Science: general issues Books

Book SynopsisFinally collected in one volume, Martin Gardner's immensely popular short puzzles; along with a few new ones from the master.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2015 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARDWINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2016'A thrilling adventure story' Bill Bryson'Dazzling' Literary Review 'Brilliant' Sunday Express'Extraordinary and gripping' New Scientist'A superb biography' The Economist'An exhilarating armchair voyage' GILES MILTON, Mail on Sunday Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) is the great lost scientist - more things are named after him than anyone else. There are towns, rivers, mountain ranges, the ocean current that runs along the South American coast, there's a penguin, a giant squid - even the Mare Humboldtianum on the moon. His colourful adventures read like something out of a Boy's Own story: Humboldt explored deep into the rainforest, climbed the world's highest volcanoes and inspired princes and presidents, scientists and poets alike. Napoleon was jealous of him; Simon Bolívar's revolution was fuelled by his ideas; Darwin set sail on the Beagle because of Humboldt; and Jules Verne's Captain Nemo owned all his many books. He simply was, as one contemporary put it, 'the greatest man since the Deluge'.Taking us on a fantastic voyage in his footsteps - racing across anthrax-infected Russia or mapping tropical rivers alive with crocodiles - Andrea Wulf shows why his life and ideas remain so important today. Humboldt predicted human-induced climate change as early as 1800, and The Invention of Nature traces his ideas as they go on to revolutionize and shape science, conservation, nature writing, politics, art and the theory of evolution. He wanted to know and understand everything and his way of thinking was so far ahead of his time that it's only coming into its own now. Alexander von Humboldt really did invent the way we see nature.Trade ReviewA big, magnificent, adventurous book - so vividly written and daringly researched - a geographical pilgrimage and an intellectual epic! Brilliant, surprising, and thought-provoking . . . a major achievement * RICHARD HOLMES, author of The Age of Wonder and Coleridge *A truly wonderful book . . . Andrea Wulf has told the tale with such brio, such understanding, such depth. The physical journeyings, all around South America when it was virtually terra incognita, are as exciting as the journeys of Humboldt's mind into astronomy, literature, philosophy and every known branch of science. This is one of the most exciting intellectual biographies I have ever read, up there with Lewes's Goethe and Ray Monk's Wittgenstein * A N Wilson *Andrea Wulf's marvellous book should put this captivating eighteenth century German scientist, traveller and opinion-shaper back at the heart of the way we look at the world . . . irresistible and consistently absorbing life of a man whose discoveries have shaped the way we see * MIRANDA SEYMOUR, author of Noble Endeavours: A History of England and Germany *Andrea Wulf is a writer of rare sensibilities and passionate fascinations. I always trust her to take me on unforgettable journeys through amazing histories of botanical exploration and scientific unfolding. Her work is wonderful, her language sublime, her intelligence unflagging * ELIZABETH GILBERT, author of The Signature of All Things and Eat, Pray, Love *Engrossing . . . Wulf successfully combines biography with an intoxicating history of his times * Kirkus *Extraordinary, and often still sadly relevant too * Wanderlust *The phrase 'lost hero of science' in the subtitle of [Wulf's] book is no exaggeration . . . A big book about a big subject, written with scholarship and enthusiasm * Irish Examiner *In her coruscating account, historian Andrea Wulf reveals an indefatigable adept of close observation with a gift for the long view * Nature *[A] gripping study . . . No one who reads this brilliant book is likely to forget Humboldt * New Scientist *This book sets out to restore Humboldt to his rightful place in the pantheon of natural scientists. In the process Wulf does a great deal more. This meticulously researched work - part biography, part cabinet of curiosity - takes us on an exhilarating armchair voyage through some of the world's least hospitable regions -- Giles Milton * Mail on Sunday *Thrilling . . . It is impossible to read The Invention of Nature without contracting Humboldt fever. Wulf makes Humboldtians of us all . . . At times The Invention of Nature reads like pulp explorer fiction . . . She has gone to near-Humboldtian lengths to research her book * New York Review of Books *Engrossing . . . Andrea Wulf magnificently recreates Humboldt's dazzling, complex personality and the scope of his writing * Wall Street Journal *A rollicking adventure story . . . a fascinating history of ideas, in which Wulf leads us expertly along a series of colourful threads that emanate from the great tapestry of Humboldt's life and work . . . What really fascinated me about The Invention of Nature is how relevant Humboldt's ideas are today . . . Arriving in South America, Darwin took his first steps in the tropical forest and exclaimed: "I formerly admired Humboldt, I now almost adore him". Readers of Wulf's marvellous new book may feel the same way * Financial Times *Wulf's telling of his life reads like a Who's Who of his age . . . in its mission to rescue Humboldt's reputation from the crevasse he and many other German writers and scientists fell into after the Second World War, it succeeds * Independent on Sunday *Wulf's biography is a magnificent work of resurrection, beautifully researched, elegantly written, a thrilling intellectual odyssey * Sunday Times *Wulf's brilliant biography traces [Humboldt's] daring travels in South America and across the Andes, his sojourns in Berlin, Paris and London, and the intellectual circles he moved in * Sunday Express *Andrea Wulf is clearly as passionate about this remarkable man as his peers and successors were, and she does an impressive job of capturing the scale and scope of Humboldt's substantial achievements * Press Association *In a superb biography, Andrea Wulf makes an inspired case for Alexander von Humboldt to be considered the greatest scientist of the 19th century . . . Ecologists today, Ms Wulf argues, are Humboldtians at heart. With the immense challenge of grasping the global consequences of climate change, Humboldt's interdisciplinary approach is more relevant than ever * The Economist *We all know who Darwin was because he came up with that memorable line about us all being descended from apes, but, as he himself would readily have admitted, the great man would never have arrived at his great theory had it not been for the very considerable influence of Alexander von Humboldt . . . Given the magnitude of his influence, why Humboldt isn't a household name today is a mystery . . . On the evidence of this wonderful book, however, he should be hastily added to every school syllabus in the land * Scotsman *Darwin pronounced him the greatest scientific traveller who ever lived, but the brilliant German Alexander von Humboldt left no groundbreaking theory or world-changing book. Wulf sets out to restore his diminished reputation, and has given us the most complete portrait of one of the world's most complete naturalists * Mark Cocker, The