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Book SynopsisAuthor of the best-selling book The Elements Theodore Gray demonstrates essential scientific principles through thrilling daredevil experiments. 'What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in.' ?Adam Savage, cohost of Mythbusters 'Theodore Gray?has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire.' ?Cecil Adams, 'TheStraight Dope' 'Gray's encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun.' ?Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings, Musicophilia, and Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical BoyhoodIn Mad Science, Theodore Gray launches a toy rocket using the energy released from an Oreo cookie, ignites a phosphorus sun by suspending half a gram of white phosphorus in a globe filled with pure oxygen and creates a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. These are just a few of the 54 experiments included in this astonishing book that demonstrates essential scientific principles in ways you were likely never exposed to in school. Every experiment in Mad Science is accompanied by full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to rarely seen chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. To further enhance the hands-on experience, Gray includes step-by-step instructions for nearly every experiment. Following all of the safety guidelines, readers can even re-create some of the experiments in the book. Mad Science is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things chemical, electrical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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Book SynopsisAuthor of the best-selling book The Elements Theodore Gray demonstrates essential scientific principles through thrilling daredevil experiments. 'What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in.' ?Adam Savage, cohost of Mythbusters 'Theodore Gray?has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire.' ?Cecil Adams, 'TheStraight Dope' 'Gray's encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun.' ?Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings, Musicophilia, and Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical BoyhoodIn Mad Science, Theodore Gray launches a toy rocket using the energy released from an Oreo cookie, ignites a phosphorus sun by suspending half a gram of white phosphorus in a globe filled with pure oxygen and creates a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. These are just a few of the 54 experiments included in this astonishing book that demonstrates essential scientific principles in ways you were likely never exposed to in school. Every experiment in Mad Science is accompanied by full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to rarely seen chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. To further enhance the hands-on experience, Gray includes step-by-step instructions for nearly every experiment. Following all of the safety guidelines, readers can even re-create some of the experiments in the book. Mad Science is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things chemical, electrical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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Book SynopsisThe Periodic Table of Poems is a unique collection of 93 short poems that explores the properties and nuances of each element in the periodic table. Davern discusses the science, history, and quirks of each element--things like why potassium reacts explosively with water, what about arsenic makes it both a deadly poison and a cure for syphilis, and how mercury inspired the term "mad as a hatter". For example- Li, small and light, the soft metal with mettle! Keeps much of our mobile-power'd world in good fettle; In sea and in soil, Floats on water and oil, Has helped many's the troubled mind settle.Trade Review"Delightful poems about the chemical elements that inhabit the periodic table" -- Dr. Eric Scerri, UCLA and author of The Periodic Table: Its Story and its Significance "An extraordinary book" -- Sir Martyn Poliakoff, University of Nottingham and Co-Presenter of The Periodic Table of Videos

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining and digestible volume that demystifies science, from the author of 16 bestselling popular science books.

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Book SynopsisFINALIST for the Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books“This book shows that chemistry is not just relevant to life; it’s really, really interesting.”—Foreword Reviews, STARRED reviewA perfect book for readers of The Physics of Everyday Things and Storm in a TeacupHave you ever wondered why your alarm clock sends you spiraling? Or how toothpaste works on your teeth? Why do cakes and cookies sometimes turn out dry? (Hint: you may not be adding enough sugar.) In Chemistry for Breakfast, award-winning chemist and science communicator Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim reveals the amazing chemistry behind everyday things (like baking and toothpaste) and not-so-everyday things (like space travel). With a relatable, funny, and conversational style, she explains essential chemical processes everyone should know—and turns the ordinary into extraordinary.Over the course of a single day, Mai shows us that chemistry is everywhere: we just have to look for it. In the morning, her partner’s much-too-loud alarm prompts a deep dive into biological clocks, fight-or-flight responses, and melatonin’s role in making us sleepy. Before heading to the lab, she explains how the stress hormone cortisol helps wake us up, and brews her morning coffee with a side of heat conduction and states of matter.Mai continues her day with explainers of cell phone technology, food preservation, body odor, baking, the effects of alcohol, and the chemistry behind the expression “love drunk.” All the while, she shows us what it’s really like to be a working chemist, and fights against the stereotype of a nerd playing with test tubes in a lab coat.Filled with charming illustrations, laughter, and plenty of surprises, Chemistry for Breakfast is a perfect book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of chemistry without having prior knowledge of the science. With Mai as your guide, you’ll find something fascinating everywhere around you.Trade Review“This book shows that chemistry is not just relevant to life; it’s really, really interesting. Its is an insider’s look into scientists’ minds, social interactions, and laboratories that will change the way that readers view their lives, surroundings, and bodies … and gives advice that you didn’t know you needed. Chemistry for Breakfast is an engaging, accessible, and downright fun science book.”—Foreword Reviews, STARRED review“With its wealth of examples taken from everyday life, from soap to toothpaste, Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim’s charming romp through the essence of chemistry may just inspire a new generation of chemists.”—Larry Gonick, author of The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry“In Chemistry for Breakfast, Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim uses her passion for science to give us a lighthearted and enjoyable look into the fascinating discoveries hidden in the things we encounter every day.”—Dr. Steven Farmer, author of Strange Chemistry: The Stories Your Chemistry Teacher Wouldn't Tell You“It is hard to resist being swept up in Mai's enthusiasm and begin to see the world—as she does—as a wonder of interacting chemical processes.”—Dr. Paul May, professor at the University of Bristol, editor of the website Molecule of the Month, and co-author of Molecules that Amaze Us“Chemistry for Breakfast bristles with imaginative ideas, and its fresh style will commend it to many readers, particularly those who would not usually read a ‘chemistry book’.”—Dr. Simon Cotton, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham“As readers journey through revelations about chemicals found in the likes of toothpaste, hamburgers, the brain and even human flatus, they may hardly notice that along the way they have been painlessly educated in the nuances of chemical bonding. Chemistry for Breakfast is a wonderful remedy for chemophobia, a condition that seems to be infectious and is much in need of treatment.”—Joe Schwarcz, Chemistry Professor and Director, McGill Office for Science and Society“Blended with physics, biology and medicine, Mai’s book Chemistry for Breakfast is a magical tour of the fundamentals of chemistry and its impact on science and society.”—K.C. Nicolaou, PhD, Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Chemistry at Rice University and CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research

