Popular science Books

Book Synopsis“Does an excellent job of using evolutionary biology to discuss the origins of religion, music, art, and . . . morality.”—Publishers Weekly, starred reviewTrade Review"Starred review. Readers of diverse perspectives will recognize [Pagel’s] timely wisdom." -- Booklist"Gorgeously written, elegantly argued, Pagel demonstrates that genes are only a small part of the human success story; minds and culture are the larger part. A compelling read that allows us to appreciate everything around us with fresh eyes." -- David Eagleman, author of Tales of the Afterlives and Incognito"An intriguing combination of information...with an optimistic prediction of a future global society in which inventiveness and cooperation prevail." -- Kirkus Reviews"Starred review. Pagel does an excellent job of using evolutionary biology to discuss the origins of religion, music, and art, and the reason why, cross-culturally, we generally share a sense of morality." -- Publishers Weekly"This richly rewarding work of science explains the evolutionary significance of living in a collaborative culture. Human evolution may be the hottest area in popular science writing, ahead even of books about cosmology and the brain. Within this crowded field, Mark Pagel’s Wired for Culture stands out for both its sweeping erudition and its accessibility to the non-specialist reader." -- Clive Clarkson - Financial Times

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Book Synopsis“A charming, thoughtful book, one that makes a powerful case for smiles as ‘social acts with consequences.’ ”—Boston Sunday GlobeTrade Review"Yale psychology professor Marianne LaFrance draws on the latest research—in fields from biology to anthropology to computer science—in an effort to shed some light on the happy face." -- O, The Oprah Magazine"LaFrance’s extensive research, clear and sometimes humorous writing, and interdisciplinary approach make this a very fine book for anyone who smiles (or doesn’t)." -- Publishers Weekly"LaFrance shows that there is much more to a pair of upturned lips than meets the eye." -- Scientific American"A masterly example of social sciences at its best—a look at how researchers do their work, what questions they ask, how answers lead to new questions, and why all of this matters in our everyday lives. . . . LaFrance’s true subject is not simply the smile but its uniquely human double purpose: to convey our feelings—and disguise them." -- Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining, eye-opening guide to what math and physics can reveal about sports.Trade Review"“[A] fast-paced, lighthearted book that revels in the brainier side of brawn." -- Fangfei Shen - Discover"Barrow delivers the math and science goods for every sports fan who’s ever wondered how to ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ or what the best positions are to reduce air resistance while sky-diving…Accessible and entertaining, just the thing for mathematically minded sports fans." -- Publishers Weekly"An illuminating mix for sports fans and math buffs looking to hone their skills." -- Kirkus Reviews"Readers will marvel at how much mathematics can illuminate athletes’ most amazing feats. . . . Sports fans and nerds will fight over this book!" -- Bryce Christensen - Booklist

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Book Synopsis"This is a wonderful book. Frances Ashcroft has a rare gift for making difficult subjects accessible and fascinating." —Bill Bryson, author of The Body: A Guide for OccupantsTrade Review"A gem that sparkles." -- William Bynum - Wall Street Journal"Ashcroft celebrates 'the body electric.'…Fascinating." -- Nature"An extraordinary fusion of culture and cutting-edge science." -- Nick Smith - Engineering and Technology"The more incredible the process, the more elegant Ashcroft's explanation…Ashcroft's book carries the eponymous spark of life." -- Telegraph"The human body is a symphony of complicated chemical and electrical signals. Let Ashcroft’s book serve as your program guide." -- Tony Miksanek - Booklist (starred review)

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

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Book Synopsis“With…evidence from recent genetic and anthropological research, [Zuk] offers a dose of paleoreality.” —Erin Wayman, Science NewsTrade Review"Much-needed…Zuk’s nutritionally rich scientific fodder…will certainly bring intellectual benefits far greater than those provided by the pseudoscientific confections with which we are so often tempted." -- Cordelia Fine - Wall Street Journal"Ably presents a skeptical and light-hearted view of a long list of paleofantasies and supposed solutions." -- John Hawks - Nature"Briskly dismisses…misunderstandings about how evolution works and…offers a lively, lucid illustration of the intricacies of this all-important natural process." -- Laura Miller - Salon"Thoroughly engaging and witty…Whether [Zuk is] shredding the underlying premises of the paleo diet, the paleo exercise regimen, or the structure of the paleo family, she does so via cogent discussions of the nature of evolution and accessible elucidations of cutting-edge science." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Zuk’s take on the many controversies and uncertainties surrounding evolution is both wise and measured." -- Guardian"Marlene Zuk’s quest to understand prehistory is an elegant guide for the perplexed. Paleofantasy cuts through a confusing tangle of facts and claims to give us a trustworthy road map to the glorious problems of who we are and where we come from." -- Richard Wrangham, author of Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human"We tend to idealize our ancestors, as if they had the perfect life and perfect diet. In highly readable style, Marlene Zuk downplays our paleo-heritage. Not only did we change culturally, we are also genetically a different animal." -- Frans de Waal, author of Mama's Last Hug

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Book SynopsisWeird indeed, and not a little wonderful.NatureTrade Review"A breakneck tour through natural history, encounters of an impossible kind, researchers as weird as the organisms they pursue that leads the reader to wonder where science ends and fantasy begins." -- Richard Fortey - New York Times Book Review"Conveys these far-out theories with precision and humor." -- Jascha Hoffman - New York Times"Toomey is calm and clear-eyed. . . . A good man to have watching the skies, and the ocean floor." -- AV Club"Starred review. An ingenious overview of anything that might be alive." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisNatural disasters bedevil our planet, and each appears to be a unique event. Leading geologist Susan W. Kieffer shows how all disasters are connected.Trade Review"Anyone interested in the processes that underlie catastrophic events within Earth will welcome this book, part riveting and all informative." -- Nature"This book ought to be placed in the hands of politicians, engineers, insurance assessors and, frankly, anyone who sees sense in understanding the processes and systems that guide our planet." -- Geographical Magazine"...the clarity of Kieffer's writing, coupled with her careful choice of supporting graphics, makes the content engaging and accessible to a wide readership." -- Times Higher Education"...brisk and lucid presentation..." -- The Times Literary Supplement"Kieffer takes a novel approach that involves thinking about natural catastrophes in terms of changes to 'systems' that otherwise present no threat." -- BBC Focus"...Kieffer...uses her deep expertise in the physics of geological processes to give an unconventional and insightful treatment of natural hazards..." -- Physics World

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Book SynopsisA short, lively argument for the natural superiority of women.Trade Review"Konner mines evolution and anthropology to probe gender identities in the light of biology, sexual conflict across species and more. The provocative scenarios he lays out include a man-free world where women reproduce using DNA from other women's eggs." -- Nature"Melvin Konner's book has an urgent message for women – and men…" -- Times Higher Education"This is strong stuff...Konner really does know his evolutionary onions…" -- The Mail on Sunday"...it [Women After All] is witty, well paced, packed with useful information and suggests an intriguing new perspective on an old phenomenon…" -- Paul Seabright - Times Literary Supplement"...he [Konner] does support his arguments with a whole kaleidoscope of fascinating research and information." -- Human Givens

