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Book SynopsisLearn how to strengthen your immune system, for life. Our immune system is our body’s fortress — without it, we would be vulnerable to all sorts of infections and diseases. Yet misinformation about how to boost the immune system is everywhere. In Immune, Dr Servaas Bingé breaks through those myths, translating the latest scientific findings on immunity into clear advice with which you can optimise your lifestyle. Using no-nonsense language with a touch of humour and lots of creative thinking, Bingé takes us on a fascinating journey through our immune system. He explains how we become ill and how best to protect against it, providing superb guidance for the most important thing you can do — stay healthy.

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Book SynopsisThere are deep and fascinating links between heavy metal and quantum physics. No, really!While teaching at the University of Nottingham, physicist Philip Moriarty noticed something odd, a surprising number of his students were heavily into metal music. Colleagues, too: a Venn diagram of physicists and metal fans would show a shocking amount of overlap. What's more, it turns out that heavy metal music is uniquely well-suited to explaining quantum principles.In When the Uncertainty Principle Goes to Eleven, Moriarty explains the mysteries of the universe's inner workings via drum beats and feedback: You'll discover how the Heisenberg uncertainty principle comes into play with every chugging guitar riff, what wave interference has to do with Iron Maiden, and why metalheads in mosh pits behave just like molecules in a gas.If you're a metal fan trying to grasp the complexities of quantum physics, a quantum physicist baffled by heavy metal, or just someone who'd like to know how the fundamental science underpinning our world connects to rock music, this book will take you, in the words of Pantera, to "A New Level." For those who think quantum physics is too mind-bendingly complex to grasp, or too focused on the invisibly small to be relevant to our full-sized lives, this funny, fascinating book will show you that physics is all around us . . . and it rocks.Trade Review"A refreshing and accessible introduction to nanoscience for the curious metalhead." —Science Magazine "You don't need to be a metalhead to like this book—but be warned that if you do like this book, you will probably find yourself more of a metalhead by the end than you were at the start, because the enthusiasm is infectious. You might even find you have a better grip of the notorious mind-warping concepts of quantum mechanics too." —Philip Ball, author of Beyond Weird: Why Everything You Thought You Knew about Quantum Physics Is Different "A magical mosh pit of Slayer and spandex trousers, sound waves, and strings—this is quantum physics as you've never seen or heard it before." —Matin Durrani, editor of Physics World magazine and coauthor of Furry Logic: the Physics of Animal Life "Both metal-heads and physicists have become caricatures in today's pop culture. In his wonderfully conversational writing, Moriarty smashes these stereotypes and subverts expectations by weaving the two worlds together. This book shows how unexpected ideas cut across the worlds of heavy metal and quantum physics. If you enjoy surprises, brutal band logos, or insane riffs, you'll love this book. Forgot pop-sci. This is metal-sci." —Jesse Silverberg, PhD, physicist and Harvard research fellow "I thought I'd already seen every possible analogy for the weird world of quantum physics, but Philip Moriarty's music-inspired take on it is fresh and engaging . . . Moriarty's enthusiasm for both physics and metal shines through so much in his writing that I was tempted to break out the Megadeth myself while reading. If you've ever been intrigued by quantum mechanics but worried that you couldn't hack an entire book on the subject, try this one, and you won't be disappointed." —Kelly Oakes, former science editor for BuzzFeed UK "Whether you're a physicist, science enthusiast, musician, or music fan, this book will entertain and enlighten in equal amounts. It will bring a new beauty to your favorite songs, and arm you with fresh concepts to explain some of the most counter-intuitive of scientific ideas. At the very least, you'll have an interesting conversational tangent to adopt next time someone wants to force their amateur rendition of ‘Smoke on the Water' upon you." —David Domminney Fowler, guitarist with the Australian Pink Floyd Show

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Book SynopsisDiscover the science behind the most popular sci-fi franchise of all time! We marvel at the variety of creatures and technology and the mystery behind the force. But how much of the Star Wars world is rooted in reality? Could we see some of the extraordinary inventions materialize in our world? This uncomplicated, entertaining read makes it easy to understand how advanced physics concepts, such as wormholes and Einstein’s theory of relativity, apply to the Star Wars universe.Trade Review“If you’ve ever wondered how life could arise on Tatooine or how likely it is that there’s a cantina full of aliens somewhere in our galaxy, The Science of Star Wars is for you.”—San Francisco Book Review“A real treat, with many moments of epiphany lurking between the pages . . . Offers much more than just the scientific facts.”—Labtimes“A gloriously fascinating look into that galaxy far, far away!”—Professor Lewis Dartnell, University of Westminster, New York Times bestselling author of The Knowledge“As a longtime Star Wars maniac, I’d like to recommend Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars: The Scientific Facts Behind the Force, Space Travel, and More! for the geek on your Christmas list. The book is divided into sections on space travel, space, aliens, tech, and bio-tech, with each addressing the scientific feasibility of the Star Wars universe, from faster than light travel to the nature of the Force itself. Written in a clear, friendly style, reading The Science of Star Wars is like sitting down for a conversation with a super geeky scientist friend.”—Unbound Worlds“Using the basic principles of mathematics and science, author Mark Brake and science presenter Jon Chase have unlocked some of the secrets behind the George Lucas films, and have concluded that The Force might not be complete fantasy.”—Telegraph“A fairly easy read in the sense that simple language is used to explain what can at times be fairly complex concepts . . . It’s certainly best enjoyed by anyone with a bent towards the stars and how they stay up there. . . . For the right fan, it would be an excellent Christmas present.”—In a Far Away Galaxy“If you’ve ever wondered how life could arise on Tatooine or how likely it is that there’s a cantina full of aliens somewhere in our galaxy, The Science of Star Wars is for you.”—San Francisco Book Review“A real treat, with many moments of epiphany lurking between the pages . . . Offers much more than just the scientific facts.”—Labtimes“A gloriously fascinating look into that galaxy far, far away!”—Professor Lewis Dartnell, University of Westminster, New York Times bestselling author of The Knowledge“As a longtime Star Wars maniac, I’d like to recommend Mark Brake and Jon Chase’s The Science of Star Wars: The Scientific Facts Behind the Force, Space Travel, and More! for the geek on your Christmas list. The book is divided into sections on space travel, space, aliens, tech, and bio-tech, with each addressing the scientific feasibility of the Star Wars universe, from faster than light travel to the nature of the Force itself. Written in a clear, friendly style, reading The Science of Star Wars is like sitting down for a conversation with a super geeky scientist friend.”—Unbound Worlds“Using the basic principles of mathematics and science, author Mark Brake and science presenter Jon Chase have unlocked some of the secrets behind the George Lucas films, and have concluded that The Force might not be complete fantasy.”—Telegraph“A fairly easy read in the sense that simple language is used to explain what can at times be fairly complex concepts . . . It’s certainly best enjoyed by anyone with a bent towards the stars and how they stay up there. . . . For the right fan, it would be an excellent Christmas present.”—In a Far Away Galaxy

