Popular science Books

Book SynopsisDo something amazing and learn a new skill thanks to the Little Ways to Live a Big Life books! The beginning of the 20th century heralded a scientific revolution: what a few brilliant minds uncovered about our reality in the first twenty years has shaped the history of our species. And one of them in particular stands out: Einstein, with his celebrated E=mc2.In this remarkable and insightful book, Christophe Galfard describes how E=mc2 is a direct consequence of the Theory of Special Relativity, the theory of how objects move and behave, at speeds close to the speed of light. He considers Einstein's legacy in the light of the 21st century, with fresh hindsight, and considers its impact on our vision of reality. The reader will discover that far from being just a formula, it is a brand new understanding of the nature of space and time.Some of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in the history of science have been made by geniuses who managed to merge and unite hitherto separated domains of knowledge. Galfard explores two unifications with Einstein's theories, and looks at the even bigger picture of how E=mc2 has changed our world, and what it entails for the future.Throughout, Galfard takes the reader on an extremely entertaining journey, using simple, jargon-free language to help the reader gain a deeper understanding of science. With humour and patience, he guides us through the world of particles, anti-matter and much more to bring us closer to an ultimate understanding of reality as we understand it today.Trade ReviewIn our relentless pursuit of a fulfilled life, we've become a knowledge-hungry nation. The Little Ways To Live A Big Life series will feed your yearning for learning * Red Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA concise introduction to the concept of species, discussing its complexity, use and importance in biology, philosophy, ethics, policymaking and conservation. The book provides a history of the concept and its' problems and benefits for any interested reader, including those without previous knowledge of biology or philosophy.Trade Review'The species problem is a vexing and important one, and John Wilkins has done more than anyone else to dig into its history and integrate it with philosophy past and present. Thus he was the perfect author for this book, which is a wonderful, accessible entryway to the diverse set of issues bearing on why species have been such a 'thing' for 2000 years. My own conclusion is to follow Darwin and acknowledge the species rank is a meaningless human construct - the full tree of life is what matters, not just the single level within it arbitrarily called species. But to decide whether to agree with me or not, you need to absorb the content in this book.' Brent D. Mishler, author of What, if Anything, are Species?, Distinguished Professor of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley'The species problem is one of the most complex issues in evolutionary biology and philosophy of biology, and not many would have succeeded in producing a comprehensive overview of it and doing justice to both science and philosophy. Written by one of the most eminent scholars in the field, Understanding Species is an informative and, due to the author's eloquent writing style, at the same time also very entertaining read. It both quenches your thirst for knowledge and makes you want to dive deeper into the topic. What more can you ask of a book? Highly recommended!' Frank E. Zachos, Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria, author of Species Concepts in Biology (2016)'A species is like jazz: you know one when you meet it, but on closer inspection it's very hard to define. In this engaging book, John Wilkins guides us deftly through the philosophical minefield of what species are, how you recognise them, and how trying to find definitions for species is increasingly important for science and conservation.' Henry Gee, author of A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth'This book is a stunning achievement, and I think nobody other than Wilkins could have tied together the disparate perspectives needed to write it. Species problems are notoriously thorny and multi-disciplinary, yet Wilkins manages to shine great light on them. Most impressively he does this in ways that many people, rather than just species experts, can understand, engage, and enjoy. The writing is snappy, the choice of topics smart, and the rewards for readers will be many.' Matthew J. Barker, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University, MontréalTable of ContentsForeword; Preface; 1. How species matter; 2. Classifying species; 3. Making species; 4. A short history of species and kinds; 5. Philosophy and species; 6. Finding species; 7. Extinction, or how species are lost; 8. The value of species; 9. Replacing species; 10. Conclusions and summary; Summary of misunderstandings of species; Readings; Figure credits; Index.

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Book SynopsisEXERCISE YOUR BRAIN with 40 simple tips and exercises you can do at home and on the goBEAT BURNOUT and learn to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday lifeBACKED UP BY EXPERT NEUROSCIENCE from Dr Sabina Brennan, best-selling author of Beating Brain FogINCLUDES A BOOKLET with more information about the inner workings of the brain and how to make it work for you!LAURENCE KING PUBLISHING has been capturing imaginations and inspiring creativity in new and unexpected ways for over 30 years, with playful and eye-catching games, gifts and booksDiscover 40 activity, attitude and lifestyle changes to reshape your brain. Whether you''re feeling foggy, stressed, or just looking for a boost, pick out a card, perform the simple exercise and learn the science behind why it works. Featuring 40 cards with practical tips to shape your brain as well as a booklet with information about brain behaviour and brain c

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Book SynopsisThe long history of one of physics' most enticing ideas: that the universe we know isn't the only one? Our books, our movies-our imaginations-are obsessed with extra dimensions, alternate timelines, and the sense that all we see might not be all there is. In short, we can't stop thinking about the multiverse. As it turns out, physicists are similarly captivated. In The Allure of the Multiverse, physicist Paul Halpern tells the epic story of how science became besotted with the multiverse, and the controversies that ensued. The questions that brought scientists to this point are big and deep: Is reality such that anything can happen, must happen? How does quantum mechanics "choose" the outcomes of its apparently random processes? And why is the universe habitable? Each question quickly leads to the multiverse. Drawing on centuries of disputation and deep vision, from luminaries like Nietzsche, Einstein, and the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Halpern reveals the multiplicity of multiverses that scientists have imagined to make sense of our reality. Whether we live in one of many different possible universes, or simply the only one there is, might never be certain. But Halpern shows one thing for sure: how stimulating it can be to try to find out.

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Book SynopsisFrom Stonehenge to beyond the Big Bang, an exhilarating scientific exploration of how we make time Time is the grandest conception of the universe that we humans have been able to imagine – and its most intimate, the very frame of human life. In About Time, astrophysicist and award-winning writer Adam Frank tells the scientific story of this wonderful and tyrannical invention. A Palaeolithic farmer moved through the sun-fuelled day and star-steered night in a radically different way than the Elizabethan merchants who set their pace to the clocks newly installed in their town squares. Since then, science has swept time into increasingly minute and standardized units – the industrial efficiency of ironworks’ punch clocks; the space-age precision of atomic fountains and GPS satellites; the fifteen-minute increments of Outlook’s digital revolution. And in the past decade, string-theory branes, multiverses, and “clockless” physics have begun to overturn our ideas about how the universe began – the Big Bang – in ways that will completely rewrite time and our experience of it. Weaving cosmology with day-to-day chronicles and a down-to-earth style, About Time is both dazzling and riveting as it confronts what comes next.Trade Review"Beyond exploring mind-bending theories… Frank's book is a fascinating and comprehensive survey of how technology — from farming to railways to telegraphy to the internet — has changed our everyday concept of time… Compelling." Marcus Chown * New Scientist *“A phenomenal blend of science and cultural history.” Starred review. * Kirkus Reviews *"This will fascinate anyone curious about the nexus of astronomy and history and, of course, time. Recommended." * Library Journal *“Eloquent.” * Nature *

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Book SynopsisCataglyphis ants can set out across vast expanses of desert terrain in search of prey, and then find the shortest way home. Rüdiger Wehner has devised elegant experiments to unmask how they do it. Through a lively and lucid narrative, he offers a firsthand look at the extraordinary navigational skills of these charismatic creatures.Trade ReviewRüdiger Wehner’s Desert Navigator is destined to be a classic in entomology and behavioral biology. It is through an extraordinary series of observations and experiments that we have the first effective look into the mind of ants. -- Edward O. Wilson, University Professor Emeritus, Harvard UniversityWehner’s research has been highly influential in human spatial cognition, and we are lucky to have this rich and fascinating account. -- Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind WorksThis book is a masterpiece par excellence! Superb science, eloquently and engagingly written, and beautifully illustrated. -- Bert Hölldobler, Foundation Professor of Life Sciences and Regent’s Professor, Arizona State UniversityThis sumptuously produced book is a triumph both of natural history and of science…Understanding how this wonderful eusocial insect can accomplish its apparently miraculous feats of navigation has required imagination, intelligence and decades of disciplined application. Here, in one place, we can at last savor the full glory of this remarkable achievement. -- William A. Foster * Nature *[A] grand book…You will end the book as a fan of Cataglyphis. -- Alun Anderson * New Scientist *Rarely do scientists write such broad and beautiful syntheses. The quality of the scholarship and the writing found in this book is truly outstanding. Indeed, it is a breathtaking piece of work. -- Thomas D. Seeley, Horace White Professor in Biology, Cornell UniversityThis is a marvelous book that no one could have written but Rüdiger Wehner. It is simply excellent. -- Alexander Borst, Director, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, MartinsriedBeautifully written and gorgeously illustrated…a sumptuous and highly personal account of how [Wehner] and his many collaborators unravelled the navigational ‘toolkit’ of his beloved ‘cataglyphs.’…A scientific tour de force, and a work of exceptional scholarship…Will certainly become a go-to bible for everyone in the field of animal navigation. -- Eric Warrant * Quarterly Review of Biology *This title joins what is becoming an illustrious line-up of in-depth books on ants published by Harvard University Press. I praise them unreservedly for the lavish production values they have heaped upon it. Desert Navigator is a myrmecological masterpiece and a fitting milestone in Wehner’s long and successful research career. If you have any interest in ants, insect behavior, or animal navigation you absolutely do not want to skip this astonishing book. * Inquisitive Biologist *Through a lively and lucid narrative, Desert Navigator offers a firsthand look at the extraordinary skills of these charismatic desert dwellers. * Southeastern Naturalist *I cannot find another book where the subject of insect navigation is so elegantly treated. -- Rudolf Alexander Steinbrecht * Arthropod Structure & Development *

