Popular science Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review“This book is a masterwork by a meditation adept who is also a scientist. Dawson captivates the reader with unforgettable stories and leading-edge neuroscience that open the mind, warm the heart, and elevate the spirit. His eloquent descriptions of meditative ecstasy and fact-based explanations of what brings it about provide big-picture understanding of the evolution of consciousness. This book shines with lucidity and caring. It most convincingly beckons readers to the heights of human awareness.”~ Judith Pennington, president, Institute for the Awakened Mind“This book is so superior to the dozens of popular books on meditation I’ve seen over the years that I want to shout about it from the rooftops! It will make a beautiful difference in people’s lives! I opened it with the skepticism that its ambitious title invites, and I completed it surprised by how many fascinating insights I’d come to about the topic of ‘bliss brain.’ At a minimum, readers who sense the potential benefits of meditation but feel they don’t have a sustainable bridge into its practice will have lost that excuse. Dawson Church has brilliantly synthesized the vast literature on the neural, behavioral, lifestyle, and subjective benefits of meditation. He then systematically applies the principles derived from this analysis and from the fruits of his 50-year journey as a practicing and sometimes struggling meditator in formulating a disarmingly simple program. But unlike most self-help programs, this one has been tested scientifically, and it reliably brings participants into states of consciousness and neurochemistry that previously required years of long, diligent practice. Bliss Brain is a potent and urgently needed antidote to a culture in turmoil.”~ David Feinstein, PhD, co-author of The Energies of Love“Science and love embrace in this incredible book. It’s more than a clear and inspiring description of how radically our brains change in response to spiritual experiences; it shows us how to master the evolutionary quirks that sidetrack us in our quest for enlightenment. From one of today’s most brilliant scientists and accomplished authors, Bliss Brain is a gift to us all.”~ Dianne Morrison, president, Effective Action Consulting“This brilliant book is a road map for turning tragedy into bliss. In my many years of knowing Dawson Church, I’ve found him to be a beacon of positivity and joy, a living example of the values he teaches. His research into how meditation activates the happiness centers of the brain puts Bliss Brain within the reach of everyone. Dawson shows how you can grow resilience even in the face of great personal loss, using adversity to remodel your brain for bliss. This book will rock your world, and show you that happiness is truly achievable, no matter how far away it seems today.”~ Lisa Garr, host of The Aware Show“Science has known for decades that the brain is changed by consciousness. Until now, we’ve never before had a truly practical guide showing how to put this knowledge to work. This comprehensive and accessible book integrates research from a dozen scientific fields and translates it for our everyday lives. It clearly shows us how to apply neural plasticity while giving us an evidence-based path to creating a happy, peaceful and resourceful brain. It’s a ‘must read.’”~ Marilyn Schlitz, PhD, Dean of Transpersonal Psychology,Sofia University“Stunning! Bliss Brain is a masterpiece of science, inspiration and possibility; opening doors to each one of us about what’s possible in our lives and unraveling the true meaning of human potential. I’ll be reading this again and again and sharing it with those I love!”~ Nick Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution“As The Secret meets the scientist in Dawson’s work, the boundaries of what you’ve believed possible will be stretched far beyond your existing picture of reality.”~ Jack Canfield, co-author of #1 New York Times best-selling Chicken Soup® series and featured teacher in The Secret“The pace of change and the pressure to perform often leads professionals to the edge of burnout. The research in Bliss Brain shows that meditation provides an island of inner peace in a stressful world. It leads to massive increases in productivity, creativity, happiness, and problem solving ability. The techniques Dawson offers us provide us with the leverage to address the challenges confronting organizations and society. These are the secrets that make companies and teams thrive, both personally and professionally.”~ Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI and New York Times best-selling author“Accumulating evidence suggests that meditation training yields improved emotional regulation and enduring changes in brain function, even outside meditation sessions, both in clinical and non-clinical populations. Dawson Church succinctly reviews all the neural evidence to date in this comprehensive yet relatable book, and shows how all of us can achieve states of bliss through meditation. Beautifully interwoven is his own story of loss and heartache, and recovery and resilience. This is a MUST read for everyone from all walks of life.”~ Associate Professor Peta Stapleton, PhD, author of The Science Behind Tapping“Four billion years of evolution have conditioned us to make safety & survival our brain’s default Operating System. But now we’re in the midst of an epoch change in which Enlightenment is emerging as the new Operating System. We’re in the early stages of that transition and Bliss Brainis the catalyst we need to speed up the process. In this book you’ll find the precise instructions that science provides for reformatting your brain for lifetime happiness. Buy this book. You’ll be oh-so-very-glad you did.”~ Martin Rutte, founder, Project Heaven on Earth

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Book SynopsisSynopsis coming soon.......Trade Review“Interweaves his intriguing and instructive on-the-road adventures with fascinating and rarely addressed facts about sound, health, and environment. Many books help us see the world differently; this one induces us to hear the world clearly.”—Booklist, Starred Review“An important message.” —Kirkus Reviews“Fascinating and disturbing.” —LA Times

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Book SynopsisAnyone with even a passing interest in science will delight in this guide to the nuclear age.Trade Review"Beautifully produced. In every lavishly illustrated page, every fascinating aside (did you know, for instance, that there are more atoms in a single glass of water than there are glasses of water in all the earth's oceans?) the book demonstrates the central role of nuclear physics in our exploration of nature." (Sesame) "The authors have produced an attractive book... The relaxed, informal style is easy on the reader and the story is told in a way I find appealing." (Nuclear Physics Review)"