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Book SynopsisLooking for future employment as a postdoc? Or desperately looking for the perfect present for a chemist friend? Maybe you simply enjoy cooking and reading about current developments in chemistry research? The first Who's Who in organic chemistry to show what top scientists like to cook - on the bench and on the stove - and how they have made their way. Use K. C. Nicolaou's recipe for fish and chips and read about his scientific work while preparing the meal that helped him finance his studies back in England. Containing more than 50 personal recipes and anecdotes from leading organic chemists, such as Lonely soup (Evans), Wild boar - Tuscan way (Waldmann), and Dulce de Leche (Vollhardt), accompanied by biographies and sketches of their current work, this is an exquisite delicacy for anybody who likes cooking, eating and chemistry.Trade Review"Now at last we have the evidence...of what people in the scientific community have long known: creative chemists are successful not only at the bench but also at the kitchen stove. After all, cooking too is an experimental science! To put in practice the idea of taking a peek into the cooking pots of one's colleagues is something that has long been overdue. It has now become a reality, thanks to collegues of Lutz Tietze in Gottingen on the occasion of his 60th birthday...the result is a very interesting "mixtura mirabilis"... "What's Cooking in Chemistry" is, of course, neither a chemistry textbook nor a book for the kitchen, nor is it intended to be either. But it is a charming, very personal, collection of "favorite recipes" - mostly good plain fare - presented against the background of the contributors' scientific interests. Chemists will derive pleasure from giving this carefully edited book (which has a good index) to friends and collegues in the scientific community, and thereby also giving pleasure to them. One should also have a copy in one's own bookshelves, as this charming book may encourage one's acquaintances to look more kindly on a profession that tends to be subconsciously identified with poisons and environmental damage. Guten Appetit, buon appetito, and enjoy your meal!" Prof. Gottfried Markl Universitat Regensburg "...In summary, a novel, well written and carefully presented book. Quite aside from its obvious use as a source of valuable biographic, scientific and culinary information and providing additional criteria for the selection of interesting places to do a post-doc or sabbatical, its reasonable price make book just the gift for that hard to please scientist on your list." The Alchemist - The ChemWeb Magazine "This is a cookbook, and one that is both serious and fun. The serious part comes from the scientific sketches of 56 professors from around the world who provide an overview of their research as well as their favorite recipes. Some of these recipes are very good, and readers will delight in preparing them. Even people who are not handy in the kitchen will like this book because it's fun to read the sometimes amusing commentare by the authors, who provide background on the origins of the recipes or the regions where the dishes are traditionally served. I would recommend this book for the serious chemists and cooks in your life. Its a great gift for any occasion. Nonchemists may even learn some serious chemistry from the sketches for each other." C&EN: Books . Aout of the Pan and into the fire "...recommend this book for the serious chemist and cooks in your life...a great gift for any occasion..." Chemical and Engineering News, Vol 82(04) Jan 2004 "This book should be enjoyed by those who like to read while they are cooking, or cook while they are reading. It helps to show that even famous chemists are real people who have lives outside the laboratory, appreciate the good things of life, and have highly tuned taste buds. I would recommend a meal consisting of the Erick Carreira starter, followed by a main course from Reinhard Hoffmann, before finishing up with Peter Wipf's dessert. Bon appetit!" Chemistry World "... a welcome addition to the genre (of the science of cooking) and we recommend it..." The Chemical Educator"Nun haben wir´s - leider nur schwarz auf weiß - was in der Scientific Community längst bekannt ist: Kreative Chemiker sind nicht nur an der "bench" erfolgreich, sie sind es auch am häuslichen Herd. Kochen ist schließlich auch eine experimentelle Wissenschaft! Die Idee, den Kollegen in ihre Kochtöpfe zu gucken, war längst überfällig. Mitarbeiter von Lutz Tietze in Göttingen haben sie jetzt, anlässlich seines 60. Geburtstages, Wirklichkeit werden lassen. Interviewt wurden 30 Chemiker und 2 (!) Chemikerinnen, herausgekommen ist eine überaus interessante "mixtura mirabilis". Wird das Buch der Leitidee "What´s cooking in chemistry?" gerecht? Es sind vertreten 22 "Meisterköche" aus den USA, 19 aus Deutschland, 6 aus Italien, der Rest der Welt aber nur mit 8 maitres de cuisine. Es drängt sich der Verdacht auf, dass die Summe der Leistungen im Labor und in der Küche stimmen musste. So kann man K. C. Nicolaou nachsehen, wenn der Bezwinger des Vanconmycins oder des Brevetoxins als wissenschaftliche Mount Everests "fish and chips" serviert; Größe