Popular science Books

Book SynopsisThe international bestseller - a whip-smart, entertaining exploration of the geometry that underlies our world, from the author of How Not to Be WrongHow should a democracy choose its representatives? How can you stop a pandemic from sweeping the world? How do computers learn to play chess? Can ancient Greek proportions predict the stock market? (Sorry, no.) What should your kids learn in school if they really want to learn to think? The answers to all these questions can be found in geometry.If you''re like most people, geometry is a dimly-remembered exercise, handed down from the ancients, that you gladly left behind in school. It seemed to be a tortuous way of proving some fact about triangles that was obvious to you in the first place. That''s not geometry. OK, it is geometry, but only a tiny part, that has as much to do with the modern, fast-moving discipline as conjugating a verb has to do with a great novel.In Shape, SundTrade ReviewThis mind-bending book will change how you see the world (Five stars) -- Simon Ings * Telegraph *Shape is a triumph of mathematical exposition, exposing profound truths - from the nature of distance to the predictability of randomness - as well as profound mistakes - from historical misattributions to Supreme Court justice hardheadedness - with eloquence and hilarious wit. Ellenberg's evident affection for both his subject and his reader makes us feel like the lucky ones who get to hear him hold forth in an intimate setting about his favorite subject, mathematics -- Cathy O'NeilEllenberg's skill as a storyteller, combined with a natural ability to spot otherwise obscure connections, enables him to capitalize on geometry as math's gateway drug... A deeply enjoyable and insightful book -- Matt Parker * New York Times *Ellenberg, in both his arguments and his enthusiasm, is persuasive -- Michael Prodger * New Statesman *Serious mathematics at its intriguing, transporting best . . . [A] humorous, anecdotally rich dive into numerous mathematical theories * Kirkus *Unreasonably entertaining... reveals how geometric thinking can allow for everything from fairer American elections to better pandemic planning -- Parul Sehgal * New York Times *Droopy cheese and the curve of the Earth, the everyday and the cosmic, are beautifully interwoven in the mathematician Jordan Ellenberg's new book Shape -- Derek Thompson * Atlantic *Almost anyone is likely to enjoy Ellenberg's prose, and mind * Harvard Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIn 2010, scientists led by J. Craig Venter became the first to successfully create ''synthetic life'' -- putting humankind at the threshold of the most important and exciting phase of biological research, one that will enable us to actually write the genetic code for designing new species to help us adapt and evolve for long-term survival. The science of synthetic genomics will have a profound impact on human existence, including chemical and energy generation, health, clean water and food production, environmental control, and possibly even our evolution.In Life at the Speed of Light, Venter presents a fascinating and authoritative study of this emerging field from the inside -- detailing its origins, current challenges and controversies, and projected effects on our lives. This scientific frontier provides an opportunity to ponder anew the age-old question ''What is life?'' and examine what we really mean by ''playing God''. Life at the Speed of Light is a laTrade ReviewCaptivating and essential . . . fascinating . . . a superb and well-articulated book * Biochemist *One of the most talented and influential scientists at work today * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewBOOK OF THE MONTH: forces you to consider the unknown and try to come to terms with the unexplained. * Independent *From a less authoritative source, these stories could seem mawkish or flaky. Told here with calm precision, and with a conversational flair, they are both absorbing and convincing. With so much evidence available for further investigation, the most vexing question now is not whether life continues in some form after we die, but why mainstream science is so resistant to the idea. -- Christopher Stevens * Daily Mail *After is that rare thing, a scientific book that is also a page-turner. Greyson's meticulous research leaves little doubt that the human mind somehow survives beyond the point of death. * Nick Evans, bestselling author of The Horsewhisper *This very captivating book by Dr. Bruce Greyson chronicles his personal, spiritual and professional quest to understand the meaning of near-death experiences. His long-awaited and amazing book is a major contribution to the study of what happens when we die, and will quickly prove to be a classic in near-death studies. * Raymond Moody, MD, PhD, Author of Life After Life *Bruce Greyson is the most influential medical doctor-investigator over the last 40 years of this world-changing analysis. His work has done much to organize the scientific investigation of these experiences, to take them from fascinating anecdotes to systematic and objective study that will truly enable the world to benefit from these deep lessons. His work has the potential to completely change our fractured and confused world, offering insights that may lead to an explanation of the nature of consciousness. It will also help to nudge the entire scientific community towards realizations that can alter human history — bringing far more peace, harmony, and comfort to uncountable millions of souls both now and in future generations. * Eben Alexander, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Proof of Heaven *

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

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Book SynopsisPhysics does not have to be daunting. This book, complete with practice questions and answers, forms a course which will take you from beginner or intermediate level to having a confident grasp of physics. The book includes: simple step-by-step explanations, to help you grasp new topics or those that have previously confused you; practice questions throughout, to help you embed your learning and improve your confidence; and end of chapter summaries to help you remember the key points you've learnt - all in one great-value book, so you don't need any separate workbooks or coursebooks. Chapters include: Starting physics, motion, forces in action, thermal physics, engines and thermodynamics, electricity, the nature of light, materials and molecules, quantum theory and relativity, the structure of matter, nuclear energy, space and the universe, and the frontiers of physics.ABOUT THE SERIESThe Complete Introduction series from Teach Yourself is the ultimate one-stop guide for anyone wanting a comprehensive and accessible entry point into subjects as diverse as philosophy, mathematics, psychology, economics and practical electronics. Loved by students and perfect for general readers who simply want to learn more about the world around them, these books are your first choice for discovering something new.Table of Contents : Preface : Acknowledgements : Introduction : About physics : The golden rule of science : Strange ideas 1: Starting physics : Physics in practice : Density tests 2: Science in motion : Measuring motion : Accelerated motion along a straight line 3: Forces in action : Newton's laws of motion : Stability 4: Machines at work : Work, energy and power : Efficiency and power 5: Thermal physics : Heat and temperature : Thermal properties of materials 6: Engines and thermodynamics : Heat engines : The Laws of Thermodynamics 7: Electricity : The nature of electricity : Electric circuits : Electricity at work : Electricity in the home 8: The nature of light : Properties of light : Theories of light 9: Materials and molecules : Atoms and molecules : More about bonds : Solids and structures : Molecules in fluids : Pressure 10: The age of new physics : Quantum theory : Relativity 11: The structure of matter : Inside the atom : Radioactivity : Quarks and leptons 12: Energy from the Nucleus : Nuclear fission : Nuclear reactors : Energy options for the future 13: Journey into space : About gravity : The expanding universe 14: A Challenging Future : The frontiers of physics : An unpredictable future : Answers to numerical questions : Glossary : Index

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Book Synopsis''Illuminating'' TIM MARSHALL''Refreshing'' THOMAS HALLIDAYA mind-expanding, revolutionary journey across time that shows how our biology has determined human history for the first time. This book will change how you see the world.We're a wonder of evolution, capable of incredible feats. But we're also deeply flawed. Our bodies and minds often break, fail, and hinder us. To be human is to live with this extraordinary contradiction. So, to understand the course humanity has taken from prehistoric times through the age of empire and into the modern era we must understand who, and what, we are.Being Human is history made flesh. From the epidemic that brought Europe's peasants freedom, to the health deficiency which gave rise to the world's largest criminal organisation, to the cognitive biases that led to military catastrophes in Crimea and Iraq, we see how our unique nature shaped our relationships, economies and societies and