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Book SynopsisThe discovery of vitamins changed our world dramatically. Terrifying diseases such as scurvy, which had claimed the lives of millions, became preventable and curable. But before long word of these ‘miracles’ had spread from the laboratory and into the hands of food marketers. Decades of over-hyped advertising later and we’ve accepted as fact the idea that dietary chemicals can be used as shortcuts to improving our health. Award-winning journalist Catherine Price goes in search of the truth about vitamins, taking us to vitamin manufacturers, food laboratories and military testing kitchens. In this page-turning investigation of the history, science and future of nutrition, she reveals just how much we still don’t know about vitamins – the way they work in our bodies and the amounts we really need. Engaging, witty and personal, The Vitamin Complex proposes an alternative to our obsessive vitamin-driven approach to nutrition – given our lack of knowledge, the best way to decide what to eat is to stop obsessing and simply embrace this uncertainty head-on.Trade Review'An excellent book...10/10...a deeply satisfying masterpiece of nutrition science writing'. * NHD Magazine *‘Gets to the nub of how we have become nutritionally idiotic… alarming’ * Sunday Times *‘Engaging… makes a compelling case for the importance of eating real food’ * BBC Focus *'Measured, funny and fascinating. . . . If you need vitamins to survive (you do), you should read this book.' * Scientific American *'[An] absorbing and meticulously researched history of the beginnings and causes of our obsession with vitamins and nutrition.' * New York Times *'Behind the bizarre disconnect between rigorous drug regulation and a ‘whatever’ approach to dietary supplements are industry lobbying, Oz-like doctors and politicians on both sides of the aisle whose states benefit from the thousands of jobs provided by the multi-billion-dollar supplement industry. It is not a new story, but Ms. Price gives it a vigorous retelling. She also reminds us that the prophets of vitamania, and their political allies, would all be powerless if it were not for a peculiar kind of deficiency in ourselves that keeps us reaching for ‘a salve against uncertainty.’ Faced with such primal fears, it seems, science is powerless.' * Wall Street Journal *'[Price’s] investigation, full of scurvy-ridden sailors, questionable nutritional supplements and solid science, is both entertaining and enlightening.' * Discover *‘Well told’ * Spectator *‘A much-needed critique of the nation’s obsession with nutritional supplements. Price exposes the less-than-scientific roots of what has become a multi-billion industry, along with the inadequate regulatory oversight that drives unsavory marketing practices. The book concludes with this refreshing advice: get your nutrition from eating real food.’ -- Michele Simon, President of Eat Drink Politics, and author of Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back‘This is a fascinating look at what we know – and mostly what we don’t – about vitamins. You'll never look at the a bottle of multivitamins the same way again.’ -- Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better‘This entertaining and informative book traces the history of vitamins and nutritional diseases . . . Readers interested in health, and those who enjoy Marion Nestle’s books will want to read this work . . . An excellent addition to collections in public and consumer health libraries.’ * Library Journal *‘Catherine Price gives us a journalist’s entertaining romp through the fascinating history of the discovery of vitamins, and their use and marketing as objects of health obsession. Faith in vitamins, she advises, should be tempered by scientific uncertainty and dietary complexity, and the understanding that foods are better sources than pills.’ -- Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University and author of What to Eat'Price’s sharp wit, skillful and vivid translation of science into story, and valiant inquisitiveness (she insists on tasting synthetic vitamins and gets buzzed on the military’s caffeinated meat sticks) make for an electrifying dissection of our vitamin habit in contrast to our irrevocable need for naturally nutrient-rich food.' * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWhat can we learn from fish in a pond? How do social networks connect the world? How can artificial intelligences learn? Why would life be different in a mirror universe? Mathematics is everywhere, whether we are aware of it or not. Exploring the subject through 35 of its often odd and unexpected applications, this book provides an insight into the 'hidden wiring' that governs our world. From the astonishing theorems that control computers to the formulae behind stocks and shares, and from the foundations of the internet to the maths behind medical imaging, Chaotic Fishponds and Mirror Universes explains how mathematics determines every aspect of our lives - right down to the foundations of our bodies.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Knowing me, knowing you - The mathematical hierarchies of knowledge. An average chapter - Mathematical definitions of the typical. Atomic networks and chemical trees - Chemical graph theory and the make-up of molecules. All-conquering algorithms - The backbone of the computer age. Getting a proper perspective - Projective geometry and the world of art. Our pixellated planet - The mathematics of digital photography. The dynamic solar system - The mathematics of planetary motion. Creating electronic brains - The mathematics of machine learning. Untangling the stuff of life - The mathematics of DNA. Ballot box paradox - The mathematics of elections. Our CGI world - Triangulation and computer-generated imagery. Mirrors and molecules - The (a)symmetries of the universe. Syphilis and Christmas lights - The mathematics of group-testing. The chaos in the fishpond - The untidy growth of populations. The rise of homo economicus - The mathematical basis of decision theory. The hole story - The shapes of the universe. Rain or shine? - The mathematics of weather forecasting. Smoke and mirrors - Statistical illusions and numerical mirages. Where are we? - GPS geometry and Einstein's explorations. More bang for your buck - Optimizing the world. Our electronic friends - The mathematics of social networks. Tea-tasting and trials - The mathematics of significance. The calm at the eye of the storm - Fixed points and the nature of equilibrium. One small step... - The mathematics of space travel. Tulip bubbles and hedge funds - Futures, options and the ups and downs of markets. Teacher troubles - The tricky world of timetables. Let there be light - The extraordinarily useful geometry of optics. The battle against disease - Mathematical models and the spread of infection. Wave-worlds - The mathematics of sound and light. Search-engine society - The algorithm behind Google's PageRank. Hold the line, please! - The mathematics of queues. Avoiding bad language - Correcting mistakes in digital communication. Automata and articulation - The mathematics of robot movement. Hot stuff - The mathematics of energy and entropy. The perils of paradox - Type theory and programming. Index.

