Popular science Books

Book SynopsisContaining around 200 fascinating science puzzles posing real-world questions for you to ponder and solve at home. The answer to each problem explains a scientific principle in easy-to-understand terms, so not only are you solving puzzles, you are also having fun while you learn. This fun book takes a slightly different look at puzzle questions, and all of the posers are based on real-world science. So you'll learn how to boil water in your palm, why you can crack your knuckles, how to walk on fire, why feet feel cold on a wooden floor and of course how you get an egg into a bottle. Table of Contents200 science puzzles, with answers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Human Age is an intrepid exploration of the new geological epoch in which we now find ourselves: the Anthropocene. Defined as the Age of Man, this is the epoch in which human beings have become the driving forces that mould, transform and destroy Earth. Where natural occurrences once controlled climate, geology and the genesis and demise of species, humankind now holds the reins. Bringing together scientific theory, political argument, philosophical questioning and our deepest fears and hopes for the future, The Human Age explores this new age through informative and compelling text, and astounding photographs of the impact of human life on Earth. Powerful graphics depict the changing nature of the landscape and the very bedrock of our planet, and the destruction of ancient systems and environments that is resulting in global upheaval and climate breakdown. Creating a visual and written timeline of the age of human domination, The Human Age reveals how this era was born, the ways in which it is impacting us and our planet now, and the outlook for the future. Table of ContentsIntroduction: The new epoch • The strange case of freezing lava • Conceptual debates • The birth of deep time • Early insights and missed opportunities • Excessive heat • Melting of glaciers • Weather extremes • Draining of wetlands • Plastic islands • The ocean • Drilling and fracking • Mass extinction • Inequality • The African Anthropocene • Outer space • Denial • The geosocial turn • Extinction rebellion • Geopolitics • Conclusion • Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEssential Science aims to be the most detailed, accessible and authoritative book of its kind. Each of the 34 discoveries is broken down into seven essential elements to aid comprehension and inform the reader about what really matters: THE ESSENTIAL IDEA: a concise summary of the idea or discovery that makes complex ideas as simple as possible. ORIGINS: where does the discovery come from, who made it and how does it fit in the wider scientific context? KEY THEORIES AND EVIDENCE: even our most familiar ideas and discoveries are far from 'common sense'. How do we know what we know? What is the evidence? What are the dominant theories? CRITICS: science is a constant process of criticism and revision. How have various ideas survived attempts to discredit them? How secure is our knowledge and is it complete? WHY IT MATTERS: how important is the discovery in the wider scientific context? How much has it reshaped our perception of reality? FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS: what remains to be discovered? Might even dominant ideas and discoveries be superseded by better ones? THE ESSENTIAL SUMMARY: a visual outline of all the key insights from the above analytical headings. The consistent structure not only breaks down complex topics into simple, easy to understand chunks, but also helps readers to think for themselves about the process of scientific discovery, testing and progress, showing that science is not just a set of ideas to be learned, but a never-ending process that is constantly reshaping our perception of reality. Table of ContentsPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY: work, power and energy; thermodynamics; classical mechanics; electromagnetism; light; quantum theory; relativity: time and space; forces and particles; gravity; the Big Bang; stars and solar systems; dark matter and dark energy; the multiverse and other mysteries. CHEMISTRY: atomic structure; states of matter; the Periodic Table; bonding and chemical reactions; organic and inorganic chemistry; industrial chemistry. BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION: what is life? evolution and natural selection; genetics; simple life forms; complex life forms; diversity and population; extinction. EARTH: formation; structure; origins of life; carbon cycle; rock cycle; weather systems; climate change.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerfume is part of the biblical text from Genesis through to Revelation, just as perfume pervades our modern life. Identifying the ingredients used in biblical times is difficult when information and meaning is lost in ancient languages. As expected, biblical perfumes were made from natural products but the range employed is surprisingly different from those of modern perfumes. The biblical ingredients are either defensive substances or products of decay, opening up an avenue of speculation as to why this is so. Charles Sell started his research into this area whilst working at Givaudan, the world’s leading manufacturer of perfumes and flavours. The introductory chapter of this book gives a brief outline of the history of the Bible lands, paving the way to understanding the difficulties in identifying exactly which plant sources the original authors meant. Other chapters discuss how plants make chemicals and how the sense of smell functions. The book explores the preparation, storage and uses of perfume, both sacred and secular, and compares and contrasts biblical perfumes with their modern equivalents. It recounts some interesting biblical events involving perfume ranging from courtship through seduction to prostitution and murder. The use of beautiful images from the windows of Canterbury Cathedral, where the author is a guide, illustrate some of the people and events in the biblical accounts and enable visualization of the historical uses of perfumes. The book is aimed at a broad audience and requires no prior specialised knowledge. The subject matter will be of interest to everyone, including chemists and general scientists, historians, those interested in perfumery, those interested in religious studies, and anyone interested in exploring chemistry in the world of art and the creative professions.Trade ReviewIt is a wide-ranging study in which, in addition to chemistry, Dr Sell examines geographical sources, botany, sensory science, medicine, and the arts. There is even a section on perfume storage. Bottles, interestingly, have survived from before 500 BC, and Isaiah mentions the ownership of perfume bottles as one of the trappings of wealth, along with bracelets, charms, and nose-rings. -- Ted Harrison * The Church Times *It's amazing how often the subject of smell comes up in the Bible, whether it be pleasing odours of sacrifice of Noah or the perfumes of the Song of Songs - and of course that expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus's feet, much to Judas's horror. Dr. Sell takes us on a fascinating journey through both Bible and science, laying bare the mechanism of smell and then seeking to explain how these perfumes (all natural ingredients in those days) were obtained. The evidence is often fragmentary (let's face it, the Bible was never meant to be an instruction in the art of perfume formulation), but Dr. Sell teases out many fascinating details, and augments them with beautiful illustrations using the stained glass windows, particularly those of Canterbury cathedral. A must for anyone interested in perfumery or chemistry. -- Teemacs * Amazon Review *Ted Harrison follows his nose through the Bible Christianity can be an olfactory faith. Low Church Protestantism might smell rather bland; but the further the worshipper moves towards the Catholic end of the spectrum, the more the nose is assaulted and delighted. Smell plays an important part in the biblical narrative, from the aromas of burnt offerings in the Old Testament through to the precious perfume used shortly before the Passion to anoint Christ. From Genesis 2 to Revelation 18 there are more than 200 references to perfume, odour, and smell. The old Temple in Jerusalem must have produced an over-powering stench of sweaty humans, frightened animals, burning flesh, and incense. The scene of the resurrection must have had a distinctive smell of embalming chemicals mixed with the early morning scents of garden plants. About 12 years ago, Dr Charles Sell, a chemist who was then working for an industrial fragrance company in Kent, started a research project into the history and chemistry of the biblical references. The results of his work have now been published as a book by the Royal Society of Chemistry, Perfumes in the Bible (pubs.rsc.org). It is a wide-ranging study in which, in addition to chemistry, Dr Sell examines geographical sources, botany, sensory science, medicine, and the arts. There is even a section on perfume storage. Bottles, interestingly, have survived from before 500 BC, and Isaiah mentions the ownership of perfume bottles as one of the trappings of wealth, along with bracelets, charms, and nose-rings. Some of the substances referred to in Perfumes in the Bible are familiar. Frankincense and myrrh are central to the nativity story as two of the gifts of the magi. Yet there were also many rare and exotic scents available to the people of the ancient world, with names that are no longer instantly recognised, such as onycha, galbanum, styrax, and nard. Matching the original Hebrew and Greek to modern names was not, Dr Sell found, always a matter of straightforward translation, and required additional linguistic research. The story starts with the mention of the river flowing from the Garden of Eden. One branch led to the land of Havilah, where, as well as gold and precious stones, bdellium was to be found, a fragrant gum resin and an early ingredient of perfume. For many centuries — until science devised ways of analysing the chemical make-up of smells — the perfumers’ practice was a secretive art. Formulae were rarely published. When Herodotus asked the perfumers of Arabia where they found labdanum, they told him a cock-and-bull story about how they combed it from the beards of goats. Given such reticence, it comes as a surprise to find two recipes set out in the book of Exodus. They were protected not by secrecy, but by threat of punishment: those who tried to recreate sacred tabernacle perfumes for their own