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Book SynopsisWith it you'll finally understand the why of wayfinding.Trade ReviewDenny, a theoretical physicist and prolific author, impresses his audience with the immense knowledge and effort that has been expended in developing methods for people to navigate from place to place. ChoiceTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentIntroduction: Point of DepartureFirst Quadrant: Geodesy1. Earth and Its Orbit2. Shaping the EarthSecond Quadrant: Cartography3. Surveying4. MapmakingThird Quadrant: Early Exploration and Navigation5. Early Explorers, Basic Tools6. Europe Discovers the WorldFourth Quadrant: Navigation in Modern Times7. The Age of Sail and Steam8. The Electronic AgeConclusion: Nature's NavigatorsTechnical AppendixAnnotated BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisZirker is that rare animal who can both communicate the most demanding technical detail and make it accessible.-New ScientistTrade ReviewFrom ocean scientists and surfers-to whom it brings some different and interesting ways of looking at things; to the amateur who's always been slightly curious... You'll never look at the sea in the same way again. -- Chris Almond Weather This fascinating book is hard to put down... [ The Science of Ocean Waves] is an interesting read for scientists and laypeople, and it would make a great book for an undergraduate oceanography class. Choice In his new book, The Science of Ocean Waves: Ripples, Tsunamis, and Stormy Seas, J. B. Zirker offers a comprehensive and up-to-date account of a familiar phenomenon whose complexity is hardly appreciated by nonscientists. Zirker's deep insights, historic perspectives, and excellent narrative, which he provides with minimal graphics and without a single equation, make the book a fascinating read... The Science of Ocean Waves is truly a remarkable achievement. It has a great chance to become a standard text for students, scientist, weather and ocean forecasters, engineers, climate modelers, and anyone else whose curiosity or professional interests relate to ocean waves. -- Alexander Babanin Physics TodayTable of ContentsPreface1. A Walk along the Beach2. What Exactly Is a Wave?3. How the Wind Generates Ocean Waves4. A Touch of Reality: How Big Waves Behave5. Observations at Sea: The Postwar Boom6. Forecasting and Monitoring Storm Waves7. Breaking Waves8. Freaks and Rogues9. Tsunamis10. Internal Waves and El Niño11. The Tides12. The Currents13. Ship Waves14. Renewable Energy from Waves and Tides15. The FutureGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisOverseen by distinguished neuropsychiatrist Dr. Richard Restak, Brainis both a practical owner’s manual and a complete guide to the brain’s development and function.

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Book SynopsisCenturies of scientific thought in one volume

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Book SynopsisHow does the voice of a distant radio announcer make it through your alarm clock in the morning? How does your gas stove work? How does the remote control open your garage door? What happens when you turn the key in the ignition? What do antibiotics really do? This title deals with these questions.Trade Review"With 400 big, glossy pages, this hardback has the heft of a textbook, but with pictures and writing style accessible to anyone--even if your own scientific experiences never went beyond a kitchen-counter volcano of baking soda and vinegar." --The Washington Post“Dedicated to the notion that everything around us has an interesting science tale to tell, this abundantly illustrated, modern-day book of knowledge makes learning fun — and makes remembering forgotten science even better!” –WebWire.com