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Book SynopsisIn this optimistic and inspiring book, Peter Whybrow, the prize-winning author of American Mania, returns to offer a prescription for genuine human progress.Trade Review"Though The Well-Tuned Brain is packed with powerful recent research, its punch comes from the philosophical meditation at its core. Peter Whybrow ponders how living our best lives can make the best world. This book is a courageous manifesto about human frailty that delineates the care with which we need to treat ourselves and those around us. We ignore its message at terrible personal and social cost." -- Andrew Solomon, National Book Award–winning author of The Noonday Demon and Far from the Tree"As we face the biggest problems civilizations have ever confronted—climate change above all—it’s crucial that we understand why our brains are being hijacked in the wrong direction. Peter Whybrow’s book does exactly that, making it possible for us to summon the grace and will necessary to do the right thing." -- Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet"Combines gripping big themes with an abundance of fascinating stories. The big themes revolve around the collision between our ancient human habits, our human brains often operating on autopilot, and the seductive material success of our modern market economy. You’ll find this book as rich and as thought-provoking as it is enjoyable." -- Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and The World Until Yesterday

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Book SynopsisIn this captivating bestseller, Korea's first paleoanthropologist offers fresh insights into humanity's dawn and evolution.Trade Review"... Close Encounters with Humankind offers additional vistas on our unique plight..." -- The Ideas Driving 2018 - New Scientist"Succinctly and engagingly, Lee revisits... key questions about the story of our evolving species — and gives some unconventional answers... ultimately, Lee will inspire even experts with her efforts at elucidating a field often seen as arid and inscrutable." -- Nature"To describe this as a toilet book is not a criticism. The short, punchy, stand-alone chapters (including Are We Cannibals? Are Humans Still Evolving?) lend themselves perfectly to reflective moments in the smallest room of the house." -- Wild reading - books for the summer - BBC Wildlife Magazine

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Book SynopsisBased on the popular Harvard University and EdX class, Science and Cooking explores the scientific basis of why recipes work.

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Book SynopsisA Next Big Idea Club Must-Read Nonfiction Book of Winter 2020 and a Real Simple Best Book of 2020 (So Far) A revelatory investigation of friendship, with profound implications for our understanding of what humans and animals alike need to thrive across a lifetime.Trade Review"Accessible and enlightening...By highlighting the importance of human connection, Denworth has crafted a worthy call to action." -- Barbara King - Washington Post"[Denworth] has a solid command of the complex material before her and a seemingly effortless ability to make it not just digestible but engaging... [She] sticks to the science, calmly telling us the truth no matter what we need to hear. What else are friends for?" -- Daniel Akst - Wall Street Journal"The power of friendship—in many ways the most essential of our relationships—has long been underestimated. It's an absolute pleasure to see Lydia Denworth do it justice in this lovely, insightful, and important book." -- Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Poison Squad"Friendship was once mocked as a naive notion, irrelevant in our species and nonexistent in others. In her lively, personable style, Lydia Denworth reviews what we know about the benefits of close relationships and their long evolutionary history" -- Frans de Waal, author of Mama’s Last Hug"The science of friendship has grown remarkably rich in recent years, with scientists studying everything from the chemicals that create bonds in our brains to the friendships animals make for years on end. There's a deep evolutionary story to friendship now, and Lydia Denworth tells it in clear, lyrical prose." -- Carl Zimmer, author of She Has Her Mother's Laugh"Critical and convincing... Denworth’s work achieves the best of science writing by making complicated concepts clear. She uses intelligent observation, empathy, and curiosity to offer a friendship manifesto that will absolutely affect readers' own personal approaches to friendship." -- Booklist (starred review)"In addition to examining the scientific underpinnings of friendship, Denworth capably demonstrates how loneliness...is truly a health- and life-threatening condition, and there are things to be done to avoid it. Convincing evidence that evolution endowed us with a need for friends, support, comfort, stimulation, and, ultimately, happiness." -- Kirkus Reviews"Denworth draws several striking conclusions...[Friendship] provide[s] an effective introduction to its subject." -- Publishers Weekly"A sweeping, precise, and engaging narrative about our primordial capacity for friendship. If you care about what really matters in life, read this fantastic natural history of human friendship." -- Nicholas A. Christakis, author of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society"I can think of no better rebuke to today’s success-obsessed brand of parenting than Denworth’s clarion call for friendship. Her convincing narration of the science shows that for our kids to live happily ever after, and successfully too, we must let them spend many more afternoons with friends." -- Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult

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Book SynopsisA scientist’s exploration into the mysteries of the human mind.Trade Review"Daniel Siegel widens our world with this mind-opening - and mind-bending - exploration of mind itself. From a journey through Mind emerges a compelling sense of our connection to each other, and to the universe." -- Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence and A Force for Good: The Dalai Lama's Vision for Our World "Dan Siegel is in my opinion one of the most knowledgeable persons on the mind. His insights into the mind as an embodied and relational process that regulates the flow of energy and information in the ecosystem of life have had a deep impact on my own understanding of mind and life and have impacted the way I practice and understand the healing process. His latest book takes the understanding of interpersonal neurobiology and self regulation to a new level. If you are interested in the science of healing, this book is a must read." -- Deepak Chopra, author of Super Genes "Dan Siegel is a true pioneer in applying the latest science to well-being, education and public policy. In Mind, he takes us on a scientific and philosophical journey far beyond the view that the mind is just brain activity, with profound implications on how we think, how we feel, and how we live." -- Arianna Huffington, author of The Sleep Revolution "With a graceful blend of humility and certainty, Dan Siegel ushers us through one of life's biggest questions: "what is the mind?" The book invites us to consider who we are as humans, our value systems, and to explore some of life's most confounding questions. Defining myriad aspects of being human with clarity, poetry, and accessible academic intelligence, this book is a philosophical, neurobiological, scientific and spiritual tour de force. Its clarity and brazen innovation puts it in a category all its own." -- Alanis Morissette, songwriter, artist, writer, activist "Mind is a book only the inimitable Dr. Siegel could write, a rich fusion of science, personal narrative, mindfulness teachings, and new metaphors for picturing the wraithlike mind at work, as it quests for certainty in an uncertain world, and busily tailors a sense of self from the fabric of its varied relationships. It's no surprise that Siegel has improved the lives of many thousands of people the world over; this new book promises to open the eyes of even more." -- Diane Ackerman, author of The Human Age "A leading scientist's visionary journey, a creative and compelling exploration of mind itself." -- Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of A Path With Heart "At once erudite and highly readable, with the proper mix of science and speculation, this book takes the reader on a journey from mind as simply brain activity to mind as energy and information flow to mind as embodied and relational with emergent properties. It shows how exciting possibilities can unfold for us "simply" by changing our minds. This interdisciplinary book elucidates the power of mind and delineates delicately the personal, interpersonal and societal implications of creating a creative and a healthy mind." -- Ellen J. Langer, Professor of psychology, Harvard University, Author of Mindfulness "[A]n outstanding and inspirational volume that will appeal to a wide audience. It will unequivocally transport the reader into a spiritual voyage with scientific blend combined with personal reflections, perceptions, and intentionality constituting an electrifying and illuminating reading." -- The Inquisitive Mind

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Book SynopsisFrom the host of the History channel’s Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: the laws of the universe like you’ve never experienced them before. This approachable book explains the world of physics with clarity, humor, and a dash of adventure. Physics for Rock Stars is not a weighty treatise on science, but a personal tour of physics from a quirky friend.Anyone who’s ever wondered why nature abhors a vacuum, what causes magnetic attraction, or how to jump off a moving train or do a perfect stage dive will find answers and a few laughs too. No equations, numbers, or tricky concepts—just an inspiring and comical romp through the basics of physics and the beauty of the organized universe.