im Labor und Bescheidenheit auf dem Teller sind eben nicht inkompatible! ...Trotz der etwas unausgewogenen Konzentration auf die USA, Deutschland und Italien tut sich auch bei "What´s cooking" eine überraschende Vielfalt auf. Pasta in vielen Variationen, Känguru, Wildente, Wildschwein und eine "Schalentierkatastrophe" (Austern, Muscheln und Shrimps) liegen auf den Tellern. Auch Folklore kommt aus den Töpfen: Kaiserschmarrn (Emperor Nonsens), Powidldatschkerl, Labskaus, Frankfurter Grüne Soße ("Gris Soß"), Tofu Tempura, Ahi Tuna Sashimi Napoleon oder Arzgebirge´sche Schuster Kließ. Interessant ist auch, wer wen zu Tisch bittet! Nicht wenige kochen für Mitarbeiter, einige, um ihre Angebetete zu beeindrucken, ein Präsident kocht für seine Vizepräsidenten und den Kanzler der Universität. D. A. Evans präsentiert mit seiner "Lonely Soup" einen "dish for bachelors" und bezeichnet sich als "survival cook". Sind sie ohne die Ehefrauen doch verloren? Bei manchen der "maitres de cuisine" scheint in ihren abschließenden Kommentaren ein Hauch von Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826) "Psychologie des Geschmacks" durch, auch wenn kein Franzose an dem bunten Tafelreigen beteiligt ist. Besonders phantasievolle Küchenmeister haben zu Ehren des Jubilars Tietze Domino-Gerichte kreiert (Domino Cake, Domino Chicken Curry)...ist natürlich weder ein Lehrbuch für Chemie noch für die Küche - will es auch nicht sein. Aber es ist eine charmante, sehr persönliche Vorstellung der "favored recipes" - die meist gute Hausmannskost beschreiben - vor dem Hintergund des wissenschaftlichen Werks der Kollegen. Es sollte Freude machen, dieses sehr sorgfälig redigierte und mit einem Index versehene Werk Freunden und Kollegen der Scientific Community zu schenken und damit Freude zu bereiten. Eigentlich sollte es auch im eigenen Bücherschrank stehen , denn einem Berufstand, der im Unterbewusstsein immer noch mit viel Gift und Umweltschäden identifiziert wird, könnte dieses liebenswürdige Buch zu einer freundlicheren Akzeptanz verhelfen." Prof. Dr. G. Märkl, Univ. Regensburg "Das Buch ist sicher ein pfiffiges Geschenk für Chemiker und Apotheker, die privat gerne auf den kulinarischen Pfaden ihrer wissenschaftlichen Vorbilder wandeln. Es ist in einer ansprechenden Hard Cover-Ausgabe im renommierten Verlag Wiley-VCH erschienen." PTA heute Erwähnung in: Nachrichten aus der Chemie Besprechung von Carl Th. Pedersen in: Dansk Kemi Buchtipp in: Analytik-News "Über 50 Chemiker geben einen kurzen Überblick über ihren Lebenslauf, ihre wissenschaftliche Arbeiten und aktuelle Forschung, sowie ihre Lieblingsrezepte. Eine tolle Idee...So international wie die Wissenschaftler, so unterschiedlich sind auch ihre Rezepte. Nur bei ganz wenigen muss man sich beim Einkaufen der Zutaten anstrengen oder sie gar per Luftfracht einfliegen lassen - allerdings weiß ich jetzt, dass mein Supermarkt um die Ecke nicht alles für "BBQ Kangaroo" vorrätig hat." Laborjournal Table of ContentsContents Martin Banwell: Marinade for BBQ Kangaroo Robert G. Bergman: Potato Latkes (Potato Pancakes) Dale L. Boger: Cannoli Shells Carsten Bolm: Kaiserschmarren Ronald Breslow: Veal and Sausage Stew Reinhard Bruckner: Pears, Beans and Bacon Gianfranco Cainelli: Tagliatelle alla Bolognese Erick M. Carreira: Black Bean Soup Armin de Meijere: Spaghetti con 'Schluntz' Scott E. Denmark: Scott's Fondue Ulf Diederichsen: Green Eel a la Marie with Dill Dip Alessandro Dondoni: Wild Duck in Olive Oil; Maccheroni con salmi di lepre alla Mantovana Dieter Enders: Chicken a la Maritje David A. Evans: Brunswick Stew (Lonely Soup) Marye Anne Fox: Carolina Dirt Cake Burchard Franck: Labskaus Robin L. Garell, Kendall N. Houk: Ahi Tuna Sashimi Napoleon Cesare Gennari: Domino Cake Robert H. Grubbs: Pecan Pie John F. Hartwig: Sorrel Soup; Variant of Nicoise Salad Clayton H. Heathcock: Texas Chili Wolfgang A. Herrmann: Filled Trout Donald Hilvert: Pasta with Artichoke Cream Alessandro Reinhard W. Hoffmann: Lamb Fillets Dieter Hoppe: Sweet and Sour Mushroom Salad Hiriyakkanavar Ila: Chicken Curry Karl Anker J?rgensen: A Crustacean Catastrophe; Tenderloin of Wild Boar; The Royal M&M Almond Cake Alan R. Katritzky: Sauerkraut Salad Horst Kessler: Red Gritz Horst Kunz: Arzgebirg'sche Schusterklie? Richard C. Larock: Chili Crock Pot Steven V. Ley: Ley's Low-Calorie, Chemical-Free Risotto? Lewis N. Mander: Chicken Dijonnais Johann Mulzer: Powidltatschkerl Ei-ichi Negishi: Goma-ae, Goma-yogoshi Kyriakos C. Nicolaou: Fish & Chips Leo A. Paquette: Paquette's Favourite Lasagna Manfred T. Reetz: Herb Sauce Frankfurt Style Daniel H. Rich: Ciappino Herbert W. Roesky: The 1:1:1 Mix Gyula Schneider: Tiszai halaszle Lawrence T. Scott: Fruitcake Victor Snieckus: Cold Beetroot Soup Martin Suhm: Fish Souffle Clausius-Clapeyron Marcello Tiecco: Tagliatelle with Bologna-style Meat Sauce Lutz F. Tietze: Pork Roulades with Cheese Claudio Trombini: Lasagne Verdi Rocco Ungaro: Pasta al Forno Southern Italy Style Edwin Vedejs: Pat Anderson-Vedejs' Wisconsin Linzer Torte K. Peter C. Vollhardt: Dulce de Leche Herbert Waldmann: Cinghiale in Dolce e Forte Ekkehard Winterfeldt: One-pot Fish Soup Peter Wipf: Lemon-Kiwi Pie Yoshinori Yamamoto: Tofu Tempura Axel Zeeck: Filled Peppers a la Benjamin

