Manchester Science Festival to be precise, a team of like-minded scientists came together to try to suss out the real-world science behind everything from Wonder Woman's lasso to the Hulk's gigantic transformation. The result is The Secret Science of Superheroes - an eclectic collection of essays by 15 scientists and science communicators, edited by Mark Lorch and Andy Miah. While not explicitly a sequel to James Kakalios's The Physics of Superheroes, this book is greater than the sum of its parts and fills many of the gaps when it comes to other sciences including biology and chemistry. It is clear from the preface that the book does not aim to debunk the science (which is easy) - instead, it considers how science might make the superheroes plausible. Each section is concise and faster-paced than similar books, as the authors each had to fit their contributions into 15 or so pages. Laced with gentle humour, every chapter ends with a list of references for the interested reader. In biology, the book covers key issues such as evolution, epidemiology and cancer. Louise Gentle, from Nottingham Trent University, writes about the evolution of superpowers but starts with an excellent explanation of natural selection, before suggesting that X-Men mutants could originate from a founder population. Embryos develop structures reminiscent of gills, a testament to life evolving in the oceans. It is conceivable that an environmental trigger might lead to the expression of this ancestral characteristic and the appearance of Aquaman. Gentle shows that many living creatures possess the superpowers claimed by our superheroes and this refrain echoes throughout the book. For example, shape-shifting comes as naturally to the mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) as X-Men's Mystique. By using muscular hydrostatics to squeeze through an aperture the size of a pound coin, a 273 kg octopus outdoes Elastigirl. Although she can stretch any part of her body by 30 m, Elastigirl gets undone by the effect of turning forces - the further she stretches, the smaller the force she can apply - one of the few places in the book where we are confronted with the limits of superheroes. To a greater or lesser extent, all of the writers strayed from their superhero brief. For example, Isabel Pires, a life scientist at the University of Hull, uses the Hulk as a metaphor for how cancers develop. Paul Coxon, a materials scientist at the University of Cambridge, talks about lithium, though he cleverly weaves it into the superhero world by suggesting that we should not overlook the super elements we already have at our disposal. Felicity Heathcote-Marcz, at the University of Manchester, tells us that Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth was most likely a comic-book manifestation of the lie-detector test. After all, William Moulton Marston, who dreamt up and wrote the first Wonder Woman comics, also developed the systolic blood pressure test, an integral part of the polygraph. Rob Miles, from the University of Hull's school of engineering and computer science, writes about big data, computers and artificial intelligence, but he starts by talking about Tony Stark's (aka Iron Man) home computing system "Jarvis" (Just A Rather Very Intelligent System). Miles then turns his back on superheroes, veering to "homicidal HAL" in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: a Space Odyssey, before going into the Turing test, personal assistants such as Apple's Siri, and even Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. Miles closes by talking about recent, possibly state-sponsored, cyber-attacks and the dangers of big data. While Spider-Man is arguably the best superhero vehicle for explaining physics, the University of Surrey's Suze Kundu makes a persuasive case for using Batman and his costume to showcase composite materials. Kevlar would be a good choice for his suit, as it is bulletproof. This is because it spreads the force of an impact over a wide area, and this effect could be enhanced by incorporating a non-Newtonian material such as D3O. Already used in beanie hats worn by snowboarders, it stiffens on impact, turning the hat into a crash helmet and deforms slightly to absorb kinetic energy. Weaving in carbon nanotubes would enhance its tensile strength and provide a figure-hugging Faraday cage. Carbon is a conductor so Batman would be insulated from electric shocks, while heat would be channelled along the tubes. His cape could be made from "memory cloth" and the desired shape could be activated by an electrical current. If it were made of something like Nitinol, it could pop back into shape. Shape-memory materials are already in use as arterial stents and underwiring for bras. Of course, all these superheroes really need crumple zones or an airbag to avoid injury but this would compromise the visual spectacle and we are prepared to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. Meanwhile, scientists are developing supersuits for soldiers and people with disabilities, inspired by science fiction. Brian Mackenwells, of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, tries to trip up the Flash, who can run at a maximum speed of 140,000 mph (or just shy of 63 km/s) - an ideal pretext to talk about the physics of re-entry from space. Mackenwells uses the "isentropic gas equation" to work out that the temperature of someone running at Mach 182 would rise by 3.4 million DegreesC. Three strategies are used for space re-entry vehicles to minimize heating: ablation, where some material absorbs thermal energy and changes state; emission, where thermal energy is absorbed and then emitted as electromagnetic radiation; or using heat sink material with a high specific heat capacity, which is the only option open to the Flash. Mackenwells works out the Flash's specific heat capacity to be around 7 billion J kg-1 K-1, making him an amazing human heat-sink. Very few typographical errors sneaked in, though the book could have benefited from a few tables of data rather than some of the infographics used. Despite these small niggles, The Secret Science of Superheroes is quite possibly the best book I have read that uses science fiction as a vehicle for science fact. -- Michael Follows * Physics World * The secret science of superheroes is a collection of scientific essays that were written by a team of science writers over a single weekend, then compiled and edited by Mark Lorch and Andy Miah. While there are plenty of equations, diagrams and mind-bending concepts, it's definitely not a textbook. It's far too silly to be a textbook. In fact, there is a wonderful juxtaposition in using well-considered logical scientific arguments to explain the (often ridiculous) comic book world by, for example, predicting and understanding the physical properties of Captain America's vibranium shield or asking how easy it would be for Elastigirl to give birth. What I loved about this book was the fact that each chapter was independent and unique, and each had a different approach - which makes sense as each chapter is written by a different author talking about their own favourite subject in their own way. The secret science of superheroes addresses all of those niggling inconsistencies that hardcore nerds have grumbled about during movie marathons, but it also breaks the science down in a fun and easy-to-read way for the comic book novice. I honestly think this book would appeal to anyone, regardless of their scientific education. Let's face it, is there really a better way to learn about epidemiology than by choosing which virus would best enslave humanity? The secret science of superheroes is fun, engaging and suitable for superhero fans of any level. Not to mention a great way to learn how to laugh like an evil genius. -- AURORA WALSHE * Chemistry World * In worlds where superheroes exist, I often imagine how such powers could be possible. These are worlds in which we often have to suspend belief. But what if we didn't? The authors - a banded `super' team of scientists - of The Secret Science of Superheroes aim to explore the many scientific principles underpinning the superpowers we marvel at. This book is composed of short, concise chapters that delve into individual superpowers and provide examples of comparable abilities exercised in the world we live in, whether they appear in nature or spawn from technology. The reader is challenged to consider what sort of nutritional intake Spider-Man would need to kickstart his crime-fighting day, or how the ins and outs of Batman's suit allow him to keep Gotham City safe. Cover-to-cover, the book is short and sweet, an experience populated with quintessential superheroes and comic history (the authors' knowledge is impressive). It introduces a wide range of topics that can captivate a diverse range of readers - from those with general science knowledge to comic book and film enthusiasts. Each chapter is structured similarly and is accompanied by educational illustrations by Andy Brunning, providing the perfect blend of entertaining and informative material with plenty of references for the reader to peruse should he or she want to explore the science a little more. The sheer diversity of the content means that not all chapters may appeal to you. However, I would dissuade against skipping them. On first glance of the contents page, I had an opinion on what chapters I thought I would enjoy the most. How wrong I was; do not judge a chapter by its title. A highlight of the book included an exploration into how Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth could be made from aramid rope - a type of material made from Kevlar - with an absorbent layer that allows a truth serum drug, such as sodium pentothal, to permeate the skin of the captive. What I enjoyed most about this book was how well it made difficult concepts understandable. For example, one chapter focuses on the Hulk and his transformation from Bruce Banner as a model to explain the biological processes of cancer. These types of discussions - based on our present understanding of disciplines such as genetics, materials science and physics, among others - could inspire those interested in comic books and films to take up the study of science. Superheroes such as Batman and Iron Man were my exposure and gateway into science; these characters made science cool, and this is exactly what this book does. It is hard to read this book and not wonder what ability I would want. I often overlook the adverse effects and the dark side of power. This book explores these trade-offs and made me rethink what power I would want - remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Those with a keener hawkeye will notice a few mistakes, but these can be forgiven. After all, the authors embraced the power of The Flash and wrote this book in just 36 hours. This book does what it sets out to do: it introduces a wide range of scientific concepts in a fun, light-hearted and understandable tone. Occasionally, we have to accept that, sometimes, superpowers are just magic. However, the world as we know it may be working towards `super', with advancements in technology and the development of military supersuits, memory materials and programmable polymers. As one of the authors states, "The science behind superheroes is not entirely outside the realms of the physical possibilities that operate within our world." Science is a marvellous field that might just make the impossible possible. -- Cam Meze * NATURE REVIEWS | CHEMISTRY *Table of ContentsThe Breakfast of Superheroes; The Evolution of Superpowers; The Hallmarks of Hulk; Supervillainy 101; How to Build a Super Soldier; The Real World Super Metal; Is it a Ceramic? Is it Graphene? No it's Vibranium; The Science of Super Suits; Why Doesn't the Invisible Woman Bump Into Things?; The Flash: The Fastest Man on Fire; You've Got to Learn to be More...Flexible: The Mechanics of Marvellous; Big Data, Big Heroes and Bad Computers; The Wonder-ous Truth: The Workings of Wonder Woman's Lasso; Super Frequently Asked Questions

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Book SynopsisA compendium of sounds from this world and beyond, from the author of A New Map of Wonders and The Book of Barely Imagined Beings Sound shapes our world in invisible but profound ways, and here Caspar Henderson brings his characteristic curiosity, knowledge and sense of wonder to the subject to take us on an exhilarating journey through the heard universe. A Book of Noises gathers together sounds from the cosmos, the natural world, the human world, and the invented world, and contains quiet pockets of silence. From the vast sound of sand in the desert to the tuneful warble of a songbird, to the meditative resonance of a temple bell and the improvisational melodies of jazz, this is a celebration of all things auricular.Trade ReviewHaunting and captivating... a marvel... Caspar Henderson confirms that, for all its turbulence, this is still "a world alive with good noises". Open your ears -- David Farrier, author of Footprints: In Search of Future FossilsA book of exquisite richness and erudition, dedicated equally to the beautiful strange and the precious ordinary -- Jay GriffithsCaspar Henderson's books are a special kind of treasure; I struggle to think of another writer who achieves this combination of scope, intellectual rigour and deep reflection with such grace and style. Don't be deceived by the title - far from being a noisy book, this is a quiet and determined call to listen better -- Helen JukesYou will gasp with surprise and sigh with delight in the pages of A Book of Noises. It's the most elegant and erudite history of the world as sound ever written -- David Rothenberg, author of Whale Music and Secret Sounds of Ponds

