Popular science Books

Book SynopsisFor fans of WHAT IF? and NEW SCIENTIST comes this brilliantly funny and informative look at the stranger side of evolution.Featuring:The Zombie ants mind-controlled by a fungusBeautiful salamanders that can regenerate any part of their bodies, including their brainsThe mantis shrimp, which fires its club-like appendage so fast that the surrounding water becomes as hot as the surface of the sunThe Antechinus, whose runaway testosterone levels cause them to have so much sex during their three-week mating season that they bleed internally, go blind, and drop dead...Featuring quirky illustrations and the signature blend of science smarts and humour that make Matt Simon''s Wired column so entertaining, this is an ideal stocking-filler for every popular science aficionado...

Read more less

Book Synopsis*NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEST TRAVEL BOOKS OF 2020*The curious and vanishing world of ice in Greenland, told through 24 hours in the life of a polar scientist.''Insightful, lyrical, and personal'' - Jon Gertner''Evokes the ice sheet''s magnificence and fragility'' - Elizabeth KolbertOne of the least inhabited and most mysterious parts of the world, Greenland is a singular place on Earth from which to look for the future of our planet and question its history. Polar scientist Marco Tedesco, a world-leading expert on ice and on climate change, takes us along as he and his fellow researchers conduct all-important measurements to understand the dramatic changes afoot on the immense polar ice cap. Following a day in the life of this disappearing world, Tedesco tells us about improbable ''polar camels'', cryoconite holes, gigantic meteorite debris, the epic deeds of great Arctic explorers and the legends of Greenland''Trade ReviewWhen it comes to ice and snow, and to understanding the cold and exotic climates of Greenland and Antarctica, Marco Tedesco is one of the most knowledgeable scientists alive. Ice is a terrific complement to his important academic work - a book that is insightful, lyrical, and personal, and that will help guide readers through the science of a warming world * Jon Gertner, author of The Ice at the End of the World and The Idea Factory *As Marco Tedesco explains, the Greenland ice sheet plays an oversized role in life on earth. Tedesco and Alberto Flores d'Arcais have done a wonderful job evoking the ice sheet's magnificence and fragility * Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction *Tedesco shares scientific and historical insight into Arctic ice, discussing the hardy microorganisms that live in it, the famed explorers behind major discoveries about the ice, and the threat posed by climate change * Publishers Weekly *Imagine a science book that's truly informative but without an intimidating slew of equations, graphs, and references. That book is Ice - a book about ice, climate, Greenland, and the daily life of scientists who study these esoteric topics. It's a beautifully told story that will make you wish you could spend a year alone on the Greenland ice sheet * Henry Pollack, Professor Emeritus at The University of Michigan Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and author of A World Without Ice *In this illuminating narrative, history, science and the deeply personal experiences of living on ice are woven together in a way that offers the reader a unique perspective on the past, present, and future of the Greenland ice sheet. The colors and sounds of migrating ice, the challenges of tent life in one of the planet's harshest settings, the importance of companionship, and the wild world's power to inspire deep reflection and contemplation all make this book a must-read for anyone who is curious about the frozen Arctic landscape or concerned about the impacts of climate change * William E. Glassley, author of A Wilder Time: Notes from a Geologist at the Edge of the Greenland Ice *Marco Tedesco tells us a story we need to hear. Most of us will never see Greenland with our own eyes, but we can see it, in all its splendor, through his. Tedesco teaches us that we are not just caretakers of our home planet, although we need to be that and do that, but also that we are intimately connected to the snow and ice of Greenland. As it melts, all of us, everywhere, are changed. * Susan Hand Shetterly, author of Seaweed Chronicles *Greenland is ground zero for the monumental change sweeping over our world during the Anthropocene. Dr. Tedesco makes a valuable and much-needed contribution toward the dire story unfolding in this great and sometimes enigmatic land * James Balog, A.D. White Professor-at-Large *Glaciologist Marco Tedesco, working with Italian journalist Alberto Flores d'Arcais, does a gripping job of evoking Greenland's ice sheet. * National Geographic, Best Travel Books of 2020 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWho wore the first pants? Who painted the first masterpiece? Who first rode the horse? This madcap adventure across ancient history uses everything from modern genetics to archaeology to uncover the geniuses behind these and other world-changing innovations.In this book, writer Cody Cassidy digs deep into the latest research to uncover the untold stories of some of these incredible innovators (or participants in lucky accidents). With a sharp sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for the wonders of our ancient ancestors, Who Ate the First Oyster? profiles the perpetrators of the greatest firsts and catastrophes of prehistory, using the lives of individuals to provide a glimpse into ancient cultures to show how and why these critical developments occurred, and educate us on a period of time that until recently we''ve known almost nothing about.Trade ReviewA fun and enlightening quick trip through all the clever, stupid, dangerous, and gross human firsts that we've all wondered about. * Zach and Kelly Weinersmith, New York Times bestselling authors of Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything *In this fascinating and entertaining book, Cody Cassidy has done what might seem impossible: illustrating the identity, life, and death of some of the most momentous-and entirely anonymous-figures in human (and prehuman) history. * Ryan North, author of How To Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler *A breezy read through millennia of human development. * Kirkus Reviews *illuminating and entertaining... Enthralled readers will develop a new appreciation for the ancient past. * Publishers Weekly *Cassidy embarks on a wide-ranging, far-flung journey of curiosity that easily engages the reader. Chapters are brimming with history that may surprise readers as well as compel them to further investigate. * Booklist *WHO told the first joke? Or drank the first beer? Author Cody Cassidy has the answers to those questions and more in his new Who Ate The First Oyster? book. He has dug deep to uncover the untold stories of some of our ancestors' innovations and discoveries. * Daily Star *Despite its fun approach, the chapters are full of history and brings to life people time has forgotten. It's also a fascinating insight into how things we take for granted developed. * Good to Know *Cody Cassidy spent more than three years scouring libraries, debating with experts and travelling the world on a quest to solve the mysteries behind some of humanity's most significant innovations. * The Red Bulletin *Delves into the past and the circumstances of some of our greatest discoveries * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIs it possible for humans to live on other planets?What will happen on the next mission to the Moon?And was there really once life on Mars?Brought to you by the infectiously enthusiastic team behind The Supermassive Podcast from the Royal Astronomical Society, The Year in Space highlights the most exciting space news from the past twelve months and looks forward to the year ahead. Packed with features, interviews, in-depth explainers and stunning photography, it covers everything from the extraordinary new images from the James Webb telescope to the search for extraterrestrial life. You''ll also find practical tips on what to look out for in the night sky in 2023. Fun, engaging and accessible, this is essential reading for every space enthusiast.Trade ReviewEverything you could possibly want to know about