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Book SynopsisThe former editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Psychiatry explores the mysteries of creative genius, using evidence from both arts and the sciences for a fascinating investigation.

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Book SynopsisAn eloquent, accessible tour de force that reveals how the concept of number evolved from prehistoric times through to the 20th century.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating introduction to the science of decision making.

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Book SynopsisLife is an enduring mystery. Yet, science tells us that living beings are merely sophisticated structures of lifeless molecules. If this view is correct, where do the seemingly purposeful motions of cells and organisms originate? In Life''s Ratchet , physicist Peter M. Hoffmann locates the answer to this age-old question at the nanoscale.Below the calm, ordered exterior of a living organism lies microscopic chaos, or what Hoffmann calls the molecular storm,specialized molecules immersed in a whirlwind of colliding water molecules. Our cells are filled with molecular machines, which, like tiny ratchets, transform random motion into ordered activity, and create the purpose that is the hallmark of life. Tiny electrical motors turn electrical voltage into motion, nanoscale factories custom-build other molecular machines, and mechanical machines twist, untwist, separate and package strands of DNA. The cell is like a city,an unfathomable, complex collection of molecular workers working togTrade ReviewPhysics Today "[A] fascinating glimpse into recent research on molecular machines, research that lies at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and physics... Life's Ratchet does an excellent job of conveying the tension between mechanical descriptions of molecular machines...and the chemical perspective... I highly recommend this book to scientists in the fields of biophysics and nanoscience as a readable introduction to a broad variety of topics in those areas." The Scientist "What distinguishes life from its nonliving ingredients? How could life arise from the lifeless? These questions have vexed philosophers sand scientists for more than 2,500 years. Bio-besotted physicist Peter Hoffmann wrote Life's Ratchet to get to the beating heart of the matter. After a lively, lucid grand tour of the controversy's history...Hoffmann arrives at modern molecular biology and the technological breakthroughs, such as atomic force microscopy, that enable us to see the very atoms of a cell... A masterwork of making the complex comprehensible, this book would make a smashing freshman biology textbook--and that's a compliment." City Book Review "Life's Ratchet is nothing short of brilliant. With wit and literary prowess, author Peter M. Hoffmann delivers a profound message about the nature of the life within our lives. He writes with a grace and careful thoughtfulness--the Shakespeare of scientific literacy." Physics World, Best Books of 2012 "[A] clearly written book about molecular motors and other nanoscale structures... It does a very good job of capturing the excitement driving current research on this increasingly important topic." Nature "Life's Ratchet engagingly tells the story of how science has begun to realize the potential for matter to spontaneously construct complex processes, such as those inherent to living systems. The book is a good mix of history and the latest concepts, straightforwardly explained... The book's important message is that there is a revolution brewing. This revolution will not tell us what matter is made of. Instead, as described in Life's Ratchet, it will tell us how matter and energy combine to make me and you." New Scientist "In Life's Ratchet, biophysicist Peter Hoffmann reveals that the secret to life isn't some mysterious force. Rather, it is chaos itself. Hoffmann provides a ringside perspective on life at its most fundamental level, gained through his work on imaging and manipulating molecules." Kirkus Reviews, starred review "A fascinating mix of cutting-edge science with philosophy and theology." Werner R. Loewenstein, author of The Touchstone of Life and Physics in Mind "Peter Hoffmann brings the universe of the very small to life. Life's Ratchet is an exciting guide to the wondrous strange nanoworld of molecules driving the machinery of life. Engaging, provocative, and profound."

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Book Synopsis"Few revolutions in science have been more far-reaching--but less understood--than the quantum revolution in physics. Everyday experience cannot prepare us for the sub-atomic world, where quantum effects"Table of Contents* Introduction Act I: Mechanical Failure * The Mystery of The Other Glove * In Which Things Are Exactly What They Are Seen To Be * Block That Metaphor! * Learning Through Repetition * Coin Tossing and Weather Forecasting * Not Just Electrons * Enter the Photon * So Photons Are Really Real, Then? * Particle or Wave? * One Photon at a Time * Learning to Live With Uncertainty * Is It or Isnt It? * Which Way Did the Photon Go? * No, but Really, What Happened? * How To Make Money From Quantum Mechanics * The importance of Being Rigorous * The Chronic Poor Health of Schrdingers Cat * Psychophysics quest ce que cest? Intermission: A Largely Philosophical Interlude * Does the Moon Really Exist? * The Fatal Blow? * A New Spin on the Puzzle * In Which Einstein is Caught in a Self-Contradiction * Whose Reality Is the Real Reality? * In Which Niels Bohr Is Obscure, Even By His Own Standards * And How Many Universities Did You Say Youd Be Needing? * Indeterminacy as Illusion * In Which Seeming Virtues Are Displayed as Faults * What Does Determinism Mean Anyway? * You Can Push it Around, but You Cant Get Rid of It Act II: Putting Reality To the Test * A New Angle on EPR * Fun With Algebra * And The Answer Is... * In Which Reality, Once Changed, Can Never Be Changed Back * The Possibility of Simultaneity * Not At All What Einstein Wanted Act III: Making Measurements * An Engineer, a Physicist, and a Philosopher... * The One True Paradox * At a Loss for Words * Can a Quantum Superposition Be Seen? * Like Peas in a Box * More than You Really Wanted to Know About Dried Peas * A Brief Digression About Time * The Defining Difference * At Last, the Quantum Cat * The Ghost of Schrdingers Cat * In Which Einsteins Moon is Restored * What Have We Learned? * The Last (or First) Mystery * Will We Ever Understand Quantum Mechanics?