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Book SynopsisHow to handle everything (and everyone) around you when all hell breaks loose, from the international bestselling author of Surrounded by Idiots.Not everything goes the way we want it to - the world or people around us sometimes just spin out of control. Just consider the Covid pandemic for starters. Or how about that mad neighbour you have living next-door to you? Or when work seems to be going down the toilet when the competition keep outsmarting you? So how do you handle everything life throws your way when you'd really prefer to tell everyone to get stuffed?Thomas Erikson will help you turn adversity into success with the help of the behavioural model made famous in Surrounded by Idiots. Starting by reminding us that life is as it is, Erikson helps you see that it is in fact useless to try to control everything happening around you. Instead of protesting when life throws you curveballs, focus instead on how to handle them. Just as you keep the weeds away from the garden to provide space and amazing flowers, you need to find an approach to adversity that works for you and will give you the chance to turn everything into success. Surrounded by Setbacks will help you pinpoint the approach that works for you and will entertain and empower you in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisFrom Nobel Prize winner Venki Ramakrishnan ‘Beyond superb’ Bill Bryson ‘A wonderful book’ Ian McEwan Everyone knows about DNA, the essence of our being, the molecule where our genes reside. But DNA by itself is useless without a machine to decode the genetic information it contains. The ribosome is that machine. Venki Ramakrishnan tells the story of the race to uncover its enormously complex structure, a fundamental breakthrough that resolves an ancient mystery of life itself.Trade Review'Invitingly witty' * Nature *‘A must-read for anyone interested in a glimpse of the messy business – rivalries, failed experiments, the frustration of mistakes – of how science happens.’ * The Times *‘If someone had told me that one of the most witty and enthralling books I’d read this year would be on the quest to understand ribosomes, I believe I would have laughed in his face, but I would have been quite wrong. Gene Machine is beyond superb.’ -- Bill Bryson, author of A Short History of Nearly Everything‘An engaging and witty memoir…that highlights how science actually works… This profoundly human story is written with honesty and humility… Anyone who is captivated by an absorbing story well told will find much to appreciate in this fascinating book.’ * Forbes *‘This is not an objective history of the field, but a highly personal account. As such, anyone who wants to know how modern science really works should read it. It’s all here: the ambition, jealousy and factionalism — as well as the heroic late nights, crippling anxiety and disastrous mistakes — that underlie the apparently serene and objective surface represented by the published record.’ * Nature *‘Discovering the structure of the ribosome was a truly incredible moment in the history of humankind… For students of how science actually happens, this is a book to be treasured and pored over.’ -- Matt Ridley, author of Genome‘It is [Ramakrishnan’s] full embrace of the role of the antihero that makes Gene Machine so much fun to read and also serves as a reminder to us all of the beating human heart that lies at the center of every advance in science.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘The ribosome, a structure of astonishing complexity, “lies at the crossroads of life” and Venki Ramakrishnan played a key role in revealing its biological mysteries. His superb account lays out the science with great lucidity, but he also grants us the human face of science – the hard work and brilliant insights, of course, but also the role of luck, of personalities, jealousy, money, the roulette of major awards, and the further rewards heaped upon the fortunate. Science, in his glorious telling, becomes “a play, with good and bad characters”. Competition and collaboration can appear inseparable, crucial figures get overlooked. It’s a wonderful book and a great corrective to the notion of science as dispassionate, untainted objectivity.’ -- Ian McEwan‘[Ramakrishnan's] meticulously detailed and generous memoir has the same disarming frankness as The Double Helix. His personal honesty about the competitive ambition that drove him is tempered by his deeply thoughtful reflections on the potentially corrupting effect of big prizes. Gene Machine will be read and re-read as an important document in the history of science.’ -- Richard Dawkins‘An enchanting and invigorating work, Gene Machine casts a many-angled light on the world of science, the nature of discovery, and on one of the deepest mysteries of twentieth-century biology. Ramakrishnan, one of the key players in deciphering the molecular basis of protein translation, gives us both a rollicking scientific story and a profoundly human tale. In the tradition of The Double Helix, Gene Machine does not hesitate to highlight the process by which science advances: moving through fits and starts, often underscored by deep rivalries and contests, occasionally pitching towards error and misconception, but ultimately advancing towards profound and powerful truths. An outsider to the world of ribosome biology – an Indian immigrant, a physicist by training – Ramakrishnan retains his “outsider’s” vision throughout the text, reminding us about the corrosive nature of scientific prizes, and the intensity of competition that drives researchers (both ideas, I suspect, will have a munificent effect on our current scientific culture). Ramakrishnan’s writing is so honest, lucid and engaging that I could not put this book down until I had read to the very end.’ -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene‘Quite a ride. This is a riveting personal account of the race to decipher the structure of the ribosome, one of the most complex and fundamental machines in the cell… Ramakrishnan’s telling is laced with wisdom spun from a remarkable life story and the sharp lab anecdotes that are the lifeblood of everyday science.’ -- Nick Lane, author of The Vital Question‘This book is dynamite. Like no science book ever before, this is an honest, frank and simply jaw-dropping account of how a relative outsider ended up winning a Nobel Prize.’ -- Daniel M. Davis, author of The Beautiful Cure‘This exhilarating account of the race to understand the molecular machine that turns genes into flesh and blood is remarkable for its candid insights into the way science is really done, by human beings with all their talents and foibles. Venki Ramakrishnan, an outsider in the race, gives an insider’s view of the decades-long quest to map the million atoms in the machine to fathom the fundamentals of life, pave the way for new antibiotics, and share the glory of the Nobel Prize.’ -- Roger Highfield, Director of External Affairs, Science Museum Group‘In Gene Machine one of the world’s leading scientists reveals the reality of scientific discovery and the rivalry, collaboration and thrills that are involved. The result is a brilliant under-the-hood account of what it takes to win the Nobel Prize. Exciting and brutally honest, Venki’s book explains the dramatic turns in the race to describe the structure of the ribosome – an essential component of every cell that has ever lived. I laughed out loud, I shouted in disbelief, and I learned so much from reading this book.’ -- Matthew Cobb, author of Life’s Greatest Secret

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Book Synopsis'The one-woman backbone of menopause care in Ireland' IRISH INDEPENDENTSuddenly feeling hot? Tired? Irritable? Not yourself?Having our bodies and minds change rapidly as we approach mid-life can be bewildering and even upsetting. It may be hard to get a handle on what's happening and what we can do about it.The Menopause is the handbook of everything you need to know from Ireland's leading menopause expert, Dr Deirdre Lundy. Drawing on decades of experience and on the most up-to-date research Dr Lundy . . .-Explains what's going on in your body - the key hormones that run your life, how they are changing and the impact of that-Helps you figure out where you are on the menopause spectrum and empowers you to have informed conversations with your doctor-Sets out approaches to dealing with symptoms - from nutrition, exercise, counselling and medication, to using hormone replacement therapies (HRT)-Explores every aspect of HRT - debunking the myths and explaining why it is helpful for many women-Addresses key areas of concern - from early onset menopause, to preserving vaginal, heart, breast and bone health, to managing your menopause if you have pre-existing health challengesDr Lundy came to public prominence during a remarkable ten-day discussion of the menopause on RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline. Now, as leader of Ireland's first dedicated menopause clinic, she continues her passionate advocacy for Irish women. The Menopause is her essential guide to having the best menopause you can and being as healthy and energized as possible in your middle years and beyond.________'Superb - essential reading for women and doctors alike' DR CIARA KELLY 'Essential, empowering and enjoyable - life-changing and potentially life-saving!' SALLYANNE BRADY, THE IRISH MENOPAUSE Trade ReviewSuperb - essential reading for women and doctors alike -- Dr Ciara KellyEssential, empowering and enjoyable - life-changing and potentially life-saving! -- Sallyanne Brady * theirishmenopause.com *

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Book SynopsisOur phones, computers, and appliances are made of hundreds of internal components, each precisely engineered, but none intended to be seen. Through painstakingly executed, vividly detailed cross-section photography, Open Circuits reveals the surprising beauty hiding inside the electronic components that drive our everyday devices. From resistors to LEDs, USB cables to headphone jacks, the book's arresting imagery transforms more than 130 components into delightful works of art. As you visually dissect the components' insides, you'll learn about how they work and how they were made.Trade Review"This book made me fall in love with electronics all over again . . . Part history book, part coffee-table book, and part journey into the inner lives of the electronics, [Open Circuits] is a fascinating journey through the history of electronics." —Haje Jan Kamps, TechCrunch"Its stunning cross-section photography unlocks a hidden world full of elegance, subtle complexity, and wonder. . . . Open Circuits has something for everyone to appreciate, whether you’re a seasoned electrical engineer, an amateur tinkerer, or simply a lover of art and photography."—Lee Goldberg, Electronic Design“Each page is both a dive into technological history and an ode to the evolution and aesthetics of electronics themselves.”—Grace Ebert, Colossal“An eye-catching and educational coffee table tome.”—Gareth Halfacree, Hackster.io"Every page is a new discovery."—New Screwdriver"A celebration of the electronic aesthetic . . . blur[s] the line between engineering and art."—Andrew "bunnie" Huang, Author of The Hardware Hacker and Hacking the Xbox"Excellent pictures of the world's most interesting objects with clear, accessible explanations."—Trevor Blackwell, Founder of Anybots"Anyone interested in electronics and/or macrophotography will enjoy this book from both an aesthetic and informational standpoint. . . . It’s truly a technological and photographic masterpiece."—Jeremy Cook, Embedded Computing Design"Stunningly beautiful . . . While the component images stand alone as works of art, authors Schlaepfer and Oskay pair the pictures with clear and informative text that adds to the reader's knowledge of the circuitry they are looking at. This book is sure to be a staple in many makers, educators, and engineers libraries."—Professor AnnMarie Thomas, University of St. Thomas, School of Engineering"While it will definitely be a 'geek coffee table book' for me, I would very much have appreciated it when I was 12 years old and first getting into electronics."—Mark Eichin, Senior Software Developer at RightHand Robotics"This is the coolest book I've seen in years. Fascinating look inside hundreds of circuits, switches, and mechanical electronic devices that I've never seen before."—Jeff Geerling, @geerlingguy, Author of Ansible for DevOps"What an awesome book! A rare breed of technical content that is appreciable by experts and novices alike."—Chris Lafky, @fluxotronlabs, Electrical Engineer"Without a doubt, the most beautiful electronics book!"—Ben Krasnow, @BenKrasnow, YouTuber at Applied ScienceTable of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: Passive ComponentsChapter 2: SemiconductorsChapter 3: ElectromechanicsChapter 4: Cables and ConnectorsChapter 5: Retro TechChapter 6: Composite DevicesAfterword: Creating Cross SectionsGlossary

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Book SynopsisBringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson, bestselling author ofAstrophysics for People in a Hurry,shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our timewar, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, race, and tribalismin a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all.In a time when our political and cultural perspectives feel more divisive than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin engines of enlightenmenta cosmic perspective and the rationality of science.After thinking deeply about how a scientist views the world and about what Earth looks like from space, Tyson has found that terrestrial thoughts change as our brain resets and recalibrates life''s priorities, along with the actions we might take in response. As a result, no outlook on culture, society, or civilisation remains untouched.InStarry Messenger, Tyson reveals just how human the enterprise of science is. Far from a cold, unfeeling undertaking, scientific methods, tools, and discoveries have shaped modern civilisation and created the landscape we''ve built for ourselves on which to live, work, and play. Tyson shows how an infusion of science and rational thinking renders worldviews deeper and more informed than ever beforeand exposes unfounded perspectives and unjustified emotions.With crystalline prose and an abundance of evidence,Starry Messengerwalks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From lessons on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, ten surprising, brilliant, and beautiful truths of human society, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.