use would be sent into exile. Measured out in shekels, the Lord told Moses to take portions of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and orris, and, having dissolved them in olive oil, to use the mixture to anoint all the holy vessels as sacred, and to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. The sacred incense was to contain equal amounts of styrax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, ground together into a fine powder. On the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to burn clouds of incense to obscure the Ark of the Covenant to protect him from seeing God. Strict instructions were given that only the priests were to use the special holy incense, and, when 250 men disobeyed the command, they were destroyed by divine fire, the book of Numbers relates. The ancient world of the Middle East was the centre of a network of trade routes that enabled aromatic ingredients to be sourced from many hundreds of miles away. Frankincense, according to Jeremiah, was brought from Sheba, and is today produced in the Horn of Africa and the south-west tip of the Arabian peninsula. Of all fragrances that get a mentionb only galbanum, a resin extracted from a flowering umbelliferous plant, is a true native of the Bible lands. Cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka, and cassia and agarwood are products of China. Frankincense is collected as “tears”: nuggets of a pale-yellow resin that oozes from wounds cut in the incense tree, one of the Burseraceae family. As with many types of tree, when the bark is damaged nature responds by producing a chemical to protect the tree from bacterial and fungal attack. The chemical solidifies to form a substance that exudes a fragrant smoke when burned. Myrrh is also sourced from Burseraceae trees, in the same regions of the world as frankincense. The antimicrobial chemicals produced by the trees to protect themselves have properties that can also be used in the embalming of bodies. Nard, or spikenard comes from much further afield. It is extracted from the roots of a shrub growing at high altitude in the Himalayas. It formed the highly expensive perfume used by the woman, probably Mary Magdalene, who anointed Christ’s feet and dried them with her hair, in St John’s account. The perfume’s cost can be attributed to both its rarity and the distance it had to travel. Exactly how valuable it was became a matter of some debate in the Gospels, and the quantity used by Mary was probably worth the equivalent of a year’s wages. What a waste, the disciples said — the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. But Jesus rebuked them, telling them: “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” Perfume in the Bible is found in prophecy, metaphor, and poetry. The gifts of the magi — gold, frankincense and myrrh — served a prophetic purpose as they foretold Christ’s kingship, priesthood and death. St Paul employs metaphorical references to perfume in his Epistles. In writing to the Corinthians, he talks of sharing the good news of Jesus as spreading the pleasing aroma of Christ. And the Ephesians are told that followers of Christ should be an offering whose fragrance is pleasing to God. Poetry, however, provides the richest vein of references. In the Song of Songs, the celebrated book of erotic love, the bride says of her bridegroom: “Fragrant is the scent of your perfume and your name like perfume poured out. While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.” Psalm 45 is one of several employing the language of fragrance (“All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia”). In Psalm 141, prayers are likened to incense. The sense of smell is one of the oldest in animal evolution. And, even if it is not the prime sense for humans, it remains one of great potency. As the Bible writers knew well, smell has a powerful effect on the emotions. Smell evokes memories and, in the right circumstances, can induce a sense of the sacred. Modern researchers have examined the chemistry of the vapours given off by burning incense and identified the chemical incensole acetate, which is known to induce a feeling of calm. Modern church incense, such as that used on special occasions at Canterbury Cathedral, where Dr Sell now works as a volunteer guide, might also contain rose oil, although the exact recipe of Rosa Mystica, as made by the monks at Alton Abbey, is a secret. Every individual responds to smell in his or her unique way. As Dr Sell points out, when St Paul wrote about the different responses to the gospel as being like different responses to the same odour, “he was touching on a profound truth about human individuality.” To understand smell in modern scientific language — to identify, for instance, that the curious smell encountered on entering an old church is the chemical geosmin — is not to diminish the mystery. “The more deeply I look into the mechanism of odour perception,” Dr Sell writes, “the more I agree with the psalmist who wrote: ‘We are fearfully and wonderfully made.’” -- Ted Harrison * The Church Times *Table of ContentsForeword by the Dean of Canterbury; Preface; Introduction; How the Sense of Smell Works; Perfume Ingredients in Nature; Sources of Perfume Ingredients; Identifying Perfume Ingredients in the Bible; The Ingredients of Biblical Perfumes; Perfumery; Perfume in the Bible; Perfume at Bethany; Appendix 1 Bible References to Perfume, Odour and the Sense of Smell; Appendix 2 The early medieval windows of Canterbury Cathedral; Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn Observer Book of the Year A Times Science Book of the Year A New Statesman Book of the Year A Financial Times Science Book of the Year 'Astonishingly bold' Daily Mail 'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next. Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true. Now revised and updated with content on Covid-19.Trade ReviewAstonishingly bold * Daily Mail *Perfect timing * Financial Times *Popular science at its best ... sparkling and clear. The subject is deeply fascinating and highly relevant ... Once you have read it, you will want to make sure others read it too. -- Alex Bellos, author * Alex's Adventures in Numberland *An impressively fluent, fascinating and accessible introduction to how epidemics, trends, behaviours and ideas start, spread - and end ... a work of contemporary relevance that Malcolm Gladwell devotees would enjoy. * New Statesman *It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it. * The Times *Adam Kucharski [is] fast becoming a key voice of reason in the media circus surrounding the virus ... Here he gives a clear, calm, historical overview of the mathematical ideas at the forefront of our pandemic response, where they came from and how well they stand up when you put them to the test. -- Hannah Fry * Guardian *This is a hell of a moment for a book like this to come out ... the principles of contagion, which, Kucharski argues, can be applied to everything from folk stories and financial crises to itching and loneliness, are suddenly of pressing interest to all of us. * Sunday Times *Rich in stories, The Rules of Contagion is a down-to-earth account of how mathematical approaches can help us better understand and, in turn, better respond to contagion in all its dynamic forms. Tackling issues from pandemics and gun violence, to financial crises and misinformation, Adam Kucharski inspires us all to think like mathematicians. A must read for anybody interested in epidemics and other crises. -- Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineFor anyone wanting to know how diseases spread, Adam Kucharski's book, The Rules of Contagion is a timely introduction. * Irish Independent *For now Adam Kucharski's The Rules of Contagion is the book you want to reach for ... interesting and topical -- Laura Spinney * Guardian *Illuminating ... Coronavirus has prompted hot-headed public and media reaction; this book offers comfort in the form of cold, hard facts. * Prospect Magazine *One of the Economist's 'five books of science and history that cast light on covid-19': This book charts the history of this now-pivotal science, from its origins in understanding the spread of malaria at the turn of the 20th century, to its central role in predicting the dissemination of everything from diseases to fake news in the 21st. * Economist *The Rules of Contagion is a timely reminder of the importance of disease modelling. Without such models, we would be in far greater trouble battling COVID-19. * Lancet *Lively, intriguing and elegant * Spectator *A geeky but fascinating exploration of the mathematics of things that go viral-not least of them viruses ... Kucharski takes his readers down provocative detours, such as the use of public-health models of disease transmission to examine how social networks figure in urban gun violence, with algorithms that take into account such things as 'age, gang affiliations, and prior arrests.'... Utterly timely and readable. * Kirkus *Essential reading to truly process the pandemic -- Anjana Ahuja * New Statesman *Perhaps no commentator has been in greater demand this year than Adam Kucharski ... The Rules of Contagion is an accessible guide to the mathematical rules that govern the spread of infectious diseases in populations ... [which] makes a convincing case that just as mathematics can predict the arc of an epidemic, so it can also help us understand how social contagions, from financial panics to vaccine conspiracy theories, "go viral". -- Gaia Vince, winner of the Royal Society Prize and author of Adventures in the Anthropocene * Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling creator of Lost in Translation, A Small Illustrated Guide to the Universe is a delicately existential and welcoming exploration of the cosmos - one that examines and marvels at the astonishing principles, laws, and phenomena that we exist alongside, that surround us.Have you ever found yourself wondering what we might have in common with stars or why the Moon never leaves us? Thinking about the precise dancing of planets, the passing of time or the nature of natural things? Our world is full of unshakeable mystery, and although we live in a civilisation more complicated than ever, there is beauty and reassurance to be found in knowing how and why.