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Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of how losing our sense of smell can shape our world, and how the global pandemic transformed our understanding of this mysterious sense.Trade Review“Engaging and hopeful” New Scientist “Genuinely interesting …There were quite a few of those 'ooh, that's interesting' moments … If you have lost your sense of smell or had it distorted - something that far more of us have experienced in the past couple of years as a result of Covid - I would strongly recommend this book.” Popular Science “An enthralling, elegantly written, and poignant exploration of our most neglected sense, one whose role in human life – in memory, emotion, attachment – has suddenly been made vivid by loss.” Peter Godfrey-Smith, author of the bestselling OTHER MINDS "Such an engaging and pleasurable read which should do a lot to lift smell out of the shadows ... packed with insights and observations that bring this topic to life for everyone" Professor Barry Smith, Centre for the Study of the Senses, University of London "Destined to be a bible for anyone who has lost their sense of smell, whether from Covid or not" Chrissi Kelly, AbScent "You don’t need to have lost your sense of smell to love this book, but if you have you will devour it... it will profoundly change the way you think about our ability to smell and how its loss affects our lives. This is science writing at its very best." Fiona Fox, author of BEYOND THE HYPE: The inside story of science's biggest media controversies ”Of the three major senses – sight, hearing and smell – smell is the most neglected. But it got its revenge in Covid. Paola Totaro and Robert Wainwright have written a fascinating book, alerting us to so many aspects of what we take for granted.” David Hare

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Book SynopsisThe surprisingly dramatic role of nutrition in our mental health, and how diet and micronutrients can be used to help treat and prevent anxiety, depression, ADHD and other mental health disorders.'The Better Brain is the first book that will tell you both how and why nutrients can be used to treat mental-health issues. We are scientists who've uncovered that many symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD and more are caused by suboptimal nutrition. We've been doing research and clinical studies on this crucial topic for decades, yet we have never published our findings for a general audience before. Following our lectures and Julia's TEDx Talk, we get asked questions all the time about our findings and why nutrients are so important for our brains. People want to know more. They're desperate for answers. This is our solution.' Leading scientists Bonnie Kaplan and Julia Rucklidge have dedicated their careers to researching the role that diet and nutrition play in our mental health. Together they have published several hundred peer-reviewed studies - those from the last two decades reveal the healing power of nutrients and the surprising role they play in brain health. In this paradigm-shifting book, Kaplan and Rucklidge share their groundbreaking research for the first time and explain how to feed your brain to stabilise your mood, stave off depression and make yourself more resilient to daily stress. The Better Brain also reveals the hidden causes of the rising rates of depression, from the nutrients in our soil to our reliance on processed food. It explains why a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, pulses, fish and olive oil is healthiest for your brain, and why some people benefit from supplementary minerals and vitamins added to such a diet. Complete with a nutritional plan and thirty delicious, mood-boosting recipes, this book will be a complete guide to a healthier, happier brain.Trade ReviewBonnie Kaplan and Julia Rucklidge have done groundbreaking research on how the right doses of proper nutrients can fix many mental health issues. With all the changes in agriculture and processing of food, our brains are not getting the nutrients they need to perform properly. Too often, we resort to expensive and dangerous medications to treat these problems when we could find the solutions in our kitchens (or at our farmer’s markets) and in the use of the right supplements. * Andrew Weil, MD, Director of Andrew Weil University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health *

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Book SynopsisWhen was radium discovered? Who are Dmitri Mendeleev and Glenn T. Seaborg? Who discovered uranium's radioactivity? Which element is useful for dating the age of Earth? And why doesn't gold have a scientific name?30-Second Elements presents you with the very foundations of chemical knowledge, explaining concisely the 50 most significant chemical elements. This book uses helpful glossaries and tables to fast track your knowledge of the other 68 elements and the relationships between all of them.Trade ReviewHave it on your bedside table, take an element a day ... captivating insights into the world of chemistry and its applications. * Chemistry World *An excellent quick read and reference source for anyone interested in science and its history in general, chemistry, and the elements. * Chemistry & Industry *

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Book Synopsis'[A]n engaging exploration, ending with interesting speculation on the nature of a future 11th day.'Peet Morris, Times Higher EducationDevelopments in physics and physics-based engineering have led to some of the biggest transformations in the way we live out lives. Here, we journey back to ten separate days in history for a closer look at the breakthroughs that have shaped the modern world. From Isaac Newton's law of motion, to Michael Faraday's electrical field theory, as well as Maxwell's equations that make TV, radio and cellphones possible.Comprising perfectly pitched science writing enlivened with a wealth of fascinating biographical detail, this eye-opening book is a celebration of power of physicists to bring about far-reaching, life-transforming change.Trade Review'Those in search of a well-written account of the world of science should look no further ... Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World succeeds where much of science writing fails, by creating a clear path between pivotal moments in scientific history and the world as we know it today.' * Reaction *'[I]nformative and accessible ... a really good potential entry point for younger readers looking to have a big picture view on what physics is.' * Irish Tech News *'[N]icely written and highly illuminating ... an engaging read not just for engineers and scientists, but for a broad "general" audience.' * Engineering & Technology *'Clegg is a skilled wordsmith and this is a light, easy read, filled with intriguing details' -- Peet Morris * popularscience.co.uk *[A]n engaging exploration, ending with interesting speculation on the nature of a future 11th day. -- Peet Morris * Times Higher Education *[A] solid primer ... Those new to the field will find this a fine overview of touchstone moments. * Publishers Weekly *Appealing accounts of scientific breakthroughs by the veteran popularizer [Brian Clegg] ... A painless education on great milestones in physics. * Kirkus *[A] good addition to popular science collections. * Booklist *

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Book Synopsis'Holgate guides us expertly and with a deft touch along the journey towards the holy grail of unlimited energy for all.' - JIM AL-KHALILI'What is nuclear fusion? In clear and accessible language, this book explains the basics and the hope for the future. A valuable addition to the Hot Science series.' - JOHN GRIBBINCould the Sun hold the key to a future of clean energy? Since the 1950s, scientists have attempted to harness nuclear fusion - the process that creates the Sun's energy - to generate near-limitless amounts of electricity. But the fact that we still have no fusion power plants is testament to the complexities of the challenge. Now, the deepening climate crisis means that researchers around the world are in a race to create a mini-Sun here on Earth. The glittering prize is an energy source that emits no greenhouse gases and could solve energy equity and supply issues at a stroke. Sharon Ann Holgate, a former Young Professional Physicist of the Year, tells the compelling story of the ongoing scientific quest for a revolutionary new era of green energy production.Trade ReviewIf we are to prevent a climate catastrophe and provide a "civilised" standard of living for the population of our planet, renewable energy will not be sufficient to replace fossil fuels. The contribution of clean, safe nuclear fusion power is essential. But what is nuclear fusion? In clear and accessible language, this book explains the basics and the hope for the future. A valuable addition to the Hot Science series. -- John GribbinCreating a miniature star here on earth must surely rank as the greatest challenge yet for humanity. A working fusion reactor may still be a couple of decades away, but the journey to get us this far is a fascinating one. Holgate guides us expertly and with a deft touch along the journey towards the holy grail of unlimited energy for all. If you enjoy geeking out on giant machines that can heat a gas up to five times the temperature of the Sun's core or 200 lasers so large they have to be housed in a ten-storey building and yet still be focussed onto a something the size of a peppercorn, then you'll love this book. -- Jim Al-Khalili

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Book SynopsisA finalist for the Los Angeles Times Science & Technology Book Prize ‘The most entertaining writer in science’ – The Times, Books of the Year War. Mention it and most of us think of history, of conflicts on foreign soil, of heroism and compromise, of strategy and weapons. But there’s a whole other side to the gruesome business of the battlefield. In Grunt, the inimitable Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war. Setting about her task with infectious enthusiasm, she sniffs World War II stink bombs, tests earplugs in a simulated war zone and burns the midnight oil with the crew of a nuclear submarine. Speaking to the scientists and the soldiers, she learns about everything from life-changing medical procedures to innovations as esoteric as firing dead chickens at fighter jets. Engrossing, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny, this is an irresistible ride to the wilder shores of modern military life.Trade Review‘An absorbing tale that blends compassion and a bracing realpolitik into a fascinating account of one woman’s unquenchable will to not only survive but thrive.’ * Irish Times *‘Roach [is] a gentle, highly original and exceptionally funny science writer…Grunt is an extraordinary piece of reporting…alive with stories and gobbets of trivia, many of them told for the first time.’ * The Times *‘Sometimes you simply have to marvel at her ability to get behind the press release and into the laboratory…Completely fascinating.’ * Marcus Berkmann, Daily Mail *‘Takes a subject that we think we know a fair bit about…and hones in…where our knowledge is probably nil.’ * Independent *‘Mary Roach is the Hunter S Thompson of science writing…[Grunt] proves again she is the most entertaining writer in science’. * The Times, Books of the Year *'Roach has a strong stomach...but also a wicked wit'. * Sunday Herald *‘[A] quick-fire exploration of the extraordinary world of military science’. * Sunday Express *‘Hilarious and informative’. * Soldier Magazine *‘Fascinating...The book is a treasure trove of unorthodox thinking and experimentation when faced with the challenge of war...Roach gives a memorable starting point into the topic that leaves readers wanting more.’ * New York Journal of Books *‘Roach’s prose is a triumph…A master of synthesis and scene, she unpacks subjects that on their surface might seem boring, disgusting, outrageous, emotionally charged, or morally suspect and infuses them with insight, humor, and humanity.’ * Boston Globe *‘The unflagging enthusiasm in her books, the raw happiness that bounces off the pages, isn’t the sort of thing that can be faked.’ * Seattle Review of Books *‘Mostly…she plays things for laughs, and the raw material is irresistible. Take the guys who fire grocery-store chickens at jets on a runway (to study bird strikes). Or the astonishing World War II-era research into disseminating horrible stinks on a massive scale, as a way to demoralize enemy troops. Not to mention the blast-proof underwear.’ * Seattle Times *‘[Roach] approaches her craft with a curious mind and a humorous bent, translating high science into a highly enjoyable read.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘A must read for fans of Roach and for those who relish learning about the secret histories of everyday things.’ * Library Journal, starred review *‘Roach joins Malcolm Gladwell and Steven Levitt in making a career of turning serious research on oddball subjects into bestsellers.’ * Kirkus *‘Roach lightens the scene with her snarky sense of humour and sharp interviewing skills to make uptight military personnel loosen up and share entertaining anecdotes.’ * Dallas News *‘Our most consistently entertaining science journalist wanders into the ‘corners and crannies’ of military technology. Roach goes where other writers wouldn’t dare (witness her classic take on cadavers, STIFF), here eyeing ‘the parts no one makes movies about—not the killing but the keeping alive.” And her search produces images-a kind of technopoetry-that are hard to forget; a cannon firing chickens into airplanes, urethra replacement surgery, a “brief history of stink bombs.”’ * O Magazine *‘A mirthful, informative peek behind the curtain of military science.’ * Washington Post *‘From the ever-illuminating author of Bonk and Stiff comes an examination of the science behind war. Even the tiniest minutiae count on the battlefield, and Roach leads us through her discoveries in her inimitable style.’ * Elle *‘A rare literary bird, a bestselling science writer...Roach avidly and impishly infiltrates the world of military science...[she] is exuberantly and imaginatively informative and irreverently funny, but she is also in awe of the accomplished and committed military people she meets.’ * Booklist, starred review *‘She writes exquisitely about the excruciating while also displaying supreme attunement to the oddness of the subculture she’s writing about.’ * Chicago Tribune *‘Mary Roach is one of the best in the business of science writing...She takes readers on a tour of the scientists who attempt to conquer the panic, exhaustion, heat, and noise that plague modern soldiers.’ * Brooklyn Magazine *‘Nobody does weird science quite like [Roach], and this time, she takes on war. Though all her books look at the human body in extreme situations (sex! space! death!), this isn’t simply a blood-drenched affair. Instead, Roach looks at the unexpected things that take place behind the scenes.’ * Wired *‘Tremendously entertaining, wildly informative and vividly written.’ * LA Times *‘Extremely likeable…and quick with a quip….[Roach’s] skill is to draw out the good humour and honesty of both the subjects and practitioners of these white arts among the dark arts of war.’ * San Francisco Chronicle *‘Brilliant.’ * Science *‘Covering these topics and more, Roach has done a fascinating job of portraying unexpected, creative sides of military science.’ * New York Post *