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Book SynopsisFrom a witty new voice in popular science comes a life-changing look at what makes you you. Trade Review“I would have read this book on the information about coffee alone, but I’m going to really love explaining to people why it’s not my fault I don’t like bacon and my love of hot sauce is actually my way of thrill seeking. So, go grab this book if you want to learn some amazing things while being thoroughly amused.” –Amy’s Book-et List “There are so many interesting tidbits that you could use as cocktail party conversation- the study of nursery schoolers personality traits that predicts political affiliation 20 years later, acetaminophen has been shown to decrease empathy, birds are better at multitasking than people...(Why do smokers drink a lot of coffee?)” –Bookchickdi “Just know that the writing is top notch and the content will keep you interested long after you put the book down. Its funny, interesting, and unforgettable - what more could you want, right? I know I loved it.” –A Bookish Way of LIfe “There is so much to unpack in this book. First, I need to mention that it’s written with a lot of humor to make it more readable, especially the first half or so. Second, any book that tells of the Kenny Rogers Seinfeld episode has already won me over. “ –Stacy’s Books “Sullivan delivers the science behind these concepts with humor and approachability.” –JulzReads “I laughed out loud more than once as the author described gene therapy “as easy as a Matchbox Twenty guitar solo…” and comparing religion to duct tape “despite the monumental discoveries driven by science, some people still really love the duct tape.” --Orange County Readers “This is accessible genetics the way you wish your high school biology teacher would have taught things and is filled with pop-culture references and engaging language that will appeal to science buffs and curious minds alike.” –Stephanie’s Book Reviews “Pleased to Meet Me…may very possibly give you a case of the goosebumps as you have one epiphany after another as Sullivan teaches us to take a long hard look at all the things that miraculously came together to make us truly unique. Whether you’re interested in science or simply the human condition, this should be mandatory reading.” –Jathan & Heather “Honestly, this book is sort of mind-blowing. I feel like I have a whole new grasp on a lot of concepts that I had never even thought of before. I’m really just hoping this helps me with a pub quiz soon.” –The Desert Bibliophile “There are constant gems of information that are either fascinating all on their own or feel highly applicable to day-to-day life.” –Sara Ames-Foley “It’s a quick read that I was able to step away from feeling quite a bit smarter than when I started.” –Paul’s Picks “I’ve been thinking of this book often since finishing it, and I think I’ll be returning to it often as well, because there are so many times that the topics it covers arise — whether in the news, conversation, other reading — everywhere, really.” –What’s Nonfiction?“In equal parts approachable and mind-blowing. Sullivan gives us a whistle-stop tour of the myriad factors that make you who you are”—David Eagleman, host of PBS’s The Brain with David Eagleman “From microbes that make you intoxicated to the genetic demons hiding within your DNA, Pleased to Meet Me is a whirlwind journey through human biology. Deftly weaving cutting-edge science with popular culture, this accessible book will leave you wanting more.” —Sharon Moalem, PhD, author of Survival of the Sickest “A rare treat: A book that’s fun to read from cover to cover, while leaving you wiser and better-informed about who you really are.” —Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible “Bill Sullivan is a sympathetic guide who understands your dislike of exercise and most things healthy. This wide-ranging tome puts a new light on human pursuits, including eating, drinking, thinking, sex, free will, even politics and religion, all presented with topical humor and wit.” —Scott Anderson, co-author of The Psychobiotic Revolution “Bill Sullivan artfully reports on how our genes interact with our surroundings to shape our unique personalities and the people we’ve become. A beautiful melding of science and the human experience.” —Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, author of Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism “Pleased to Meet Me is as close to philosophy as science books get. Infused with Sullivan’s witty voice, the book exposes us as the biological machines we really are. You’ll be quoting it to your friends.” —Dr. Alanna Collen, author of 10% Human “Pleased to Meet Me makes you see the world in a new way. We like to think we’re totally in control of how we think and act, but Sullivan makes a strong case that our beloved ‘agency’ is not what we think it is.” —Matthew Simon, Wired science writer and author of Plight of the Living Dead "Filled with surprising facts, witty anecdotes, and engaging explorations of the biological forces that make us who we are, Pleased to Meet Me is a must-read for anyone interested in an intelligent approach to self-discovery. Bill Sullivan translates cutting-edge science into practical insights about the ways that genes, germs, and environment shape our health, happiness, and relationships. This delightful book will change the way you see yourself—and will provide newfound empathy for others." —Ty Tashiro, author of Awkward and The Science of Happily Ever After “A book for everyone with an interest in human behavior, Pleased to Meet Me achieves the rare feat of presenting of scientific information that is also fun to read. Not only will your knowledge be greatly enhanced, but you’re more likely to become more compassionate as well.” —James E. Alcock, PhD, author of Belief

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

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Book SynopsisA Selection of the Scientific American Book ClubProfiling 50 of the world’s most popular playthings—including their history, trivia, and the technology involved—this guide uncovers the hidden science of toys. Discover how an Etch A Sketch writes on its gray screen, why a boomerang returns after it is thrown, and how an RC car responds to a remote control device. Leaving no detail unrevealed, the guide includes original patent-application blueprints and photos of the “guts” of several devices. Inventors and museum curators also offer their observations of favorite gizmos while dispelling (or confirming) several toy legends. Complete with explanations of do-it-yourself experiments and tips on reverse engineering old toys to observe their interior mechanics, this entertaining and informative reference even provides pointers on how budding toy makers can build their own toys using only recycled materials and a little ingenuity.Trade Review"Written for novices and illustrated . . . throughout, this book is sure to provide hours of entertainment and enlightenment." --School Library Journal"Perfect for collectors, for anyone daring enough to build homemade versions of these classic toys and even for casual browsers." -- Booklist"Really fun . . . can keep little and big brains occupied for hours." --mamaspeaks.com

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1927, this text explores the relationship between dreams, time, and reality. It shows how a scientific experiment probes the nature of time and the barrier dividing past and future, and offers a scientific argument for human immortality.

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Book SynopsisMuch of math history comes to us from early astrologers who needed to be able to describe and record what they saw in the night sky. Whether you were the king''s court astrologer or a farmer marking the best time for planting, timekeeping and numbers really mattered. Mistake a numerical pattern of petals and you could be poisoned. Lose the rhythm of a sacred dance or the meter of a ritually told story and the intricately woven threads that hold life together were spoiled. Ignore the celestial clock of equinoxes and solstices, and you''d risk being caught short of food for the winter.Shesso''s friendly tone and clear grasp of the information make the math "go down easy" in this marvelous book.

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Book SynopsisReaders will travel back in time to ancient Babylonia, Egypt and Greece. They will meet the world''s first astronomers, mathematicians and physicists and explore the lives and ideas of such famous people as Pythagoras, Archimedes, Brahmagupta, al-Khwarizmi, Fibonacci, Ptolemy, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Hakim will introduce them to Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time whose scientific ideas dominated much of the world for eighteen centuries.

