Popular science Books

Book SynopsisAn award-winning physician and scientist makes the game-changing case that genetic females are stronger than males at every stage of life''A powerful antidote to the myth of a weaker sex'' Gina Rippon, author of The Gendered BrainFrom birth, genetic females are better at fighting viruses, infections and cancer. They do better at surviving epidemics and famines. They live longer, and even see the world in a wider variety of colours. These are the facts; they are simply stronger than men at every stage of life. Why? And why are we taught the opposite?Drawing on his wide-ranging experience and cutting-edge research as a medic, geneticist and specialist in rare diseases, Dr Sharon Moalem reveals how the answer lies in our genetics: the female''s double XX chromosomes offer a powerful survival advantage. And he calls for a long-overdue reconsideration of our one-size-fits-all view of the body and medicine - a view that still frames women through the lens of men. Revolutionary, captivating and utterly persuasive, The Better Half will make you see women, men and the survival of our species anew.''Brilliant, original and groundbreaking, highly readable and genuinely useful'' Daily MailTrade ReviewLet's hear it for the X-chromosome! After decades, if not centuries, of bad press for women and their vulnerable biology, The Better Half gives chapter and verse to show that 'almost everything that is biologically difficult to do in life is done better by females'. An eye- and mind-opening celebration of the reserve genetic horsepower that having two X-chromosomes can bestow, The Better Half is a powerful antidote to the myth of a 'weaker sex'. * Gina Rippon, author of The Gendered Brain and Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Neuroimaging at Aston University, Birmingham *Moalem's essential thesis is valid and important, and deserves attention both within the scientific community and beyond. This is a readable and lively book, making an argument long overdue * The Irish Independent *Although Dr. Moalem had me at the subtitle, I tore through this fascinating, eye-opening book in one sitting. Provocative, crackling with wit and insight, THE BETTER HALF argues that science has shortchanged women in all levels of research and convincingly reveals that the true differences between men and women come down to longevity, intellect, resilience, and immunity to disease. Now it all makes sense why 95 percent of people who have reached the age of 110 are women. -- Jancee Dunn * New York Times bestselling author of 'How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids' *A mind-opening celebration of women -- Kate Garraway, broadcaster and journalistThis book provides the crucial scientific reasoning behind why it is essential to include males and females, both in people and animals, in order to get accurate results in medical research. * Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of 'The Autistic Brain' and 'Thinking in Pictures' *A compelling argument for the resilience seen in women. But the real genius is the poetic justice he metes out by highlighting the brilliant women who remain unsung heroes in these discoveries. -- William J. Sullivan * Showalter Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and author of 'Pleased to Meet Me' *The Better Half explores the genetic differences between males and females in a way that is both original and scientifically compelling. This book provides a great read, and lots to think about, for specialists and the public alike. -- Han G. Brunner, MD, PhD, Professor of Human Genetics at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, and Maastricht University Medical Center, the Netherlands.Moalem brings deep, yet highly-readable, scientific analysis to the perennial question of what makes men and women different. Ideally, this book will re-set that conversation in research labs, doctors' offices, classrooms, and dinner tables around the world." -- E. Kinney Zalesne, New York Times bestselling collaborator on 'Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes'

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Book SynopsisNo recent scientific enterprise has been so alluring, terrifying, and filled with extravagant promise and frustrating setbacks as artificial intelligence. How intelligent are the best of today's AI programs? To what extent can we entrust them with decisions that affect our lives? How human-like do we expect them to become, and how soon do we need to worry about them surpassing us in most, if not all, human endeavours? From leading AI researcher and award-winning author Melanie Mitchell comes a knowledgeable and captivating account of modern-day artificial intelligence. Flavoured with personal stories and a twist of humour, Artificial Intelligence illuminates the workings of machines that mimic human learning, perception, language, creativity and common sense. Weaving together advances in AI with cognitive science and philosophy, Mitchell probes the extent to which today's 'smart' machines can actually think or understand, and whether AI requires such elusiTrade ReviewIf you think you understand AI and all of the related issues, you don't. By the time you finish this exceptionally lucid and riveting book you will breathe more easily and wisely -- Michael Gazzaniga, author of The Consciousness InstinctMelanie Mitchell writes about AI with a warm, friendly voice and an unpretentious brilliance that no machine could hope to match... for now -- Steven Strogatz, author of The Joy of XComputers are capable of feats of astonishing intelligence, while at the same time lacking any semblance of common sense. Melanie Mitchell takes us through an enlightening tour of how artificial intelligence currently works, and how it falls short of true human understanding -- Sean Carroll, author of The Big PictureA must read for anyone interested in the emerging revolution of AI, machine learning and big data. Mitchell lays bare the hyperbole and misconceptions that are being propagated in the media. This book can be, and should be, read by the proverbial man or woman-on-the-street, the Silicon Valley guru, members of Congress, or a student of the humanities, as well as by professional scientists and engineers. They will all profit enormously from it -- Geoffrey West, author of ScaleMitchell cuts through the hype that the field of A.I. is often prone to and lays out what it does well, where it fails, and how it might do better -- George Musser, author of Spooky Action at a DistanceMelanie Mitchell deftly provides the reader with a keen, clear-sighted account of the history of AI and neural networks. A wonderfully informative book -- John Allen Paulos, author of InnumeracyMitchell is one of the finest minds in computation today, and one of the clearest-spoken. She understands the power of a metaphor — and why nearly all of the ones we have for AI are either simply poor, in the best of cases, or dangerously misleading. If you want to know where our current mayhem came from, read this account of the field -- Cat Bohannon author of EveThe recent resurgence of AI has led to predictions of everything from the end of the world to immortality. Melanie Mitchell’s very intelligent, clear and sensible book is a welcome corrective to the exaggerated fears and hopes for AI, and the prefect primer to start understanding how the systems actually work -- Alison Gopnik, author of The Philosophical BabyMitchell knows what she’s talking about. Even better, she’s a clear, cogent and interesting writer . . . It has significantly improved my knowledge when it comes to automation technology, but the greater benefit is that it has also enhanced my appreciation for the complexity and ineffability of human cognition * Chicago Tribune *Without shying away from technical details, this survey provides an accessible course in neural networks, computer vision, and natural-language processing, and asks whether the quest to produce an abstracted, general intelligence is worrisome . . . Mitchell’s view is a reassuring one * The New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisA writer, broadcaster, and photographer, Editorial Consultant Adam Hart-Davis is a popular and respected explainer of science and engineering. He presented the BBC series What the Romans Did For Us, followed by further programmes on the Victorians, Tudors and Stuarts, and Ancients. He also co-presented Tomorrow's World, Science Shack, The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide, and Just Another Day, about the science and technology of everyday life. He is the author of more than 35 books on science, invention, and history.