Spectator, Books of the Year *Wulf's narrative relates Humboldt's life and ideas at a good pace and with a strong eye for the details which will attract the reader's attention * TLS *Wulf imbues Humboldt's adventures there with something of the spirit of Tintin, relishing the jungles, mountains and dangerous animals at every turn . . . [she] has an unfailing ability to spot an interesting quotation or a curious situation. She is very good on the cities where Humboldt lived and the rival atmospheres of Paris and Berlin . . . a superior celebration of an adorable figure * Guardian *This ambitious book restores Humboldt to his rightful place in the pantheon of scientific history. The best chapters describe his exciting travels * Lady *Humboldt's vision became the inspiration for Darwin and a whole generation of American Romantics, including Thoreau and Poe. Humboldt, like Einstein, breathed life into Kant's transcendental unity. We still live in the world they imagined, even if few of us comprehend it * Telegraph *Wulf writes about complicated topics with lucidity and vitality. The Invention of Nature is a book of ideas, which repays careful reading. The intuitive yet systematising genius, courage and charm of Humboldt also make this a most inspiring book * The Times *Andrea Wulf's superb biography is a re-evaluation of a great lost scientist whose thinking strongly affected the way we now conceptualise nature . . . His extensive travels mean his biography is also an adventure story, and Wulf combines scrapes and the science to great effect * Independent *Read Andrea Wulf's gripping biography and you will be wowed by him too. If Humboldt doesn't win prizes I'll eat my party hat * New Scientist, Books of the Year *An absolutely stupendous biography * A.N. Wilson, Evening Standard, Books of the Year *Evocative descriptions of his expeditions . . . delightful stories . . . Wulf's stories of wilderness adventure and academic exchange flow easily, and her affection for von Humboldt is contagious * Publishers Weekly, Books of the Year *Wulf offers a highly readable account of the German scientist's monumental journey in the Americas * 100 Notable Books of 2015, New York Times *Engaging and accomplished * Sunday Times *Explorer, polymath, friend of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Jefferson and Simon Bolívar, Alexander von Humboldt was one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. His ideas are as relevant today as they ever were * The Economist, Books of the Year *The real achievement of this wonderful biography is that it is as much a rattling good read as it is an explicit attempt to revive Humboldt's reputation . . . [Wulf] offers us the most complete picture of one of most complete naturalists who has ever lived * New Statesman *Stimulating biography . . . The Invention of Nature elegantly captures a cosmopolitan who straddled the Enlightenment and Romanticism * Country Life *Colourful and engaging * Sunday Telegraph *Explorer, polymath, friend of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Jefferson and Simon Bolívar, Alexander von Humboldt was one of the greatest scientists of the 19th century. His ideas are as relevant today as they ever were * The Economist *Like Humboldt himself, The Invention of Nature, is scholarly but extremely good fun * The Times, Books of the Year *Wulf does [Humbolt] full justice, bringing his extraordinary and colourful life to a new generation. Based on enormous research, it is the first real biography of this great figure in English and it provides much fascinating detail without overloading the narrative. I can't recommend it highly enough * Morning Star *Wulf takes English speaking readers on a fulsome tour of Humboldt and those he influenced . . . She has travelled in Humboldt's footsteps and made good use of original German evidence. I have much enjoyed my eco-tour through the planet world in her company * Financial Times *In this illuminating, vivid biography, historian and writer Andrea Wulf reveals a great explorer a century or more ahead of his time . . . a cracking read * BBC Wildlife Magazine *A pleasure to read . . . Buckle up and prepare yourself for Andrea Wulf's hugely enjoyable voyage of discovery . . . [a] rip-roaring yarn * Ecologist *Full of vivid renditions of his feats, the narrow mountain paths he trod, the rapid rivers in which he almost drowned, and the exotic ailments from which he suffered . . . much more than an adventure story . . . well-informed and astute . . . among the most attractive features of The Invention of Nature is Wulf's infectious admiration for her subject * London Review of Books *Masterly * Daily Mail *A superior celebration of an adorable figure * Guardian *The decisive factor for the winning book was that it excited and gripped us as judges the most. The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf is a thrilling adventure story as much as a science book about a polymath who had an extraordinary impact on our contemporary understanding of nature. It is a book you will find yourself talking endlessly about with friends in the pub -- Bill Bryson, chairman of the judges for the Royal Society Prize 2016Humboldt may not be well known today but he remains very much of our time: his work tackled many of today's big issues like climate change and biodiversity loss and the interconnectedness of nature. Moreover, he was a polymath who was curious about everything and was a superb communicator. His interdisciplinary approach puts paid to the ridiculous notion that science and the arts are separate entities. We should be taking our cues from Humboldt - be curious and be informed by science on the big issues -- Brian CoxWhen I read The Invention of Nature, long before it was nominated for the Royal Society prize, it was obvious that it was a contender for major honors. It was deeply researched and reported; it told a fine and little known story; it connected the personal to a big idea, and the past to a very pressing present-day concern * The Atlantic *Concise, well-written and extensively researched book . . . vivid, atmospheric and engrossing, a beautiful portrait * Tribune *[A] gripping account of Alexander von Humboldt's synthesis of the science of the natural world -- Stephen Curry * Guardian 'Favourite reads of 2016 as chosen by scientists' *In this meticulously researched and beautifully written biography, Andrea Wulf skilfully rescues Alexander von Humboldt from his undeserved obscurity as she chronicles his long and fascinating life * Forbes.com, 10 Best Popular Science Books of 2016 *Deep scholarship and entertaining writing style. The Invention of Nature is highly recommended * ICON *Historians of science have long recognized the naturalist and traveller Alexander von Humboldt as a pivotal figure in the history of science, but for too long he has been undervalued in the English-speaking world. This beautifully written biography effectively conveys his significance to a wide audience, in an animated and adventurous narrative that echoes the liveliness of Humboldt's own writings. The award of the Dingle Prize particularly recognizes Andrea Wulf's mastery of the vast range of history of science scholarship on Humboldt and her command of original sources in multiple languages. Timely and significant-particularly given current attacks on climate change science - this is scientific biography at its best * Winner of the 2017 Dingle Prize *