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Book SynopsisDiscover the inventions that have made our world what it is today A great invention opens the door to a new era in human history. The stone axe, for example, invented some 2 million years ago in East Africa, enabled us to enter the human path of endless improvements through inventions.Trade Review“I highly recommend the very accessible and thought provoking book Great Inventions that Changed the World by James Wei, Ph.D., to any business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, history and technology enthusiasts, engineers, and students of history, technology, and engineering disciplines seeking a clear and engaging guide to the triumphs and challenges of the greatest inventions of all time. This book will also introduce the readers to some of the most creative innovators and problem solvers through the ages in a logical and readily understood format.” (Money Talks, 1 December 2012) “I highly recommend the very accessible and thought provoking book Great Inventions that Changed the World by James Wei, Ph.D., to any business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, history and technology enthusiasts, engineers, and students of history, technology, and engineering disciplines seeking a clear and engaging guide to the triumphs and challenges of the greatest inventions of all time. This book will also introduce the readers to some of the most creative innovators and problem solvers through the ages in a logical and readily understood format.” (Blog Business World, 1 December 2012) “He has written a remarkable and wide ranging work that spans human development from the stone age to the computer age . . . Of course as a chemist, I might wish that our science and industry had featured more prominently in Great inventions, but this is a minor quibble of what is undoubtedly a major work that is nothing less than superb.” (Chemistry World, 14 November 2012) “This isn’t just a book of inventions but also the history of how it changed the world so you also have this incredible history of the world here as well. If you’re creating a reality for any genre, then this is essential reading because you’ll realise a lot of things weren’t just there but was built upon. If you just want to be informed, then you will come away from this book with a formidable amount of knowledge. This is a book worthy of everyone’s attention.” (SFCrowsnest.org.uk, 1 September 2012)Table of ContentsForeword vii Preface xi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Inventors and Inventions 2 1.2 Innovation, Development, Diffusion 11 1.3 Changing the World 15 2 Inventions for Work 45 2.1 Tools and Methods 46 2.2 Energy and Power 58 2.3 Materials 71 3 Domestic Life: Food, Clothes, and House 81 3.1 Food 82 3.2 Clothes 97 3.3 House 104 4 Health, Reproduction 117 4.1 Prevention 119 4.2 Diagnostics 126 4.3 Therapy 131 4.4 Reproduction 141 5 Security 153 5.1 Natural Threats 153 5.2 Economic Threats 157 5.3 Human Violence: War 163 6 Transportation 197 6.1 Land Transportation 199 6.2 Water Transportation 205 6.3 Air and Space Transportation 216 7 Information 229 7.1 Observation 229 7.2 Records 238 7.3 Communication 250 7.4 Information Tools 259 8 Good Life 281 8.1 Party and Play 282 8.2 Luxury 294 8.3 Arts 304 9 Future Challenges 319 9.1 Future Needs and Opportunities 319 9.2 Future Sources of Inventions 325 Index 333

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Book SynopsisCould ''Beam me up, Scotty'' soon become a reality? The lines between ''science'' and ''science fiction'' have become increasingly blurred. Now, quantum mechanics promises that some of humanity''s wildest dreams may be realized. Serious scientists, working from Einstein''s theories, have been investigating the phenomenon known as ''entanglement'' one of the strangest aspects of our strange universe. According to Einstein, quantum mechanics required entanglement, the idea that subatomic particles could become linked and that a change to one such particle would instantly be reflected in its counterpart, even if separated by a universe. Einstein felt that if quantum theory could produce such bizarre effects, then it had to be invalid. But new experiments show not only that it does happen, but that it may lead to unbreakable codes and even teleportation, perhaps in our lifetimes. This is a highly accessible yet technically well researched introduction to the bizarre phenoTrade Review"…I am altogether happy that there is now a book on entanglement, almost 70 years after its discovery, and recommend it to people interested in the historical background and practical implications of quantum mechanics…" (Nature, 21 November 2002) "…a book that’s perhaps the best lay description of the evolution and current state of quantum physics available today…" (Focus, February 2003) "…Amir D. Aczel's short biographies of these quantum pioneers are lively and entertaining..." (The Times Literary Supplement, 11 September 2003)Table of ContentsPreface. A Mysterious Force of Harmony. Before the Beginning. Thomas Young's Experiment. Planck's Constant. The Copenhagen School. De Broglie's Pilot Waves. Schrödinger and His Equation. Heisenberg's Microscope. Wheeler's Cat. The Hungarian Mathematician. Enter Einstein. Bohm and Aharanov. John Bell's Theorem. The Dream of Clauser, Horne, and Shimony. Alain Aspect. Laser Guns. Triple Entanglement. The Ten-Kilometer Experiment. Teleportation: "Beam Me Up, Scotty". Quantum Magic: What Does It All Mean? Acknowledgments. References. Index.

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Book Synopsis"Christopher Wanjek uses a take-no-prisoners approach in debunking the outrageous nonsense being heaped on a gullible public in the name of science and medicine. Wanjek writes with clarity, humor, and humanity, and simultaneously informs and entertains. " -Dr.Trade ReviewFor skeptics, always fans of science: The first two books in aseries devoted to "bad science," Bad Astronomy by PhilipPlait and Bad Medicine (Wiley, $15.95) by ChristopherWanjek, may warm even a Scrooge's heart. In short chapters, Plaittackles misperceptions about why the moon looks larger on thehorizon and why stars twinkle before moving on, dismantlingconspiracy kooks who doubt the moon landing and offering a top 10list of bad science moments in movie history. Wanjek, a sciencewriter who has also written jokes for The Tonight Show andSaturday Night Live, takes an edgy and funny tack indebunking myths such as humans using only 10% of their brains, theutility of "anti-bacterial" toys and the safety of "natural" herbalremedies, ones often loaded with powerful chemicals. (USATODAY, December 3, 2002) "...Bad Medicine is an enjoyable romp through a host ofbiomedical misconceptions..." (New Scientist, 21 December 2002) "...Wanjek shoots and scores when he tackles the major myths ofmedicine..." (Focus, February 2003)Table of ContentsAcknowledgments. Introduction: The Roots of Bad Medicine. PART I: I SING THE BODY ECLECTIC. 10 Percent Misconception, 90 Percent Misdirection: The Brain atWork. Big Brain, Little Smarts: Brain Size and Intelligence. Blinded by Lies: The Eyes Have It. All in Good Taste: How the Tongue Works. Scrubbing Your Liver: The Demystification of Detoxification. Refer to the Appendix: Useless Organ or Helpful Player? Going Gray? Not Today: White Hair and Its Causes. Samson's Delight: Baldness Cures. The Race Is Off: Race Defined. PART II: GROWING OLD. Losing One's Mind: Memory Loss and Aging. Getting Stiffed: Vitality and Aging. Illness Gets Old: Aging and Disease. See You in 2150: The Long and Short of Life Span. On and On: Longevity and Genetics. PART III: ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SICK. The Plague Lives! The Black Plague in the Modern Age. Cold Comfort: How to Catch a Cold. The Ill-Advised War on Bacteria: Are All Bacteria Bad? Radiating Misperception: Radiation, Pro and Con. Swimming with Sharks: Sharks and Cancer. Mutating Misconceptions: What Your Genes Say about Your FutureHealth. PART IV: EATING IT UP. Learning Your Alpha-Beta-Carotenes: Antioxidants, Pro andCon. The Unbearable Heaviness of Being: Fat People and Food. Not Milk? Milk and Your Health. Organic Reasoning: The Benefits of Organic Food. Water, Water Everywhere: Bottled Water vs. Tap Water. The Whole Grain Truth: Are Whole Grains Healthier? PART V: THE RETURN OF THE WITCH DOCTOR. The Delusion of Dilution: Homeopathy X 50. Magnetic Charm: Magnets and Your Health. Reversal of Fortune: The Viability of Ayurveda. Something Smells Funny: Aromatherapy As a Cure. Suffocating Trends: Oxygen--How Much Is Too Much? The Ultimate Hands-Off Approach: Touch Therapy, Qigong, and FalunGong. Getting to the Root of the Problem: Herbs As AlternativeMedicine. A Shot in the Arm: The True Dangers of Vaccines. PART VI: RISKING IT ALL. Toxic Avenger: The Science of Toxicity. Peer-Reviewed for Your Pleasure: How Health Studies Work. Candy Adds Years to Your Life: And Other Important Health StudyFindings. We're #1: Rating America's Health. PART VII: JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES. I'm Not a Reporter, but I Play One on TV: The Accuracy ofTelevision Medical News. Rambo VI: The Quest for Hearing: Guns and Their Aftereffects. Knocked Out, Loaded: Imagined Violence and Real Problems. Heartbreaker: Hollywood Style. Epilogue: Tomorrow's Promise: Bad Medicine on the Horizon. Appendix: More Bad Medicine. Recommended Reading. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe DNA Mystique is a wake-up call to all who would dismiss America's love affair with 'the gene' as a merely eccentric obsession." —In These Times"Nelkin and Lindee are to be warmly congratulated for opening up this intriguing field [of genetics in popular culture] to further study." —Nature