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Book SynopsisIn volume three, students will look over Albert Einstein''s shoulder as he and his colleagues develop a new kind of physics. It leads in two directions: to knowledge of the vast universe and its future (insights build on Einstein''s theories of relativity), and to an understanding of the astonishingly small subatomic world (the realm of quantum physics). Students will learn why relativity and quantum theory revolutionized our world and led to the most important ideas in modern science, maybe of all time.In the three-book The Story of Science series, master storyteller Joy Hakim narrates the evolution of scientific thought from ancient times to the present. With lively, character-driven narrative, Hakim spotlights the achievements of some of the world''s greatest scientists and encourages a similiar spirit of inquiry in readers. The books include hundreds of color photographs, charts, maps, and diagrams; informative sidebars; suggestions for further reading; and excerpts from the writings of great scientists.

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Book SynopsisGerald Callahan explores the science of self, illustrating the immune systems role in forming individual identity. Blending the scientific essay with deeply personal narratives, these poignant and enlightening stories use microbiology and immunology to explore a new way to answer the question, who am I? "Self" has many definitions. Science has demonstrated that 90 percent of the cells in our bodies are bacteria -- we are in many respects more non-self than self. In "Lousy Sex", Callahan considers this microbio-neuro perspective on human identity together with the soulful, social perception of self, drawing on both art and science to fully illuminate this relationship. In his stories about where we came from and who we are, Callahan uses autobiographical episodes to illustrate his scientific points. Through stories about the sex lives of wood lice, the biological advantages of eating dirt, the question of immortality, the relationship between syphilis and the musical genius of Beethoven, and more, this book creates another way, a chimeric way, of seeing ourselves. The general reader with an interest in science will find "Lousy Sex" fascinating.

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Book SynopsisLeonardo da Vinci is celebrated as the archetypal Renaissance man. He made extraordinary discoveries in numerous fields and pioneered entire disciplines, among them fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, theoretical botany, and embryology. Leonardo's unique synthesis of art, science, and technology is not only fascinating intellectually but also very relevant to our timeâit prefigures modern systems theory.Our sciences and technologies have become increasingly narrow in their focus, unable to understand our multi-faceted problems from an interdisciplinary perspective; and our business and political leaders are often incapable of "connecting the dots." This is exactly what we can learn from Leonardo. As the author shows throughout the book, Da Vinci practiced a science and technology that honored and respected the unity of all life, recognized the fundamental interdependence of all natural phenomena, and connected the microcosm (the human being) with the macrocosm (the living Earth). That is exactly the kind of science and technology we need today.

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Book SynopsisThis richly-illustrated, full-color guide to the geology of Mount Desert Island, Maine, the home of Acadia National Park, makes the spectacular scenery and rich geological history accessible to outdoor explorers, geology enthusiasts, and armchair travelers alike. The Guide grounds readers in basic geologic concepts before chronicling the unique history of the area from 550 million years ago to the present. Including information-packed self-guided trips with stops at 31 points of interest, this book is lavishly illustrated with 100 full color photos, maps, and illustrations that enhance appreciation of this national treasure.Duane and Ruth Braun relate the fascinating story of the region’s formation, explaining how a slice of South America with Mount Desert Island bordering its southern side landed on the edge of North America to form Maine. Another piece of South America collided with this landing, causing Mount Desert Island to erupt violently in a ten mile wide volcanic caldera. The Island then underwent a long period of stream erosion culminating in a period of glacial erosion to form the present landscape. The exceptional scenery that resulted has attracted visitors from around the world. This book unlocks the many secrets of the formations, offering a deeper understanding of the land and its origins.

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Book SynopsisWhether or not you’re into sci-fi or SpaceX, you’ve probably called a meteor a “falling star” and think astronauts float around in space stations because there’s no gravity. Bob King, author of Wonders of the Night Sky and writer for Sky & Telescope magazine, explains the truth behind myths of navigation and landmarks, celestial bodies and government conspiracies. Compasses don’t always point north; the sun isn’t yellow and Galileo didn’t invent the telescope. King explains why some people believed they found Bigfoot on Mars and many other myths - and provides us with concrete evidence to put those misconceptions to bed. No matter what you think you know, there’s something new King can teach you about our universe.

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Book SynopsisHere is the essential guide to biology, an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines how we have uncovered the secrets of life-the most complex process in the Universe. From the workings of molecules to the way entire oceans or continents of lifeforms interact, biology seeks to understand how it is that something can be alive, how it fends off death and how it leaves more life in its wake. We follow the journey through the history of life science to find out why the dolphin got its name (it is the 'womb fish'), how a seven-foot strand of DNA is able to build your body, and what gives a lobster its blue blood. The great names, such as Darwin and Linnaeus, are joined by lesser known discoverers, such as Karl von Frisch who discovered that bees dance, and Jan Baptist van Helmont who found a plant uses air and water to grow. Biology today is still very much a live science, finding a purpose in robot design and helping us to understand non-living complex systems like the Internet. Biology has changed the way we understand ourselves. What will it tell us next? - Contains 100 chronological articles that tell the story of biology from the dawn of history to the present day - Authoritative text, exciting imagery and helpful diagrams accompany each of the steps along the way - Biographies of great life scientists and a chart of the tree of life - A simple guide to biology draws together current understanding to set out the basics of the science - The Imponderables looks at what questions biology still needs to answer. Also contains a 24-page removable foldout concertina neatly housed at the back of the book. This fold-out concertina includes a 12-page Timeline History of Biology and 12 full pages of amazing electron micrographs called Our Hidden World.