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Book Synopsis''A joy of a book - enriching, illuminating, eclectic and far from a conventional science read'' Richard Webb, New Scientist Books of the Year''Carlo Rovelli''s imaginative rigour, his lively humour and his beautiful writing are inspiring'' Erica WagnerOne of the most inspiring thinkers of our age, the bestselling author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics transforms the way we think about the world with his reflections on science, history and humanityIn this collection of writings, the logbook of an intelligence always on the move, Carlo Rovelli follows his curiosity and invites us on a voyage through science, history, philosophy and politics. Written with his usual clarity and wit, these pieces range widely across time and space: from Newton''s alchemy to Einstein''s mistakes, from Nabokov''s butterflies to Dante''s cosmology, from travels in Africa to the consciousness of an octopus, from mind-altering psychedelic sTrade ReviewSuperb. Rovelli's journalism is an expression of the scientific desire to know and understand the world. Beautifully translated by Erica Segre and Simon Carnell, There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important than Kindness continues a tradition of jargon-free popular scientific writing from Galileo to Darwin that disappeared in the academic specialization of the last century -- Ian Thomson * Evening Standard *With the publication of his million-selling book Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Rovelli took his place with Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman as one of the great popularisers of modern theoretical physics -- Sam Leith * Spectator *The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius for our age -- Robert FoxModern physics has found its poet. . . Rovelli is a wonderfully humane, gentle and witty guide for he is as much philosopher and poet as he is a scientist -- John Banville * Irish Times *The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *A joy of a book - enriching, illuminating, eclectic and far from a conventional science read. . . showcases the light and shade of Rovelli's writing, and the passion for knowledge and curiosity that make him such an engaging writer . . . We need more Rovellis -- Richard Webb * New Scientist *Rovelli is a brilliant and lucid teacher who uses his understanding of theoretical physics and the quantum world to talk about the complexity of our everyday reality -- Russell BrandThis short collection of writings has something to offer for avid admirers of his work and new Rovelli readers alike * Science Focus *It remains rare for even the most talented science writers to fuse their work with a deep knowledge of the arts. One such rarity is Carlo Rovelli who, like some intellectual throwback to antiquity, treats the sciences and the humanities as complementary areas of knowledge and is a subtle interpreter of both. . . These finely wrought essays draw on an impressive hinterland of cultural and scientific learning. . . an entertaining and enlightening journey -- Andrew Anthony * Observer *Rovelli opens windows onto the imagination for all of us -- Antony GormleyCarlo Rovelli, one of our age's most inspiring thinkers, offers intellectual adventures for the curious * Time Out *Carlo Rovelli is a genius and an amazing communicator... What I love about his writing is that it always comes back to people -- people interacting with other people, who are interacting with their world. This is the place where science comes to life -- Neil GaimanCarlo Rovelli's imaginative rigour, his lively humour and his beautiful writing are inspiring -- Erica WagnerIlluminating, thought-provoking and suffused with a passion for knowledge and ideas, it is an eclectic and far from conventional science read or gift * New Scientist, Books of the Year *Rovelli is a masterful short story teller... this book is a joy to read * Physics Education *A wonderfully discursive and pertinent book that stands as a celebration of the life of the mind and the gifts of an open curiosity -- Hisham Matar

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Book Synopsis''Punchy and to the point. No beating around the bush. This brilliant book contains all the information we need to have in our back pocket in order to move forward'' Christiana Figueres, Former Executive Secretary UN Climate Change Convention''Amazing book'' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast Show''Everyone should have this book'' Rick Edwards, BBC Radio 5 Live''A timely and important book, not only laying out the facts...but suggesting real solutions to the challenges facing us'' Professor Alice Roberts, Anatomist, Professor of Public Engagement in Science, University of Birmingham_________________________ How can we save our planet and survive the 21st century? How can you argue with deniers? How can we create positive change in the midst of the climate crisis? Professor Mark Maslin has the key facts that we need to protect our future. Global awareness of climate chaTrade ReviewThe facts should speak for themselves, but we hardly ever let them. Each line of Mark Maslin's brilliant and comprehensive accounting offers a mesmerizing glimpse of humanity's appetite and ambition, blindness and brutality and capacity for self-destruction. Perhaps, one hopes, self-renewal, too. For that, we will have to wait and see, but How to Save Our Planet is an eye-opening start * David Wallace-Wells, author of 'The Uninhabitable Earth' *How to Save Our Planet: The Facts is a much needed evidence-based handbook and rallying cry for urgent climate action. Professor Mark Maslin unfolds the magnitude of what humans have done to our precious planet while pointing to how we can solve the climate emergency before it is too late * Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director, Greenpeace International *Climate change facts have never been as understandable or as compelling as in Professor Maslin's book. This is a book to be read, understood and acted upon * Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2010-2016, author of The Future We Choose *Fascinating, terrifying, but ultimately hopeful, How To Save Our Planet is an important call to arms for the most important battle of all - the fight to secure our future. It injects much-needed clarity and offers practical advice for a problem that for many of us has felt too complex and overwhelming to face, let alone fix. Saving the world is no small thing, but picking up this book's a good start * Paris Lees, Contributing Editor at British Vogue, campaigner *Mark Maslin's book is a fact-bomb, one that blasts through climate denial to clear a path for action on the greatest threat that our planet faces * Roger Highfield, Science Director, Science Museum *A handbook of clearly established, authoritative facts and figures about the terrible toll we as humans have taken of our planet, plus ways in which we can lessen the impact. For laypeople like me, who can see what is happening but haven't always got the precise statistics to hand, it's hugely valuable. I think everyone should read it and absorb its contents: sobering, certainly, and more than a little frightening, but at least we won't be able to claim ignorance as we blunder on our destructive way * John Simpson CBE, BBC World Affairs Editor, Broadcaster, Author & Columnist *There are some books which are important, and there are others which are a necessity. This is certainly the latter. It's powerful, honest and really cleverly written. I am left feeling more informed of the solutions and more empowered to make a difference * Megan McCubbin, Wildlife TV Presenter BBC Springwatch, Zoologist, photographer *I love it. My kids love it * Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast Show *Mark Maslin is an environmental pathologist stripping away the superfluous and cutting to the very heart of the problem with a brilliant clarity. This book is a roadmap to recovery for humanity, informing and inspiring in equal measure. It is a book every human needs to have to hand as we tackle this crisis head on * Bella Lack, Conservationist and Environmental Activist *Ideological debates on Global Warming often produce a fog of confusion in public life. This book cuts through that fog and suggests a way forward. The handy list of salutary and indisputable facts that Maslin has assembled here will ensure that How to Save Our Planet will serve as a much-needed guidebook that will help us negotiate our disorienting times * Dipesh Chakrabarty, author of The Climate of History in a Planetary Age (forthcoming March 2021) *From the big bang to the future of our fast-warming world, Mark takes us at breakneck speed through the ways humanity is shaping the planet, and presents with amazing clarity steps everyone can take to make the world a better place * Will McCallum, Head of Oceans at Greenpeace UK and author of How to Give Up Plastic *A book for anyone who needs a crash course on the condition of our planet and what can be done about it, and it offers a perfect balance of climate realism and climate optimism * Jamie Margolin, Climate Justice Activist and Zero Hour Founder & Co-Executive Director *A valuable resource, in that epic struggle, now underway, to head off apocalypse. Mark does not pull punches about the nightmare that we are staring down the barrel of. He is helpfully clear that we cannot now prevent disasters: they are here, and we are going to have to adapt to a rising tide of them. He is right that there is enormous scope for us to act, collectively, to slow down that rising tide - and even perhaps, even now, to create an ecotopia on Earth * Prof. Rupert Read, former Extinction Rebellion spokesperson; author, PARENTS FOR A FUTURE, and co-author, FACING UP TO CLIMATE REALITY *A timely and important book, not only laying out the facts - what we know and how we know it - but suggesting real solutions to the challenges facing us * Professor Alice Roberts, Anatomist, author & broadcaster, Professor of Public Engagement in Science, University of Birmingham *A compelling and crystal clear narrative. By marshalling all the facts, by giving a reference for every single one of them, he has made this slim volume both a sword of truth and the doorway to a much deeper understanding of the facts * Vivienne Parry OBE, Writer and broadcaster *Professor Mark Maslin has produced what is an essential guide to climate solutions and a must for all our communities in order to tackle the minefield of climate action * Mya-Rose Craig, Birdgirl, Founder & President Back2Nature *More than anything this book is about empowerment. A reminder that facts and action matter, and that every one of us can make a difference. Professor Maslin has packed a rucksack for change. Pick it up and let's go save our planet! * Peter C. Kjærgaard, PhD, FLS Museum Director & Professor of Human History *A brilliantly crafted book that addresses one of the huge issues underlying the climate crisis: having the right tools and knowledge to clearly communicate facts, counter misinformation and offer up solutions. So we can effectively spread the word about how to collectively fix our planet * Edzard van der Wyck, CEO & Co-Founder Sheep Inc. *In a strikingly original and accessible format, Mark Maslin's book provides a fascinating collection of the most important facts about the climate crisis and how to tackle it * Prof. Peter Stott, leader of the Climate Monitoring and Attribution team at the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research at the UK Met Office *Don't let anyone tell you climate change is an insoluble problem. It can be solved, and in time to avoid the worst impacts. In this vital book Mark Maslin - punchily and entertainingly - tells us how * Mark Lynas, author of OUR FINAL WARNING: SIX DEGREES OF CLIMATE EMERGENCY *This book is for everyone. Climate change is happening to us all and we all have a responsibility to understand what is going on to be able to make a difference, this book is your quick and accessible guide to understanding the science and what it's going to take for each and every one of us to save our planet * Sara Essa, Founder of Sustainability Hub & Sustainability Club on Clubhouse *Everyone should have this book * Rick Edwards, BBC Radio 5 Live *Amazing book * Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast Show *A no-nonsense crib sheet on the state of the world and how to help it * The I Newspaper *If his book falls into the hands of the powerful then it could just save the planet. At the very least, it will provide some thought-provoking facts * The I Newspaper *Punchy and to the point. No beating around the bush. This brilliant book contains all the information we need to have in our back pocket in order to move forward * Christiana Figueres, author of The Future We Choose *

