Popular science Books

2281 products


  • Ashcroft F Life at the Extremes

    HarperCollins Publishers Ashcroft F Life at the Extremes

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe debut of a female Steve Jones likeable, literate, lucid and laconic. A sprightly, lavishly illustrated book on the science of human survival.How do people survive extremes of heat, cold, depth, speed and altitude? This book explores the limits of human survival and the physiological adaptations which enable us to exist under extreme conditions. In man's battle for survival in the harshest of environments, the knowledge imparted by physiology, the logic of life', is crucial. What causes mountain sickness? Why is it possible to reach the top of Everest without supplementary oxygen, yet be killed if a plane depressurises suddenly at the same altitude. Why are astronauts unable to stand without fainting when they return to Earth? Why do human divers get the bends but sperm whales don't? Will men always be able to run faster than women? Why don't penguins get frostbite?Trade Review‘She has the power of making the armchair adventurer feel quite frail. Add to that her gift for carving deep into your mind how vulnerable our species is to extreme conditions, and you are in for a thrilling read.’ New Scientist 'I read “Life at the Extremes” with horrid delight…It is extremely good, crammed with invaluable information but you don’t need a degree in cryptocryogenics to understand it. Here is a scientist who can enthral even as she instructs – and the way she accomplishes this is by telling adventure stories…As a testament to the tenacity of the human race, this book is a potent mix of the ingenious, the heroic and the hardy.’ Literary Review ‘For would-be explorers snuggled up in their armchairs – or, indeed stretched out on the beach – this book, with its many vicarious thrills, makes for ideal reading.’ Economist ‘A very good book…which works both as a continuous narrative of delightful vignettes and a quick reference guide. Easy to read, entertaining and informative.’ Sunday Times ‘Ashcroft is good at opening up aspects of daily life normally sealed off to the non-scientist.’ Sara Wheeler, Spectator

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Earth

    HarperCollins Publishers Earth

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisCombines the natural history of programmes such as David Attenborough's Planet Earth with the planetary focus of Brian Cox's Universe' GuardianA beautiful, full colour book to accompany the 5 part BBC TV series telling the most important story of all, the deep history of our own planet.With the trademark dramatic storytelling techniques of The Planets and The Universe, Andrew Cohen and Chris Packham narrate the biography of the Earth, revealing the most epic moments from its history, from the first seconds of its existence to the arrival of its most incredible inhabitants, us.But humans take a back seat for this story as the Earth takes centre stage. We'll witness those moments where our planet's future hung in the balance in the face of massive bombardments from space, extreme changes in climate, the collision of whole continents and more, and we'll tell the story of how Earth's most incredible creations life and intelligence are set to have the same lasting impact on Earth's story Trade Review‘Combines the natural history of programmes such as David Attenborough’s Planet Earth with the planetary focus of Brian Cox’s Universe to show how their interconnectivity has created and sometimes almost obliterated life on Earth’ Guardian ‘Enlightenment has always been at the heart of Packham’s activism. His new series, Earth, is nothing less than the biography of our planet … Earth selects five cataclysms from history where our planet’s future hung in the balance, condensing over 4.5 billion years … No mean feat … Earth wouldn’t be a Packham project without the moments of unalloyed wonder’ Radio Times ‘The most epic moments from the Earth’s history … Crammed with loads of interesting trivia’ Closer ‘Traces some of the greatest eruptions, freezes and moments of sheer destruction in Earth’s history … A reminder that the planet is more indifferent to us than we care to admit’ IFL Science ‘This is what the end of the world could look like’ Country and Town House ‘Impassioned’ Mirror

    5 in stock

    £18.75

  • The Information

    HarperCollins Publishers The Information

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisWinner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books 2012, the world's leading prize for popular science writing.Trade Review‘An audacious book which offers remarkable insight. Gleick takes us, with verve and fizz, on a journey from African drums to computers, liberally sprinkling delightful factoids along the way. This is a book we need to give us a fresh perspective on how we communicate and how that shapes our world.’ The Royal Society Winton Prize Judges ‘Mind-stretching but enlightening … the power and breadth of the ideas involved cannot but make you marvel.’ Daily Mail ‘Magisterial…It is not merely a history of information, but also a theory and a prospectus. To describe it as ambitious is to engage in almost comical understatement.’ Matthew Syed, The Times ‘A deeply impressive and rather beautiful book.’ Philip Ball, Observer ‘The fascinating story of how humans have transmitted knowledge…broad and occasionally brilliant.’ Sunday Times ‘This is a work of rare penetration, a true history of ideas whose witty and determined treatment of its material brings clarity to a complex subject.’ Tim Martin, Daily Telegraph

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • Predictably Irrational The Hidden Forces That

    HarperCollins Publishers Predictably Irrational The Hidden Forces That

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisWhy do smart people make irrational decisions every day? The answers will surprise you. Predictably Irrational is an intriguing, witty and utterly original look at why we all make illogical decisions.Why can a 50p aspirin do what a 5p aspirin can''t? If an item is free it must be a bargain, right? Why is everything relative, even when it shouldn''t be? How do our expectations influence our actual opinions and decisions?In this astounding book, behavioural economist Dan Ariely cuts to the heart of our strange behaviour, demonstrating how irrationality often supplants rational thought and that the reason for this is embedded in the very structure of our minds.Predicatably Irrational brilliantly blends everyday experiences with a series of illuminating and often surprising experiments, that will change your understanding of human behaviour. And, by recognising these patterns, Ariely shows that we can make better decisions in business, in matters of collective welfare, and in our everyday Trade Review'For anyone interested in marketing - either as a practioner or victim - this is unmissable reading. If only more researchers could write like this, the world would be a better place.' Financial Times ‘A marvelous book that is both thought provoking and highly entertaining, ranging from the power of placebos to the pleasures of Pepsi. Ariely unmasks the subtle but powerful tricks that our minds play on us, and shows us how we can prevent being fooled.’ Jerome Groopman, New York Times bestselling author of How Doctors Think ‘PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL is wildly original. It shows why—much more often than we usually care to admit—humans make foolish, and sometimes disastrous, mistakes. Ariely not only gives us a great read; he also makes us much wiser.’ George Akerlof, Nobel Laureate in Economics, 2001 Koshland Professor of Economics, University of California at Berkeley

    7 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Road to Reality

    Vintage Publishing The Road to Reality

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn a single work of colossal scope one of the world's greatest scientists has given us a complete and unrivalled guide to the glories of the universe that we all inhabit.'Roger Penrose is the most important physicist to work in relativity theory except for Einstein.Trade ReviewPenrose is truly one of the world's leading mathematical physicists. Genuinely magnificent and stimulating * Scotland on Sunday *Science needs more people like Penrose, willing and able to point out the flaws in fashionable models from a position of authority, and to signpost alternative roads to follow * Independent *This is a tour de force that is unlikely to be bettered this decade * Financial Times *

    3 in stock

    £28.00

  • The Chemistry of Life

    Penguin Books Ltd The Chemistry of Life

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisFirst published in 1966, THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE has held its own as a clear and authoritative introduction to the world of biochemistry. This fourth edition has been fully updated and revised to include the latest developments in DNA and protein synthesis, cell regulation, and their social and medical implications.

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • Physics of the Future

    Penguin Books Ltd Physics of the Future

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisMichio Kaku''s Physics of the Future: The Inventions that will Transform our Lives is a hypothetical journey through the next 100 years of scientific innovation, as told by the scientists who are making it happen. We all wish we could predict the future, but most of us don''t know enough about the science that makes it possible. That''s why Michio Kaku decided to talk to the people who really know - the visionaries who are already inventing the future in their labs. Based on interviews with over three hundred of the world''s top scientists, Kaku gives us an insider''s perspective on the revolutionary advances that mean we''ll soon be able to take an elevator into space, access the internet via our contact lenses, scan our DNA for signs of disease and even change the shape of objects - and all still within the laws of known physics. This isn''t just the shape of things to come - as Kaku shows, it''s already happening. ''Summons up theTrade ReviewSummons up the sheer wonder of science * Daily Telegraph *A wide-ranging tour of what to expect from technological progress over the next century or so ... fascinating * Walll Street Journal *Mind-bending ... fascinating ... engrossing * San Francisco Chronicle *

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Analogia

    Penguin Books Ltd Analogia

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020How did we end up in a world where humans coexist with technologies we can no longer fully control or understand?George Dyson plots an unexpected course through the past 300 years to reveal the hidden connections that underpin our digital age, ending with a premonition of what lies ahead. From an eighteenth-century Russian voyage across the North Pacific, to the mirror signals that heralded the age of digital telecommunications and the invention of the vacuum tube, Analogia interweaves historical adventure with scientific insight in a deeply personal story that frames the pursuit - and cost - of the digital revolution in a captivating new light.Trade ReviewThis book pierces through the fog of everyday life. Read and you will become aware of history you need to know, and of how the last few centuries of the human story sit within a much larger, epochal frame. An extra treat is insight into the remarkable Dyson family -- Jaron Lanier * Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now *The most delightfully peculiar book I've ever read. It's grand and intimate, personal and cosmic, and about digital computing and archaic hunter gatherers. Every paragraph is a surprise -- Kevin Kelly * Wired *An odyssey of discovery ... part autobiography, part science manual, part history book -- Izabella Kaminska * Financial Times *Few writers could string together a coherent and compelling tale out of elements as varied as the Bering-Chirikov expedition to Siberia in 1741, the construction of a US heliograph intelligence network, tree houses, kayak designs and the future of artificial intelligence. Dyson is one in this quirky personal history of technology. -- John Tothill * Financial Times *Brilliant ... idiosyncratic ... to read him is to be led on the strangest of adventures, on paths untread, up and down trees, and through rivers of time -- Jason Kehe * WIRED *