recent space science accomplishments. Expertly delivered with a human touch. * Professor Lucie Green *What a superb astronomical companion book this is. A fantastic snapshot and collection of all our astro and space travel events in this feverishly busy chapter we're travelling through! A fascinating and accessible read that shows what a hugely inspiring period this is, consolidating our place ever further into space. * Jon Culshaw *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwenty years ago, the search for planets--and life--outside the solar system was a job restricted to science fiction writers. It is now one of the most rapidly growing fields in astronomy, with thousands of these exoplanets discovered so far. The detection of these worlds has only been possible in the last decade, with the number of discoveries increasing enormously over the last year following the findings of the Kepler Space Telescope. These new worlds are more alien than anything in fiction. Planets larger than Jupiter with years lasting one week, planets circling the dead remains of stars, others with two suns lighting their skies or with no sun at all. These locations hint at Earth-sized worlds but with split hemispheres of perpetual day and night, waterworlds drowning under global oceans, and volcanic lava planets spewing seas of magma. The Planet Factory tells the story of exoplanets, planets orbiting stars outside of our solar system. Discover Trade ReviewA precious compendium on what we can say about the formation of planets, and how much our knowledge has progressed in recent years. * Nature *Packed with interesting insights and scientific content that capably captures the current state of exoplanet research. * Sky at Night *If you’ve always been intrigued by extrasolar planets — or even if you haven’t! — you’ll want to move this book to the top of your reading list. * Sky & Telescope *Engaging and informative ... a great introduction to a relatively new and fast-changing aspect of scientific endeavour. * Engineering and Technology *Brilliantly written ... Tasker highlights how difficult the hunt for planets is. I highly recommend this book. * Physics World *This splendidly readable and authoritative book succeeds at the near-impossible task of explaining all you need to know about the revolutionary and fast-moving scientific field that's seeking out these new worlds and what may be lurking on them. -- Caleb Scharf, Directory of Astrobiology, Columbia UniversityElizabeth Tasker is the perfect guide in this astronomical adventure story; she brings the world’s leading planet hunters vividly to life and demystifies the crucial technical details of the research with impressive clarity and a light, engaging touch. -- Michael D. Lemonick, Chief Opinion Editor at Scientific American and the author of Mirror Earth: The Search for Our Planet’s TwinIn a lively science narrative spiced with a sly humour, Elizabeth Tasker makes learning about the planets of our Solar System and beyond into a rich and rewarding pleasure. -- Marc Kaufman, author of First Contact and Mars Up Close, and founder of NASA’S online column ‘Many Worlds’Elizabeth Tasker’s book is a surprisingly complete description of the current state of astronomy of extrasolar planets, presented in a way that is extremely entertaining and accessible. I highly recommend it to everyone who would like to get acquainted with this still-new, fascinating field of science. -- Aleksander Wolszczan, discoverer of the first exoplanetTable of ContentsPreface Introduction: The Blind Planet Hunters PART 1: THE FACTORY FLOOR Chapter 1: The Factory Floor2 Chapter 2: The Record-breaking Building Project Chapter 3: The Problem with Gas Chapter 4: Air and Sea PART 2: DANGEROUS PLANETS Chapter 5: The Impossible Planet Chapter 6: We Are Not Normal Chapter 7: Water, Diamonds or Lava? The Planet Recipe Nobody Knew Chapter 8: Worlds Around Dead Stars Chapter 9: The Lands of Two Suns Chapter 10: The Planetary Crime Scene Chapter 11: Going Rogue PART 3: GOLDILOCKS WORLDS Chapter 12: The Goldilocks Criteria Chapter 13: The Search for Another Earth Chapter 14: Alien Vistas Chapter 15: Beyond the Goldilocks Zone Chapter 16: The Moon Factory Chapter 17: The Search for Life Author’s note Glossary Further Reading Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat is Big Data, and why should you care?Big data knows where you''ve been and who your friends are. It knows what you like and what makes you angry. It can predict what you''ll buy, where you''ll be the victim of crime and when you''ll have a heart attack. Big data knows you better than you know yourself, or so it claims.But how well do you know big data?You''ve probably seen the phrase in newspaper headlines, at work in a marketing meeting, or on a fitness-tracking gadget. But can you understand it without being a Silicon Valley nerd who writes computer programs for fun?Yes. Yes, you can.Timandra Harkness writes comedy, not computer code. The only programmes she makes are on the radio. If you can read a newspaper you can read this book.Starting with the basics what IS data? And what makes it big? Timandra takes you on a whirlwind tour of how people are using big data today: from science to smart cities, business to politics, self-quantification to the Internet of ThiTrade ReviewA superb explanation of how we got to today. * Evening Standard *Harkness has the perfect combination of wit, charm and statistical insight to crunch big data. It's the book about stats, life and big data we've all been waiting for. -- Matt Parker, Stand-up MathematicianHarkness raises some very big questions indeed, not just about the grandiose claims of the big data evangelists, but also about how in the age of universal surveillance we can defend the concept of privacy. * The Herald *A wonderful collection of fascinating data stories, all told in Timandra's smart and chatty style. But this book also asks the important questions. If big data brings new opportunities, just what are the implications? -- Hannah Fry, author and mathematicianA brilliant guide to our brave new world. -- Brian CleggThis book is a great read – full of interesting stories and fun interviews. But it is not just another credulous tale of technological wonders – Harkness is suitably sceptical of the hype about data analytics, and serious about the challenges is brings. -- David Spiegelhalter, author and mathematicianTable of ContentsIntroduction: What is it? Where did it come from? 1: What Is Data? And what makes it big? 2: Death and Taxes. And Babies. 3: Thinking Machines What Has Big Data Done For Us? 4: Big Business 5: Big Science 6: Big Society 7: Data Driven Democracy Big Ideas? 8: Big Brother 9: Who Do We Think You Are? 10: Are You A Data Point Or A Human Being? Appendix - things you can do to keep your data private Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY INSIGHT INVESTMENT SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2019**''Read this book and join the effort to terminate air pollution.'' - Arnold SchwarzeneggerAir pollution has become the world's greatest environmental health risk, and science is only beginning to reveal its wide-ranging effects. Globally, 19,000 people die each day from air pollution, killing more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and car accidents combined.What happened to the air we breathe?Sustainability journalist Tim Smedley has travelled the world to try and find the answer, visiting cities at the forefront of the fight against air pollution, including Delhi, Beijing, London and Paris. With insights from the scientists and politicians leading the battle against it, and people whose lives have been affected by it, Clearing the Air tells the full story of air pollution for the first time: what it is, which pollutants are harmful, where they come from and most importantly Trade ReviewAir pollution is a serious problem that we all have the power to solve. Tim Smedley's book, Clearing the Air, shows how the fightback against air pollution works. Tim's book is action-packed and his global journey of discovery uncovers the real heroes who are taking a stand and fighting for their right to breathe clean air. Read this book and join the effort to terminate air pollution. -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, 38th Governor of CaliforniaWhether describing Paris's Journee sans Voiture or