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Book Synopsis''Argues persuasively . . . nothing less than eye-opening'' Financial TimesCan we really restore the earth's atmosphere within our lifetime?Whether through sustainable technologies such as fossil-free steel production, hydrogen-powered ships and electric motorbikes, or natural solutions like rewilding peatlands, people all over the world are finding new ways to travel, feed themselves and drive industry while safeguarding a liveable planet for future generations.Drawing on decades of research and a vast network of experts, Rob Jackson, Chair of the Global Carbon Project, introduces some of the brilliant innovators behind the boldest solutions to climate change including an Eritrean agricultural scientist, a Swedish CEO and a Brazilian hydrologist.Now we have more tools to combat climate change than ever before, Into the Clear Blue Sky traces a clear path to a better future for us all one that will see us cutting emissions

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Book Synopsis''The one meditation tactic that will get you through the toughest times'' Oprah DailyOvercome negative thoughts and develop a positive mindset this January with these meditation practices proven by neuroscientific research.In this modern digital age, many of us feel overwhelmed, panicked and short on time. The practice of meditation is an ancient and scientifically proven antidote to that frenzied feeling. Combining scientific expertise and spiritual wisdom, this is a practical guide on how it can help you feel calm and in control.With chapters on Breathing, Compassion and Worry, it is full of empirically proven and easy-to-follow exercises that will help you tackle mental obstacles, including issues such as self-doubt and negative thought patterns. This is a fresh perspective on meditation that will uplift and soothe your mind, whether you''re new to it or not.FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, DANIEL GOLEMAN ''The perfect guide for finding true inner peace'' Ruby WaxTrade ReviewThis beautiful and inspiring book, arising from the brilliance of two great minds, contains profound yet practical advice on meditation and its power to nourish the world * Gelong Thubten, author of A Monk’s Guide to Happiness *The one meditation tactic that will get you through the toughest times * Oprah Daily *The perfect guide for finding true inner peace * Ruby Wax, author of A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled *Practical, doable techniques for making two game-changing inner moves: getting out of your head, as well as taming your demons [...] all backed up by rigorous science * Dan Harris, author of 10% Happier *Highly recommend * Dan Harris, bestselling author of 10% Happier *An exciting new book that combines recent research into meditation with fresh, accessible, and profound teachings on the actual practice * Pema Chödrön, author of When Things Fall Apart *A rare blend of genuine, far-reaching meditative wisdom and the cutting-edge neuroscience that both explains and supports it. This book is an extraordinary collaboration and a great jewel that will benefit all who read it * Joseph Goldstein, author of Seeking the Heart of Wisdom *PRAISE FOR TSOKNYI RINPOCHE - He is a powerful and eloquent link between the great yogi practitioners of old Tibet and our bewildering twenty-first century. He's completely comfortable in both. And he makes us comfortable, too. * Richard Gere *Goleman offers hope for us all * The Times *[Why We Meditate] shows how we can regain our innate rhythm * Sainsbury's Magazine *Each chapter is a kind of antidote for the scepticism...read this book * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisA scientist's journey from observation to discovery is anything but straightforward. It is littered with failure, unexpected diversions and joyous realizations. Science helps us to understand ourselves but what we know about the world around us, what has already been explored and discovered, is only half of science's story.Dr Camilla Pang will look at some of the biggest mysteries facing science today and how some of the best, most cutting-edge scientists can illuminate our own approaches to observation, hypothesis, exploration, troubleshooting and discovery in our own lives.