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Book Synopsis'A brilliant, authoritative, surprising, captivating introduction to human genetics. You'll be spellbound' Brian CoxThis is a story about you. It is the history of who you are and how you came to be. It is unique to you, as it is to each of the 100 billion modern humans who have ever drawn breath. But it is also our collective story, because in every one of our genomes we each carry the history of our species - births, deaths, disease, war, famine, migration and a lot of sex. In this captivating journey through the expanding landscape of genetics, Adam Rutherford reveals what our genes now tell us about human history, and what history can now tell us about our genes. From Neanderthals to murder, from redheads to race, dead kings to plague, evolution to epigenetics, this is a demystifying and illuminating new portrait of who we are and how we came to be.***'A thoroughly entertaining history of Homo sapiens and its DNA in a manner that displays popular science writing at its best' Observer 'Magisterial, informative and delightful' Peter Frankopan'An extraordinary adventure...From the Neanderthals to the Vikings, from the Queen of Sheba to Richard III, Rutherford goes in search of our ancestors, tracing the genetic clues deep into the past' Alice RobertsTrade ReviewI very much enjoyed and admired . . . A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived -- Bill Bryson * OBSERVER Books of the Year 2016 *An effervescent work, brimming with tales and confounding ideas carried in the "epic poem in our cells". The myriad storylines will leave you swooning . . . Rutherford, a trained geneticist, is an enthusiastic guide -- Colin Grant * GUARDIAN *A thoroughly entertaining history of Homo sapiens and its DNA in a manner that displays popular science writing at its best -- Robin McKie * OBSERVER *A brilliant, authoritative, surprising, captivating introduction to human genetics. If you know little about the human story, you will be spellbound. If you know a lot about the human story, you'll be spellbound. It's that good -- Brian CoxAdam Rutherford's book is well-written, stimulating and entertaining. What's more important, he consistently gets it right -- Richard DawkinsIf you are ethnically British, one thing is certain: your ancestors definitely had sex with Neanderthals. On the other hand, they probably didn't have sex with Vikings, who, it turns out, did a fair bit more pillaging than raping. And, depending on the flakiness of your earwax, it is just conceivable that your relatives' unattractiveness to hairy and horned invaders was related to their body odour. DNA is fragile, confusing and contains a lot of pointless data. But unlike other accounts of human history it doesn't lie. Adam Rutherford's soaring book is an exposition of what this new science really tells us about who we are -- Tom Whipple * THE TIMES *One of the most extraordinary things about this book is its sheer breadth. Rutherford, a writer and geneticist, weaves from our genes a fascinating tapestry of human history from its most primitive origins to its sophisticated present, and beyond ... The writing is concise and often funny, and Rutherford never takes himself or his subject too seriously ... It is one of those rare books that you'll finish thinking you haven't wasted a single second -- Brad Davies * INDEPENDENT *Magisterial, informative and delightful -- Peter FrankopanRutherford takes off on an extraordinary adventure, following the wandering trail of DNA across the globe and back in time. And on the way, he reveals what DNA can - and can't - tell us about ourselves, our history and our deep evolutionary heritage. From the Neanderthals to the Vikings, from the Queen of Sheba to Richard III, Rutherford goes in search of our ancestors, tracing the genetic clues deep into the past . . . Wide-ranging, witty, full of surprises and studded with sparkling insights - Rutherford uncovers the epic history of the human species, written in DNA -- Alice RobertsA captivating delight. With witty, authoritative and profound prose, Adam Rutherford tackles the biggest of issues - where we came from, and what makes us who we are. He does more than any author to cut through the confusion around genetics, and to reveal what modern genetics has to say about our identity, history and future -- Ed YongGenetics is opening up the past as never before - Adam Rutherford puts the genes in genealogy brilliantly -- Matt Ridley

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Top Ten BestsellerHave you ever wondered if a severed head retains consciousness long enough to see what happened to it? Or whether your dog would run to fetch help, if you fell down a disused mineshaft? And what would happen if you were to give an elephant the largest ever single dose of LSD? The chances are that someone, somewhere has conducted a scientific experiment to find out... 'Excellent accounts of some of the most important and interesting experiments in biology and psychology' Simon Singh If left to their own devices, would babies instinctively choose a well-balanced diet? Discover the secret of how to sleep on planes Which really tastes better in a blind tasting - Coke or Pepsi?

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Book Synopsis'It's rare for a book to make you see the world differently, but this ... does exactly that on almost every page' Guardian Standard histories of technology give tired accounts of the usual inventions, inventors, and dates, framing technology as the inevitable march of progress. They split history into ages - electrification, motorisation, and computerisation - and rarely ask whether anyone bothered to use these inventions at the time. Shock of the Old is not one of those histories. I Letters exist alongside emails and outlasted telegrams; we still make physical books and magazines despite the rise of the Internet - a belated rise considering that the technologies that made it possible was invented in 1965, and bookshops thrive despite Amazon. More horses were used in the Second World War than any other war in history and propeller planes continue to take off from the same runways as jets. Shock of the Old forces us to reassess the significance of old inventions such as corrugated iron and sewing machines and rethink the relative importance we place on the invention of something new, its application, and its widespread adoption. It challenges the idea that we live in an era of ever increasing change and, interweaving political, economic and cultural history, teaches us to think critically about technology.Trade Reviewhe eviscerates our obsession with novelty... * The Sunday Times *newfangled things are sexy, but how significant are they?...Edgerton provides a corrective by emphasising some of the overlooked technologies that affect the lives of many. * Newsweek *David Edgerton's The Shock of the Old is a book I can use. I can take it in two hands and bash it over the heads of every techno-nerd, computer geek and neophiliac futurologist I meet. -- Simon Jenkins * Guardian *...iconoclastic and thought-provoking book...he makes a strong case that accords with what Virgil identified around 25BC as a definitive human characteristic. Our lives consist of semper cedentia retro: always going forwards backwards. * The Times *It's rare for a book to make you see the world differently, but this alternative history does exactly that on almost every page. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling French graphic novel about the mind-bending world of quantum physicsTake an incredible journey through the quantum universe with explorer Bob and his dog Rick, as they travel through a world of wonders, talk to Einstein about atoms, hang out with Heisenberg on Heligoland and eat crepes with Max Planck. Along the way, we find out that a dog - much like a cat - can be both dead and alive, the gaze of a mouse can change the universe, and a comic book can actually make quantum physics fun, easy to understand and downright enchanting.''Billed as Tintin meets Brian Cox, the book was created by theoretical physicist Thibault Damour and illustrator Mathieu Burniat so it''s as scientifically accurate as it is beautiful'' BBC Focus

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Book Synopsis''Jérémie Harris is a very funny scientist. I laughed all the way through'' - Bob McDonaldFrom Silicon Valley entrepreneur, quantum physicist, AI risk expert, and Hollywood alternative reality consultant Jérémie Harris, comes an entertaining and accessible look at the world of quantum physics.The discovery of quantum mechanics has paved the way to just about every important innovation in the last half century: it has led us to the technology that powers microwaves, iPhones, and self-driving cars and is about to trigger a computing revolution that will either spell the end of the human species or propel us to heights we''ve never imagined.But there''s another reason that quantum mechanics is so important: it is really the only way we can understand ourselves and each other. For the last hundred years or so, physicists have been feverishly debating what quantum theory has to say about you: what you''re made of, whether you have free will, w