electric buses in Beijing and Milton Keynes, Clearing the Air not only suggests that tackling pollution is possible, but also shows how, in many places, the work is already being done. In a news cycle that increasingly informs us that all hope is lost, it is uplifting to read that Smedley, an award-winning sustainability journalist, does not think so. * Times Literary Supplement *Clearing the Air is incredibly well researched with plenty of numbers and facts to back up Smedley’s arguments. This is an important book and one that I whole-heartedly recommend. Even if politicians are slow to take measures about the air quality where you live, Clearing the Air will help you to play your part in creating a cleaner and healthier future. * Chemistry World *Clearing the Air sets out in simple terms the monumental damage that dirty air is causing to us and our environment. It also gives us the remarkably simple, logical solutions that need embracing across the world. Compulsory reading. -- Chris Boardman, Olympic Gold Medallist and Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking CommissionerTim Smedley's indignation about the years of cover-ups and lies by governments and corporations is well founded. There are scientific details packed between the covers of this personal account – atmospheric chemistry, automative engineering, health effects and much more. The technical details are woven seamlessly into the story. It left me with a growing feeling of hope: people around the world are demanding breathable air! -- Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB)A wonderfully written book that takes you through the fascinating and terrifying story of air pollution, and explains how billions of people unwittingly ended up breathing toxic air. What Tim does so well is to articulate a simple truth that ultimately leaves you with hope: it doesn’t have to be this way. Air pollution is a man-made problem and Clearing the Air sets out the simple steps that governments and individuals must take to ensure that everyone can breathe clean air. Read it and take action! -- James Thornton, CEO, ClientEarthA thoughtful, worthwhile book that fulfils the important role of observing air pollution across widespread regions of the world. China is not the first country to experience the environmental impacts of industrialization, and it will not be the last. -- Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, Beijing, ChinaTable of ContentsPrologue PART I: ORIGINS Chapter 1: The Greatest Smog? Chapter 2: Life’s a Gas Chapter 3: Particulate Matters Chapter 4: No Smoke Without Fire Chapter 5: The Dash for Diesel Chapter 6: Struggling to Breathe PART II: FIGHTBACK Chapter 7: The Greatest Smog Solution? Chapter 8: Electric Dreams Chapter 9: Road Rage Chapter 10: What Price Fresh Air? Epilogue The Clean Air Blueprint: For Cities The Clean Air Blueprint: For You References Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON GLOBAL CONSERVATION''Pilcher is both very funny and very, very clever.'' Gillian Burke''Richly entertaining throughout.'' Sunday TimesFor the last three billion years or so, life on Earth was shaped by natural forces. Evolution tended to happen slowly, with species crafted across millennia. Then, a few hundred thousand years ago, along came a bolshie, big-brained, bipedal primate we now call Homo sapiens, and with that, the Earth's natural history came to an abrupt end. We are now living through the post-natural phase, where humans have become the leading force shaping evolution. This thought-provoking book considers the many ways that we've altered the DNA of living things and changed the fate of life on earth. We have carved chihuahuas from wolves and fancy chickens from jungle fowl. We've added spider genes to goats and coral genes to tropical fish. It's possible to buyTrade ReviewTackles how humans are altering existing animal life. It has some good lines and is richly entertaining throughout, but under the surface it is pretty serious.' * Sunday Times *Helen Pilcher takes on the unenviable task of describing how our species has been on a collision course, spanning roughly 300,000 years of history, with the rest of life on earth. It shouldn't make for good reading but, mercifully, Pilcher is both very funny and very, very clever. -- Gillian Burke, biologist and TV presenterWith warm wit and glorious pace, Life Changing delivers an eloquent commentary on this, the age of post-natural history. Expertly pulling together and detailing the work of hundreds of scientists around the world, Pilcher encourages us to ask timely questions about our role as stewards and curators of a planet struggling under our influence. -- Jules Howard, naturalist, science writer and author of Sex on EarthTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Wolf that Rolled Over Chapter 2: Strategic Moos and Golden Gnus Chapter 3: Super Salmon and Spider-Goats Chapter 4: Game of Clones Chapter 5: Screwworms and Suicide Possums Chapter 6: The Age of the Chicken Chapter 7: Sea-Monkeys and Pizzly Bears Chapter 8: Darwin’s Moth Chapter 9: Resilient Reefs Chapter 10: Love Island Chapter 11: Pigs and Purple Emperors Chapter 12: The New Ark Additional Reading Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe volcano among the most familiar and perhaps the most terrifying of all geological phenomena. However, Earth isn''t the only planet to harbour volcanoes. In fact, the Solar System, and probably the entire Universe, is littered with them. Our own Moon, which is now a dormant piece of rock, had lava flowing across its surface billions of years ago, while Mars can be credited with the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons, which stands 25km high. While Mars''s volcanoes are long dead, volcanic activity continues in almost every other corner of the Solar System, in the most unexpected of locations. We tend to think of Earth volcanoes as erupting hot, molten lava and emitting huge, billowing clouds of incandescent ash. However, it isn''t necessarily the same across the rest of the Solar System. For a start, some volcanoes aren''t even particularly hot. Those on Pluto, for example, erupt an icy slush of substances such as water, methane, nitrogen or ammonia, that fTrade ReviewFire and Ice is an assured, essential read on everything you could hope to know about volcanoes on both our world and others. It captures the intrigue, mystery and wonder of space, and underscores just how much we have to thank volcanoes for on Earth. * New Scientist *Starkey’s excellent book is the first to examine these extra-terrestrial volcanoes of our Solar System … It’s an explosive read in more ways than one. * Forbes *In Fire and Ice, geologist and solar system maven Natalie Starkey reveals to us that Earth is not the only host for active volcanoes. You can find them in places not previously imagined, like the surfaces of other planets and their moons. And you think you’ve seen everything? Some of these volcanoes even spew ice. Read all about it in this mind-expanding book. * Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist American Museum of Natural History *[Starkey] masterfully weaves the latest information we have about volcanoes throughout the Solar System into a broader narrative about planets and moons themselves. The result is a book about volcanoes — and so much more ... entertaining and informative. * Nature *A FANTASTIC exploration of the hidden workings of the planets, and a timely reminder of what a fascinating and dramatic place our solar system is. * Dallas Campbell, Science television presenter and author *Fire and Ice explores a unique blend of space volcanoes – from the inner workings to the outer landscapes. Natalie journeys into the weird nature of volcanism and dives into current outstanding questions that we are still exploring. * Dr Caitlin Ahrens, NASA / USRA *Natalie Starkey leads us on an incredible journey across our Solar System, revealing a wonderful variety of volcanic geology. A fascinating look at volcanoes and the space science that enables us to study them. * Rebecca Williams, Volcanologist *Starkey takes readers on NASA’s expeditions, onto islands, and between tectonic plates undersea with vivid, immersive descriptions. The result is a thoroughly accessible look at a lesser-known part of the universe. * Publisher's Weekly *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Destruction Chapter 3: Making a Magma Chapter 4: Construction Chapter 5: Creating a Life-giving World Chapter 6: Peering In Chapter 7: Warming Up Chapter 8: Cooling Off Chapter 9: Fiery Moons Chapter 10: Fiery Planets Chapter 11: Ice Worlds Chapter 12: What Next? Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPsychologist Rob Brotherton asks, how can we all be smarter consumers of news?Today we carry the news with us, getting instant alerts about events around the globe. And yet despite this unprecedented abundance of information, it seems increasingly difficult to know what''s true and what''s not. In Bad News, Rob Brotherton delves into the psychology of news, reviewing how psychological research can help navigate this post-truth world. Which buzzwords describe psychological reality, and which are empty sound bites? How much of this news is unprecedented, and how much is business as usual? Are we doomed to fall for fake news, or is fake news ... fake news?Much psychological research attempts to answer the fundamental questions lurking behind fake news. How do we form our beliefs, and why do we end up believing things that are wrong? How much information can we possibly process, and what is the internet doing to our attention spans? This brilliant book presTable of Contents1. Fake News 2. Bad News 3. Breaking News 4. Too Much News 5. Echo Chambers 6. Deepfakes 7. Post-Truth 8. Setting the Record Straight References Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisFirst Light opens a window into a previously dark and secret time in our Universe''s history the time when the first starts were born.Astronomers have successfully observed a great deal of the Universe''s history, from recording the afterglow of the Big Bang to imaging thousands of galaxies, and even to visualising an actual black hole. There''s a lot for astronomers to be smug about. But when it comes to understanding how the Universe began and grew up we are literally in the dark ages. In effect, we are missing the first one billion years from the timeline of the Universe.This brief but far-reaching period in the Universe''s history, known to astrophysicists as the ''Epoch of Reionisation'', represents the start of the cosmos as we experience it today. The time when the very first stars burst into life, when darkness gave way to light. After hundreds of millions of years of dark, uneventful expansion, one by the one these stars suddenly came into beiTrade ReviewAn illuminating—and entertaining—look at the earliest stars of our cosmos. Chapman is a witty and straightforward guide … and her enthusiasm for the chase is infectious. First Light conveys the wonder and mystery of darkness suddenly illuminated by magnificent starlight. * Washington Post *Thoroughly engaging … allows us to see science in the making, chronicles current attempts to reveal this hidden era — what we know and what we don’t know. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagan’s, although with an extra and very welcome dollop of impish humor. * Wall Street Journal *First Light is a fantastic debut on the popular science scene for Emma Chapman that fleshes out the context around these two key functions. My opinion: come for the state-of-the-art on the first stars, stay for the comprehensive primer on modern cosmology, and revel in the footnotes. * Nature Astronomy *First Light is a dispatch from the frontiers of science, from a brain fizzing with ideas and energy. * Chris Lintott, BBC Sky at Night *Her everyday examples of complex concepts are conversational, witty and elucidating … Chapman manages to effectively convey the gist of most of this most complicated of space sciences … Chapman's most valuable asset here, aside from her obvious expertise, is her enthusiasm ... All of this is astounding, so much so that it almost defies explication, which is why it is such a treat to have someone of Chapman's stature willing to carry us along as she reaches for these ancient stars. * The Minneapolis Star Tribune *Throughout First Light, Chapman’s authenticity and humour shine through … In short, this is a charming book that is as fun to read as it is informative, making it as ideal for the casual reader as for those with an existing understanding of the field. * Physics World *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Over the Rainbow 2: Where is Population III? 3: The Small Bang 4: A Lucky Cloud of Gas 5: The Dark Ages 6: Fragmenting Stars 7: Stellar Archaeology 8: Galactic Cannibalism 9: The Cosmic Dusk 10: The Epoch of Reionisation 11: Unknown Unknowns References Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe history of climate change research how the world became addicted to fossil fuels, how we discovered that electricity may be our saviour, and how renewable energy is far from a 20th-century discovery.Did you know the link between carbon dioxide and global warming was first suggested in the 1850s? Climate change books are usually about the future, but Our Biggest Experiment turns instead asks how did we get into this mess, and how and when did we work out it was happening? Join Alice Bell on a rip-roaring ride through the characters, ideas, technologies and experiments that shaped the climate crisis we now find ourselves in.From an emerging idea of greenhouse gases' in the 19th century and, via scientific expeditions across oceans and ice caps and into space, the coining of the term global warming' in the 1970s, Bell explores how we began to realise that not only could human pollution dangerously warm the climate, but that it was already doing so. Drop by the first cTrade ReviewAlice Bell’s Our Biggest Experiment reads like a “chocolate box of a book”—regaling readers with a curated history of the people, science, politics, and technology that have intersected with the current climate crisis. She deftly weaves subtle and lesser-known details about the brilliant (and sometimes eccentric) individuals who have worked out how to measure and describe what we, as a species, have wrought upon Earth. * Science *Bell's book is nuanced, which is welcome in an often oversimplified and polarising topic … an insightful and informative read. * Geographical *A highly enjoyable rabbit hole of a book … Alice Bell chronicles the science and history of climate change in an intuitive manner that glides easily from one episode to the next. It’s a sweeping narrative of industry, energy and atmospheric science, and much of Bell’s achievement lies in artfully assembling pieces of the climate puzzle scattered across time and space. * New Statesman *The climate crisis is so overwhelming it can be easier not to engage with the problem. However, Alice had me every step of the way. She guides the reader on an international journey through time, focusing not on statistics but the complex human story and fascinating characters that have led us to where we are now. * Maddie Moate *Our Biggest Experiment is a spectacular achievement – the definitive history of the most consequential issue of our time. Majestic in scope, it offers not one but two epic stories – how we changed the world, and how we came to realize what we’ve done – told through Alice Bell’s charming, witty, and authoritative writing. * Ed Yong, The Atlantic *Vibrant and wonderfully detailed … Alice Bell brings to life the characters and corporations from the past whose names we all know, from Tesla and Watt to Esso and Shell. You might think it’s more important to focus on the future of our planet, but only by understanding our history can we start to shape what happens next. Read this and be energised to save the world. * Rowan Hooper, New Scientist *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Experiments 1: A Steam-Powered Greenhouse 2: Discovering Our Hothouse Earth 3: From Whale to Shale 4: The Weather Watchers 5: Electric Avenues 6: Tree Huggers 7: The Rise, Fall and Rise of Big Oil 8: Big Science 9: A Carousel of Progress 10: Growing Concern 11: Crisis Point 12: Already Happening Now Conclusion: End Point? Key Sources Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Attachment theory is everywhere, but is everything you''ve heard about it right? Laura Mucha explains it all. Learn how to better understand yourself and your relationships, and how to improve them.'' - Fearne CottonDo you over-analyse relationships? Or do you avoid thinking about them altogether? How do you think your childhood impacts you and your relationships?In Please Find Attached seven people talk candidly about their upbringings, loves and losses. Delving deep into their lives, Laura Mucha explains everything you need to know about attachment theory, the most well-researched relationship science, and how it can make sense of our lives.Please Find Attached explores why you think, feel and behave the way you do with loved ones, and helps you have better relationships as a result.