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Book SynopsisIs it still out there? People claim to keep seeing it still.Once the world's largest marsupial predator, the Tasmanian tiger roamed the Australian mainland. Then confined to Tasmania for thousands of years, it was deliberately hunted down by settlers through fear, ignorance and greed. But was it a savage sheep killer or a shy and fussy nocturnal feeder? Did the last tiger die in a Hobart zoo in 1936, or did a few survive in the wild? And did it really drink its victims' blood?A number of Australian species have miraculously reappeared after being labelled as extinct. Perhaps the tiger is still with us. And if it's not, can it really be brought back by cloning and returned to the wild?'Sweeps us along with wonderful writing as we meet a truly incredible animal that became the centrepiece in an ecological tragedy. Anyone interested in nature and the conservation of the diversity of life should read this story.' -Professor John Seidensticker, Smithsonian Conservation Biology InstituteTable of ContentsPreface to the second editionPreface to the first editionAcknowledgements1 What's in a name?2 In the beginning: evolution3 At the end: extinction4 'Pathetically little is known'5 A rugged and determined front6 Before the fall: Lutruwita7 A land in need of taming8 Tall tales, tiger men and bounties9 Capturing tigers by their tales10 'Them bloody useless things' 1888-193011 A bad finish: 7 September 193612 A lost object of awe13 We wake up too late14 The tiger in commerce and art15 Cloning16 Sightings and the science of survivalNotesSelect bibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisLeft-handedness seems to be no big deal. Many of us are left-handed and those of us who aren't don't tend to give left-handedness much thought. Yet throughout history left-handers have been associated with clumsiness, untrustworthiness and insincerity. The Latin word for left, sinister, is redolent of all kinds of ominous connotations. Rik Smits uncovers why history has been so unkind to our left-handed forebears. Through an array of historical anecdotes, strange superstitions and old wives' tales, Smits explains why left-handedness continues to be associated with maladies of all kinds, including mental retardation, alcoholism, asthma, hay fever, diabetes, insomnia, suicidal urges, criminality and shorter life spans. But apart from folklore and myth, the notions of left and right have a real and deep influence on the way we experience the world. These influences show up everywhere, from engineering and architecture to music, painting, photography, film and comics. This book shows how, contrary to what many might think, left-handers can write just as well as the rest of us, and explores how and why we came to prefer one hand over the other and how left- and right-handedness are represented in the brain. The greatest puzzle is why in every country one in ten people favours the left hand. It is a mystery as yet largely unsolved, whose solution may very well lie in the secrets of twinning. "The Puzzle of Left-handedness" is an enlightening and entertaining odyssey through the enigmas and paradoxes, theories and experiments surrounding the left-handed among us.Trade Review'There is a "whiff of negativity" around left-handedness, admits the science journalist and lefthander Rik Smits in this fascinating study of the phenomenon ... popular legends about left-handedness - and left v right in general - are scarcely less virulent, and Smits dispatches them entertainingly and ably ... thoroughly enjoyable.' - Sunday Times 'In this scholarly and entertaining book, Rik Smits takes us on an impressive odyssey through the paradoxes and theories of left-handed lore.' - Mail on Sunday 'It is a lively read, and Smits, a linguist and science writer, shows his wide range of knowledge throughout ... The book is well arranged, with mainly short, crisp chapters. I thoroughly recommend it as a good overview of issues related to hand preference ... Everyone will find something thought-provoking, witty or just interesting, regardless of personal hand preference.' - Times Higher Education

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Book SynopsisAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common developmental disorders, with an average of 9 per cent of US children between the ages of five and seventeen diagnosed each year. It is also one of the most controversial. Since the 1950s, when hyperactivity in children was first diagnosed, psychiatrists, educators, parents and politicians have debated the causes, treatment and implications of the disorder.Why and how were children first diagnosed with this disorder? Hyperactive provides the first history of ADHD, explaining why biological explanations became predominant; how powerful drugs became the preferred treatment; why diagnosis rates and treatments vary so widely around the world; and why alternative explanations have failed to achieve any legitimacy. Contending that hyperactive children are also a product of their social, cultural and educational environment, Matthew Smith demonstrates how knowledge about the rise of ADHD can lead to better choices about its diagnosis and treatment. A revealing and accessible study of this hugely controversial subject, Hyperactive is an essential book for psychologists, teachers, policymakers and parents.

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Book SynopsisFrom the legend of Atlantis to the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, this book is a cultural, historical and scientific guide to one of the world's most spectacular and deadly natural phenomena.