    3 in stock

    £11.69

  • Statistics without Tears

    Penguin Books Ltd Statistics without Tears

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE CLASSIC GUIDE, NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATEDWhy do we need Statistics?What do terms like ''dispersion'', ''correlation'', ''normal distribution'' and ''significance'' actually mean?How can I learn how to think statistically?This bestselling introduction is for anyone who wants to know how statistics works and the powerful ideas behind it. Teaching through words and diagrams instead of requiring you to do complex calculations, it assumes no expert knowledge and makes the subject accessible even to readers who consider themselves non-mathematical. This clear and informative ''tutorial in print'' includes questions for you to respond to in the light of what you have read so far, ensuring your developing ability to think statistically.

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Brain

    Oxford University Press The Brain

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisHow does the brain work? How different is a human brain from other creatures'' brains? Is the human brain still evolving? In this fascinating book, Michael O''Shea provides a non-technical introduction to the main issues and findings in current brain research, and gives a sense of how neuroscience addresses questions about the relationship between the brain and the mind. Chapters tackle subjects such as brain processes, perception, memory, motor control and the causes of ''altered mental states''. A final section discusses possible future developments in neuroscience, touching on artificial intelligence, gene therapy, the importance of the Human Genome Project, drugs by design, and transplants. 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 Review'O'Shea writes with real enthusiasm.' * The Guardian *Table of Contents1. Mind and brain: what's the problem? ; 2. Let's get physical ; 3. Sight, sound, and imagination ; 4. "Last week's potatoes!" ; 5. Perception to action ; 6. Altered states of mind ; 7. Where do we go from here?

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Computer Science

    Oxford University Press Computer Science

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisOver the past sixty years, the spectacular growth of the technologies associated with the computer is visible for all to see and experience. Yet, the science underpinning this technology is less visible and little understood outside the professional computer science community. As a scientific discipline, computer science stands alongside the likes of molecular biology and cognitive science as one of the most significant new sciences of the post Second World War era. In this Very Short Introduction, Subrata Dasgupta sheds light on these lesser known areas and considers the conceptual basis of computer science. Discussing algorithms, programming, and sequential and parallel processing, he considers emerging modern ideas such as biological computing and cognitive modelling, challenging the idea of computer science as a science of the artificial. 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.Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Gaia

    Oxford University Press Gaia

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn this classic work that continues to inspire many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that the Earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence in support of a radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that life is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the Earth's living matter influences air, ocean, and rock to form a complex, self-regulating system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, Jim Lovelock's hypothesis has become a hotly debated topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this edition, he outlines his view of the present state of the debate. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewDaring, exciting, original. * Scientific American *Jim Lovelock, a man as inventive and ingenious as he is lively and unorthodox, places a daring hypothesis before the general reader, a kind of geochemical myth for our time.. [His book] is the exciting personal argument of an original thinker caught in wonder. It wins and repays attention. * Scientific American *Lovelock writes beautifully. A book that is both original and well written is indeed a bonus. Only a genius thinks of the obvious, and Lovelock deserves to be described as a genius. * New Scientist *The breath-taking sweep of his central idea - that the earth is a living, self-regulating organism - poses the most dramatic challenge to scientists, politicians, and environmentalists. * Jonathon Porritt *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Introductory 2: In the beginning 3: The recognition of Gaia 4: Cybernetics 5: The contemporary atmosphere 6: The sea 7: Gaia and Man: the problem of pollution 8: Living within Gaia 9: Epilogue Definitions and explanations of terms Further reading

    7 in stock

    £9.97

  • Geology

    Oxford University Press Geology

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisRanging across the 4.6 billion year history of the planet, geology is the subject that encompasses almost all that we see around us, in one way or another, and also much that we cannot see, beneath our feet, and on other planets. The fruits of geology provide most of the materials that give us shelter, and most of the energy that drives our modern lives. Within the study of geology lie some of the clues to the extraordinary impact our species is going to play out on the planet, in centuries and millennia to come.In this Very Short Introduction Jan Zalasiewicz gives a brief introduction to the fascinating field of geology. Describing how the science developed from its early beginnings, he looks at some of the key discoveries that have transformed it, before delving into its various subfields, such as sedimentology, tectonics, and stratigraphy. Analysing the geological foundations of the Earth, Zalasiewicz explains the interlocking studies of tectonics, geophysics, and igneous and metamorphic petrology and geochemistry; and describes how rocks are dated by radiometric dating. Considering the role and importance of geology in the finding and exploitation of resources (including fracking), he also discusses its place in environmental issues, such as foundations for urban structures and sites for landfill, and in tackling issues associated with climate change. Zalasiewicz concludes by discussing the exciting future and frontiers of the field, such as the exploration of the geology of Mars.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 ReviewIf you do not want to have to wade through heavy tomes and are equipped with only school-level knowledge of science, to gain a basic appreciation of this subject, then this 150 page short book could well be just what you need. * Jonathan Cowie, Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation *I have never read a better introduction to this vast, fascinating, and vital subject. It really is like seeing the world in a grain of sand. * Dr Ted Nield, Editor, Geoscientist magazine *How much do we know about our home? Jan Zalasiewicz's brief history of Earth is fun to read, yet strong on science too. It's a clear and accurate guide to our planet, and also addresses the challenge of caring for the environment. Just right for that flight or a long train trip! * Euan Nisbet, Foundation Prof. of Earth Science, Royal Holloway, Univ. of London *Table of Contents1: What is geology? 2: Geology: the early days 3: Modern breakthroughs and revolutions 4: Deep Earth geology 5: Earth surface geology 6: Geological fieldwork 7: Geology for resources 8: Geology for society and the environment 9: A very brief history of the Earth

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Why Evolution is True

    Oxford University Press Why Evolution is True

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisFor all the discussion in the media about creationism and ''Intelligent Design'', virtually nothing has been said about the evidence in question - the evidence for evolution by natural selection. Yet, as this succinct and important book shows, that evidence is vast, varied, and magnificent, and drawn from many disparate fields of science. The very latest research is uncovering a stream of evidence revealing evolution in action - from the actual observation of a species splitting into two, to new fossil discoveries, to the deciphering of the evidence stored in our genome. Why Evolution is True weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, palaeontology, geology, molecular biology, anatomy, and development to demonstrate the ''indelible stamp'' of the processes first proposed by Darwin. It is a crisp, lucid, and accessible statement that will leave no one with an open mind in any doubt about the truth of evolution.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Coyne is hugely knowledgeable and an excellent writer. * Nature, Vol. 462 *Review from previous edition One of the very best and most important book on evolution for broad audiences in at least 50 years. * Douglas J. Futuyma, Trends in Ecology and Evolution *A scholarly, yet delightfully readable account. * Tom Tregenza, Current Biology, Volume 19 *We must present the evidence, and Jerry Coyne's book does an excellent job of it. * Massimo Pigliucci, Science *Evolution is true...Coyne displays it for us in a way that no objective reader could fail to find compelling. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *'Why Evolution is True'is outstandingly good. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *Coyne's knowledge of evolutionary biology is prodigious, his deployment of it as masterful as his touch is light. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *His coverage is enviably comprehensive, yet he simultaneously manages to keep the book compact and readable. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *Coyne's book is just what we needed in this bicentennial year to anchor Darwin where he belongs. * Nigel Hawkes, The Times *A clear, engaging, accessible explanation of the evidence for evolution. * Massimo Pigliucci, Science *Excellent volume. * Clive Cookson, Financial Times *Lucid, thorough and eminently readable, this book is a delight from start to finish. * Doug Johnstone, Scotsman.com *Coyne gives a clear and engaging overview of what evolution is, and how it works. * BBC Focus *Coyne is as graceful a stylist and as clear a scientific explainer as Darwin himself (no mean feat). It's one of the best single-volume introductions to evolutionary theory ever. * Wired magazine *A masterfully concise reinstating of [Darwin's] big idea. * Karen Shook, THE *There are many superb books on evolution, but this one is superb in a new way -- it explains the latest evidence for evolution lucidly, thoroughly, and with devastating effectiveness. * Steven Pinker *For anyone who wishes a clear, well-written explanation of evolution by one of the foremost scientists working on the subject, 'Why Evolution is True' should be your choice. * E. O. Wilson *I once wrote that anybody who didn't believe in evolution must be stupid, insane or ignorant, and I was then careful to add that ignorance is no crime. I should now update my statement: aybody who doesn't believe in evolution is stupid, insane, or hasn't read Jerry Coyne. * Richard Dawkins *An engaging and accessible account of one of the most important ideas ever conceived by mankind. The book is a stunning achievement, written by one of the world's leading evolutionary biologists. Coyne has produced a classic. * Neil Shubin, author of 'Your Inner Fish' *Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. What is Evolution? ; 2. Written in The Rocks ; 3. Remnants: Vestiges, Embryos, and Bad Design ; 4. The Geography of Life ; 5. The Engine of Evolution ; 6. How Sex Drives Evolution ; 7. The Origin of Species ; 8. What about Us? ; 9. Evolution Redux ; Glossary ; Suggestions for Further Reading ; References