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Book Synopsis1 Das Nervensystem.- 2 Das Gehirn.- 3 Die Zellen.- 4 Neurone in Aktion.- 5 Krank im Kopf.- 6 Methoden der Hirnforschung.- 7 Grenzen des Wissens

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Book SynopsisOrbital Planes: A Personal Vision of the Space Shuttle is Roland Miller’s intimate photographic view of the Space Shuttle Program. A unique collection of imagery, the book explores the Space Shuttle orbiters—both inside and out—along with related facilities including rocket engine test sites, Solid Rocket Booster and External Tank manufacturing facilities, orbiter manufacturing and maintenance facilities, launch sites, and more. Miller photographed the Space Shuttle starting in 1988. He began his focused work for Orbital Planes in 2008 and continued for the duration of the Space Shuttle Program through the decommissioning of the orbiters. Orbital Planes is part artistic invention, part space archaeology, and part historic documentation. Through a combination of documentary and abstract photographs made around the United States, Orbital Planes tells an expansive story of the Space Shuttle Program in a visually arresting style. Detailed imagery describes the distinctive design and engineering of these spacecraft and the facilities where they were maintained and launched. The drama and danger of spaceflight are seen in the wear and tear visible on the Space Shuttle orbiters. The book also chronicles the story of Miller’s interactions with Space Shuttle workers and the impacts of the Challenger and Columbia accidents.

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Book SynopsisEveryone who is ever likely to be born on to this planet could be fed to the highest standards of nutrition and gastronomy-and this could be done without cruelty, or destroying our fellow creatures. By 2050 we will need to feed 9.5 billion people-which is as big as the world population is ever likely to get. To achieve this we need only to design farming expressly for the purpose-what in this book is called Enlightened AgricultureA". Good Food for Everyone Forever describes what's needed, and why. Picking up from his earlier book, Feeding People is Easy, the author introduces his radically new Campaign for Real FarmingA", intended to bring about nothing less than a people's takeover of the world's food supplyA".

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Book SynopsisQuantum physics has, on the one hand, drastically changed our theoretical description of the physical world and has, on the other hand, revolutionized everyday life, by allowing us to build lasers, atomic clocks used in GPS, and semiconductor-based devices such as laptop computers and smartphones. The object of this book is to give a self-contained introduction to both aspects. It contains a detailed account of the foundational principles: superposition, entanglement, quantum non-locality, decoherence and measurement theory, and of some selected applications: quantum cryptography and quantum computers, cold atoms, light emitting and laser diodes, and atomic clocks. The book is aimed at a general audience and the only prerequisite is a high-school background in mathematics.Table of ContentsAn Inconvenient Principle; Secure Communications; Einstein, Bohr, and Bell; Atoms, Light, and Lasers; Cold Atoms; The Kingdom of Semiconductors; Relativistic Quantum Physics; Towards a Quantum Computer?; The Environment is Watching; Interpretations.

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Book SynopsisUsing no math beyond high school algebra, the authors lay out an approachable explanation of Einstein's special relativity, then move through the fundamental differences between traveling forward and backward in time and the surprising theoretical connection between going back in time and traveling faster than the speed of light.Trade Review"Marvelously accessible." (Chicago Tribune) "Relying only minimally on technical jargon and formulas, the authors open to view the exciting conceptual prospects for designing a time machine capable of slipping backward through the centuries and of riding faster-than-light warp bubbles through the cosmos.... Armchair scientists share the thrill of peeking into the universe's deepest secrets. Penetrating science illuminates humankind's most audacious dreams." (Booklist)"

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Book SynopsisFor the nonscientist, the claims and counterclaims are dizzying - what does it really mean to understand the genome? In this title, the authors offer an answer to this question and many more in a clear account of the genomic revolution and its promise.

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Book SynopsisNature has published news about the history of life ever since its first issue in 1869. This work brings together 19 review articles written for Nature over the past decade. Topics include major extinction events, homeotic genes and body plans and the origin and evolution of the primates.

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Book SynopsisThis text presents the biological and political horror story of the algae in the Mediterranean. This work - part detective story and part bureaucratic object lesson - presents a classic case of a devastating ecological invasion and how not to deal with it.Table of ContentsFrom the discovery of the alga in Monaco to its arrival in France; the alga grows - and the polemic begins; "Caulerpa Taxifolia", superstar; the stakeholders squabble - and the alga spreads; research progresses - and the polemic persists; Chiaroscuro - 1997-1998; the three lessons of "Caulerpa". Appendices: the biology of "Caulerpa taxifolia" as known in 1991; chronology of a heralded invasion. (Part contents).

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Book SynopsisMark Monmonier looks at the increased use of geographic data, satellite imagery, and location tracking across a wide range of fields. Could these diverse forms of geographic monitoring, he asks, lead to grave consequences for society?Trade Review"With electronic spies in the sky, sensors under the streets, and geographic data banks everywhere, it takes Mark Monmonier's knowledge and insight to make sense of the new landscape of locational privacy. This is fascinating reading, indispensable to watchers and watched alike." - Edward Tenner, author of Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences

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Book SynopsisRecounts the history of the post-war conceptual development of elementary-particle physics. Inviting a reappraisal of the status of scientific knowledge, the text suggests that scientists are not mere passive observers and reporters of nature.

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Book SynopsisFollowing water on its course through the natural world, this account emphasises the connection between water and all forms of life.

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Book SynopsisWhen viewed from a quiet beach, the ocean, with its rolling waves and vast expanse, can seem calm, even serene. Written with a diver's love of the ocean, a novelist's skill at storytelling, the author takes us deep into the sea to introduce an astonishing cast of fascinating and bizarre creatures that make the salty depths their home.Trade Review"Packed with excellent conversation fodder for your next date, this book details the strange lives and mating rituals of sea creatures. Choose your anecdotes wisely, though: That romantic seafood dinner may become less appetizing once you explain that lobsters use urine during foreplay, or that male octopi copulate with a 'specialized baby-maker arm." (Sierra Magazine) "A tastefully scandalous tour of defensive secretions and extreme sexual flexibility backs up a plea for ocean conservation." (Science News)"

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Book SynopsisOne of three companion volumes that form an introduction to the central ideas of the modern natural sciences, this book is a source for those who have no technical knowledge in the subject of the architecture of matter.