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Book SynopsisIdeas about quantities, magnitudes and frequencies shape and give texture to almost everything we feel, say, dream and do. In Living by Numbers, now available in paperback, Steven Connor explores the many ways in which we live in, and by, a world of numbers. The book opens up for the first time the richness, variety and subtlety of how we do things with numbers and, just as importantly, how they do things with us.Trade Review'Number is one of the fundamental dimensions of reality; to ignore it is to be color-blind, monolingual, housebound, blinkered. In this lively, good-humored, and erudite book, Steven Connor shows how an allergy to quantitative thinking has not served the humanities well, and that welcoming it in can only deepen our appreciation of art and literature.' - Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works and The Sense of Style; 'Full of delights and insights for mathematicians and nonmathematicians alike ... Living by Numbers turns the question of whether a problem might best be approached qualitatively or quantitatively on its head, suggesting that it misses the point. Instead of asking how the humanities and arts might respond to the expansion of statistics and data sciences, Connor asserts that the important questions about life - and the historical, philosophical, and artistic ways of addressing them - have always also been about numbers.' - Science; 'Connor shows how number is essential to literary criticism, music, visual art and even to pleasure ... It is an indication of the richness of Connor's content that frequently I wanted more ... Readers of this book will be mentally engaged in a dialogue with the author throughout ... Connor is always stimulating as well as witty .' - Times Higher Education

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Book SynopsisThroughout history, swamps have been idealized and demonized, purged and protected. They are considered to be places of evil, pestilence and death, as well as diverse ecosystems teeming with life. They can be obstacles to development and remnants of fading cultures. Distillations of pure wildness, with menacing morasses and fragile wetlands, swamps have fascinated, terrified, frustrated and sustained us throughout human history. From swamps and bogs to marshes and wetlands, Swamp ventures into the cultural and ecological histories of these mysterious, mythologized and misunderstood landscapes. It ranges from the freshwater marshes of Botswana's tremendous Okavango Delta, to the notable swamps between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the peat bogs in Russia, the British Isles and Scandinavia. It explores ideas and representations of wetlands across centuries, cultures and continents, considering legend and folklore, mythology, literature, film and natural and cultural history. As it plumbs the murky depths of their complex relationship with people all over the world, from the distant past to the uncertain future, Swamp provides an engaging, accessible, informative and lavishly illustrated journey into these fascinating and mysterious landscapes.

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Book SynopsisThe rainbow is a compelling spectacle in nature - a rare bridge between subjective experience and objective reality - and no less remarkable as a cultural phenomenon. A symbol of the Left since the German Peasants' War of the 1520s, it has been adopted by movements for gay rights, the environment, multiculturalism and peace around the globe, and inspired poets, artists and writers including John Keats, Caspar David Friedrich, Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The scientific `discovery' of the rainbow is a remarkable tale that takes in ancient Greece and Rome, medieval Persia and Islamic Spain. Rainbows have also been regarded as ominous or even dangerous in myth and religion, while the twentieth century saw their emergence as kitsch, from the musical film version of The Wizard of Oz to 1980s sitcoms and children's cartoons. Daniel MacCannell's enlightening and instructive guide to the rainbow's relationship with humanity is the first book of its kind. It describes what rainbows are and how they work, how we arrived at our current scientific understanding of rainbows, and how they have been portrayed in myths, the arts, politics and popular culture.

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Book SynopsisIn 2008, Europe’s first space laboratory was launched to the International Space Station. Ten years later, the Columbus laboratory is still circling 400 km above our heads at 28,800 km/h, providing scientists a place to run out-of-this-world experiments on everything from cold plasma technology that will destroy unwanted odours to enzymes that may slow the ageing process. To celebrate a decade of European science and technology in space this stunning book recounts the story of the Columbus laboratory from vision to mission, revealing everything from the daily operations that keep it humming, to the cutting-edge science that takes place inside. Richly illustrated with graphics and statistics of life and research in space as well as full-colour photos, Columbus in Space offers a never-seen-before glimpse into the laboratory at the forefront of humanity’s exploration of our Universe -- Europe's space in space.Trade ReviewColumbus was my home in space, a little piece of Europe on the International Space Station -- ESA Astronaut Thomas PesquetColumbus is without a doubt a fantastic technological achievement -- a shining star of European cooperation! -- ESA astronaut Thomas ReiterAny chance to fly in space is a rare privilege. But it was even more special to be a part of the crew that delivered the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station -- NASA astronaut Stan Love