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFROM THE TEAM BEHIND BBC RADIO 4'S AWARD-WINNING NATURE AND COMEDY SERIES NATURE TABLEDid You Know That...A housefly buzzes in the key of F?A cockroach can live for a week without its head, before dying of starvation?Slugs have four noses? So, if you thought that couldn't get slimier, now imagine them with a cold ...The fingerprints of a koala are so indistinguishable from humans that they've been confused at a crime scene?During its lifetime, a cow can produce nearly 200,000 glasses of milk? Which is extraordinary, because where is it getting all those glasses?The natural world is an amazing, compelling and funny place: a place where fact is always more staggering - and often funnier - than fiction. Based on BBC Radio 4's hit science and comedy series Nature Table, and with a foreword from the show's presenter, Sue Perkins, A Housefly Buzzes in the Key of F is a celebration of the astonishing everyday occurrences that happen right under our noses. With fascinating facts from the programme's expert guests along with big jokes, witty anecdotes and fun games, this bumper collection showcases our planet's flora and fauna in all its remarkable and surprising glory.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book explores the sea and its meanings from ancient myths to contemporary geopolitics, from Atlantis to the Mediterranean migrant crisis. Richard Hamblyn traces a cultural and geographical journey from estuary to abyss, beginning with the topographies of the shoreline and ending with the likely futures of our maritime environments. Along the way, the sea becomes a site of work and endurance, of story and song, of language, leisure and longing. By considering the sea as both a physical and a cultural presence, this book shines new light upon it, and its indelible place in the human imagination.Trade Review“A whirlwind tour of the world’s seas and oceans . . . from oceanography and marine biology to the specialist language of seafarers to the sea as it is represented in art, music, film, and literature, to a dire warning of the sea’s vulnerability to anthropogenic global warming, overfishing, and the eternal life of plastics tossed unthinkingly into the sea. . . . What makes The Sea rare is Hamblyn’s intellectual agility, his capacity to write freshly (and with extraordinary economy) about everything he touches on. He holds my interest and admiration throughout this gorgeously illustrated book.” -- Jonathan Raban, author of "Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings" and editor of "The Oxford Book of the Sea"

Read more less

Book SynopsisA revealing and entertaining guide through some of the biggest misconceptions in science that many of us still believe.You may well be familiar with the fact that lightning, contrary to the popular saying, often strikes the same place twice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what many of us wrongly believe about the way the world works. Whether it’s word of mouth, myths you’ve read about online, or misremembered facts from school, we’re bombarded by misconceptions about the science we come into contact with every day – this book will uncover the most popular myths to help you avoid contributing to the perpetuation of these misunderstandings.Breaking it down into fifty of the most popular misconceptions in science, each chapter of this book will be headed up with a ‘fact’, followed by the real story, providing the science and theory that debunks the myth. From fears about the exponential growth of the human population to the embarrassment of always pointing out the north star as the brightest in the sky, this is the book to read if you want to separate the science fact from fiction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInsects conquered the Earth long before we did and will remain here long after we're gone.They outnumber us in the billions and are essential to many of the natural processes that keep us alive and that we take for granted.Yet, despite this, very few of us know much about the hidden world of insects.In this fascinating new book, entomologist and broadcaster George McGavin takes a deep dive to reveal the unknown truths about the most successful and enduring animal group the world has ever seen, and to show the unseen effects this vast population has on our planet, if only we care to look.McGavin explores not only the incredible traits that insects have evolved to possess, such as dragonflies that can fly across oceans without resting or beetles that lay their eggs exclusively in corpses, but also the vital lessons we have learnt from them, including how therapy using maggots can save lives and how bees can help grow rich tomato yields.The Hidden World reveals the wonderful complexity of our relationship with insects, how they have changed the course of our history and how, if we continue to learn from them, they could even be the key to our future and survival.Trade Review'Every page drips with details to dissuade readers of the notion that insects are unsightly pests ... A compelling and very readable argument that we should all appreciate the hidden world of six-legged creatures far more' * The Biologist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPeople hunting monkeys in the jungle once devised a simple yet effective trap: When the creature found a banana in a large jar with a narrow neck, it would plunge its paw in to retrieve it. But it couldn’t let go. And unless the monkey released the banana, it was stuck. We are, of course, the stuck monkey, paralysed by our modern lifestyles and consumer habits: our constant stream of online shopping deliveries, our compulsive dependence on digital devices, our obsession with our pets. These addictions, as small and harmless as they may seem, are quietly destroying the planet. And the eco-friendly alternatives that alleviate our guilt are often not much better. In Stuck Monkey, James Hamilton-Paterson uncovers the truth behind the everyday habits fuelling the climate crisis. Drawing on eye-opening research and shocking statistics, he mercilessly dissects a wide spectrum of modern life: pets, gardening, sports, vehicles, fashion, wellness, holidays, and more. Ferociously unflinching and intelligent, this book will make you think twice about the ‘innocent’ habits we often take for granted.Trade ReviewA marvellous, anecdote-packed mix of head-on and sideways takes on how corporate, personal and collective actions are trashing the planet and bringing about a climate and ecological emergency ... I would defy anyone to read this excellent book and not be forced into taking a long, hard look at how they live their life, and then take urgent steps to change it. * Professor Bill McGuire *A highly original and lucid portrayal of the eco-catastrophe we face ... throughout, Hamilton-Paterson's mordant humour offers some solace * Literary Review *Not an easy read, but a timely one, which cuts through a lot of nonsense * Saga Magazine *PRAISE FOR JAMES HAMILTON-PATERSON: 'A superb book, not only meticulously researched but also supremely readable' - Daily Mail 'A terrific story, told with tremendous relish, elegance and attention to detail' * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Tracy King''s memoir is heartbreaking and hopeful...An incredible true story of survival and forgiveness.'' TIM MINCHIN''Raw and unflinching.'' CAROLINE CRIADO PEREZ''A brilliant writer.'' ADAM KAY''What would you do if you began to suspect the events of your childhood didn''t happen as you remembered them? In this evocative memoir, Tracy King confronts the stories we all tell ourselves in order to live.'' HELEN LEWIS........................................................................................................................When you have nothing, you cling to whatever gives you hope.Put yourself in Tracy King''s shoes. Growing up in an ordinary council estate outside Birmingham; a house filled with creativity, curiosity and love, but marked by her father''s alcoholism and her mother''s agoraphobia.By the time she turns twelve her father has been killed, her sister taken into care and her mother ensnared by the promises of born-again Christianity.This isn''t the stuff of cult documentaries; this is the story of an ordinary family trapped in a broken system. It''s a story that could happen to anyone without the tools to transform their circumstances. And it''s the story of how Tracy found her way out.A shocking, inspiring and ultimately hopeful memoir that holds up a mirror to the everyday realities of living in poverty, it is also a testament to the power of books and to learning to question our world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInsects are the most successful group of animals ever to have lived: they comprise a million species and perhaps 10 quintillion individuals. Much of life on earth depends on the activities of these busy, teeming arthropods, from pollination to the breaking down of waste matter. Each chapter of Planet Insect centres on one or more of the traits of insect life that have allowed them to hold dominion over the earth's terrestrial and freshwater environments for so long, from their staggering reproductive ability to their complex partnership with flowering plants. Planet Insect offers a winning fusion of glorious imagery and fine biological writing by an entomological specialist who writes both entertainingly and with authentic scientific rigour and who also happens to be a very gifted nature photographer.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOur fascination with the vampire myth has scarcely diminished since Bram Stoker’s publication of the classic Dracula tale in 1897, but how much of the lore is based in fact and can science explain the origins of horror’s most famous fiend? Vampirology charts the murky waters of the vampire myth – from stories found in many cultures across the globe to our sympathetic pop-culture renditions today – to investigate how a scientific interpretation may shed light on the fears and phenomena of the vampire myth.Trade ReviewFascinating, compelling and informative, Vampirology is a must-read for fans of vampire media, regardless of the form! -- A. P. Sylvia * Journal of Vampire Studies *I simply couldn't get enough of Katheryn Harkup’s fascinating, sparkling and erudite account of the history of the vampire. Using actual accounts she demonstrates how the vampire myth spread like a contagion - gossip and rumour mixed with a very modern taste for sensation. How every country and region has its own particularly variety of the blood-sucker, from the upior and the vrykolas to the Romanian Striogi. And how this area of the world became a melting pot for the superstitions that would give birth to Dracula. She takes us through the endlessly shifting criteria - the Rules of the Beast, as it were - which govern the existence of the vampire: shape-shifting, sunlight and the primary importance of blood itself. She also examines in detail the physical processes of decay and how their misinterpretation could lead the credulous to believe their dear-departed were not so departed after all… As compulsively readable as a bloated undead feasting on a fresh corpse, this is an absolute must for all children of the night out there. The blood is the life! -- Mark Gatiss, writer, actor, director and co-creator of BBC’s DraculaTable of ContentsPrologue; Evolution; Vampirology; Undead; Blood; Sunlight; Supernatural; Shapeshifting; Disease; Species; Vampiroids; Prevention; Slaying; Epilogue