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Book SynopsisCan We Travel Through Time? addresses 20 of the most fundamental and frequently asked questions in physics. What is the God particle? Does chaos theory spell disaster? Am I unique in the universe? What is light? Each 3,000 word essay examines these eternally perplexing questions in a way that is comprehensible to everyone, providing the ultimate guide to understanding the very nature of the world we live in.Trade Review'clearly and concisely encapsulates some of the more interesting conundrums that those not in the know might want to ask those who ought to know ' How It Works Works magazine. * How It Works Works magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction. What is the point of physics? - Impossible questions, unexpected rewards, and the never-ending quest for understanding. What is time? - Progress, disorder and Einstein's elastic clocks. What happened to Schrodinger's cat? - Quantum physics and the nature of reality. Why does an apple fall? - Gravity, mass and the enigma of relativity. Are solids really solid? - Atoms, quarks and solids that slip through your fingers. Why is there no such thing as a free lunch? - Energy, entropy and the search for perpetual motion. Is everything ultimately random? - Uncertainty, quantum reality and the probably role of statistics. What is the God Particle? - The Higgs boson, the LHC and the search for the meaning of mass. Am I unique? - The limits of our universe and the search for parallel worlds. Can we travel through time? - Where relativity meets science fiction. Is Earth's magnetic shield failing? - Drifting poles, the planet's churning core and the threat to life on Earth. Why does E=mc2? - The equation that underpins the universe. Can I change the universe with a single glance? - Spooky quantum links and the chance to rewrite history. Does chaos theory spell disaster? - The butterfly effect's influence on weather, climate and the motions of the planets. What is light? - A strange kind of wave, and an even stranger kind of particle. Is string theory really about strings? - The vibrations that create our universe. Why is there something rather than nothing? - The Big Bang, antimatter and the mystery of our existence. Do we live in a simulation? - Human nature, the laws of physics, and the march of technological progress. Which is nature's strongest force? - The ties that bind the universe, and their origin in the superforce. What is the true nature of reality? - Beyond the quantum world lies the realm of information. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisHow did the atom bomb help save the elephant? Have we found the secret to eternal youth? Could a parasite be manipulating you right now? This dazzling collection of stories reveals the key recent breakthroughs in science, across all fields. Inside you will meet the killers lurking in Earth's ice, the super-coral that could save our seas and the neuroscientists hunting ghosts. You will travel beyond our galaxy to worlds where the sun sets twice, and beyond our time to a future where the Internet is unhackable and chickenosaurs roam the land. Divided into sections covering physics, space, humanity, the brain, plants and animals, and linking stories from different fields, Unbelievable Science offers a boundless journey of discovery for anyone with a passion for the world around them. Prepare to be shocked and amazed on every page.