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Book SynopsisFinalist for the 2023 AAAS/Subaru prize for Excellence in Science Writing In this enthralling cosmic journey through space and time, astrophysicist Jillian Scudder locates our home planet within its own 'family tree'. Our parent the Earth and its sibling planets in our solar system formed within the same gas cloud. Without our grandparent the Sun, we would not exist, and the Sun in turn relies on the Milky Way as its home. The Milky Way rests in a larger web of galaxies that traces its origins right back to tiny fluctuations in the very early universe.Following these cosmic connections, we discover the many ties that bind us to our universe. Based around readers' questions from the author's popular blog 'Astroquizzical', the book provides a quirky guide to how things work in the universe and why things are the way they are, from shooting stars on Earth, to black holes, to entire galaxies.For anyone interested in the 'big picture' of how the cosmos functions and how it is all connected, Jillian Scudder is the perfect guide.Trade ReviewA wonderful jaunt through the universe at every scale, and a great way to fill in every gap in knowledge you have about astronomy. -- Zach Weinersmith, creator of SMBC, and co-author of the NYT bestselling book, Soonish.Astroquizzical from Dr Jillian Scudder is a superb astronomy book, written with a distinctive tone which is both pragmatic and poetic at the same time. It's perfectly attuned to the kind of awestruck curiosity we feel whilst taking in the majesty of a clear, starlit night sky. This book intelligently decodes those profound astronomical topics without swamping us in confusion. It also explains the intriguing importance of many astro and space exploration matters we might have underestimated or never even considered before. Dr Scudder's book brings the perfect blend of fact and fascination to help us feel a greater sense of our place within the clockwork of the universe. Astroquizzical is a most informative and highly engaging astronomy book. -- Jon CulshawScudder's mission is to provide the lay reader with a thorough grounding in the basics of astronomical knowledge. ... The writing is fluid and direct with the subject material brought vibrantly to life. ... For astro novices this book ... will bring a welcome depth to their appreciation of the night sky and the wonders it holds. -- BBC Sky at Night magazinegenuinely entertaining ... well-written ... fascinating ... quirky ... an excellent balance of enthusiasm and facts ... a good balance of illustrations ... Scudder is particularly good at explaining how the stunning colour images are multi-layered black and white images from different coloured filters. This is the kind of book that would be excellent to get either a teenage reader or an adult with limited exposure to astronomy interested in the field. It reads well and gives basic details without being patronising. It's a cosmic journey that I enjoyed. -- popularscience.co.ukScudder is an astrophysicist who studies star formation in very distant galaxies but takes time out to passionately engage in outreach, getting into schools and the community as often as she can. This, her first introductory book on astronomy, benefits from that outreach. ... The narrative form that Scudder employs is an imaginary cosmic journey that begins on our home planet and takes us in seven steps to the furthest galaxies. This simple format has been tried countless times before by big-name astronomers. What's different here is an intense level of engagement between writer and reader. Vivid storytelling explains the physics without equations. ... Her aim is to get people to think issues through for themselves, and that works. The clarity of Scudder's writing is impressive. -- Simon Mitton, Times Higher Education[Jillian Scudder's] excellent debut book is all about making complex concepts, if not exactly easy to understand, then at least a little easier to grasp. ... In her enthralling cosmic journey through space and time, astrophysicist Jillian Scudder discusses our home planet's place in the universe. ... The result is a highly readable primer for a basic understanding of phenomena such as shooting stars, black holes, galaxies and the origins of the universe. Beyond the flawless presentation of known facts and current thinking, Scudder explores further by positing counterfactuals and thought experiments. ... The real triumph of Scudder's Astroquizzical is that it brings high-altitude, notionally abstract ideas to the general reader, presented in an entertaining and accessible way. For those more familiar with the universe it will also help to fill some of the knowledge gaps created by advancements in current thinking. In short, it should be required reading for every engineer and technologist. -- Engineering & Technology magazineAstroquizzical approaches astronomy at a unique angle. It begins by stating that we are all distantly related to the stars; everything we're made of can be traced back to when they explode. By making this comparison at the start of the book, you instantly become intrigued and involved and from then on, the author ¬- Jillian Scudder - does a fine job of covering a variety of topics and interests in space science. The book starts at our home planet and the universe expands as the story unfolds, explaining the intricacies of our Solar System, the variety and evolution of stars, galaxies and finally the broader universe. These areas are well explained and accompanied by a series of illustrations, thought experiments and images. This is a welcome element to the book, particularly when it comes to explaining difficult concepts such as the behaviour of particles travelling at the speed of light and other more in depth, complicated topics. -- All About Space

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Book SynopsisRichard Dawkins is author of The Selfish Gene, voted The Royal Society's Most Inspiring Science Book of All Time, and also the bestsellers The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable, The Ancestor's Tale, The God Delusion, and two volumes of autobiography, An Appetite for Wonder and Brief Candle in the Dark. He is a Fellow of New College, Oxford and both the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Literature. In 2013, Dawkins was voted the world's top thinker in Prospect magazine's poll of 10,000 readers from over 100 countries.

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Book SynopsisWeaving together stories of science and sociology, The Selfish Ape offers a refreshing response to common fantasies about the ascent of humanity. Rather than imagining modern humans as a species with godlike powers, or Homo deus, Nicholas P. Money recasts us as Homo narcissus, paragons of self-absorption. This exhilarating story takes in an immense sweep of modern biology, leading readers from earth's unexceptional location in the cosmos, to the story of our microbial origins, and the workings of the human body. It explores human genetics, reproduction, brain function and ageing, creating an enlightened view of humans as a brilliantly inventive, yet self-destructive animal. This is a book about human biology, the intertwined characteristics of human greatness and failure, and the way that we have plundered the biosphere. Written in a highly accessible style, it is a perfect read for those interested in science, human history, sociology and the environment.Trade Review'I learned much from Nicholas Money’s book. But more importantly I love his vivid, prose-poetic imagery. Reading him is pure literary pleasure. He knows what to say and, more importantly, he knows how to say it.'-Professor Richard Dawkins FRS, Author of The Selfish Gene and Outgrowing God. 'This entrancing and sobering collection of thoughts is a worthy successor to The Amoeba in the Room, which opened our eyes to so much.'-Robin Hanbury-Tenison, explorer