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Chapter 1 The Fact is the Sweetest Dream Darwin, Pragmatism, and Poetic Knowledge 13 Chapter 2 What to Make of a Diminished Thing Birds, Insects, and Downward Comparisons 53 Chapter 3 Play for Mortal Stakes Labor, Community, and Nature's Chaos 101 Chapter 4 Tools and Weapons Man, Technology, and Nature 149 Chapter 5 The Lovely Shall Be Choosers Women, Nature, and Domestic Conflict 187 Chapter 6 Descent into Matter Natural History and the End of Theodicy 245 Epilogue: Choosing Stars and Picking Apples 303 Notes 319 Bibilography 347 Index 359

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Book SynopsisThis is an invigorating book, proclaimed Timothy Ferris in The New York Times Book Review, a short but spirited slalom for the mind. Author Rudy Rucker, one of the most talented contemporary authors of cutting-edge math and science books, conducts a fascinating tour of a higher reality, the Fourth Dimension. Includes problems, puzzles, and 200 drawings.

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Book SynopsisAn expert palaeoarchaeologist reveals how our understanding of the evolution of our species has been transformed by momentous discoveries and technological advancements. Who are we? How do scientists define Homo sapiens, and how does our species differ from the extinct hominins that came before us? This illuminating book explores how the latest scientific advances, especially in genetics, are revolutionizing our understanding of human evolution. Paul Pettitt reveals the extraordinary story of how our ancestors adapted to unforgiving and relentlessly changing climates, leading to remarkable innovations in art, technology and society that we are only now beginning to comprehend. Drawing on twenty-five years of experience in the field, Paul Pettitt immerses readers in the caves and rockshelters that provide evidence of our African origins, dispersals to the far reaches of Eurasia, Australasia and ultimately the Americas. Popular accounts of the evolution of Homo sapiens emphasTrade Review'An astonishing tale of art and science that goes right to the root of what it means to be human' - Alice Roberts'The scope and detail here is sweeping, carrying the reader through tens of thousands of years. By grace of Pettitt’s long experience in the field and thorough immersion in the world of the Palaeolithic, there are a few stunning moments where even the most astonishing archaeology seems tangible' - Current Archaeology'An excellent book, written with Paul's signature knowledge and enthusiasm. It should be required reading for everyone interested in our origins' - Clive Gamble'Drawing on his many years of experience with Palaeolithic archaeology, Paul Pettitt’s expert account of our origins introduces the reader to the methods used to find out about the remote past and the complexities involved in interpretating this data. What comes across is a powerful message: when looking around you in awe of humanity’s cultural and technological achievements, bear in mind that, as the old saying goes, we stand on the shoulders of Ice Age giants' - João Zilhão, ICREA Research Professor, University of Barcelona'Powerful … a vivid view of where we have come from and what makes us who we are' - New Scientist'Pettitt successfully maintain[s] a convivial ‘over a cup of coffee’ tone that weights into genetics then swiftly yanks thing back to a depth a wider audience will find absorbing. … Much has changed, but as Pettitt shows, many things remain constant – we owe our distant ancestors a debt of gratitude or the hard yards they put in' - Geographical'Grand narratives about the human past are tricky to pull off. Pettitt presents the complex and fascinating story of how our species came to be, in a readable series of personal stories combined with detailed explanations and illustrations of the archaeological and human fossil record' - British Archaeology'Pettitt's easy-going narrative style of writing makes his book highly engaging and eminently readable. A notably accessible work that does not sacrifice accuracy or succumb to oversimplicity' - American Journal of Biological AnthropologyTable of ContentsPrologue Maps Introduction 1. Skin and Bones 2. The Molecular Frontier 3. When the going gets tough: climate, change, and environment 4. Dispersal: from Africa to Asia 5. Contact 6. Diversity 7. Catastrophe: the coming of Homo sapiens in Europe 8. Stress, disease, illness and inbreeding 9. In Mammoth country 10. Cold 11. Refuge 12. Hearth and home 13. Let us descend into the sightless world. Palaeolithic cave art 14. Portable landscapes 15. The mind 16. The world of the dead 17. Into the Americas 18. Domestication Epilogue Further reading

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Book SynopsisErwin Schrödinger's 1943 book What is Life? was tremendously influential on the development of molecular biology. The Next Fifty Years presents the views of eminent scientists on current problems in biology. This collection is essential reading for anyone interested in biology and its future.Trade Review'… a thought provoking book…'. Science and Christian Belief'Given the galaxy of contributors it could hardly fail. It hasn't… a stimulating book.' A. G. Cairns-Smith, Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere'The authors are among the most illustrious and distinguished scientists of today ... an enjoyable ... journey through the outer reaches of biology.' Robert Foley, Annals of Human Genetics'... if you want one slim book that contains as many stimulating ideas as a small library, this is it.' Alan Anderson, New ScientistTable of Contents1. What is life? The next fifty years: an introduction Michael P. Murphy and Luke A. J. O'Neill; 2. What will endure of twentieth-century biology? Manfred Eigen; 3. What is Life? as a problem in history Stephen Jay Gould; 4. The evolution of human inventiveness Jared Diamond; 5. Development: is the egg computable or could we generate an angel? Lewis Wolpert; 6. Language and life John Maynard Smith and Eörs Szthmáry; 7. RNA without protein or protein without RNA? Christian de Duve; 8. What is life?: Was Schrödinger right? Stuart A. Kauffman; 9. Why do we need a new physics of the mind? Roger Penrose; 10. Do the laws of nature evolve? Walter Thirring; 11. New laws to be expected in the organism: synergetics of brain and behaviour,J. A. Scott Kelso and Herman Haken; 12. Order from disorder: the thermodynamics of complexity in biology Eric D. Schneider and James J. Kay; 13. Reminiscences Ruth Braunizer.