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Book SynopsisNever before have we had so much information available to us about food and health. There’s GAPS, paleo, detox, gluten-free, alkaline, the sugar conspiracy, clean eating... Unfortunately, a lot of it is not only wrong but actually harmful. So why do so many of us believe this bad science? Assembling a crack team of psychiatrists, behavioural economists, food scientists and dietitians, the Angry Chef unravels the mystery of why sensible, intelligent people are so easily taken in by the latest food fads, making brief detours for an expletive-laden rant. At the end of it all you’ll have the tools to spot pseudoscience for yourself and the Angry Chef will be off for a nice cup of tea – and it will have two sugars in it, thank you very much.Trade Review‘An entertaining exposé of the ‘bad science’ behind food fads.’ * Sainsbury’s Magazine *‘A terrific and…much-needed book: both heartfelt and thoughtful, often funny and, above all, utterly convincing.’ * James Walton, Daily Telegraph *‘One by one Warner demolishes popular food myths…this [is] a book that will allow you to enjoy food with less guilt; it might even save lives.’ * Guardian *‘If you’ve ever wondered why kale, avocado toast and sweet potatoes are ubiquitous, or if you tear your hair out over the “clean-eating” fad, then the Angry Chef is your man.’ * The Sunday Times *‘Funny and forensic.’ * Financial Times Summer Books 2017 *‘The Angry Chef deserves to be widely read. It covers all the bases with aplomb. The world needs a popular science book to help people tell the difference between science and opinion.’ * Spectator *‘Warner’s dismantling of the faddists’ fads, their gullibility and idiocy is precise, witty and more humane than I can find it in myself to be.’ * Michael Bywater, Literary Review *'As a restaurant critic, qualified chef and greedy person, I found the book fascinating...this is a thoughtful, forensically researched and referenced work on healthy eating and, more importantly, it's entertaining.' -- Lisa Markwell * Evening Standard *‘This is an important book, and a good one. It’s ambitious and well-researched and timely…Food science can be a dry topic, but Warner manages to make it an entertaining one.’ * Spectator *'Pragmatic, funny and most important of all, true.' -- Tom Parker Bowles * Mail on Sunday *‘Warner has simply and emphatically decided that the time has come to expose and question the false assertions and bogus science propounded by nutrition experts, dieticians and public-health gurus who, given half a chance, would force-feed us exclusively on kale smoothies, quinoa bowls, lemon water, green juices and coconut oil.’ * The Times *‘A tonic for those who’ve had their fill of the ‘clean-eating’ brigade.’ * Irish Independent *‘Paleo, GAPS, alkaline, detox… so many diets, but do any of them actually work? With scientific rigour and a generous helping of expletives, Warner takes on the food fads one by one, and asks why we’re so easily taken in by pseudoscience in the first place.’ * BBC Science Focus, 70 best science books you need to read in 2021 *‘The health food industry has gone mad, but finally there has been an awakening. The Angry Chef is at the forefront, spewing out facts and exploding the wellness bloggers’ “theories” with rock solid science.’ -- Gizzi Erskine‘The popular understanding of nutrition is clouded by superstitions, primitive intuitions, conspiracy theories, and old spouses’ tales. This irreverent and intelligent exposé brings sanity and good sense to one of life’s great pleasures.’ -- Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works‘If it wasn’t for the fact that there is no God, I’d thank him for bringing us the Angry Chef. In this brilliant book he systematically demolishes every single piece of food-related faddery, hack science, nutritional fakery and clean-eating cobblers in a manner that should make every so-called “wellness” and “nutrition” guru hang their heads in shame.’ -- Jay Rayner, journalist and broadcaster‘A wonderfully bracing and funny tirade against the harm and nonsense of food fads. If you’ve ever been tempted to go on “a detox” or try clean eating, you need this book. Yes, Angry Chef is angry, but he is also trying to get us back to the point beyond the crazy “superfoods” and guilt where eating is actually a joy.’ * Bee Wilson, author of This Is Not A Diet Book and First Bite *‘Thank God for the outspoken, intelligent, well-informed Anthony Warner. Someone had to say it (the Clean Gut cult is tosh) and he does – forcefully, amusingly and, convincingly.’ -- Prue Leith‘The Angry Chef provides a refreshing insight into the importance of academic and scientific rigour in the interpretation and communication of nutrition. I will reference examples from this text when teaching both students and practitioners of nutrition and dietetics about the fickle, unquestioning nonsense appearing online and in the media.’ -- Kevin Whelan, professor of dietetics, King’s College London

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Book SynopsisHow can new insights into evolution help us solve problems in life, art, business and science? ‘A wonderful, mind-expanding book. Prepare to be surprised, enlightened and awed.’ Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors In Darwin’s survival of the fittest, each step must be uphill as life progresses towards an evolutionary peak. There is no turning back. So what happens when life needs to cross a valley in the wilds of an adaptive landscape to reach the highest summit? World-renowned biologist Andreas Wagner reveals that life does not only walk – it also leaps. Drawing on pioneering research, Wagner explores life’s creative process and how it bears a striking resemblance to how we humans work. A beguiling symmetry links Picasso struggling through forty versions of Guernica and the way evolution transformed a dinosaur’s claw into a condor’s wing. This new understanding is already revolutionising our approach to problem-solving across the sciences. In the near future, applied in spheres as diverse as the economy and education, it will enable us to do so much more. Life Finds a Way is a thought-provoking and deeply hopeful look at the force that shapes our world.Trade Review‘An impressively brisk intellectual tour through the glory days of early 20th century evolutionary biology.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘Wagner has done it again. This is a wonderful, mind-expanding book. Prepare to be surprised, enlightened and awed as Wagner reveals the sources of human and natural creativity.’ -- Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement with Science, University of Birmingham‘In this remarkably wide-ranging book, Andreas Wagner shows what nature can teach us about creativity, and his answers hold an important message for the way we educate our children and run our institutions and societies.’ -- Philip Ball, author of Beyond Weird‘Andreas Wagner has again cut through to the heart of a vital question. The notion that genomes are set up to explore, through trial and error, in the hope of leaping across the adaptive landscape to new peaks is a fresh concept. Wagner draws out fascinating parallels with the way innovation works in human society.’ -- Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything‘Finding surprising convergences between evolving species and an active imagination, Wagner persuasively argues that human inventiveness is a reflection not just of human nature but of nature itself.’ -- Anthony Brandt, composer and co-author of The Runaway Species‘Life Finds a Way weaves a coherent and compelling narrative about how nature achieves creativity. Not only that, we also learn how to cultivate creativity in our own lives.’ -- George Dyson, author of Turing’s Cathedral

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Book SynopsisIt is often assumed that there are two ways of interpreting the world: a rational scientific way, or an irrational religious way. Spiritual Science offers a third alternative: a spiritual view of reality that transcends both conventional science and religion, and answers many of the riddles that neither can explain. The standard model of science has had little success in explaining such areas as human consciousness, the connection between the mind and the body, altruism and `anomalous' phenomena such as near-death experiences, psi phenomena (such as telepathy) and spiritual experiences. But from a `panspiritist' point of view - which sees spirit or consciousness as a fundamental essence of reality - it is possible to make sense of all these things. Steve Taylor puts forward the evidence for a spiritual view of reality, drawing on the insights of philosophers, physicists, mystics, as well as spiritual traditions and indigenous cultures. He systematically shows how a `panspiritist' view can explain many puzzling aspects of science and the world, including evolution and the origins of life, and a wide range of other phenomena such as quantum physics, the placebo effect, precognition and neuroplasticity. Spiritual Science offers a new vision of the world that is compatible with both modern science and ancient spiritual teachings. It provides a more accurate and holistic account of reality than conventional science or religion, integrating a wide range of phenomena that are excluded from both. After showing how the materialist worldview demeans the world and human life, Spiritual Science offers a brighter alternative - a vision of the world as sacred and interconnected, and of human life as meaningful and purposeful. Spiritual Science explains how the standard materialist model of reality developed, and turned into a belief system. This belief system can only function by denying (or explaining away) a whole range of phenomena that are part of human experience. It is possible to be scientific without adopting this belief system - in fact, it is much more rational to do so.Trade Review“With elegance and lucidity, Steve Taylor explains why spiritual science is the only hope for humanity. A science based on the superstition of matter as fundamental reality could lead to our extinction but a science grounded in the understanding of consciousness as a fundamental reality—as described by this book—could be our saving grace.”—Deepak Chopra, MD Chopra Foundation “Materialism is dead. It just doesn't know it. Spiritual Science shows the mechanistic worldview is passé and that the science that once seemed to support it has well and truly moved on. Steve Taylor's book is a very readable and inspiring guide to where we are heading as a culture.”—Gary Lachman Lost Knowledge of the Imagination “As I read this book, I kept sighing with relief. At long last, a thoughtful and accessible treatment of the false divide between science and spirituality. By exploring a series of puzzles, Taylor shows how the pieces of our world fit together, if we are willing to take a breath and look at it anew.”—Dr. Julia Mossbridge, author of Transcendent Mind and The Premonition Code “In this important book, Steve Taylor convincingly argues that the materialist paradigm has run its course and that the evidence from anomalous experiences must be acknowledged. Taylor shows how a panspiritist approach not only eloquently explains anomalous phenomena but can lead to exciting possibilities for the evolution of humankind and the planet. These issues affect each one of us; it is time we all sat up and took note.”—Dr. Penny Sartori, author of The Wisdom of Near-Death Experiences“This is the best book on the mind-body problem I have yet to read. If you care about the plight of the human condition, and ever wondered about the mysteries of the human mind . . . not to be missed.”—Michael Grosso, PH.D author of The Man Who Could Fly “In his acknowledgments Steve Taylor generously describes himself as being inspired to write a popular version of our book Irreducible Mind. In fact he has accomplished much more than this. In a highly readable account of some of the issues and "rogue phenomena" we discuss in our book, he also takes on difficult new topics such as altruism and evolution, making crystal clear why our struggling postmodern civilization so urgently needs an expanded scientific worldview compatible with human spirituality.”—Edward F. and Emily W. Kelly, lead authors of Irreducible Mind“A world-changing opus, a great book . . . Scientific materialism has foisted highly effective blinders on our world-at-large. Future historians will likely be incredulous at the century-long gap between the advent of investigation into quantum physics and any meaningful assimilation of its revelations into the mainstream scientific culture. Spiritual Science expertly argues the evidence for the primacy of consciousness, an inevitable realization that will engender the greatest revolution in the history of human thought. Science will ultimately ripen through the influence of our spiritual nature. Highly recommended!”—Eben Alexander, MD, Neurosurgeon, author of Proof of Heaven, The Map of Heaven and Living in a Mindful Universe