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Book SynopsisA journey through the otherworldly science behind Christopher Nolan’s award-winning film, Interstellar, from executive producer and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Kip Thorne.

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Book SynopsisSCIENCE IS ON ITS DEATH BEDLies, specious argument and fraud abound in a variety of scientific endeavours including the treatment and vaccines for Covid-19. Managers and politicians have taken over where previously the scientists were in charge. They have been able to utilise the bizarre language and contradictory processes of political correctness, making themselves into the high priests of a new religion, one which spawns more politically correct managers and despises experts, but there is hope and possible answers are proposed.Recent tragedies have pinpointed how managerial and political control do not advance the pursuit of knowledge. This book analyses the ways in which science has been undermined in areas as diverse as medicine, archaeology, climatology, cosmology and physics.Trade Review"We are following the science was the strap line that led in the UK to a national catastrophe from which we are still recovering." -- Professor Karol Sikora"... alleged scientific certainty is today being scandalously exploited to serve a perception of truth... The views expressed in this book are timely and important..." -- Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE

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Book SynopsisTHE IRISH TIMES TOP FIVE BESTSELLER 'A beautifully reasoned book about our own unreasonableness' Robin Ince In 1983, the reasoning of one unsung Russian narrowly averted nuclear war, proving that critical thinking can save the world. Today, facing unprecedented tides of disinformation, we’re frequently misled, to our detriment. The Irrational Ape explores the reasons why we get things so wrong, illustrated with incredible stories from the comical to the catastrophic.   With a cast including murderous popes, conspiracy theorists, snake-oil salesmen, dubious celebrities and superstitious pigeons, The Irrational Ape delves into how reasoning errors, skewed perceptions and even our own psychology render us so susceptible to falsehood – and how we can improve our reasoning to ensure we avoid being taken in.    Trade Review'From anti-vaxxers to Dunning-Kruger, from homeopathy and astrology to “false balance” (what I call the BBC Fallacy), from misused statistics to nuclear brinkmanship, our irrationality could be our undoing. A book exposing the irrational ape and teaching us to mend our ways might so easily have become all preachy and teachy. Instead, such is David Robert Grimes’s storytelling skill, his book is an unstoppable page-turner. If our leaders were forced to read this book, the world would be a safer place’ -- Richard Dawkins'Grimes’s book addresses an all-too-urgent contemporary political question: how do we protect our societies and ourselves from charlatans and fools?...It brings a fresh perspective, and has been painstakingly researched. This spirited cocktail of data leavened with anecdotes is served up in Grimes’s trademark provocative, combative style...a highly creditable debut from a skilled communicator' -- John Gibbons * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis2020 Foreword Indie Award Honorable Mention in the "Health" Category A scientist reveals the groundbreaking evidence linking many major diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease, to a common root cause-insulin resistance-and shares an easy, effective plan to reverse and prevent it. We are sick. Around the world, we struggle with diseases that were once considered rare. Cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes affect millions each year; many people are also struggling with hypertension, weight gain, fatty liver, dementia, low testosterone, menstrual irregularities and infertility, and more. We treat the symptoms, not realizing that all of these diseases and disorders have something in common. Each of them is caused or made worse by a condition known as insulin resistance. And you might have it. Odds are you do-over half of all adults in the United States are insulin resistant, with most other countries either worse or not far behind. In Why We Get Sick, internationally renowned scientist and pathophysiology professor Benjamin Bikman explores why insulin resistance has become so prevalent and why it matters. Unless we recognize it and take steps to reverse the trend, major chronic diseases will be even more widespread. But reversing insulin resistance is possible, and Bikman offers an evidence-based plan to stop and prevent it, with helpful food lists, meal suggestions, easy exercise principles, and more. Full of surprising research and practical advice, Why We Get Sick will help you to take control of your health.Trade Review"What if, instead of all these conditions and disease being separate and unconnected, one physiological state-elevated insulin levels-was the driver of all this suffering? In Why We Get Sick, Benjamin Bikman unpacks the root cause of modern diseases and provides a concise road map to help you regain or maintain your health." -Robb Wolf, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author "This book is a unique, rigorous contribution to understanding insulin resistance as an underlying cause of chronic disease and aging. Well written and highly accessible, Dr. Bikman has written a book for both scientists and the average reader who seeks a path back to good health." -Nina Teicholz, science journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Big Fat Surprise "It's time to make 'insulin resistance' part of the public lexicon. That so many people are unaware of this widespread condition with serious ramifications is a monumental problem, and it's one that Why We Get Sick sets out to solve." -Dr. Aseem Malhotra, cardiologist and professor of evidence-based medicine "Thoroughly researched and extensively documented, Why We Get Sick is a comprehensive and indispensable primer on insulin resistance and how it affects virtually every system in the body. Dr. Bikman presents not only an easy-to-understand guide to how and why insulin resistance develops, but a treatment handbook as well." -Michael R. Eades, MD, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Protein Power "Insulin resistance underpins nearly every single chronic disease that we struggle with today and ultimately costs us countless billions of dollars in health-care spending, as well as an untold amount of human suffering. Professor Ben Bikman masterfully lays out the role of insulin resistance in disease, how it affects our bodies, and, most important, how to fix it!" -Shawn Baker, MD, author of The Carnivore Diet and CEO of MeatRx.com "Bikman's sweeping summary of the science of human metabolism makes the ironclad case for insulin resistance as Public Health Enemy #1. Whether the reader is interested in losing excess body fat, optimizing brain function, preventing heart disease, reducing cancer risk, or improving fertility-this expert curation of the research leaves no stone unturned." -Georgia Ede, MD, nutritional psychiatrist