Read more less

Book SynopsisHere are the stories of the ten most popular equations of all time as voted for by readers of Physics World, including - accessibly described here for the first time - the favourite equation of all, Euler's equation.Each is an equation that captures with beautiful simplicity what can only be described clumsily in words. Euler's equation [eip + 1 = 0] was described by respondents as 'the most profound mathematic statement ever written', 'uncanny and sublime', 'filled with cosmic beauty' and 'mind-blowing'. Collectively these equations also amount to the world's most concise and reliable body of knowledge.Many scientists and those with a mathematical bent have a soft spot for equations. This book explains both why these ten equations are so beautiful and significant, and the human stories behind them.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHave you ever listened to an incredible piece of music and wondered exactly why it makes you want to dance or cry? Are you mystified by how musicians just 'know' what notes to play next when they're improvising? Or why certain notes sound great together and others clash? Discover the answers in this ear-opening tour of how music works. John Powell, a classically-trained composer and a physics professor, decided to write this entertaining, pain-free guide to the ingredients of music when he discovered that all the other books on the subject gave him a headache. Here he reveals the often little-known facts and fascinating science behind what we listen to, explaining the basics of harmony, scales, chords, keys and rhythm in a way that's easy for everyone to understand. He also shows us why a note has a different sound to a normal noise, why Chinese people are more likely to have perfect pitch, and even why Beethoven and Led Zeppelin are musically similar. This book reveals things that people who play music should know but often don't, and will help all of us - even if we can't read a note - increase our listening pleasure.Trade ReviewThoroughly accessible, and occasionally revelatory ... It's hard to imagine how Powell could have done a better job * Spectator *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Norm. He's 31, 5'9", just over 13 stone, and works a 39 hour week. He likes a drink, doesn't do enough exercise and occasionally treats himself to a bar of chocolate (milk). He's a pretty average kind of guy. In fact, he is the average guy in this clever and unusual take on statistical risk, chance, and how these two factors affect our everyday choices. Watch as Norm (who, like all average specimens, feels himself to be uniquely special), and his friends careful Prudence and reckless Kelvin, turns to statistics to help him in life's endless series of choices - should I fly or take the train? Have a baby? Another drink? Or another sausage? Do a charity skydive or get a lift on a motorbike? Because chance and risk aren't just about numbers - it's about what we believe, who we trust and how we feel about the world around us. From a world expert in risk and the bestselling author of The Tiger That Isn't (and creator of BBC Radio 4's More or Less), this is a commonsense (and wildly entertaining) guide to personal risk and decoding the statistics that represent it.Trade ReviewFascinating * Daily Mail *Helping people make sense of the barrage of confusing (and often misrepresented) statistics that riddle every day is a noble goal. * Economist *A fast-paced, whizz-bang style * The Times *Witty and illuminating, essential reading for anyone wanting to know whether they should try skydiving, or accept that third glass of wine * Financial Times *Accessible yet deep, The Norm Chronicles explains how statistical regularities and irregularities are central to every aspect of our lives. If Jonathan Coe and Gerd Gigerenzer were to collaborate on a sardonic self-help book, this is what it might look like. -- Andrew Gelman, Professor of Statistics and Political Science, Columbia University

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor more than a century, we were restricted to studying evolution from the outside, observing its progress only through the fossil record. No longer. We can now also read the DNA record. As well as containing the operating instructions for everyday existence and for making the next generation, DNA contains a vast and detailed history of the three-billion-year development of life on Earth. It is a living chronicle of evolution, pinpointing the precise changes that have enabled Earth's marvelous creatures to inhabit the planet's shifting environments, from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to the lush canopy of the rainforest. Captivating and lucid, The Making of the Fittest delves deep into the DNA record to reveal not just how the fittest survive but also how they are made.Trade ReviewDazzling work, passionate and magisterial. Nothing of more lasting importance than the core narrative of this book will be published this year - Guardian * Guardian *Table of ContentsPreface Beyond Any Reasonable Doubt. Chapter 1 Introduction: The Bloodless Fish of Bouvet Island. Chapter 2 The Everyday Math of Evolution: Chance, Selection, and Time. Chapter 3 Immortal Genes: Running in Place for Eons. Chapter 4 Making the New from the Old. Chapter 5 Fossil Genes: Broken Pieces of Yesterday's Life. Chapter 6 Deja Vu: How and Why Evolution Repeats Itself. Chapter 7 Our Flesh and Blood: Arms Races, the Human Race, and Natural Selection. Chapter 8 The Making and Evolution of Complexity. Chapter 9 Seeing and Believing. Chapter 10 The Palm Trees of Wyoming. Sources and Further Reading. Acknowledgements. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe encounter physics before we've even left the house in the morning; an alarm clock tracks time, a mirror reflects light waves and our mobile phones rely on satellites held in their orbit by gravity. Where would we be without the Bernoulli equation to explain how planes fly, electromagnetic waves enabling us to communicate around the world or the discovery of X-rays? In 50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know Joanne Baker will uncover the physics all around us, from basic concepts like gravity, light and energy through to the complexities of quantum theory, chaos and dark energy. Featuring short biographies of iconic physicists, explanatory diagrams and timelines showing discoveries within their historical context, this book is the perfect guide to the fundamental concepts of physics, making even the most challenging theories easy to understand. Contents include: Newton's law of gravitation, Brownian motion, Chaos theory, Fleming's right hand rule, Planck's law, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrodinger's cat, Superconductivity, Rutherford's atom, Nuclear fission and fusion, The God particle, String theory, Special and general relativity, The big bang and the Anthropic principle.Table of ContentsIntroduction. MATTER IN MOTION: Mach's principle; Newton's laws of motion; Kepler's laws; Newton's law of gravitation; Conservation of energy; Simple harmonic motion; Hooke's law; Ideal gas law; Second law of thermodynamics; Absolute zero; Brownian motion; Chaos theory; Bernoulli equation. BENEATH THE WAVES: Newton's theory of colour; Huygens' principle; Snell's law; Bragg's law; Fraunhofer diffraction; Doppler effect; Ohm's law; Fleming's right hand rule; Maxwell's equations. QUANTUM CONUNDRUMS: Planck's law; Photoelectric effect; Schrodinger's wave equation; Heisenberg's uncertainty principle; Copenhagen interpretation; Schrodinger's cat, The EPR paradox; Pauli's exclusion principle; Superconductivity. SPLITTING ATOMS: Rutherford's atom; Antimatter; Nuclear fission; Nuclear fission; Nuclear fusion; Standard model; Feynman diagrams; The God particle; String theory. SPACE AND TIME: Special relativity; General relativity; Black holes; Olbers' paradox; Hubble's law; The big bang; Cosmic inflation; Dark matter; Cosmological constant; Fermi paradox; Anthropic principle. Glossary. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is believed that beer has been produced, in some form, for thousands of years - the ancient Egyptians being one civilization with a knowledge of the fermentation process. Beer production has seen many changes over the centuries, and Brewing, Second Edition brings the reader right up to date with the advances in the last decade. Covering the various stages of beer production, reference is also made to microbiology within the brewery and some pointers to research on the topic are given. Written by a recently retired brewer, this book will appeal to all beer-lovers, but particularly those within the industry who wish to understand the processes, and will be relevant to students of food or biological sciences.Trade Review"""... a fascinating read ... delightful ...""""""... a superb introduction to the science and practice of brewing beer.""""""It is written in an easy-to-read descriptive style and there is a good mix of the historical and scientific aspects. The well-constructed diagrams and charts aid understanding along the way.""""""... a very readable text ... can certainly be recommended to students, in particular for its treatment of fermentation and microbiology ...""""""... a concise and extremely informative volume ... which will appeal to individuals within the brewing and food industries, students of food, chemical or biological sciences, and all beer-lovers!"""Table of ContentsHistorical Material; Barley and Malt; Hops;The Brewhouse; Fermentation;Beer post-fermentation; The Brewery Laboratory; Subject Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEverything in the universe is made up of the elements – including us. Forged in the Big Bang, the elements and their resulting compounds created the solar system, planet Earth, the air we breathe, the water we rely on and the proteins that would become life. In fact, everything in the known Universe is made up of one of the 118 elements of the periodic table – so we really should know something about them! This little book is the perfect guide, listing all the elements' vital stats, and exploring their astonishing histories and usages in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. Table of ContentsHydrogen • The Alkali Metals • The Alkaline Earth Metals • The Transition Metals • The Lanthanoids • The Actinoids • The Boron Group • The Carbon Group • The Nitrogen Group • The Oxygen Group • The Halogens • The Noble Gases • The Transuranium Elements.