Popular science Books
Oxford University Press Structural Engineering
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
£9.49
Yale University Press Spider Silk
Book SynopsisSpiders, objects of eternal human fascination, are found in many places: on the ground, in the air, and even under water. This book tells the intriguing story of how spiders evolved over 400 million years. It describes the trials and triumphs of spiders as they use silk to negotiate an ever-changing environment.Trade Review'This is a fascinating and readable account of one of the great, overlooked mysteries of life.' — Simon Barnes, The Times -- Simon Barnes * The Times *". . . [a] remarkable history of evolutionary innovations in silk spinning by spiders. . . effective and entertaining."--Quarterly Review of Biology * Quarterly Review of Biology *". . . an ideal introduction to spiders and a tempting peek at the field of silk research that. . . will leave the reader forever fascinated and enthused by these wonderful web weavers."--BioScience * BioScience *Library Journal bestseller in Zoology/Botany. * Library Journal *"This wonderful book cures arachnophobia for any lucky reader. Brunetta and Craig combine superb scholarship with engaging writing, providing a compelling introduction to evolution in action through the lens of spiders and their silks."—Simon Levin, Princeton University, author of Fragile Dominion -- Simon Levin"From black widows to balloon-riders and bola-swingers, spider evolution depends critically on a few proteins in silk. Brunetta and Craig weave genetics and behavior into a silky-smooth portrait of this fascinating group."—Richard Wrangham, Harvard University, author of Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human -- Richard Wrangham“Spider Silk—a wonderful, charismatic natural history of spiders—will truly inspire all readers who may never before have appreciated this unique group of organisms.”—Margaret Lowman, author of Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology and of It’s a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops -- Meg Lowman"In Spider Silk, Leslie Brunetta and Catherine Craig offer a history of this marvelous stuff that readers will find surprisingly compelling—for not only the astonishing complexity of spider silk itself, but also the many uses that spiders have created over the ages. It is, in other words, the epitome of evolutionary innovation."—Carl Zimmer, author of Parasite Rex and The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution -- Carl Zimmer'The book is full of amusing facts and observations. Definitely for the general reader with a keen interest in natural history.' — Tibor Fischer, Sunday Telegraph -- Tibor Fischer * The Sunday Telegraph *“This is a compelling and immensely readable account that engages the reader from start to finish and that I found difficult to put down.” –Tim R. New, Journal of Insect Conservation -- Tim R. New * Journal of Insect Conservation *'This is a compelling and immensely readable account that engages the reader from start to finish…A helpful index is also included, and a series of colour plates illustrate some of the book's subjects and themes…This well-produced book is a valuable and enjoyable contribution to fostering awareness of spider evolution…Buy it for your own interest, or as a gift for your favourite arachnophobe - you might just make a convert!' Tim R. New, Journal Of Insect Conservation (Australia) -- Tim R. * Journal of Insect Conservation (Australia) *"Spider Silk weaves together principles of genetics, biochemistry and evolution to explain the diversity and function of spider’s silks. This book is a model for next generation biology texts."—Cynthia Sagers, University of Arkansas -- Cynthia Sagers"The language is lively and a passion for the subject shines through."—Sue Howarth, The Biologist Vol.57 No.3 -- Sue Howarth * The Biologist Vol.57 No.3 *"Supremely absorbing book."—Ben Hoare, BBC Wildlife Magazine -- Ben Hoare * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Recipient of the 2011 "Highly Recommended Book Award" presented by the Boston Authors Club -- Boston Authors Club Highly Recommended Book * Boston Authors Club *Named the Silver Winner for the 2010 ForeWord Book of the Year Award in the Nature category -- 2010 Book of the Year Award in Nature * ForeWord Magazine *Selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2011 in the Zoology category. -- Choice Outstanding Academic Title * Choice *"Spider Silk is an educational, thoughtful, fun and compelling read. Each chapter presents the reader with a logical progression of the spider species’ evolution – from early common ancestors millions of years ago to spiders we come into contact with everyday… After reading this book, it is hard not to stop and marvel at the complexity of spiders and their webs.’ Rachael A. Carmen, Springer -- Rachael A. Carmen * Springer Journal *"Well written....Very readable."—Ruth Grierson, Mount Desert Islander -- Ruth Grierson * Mount Desert Islander *
£22.50
Oxford University Press Why Evolution is True
Book SynopsisFor all the discussion in the media about creationism and ''Intelligent Design'', virtually nothing has been said about the evidence in question - the evidence for evolution by natural selection. Yet, as this succinct and important book shows, that evidence is vast, varied, and magnificent, and drawn from many disparate fields of science. The very latest research is uncovering a stream of evidence revealing evolution in action - from the actual observation of a species splitting into two, to new fossil discoveries, to the deciphering of the evidence stored in our genome. Why Evolution is True weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, palaeontology, geology, molecular biology, anatomy, and development to demonstrate the ''indelible stamp'' of the processes first proposed by Darwin. It is a crisp, lucid, and accessible statement that will leave no one with an open mind in any doubt about the truth of evolution.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition Coyne is hugely knowledgeable and an excellent writer. * Nature, Vol. 462 *Review from previous edition One of the very best and most important book on evolution for broad audiences in at least 50 years. * Douglas J. Futuyma, Trends in Ecology and Evolution *A scholarly, yet delightfully readable account. * Tom Tregenza, Current Biology, Volume 19 *We must present the evidence, and Jerry Coyne's book does an excellent job of it. * Massimo Pigliucci, Science *Evolution is true...Coyne displays it for us in a way that no objective reader could fail to find compelling. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *'Why Evolution is True'is outstandingly good. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *Coyne's knowledge of evolutionary biology is prodigious, his deployment of it as masterful as his touch is light. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *His coverage is enviably comprehensive, yet he simultaneously manages to keep the book compact and readable. * Richard Dawkins, TLS *Coyne's book is just what we needed in this bicentennial year to anchor Darwin where he belongs. * Nigel Hawkes, The Times *A clear, engaging, accessible explanation of the evidence for evolution. * Massimo Pigliucci, Science *Excellent volume. * Clive Cookson, Financial Times *Lucid, thorough and eminently readable, this book is a delight from start to finish. * Doug Johnstone, Scotsman.com *Coyne gives a clear and engaging overview of what evolution is, and how it works. * BBC Focus *Coyne is as graceful a stylist and as clear a scientific explainer as Darwin himself (no mean feat). It's one of the best single-volume introductions to evolutionary theory ever. * Wired magazine *A masterfully concise reinstating of [Darwin's] big idea. * Karen Shook, THE *There are many superb books on evolution, but this one is superb in a new way -- it explains the latest evidence for evolution lucidly, thoroughly, and with devastating effectiveness. * Steven Pinker *For anyone who wishes a clear, well-written explanation of evolution by one of the foremost scientists working on the subject, 'Why Evolution is True' should be your choice. * E. O. Wilson *I once wrote that anybody who didn't believe in evolution must be stupid, insane or ignorant, and I was then careful to add that ignorance is no crime. I should now update my statement: aybody who doesn't believe in evolution is stupid, insane, or hasn't read Jerry Coyne. * Richard Dawkins *An engaging and accessible account of one of the most important ideas ever conceived by mankind. The book is a stunning achievement, written by one of the world's leading evolutionary biologists. Coyne has produced a classic. * Neil Shubin, author of 'Your Inner Fish' *Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. What is Evolution? ; 2. Written in The Rocks ; 3. Remnants: Vestiges, Embryos, and Bad Design ; 4. The Geography of Life ; 5. The Engine of Evolution ; 6. How Sex Drives Evolution ; 7. The Origin of Species ; 8. What about Us? ; 9. Evolution Redux ; Glossary ; Suggestions for Further Reading ; References
£11.39
Oxford University Press The Humans Who Went Extinct
Book SynopsisJust 28,000 years ago, the blink of an eye in geological time, the last of Neanderthals died out in their last outpost, in caves near Gibraltar. Thanks to cartoons and folk accounts we have a distorted view of these other humans - for that is what they were. We think of them as crude and clumsy and not very bright, easily driven to extinction by the lithe, smart modern humans that came out of Africa some 100,000 years ago. But was it really as simple as that? Clive Finlayson reminds us that the Neanderthals were another kind of human, and their culture was not so very different from that of our own ancestors. In this book, he presents a wider view of the events that led to the migration of the moderns into Europe, what might have happened during the contact of the two populations, and what finally drove the Neanderthals to extinction. It is a view that considers climate, ecology, and migrations of populations, as well as culture and interaction. His conclusion is that the destiny of thTrade ReviewA refreshing new perspective on this old debate....should be essential reading for everyone interested in human origins. * Fortean Times, Mark Greener *Lively, revelatory, and salutary book. * The Independent *Table of Contents1. The road to extinction is paved with good intentions ; 2. Once we were not alone ; 3. Failed experiments ; 4. Stick to what you know best ; 5. Being in the right place at the right time ; 6. If only... ; 7. Africa in Europe - a Mediterranean Serengeti ; 8. One small step for man... ; 9. Forever opportunists ; 10. The pawn turned player ; Epilogue: Children of chance ; Endnotes