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Book Synopsis''Reading [Tell Me What You Want] may be the best thing you ever do for your sex life, your relationships and your self-acceptance'' - Geoffrey Miller, author of The Mating Mind, Spent, and MateWhat do we really want when it comes to sex? How can we break the barriers that prevent us from communicating about our desires? Justin J. Lehmiller, a leading expert on human sexuality and author of the popular blog Sex and Psychology, has made it his career''s ambition to answer these questions. Based on his monumental two-year study of sexual fantasies involving more than 4,000 people from all walks of life, Tell Me What You Want offers an unprecedented look into our fantasy worlds and what they reveal about us. It will help you to understand your own sexual desires and how to attain them within your relationships, but also to appreciate why your partner may have sexual proclivities that are so differentTrade ReviewTell Me What You Want provides a scientifically grounded, non-judgmental assessment of where things stand in the sexual lives and fantasies of Americans. With an open-minded approach and fluid prose, this book is highly recommended for anyone looking for a road-map of where American sexuality is at the moment, and where many Americans would like to be going soon -- Christopher Ryan, PhD, co-author of the New York Times bestseller Sex at DawnLehmiller's groundbreaking book points to an alarming divide between the conversations we're having about sex and the conversation we should be having about sex. It provides the nudge we need to change the conversation - and, in doing so, to live healthier, hotter lives -- Eli J. Finkel, Professor of Psychology, Northwestern UniversityMost Americans have sexual fantasies about threesomes, group sex, bondage, domination, submission, forced sex, open relationships and sex toys. Yet most of us don't know this, and are too embarrassed to reveal what we really want to our partners. Lehmiller's smart, warm, sex-positive book breaks the toxic silence around our sexual fantasies. Reading it may be the best thing you ever do for your sex life, your relationships and your self-acceptance -- Geoffrey Miller, author of The Mating Mind, Spent, and MateHave a deep, dark sex fantasy that you've never shared with anyone? Turns out, you're not alone. Most people are afraid their sex fantasies are abnormal, but Justin Lehmiller's newest book reveals that understanding your erotic imaginings, and sharing them with your sex partner might be the best, healthiest thing you do all year. Tell Me What You Want educates, titillates, thrills and guides us down a marvelous, sexy path that ends in acceptance of those naughty secrets in the basements of our minds -- David J. Ley, PhD. author of The Myth of Sex AddictionA penetrating, erotic X-ray into the hidden recesses of our sexual psyches. Illuminating and incisive, Lehmiller lays bare the gray matter of great sex. - Ian Kerner, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of She Comes First

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Book SynopsisPhysics in Minutes covers everything you need to know about physics, condensed into 200 key topics. Each idea is explained in clear, accessible language, building from the basics, such as mechanics, waves and particles, to more complex topics, including neutrinos, string theory and dark matter. Based on scientific research proving that the brain best absorbs information visually, illustrations accompany the text to aid quick comprehension and easy recollection. This convenient and compact reference book is ideal for anyone interested in how our world works. Chapters include: Newton's Laws of Motion, Schrodinger's cat, Magnetism, Superconductivity, Fission and fusion, Higgs Boson, Entropy, Dark matter.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Classical mechanics. Waves. Thermodynamics. Electromagnetism. Matter. Electricity. Nuclear physics. Quantum physics. Particle physics. Relativity and cosmology. Glossary. Index. Acknowledgements.

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Book Synopsis'Game-changing. Katy Milkman shows in this book that we can all be a super human' Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of GritHow to Change is a powerful, groundbreaking blueprint to help you - and anyone you manage, teach or coach - to achieve personal and professional goals, from the master of human nature and behaviour change and Choiceology podcast host Professor Katy Milkman. Award-winning Wharton Professor Katy Milkman has devoted her career to the study of behaviour change. An engineer by training, she approaches all challenges as problems to be solved and, with this mind-set, has drilled into the roadblocks that prevent us from achieving our goals and breaking unwanted behaviours. The key to lasting change, she argues, is not to set ever more audacious goals or to foster good habits but to get your strategy right.In How to Change Milkman identifies seven human impulses, or 'problems', that commonly sabotage our attempts to make positive personal and professional change. Then, crucially, instead of getting you to do battle with these impulses she shows you how to harness them and use these as driving forces to help instil new, positive behaviours - better, faster and more efficiently than you could imagine. Drawing her own original research, countless engaging case studies and practical tools throughout to help you put her ideas into action, Milkman reveals a proven, inspiring path that can take you - once and for all - from where you are today to where you want to be.Trade ReviewGame-changing. Katy Milkman shows in this book that we can all be a super human * Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of Grit *One of America's finest behavioural scientists has produced the ultimate guide to overcoming your worst instincts and becoming your best self. How to Change is like having the smartest friend in the world whispering in your ear, coaching you to vanquish laziness, procrastination, and impulsivity. This book is so helpful that after you read it, you'll want to send Katy Milkman a thank you note. * Daniel H. Pink, author of WHEN, DRIVE, and TO SELL IS HUMAN *In investing, as in so many other areas of life, developing the right habits is the key to success. Katy Milkman is a great guide into techniques to get you on and keep you on track, no matter your goals. * Charles R. Schwab *How to Change is a wonder. Plenty of books offer advice on how to overcome common personal barriers but none as clearly, engagingly, and compellingly as this. * Bob Cialdini, author of INFLUENCE and PRE-SUASION *How to Change is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their habits - or their life. Milkman is at the forefront of the scientific revolution into behaviour change and, as important, she's a captivating storyteller. How to Change perfectly combines groundbreaking scientific research with personal stories of triumph and failure to explain how anyone can change. Transformation has always been mysterious. This book tells you how to make it real. * Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of THE POWER OF HABIT and SMARTER FASTER BETTER *

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Book Synopsis**'A masterpiece of evocative scientific storytelling.' BRIAN COX****'Will appeal to fans of Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens'. Mail on Sunday **The extraordinary story of the species that became our allies.Dogs became our companionsWheat fed a booming populationCattle gave us meat and milkMaize fuelled the growth of empiresPotatoes brought us feast and famineChickens led us to wonder about tomorrowRice promised us a golden futureHorses gave us strength and speedApples travelled with usHUMANS TAMED THEM ALLFor hundreds of thousands of years, our ancestors depended on wild plants and animals to stay alive – until they began to tame them.Combining archaeology and cutting-edge genetics, Tamed tells the story of the greatest revolution in human history and reveals the fascinating origins of ten crucial domesticated species; and how they, in turn, transformed us. In a world creaking under the strain of human activity, Alice Roberts urges us to look again at our relationship with the natural world – and our huge influence upon it.AN ECONOMIST AND MAIL ON SUNDAY 'BOOK OF THE YEAR' 2017 Trade ReviewA masterpiece of evocative scientific storytelling. -- BRIAN COXEpic and joyous, a landmark in the story of us. -- Adam RutherfordTwo recent pioneers of the history of humanity are Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs and Steel, and Yuval Noah Harari, in his book Sapiens. It is a teeming subject, about which Roberts is multiply qualified to write, as an anatomist, archaeologist, anthropologist, paleopathologist and professor of public engagement in science. Roberts remains composed, engaging and undogmatic throughout… Tamed is an excellent point of entry for anyone who wants to understand the new deep human history and what it portends. -- Peter Forbes * Guardian *[A] lively work of popular scientific history, in which [Roberts] looks at 10 species that have become part of our everyday existence ... illuminating facts, Roberts is an informed guide to the oddities that have made the world what it is today. * Observer *Tamed may be the title of Alice Roberts' latest book, but the writing is anything but tame. Lyrical storytelling untangles the current thinking on how we've entwined our lives with those of plants and animals. From dogs to apples to potatoes to chickens, Roberts provides fascinating insights into domestication, offering anecdotes from past and present that link genetic and archaeological findings. -- Liz Kalaugher * 'Book of the Month', BBC Wildlife Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe fastest way to understanding quantum physics - learn about how our universe works, in minutes. Quantum physics is the most fundamental, but also the most bewildering, of sciences. Allowing for simultaneously dead-and-alive cats, teleportation, antimatter and parallel universes, it also underpins all digital technology and even life itself. But at last it's possible through this clear and compact book, illuminated with 200 simple diagrams for anyone to understand the strange and beautiful subatomic world, and hence the nature of reality itself. Contents include: inside the atom, the Higgs boson, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Schrödinger's cat, relativity, dark energy and matter, black holes, God playing dice, the Theory of Everything, the birth and fate of the Universe, string theory, quantum computing, superconductivity, quantum biology and consciousness, and much more.