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWilder takes readers on a global rewilding journey, exploring innovative and eye-opening projects led by a diverse group of conservationists.Rewilding is a radical new approach to wildlife conservation that offers remarkable potential. If conservation preserves what remains, rewilding goes further, seeking to restore entire ecosystems. The stakes are high with active initiatives quickening the process of recovery by reintroducing keystone species and habitats. Large mammal translocations and wildlife corridors running through densely populated areas are high-risk, high-reward initiatives. In this timely and exciting read, wildlife journalist Millie Kerr takes readers on a global journey of discovery. She considers the practicalities and possibilities of ecological restoration around the world, while exploring first-hand some of the most ambitious undertakings occurring today. Wilder details the return of jaguars to an Argentinian national Trade ReviewMillie Kerr's Wilder stands apart from the pack … it's dedicated to sharing the positives and successes of animal reintroductions, and Kerr’s personal narratives are just one reason why it is a very readable and enjoyable tale. * New Scientist *There are many rewilding programs in many countries, and Kerr navigates this complex world, using stories to shine light on the heroic people fighting to restore endangered or locally extinct species to protected environments. A must-read for those concerned about biodiversity loss. * Dr Jane Goodall *Just as each species has its niche, so we too can – and must – find our own way into rewilding ourselves and the world around us. This book is a compelling and at times personal guidebook for that journey. * Geographical magazine *Millie Kerr is the perfect guide to take us on a tour of the rewilding landscape. Her deep personal connection with nature and meticulous research inform a story of hope featuring a cast of fascinating characters (both human and animal). Wilder is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of conservation. * Lucy Cooke, author and broadcaster *Millie Kerr gives us a vivid portrait of the people and ideas shaping rewilding. In coming decades, there will be no more important cause. Traditional conservation is no longer enough; now we must rewild the world. * Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods *Rewilding wisdom guides Millie Kerr's voyage around pioneering eco-projects. * Country & Town House *A real eye-opener for what could be achieved in Britain. * Rewilding Britain *An accessible introduction to animal rewilding projects for a general audience. -- C. L. Johnson * Choice Magazine *Wilder is a book about the destruction people create and the good we can do with the right heart and resources. * Science *Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note Introduction Chapter One: A Park for the People Chapter Two: Extinct in the Wild Chapter Three: The Land of Birds Chapter Four: The Return Chapter Five: The Rewilding We Don’t See Chapter Six: A Conservation Compromise in Post-War Rwanda Chapter Seven: The Jaguar’s Journey Chapter Eight: Replacement Rewilding Chapter Nine: Connecting the Cores Chapter Ten: Community Conservation Chapter Eleven: Recovering the Wild Heart Acknowledgements Notes Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Sunday Times bestsellerHow long is ''now''? The short answer is ''somewhere between 2 and 3 seconds''. The long answer involves an incredible journey through neuroscience, our subconscious and the time-bending power of meditation. Living in the present may never feel the same. Ready for some more? Okay. Why isn''t Pluto a planet? Why are dogs'' noses wet? Why do hens cluck more loudly after laying an egg? What happens when one black hole swallows another? Do our fingerprints change as we get older? How young can you die of old age? And what is at the very edge of the Universe?Life is full of mind-bending questions. And, as books like What If? and Why Don''t Penguins'' Feet Freeze? have shown, the route to find each answer can take us on the weirdest and most wonderful journeys. How Long is Now? is a fascinating new collection of questions you never thought to ask, along with answers that will change the way you seeTrade ReviewIf you're one of those people (and I am) who often find yourself wondering about the "whys" and "whats" of random phenomena for no apparent reason, your hopes have been answered. How Long is Now? is the book I didn't know I needed until I read it - with the answers I didn't know I craved until I had them. It's funny and endlessly fascinating. I have one question left: when's the follow-up coming out? I'm sure to have many queries saved up -- Maria Konnikova New York Times bestselling author of Mastermind and The Confidence Game

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs you read this, billions of neutrinos from the sun are passing through your body, antimatter is sprouting from your dinner and the core of your being is a chaotic mess of particles known only as quarks and gluons.If the recent discovery of the Higgs boson piqued your interest, then Why The Universe Exists will take you deeper into the world of particle physics, with leading physicists and New Scientist exploring how the universe functions at the smallest scales. Find out about hunt for dark matter and why there is something rather than nothing. Discover how accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland are rewinding time to the first moments after the big bang, and how ghostly neutrino particles may hold the answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe. ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subject

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Is Planet Earth is dedicated to the wonders of Planet Earth, the most amazing place in the known Universe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of how our ancestors made the first tentative steps towards becoming human, how we lost our fur but gained language, fire and tools, and how we strode out of Africa, invented farming and cities and ultimately created modern civilisation

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy the author of The Science Delusion a detailed account of how science can authenticate spiritualityTrade ReviewI thought I was undergoing a mild mid-life crisis, but after reading Rupert Sheldrake's book I realise that - despite being a lifelong non-believer - I was actually embracing various rituals employed by followers of all major world religions to bring themselves closer to their particular deity...it's fascinating to learn that the pursuits that I, and many of my peers, are embracing aren't simply badges of incipient middle-age, but proven mood-enhancers employed by all cultures throughout history. * Mail on Sunday *I have personally adopted many of the practices Rupert describes in his book and experienced more love, joy, empathy, gratitude and equanimity as a result. We are all indebted to Rupert who has tirelessly brought us deep insights from both science and spirituality. * Deepak Chopra *Urgent, vital, gently devastating, and an exhilarating read. Buy it, read it, and give it to all your friends and all acolytes of scientism. Sheldrake will help us stay alive and be more alive. We all need his help. * Charles Foster, Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, and author of Being a Beast *I love this book! Few living scientists have the courage and the verve to ask the questions Rupert does, research them, and deliver answers in language all can understand. Be prepared as you read this book for an exciting and free-ranging ride, a sort of scientific pilgrimage journeying into spiritual practices and how they have benefited and can benefit humanity. * Matthew Fox, spiritual theologian and author of Original