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Book Synopsis"A NATURAL STORYTELLER" Mary Roach "BRILLIANT AND BEGUILING" Matthew Gavin Frank "CAPTIVATING ... WILL ALTER THE WAY YOU SEE AND MOVE THROUGH THE WORLD" M. R. O'Connor "AS ENTERTAINING AS IT IS ENLIGHTENING" Geographical Magazine, Book of the Month Within our heads, we carry around an infinite and endlessly unfolding map of the world. Navigation is one of the most ancient neural abilities we have - older even than language - and in Dark and Magical Places, Christopher Kemp embarks on a journey to discover the remarkable extent of what our minds can do. From the secrets of supernavigators to the strange, dreamlike environments inhabited by people with 'place blindness', he will explore the myriad ways in which we find our way. Kemp explains the cutting-edge neuroscience that is transforming our understanding of it - and tries to answer why, for a species with a highly-sophisticated internal navigation system that evolved over millions of years, do humans get lost such a lot? "I WAS THRILLED TO DISCOVER THIS BOOK" Robert MoorTrade ReviewChris Kemp may not be able to find his way out of a stairwell, but he has quickly and with no false turns made his way to the top of my list of favorite science writers ... A natural storyteller, a deft explainer, and a terrific and funny writer. -- Mary Roach, author of FUZZBrilliant and beguiling -- Matthew Gavin Frank, author of FLIGHT OF THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERSAs entertaining as it is enlightening -- Book of the Month * GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE *Captivating ... will alter the way you see and move through the world. -- M. R. O'Connor, author of WAYFINDINGAs a person who often finds myself lost in cities and forests alike, I was thrilled to discover this book, a dazzling-at times dizzying-exploration of brains and places, how they trouble one another and how they a give one another meaning. -- Robert Moor, bestselling author of ON TRAILSA fascinating and sneakily amusing book.... Christopher Kemp is an elegant and quick-witted writer who, feeling perpetually and hopelessly lost himself, is perfectly qualified to lead us through some of the most complicated and discombobulating corners of human cognition. -- John Mooallem, author of THIS IS CHANCE!A modern look inside the brain written as beautifully as a long-form poem. Don't miss this opportunity to let Kemp show you the how and why of where. -- David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, author of INCOGNITO and LIVEWIREDWith the exception of 'who am I?', there is no more fundamental human question than 'where am I?' Part of the thrill of reading Dark and Magical Places is the realization that, for scientists, this is still an open question. Too many attempts to explain neuroscience to a nonscientific audience treat the brain as a conquered frontier. With remarkable clarity and concision, Kemp takes us through the darkness, unraveling the magic of human navigation and orientation. This is a journey to the center of the mind led by a navigator who understands that the journey is as important as the destination. -- Greg Milner, author of PINPOINT

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Book Synopsis''Through the lens of her personal experience as a poker player, Alex O''Brien reveals the tricks that can help each of us navigate a world beset with uncertainty and misinformation'' ANGELA SAINI''It''s thrilling'' PHILIP BALL''Deserves to be widely read'' ALOM SHAHASHORTLISTED FOR THE GLOBAL POKER INDEX AWARDSThis is a book about getting to the truth. At the poker table you need certain skills to win. The more Alex O''Brien played competitively, the more she realised those skills are essential in everyday life too. From reading body language to calculating risk, dealing with uncertainty and separating emotion from facts, her toolkit will help you make better decisions and understand what''s happening around you. Offering insights from the latest psychology, neuroscience, game theory and more, you''ll encounter new ideas and ways of thinking from pioneering researchers and experts in their field. With O''Brien as your guide, you''ll learn to see clearly, think carefully and cut through the noise of a complex world.

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Book Synopsis'A future classic of popular science' Mail on Sunday 'A dazzling account' Financial Times 'Absorbing, surprising and at times profound. After reading this, reality will never be quite the same' Dave Goulson Our senses are how we navigate the world: they help us recognise the expressions on a loved one's face, know whether fruit is ripe by its smell, or even sense a storm approaching through a sudden drop in air pressure. It's now believed that we may have as many as fifty-three senses - and we're just beginning to expand our knowledge of this incredibly extensive palette. Sensational is a mind-bending look at how our brains shape our experience of the world, marshalling the latest discoveries in science to explore the dazzling eyesight of the mantis shrimp, the rich inner lives of krill, and the baffling link between geomagnetic fields and canine bowel movements. Blending biology and neuroscience, Ward reveals that understanding our senses may hold the key to understanding the origins of human behaviour - from why we kiss to our varied music tastes.Trade Review[An] infectiously enthusiastic survey of the human senses ... underneath the entertainment this is a serious and thoughtful book -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *A rollercoaster combination of science, cultural history, rumour and schoolboy humour * Guardian *Combining biological science with history, culture, sociology and personal reflections, this is a wide-ranging and highly engaging read * Observer *Enlightening and digestible ... Sensational is not only a rich mine of information, it teaches tolerance and understanding ... Listening to his book is a delight * The Times *Ward has conjured up a thrilling - and revolting - world of sensory overload in the style of a goofy lecture. Both learned and irreverent, he can be existentially disturbing and extremely funny in the same paragraph - a talent that could make this a future classic of popular science * Mail on Sunday *A dazzling account of how we use sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell to navigate the world * Financial Times *Ward is more than qualified as our tour guide into the dazzling world of senses - both our own and those of other animals ... an impressive journey -- BBC WildlifeEnjoyable popular science * Kirkus *[An] eye-opening pop-science treatise ... [Ward] packs in innumerable fascinating details ... the delivery benefits greatly from the author's stylish, evocative prose ... this will change how readers see the world * Publisher's Weekly *Absorbing, surprising and at times profound. After reading this, reality will never be quite the same -- Prof Dave Goulson, author * Silent Earth *It is nearly impossible to grasp what other animals smell, see, or feel. Ashley Ward's dive into the way we and other species interpret the surrounding world offers astonishing insights -- Frans de Waal, author * Different: Gender Through The Eyes of a Primatologist *

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Book SynopsisA journey through time and around the world to uncover water's true nature, and how it can help us adapt to climate change. Trouble with water – increasingly frequent, extreme floods and droughts – is one of the first obvious signs of climate change. Meanwhile, urban sprawl, industrial agriculture and engineered water infrastructure are making things worse. As our control attempts fail, we are forced to recognize an eternal truth: sooner or later, water always wins. Award-winning science journalist Erica Gies follows water 'detectives' as they search for clues to water's past and present. Their tools: cutting-edge science and research into historical ecology, animal life, and earlier human practices. Their discoveries: a deeper understanding of what water wants and how accommodating nature can protect us and other species. Modern civilizations tend to speed water away. We have forgotten that it must flex with the rhythms of the earth, and that only collaboration with nature will allow us to forge a more resilient future.Trade ReviewA gripping investigation into water and the champion sleuths who research it and engage in daunting yet necessary efforts to restore health to a damaged planet * Booklist *[One of] the best science books coming your way in 2022 * New Scientist *In this sparkling, flowing, world-spanning narrative, Gies compellingly shows why water will always win in the end, particularly in an urbanizing world facing disruptive climate change. She also reveals, through guides ranging from China's 'sponge city' designers to beavers, how liberating water can liberate us, in turn -- Andrew Revkin, co-author of The Human Planet and former New York Times climate reporterReveals the mysteries of water's journey from source to sea, and shows how working with nature can help save us from the ravages of climate change. Through fascinating stories and detailed research, Gies challenges modern societies to relinquish some control, and let water go where it wants to go. This eye-opening book is filled with brilliant insights, creativity, inspiration, and honest hope -- Sandra Postel, author of Replenish and winner of the 2021 Stockholm Water PrizeWe've tried, in every way we know, to control and contain water on this planet. But there are limits to our power, which become clearer as escalating cycles of flooding and drought increasingly make a mockery of our efforts. As Gies ably demonstrates, the time has come to learn some lessons from liquid, and to start trying to live gracefully in our wonderfully aqueous world -- Bill McKibben, author of The End of NatureFrom California's agricultural lands to the marshes of Iraq, from beavers to microinvertebrates, from early water cultures in India and Peru to today's water crises and the challenges of climate change, Gies uses her formidable reporting skills and personal experiences to weave together beautiful stories about water, its impact on our lives, and how it's long past time to repair our relationship with this most precious resource -- Peter Gleick, founder of Pacific InstituteIn a world awash with water stress, Gies and the many people featured in her pages are leading the way to a future where people might live in a sustainable relationship with the element that sustains us all. It is entertaining, engaging, and applicable nearly everywhere in the world – every reader will find connections to their home communities here -- Peter K. Brewitt, Wofford CollegeAn inspiring, insightful book about the myriad ways that 'water detectives' are helping water to heal the planet * Foreword *Gies proposes a new path... "Slow Water" is an approach that works with local landscapes, climates and cultures, rather than trying to dominate or change them * Geographical *

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Book SynopsisWhen the world stopped, all hopes rested on finding a vaccine. An unlikely team answered the call. Before Covid-19 was even given its name, a select group of scientists in Germany, assembled by married couple and decades-long research partners Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, began building 20 potential vaccines.As the deadly disease spread from country to country, what followed was a desperate race against time to conduct rigorous tests and clinical trials, whilst navigating political interference and seeking the support of the pharmaceutical industry.Shedding a light on the science behind the breakthrough, The Vaccine tells the story of the trailblazers who led the fightback against Covid-19, whose discoveries could now help the world tackle cancer, along with many other pervasive diseases. It draws back the curtain on one of the most important medical achievements of our age, containing contributions from the fascinating couple themselves, as well as more than 60 scientists, politicians, public health officials, and BioNTech staff.More suspenseful than a novel, this is a real-life story of an extraordinary race against time to save the world.Trade Review'I have now read the book by Joe Miller about the development of the vaccine at Biontech. Uğur Şahin had already understood the dimension of the pandemic on 24 January. I wasn't that quick' -- Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany'Özlem Türeci and Uğur Şahin are rapidly becoming the most celebrated marriage in science since Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radioactivity' * The Times *'They are the symbol of a remarkable scientific and business success story' * Financial Times (FT People of the Year) *'The story of their quest to use a novel scientific method to defeat that disease, as well as cancer and others, would suffice to make them heroes of our time' * Bloomberg *