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Book SynopsisOne of three companion volumes that form an introduction to the central ideas of the modern natural sciences, this book is a source for those who have no technical knowledge in the subject of time.

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Book SynopsisExplains the meaning and far-flung implications of the general theory of relativity and other mysteries of modern physics by presenting a conversation among Newton, Einstein, and a fictitious contemporary particle physicist named Adrian Haller.Trade ReviewIn his latest book, the renowned German physicist Harold Fritzsch adopts an interesting method of explaining Einstein's relativity theory and its implications. Toronto Globe & Mail Fritzsch'sThe Curvature of Spacetime is a time-travel dialogue set in 1996 between three men: Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein... and an imaginary modern expert, Adrian Haller... As an expository device, the dialogue form is quite successful. It lets Haller teach Einstein and Newton (and us) the current status, experimental and theoretical, of particle physics, drawing the reader into exchanges of view and conflicting ideas more readily than conventional exposition would allow. -- Francis Everitt Nature There have been many admirable attempts to bring Einstein's ideas to a wider public, and I am sureThe Curvature of Spacetime makes a contribution to that process -- Robert Pepperell Leonardo Review

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Book SynopsisA NASA space scientist maps out the coming solar cycle-and its catastrophic potential to disrupt worldwide power and communications systems. He includes a history of the record of auroral sightings, accounts of communications blackouts from the 20th century, industries sensitive to solar storms, and radiation and health issues.Trade ReviewOdenwald... gives us reason to worry about how ill-prepared we are for geomagnetic disturbances in the future. It's scary enough to warrant a Hollywood disaster movie. American Scientist Odenwald uses a breezy journalistic style as he explores solar eruptions and how these interfere with such vital elements as electrical power grids, long-distance piplines, and navigation. Sky & Telescope Odenwald (NASA) offers an outstanding nontechnical introduction to the solar-terrestrial environment with a focus on "space weather". He weaves a fascinating story using numerous examples of space weather impacts on human and technological systems. Scientific references are highly accessible and accurate throughout. -- T. Eastman Choice Odenwald offers a cogent warning, which deserves to have an impact beyond the book's own immediate readership of space science enthusiasts. Publishers Weekly With the Sun about halfway through its 23rd sunspot cycle since the 18th century, there is a chance that solar flares and coronal mass ejections... will affect the Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field... This book presents an interesting explanation of this phenomenon. For astronomy, space science, and engineering collections. Library Journal A fine summary of space weather effects, and how they work to the detriment of many satellite-based communications systems and, even, technology at ground level. I recommend Odenwald's book as a guide to the subtler, but very important, processes which occur in tandem with spectacular auroral storms. -- Neil Bone Astronomy Now

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Book SynopsisUseful for those interested in a career in science, the author recounts his unlikely path to becoming a Nobel Laureate. Beginning with his humble origins in Australia, he tells how he developed an interest in immunology and describes his award-winning, influential work with Rolf Zinkernagel on T-cells and the nature of immune defense.Trade ReviewA highly readable introduction to the modern world of scientific research. -- Mary Powers Commercialappeal.com Important to any aspiring scientist. Bookwatch A charmingly homely account of his own unlikely path toward this pinnacle. -- Margaret Wertheim Los Angeles Times Doherty opens the vault to the world of science. Nature The Beginner's Guide to Winning the Nobel Prize is an interesting and useful read for up-and-coming scientists. Journal of the American Medical Association This extended and amusing memoir does show how the path to a Nobel can be rocky and winding. -- Jeff Bairstow Laser Focus WorldTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 The Swedish Effect 9 The Science Culture 26 This Scientific Life 57 A Science Story 94 Personal Discoveries and New Commitments 140 The Next American Century? 159 Science and Religion 189 Discovering the Future 215 How to Win a Nobel Prize 238 Appendix 1 256 Appendix 2 263 Abbreviations 280 Index 286

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Book SynopsisUseful for those interested in a career in science, the author recounts his unlikely path to becoming a Nobel Laureate. Beginning with his humble origins in Australia, he tells how he developed an interest in immunology and describes his award-winning, influential work with Rolf Zinkernagel on T-cells and the nature of immune defense.Trade ReviewA highly readable introduction to the modern world of scientific research. -- Mary Powers Commercialappeal.com Important to any aspiring scientist. Bookwatch A charmingly homely account of his own unlikely path toward this pinnacle. -- Margaret Wertheim Los Angeles Times Doherty opens the vault to the world of science. Nature The Beginner's Guide to Winning the Nobel Prize is an interesting and useful read for up-and-coming scientists. Journal of the American Medical Association This extended and amusing memoir does show how the path to a Nobel can be rocky and winding. -- Jeff Bairstow Laser Focus WorldTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 The Swedish Effect 9 The Science Culture 26 This Scientific Life 57 A Science Story 94 Personal Discoveries and New Commitments 140 The Next American Century? 159 Science and Religion 189 Discovering the Future 215 How to Win a Nobel Prize 238 Appendix 1 256 Appendix 2 263 Abbreviations 280 Index 286