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Book SynopsisThe eminent evolutionary palaeobiologist Simon Conway Morris challenges the accepted view that if the tape of life were wound back, the replay would be very different. He also asks: are we alone?Trade Review'Life's Solution is an absorbing presentation written to challenge and inform the mind of the reader. Life's Solution is a superb contribution to both Contemporary Philosophy Studies academic reference collections and University level and Evolutionary Biology reading lists.' Library Bookwatch'Life's Solution builds a forceful case for the predictability of evolutionary outcomes, their broad phenotypic manifestations. The case rests on a remarkable compilation of examples of convergent evolution, in which two or more lineages have independently evolved similar structures and functions. The examples range from the aerodynamics of hovering moths and hummingbirds to the use of silk by spiders and some insects to capture prey … I recommend the book to anyone grappling with the meaning of evolution and our place in the Universe, and to biologists interested in adaptation and constraints.' Nature'Simon Conway Morris's bold new book, Life's Solution, challenges this Darwinian orthodoxy by extending ideas he presented in his Crucible of Creation … Conway Morris presents scores of fascinating examples that are less familiar. The lesson is clear. The living world is peppered with recurrent themes; it is not an accumulation of unique events.' New York Times Book Review'Are human beings the insignificant products of countless quirky biological accidents, or the expected result of evolutionary patterns deeply embedded in the structure of natural selection? Drawing upon diverse biological evidence, Conway Morris convincingly argues that the general features of our bodies and minds are indeed written into the laws of the universe. This is a truly inspiring book, and a welcome antidote to the bleak nihilism of the ultra-Darwinists.' Paul Davies, author of Mind of God'… full of important information and insights …'. TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution'… this lively and well-researched book contains an impressive breadth of detail on subjects ranging from the nature of the early universe and the formation of stars and planets to the biological details of life. Scientists and the scientifically interested will find its arguments intelligent and thought provoking.' The Times Higher Education Supplement'It is a fascinating tale, ranging across the entire field of living organisms … he marshals an impressive and extremely wide-ranging array of arguments to support his case, from the microstructure of proteins and DNA at one end, to the large-scale processes in stars and galaxies at the other … This is a fascinating book covering a huge range of evidence. Biologist or not, I recommend it. After all, we are all human and the question of our origins has to be one of the more import in the world. There is much here to stimulate those famously large brains with which humans are endowed.' Journal of the Geological Magazine'This is a hugely important work of science … for anyone with any interest in religion, for or against, it has immense implications … It is exciting stuff … The wealth of ideas in his book is intoxicating … You must read it for yourself.' New Directions'… one of the most controversial volumes written about evolution in recent years by a respected biologist … Skilfully written, Life's Solution is certainly an entertaining read. There is much to admire about Conway Morris's scholarship …'. Heredity'…biologically fascinating and overwhelming.' Scientific & Medical Network'The book itself is well set out introducing the reader to each example of evolutionary convergence with a thoughtful approach that carries them along without becoming to confused in detail but rather allows them to see the greater theme the author wishes to convey, with each chapter building on the preceding ones. For each chapter there are copious footnotes to which a reader may refer at the end of the book with a comprehensive index beyond this as well.' The Open University Geological Society Journal'… throughout the book, Conway Morris's writing is lucid …'. Palaeontological Newsletter'… he brings an awkward problem into the light with a masterly argument for the inevitable existence of humans … read twice.' New ScientistTable of ContentsThe Cambridge Sandwich; 1. Looking for Easter Island; 2. Can we break the great code?; 3. Universal Goo: life as a cosmic principle?; 4. The origin of life: straining the soup or our credulity?; 5. Uniquely lucky? The strangeness of Earth; 6. Converging on the extreme; 7. Seeing convergence; 8. Alien convergences?; 9. The non-prevalence of humanoids?; 10. Evolution bound: the ubiquity of convergence; 11. Towards a theology of evolution; 12. Last word.

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Book SynopsisHow did life on earth originate? Did replication or metabolism come first in the history of life? In this updated and expanded second edition of Origins of Life, Freeman Dyson examines these questions and discusses the two main theories that try to explain how naturally occurring chemicals could organize themselves into living creatures.Trade Review'This is first class update of the first editon.' Peter Mata, SpaceflightTable of ContentsPreface; 1. Illustrious predecessors; 2. Experiments and theories; 3. A toy model; 4. Open questions; Bibliography; Author index.