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Book SynopsisA FINANCIAL TIMES & SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR Fascinating . . . a refreshing counterblast to many popular ideas about wellbeing' ProspectExcellent . . . anyone reading it will come away with a kinder, better understanding of themselves' Lucy FoulkesThere are many routes to mental wellbeing and award-winning neuroscientist Camilla Nord is at the forefront of finding them. In this ground-breaking book, she offers a revelatory tour of the scientific and technological developments that are revolutionizing the way we think about mental health, showing why and how events - and treatments - can affect people in such different ways.In The Balanced Brain, Nord reframes mental health as an intricate, self-regulating process, one which is different for all of us. She examines a huge diversity of treatments, from therapy and medication to recreational drugs and electrical brain stimulation, to show how they work, aTrade ReviewA fascinating read, one that is able to make sense of unexpected connections . . . Nord makes a compelling case for rejecting any clear distinction between mental and physical illness -- Sophie McBain * The Times *Compelling, revolutionary, compassionate . . . sharp-witted and intelligent . . . both down-to-earth and insightful . . . Nord provides an understanding of the brain which readers can leverage to conduct their own mental-health enhancing experiments -- Niamh Jimenez * The Irish Times *Engaging, refreshingly open and fair-minded . . . Explains how our brains come to experience the world as they do, considering pain, pleasure, the mind-body connection and how events shape our outlook -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *Rigorous, engagingly personal . . . provides an exciting snapshot of what we know so far about this vital organ’s importance for maintaining our mental health -- Peter Carty * iNews *Compelling…optimistic…her writing is masterfully nuanced in its treatment of depression, without sacrificing the clarity of her argument -- David Robson * the Observer *Simply brilliant. This is science writing at its best. If you want to understand mental health - really understand it - read this book -- Nichola Raihani * author of The Social Instinct *This excellent book is a breath of fresh air . . . anyone reading it will come away with a kinder, better understanding of themselves. A clear-thinking tour of the latest research from a leading mental health scientist and an accessible exploration of how our bodies and minds make us feel the way we do - for better or worse -- Lucy Foulkes * author of What Mental Illness Really Is… (and what it isn’t) *Extremely relevant . . . a highly readable synthesis of the neuroscience underpinning mental health and its treatment -- Simon Baron-CohenFascinating . . . Camilla Nord, one of our most original thinkers, writes compellingly about the complexities of the brain and mental health. She presents new insights from neuroscience about how the brain generates our mental state, thoughts, moods and feelings, and what happens when things go wrong. This thought-provoking book is an essential resource -- Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, author of INVENTING OURSELVESThe Balanced Brain a fascinating tour of the latest research… and an examination of treatments… Nord’s careful argument is that mental health requires a kind of homeostatis in the brain that will be influenced by different factors for everyone. It is a refreshing counterblast to many popular ideas about wellbeing -- Sarah Collins * Prospect *A clear-eyed look at the neuroscience of mental health… The Balanced Brain is an enlightening round-up of what scientists know about the workings of the brain, and how they know it * the Economist *Nord… weaves stories from her personal and professional life skilfully into a scientific analysis of the huge range of treatments available * the Financial Times Best Books of 2023 *This brilliant first book goes into greater detail on the mental health implications of the predictive mind, as well as on the often surprising connections between the corporeal and the emotional. You’ll never look at yourself the same way again * Prospect Book of the Year 2023 *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the world of science as never before in this richly illustrated guide bringing key milestones and events to life in visual timelines. Offering a uniquely accessible and visual approach, this visual science book shows as never before where scientific ideas came from and how they have shaped all of our lives. The history of humankind has been driven by scientific discovery. From our distant ancestors learning to use tools and fire for the first time, to the modern breakthroughs that have shaped the world we live in today, science has defined the story of humans for thousands of years. Using beautiful illustrations and clear, easy-to-read text, Timelines of Science explains the history of science as it unfolded across the globe, and delves into the story of scientific ideas, practice, and progress one step at a time.This visual science book features:- Beautifully illustrated timelines showing events, discoveries, and breakthroughs

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Book SynopsisA renowned doctor, scientist, television presenter, and writer, Professor Robert Winston has contributed to numerous DK books. These include Home Lab (2016), which won the RNS Young People's Book Prize, and the award-winning DK book Utterly Amazing Human Body (2015).

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Book SynopsisA COMPLETE, UNCOMPLICATED GUIDE TO THE SCIENCE OF LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING Most scientists know only their own field. Tim Coulson is at home with science as an integrated whole. A pleasure to read, and a lasting accomplishment' Richard Dawkins ''Step aside Star Wars ours is the most astonishing origin story you'll ever hear and its beautifully told by Tim Coulson' Professor Ken Norris, Deputy Director of Science at the Natural History Museum----Have you ever wondered why you exist?What had to happen for you and all life on Earth to come into being?What is the true answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything?In The Universal History of Us, Tim Coulson Professor of Zoology at Oxford takes us back to the beginning of everything: the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago. From there, he leads us step by step along the path to the most astonishing thing we have yet encountered the staggering complexity of the modern human mind.Covering physics, astronomy, chemistry, geology, the emergence of life, evolution, consciousness and the rise of humankind, yet written to be understood by anyone with a child's curiosity, this book takes the biggest story of all and tells it simply, grippingly and, above all, entertainingly.It is the history of you, me and everything of how we all came to be. In short, it is the greatest story ever told.----''A highly readable and super enjoyable book . . . that takes us on a free-spirited intellectual romp through every aspect of what we know about our universe' Peter Hudson FRS Willaman Professor of Biology at Penn State ''A charming, engaging and erudite account'' David Christian, author of New York Times bestseller Origin Story (2018) A gangbuster science book. A can''t-put-down read. I don''t think I have learned more from a single book'' Douglas W. Smith, Former Senior Wildlife Biologist, Yellowstone National Park Exceptional. A highly infectious read. From the first page I found it impossible to put down' Professor Baroness Kathy Willis, Professor of Biodiversity, University of Oxford Achieves something almost impossible, lucid explanation without dumbing down . . . can read this for fun and accidentally you will know as much general science as any Professor' James H Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci MAE, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division at Oxford, Professor of Structural Biology With wit, wisdom and humility. The prose is of a perfect weight, and an absolute joy to read' Sunetra Gupta, Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology at the University of Oxford Will appeal to a broad variety of readers and inspire new generations of scientists for years to come'' Quentin Paynter

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Book SynopsisLisa Kaltenegger offers first-hand access to her expertise on the search for planets in the universe, and the life they may contain. Along the way, Lisa''s breezy narrative style invites you to experience with her the challenges and joys of being a scientist on the frontier of discovery' Neil deGrasse Tyson, AstrophysicistFor thousands of years, humans have wondered whether we''re alone in the cosmos. Now, for the first time, we have the technology to investigate. The question should have an obvious answer: yes or no. But once you try to find life elsewhere, you realize it is not so simple. How do you find it over cosmic distances? What actually is life?Astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger works from Carl Sagan's former office at Cornell University, where she built a team of tenacious scientists from many disciplines to find life on faraway worlds, using Earth's diverse biosphere and its history as a Rosetta Stone. With infectious enthusiasm, she provides an eye-opening insider's guide to the most unusual exoplanets that have shaken our worldview planets covered in oceans of lava, lonely wanderers lost in space, and others with more than one sun in their sky as well as the best contenders for Alien Earths. She also shows how close imagined scifi worlds come to reality.We live in an incredible new epoch of exploration. As our witty and knowledgeable tour guide, Professor Kaltenegger shows how we discover not merely new continents, like the explorers of old, but whole new worlds circling other stars and how we could spot life there. Worlds from where aliens may even be gazing back at us. What if we''re not alone?