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Book SynopsisThe atom. The Big Bang. DNA. Natural selection. All ideas that have revolutionised science - and that were dismissed out of hand when they first appeared. The surprises haven't stopped: here, Michael Brooks, bestselling author of 13 Things that Don't Make Sense, investigates the new wave of unexpected insights that are shaping the future of scientific discovery. Through eleven radical new insights, Brooks takes us to the extreme frontiers of what we understand about the world. He journeys from the observations that might rewrite our history of the universe, through the novel biology behind our will to live, and on to the physiological root of consciousness. Along the way, he examines how the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials means that many of the drugs we use are less effective on women than men and more likely to have adverse effects, explores how merging humans with other species might provide a solution to the shortage of organ donors, and finds out if there is such a thing as the will to live. When we think about science, we often think of iron-clad facts. But today more than ever, our unshakeable truths have been shaken apart. As Michael Brooks reveals, the best science is about open-mindedness, imagination and a love of mind-boggling adventures at the edge of uncertainty.Trade ReviewMichael Brooks is the canniest science writer around. He writes, above all, with attitude * Independent *Brooks reawakens us to the astonishing fact of our mere existence, the strangeness of the world around us, and the astonishing amount that science has yet to discover * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisOffering a summary of the current state of knowledge in autism research, Defining Autism looks at the different genetic, neurological and environmental causes of, and contributory factors to autism. It takes a wide-ranging view of developmental and genetic factors, and considers autism's relationship with other conditions such as epilepsy. Shedding light on the vast number of autism-related syndromes which are all too often denied adequate attention, it shows how, whilst autism refers to a single syndrome, it can be understood as many different conditions, with the common factors being biological, rather than behavioral.Table of Contents1. Kanner's Conundrum & Bernie's Biology. 2. The Brain in Autism. 3. The Genetics of Autism. 4. The Roles Environment Plays in Autism Susceptibility. 5. Regression in Autism. 6. Autism & Epilepsy. 7. The Neurodevelopmental Spectrum - Mental Health for the 21st Century. 8. The Broader Autism Phenotype. 9. Autism, Intellectual Disability & Genius. 10. Defining Autism.

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Book SynopsisLooking at the night sky, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s all quiet up there in space. But you’d be wrong. Extreme events are forever unfolding: galaxies explode, cosmic debris hurtles through the heavens and our own Milky Way is on a collision course with the giant Andromeda galaxy. Mayhem moulded the cosmos, shaped life on Earth and at times threatened to end it. With an enduring sense of wonder, through cataclysms great and small, Bob Berman presents a destructive history of our universe.Trade Review‘Blithely engaging, a glittering planetarium that is…a stage for astonishing and unnerving spectacles… I greatly admire [Berman’s] ability to lucidly explain astrophysics to the nonscientist. The brio that he brings to cosmic havoc makes much of Boom! a delicious guilty pleasure.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘Fascinating, terrifying and entertaining in equal measure, this is an expert guide to the deadliest hazards in the universe, on Earth and beyond.’ -- Paul Parsons, science journalist and author‘This lively menagerie of astrophysical oddities will entertain any reader who’s ever wondered what the biggest, most dangerous “bangs” in the universe might be.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Berman writes with verve and vigour…a pleasing excursion into the hows and whys of how the universe – our universe, anyway – took shape and how it works – except when it doesn’t.’ * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisHave you ever done something stupid, dangerous or self-sabotaging just to get one over someone else? Most of us have. Simon McCarthy-Jones draws on psychology, current affairs, literature and genetics to illuminate – whether we admit it or not – our spiteful side. What is that part of us that secretly wants our friends to fail? Did Americans put Trump in the White House just to stick it to Hillary Clinton? And then there are the legion of stories about toxic behaviour in supermarkets and over the privet hedge, ramping up to incendiary divorces, vicious business practices, backbiting politics and scorched-earth terrorism. There’s a hopeful message too – the upside of our dark side. Spite can drive us forward, and Simon provides a fresh perspective on the concept by showing the evolutionary benefits of spite as a social leveller, an enabler of defiance, a wellspring of freedom and a vital weapon in our everyday armoury.Trade Review‘[A] thorough and entertaining book, which poses a provocative thesis… McCarthy-Jones is a funny, playful writer, especially for a psychologist… an illuminating examination of an under-discussed topic.’ -- New York Times‘An informative, evidence-based page-turner. A rare pleasure.’ -- Richard Stephens, author of Black Sheep, winner of the Wellcome Prize 2014'Spite is a fascinating insight into how we all behave in a world of big egos and thin skins.' -- Michael Cockerell, award-winning political documentary-maker‘With rigorous science, penetrating analyses, colourful and enjoyable prose, and an astonishing breadth of knowledge – Simon McCarthy-Jones has delivered a book that will undeniably be appreciated by many.’ -- Frank Larøi. University of Bergen'Spite is an eye-opening examination of humanity’s nastier impulses - from Achilles to Trump. An erudite and eloquent guide, McCarthy-Jones deftly examines cutting-edge psychological research and evolutionary theory, with some truly startling insights for our personal relationships, business and politics. You will never look at your human nature in quite the same way again.' * David Robson, author of The Intelligence Trap *‘An interesting and at times provocative exploration of an emotion that has to this point been underexplored and, if McCarthy-Jones is right, significantly underappreciated.’ -- Independent