£11.69
Oxford University Press Mass
Book SynopsisJim Baggott explores how our understanding of the nature of matter, and its fundamental property of mass, has developed, from the ancient Greek view of indivisible atoms to quantum mechanics, dark matter, the Higgs field, and beyond. He shows how the stuff of the universe is proving more elusive and uncertain than we ever imagined.Trade ReviewThe book is very clearly structured and has a glossary, so 'dipping' is facilitated. The author condenses and combines sources as listed in his bibliography. * Michael Jewess, Royal Society of Chemistry Historical Group newsletter *How did our understanding of mass evolve from the geometric atoms of ancient Greece to the quantum ghostliness of today? Jim Baggott ingeniously contextualizes that eventful science history. * Barbara Kiser, Nature *Encourages the reader to really think about the nature of matter and how something as apparently straightforward as mass is not what it seems. That delight in revealing the unexpected typifies, for me, the joy of physics. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *Jim Baggott is one of the UK's best popular science writers and never disappoints. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *Jim Baggott provides an excellent introduction on this topic for non-specialists and general science enthusiasts ... The book is a gem in introducing the abstract ideas of modern science to general audience even without formal training in STEM disciplines ... In summary, this book by Jim Baggott is a joy to read and will be especially inspiring to students (senior high school and junior undergraduate) interested in pursuing a career in fundamental physics. * Yee Sin Ang, Contemporary Physics *Baggott smartly renders particle physics, typically a dense and opaque topic for the nonexpert, clear and captivating. Not only will readers grasp the building blocks of the standard model, they will forever look at mass differently. * Publishers Weekley *An imaginative book that seeks the answer to the question, what is matter? ... Baggott provides a wild but expert and comprehensive ride. * Kirkus Review *Table of ContentsPREFACE; PART I: ATOM AND VOID; PART II: MASS AND ENERGY; PART III: WAVE AND PARTICLE; PART IV: FIELD AND FORCE; EPILOGUE; ENDNOTES; GLOSSARY; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX
£21.84
Penguin Books Ltd Physics and Philosophy The Revolution in Modern
Book SynopsisNobel Prize winner Werner Heisenberg''s classic account explains the central ideas of the quantum revolution, and his celebrated Uncertainty Principle. Heisenberg reveals how words and concepts familiar in daily life can lose their meaning in the world of relativity and quantum physics.This in turn has profound philosophical implications for the nature of reality.
£10.44
Breakdown Press The New Dinosaurs
Book Synopsis
£23.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc How Sex Works
Book SynopsisTells the story of how human sexuality has developed over time. This title helps readers find out the answers to such provocative questions as: can the birth control pill influence the type of men women are attracted to; what do men and honeybees have in common when it comes to sex; and, why do hourglass-shaped women tend to be especially fertile.Trade Review"Sharon Moalem's new book goes far beyond the typical 'birds and bees' sex talk. The neurogeneticist delves deep into human sexuality, and comes to some surprising conclusions." -- Daily Beast "Packed with trivia about the evolutionary history, intricate mechanics, and nitty-gritty mysteries of sex, sexual organs, and desire, Sharon Moalem's How Sex Works manages to inject science writing with the prurient thrill of a gossip rag." -- O magazine "Moalem makes evolution sexy and sex astonishing. If you've ever been surprised by either your body or your heart, this book will probably tell you why." -- Kinney Zalesne, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes "Have you ever wondered HOW SEX WORKS? This book answers all of the questions you've ever wanted to know about how your body works sexually, but did not know where to find the answers. They are here!" -- Dr. Beverly Whipple, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The G Spot: And Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality and The Science of Orgasm. "An engaging synthesis of scientific research on why we humans experience our sexuality the way we do." -- Rachel P. Maines, PhD, Cornell University and author of The Technology of Orgasm: "Hysteria," the Vibrator, and Women's Sexual Satisfaction "Read this book and discover sex again, but from a scientific perspective, and see why it evolved. It's almost as much fun, and needs less energy." -- Peter Macinnis, science writer and author of 100 Discoveries: The Greatest Breakthroughs in History and Mr Darwin's Incredible Shrinking World "HOW SEX WORKS is a must-buy for anyone interested in the ins and outs of why, psychologically and biologically, sex is about much, much more than the mere birds and bees." -- Nancy Redd, New York Times bestselling author of Body Drama
£10.44
Three Rivers Press Secrets Of Mental Math
Book SynopsisFrom two premier maths minds - a renowned mathematics professor and a contributing editor to Scientific American - comes an engaging, accessible guide to calculating almost anything in your head.
£15.20
Penguin Books Ltd Quantum Supremacy
Book SynopsisAn exhilarating guide to the astonishing future of quantum computing, from the international bestselling physicistThe runaway success of the microchip processor may be nearing its end, with profound implications for our economy, society and way of life, even leaving Silicon Valley as a new Rust Belt, its technology obsolete. Step forward the quantum computer, which harnesses the power and complexity of the atomic realm, and may be useful in solving humanity''s greatest challenges from climate change, to global starvation, to incurable diseases. Humanity''s next great technological achievement already promises to be every bit as revolutionary as the transistor and microchip once were. Its unprecedented gains in computing power and unique ability to simulate the physical universe herald advances that could change every aspect of our lives.Corporations and whole nations are betting on quantum computing, hoping to exploit its power to design more efficient vehicles, create life-saving new drugs and streamline industries to revolutionize the economy. But this is only the beginning. Quantum computers could allow us to finally create nuclear fusion reactors that produce clean, renewable energy without radioactive waste or threats of meltdown. They could help us crack the biological processes that generate natural, cheap fertilizer and enable us to feed the world''s growing populations. And they could unravel the fiendishly difficult protein folding that lies at the heart of previously incurable diseases such as Alzheimer''s, motor neurone disease and Parkinson''s, helping us to live longer, healthier lives. Told with Kaku''s signature clarity and enthusiasm, Quantum Supremacy is the story of this exciting frontier and the race to claim humanity''s future.
£10.44
Oxford University Press The Earth
Book SynopsisFor generations, the ground beneath the feet of our ancestors seemed solid and unchanging. Around 30 years ago, two things happened that were to revolutionize the understanding of our home planet. First, geologists realized that the continents themselves were drifting across the surface of the globe and that oceans were being created and destroyed. Secondly, pictures of the entire planet were returned from space. As the astronomer Fred Hoyle had predicted, this ''let loose an idea as powerful as any in history''. Suddenly, the Earth began to be viewed as a single entity; a dynamic, interacting whole, controlled by complex processes we scarcely understood. It began to seem less solid. As one astronaut put it, ''a blue jewel on black velvet; small, fragile and touchingly alone''. Geologists at last were able to see the whole as well as the detail; the wood as well as the trees. This book brings their account up to date with the latest understanding of the processes that govern our planet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Dynamic Planet ; 2. Deep Time ; 3. Deep Earth ; 4. Under the Sea ; 5. Drifting Continents ; 6. Volcanoes ; 7. When the Ground Shakes ; Epilogue
£9.49
Vintage Publishing The Naked Ape
Book SynopsisDesmond Morris was born in 1928. Educated at Birmingham and Oxford universities, he became the curator of mammals at London Zoo in 1959, a post he held for eight years. In 1967 he published The Naked Ape which was to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. An accomplished artist, television presenter and film maker, Desmond Morris's works have been published in over thirty-six countries.Trade ReviewReadable, surprising and provocative * The Times *I really enjoyed The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris. It was published in 1967 and is often a very amusing zoological perspective on human beings. The chapter on sex is hilarious -- KT Tunstall * Independent *Stimulating -- Arthur KoestlerThought-provoking...Morris has introduced some novel and challenging ideas * Natural History *Fascinating * Sunday Times *
£10.44
Vintage Publishing The Road to Reality
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 *
£29.75
Vintage Publishing The Feeling Of What Happens
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 *
£11.69
Granta Books A Book of Noises
Book SynopsisA compendium of sounds from this world and beyond, from the author of A New Map of Wonders and The Book of Barely Imagined Beings.