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter introducing the concept of the birthing pool in the 1970s, Michel Odent has continuously expanded his interest in the mysterious connections between humans and water. In Planet Ocean he shows that the evolution of the oceans - particularly the fluctuations of sea levels - and the evolution of humans are inseparable. The oceans are the givers and sustainers of life, holding ninety-five per cent of the planet's habitable space within their immense depths. Odent steers us towards a radically new vision of human nature. Our defining feature - a supersized brain - becomes a leitmotif that enables links between topics as diverse as our nutritional needs, our relationship with sea mammals, and the way members of our species give birth. He relates 'transcendent emotional states' with what the French writer Romain Rolland referred to as 'the oceanic feeling' - both suggesting the absence of limits. Access to such states can be associated with, for example, a 'foetus ejection reflex'. This leads to the extraordinary conclusion that swimming - as learnt behaviour among humans - the birth process and access to transcendence are interrelated topics for students of human nature. Planet Ocean is a fascinating interdisciplinary study that demonstrates our manifold connections to water and suggests their relevance to everyday life.Table of ContentsAbstracts - 1. Mysteries - 2. Fluctuations of sea levels - 3. Homo navigator - 4. Looking towards the future? - 5. Homo's best friends - 6. The super brainy mammals: Homo and Tucuxi - 7. From Aesop to Elaine Morgan-What pioneers have in common - 8. Straight to the point - 9. The mammal that cannot swim - 10. Why is human birth occasionally easy? - 11. The Oceanic feeling - 12. Humanity and Mother Ocean - 13. From a garden paddling pool to the Pacific Ocean - Notes and References

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor most of human history, sudden and unexpected deaths of a suspicious nature, when they were investigated at all, were examined by lay persons without any formal training. People often got away with murder. That is, until Frances Glessner Lee.Frances Glessner Lee (1878-1962), born a socialite to a wealthy and influential Chicago family, was never meant to have a career, let alone one steeped in death and depravity. Yet she became the mother of modern forensics and was instrumental in elevating homicide investigation to a scientific discipline. Frances Glessner Lee learned forensic science under the tutelage of pioneering medical examiner Magrath. A voracious reader too, Lee acquired and read books on criminology and forensic science - eventually establishing the largest library of legal medicine. Lee went on to create The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death - a series of dollhouse-sized crime scene dioramas depicting the facts of actual cases in exquisitely detailed miniature - and perhaps the thing she is most famous for. Celebrated by artists, miniaturists and scientists, they were first used as a teaching tool in homicide seminars at Harvard Medical School in the 1930s, subsequently becoming an integral part of the longest-running and still the highest-regarded training for police detectives of its kind in America. In Unexplained Deaths, Bruce Goldfarb weaves Lee's remarkable story with the advances in forensics made in her lifetime to tell the tale of the birth of modern forensics.Trade ReviewA culmination of years of historical research, including the papers of Frances Glessner Lee herself. As this absorbing and evocative book will show you, Frances Glessner Lee should be recognized as the matriarch of the modern practice of forensic pathology. * Judy Melinek, M.D., co-author of Working Stiff *Frances Glessner Lee's dioramas of death have long been objects of fascination; now Bruce Goldfarb, the man who knows them best, has written a definitive account of how they came to be, and of the compelling, complex woman who created them. This book will beguile anyone with an interest in the history of crime investigation. * Rachel Monroe, author of Savage Appetites: Four True Stories of Women, Crime and Obsession *Eye-opening biography of Frances Glessner Lee, who brought American medical forensics into the scientific age...genuinely compelling. * Kirkus Reviews *Thorough research helps him paint a captivating portrait of a feminist hero and forensic pioneer. * Booklist *Goldfarb's clearly written and well-researched book is recommended for history and legal studies audiences. * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhite Blood is a history of human milk and tells the story of how babies have been fed from antiquity to modern times and why it matters. 'Breast is Best' is the popular mantra, but there is a perennial debate about the pros and cons of 'breast and bottle'. White Blood explores this vital question, which has implications for the health and wellbeing of mothers, their young, families, communities and even countries. Starting in Ancient Greece and Rome, where human milk was thought to be blood diverted from the womb to the breast and there whitened and vivified, it lets the voices of those concerned with the care of newborn infants, and those who followed them, speak across the centuries of how they were, and should best be, nourished.Trade Review"[Weaver] takes readers on a detailed, 2000-year journey through the biology, technology, medicalization, and truth of the distribution of human milk to babies and young children. The book reads much like a well-thought-out article in the New Yorker, cumulatively building reader interest, every turn of the page revealing more new information. . . . The volume includes a variety of visual enhancements including color photographs and medical drawings that support the surrounding content. . . . This is definitely a source not to be overlooked by readers who want a comprehensive historical depiction of human milk as the vital nutritional resource for babies worldwide. . . . Recommended." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface 1 Human Milk – Miraculous Fluid 2 Humours – White Blood 3 Alchemy – Soft Sweet Subtil Substance 4 Science – Corpuscular Fluid 5 Nature – Nature's Bountiful Urn 6 Paediatrics – Medicalisation of Infant Feeding 7 Puericulture – Maternal and Child Welfare 8 Biology and Technology – Breast and Bottle Acknowledgments and Sources Bibliography Picture Credits Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Short Story of Science is a new introduction to the complete subject of science. Covering 60 key experiments, from Archimedes' investigations of buoyancy to the discovery of dark matter, and then linking these to the history of science, as well as to the key theories and methods, the book simplifies and explains all the key breakthroughs.Accessible and concise, generously illustrated throughout, and with all the essential information presented without jargon, readers are given all the tools they need to enjoy the fascinating history of scientific knowledge.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is a science text about light for the general reader; it is also an adventure story and a detective story revealing how the secrets of light were uncovered. Readers can share in the thrill of each discovery and learn about some of the myriad applications opened up by these fascinating discoveries, including the telescope, fiber optics, the laser, and even the recent optical detection of gravitational waves from space.With Professor Fortson, distinguished experimental physicist, as your tour guide, follow the journey from the 17th century — when Descartes first calculated the size of the rainbow — to the 20th century, when the quantum theory of light was born. Learn how Huygens, Newton, Planck, Einstein and many other great scientists solved one mystery after another, from the reason underlying the law of refraction to the puzzle of the photoelectric effect. The journey ends with the solution to the most challenging mystery of all: that light is both a wave and a particle — a fascinating finale.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisK. Eric Drexler is the founding father of nanotechnology,the science of engineering on a molecular level. In Radical Abundance , he shows how rapid scientific progress is about to change our world. Thanks to atomically precise manufacturing, we will soon have the power to produce radically more of what people want, and at a lower cost. The result will shake the very foundations of our economy and environment.Already, scientists have constructed prototypes for circuit boards built of millions of precisely arranged atoms. The advent of this kind of atomic precision promises to change the way we make things,cleanly, inexpensively, and on a global scale. It allows us to imagine a world where solar arrays cost no more than cardboard and aluminum foil, and laptops cost about the same.A provocative tour of cutting edge science and its implications by the field's founder and master, Radical Abundance offers a mind-expanding vision of a world hurtling toward an unexpected future.Trade ReviewKirkus"A stimulating tour through current thinking about and future possibilities for nanotechnology, from one of its creators... A crackerjack piece of science and technology writing." Albany Times Union"K. Eric Drexler writes in his accessible new book "Radical Abundance" that the digital revolution is about to give way to a form of production that will radically transform the world economy and that could also save the environment: nanotechnology, or more specifically, atomically precise manufacturing." Nature Magazine"Nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler bids us to leap in at the technological deep end. We can transform the way we make everything from bridges to circuit boards, he argues, by harnessing molecular machines that operate on digital principles. The result? Desktop or garage facilities that use less fuel, land and energy than today's vast factories and supply chains. The technical and political challenges of unleashing 'atomically precise manufacturing' are substantial, but Drexler cuts deftly through the complexities."