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Book SynopsisThe computational neuroscientist Daniel Graham offers an innovative paradigm for understanding the brain. He argues that the brain is not like a single computer—it is a communication system, like the internet.Trade ReviewGraham offers a fresh, insightful, and informative perspective on brain function, proposing that communication between neurons resembles signal passing in the internet as a novel metaphor to investigate the brain. He provides erudite discussions and presents compelling arguments in a lively and clear manner. -- Gabriel Kreiman, Harvard Medical SchoolEver since we began to explore the brain, we have used various metaphors, typically relating brains to machines. Von Neumann introduced the computer metaphor but the list of similarities faded away with time. Daniel Graham’s book updates the "brain-is-like" metaphor to encompass the internet. Unlike the computer, the internet is not a blueprint design but a constantly evolving system, much like the brain. Or perhaps it is not the entire brain but only the neocortex is like the internet, which contains all knowledge of the individual, the way the internet contains all factual knowledge of humankind. Yet, only through efficient searching can knowledge become accessible; luckily, there is the hippocampus, the brain’s search engine. Of course, metaphors can be reciprocated. Does the internet have plans, feelings, and intentions? Get your copy to find out. -- György Buzsáki, author of Rhythms of the Brain and The Brain from Inside OutIn this timely book, the neuroscientist Daniel Graham argues eloquently for shedding the worn idea of brain as computer for that of brain as communication device—brain as internet. A must-read for anyone interested in the brain from the novice to the hardened professional, Graham's book bravely challenges the standard dogma to reshape and reframe our thinking about the workings of the brain. -- Michael S. Gazzaniga, director of the SAGE Center for the Study of Mind, University of California Santa Barbara, and author of The Consciousness Instinct: Unraveling the Mystery of How the Brain Makes the MindBrain function cannot be fully understood without considering how neurons and brain regions connect and communicate. What are the principles that govern how rich and dynamic patterns of network communication organize and support mind and cognition? This book offers a truly enjoyable and accessible account of this important topic, as well as a fresh and thought-provoking perspective that bridges brain science and modern communication technology. -- Olaf Sporns, distinguished professor of psychological and brain sciences, Indiana UniversityThe brain and the internet both require flexibility for reliably routing information across growing and adapting networks. Graham’s accessible and scholarly book, which also considers mail and telephone networks, develops plausible similarities for how brains and internets solve routing problems. -- Chris McManus, professor of psychology, University College London, and author of Right Hand, Left Hand: The Origins of Asymmetry in Brains, Bodies, Atoms, and CulturesTable of ContentsPreface1. The Internet-Brain and the Computer-Brain2. Metaphors for the Brain3. What We Don’t Know About Brains4. From Connectomics to Dynomics5. How the Internet Works6. The Internet Metaphor: First Steps to a New Theory of the Brain7. Critique of the Internet Metaphor8. The Internet Metaphor in Action: Emerging Models and New Technologies9. The Internet Metaphor, AI, and UsAfterwordAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisProgrammable Planet is a grand tour through the world of synthetic biology, telling the stories of the colorful visionaries whose ideas are shaping discoveries. Ted Anton explores the field from its beginning in fighting malaria in Africa to the COVID vaccines and beyond.Trade ReviewProgrammable Planet captures the passion and energy of those at the genesis of the construction of the genetically engineered world. -- Christopher Voigt, Daniel I.C. Wang Professor of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyIf you’ve ever wondered about the promise—and the peril—of synthetic biology and its power to transform life, then Programmable Planet is the book for you. Ted Anton’s exploration of both the history and the future of the ways we engineer life is incisive, engaging, and downright fascinating. -- Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Poison Squad: One Chemist’s Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety in the Early Twentieth CenturyProgrammable Planet is a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read. Anton is an expert storyteller who blends the human element with cutting-edge science like a synthetic biologist engineering a novel organism. Timely and at times provocative, the book provides a wonderful grounding for those interested in learning more about synthetic biology’s promise and threat. And we should all be interested in learning more. -- Aoife Brennan, president and chief executive officer, SynlogicIn this rollicking compendium, Anton documents a huge number of ways synthetic biology can be used in practice, embedding these examples in the experiences of the people involved. -- Drew Endy, Stanford UniversityTable of ContentsIntroductionPart I. Beginnings1. A Glass of Absinthe: A Malaria Medicine2. A Radical Philosophy3. Pandora’s Box: The Triumph and Temptation of Gene Editing4. The Silk Road: Directing Evolution5. Wild: Remaking LifePart II. Ripples in the Water6. Rush: Biology-Made Medicines7. New Nature: A Do-It-Yourself Environment8. Hearth and Home9. Fantastic Voyages: Mining and the Military10. The Killers: Viruses as HealersPart III. Bioindustrial Revolution11. Race to a Vaccine12. Global Production: Perils and Profits of a New Science13. The Moirai’s Gift14. To the Planets, and Beyond: Synthetic Biology in Space15. FuturamaAcknowledgmentsTimelineGlossaryFurther ReadingNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisIn this thought-provoking title, neurologist Adam Zeman offers an enlightening view of consciousness seen through the lenses of science and philosophy, enhancing his discussion with case studies of neurological patients and observations of young children's expanding mental worlds.Trade Review"Zeman is a humane and engaging writer and this is a wonderfully ambitious and entertaining book. I can think of no better guide to 'the last great frontier of science.'"—Paul Broks, Prospect"[This] book is more than an argument about computers and consciousness. There are . . . potentially mind-numbing discussions of the pathways that give rise to the senses and to cognition, accompanied by diagrams of the same. . . . Zeman manages to make all of this stuff . . . interesting."—Ivan Oransky, New York Sun

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisNatural disasters bedevil our planet, and each appears to be a unique event. Leading geologist Susan W. Kieffer shows how all disasters are connected.