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Book SynopsisA tantalising journey into the weird and wonderful world of fermentation, from its role in our evolution to the foods we love and everything in between. Imagine a world without bread, butter or wine. Without soy sauce or chocolate. What if we also take away cheese, coffee and even antibiotics? This is what life without fermentation would be like. Fermentation is so much more than a current health trend, it has shaped the world we live in, the bodies we inhabit, the staple foods we eat and even has the potential to shape our future. The truth is, when we ferment, we're tapping into a collaboration thousands of years in the making between humans and a hidden microbial cosmos, one which we're only just beginning to understand. Adventures in Fermentation is the first book to lift the lid on the power of this ancient practice, exploring how it has been utilised in different cultures across the globe and how we can do the same. With irresistible wit and verve, chef and scientist Dr Joh

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Book SynopsisWhy do some people become radicalized?Who is most susceptible to ideological thinking?Can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas?Filled with insightful findings, this book shows that ideological extremism and polarization are not just problems to fret about but puzzles that can be studied and understood'Steven PinkerThe human brain faces a set of dilemmas every day: how to achieve coherence from fragmented sensory inputs and how to attain connection with other people in an increasingly atomized and isolating world. Ideologies offer a shortcut, providing easy answers, scripts to follow, and a sense of shared identity. Whether our ideologies are far-right, far-left, nationalist, religious, or even progressive, they simplify our understanding and give us organizing frameworks through which to act and interact with others. But ideologies come at a cost: demanding conformity and suppressing individuality through rigid rules, repetit

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Book Synopsis''Thrilling'' Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall''Authoritative and furious, urgent and persuasive'' Sunday Times''Compelling ... Roberts is that precious pearl: a practising scientist who not only knows his field inside out, but also understands how to write'' Guardian Oceans are the most mysterious places on earth. Their depths remain largely unexplored, yet ninety-five percent of the planet''s habitable space lies within them. And now the life they support is in the balance.Callum Roberts uses his lifetime''s experience working with the oceans to take us on a panoramic tour beneath the seas, exploring the richness of life in the deep and how it has altered over the centuries. He shows the catastrophic impact of humanity on the oceans, but also how we can restore them to life.''For anyone who loves the sea, Ocean of Life is a wake-up call, an urgent alert'' Daily Mail''At the heart of this book is a deep loTrade ReviewThose of us who worry about the future of our oceans could do a lot worse than take up this single refrain, "Listen to Callum Roberts!". Shouted in the ears of the world's leaders, it might just make a difference. Meanwhile we should all read Ocean of Life, a thrilling narrative of oceanic natural history and a vital call to action -- Hugh Fearnley-WhittingstallAuthoritative and furious ... a grand survey ... impossible to ignore ... Ocean of Life is the sort of book that inspires you to get in touch with your MP. It is elegantly written, at times overwhelming and depressing, but generally urgent and persuasive. Informed citizens of our watery planet should read it -- Brian Schofield * Sunday Times *At the heart of this book is a deep love of the ocean and a profound concern for its viability as a resource for us all ... A story told with both scientific accuracy and narrative skill ... Roberts's clear, well-written accounts give us access to vast amounts of scientific information ... each chapter is edged with fascinating details about the life of the sea -- Stephen R Palumbi * Nature *The urgency of Callum Roberts' message - that we have very little time to save the oceanic environment on which our existence depends - is in no way undermined by the entertaining and brilliantly-written nature of his writing. This is simply a fascinating book, taking in everything from the elemental formations of the oceans to the denizens that inhabit them; from minute plankton to the great whales - and everything that threatens them, and us. Roberts imparts his vast knowledge with a consummate talent for colourful narrative and devastating facts. His book will be required reading for anyone who cares about the oceans - not least because, as well as underlining the scale of the problems, he offers us the hope of real solutions -- Philip Hoare, author of 'Leviathan or, The Whale'Ocean of Life is an excellent and engrossing work. Mr. Roberts, a British professor of marine conservation, has corralled an astonishing collection of scientific discovery ... I hope a great many people-particularly those in that undecided middle-read this book -- G. Bruce Knecht * Wall Street Journal *Callum Roberts has done it again. From showing us the past with the wisdom of a Dickens character in his earlier book, he now leads us toward the future in The Ocean of Life. It's a book so fine, I wish I'd written it! -- Carl Safina, author of 'Song for the Blue Ocean' and 'The View From Lazy Point' * - *An engrossing survey of the relationship between man and the sea for readers living through the greatest environmental changes in 65 million years ... Roberts's meditation will have readers gasping aloud with wonder, even as the sobering truth of humans' profound interdependence with the sea provokes concern -- Starred review * Publisher's Weekly *An impressive history of the oceans ... one of this book's strengths is the many solutions Roberts outlines to reverse the dismal state of the seas -- Pilita Clark * Financial Times *There is a dearth of good and comprehensive books on a subject that can seem too complicated and depressing for any single tome. Callum Roberts has now provided one ... there is no quibbling with the evidence of marine horrors that Mr Roberts presents * The Economist *It's probably a bit too soon to start talking about candidates for books of the year. But Callum Roberts' latest offering should already be considered a strong contender. Roberts is that precious pearl: a practising scientist who not only knows his field inside out, but also understands how to write compelling, persuasive non-fiction -- Leo Hickman * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisConnectome, by Sebastian Seung is ''One of the most eagerly awaited scientific books of the year ... intellectually exhilarating, beautifully written, exquisitely precise yet still managing to be inspirational'' Irish Times What really makes us who we are? In this groundbreaking book, pioneering neuroscientist Sebastian Seung shows that our identity does not lie in our genes, but in the connections between our brain cells - our own particular wiring, or ''connectomes''.Everything about us - emotions, thoughts, memories - is encoded in these tangled patterns of neural connections, and now Seung and a dedicated team are mapping them in order to uncover the basis of personality, explain disorders such as autism and depression, and even enable us to ''upload'' our brains. This book reveals the secrets of the brain, showing how our connectome makes each of us uniquely ourselves. ''With the first-person flavour of James Watson''s Double Helix, ConnecTrade ReviewWith the first-person flavour of James Watson's Double Helix, Connectome gives a sense of the excitement on the cutting edge of neuroscience * New Scientist *Witty and exceptionally clear ... beautifully explained ... the best lay book on brain science I've ever read * Wall Street Journal *Seung is about to revolutionise brain science * The Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling authors of Why does E=mc2? comes The Quantum Universe, in which Brian Cox, presenter of the BBC''s Wonders of the Solar System and Wonders of the Universe, and Jeff Forshaw go on a brilliantly ambitious mission to show that everyone can understand the deepest questions of science. But just what is quantum physics? How does it help us understand our amazing world? Where does it leave Newton and Einstein? And why, above all, can we be sure that the theory is good?Here, Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw give us the real science behind the bizarre behaviour of the atoms and energy that make up the universe, and reveal exactly how everything that can happen, does happen.Trade ReviewA scientific match made in heaven...as breezily a written accessible account of the theory of quantum mechanics as you could wish for - from the Planck constant to the Higgs particle and everything theoretically in between * Observer *Mindblowing ... what is novel about this attempt is that the writers take an intellectual rather than a historical approach ... it is a surprisingly rich idea that allows the authors to avoid using too much mathematics -- Christopher Potter * Sunday Times *[Cox and Forshaw] stand together at the cutting edge of their discipline ... despite their elevated status, both men remain tiggerishly excitable about their subject ... Cox and Forshaw's book is a carefully guided tour through this quantum world ... popularize[s] without dumbing down -- Christopher Cook * Financial Times *A thrilling voyage into the subatomic world * The Economist Books of the Year *With brightness and gusto, the opening chapters deal with the culture shock that thinking about the sub-atomic world entails ...They are good at drawing connections between seemingly esoteric theory and everyday practicalities -- Doug Johnstone * Independent on Sunday *The rock star of science... In Quantum Universe they do a great job of bringing a difficult subject to life -- Hannah Devlin * The Times *Breaks the rules of popular science writing...admirably shies away from dumbing down...the authors' love for their subject-matter shines through the book * The Economist *Admirably, Cox and Forshaw...treat topics that do not usually show up in popular books...readers will enjoy this engaging, ambitious and creative tour of our quantum universe -- David Kaiser * The Guardian *By explaining theories about the world, Cox and Forshaw show that the workings of the universe can be understood by us all -- Fanny Blake * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisIn Our Mathematical Universe, Max Tegmark, one of the most original physicists at work today, leads us on an astonishing journey to explore the mysteries uncovered by cosmology and to discover the nature of realityPart-history of the cosmos, part-intellectual adventure, Our Mathematical Universe travels from the Big Bang to the distant future via parallel worlds, across every possible scale - from the sub-atomic to the intergalactic - showing how mathematics provides the answers to our questions about the world. Where do we come from? What makes the universe the way it is? In essence, why are we here? With dazzling clarity, Max Tegmark ponders these deep mysteries and allows us to grasp the most cutting-edge and mind-boggling theories of physics. What he proposes is an elegant and fascinating idea: that our physical world not only is described by mathematics, but that it is mathematics. ''Our Mathematical Universe is nothing if not impressive. Brilliantly argued and beautifully written, it is never less than thought-provoking about the greatest mysteries of our existence'' - New York Times ''An amazing ride through the rich landscape of contemporary cosmology... Physics could do with more characters like Tegmark... an imaginative intellect and a charismatic presence'' - Clive Cookson, Financial Times Max Tegmark is author or co-author of more than 200 technical papers, twelve of which have been cited more than 500 times. He has featured in dozens of science documentaries, and his work with the SDSS collaboration on galaxy clustering shared the first prize in Science magazine''s Breakthrough of the Year: 2003. He holds a Ph.D from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a physics professor at MIT.Trade ReviewOur Mathematical Universe is nothing if not impressive. Brilliantly argued and beautifully written, it is never less than thought-provoking about the greatest mysteries of our existence * New York Times *An amazing ride through the rich landscape of contemporary cosmology... Physics could do with more characters like Tegmark... an imaginative intellect and a charismatic presence -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *Tegmark is one of the rock gods of cosmology, a select group of thinkers who are using their mathematical prowess to tear up all our cherished notions about the universe, and replace it with a cosmos that is so bewilderingly weird that it makes the plot of most science-fiction novels look like an Ikea instruction leaflet * Telegraph *Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark - one of the world's leading theoretical physicists - guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it's right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered -- Brian Greene