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How did the atom bomb help save the elephant? Have we found the secret to eternal youth? Could a parasite be manipulating you right now? This dazzling collection of stories reveals the key recent breakthroughs in science, across all fields. Inside you will meet the killers lurking in Earth's ice, the super-coral that could save our seas and the neuroscientists hunting ghosts. You will travel beyond our galaxy to worlds where the sun sets twice, and beyond our time to a future where the Internet is unhackable and chickenosaurs roam the land. Divided into sections covering physics, space, humanity, the brain, plants and animals, and linking stories from different fields, Cutting-Edge Science offers a boundless journey of discovery for anyone with a passion for the world around them. Prepare to be shocked and amazed on every page.

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Book Synopsis'Clear, succinct and engaging answers to every question you could ask about the weather.' Gavin Pretor-Pinney, author of The Cloudspotter's GuideWhy doesn't rain fall all at once?Can technology change the track of a hurricane?What's the weather like on other planets?Meteorologists Simon King and Clare Nasir reveal the captivating ways the weather works, from exploring incredible weather phenomenon (how are rainbows formed?), expertly breaking down our knowledge of the elements (could we harness the power of lightning?) to explaining the significance of weather in history (has the weather ever started a war?) and discussing the future of weather (could climate modification save the planet?).In What Does Rain Smell Like? Simon and Clare uncover the thrilling science behind a subject that affects us all. They unearth and analyse all aspects of the weather and how it changes our lives through answering our most curious questions about the world around us.

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Book SynopsisInitially received with muted applause, Darwin's The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was soon recognized as the breakthrough scientific advance that explained the evidence of the world around us, the place and history of humans, the connections between environment and evolution. Still regarded by some as radical, Darwin's contribution to world knowledge is immeasurable. This new, popular edition has been edited and abridged for the modern reader, to introduce Darwin's research in a digestible form. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

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Book SynopsisIn The Keys to Kindness Claudia Hammond takes us on an eye-opening tour of kindness: what constitutes kindness (it's not what you think), effective strategies to build more of it into our lives and the benefits of being kind. She draws on the latest research from psychology and neuroscience, and her work in collaboration with the University of Sussex and the BBC, including the largest global survey ever undertaken into attitudes to kindness. The book is structured around the seven keys of kindness, including: There is more kindness in the world that you might think Being kind makes you feel good and that's OK Kind people can be winners Remember to be kind to yourself You are kinder than you think, but we could all be kinder still - with enormous benefits for our personal mental health and wellbeing. The Keys to Kindness sets out a prescription for a kinder life that you can adapt to your own circumstances, and explains how to use this guidance for ourselves, others and the world.Trade ReviewClaudia Hammond's books are a solace in troubled times -- Fearne Cotton[Hammond] doesn't want to make kindness cool, she simply wants to prove - by hook, crook, her book and hard data - its value to society * * Sunday Times * *Claudia Hammond has written a handbook on the benefits and keys to kindness [ . . . ] formed by a new, unique study called The Kindness Test, run by her colleagues at the University of Sussex, and launched on the BBC. If you've never thought about what kindness means, the results will be as fascinating as they are thought-provoking . . . Full of common sense, gentle wisdom and altruism * * Daily Mail * *From the state of global politics to the climate crisis, the world feels more divided than ever. But The Keys to Kindness stands up in the face of this overwhelming issue - and provides us with the tools to address it . . . If one thing's for sure, Hammond's book is a firm reminder of how important kindness really is - and why being kinder to yourself, others and the world around you is valuable for everyone * * Stylist * *Praise for The Art of Rest: Fascinating, entertaining and lucidly written . . . If we accept that reading is the most restful activity . . . The Art of Rest ought to be equivalent to a scientific siesta. The only trouble is that this outstanding book is far too stimulating to be restful * * Observer * *Claudia Hammond's superb book reminds us of a truth that's too often forgotten: that rest isn't just an indulgence, but an essential part of a life lived well -- DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE * * bestselling author of The 4 Pillar Plan * *At a time when our waking lives appear to be more frantic and distracted than ever before, switching off has never been more of a challenge. The Art of Rest equips us with fresh research and information on how to rest more, and rest better, to get the most out of life. Reading it is a rest itself -- MATT HAIGA soothing balm for a frazzled generation -- ADAM RUTHERFORD * * author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived * *Not only is The Art of Rest an enjoyable read, touching on scientific evidence in a light, accessible manner, it delivers on its promise too . . . Reading, according to Rest Test participants, is one of the best ways to rest. So if you want to change your 24/7 lifestyle, opening The Art of Rest may well be a good start * * New Scientist * *Hammond valiantly unearths some great nuggets . . . quirky humour and sunny enthusiasm kept me reading * * Sunday Times * *