    Out of stock

    £999.99

  • Science

    Dorling Kindersley Ltd Science

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisYou''ll be firing on all cylinders with this science spectacular! The exciting exploration of biology, chemistry, and physics is vital reading for curious minds. ??Science becomes simple and straightforward, so you never get your wires crossed again. Hundreds of pages feature stunning images, simple graphics, and crystal-clear text. What makes a firework go bang? How do plants make food from sunlight? What makes a robot clever? Find the answers to all these questions and much, much more. Biology is all about you, living things, and the rest of the natural world. Learn all about your amazing body and more than 1,000 parts that keep it going. Chemistry presents an explosive look at the tiny atoms that build together to create all the brilliant things in the world today. Physics introduces the full force of everything, from electricity and energy to magnetism and machines. ??All three subjects are examined in extraordinary detail, making Science A ChilTrade ReviewThis fact-filled encyclopedia is the perfect guide for any budding scientists in the family. Principles are explained clearly with bite-sized chunks of text and easy-to-follow diagrams * How it Works *

    4 in stock

    £16.99

  • Simply Quantum Physics

    Dorling Kindersley Ltd Simply Quantum Physics

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    10 in stock

    £11.69

  • How to Create a Mind The Secret of Human Thought

    Duckworth Books How to Create a Mind The Secret of Human Thought

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisRay Kurzweil, one of the world's leading AI researchers, innovators and futurists, offers a provocative exploration of the most important project in human-machine civilisation: reverse-engineering the brain to understand precisely how it works and using that knowledge to create even more intelligent machines.Trade Review'Kurzweil's vision of our super-enhanced future is completely sane and calmly reasoned, and his book should nicely smooth the path for the earth's robot overlords, who, it turns out, will be us' New York Times'Kurzweil foresees a disease-free world where no one ages and artificial brains make machines human-like - and he is not one to get things wrong' Daily Telegraph'Ray Kurzweil is the best person I know at predicting the future of artificial intelligence' Bill Gates'Kurzweil knows a lot about new technology and he knows how to make it sound fun. He is dazzling in his enthusiasm for things to come, and has a grasp of the exciting developments pulsing through the intersection of science and technology' Financial Times

    4 in stock

    £11.69

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Penguin Books Ltd Artificial Intelligence

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO AI FROM THE PRESENTER OF THE 2023 ROYAL INSTITUTION CHRISTMAS LECTURE''I propose to consider the question, ''Can machines think?'' Alan Turing (1950)Part of the ALL-NEW Ladybird Expert series.This book is for everyone living in the age of Artificial Intelligence. And this is an accessible and authoritative introduction to one of the most important conversations of our time . . . Written by computer scientist Michael Wooldridge, Artificial Intelligence chronicles the development of intelligent machines, from Turing''s dream of machines that think, to today''s digital assistants like Siri and Alexa. AI is not something that awaits us in the future. Inside you''ll learn how we have come to rely on embedded AI software and what a world of ubiquitous AI might look like.What''s inside?- The British mathematician Alan Turing- Can machines ''understand''?<Trade ReviewThe artwork is gloriously retro, echoing the original Ladybird house style but containing completely up to date information. * Shiny New Books *

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Learning to Think.

    Transworld Learning to Think.

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisDiscover the inspirational coming-of-age memoir about modern poverty in Britain and the liberating power of education.''An astonishing tale, well structured and punchily told.' - Sunday Times''Impossible not to read in one sitting.'' - Stylist, Best Books for 2024''A memoir you read with the same breathlessness as you read the most gripping of novels'' - i news*******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 discovered the truth about her father's death and how she found her way out.Shocking, inspiring and ultimately hopeful, Learning to Think. is a testament to the power of books and holds up a mirror to the everyday realities of poverty in Britain.*******Praise for Learning to Think.:A raw and unflinching account of growing up in poverty, which tackles the false narratives we tell ourselves to survive.' Caroline Criado PerezTracy King's memoir is heartbreaking and hopeful ... An incredible true story of survival and forgiveness.' Tim Minchin''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, author of Difficult Women[An] extraordinary book. It's compelling and courageous, and it couldn't be more timely. It's written with such clarity and compassion, and I think it will leave every reader wiser and stronger.' Daisy Buchanan, author of How to Be a Grownup and SisterhoodA brilliant writer' Adam KayYou won't often read a book so driven by raw emotion. A book of tragedy, hope and ultimately of triumph.' HH Wendy Joseph KC, author of Unlawful Killings

    4 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Body Illustrated

    Transworld Publishers Ltd The Body Illustrated

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisBill Bryson was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. His bestselling books include The Road to Little Dribbling, Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. In a national poll, Notes from a Small Island was voted the book that best represents Britain. His acclaimed work of popular science, A Short History of Nearly Everything, won the Aventis Prize and the Descartes Prize, and is the biggest selling non-fiction book of the 21st century. The Body: A Guide for Occupants was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize and is an international bestseller.Bill Bryson was Chancellor of Durham University 2005-2011. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in England.Trade Review'Classic, wry, gleeful Bryson... richly interesting... an entertaining and absolutely fact-rammed book. If it sells hundreds of thousands of copies, like the last one, it will be no bad thing.' * Sunday Times *A directory of wonders. Extraordinary stories about the heart, lungs, genitals ... plus some anger and life advice - all delivered in the inimitable Bryson style -- Gavin Francis * Guardian *SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019: 'so packed with arresting facts (you eat 60 tons of food in a lifetime) and unlikely anecdotes (such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel's six weeks with a half-sovereign lodged in his throat) that you barely notice the sheer volume of anatomical knowledge you're digesting ... makes complex subjects simple and eminently entertaining.' * The Sunday Times *Bryson feeds the pith, pulp and bitter pips of a subject into his brain and produces a sweet, zingy quantity of juice - this book is a delight. * The Spectator *Remarkable ... Every page is dense with scientific facts written as vividly as a thriller, as well as answers to conundrums such as why we don't fall out of bed when we are asleep ... It is woven through with the kind of human stories that Bryson has made his trademark. * Mail on Sunday *

    4 in stock

    £27.00

  • Physics Essentials For Dummies

    John Wiley & Sons Inc Physics Essentials For Dummies

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisPhysics Essentials For Dummies(9781119590286) was previously published asPhysics Essentials For Dummies (9780470618417). While this version features a newDummiescover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. For students who just need to know the vital concepts of physics, whether as a refresher, for exam prep, or as a reference,Physics Essentials For Dummiesis a must-have guide. Free of ramp-up and ancillary material,Physics Essentials For Dummiescontains content focused on key topics only. It provides discrete explanations of critical concepts taught in an introductory physics course, from force and motion to momentum and kinetics. This guide is also a perfect reference for parents who need to review critical physics concepts as they help high school students with homework assignments, as well as for adult learners headed back to the classroom who just need a refresher of the core concepts. The Essentials For DTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Chapter 1: Viewing the World through the Lens of Physics 5 Chapter 2: Taking Vectors Step by Step 15 Chapter 3: Going the Distance with Speed and Acceleration 25 Chapter 4: Studying Circular Motions 41 Chapter 5: Push-Ups and Pull-Ups: Exercises in Force 49 Chapter 6: Falling Slowly: Gravity and Friction 63 Chapter 7: Putting Physics to Work 77 Chapter 8: Moving Objects with Impulse and Momentum 95 Chapter 9: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Angular Kinetics 111 Chapter 10: Taking a Spin with Rotational Dynamics 127 Chapter 11: There and Back Again: Simple Harmonic Motion 139 Chapter 12: Ten Marvels of Relativity 159 Index 167

    3 in stock

    £11.69

  • Basic Mathematics: An Introduction: Teach Yourself

    John Murray Press Basic Mathematics: An Introduction: Teach Yourself

    3 in stock

    Basic Mathematics teaches you all the maths you need for everyday situations. If you are terrified by maths, this is the book for you.Do you shy away from using numbers? Basic Mathematics can help. An easy-to-follow guide, it will ensure you gain the confidence you need to tackle maths and overcome your fears. It offers simple explanations of all the key areas, including decimals, percentages, measurements and graphs, and applies them to everyday situations, games and puzzles to help you understand mathematics quickly and enjoyably.Everything you need is here in this one book. Each chapter includes clear explanations, worked examples and test questions. At the end of the book there are challenges and games to give you new and interesting ways to practise your new skills.