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Book SynopsisTony Rothman offers a primer on the science of the big bang and the questions we still can’t answer about the origins of the universe. Enlisting thoughtful analogies and a step-by-step approach, Rothman guides readers through dark matter, dark energy, quantum gravity, and other topics at—and beyond—the cutting edge of cosmology.Trade ReviewEverything a cosmos-curious reader could want: a clear, concise, yet comprehensive exploration of the biggest concepts in the universe. -- Richard Panek, author of The Trouble with GravityThe big bang is a big topic that Rothman handles with ease and elegance. For those craving an epic story, this is the book for you! -- Paul M. Sutter, host of Ask a Spaceman!A delightful romp through the exciting field of cosmology. Rothman’s book covers the topic in a clear and lucid way that any science enthusiast will enjoy. Five stars! -- Don Lincoln, senior scientist and YouTube host for FermilabWith humor and clarity, Tony Rothman elucidates the physics and philosophy behind the big bang theory, one of science’s crowning achievements. Though an expert in general relativity, Einstein’s masterful—and highly mathematical—theory of gravitation, Rothman has the gift of being able to explain his field and its application to the study of the universe, in an eminently understandable way without equations. A Little Book about the Big Bang is a must for anyone interested in a clear account of how the universe grew up into the starry wonder we witness today. -- Paul Halpern, author of Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang DebateModern cosmology tells the fascinating tale of the evolution of the universe. Tony Rothman is our thoughtful guide, always careful to distinguish established science from speculative theory as we explore the fundamental nature of the big bang. -- George Ellis, author of How Can Physics Underlie the Mind?Tony Rothman’s book beautifully explores some of the biggest questions that humanity has pondered for centuries. A Little Book about the Big Bang highlights the cutting-edge work being done by cosmologists, who in recent decades have made extraordinary progress toward revealing the secrets of our universe. Read this book—you will be inspired. -- Neta Bahcall, Eugene Higgins Professor of Astrophysics, Princeton UniversityA remarkably comprehensive account of modern cosmology. Rothman emphasizes what we confidently know about the big bang, but also provides insight into the important unanswered questions in the field, taking us to where the deep puzzles lie. -- Michael Strauss, coauthor of A Brief Welcome to the UniverseA concise examination of the origin of the universe…Lucid and informative. * Kirkus Reviews *Aims to guide both laymen and experts through the latest scientific thinking on the subject…Explains complex ideas clearly with useful analogies, some simple diagrams, and very little mathematics…This book may look small in size but, much like Doctor Who’s TARDIS, on the inside it is so much bigger. -- Jenny Winder * BBC Sky at Night *

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Book SynopsisBosch provides a lively and accessible introduction to the geometric, algebraic, and algorithmic foundations of optimization. He presents classical applications, such as the legendary Traveling Salesman Problem, and shows how to adapt them to make optimization art--opt art. art.Trade Review"The writing is inviting, and Bosch gives motivated students and other readers the tools they will need to jump right in and start creating their own mosaics or other images using his ideas."---Evelyn Lamb, Scientific American"Bosch provides a careful, thorough, and accessible discussion of linear programming. . . . An interesting addition to the growing literature on mathematical art."---C. A. Gorini, Choice"Opt Art serves as an inviting introduction to a curious corner where art and mathematics intersect. Bosch projects equal enthusiasm for both. The artwork is not just an ornament meant to attract a broader readership, and the math is not just a tool for producing pictures. For Bosch it’s clear they both hold deep intrinsic interest, and he communicates this to the reader."---Brian Hayes, American Scientist"With the dynamic, flexible artistic tool of optimization, equations take the place of oil or gouache. With calculation, ingenuity, and insightful uses of mathematics, Bosch teaches readers how to create art pieces that include collages, labyrinths, and continuous line drawings. Not only can a reader be prepared to create artistic pieces, Bosch’s book places an artistic master, the author himself, next to the reader, sharing wisdom and insight to make one’s imaginations into artistic realizations."---Tim Chartier, The American Mathematical Monthly"This is a great book, for those interested in mathematics, that captures both linear optimisation and art. . . this will be a bookshelf favourite for a number of readers."---Kenny Green, Mathematics Today