£10.44
McGraw-Hill Education - Europe Physics DeMYSTiFieD Second Edition
Book SynopsisPublisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product.Understanding PHYSICS just got a whole lot EASIER!Stumped trying to make sense of physics? Here's your solution. Physics Demystified, Second Edition helps you grasp the essential concepts with ease.Written in a step-by-step format, this practical guide begins by covering classical physics, including mass, force, motion, momentum, work, energy, and power, as well as the temperature and states of matter. Electricity, magnetism, and electronics are discussed as are waves, particles, space, and time. Detailed examples, concise explanations, and worked problems make it easy to understand the material, and end-of-chapter quizzes and a final exam help reinforce learning.It's a no-brainer! You'll learn about:Table of ContentsAcknowledgments; How to Use This Book; Part I: Classical Physics; Chapter 0. Review of Scientific Notation; Chapter 1. Units and Constants; Chapter 2. Mass, Force, and Motion; Chapter 3. Momentum, Work, Energy, and Power; Chapter 4. Particles of Matter; Chapter 5. Basic States of Matter; Chapter 6. Temperature, Pressure, and Changes of State;Test: Part I; Part II: Electricity, Magnetism, and Electronics; Chapter 7. Direct Current; Chapter 8. Alternating Current; Chapter 9. Magnetism; Chapter 10. More About Alternating Current; Chapter 11. Semiconductors; Test: Part II; Part III: Waves, Particles, Space, and Time; Chapter 12. Wave Phenomena; Chapter 13. Forms of Radiation; Chapter 14. Optics; Chapter 15. Relativity Theory; Test: Part III; Final Exam; Answers to Quizzes, Tests, and Final Exam; Suggested Additional Reading; Index
£15.19
Oxford University Press Divine Wind
Book SynopsisImagine standing at the center of a Roman coliseum that is 20 miles across, with walls that soar 10 miles into the sky, towering walls with cascades of ice crystals falling along its brilliantly white surface. That''s what it''s like to stand in the eye of a hurricane. In Divine Wind, Kerry Emanuel, one of the world''s leading authorities on hurricanes, gives us an engaging account of these awe-inspiring meteorological events, revealing how hurricanes and typhoons have literally altered human history, thwarting military incursions and changing the course of explorations. Offering an account of the physics of the tropical atmosphere, the author explains how such benign climates give rise to the most powerful storms in the world and tells what modern science has learned about them. Interwoven with this scientific account are descriptions of some of the most important hurricanes in history and relevant works of art and literature. For instance, he describes the 17th century hurricane that likely inspired Shakespeare''s The Tempest and that led to the British colonization of Bermuda. We also read about the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, by far the worst natural calamity in U.S. history, with a death toll between 8,000 and 12,000 that exceeded the San Francisco earthquake, the Johnstown Flood, and the Okeechobee Hurricane combined. Boasting more than one hundred color illustrations, from ultra-modern Doppler imagery to classic paintings by Winslow Homer, Divine Wind captures the profound effects that hurricanes have had on humanity. Its fascinating blend of history, science, and art will appeal to weather junkies, science buffs, and everyone who read Isaac''s Storm.Trade Review'...excellent photographs and satellite images of hurricanes and their dramatic impact. Anyone wanting to know the current state of our scientific understanding of hurricanes should get hold of this attractively produced book. 'Divine Wind' is the best introduction to hurricanes that I have come across.' * Andrew Robinson, THES *Other books have dealt with the historical accounts with more depth, but the overall effect of those in Divine Wind is unique. A pioneering hurricane researcher, Emanuel presents the science at a level that is not too technical for non-specialists, yet is sufficient to describe the basic physics with few equations. * Howard B Bluestein, Nature *
£38.79
Oxford University Press Cosmology
Book SynopsisThis book is a simple, non-technical introduction to cosmology, explaining what it is and what cosmologists do. Peter Coles discusses the history of the subject, the development of the Big Bang theory, and more speculative modern issues like quantum cosmology, superstrings, and dark matter.Trade ReviewThere is an embarrassment of books about the universe for the general reader, but few manage to pack so much, so elegantly, into such a compact space as this does. The book is generously illustrated. * The Guardian 09/02/02/ *Coles takes you gently through everything from Blue Shift to parallel Universe in a thoroughly entertaining read * TNT Magazine *a pleasure to read * New Scientist, 29/09/01 *Table of Contents1. A Brief History ; 2. Einstein and All That ; 3. The Big Bang ; 4. In the Beginning ; 5. Cosmology by Numbers ; 6. What's the Matter? ; 7. The Emergence of Structure ; 8. The Future
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Subliminal
Book SynopsisLeonard Mlodinow, the best-selling author of The Drunkard''s Walk and coauthor of The Grand Design (with Stephen Hawking) and War of the Worldviews (with Deepak Chopra) here examines how the unconscious mind shapes our experience of the world, and how, for instance, we often misperceive everything from our relationships with family, friends and business associates, the reasons for our investment decisions, to our own past.Your preference in politicians, the amount of tip you give the waiter-all our judgments and perceptions-reflect the workings of our mind on two levels, the conscious, of which we are aware, and the unconscious, which is hidden from us. The latter has long been the subject of speculation, but over the past two decades scientific researchers have developed remarkable new tools for probing the hidden, or subliminal, workings of the mind. The result of this explosion of research is a new science of the unconscious, and a sea change in our understanding of how the mind affects the way we live. These cutting-edge discoveries have revealed that the way we experience life-our perception, behavior, memory, and social judgment-is largely driven by the mind''s subliminal processes and not by the conscious ones, as we have long believed. Employing his trademark wit and his lucid, accessible explanations of the most obscure scientific subjects, Leonard Mlodinow takes us on a tour of this research, unraveling the complexities of the subliminal self, increasing our understanding of how the human mind works, and how we interact with friends, strangers, spouses and coworkers. In the process he changes our view of ourselves and the world around us.Leonard Mlodinow received his PhD in theoretical physics from the University of California, Berkeley, was an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institute, and now teaches at the California Institute of Technology. His previous books include War of the Worldviews (with Deepak Chopra); the two national best sellers The Grand Design (with Stephen Hawking) and The Drunkard''s Walk (a New York Times Notable Book and short-listed for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books); Feynman''s Rainbow; and Euclid''s Window. He also wrote for the television series MacGyver and Star Trek: The Next Generation.Trade ReviewDelightful...Our lives may be shaped by chance, but they are enriched by awareness-just the sort of awareness that this fascinating book will give you * Guardian *Leonard Mlodinow never fails to make science both accessible and entertaining -- Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of TimeWith the same deft touch he showed in The Drunkard's Walk, Mlodinow probes the subtle, automatic, and often unnoticed influences on our behavior -- Daniel J. Simons, co-author of The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive UsMlodinow has written an engaging and insightful ... [he] not only makes neuroscience understandable-he makes it fascinating. After reading this book, you will look at yourself (and those around you) in a new way -- Joseph T. Hallinan, author of Why We Make MistakesThink you know the whys and hows of your choices? Think again. Follow Mlodinow on a gorgeous journey into the enormous mental backstage behind the curtain of consciousness -- David Eagleman, Author of Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
£10.44
Princeton University Press How to Clone a Mammoth
Book SynopsisCould extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? The science says yes. In How to Clone a Mammoth, Beth Shapiro, evolutionary biologist and pioneer in "ancient DNA" research, walks readers through the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction. From deciding which species should be restored, to sequencTrade ReviewWinner of the 2016 PROSE Award in Popular Science & Popular Mathematics, Association of American Publishers 2016 Gold Medal Winner in Science, Independent Publisher Book Awards Winner of the 2016 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Young Adult Science Books One of The Independent's 6 Best Books in Science 2015 Shortlisted for the 2016 Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science, Phi Beta Kappa Society Finalist for the 2015 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Science & Technology One of Flavorwire's 10 Must-Read Academic Books for 2015 One of NewScientist.com CultureLab's Best Reads from 2015 One of Science News' Favorite Books of 2015 "Beth Shapiro ... has produced a fascinating book... For anyone who wants a thorough understanding of the technical issues involved in de-extinction, How to Clone a Mammoth should satisfy your curiosity."--Carl Zimmer, Wall Street Journal "Shapiro ... Lays out a well-articulated argument for the 'resurrection of ecological interactions' as the most appropriate goal of de-extinction research... Her professorial voice shines in her thoughtful roadmap for practical decision making in theory-heavy science, as well as in her efforts to 'separate the science of de-extinction from the science fiction of de-extinction.' Readers will emerge with the ability to think more deeply about the facts of de-extinction and cloning at a time when hyperbolic and emotionally manipulative claims about such scientific breakthroughs are all too common."--Publishers Weekly "[A] disturbing and thoughtful new book... Shapiro makes a good, sensible, balanced case."--Cathy Gere, The Nation "[A] clear appraisal of what it would really take to resurrect extinct species... Several hurdles remain, and Shapiro presents these clearly and entertainingly as a brilliant thought experiment at the boundaries of biological plausibility."--Henry Nicholls, Nature "As Shapiro sees it, de-extinction isn't about geeky genetic sleight of hand or about the resurrection of legendary beasts; it's a valuable new tool for conserving and enriching the global ecosystem."--Natural History "In this lucid road map for the nascent discipline of 'de-extinction,' Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist, examines not only how we can resurrect long-vanished species but also when we cannot or should not."