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • Calculus A Complete Introduction

    John Murray Press Calculus A Complete Introduction

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisA ''difficult'' subject so simply taught - brilliant book'' - Amazon 5 star review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''This is a great refresher book! Lots of worked out examples, great explanations [and] hundreds of practice problems and solutions'' - Amazon 5 star review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''This book has been very helpful for my calculus class, I recommend it to anyone that needs extra help, or just feel like learning something new.'' - Amazon 5 star review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Calculus: A Complete Introduction is the most comprehensive yet easy-to-use introduction to using calculus. Written by a leading expert, this book will help you if you are studying for an important exam or essay, or if you simply want to improve your knowledge. The book covers all areas of calculus, including functions, gradients, rates of change, differentiation, exponential and logarithm

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • Vaxxers: A Pioneering Moment in Scientific

    Hodder & Stoughton Vaxxers: A Pioneering Moment in Scientific

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK*Chosen as a Book of the Year by the Financial Times, Sunday Times, Daily Mail, Prospect, Guardian and The Times*This is the story of a race - not against other vaccines or other scientists, but against a deadly and devastating virus.On 1 January 2020, Sarah Gilbert, Professor of Vaccinology at Oxford University, read an article about four people in China with a strange pneumonia. Within two weeks, she and her team had designed a vaccine against a pathogen that no one had ever seen before. Less than 12 months later, vaccination was rolled out across the world to save millions of lives from Covid-19.In Vaxxers, we hear directly from Professor Gilbert and her colleague Dr Catherine Green as they reveal the inside story of making the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and the cutting-edge science and sheer hard work behind it. This is their story of fighting a pandemic as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Sarah and Cath share the heart-stopping moments in the eye of the storm; they separate fact from fiction; they explain how they made a highly effective vaccine in record time with the eyes of the world watching; and they give us hope for the future.Vaxxers invites us into the lab to find out how science will save us from this pandemic, and how we can prepare for the inevitable next one.Trade ReviewThis book is a profound success. I have read few that have given me such an immediate, eye-level view of working science - of brilliant, committed, heroic science. * Sunday Times *What an enthralling tale of toil, tenacity and triumph this is. The authors' intelligence, idealism and sheer, bloody-minded grit shine through. The world needs all the Sarah Gilberts and Catherine Greens it can get. Just brilliant. -- Rachel ClarkeMoving and awe-inspiring... The story of the decade * Mail on Sunday *Excellent and readable ... Vaccine production has never been explained more clearly... Green writes movingly about the difficult intersection between work and home life... Vaxxers is so good that the book will be read for long after the pandemic is over, as a vivid account of research in action and the way individuals respond in the face of a scientific emergency. * Financial Times *Vaxxers can be read as much as a manifesto for the importance of good science communication and an antidote to anti-vax conspiracy theories as a biomedical thriller. * Observer *Urgent and fascinating ... A tale of hard work and victory against steep odds, a unique insight into vaccines generally ... A gripping yarn ... I especially loved the book's personal moments ... I dare anyone to read this and not come away impressed. * Guardian *A most accessible read... A personal story of one of the most epic moments in human history, perfectly capturing how scientific discovery on this scale is rarely a Eureka moment for a lone genius. As a grateful recipient of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, I take my hat off in thanks to these remarkable women. * Irish Times *This is one of the most epic and pioneering moments in human history, comparable to the race to put a man on the moon, the discovery of DNA, or the first ascent of Everest. The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is a triumph and its creators are life savers. Science is the exit strategy, as long as we make that science equitably available to the world - as all the incredible people behind the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine always intended - truly the "People's Vaccine". -- Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome TrustAn extraordinary story with a remarkable beginning and an astonishing denouement * Observer *One of the most extraordinary stories in the history of medicine -- Matt D'Ancona[Sarah Gilbert] has been the adult in the room and the accidental leadership figure the moment demands, embodying the competence, command of the detail, vision and, crucially, hope, that people have needed to see. * New Statesman *

    4 in stock

    £17.00

  • We Do Things Differently: The Outsiders Rebooting

    Profile Books Ltd We Do Things Differently: The Outsiders Rebooting

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisOur systems are failing. Old models - for education, healthcare and government, food production, energy supply - are creaking under the weight of modern challenges. As the world's population heads towards 10 billion, it's clear we need new approaches. Futurologist Mark Stevenson sets out to find them, across four continents. From Brazilian favelas to high tech Boston, from rural India to a shed inventor in England's home counties, We Do Things Differently travels the world to find the advance guard re-imagining our future. At each stop, he meets innovators who have already succeeded in challenging the status quo, pioneering new ways to make our world more sustainable, equitable and humane. Populated by extraordinary characters, We Do Things Differently paints an enthralling picture of what can be done to address the world's most pressing dilemmas, offering a much needed dose of down-to-earth optimism. It is a window on (and a roadmap to) a different and better future.Trade ReviewStevenson is an excellent storyteller ... fascinating. * The Times *Inspirational. The book works so well because Stevenson gets out there to see things for himself. * Daily Mail *An ability to express even the most complex scientific problems in terms easily understood by a layperson. * Sydney Morning Herald *Stevenson wears no blindfold. His tools are curiosity, open-mindedness, clarity and reason. That makes his journey intriguing... and ultimately exhilarating. * TED.com *Stevenson's engaging commentary has the ability to restore your faith in human ingenuity in the face of adversity * Geographical magazine *Not just a great read, but a really important one too. * Atlas of the Future *Stevenson is one of those rare visionaries who fascinates and entertains in equal measure. Do not be surprised if he becomes a household name in the not-too-distant future. * London Literature Festival *Stevenson writes with enormous warmth and humour. * Cory Doctorow *By the end of this exhilarating page-turner my faith had been restored. * EcoHustler *From the reviews of An Optimist's Tour of the Future: 'A rollicking roller-coaster ride around the cutting edge of science with dozens of laugh-out-loud moments * Scotsman *Stevenson puts the trends of tomorrow's world into perspective with a quizzical, fast-paced, quick-witted tour of the scientific horizon * The Times *Certainly one of the most interesting science books I've read for a long time * New Statesman *A grand tour of charismatic technologies and their prophets ... Stevenson bags an impressive list of interviewees * Financial Times *Essential ... illuminating and refreshingly hopeful ... an auspicious yet grounded vision * The Atlantic *

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • Adventures in Human Being

    Profile Books Ltd Adventures in Human Being

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller We have a lifetime's association with our bodies, but for many of us they remain uncharted territory. In Adventures in Human Being, Gavin Francis leads the reader on a journey through health and illness, offering insights on everything from the ribbed surface of the brain to the secret workings of the heart and the womb; from the pulse of life at the wrist to the unique engineering of the foot. Drawing on his own experiences as a doctor and GP, he blends first-hand case studies with reflections on the way the body has been imagined and portrayed over the millennia. If the body is a foreign country, then to practise medicine is to explore new territory: Francis leads the reader on an adventure through what it means to be human. Both a user's guide to the body and a celebration of its elegance, this book will transform the way you think about being alive, whether in sickness or in health. Published in association with the Wellcome Collection. WELLCOME COLLECTION Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that aims to challenge how we think and feel about health. Inspired by the medical objects and curiosities collected by Henry Wellcome, it connects science, medicine, life and art. Wellcome Collection exhibitions, events and books explore a diverse range of subjects, including consciousness, forensic medicine, emotions, sexology, identity and death. Wellcome Collection is part of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation that exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive, funding over 14,000 researchers and projects in more than 70 countries. wellcomecollection.orgTrade ReviewA sober and beautiful book about the landscape of the human body: thought-provoking and eloquent. * Hilary Mantel *Wonderful, subtle, unpretentious ... produces a kind of complicity between the author, the reader, and the subject * John Berger *Immensely engaging. * The Sunday Times *In Francis's beautifully written, exquisitely thoughtful, and completely captivating cartography, the body is a superbly-lit museum filled with treasures, and Dr. Francis the perfect guide who deftly weaves together science and story to reveal the wondrous flesh-and-blood underpinnings of our daily lives. It's a spellbinding view. -- Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper’s Wifeand The Human AgeI read this book transfixed... The style is crisp and fast and the human tales irresistible. I was left with many nuggets. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *So enthralling and so well written that it should win its own clutch of prizes... immensely engaging and often unexpected. His achievement here is to guide readers through his special landscape with such eloquence and subtlety. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Grand, eloquent stuff, occasionally humorous, frequently moving and invariably informative... The end result is a thoroughly entertaining, provocative work. -- Robin McKie * The Observer *The joy of Mr Francis's work lies in the fact that although he delights in the body's physical reality, he takes care not to reduce human experience to that alone. * The Economist *A quietly radical, three-dimensional view of issues such as reproduction, birth, death and disability that has the power, at times, to make you stop mid-sentence and carefully reassess some of your most basic assumptions... its greatest strength is its profound yet understated compassion. * The Scotsman *Praise for Empire Antarctica: Francis' best writing (and it is excellent)... is Robert Macfarlane on ice. This writing achieves the 'quilted quality' of silence, and through it we are brought to a new landscape of words. * Literary Review *Empire Antarctica is the embodiment of everything I admire in travel writing -- a great journey, intense isolation, wide reading, vivid writing, scientific research, and something in the nature of an old-fashioned ordeal. That Gavin Francis is a medical doctor, with an important role to play in the darkness and cold at the ends of the earth, is a bonus. I loved this book. -- Paul TherouxA beautiful, profound and highly readable account of a remarkable personal adventure. Francis's pacing is deft, his prose vivid, his research worn lightly. Empire Antarctica is surely destined to become a standard, not so much of travel as of staying very still. * Daily Telegraph *A beautifully written guide to our wonders and weaknesses that combines the precision of science with a profound insight into the human condition. -- P D Smith * Guardian *