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Book Synopsis* * * Winner of the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books * * *Stuff Matters by Mark Miodnownik is a unique and inspiring exploration of human creativity.''Enthralling. A mission to re-acquaint us with the wonders of the fabric that sustains our lives'' GuardianEverything is made of something...From the everyday objects in our homes to the most extraordinary new materials that will shape our future, Stuff Matters reveals the inner workings of the man-made world, the miracles of craft, design, engineering and ingenuity that surround us every day.From the tea-cup to the jet engine, the silicon chip to the paper clip, from the ancient technologies of fabrics and ceramic to today''s self-healing metals and bionic implants, this is a book to inspire amazement and delight at mankind''s creativity.''A certain sort of madness may be necessary to pull off what he has attempted here, whichTrade ReviewEnthralling . . . A mission to re-acquaint us with the wonders of the fabric that sustains our lives * Guardian *A certain sort of madness may be necessary to pull off what he has attempted here, which is a wholesale animation of the inanimate: Miodownik achieves precisely what he sets out to * The Times *Insightful, fascinating. The futuristic materials will elicit gasps. Makes even the most everyday substance seem exciting * Sunday Times *Expert, deftly written, immensely enjoyable * Observer *Wonderful. Miodownik writes well enough to make even concrete sparkle * Financial Times *I stayed up all night reading this book. Miodownik writes with such knowledge, such enthusiasm, such a palpable love for his subject -- Oliver SacksSuperb storytelling . . . fascinating . . . a delightful book on a subject that is relatively rarely written about * Popular Science *This is a hugely enjoyable marriage of science and art * Independent on Sunday, 'Books of the Year' *

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Book SynopsisHow much do you really know about your own hands?Throughout history , civilisations have been defined by the work of human hands: inventing tools, writing records, operating machinery, typing, texting, swiping. But beneath this known history is another, secret story: our hands are not the obedient servants that they seem to be. Through conscious and unconscious gesture, they reveal our deepest psychology, our weaknesses and obsessions, our personal history and our social conditioning. Why do zombies walk with their hands outstretched? How does a new-born baby ''talk'' with his hands? What is the connection between prayer beads, snuff boxes and cell phones? And most importantly, can we unlock the mystery of our hands in order to truly know ourselves?The key to understanding everything around you - and everything within you - is staring you in the face. Take a journey through fascinating anecdotes and brilliant psychoanalytic research, through a Trade ReviewPublisher's description. Why do we play with our fingers when nervous? Why do zombies walk with their hands out? What connects prayer beads with iPhones? Journey down the psychoanalytic rabbit hole to discover the strange and fascinating secrets of what our hands really say about us... * Penguin *A breezy cultural history of fidgeting * Times Literary Supplement *Leader is a psychoanalyst with a sideline in smart, elegant books that explain ourselves to ourselves without using the jargon of clinical literature * Guardian *An intriguing meditation on how vital our hands are to our understanding of ourselves and our world * The Times *