--Scientific American "As a researcher who is shaping this field, Shapiro is the perfect guide to the ongoing discussion about de-extinction. While many news items and conference presentations have focused on the technology required to create extinct life, Shapiro carefully considers every step along the journey to de-extinction, from choosing a species to revive to making sure they don't become extinct all over again...Whether you're all for de-extinction or against it, Shapiro's sharp, witty, and impeccably-argued book is essential for informing those who will decide what life will become."--Briant Switek, National Geographic.com's Laelaps blog "[Shapiro] goes to great lengths to demystify the art and science of cloning."--Kirkus Reviews "Some of the best conversations I've had in recent months have come about while discussing de-extinction. The concept is simple: should we clone extinct animals, Jurassic Park-style, from found genetic material? How do we do it? What would the impact be on the environment? Shapiro makes it clear that we should have this discussion now because the future of de-extinction is real and coming fast."--Andrew Sturgeon, Flavorwire, from "10 Must-Read Academic Books of 2015" "[A] fascinating book... A great popular science title, and one that makes it clear that a future you may have imagined is already underway."--Library Journal, starred review "In How to Clone a Mammoth, Shapiro provides detailed descriptions of current state-of-the-art bioengineering technologies, explaining just what can and cannot be done. She also provides a thorough discussion of the ethical and environmental issues raised by de-extinction proposals. Readers of the book will be well equipped to develop their own informed opinions on this controversial topic."--Ravi Mandalia, Techie News "In How to Clone a Mammoth, molecular paleontologist Beth Shapiro spells out, step by step, how and how soon real scientists might be able to bring an extinct species back to life."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post "[T]houghtful and well-written... Shapiro does an excellent job of showing that the realities of genuine science can be as exciting as the fantasies of science fiction."--Nick Rennison, Daily Mail "[How to Clone a Mammoth] is at once an account of the state of the technology, a sketch of how to proceed, a barrage of as-yet unanswerable questions and a manifesto... The science is fascinating."--Olivia Judson, Financial Times "This charming volume is a how-to book with a vengeance."--Brian Bethune, Maclean's "Shapiro... who actually works on the de-extinction of the passenger pigeon and the mammoth, aims to separate science from science fiction. She succeeds brilliantly. This book is likely to prove the definitive guide for non-specialists to the science of de-extinction for some time to come... Shapiro explores the vital questions surrounding the whole subject of de-extinction with great clarity... Shapiro is an acute, lively, sceptical and nuanced writer"--Caspar Henderson, Spectator Shapiro's thought-provoking book offers excitement and wonder - but also comes with a warning. We must think carefully, not just about how we can achieve this incredible scientific feat, but also about where it is likely to have the most positive (or least negative) impact, and why it is worth the investment and associated risks. [ ... ] While Shapiro's message throughout How to Clone a Mammoth is unarguably one of caution, she finishes on a hopeful (and awesome) thought: using cutting-edge technology, we might be able to resurrect life that we once thought lost to us for ever, and soon. She paints a scientifically accurate yet magical world where Pleistocene giants might roam the Arctic tundra once again, and where we have the chance to undo some past mistakes - as long as we remember to keep looking towards the future."--Tiffany Taylor, Times Higher Education "[C]lear and fascinating ... Shapiro explains complex molecular biology clearly. It really comes alive ... When she describes her own expeditions."--Shaoni Bhattacharya, New Scientist "Shapiro's book is a thoughtful how-to guide for the painstaking process of reviving not just mammoths but passenger pigeons and other lost species. Her aim is to separate science from science fiction by taking a critical look at proposals for bringing these animals back."--Allison, Bohac, Science News "From her front-row seat as one of the pioneers of ancient-DNA research, Shapiro explains the fieldwork, lab science, and prospective ecology involved with the so-far hypothetical endeavor."--Bob Grant, The Scientist "How To Clone A Mammoth is about as close as you get to sitting down with a nice cup of tea to have a decent chinwag with a mate about resurrecting the woolly mammoth... Refreshingly, she replaces hyperbole with humour to guide the reader through the basics of de-extinction science... that personal touch brings warmth." --Dr Tori Herridge, BBC Focus Magazine "Skilfully combining accounts of the scientific problems with ethical and practical considerations, the book is an informative and at times highly entertaining account of the life of a modern mammoth hunter... Shapiro lucidly explains all the scientific problems that Jurassic Park conveniently glossed over ... her real-life tales of mammoth hunting in the Siberian tundra ... these sections are not so much Jurassic Park as a female geneticist version of Indiana Jones."--William Hartston, Daily Express "In her new book, Shapiro offers an accessible, rigorous, I-can't-believe-it's-not-sci-fi guide to the world of de-extinction research. You can read the book as a pop primer on genetics, a field guide to future fauna, or as a roadmap to the next generation of conservation science. But reading about these mammoths and Tasmanian tigers, you start to feel that Shapiro is getting at bigger questions... [She] is a lucid, relaxed, and often hilarious guide to the strange world of people who try to resurrect dead species."--Michael Schulson, Religion Dispatches "[Beth Shapiro's] book exposes the fallacies in our thinking about such activities, as well as the real possibilities and even potential values of restoring some extinct species. This is not a silly book; rather, it is a serious story well told and a fun read."--Buffalo News "[Shapiro] has skillfully blended cutting edge science with an overview of the ramifications that resurrecting lost fauna might have for the restoration of declining ecosystems."--Everything Dinosaur Blog "[W]arm and accessible ... Shapiro's informal approach, peppered with deadpan asides, is a welcome change from the hyperbole and grandstanding that have come to characterise popular debates on rewilding and de-extinction... The open-hearted simplicity of How to Clone a Mammoth provides a great entry point for people who want to join in [the conversation]."--Tori Herridge, Literary Review "I found this book to be an entertaining and deeply informative read that captures the complexity of both the science and the broader issues raised very well. The next time a film about rampaging Jurassic reptiles is on offer, you could instead settle in with this book and the beverage of your choice and learn about the true potential for species resurrection. Popcorn optional."--A. Rus Hoelzel, Science "Shapiro's book is fascinating."--The Irish Examiner "This book is an excellent introduction to the emergent science of de-extinction. Shapiro is a gifted writer who makes a complex subject accessible to readers with little science acumen... The beauty of this work is in its honesty: Shapiro, who is invested in this science as a practitioner, does not attempt to woo the masses. She takes the ethical concerns head on, not as an advocate but as an honest broker."--Choice "Beth Shapiro is an evolutionary biologist who specialises in ancient DNA... Who better to take us through the technological developments and evidentiary likelihood of recreating extinct species? [A] well-written factual summary ... playfully set out."--David Callahan, Birdwatch "Shapiro has done an excellent job."--Ian Simmons, Fortean Times "Beth Shapiro's 'how-to' manual couldn't be more timely."--New Scientist, a New Scientist best reads from 2015 selection "This book is careful, accessible, and thoughtful. The author is cautiously enthusiastic about de-extinction research, but she is also very realistic about the challenges and gives serious attention to some of the objections. The volume conveys a sense of excitement about the science, but without the uncritical techno-optimism that one sees in many popular articles."--Derek D. Turner, Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPrologue ix Chapter 1 Reversing Extinction 1 Chapter 2 Select a Species 17 Chapter 3 Find a Well-Preserved Specimen 51 Chapter 4 Create a Clone 73 Chapter 5 Breed Them Back 99 Chapter 6 Reconstruct the Genome 109 Chapter 7 Reconstruct Part of the Genome 125 Chapter 8 Now Create a Clone 141 Chapter 9 Make More of Them 159 Chapter 10 Set Them Free 175 Chapter 11 Should We? 189 Acknowledgments 209 Notes 211 Index 213
£18.00
Ebury Publishing Forensic Casebook
Book SynopsisThis title, filled with case studies, illustrations and photographs, draws on interviews with police personnel and forensic scientists to uncover the vast and detailed under-workings of criminal investigation. Topics covered include: the stages of a body's decay and criminal science career paths.Trade ReviewThe Famous Five would have cracked their cases sooner if they had packed this in their haversacks. The budding crime writer will reach for it when writing a police procedural. * The Times *The ultimate guide to the art of detection * Crime Time *
£17.99
Vintage Publishing The Weather Experiment
Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller. An astonishing account of the sailors, scientists and inventors who sought to understand the weather.