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Book SynopsisWhile concerns about climate change have focused negative attention on the coal industry in recent years, as descendants of the industrial revolution we have all benefitted from the mining of the black seam. Coal has influenced significantly the course of human history and our social and natural environments. This book takes readers on a journey through the extraordinary artistic responses to coal, from its role in the works of writers such as Zola, Lawrence, and Orwell, to the way it inspired the work of painters including Turner, Monet and Van Gogh and the place of coal in film, song and folklore as well as the surprising allure of coal tourism. This strikingly illustrated book provides an engaging and informative insight into the myriad ways coal has affected our lives.Trade Review“This entertaining and informative study of coal's place in history ranges from its use in medieval domestic hearths through its underpinning of the British Empire to its role in the politics of climate change. Highlighting too coal's representation in art and literature, Crane's account is highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand and challenge the legacies of the Anthropocene.” -- Alan Lester, professor of historical geography, University of Sussex"Crane’s fascinating history of the material that drove the engines of the Industrial Revolution has done both the coal industry and the climate movement a huge favor. . . . Lucidly written, minutely detailed, Coal is a highly readable and deeply knowledgeable history of the stuff that made the world we live in." -- Mark Williams, emeritus professor of English, Victoria University of Wellington

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Book SynopsisWhat is 4% of 75?Can you calculate 60 + 60 x 0 + 1?Which is bigger, an 18-inch pizza or two 12-inch pizzas?Join award-winning maths presenter Kyle D Evans on an entertaining tour of viral maths problems that have gone wild on social media in recent years. From the infamous 'Hannah's sweets' exam question to percentages 'life-hacks', viral maths problems seem to capture the public's imagination without fail. In Maths Tricks to Blow Your Mind, Kyle presents over 50 viral maths problems with background information, explanations and solutions to similar problems, all in a humorous, accessible and inclusive manner. Want to dazzle and delight your friends and family? This book shows you how!Trade ReviewA chirpy guide to the most shared maths nuggets on the internet. -- Alex Bellos, author of ALEX'S ADVENTURES IN NUMBERLANDA cornucopia of numerical tricks and other quirky delights. I loved it. -- Tim Harford, author of HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD ADD UPWith wit and wisdom, Kyle Evans has compiled what is - literally - the most popular maths on the planet. And he's brought new insights and back stories to many old favourites. -- Rob Eastaway, author of MATHS ON THE BACK OF AN ENVELOPETable of Contentsi: Introduction 1: THIS ONE COOL MATHS TRICK WILL BLOW YOUR MIND: Maths tricks and 'life hacks' 2: IT WAS DIFFERENT IN MY DAY: Pre-internet viral maths 3: BACK TO SCHOOL: Viral exam questions and classroom conundrums 4: OUT OF ORDER: The trouble with BODMAS 5: BAD MATHS: When Facebook meets algebra 6: GET INTO SHAPE: Genius geometry problems vii: CONCLUSION: A better viral maths future? viii: Solutions

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Book SynopsisForty years after first chewing on sugar cane in New Guinea, the home of sugar, the author underwent some complex dental work as a direct result of his sweet tooth. This led him to explore sugar cane's journey from New Guinea to Shakespeare's England. In the days before dentistry, people paid dearly for this sweet new food from exotic places. Queen Elizabeth I became so partial to hippocras, sugared almonds and pastilles that her teeth turned completely black.Bittersweet is full of ripping yarns and acts of bastardry. Through the ages, sugar has offered opportunities of tremendous riches to the unscrupulous few who grew and sold it. But in the days of manual processing, these fortunes were built on the backbreaking labour of slaves.Bittersweet explores the effects that sugar has had on the world. A foodstuff we take for granted and indulge in more than we should has caused wars and geopolitical balances that have shaped the modern world and the power balances we see in the 21st century.' The breadth of the connections Macinnis weaves through his tale continually surprises, all the more because the substance sugar is so deceptively simple that, before this book, we have taken it for granted. He has put his encyclopaedic knowledge to excellent use, placing science and technology naturally in a social context.' - Dr Peter Pockley, Australasian Correspondent for Nature.'Few foods have had such an impact on human history as sugar, from its origins, its influence on the slave trade and its use as a medicine, a luxury, a comfort food and now a cheap filler in the modern processed food supply. Peter Macinnis has traced its path carefully, cleverly crafting the story of all its sweet and sour effects.' - Dr Rosemary Stanton, Nutritionist.Table of ContentsAbout the authorAcknowledgmentsNote on measurements and moneyPrefaceIntroduction1 The beginnings2 The spread of sugar3 Sugar in the New World4 The English and the Sugar Business5 Fighting over sugar6 A science of sugar7 Rum and politics8 The end of slavery in the Americas9 Emancipation's harvest10 The rise of technology11 Labour problems12 Sugar in the twentieth centuryEpilogue: The costs and benefitsGlossaryReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisFrom low humor to high drama, TV weather reporting over the decades has encompassed an enormous range of styles and approaches, triggering chuckles, infuriating the masses, and at times even saving lives. In "Weather on the Air", meteorologist and science journalist Robert Henson covers it all - the people, technology, science, and show business that combine to deliver the weather to the public each day. The first comprehensive history of its kind, "Weather on the Air" explores the many forces that have shaped weather broadcasts over the, years, including the long-term drive to professionalize weathercasting, the complex relations between government and private forecasters, and the effects of climate-change science and the Internet on today's broadcasts. Dozens of photos and anecdotes accompany Henson's more than two decades of research to document the evolution of weathercasts, from their primitive beginnings on the radio to the high-gloss, graphics-laden segments we watch on television every morning. This engaging study will be an invaluable tool for students of broadcast meteorology and mass communication and an entertaining read for anyone fascinated by the public face of weather.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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