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Book SynopsisWhen Indonesia's Mount Tambora erupted in 1815, it unleashed the most destructive wave of extreme weather the world has witnessed in thousands of years. The volcano's massive sulfate dust cloud enveloped the Earth, cooling temperatures and disrupting major weather systems for more than three years. Communities worldwide endured famine, disease, andTrade ReviewWinner of the 2015 Michelle Kendrick Memorial Book Prize, Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts Honorable Mention for the 2014 ASLI Choice Award in History, Atmospheric Science Librarians International One of The Times Higher Education Supplement's Books of the Year 2014, chosen by Alison Stokes One of The Guardian's Best Popular Physical Science Books of 2014, chosen by GrrlScientist "This engaging interdisciplinary study links Tambora's disruption of global weather patterns not only to Arctic melting, famine, and cholera but to the landscape paintings of William Turner, the debts that plagued Thomas Jefferson near the end of his life, the elegiac verse of the Chinese poet Li Yuyang, and Mary Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein,' written in 1816, the 'Year without a Summer.' The lessons of Tambora's 'Frankenstein weather'--as Wood is quick to point out--may carry special weight in today's era of climate upheaval."--The New Yorker "Wood, who intends no hyperbole in his subtitle, makes a convincing case for Tambora's role in causing 'the most catastrophic sustained weather crisis of the millennium.'"--Thomas Jones, London Review of Books "Persuasively entertaining... If not the first, Mr. Wood's book is by far the best on the subject, and most comprehensive. What Mr. Wood has achieved in Tambora is to uncover, collect, and collate a great deal of new scientific evidence to bolster his case."--Simon Winchester, Wall Street Journal "The greatest volcanic eruption of modern times occurred in 1815 on the small island of Tambora in the East Indies. It spawned the most extreme weather in thousands of years. In what contemporaries described as the 'year without a summer,' its immense ash cloud encircled and cooled the Earth. While historians have mostly ignored the decades of worldwide misery, starvation, and disease that followed, Wood (The Shock of the Real), professor of English at the University of Illinois, remedies this oversight, combining a scientific introduction to volcanism with a vivid account of the eruption's cultural, political, and economic impact that persisted throughout the century."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Wood broadens our understanding beyond the 'year without a summer' cliche... Wood's command of the scientific literature is impressive, and more than matched by his knowledge of world history during this horrific episode of catastrophic global climate change. With the mass of information he has assimilated, he skillfully weaves a tale full of human and cultural interest."--Ted Nield, Nature "The book is fluently-written, tightly constructed around a single event and a short time period, filled with interesting anecdotes about both well-known and obscure people, places, and evetns, and connects less-than-obvious dots... [F]ascinating and easy-to-read... Tambora is also interesting as a timely reminder of how interconnected our world is."--Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books "[Tambora's] portentous lessons on the consequences of global climate disturbances, is told with particular elan and a flair for the dramatic in Gillen D'Arcy Wood's Tambora: The Eruption That Changed the World... Wood uncovers for the reader the worldwide reaches of the eruption and makes it a watershed date in the timeline of human history."--William O'Connor, The Daily Beast "Even Westerners who were aware of the occasional spewings of Italy's Mount Vesuvius (much smaller eruptions that didn't change climate at all) had no idea what a volcano on the other side of the globe was capable of doing. Today, Wood ... can put it into a worldwide context of environmental and social upheaval."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post "[T]his is a subject worthy of much thought. Tambora is the most far-reaching account of it yet, and D'Arcy Wood deserves a wide and serious readership for his audacious book ... a grand case study... It is a brave literary scholar who taken on volcanology, meteorology, epidemiology, glaciation and global economics. Gillen D'Arcy Wood has done so judiciously and shown the power of literature to work as a guiding principle among them."--Alexandra Harris, Literary Review "Wood's compelling and at times terrifying 'cautionary tale' details the global effects of the April 1815 volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia... This extremely detailed work draws together disparate events in a fascinating way. It's in-depth enough for climate science students and offers something different for those wishing to know more about romantic literature; at the same time the work is accessible for popular-science readers. For large public libraries and academic collections."--Henrietta Verma, Library Journal "Too often, the claim that a book is tackling a subject 'that changed the world' is pure hyperbole. Not in this case, however... Gillen D'Arcy Wood offers up this fascinating story of Tambora as a cautionary tale about what might lie ahead of us--a tale that, like Frankenstein, warns against the consequences of technological hubris."--Fiona Capp, The Age "[A] provocative book that confidently leaps from volcanology to lit crit by way of history... [E]arth-shaking ... told with gusto."--Robbie Millen, The Times "The author's command of the scientific literature is impressive and more than matched by his knowledge of world history during this horrific episode of catastrophic global climate change. Through the mass of information he has assimilated, he skilfully weaves a take full of human and cultural interest... This book is much more than just a piece of brilliant popular science. Drawing together a world of data relating to this epoch-changing eruption, Wood has made a major contribution to volcanology, climatology and cultural history, in a writer's quest that was clearly driven by a deep personal passion and conviction."--Ted Nield, Geoscientist Magazine "Gillen D'Arcy Wood tells this story with skill and convincing research in Tambora: The Eruption that Changed the World, bringing together science, historic records and anecdotes from 200 years ago... Wood delivers an intriguing anecdote of historical science, describing how humans are oblivious to the links to nature all around us."--Matthew Scott, South China Morning Post "In Tambora: The Eruption That Changed the World, Gillen D'Arcy Wood weaves a story that Shelley and Byron could not have told, because they could not have known it. Behind the killing weather and the noonday dark was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history... Wood makes compelling use of literature as a stand-in for the voiceless throngs crushed in this disaster."--Jenni Laidman, Chicago Tribune "[E]ngagingly written and meticulously researched... [A] thoroughly interesting and engaging read."--Alison Stokes, Times Higher Education "This beautifully written book successfully bridges the divides separating science, the arts and social history, to give us an enthralling illustration of the devastation brought about by alterations in global climate that, in fact, lasted for only three years."--Anthony Toole, Amazon.co.uk "In example of example, Wood expertly explains the volcano's effects on climate and agriculture... Wood leaves no doubt how sensitive and far-reaching Earth's climate system is--and how vulnerable humans are to the natural world."--Science News "His remarkable, even pioneering, book is the first to discuss the Tambora eruption as a global phenomenon afflicting Asia as well as Europe and America."--Andrew Robinson, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society "Wood does not present this eruption as a case of crude environmentalism but as a case study in the fragile interdependence of human and natural systems."--Wan Lixin, Shanghai Daily "Here, Wood comprehensively looks at all these effects, unearthing much previously ignored historical data from around the world and showing how they were all an outgrowth of this earthshaking eruption. In all, it is a remarkable compilation of formerly unconnected information. The text reads almost like an adventure novel, and yet everything is well documented."--Choice "[A] fascinating account of just how much havoc one volcano can wreak."--Alison Stokes, Times Higher Education "Wood's book is extraordinary in its global scope and interdisciplinarity... Wood not only grapples with climate change's history, but also offers a model for how humanistic scholars can engage with climate change now and in the future."--Scott Hess, ISLE "D'Arcy Wood incorporates material that was previously little known, making it easier to grasp the enormity of the environmental changes that affected the health and well-being of a significant segment of humankind. In a fluent and erudite style, D'Arcy shows clearly how several tragedies resulted from the interaction and convergence of the abysmal weather and preexisting natural (the Little Ice Age), socioeconomic, and/or political conditions. By not oversimplifying but emphasizing the complexity of this global event, he has made this book an important resource for those interested in environmental history."--Jelle Zeilinga de Boer, Environmental History "Wood intricately weaves literary works, scientific data, and anecdotal evidence to create a gripping account of the worldwide event and the 'Year without a Summer' that followed in 1816."--Jonathan Abel, H-Net Reviews "An engrossing study."--Noah Heringman, The Annual Review "This is not the first book to be published on the Tambora eruption of 1815. However, this beautifully written and constructed, engaging and entertaining book is, in my opinion, by far the best on the subject, and I highly recommend it."--Graham Denyer, Weather "Tambora offers at once fine history and important witness: we can ill afford to underestimate the destabilizing potential of climate change... Tambora is clear and well researched, and the book flows well. It is passionate and in places even humorous."--Conevery Bolton Valencius, ISIS ReviewTable of ContentsList of Illustrations xi Note on Measurements xv INTRODUCTION Frankenstein's Weather 1 ONE The Pompeii of the East 12 TWO The Little (Volcanic) Ice Age 33 THREE "This End of the World Weather" 45 FOUR Blue Death in Bengal 72 FIVE The Seven Sorrows of Yunnan 97 SIX The Polar Garden 121 SEVEN Ice Tsunami in the Alps 150 EIGHT The Other Irish Famine 171 NINE Hard Times at Monticello 199 EPILOGUE Et in Extremis Ego 229 Acknowledgments 235 Notes 237 Bibliography 259 Index 281

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Shortlisted for the Wildlife Publication Award in Biography/History of Wildlife Biology, The Wildlife Society""A keystone ecosystem provides lessons in how we can save the world from ourselves." * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisA concise, illustrated update on our earliest ancestors, the first sapiens - and on how (and when) we distinguished ourselves Prehistory is changing quickly: Thanks to progress in genetics and dating methods, we now know more than ever about our ancient relatives. A Pocket History of Human Evolution will bring us up to date on the exploits of Homo erectus and ergaster, the Neanderthals, Denisovans, and others. (Hint: There was a lot more crossbreeding than previously supposed.) These latest discoveries have only spurred more questions. Lauded paleoanthropologist Silvana Condemi and science journalist François Savatier consider: What accelerated Homo sapiens evolution - and left us the sole surviving species among many ancient bipedal “humans”? Was it tools, our “large” brain, language, or empathy? Their conclusions are likely to startle (and inspire a new appreciation for the human foot). Condemi and Savatier also look to the future of our strange species - migratory, social animals with a rapidly expanding population, who have transformed our world forever. By taking stock of our ancestors, we can better understand ourselves.

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Book SynopsisA strange and beautiful world surrounds us, hidden from sight ... An unbelievable abundance of life flourishes on every surface of our planet. In every drop of dew, on every leaf, and even inside each one of us, invisible yet ingenious life thrives. James Weiss, microbe enthusiast and videographer, has spent thousands of hours peeking into this world, and has been astounded by the beauty he finds there. With his captivating photographs and illustrations, James presents this beginner's guide to microscopic life, from the most simple, single-celled organisms to complex micro-animals. Navigate the births, feasts, triumphs, tragedies and deaths of a cast of tiny characters, including the adorable water bear, the immortal Hydra and the dancing Desmid. Learn how these lifeforms work and what lessons they can teach us about our own existence, and discover how seeing the wonder of nature from a new perspective can change your life.Trade Review“ The copious images in this companion guide are no less enchanting, and Weiss’ text fills in the background that the author can’t always cover in his 10-minute YouTube episodes. . . . This approachable guide to another universe, as close as the nearest microscope, should appeal to general readers."— Alan Moores, Booklist