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Book SynopsisIf you think a negative charge is something that shows up on your credit card bill -- if you imagine that Ohm''s Law dictates how long to meditate -- if you believe that Newtonian mechanics will fix your car -- you need The Cartoon Guide to Physics to set you straight.You don''t have to be a scientist to grasp these and many other complex ideas, because The Cartoon Guide to Physics explains them all: velocity, acceleration, explosions, electricity and magnetism, circuits -- even a taste of relativity theory -- and much more, in simple, clear, and, yes, funny illustrations. Physics will never be the same!

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Book SynopsisWhether you are a student struggling to fulfil a maths or science course or you are embarking on a career change that requires a higher level of maths competency, A MIND FOR NUMBERS offers the tools you need to get a better grasp of that intimidating but inescapable field. Engineering professor, Barbara Oakley, knows firsthand how it feels to struggle with maths. She flunked her way through secondary school maths and science courses, before enlisting in the army immediately after graduation. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options - both to rise in the military and to explore other careers - she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master the very subjects that had given her so much trouble throughout her entire life.In A MIND FOR NUMBERS, Dr. Oakley lets us in on the secrets to effectively learning maths and science - secrets that even dedicated and successful students wish they''d known earlier. Co

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Book SynopsisA leading scientist and an award-winning cartoonist team up to provide a complete, up-to-date course in college-level chemistry, covering the history of the scientific field, as well as such topics as physical and organic chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, physics as chemistry, electrochemistry, and more.

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Book SynopsisDescribes all the events and personalities involved in the monumental undertaking which precipitated revolution, scandal, economic crisis, and a new Central American republic.

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Book SynopsisPrinciples of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications is perfect for the one-semester, non-majors environmental science course. True to its title, the goal of this concise text is to provide an up-to-date, introductory view of essential themes in environmental science along with offering students numerous opportunities to practice scientific thinking and active learning.Table of Contents1 Understanding Our Environment2 Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Life3 Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities4 Human Populations5 Biomes and Biodiversity;6 Environmental Conservation: Forests, Grasslands, Parks, and Nature Preserves7 Food and Agriculture8 Environmental Health and Toxicology9 Climate10 Air Pollution11 Water: Resources and Pollution12 Environmental Geology and Earth Resources13 Energy14 Solid and Hazardous Waste15 Economics and Urbanization16 Environmental Policy and Sustainability

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Book SynopsisWith ease and originality, Tyson illuminates topics ranging from the linguistic merits of astrophysics to the limits of our five senses to the search for life in the universe.Trade Review"In this highly enjoyable collection of essays, the ever charismatic astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson offers us a peek at the scientific mind in action..." -- New Scientist"[Tyson] tackles a great range of subjects... with great humor, humility, and—most important—humanity." -- Entertainment Weekly

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Book SynopsisDespite your graduate education, brainpower, and technical prowess, your career in scientific research is far from assured. Permanent positions are scarce, science survival is rarely part of formal graduate training, and a good mentor is hard to find. In A Ph.D. Is Not Enough! , physicist Peter J. Feibelman lays out a rational path to a fulfilling long-term research career. He offers sound advice on selecting a thesis or postdoctoral adviser choosing among research jobs in academia, government labouratories, and industry preparing for an employment interview and defining a research program. The guidance offered in A Ph.D. Is Not Enough! will help you make your oral presentations more effective, your journal articles more compelling, and your grant proposals more successful. A classic guide for recent and soon-to-be graduates, A Ph.D. Is Not Enough! remains required reading for anyone on the threshold of a career in science. This new edition includes two new chapters and is revised and updated throughout to reflect how the revolution in electronic communication has transformed the field.