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Book SynopsisCarlos Magdalena of Kew Gardens is not your average botanical horticulturist. He''s a man on a mission to save the world''s most endangered plants from destruction and thieves hunting for wealthy collectors. He is a plant messiah.From the planet''s tiniest waterlily - the Nymphaea thermarum - to Huarango trees with roots over 50 metres long, Carlos has a miraculous ability to bring breathtakingly beautiful plants back from the brink of extinction. He has travelled to the most remote and dangerous parts of the world - from the mountains of Peru to isolated Indian Ocean islands to the deepest Australian outback - in search of the rarest exotic species. Then, back in the Tropical Nursery at Kew, he uses pioneering, left-field techniques to help them grow.Now he''s here to spread the gospel. The Plant Messiah is the inspirational story of a man who has devoted - and risked - his life to save incredible species, all in the name of making this Earth a greener and haTrade ReviewThis full-throttle memoir is a window on the exploits that underpin the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . . . reveals the rare mix of zeal and patience needed to hunt vanishing plants * Nature *Impressive, gripping and important . . . Some 30,000 plants have recorded uses for humans. Most people, the messiah preaches, are blind to these everyday miracles. This book will teach them to see * Economist *For anyone who might have considered plants dull stuff, Mr. Magdalena delivers a thrilling and inspirational account of adventures in the botanical world. * Wall Street Journal *In a world whose ecology is changing so fast, only a special kind of obsessive would concern himself with saving endangered plant species. That's Magdalena... who recounts adventures that have taken him from the Amazon to the jungles of Mauritius on a quest to preserve as much flora as he can. * New York Times Book Review *An engaging piece of work -- Charles Elliott * Literary Review *Eye-popping... The Plant Messiah reads like a detective novel. [This] is a thrillingly uplifting book. There is a beguiling energy to his prose that clearly he has in person * Daily Mail *Botany, on its face, doesn't sound particularly thrilling. This book will change your mind -- Bill McKibben, New York Times bestselling author of 'Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet' and 'Radio Free Vermont'An entertaining, planterly romp around the world and a glimpse inside one of the world's great botanical institutions from this Kew botanist -- Jane Owen * Financial Times *[I]t is fascinating to follow Magdalena as he travels from remote Australian billabongs full of rare water lilies to the dry forests of western Peru, where the last gnarled huarango trees grow in the shadow of the Andes. But the greater accomplishment of The Plant Messiah is the compelling case that Magdalena makes from caring about plants in general. * Los Angeles Times *Carlos Magdalena is Kew's codebreaker * Telegraph *He has the uncanny ability to bring plants back from the brink of extinction * People of London *Carlos is an inspiration to me. He's the perfect spokesperson for the plants of the world -- Jane Goodall, primatologist and UN Messenger of PeaceCarlos has been able to achieve things with plants that no one else can do -- Richard Barley, director of horticulture, Kew

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Book Synopsis''A bold, ambitious and truly wonderful history of the world'' Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees''A fascinating story and a crucial revision of the momentous importance of tropical forests to human history'' Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins_________________________ Jungle tells the remarkable story of the world''s tropical forests, from the arrival of the first plants millions of years ago to the role of tropical forests in the evolution of the world''s atmosphere, the dinosaurs, the first mammals and even our own species and ancestors. Highlighting provocative new evidence garnered from cutting-edge research, Dr Roberts shows, for example, that our view of humans as ''savannah specialists'' is wildly wrong, and that the ''Anthropocene'' began not with the Industrial Revolution, but potentially as early as 6,000 years ago in the tropics. We see that the relationship between humankind Trade ReviewJungle is a bold, ambitious and truly wonderful history of the world that shows the vital importance of tropical forests to life on Earth -- Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of TreesA fascinating story and a crucial revision of the momentous importance of tropical forests to human history. Spanning from our very evolution as a species, to the early stages of globalisation and how we fill our kitchen cupboards today, we all owe far more to jungles than we realise -- Lewis Dartnell, author of OriginsThere are many books on the history of trilobites and dinosaurs and other animals, but so few on the history of plants. Here the dynamic young scientist Patrick Roberts tackles the history of the tropics, from the coal swamps of 300 million years ago, through the co-evolutionary dance of dinosaurs and mammals and flowers, to how our own human history has been shaped by vegetation. As environments are changing rapidly around us today, this is a timely, readable and highly relevant history that celebrates the wonder and importance of jungles -- Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursWelcome to the 'Jungle' - a breath-taking book showing that tropical forests were key to our evolution, provide fossil fuels for our modern carbon-hungry society and ultimately must be protected and restored if we are to have a future. This insightful and captivating book will ensure you never take our jungles for granted ever again -- Mark Maslin, author of How to Save Our PlanetAn enthralling jungle-journey from the origins of life on this planet to the present day, Jungle provides a brilliant new perspective on our interaction with tropical forests, placing them at the centre of human experience - and it delivers a timely warning about our abuse of the environment -- David Abulafia, author of The Great SeaJungle sweeps the reader into the primordial heart of the earth, as if the crucible of life welcomed you to its sanctuary. Its revelations and stories will stir, rearrange and populate your mind for years to come. As a book, it is a joy, pure intellectual chocolate -- Paul Hawken, author of DrawdownFinally, a book on rainforests that does justice to their majesty and importance. Patrick Roberts skilfully and lucidly shows why tropical forests matter. He builds the case that people and tropical forests are intimately linked, whether you live in the rainforest or seemingly a world away. Those intricate links are more important than ever today, with ending deforestation playing a key role in solving the twin climate and biodiversity crises we face this century -- Simon Lewis, co-author of The Human PlanetEnormously ambitious, deeply researched, moves with great skill from ecology and evolution to history and politics -- Michael Marshall * New Scientist *Many European and American books and films imply that tropical forests are incapable of sustainably supporting large human societies. Jungle provides a superbly argued refutation of this long-held view . . . a thrilling reappraisal of our origins and our dependence on tropical forests -- Charlie Pye-Smith * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisIdeas, theories, experiments, and unanswered questions in particle physics, explained (with anecdotes) for the general reader.The elementary particles of matter hold the secrets of Nature together with the fundamental forces. In Ever Smaller, neutrino physicist Antonio Ereditato describes the amazing discoveries of the “particle revolution,” explaining ideas, theories, experiments, and unanswered questions in particle physics in a way that is accessible (and enjoyable) for the general reader. Ereditato shows us that physics is not the exclusive territory of scientists in white lab coats exclaiming “Eureka” but that its revelations can be appreciated by any reader curious about the mysteries of the universe.Ereditato's overview takes us through a century of particle physics, from the discovery of the components of the atom through an endless procession of subatomic particles—the pion, the muon, the quarks, the W, Z, gluon, Higgs boso

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Book SynopsisAn account of the concepts and intellectual structure of classical thermodynamics that reveals the subject's simplicity and coherence.Students of physics, chemistry, and engineering are taught classical thermodynamics through its methods—a “problems first” approach that neglects the subject's concepts and intellectual structure. In Thermodynamic Weirdness, Don Lemons fills this gap, offering a nonmathematical account of the ideas of classical thermodynamics in all its non-Newtonian “weirdness.” By emphasizing the ideas and their relationship to one another, Lemons reveals the simplicity and coherence of classical thermodynamics. Lemons presents concepts in an order that is both chronological and logical, mapping the rise and fall of ideas in such a way that the ideas that were abandoned illuminate the ideas that took their place. Selections from primary sources, including writings by Daniel Fahrenheit, Antoine Lavoisier, James Joule

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Book SynopsisA tarot deck that features inspirational women of science on the minor arcana cards, plus a guidebook with scientist biographies and other information.The Women of Science Tarot Deck is a card game that helps us tell stories about our future based on principles of science. Each major arcana card features a fundamental scientific concept like extinction, diversity, or gravity. The 56 minor arcana cards feature inspirational women who have changed the course of STEM. The lively illustrations are by neuroscientist and comic artist Matteo Farinella.