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Book SynopsisKindness can be your super-power. It feels good to be kind to others. And it feels good to receive kindness. Making the world better, in however small a way, feels good and does good. Did you know kinder bosses are more successful bosses? That paying it forward can help build a purpose-driven life? Being kind strengthens relationships. Acts of kindness, whether given or received, improve our mental and physical health.Drawing on the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, and her work in collaboration with the University of Sussex and the BBC, Claudia Hammond sets out a prescription for a kinder life that you can adapt to your own circumstances, and explains how to use this guidance for ourselves, others and the world.It's time for a kindness revolution.Trade ReviewClaudia Hammond's books are a solace in troubled times -- FEARNE COTTON[Hammond] doesn't want to make kindness cool, she simply wants to prove - by hook, crook, her book and hard data - its value to society * * Sunday Times * *Hammond's book is a firm reminder of how important kindness really is - and why being kinder to yourself, others and the world around you is valuable for everyone * * Stylist * *Praise for The Art of Rest: Fascinating, entertaining and lucidly written * * Observer * *Superb -- DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE, bestselling author of THE 4 PILLAR PLANA clarion call * * Sunday Telegraph * *A soothing balm for a frazzled generation -- ADAM RUTHERFORDThe Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself -- MATT HAIGAn enjoyable read, touching on scientific evidence in a light, accessible manner * * New Scientist * *Hammond valiantly unearths some great nuggets . . . quirky humour and sunny enthusiasm kept me reading * * Sunday Times * *

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed author Matt Ridley's thrilling follow-up to his bestseller Genome. Armed with the extraordinary new discoveries about our genes, Ridley turns his attention to the nature versus nurture debate to bring the first popular account of the roots of human behaviour. What makes us who we are? In February 2001 it was announced that the genome contains not 100,000 genes as originally expected but only 30,000. This startling revision led some scientists to conclude that there are simply not enough human genes to account for all the different ways people behave: we must be made by nurture, not nature. Matt Ridley argues that the emerging truth is far more interesting than this myth. Nurture depends on genes, too, and genes need nurture. Genes not only predetermine the broad structure of the brain; they also absorb formative experiences, react to social cues and even run memory. They are consequences as well as causes of the will. Published fifty years after the discovery of the double helix of DNA, Nature via Nurture chronicles a new revolution in our understanding of genes. Ridley recounts the hundred years' war between the partisans of nature and nurture to explain how this paradoxical creature, the human being, can be simultaneously free-willed and motivated by instinct and culture. Nature via Nurture is an enthralling, up-to-the-minute account of how genes build brains to absorb experience.Trade Review‘This clever and ambitious book is full of novel insights and reflections.’ James Le Fanu, Sunday Telegraph ‘Ridley belongs to the coterie that truly pushes science forward and brings it within the broader purlieus of “culture”. Nature via Nurture is another fine contribution to an already outstanding oeuvre.’ Colin Tudge, Independent Magazine ‘An unrivalled view of cutting-edge research into the roots of human behaviour.’ Clive Cookson, Financial Times ‘A balanced, entertaining gallop through the world of environmental influences and genetic impulses.’ Robin McKie, Observer ‘Eminently readable.’ Dylan Evans, Evening Standard ‘Profoundly intelligent and persuasive.’ John Cornwell, Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisEvery year, air pollution prematurely kills seven million people around the world, in rich countries and poor ones. It is strongly linked to strokes, heart attacks, many kinds of cancer, premature birth and dementia, among other ailments. In Choked, Beth Gardiner travels the world to meet the scientists who have transformed our understanding of pollution's effects on the human body, and to trace the economic forces and political decisions that have allowed it to remain at life-threatening levels. But she also focuses on real-world solutions, and on inspiring stories of people fighting for a healthier future. Compellingly written, and alive with the personalities of the people who study, breathe and fight bad air, Choked is a vital contribution on one of the most important - but too often ignored - issues of our time.

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Book SynopsisFrom ancient Babylon to the last great unsolved problems, Ian Stewart brings us his definitive history of mathematics. In his famous straightforward style, Professor Stewart explains each major development - from the first number systems to chaos theory - and considers how each affected society and changed everyday life forever. Maintaining a personal touch, he introduces all of the outstanding mathematicians of history, from the key Babylonians, Greeks and Egyptians, via Newton and Descartes, to Fermat, Babbage and Godel, and demystifies maths' key concepts without recourse to complicated formulae. Written to provide a captivating historic narrative for the non-mathematician, Taming the Infinite: The Story of Mathematics is packed with fascinating nuggets and quirky asides, and contains 100 illustrations and diagrams to illuminate and aid understanding of a subject many dread, but which has made our world what it is today.Trade Review'An engaging history of maths, guaranteed to illuminate even the most number-shy' Waterstone's Books Quarterly. * Waterstone's Books Quarterly *Table of ContentsPreface. Tokens, Tallies and Tablets. The Logic of Shape. Notations and Numbers. Lure of the Unknown. Eternal Triangles. Curves and Coordinates. Patterns in Numbers. The System of the World. Patterns in Nature. Impossible Quantities. Firm Foundations. Impossible Triangles. The Rise of Symmetry. Algebra Comes of Age. Rubber Sheet Geometry. The Fourth Dimension. The Shape of Logic. How Likely is That? Number Crunching. Chaos and Complexity. Further Reading. Index.

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Book SynopsisDoes the light just go out and that's that - the million-year nap? Or will some part of my personality, my me-ness, persist? What will that feel like? What will I do all day? Is there a place to plug in my laptop?"Mary Roach trains her considerable humour and curiosity on the human soul, seeking answers from a varied and fascinating crew of contemporary and historical soul-searchers: scientists, schemers, engineers, mediums, all trying to prove (or disprove) that life goes on after we die.Along the way she encounters electromagnetic hauntings, out-of-body experiences, ghosts and lawsuits: Mary Roach sifts and weighs the evidence in her hilarious, inimitable style.Trade ReviewSurprising and highly enjoyable. Mary Roach is a wonderfully dry, funny, trustworthy tour guide. * * Jon Ronson * *Very funny, and the dottier examples of human resistance to the idea of terminal mortality make fascinating reading. -- Salley Vickers * * The Times * *A perfect balance of objectivity and cynicism * * Herald * *Those who subscribe to the lazy cliché that Americans have no sense of irony should read Six Feet Over and think again . . . this book is full of fascinating nuggets . . . a funny and informative read. * * Independent on Sunday * *There is something irresistible about the cheerfully scatological, cheekily skeptical Mary Roach . . . she delivers precisely what she promises: an informative, diverting romp through a subject that cannot help but captivate. -- Emily Stokes * * Observer Review * *

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Book SynopsisBeyond The Survival of the Fittest: Why Cooperation, not Competition, is the Key to LifeIf life is about survival of the fittest, then why would we risk our own life to jump into a river to save a stranger? Some people argue that issues such as charity, fairness, forgiveness and cooperation are evolutionary loose ends, side issues that are of little consequence. But as Harvard's celebrated evolutionary biologist Martin Nowak explains in this groundbreaking and controversial book, cooperation is central to the four-billion-year-old puzzle of life. Indeed, it is cooperation not competition that is the defining human trait.Trade ReviewGroundbreaking . . . SuperCooperators is part autobiography, part textbook, and reads like a best-selling novel. -- Manfred Milinski * * Nature * *A fantastic journey into the science of cooperation, with important implications for both individuals and society alike. -- Richard Wiseman, bestselling author of 59 SECONDSSupercooperators looks beyond The Selfish Gene and invites us to think afresh about evolution. Contrary to the simplistic idea that selfishness is the only strategy for survival, the brilliant Martin Nowak proves that cooperation is also vitally important. This rich and rewarding book teems with new ideas and insights, which co-author Roger Highfield makes wonderfully lucid and entertaining. -- Graham Farmelo, winner of the Costa Biography AwardMartin has a passion for taking informal ideas that people like me find theoretically important and framing them as mathematical models. He allows our intuitions about what leads to what to be put to the test. -- Steven Pinker * * The New York Times * *An absorbing, accessible book about the power of mathematics... Nowak is one of the most exciting modelers working in the field of mathematical biology today. * * New York Times Book Review * *In a sea of bad books about psychology, behaviour and business, Supercooperators stands out for its robust scientific base and cheerful message. * * Financial Times * *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Large Hadron Collider rap to the sins of Isaac Newton, The Science Magpie is a compelling collection of scientific curiosities.Expand your knowledge as you view the history of the Earth on the face of a clock, tremble at the power of the Richter scale and learn how to measure the speed of light in your kitchen.Skip through time with Darwin's note on the pros and cons of marriage, take part in an 1858 Cambridge exam, meet the African schoolboy with a scientific puzzle named after him and much more.Trade ReviewSimon Flynn's cornucopia of curious facts, anecdotes and quotations ... is sure to entertain and surprise. -- New ScientistFor anyone who likes science and is a fan of Schott's original miscellany, this book is a must. It is full of quirky, interesting scientific facts and anecdotes from across science and its history ... Quite frankly, I loved it. It's great fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. -- Chemistry World[A] lighthearted dash through science ... offering lots of curiosities that you will be itching to tell those around you. -- The BiologistSimon Flynn's grab-bag of stories from all branches of science exudes enthusiasm, breathing fresh life into a venerable format. -- Physics WorldThis book is a cabinet of scientific curiosities ... [The Science Magpie] will stimulate good topics of conversation for the pub. -- BBC Focus