Blessing, The Reinvention of Work, and Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior for Our TImes *Praise for the Science Delusion * : *Sheldrake will be seen as a prophet. * The Sunday Times *Rupert Sheldrake does science, humanity and the world at large a considerable favour. * The Independent *Certainly we need to accept the limitations of much current dogma and keep our minds open as we reasonably can. Sheldrake may help us do so through this well-written, challenging and always interesting book. * Financial Times *There is something rather odd about the current state of science. For Rupert Sheldrake, [it is] facing a 'credibility crunch' on many fronts. He presents this challenging argument by identifying 'ten core beliefs that most scientists take for granted.' He then interrogates each in turn by reformulating it, in the spirit of radical scepticism, as a question. This Socratic method of inquiry proves surprisingly illuminating. A serious mind-expanding book. * Spectator *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA myth-busting, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping and fun-filled expedition through the world of Game of Thrones.Trade ReviewThe book is a breezy, funny, but thoroughly researched survey of the fantastic wonders on Game of Thrones. * Wall Street Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor you to be here today reading this requires a mind-boggling series of lucky breaks, starting with the Big Bang and ending in your own conception. So it''s not surprising that we persist in thinking that we''re in with a chance, whether we''re playing the lottery or working out the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life. In Chance, a (not entirely) random selection of the New Scientist''s sharpest minds provide fascinating insights into luck, randomness, risk and probability. From the secrets of coincidence to placing the perfect bet, the science of random number generation to the surprisingly haphazard decisions of criminal juries, it explores these and many other tantalising questions.Following on from the bestselling Nothing and Question Everything, this book will open your eyes to the weird and wonderful world of chance - and help you see when some things, in fact, aren''t random at all.Trade ReviewExcellent . . . it's accessible to anyone with only the most cursory knowledge of science . . . Prepare to be surprised and amazed * Choice *

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver wondered . . . - what is earwax for?- when is the moon blue?- why are there only two sexes?- do doctors live longer?Informative, hilarious, sometimes unsettling and always unexpected, the questions and answers from New Scientist readers in the magazine''s popular ''Last Word'' column are endlessly fascinating. Will We Ever Speak Dolphin? brings the best of the bunch together in another witty, weird and wise compendium that''s irresistible for ''Last Word'' fans and new readers alike.If you''ve ever wanted to know why you can''t hear shouting underwater, whether ants get scared of humans towering over them, how butterflies know where they''re heading, or whether there really is a difference between martinis shaken or stirred, New Scientist has all the weird and witty answers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the phenomenal New Scientist series, with over 2,500,000 copies soldDo Polar Bears Get Lonely? is the third compilation of readers'' answers to the questions in the ''Last Word'' column of New Scientist, the world''s best-selling science weekly. Following the phenomenal success of Does Anything Eat Wasps? (2005) and the even more spectacularly successful Why Don''t Penguins'' Feet Freeze? (2006), Do Polar Bears Get Lonely? includes a bumper crop of wise and wonderful answers never-before-seen in book form.Why does garlic make your breath smell? How toothpaste makers get the stripes in toothpaste? Why do we get ''pins and needles''? Why are some people left-handed and other people right-handed? Can insects get fat? Do elephants sneeze? And do fish get thirsty? What causes cells to stick together in the human body rather than simply fall apart? And why are pears pear-shaped (and not apple-shaped)?This all-new and e

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the phenomenal New Scientist series, with over 2,500,000 copies soldThe second compilation of readers'' answers to the questions in the ''Last Word'' column of New Scientist, the world''s best-selling science weekly. Following the phenomenal success of Does Anything Eat Wasps? - the Christmas 2005 surprise bestseller - Why Don''t Penguins'' Feet Freeze? includes answers to the most fascinating, trivial, idiosyncratic, baffling and strange questions in popular science. Ever wondered why we have fingerprints? Or whether bumblebees really defy the laws of physics when they fly? And why are eggs egg-shaped? And dogs'' noses black? Why do our eyes water when we cut onions? Why doesn''t superglue stick to the inside of its tube?Why Don''t Penguins'' Feet Freeze? is popular science at its most entertaining and enlightening.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery year, readers send in thousands of questions to New Scientist, the world's best-selling science weekly, in the hope that the answers to them will be given in the 'Last Word' column - regularly voted the most popular section of the magazine.Does Anything Eat Wasps? is a collection of the best that have appeared, including: Why can't we eat green potatoes? Why do airliners suddenly plummet? Does a compass work in space? Why do all the local dogs howl at emergency sirens? How can a tree grow out of a chimney stack? Why do bruises go through a range of colours? Why is the sea blue inside caves? Many seemingly simple questions are actually very complex to answer. And some that seem difficult have a very simple explanation. New Scientist's 'Last Word' celebrates all questions - the trivial, the idiosyncratic, the baffling and the strange. This selection of the best is popular science at its most entertaining and enlightening.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisDo you need to gain confidence with handling numbers and formulae? Do you want a clear, step-by-step guide to the key concepts and principles of statistics? Nearly all aspects of our lives can be subject to statistical analysis. Statistics: An Introduction shows you how to interpret, analyze and present figures.Assuming minimal knowledge of maths and using examples from a wide variety of everyday contexts, this book makes often complex concepts and techniques easy to get to grips with. This new edition has been fully updated.Whether you want to understand the statistics that you are bombarded with every day or are a student or professional coming to statistics from a wide range of disciplines, Statistics: An Introduction covers it all.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn our small corner of the universe, we know how some matter behaves most of the time and what even less of it looks like, and we have some good guesses about where it all came from. But we really have no clue what''s going on. In fact, we don''t know what about 95% of the universe is made of. So what happens when a cartoonist and a physicist walk into this strange, mostly unknown universe? Jorge Cham and Daniel Whiteson gleefully explore the biggest unknowns, why these things are still mysteries, and what a lot of smart people are doing to figure out the answers (or at least ask the right questions). While they''re at it, they helpfully demystify many complicated things we do know about, from quarks and neutrinos to gravitational waves and exploding black holes. With equal doses of humour and delight, they invite us to see the universe as a vast expanse of mostly uncharted territory that''s still ours to explore. This is a book for fans of Brian Cox and Trade ReviewPacked with witty infographics, cartoons, and lucid explanations * BBC Focus Magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Authoritative and accessible' Wall Street Journal -- Renowned neuroscientist combines his own gripping stories of survival in the wild, 15 years as a GP and his ground-breaking research in the University of California's 'Action Lab' to explain powerful connections between mind and body that help us be the very best we can be.