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Book SynopsisA history of exploration beneath the surface of our planet, a remarkable voyage of scientific discovery over the past 150 years.

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Book SynopsisJohn Polkinghorne, theoretical physicist and theologian, explores the possibilities of believing in God in an age of science. In this study, Polkinghorne focuses on the collegiality between science and theology, contending that the inquiries of these intellectual cousins are parallel.Trade Review“Polkinghorne articulates a faith strengthened, not threatened, by the latest scientific research. Whether puzzling over the curious fit between the laws of physics and the requirements for life or tracing the similarities between the methods of the scientist and those of the theologian, Polkinghorne reasons with rare sophistication. . . . This book . . . holds rare promise for healing the secular-religious fissures in our fractured culture.”—Bryce Christensen, Booklist"[This book is] short, accessible and authoritative. . . . It’s richly stimulating stuff."—Carlin Romano, Philadelphia Inquirer"Polkinghorne is sound and scholarly."—The Globe and Mail"Polkinghorne is clear that, by projecting on science his belief in God, he is following just one possible path in the human quest for meaning. This gives his book a feeling of mutual exploration that drew me in as a reader."—David K. Nartonis, Christian Science Monitor"This book will certainly be of interest to theologians and scientists."—Publisher’s Weekly“A new dialog between religion and science has begun, . . . and in that conversation Polkinghorne holds a special place.”—Library Journal"A few major authors have helped convince readers that science and religion might have more in common than meets the eye, John Polkinghorne perhaps foremost among them."—Publishers Weekly"Polkinghorne's argument for the proposition that God is real is cogent and his evidence is elegant."—Simon Ings, New Scientist"With Polkinghorne, the task is in excellent hands, and this book should be widely read."—Colin Tudge, New Statesman and Society"There are few essential authors. Polkinghorne is one of them."—Church TimesSelected by American Library Association's Booklist as one of the Top Ten Books in Religion in 1998Winner of the 1999 Prize for Outstanding Books in Theology and the Natural Sciences given by the Center for Theology and the Natural SciencesSelected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Books of 1998Shortlisted for a 2000 TORGI (Talking Book of the Year) Award, sponsored by the Canadian National Institute for the BlindWinner of a 1999 Christianity Today Book Award"In this lucid and honest work, John Polkinghorne states clearly where and why he agrees or disagrees with other contemporary writers. He presents a serious defense of a world view that must be considered seriously even by atheists."—Owen Gingerich, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

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Book SynopsisIn this thought-provoking title, neurologist Adam Zeman offers an enlightening view of consciousness seen through the lenses of science and philosophy, enhancing his discussion with case studies of neurological patients and observations of young children's expanding mental worlds.Trade Review"Zeman is a humane and engaging writer and this is a wonderfully ambitious and entertaining book. I can think of no better guide to 'the last great frontier of science.'"—Paul Broks, Prospect"[This] book is more than an argument about computers and consciousness. There are . . . potentially mind-numbing discussions of the pathways that give rise to the senses and to cognition, accompanied by diagrams of the same. . . . Zeman manages to make all of this stuff . . . interesting."—Ivan Oransky, New York Sun

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Book SynopsisIn the childhood of every human being and at the dawn of human history there is an amazing and, until now, unexplained leap from simple genetically programmed behaviour to language, symbolic thinking, and culture. In The First Idea , Stanley Greenspan and Stuart Shanker explore this missing link and offer brilliant new insights into two longstanding questions: how human beings first create symbols and how these abilities evolved and were transmitted across generations over millions of years. From fascinating research into the intelligence of both human infants and apes, they identify certain cultural practices that are vitally important if we are to have stable and reflective future societies.

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Book SynopsisThis title is printed in full color throughout.From one of the most original and...

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Book SynopsisThe universe was born in a nuclear explosion. We live on a radioactive planet. Without radiation there would be not life. And yet radiation remains deeply misunderstood and often mistakenly feared. Now Dr. Robert Peter Gale—one of the world’s leading experts on the subject—and Eric Lax set the record straight about subjects like uranium, plutonium, iodine-131, X-Rays, CT scans, and the radiation of food, while lucidly debunking myths about radioactivity. In this fascinating book, the authors explore the science, benefits, and risks of radiation exposure, drawing on the most up-to-date research and Gale’s extensive experience treating victims of radiation accidents around the globe. Here is an illuminating and essential guide to our post-Chernobyl, post-Fukushima world.

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when something is sucked into a black hole? Does it disappear? Three decades ago, a young physicist named Stephen Hawking claimed it did, and in doing so put at risk everything we know about physics and the fundamental laws of the universe. Most scientists didn''t recognize the import of Hawking''s claims, but Leonard Susskind and Gerard t''Hooft realized the threat, and responded with a counterattack that changed the course of physics. The Black Hole War is the thrilling story of their united effort to reconcile Hawking''s revolutionary theories of black holes with their own sense of reality -- effort that would eventually result in Hawking admitting he was wrong, paying up, and Susskind and t''Hooft realizing that our world is a hologram projected from the outer boundaries of space. A brilliant book about modern physics, quantum mechanics, the fate of stars and the deep mysteries of black holes, Leonard Susskind''s account of the Black Hole War is mind-bending and exhilarating reading.Trade ReviewEntertaining...both lucid and enjoyable....Like the best teachers, Susskind makes it fun to learn. With a deft use of analogy and a flair for language, he tames the most ferocious concepts....He has come up with the best visual metaphor for the multidimensinality of string theory that I've yet come across, one that alone is worth the price of the book * - Los Angeles Times 'Susskind is very down to earth, an easy-going and entertaining guide through the most exciting frontiers of theoretical physics’ *#NAME?

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Book SynopsisIncredible stories of love, history, and the nature of mankind, brought to us by the Periodic Table.Trade Review'With a constant flow of fun facts bubbling to the surfaace, Kean writes with wit, flair and authority in a debut that will delight even general readers' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of illustrated science bestsellers, like Thing Explainer and harkening back to the classic film The Powers of Ten, this unique, fully-illustrated, four-color book explores and visualizes the concept of scale in our universe.

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