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Book SynopsisThe stone age, the iron age, the steam and electrical ages all saw the reach of humankind transformed by new technology. Now we are living in the quantum age, a revolution in everyday life led by our understanding of the very, very small.Quantum physics lies at the heart of every electronic device from smartphones to lasers; quantum superconductors allow levitating trains and MRI scanners, while superfast, ultra-secure quantum computers may soon be a reality. Yet quantum particles such as atoms, electrons and photons remain mysterious, acting totally unlike the objects we experience directly.With his trademark clarity and enthusiasm, acclaimed popular science author Brian Clegg reveals the amazing world of the quantum that lies all around us.Trade ReviewIf you are looking for an enjoyable read into all things quantum physics and how it is applied to everyday life, look no further. * BBC Focus *Brian Clegg does a superb job of explaining complicated scientific concepts in easily understood language. The Quantum Age is his best book yet, because the concepts he explains are central to our everyday lives in the 21st century, even though most people think they are incomprehensible and abstruse. From how the Sun keeps shining to the quantum computer revolution there is plenty here to enthral and entertain, as well as to inform. -- John GribbinWhat sets this book apart is the way it focuses on the applications of quantum physics - the things that have changed our lives and brought us to what Clegg calls the "quantum age". Truly fascinating. * Times Higher Education *I challenge anyone not to find it spellbinding. -- Nick Smith * E&T Magazine *Clegg's enthusiasm is catching, his science immaculate. * The Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Charles Graeber tells the astonishing story of the group of scientists working on a code that can enable the human immune system to fight — and perhaps even cure — cancer. For decades, scientists have puzzled over one of medicine’s greatest mysteries: why doesn’t our immune system fight cancer the way it does other diseases? The answer is a series of tricks that cancer has developed to turn off normal immune responses — tricks that scientists have only recently discovered, and now are learning to defeat. We are in the midst of a revolution in our understanding of cancer and how to beat it. Groundbreaking, riveting, and expertly told, The Breakthrough is the story of the game-changing and Nobel Prize-winning scientific discoveries that unleash our natural ability to recognise and defeat cancer, as told through the experiences of the patients, physicians, and immunotherapy researchers who are on the front lines. This is the incredible true story of the race to find a cure, and the definitive account of a historic moment in medical science.Trade Review‘Only Graeber, one of America's greatest non-fiction writers, could take a subject so complex, dense and sprawling and turn it into a rollicking high-tension medical thriller. Masterful.’ -- Douglas Rogers, award-winning journalist and author of The Last Resort‘A gripping chronicle of the 100-year overnight success of immunotherapy. For myself and millions of other cancer survivors, The Breakthrough is a book of immense and essential hope.’ -- Michael Fitzgerald, co-founder and CEO of Submittable and author of Radiant Days‘There is no villain more ruthless than cancer, which has robbed us all of loved ones who had to endure untold suffering before they succumbed. But after decades of frustration and toil, scientists finally understand how to vanquish the disease by activating the human body's natural defences. The intimate stories behind this triumph lie at the heart of Charles Graeber's The Breakthrough, an expertly crafted and exhilarating account of life-saving ingenuity at its most dazzling. You will never encounter another book so incisive about the art of medical sleuthing, or so poetic about our innate drive to hold on to all that's beautiful in this world for as long as we can.’ -- Brendan I. Koerner, Wired contributing editor and author of The Skies Belong to Us‘Lucid and informed … Graeber gives readers a basis for both understanding the challenges involved and for cautious optimism that a cure can be found.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Graeber concisely reviews the science of cancer … The risks of tinkering with an intricate immune system are obviously high, even perilous. But the potential reward is a cure. Exciting reading.’ * Booklist *‘Imagine a vaccine that could cure cancer. As this book reports, that possibility may not be far off … [T]he book offers hope for more effective treatments in the near future. A readable survey of the emerging field of immunotherapy in cancer treatment.’ * Kirkus *‘In Mr Graeber’s hands, the evolution of immuno-oncology is both captivating and heartbreaking.’ -- David A. Shaywitz * The Wall Street Journal *‘Graeber’s writing is swift and clear, as if he can barely contain his enthusiasm for the subject — and, in fact, he can’t contain it ... One or two chapters are weighted down by talk of cell division and the like but, for the most part, Graeber paints vivid portraits of people who have cancer or are trying to conquer it ... a rare and thrilling thing: a hopeful, even inspiring, book about cancer.’ -- Chris Hewitt * Minneapolis Star Tribune *‘The extraordinary story of how medical research may finally have made the ultimate breakthrough – a cure for cancer.’ -- Bianca Nogrady * Sydney Morning Herald *‘The new book by Charles Graeber, The Breakthrough: Immunotherapy and the Race to Cure Cancer, artfully traces the history of old and new developments that may have — finally — resulted in an actual cure for the most dreaded of all diseases.’ -- Mimi Swartz * The New York Times *‘Fascinating and engaging … Written with the verve and tension of a medical thriller, Graeber vividly brings to life the scientists and physicians on the front-line battle with cancer and details in simple terms their efforts and breakthroughs.’ * Canberra Weekly *‘The Breakthrough not only provides good background and good understanding for patients, but is also a wonderful read, a book easily picked up but not easily put down — I'd recommend it for any patient interested in immunology of cancer.’ -- Dr. James L. Gulley MD, PhD, Director of Medical Oncology, Chief of Immunology, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH)‘Crisp and suspenseful ... an inspiring medical narrative.’ * BBC *‘Graeber does it again. He takes a complex topic — this time advances in cancer treatment — and weaves an engaging narrative that engages you to the end. With cancer as a leading cause of illness and death, this book is a timely and important account of the challenges and possibilities for new horizons in cancer treatment.’ -- Diana J. Mason, PhD, Senior Policy Service Professor (George Washington University School of Nursing), Professor Emerita (Hunter College, City University of New York)‘[A] deft, detailed study of cancer immunotherapy ... From the once-discredited pioneer William Coley to immunologist and Nobel laureate James P. Allison, they form a brilliant, driven, admirably stubborn group that Graeber brings vividly to life.’ * Nature *‘Fascinating ... [Graeber] weaves human stories with accounts of scientific progress, looking beyond the “cut, burn, and poison techniques” — surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy — to focus on the myriad ways the immune system can attack cancer, and provides hope that a cure might not be beyond imagination.’ * The National Book Review *‘The Breakthrough, reads like a crime thriller because that's what it is — the true story of a dedicated, persistent group of doctors and scientists stalking a killer: cancer … Brilliant.’ * Australian Financial Review *‘An entertaining and moving portrait of [Charles Graeber’s] trade ... As skilled a wordsmith as a surgeon.’ -- Robin Osborne * GPSpeak *Praise for The Good Nurse: ‘A stunning book … that should and does bring to mind In Cold Blood … the story appeals to prurient interests, as does any graphic tale of true crime. But The Good Nurse succeeds in being about much more than Mr. Cullen's murderous kinks. The causes of his pathology are not interesting. But the eagerness of ambitious hospital administrators to cover up his misdeeds is revelatory. And the police investigation that brought him down is a thriller in every sense of that word.’ * New York Times *Praise for The Good Nurse: ‘The most terrifying book published this year. It is also one of the most thoughtful … From a long series of conversations with Cullen, the detectives who solved the case and Amy, a nurse who once was Cullen's best friend and eventually got him to confess, among many other sources, Graeber has crafted a book that is a revelation. The Good Nurse is gripping, sad, suspenseful, rhythmic and beautifully documented (the endnotes to this book are impressive).’ * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for The Good Nurse: ‘Graeber doesn't pull punches … A deeply unsettling addition to the true crime genre.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for The Good Nurse: ‘Engrossing … hard-to-put-down … On one level, The Good Nurse is an absorbing story of a serial killer operating within the walls of what most view as a trusted institution. On another, it's an intriguing detective story. And on another it's an indictment of the hospital industry.’ * The New Jersey Star-Ledger *Praise for The Good Nurse: ‘A remarkable new book … gripping and brilliantly written.’ * Healthcare Risk Management *

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Book SynopsisAt a time of increasing volatility in healthcare provision, we are all having to become more responsible for our own well-being. This book - an imaginative, practical and accessible guide to our inner organs - is written for anyone who wants to improve their health and develop resiliency against illness. Although trained as a medical doctor, Olaf Koob has the vision and experience of a holistic physician. He has surveyed diverse medical systems - orthodox medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, Chinese, ayurvedic and anthroposophic medicine - and found their common substance. Using this knowledge, he relates the essence of each human organ: its position, colour, form, embryonic development, function and characteristic attributes. Thus, the organs begin to tell their own stories, revealing their `biography', physiognomy and the illnesses they are prone to. Inspired by esoteric wisdom, Koob creates living images of the pancreas and the hormone system and shows how the spleen, liver, gall bladder, heart, kidneys, lungs and reproductive organs relate to the wider cosmos. He describes the nature of poison and detoxification, good and bad nutrition and the importance of secretion and elimination. If the Organs Could Speak is a unique work that enables us to think more creatively about our bodies and how they function, and to help us cope with crises, suffering and pain.Trade Review`This book can help us trace the secrets of our own body, to see it as a wonder of creation, and to marvel at it time and again with reverence and gratitude...' - Prof. Dr Volker FintelmannTable of ContentsPreface by Volker Fintelmann - Foreword - The Human Enigma - The Cosmic Language of the Human Form - The human being as constituted by the zodiac - The Planetary Order in the Organs - The spleen as the Saturn organ - The liver as the Jupiter organ - The gall bladder as the Mars organ - The heart as the Sun organ - The kidneys as the Venus organ - The lungs as the Mercury organ - The reproductive organs and silver - The Pancreas - The Hormone System - The Lungs, Liver, Kidneys and Heart as the Four Meteorological Organs - The lungs as the earth organ - The liver as the water organ - The kidneys and bladder as the air organs - The heart as the warmth organ - Poisoning and Detoxifying - Mineral poisoning - Plant poisoning - Animal poisoning -The Importance of Secretion and Elimination - Perspiration as the 'mummy' of life processes - Urine as the 'mummy' of soul activity - Intestinal excretion as the 'mummy' of I activity - Nutrition and Healing - Naturopathic and Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Chinese and Anthroposophic Medicine - Gleaned on the Journey - Notes and references

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Book SynopsisWhat do people with a particularly long life-span eat? How can you lose weight efficiently? Are illnesses in old age avoidable? Can you ‘eat yourself young’? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this practical, science-based guide to eating well and living longer, which has sold over a million copies worldwide. When science journalist Bas Kast collapsed with chest pains, he feared he had ruined his health forever with a diet of junk food. So he set off on a journey to uncover the essentials of diet and longevity. Here, filtered from thousands of sometimes conflicting research findings, Kast presents the key scientific insights that reveal the most beneficial diet possible. From analysing how much sugar you should consume to looking at the impact of supplements, fasting, and even whether you should drink tea or coffee, Kast breaks down diet myths to present the key facts you need to know in clear, accessible language. Trade Review‘In The Diet Compass Kast sorts the wheat from the chaff.’ * The Times *‘Kast is one of the new breed of nutritional experts who are not interested in keeping waists trim, but helping us live longer.’ * The Herald *‘The most important non-fiction book of the year.’ * Der Spiegel *‘Science journalist Bas Kast is at the cutting edge of research on nutrition … Here he fascinatingly and clearly explains the essence of the latest findings.’ * Woman *‘Kast’s book provides exactly what it promises: a summary of the most recent nutritional findings in easily digestible morsels.’ * Berliner Morgenpost *