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Book SynopsisA short, lively argument for the natural superiority of women.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAll you have to do is ask 'why' and open to any page. Good luck putting it down. -Alton Brown, host of Good Eats and Iron ChefTrade Review"A combination of Good Eats, MythBusters, and Monty Python’s Flying Circus. A fun-filled science adventure for foodies." -- Austin Chronicle"This book provides wonderfully rich new vistas on the compelling, growing field of interpersonal neurobiology. Therapists and patients will benefit from Badenoch’s powerful narrative thread from neuroscience discoveries to the deepest aspects of personal relationships. This workbook is a must-read." -- José Andrés, chef and restaurateur

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Book SynopsisShows that the story of metrology . . . can in the right hands make for a riveting read.The EconomistTrade Review"By any measure, this book is a delight." -- Natural History"[A] fascinating book." -- New Scientist"A colorful tale of global conquest driven by kings, revolutionaries, polyglots and privateers." -- Science News"Takes the seemingly mundane questions we unthinkingly ask dozens of times a day and reveals them to be thrillingly profound." -- Richard Panek, author of The 4% Universe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisRanging from the latest achievements of modern fertility clinics to the lives of subsistence farmers in the rain forests of Africa, this book offers both a remarkably broad and a minutely detailed exploration of human reproduction. Ellison combines the perspectives of anthropology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.Trade ReviewEllison gives a clear, beautifully written account of human reproductive physiology in relation to human evolution and ecology. His very readable narrative--including his stands on some still controversial questions--will enlighten anyone interested in reproduction, population, and people's place on the planet. -- Joel E. Cohen, Professor of Populations at The Rockefeller University and Columbia University, New York and 1999 winner of the Tyler Prize for Environmental AchievementOn Fertile Ground is a fine overview of the role of hormones in human reproduction, and of the way hormones and behavior interact. Authoritative and lively, it is the best place to start. -- Melvin Konner, Emory UniversityA splendid synthesis by one of the pioneers in the study of the evolution of the human reproductive system. Ellison provides a readable, marvelously informative account of the physiology of reproduction as it relates to women's lives. -- Sara Blaffer Hrdy, author of Mother NatureBecause of the many subfields it covers, not to mention the contradictory claims made by its practitioners, human reproduction has been a difficult topic for non-specialists to master. Peter Ellison has now turned a fearsome set of data-rich puzzles into a single elegant story. On Fertile Ground shows readers where the intellectual problems lie, what's wrong with past solutions, and why his views are right. On Fertile Ground is a riveting tale of adaptation and a major contribution to mammalian evolutionary ecology. It shows science at its best. -- Richard Wrangham, author of Demonic MalesOn Fertile Ground provides the finest available integration of detailed information on human reproductive physiology with evolutionary explanations; it can serve as a model for other areas of human biology...A novel synthesis of a fast-growing field, On Fertile Ground will interest specialists and nonspecialists alike and can be used as an undergraduate text as well. It is an excellent read that significantly advances our understanding of human reproduction. -- Hillard S. Kaplan * Science *Peter Ellison grips your attention from his opening contrast between a difficult birth in central Africa that ended in the death of the baby and a successful delivery in the U.S. that mobilised up-to-date medical facilities. He isn't sensationalist. Fascination comes from following the progress from conception to maturity in minute detail...On Fertile Ground is enjoyable and Ellison has an individual voice. -- Roy Herbert * New Scientist *[This book] is truly extraordinary, state-of-the-art book on a topic that concerns all human beings as individuals and a host of others professionally. So many superlatives may seem inappropriate, but they are not. Ellison is a cutting-edge scientist: a leading researcher in the field of human reproductive physiology. He brings to bear an unparalleled perspective--derived from both anthropology and biology--that makes a diverse and conflicting field of research suddenly comprehensible by demanding that human reproduction be viewed as the product of evolution, responsive to ecological conditions, with its own unique evolutionary history. -- Jane B. Lancaster * Harvard Magazine *Given Peter Ellison's major contributions to reproductive ecology, it should come as no surprise that he has written a unique, readable book on what determines and influences reproductive success in humans...One of the hallmarks of this book is that, in his efforts to understand why human reproduction has evolved its own particular pattern, Ellison repeatedly asks questions that would never cross the minds of many of us, and in so doing stimulates new ways of thinking about old topics...This is an excellent and thoughtful discussion of the many interesting theories surrounding human reproductive physiology and its constraints. Written in accessible language, it should appeal to a non-academic audience as well as the specialist. It could also be assigned as a graduate and/or undergraduate supplementary text in courses on human reproductive ecology/behavioral biology or reproductive physiology. I can thoroughly recommend it to any and all of these readers! -- Gillian R. Bentley * Journal of Human Evolution *This is an splendid book that is so clearly written and yet so rigorously detailed that it can be recommended to teenage daughters and sons as well as specialists in reproductive ecology and life history theory. The book covers everything about the female reproductive system in intricate detail from conception and early fetal development through childhood, the onset of sexual maturation, female ovulatory cycling, pregnancy, birth and lactation and finally through menopause and the post reproductive lifespan. It also includes a fascinating chapter on male reproductive physiology that clearly explains how the sexes are similar and how and why males are different...Peter Ellison has been an outstanding leader of the field of reproductive ecology for more than 20 years. This book is the distillation of his ideas over that time period and a sparklingly transparent presentation of what sometimes seems to be a muddy pond of complicated details...It will undoubtedly be on the forefront of a new era in human reproductive studies, helping to lead those who study human reproductive patterns back down a pathway where questions and hypothesis about functional design are central, and firmly grounded in the realization that the whole system evolved by natural selection. -- Kim Hill * Journal of Anthropological Research *Ellison describes the evolution of human reproduction clearly and concisely, beginning with the forces that shaped the process of conception and proceeding to the reproductive process, birth, and the subsequent six months of development...Sure to delight anyone interested in the external forces that helped create humanity. -- Bonnie Johnston * Booklist *In clean, elegant prose, Ellison has crafted a synthesis of current knowledge in a range of disciplines...his exposition offers a superb overview. -- Bethany Torode * Books & Culture *Table of ContentsTwo Births Surviving the First Cut A Time to Be Born The Elixir of Life Why Grow Up? Balancing Act The Arc of Life The Body Builders The Journey and the Procession Notes Acknowledgments List of Illustrations Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review[A] provocative collection that tackles some of science’s most enduring misconceptions and dubious assumptions. -- Gemma Tarlach * Discover *In Newton’s Apple and Other Myths about Science 27 experts in the history of science and science education explore 27 ‘myths’ that are staples of classroom and popular science. Each short, readable and authoritative chapter is perfect commute-length reading. Better than just countering the myths, the book explains when they arose and why they stuck. -- Rebekah Higgitt * The Guardian *[A] delightful collection of short, thought-provoking essays…Every reader should find something to surprise them. -- Jim Endersby * Science *Newton’s Apple seeks to expose lingering misconceptions about the precursors of modern science, about how science is conducted, and about leading researchers who pushed their fields forward. -- Bob Grant * The Scientist *Myth busting is always great fun as well as being educational. Newton’s Apple and Other Myths about Science is a splendid sequel to Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion. Here, twenty-eight experts punch holes in widely-held opinions about science. But it may be disconcerting to find a few of your own long-held beliefs in the ranks. So don’t read this book if you aren’t prepared to change your mind. -- Owen Gingerich, author of God’s PlanetTwenty-seven popular myths about science and its history bite the dust in this engaging and timely book. In these essays, Numbers, Kampourakis, and a host of eminent experts set the record straight and explore how and why these myths become part of our collective memory—whether right or wrong. Each chapter offers important lessons about history and the scientists involved in some of our most significant discoveries. -- Janet Browne, author of Charles Darwin: A BiographyNumbers and Kampourakis have assembled a splendid collection of essays challenging rampant misconceptions about science past and present. This book will be of interest to researchers, teachers, students, and anyone who cares about getting the history of science right. -- Angela N. H. Creager, author of Life AtomicMany of the facts we think we know about science—that Isaac Newton has an epiphany about gravity when an apple fell on his head, for example, are apocryphal. These essays by science and other historians challenge the idea that science is an endeavor that jumps forward because of the discoveries or inventions of individuals, explaining that it is instead advanced by the accretion of tiny breakthroughs made by multitudes over time. -- Henrietta Verma * Library Journal *Myths die hard no matter how often they are refuted, and this splendid essay collection, edited by Numbers and Kampourakis, tackles many of the most prevalent and destructive myths about science… The book’s real value lies in the way that each author not only refutes a myth, but traces its origins and points out why it has lasted so long; each brief, well-written essay—they average eight pages—gives the historical context and explains the relevant science. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Myths about science, including its history and practice, abound among the general public, scientists, and science teachers…This book will be a surprising read for the general audience and even scientists; it is a must read for science educators. -- P. D. Skiff * Choice *