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Book SynopsisA perennial bestseller by eminent mathematician G. Polya, How to Solve It will show anyone in any field how to think straight. In lucid and appealing prose, Polya reveals how the mathematical method of demonstrating a proof or finding an unknown can be of help in attacking any problem that can be "reasoned" out--from building a bridge to winning aTrade Review"Every prospective teacher should read it. In particular, graduate students will find it invaluable. The traditional mathematics professor who reads a paper before one of the Mathematical Societies might also learn something from the book: 'He writes a, he says b, he means c; but it should be d.' "--E. T. Bell, Mathematical Monthly "[This] elementary textbook on heuristic reasoning, shows anew how keen its author is on questions of method and the formulation of methodological principles. Exposition and illustrative material are of a disarmingly elementary character, but very carefully thought out and selected."--Herman Weyl, Mathematical Review "I recommend it highly to any person who is seriously interested in finding out methods of solving problems, and who does not object to being entertained while he does it."--Scientific Monthly "Any young person seeking a career in the sciences would do well to ponder this important contribution to the teacher's art."--A. C. Schaeffer, American Journal of Psychology "Every mathematics student should experience and live this book"--Mathematics Magazine "In an age that all solutions should be provided with the least possible effort, this book brings a very important message: mathematics and problem solving in general needs a lot of practice and experience obtained by challenging creative thinking, and certainly not by copying predefined recipes provided by others. Let's hope this classic will remain a source of inspiration for several generations to come."--A. Bultheel, European Mathematical Society

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Book SynopsisAdam Rutherford (Author) Adam Rutherford is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, and geneticist at University College London. His books include A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived, The Book of Humans, and the Sunday Times bestseller How to Argue with a Racist. He has written and presented numerous documentaries for BBC radio and television, including Inside Science and The Cell. Adam has also worked as a science advisor on many films, including the Oscar-winning Ex Machina (2015) and Annihilation (2018).Hannah Fry (Author) Hannah Fry is currently Professor in the mathematics of cities from University College London. In January 2025 she will join Cambridge University as the first Professor for the Public Understanding of Mathematics. In January 2024, Hannah was appointed to be the new president of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. Hannah is the author of The Mathematics of Love<Trade ReviewA wonderfully engaging blend of wit, enthusiasm, clarity and knowledge. -- Bill BrysonThe illustrations are truly excellent. -- Professor Alice RobertsLike the universe itself, this book is multi-faceted, surprising and full of wonders. It's also funny, wise and exceedingly brainy. You really owe it to yourself to read it. -- Tim Harford, author of How To Make The World Add UpIf only Adam Rutherford and Hannah Fry were on tap to all of us, all the time: we could turn to them whenever we wanted delicious explanations, narratives and theories to make sense of the material world. But we do have this deeply addictive book as a companion. The pair have such a gift for making life, numbers and the forces at work in the universe all the richer, stranger, funnier and more marvellous. -- Stephen FryExplores just about every area of life. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisMost scientists and researchers aren't prepared to talk to the press or to policymakers - or to deal with backlash. And many researchers have the horror stories to prove it. As Nancy Baron points out, scientists who decide they want to inform those outside their own research arena and help guide public discourse need to learn a new set of skills. No matter what your scientific specialty is, writes Baron, the keys to success are thinking clearly, knowing what you want to say, understanding your audience, and using everyday language to get your main points across. Developing these skills is the object of this book. According to Baron, scientists, journalists and policymakers represent three very different cultures. Speaking effectively to journalists and policymakers - the people who make scientists' findings available to the general public - requires scientists to learn a new language. In this clear and understandable guide to 'communicating science', Baron explains to scientists how to engage an audience, how to tell why a particular finding matters, and how to describe research in an interesting way. She explains to journalists how to develop the same skills for explaining science. The book includes case studies from journalists and from some of the more than 4,000 scientists Baron has trained in communication workshops. Many of her trainees have gone on to become well-known spokespeople for science-related issues. The book is accompanied by an interactive website maintained by Baron herself.