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Book SynopsisAlmost half of adults in the UK suffer from chronic pain. Yet this is often unrelated to any physical injury. So why does it still hurt? Research over the last few decades shows that many of us are victims of a devilish trick of the nervous system: our brains prolong pain long after our bodies have healed from injury. This leads to hundreds of billions of pounds being spent each year on treatments that sometimes do nothing and sometimes make matters worse. Paul Biegler, a science journalist and former doctor who has been on his own pain journey, investigates the true source of chronic pain — our brain’s so-called neuroplasticity — and emerging therapies that can rewire the brain and end suffering. As he knows only too well, this doesn’t mean pain is all in a person’s head. Pain is real, but its meaning is often misunderstood. Through conversations with scientists, doctors, and people who have overcome chronic pain, Biegler shines a light on the rigorous new studies — and emotional personal stories — that are changing the way we understand and treat pain. Most importantly, he shows how to take control over persistent pain and truly heal.Trade Review‘As someone who lived with chronic pain for decades, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.’ -- Fiona Capp * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘Why Does It Still Hurt? convincingly asks us to look beyond the usual offerings for pain — painkillers, surgeries, even replacement body parts — to psychological methods that challenge how we usually respond to physical suffering. By book’s end, Biegler says it’s up to us what we do with this new arsenal of knowledge. Profound possibilities are out there for treating pain that are now impossible to ignore.’ -- Nathan Smith * The Saturday Paper *‘Paul Biegler shines a light on the way we understand and treat chronic pain. Most importantly, he shows how to take control over persistent pain and truly heal.’ * Good Reading *‘Through research and conversations with scientists, Biegler shines new light on our understanding of pain and discusses how to take control over pain and truly heal. A fascinating and important book.’ -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Weekly *‘Biegler’s book is for those who want to understand the history of pain as well as the most recent breakthroughs in treatment … This is an inherently optimistic book: the author delves deep into the positive effect that mental strategies such as hypnosis can have on pain and quality of life. Accordingly, it will be an invaluable resource for people suffering with chronic pain, and will hopefully open up alternative strategies and ultimately give readers hope. People who appreciated Karra Eloff’s The Chronic Pain Couple might find value in Why Does it Still Hurt?.’ -- Rebecca Whitehead * Books+Publishing *‘Science journalist and former doctor Paul Biegler investigates the true source of chronic pain. Having suffered himself, he needs to know why pain persists well after an injury is healed. He interviews scientists, doctors and people who have overcome chronic pain, sharing the latest studies and personal stories. Ultimately, he asks whether the brain really can change the nervous system. If the answer to that is “yes” and the result is pain, can thinking change it back again? An interesting read for anyone with chronic, ongoing pain, or anyone interested in the power of the mind.’ -- Cheryl Akle * The Weekend Australian *‘Paul Biegler does a magnificent job of drawing together science and personal stories. Biegler is a beautiful writer with a keen interest in the humans behind the statistics, but he’s also clearly deeply researched. Particular high points for me were a clear description of gate control theory − perhaps the pivotal theory for understanding pain − and a fascinating chapter on the problematic power of placebo surgery. Highly recommended for anyone interested in pain − or science in general.’ -- Liam Mannix * The Age: Examine Newsletter *‘The main takeaway from Biegler’s book is clear from its subtitle: “How the power of knowledge can overcome chronic pain”. Understanding how pain works can reduce its severity and information can empower patients to seek out treatment options. Knowledge can lead to better-quality conversations with health professionals … The pain paradigm might be shifting, but it’s up to us to accelerate it. We can only do that fully armed with facts and evidence.’ -- Peter Quarry * Australian Financial Review *Praise for The Ethical Treatment of Depression: ‘Biegler’s wonderful book sheds new light on autonomy, depression, and the moral purposes of medicine, making a strong case for preferring psychotherapeutic over drug treatments for depression. His clearly written, scientifically well-informed book is essential reading for all interested in medical ethics or mental disorders.’ -- Richard Ashcroft, professor of bioethics at University of LondonPraise for The Ethical Treatment of Depression: ‘No other book combines philosophy with so much empirical information to critique overreliance on drugs in the treatment of a mental illness. Biegler’s message is both sobering and clear. His book is a significant contribution to the philosophy of psychiatry as well as to the key role that maximising patient autonomy should play in the choice of therapies for depression.’ -- George Graham, professor of philosophy and neuroscience at Georgia State UniversityPraise for The Ethical Treatment of Depression: ‘This book is long overdue. Biegler gives a compelling analysis of the impact depression has on autonomous decision making — a factor which, he argues, has important implications for its treatment. Given how many people suffer from this debilitating disease worldwide, his insight has the potential to transform the medical, moral, and social wellbeing of a substantial portion of the world’s population. The Ethical Treatment of Depression is essential for clinicians, bioethicists, lawyers, and policy practitioners. -- Patricia Illingworth, department of philosophy and religion at College of Business Adminstration, and School of Law, Northeastern University

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Book SynopsisThe epic, page-turning history of how a group of physicists toppled the Newtonian universe in the early decades of the twentieth century. Marie Curie, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Erwin Schrödinger, and Albert Einstein didn’t only revolutionise physics; they redefined our world and the reality we live in. In The Age of Uncertainty, Tobias Hürter brings to life the golden age of physics and its dazzling, flawed, and unforgettable heroes and heroines. The work of the twentieth century’s most important physicists produced scientific breakthroughs that led to an entirely new view of physics — and a view of the universe that is still not fully understood today, even as evidence for its accuracy is all around us. The men and women who made these discoveries were intellectual adventurers, renegades, dandies, and nerds, some bound together by deep friendship; others, by bitter enmity. But the age of relativity theory and quantum mechanics was also the age of wars and revolutions. The discovery of radioactivity transformed science, but also led to the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Throughout The Age of Uncertainty, Hürter reminds us about the entanglement of science and world events, for we cannot observe the world without changing it.Trade Review‘Intriguing and well-written … The Age of Uncertainty cleverly interweaves the stories of the leading early 20th-century physicists with the political and personal events that shaped their lives … Hürter’s formidable grasp of the great period of quantum discovery represents a new, exciting approach to the literature about this momentous era.’ * The Wall Street Journal *‘Remarkable … Hürter treats his subjects like the cast in a nail-bitingly enthralling drama … A stark reminder that epic thrillers aren’t always found in the fiction section.’ -- Jane Graham * Big Issue *‘Highlights the work of Marie Curie, Max Planck, Wolfgang Pauli, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, Erwin Schrödinger, Albert Einstein, and others did together to shake up physics and introduce quantum mechanics, arguing that the field’s discovery was a collaborative effort.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Hürter guides us through the time when physicists developed their fundamental theories.’ * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *‘[The Age of Uncertainty's] great strength lies in the way Tobias Hürter brings together the cast of driven, gifted and all-too-human scientists who upended Newtonian physics, showing how the dynamics between them spurred their discoveries. Quantum mechanics is made accessible to the general reader through key moments in the scientists’ careers, such as Marie Curie’s discovery of radium, Einstein’s theory of relativity and Niels Bohr’s model of the atom, culminating in the race to produce an atomic bomb.’ -- Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘Hürter makes the history of this important period in science and beyond highly readable … It is also an extremely interesting history on the personal and political level … Highly recommended for those with an interest in science and the people who did it.’ -- Tim Mendham * The Skeptic *

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Book SynopsisHow did time begin? What conditions led to humans evolving on Earth? Will we survive the Anthropocene? And is it really true that we’re all made from stars? Combining knowledge from chemistry, biology, and physics, with insights from the social sciences and humanities, A Brief History of the Last 13.8 Billion Years follows the continuum of historical change in the cosmos — from the Big Bang, through the evolution of life, to human history. In this compelling and revealing book, David Baker traces the rise of complexity in the cosmos, from the first atoms to the first life and then to humans and the things we have made. He shows us how simple clumps of hydrogen gas transformed into complex human societies. This approach — Big History — allows us to see beyond the chaos of human affairs to the overall trajectory. Finally, Baker looks at the dramatic and sudden changes we’re making to our planet and its biosphere and how history hints at what might come next.Trade Review‘This writing is brilliant.’ -- John Green‘A Brief History of the Last 13.8 Billion Years operates at such a vast scale that it cannot help but brush up against the eternal and the profound.’ -- Kurt Johnson * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘It’s quite a feat to then fit this Big History into a “shortest history” … It is helpful to see through the perspective of Big History, to cultivate some humility. At the same time, Big History can also point to our uniqueness, perhaps leading to a similar conclusion: our tenure is fragile, and we shouldn’t squander our time under the sun.’ -- Nick Mattiske * Insights *‘A Brief History of the Last 13.8 Billion Years is a captivating exploration — through life, the universe and everything.’ -- Rama Gaind * PS News *

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Book SynopsisOUT NOW: the new book from the bestselling authors and hosts of the wildy popular ''The Skeptics Guide to the Universe''__________Our predictions of the future are a wild fantasy, inextricably linked to our present hopes and fears, biases and ignorance. Whether they be the outlandish leaps predicted in the 1920s, like multi-purpose utility belts with climate control capabilities and planes the size of luxury cruise ships, or the forecasts of the ''60s, which didn''t anticipate the sexual revolution or women''s liberation, the path to the present is littered with failed predictions and incorrect estimations.The best we can do is try to absorb from futurism''s checkered past, perhaps learning to do a little better.In The Skeptics'' Guide To The Future, Steven Novella and his co-authors build upon the work of futurists of the past by examining what they got right, what they got wrong, and how they came to those conclusi

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Book SynopsisNew in paperback, an engrossing guide to the anatomy of flies and the science behind their unique adaptations from the award-winning author of the acclaimed 'Secret Life of Flies'.

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Book SynopsisNow in its second edition, Sustainable Materials shows how we can greatly reduce the amount of material demanded and used in manufacturing, while still meeting everyone's needs. Materials, transformed from natural resources into the buildings, equipment, vehicles and goods that underpin our remarkable lifestyle, are made with amazing efficiency. But our growing demand is not sustainable. Production of just five materials – steel, aluminium, paper, plastics and cement – accounts for 55% of industrial emissions, and demand for materials will double by 2050. Can we continue to live well but use less materials? So far people have considered the problem with only one eye open, hoping for a magic solution (such as carbon capture and storage). But with both eyes open we have a whole new set of options. Rather than making more materials, we can use them more wisely – with less material, keeping them for longer, re-using their parts and more. These options make a huge difference: we really could set up our children with a more sustainable life, without compromising our own. Sustainable Materials faces up to the impacts of making materials in the 21st century. Drawing on their experiences working with innovative materials as well as the facts and findings of their research, Julian Allwood and Jonathan Cullen provide an evidence-based vision of change that will allow us to make our future more sustainable. Packed with hundreds of colour photos and helpful graphs and diagrams, Sustainable Materials provides a thorough analysis of the problems that we face through wasteful attitudes and the growing demand for materials, as well as an evaluation of practical and achievable solutions for the future. The first edition of this optimistic and richly-informed book was listed as one of Bill Gate's top reads in 2015, and was also chosen as an Outstanding Academic Title by ACRL Choice magazine. This up-to-date, revised edition is perfect for anyone with an interest in sustainability.Trade ReviewInstead of the usual ya-boo about sustainability, this is a pragmatic guide to getting more value from less stuff. Researched with long-term co-operation from industry, it emphasizes facts and evidence but is aimed at a popular readership. * BBC News Magazine *Well researched with reasoned and compelling arguments... This is essential reading for both student and practitioner, particularly those in senior management positions. 10/10. * Materials World (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) *A valuable, impartial expert source in an important debate. * BOING BOING *The book offers perspectives from fundamental materials science, process engineering, product design and architecture, and economics not seen in most materials texts. * Science *An excellent book ... the message is clear and convincing: We can’t go on using materials the way we have been for the past 150 years, but fortunately, we don’t have to. We can meet the world’s growing need for the stuff of modern life, avoid the worst effects of climate change, and preserve the environment for future generations. * Bill Gates, Gates Notes *This is something you don’t see every day: a substantial, carefully-researched book on how to reform our manufacturing industries for policy-makers trying to cut emissions, and anyone in manufacturing, it should be required reading. * New Scientist Culture Lab *Accessible, fact-filled and entertaining read. * Friends of the Earth Blog *Allwood and Cullen write about engineering with the elegance of the best pop-science writers... A valuable, impartial expert source in an important debate. * Boing Boing *Table of ContentsThe world of materials With one eye open With both eyes open Other materials Creating sustainable material future References Index Acknowledgements About the authors