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Book SynopsisFor over 60 years, scientists and engineers have been trying to crack a seemingly intractable problem: how to build practical devices that exploit nuclear fusion. Access to electricity has facilitated a standard of living that was previously unimaginable, but as the world’s population grows and developing nations increasingly reap the benefits of electrification, we face a serious global problem: burning fossil fuels currently produces about eighty percent of the world's energy, but it produces a greenhouse effect that traps outgoing infrared radiation and warms the planet, risking dire environmental consequences unless we reduce our fossil fuel consumption to near zero in the coming decades. Nuclear fusion, the energy-producing process in the sun and stars, could provide the answer: if it can be successfully harnessed here on Earth, it will produce electricity with near-zero CO2 byproduct by using the nuclei in water as its main fuel. The principles behind fusion are understood, but the technology is far from being fully realized, and governments, universities, and venture capitalists are pumping vast amounts of money into many ideas, some highly speculative, that could lead to functioning fusion reactors. This book puts all of these attempts together in one place, providing clear explanations for readers who are interested in new energy technologies, including those with no formal training in science or engineering. For each of the many approaches to fusion, the reader will learn who pioneered the approach, how the concept works in plain English, how experimental tests were engineered, the future prospects, and comparison with other approaches. From long-established fusion technologies to emerging and exotic methods, the reader will learn all about the idea that could eventually constitute the single greatest engineering advance in human history.Trade Review“Moynihan contributed his expertise as a ‘fusioneer’ – with a background in fusion-related doctoral work … and, critically, his limitless enthusiasm. … ‘Fusion’s Promise’ is a book with a clear mission. … we are now starting to see the ‘promise’ of Moynihan and Bortz’s book title, thanks to a number of convergent factors.” (Nick Smith, E&T Engineering and Technology, eandt.theiet.org, July 12, 2023)Table of Contents1. Introduction: Fusion Basics.- 2. Exciting Fusion Developments.- 3. Pinches.- 4. Mirrors.- 5. Cusps.- 6. Tokamaks & Stellarators.- 7. Field Reversed Configuration.- 8. Inertial Electrostatic Confinement.- 9. Ion Beams.- 10. Plasma Cannons.- 11. Inertial Confinement Fusion.- 12. Liquid Metal.- 13. Conclusion: Achieving a Fusion-Powered Future.

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Book SynopsisPlants That Kill is not a field guide, clinical care manual, or pharmacology textbook—it is a fascinating and beautifully presented natural history of the world’s most poisonous plants, the extraordinary strategies they employ for survival, and the impact these have on humans, other animals, and on other plants. Some of these seriously harmful and potentially lethal plants can cause their effects if eaten only once, others when consumed repeatedly over a longer period. For some, their effects are felt after skin or eye contact, or following inhalation. These extraordinary plants occur on all continents, and in many different plant families, producing a range of chemicals as part of their strategy for survival. The positive uses that humans and other animals have found for these plants and the chemicals they contain are also an important part of the story. This great diversity is showcased and brought to life through fascinating examples, beautiful illustrations andclear, explanatory diagrams. Anyone with an interest in plants, or with more ecological or pharmacological inclinations, will be fascinated and engaged by this book.

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Book SynopsisTHE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO CANNABIS AND YOUR HEALTHUnderpinned by his two-year research trial in partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, involving up to 20,000 patients, which will create Europe's largest body of evidence on the plant's medicinal qualities - Professor David Nutt and his team of scientists will break the mould on the way we use Cannabis for our health in the future.In David's first ground-breaking book on the subject, he will cover its impact of all areas of the body and the brain and its effective use for treatment of illness from chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and PTSD, to anxiety and depression. This is the essential knowledge that cuts through the noise and give us evidence-based information that will change people's lives.

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Book SynopsisWhat do traffic jams, stock market crashes, and wars have in common? They are all explained using complexity, an unsolved puzzle that many researchers believe is the key to predicting – and ultimately solving—everything from terrorist attacks and pandemic viruses right down to rush hour traffic congestion. Complexity is considered by many to be the single most important scientific development since general relativity and it promises to make sense of no less than the very heart of the Universe. Using it, scientists can find order emerging from seemingly random interactions of all kinds, from something as simple as flipping coins through to more challenging problems such as the patterns in modern jazz, the growth of cancer tumours, and predicting shopping habits.Trade Review"Johnson's book fills a long-overdue need for an engaging semipopular book about complexity science, one that is also strong on the underlying scientific and theoretical concepts." "Highly recommended." * Choice *"Neil Johnson has provided a readable account of the science of complexity" * Oxford Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“An excellent addition to anyone’s bee library.”—Adrian Waring, Bee Craft “Anyone deeply interested in natural history will ignore this mad little volume at their peril.”—Simon Ings, New Scientist“Highly engaging.”—Gard W. Otis, American Entomologist“A must have book for all beekeepers and bee lovers.”—Scott Shalaway, Youngstown Vindicator“Delightful.”—Harvard Magazine“Following the Wild Bees just might give readers an intellectually (and physically) stimulating new outdoor activity.”—The Scientist“Seeley’s passion for the social insects blazes as he quotes historical accounts by Henry David Thoreau and describes the intricacies of the chase.”—Barbara Kiser, Nature

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a focus on the 66 million years since the end-Cretaceous extinction stripped away all dinosaurs but birds, Mr. Prothero's book ably demonstrates that mammalian evolution has been just as circuitous and strange as that of the terrible lizards... [This book shows] the unexpected variety that life is capable of and raise[s] the question of what the next 235 million years will bring."--Brian Switek, Wall Street Journal "In The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals, author Donald Prothero ... introduces readers to an array of real-life, but seemingly fantastic beasts--extinct mammals."--Mindy Weisberger, LiveScience "Written by American paleontologist Donald Prothero and beautifully illustrated by renowned scientific illustrator Mary Persis Williams, this publication is a 'must have' for academics and fans of fossils as well as anyone with an interest in general science... Highly recommended."--Everything Dinosaur blog "One of the most important things about this book is that it is fully up to date, and thus, the only current mammalian evolutionary overview that is available, to my knowledge. In some areas of fossil mammal research there has been a lot of work over recent years, so this is important. I highly recommend this excellent book."--Greg Laden's BlogTable of ContentsPreface 6 1 The Age of Mammals 7 Dating Rocks 8 Clocks in Rocks 10 What's in a Name? 11 How Do We Classify Animals? 12 Bones vs Molecules 15 Bones and Teeth 15 2 The Origin and Early Evolution of Mammals 20 Synapsids (Protomammals or Stem Mammals) 20 Mammals in the Age of Dinosaurs 23 Morganucodonts 23 Docodonts 25 Monotremes (Platypus and Echidna) and Their Relatives 27 Multituberculates 30 Triconodonts 31 Theria 34 3 Marsupials: Pouched Mammals 37 Marsupial vs Placental 37 Marsupial Evolution 38 Ameridelphia 39 Australiadelphia 41 4 Placental Mammals (Eutheria) 47 The Interrelationships of Placentals 50 5 Xenarthra: Sloths, Anteaters, and Armadillos 51 Edentate vs Xenarthran 51 Order Cingulata (Armadillos) 53 Order Pilosa (Anteaters and Sloths) 55 6 Afrotheria: Elephants, Hyraxes, Sea Cows, Aardvarks, and Their Relatives 58 Tethytheres and Afrotheres 58 Order Proboscidea (Elephants, Mammoths, Mastodonts, and Their Relatives) 60 Order Sirenia (Manatees and Dugongs, or Sea Cows) 67 Order Embrithopoda (Arsinoitheres) 72 Order Desmostylia (Desmostylians) 73 Order Hyracoidea (Hyraxes) 75 Order Tubulidentata (Aardvarks) 77 Order Macroscelidia (Elephant Shrews) 78 Order Afrosoricida 79 7 Euarchontoglires: Euarchonta Primates, Tree Shrews, and Colugos 80 Archontans 80 Order Scandentia (Tree Shrews) 82 Order Dermoptera (Colugos, or Flying Lemurs) 82 Order Plesiadapiformes (Plesiadapids) 84 Order Primates (Euprimates) 86 8 Euarchontoglires: Glires Rodents and Lagomorphs 94 Chisel Teeth 94 Order Rodentia (Rodents) 95 Order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas) 101 9 Laurasiatheria: Insectivores Order Eulipotyphla and Other Insectivorous Mammals 103 Order Eulipotyphla 103 Extinct Insectivorous Groups 107 10 Laurasiatheria: Chiroptera Bats 112 Bat Origins 114 11 Laurasiatheria: Pholidota Pangolins, or Scaly Anteaters 117 Order Pholidota (Pangolins) 118 Palaeanodonts 120 12 Laurasiatheria: Carnivora and Creodonta Predatory Mammals 122 Carnivores, Carnivorans, and Creodonts 122 Order Creodonta 124 Order Carnivora 127 13 Laurasiatheria: Ungulata Hoofed Mammals and Their Relatives 146 Condylarths 147 14 Laurasiatheria: Artiodactyla Even-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Pigs, Hippos, Whales, Camels, Ruminants, and Their Extinct Relatives 151 Artiodactyl Origins 153 Suoid Artiodactyls 154 Whippomorpha 160 Tylopods 169 Ruminantia 175 15 Laurasiatheria: Perissodactyla Odd-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Horses, Rhinos, Tapirs, and Their Extinct Relatives 186 Equoids 187 Tapiroids 191 Rhinocerotoids 196 Brontotheres, or Titanotheres 199 16 Laurasiatheria: Meridiungulata South American Hoofed Mammals 203 Order Notoungulata (Southern Ungulates) 205 Order Pyrotheria (Fire Beasts) 206 Order Astrapotheria (Lightning Beasts) 207 Order Litopterna (Litopterns, or Smooth Heels) 207 17 Uintatheres, Pantodonts, Taeniodonts, and Tillodonts 209 Order Dinocerata (Uintatheres) 209 Order Pantodonta (Pantodonts) 212 Order Taeniodonta (Taeniodonts) 214 Order Tillodontia (Tillodonts) 216 18 Mammalian Evolution and Extinction 218 Why Were Prehistoric Mammals So Big? 218 Where Have All the Megamammals Gone? 219 How Did Mammals Diversify after the Dinosaurs Vanished? 222 What about Mass Extinctions? 228 The Future of Mammals 229 Illustration Credits 231 Further Reading 232 Index (with Pronunciation Guide for Taxonomic Names) 234