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Book SynopsisFrom dinosaurs fighting to their deaths to elephant-sized burrowing ground sloths, this book takes readers on a global journey deep into the earth’s past. Locked in Time showcases fifty of the most astonishing fossils ever found, brought together in five chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the behavior of prehistoric animals.Trade ReviewA rousing romp through the fossil record. Dean R. Lomax's storytelling and Bob Nicholls's artwork reanimate the lifestyles and behaviors of long-extinct species. Revel along as old bones, teeth, and footprints tell the tale of dinosaur mating dances, fighting mammoths, and pterodactyl nurseries. -- Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursVividly told with stunning illustrations, Locked in Time is an essential book for any fossil fan. From the ancient steps of a horseshoe crab to courting dinosaurs, Lomax and Nicholls achieve the closest thing to time travel in bringing the prehistoric back to life. -- Riley Black, author of The Last Days of the DinosaursWhen we think about the animals of the past, we’re drawn to a small handful of movie dinosaurs, but in this fascinating and engaging book, Lomax brings to life incredible moments in the lives of animals from throughout prehistory, discovering the universal in the specific and offering us an insight into our sense of place on this planet. While being immersed in scientific literature, Lomax has a gift for extracting events from millions of years ago and giving them meaning for everyone today. -- Ellie Harrison, presenter of Dinosaur BritainA beetle within a lizard within a snake, a giant beaver that made huge corkscrew burrows three meters deep, a mammal that ate dinosaurs, insects caught in the act of mating, and dinosaurs with cancer . . . Dean R. Lomax presents an extraordinary tour through recent fossil discoveries that shed light on all aspects of the life of the past. These extraordinary scenarios are brought to life in exquisite reconstructions by Bob Nicholls. These are fossils that don’t make it into the textbooks; your appreciation of the history of life will never be the same again! -- Michael J. Benton, professor of vertebrate paleontology, University of BristolA number of exceptional, spectacular fossils show—via the most direct evidence imaginable—that the extinct animals of the past were once very much alive. They preserve animals giving birth, swallowing prey, and even having sex. Others reveal cases where animals died from poisoning, choking, or even when locked in combat. Join Dean Lomax in this beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched but accessibly written tour of animals forever locked in time. -- Darren Naish, lead scientific consultant for Prehistoric PlanetIlluminates how we pieced together our understanding of behaviors in the animal kingdom. . . . Buckle up—it's a journey. * Inverse *An outstanding and highly original piece of popular science that overflows with Lomax’s enthusiasm and passion. Believe me, you have not seen a book like this before. * Inquisitive Biologist *Meticulously researched and Dr [Dean] Lomax is a most eloquent and well-informed tour guide. Renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls provides the sumptuous illustrations that brings Dean’s narrative to life. * Everything Dinosaur *A strikingly illustrated study that will have immense value and appeal for both paleontology students and non-specialist general readers alike, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. Exceptionally well informed and informative, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college and university library Paleontology collections and supplemental studies curriculums. * Midwest Book Review *Fascinating and highly recommended. * AIPT Science *This informative, educational, and entertaining book will make a good addition to the paleontology aficionado’s library. * Fossil News *Fully achieves what it sets out to do: educate and entertain. * Quarterly Review of Biology *A captivating and accessible read...Highly recommended. * Choice *[Lomax] covers 50 extraordinary fossils, in five fascinating chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the real-life behaviours of prehistoric animals. The book is illustrated by striking and scientifically rigorous illustrations by renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. A great read for those interested in ancient life. * Deposits Magazine *Lomax is an easy narrator, deftly weaving personal reminiscence and passion among the paleontological facts. There’s an abundance of ‘impeccable, large illustrations and photographs.’ I had a blast with this book. -- Ola G * Re-enchantment of the World *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Unlocking the Prehistoric World1. Sex2. Parental Care and Communities3. Moving and Making Homes4. Fighting, Biting, and Feeding5. Unusual HappeningsAcknowledgmentsFurther ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA much-needed antidote to the "AGENDA 21" nonsense promulgated by Glenn Beck and the far right, Oreskes and Conway provide us with a glimpse of the dystopian future we may ACTUALLY face should we fail to heed the warning of the world's scientists regarding the looming climate change crisis. -- Michael E. Mann, director, Penn State Earth System Science Center, and author of The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines Oreskes and Conway's startling and all-too-plausible history of the century to come is in the spirit of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley and all the writers who have turned to prophecy in the attempt to ward off an oncoming disaster. Witty in its details and disturbing in its plausibility, this is an account of the Long Emergency we're entering that you will not soon forget. -- Kim Stanley Robinson, author of Shaman, 2312, Science In the Capital, and the Mars trilogy A chilling view of what our history could be. Ignore it and it becomes more likely. Read this book, heed its warning, and perhaps we can avoid its dire predictions. -- Timothy Wirth, vice chairman, United Nations Foundation, and former U.S. Senator and Member, U.S. House of Representatives Regret, Oreskes and Conway argue, is an equal-opportunity employer. Yes, climate change will be a nightmare for environmentalists. But global warming also threatens free marketeers, because unabated, it guarantees big government intervention. And that's the great service of this short but brilliant parable: it creates bipartisan empathy for our future selves. From that gift, perhaps we can summon the will to act today. -- Auden Schendler, Vice President, Sustainability, Aspen Skiing Company Provocative and grimly fascinating, The Collapse of Western Civilization offers a glimpse into a future that, with farsighted leadership, still might be avoided. It should be required reading for anyone who works-or hopes to-in Washington. -- Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History The scenario portrayed in this valuable little book is scarily possible. It would be apt if readers took action to keep it from, you know, happening. -- Bill McKibben, founder 350.org Packed with salient science, smart speculation and flashes of mordant humour. Nature This science-historical fantasy is thought-provoking, but is it prescient? Scientific American [A] must-read... What is science fiction today will someday be the history of real, live people - billions of them. Kudos to Oreskes and Conway for finding a creative way to talk about the immoral choice we are making today and how those billions of people will suffer for it. Climate Progress Blog Though short, Collapse provides a detailed examination of how we've failed our environment - and a call to action to save what's left. Discover The authors' creative attack, ahead of the 2014 U.S. midterm elections, on those who today deny climate change and advocate a hands-off approach by government, is what makes this work a must-read in the politics of climate change. Its gift -- the real reason why everyone should read it -- is that it gives us an opportunity to imagine the world as our grandchildren will encounter it. Haaretz ... Oreskes and Conway have carved out a new space for historians to use their knowledge of alternative pasts to help imagine alternative futures. Public Books A gripping and deeply disturbing account... Based on sound scholarship and yet unafraid to speak boldly, this book provides a welcome moment of clarity amid the cacophony of climate change literature.All Things Environmental All Things Environmental Excellent... The Collapse of Western Civilization is a very readable and effective way of communicating the catastrophic implications of where we are heading under the climate crisis. Climate, People & Organizations Oreskes and Conway do justice to the full seriousness of climate change. That seems to me prime among the many values of their book... For all its dispassion the book is a call to arms. Hot Topic Oreskes and Conway's book contains potent, thoughtful analysis... Huffington Post The Collapse of Western Civilization illustrates the potential dangers from climate change, which can help readers think more clearly about the risk management choices society faces. The book may also encourage scientists to reflect on their role in society. If it helps scientists engage more effectively with the public by focusing on the key strengths of science, the book could help improve a flawed political system and enhance the potential for all branches of science to further benefit society. -- Paul A. T. Higgins Issues in Science and TechnologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. The Coming of the Penumbral Age 2. The Frenzy of Fossil Fuels 3. Market Failure Epilogue Lexicon of Archaic Terms Interview with the Authors Notes About the Authors