    4 in stock

    £9.49

  • Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils

    Profile Books Ltd Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisIan Stewart's up-to-the-minute guide to the cosmos moves from the formation of the Earth and its Moon to the planets and asteroids of the solar system and from there out into the galaxy and the universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it will end. He considers parallel universes, what forms extra-terrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of Earth being hit by an asteroid. Mathematics, Professor Stewart shows, has been the driving force in astronomy and cosmology since the ancient Babylonians. He describes how Kepler's work on planetary orbits led Newton to formulate his theory of gravity, and how two centuries later irregularities in the motion of Mars inspired Einstein's theory of general relativity. In crystal-clear terms he explains the fundamentals of gravity, spacetime, relativity and quantum theory, and shows how they all relate to each other. Eighty years ago the discovery that the universe is expanding led to the Big Bang theory of its origins. This in turn led cosmologists to posit features such as dark matter and dark energy. But does dark matter exist? Could another scientific revolution be on the way to challenge current scientific orthodoxy? These are among the questions Ian Stewart raises in his quest through the realms of astronomy and cosmology.Trade ReviewA fascinating tour, seamlessly spliced and historically contexualised * Nature *Ian Stewart elegantly reviews the uncanny effectiveness of mathematics in explaining the universe... Mr. Stewart beautifully describes how Newton's laws can still produce surprising results. * Wall Street Journal *The book does an excellent job of both explaining and entertaining. The author makes you think about familiar subjects in a new way and is very good at filling in any gaps in your knowledge, while also pointing out those areas that need further research * Sky at Night Magazine *With captivating stories and his signature clarity, Ian Stewart shows us how math makes the world - and the rest of the universe - go round -- Steven Strogatz, Professor of Mathematics, Cornell University, and author of The Joy of XStewart is Britain's most brilliant and prolific populariser of maths. -- Alex BellosStewart is sure to please math lovers, history buffs, and science enthusiasts alike by covering an array of eras, innovators, and disciplines. * Publishers Weekly *Praise for previous books: 'This is not pure maths. It is maths contaminated with wit, wisdom, and wonder. Ian really is unsurpassed as raconteur of the world of numbers. He guides us on a mind-boggling journey from the ultra trivial to the profound. Thoroughly entertaining * New Scientist *Stewart has served up the instructive equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu, or perhaps a smorgasbord of appetisers. And of course, appetisers are designed to give you an appetite for more * Guardian *

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder

    Profile Books Ltd The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis'Kindness and co-operation have played a crucial role in raising humans to the top of the evolutionary tree ... We have thrived on the milk of human kindness.' Observer BY THE AUTHOR OF ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE? 'There is a widely-held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition ... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self-interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals.' Ben Macintyre, The Times Empathy holds us together. That we are hardwired to be altruistic is the result of thousands of years of evolutionary biology which has kept society from slipping into anarchy. But we are not alone: primates, elephants, even rodents are empathetic creatures too. Social behaviours such as the herding instinct, bonding rituals, expressions of consolation and even conflict resolution demonstrate that animals are designed to feel for each other. From chimpanzees caring for mates that have been wounded by leopards, elephants reassuring youngsters in distress and dolphins preventing sick companions from drowning, with a wealth of anecdotes, scientific observations, wry humour and incisive intelligence, The Age of Empathy is essential reading for all who believe in the power of our connections to each other.Trade ReviewHis writing and science are infectiously good -- Adam Rutherford * Guardian *There is a widely held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *A pioneer in primate studies, Frans de Waal sees our better side in chimps, especially our capacity for empathy * Wall Street Journal *Freshly topical ... a corrective to the idea that all animals - human and otherwise - are selfish and unfeeling to the core * Economist *Warm, engaging and empathetic ... the more we learn about nature, the more richly we're able to imagine a better society * Independent *

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Alien Earths

    Penguin Books Ltd Alien Earths

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisFor 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?As founding director of Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute, astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger built a team of tenacious scientists from many disciplines to create a uniquely specialized toolkit to find life on faraway worlds. In Alien Earths, she demonstrates how we can use our homeworld as a Rosetta Stone, creatively analyzing Earth's history and its astonishing biosphere to inform this search. With infectious enthusiasm, she takes us on an eye-opening journey 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! And the best contenders for Alien Earths. We also see the imagined worlds of science fiction and how close they 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?

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • A Crack in Everything

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Crack in Everything

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisA Crack in Everything explores the fascinating breakthroughs that led to the discovery of black holes, the scientific enigma that could unlock the answers to mankind's most profound questions about the universe.

    5 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Stronger Sex

    Atlantic Books The Stronger Sex

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisStarre Vartan is an independent freelance science writer with a focus on health-related biotech, mental health, disease and women's bodies, as well as animals and environment. She writes on health for CNN; regularly on biotechnology and health for Scientific American; and frequently about animals for National Geographic, as well as contributing science- and heath stories to the Washington Post, Dame magazine, Slate, Gizmodo, Hakai, Digital Trends, The Daily Beast and New York magazine. She has a BS in Geology, a BA in English, and, a minor in Biology and worked as a geologist specializing in hydrology in Connecticut before turning to writing about science and health.

    4 in stock

    £18.70

  • Planet Insect

    Head of Zeus Planet Insect

    2 in stock

    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.

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • Bonk: The Curious Coupling Of Sex And Science

    Canongate Books Bonk: The Curious Coupling Of Sex And Science

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisFew things are as fundamental to human happiness as sex, and few writers are as entertaining about the subject as Mary Roach.Can a woman think herself to orgasm?Is your penis three inches longer than you think?Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas?Does orgasm boost fertility? Or cure hiccups?The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been taking place behind closed doors for hundreds of years. In this fascinating and funny book, Mary Roach steps inside laboratories, brothels, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs - even Alfred Kinsey's attic - to tell us everything we wanted to know about sex, and more we'd never even thought to ask.Trade ReviewIn this terrifically witty, hugely engaging study of the way we love, Mary Roach does meet some real oddballs, and on almost every page she tells you something to make you gasp aloud or snort with laughter -- Toby Clements * * Telegraph * *Roach certainly gets full marks for unflinching commitment to the job in hand . . . Bonk contains everything you ever wanted to know about the science of sex but were too afraid to ask. -- PD Smith * * Saturday Guardian Review * *Roach puts her quick wit to good service in this entertaining romp through sex research. Her unshockability is contagious, and ultimately reassuring. -- Gail Vines * * Independent * *When Mary Roach is seized by a subject, there is no stopping her: she is full-on, hands-on, and her lab coat is unbuttoned. -- Iain Finlayson * * The Times * *A bold, tenacious and insatiable reporter, Roach . . . could make an earthworm evisceration riveting and a hemispherectomy seem downright jolly. * * Scotsman * *Eye-opening . . . compelling stuff. -- Tom Boncza Tomaszewski * * Independent On Sunday * *Bonkers, but brilliant. * * Easy Living * *The pithiest, wittiest writer on the subject since Woody Allen * * Saga * *Hair-raising in parts, hilarious in others. -- Katie Law * * Evening Standard * *Roach marries enthusiasm and curiosity with unflagging humour while she intrepidly braves the "lurching tango of acadame and popular culture", rising to a passionate and playful, if not wholly penetrating, climax. -- Anita Sethi * * Independent on Sunday * *