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Book SynopsisUsing humour and real science in the tradition of Mary Roach, this groovy narrative from the author of National Geographic's popular Gory Details blog illuminates the gross, strange, morbid, and outright absurd realities of our bodies, our earth, and our universe. Filled to the brim with far-out facts, this wacky, funny, and informative narrative takes us on a fascinating journey through the astonishing world of science. With Erika Engelhaupt, founding editor of National Geographic's Gory Details blog, as your guide, all your weirdest and wildest fascinations will be illuminated. From the biologist who endured countless honeybee stings to test which spot was the most painful to the dollhouse-sized replicas of crime scenes built to analyze blood splatter to NASA's enduring dilemma--do women need to have their periods in space?--this entertaining book explores oft-ignored but alluring facets of biology, anatomy, space exploration, nature, and more. FeaturinTrade Review"Engelhaupt has a wonderfully unnerving knack for finding the questions everyone ponders but doesn’t dare to ask out loud. Then, she answers them—scientifically, satisfyingly, and, often, humorously. From murderous meerkats to the secrets of earwax, Gory Details has, well, all the gory details your heart could desire. And though you might cringe or squirm as you go through them, you won’t be able to put it down." -- Christie Wilcox, author of VENOMOUS: How the Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry

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Book SynopsisPresents the story of order in the universe, the harmony that comes from cycles in sync. This book considers a range of applications - human sleep and circadian rhythms, menstrual synchrony, insect outbreaks, superconductors, Lasers, secret codes, heart arrhythmias and fads.

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Book SynopsisProgress in genetics today would not be possible without Darwin's revolution, but the mysterious man who laid the rational basis for undermining belief in God's creation was remarkable timid. He spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid, riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash.In this brilliantly lucid book - a classic originally published in 1982 - Jonathan Miller unravels Darwin's life and his contribution to biology, and traces the path from his scientific predecessors to the later modifications that his own evolutionary theories required.Introducing Darwin brings alive the difficult progress from pre-Darwinian thinking to modern genetics and the devastatingly important impact of one man on our fundamental understanding of biology, life and ourselves.Trade ReviewMiller and Van Loon have brought to life an important chapter of scientific history - a real achievement.' * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisNewton’s Notebook is a biography with a difference. It provides a full and detailed account of Sir Isaac Newton’s life and discoveries, but is written, designed and illustrated to look like a personal notebook.By mining the rich sources of Newton’s own journals and books, and incorporating a variety of quotations and illustrations, Newton’s Notebook brings its subject to life more vividly than any ordinary biography. It reveals the man behind the theories and examines Newton’s personal and family life as well as the amazing impact of his ideas and the world’s reaction to them.

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Book SynopsisWhat we do and do not know about evolution, by one of the field's pioneering thinkers.Trade Review"Mayr is one of the influential scientists of the last century. This compact book delivers the wealth of his 70 year career in a single, well measured punch." GLASGOW HERALD "We are taken all the way from Darwin to the frontiers of biology, including ideas on the causes of altruism and the consequences for humans now that natural selection is no longer happening to us." OBSERVER

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Book SynopsisThis Very Short Introduction maps the historical development of chemistry from man's earliest exploration in the Stone Age to the nanotechnology of today's materials science. In this succinct but comprehensive overview Brock balances the approaches to - and interpretations of - the subject, revealing chemistry's rich and diverse history.Trade ReviewWriting a short book about a long history is not easy; but it would be hard to think of anybody more qualified to do it than Bill Brock. * David Knight, Annals of Science *Writing a concise introduction to this subject which, at the same time, should be accessible to the general reader, is therefore a task which is not to be underestimated. William Brock, one of the most accomplished scholars of the subject, demonstrates with this book that he is more than capable of the task. * British Journal of the History of Science *I can thoroughly recommend this brief tour of our all-embracing science. * Chemistry World *Brock manages to make a very dull and dense subject both attractive and interesting - something I could never accuse my old Chemistry teacher of doing. * Stephen Craggs, Northern Echo *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE

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Book SynopsisIn An Appetite for Wonder Richard Dawkins brought us his engaging memoir of the first 35 years of his life from early childhood in Africa to publication of The Selfish Gene in 1976, when he shot to fame as one of the most exciting new scientists of his generation. In Brief Candle in the Dark he continues his autobiography, following the threads that have run through the second half of his life so far and homing in on the key individuals, institutions and ideas that inspired and motivated him. He paints a vivid picture, coloured with wit, anecdote and digression, of the twenty-five postgraduate years he spent teaching at Oxford. He pays affectionate tribute to past colleagues and students, recalling the idiosyncrasies of an establishment steeped in ancient tradition and arcane ritual while also recording his respect for the profound commitment to learning and discovery that lies at its core. He invites us to share the life of a travelling scientist, from Trade ReviewReaders of Brief Candle are in for many treats: lively prose from one of our greatest living writers; stimulating ideas on the nature of life and the human condition; and the opportunity to eavesdrop on the workings of an extraordinary mind, intellectually fierce yet personally generous. * Steven Pinker *[Dawkins] is a thunderously gifted science writer * The Times *Dawkins's greatest gift has been as a lyricist ... His writing can still sparkle. He excels at capturing the scenes behind a scene, deftly explaining a scientific principle, capping a story with an amusing anecdote ... At such moments, one feels transported to a tweedy evening at Oxford, pouring the sherry as a charming senior faculty member holds court. * Nature *A highly readable account of the fascinating career of the science populariser ... Among its attractions are handy summaries of the central arguments of each of Dawkins's books ... It shows Dawkins in all his contradictory guises * Prospect *Dawkins has written with passion, urgency and clarity * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisAlan Turing is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. But who was Turing, and what did he achieve during his tragically short life of 41 years? Best known as the genius who broke Germany''s most secret codes during the war of 1939-45, Turing was also the father of the modern computer. Today, all who ''click-to-open'' are familiar with the impact of Turing''s ideas. Here, B. Jack Copeland provides an account of Turing''s life and work, exploring the key elements of his life-story in tandem with his leading ideas and contributions. The book highlights Turing''s contributions to computing and to computer science, including Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Life, and the emphasis throughout is on the relevance of his work to modern developments. The story of his contributions to codebreaking during the Second World War is set in the context of his thinking about machines, as is the account of his work in the foundations of mathematics.Trade ReviewThis book is highly entertaining and informative * Zentralblatt Math, Teodora-Liliana Radulescu *Fans drawn to the Turing biopic ... should move on to this lively biography of the scientific genius who cracked Enigma * Independent *[T]hanks to Professor Copelands book we can walk with Alan Turing through his finest hours. * Jim Young, Glycosmedia *This book is entertaining and informative ... Highly recommended. * S.M. Frey, CHOICE *Table of Contents1. Click to Open ; 2. Turing's Universal Machine ; 3. Sinking Hilbert ; 4. The Intuitive Mathematician ; 5. Breaking Enigma ; 6. Tunny - Hitler's BlackBerry ; 7. The Colossus of Computers ; 8. ACE- A Month's Work in a Minute ; 9. The Manchester "Electronic Brain" ; 10. Artificial Intelligence ; 11. The Imitation Game ; 12. Educating Machinery ; 13. Computer Chess ; 14. Artificial Life ; 15. Epilogue

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Book SynopsisSince the dawn of humanity, men have attempted to divine the nature of the heavens. The first astronomers mapped the movement of the seasons and used the positions of the constellations for augurs and astrology. Today, the search goes ever deeper into the nature of reality and life itself. In this accessible overview, astrophysicist J.P. McEvoy tells the story of how our knowledge of the cosmos has developed. He puts in context many of the greatest discoveries of all time and many of the dominant personalities: Aristotle, Copernicus, and Isaac Newton, and as we approach the modern era, Einstein, Eddington, and Hawking.