**Book of the Week on Radio 4**''Gripping'' The Times''Exhilarating'' Sunday TimesIn an age when a storm was evidence of God's wrath, pioneering meteorologists had to fight against convention and religious dogma to realise their ambitions. But buoyed by the achievements of the Enlightenment, a generation of mavericks set out to unlock the secrets of the atmosphere. Meet Luke Howard, the first to classify the clouds, Francis Beaufort, quantifier of the winds, James Glaisher, explorer of the upper atmosphere by way of a hot air balloon, Samuel Morse, whose electric telegraph gave scientists the means by which to transmit weather warnings, and at the centre of it all Admiral Robert FitzRoy: master sailor, scientific pioneer and founder of the Met Office. Peter MoTrade ReviewRichly researched, exciting... It is both scientific and cultural history, of prizewinning potential and as fresh and exhilarating throughout as a strong sea breeze. -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Superbly researched and grippingly written... Moore is at least as interested in the personalities and their rivalries, and the sheer spendour and catastrophies of weather itself - storms and shipwrecks, heatwaves and floods (all vividly described) - as by the science. And he weaves it together, deftly picking up threads left dangling in earlier chapters, darting across continents, embracing swashbuckling sea captains and fastidious bureaucrats, penny-pinching politians and mad inventors, with as sharp an eye for eccentricity, absurdity and tragedy as for genius. The result is a panorama of the entire Victorian era. -- Richard Morrison * The Times *The Weather Experiment is a genuinely gripping read and demonstrates how scientific ideas can come ahead of the time -- Gavin Pretor, 4 stars * Mail on Sunday *Moore is the rare science writer who can describe dew point so poetically you feel you’re with him in a twinkling field of white clover on a cool summer morning… Evocative and full of wisdom for modern times. -- New York Times Book ReviewThe Weather Experiment is not the first book to have been written about FitzRoy…but Moore’s achievement is to imbue him and his work with palpable narrative life, while surrounding him with a large supporting cast of contemporaries * The Times Literary Supplement *A skilful, detailed account of a complex story, in which scientific advances are far from inevitable in a world of flawed humans and bad luck... Moore's engaging, often surprising work of storytelling, written with such care and pleasure, is a fine tribute -- Daniel Hahn * Spectator *Impressive -- Ben East * Guardian Weekly *Thought-provoking… Rich and informative … Arnold Toynbee once railed against the view that ‘History is just one damned thing after another’. Recording weather data day in, day out must feel like one damn temperature reading after another. Yet Moore has skilfully converted decades of routine monotony into a gripping tale of derring-do. -- Patricia Fara * Literary Review, Book of the Month *Elegantly constructed … The Weather Experiment surprises constantly, often by weaving together the famous and the obscure -- Mike Jay * Wall St Journal *Prepare for turbulence in this history of Britain’s seminal contribution to weather forecasting * Nature *This biography is an impressive achievement -- 4 stars * BBC Focus *Moore’s enthusiasm for his subject and the astonishing audacity of those long ago storm chasers make the book a deeply enjoyable read. * Daily Beast *Moore writes about this band of ad hoc scientists with brio, and it’s hard not to be awed and charmed by their united quest to prove that earth’s atmosphere was not chaotic beyond comprehension, that it could be studied, understood and, ultimately, predicted … Detailed and insightful, this book is as relevant as ever in this era of rapid climate change. * Kirkus Reviews *Rich and enlightening, I’ll never look at a dewy morning in the same way again. -- Sarah BakewellFor illuminating a byway of scientific history that many scarcely knew existed we must thank Peter Moore, whose superbly researched an grippingly written book is more than a dusty account of early meteorologists -- Richard Morrison * The Times *
£15.29
WW Norton & Co The Bonobo and the Atheist
Book SynopsisIn this lively and illuminating discussion of his landmark research, esteemed primatologist Frans de Waal argues that human morality is not imposed from above but instead comes from within. Moral behavior does not begin and end with religion but is in fact a product of evolution.Trade Review"Frans de Waal’s new book carries the important message that human kindness is a biological feature of our species and not something that has to be imposed on us by religious teaching." -- Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape"De Waal’s decades of patient work documenting the ‘building blocks’ of morality in other animals has revolutionized not just primatology but moral psychology. By revealing our commonalities with other species, he gives us more compassion for them and also for ourselves. It’s impossible to look an ape in the eye and not see oneself, de Waal tells us, and this beautifully written book is one long riveting gaze." -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion"Frans de Waal offers us a wealth of inspiring observations from the animal realm, combined with thoughtful reflections on the evolution of morality. He makes a convincing case for the natural foundations of a secular ethics that is fully independent of religion without being dogmatically against it." -- Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist monk, scientist, and author of Happiness and The Quantum and the Lotus"The perpetual challenge to atheists is that moral behavior requires religion—all that prevents tsunamis of depravity is a deity or two, some nice hymns, and the threat of hellfire and damnation. De Waal shows that human morality is deeply rooted in our primate legacy, long predating the invention of that cultural gizmo called religion. This is an immensely important book by one of our most distinguished thinkers." -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and Monkeyluv"A well-composed argument for the biological foundations of human morality." -- Kirkus Reviews"This is a writer marshaling the evidence of his life, particularly his life as a scientist, to express a passionately held belief in the possibility of a more compassionate society." -- Meehan Crist - New Republic"A primatologist who has spent his career studying chimpanzees and bonobos, two of humanity’s closest living relatives, Mr. de Waal draws on a lifetime of empirical research. His data provides plenty of evidence that religion is not necessary in order for animals to display something that looks strikingly like human morality." -- The Economist
£19.79
Penguin Putnam Inc A Troublesome Inheritance
Book Synopsis
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers Eureka An Infographic Guide to Science
Book Synopsis Discover how the world really works in this spectacular journey through space and time that shows the fundamentals of science in groundbreaking visuals, from the Big Bang to Artificial Intelligence. Trade ReviewPraise for Eureka!: ‘A remarkable book … taking an original approach.’ popsciencebooks.blogspot.co.uk
£21.25
HarperCollins Publishers Rosalind Franklin
Book SynopsisThe untold story of the woman who helped to make one of humanity's greatest discoveries DNA but who was never given credit for doing so.Our dark lady is leaving us next week.' On 7 March 1953 Maurice Wilkins of King's College, London, wrote to Francis Crick at the Cavendish laboratories in Cambridge to say that as soon as his obstructive female colleague was gone from King''s, he, Crick, and James Watson, a young American working with Crick, could go full speed ahead with solving the structure of the DNA molecule that lies in every gene. Not long after, the pair whose names will be forever linked announced to the world that they had discovered the secret of life.But could Crick and Watson have done it without the dark lady'? In two years at King's, Franklin had made major contributions to the understanding of DNA. She established its existence in two forms, she worked out the position of the phosphorous atoms in its backbone. Most crucially, using X-ray techniques that may have contr
£13.49
HarperCollins Publishers Isaac Newton
Book SynopsisFrom one of the best writers on science, a remarkable portrait of Isaac Newton. The man who changed our understanding of the universe, of science, and of faith.Isaac Newton was the chief architect of the modern world. He answered the ancient philosophical riddles of light and motion; he effectively discovered gravity; he salvaged the terms time', space', motion' and place' from the haze of everyday language, standardized them and married them, each to the other, constructing an edifice that made knowledge a thing of substance: quantative and exact. Creation, Newton demonstrated, unfolds from simple rules, patterns iterated over unlimited distances.What Newton learned remains the essence of what we know. Newton's laws are our laws. When we speak of momentum, of forces and masses, we are seeing the world as Newtonians. When we seek mathematical laws for economic cycles and human behaviour, we stand on Newton's shoulders. Our very deeming the universe as solvable is his legacy.This was thTrade Review'The book has the magic of a wonderful laboratory experiment…A masterpiece of clarity – so difficult to write, so easy to read.' Michael Holroyd 'A fresh and brilliant portrait of his personality and life, the people who mattered to him, the influences which played on him, and the contexts of his achievements.' Oliver Sacks 'After reading Jim Gleick's beautifully written and intimate portrait of Newton, I felt as is I'd spent an evening by the fire with that complex and troubled genius.' Alan Lightman 'It's beautifully paced and very stylishly written: compact, atmospheric, elegant. It offers a brilliant and engaging study in the paradoxes of the scientific imagination' Richard Holmes
£10.44
University of California Press The Drunken Monkey
Book SynopsisAlcoholism, as opposed to the safe consumption of alcohol, remains a major public health issue. In this accessible book, Robert Dudley presents an intriguing evolutionary interpretation to explain the persistence of alcohol-related problems. Providing a deep-time, interdisciplinary perspective on today's patterns of alcohol consumption and abuse, Dudley traces the link between the fruit-eating behavior of arboreal primates and the evolution of the sensory skills required to identify ripe and fermented fruits that contain sugar and low levels of alcohol. In addition to introducing this new theory of the relationship of humans to alcohol, the book discusses the supporting research, implications of the hypothesis, and the medical and social impacts of alcoholism. The Drunken Monkey is designed for interested readers, scholars, and students in comparative and evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, medicine, and public health.Trade Review"Persuasive and engaging." Library Journal "Well constructed and clearly written." Nature "The well-organized, highly informative, and lucidly detailed work is an example of excellent scientific writing." CHOICE "Fascinating." -- Max Allen The Australian "Clear and engaging." -- Richard Wrangham The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Prologue Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. The Fruits of Fermentation 3. On the Inebriation of Elephants 4. Aping About in the Forest 5. A First-Rate Molecule 6. Alcoholics Aren't Anonymous 7. Winos in the Mist Postscript Sources and Recommended Reading Index
£25.50
Thames & Hudson Ltd When Life Nearly Died
Book SynopsisThe greatest mass extinction in Earths history happened some 251 million years ago. In this cataclysm at least 90 per cent of life was killed, both on land and in the sea, almost bringing evolution to a halt. What caused destruction on such an unimaginable scale? Was it the impact of a huge meteorite, or prolonged volcanic eruption in Siberia?Trade Review'A superb book that tells a gripping tale … a dénouement worthy of Hercule Poirot' - The Times Higher Education Supplement'Brings back to Earth Science a sense of adventure ... it is both a wonderfully good read and a valued reference' - James Lovelock, author of GaiaTable of ContentsPrologue: The Geological Time-scale • Chapter 1: Antediluvian Sauria • Chapter 2: Murchison Names the Permian • Chapter 3: The Death of Catastrophism • Chapter 4: The Concept that Dared Not Speak Its Name • Chapter 5: Impact! • Chapter 6: Diversity, Extinction and Mass Extinction • Chapter 7: Homing in on the Event • Chapter 8: Life’s Biggest Challenge • Chapter 9: A Tale of Two Continents • Chapter 10: On the River Sakmara • Chapter 11: What Caused the Biggest Catastrophe of all Time? • Chapter 12: Recovery from the Bring • Chapter 13: The Sixth Mass Extinction?