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Book SynopsisA BEST BOOK OF 2023 FOR THE TELEGRAPH, FINANCIAL TIMES, NEW SCIENTIST AND STYLIST A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST READ 2023Discover the next frontier of scientific understanding: your body's electrome.Every cell in your body - bones, skin, nerves, muscle - has a voltage, like a tiny battery. This bioelectricity is why your brain can send signals to your body, why it develops and how it heals itself.In We Are Electric, award-winning science writer Sally Adee explores the colourful history of bioelectricity and journeys into the remarkable future of the discipline, through today's laboratories where real-world medical applications are being developed.Trade ReviewAn entertaining account . . . Adee's enthusiasm is infectious and she conveys well the jaw-dropping scale and complexity of the "electrome" * * The Times * *We Are Electric is Adee's thrilling scientific detective story, a rich history that brings us up to date with the latest research * * New Scientist * *Excellent . . . Sally Adee has written an absorbing and fast-paced account of a field of research that could thus herald a whole new era of paradigm-shifting medicine * * New York Times * *This year's lightbulb moment * * Telegraph * *Adee explores the chemical and electrical ferment underpinning all growth and life, highlighting the pioneers and charlatans who discovered and exploited "bioelectricity", [she] also conjures electric medicine: a future of good health, regenerated tissue and (perhaps) extended life * * New Scientist * *A revelation . . . Has rich implications for how we heal and grow * * Daily Telegraph * *Adee writes as a reporter but also as an enthusiast . . . . A lively read * * Wall Street Journal * *This book blew my mind. We Are Electric is a thrilling read, and Sally Adee explains everything from the intricacies of our electric cells to the potential for new medical treatments - and brain-hacking - with a sparkling clarity -- MICHAEL BROOKS, author of 13 THINGS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSEThe 'ohmigod-that's-so-cool' moments come thick and fast as she brings the science up to date, investigating today's cutting edge and what the future may hold for bio-electric medicine. It's a vast and hugely exciting area of scientific research, shared with infectious enthusiasm, a real depth of knowledge and smart and funny turn of phrase. You'll never think of life in the same way again -- CAROLINE WILLIAMS, author of MOVE!: THE NEW SCIENCE OF BODY OVER MINDAs Sally Adee describes with great wit and insight, we are nothing without electricity: it's the stuff of life, and of death. This is such a thrilling, compelling and energising book - reading it I couldn't help picturing the author as Zeus, chucking lightning bolts at me. Such a timely book, too. The future is - I'm sorry, I can't help it - electrifying -- ROWAN HOOPER, author of SUPERHUMAN

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Book SynopsisWhat can magic tell us about ourselves and our daily lives? If you subtly change the subject during an uncomfortable conversation, did you know you're using attentional 'misdirection', a core technique of magic? And if you've ever bought an expensive item you'd sworn never to buy, you were probably unaware that the salesperson was, like an accomplished magician, a master at creating the 'illusion of choice'. Leading neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde meet with magicians from all over the world to explain how the magician's art sheds light on consciousness, memory, attention, and belief. As the founders of the new discipline of NeuroMagic, they combine cutting-edge scientific research with startling insights into the tricks of the magic trade. By understanding how magic manipulates the processes in our brains, we can better understand how we work - in fields from law and education to marketing, health and psychology - for good and for ill.Trade ReviewOne of the best books I've read on how the brain actually works ... And the back story, of two boffins trying to become magicians - and succeeding! - is great too -- William Leith * Evening Standard *Sleights of Mind is a terrific read, combining science, neurology, and magic - not an easy trick, but the authors have done a brilliant job of putting a mirror up to ourselves. I loved it. -- Joe Navarro, author of 'What Every Body is Saying'Magic is the place where our senses and beliefs fail us in magnificent ways. In this exciting book the authors explore what magic and illusions can teach us about our fallible human nature -- Dan Ariely, author of Predictability IrrationalSleights of Mind has discovered why magic works - by exploring how magicians test the limits of human senses to create magic effects. It's fantastic -- probably the most important magic book I have ever read. I love it. -- Kevin McMahon, Artistic Director, The Edinburgh International Magic FestivalUnderlines how our perception of reality - far from being a reliable resource - is at best a series of shortcuts and presumptions shaped by evolution * Sunday Business Post *Brilliantly simple and wonderfully engaging * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAlan Weisman is an award-winning journalist and the author of several books, including the global bestseller The World Without Us, which has been translated into 34 international languages and was nominated for numerous awards. His writing has appeared in Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, The Los Angeles Times Magazine and many other places. Alan has worked on all seven continent and reported from 58 countries, and lives in western Massachusetts.Trade ReviewCompelling ... jammed packed with fascinating "what ifs" * Guardian *A powerful vision of a possible future for the earth * Sunday Times *A fascinating nonfiction eco-thriller * The New York Times Book Review *Drawing from hundreds of interviews with engineers, scientists and archaeologists, it unfolds like a thriller -- Cal Flyn * Guardian Best Books about the Post-Human Earth *One of the grandest thought experiments of our time, a tremendous feat of imaginative reporting! * Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Deep Economy *Flesh-creepingly good fun . . . Food for thought * Independent *A wonderful idea... a hugely enjoyable and thought-provoking book... Terrific * Evening Standard *The imaginative power of The World Without Us is compulsive and nearly hypnotic--make sure you have time to be kidnapped into Alan Weisman's alternative world before you sit down with the book, because you won't soon return. This is a text that has a chance to change people, and so make a real difference for the planet * Charles Wohlforth, author of L.A. Times Book Prize-winning The Whale and the Supercomputer *An exacting account of the processes by which things fall apart. The scope is breathtaking...the clarity and lyricism of the writing itself left me with repeated gasps of recognition about the human condition. I believe it will be a classic * Dennis Covington, author of National Book Award finalist Salvation on Sand Mountain *The book boasts an amazingly imaginative conceit that manages to tap into underlying fears and subtly inspire us to consider our interaction with the planet * The Washington Post *Alan Weisman offers us a sketch of where we stand as a species that is both illuminating and terrifying. His tone is conversational and his affection for both Earth and humanity transparent * Barry Lopez, author of Arctic Dreams *Fascinating, mordant, deeply intelligent, and beautifully written, The World Without Us depicts the spectacle of humanity's impact on the planet Earth in tragically poignant terms that go far beyond the dry dictates of science. This is a very important book for a species playing games with its own destiny * James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency *Marvellous...the first environmentalist not to preach, but to present us with the sober, humbling facts ... so intricate is his web of evidence, so seductive his argument, that he doesn't need to preach ... The effect of The World Without Us is a little like reading Pliny the Elder's history of the world: a sense of nature as the caster of spells and marvels, but with ourselves not as wide-eyed observers, nor as villains somehow separate from nature, but simply as resourceful and blundering * Daily Telegraph *This is not a book about the end of the world but about an imagined beginning ...The results of this huge thought-experiment are both fascinating and surprising. Fascinating for what they tell us about the impermanence of the works of man, and surprising for the simple reason that it soon becomes clear that our world would carry on regardless, indifferent to our demise * Daily Mail *Weisman's gripping fantasy will make most readers hope that at least some of us can stick around long enough to see how it all turns out * New York Times *Engrossing * New York Magazine *An idea that is so lateral and clever, so powerfully evocative and masterfully executed that the only appropriate response is fervent envy * New Statesman *A wonderful idea ... a hugely enjoyable and thought-provoking book * Scotsman *Fascinating, absorbing * Good Book Guide *A quick, absorbing read - a summer beach book with brains * Bloomberg *If you can stomach only one end-of-the world-as-we-know it story this summer, none is more audacious or interesting than Alan Weisman's The World Without Us * The Boston Globe *

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Book SynopsisUsing examples from around the world, including the Shard in London and jumbo jets like the A380, David Blockley explores the world of structural engineering. This Very Short Introduction considers the crucial role structural engineering has on issues such as cost and energy efficiency to long-term sustainability and safety.Trade ReviewThere are many books on science for the general reader, but far fewer such books on engineering. This short introduction to structural engineering contributes to the latter. It is evident that the book's production required a vast knowledge and deep insight into the subject, coupled with a great deal of effort and indubitable ability and vision. * Tianjian Ji, The Structural Engineer *Table of Contents1. Everything has structure ; 2. Does form follow function? ; 3. From Stonehenge to skyscrapers ; 4. Understanding structure ; 5. Movers and shakers ; 6. Resilience ; Glossary ; References ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisNothing seems more real than time passing. We experience life as a succession of moments. But just as some of us see God as eternal, so physicists understand the truths of mathematics and the laws of nature as constant, transcending time. These laws dictate how the future will evolve: there is no freedom, no uncertainty about the future at all. Yet, argues Lee Smolin, this denial of time is holding back both physics, and our understanding of the universe. We need a major revolution in scientific thought: one that embraces the reality of time and places it at the centre of our thinking. Time, he concludes, is not an illusion: indeed, it is the best clue that we have to fundamental reality. Time Reborn explains how the true nature of time impacts on us, our world, and our universe.Trade ReviewOne of the most original living theorists ... He challenges not only Einstein's relativity, but also the very notion of natural laws as immutable truths * Economist *Brilliant and persuasive -- Ray Monk * Guardian *Provocative and stimulating ... Smolin reconceives the universe -- Christopher Potter * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisFrank Close delves into fundamental particles and forces to find clues to a deep unsolved mystery of physics: why is matter neutral?Human beings have long been aware of the electric and magnetic forces around us, from the electrostatic charge built up by rubbing amber with fur, to the pull of the lodestone, and scientific investigation showed that the two are intimately connected, as electromagnetism. Lightning shows how devastating electricity can be in nature, while humans learned to exploit the flow of negatively charged electrons that make up an electric current. In the early part of the 20th century, the experiments of Ernest Rutherford showed that at the heart of atoms lies a positively charged nucleus. The positive charge comes from protons. Atoms are neutral because the charges of the electron and proton cancel out. And that enables the much weaker force of gravity - always attractive - to dominate at large scales, building planets, stars, and galaxies. Things would have been v

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Book SynopsisA scientist's journey from observation to discovery is anything but straightforward. It is littered with failure, unexpected diversions and joyous realizations. Science helps us to understand ourselves but what we know about the world around us, what has already been explored and discovered, is only half of science's story.Dr Camilla Pang will look at some of the biggest mysteries facing science today and how some of the best, most cutting-edge scientists can illuminate our own approaches to observation, hypothesis, exploration, troubleshooting and discovery in our own lives.