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Book SynopsisIn this fully revised and updated edition of British Paleozoic Fossils 443 species from this time are described and classified and illustrated with accurate black-and-white line drawings. Reflecting advances in our understanding of the fossil record, it features those animal and plant species that are most commonly found in Britain.

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Book SynopsisChinese Communists have long embraced capitalism, for various reasons. In the 1930s Communists made deals with foreign capitalists to finance the revolution. Mao continued to promote trade after 1949. Jason Kelly shows how global deals kept China embedded in markets and their norms, laying the groundwork for the capitalist reforms of the 1980s.Trade ReviewA sober, detailed account of the way modern China came to see that global trade could be a way to ‘fortify socialism…rather than degrade it.’…Kelly conveys what a highwire act it must have been to conduct business on Mao’s watch. -- Tim Sifert * Asian Review of Books *Should appeal to scholars exploring the rise of neoliberalism and the transformation of global capitalism since the 1970s, in which the PRC played a leading role. The history of China’s capitalist ascent as sketched in Market Maoists is therefore critical to any history of the contemporary global economy. -- Philip Thai * Business History Review *A beautifully written book with compelling insights on the neglected interactions between Maoist China and global capitalist markets. It unquestionably enriches our understanding of how socialist China skillfully did business with Western traders to achieve its goal of state modernization, and sheds new light on the PRC history with a refreshingly global perspective. -- Shaofan An * China Review *Fascinating…Based on wide-ranging primary sources of evidence, this elegant book convincingly argues that long before its formal policy reorientation in 1978, the People’s Republic of China was actively present in marketplaces in the East and West…A truly valuable contribution and merits serious attention from us all. -- Lin Chun * Pacific Affairs *Provides unprecedented details of China’s foreign economic policies during the pre-1978 period and is an excellent example of scholarship based on field work in Mainland China…Makes an important new contribution to the existing literature. -- Lawrence C. Reardon * H-Diplo *Groundbreaking…Market Maoists is a fascinating economic and political history that is well written and accessible also to readers unfamiliar with the history of socialist China…It deserves to be widely read and discussed. -- Jennifer Altehenger * American Historical Review *Combining lively anecdotes with coherent historical analysis, Market Maoists makes for an engaging read for undergraduate and graduate courses on Chinese and world history. It is also a valuable addition to the work of PRC scholars interested in bridging the geographical divide between China and the world and the temporal divide between the socialist years and the economic reforms…[An] excellent monograph. -- Sarah Chang * PRC History Review *An excellent book, extremely well researched and very well written. Kelly provides a valuable overview of PRC trade policies and the significance of China’s trade inside global markets during the Mao era. His comprehensive treatment of the internal battles over how to proceed with international trade and the effects these political decisions had on China’s future adds a great deal to our understanding of China in the world. -- Odd Arne Westad, author of Empire and Righteous Nation: 600 Years of China–Korea RelationsKelly skillfully integrates the Chinese case into a new wave of scholarship transforming our understanding of post–World War II global economic integration. Behind the political confrontation between market-led and planned economies during the Cold War, as he persuasively demonstrates, China’s ongoing need to trade continually shaped its foreign and domestic policy, anticipating the country’s more high-profile engagement with market economies in the late twentieth century and since. -- Karl Gerth, author of Unending Capitalism: How Consumerism Negated China’s Communist RevolutionBy examining how the Chinese Communist Party leadership treated trade with the capitalist world, Kelly sheds new light on China’s commercial policies and activities and presents the Maoists as being much more economically well-informed and internationally vigorous than previously understood. An original contribution, as well as a joy to read. -- Shu Guang Zhang, author of Economic Cold War: America’s Embargo against China and the Sino–Soviet Alliance, 1949–1963An excellent history of China’s state-led international economic relations in the Maoist era. Kelly captures China’s necessary turn to trade with the West after 1973 as the precondition of the globalizing Chinese economy we know today. Most important, he reminds us, rightly, that for Mao and his successors, ‘trade always served politics.’ The Party would remain in control. This is a lesson taken to heart by Chinese leaders today. -- William C. Kirby, coauthor of Can China Lead? Reaching the Limits of Power and Growth

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Book SynopsisAt a community fire day in a northern California town several years ago, author Faith Kearns gave a talk on building fire-safe houses able to withstand increasingly common wildfires. Much to her surprise, Kearns was confronted by an audience member whose house had recently burned. What she thought was straightforward, helpful scientific information had instead retraumatised audience members, forcing Kearns to re-evaluate her approach. Like Kearns, scientists today working on controversial issues from climate change to drought to COVID-19 are finding themselves more often in the middle of deeply traumatising or polarized conflicts. It is no longer enough for scientists to communicate a scientific topic clearly. They must not only be experts in their fields of study, but also experts in navigating the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of members of the public they engage with, and with each other. And the conversations are growing more fraught. In Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, Faith Kearns has penned a succinct guide for navigating the human relationships critical to the success of practice-based science. Using interviews and personal anecdotes, as well as her own insights as a field scientist, Kearns walks readers through the evolution of science communication and how emotional and high-stakes issues have shaped communication. The meat of the book lies in the middle chapters, where Kearns offers key tools for communicators: listening, working with conflict, and understanding trauma, loss, and healing. She concludes the book with a substantive discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sciences, and advice to readers for handling their own emotional needs in an unpredictable career landscape. This meticulously researched volume takes science communication to the next level, helping scientists see the value of listening as well as talking, understanding power dynamics in relationships, and addressing the roles of trauma, loss, grief, and healing. This book will particularly resonate with early to mid-career scientists, graduate students, and researchers, especially those in applied sciences who work closely with the public.Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction PART I. The Evolution of Science Communication Chapter 1. Science Communication from the Ground Up Chapter 2. Science Communication Careers Today Chapter 3. Navigating Facts and Feelings in Science Communication PART II. The Tools of Science Communication Chapter 4. Relating Chapter 5. Listening Chapter 6. Working with Conflict Chapter 7. Understanding Trauma PART III. The Future of Science Communication Chapter 8. Equitable, Inclusive, and Just Science Communication Chapter 9. Self and Collective Care Chapter 10: What More Is Possible? Notes About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisDaniel J. C. Kronauer brings to life the research surrounding army ants, nature’s preeminent social hunters. Without central coordination, army ants march in columns by the thousands and build nests and bridges using their own bodies. They also play a crucial role in promoting and sustaining the biodiversity of tropical ecosystems.Trade ReviewNever before have I read such a comprehensive, engaging history of the exploration and discovery of army ants. Wonderfully written, with superb photographs, Army Ants is a joy to read. -- Bert Hölldobler, coauthor of The Ants and Journey to the AntsAnts are famously ‘the little things that run the world.’ Army ants, with their million-strong colonies, showcase what happens when little things think big. As the world’s leading authority on these supremely social insects, Daniel Kronauer gives us a stunning tour of their extraordinary world. -- Naomi E. Pierce, Hessel Professor of Biology and Curator of Lepidoptera, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard UniversityA rare treat. Army Ants is a modern natural history, with personal stories of tropical fieldwork that reflect the excitement of new discoveries about these spectacular insects. -- Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteArmy ants are one of nature’s most spectacular hunters and are cornerstones for many ecological communities. This fascinating and informative book is a must-have for anyone interested in the complex behaviors of social animals. -- Corrie Moreau, Director and Curator, Cornell University Insect CollectionThis book will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about army ants. You will be mesmerized and intrigued as you read this passionate ode to the army ants and their researchers, linger over the stunning photographs, and reflect on what you have learned. -- Raghavendra Gadagkar, author of Survival Strategies: Cooperation and Conflict in Animal SocietiesA phenomenal book on army ant biology that is chock-a-block with jaw-dropping, award-winning photography…This book will show you ants in ways you have never seen them before. * Inquisitive Biologist *Kronauer, a master storyteller, unwraps the bivouac of the army ants to take us along the journey of their raiding swarms, the intricate bridges they construct, and the enigmatic arthropod fauna that live alongside these formidable hunters…Three decades ago, a monumental treatise and Pulitzer Prize winner, The Ants, inspired an entire generation of students to take up myrmecology. Army Ants is set to unfurl the next swarm of myrmecologists. -- Ajay Narenda * Myrmecological News Blog *Kronauer not only brings us up to date on one of the all-time greatest hits of biological exuberance and adaptation, he does so in a spellbinding way that keeps us turning the pages. -- John T. Longino * Current Biology *Beautifully produced, richly illustrated…Army ants are small-bodied denizens of the dark tropical forest understory; the rich macroimages [in] the book bring readers powerfully into their hidden realm…Readers will be enthralled by the bizarre and sometimes surprising caste of army ant intimates, including snakes, presented in stunning photographs. -- Sean O’Donnell * Quarterly Review of Biology *