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Book SynopsisAn inspirational introduction to the physics of the twenty-first century, Mr Tompkins explores the extreme edges of the universe to understand Einstein's relativity, the birth of the universe and more. In this 1999 edition, Russell Stannard (the Uncle Albert Trilogy) has revised, updated and expanded George Gamow's book Mr Tompkins in Paperback (1965).Trade Review'The best just got better. Two of the most influential popular science books ever were Mr Tompkins in Wonderland (1940) and Mr Tompkins Explores the Atom (1945) … They were brought together in one volume, slightly updated, and reprinted in 1965 as Mr Tompkins in Paperback … Russell Stannard, the very best writer of science books for young readers [has updated Mr Tompkins] with immense care and subtlety, rearranging the text, adding new material and changing a word or two where necessary … I had two fears - that my remembered delight in the original would be destroyed by looking at it through more mature eyes, and that Stannard might spoil the book. Both were unfounded. There is a certain period charm about the original, but Stannard has improved on both the physics and the narrative … It is absolutely the best place to get a feel for the most important scientific ideas of the twentieth century.' John Gribbin, The Independent'… as I kept reading, I began to realize that Stannard had actually done a remarkable job of preserving the mood and feeling of the original … The book still has a charming naiveté, and although the illustrations have been changed, they too still have that same, almost Victorian quality. So, to my surprise, I have to pronounce the translation a success. If newcomers who have not seen the original read the book, they will find a charming, whimsical introduction to modern physics … Are there other good books that cover the same material? Lots of them! Is there another book that does it so pleasantly, giving the reader a direct, sort of inside view of otherwise very remote phenomena, all within the context of a running short novel? I doubt it! The New World … is a unique book.' Physics Today'… here is a version that Stannard believes Gamow himself might have written, had he been at work today. Physics took a giant leap at the junction of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries … the book deals very well with the more recent developments and Mr Tompkins' visit to a particle accelerator is well described. Stannard has also updated the language, where appropriate. This has been a successful exercise that Gamow … would have liked. I can recommend the book both for general readers, and for specialists who may like to check how their subject is being presented to Mr Tompkins today.' Physics World'A new version of the Mr Tompkins' adventures, revised and updated by Russell Stannard, brings the experiences into modern day. A welcome addition to the original.' Astronomy Now'For more than five decades the fictional Mr Tompkins has helped familiarize people with many esoteric concepts of physics. Russell Stannard … has brought George Gamow's Mr Tompkins into atomic physics and cosmology but has kept the British flair.' Sky and Telescope'For more than five decades the fictional Mr Tompkins has helped familiarize people with many esoteric concepts of physics. Russell Stannard … has brought George Gamow's Mr Tompkins in atomic physics and cosmology but has kept the British flair.' Sky and Telescope'Russell Stannard is a brilliant communicator.' The Times Higher Education SupplementFrom reviews of Mr Tompkins in Paperback: 'Enthusiastically recommended to both scientific and general readers.' The Guardian'Not only entertaining; the ordinary reader can learn from it a great deal about sub-atomic particles - electrons, neutrons and the rest - and the strange rules which govern their behaviour.' The Observer'Will vastly fascinate the whimsical, and is also entirely scientific.' Scientific American'An inspired double reissue'. GNOMON'All in all, this has been a successful exercise … I can recommend the book both for general readers, and for specialists who may like to check how their subject is being presented to Mr Tompkins today.' Jayant Narlikar, Physics World' … a new edition of this classical book, revided and updated by Russell Stannard. Such an update was, indeed, long overdue … If you need a gift for a non-physicist, The New world of Mr Tompkins is the right thing for you to buy.' Volker Perlick, General Relativity and Gravitation'Popular science author Russell Stannard, has treaded - successfully in this reviewer}s opinion - on hallowed ground by updating a classic, written by an author who has made major contributions to cosmology and nuclear physics, and who was a tireless populizer of science … other than there not being enough sex, this is a wonderful introduction to the most important scientific ideas of our time.' MNASSA'Modern physics has never been explained in such an entertaining way.' School Science Review (Association for Science Education)Table of ContentsRevisor's foreword; Gamow's preface; 1. City speed limit; 2. The professor's lecture on relativity which caused Mr Tompkins' dream; 3. Mr Tompkins takes a holiday; 4. Notes of the professor's lecture on curved space; 5. Mr Tompkins visits a closed universe; 6. Cosmic opera; 7. Black holes, heat death and blow torch; 8. Quantum snooker; 9. The quantum safari; 10. Maxwell's demon; 11. The merry tribe of electrons; 11.1/2. The remainder of the previous lecture through which Mr Tompkins dozed; 12. Inside the nucleus; 13. The woodcarver; 14. Holes in nothing; 15. Visiting the 'atom smasher'; 16. The professor's last lecture; 17. Epilogue.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book of the updated collection of Mathematical Games from Martin Gardner, the king of recreational mathematics. As well as the classic puzzles, in this 2008 edition Gardner added lots of new material (game variations, proofs and more). If you like Martin Gardner, you'll love these books.Trade Review'Gardner's monthly romp through recreational math and logic ran in Scientific American for 25 years, from the Sputnik splash to the Reagan reign, and nobody has been able to match it since. 'Mathematical Games' was an orgy of right-brain tomfoolery that could be approached for superficial fun or deep insight, or both at the same time … I can't think of a better present for a clever 12-year old, bored undergraduate, restless retiree, or stay-at-home parent fearing intellectual stagnation.' David Brooks, The Telegraph'Hexaflexagons, Probability Paradoxes, and the Tower of Hanoi and Origami, Eleusis, and the Soma Cube provide a taste of Gardner's prowess at devising quirky and fascinating mathematical conundrums. An excellent example is the 'generalised ham-sandwich theorem', which, among other things, explains how a doughnut can be sliced into 13 pieces by three simultaneous plane cuts.' Physics World'For libraries, these famous and important books are an essential acquisition: they can have a complete set, with a uniform look, including updates. It is hard to exaggerate the importance and influence of these books. … what makes it all work is Gardner's writing. He is simple and direct, his explanations are clear, and he always includes the reader, inviting us to build models, play games, try out methods, solve problems. The readers respond, participate, and contribute, often in creative and productive ways. … These books are fascinating, useful, fun, and historically significant. You must have them! Buy one for yourself, and buy many to give away. Have your students read them. Give a set to your local high school (they'll be published over five years, so it won't even be a financial burden). Time has passed, and a generation that knoweth not Gardner has arisen. Now we can fix that.' MAA Reviews'I believe that many readers will enjoy the book with great pleasure.' EMS NewsletterTable of Contents1. Hexaflexagons; 2. Magic with a matrix; 3. Nine problems; 4. Ticktacktoe; 5. Probability paradoxes; 6. The icosian game and the Tower of Hanoi; 7. Curious topological models; 8. The game of hex; 9. Sam Loyd: America's greatest puzzlist; 10. Mathematical card tricks; 11. Memorizing numbers; 12. Nine more problems; 13. Polyominoes; 14. Fallacies; 15. Nim and tac tix; 16. Left or right.

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Book SynopsisThis first volume is particularly rich in matters of concern to the historian of science. It shows the young Newton in the plenitude of his powers; he himself wrote of the period at Woolsthorpe, which ended before any surviving letters of real consequence were written.Table of ContentsList of Plates; Foreword; Introduction; Preface; The Correspondence.