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisDinosaurs didn’t die out when an asteroid hit Earth 66 million years ago. Get ready to unthink what you thought you knew and journey into the deep, dark depths of the Jurassic.The discovery of the first feathered dinosaur in China in 1996 sent shockwaves through the world of palaeontology. Were the feathers part of a complex mating ritual? A stepping-stone in the evolution of flight? And just how closely related is T. Rex to a chicken? In Flying Dinosaurs award-winning journalist John Pickrell reveals how dinosaurs developed flight and became the birds in our backyards. He delves into the latest discoveries in China, the US, Europe and Australia and goes beyond the science to uncover a thriving black market in fossils, infighting between ego-driven dinosaur hunters, and the controversial plan to use a chicken to bring dinosaurs back from the dead.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A must-read for all athletes, from the professional to the weekend warrior.' - Wall Street JournalThe New York Times Bestselling account of the new frontier of sports recovery science, which shows what we should and shouldn't be doing between exercising to achieve maximum performance.All athletes, from Olympians to weekend warriors, must find the balance between training and recovery to maximize the benefits of workouts and reach optimal performance. For the longest time, coaches and training manuals have emphasized training above all else. However, science shows that recovery is a crucial component of exercise training and it may even be the most important one.Good to Go is the first definitive account of this new frontier in sports and exercise science. Christie Ashwanden takes you on a first-person tour through the science of exercise recovery, from ice baths and cryogenic freezing chambers to the science behind Usain Bolt’s love of chicken nuggets and Tom Brady’s recovery pyjamas.Full of eye-opening revelations, Aschwanden takes us on an invigorating journey through the science and potions of sports recovery and debunks the junk to give a clear picture of what we should actually be doing to achieve peak performance.Trade ReviewOne of the best science writers in the world . . . Good to Go is the definitive tour through a bewildering jungle of scientific (and pseudo-scientific) claims that comprise a multi-billion dollar recovery industry. -- David Epstein, bestselling author of The Sports Gene and RangeThe most important book about training you’ll read this year -- Alex Hutchinson, bestselling author of EndureThis authoritative, delightful, and much-needed book slices through the hype around athletic recovery -- Ed Yong, bestselling author of I Contain MultitudesDeeply researched and artfully written. . . a must-read for all athletes, from the professional to the weekend warrior * Wall Street Journal *Immensely enjoyable and relatable examination of the science of recovery . . . a tour de force of great science journalism -- Nate Silver, bestselling author of The Signal and the NoiseHow to best adapt to and benefit from training is still fraught with confusion . . . Christie Aschwanden offers much-needed clarity * Runner's World *Fascinating! Christie Aschwanden makes the mind-boggling world of sports recovery a hilarious adventure, and she mixes science with stories that everyone can relate to -- Jessie Diggins, member of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team and 2018 Olympic Gold MedalistAppealing to more than just gym rats and weekend warriors. It’s for anyone who wonders how scientific studies happen, and how they influence the claims on products found in grocery stores and athletic stores alike * Science News *Table of ContentsIntroduction - Introduction: Introduction Chapter - 1: Just-So Science Chapter - 2: Be Like Mike Chapter - 3: The Perfect Fuel Chapter - 4: The Cold War Chapter - 5: Flushing the Blood Chapter - 6: Calming the Senses Chapter - 7: The Rest Cure Chapter - 8: Selling Snake Oil Chapter - 9: Losing Your Zoom Chapter - 10: The Magic Metric Chapter - 11: Hurts So Good Section - Conclusion: Conclusion Acknowledgements - Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements Section - Notes: Notes Index - Index: Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA lively argument from an award-winning journalist proving that the key to reversing America’s health crisis lies in the overlooked link between nutrition and flavor: “The Dorito Effect is one of the most important health and food books I have read” (Dr. David B. Agus, New York Times bestselling author).We are in the grip of a food crisis. Obesity has become a leading cause of preventable death, after only smoking. For nearly half a century we’ve been trying to pin the blame somewhere—fat, carbs, sugar, wheat, high-fructose corn syrup. But that search has been in vain, because the food problem that’s killing us is not a nutrient problem. It’s a behavioral problem, and it’s caused by the changing flavor of the food we eat. Ever since the 1940s, with the rise of industrialized food production, we have been gradually leeching the taste out of what we grow. Simultaneously, we have taken great leaps forwardTrade Review"Illuminating and radical." * The New York Times Book Review *“Mark Schatzker’s book comes at a time when healthful eating and sustainability are increasingly on everyone’s minds. The Dorito Effect is a quick, engaging read that examines the essential role that flavor plays in the way we eat today. As a chef, I know that people want to eat delicious food, but Schatzker goes further and investigates how we engage with flavor to address the growing health crisis.” -- Daniel Boulud, Chef/Owner, The Dinex Group“Mark Schatzker has done something monumental in The Dorito Effect, he explained how the American food industry has interfered with our body's conversation with itself. The use of flavor to change this conversation is one of the major reasons for the decline in the American diet leading to major health issues. The Dorito Effect is one of the most important health and food books I have read.” -- David B. Agus, M.D., author of The End of Illness and A Short Guide to a Long Life“In The Dorito Effect Mark Schatzker explores a novel - and to my mind, key – theory to explain our increasing consumption of the low-quality food that is undermining health. Modern food production has made much of what we eat flavorless, and a multibillion dollar flavor industry has stepped in to fool our senses, leaving us unsatisfied and craving more and more. I strongly agree with his advice to go back to eating real food.” -- Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. New York Times bestselling author of Healthy Aging"I don't know when this much science has been this fun to read. Brilliant." -- Joel Salatin, author of Folks, This Ain't Normal and farmer at Polyface Farm"After decades of conflict over sugar, carbs and fat, this extremely well researched book journeys to the heart of the food problem—flavor—and delivers the perfect solution." -- Dr. Richard Bazinet, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto"If you want to understand why the future of healthy eating is delicious eating, read this book." -- Howard Moskowitz, inventor of Prego Extra Chunky Spaghetti Sauce and food industry legend“Mark Schatzker knows food. He is dedicated to quality and is always looking for the best ingredients. This is an important book that tells us why good food is so essential for everyone.” -- Bonnie Stern, bestselling author of HeartSmart Cooking for Family and Friends"A sobering account of humanity’s attempt to overcome modern food blandness with flavor compounds, at the expense of nutritional integrity. Schatzker's engaging chronicle of how naturally occurring food flavor is as an evolutionary tuned sensory marker of nutritional value is bound to give consumers and scientists a new perspective on judging food quality and health effects." -- Dr. Ameer Taha, Department of Food Science and Technology, UC Davis"This book is important, possibly life altering for anyone who eats!! In The Dorito Effect, Schatzker gets to the heart of where our relationship with food has gone wrong. Through lively storytelling and proficiency he points out the many issues we are facing and that the solution is right in front of us." -- Jonathan Gushue, Principal, Gushue Hospitality Inc.“Entertaining storytelling… After reading this engaging book, readers may wonder with every bite of food if what they are tasting is real.” * Kirkus Reviews *"Schatzker dishesup a 5 star serving!” * The Washington Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy does Nature use the same special patterns over and over again? What are the main families of natural design? How are they formed? Did the ancient Chinese really study this subtle and elegant subject? In this beautiful book, illustrated by the author, a new perception of organic pattern, 'Li', is presented for the first time in the West. Essential reading for designers, artists, philosophers and natural scientists. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book describes what it means to say the world is complex and explores what that means for managers, policy makers and individuals.The first part of the book is about the theory and ideas of complexity. This is explained in a way that is thorough but not mathematical. It compares differing approaches, and also provides a historical perspective, showing how such thinking has been around since the beginning of civilisation. It emphasises the difference between a complexity worldview and the dominant mechanical worldview that underpins much of current management practice. It defines the complexity worldview as recognising the world is interconnected, shaped by history and the particularities of context. The comparison of the differing approaches to modelling complexity is unique in its depth and accessibility. The second part of the book uses this lens of complexity to explore issues in the fields of management, strategy, economics, and international development. It also explores how to facilitate others to recognise the implications of adopting a complex rather than a mechanical worldview and suggests methods of research to explore systemic, path-dependent emergent aspects of situations. The authors of this book span both science and management, academia and practice, thus the explanations of science are authoritative and yet the examples of changing how you live and work in the world are real and accessible. The aim of the book is to bring alive what complexity is all about and to illustrate the importance of loosening the grip of a modernist worldview with its hope for prediction, certainty and control.Trade ReviewAn important contribution to our understanding of complexity science and its relevance for tackling the problems being faced in todays world. * Gareth Morgan, author of Images of Organization *Enjoyable, thought provoking, and insightful. A superb introduction to complexity science for all readers! * W. Brian Arthur, author of Complexity and the Economy and Recipient of the Lagrange Prize in Complexity Science *In the social and physical sciences, complexity is everywhere, changing how we think and act. But how? This book provides an excellent overview both of the underlying concepts and also their implications for how we think about changein economics, organizations and international development. Highly recommended. * Duncan Green, Strategic Adviser, Oxfam GB *Embracing Complexity takes a critical stance in relation to dominant ways of thinking about the social world. It presents complexity thinking as a way of understanding how the world works, and challenges the dominant expectation that leaders can control the evolution of the social and the organisational world. Those willing to take a critical approach will _ nd this an important book. * Ralph Stacey, Complexity and Management Group, Hertfordshire Business School *Table of ContentsEmbracing Complexity ; 1. Introduction ; 2. The Nature of a Complex World ; 3. Unpacking Complexity ; 4. Have We Thought Like This Before? ; 5. The Complexity of Complexity Theories ; 6. Complexity and the Social World ; 7. Complexity and Management ; 8. Complexity and Strategy ; 9. Complexity and International Development ; 10. Complexity and Economics ; 11. Final reflections: what we hope you take away from this book

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Making of Mr Gray's Anatomy tells the story of one of the most iconic scientific books ever published: a textbook of anatomy that is still a household name 150 years since its first edition. It is the story of the remarkable and dedicated characters who created it, of poverty, class, and science and society in Victorian London.Trade ReviewFascinating. * Christopher Hirst, The Independent *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The Words: Mr Gray of Belgravia ; 2. The Pictures: Dr Carter of Scarborough ; 3. The Enterprise: J.W.Parker & Son of West Strand ; 4. The Process of Creation: Person or Persons Unknown ; 5. The Raw Material: The Friendless Poor of London ; 6. The Process of Creation ; 7. The Process of Production ; 8. 1858: The Book Appears ; 9. Calamity ; 10. Futurity ; Acknowledgements ; References ; Bibliography ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisProvocative, ground-breaking and entertaining, the world’s leading expert on sexuality and the ovulation cycle reveals the hidden intelligence of hormones. In this paradigm-shifting book, Martie Haselton explains how hormonal intelligence works - both its strengths and its weaknesses - and shows women how to track and understand their desires, fears and perceptions with a radical new understanding of the biological processes that profoundly influence our behaviour. Rigorously researched, entertaining and empowering, Hormonal offers women deep new insights into their bodies, brains and relationships, and will encourage women everywhere to embrace the genius of female biology.Trade Review‘Such common sense is, sadly, remarkable.’ * Evening Standard *'Haselton is part of a new conversation that is emerging; she is a pioneering researcher pushing the politics of hormones in a new direction.' * Observer *'In her book she shows that there are no simple answers, but lots of fascinating possibilities, when we start to think about the biological aspects of our sexual lives.' * The Sunday Times *‘What a refreshing book. Finally, a feminist with the courage to discuss women not as victims of their hormones but as elegantly built captains of their minds and lives.’ * Helen Fisher, author of The First Sex and Why Him? Why Her? *'A very detailed and fascinating book which explores hormones to different level. Many women (and men) should read this to understand how women’s hormones can have both negative and positive effects on our lives.' * Dr Louise Newson, the Menopause Doctor *'Anchored in deep science, Haselton takes the reader on a mesmerizing tour from the stirrings of puberty to the aftermath of menopause, from sexual fantasies to the ways in which women often call the shots in the game of mating.' * David M. Buss, author of The Evolution of Desire *'Haselton shows there are no simple answers - but lots of fascinating possibilities - when we start to think about the biological aspects of our sexual lives.’ * Alice Dreger, author of Galileo's Middle Finger *'In Hormonal, Martie Haselton gives us a brave and fascinating tour of what we know we know about sex differences, but are often afraid to discuss. Read it, whether or not you have a uterus.' * am Harris, author of five New York Times bestsellers and host of the Waking Up podcast *'This book is essential reading for both women and men...Hormonal is engaging, clever, very funny at times, and always scientifically impeccable.' * Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, author of New York Times bestseller Zoobiquity *‘Your hormones have a lot to answer for, and you'll struggle to find someone to give you a better schooling than UCLA professor Martie Haselton.’ * Women's Health *'Deep, thoughtful, and eye-opening, this book teaches us that the more we know about hormones, the more we can manage our lives.' * Maria Shriver, author of I've Been Thinking... *'A smart and engaging scientific story about the amazing molecules that drive our behaviour.' * Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness *'Written with passion and wit, Hormonal provides important insights about the female experience.' * Joan Silk, professor, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, and co-author of How Humans Evolved *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA companion to the bestselling book The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe, this beautiful photographic card deck features all 118 elements in the periodic table. One element per card appears as a full-size image on the front and fascinating information about the element on the back.The Photographic Card Deck of The Elements is the most detailed, lush, and beautiful set of cards ever produced on the subject of the periodic table. With 126, 5'X5' cards in all, it includes one card for every one of the 118 elements, plus additional cards that explain the arrangement of the periodic table, present the elements sorted by various properties, and suggest activities and uses for the cards. The front side of each card shows a full-size, photographic image of the element, while the back gives scientific information including atomic weight, density, melting and boiling point, valence, and the percent of the element found in the universe, in the Earth's crust, in oceans, and in humans. Graphics show melting/boiling points, density, electron configuration, and atomic radius. A fascinating fact about the element, as well as the date of its discovery, is also included.The cards are perfect for students but also make an excellent gift for a scientist or anyone who enjoys the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDELVE INTO THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PRACTICE WITH THIS ESSENTIAL AND PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MEDITATION ''This is a book that really can change your life'' Arianna Huffington, author of the New York Times bestseller The Sleep RevolutionMeditation is fascinating, but often it feels elusive. How can simple exercises change your mental state? How can focussing your breathing lead to changes in your personality? For the first time, Harvard collaborators Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson share the science behind the practice. Drawing on cutting edge research and sweeping away common misconceptions, they show how to improve your technique, how smart practice can cultivate selflessness, equanimity, love and compassion, and even redesign our neural circuitry.Whether you''re a beginner or have meditated for years, bring mindfulness and meditation into your life with an essential read for the world we live in now. ''A happy synthesis of the authors'' remarkable careers.'' Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Mindfulness for BeginnersTrade ReviewThis is a book that really can change your life. Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson not only show the power of meditation, but also the smartest way to practice for the maximum possible benefit. The Science of Meditation is your roadmap to a more mindful, compassionate, fulfilling life - who doesn't want that? -- Arianna Huffington, author of the ‘New York Times’ best seller ‘The Sleep Revolution’A happy synthesis of the authors' remarkable careers, which grew from the intuition they shared as students that there was something deep and transformative about meditation, The Science of Meditation tells the story of what has been discovered since and why it matters critically at this moment on the planet -- Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of 'Full Catastrophe Living' and 'Mindfulness for Beginners'The definitive book on the science of meditation. Rigorously researched and deeply illuminating, The Science of Meditation is a must-read for anyone interested in the hidden potential of the human mind -- Daniel Gilbert, PhD, author of the New York Times bestseller 'Stumbling on Happiness'This exquisite duet between a down-to-earth science writer and path-breaking neuroscientist is a tour-de-force, revealing how training the mind can transform the brain and our sense of self, inspiring us to create a greater sense of well-being, meaning, and connection in our world. Bravo! -- Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., author of the ‘New York Times’ best sellers, ‘Mind’ and ‘Brainstorm’Here is a message that is both powerful and joyful. Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson reveal groundbreaking science showing how mindfulness and compassion practices can help each of us individually and thus the entire planet. One of the most exciting books I have read! -- Chade-Meng Tan, author of the 'New York Times' bestsellers, 'Joy on Demand' and 'Search Inside Yourself'In this engaging and well-researched book, Goleman and Davidson help us sort out the many claims now being made about the benefits of meditation. Drawing on their own long personal meditative experience and the ever increasing number of scientific studies, The Science of Meditation breaks new ground in illuminating the power of meditation to transform our lives -- Joseph Goldstein, author of 'Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening'A remarkable collaboration between two brilliant and courageous pioneers, The Science of Meditation shares the scientific basis and practical realities of the remarkable impact meditation has on altering the mind. As I have personally experienced, regular meditation practice brings compassion, calm, and clarity for all of us, from beginners to experienced practitioners -- Bill George, Senior Fellow, Harvard Business School; former Chair & CEO, Medtronic; and author of 'Discover Your True North'Impressive in its scope and depth, staggering in its implications -- Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD on 'Emotional Intelligence'Don't miss this smart and lively book by the world's foremost expert on emotion and the brain -- Daniel Gilbert, PhD on 'The Emotional Life of Your Brain'Goleman uses the emerging science of neuro-sociology to show how priming our brains for meaningful connectivity with others can make the world a better place . . . Fascinating * Sunday Telegraph on 'Social Intelligence' *Sure to provoke oodles of debate about declining attention spans in the young * Bookseller on 'Focus' *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom gravity to black holes, special relativity to global warming, this authoritative and entertaining book from bestselling author Marcus Chown breaks down complex science into manageable chunks, explaining the one thing you really need to know to get to grips with the subject.Rather than trying to bend your mind around all the vast and confounding details of things such as gravitational waves, electricity and black holes, wouldn’t it be easier to understand just one central concept from which everything else follows?If you’ve ever found yourself fascinated by the idea of quantum computing but feel a little overwhelmed by the mindblowing subject of quantum mechanics or concerned by climate change but haven’t been able to get to grips with the details of global warming, this book is for you. Let’s take atoms, for example – what on earth are they? Well, if you start to think of them less like things you can’t see with complex little nuclei and more like the alphabet of nature, which in different configurations can make a rose, a galaxy or a newborn baby, they might start to feel a little more understandable. Or gravitational waves – they sound poetic, but why are they creating so much excitement? Think of them as the voice of space, vibrations on the drumskin of space-time – before delving into all their complexities. In twenty-one short and engaging chapters, Chown explains the one thing you need to know to understand some of the most important scientific ideas of our time. Packed full of astounding facts, scientific history and the entertaining personalities at the heart of the most pivotal discoveries about the workings of our universe, this is an accessible guide to all the tricky stuff you’ve always wanted to understand more about.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the development of a variety of exciting new areas of research involving computational chemistry, nano- and smart materials, and applications of the recently discovered graphene, there can be no doubt that physical chemistry is a vitally important field. It is also perceived as the most daunting branch of chemistry, being necessarily grounded in physics and mathematics and drawing as it does on quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical thermodynamics.With his typical clarity and hardly a formula in sight, Peter Atkins'' Very Short Introduction explores the contributions physical chemistry has made to all branches of chemistry. Providing an insight into its central concepts Atkins reveals the cultural contributions physical chemistry has made to our understanding of the natural world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe collection A Very Short Introduction from Oxford University Press is directed to people who want a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject. From this perspective, Peter Atkins has successfully met the collection's goal. In his characteristic clear style, he walks us through a short but rather interesting journey through the core ideas that form the conceptual infrastructure of physical chemistry. This intellectual trip takes the reader through different levels at which physicochemical models describe, explain, and predict the structure and properties of matter. From the subatomic world to the macroscopic scale; from single-particle to multi-particle systems; from the theoretical realm to the experimental setting. * Science & Education *[Physical Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction] is carefully written and captures the breadth of the subject. * Chemistry World *An exemplary book, both for those who, like me, want to refresh and modernize his obsolete knowledge, and for those (students, pupils) whom you will introduce into this fascinating subject. Without any reserve: cordially recommended! * Hans Bouma, NVOX *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Matter from the inside ; 2. Matter from the outside ; 3. Bridging matter ; 4. States of matter ; 5. Changing the state of matter ; 6. Changing the identity of matter ; 7. Investigating matter ; Further reading ; Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Hands-On category""Welcome to the Universe in 3D, the ideal gift for star gazers of all ages, brings readers a built-in stereo viewer...that enables a 3D tour of the universe. Armchair astronomers can peer through the stereo viewer, page through nearly 60 double images of the solar system and take in three-dimensional images from as far away as 13.8 billion light years .... Cheaper than a telescope, this is a marvelous introduction to astronomy" * Shelf Awareness *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA wise and inspiring manifesto about why understanding physics can make you happier, by one of the leading science writers of our time.Trade ReviewTim Radford's The Consolations of Physics is a love letter to the Voyager space probes. The poetry of their journey stimulated Radford to wax lyrical about the purpose of science. It is a beautiful, moving book that roams through the grand physics of recent decades. -- Michael Brooks * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Lyrical hymn to space exploration, knowledge and the enquiring mind... Helps quench our curiosity, yet deepens the mystery, about the cosmos and our attempts to discover more about it. -- Darragh McManus * Irish Independent *Beautiful, joyful, inspiring. A celebration of physicists' quest to understand the universe, from one of the best science writers around. -- Jo Marchant, New York Times bestselling author of CUREIt's rare that you get a book that connects Dante's Divine Comedy to the Higgs boson and the geology of limestone cliffs, and this weaving together of two thousand's years of intellectual thought is one of the many delights of this book. It's a hymn to scientific endeavour. -- Professor Mark Miodownik, New York Times bestselling author of STUFF MATTERSWow... Tim Radford's writing is so beautiful, it reads like poetry. A book more about life and passion than physics. People who have never cared a jot about physics (like me) must read this book. -- Suzanne O'Sullivan, Wellcome Prize-winning author of IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEADA beautiful, inspiring reflection on science, humanity, space, and matter - this would blow Boethius's mind. -- Sarah Bakewell, Sunday Times-bestselling author of HOW TO LIVE and AT THE EXISTENTIALIST'S CAFEAn appreciative survey of the vast canvas on which physicists do their creative work - the entire observable universe, from the beginning of time to its end (assuming there is one)... Beneath his jocularity, Radford is an unapologetic intellectual. -- Graham Farmelo * Guardian *Beautifully crafted 'love letter to physics'... His deft narrative interweaves discoveries such as the Higgs boson, the Hubble Deep Field and gravitational waves with Dante Alighieri's epic fourteenth-century poem The Divine Comedy, which intuited the laws of motion found by Galileo Galilei some 300 years later. -- Barbara Kiser * Nature *Engaging and delightful... In Radford's persuasive and genial company, as he roams from the initial singularity to dark energy, from Saint Augustine's City of God to Dante's The Divine Comedy, from the Higgs bosun to the multiverse, it's hard not to be moved by the fact that there are those who are capable of dreaming up and executing complex undertakings that explore the order that underpins creation. -- Manjit Kumar * Observer *Physics may not be a subject many people find consoling, but in this poetic paean to mankind's quest to make sense of the universe Tim Radford...might convert a few. -- Rob Kingston * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this beautiful and thorough investigation, The Secret Language of Color celebrates and illuminates the countless ways in which color colors our world.Why is the sky blue, the grass green, a rose red? Most of us have no idea how to answer these questions, nor are we aware that color pervades nearly all aspects of life, from the subatomic realm and the natural world to human culture and psychology.Organized into chapters that begin with a fascinating explanation of the physics and chemistry of color, The Secret Language of Color travels from outer space to Earth, from plants to animals to humans. In these chapters we learn about how and why we see color, the nature of rainbows, animals with color vision far superior and far inferior to our own, how our language influences the colors we see, and much more. Between these chapters, authors Joann Eckstut and Ariele Eckstut turn their attention to the individual hues of the visible spectrum?red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet?presenting each in fascinating, in-depth detail.Including hundreds of stunning photographs and dozens of informative, often entertaining graphics, every page is a breathtaking demonstration of color and its role in the world around us. Whether? you see red, are a shrinking violet, or talk a blue streak, this is the perfect book for anyone interested in the history, science, culture, and beatuty of color in the natural and man-made world.

Read more less