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Book SynopsisTea is the world’s most popular beverage. Dive into a cup of tea with a chemist and discover the rich molecular brew that can be extracted from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea contains over a hundred different chemical compounds which contribute to its colour, taste and scent – and its stimulating effects. The best-known is caffeine, but how does caffeine end up in tea and how can you get it out? Beginning with the leaves, Steeped explores the chemistry behind different styles of tea, from green teas to pu-erh. It tackles the age-old question of when, or even whether, to add milk. And it puts the chemistry to use with advice on how to brew a better cup.Trade ReviewLike many good teachers, Francl scaffolds her knowledge with sip-sized summaries to go along with some of the deeper dives into the molecular world of tea. -- Matthew R Hartings * Nature Chemistry *Table of ContentsA Cup of Chemistry;Reading the Tea Leaves;The Drug in the Cup;The Taste of Zen;The Agony of the Leaves;Sugar and Spice;Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water

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Book SynopsisEver since Darwin, science has enshrined competition as biology’s brutal architect. But this revelatory new book argues that our narrow view of evolution has caused us to ignore the generosity and cooperation that exist around us, from the soil to the sky. In Sweet in Tooth and Claw, Kristin Ohlson explores the subtle ways in which nature is in constant collaboration to the betterment of all species. From the bear that discards the remainders of his salmon dinner on the forest ground, to the bright coral reefs of Cuba, she shows readers not only the connectivity lying beneath the surface in natural ecosystems, but why it’s vital for humans to incorporate that understanding into our interactions with nature, and also with each other. Much of the damage that humans have done to our natural environment stems from our ignorance of these dense webs of connection. As we struggle to cope with the environmental hazards that our behaviour has unleashed, it’s more important than ever to understand nature’s billions of cooperative interactions. This way, we can stop disrupting them and instead rely on them to renew ecosystems. In reporting from the frontlines of scientific research, regenerative agriculture, and urban conservation, Ohlson shows that a shift from focusing on competition to collaboration can heal not only our relationships with the natural world, but also with each other.Trade Review‘Deftly weaving together science, social thought, and a remarkable cast of characters, Ohlson's book uncovers the marvellous partnerships that make life possible, showing that cooperation, not competition, is the key to survival.’ -- Elizabeth Carlisle, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara, and author of Healing Grounds: climate, justice, and the deep roots of regenerative farming‘Ohlson looks at nature through the lens of cooperation, from the intricate workings of one-celled creatures all the way to entire forests and cities (above and below ground). This deeply-reported and stunning book holds up a mirror to us humans, showing how we thrive when we embrace nature’s generous spirit.’ -- Judith Schwartz, author of The Reindeer Chronicles and Other Inspiring Stories of Working With Nature to Heal the Earth‘Journalist Ohlson pushes back against the Darwinian notion that “competition rules” in this vivid survey … Alongside the fascinating case studies, Ohlson reflects on her own connection to nature in oft-lyrical prose … This is as charming as it is enlightening.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘A new attempt to rebalance our view of evolution.’ * New Scientist *‘The idea that evolution is driven by the survival of the fittest is so entrenched in the study of biology that research has largely focused on competition between species rather than co-operation. But, as Kristin Ohlson shows in this inspiring field-trip of a book, nature is full of ecosystems that thrive on harmony and balance rather than division and conflict … Ohlson explores the many forms of collaboration or “mutualism” in nature and how they offer a constructive template for our own interactions with the world.’ * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘In her fascinating book, Sweet in Tooth and Claw, American Kristin Ohlson argues that our slavish devotion to Darwin’s principle of the ‘survival of the fittest’, has blinded us to the cooperation that exists in nature … Insightful and interesting.’ -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Weekly *‘From microorganisms to fungi, to plants, fish and mammals, [Sweet in Tooth and Claw] examines interconnections in the natural world. The picture of how the world works that she reveals is both complex and beautiful … This is a great book for the non-scientist interested in how we humans live, how we produce our food, and our relationship with the rest of the natural world, from forests to coral to the microbiota of our guts. Clear and entertaining, Kristin Ohslon bridges the wide gap between current researchers and the curious.’ -- Penelope Cottier * The Canberra Times *‘Descriptions of nature as competitive … shaped the way people perceive it today. Sweet in Tooth and Claw debunks such concepts to reveal that, in fact, cooperation and generosity allow nature to thrive. It also speculates about what differences would be possible if human beings followed nature’s example … A rich and fascinating book, Sweet in Tooth and Claw is stunning in its vision of how, by embracing nature’s cooperative, generous spirit, human beings might do part of the great work of helping the planet and its inhabitants to thrive.’ -- Foreword Reviews, starred review‘Firsthand accounts of her time spent with researchers and practitioners are fascinating. Woven throughout are her thoughtful observations along with an abundance of striking, full-page colour photographs. Whether discussing individuals gardening with native plants or cities planning greener and more connected watersheds and ecosystems, Ohlson makes a compelling argument for working together and taking a lesson from the many instances of cooperation in nature.’ * Booklist *‘A book that reimagines what is possible when people see themselves as part of the ecosystem rather than as its predator. Refreshing, thought-provoking — and delightfully illustrated.’ * Civil Eats *‘Beautiful story-telling … The mutualism explored in Sweet in Tooth and Claw eases open our eyes, our hearts, our senses — guiding us to recognise countless examples of generosity and cooperation far beyond the pages of this book.’ * Medium *‘Kristin Ohlson … takes a deep, stimulating, and nuanced dive into the world of mutualism … What’s refreshing and, frankly, uplifting is Ohlson’s non-treacly pursuit of people seeking solutions. Bookshelves are already laden with tales of planetary gloom and doom that are, no doubt, scientifically accurate but also contributors to paralysis and hopelessness. At the core of Ohlson’s exploratory journey is her role as that trusted friend who can help humans of all stripes comprehend how cooperation within and among species undergirds a thriving natural world.’ -- Elizabeth McGowan * Washington Independent Review of Books *Praise for The Soil Will Save Us: ‘The author has a clear storytelling style, which comes in handy when drawing this head-turning portrait of lowly dirt.’ * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for Stalking the Divine: ‘Kristin Ohlson’s honesty, intelligence, and charm make this book irresistible. A nonbeliever who longs for a convincing spiritual experience, she writes about a community of cloistered nuns: women as honest, intelligent, and charming as she, who have centred their lives around prayer. Stalking the Divine is a delightful story about curiosity, by a writer who can’t be dispassionate about her subject and also can’t lie to herself.’ * Alice Mattison, author of The Book Borrower and Hilda and Pearl *Praise for Kabul Beauty School: ‘Colourful, suspenseful, funny … witty and insightful.’ STARRED REVIEW * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisColour in art - as in life - is both inspiring and uplifting, but where does it come from? How have artists found new hues, and how have these influenced their work? Beginning with the ancients - when just a handful of pigments made up the artist''s palette - and charting the discoveries and developments that have led to the many splendoured rainbow of modern paints, Bright Earth brings the story of colour spectacularly alive. Packed with anecdotes about lucky accidents and hapless misfortunes in the quests for new colours, it provides an entertaining and fascinating new perspective on the science of art.Trade ReviewBrilliant...in every sense. Ball's book is the volume that has been missing from my library * Guardian *Brings the mysterious subject of colour wonderfully alive. Quite literally an eye-opener * Economist *A succinct and elegantly structured new survey of Western painting. Ball pitches his learning just right between academic history and a highly readable series of anecdotes and biographical sketches * Daily Mail *Full of fascinating vignettes. Philip Ball writes engagingly on complicated topics * Sunday Telegraph *Scattered with attractive particles, sparkles with redolent names... A solid, well-researched compendium of information * TLS *