£19.12
Oxford University Press The History of Chemistry
Book SynopsisThis Very Short Introduction maps the historical development of chemistry from man's earliest exploration in the Stone Age to the nanotechnology of today's materials science. In this succinct but comprehensive overview Brock balances the approaches to - and interpretations of - the subject, revealing chemistry's rich and diverse history.Trade ReviewWriting a short book about a long history is not easy; but it would be hard to think of anybody more qualified to do it than Bill Brock. * David Knight, Annals of Science *Writing a concise introduction to this subject which, at the same time, should be accessible to the general reader, is therefore a task which is not to be underestimated. William Brock, one of the most accomplished scholars of the subject, demonstrates with this book that he is more than capable of the task. * British Journal of the History of Science *I can thoroughly recommend this brief tour of our all-embracing science. * Chemistry World *Brock manages to make a very dull and dense subject both attractive and interesting - something I could never accuse my old Chemistry teacher of doing. * Stephen Craggs, Northern Echo *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; EPILOGUE
£9.49
Oxford University Press Tall Tales about the Mind and Brain Separating Fact from Fiction
Book SynopsisDoes listening to Mozart make us more intelligent? Is there such a thing as a gay gene? Does the size of the brain matter? Does the moon influence our behaviour? Can we communicate with the dead? Can graphology tell us anything about a person''s character? Is the human brain clonable? What role do dreams have in cognition? Can mind conquer matter and diseases? Are out-of-body experiences possible? Can we trust our intuitions? To some, the answer to all these questions might well be a resounding ''no'', but to many people these represent serious beliefs about the mind and brain - beliefs that drive their everyday behaviour, beliefs that cost them huge amounts of money. Whole industries have developed founded on these dubious claims about the mind and brain. Even major corporations have dabbled with assessment methods such as those advocated by graphology, accepting and rejecting candidates on the basic of their handwriting. Expectant parents buy books and tapes by the dozen showing themTrade Review...this book is so well written and balanced that it will make for enriching and entertaining reading for readers at any level. It manages to have a scientific foundation, yet presents clinically intriguing and practical, relevant cases. It is refreshing to see a group of authors put together a critical analysis of the rampant misinformation that thrives in popular culture. * Doody's Notes *...this book is a lot of fun and hugely informative. * Journal of Consciousness Studies *Table of ContentsPART I - WHERE DO TALL TALES ABOUT THE MIND AND THE BRAIN COME FROM? ; Introduction - the myth of 10% and other tall tales about the mind and the brain ; 1. Cognitive factors underlying paranormal beliefs and experiences ; 2. Critically thinking about paranormal belief ; 3. The magic in the brain; how conjuring works to deceive our minds ; PART II - TALL TALES ON MEMORY AND LEARNING ; 4. The legend of the magical number seven ; 5. Setting the record (or video camera) straight on memory: the video camera model of memory and other memory myths ; 6. The myth of the incredible eyewitness ; 7. We've got the whole child witness thing figured out, or do we? ; PART III - TALL TALES ON INTELLIGENCE ; 8. Is bigger really better? The search for brain size and intelligence in the 21st century ; 9. Biology and intelligence: the race/IQ controversy ; 10. The refined Mozart effect: let's enjoy the music ; 11. The powers and perils of intuuition ; 12. Creative thinking: the mystery myth ; PART IV - TALL TALES ON LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION ; 13. The more, the merrier: facts and beliefs about the bilingual mind ; 14. The Merry Vibes of Wintzer: the tale of foreign accent syndrome ; 15. Talking with the dead, communicating with the future and other myths created by cold reading ; 16. Graphology - a total write-off ; 17. The truth about deception ; PART V - TALL TALES ON THE BRAIN ; 18. The dual-brain myth ; 19. The neurology of the weird: brain states and anamalous experience ; 20. The myth of the clonable human brain ; 21. Out on a limb: neglect and confabulation in the study of aplasic phantoms ; 22. Imagery and blindness ; 23. Something wicked this way comes: causes and interpretations of sleep paralysis ; PART VI - TALL TALES ON THE MIND ; 24. The power of the full moon. Running on empty? ; 25. Ouija, dowsing, and other seductions of ideomotor action ; 26. Inducing out-of-body experiences ; 27. Can mind conquer cancer? ; 28. The elusive search for a "gay gene" ; 29. To sleep, perchance to REM? The rediscovered role of emotion and meaning in dreams
£65.00
Vintage Publishing Shadows Of The Mind
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 *
£13.49
Oxford University Press Gaia
Book SynopsisIn this classic work that continues to inspire many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that the Earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence in support of a radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that life is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the Earth's living matter influences air, ocean, and rock to form a complex, self-regulating system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, Jim Lovelock's hypothesis has become a hotly debated topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this edition, he outlines his view of the present state of the debate. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewDaring, exciting, original. * Scientific American *Jim Lovelock, a man as inventive and ingenious as he is lively and unorthodox, places a daring hypothesis before the general reader, a kind of geochemical myth for our time.. [His book] is the exciting personal argument of an original thinker caught in wonder. It wins and repays attention. * Scientific American *Lovelock writes beautifully. A book that is both original and well written is indeed a bonus. Only a genius thinks of the obvious, and Lovelock deserves to be described as a genius. * New Scientist *The breath-taking sweep of his central idea - that the earth is a living, self-regulating organism - poses the most dramatic challenge to scientists, politicians, and environmentalists. * Jonathon Porritt *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Introductory 2: In the beginning 3: The recognition of Gaia 4: Cybernetics 5: The contemporary atmosphere 6: The sea 7: Gaia and Man: the problem of pollution 8: Living within Gaia 9: Epilogue Definitions and explanations of terms Further reading
£9.97
Pan Macmillan The Island of the Colourblind
Book SynopsisOliver Sacks was born in 1933 in London and was educated at Queen's College, Oxford. He completed his medical training at San Francisco's Mount Zion Hospital and at UCLA before moving to New York, where he soon encountered the patients whom he would write about in his book Awakenings.Dr Sacks spent almost fifty years working as a neurologist and wrote many books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Musicophilia, and Hallucinations, about the strange neurological predicaments and conditions of his patients. The New York Times referred to him as 'the poet laureate of medicine', and over the years he received many awards, including honours from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. His memoir, On the Move, was published shortly before his death in August 2015.Trade ReviewThis is a wonderful book, made better by Sacks' exceptionally gentle descriptions of patients. He also captures the unimaginable sadness of the Pacific. * Spectator *There is no one at the present time who writes like Oliver Sacks . . . He is a superb clinician who can take a seemingly arid and obscure medical condition, and convert it into a moving, personal odyssey, a testament of tenacity, courage and will. * Literary Review *Dr Sacks is an elegant and beguiling writer, and when he describes a condition such as achromatopsia (total colour-blindness), he is not content merely to describe it from the outside, but he tries to imagine what the world is like to a person with the condition. * Sunday Telegraph *
£9.89
Oxford University Press Game Theory
Book SynopsisGames are played everywhere: from economics and online auctions to social interactions, and game theory is about how to play such games in a rational way, and how to maximize their outcomes. This VSI reveals, without mathematical equations, the insights the theory can bring to everything from how to play poker optimally to the sex ratio among bees.Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. The Name of the Game ; 2. Chance ; 3. Time ; 4. Convention ; 5. Reciprocity ; 6. Information ; 7. Auctions ; 8. Biology ; 9. Bargaining and Coalitions ; 10. Puzzles and Paradoxes
£9.49
Oxford University Press Reactions