    7 in stock

    £10.44

  • Choke

    Little, Brown Book Group Choke

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn the tradition of Steven Pinker's How the Mind Works, popular psychologist Sian Beilock, an expert on performance and brain science, reveals the astonishing new science of why we choke under pressure. She explains what happens in the body and mind when everything clicks and the perfect golf swing, tricky mathematical problem, or high-pressure business pitch suddenly become easy.With surprising insights on every page, Beilock examines how: attention and working memory guide human performance; how experience and practice, innate factors, and brain development interact to create our abilities;how these interconnected elements react to stress - explaining counterintuitive realities, like why the cleverest students do worst on standardized tests; why we may learn foreign languages best when we're not paying attention; why early childhood athletic training can backfire; and how our emotions can make us both smarter and dumber.the mind and body are in even closer communication than was ever thought - and breaks new ground on top of 30 years of integrative health investigations.Trade ReviewIn this marvellous book, Beilock will tell you how, as she reveals the mental secrets to performing under pressure. -- Jonah LehrerIf you aspire to be cool under maximum pressure (and who doesn't?), Beilock offers smart tips. * Time Magazine *This informative book teaches us when less can be more, in sports, in exams, and other areas where performance under stress is critical. Its engaging real-world examples offer the reader a wealth of useful and challenging insights into how our brain functions when the heat is on. * Gerd Gigerenzer, author of Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious *Readable explanations for why we choke and valuable suggestions for what we can do to get through a make-or-break moment with a better chance of success. -- Wall Street JournalA wonderful exploration of what happens inside when you choke on the outside. Essential for anyone who has, or plans, to compete, and especially for those who have choked. * Andrew Newberg, M.D., co-author of How God Changes Your Brain and Born to Believe *Do you want to hit better shots on the golf course? Score higher on the SAT? Get less nervous before speaking in public? In this marvelous book, Sian Beilock will tell you how, as she reveals the mental secrets to performing under pressure. -- Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide and Proust Was a Neuroscientist.When do we thrive under pressure? When is it better to stop thinking about what we are doing and simply do it? This informative book teaches us when less can be more, in sports, in exams, and other areas where performance under stress is critical. Its engaging real-world examples offer the reader a wealth of useful and challenging insights into how our brain functions when the heat is on. * Gerd Gigerenzer, author of Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious. *Choke is required reading for anyone who has to perform under pressure. Beilock takes you on a riveting tour of the science of success, with an insider's insights into what it means for the real-world challenges of business, sports, and education. Beilock gives you the tools to make your brain choke-proof and rise to any challenge. * Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Science of Willpower. *Choke is an important, fascinating book. Everyone who is looking for optimal performance would benefit from reading it and implementing its principles. * Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Body *Dr. Sian Belock is one of the world's leading researchers in human performance. In her book Choke, she explains with great insight the scientific underpinnings involved in individual triumph and failure--whether these take place in the world of sports, academics or business. The reader is arrives at a rich understanding of why and when people choke and more importantly how to achieve one's best in the competitive world. Choke is destined to be a classic in the world of human performance and is a must read for those who seek excellence in all domains of life. * Michael Lardon M.D., Sport Psychiatrist and author of Finding Your Zone. *A fascinating look into the science of why so many of us collapse under pressure. * Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind *Feature. * GQ Magazine *Read it, especially if you work in education or are training to teach. * Independent on Sunday *

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Art And Science Of Managing Public Risks

    World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd Art And Science Of Managing Public Risks

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe COVID-19 and the onslaught of Climate Change have exposed the fragility of our lives and ecosystem. Natural disasters like asteroid impact, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, cyclones, etc., and pandemics like plagues, smallpox, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, etc., have been man's nemesis from the beginning of time. This list of public risks has now expanded to include pollutions, industrial disasters, and very many new, confusing and emerging technologies.How have governments handled these public risks? How have they convinced people to take precautions under such emergencies? What measures does one take for managing them, and for the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation of the masses? And most importantly, how does one prepare the masses to face the risks without panicking? It is argued that sermons, dictates, and discourses may not work in democratic societies. Rather, one needs a new breed of risk communicators who can enter into a dialogue with the people to prepare them for these challenges and to welcome truly beneficial new technologies.The book takes a panoramic view of the issue of risks and illustrates the challenges and opportunities of the Art and Science of Managing Public Risks. It celebrates the indomitable spirit of man, who has leveraged science to predict — where possible, and provide solutions for managing these risks.

    4 in stock

    £49.50

  • You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter

    Hay House UK Ltd You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter

    Book SynopsisIs it possible to heal by thought alone—without drugs or surgery?The truth is that it happens more often than you might expect. In You Are the Placebo, best-selling author, international speaker, chiropractor, and renowned researcher of epigenetics, quantum physics, & neuroscience, Dr. Joe Dispenza shares numerous documented cases of those who reversed cancer, heart disease, depression, crippling arthritis, and even the tremors of Parkinson’s disease by believing in a placebo. Similarly, Dr. Joe tells of how others have gotten sick and even died the victims of a hex or voodoo curse—or after being misdiagnosed with a fatal illness. Belief can be so strong that pharmaceutical companies use double- and triple-blind randomized studies to try to exclude the power of the mind over the body when evaluating new drugs.“In his paradigm-altering book, You Are the Placebo, Dr. Joe Dispenza catapults us beyond thinking of the placebo effect as an anomaly. Through 12 concise chapters that read like a true-life scientific thriller, Dispenza gives us rock-solid reasons to accept the game-changer of our lives: that the placebo effect is actually us, proving to ourselves the greatest possibilities of healing, miracles, and longevity! I love this book and look forward to a world where the secret of the placebo is the foundation of everyday life.” — Gregg Braden, New York Times best-selling author of Deep Truth and The Divine MatrixChapters Include: Foreword by Dawson Church, Ph.D.Part I: Is It Possible? A Brief History of the Placebo The Placebo Effect in the Brain The Placebo Effect in the Body How Thoughts Change the Brain and the Body Suggestibility Attitudes, Beliefs, and Perceptions The Quantum Mind Three Stories of Personal Transformation Information to Transformation: Proof That You Are the PlaceboPart II: Transformation Meditation Preparation Changing Beliefs and Perceptions Meditation Becoming Supernatural Dr. Joe does more than simply explore the history and the physiology of the placebo effect. He asks the question: "Is it possible to teach the principles of the placebo, and without relying on any external substance, produce the same internal changes in a person’s health and ultimately in his or her life?" Then he shares scientific evidence (including color brain scans) of amazing healings from his workshops, in which participants learn his consciousness shifting model of personal transformation, based on practical applications of the so-called placebo effect. The book ends with a "how-to" calming meditation for changing limiting beliefs and mental perceptions that hold us back—the first step in healing. You Are the Placebo combines the latest research in neuroscience, biology, psychology, hypnosis, behavioral conditioning, and quantum physics to demystify the workings of the placebo effect . . . and show how the seemingly impossible can become possible.“I discovered that if I could teach people the scientific model of transformation (bringing in a little quantum physics to help them understand the science of possibility); combine it with the latest information in neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, epigenetics, and psychoneuroimmunology; give them the right kind of instruction; and provide the opportunity to apply that information, then they would experience a transformation...This book is about: empowering you to realize that you have all the biological and neurological machinery to do exactly that. My goal is to demystify these concepts with the new science of the way things really are so that it is within the reach of more people to change their internal states in order to create positive changes in their health and in their external world.”— Dr. Joe DispenzaTrade ReviewYou Are the Placebo is the instruction manual for how to produce miracles in your body, with your health, and in your life. It's simply magnificent. This may be the only prescription you'll ever require. -- Christiane Northrup MD New York Times bestselling author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause Your mind is so incredibly important to the success or failure of virtually everything you do, from relationships, school, work and finances to overall happiness. You Are the Placebo is a powerful exploration of your most important resource and offers many practical tools to optimize your mind to enhance your overall success. I love Dr Dispenza's way of communicating complex ideas in a way all of us can understand and benefit from. -- Daniel G. Amen MD founder of Amen Clinics and New York Times bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and Magnificent Mind at Any Age From my experience with patients with life-threatening illnesses, I have learned the truth as shared in You Are the Placebo. The body experiences what the mind believes. I have learned how to deceive people into health for their benefit. Doctors can kill or cure with 'wordswordswords' when they become 'swordswordswords.' We all have the potential for self-induced healing built into us. The key is to know how to achieve your potential. Read and learn. -- Bernie Siegel MD author of A Book of Miracles and The Art of Healing Dr Joe Dispenza weaves scientific studies together to come up with a true revolutionary approach to using our minds to heal our bodies. I was spellbound. Bravo! -- Mona Lisa Schulz MD PhD author of The Intuitive Advisor and All Is Well The placebo effect - our response to the belief that we've received a catalyst for healing - has long been studied in medicine as a curious phenomenon. In his paradigm-altering book You Are the Placebo, Dr Joe Dispenza catapults us beyond thinking of the effect as an anomaly. Through 12 concise chapters that read like a true-life scientific thriller, Dispenza gives us rock-solid reasons to accept the game-changer of our lives: that the placebo effect is actually us, proving to ourselves the greatest possibilities of healing, miracles and longevity! I love this book and look forward to a world where the secret of the placebo is the foundation of everyday life. -- Gregg Braden New York Times bestselling author of Deep Truth and The Divine Matrix Dr Joe Dispenza is a master teacher who has the ability to explain science at a very simple level so that everyone understands. -- don Miguel Ruiz MD author of The Four Agreements You Are the Placebo is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience optimal health in mind, body and spirit. Dr Joe Dispenza dispels the myth that our health is out of our control and restores to us our power and right to expect wonderful health and wellbeing throughout our lives by showing us the way to create it. To read this book is to subscribe to the absolute best health insurance available in the world. -- Sonia Choquette six-sensory consultant and New York Times bestselling author of The Answer Is Simple If you're looking for a practical explanation to the benefits of meditation, look no further. Soul & Spirit

    £15.29

  • Physics and Philosophy The Revolution in Modern

    Penguin Books Ltd Physics and Philosophy The Revolution in Modern

    Book SynopsisNobel Prize winner Werner Heisenberg''s classic account explains the central ideas of the quantum revolution, and his celebrated Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg reveals how words and concepts familiar in daily life can lose their meaning in the world of relativity and quantum physics.This in turn has profound philosophical implications for the nature of reality.