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Book SynopsisWho are the most important men and women whose notions and theories have changed the world? When Isaac Newton claimed that he only saw further because he stood on the shoulders of giants, he alluded to the long list of geniuses that came before him. The history of science is the story of great discoveries, flashes of intuition that have changed the way people see the world, hard work and arduous calculation in the laboratory.The Britannica Guide to 100 Most Influential Scientists is a celebration of the lives and work of the men and women who have changed the way we look at the world, the universe, and ourselves.Includes contributions from top name scientists and writers such James Gleick on Richard Feynman; Michio Kaky on Einstein and Sir Harold Kroton on the Fulleriene (for which he won an Nobel Prize).The Britannica Guide to 100 Most Influential Scientists is introduced by John Gribbin. He is the author of nearly 100 popular science books, including the best-selling IN SEARCH OF SCHRODINGER'S CAT. He has received awards for his writing both in the United States and in Britain. The holder of a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Cambridge, he still maintains links with research as a Visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex, and was a member of a team there that measured the age of the Universe. While still a student, he received the prestigious Annual Award of the Gravity Research Foundation in the United States, the only student, and the first Englishman working in England, ever to receive this award.Trade ReviewA marvelous introduction to science for anyone with an interest in the way civilization has evolved. -- Good Book Guide

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Book SynopsisA highly entertaining book debunking the many myths about the human body. Everything You Know About the Human Body is Wrong debunks the scientific myths we all take for granted. Written by author Matt Brown in his trademark humourous style, this book takes you through all the facts we thought true, from bodily blunders, medical mis-quotes and curious cures. Does giving kids sugar make them go hyper-active? Not at all – there is no proven link! Is there such a thing as being 'double-jointed'? And is it dangerous to swim after eating? Covering everything from pseudoscience to recent research, Everything You Know About the Human Body is Wrong shatters a range of illusions we have accepted unquestioningly since childhood and demystifies this most puzzling of subjects.Trade Review'This lovely little hard-backed book is one that you will want to dip into often.' * School Science Review *

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Book SynopsisAn engaging and witty puzzle book for science fans all over the world. The Astounding Science Puzzle Book features a series of mini quizzes of 10–15 questions on quirky topics, including 'Marvellous maths and peculiar patterns', 'Wonderful wordplay' and 'Wonders and fragilities of the body'. This handsome book makes exploring maths, physics, chemistry and biology exciting and challenging, and is perfect for any quiz lover. The trivia is based on science but also extends to popular culture, history and language – with Nobel Prize winners alongside Elvis Presley, and the moons of Mars alongside Jurassic Park. The book is interweaved with puzzles, including witty anagrams, logic puzzles, crosswords, dingbats and other illustrated puzzles. Aspiring code-breakers should keep their eyes peeled for hidden puzzles as well. From the Big Bang to Beatles lyrics – this book is perfect for any trivia lover.Trade Review'Pitched just right, entertaining without being heavy handed, The Astounding Science Puzzle Book is ideal to fill in time on a boring train journey... or to stuff a stocking.' * Popular Science Blog *‘There’s a lot here for boffins young and old to test each other.’ * How It Works *

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Book SynopsisWeaving together intellectual history, philosophy, and social studies, Sean Johnston offers a unique appraisal of the history of science and the nature of this evolving discipline. Science is all-encompassing and new developments are usually mired in controversy; nevertheless, it is a driving force of the modern world. Based on its past, where might it lead us in the twenty-first century?Trade Review“Compellingly written…As an introduction to the historiography of science, this book is superb…a wonderfully rich volume, ideal for the newbie historian or interested layperson.” * British Society for the History of Science *

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Book SynopsisAs one of the most fascinating and volatile forces on earth, volcanoes have long been the subject of worship, fear, and study. With the aid of famous 'case histories' Lopes provides a unique background to volcanoes, what they are, why they form, and how they erupt. From the Sunset Crater in Arizona and Krakatau in Indonesia to the exotic volcanoes of the outer solar system this guide illustrates the dangers of volcanoes and their importance in shaping the world around us.Trade Review“We begin with a ‘volcanoes for dummies, very elementary introduction to the subject. It is part of a series of ‘beginners guides’ to just about everything. The author, Rosaly Lopes, is able to make the complicated clear without talking down to her readers. Her professional papers are equally clear. Anyone from the age of 12 on up, who is curious about volcanoes from the [under]groud on up, will find here a plain language guide to a fascinating area of science. From the first chapter: “What are Volcanoes”, to the last: “Exotic Volcanoes of the Outer Solar System, followed by a look at current research techniques. It will make a good gift for a curious teen, a general science teacher, or writer of disaster novels/movies – it will definitely be appreciated.” * Volcanology *