Book SynopsisPeter Atkins captures the heart of chemistry in this book, through an innovative, closely integrated design of images and text, and his characteristically clear, precise, and economical exposition. Explaining the processes involved in chemical reactions, he begins by introducing a ''tool kit'' of basic reactions, such as precipitation, corrosion, and catalysis, and concludes by showing how these building blocks are brought together in more complex processes such as photosynthesis, to provide a concise and intellectually rewarding introduction to the private life of atoms.Trade Reviewthe perfect antidote to science phobia. * Booklist *Table of ContentsPREFACE; A PRELIMINARY COMMENT: WATER; THE BASIC TOOLS; ASSEMBLING THE WORKSHOP; BUILDING FOR DESIGN; A RETROSPECTIVE: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER; GLOSSARY; INDEX
£13.49
Oxford University Press Life Unfolding
Book SynopsisHow can something as complex as a human body create itself from a single fertilized egg? Drawing on ideas from physics and network theory as well as genetics and embryology, Jamie Davies describes the fascinating picture emerging from the latest research, in which complexity builds up through 'adaptive self-organization'.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition A demanding but wonder-filled account of the simple interactions that create complex structures * New Scientist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements ; Ethical Statement ; Introduction ; 1. Confronting an alien technology ; 2. From one cell to many ; 3. Making a difference ; 4. Laying down a body plan ; 5. Beginning a brain ; 6. Long division ; 7. Fateful conversations ; 8. Great migrations ; 9. Plumbing ; 10. Organizing organs ; 11. Taking up arms ; 12. The Y and how ; 13. Wired ; 14. Dying to be human ; 15. Making your mind up ; 16. A sense of proportion ; 17. Making friends and facing enemies ; 18. Maintenance mode ; 19. Perspectives ; Glossary ; Further reading ; References
£11.69
Oxford University Press Civil Engineering
Book SynopsisCivil engineering produces the structures of all human settlements worldwide and is a vital discipline for many aspects modern life, underlying housing, transport, and our major areas and buildings related to work, study, and leisure.In this Very Short Introduction, David Muir Wood demonstrates the nature and importance of civil engineering not only in the history of civilization and urbanization, but its range of facets today, and its challenges for the future. Beginning with the challenge of creating a settlement on a deserted island, which sets out the problems that civil engineers need to solve, he looks at the social and environmental considerations as well as the science, technology, and craft of building bridges, tunnels, houses, and areas of recreation.He highlights the lives of some major civil engineers, including Brunel and Bazalgette, considers the challenges of managing water and energy, and looks at our increasing sensitivity to building and the environment. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Civil engineering ; 2. Materials of civil engineering ; 3. Water and waste ; 4. 'Directing the great sources of power in nature' ; 5. Concept - technology - realisation ; 6. Robustness ; 7. The future ; Further reading
£9.49
John Murray Press What If 10th Anniversary Edition
Book SynopsisSPECIAL UPDATED 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE MILLION-SELLING POP SCIENCE CLASSICWHAT IF... one man decided to answer all the unanswerable questions, using science. ''Randall Munroe is nerd royalty'' BEN GOLDACRE ''Brilliant'' ROLLING STONE''Smart answers to silly questions: Munroe reveals all'' GUARDIAN''Required reading'' NEW YORK TIMESRandall Munroe is the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com. His readers ask him a lot of strange questions: What would happen if absolutely everyone jumped at the same time? How could we build a Lego bridge between London and New York?What if my DNA vanished?How long could a submarine last in space?What are the odds of meeting my soulmate?In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults everyone from a
£22.50
HarperCollins Publishers Survivors
Book SynopsisAn awe-inspiring journey through the eons and across the globe in search of visible traces of evolution in the living creatures that have survived from earlier times.In this groundbreaking book, prize-winning science writer Richard Fortey chronicles life's history not through the fossil record, but through the stories of organisms that have survived, almost unchanged, through geological time.Fortey takes us on a journey to ancient worlds: on a moonlit beach in Delaware where the horseshoe crab shuffles its way through a violent romance, we catch a glimpse of life 450 million years ago. Along a stretch of Australian coastline, we bear witness to the sights and sounds that would have greeted a Precambrian dawn. And, in the dense rainforests of New Zealand, where the secretive velvet worm burrows into the rotting timber of the jungle floor, we marvel at a living fossil which has survived unchanged since before the break-up of Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent, over 150 million years agTrade Review‘I was thrilled by Survivors…. Reading Richard Fortey is always pure pleasure.’ Bill Bryson ‘Fortey has a unique way with the most humble of lifeforms and an infectious curiosity that can slide into near rapture’ Evening Standard ‘An epic, globe-circling scientific adventure story … intriguing. Entertaining, accessible and intensely stimulating – and highly recommended’ Sunday Times ‘A great story, and no one is better equipped than Fortey to tell it. Excellent natural history’ Guardian ‘Unequivocally my book of the year, a happy mix of global travel, high art and very low life’ Tim Radford, Books of the Year, Guardian ‘An elegant celebration’ TLS
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd Alien Earths
Book SynopsisFor thousands of years, humans have wondered whether we're alone in the cosmos. Now, for the first time, we have the technology to investigate. The question should have an obvious answer: yes or no. But once you try to find life elsewhere, you realize it is not so simple. How do you find it over cosmic distances? What actually is life?As founding director of Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute, astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger built a team of tenacious scientists from many disciplines to create a uniquely specialized toolkit to find life on faraway worlds. In Alien Earths, she demonstrates how we can use our homeworld as a Rosetta Stone, creatively analyzing Earth's history and its astonishing biosphere to inform this search. With infectious enthusiasm, she takes us on an eye-opening journey to the most unusual exoplanets that have shaken our worldview - planets covered in oceans of lava, lonely wanderers lost in space, and others with more than one sun in their sky! And the best contenders for Alien Earths. We also see the imagined worlds of science fiction and how close they come to reality. We live in an incredible new epoch of exploration. As our witty and knowledgeable tour guide, Professor Kaltenegger shows how we discover not merely new continents, like the explorers of old, but whole new worlds circling other stars and how we could spot life there. Worlds from where aliens may even be gazing back at us. What if we're not alone?
£10.44
Orion Publishing Co Time Travel In Einsteins Universe
Book SynopsisOne of the world''s most outstanding astrophysicists provides a state-of-the-art investigation into the possibility of time travel.Human beings have a strong desire to travel through time. Although scientists are not yet taking out patents on a time machine, they are investigating whether it is possible under the laws of physics. In Newton''s three-dimensional world this would have been inconceivable. But with Einstein''s theory of relativity a fourth dimension time enters the frame. Is it really inconceivable that we can travel along the timeline?In this book Richard Gott offers an intellectually expansive, witty and engaging study of the viability of time travel, which takes us from the dream of time travel itself in H. G. Wells''s path-breaking novel THE TIME MACHINE to cutting-edge research into astrophysics and quantum teleportation. He explores the scientific, social and moral implications of time travel, and looks at recent remarkable experiments in whi
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Great Auk
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£18.00
Adventures Unlimited Press Cataclysms of the Earth: The Hab Theory Reloaded
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£16.58
Headline Publishing Group Flight
Book SynopsisFlight is the story of humankind''s most ambitious undertaking. From thousand-year-old flying machines and the trailblazing ''birdmen'' who risked their lives to test them, to the Wright brothers'' legendary first flight and the iconic spacecraft of the modern era, Flight weaves together the extraordinary history of aviation with an in-depth look at the mechanics of how planes work. Sumptuously illustrated and written by a former RAF technician, this is the definitive guide to how we conquered the skies.