    £10.44

  • Quantum Mechanics The Theoretical Minimum

    Penguin Books Ltd Quantum Mechanics The Theoretical Minimum

    Book Synopsis''Quantum mechanics for real. This is the good stuff, the most mysterious aspects of how reality works, set out with crystalline clarity. The place to start'' Sean Carroll, physicist, California Institute of Technology, author of The Particle at the End of the UniverseThis is the ultimate practical introduction to quantum mechanics. World-renowned physicist Leonard Susskind and data engineer Art Friedman give you the basic skills you need to tackle this famously difficult topic yourself.They provide clear, lively explanations of basic concepts, introduce the key fields of quantum mechanics and include step-by-step exercises. Making a complex subject ''as simple as possible, but no simpler'', this is a practical toolkit for amateur scientists that you won''t find anywhere else.Trade ReviewThe writing is fresh and immediate, crisp and satisfying .... A persuasive overview * Nature *

    £10.44

  • The Science of Harry Potter: The Spellbinding

    Skyhorse Publishing The Science of Harry Potter: The Spellbinding

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisHow does magic in J. K. Rowling’s universe work? Finally, the scientific secrets are revealed! The story of the boy who lived has brought the idea of magic and sorcery into mainstream fruition more than any other book series in history. Modern muggle scientists have uncovered explanations to the seemingly impossible, including answers to such questions as: Will we ever see an invisibility cloak? How hazardous is a flying broomstick like the Nimbus 2000? How has medicine made powerful potions from peculiar plants? (Felix Felicis, anyone?) Can scientists ever demonstrate Wingardium Leviosa, or the flying power of a Golden Snitch? Is it possible to stupefy someone? And many more! A perfect Harry Potter gift for anyone obsessed enough to stand in line to be the first to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, witches and wizards alike will be fascinated by the merging of this improbable realm and real science.Trade ReviewPraise for Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars“If you’ve ever wondered how life could arise on Tatooine or how likely it is that there’s a cantina full of aliens somewhere in our galaxy, The Science of Star Wars is for you.”—San Francisco Book Review“A real treat, with many moments of epiphany lurking between the pages . . . Offers much more than just the scientific facts.”—Labtimes“A gloriously fascinating look into that galaxy far, far away!”—Professor Lewis Dartnell, University of Westminster, New York Times bestselling author of The Knowledge“As a longtime Star Wars maniac, I’d like to recommend Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars: The Scientific Facts Behind the Force, Space Travel, and More! for the geek on your Christmas list. The book is divided into sections on space travel, space, aliens, tech, and bio-tech, with each addressing the scientific feasibility of the Star Wars universe, from faster than light travel to the nature of the Force itself. Written in a clear, friendly style, reading The Science of Star Wars is like sitting down for a conversation with a super geeky scientist friend.”—Unbound Worlds“Using the basic principles of mathematics and science, author Mark Brake and science presenter Jon Chase have unlocked some of the secrets behind the George Lucas films, and have concluded that The Force might not be complete fantasy.”—Telegraph“A fairly easy read in the sense that simple language is used to explain what can at times be fairly complex concepts . . . It’s certainly best enjoyed by anyone with a bent towards the stars and how they stay up there. . . . For the right fan, it would be an excellent Christmas present.”—In a Far Away GalaxyPraise for Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars“If you’ve ever wondered how life could arise on Tatooine or how likely it is that there’s a cantina full of aliens somewhere in our galaxy, The Science of Star Wars is for you.”—San Francisco Book Review“A real treat, with many moments of epiphany lurking between the pages . . . Offers much more than just the scientific facts.”—Labtimes“A gloriously fascinating look into that galaxy far, far away!”—Professor Lewis Dartnell, University of Westminster, New York Times bestselling author of The Knowledge“As a longtime Star Wars maniac, I’d like to recommend Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars: The Scientific Facts Behind the Force, Space Travel, and More! for the geek on your Christmas list. The book is divided into sections on space travel, space, aliens, tech, and bio-tech, with each addressing the scientific feasibility of the Star Wars universe, from faster than light travel to the nature of the Force itself. Written in a clear, friendly style, reading The Science of Star Wars is like sitting down for a conversation with a super geeky scientist friend.”—Unbound Worlds“Using the basic principles of mathematics and science, author Mark Brake and science presenter Jon Chase have unlocked some of the secrets behind the George Lucas films, and have concluded that The Force might not be complete fantasy.”—Telegraph“A fairly easy read in the sense that simple language is used to explain what can at times be fairly complex concepts . . . It’s certainly best enjoyed by anyone with a bent towards the stars and how they stay up there. . . . For the right fan, it would be an excellent Christmas present.”—In a Far Away Galaxy

    15 in stock

    £9.89

  • The Book of Human Emotions: An Encyclopedia of

    Profile Books Ltd The Book of Human Emotions: An Encyclopedia of

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisIs your heart fluttering in anticipation? Is your stomach tight with nerves? Are you falling in love? Feeling a bit miffed? Are you curious (perhaps about this book)? Do you have the heebie-jeebies? Are you antsy with iktsuarpok? Or giddy with dépaysement? The Book of Human Emotions is a gleeful, thoughtful collection of 156 feelings, both rare and familiar. Each has its own story, and reveals the strange forces which shape our rich and varied internal worlds. In reading it, you'll discover feelings you never knew you had (like basorexia, the sudden urge to kiss someone), uncover the secret histories of boredom and confidence, and gain unexpected insights into why we feel the way we do. Published in partnership with the Wellcome Collection. Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that aims to challenge how we think and feel about health. Inspired by the medical objects and curiosities collected by Henry Wellcome, it connects science, medicine, life and art. Wellcome Collection exhibitions, events and books explore a diverse range of subjects, including consciousness, forensic medicine, emotions, sexology, identity and death. Wellcome Collection is part of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation that exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive, funding over 14,000 researchers and projects in more than 70 countries. wellcomecollection.orgTrade Review[Watt Smith] treats each emotion with the expertise of a wine taster, showing how it is formed from a mixture of many other emotions -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *So riveting are these miniature essays exploring 156 emotions that if anyone interrupts your reading, you'll probably feel irritated ... Educative, entertaining. * Observer *Delightful * Prima *A brilliant book -- Róisín Ingle * Irish Times *Witty, informative, undogmatic and thought-provoking, this wonderful book should convince us that emotions are never just neural events. -- Jane O'Grady * Times Higher Education *

    15 in stock

    £10.44

  • Logic

    Penguin Books Ltd Logic

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisIf a man supports Arsenal one day and Spurs the next then he is fickle but not necessarily illogical. From this starting point, and assuming no previous knowledge of logic, Wilfrid Hodges takes the reader through the whole gamut of logical expressions in a simple and lively way. Readers who are more mathematically adventurous will find optional sections introducing rather more challenging material. ''A lively and stimulating book'' PhilosophyTrade Review'A lively and stimulating book' PhilosophyTable of ContentsPart 1 Consistency: consistent sets of beliefs. Part 2 Expressing beliefs in sentences: beliefs and words; declarative sentences; ambiguity. Part 3 When is a sentence true?: truth and references; borderline cases and bizarre situations; misleading statements; possible situations and meanings. Part 4 Testing for consistency and validity: consistent sets of short sentences; the tableau technique; arguments. Part 5 How are complex sentences built up?: phrase-classes; phrase-markers; scope; context-free grammars. Part 6 Logical analysis: sentence-functors and truth-functors; some basic truth-functors; special problems with "->" and ""; analyis of complex sentences. Part 7 Sentence tableaux: sentence tableaux; interpretations. Part 8 Propositional calculus: a formal language; truth-tables; properties of semantic entailment; formal tableaux. Part 9 Designators and identity: designators and predicates; purely referential occurrences; two policies on reference; identity. Part 10 Relations: satisfaction; binary relations; "same", "at least" and "more"; equivalence relations. Part 11 Quantifiers: quantification; "all" and "some"; quantifier rules. Part 12 Predicate logic: logical scope; analyses using identity; predicate interpretations; predicate tableaux; formalization again. Part 13 Horizons of logic: likelihood; intension; semantics.