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Book SynopsisIn 1973, Carl Sagan published The Cosmic Connection, a daring view of the universe, which rapidly became a classic work of popular science and inspired a generation of scientists and enthusiasts. This seminal work is reproduced here for a whole new generation to enjoy. In Sagan's typically lucid, lyrical style, he discusses many topics from astrophysics and solar system science, to colonization of other worlds, terraforming and the search for extraterrestrials. Sagan conveys his own excitement and wonder, and relates the revelations of astronomy to the most profound human problems and concerns: issues that are just as valid today as they were 30 years ago. New to this edition are Freeman Dyson's comments on Sagan's vision and the importance of the work, Ann Druyan's assessment of Sagan's cultural significance as a champion of science, and David Morrison's discussion of the advances made since 1973 and what became of Sagan's predictions.Trade Review'This book … is a monument to a great man who succeeded, in spite of failures and disappointments, in changing our view of our planet and changing the way we think about the universe.' Freeman Dyson, author of Origins of Life'The astronomical discoveries we are in the midst of making are of the broadest human significance. If this book plays a small role in broadening public consideration of these exploratory ventures, it will have served its purpose.' Carl Sagan' … engaging and even rhapsodic.' Philip Morrison, Scientific American'Carl Sagan is a scientist of quality, who is also a writer of quality. [With] great intelligence, wit, and insight [The Cosmic Connection] is a success on every level.' Washington Post'Sagan's writing can still inspire and stimulate. It deserves to be read by a new generation of scientists, scientifically inclined citizens, and indeed by any person with an interest in our place, and our future, in the cosmos.' Ian Crawford, The Observatory'Because [Carl Sagan] lived, the world's a better place.' Keay Davidson, Biographer 'A Milestone in Popular Science Writing.' AstronomyTable of ContentsForeword Freeman Dyson; Personal reflections Ann Druyan; Preface; Part I. Cosmic Perspective: 1. A transitional animal; 2. The Unicorn of Cetus; 3. A message from earth; 4. A message to earth; 5. Experiments in utopias; 6. Chauvinism; 7. Space exploration as a human enterprise I. The scientific interest; 8. Space exploration as a human enterprise II. The public interest; 9. Space exploration as a human enterprise III. The historical interest; Part II. The Solar System: 10. On teaching the first grade; 11. 'The ancient and legendary Gods of old'; 12. The Venus detective story; 13. Venus is hell; 14. Science and 'intelligence'; 15. The moons of Barsoom; 16. The mountains of Mars I. Observations from earth; 17. The mountains of Mars II. Observations from space; 18. The canals of Mars; 19. The lost pictures of Mars; 20. The Ice Age and the cauldron; 21. Beginnings and ends of the Earth; 22. Terraforming the plants; 23. The exploration and utlization of the solar system; Part III. Beyond the Solar System: 24. Some of my best friends are dolphins; 25. 'Hello, central casting? Send me twenty extraterrestrials'; 26. The cosmic connection; 27. Extraterrestrial life: an idea whose time has come; 28. Has the Earth been visited?; 29. A search strategy for detecting extraterrestrial intelligence; 30. If we succeed … ; 31. Cables, drums, and seashells; 32. The night freight to the stars; 33. Astroengineering; 34. Twenty questions: a classification of cosmic civilisations; 35. Galactic cultural exchanges; 36. A passage to elsewhere; 37. Starfolk I. A Fable; 38. Starfolk II. A future; 39. Starfolk III. The cosmic Cheshire cats; Epilog David Morrison; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis collection of essays by historians, philosophers, scientists and theologians explores the impact of religion on the origins and development of science, religious reactions to Darwinism, and the link between science and secularization. It also offers in-depth discussions of contemporary issues, with perspectives from cosmology, evolutionary biology, psychology, and bioethics.Trade Review'There aren't any equations or diagrams. It's not your standard easy-going popular science. But I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who wants to step back and take a look at the broader picture.' Tim Middleton'Both challenging to graduates and accessible to the layman.' ReligionTable of ContentsIntroduction Peter Harrison; Part I. Historical Interactions: 1. The fate of science in patristic and medieval Christendom David C. Lindberg; 2. Religion and the Scientific Revolution John Henry; 3. Natural theology and the sciences Jon Topham; 4. Religious reactions to Darwin Jon Roberts; 5. Science and secularization John Hedley Brooke; Part II. Religion and Contemporary Science: 6. Scientific creationism and intelligent design Ronald L. Numbers; 7. Evolution and the inevitability of intelligent life Simon Conway Morris; 8. God, physics and the Big Bang William R. Stoeger; 9. Psychology and theology Fraser Watts; 10. Science, bioethics and religion John H. Evans; Part III. Philosophical Perspectives: 11. Atheism, naturalism and science: three in one? Michael Ruse; 12. Divine action, emergence and scientific explanation Nancey Murphy; 13. Science, God and cosmic purpose John Haught; 14. Ways of relating science and religion Mikael Stenmark; A guide to further reading; Index.

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Book SynopsisWhy did the dinosaurs and two-thirds of all living species vanish from the face of the Earth sixty-five million years ago? Throughout the history of life a small number of catastrophic events have caused mass extinction, and changed the path of evolution forever. Two main theories have emerged to account for these dramatic events: asteroid impact, and massive volcanic eruptions, both leading to nuclear-like winter. In recent years, the impact hypothesis has gained precedence, but Vincent Courtillot suggests that cataclysmic volcanic activity can be linked not only to the K-T mass extinction, but to most of the main mass extinction events in the history of the earth. Courtillot's book, first published in 1999, debunks some of the myths surrounding one of the most controversial arguments in science. This story will fascinate everyone interested in the history of life and death on our planet.Trade Review'… a beautifully written little book that, once picked up, is impossible to put down.' Geoscientist' … watch this space and read this book.' Bob White, New Scientist'The book is very readable and provides a clear and concise picture for anyone interested in the subject. The text is well written and supported by clear footnotes where necessary and a comprehensive glossary … [I] recommend this book for those at any stage in their studies or knowledge. It is written for a general audience but should not be missed by professionals.' Mike Hermolle, Open University Geological Society Journal'[Vincent Coutillot] has done a superb job! A balanced and fair treatment of a complex of information, misinformation, and perhaps even disinformation. Although written for a general audience, this book should be obligatory reading for all professionals involved in the controversies surrounding the causes of mass extinction. Even the most committed will find their outlook broadened.' David M. Raup, Formerly Professor of Paleontology, University of Chicago, and author of Extinction, Bad Genes or Bad Luck? (Norton, 1991)Praise for the original French edition: 'A real scientific thriller … Vincent Courtillot brilliantly presents the stormy genesis of an original, unifying theory on the origin of the great biological extinctions which have marked the history of the earth.' Pascal Tassy, La RecherchePraise for the original French edition: '… a vividly written book which … clarifies many points that have been shrouded in darkness up until now'. French Edition of Scientific AmericanPraise for the original French edition: '… a science book and an adventure book'. Ciel et EspacePraise for the original French edition: 'To be read by all paleontology, geology and ecology enthusiasts.' Sciences et Avenir'Courtillot makes an excellent case for other mass extinctions being almost certainly related to cataclysmic volcanism. A well-written and well-reasoned book, essential for any library.' M. A. Wilson, Choice'It is rare to find a first-rate geoscientist who can write a first-rate popular book on science, but Professor Courtillot is one such … a lively exposition of the idea that mantle processes cause major stress to ecosystems. It is beautifully written … The pace is fast, but the data well explained and authoritatively considered … Anyone with an interest in mass extinctions or in the episodic and catastrophic nature of teh Earth's internal processes should rush out and read this book. It is a rewarding experience.' Susan Rigby, University of Edinburgh'The description of how the conclusions were reached and confronted with views of the extraterrestrial party is vivid and instructive to non-geophysicists (I am among them).' Journal of Sedimentary Research'Read and enjoy this book … It represents a pleasantly argued counterpoint to the rather shrill and abrasively dismissive 'impacticist' views.' David Norman, The Times Higher Education Supplement'… covers the topic brilliantly. You can easily read Evolutionary Catastrophes in one weekend, particularly because uou will not want to put it down.' Willis Hames, Auburn University' … well-argued taste of the debate for the general reader.' Nature'… professionals … will read it with the same pleasure as non-specialists.' Zentralblatt fur Geologie und PalaontologieTable of ContentsForeword Claude Allège; Preface; Preface to the English translation; 1. Mass extinctions; 2. An asteroid impact; 3. From the roof of the world to the Deccan traps; 4. The volcanic scenario; 5. Plumes and hotspots; 6. A remarkable correlation; 7. Nemesis or Shiva?; 8. Chicxulub; 9. Controversy and coincidence; 10. Improbable catastrophes and the flukes of evolution; Index.

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Book Synopsis

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