£27.00
Oneworld Publications Breakfast with Einstein: The Exotic Physics of
Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year From the author of the international bestseller How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog Your humble alarm clock, digital cameras, the smell of coffee, the glow of a grill, fibre broadband, smoke detectors… all hold secrets about quantum physics. Beginning at sunrise, Chad Orzel reveals the extraordinary science that underpins the simplest activities we all do every day, from making toast to shopping online. It’s all around us, the wonderful weirdness of quantum – you just have to know where to look.Trade Review‘[A] fine example of scientific passion.’ * Sunday Times, Books of the Year *‘Informative and friendly.’ * New York Times *‘Physics is everywhere and in everything, and no one explains physics better than Chad Orzel. This book is a meal for your mind.’ -- John Scalzi, author of The Rough Guide to the Universe‘Orzel is the perfect guide to the world of atoms and photons, demonstrating that even our morning breakfast rituals are not possible without the wonders of modern physics.’ -- James Kakalios, author of The Physics of Superheroes and The Physics of Everyday Things‘As Chad Orzel wonderfully shows in Breakfast with Einstein, a full gamut of our commonplace daily activities – from boiling water [on the stove]…to taking and exchanging photos with our electronic cameras and phones – depends on quantum rules… A must-read for anyone fascinated with how the quantum revolution explains how things work.’ -- Paul Halpern, author of The Quantum Labyrinth
£9.49
Princeton University Press Mrs. Perkinss Electric Quilt
Book SynopsisWhat does quilting have to do with electric circuit theory? This book presents an exploration of some of the many ways that math and physics combine to create something vastly more powerful, useful, and interesting than either is by itself.Trade Review"Mrs. Perkins's Electric Quilt is a great book for anyone interested in the connections between mathematics and physics. Along the way, Nahin, author of many popular math books, shares many historical anecdotes about the problems and the people who studied them... A teacher of general physics or introductory calculus will find many interesting discussions that can be included in an introductory course."--Choice "Overall, this book is a really fun read. The combination of mathematics applied to real physics problems and the historical fabric within which they are woven proved a winner for me. I could write more about this volume, but I think I'll quit here--I want to get to work on some of the challenge problems."--Barry R. Holstein, American Journal of Physics "This book shows mathematics and physics at their very best, united to explore fascinating phenomena with astonishing results."--Linda Kallam, Mathematics TeacherTable of ContentsFor the Reader xi Preface xiii Chapter 1: Three Examples of the Mutual Embrace 1 1.1 Unphysical Laws 1 1.2 When Math Goes Wrong 6 1.3 Math from Physics 13 Chapter 2: Measuring Gravity 18 2.1 First, a Little Theory 18 2.2 Out in the Author's Garage 21 Chapter 3: Feynman's Infinite Circuit 24 3.1 An Infinity of Resistors 24 3.2 An Infinity of Reactances, and Recursion 27 3.3 Convergence--or Not? 32 3.4 Three More Infinite, All-Resistor Networks 36 Chapter 4: Air Drag--A Mathematical View 44 4.1 Air Drag Treated Broadly 44 4.2 Air Drag Treated with Some Detail 51 Chapter 5: Air Drag--A Physical View 62 5.1 The Quadratic Force Law 62 5.2 Long Falls through a Real Atmosphere 70 Chapter 6: Really Long Falls 82 6.1 Falling into the Sun 82 6.2 Falling from Heaven to Hell 86 Chapter 7: The Zeta Function--and Physics 94 7.1 A Curious Double Integral 94 7.2 Fourier Series and the Zeta Function 95 7.3 The Zeta Function in Physics 100 Chapter 8: Ballistics--With No Air Drag (Yet) 107 8.1 Shooting a Cannon in a Vacuum 107 8.2 What Makes a Champion Shot-Putter? 112 8.3 Another Cannon Question 116 Chapter 9: Ballistics--With Air Drag 120 9.1 Thin Air Cannot Be Ignored! 120 9.2 Air Drag and Baseball 126 Chapter 10: Gravity and Newton 136 10.1 The Beginnings of Modern Gravity 136 10.2 Newton's Superb Theorems 140 10.3 The Moon Test and Blowing-Up Planets 148 10.4 A Surprising Gravity Calculation 152 10.5 Gravitational Contraction 157 Chapter 11: Gravity Far Above the Earth 170 11.1 Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion 170 11.2 Weighing the Planets 175 Chapter 12: Gravity Inside the Earth 186 12.1 Newton's Experiment 186 12.2 Gravity Inside the Earth 191 12.3 Pressure at the Center of the Earth 200 12.4 Travel Inside the Earth 203 12.5 Epilogue 209 Chapter 13: Quilts & Electricity 215 13.1 Recreational Mathematics 215 13.2 Electric Quilts 220 13.3 Three Impossibility Proofs 225 Chapter 14: Random Walks 233 14.1 Ronald Ross and the Flight of Mosquitoes 233 14.2 Karl Pearson Formulates a Famous Problem 236 14.3 Gambler's Ruin 241 14.4 The Monte Carlo Method 245 Chapter 15: Two More Random Walks 261 15.1 Brownian Motion 261 15.2 Shrinking Walks 269 Chapter 16: Nearest Neighbors 285 16.1 Cannibals Can Be Fun! 285 16.2 Neighbors Beyond the Nearest 291 16.3 What Happens When We Have Lots of Cannibals 294 16.4 Serious Physics 296 Chapter 17: One Last Random Walk 299 17.1 Resistor Mathematics 299 17.2 Electric Walks 301 17.3 Monte Carlo Circuit Simulation 305 17.4 Symmetry, Superposition, and Resistor Circuits 313 Chapter 18: The Big Noise 321 18.1 An Interesting Textbook Problem 321 18.2 The Polar Equations of the Big-Noise Flight 322 18.3 The Acceleration on a Big-Noise Flight Path 328 SOLUTIONS TO THE CHALLENGE PROBLEMS 333 SPECIAL BONUS DISCUSSION 371 Warning: Do Not Read before Reading Disscussion 17 373 Chapter 19: Electricity in the Fourth Dimension 373 19.1 The Tesseract 373 19.2 Connecting a Tesseract Resistor Cube 376 Acknowledgments 385 Index 387
£21.25
National Geographic Society Apollo
Book SynopsisCelebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo missions to the moon, this collection features 50 key artifacts from the Smithsonian archives from the groundbreaking space exploration program of the 1960s. Bold photographs, fascinating graphics, and engaging stories celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 20th century's most important space endeavor: NASA's Apollo missions to the moon. From inflight exercise straps to an emergency oxygen mask and astronaut-selected mix tapes, this carefully curated array of objects--complete with intriguing backstories and profiles of key participants--animates the historic space exploration program that landed humans on the moon, advanced the world's understanding of space travel and our solar system, and revolutionized our sense of humanity's place in the universe.Trade Review“But this book is, in fact, much more than a compendium of gorgeous photographs of iconic objects in stasis. Through her particular selection of non-obvious, non-iconic objects, Muir-Harmony gestures to the stories and backstories that haven’t been told about the Apollo mission…this tangible object, her book, is a fine place to begin to understand Apollo.” –Los Angeles Review of Books“The moon landing is a matter of public memory, which is another way of saying that it’s contested history. In 1971, Collins became the director of the Smithsonian’s National Air Museum, overseeing the addition of “Space” to its name in 1976, and he provides the introduction to APOLLO TO THE MOON: A History in 50 Objects…” –The New York Times“This remarkable book by Teasel Muir-Harmony, a curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, tells the story of the technical and human aspects of the Apollo program through a series of objects…From the forward by Michael Collins, command module pilot on Apollo 11, to the closing comments of Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot on the same mission, readers are in for a stunning ride through the familiar and the surprising.” –Physics Today "This clever and intriguing artifact key to Apollo makes the legendary missions feel human and freshly astonishing." –Booklist“The saga of NASA’s glory days, illustrated with artifacts from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.” –GeekWire “There is something here for everyone from the person who doesn't know about these missions at all to the person who is looking to fill in the spaces of their knowledge.” –Lit and Life "It is very rare for me these days to read a book in print – but for this I’m glad that I made the exception. It’s gorgeous, in its own geeky-techie-nostalgic way, and I am glad to have it on my shelves to pick up and dip into, over and over again." - Reading Reality“The entire book is beautifully done, from the photographs to the people and items that were included, each focusing on a different mission or important event, I loved looking through this book.” –Books Are My Thing“…a book to be browsed and savored.” –From the TBR Pile“I live in the town that the space program built. Most of our schools are named after either astronauts or shuttles. My husband is an aerospace engineer, my mother works for the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and we all drive past a Saturn V on a daily basis. With the space program being so much a part of my day to day life, I figured there wasn’t much this book could teach me but I was so wrong!” –I Wish I Lived in a Library
£27.00