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Book SynopsisIf you could be invisible, what would you do? The chances are that it would have something to do with power, wealth or sex. Perhaps all three. Impulses like these have always been at the heart of our fascination with invisibility. This book offers a history of humanity's turbulent relationship with the invisible.Trade ReviewAs a harvest of fascinating facts delivered with sharp wit and insight, it is hard to fault -- Robert Douglas-Fairhurst * Daily Telegraph *Intriguing -- John Carey * Sunday Times *A fascinating compendium… Another author might struggle to manage such an esoteric collection [of stories of invisibility] but Mr Ball’s writing is incisive enough to keep the different elements hanging and working together * The Economist *Ball marshals his material with deftness and charm * Literary Review *[A] fantastic feast of ideas and information on the subject… In this enthralling book, Philip Ball’s elegant and intelligent mastery…is very evident indeed * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisScott Stossel is the editor of The Atlantic. Previously, he was the executive editor of The American Prospect. He is also the author of Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver. A graduate of Harvard, he lives with his family in Washington DC.Trade ReviewUnflinchingly honest and written in an accessible style…This is a courageous, entertaining and well-researched book about a condition that is thought to currently affect 15 percent if people in the UK. * Independent *[A] vivid, smart exploration of the history of anxiety. Stossel tackles genetics, nature and nurture, drug development, and changing medical and philosophical attitudes with the lightest of touches. * Marie Claire *[A] courageous and hilarious journey to the edge of insanity…Stossel’s patient, conscientious uncertainty contains more wit and sensitivity than a hundred manifestos…an immense achievement. * Sunday Telegraph *Fascinating and hugely entertaining. An intense, incredibly brave narrative tinged with moments of outright hilarity, it’s impossible to put down. -- Ben MezrichCareful and clearly written, his book contains more truth, wit and sensitivity than 100 manifestos. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisJohn D. Barrow is Professor of Mathematical Sciences and Director of the Millennium Mathematics Project at Cambridge University, Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and the current Gresham Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, London. His principal area of scientific research is cosmology, and he is the author of many highly acclaimed books about the nature and significance of modern developments in physics, astronomy, and mathematics, including The Origin of the Universe, The Universe that Discovered Itself; The Book of Nothing, The Constants of Nature, The Infinite Book: a Short Guide to the Boundless, Timeless and Endless, The Artful Universe Expanded, New Theories of Everything, Cosmic Imagery and, most recently, The Book of Universes.Trade ReviewBarrow conducts a tour of many of the most interesting topics in recent popular science, giving most of them a new twist in the telling... Trying to improve our understanding of just what is possible, and what is not, seems a vital part of the enterprise our kind of consciousness has called science * Financial Times *[An] illuminating, well-written account... One can only wonder how Barrow can possibly make all these [concepts] fit together into a coherent story about the limits to science. Well, contrary to all expectations, he does make them fit, and in only 250 pages! So for about as good an account as youre going to get of where science stops, read this book * Nature *Delightful and fascinating... Impossibility is a thoughtful, careful, and insightful book that is presented in a skillfully woven narrative, guiding the reader gently through the thicket of logic, physics, and mathematics... If you are fascinated by the limits of knowledge, you will be richly rewarded by this book * New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisIn Warped Passages one of the world''s most exciting scientists gives us a glimpse into our future. Incredibly readable - and illustrated throughout - it allows the general reader to understand the questions that scientists are dealing with at the frontiers of research today. Lisa Randall allows the reader to understand the kind of problems that extra dimensions might solve and the kind of speculation that is needed even to imagine them. She also gives an introduction to developments in early twentieth century physics, particle physics and string theory and addresses current debates about relativity, quantum mechanics and gravity - and she describes the questions that are still to be solved.

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Book Synopsis''A must read for anyone interested in the emerging ethics of robotics'' Irene M. PepperbergA bold, optimistic exploration of the relationship between robots and humans based on our history with animals, from a renowned MIT researcherThe robots are here. They make our cars, they deliver fast food, they mine the sea floor. And in the near-future their presence will increasingly enter our homes and workplaces - making human-robot interaction a frequent, everyday occurrence. What will this future look like? What will define the relationship between humans and robots?Here Kate Darling, a world-renowned expert in robot ethics, shows that in order to understand the new robot world, we must first move beyond the idea that this technology will be something like us. Instead, she argues, we should look to our relationship with animals. Just as we have harnessed the power of animals to aid us in war and work, so too will robots supplement - rather than re

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Book SynopsisLanguage Unlimited explores the many mysteries about our capacity for language and reveals the source of its endless creativity.All humans, but no other species, have the capacity to create and understand language. It provides structure to our thoughts, allowing us to plan, communicate, and create new ideas, without limit. Yet we have only finite experiences, and our languages have finite stores of words. Where does our linguistic creativity come from? How does the endless scope of language emerge from our limited selves?Drawing on research from neuroscience, psychology, and linguistics, David Adger takes the reader on a journey to the hidden structure behind all we say (or sign) and understand. Along the way you''ll meet children who created language out of almost nothing, and find out how new languages emerge using structures found in languages spoken continents away. David Adger will show you how the more than 7000 languages in the world appear to obey the same deep scientific laws, how to invent a language that breaks these, and how our brains go crazy when we try to learn languages that just aren''t possible. You''ll discover why rats are better than we are at picking up certain language patterns, why apes are far worse at others, and how artificial intelligences, such as those behind Alexa and Siri, understand language in a very un-human way.Trade ReviewA delightful journey through the many fascinating aspects of language, its nature and use, its richness and variety and its deep commonalities, beginning with the simplest observations and reaching to the borders of inquiry, interleaved with striking illustrations from a wide variety of languages and illuminating the way with results from experimental, animal, and computational research. A wonderful experience. * Noam Chomsky *Entertaining and accessible. A handy introduction to a vexed debate on the infinite power of the finite mortal mind. * The Economist *I wish there were more linguistics professors bringing their A-game to a larger audience like this. * Superlinguo *A highly readable introduction to some of the big questions in linguistics. I'd recommend this lucid and engaging book to both the amateur language enthusiast and the beginning linguistics student. Adger writes w.ith true depth of understanding and generosity towards the broader field of linguistics. * Gretchen McCulloch *Language Unlimited is a must for any linguistic enthusiastic. * María Florencia Silva, Linguist List *Captivating. Adger makes the simple but profound observation that language is more than communication. * Kevin Berger, Nautilus *Table of Contents1: Creating language 2: Beyond symbols and signals 3: A sense of structure 4: The question of Psammetichus 5: Impossible patterns 6: All in the mind 7: A law of language 8: Botlang 9: Merge 10: Grammar and culture

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Bacteria form a fundamental branch of life. They are the oldest forms of life as we know it, and they are still the most prolific living organisms. They inhabit every part of the Earth''s surface, its ocean depths, and even terrains such as boiling hot springs. They are most familiar as agents of disease, but benign bacteria are critical to the recycling of elements and all ecology, as well as to human health. In this Very Short Introduction, Sebastian G. B. Amyes explores the nature of bacteria, their origin and evolution, bacteria in the environment, and bacteria and disease. In this new edition, he examines the ethical implications of synthetic bacteria, the evolving technologies used to combat antibiotics resistance, and the role bacteria play in the evolutionary development of humans.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 ContentsPreface 1: Origins 2: Evolution 3: Microbiota and microbiome in man 4: Discovery 5: Environment and civilization 6: Bacterial pathogenesis 7: Antibiotics 8: Antibiotic resistance 9: The future Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Ian Stewart''s strange and magical world of mathematics! In Math Hysteria, Professor Stewart presents us with a wealth of magical puzzles, each one spun around an amazing tale: Counting the Cattle of the Sun; The Great Drain Robbery; and Preposterous Piratical Predicaments; to name but a few. Along the way, we also meet many curious characters: in short, these stories are engaging, challenging, and lots of fun!Trade ReviewIn Math Hysteria, Professor Stewart presents us with a wealth of intriguing, challenging, and fun puzzles, each one spun around an amazing tale. * L'Enseignement Mathematique, 2005 *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. I know that you know that ... ; 2. Domino theories ; 3. Turning the tables ; 4. The anthropomurphic principle ; 5. Counting the cattle of the sun ; 6. The great drain robbery ; 7. Two-way jigsaw puzzles ; 8. Tales of a neglected number ; 9. Is Monopoly fair? ; 10. Monopoly revisited ; 11. A guide to computer dating ; 12. Dividing the spoils ; 13. Squaring the square ; 14. The bellows conjecture ; 15. Purposefully piling pyramids ; 16. Be a dots-and-boxes grandmaster ; 17. Choosily chomping chocolate ; 18. Shedding a little darkness ; 19. Preposterous piratical predicaments ; 20. Million-dollar minesweeper ; Further reading

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