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Book SynopsisTaxi drivers love to talk, and when astrobiologist Charles Cockell is their passenger, they love to talk about aliens. This humorous, insightful collection gathers essays inspired by conversations with cabbies, ranging over the possible nature of alien societies, the inevitability of life, and links between environmentalism and space exploration.Trade ReviewConversations with cab drivers lead to discussions about space exploration in this fun outing from astrobiologist Cockell…He does a great job blending cutting-edge science with philosophical considerations. This is a joy to read. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Timely…Cockell makes us consider a gamut of new possibilities that boggle the mind. -- Bruce Dorminey * Forbes *The single most interesting space book I’ve seen this year…I remain very grateful for Taxi from Another Planet, a book I will be returning to and recommending to others. -- John Wilson * National Review *While Cockell gives an insider, science-based understanding of space and its exploration, he’s not shy in offering his opinions, such as there being no Planet B to flee to after we finish wreaking havoc on this one. Far from being at odds, he persuasively argues, environmentalism at home and exploration in space are natural allies working to understand and protect biological life. -- Adrienne Ross Scanlan * New York Journal of Books *Cockell gives readers a good, basic (and easy-to-understand) refresher course on life on Earth as he prepares to discuss life outside Earth…While this is surely a book for adults, older teens who study the skies and make plans for a home on the moon will appreciate it as well. -- Terri Schlichenmeyer * The Daily News *Takes the reader on an engaging tour of leading topics and questions in astrobiology through a series of imaginary conversations with taxi drivers. -- Ian Randall * Physics World *[Cockell] seeks to shed some light on such existential dilemmas from a refreshingly non-academic perspective…The book is both entertaining and informative in equal measure, always thought-provoking, and is an illustration of the value of interrogating seemingly simple questions from a completely different viewpoint, sometimes leading to surprising new insights. -- Morgan Hollis * Nature Astronomy *An interesting and humorous approach to questions about the universe with relatively in-depth subject exploration. * Library Journal *If you’re intrigued by the concept of life beyond Earth and space exploration, then Taxi from Another Planet will be an interesting read for you. Inspired by conversations with drivers around the world, Cockell spins them into engaging chapters that bring together observations and ruminations about human history and scientific knowledge. -- Michelle Gardner * Technical Communication *The power of this fascinating book is that it explains a lot of science in simple terms, and offers plenty of food for thought. I recommend this book to science teachers and students, to public libraries and to historians. -- Christiaan Sterken * Journal of Astronomical Data *From human societies on Mars to cosmic microbes and alien worlds, this superbly intelligent, erudite book offers an intoxicating look at how the cutting edge of scientific thought on life’s status in the universe connects to all of us. Faced with the fascinating questions of taxi drivers from around the world, Cockell is a convivial and inspiring passenger. -- Caleb Scharf, author of The Ascent of InformationMost astronomers find it hard to respond to questions from the public without lapsing into jargon or technicalities, but Charles Cockell is a natural communicator. Taxi from Another Planet conveys an array of ideas—all fascinating, and some profound—with a light touch and utter clarity. Accessible to anyone curious about the cosmos. -- Martin Rees, coauthor of The End of AstronautsIn this unique book, Cockell takes us on a journey through astrobiology—one taxi ride at a time. Combining scientific inquiries with personal stories, Taxi from Another Planet is a fascinating conversation starter. -- Lisa Kaltenegger, Director of the Carl Sagan Institute, Cornell UniversityCab drivers spend mere minutes with their passengers, which motivates them to ask riders only the interesting questions: Could Martians be dangerous? Will talking to aliens be more enlightening than talking to a dog? Cockell’s answers from the backseat are clear and delightfully phrased in this informative and thoroughly entertaining book. -- Seth Shostak, author of Confessions of an Alien HunterThe ever curious and creative mind of Charles Cockell takes us on a ride that is both whimsical and thoroughly insightful. Science, society, and history are woven together throughout this delightful book, resembling the many intertwining streets of Cockell’s journeys, and ours. -- Kevin Peter Hand, author of Alien Oceans: The Search for Life in the Depths of Space

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