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Book SynopsisWhat is quantum mechanics? Learn from the experts in the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIESA clear, simple and entertaining introduction to the weird, mind-bending world of the very, very small.Written by physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Quantum Mechanics explores all the key players, breakthroughs, controversies and unanswered questions of the quantum world.You''ll discover:- How the sun shines- Why light is both a wave and a particle- The certainty of the Uncertainty Principle- Schrodinger''s Cat- Einstein''s spooky action- How to build a quantum computer- Why quantum mechanics drives even its experts completely crazy''Jim Al-Khalili has done an admirable job of condensing the ideas of quantum physics from Max Planck to the possibilities of quantum computers into brisk, straightforward English'' THE TIMESTrade ReviewJim Al-Khalili has done an admirable job of condensing the ideas of quantum physics from Max Planck to the possibilities of quantum computers into brisk, straightforward English * The Times *

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Book SynopsisUncover what lies at the deepest depths of our oceans...In ten brief and informative essays, marine biologist and TV science advisor Professor Jon Copley journeys to one of the most mysterious and fascinating environments on Earth, the deep sea. Discover what makes this unique habitat such a challenging environment, the creatures that call it home and how ocean explorers are able to utilise the latest technology to aid their research and travel miles below the ocean surface.The Deep Sea: 10 things you should know is a brilliant guide to one of the most fascinating and curious places known to humankind.

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Book Synopsis'BRILLIANT' Chris Evans, Virgin Radio Breakfast ShowWhen was the last time you listened to someone, or someone really listened to you? This life-changing book will transform your conversations forever. At work, we're taught to lead the conversation. On social media, we shape our personal narratives. At parties, we talk over one another. So do our politicians. We're not listening. And no one is listening to us.Now more than ever, we need to listen to those around us. New York Times contributor Kate Murphy draws on countless conversations she has had with everyone from priests to CIA interrogators, focus group moderators to bartenders, her great-great aunt to her friend's toddler, to show how only by listening well can we truly connect with others. Listening has the potential to transform our relationships and our working lives, improve our self-knowledge, and increase our creativity and happiness. While it may take some effort, it's a skill that can be learnt and perfected. When all we crave is to understand and be understood, You're Not Listening shows us how.* With a new afterword by the author *'This book couldn't be more timely. Inspiringly profound...smart and playful' Observer'I'll be adopting Murphy's advice' Sunday Times, StyleTrade ReviewThe premise of this book couldn't be more timely... inspiringly profound… Smart and playful... It feels like a reiteration of something essential... Murphy is here to remind us – entertainingly and compellingly – exactly why it matters so much, especially right now. Hear, hear. -- Viv Groskop * Observer *Gripping from start to finish... brilliant…extraordinarily interesting…full of meat and gold. -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio Breakfast Show *Fiercely topical... You're Not Listening is an intriguing and constructive take on the problem... and a manual for better communication. Murphy’s book is intelligent and thought-provoking… Listening is when someone take a real interest in who you are…a moment of attunement and understanding that sticks in both heads. We could all do with some of that. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *It’s time for a spot of re-education... A fascinating guide to something we assume we do automatically, yet for the most part do very badly... The art of listening is really the art of being human. -- Stephen Moss * Guardian *We are losing this most crucial, arguably, of our skills in the modern world... I'll be adopting Murphy's advice... and I will be employing "support" responses everywhere. -- Charlotte Edwardes * Sunday Times Style Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTHE BRILLIANT AND HUGELY INFLUENTIAL BOOK BY THE WINNER OF THE 2017 ROYAL SOCIETY INSIGHT INVESTMENT SCIENCE BOOKS PRIZE'Fun, droll yet deeply serious.' New Scientist'A brilliant feminist critic of the neurosciences ... Read her, enjoy and learn.' Hilary Rose, THES'A witty and meticulously researched exposé of the sloppy studies that pass for scientific evidence in so many of today's bestselling books on sex differences.' Carol Tavris, TLSGender inequalities are increasingly defended by citing hard-wired differences between the male and female brain. That's why, we're told, there are so few women in science, so few men in the laundry room - different brains are just suited to different things.With sparkling wit and humour, Cordelia Fine attacks this 'neurosexism', revealing the mind's remarkable plasticity, the substantial influence of culture on identity, and the malleability of what we consider to be 'hardwired' difference. This modern classic shows the surprising extent to which boys and girls, men and women are made - not born.Trade ReviewWe are all in [Fine's] debt. She has the expertise to check the research references cited by academic as well as popular books on the subject, and she has the clarity and wit to impart her findings to the lay reader. She exposes shockingly lightweight research that is taken seriously and nuanced research that is misreported. -- GuardianThe hard data is illuminating, and engaging, but Fine manages a light touch throughout. This is a truly startling book. -- Independent on SundayTwo books came out this year (2010) which, in the long-term, could change how we view gender for ever. ... Cordelia Fine's 'Delusions of Gender: The Real Science Behind Sex Differences' (Icon Books) finally debunked the myth that men and women's minds are significantly different .... Both books were favourably reviewed and hotly discussed. Over time their conclusions could have far-reaching consequences as significant as 'The Female Eunuch.' -- Viv Groskop, GuardianA fascinating subject. A bracing argument. -- Evening Standard'Delusions of Gender' ... carefully and with great precision demolishes the nonsense that pervades the popular and technical literature pretending to be scientific fact, exposing it as truthiness which is nowhere close to truth. ... When I first heard about this book it was clear, even before reading it, that this is the book we've been waiting for. Now, having read it, I can assure you that it is even better than I thought it could be. ... Buy it. Get your friends, your colleagues, your family members to buy it, or buy it for them. Get it to your local school board. Make it required reading, not only in gender studies, but in freshman sociology, biology, education and business courses. Get it on the New York Times bestseller list. ... Our culture is saturated with sloppy self-reinforcing non-thinking about gender. It will take a monumental effort to get it off those tracks. 'Delusions of Gender' is an excellent place to start. -- Professor Judy Roitman, Association for Women in Mathematics NewsletterFine is fun, droll yet deeply serious. Setting a cracking pace, Delusions tackles the power of implicit association (those unconscious associations we make about men and women) and of negative stereotyping, plus the empathising/systematising theory proposed by psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen, and the messy world of brain scans and genetic research. Her conclusion: we are in thrall to "neurosexism". -- New ScientistThe result of Fine's irritation is a witty and meticulously researched exposé of the sloppy studies that pass for scientific evidence in so many of today's bestselling books on sex differences... Can we stop talking about brains now? Those who can't, and anyone else who would like to know what today's best science reveals about gender differences - and similarities - could not do better than read this book. -- Carol Tavris, TLS['Brain Storm' and 'Delusions of Gender' are] well-informed, well-argued and (for science books, perhaps unusually) well-written interventions in ... one of the most important debates in current sexual politics. -- Trouble and Strife JournalIf you believe that the tide of blue and pink that greets children whenever they walk into a toy or children's clothes shop is just about colours ... think again. -- Working MumsThis is a book with such a large scope that it's near-impossible to overestimate its importance. Much like 'The Spirit Level' did for socio-economics, this book ropes together decades' worth of studies on gender differences and casts a cool, calm eye (and an arched brow) over them all... This book will cast a light on gender assumptions you didn't know you had, and it's hilarious - with chapter titles such as 'We Think, Therefore You Are' and 'Sex and Premature Speculation,' Dr Fine is a brilliant tour guide - making light, fun and engaging work of the research. By debunking the rubbish, this book opens up possibilities for a (slightly) clearer vision of the future. Not to be missed. -- Fat QuarterIn 'Delusions of Gender' Cordelia Fine does a magnificent job debunking the so-called science, and especially the brain science, of gender. If you thought there were some inescapable facts about women's minds - some hard wiring that explains poor science and maths performance, or the ability to remember to buy the milk and arrange the holidays - you can put these on the rubbish heap. Instead, Fine shows that there are almost no areas of performance that are not touched by cultural stereotypes. This scholarly book will make you itch to press the delete button on so much nonsense, while being pure fun to read. -- Emeritus Professor Uta Frith, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, Research Foundation Professor, University of Aarhus'Cordelia Fine has a first-rate intellect and writing talent to burn. In her new book, Delusions of Gender, she takes aim at the idea that male brains and female brains are "wired differently", leading men and women to act in a manner consistent with decades-old gender stereotypes. Armed with penetrating insights, a rapier wit, and a slew of carefully researched facts, Fine lowers her visor, lifts her lance, and attacks this idea full-force. Whether her adversaries can rally their forces and mount a successful counter-attack remains to be seen. What's certain at this point, however, is that in Delusions of Gender Cordelia Fine has struck a terrific first blow against what she calls "neurosexism". -- Professor William Ickes, author of 'Everyday Mind Reading: Understanding What Other People Think and Feel.'Fine turns the popular science book formula on its head. -- USA TodayThe author, Cordelia Fine, who has a Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience from University College London, is an acerbic critic, mincing no words when it comes to those she disagrees with. But her sharp tongue is tempered with humor and linguistic playfulness, as the title itself suggests.... It's too late to tell that to Dr. Sax, a proponent of single-sex education, who cited the Connellan study as evidence that 'girls are born prewired to be interested in faces while boys are prewired to be more interested in moving objects.' But it's not too late to read this book and see how complex and fascinating the whole issue is. -- New York TimesSo both sexes should rejoice at Cordelia Fine's new book, Delusions of Gender, a vitriolic attack on the sexism masquerading as psychology that is enjoying a renaissance. -- Rosamund Irwin, London Evening StandardImpeccably researched and bitingly funny. -- Rosamund Irwin, London Evening StandardFine's tone is witty but the citations are detailed and the bibliography extensive...This book is an entertaining weapon in that fight (for education and social justice) and will make a nice "thwok" sound bouncing off the heads of sexists. -- Sarah Ensor, Socialist reviewFine's conclusions provide a timely warning against taking too seriously the deluge of books and articles that would have us believe that men are biologically advantaged when it comes to mathematics, racing, driving or map reading - and that women are naturally more intuitive and nurturing, so better at childcare and multitasking. -- Claire Jones, GuardianIn Delusions of Gender the psychologist Cordelia Fine exposes the bad science, the ridiculous arguments and the persistent biases that blind us to the ways we ourselves enforce the gender stereotypes we think we are trying to overcome. -- Terri Apter, GuardianFine eviscerates both the neuroscientists who claim to have found the answers and the popularisers who take their findings and run with them. -- Katherine Bouton, Deputy Editor of New York Times Magazine.Timely and provocative, her argument is also excellent at debunking oversimplified theories, for instance, that biology is destiny. -- MetroA well-stocked armoury that includes extensive research, sharp whit and a probing intelligence, and which refuses to be satisfied with the delusional myth-making that often passes for popular science. -- MetroFine offers persuasive proof that many of the claims we commonly swallow about male and female brains are based on very bad science indeed. Her entire book ... is worth a read, and perhaps should be taught in high school and college science classes. Maybe if young women were exposed to the truth about their brains, they'd no longer feel like they had to chuck their gender overboard in order to pursue their dreams. -- Anna North, JezebelWith Delusions of Gender, we welcome a brilliant feminist critic of the neurosciences ... In a book that sparkles with wit, which is easy to read but underpinned by substantial scholarship and a formidable 100-page bibliography, she attacks the ready generalisations on sexual differences made by neuroscientists and their media exegetes ... every page of Fine's brilliant, spiky book reminds us that science is part of culture and that the struggle against sexism in the neurosciences and the struggle against sexism in society are intimately linked. Read her, enjoy and learn. -- Hilary Rose, THESAn excellent introduction to the scientific method ... mind-opening ... prepare to be a relative expert on the subject. -- British Neuroscience Association BulletinA pinnacle piece of feminist literature, which I thoroughly recommend and could quote all day. -- Fran Hall, Huffington Post[a] brilliant debunking of "neuro-sexism" ... a powerful case that who we are is much more closely attuned to the culture that surrounds us, than to the biology of our brains. -- MslexiaFor anyone interested in the brain, research methods, applied science, gender, parenting, the workplace, human nature or general sass, this book is an absolute must read. -- Cyndi Chen, Huffington PostPopular science writing at its best ... beautifully and accessibly written ... It is a cracking good read, by turns witty, passionate and learned. -- National Childbirth Trust Journal