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the Young Adult Science Book Award, AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books""One of NPR's best books of 2020""If you enjoy imagining a mission in which humans launch a rocket that contains a spacecraft that releases a lander that launches a space boat – or even a space submarine – Hand’s book will help you grasp the full picture."---Philip Ewing, NPR's best books of 2020"A NASA scientist looks to the water-rich moons of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europa, Titan, and Enceladus, as promising sites for the search for life beyond the Earth." * Publishers Weekly *"[Alien Oceans] describes why studying Earth’s own ocean is a crucial chapter in the quest to explore the shores of extraterrestrial seas."---Nadia Drake, National Geographic"Alien Oceans offers a historical look—as well as a peek into the future—at one of the most exciting aspects of space exploration. With the technology at hand, we could determine whether there’s life beyond Earth."---Sid Perkins, Science News"A book that is likely to prove one of the year’s most enthralling first-person accounts of a life in science."---Simon Ings, New Scientist"Alien Oceans successfully straddles a fine line between accessibility and scientific thoroughness. Hand's book is as fascinating as it is optimistic."---Tobias Mutter, Shelf Awareness"A maritime tale like no other. . . . For those who dream of plying the South Seas with Cook, or descending in the Bathysphere with Beebe, Alien Oceans provides an appealing guide to seas undreamt of until now."---Andrew H. Knoll, Times Literary Supplement"What is so captivating about this book is that it isn't just a solid survey of what we've learned in recent decades about the icy moons, but that the narrative is told by an active researcher deeply embedded in these endeavours. Through Hand's eyes we meet many of the key personalities involved and feel the sting of disappointment at cancelled funding or a malfunctioning probe, as well as the soaring excitement of a new discovery."---Lewis Dartnell, BBC Sky at Night Magazine"The author discusses how we look for and study alien oceans and what the future holds for this increasingly popular field of research. This is a book well suited to the general public, with very accessible prose, and science interspersed with personal anecdotes and witty analogies." * Nature Astronomy *"It’s a tale full of scientific twists, and Hand proves an exemplary guide: never going quite where you expect him to go and confidently leading you to ideas that are, as you’d hope, not at all obvious."---Corey S. Powell, American Scientist"To paraphrase Hamlet, there are more things in heaven and Earth than are dreamt in our philosophy. Hand calls on us to probe the depths of alien oceans to discover them. I agree."---Robert Zubrin, National Review"This is a fun, pretty cool book to read. . . . Hand’s enthusiasm is clear to see, and he has written an accessible book that takes the general reader along with him to illustrate what we already know about Io, Callisto, Titan, Ganymede and Europa too."---Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News"This book would make anyone excited about space. The research presented is thorough and the pictures included are amazing. Hand dives into every aspect of life imaginable."---Rachel Dehning, Manhattan Book Review"A thoughtful and thought-provoking treatise on the many facets that are being pursued in our quest to discover new worlds and search for life beyond our atmosphere."---Milbry C. Polk, The Explorers Journal"Alien Oceans represents an excellent introduction to the search for life in a newly defined zone of possibility. It is a good rendering of how scientific research in extreme environments is carried out, including examples of things that can go badly wrong, and comes across to the reader as the work of someone with a real enthusiasm for his subject. I very much hope that Hand will be our guide on future journeys."---John Gilbey, Chemistry World"[Hand] has been to improbable places - at risk to his own life - and has managed to conduct science while not passing on the chance to drink in the awe and wonderment of being there. This book is laced with that unfiltered enthusiasm and awe for what we have learned, what we are learning, and what lies ahead."---Keith Cowing, Astrobiology Web"Terribly fascinating, Alien Oceans makes a convincing case for exploring the moons in our solar system in the search for extraterrestrial life."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist"If you want to learn about how the intersection of numerous areas of science are helping inform our understanding of the oceans, space, and ourselves, Alien Oceans is by far one of the most clearly written books on the topic. . . . It is also a wonderful window into the way scientists and engineers think about solving real world problems and applying basic knowledge."---Jonathan Wai, Forbes"A brilliant, exciting book that puts forth the best possible case for seeking extraterrestrial life on the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. I highly recommend it as one of the best books on astrobiology that I have seen so far."---Peter R. Bahn, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres"Superb. . . . Alien Oceans is a delightful way to open the door to the discoveries that have already been made in this area of research as well as what questions are seeking to be answered now and what aspirations researchers have for the future."---Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"In The Illusionist Brain, Jordi Camí and Luis Martínez elucidate the ways the two disciplines [psychological science and stage magic] can illuminate each other."---Matthew Hutson, Wall Street Journal"This exploration of neuroscience through the lens of magic will appeal to science-oriented readers, as it is first and foremost a deep dive into how the brain processes information. It’s also sure to find an audience in anyone who has ever witnessed a magic trick and wondered how the heck it works."---Ragan O'Malley, Library Journal"[A] tantalizing study."---Andrew Robinson, Nature"Cami and Martinez act like Morpheus, explaining in simple terms, and with compelling examples, the intricate workings of the matrix in our brain. In their book, magic acts as a trigger to learn neuroscience principles that are presented through a fascinating and refreshing viewpoint, and that should also be interesting to the lay reader not acquainted with the sorcerers’ guild."---Rodrigo Quian Quiroga, Current Biology"Thanks to this book, readers may arrive at a deeper understanding of daily experience through the intersection of neuroscience and the magical arts. The next time thisreader fi nds himself baffled by a magic trick, reflecting on which cognitive processes were hijacked will be thrilling."---J. E. Perez, Choice Reviews

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Book SynopsisHave you ever seen something that wasn't really there? Heard someone call your name in an empty house? Sensed someone following you and turned around to find nothing? Hallucinations don't belong wholly to the insane. Much more commonly, they are linked to sensory deprivation, intoxication, illness, or injury. In some conditions, hallucinations can lead to religious epiphanies or even the feeling of leaving one's own body. Humans have always sought such life-changing visions, and for thousands of years have used hallucinogenic compounds to achieve them. In Hallucinations, with his usual elegance, curiosity, and compassion, Dr Oliver Sacks weaves together stories of his patients and of his own mind-altering experiences to illuminate what hallucinations tell us about the organization and structure of our brains, how they have influenced every culture's folklore and art, and why the potential for hallucination is present in us all, a vital pTrade Review‘Oliver Sacks is a neurologist, a man of humane eloquence, and a genuine communicator’ Observer‘Sacks writes, basically, adventure stories, accounts of voyages into the unexplained territory of the brain. In doing so, he reveals a landscape far more complex and strange than anything we could infer from our daily interactions’ Sunday Times‘Sacks is above all a clinician, and writes with compassion and clarity . . . The result is a sort of humane discourse on the fragility of our minds, of the bodies that give rise to them, and of the world they create for us’ Daily Telegraph‘In measured prose with a blessed lack of jargon, Sacks explores the ingenuity with which individuals cope with bizarre neurological conditions . . . humane, empathic, he is the doctor you would want’ Independent‘Oliver Sacks has become the world’s best-known neurologist. His case studies of broken minds offer brilliant insight into the mysteries of consciousness’ Guardian'Sacks is at his most engaging when he brings the ostensibly strange into the realm of normality . . . This is where Sacks triumphs. Not just in the clarity with which he teaches us about the obscure phenomology of the human brain, but in the light his writings casts on even our most ordinary experiences.' Daily Telegraph‘The king of pop-neurology reveals how almost all of us have hallucinations’ GQ‘It’s a feat to bring any specialty in medicine vividly to life, and to do so without relinquishing the sensitivity and empathy that characterise the best doctors is something that few achieve. Oliver Sacks has managed it throughout his career . . . Affable, affectionate, respectful and smart, Sacks could be the David Attenborough of the human mind.’ Independent on Sunday'An enthralling, often guiltily comic insight into the pecularities the brain can conjure.' Irish Examiner'Oliver Sacks is a graceful, lucid and elegant prose stylist. Though perhaps above all, he is the witty, warm, humble and deeply compassionate explorer of how our brains influence our world . . . fascinating.' Lady'Hallucinations is an absorbing study of an exotic subject . . . Hallucinatory literature is either transgressive or presented as a search for enlightenment. This new volume sits elegantly between the two extremes and is more rewarding than either - a continuing investigation into what makes us human.' Literary Review'The greatest living ethnographer of those fascinating tribes qho live on the outer and still largely unchartered shores of the land of Mind-and-Brain.' Observer'A very human insight into what happens when our brains go awry.' Psychologies'Sacks writes in the the great tradition of literary doctors. He is humane, relaxed and amused, and loved a good anecdote.' Spectator'Startling and intriguing' Sunday Times‘No more enlightening science book has appeared this year . . . Miss this at your peril.’ Sunday Times Science Book of the Year 'A superb synthesis of the literature on these arresting, disturbing and sometimes terrifying phenomena, and a profound work of humanity.' TLS'Fascinating' * The Times *‘Wide-ranging, compassionate and ultimately revelatory . . . Hallucinations is the keystone of the amazing edifice that is this remarkable thinker’s oeuvre.’ Will Self, GuardianSacks's trip through the world of hallucinations - and his own LSD experiences - explains some of the mesmerising ways our brains can deceive us -- Best Books of 2013 * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis''I feared maths when at school - this book is the antidote.'' - Amazon 5 star review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Wonderful compact book for students''- Amazon 5 star review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Maths does not have to be difficult.This book, complete with exercises and answers, forms a course which will take you from beginner or intermediate level to being a confident mathematician. This book includes: simple step-by-step explanations, to help you grasp new topics or those that have previously confused you; practice questions throughout, to help you embed your learning and improve your confidence; and end of chapter summaries, to help you remember the key points you''ve learned - all in one great-value book, so you don''t need any separate workbooks or coursebooks.Chapters include: number; angles; fractions; two-dimensional shapes

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Book SynopsisFrom Indian vultures to Chinese bees, Nature provides the 'natural services' that keep the economy going. From the recycling miracles in the soil; an army of predators ridding us of unwanted pests; an abundance of life creating a genetic codebook that underpins our food, pharmaceutical industries and much more, it has been estimated that these and other services are each year worth about double global GDP. Yet we take most of Nature's services for granted, imagining them free and limitless ... until they suddenly switch off. This is a book full of immediate, impactful stories, containing both warnings (such as in the tale of India's vultures, killed off by drugs given to cattle, leading to an epidemic of rabies) but also the positive (how birds protect fruit harvests, coral reefs protect coasts from storms and how the rainforests absorb billions of tonnes of carbon released from cars and power stations). Tony Juniper's book will change whole way you think about life, the planet and the economyTrade ReviewPraise for Tony Juniper: 'He is by popular consent the most effective of Britain's eco-warriors * Independent *One of the top ten environmental figures of the last thirty years -- The ENDS Report[Tony Juniper] is among the 100 people who are making the decisions that affect your life * Country Life *A brilliant resume of Nature's New Deal: nurture me and I'll nurture you. * Nick Crane *What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? is a brilliant resume of nature¹s new deal: nurture me and I'll nurture you. -- Nick Crane, author and TV presenterJuniper explains how the welfare of the human species rests on the assets and services provided by the rest of nature, and makes the case for natural capital to be integral in a new economy fit for the future. -- Michael Clarke, Chief Executive, RSPBTony Juniper takes us on a highly readable, personal journey of discovery of nature and our reliance upon it. What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? provides the stories and the numbers to convince others that investing in nature¹s balance sheet is good for the corporate balance sheet. -- Jose Lopez, NestléThis book should be on the essential reading list at schools. Without understanding the essence of life - and this is a fantastically modern romp through it - how can our children be expected to make the right decisions? If we ever needed a book to remind us that we are part of nature, not separate from it, this is it. -- Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive, The Wildlife TrustsScience Books of the Year ... A readable, timely vision -- Robin McKie * Observer *

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