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Wonders of the Universe

    HarperCollins Publishers Wonders of the Universe

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisProfessor Brian Cox is back with another insightful and mind-blowing exploration of space. This time he shows us our universe as we've never seen it before.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox’s previous books: ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’The Times ‘Engaging, ambitious and creative’Guardian ‘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

    15 in stock

    £22.10

  • The Secret Life of the Mind

    HarperCollins Publishers The Secret Life of the Mind

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis Where do our thoughts come from? How can we manipulate our dreams? What is the role of the unconscious? How do we make decisions and trust the judgement of both others and ourselves? In this mind-bending international bestseller by Mariano Sigman, one of the world's leading neuroscientists reveals his life's work exploring the intricacies of the human brain. Building on his awe-inspiring TED talk and drawing on examples in science and the arts, The Secret Life of the Mind offers an accessible guide to how the human brain works and its impact on our everyday life. This informative, lucid book is essential reading for anyone curious about how we perceive, reason and communicate.Trade Review‘Sigman finds the sweet spot between findings and experimental detail, and it makes for a compelling read. Entertaining… with moments of exhileration’Financial Times ‘Mariano Sigman writes and thinks in a uniquely provocative way. He is a gifted cognitive neuroscientist, and we are lucky to have him excavating the secret life of the mind. He makes learning about the mind and brain easy and almost automatic. He is the Richard Feynman of the brain’Andrew Meltzoff, Professor of Psychology, the University of Washington; co-author of ‘The Scientist in the Crib ‘The author takes us on grand tour covering an extraordinarily diverse range of topics that are of interest to readers and specialists alike’ VS Ramachandran FRCP, author of The Tell-Tale Brain ‘The brain is the star of this book, with chapters focussing on its characteristics throughout childhood and youth, identity, decision-making, consciousness, education and its capacity to transform itself. In exploring the psychological element of neuroscience, Mariano Sigman tells the story of the human mind as a journey through some of the least travelled paths of mankind … A wonderful read’ La Nacion ‘The idea of the mind as a tabula rasa is only one of many erroneous notions that Sigman’s brilliant book helps to correct’ El Mundo ‘What differentiates The Secret Life of the Mind from other books about the mind is that it takes on neuroscience from a psychological point of view, as well as taking into account psychoanalysis, behavioural economics and philosophy’ Nosotras ‘Sigman confirms that although we are capable of detecting and manipulating consciousness, science is still not able to physically break it down. The idea of the mind as a tabula rasa is only one of many erroneous notions that Sigman’s brilliant book helps to correct’ El Cultural, El Mundo

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Dont You Have Time to Think

    Penguin Books Ltd Dont You Have Time to Think

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisDon''t You Have Time to Think? collects the witty, eccentric and moving letters letters of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman. Richard Feynman was no ordinary genius. Brilliant, free-spirited and irreverent, he upset those in authority, gave captivating lectures, wrote equations on napkins in strip joints and touched countless lives everywhere. He also wrote hundreds of letters to friends, family, critics, colleagues and devoted fans around the world. Now these letters have been brought together for the first time. From down-to-earth advice to eager students to discussions of time travel and the atom bomb, and from blunt rebuttals to journalists to poignant exchanges with his first wife as she lay dying, they will introduce you to a unique person whose wisdom and lust for life inspired all those who came into his orbit. ''Nobel-winning physicist, expert bongo-player, safe-cracker and all-round genius, Feynman was, as thi

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Universe Within

    Penguin Books Ltd The Universe Within

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Universe Within is a thrilling journey from today all the way back to the Big Bang, which shows the deep connections between the human body and the universe, from Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner FishWhat links the birth of the moon to our body clocks? How did the creation of the Atlantic Ocean affect how we have children? What does the water inside us and on Earth have to do with the deepest stretches of space? Humanity''s status in the cosmos can seem insignificant. Yet, as Neil Shubin shows, the one place where the universe, solar system and planet merge is inside your body. Exploring the smallest atomic structures and vastest reaches of space, Shubin uncovers a sublime truth: that in every one of us lies the most profound story of all - how we and our world came to be.Neil Shubin is a palaeontologist in the great tradition of his mentors, Ernst Mayr and Stephen Jay Gould. He has discovered fossils around the world that have changed the way we tTrade ReviewShubin is not only a distinguished scientist, but a wonderfully lucid and elegant writer; he is an irrepressibly enthusiastic teacher ... a science writer of the first rank -- Oliver SacksGlorious, uplifting ... It tracks the very atoms in our bodies back to the Big Bang, and shows how all the molecules that comprise us have roots in the formation of Earth ... What is special about the book is its sweep, its scope, its panorama * Wall Street Journal *

    4 in stock

    £10.44

  • Time Reborn From the Crisis in Physics to the

    Penguin Books Ltd Time Reborn From the Crisis in Physics to the

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisNothing seems more real than time passing. We experience life as a succession of moments. But just as some of us see God as eternal, so physicists understand the truths of mathematics and the laws of nature as constant, transcending time. These laws dictate how the future will evolve: there is no freedom, no uncertainty about the future at all. Yet, argues Lee Smolin, this denial of time is holding back both physics, and our understanding of the universe. We need a major revolution in scientific thought: one that embraces the reality of time and places it at the centre of our thinking. Time, he concludes, is not an illusion: indeed, it is the best clue that we have to fundamental reality. Time Reborn explains how the true nature of time impacts on us, our world, and our universe.Trade ReviewOne of the most original living theorists ... He challenges not only Einstein's relativity, but also the very notion of natural laws as immutable truths * Economist *Brilliant and persuasive -- Ray Monk * Guardian *Provocative and stimulating ... Smolin reconceives the universe -- Christopher Potter * Sunday Times *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • From Bacteria to Bach and Back

    Penguin Books Ltd From Bacteria to Bach and Back

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Required reading for anyone remotely curious about how they came to be remotely curious'' Observer''Enthralling'' Spectator What is human consciousness and how is it possible? These questions fascinate thinking people from poets and painters to physicists, psychologists, and philosophers. This is Daniel C. Dennett''s brilliant answer, extending perspectives from his earlier work in surprising directions, exploring the deep interactions of evolution, brains and human culture. Part philosophical whodunnit, part bold scientific conjecture, this landmark work enlarges themes that have sustained Dennett''s career at the forefront of philosophical thought. In his inimitable style, laced with wit and thought experiments, Dennett shows how culture enables reflection by installing a profusion of thinking tools, or memes, in our brains, and how language turbocharges this process. The result: a mind that can comprehend the questions itTrade ReviewIntelligence, insight and flair ... They don't come much bigger than Daniel Dennett -- Julian Baggini * Guardian *Lucid ... A brave and bracing book ... There should be more like it * The Times *Required reading for anyone remotely curious about how they came to be remotely curious * Observer *A lively and cogent account of how human beings, uniquely among species, have evolved to possess a conscious mind ... An excellent exploration of the concept of cultural evolution, and the origins and consequences of human creativity * Sunday Times *Beguiling and enthralling * Spectator *

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Undoing Project

    Penguin Books Ltd The Undoing Project

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE NEW INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BIG SHORT AND FLASH BOYS''A gripping account of how two psychologists reshaped the way we think ... What a story it is'' Sunday Times ''You''ll love it ... full of surprises and no small degree of tragedy'' Tim HarfordIn 1969 two men met on a university campus. Their names were Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. They were different in every way. But they were both obsessed with the human mind - and both happened to be geniuses. Together, they would change the way we see the world.''An enchanted collaboration ... During the final pages, I was blinking back tears'' The New York Times ''My favourite writer full stop. Engages both heart and brain like no other'' Daily Telegraph''Brilliant, a wonderful book, a masterclass'' Spectator ''Psychology''s Lennon and McCartney ... Lewis is exactly the storyteller they deserve'' ObserverTrade ReviewMichael Lewis is a brilliant writer... The Undoing Project is a masterclass in narrative non-fiction -- Steven Poole * Spectator *A new book by Michael Lewis promises an absorbing story, dazzling ideas, journalistic flair and originality. He achieves this with extraordinary consistency. In The Undoing Project he has achieved it again. -- Danny Finkelstein * The Times *Kahneman and Tversky's deep friendship and intellectual collaboration has arguably done as much to define our world as, say, the intertwining between Francis Crick and James Watson... Michael Lewis, with his great gift for humanising complex and abstract ideas, is exactly the storyteller Tversky and Kahneman deserve. -- Tim Adams * Observer *I normally write two or three pages of notes when reviewing a book. On this occasion I scribbled six, often in high excitement. Lewis has a strong journalist's sense of a good story and the book is dotted with hundreds. He also has a feeling for pace and intensity. Although this is an easy read, nothing is wasted and everything seems to be in the right place. And what a story it is! -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *Michael Lewis is perhaps my favourite writer full stop. At his best, Lewis engages both heart and brain like no author, and he tells the story of Tversky and Kahneman beautifully... the final sections will have you weeping -- Robert Colvile * Daily Telegraph *Leaves you feeling cleverer -- Katie Law * Evening Standard *Part biography of a friendship and part account of psychology's impact, while also taking in much of modern Israel's history, this is a fine showcase of Mr Lewis's range ... it is a story of remarkable individuals succeeding through innovative ideas ... Lewis has managed the unusual feat of interweaving psychology and the friendship between two men * Economist *Michael Lewis is perhaps my favourite writer full stop ... he engages both heart and brain like no other author, and he tells the story of Tversky and Kahneman beautifully -- Robert Colville * Telegraph *Gripping ... There is war, heroism, genius, love, loss, discovery, enduring loyalty and friendship. It is epic stuff ... Michael Lewis is one of the best non-fiction writers of our time. The writing has wit, passion and scientific credibility -- Pete Lunn * Irish Times *Michael Lewis could spin gold out of any topic he chose ... his best work ... vivid, original and hard to forget -- Tim Harford * Financial Times *

    2 in stock

    £10.44

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