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Book SynopsisThe result, Planet Earth: A Beginner’s Guide, is an expedition into the origins, evolution, and workings of our home planet in which John Gribbin does what he does best: takes 4.5 billion years of geological history and digs out the essential bits, from the physics of Newton and the geology of Wegener to the environmentalism of Lovelock. Along the journey, he uses stories from history and more current events to bring the science to a human level. Gribbin's introductory guidebook — very much a first step into geology and geography for the uninitiated — is filled with his lively voice and unique view, as he takes on the subject of the Earth from an astronomer's perspective.

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Book SynopsisWhy can't we tickle ourselves? Which properties give you the best chance of winning Monopoly? What would happen if you fell into a black hole? Is it possible to hurt your brain if you think too much? In this entertaining and enlightening tour of day-to-day life, award-winning writer and scientist Robert Matthews tackles everything from the puzzling maths of odd socks to the real 'string theory' mystery: how does string acquire all those unwanted knots?Trade Review"simply fabulous." Jon

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Book SynopsisInternationally acclaimed science writer Lone Frank swabs up her DNA to provide the first truly intimate account of the new science of consumer-led genomics. She challenges the business mavericks intent on mapping every baby's genome, ponders the consequences of biological fortune-telling, and prods the psychologists who hope to uncover just how much or how little our environment will matter in the new genetic century - a quest made all the more gripping as Frank considers her family's and her own struggles with depression.Trade Review"A probing biological memoir… Refreshing [and] wonderfully poetic." * Publishers Weekly *"Readers will be intrigued by Frank's witty, engaging account of the possibilities of emerging genetic sciences as well as her thoughtful considerations of the philosophical and ethical dimensions of the widespread use of genetic data." * Library Journal *"My Beautiful Genome covers some of the most interesting controversies in biology today, including designer babies, brain imaging, and even whether or not we have free will. It's an enthralling read." * New Scientist *"The huge research effort to understand the complexity of the genome is throwing up new insights into the nature of humanity, as the Danish science writer Lone Frank shows in My Beautiful Genome, her excellent look into the postgenomic world…. Fascinating." * Financial Times *"A fascinating exploration of a subject that is not going to go away -- the influence of our genes on the way we are both medically and socially… Frank's light style and storytelling verve… make this an enjoyable read." Brian Clegg * PopularScience.co.uk *"It’s not often you can wholeheartedly recommend a book… but this is it." * Daily Mail *"A pin-sharp, lively memoir-cum-investigation… Frank's discoveries make for some truly tingling moments." * The Mail on Sunday *"The story of DNA told through one woman's quest to find out if the secret to her depression lies in her genes… A must-read." * BioNews *"Packed with juicy informative nuggets … weird, wonderful and very funny." * Independent on Sunday *“I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would not hesitate to recommend it as both a personal and a book group read.” * New Books *

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Book SynopsisJoin a notorious pop science punk as he investigates real zombie reports from around the world. It's terrifying! The search for the means to control the bodies and minds of our fellow humans has been underway for millennia, from the sleep-inducing honeycombs that felled Pompey’s army to the Voodoo potions of Haiti. Now, Frank Swain, the force behind Science Punk, has joined the quest, digging up genuine zombie research: • dog heads brought back to life without their bodies • secret agents dosing targets with zombie drugs • parasites that push their hosts to suicide or sex changes • the elixir of life hidden in an eighteenth-century painting This mind-bending and entertaining excavation of incredible science is unlike anything you’ve read before.Trade Review"Swain serves up a ghoulish treat - the real-life zombies of science and nature! Packed full of bizarre research and jaw-dropping tales, his book succeeds in being simultaneously entertaining, informative, and slightly unnerving, since it turns out that the zombies are, quite likely, you and I." Alex Boese, bestselling author of Elephants on Acid and Electric Sheep "Frank Swain's gripping book reads like a non-fiction version of a Stephen King novel - you'll stay up all night reading it with goose bumps and the lights on." Michael Shermer, New York Times bestselling author of The Believing Brain and columnist, Scientific American "From attempts to reanimate animals from death to mind control experiments and brain-hacking parasites, this delightfully macabre book explores the reality of zombie mythology. Science punk Frank Swain has pulled off a masterful feat in this broad-ranging and fascinating book. Braiiiins!" Lewis Dartnell, Research Fellow, University of Leicester, and author of Life in the Universe