Read more less

Book Synopsis Trigonometry: A Complete Introduction is the most comprehensive yet easy-to-use introduction to Trigonometry. Written by a leading expert, this book will help you if you are studying for an important exam or essay, or if you simply want to improve your knowledge. The book covers all areas of trigonometry including the theory and equations of tangent, sine and cosine, using trigonometry in three dimensions and for angles for any magnitude, related to triangles. Everything you will need is here in this one book. Each chapter includes not only an explanation of the knowledge and skills you need, but also worked examples and test questions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA definitive and authoritative guide to drugs and why we get high from the creator of the top-rated podcast, Say Why to Drugs. Drugs. We''ve all done them. Whether it''s a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, a cigarette or a sleeping pill. But how well do we understand the effects of the drugs we take - legal or illegal? Say Why to Drugs investigates the science behind recreational drugs- debunking common myths and misconceptions, as well as containing the most recent scientific research. Looking at a range of drugs, this book provides a clear understanding of how drugs work and what they''re really doing to your mind and body. Along the way you will find out why ketamine is on the WHO''s list of essential medicines, why some researchers hope MDMA could treat PTSD, and much more. Enlightening, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Say Why to Drugs is a compelling read that will surprise and educate proponents on both sides of the drugs debatTrade ReviewSuzi Gage cuts through all the sensationalism and goes straight into an erudite, evidence based breakdown. In an area where factual accuracy is often rejected in favour of moralising or panicking this book is a vitally useful and frequently fascinating. -- Robin InceAn essential read. Drugs have a huge impact on our society. Whether you're taking them on not, it's good to be informed. -- Tim LovejoyAn excellently written, ironically clear-headed, and much needed book... that tells you all the important stuff worth knowing about drugs. -- Dean Burnett, author of The Idiot Brain and The Happy Brain It's so refreshing to read a book about drugs which fully acknowledges the complex, nuanced psychological aspects of addiction and that we're all somewhere on that scale. Written without making sweeping moral judgements and faithful to the science, this is a great overview for anyone who wants to educate themselves on a massive (and often emotive) topic. -- Natasha Devon, LBC

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow do you sniff out danger? What is a sense of direction or a gut instinct? You know about your five senses: hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch. But recent research has shown that we actually have at least thirty-two. We take our senses for granted but what would be possible if we properly understood how they all work? Award-winning science writer Emma Young has spent over a decade finding out, and in Super Senses she takes us on an exhilarating sensory journey, revealing how we taste things without using our tongues, why swearing is good for us and why both chocolate and rollercoasters can help you fall in love.Using the very latest cutting-edge research, she explains the exploits of record-breaking freedivers, whirling dervishes, super-tasters, stock market millionaires, and many more. Discover how touch can ease pain, how taking your pulse can make you fitter and why Abba''s Dancing Queen sounds different in Bolivia. Sharing surprising Trade ReviewAfter reading this fascinating book you'll never think about your senses in quite the same way again -- CLAUDIA HAMMONDAbsolutely fascinating . . . meticulously researched, expertly written, and packed with so many engrossing nuggets, every page is a remarkable revelation. Young has given me new understanding - and profound respect - for my incredible sensory body -- GAIA VINCEAn awe-inspiring guide to our sensual world that will leave you in wonder at your own astonishing perceptual powers. With cutting-edge science and extraordinary personal stories, Emma Young offers evidence-based strategies to protect and fine-tune many of those abilities - with potentially life-changing consequences. Along the way, Super Senses busts some of the most enduring myths about the human body and mind -- DAVID ROBSON, author of THE INTELLIGENCE TRAPThis book changed the way I sense the world. I'd say eye-opening but that's too limiting: this is sense-opening stuff -- ROWAN HOOPER, author of SUPERHUMANA vivid, multi-sensory journey through farflung landscapes of human experience . . . packed with scientific revelations and compelling stories . . . A sensory delight that made my world a richer place -- Jo Marchant, author of CURE and THE HUMAN COSMOSFascinating . . . unlocks the secrets of our amazing brains and bodies * Daily Mail *Packed with fascinating information and highly readable * Human Givens vol 28.1 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBBC Radio 4''s celebrated THE LIFE SCIENTIFIC has featured some of the world''s most renowned experts in the field of deadly viruses. The interviews make sobering reading, a reminder of all the deadly viruses that have threatened global health, and why for the scientists working on the front line in the war against viruses, the arrival of Covid-19 came as no surprise. Among the contributors to this all-too-timely book are:Jeremy Farrar, before he became Director of the Wellcome Trust, worked in an Infectious Diseases Hospital in Vietnam. He was on the frontline tackling SARS and nine months later a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N1. Peter Piot was at the forefront of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. He was the first to identify HIV in Africa. It took him fifteen years to persuade the world that it was also a heterosexual disease. Later as Executive Director of UN AIDS he fought for years to get the UN to take the threat of HIV seriously.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat does it take to be an inventor?Judging by the ingenious individuals who have come into The Life Scientific studio in the last eight years, there is no simple answer. Mathematicians, electricians, molecular biologists and mechanics can all transform lives. Some think with their hands, others make things in their minds. Most have a vision of the future. All are driven by a passionate determination to solve problems.These intimate accounts, based on interviews recorded for the popular BBC Radio 4 programme The Life Scientific, chart the life journeys of scientists and engineers working in Britain today from childhood interests to innovation. Explaining what they did when and why, they make science seem straightforward and exciting, revealing moments of disappointment, creativity, frustration and joy. The result is an illuminating collection of biographical short stories that make scientists and the work they do accessible to us all.