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Book SynopsisIn this stunningly original book, Richard Wrangham argues that it was cooking that caused the extraordinary transformation of our ancestors from apelike beings to Homo erectus. At the heart of Catching Fire lies an explosive new idea: the habit of eating cooked rather than raw food permitted the digestive tract to shrink and the human brain to grow, helped structure human society, and created the male-female division of labour. As our ancestors adapted to using fire, humans emerged as "the cooking apes". Covering everything from food-labelling and overweight pets to raw-food faddists, Catching Fire offers a startlingly original argument about how we came to be the social, intelligent, and sexual species we are today. "This notion is surprising, fresh and, in the hands of Richard Wrangham, utterly persuasive ... Big, new ideas do not come along often in evolution these days, but this is one." -Matt Ridley, author of GenomeTrade ReviewToothsome, skillfully prepared brain food. -- Dwight Garner * New York Times *How exciting to see a distinguished scholar proving unequivocally that cookery is at the centre of our humanity -- Sam Clark, MoroAs easily digested as the cooked food it champions ... This book packs the punch of a Tournedo Rossini with the lightness of a foam infusion * Allegra McEvedy, Guardian chef-in-residence *Enthralling * Bookseller *Catching Fire offers a startlingly original argument about how we came to be the social, intelligent, and sexual species we are today. Richard Wrangham argues that it was cooking that caused the extraordinary transformation of our ancestors from apelike beings to Homo erectus. At the heart of Catching Fire lies the groundbreaking new theory that the habit of eating cooked rather than raw food made us human. More than language, emotional intelligence, or the opposable thumb, the mastery of fire created us. Once our ancestors began cooking their food, the human digestive tract began to shrink and the brain to grow. Time once spent chewing tough raw food could be used instead to hunt and to tend camp. Cooking became the basis for pair bonding and marriage, created the household and even led to a sexual division of labour. -- The Judges of the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize 2010Good public anthropology. With its balance of storytelling and coherently explained data, the book will enjoy a deservedly wide readership... Catching Fire, with its treasure trove of great stories, makes for pleasurable consumption -- Barbara J King * Times Literary Supplement *Wrangham is doing no small thing here; he's putting forward - in the most accessible way - his big new theory... Fascinating stuff, convincingly argued -- Holly Kyte * Sunday Telegraph *A breakthrough in evolutionary biology * Daily Telegraph *Intriguing... You need never feel guilty about opting for pie over salad again * Metro *Daringly unorthodox * Sunday Times *His lucid theory is most persuasive * Independent *Immensely enjoyable * Guardian *This is one of the best popular science books I've ever read -- William Leith * Evening Standard *A completely new theory about how we got where we are. Vindicates cuisine as never before - and will put you off raw food diets forever * Evening Standard Summer Reading *A compelling and intriguing argument. Brain food at its best -- Antonia Senior * The Times Summer Reading *His lucid theory is most persuasive -- Christopher Hirst * Independent *Ingenious * Daily Express *I have always believed that cooking is what makes us civilised, but until reading this I hadn't realised this was true at some deeper, actually anthropological level. Wrangham's argument, delivered with a lucidity that is a rare pleasure in an academic, is that it wasn't until our early ancestors stopped subsisting on raw food and began to cook it, thus providing more concentrated fuel, that our brains grew, becoming more sophisticated, and society developed. Wrangham makes his case with brio; this is as unputdownable as a thriller! -- Nigella Lawson * Waterstone's Books Quarterly *Wrangham's argument is rigorous and compelling. You would have to be an A-grade, gold medal-winning, premier league arse of mammoth proportions to dismiss it as bunk. -- Jay Rayner * Observer *[A] fascinating study... Wrangham's lucid, accessible treatise ranges across nutritional science, paleontology and studies of ape behavior and hunter-gatherer societies; the result is a tour de force of natural history and a profound analysis of cooking's role in daily life. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *An innovative argument that cooked food led to the rise of modern Homo sapiens.... Experts will debate Wrangham's thesis, but most readers will be convinced by this lucid, simulating foray into popular anthropology. * Kirkus Reviews *Catching Fire' is a plain-spoken and thoroughly gripping scientific essay that presents nothing less than a new theory of human evolution...one that Darwin (among others) simply missed. * The New York Times *Wrangham draws together previous studies and theories from disciplines as diverse as anthropology, biology, chemistry, sociology and literature into a cogent and compelling argument. * The Washington Post *A new theory of human evolution - 'the cooking hypothesis' - is related in plain-spoken, gripping language. * The New York Times Book Review *Fascinating ... If Wrangham's thesis is right, we really are what we eat -- Heston Blumenthal * Independent *

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Book SynopsisAn urgently needed exploration of global technology worship, and a measured case for skepticism and agnosticism as a way of life, from the New York Times bestselling author of Good without God.