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Book SynopsisA practical companion to the international bestseller Dopamine Nation, for individuals, families, counsellors, teachers, and anyone who wants to go beyond the narrative and engage in practices that will reset reward pathways for a more flourishing life.In Dopamine Nation, Dr. Lembke introduced readers to her ground-breaking research that demonstrates how abundance itself is a stressor, contributing to rising rates of addiction, depression, and anxiety. Now, she''s written the workbook that we''ve all been waiting for. Full of specific exercises, fill-in tables, and inspiring examples, readers will be able to more clearly identify the substances and behaviors they struggle to moderate. With the warm, authoritative voice we know and love, Dr. Lembke will share her valuable advice on how to undertake your own dopamine fast, reset your own pathways, and live a happier and more fulfilling life.Praise for Dopamine Nation:''Anna Lembke''s stories of guiding people to find a healthy balance between pleasure and pain have the power to transform your life'' - Lori Gottlieb, bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone''Brilliant . . . riveting, scary, cogent, and cleverly argued. Lembke weaves patient stories with research, in a voice that''s as empathetic as it is clear-eyed'' - Beth Macy, bestselling author of Dopesick''Radically changes the way we think about mental illness, pleasure, pain, reward, and stress. Turn toward it. You''ll be happy you did'' - Daniel Levitin, bestselling author of The Organized Mind

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Book SynopsisWhat is the secret to humanity's evolutionary success? Could it be our strength, our intellector something much nicer?Trade Review‘Brilliant, eye-opening, and absolutely inspiring – and a riveting read. Hare and Woods have written the perfect book for our time.’ -- Cass Sunstein, author of How Change Happens and co-author of Nudge‘An utterly persuasive explanation for why the human psyche has evolved to be dangerous – and what to do about it. It should be read by every politician and every school-child.’ -- Richard Wrangham, author of The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence in Human Evolution‘Very few books even attempt to do what this book succeeds in doing. It begins in basic behavioural science, proceeds to an analysis of cooperation (or lack thereof) in contemporary society, and ends with implications for public policy. Everyone should read this book.’ -- Michael Tomasello, author of Origins of Human Communication and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University‘Please read this beautiful, riveting, and uplifting book. You will learn the astonishing story of how and why humans evolved a deep impulse to help total strangers but also sometimes act with unspeakable cruelty. Just as importantly, you’ll learn how these insights can help all of us become more compassionate and more cooperative.’ -- Daniel E. Lieberman, author of The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease and Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding‘Survival of the Friendliest is a fascinating counterpoint to the popular [mis]conception of Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest.’ Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods offer a convincing case that it was not brute strength, raw intelligence, or ruthlessness that allowed modern humans to thrive while our hominin relatives died out. Instead, they argue that friendliness was the key to our flourishing – and that the same kind of cooperative communication is the key to freeing us from the tribalism currently threatening democratic governance around the world. Powerful, insightful, accessible – this book gives me hope.’ -- Megan Phelps-Roper, author of Unfollow‘How can a top predator like the wolf have evolved to become “man’s best friend”? Finally a book that explains in the clearest terms how friendliness and cooperation shaped dogs and humans. This book left me with a happy and optimistic view of nature.’ -- Isabella Rossellini, actress and activist

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Book SynopsisA book which gives scientific proof of the paranormal. Psychic activity, remote viewing, the power of prayer and homeopathy are all discussed in this book which The Ecologist called one of the most thought-provoking reads of the year', and which has already gained a almost cult following.Sales Handles: A highly readable scientific detective story which reveals how the Field' a vast cobweb of energy connecting everything in the universe, past and present, is responsible for many of the most profound human mysteriesHow psychics can read the future and the past; how remote viewing works and how such techniques have been used by the CIA; how energy healing works; why homeopathy works and all sorts of other mysteries are explored by the frontier scientists Lynne McTaggart has interviewed.Trade Review‘I think this is an important book and should be widely read. It stretches the imagination, making a good case that we are on the verge of another revolution in our understanding of the universe – perhaps even greater than the one that heralded the Atomic Age.’ Arthur C. Clarke ‘We must freely explore the unknown. Read, learn, accept and change your view of life … fascinating.’Bernie Siegel, M.D. ‘The Field is a preview of third-millennium science and how it will touch the lives of every person on earth…McTaggart’s book should come with a warning: MAY FOREVER CHANGE YOUR WORLD VIEW.’ Larry Dossey, M.D. "A fascinating read for anyone who believes there is more to this world than meets the eye. Unputdownable." JACQUES BENVENISTE

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewWe can't emphasise how much of a valuable resource this is. * How it Works *