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn engaging and original history of the first hundred years of DNA, one of the greatest triumphs of modern science.Trade ReviewGareth Williams, the former dean of medicine at Bristol University, has woven a truly superb narrative from short biographies of all the scientists who contributed to, and in some cases just missed out on, the epochal discovery that the secret of life is a digital linear code written on DNA ... By choosing to fill in the gaps in conventional accounts, Williams has done a good job of telling the whole story of science's greatest discovery. He has done it with fluency and a real feel for narrative -- Matt Ridley * The Times *This is a FANTASTIC book -- Professor Alice Roberts via Twitter (@theAliceRoberts)...a riveting good read...Not only did I find it hard to put down, I'm now moved to seek out other science histories by Williams. Highly recommended. * CHEMISTRY WORLD *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling manifesto for a twenty-first century understanding of human evolution and variation - and a weapon against scientific racismTrade ReviewA fascinating and timely refutation of the casual racism on the rise around the world. The ultimate anti-racism guide for data-lovers everywhere -- CAROLINE CRIADO PEREZFor centuries science has been used and abused by racists. This book wrests it from their grubby hands by showing that race is biologically meaningless and that modern genetic science is a racist's worst enemy. Along the way Adam Rutherford reveals that you are related to royalty, that every Nazi had Jewish ancestors and that you share no DNA with half your ancestors. A critical book on a critical issue -- DAVID OLUSOGANobody deals with challenging subjects more interestingly and compellingly than Adam Rutherford, and this may be his best book yet. This is a seriously important work -- BILL BRYSONA book that could save lives -- Kathryn Paige Harden * SPECTATOR *A fascinating debunking of racial pseudoscience . . . engaging and enlightening . . . equip[s] the reader with the scientific tools necessary to tackle questions concerning race, genes and ancestry -- Manjit Kumar * GUARDIAN *Characteristically far-reaching, insightful and brilliant, Adam Rutherford casts his net wide in a book that is as timely as it is invigorating and important -- PETER FRANKOPANRutherford, a geneticist, debunks racist pseudoscience, showing that everyone's ancestry is cosmopolitan in a stylish, punchy, myth-busting study * DAILY TELEGRAPH *[An] enthralling, illuminating book -- Francis Wheen * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A counter-blast to those who would use science to justify prejudice * NEW STATESMAN *Adam Rutherford is the perfect writer to arm you with evidence -- CLAUDIA HAMMONDThis fascinating, illuminating and original book on human evolution and development is essential reading in an age of false science, resurgent racism and conspiracy theory - and the perfect antidote to racial bigotryOne of the most pleasing observations offered by Adam Rutherford, a great communicator who knows how to simplify difficult concepts, is that the racist you are arguing with will themself be far from racially pure -- Julian Cole * I NEWSPAPER *Elucidating, enabling, and powerful in its simplicity, everyone should have a copy of this book * SUNDAY POST *Stylish and punchy -- Steven Poole * DAILY TELEGRAPH, Books of the Year *HOW TO ARGUE WITH A RACIST smashes race myths that plague society -- Layal Liverpool * NEW SCIENTIST *Poignant . . . A timely weapon against the misuse of science to justify bigotry and casual racism * COSMOPOLITAN *Brilliant, succinct genetics for the uninitiatedAdam Rutherford is a master storytellerEnlightening and entertaining -- David Crawford * RADIO TIMES *Vital -- Ben East * OBSERVER *If teaching is what makes humans special, then Adam Rutherford is superhuman - a truly gifted transmitter of knowledge: lucid, enlightening, witty and delightfulDr Adam Rutherford has a gift for making complicated concepts simple -- Hannah Shaddock * RADIO TIMES *Admirable . . . The reader will be similarly enriched by the quick blood of this book * THE GLASGOW HERALD *Timely and accessible * THE BOOKSELLER, Editor's Choice *Not only shows what science really says about race, ancestry and genetics, but also helps us argue against the idea that certain people are biologically inferior and encourages informed conversations about race . . . This book's gift is to use science to talk about a pseudoscience -- Layal Liverpool * NEW SCIENTIST, Best Books of 2020 *How to Argue with a Racist is doubtlessly one of the most important reads of the year. But it's arguably the most interesting too . . . Engaging and thought-provoking throughout -- Thomas Ling * BBC SCIENCE FOCUS, Best Books of the Year *A remarkable telling of the shared ancestry of the human race. The book is a treasure trove filled with gems of knowledge from the field of genetics and what it knows about skin colour, intelligence, ancestry, athletic ability and racial superiority. The reader is provided the fascinating scientific weaponry to confidently take on questions about race, genes, ancestry. Ultimately, Rutherford's book is a challenge against the manipulation, misrepresentation, and abuse of science to justify hatred and prejudice * Big Think *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIs it possible to build a star on earth?When asked what problem he hoped scientists will have solved by the end of the century, Professor Stephen Hawking replied ''I would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.'' But what is nuclear fusion, and could it really be the answer to the climate emergency? Fusion exists already in the stars that fill our universe with light, but can we harness that power here on earth? This is the question The Star Builders seeks to answer. In his compelling new book, Dr Arthur Turrell makes the case for cutting-edge new techniques in nuclear energy - innovations that would allow us to recreate the power of the stars on our own planet. Filled with the remarkable stories of the scientists and entrepreneurs who have dedicated their lives to a seemingly impossible dream, The Star Builders is an unmissable insight into the future of life - aTrade ReviewA gobsmackingly good read... Turrell's portraits of the undaunted star-building scientists who are trying to make fusion a reality are not just compelling but, dare I say it, fun. I learned a lot by reading this book. You will, too. * Robert Bryce, author of A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations *The Star Builders surveys this vibrant frontier of science and technology clearly and realistically. It brings a timely, hopeful message. * Frank Wilczek, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and author of Fundamentals: Ten Keys to Reality *Incredibly readable and entertaining. The book's first-hand accounts of what is occurring inside fusion startups are especially enthralling. Turrell skillfully tells the fascinating story of the personalities, science, and technology that have brought this fledging industry to the point of takeoff. * Jason Parisi, coauthor of The Future of Fusion Energy *Painstakingly researched. Turrell gives us a front-row seat to the hard-fought race for fusion, and he offers convincing reasons for optimism. In fact, he shows us a galaxy of effort being directed toward 'building a star.' * James Mahaffey, PhD, author of Atomic Adventures *Arthur Turrell captures the excitement of the race to produce the first commercial fusion energy-perhaps the most important technological race of all. * Sir Steve Cowley, director of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory *The Star Builders is realistic and positive - an interesting snapshot of the current situation and key players * Nature *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor over fifty years, From Our Own Correspondent has been one of BBC Radio 4's flagship programmes. Every week BBC foreign correspondents, journalists and writers reflect on current headlines, often bringing a personal perspective to them. There are few countries and subjects which have not featured on the programme - places as diverse as the Faroes, Moldova in Eastern Europe, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and one of Africa's smallest countries - Sao Tome and Principe.So many of the outlets that correspondents work for demand little more than writing to television pictures or covering the day's events in one report of perhaps only a minute's duration. In From Our Own Correspondent, the reporter can tell us so much more: a bit of context, some relevant history, one or two of the characters encountered en route, some description of a foreign country or capital. It is a programme where the correspondents will often relate the unexpected: the dayTrade ReviewA flagship BBC radio programme for 65 years, From Our Own Correspondent has always sought to bring listeners the stories behind the headlines and unexpected tales that don't make the news. Here, editor Polly Hope compiles engrossing dispatches from the past decade, spanning every continent. These powerful, personal testimonies from the BBC's foreign correspondents transport the reader from the World Cup to the Arab Spring via refugee camps and the Vatican, and meditate on issues ranging from Brexit to climate change. * RADIO TIMES *

Read more less