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Book SynopsisToday the theory of evolution by natural selection and the science of genetics are the twin keys to our understanding of how life on earth came about. Yet when an English naturalist called Charles Darwin first published his ideas in 1859 in a book called On the Origin of Species the world was horrified at the notion of a changing creation without the intervention a Creator. By contrast, when a few years later an obscure Moravian monk, Gregor Mendel, published the results of his experiments in genetics the world failed to notice John Scotney’s new book explains just what these two great men had discovered and follows the amazing development of this seminal idea from the decade when it turned the world on its head to the present time and the unravelling of the human genome. It describes how the first dinosaur fossils were believed to be the bones of giants and how little by little the ongoing story of living creatures has been assembled until we can see the thread of life running from single-cell microorganisms to primates like ourselves, and why most ancient creatures died out and some survive to this day. Indeed we still carry vestiges of former life forms in our bodies and it is said that ancient seas flow in our blood. Anatomy, taxonomy, chemistry, geology, archaeology, and embryology have all had a part in this remarkable detective story, and even the Cold War became involved when the followers of Mendel in the West were confronted by those of Lamarck in China and Russia. Modern evolutionary theory is shown to be a synthesis of many scientific fields and the product both of years of tireless work and of sudden imaginative leaps. The Theory of Evolution conveys the excitement of this fundamental discovery and gives an insight into the way scientific enquiry and debate continue to shape our world. SIMPLE GUIDES: SCIENCE Simple Guides: Science are user-friendly introductions to the great scientific discoveries of the world. Written by experts in the field, they offer the general reader simple and engaging descriptions of key developments and breakthroughs in different fields of science and technology. • Simple Guides: Science are written in a clear, informal style, using plain, non-technical language to provide accessible introductions to complex scientific theories. • Organized both by theme and chronologically, the books link the major breakthroughs to the lives of their discoverers and inventors. • The clear structure and design enable the general reader to grasp essentials easily. • These guides will appeal to readers with no specific scientific knowledge, yet with a thirst to know more about the world we live in. • The scientific developments and theories are brought to life by descriptions of their social contexts; not only the breakthroughs are described, but also their impact on society and the human story behind the scientists.

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Book SynopsisMan s quest for speed is driven by two ambitions. One is the competitive urge to excel to go as fast as possible by any available means, and preferably to go faster than anybody else. The other, more practical, aim is to make travel and transport as swift and efficient as possible. This guide will appeal to readers with no specific scientific knowledge, yet with a thirst to know more about the world we live in.

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Book SynopsisA witty, accessible and entertaining journey through teh philosophies of time and space.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever thought about the uniqueness and simplicity of One? Is Four really so square and why are there Seven days of the week, Seven deadly sins, indeed Seven wonders of the world? This book takes a hands-on approach to such various topics as musical harmony, the probabilities in poker, code breaking and the lottery.Trade ReviewA virtuoso stream of consciousness containing everything important there is to say about numbers. . . . Cogent, charming and deeply personal. . . . One to Nine makes the unfathomable enticing and gives the reader tremendous motivation to explore further. * Daily Telegraph *Hodges is. . .very good at pulling numerical rabbits out of everyday hats. . . .You can skip through the facts like a tourist, marvelling at the sights thrust in your path and still feeling impressed by the principles that underpin them, even when the technical detail eludes you.--" * Daily Mail *The ideal book for everyone interested in the only universal language, especially if their mathematical curiosity exceeds their skill. * Sunday Telegraph *One to Nine ranges widely through literature, music, philosophy, politics, and whatever else occurs to its author, in a charmingly scholarly and entertaining way. A joyous read * The Times *

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Book SynopsisScience is the world's new religion - but what happens when it goes terribly wrong?

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Book SynopsisWater is the source of life and the building block of all civilisation. The control of water has shaped politics, health, population growth, city planning, technology and religion. Controlling water has driven progress, through the growth of intensive farming and industrial revolution. It has also become a symbol of our civilisation - evidence that we have mastered nature.From the hanging gardens of Babylon and the ancient myth of the Nile to the fountains in Las Vegas, water is the one constant. We are fed by irrigated fields, live in plumbed cities, and turn on a tap without a moment's thought. Yet, this simple technology that underpins everything is at bursting point. There are too many people for the available water, and war may follow. How did we get here, and what can we do about it?Table of ContentsI. The First Taste Chapter One: Where's the Water? Chapter Two: The Font of Civilisation Chapter Three: Civilisation Bloomed from Water Chapter Four: Egypt Chapter Five: Athens and Rome Chapter Six: God, Paradise and Gardens II. The Growing Thirst Chapter Seven: God's Dry Land Chapter Eight: Fountains of Rome Chapter Nine: Taming the Rhine Chapter Ten: Health Chapter Eleven: Coal and Cotton Chapter Twelve: Dams and Politics Chapter Thirteen: America III. Peak Water Chapter Fourteen: Collapse Chapter Fifteen: Luxury Chapter Sixteen: Cities Chapter Seventeen: Irrigation Chapter Eighteen: Farming Chapter Nineteen: Trade Chapter Twenty: War Chapter Twenty-One: Dubai

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