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller We have a lifetime's association with our bodies, but for many of us they remain uncharted territory. In Adventures in Human Being, Gavin Francis leads the reader on a journey through health and illness, offering insights on everything from the ribbed surface of the brain to the secret workings of the heart and the womb; from the pulse of life at the wrist to the unique engineering of the foot. Drawing on his own experiences as a doctor and GP, he blends first-hand case studies with reflections on the way the body has been imagined and portrayed over the millennia. If the body is a foreign country, then to practise medicine is to explore new territory: Francis leads the reader on an adventure through what it means to be human. Both a user's guide to the body and a celebration of its elegance, this book will transform the way you think about being alive, whether in sickness or in health. Published in association with the Wellcome Collection. WELLCOME COLLECTION Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library that aims to challenge how we think and feel about health. Inspired by the medical objects and curiosities collected by Henry Wellcome, it connects science, medicine, life and art. Wellcome Collection exhibitions, events and books explore a diverse range of subjects, including consciousness, forensic medicine, emotions, sexology, identity and death. Wellcome Collection is part of Wellcome, a global charitable foundation that exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive, funding over 14,000 researchers and projects in more than 70 countries. wellcomecollection.orgTrade ReviewA sober and beautiful book about the landscape of the human body: thought-provoking and eloquent. * Hilary Mantel *Wonderful, subtle, unpretentious ... produces a kind of complicity between the author, the reader, and the subject * John Berger *Immensely engaging. * The Sunday Times *In Francis's beautifully written, exquisitely thoughtful, and completely captivating cartography, the body is a superbly-lit museum filled with treasures, and Dr. Francis the perfect guide who deftly weaves together science and story to reveal the wondrous flesh-and-blood underpinnings of our daily lives. It's a spellbinding view. -- Diane Ackerman, author of The Zookeeper’s Wifeand The Human AgeI read this book transfixed... The style is crisp and fast and the human tales irresistible. I was left with many nuggets. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *So enthralling and so well written that it should win its own clutch of prizes... immensely engaging and often unexpected. His achievement here is to guide readers through his special landscape with such eloquence and subtlety. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Grand, eloquent stuff, occasionally humorous, frequently moving and invariably informative... The end result is a thoroughly entertaining, provocative work. -- Robin McKie * The Observer *The joy of Mr Francis's work lies in the fact that although he delights in the body's physical reality, he takes care not to reduce human experience to that alone. * The Economist *A quietly radical, three-dimensional view of issues such as reproduction, birth, death and disability that has the power, at times, to make you stop mid-sentence and carefully reassess some of your most basic assumptions... its greatest strength is its profound yet understated compassion. * The Scotsman *Praise for Empire Antarctica: Francis' best writing (and it is excellent)... is Robert Macfarlane on ice. This writing achieves the 'quilted quality' of silence, and through it we are brought to a new landscape of words. * Literary Review *Empire Antarctica is the embodiment of everything I admire in travel writing -- a great journey, intense isolation, wide reading, vivid writing, scientific research, and something in the nature of an old-fashioned ordeal. That Gavin Francis is a medical doctor, with an important role to play in the darkness and cold at the ends of the earth, is a bonus. I loved this book. -- Paul TherouxA beautiful, profound and highly readable account of a remarkable personal adventure. Francis's pacing is deft, his prose vivid, his research worn lightly. Empire Antarctica is surely destined to become a standard, not so much of travel as of staying very still. * Daily Telegraph *A beautifully written guide to our wonders and weaknesses that combines the precision of science with a profound insight into the human condition. -- P D Smith * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''I cannot recommend this book enough'' Dr Rupy Aujla''Your diet affects your body but it also affects your brain.Brain Food uses cutting-edge research to highlight the connection between nutrition and our brain''s health, busting through pseudoscience and demonstrating how we can all change our diet most effectively. Based partly on her own discoveries, and using emerging science, for example on the connection between the brain and the gut, Dr Lisa Mosconi, an expert in both neuroscience and nutrition, reveals the foods and drinks that can prevent dementia, stress, cognitive decline and memory loss - no matter how old we are.Innovative and timely, and with accompanying brain-boosting recipes and lists of what to eat and what to avoid, Brain Food provides the ultimate plan for maximizing our brain power.Reveals the foods that will keep your brain in tip-top shape AND prevent dementia''Daily Mail''A criTrade ReviewBrain Food is a critically important book. Food is medicine or it is poison. The brain uses 20-30% of the calories you consume. If you want to keep and save your brain you have to get your food right. Brain Food will help you do just that in a delicious, easy way. -- Daniel G. Amen, MD, Founder, Amen Clinics and author of Memory RescueIf we knew what our brains looked like, we'd take better care of them. Often surprising, always accessible, this fascinating book not only reveals the science behind neuro-nutrition, it shows us what we could be eating for maximum brain power. -- Sara Gottfried MD, New York Times bestselling author of Younger, The Hormone Reset Diet, and The Hormone CureThis is one of the most exciting reads on brain health that I have ever come across. As well as the fascinating and relatable science, Dr Mosconi has expertly complemented the wealth information with delicious recipes influenced by her work and emerging research into gut health. A doctor after my own heart! I cannot recommend this book enough and it gives yet further evidence about the true power of nutrition on our health. -- Rupy Aujla, author of The Doctor’s KitchenNatural food, rooted in the Mediterranean style and gut-friendly, is the miracle pill we have the opportunity to ingest 3 x a day for a healthy brain and body. Dr Lisa Mosconi explains the science and how to reap the benefits of foods in all their complexities and synergies eaten with pleasure at each meal. -- Jeannette Hyde, Author of The Gut MakeoverCan a Mediterranean diet help avert Alzheimer's? Mosconi's persuasive account of the surprising connection between food and brain health sparkles with well-researched nutritional evidence. Brain Food offers culinary wisdom and reasons for hope in equal measure. -- Richard Wrangham, PhD, Ruth B. Moore Professor of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University and author of Catching FireOver the years, I have learned so much from the work of Dr. Mosconi, whose accomplished credentials spanning both neuroscience and nutrition are wholly unique. This book represents the first time her studies on the interaction between food and long-term cognitive function reach a general audience. Dr. Mosconi always makes the point that we would eat differently and treat our brains better if only we could see what we are doing to them. From the lab to the kitchen, this is extremely valuable and urgent advice, complete with recommendations that any one of us can take. -- Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, MD, author of The Alzheimer's Prevention and Treatment Diet, and Alzheimer's Treatment Alzheimer's Prevention: A Patient & Family GuideScientists know that diet plays a huge role in brain health - and now Brain Food distils this research into a practical guide. Dr. Mosconi provides accessible advice and lots of options for fuelling your brain and ageing well. This is an empowering resource for anyone who wants to take their brain health into their own hands (and spoons, and forks). -- Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Willpower Instinct and The Upside of Stress

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Book SynopsisIn a single work of colossal scope one of the world's greatest scientists has given us a complete and unrivalled guide to the glories of the universe that we all inhabit.'Roger Penrose is the most important physicist to work in relativity theory except for Einstein.Trade ReviewPenrose is truly one of the world's leading mathematical physicists. Genuinely magnificent and stimulating * Scotland on Sunday *Science needs more people like Penrose, willing and able to point out the flaws in fashionable models from a position of authority, and to signpost alternative roads to follow * Independent *This is a tour de force that is unlikely to be bettered this decade * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisANTONIO DAMASIO is a University Professor, David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Neurology, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. Damasio's other books include Descartes' Error; Self Comes to Mind; and Looking for Spinoza. He has received the Honda Prize, the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, and, shared with his wife Hanna, the Pessoa, Signoret, and Cozzarelli prizes. Damasio is a fellow of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences, and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He lives in Los Angeles.Trade ReviewThe life-changing read of the year... The book is crammed with tiny gems of information with which to reassess how you look at the world and think about yourself -- Katie Mitchell * Guardian *A tour de force...a monumental book...a gem of a work -- Anthony Clare * Sunday Times *Compelling...a story told with clarity and pace, unencumbered by unnecessary technical jargon and illustrated with insightful clinical anecdotes * The Times *A fascinating and suggestive book * Literary Review *Both Descartes' Error and The Feeling of What Happens are essential reading. They are groundbreaking classics of psychology and neuroscience. These are the books to buy, keep and ponder upon. Do so, and you will be ahead of the ruck by at least a decade * Journal Of The Royal Society of Medicine *

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Book SynopsisRoger Penrose is one the world's foremost theoretical physicists, and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020. He has won numerous other prizes, including the Albert Einstein Medal, for his fundamental contributions to general relativity and cosmology. He is the bestselling author of The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe and Cycles of Time: An Extraordinary New View of the Universe. His other books include Fashion, Faith and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe, The Emperor's New Mind, Shadows of the Mind and, with Stephen Hawking, The Nature of Space and Time. He is the Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics Emeritus at the University of Oxford, and lives in Oxford.Trade ReviewPenrose has come closer than anyone to a rigorous discussion of the most intriguing problems of all: what are we? How do we think? And what is it that makes us human? * The Times *Clearly the product of a brilliant mind * Times Literary Supplement *His book may be the first accessible report to a general readership about the site, if not the actual substance, of the holy grail of consciousness - the precise point where quantum activity interacts with classical physical activity in the brain... His passionate attempt at popular exposition lends importance to a debate that he believes too crucial to be left to the specialists alone * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA new popular psychology title looking at where video games come from, why we play them, and taking a balanced, clinical view of whether they are healthy or not, depending on our individual player-game relationship.

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