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Book SynopsisA call to action that underscores why the roots of good health start with how we farm

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Book SynopsisStudying plant intelligence reveals ?humans may have been misunderstanding plants, and ourselves, for all of history??for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees (Paris Review).?A compelling story of discovery . . . It will change the way you see the world.? ?Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass In this ?phytobiography??a collection of stories written in partnership with a plant?research scientist Monica Gagliano shares genuine first-hand accounts from her research into plant communication and cognition. By transcending the view of plants as the objects of scientific materialism, Gagliano encourages us to rethink plants as people?beings with subjectivity, consciousness, and volition, and hence having the capacity for their own perspectives and voices. The book draws on up-close-and-personal encounters with the plants themselves, as well as plant shamans, indigenous elders, and mystics from around the world and integrates these experiences with an incredible research journey and the groundbreaking scientific discoveries that emerged from it. Gagliano has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers on how plants have a Pavlov-like response to stimuli and can learn, remember, and communicate to neighboring plants. She has pioneered the brand-new research field of plant bioacoustics, for the first time experimentally demonstrating that plants emit their own ''voices'' and, moreover, detect and respond to the sounds of their environments. By demonstrating experimentally that learning is not the exclusive province of animals, Gagliano has re-ignited the discourse on plant subjectivity and ethical and legal standing. This is the story of how she made those discoveries and how the plants helped her along the way.

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Book SynopsisOriginal publication and copyright date: 2009.Trade Review"Every ecology graduate student studying for their comprehensive examination needs this book. For that matter, every practicing ecologist interested in keeping up with aspects of the field, particularly outside of their own subdiscipline, would be well served to have this book on hand."--Jonathan M. Chase, Quarterly Review of Biology "[A] content-rich volume presenting the diversity of ecology, from basic to applied."--Library Journal "The Princeton Guide to Ecology is a comprehensive assemblage of contemporary ecological research studies and issues related to the different disciplines of the ecological sciences... Technical information throughout the book is presented in a simple-to-understand manner; a comprehensive glossary facilitates further understanding of terminology/concepts. This volume will be useful to students as well as professionals in areas related to environmental health and public policy."--Choice "Edited by eminent ecologist Simon Levin, with contributions from leading ecologists, the book explains key topics in more than ninety concise and authoritative articles."--Blackwells Recommends "Because ecology and conservation are such hot topics as of late, this title could be useful to a number of people. The obvious choice is that of university libraries; however, researchers in the field, scientists in related fields, as well as policy makers and journalists could use this title in their work."--Shannon Graff Hysell, American Reference Books Annual "I think that the most valuable contribution that this book makes is to integrate ideas across ecology, to showcase the diversity of ecology and to give that ecology currency."--John Morgan, Austral EcologyTable of ContentsPreface vii Contributors ix Part I: Autecology 1 I.1 Ecological Niche 3 I.2 Physiological Ecology: Animals 14 I.3 Physiological Ecology: Plants 20 I.4 Functional Morphology: Muscles, Elastic Mechanisms, and Animal Performance 27 I.5 Habitat Selection 38 I.6 Dispersal 45 I.7 Foraging Behavior 51 I.8 Social Behavior 59 I.9 Phenotypic Plasticity 65 I.10 Life History 72 I.11 Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems 79 I.12 Geographic Range 87 I.13 Adaptation 93 I.14 Phenotypic Selection 101 I.15 Population Genetics and Ecology 109 I.16 Phylogenetics and Comparative Methods 117 I.17 Microevolution 126 I.18 Ecological Speciation: Natural Selection and the Formation of New Species 134 I.19 Adaptive Radiation 143 Part II: Population Ecology 153 II.1 Age-Structured and Stage-Structured Population Dynamics 155 II.2 Density Dependence and Single- Species Population Dynamics 166 II.3 Biological Chaos and Complex Dynamics 172 II.4 Metapopulations and Spatial Population Processes 177 II.5 Competition and Coexistence in Plant Communities 186 II.6 Competition and Coexistence in Animal Communities 196 II.7 Predator-Prey Interactions 202 II.8 Host-Parasitoid Interactions 213 II.9 Ecological Epidemiology 220 II.10 Interactions between Plants and Herbivores 227 II.11 Mutualism and Symbiosis 233 II.12 Ecology of Microbial Populations 239 II.13 Coevolution 247 Part III: Communities and Ecosystems 253 III.1 Biodiversity: Concepts, Patterns, and Measurement 257 III.2 Competition, Neutrality, and Community Organization 264 III.3 Predation and Community Organization 274 III.4 Facilitation and the Organization of Plant Communities 282 III.5 Indirect Effects in Communities and Ecosystems: The Role of Trophic and Nontrophic Interactions 289 III.6 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Regulation of Communities 296 III.7 The Structure and Stability of Food Webs 305 III.8 Spatial and Metacommunity Dynamics in Biodiversity 312 III.9 Ecosystem Productivity and Carbon Flows: Patterns across Ecosystems 320 III.10 Nutrient Cycling and Biogeochemistry 330 III.11 Terrestrial Carbon and Biogeochemical Cycles 340 III.12 Freshwater Carbon and Biogeochemical Cycles 347 III.13 The Marine Carbon Cycle 358 III.14 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning 367 III.15 Ecological Stoichiometry 376 III.16 Macroecological Perspectives on Communities and Ecosystems 386 III.17 Alternative Stable States and Regime Shifts in Ecosystems 395 III.18 Responses of Communities and Ecosystems to Global Changes 407 III.19 Evolution of Communities and Ecosystems 414 Part IV: Landscapes and the Biosphere 423 IV.1 Landscape Dynamics 425 IV.2 Landscape Pattern and Biodiversity 431 IV.3 Ecological Dynamics in Fragmented Landscapes 438 IV.4 Biodiversity Patterns in Managed and Natural Landscapes 445 IV.5 Boundary Dynamics in Landscapes 458 IV.6 Spatial Patterns of Species Diversity in Terrestrial Environments 464 IV.7 Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions in Landscapes 474 IV.8 Seascape Patterns and Dynamics of Coral Reefs 482 IV.9 Seascape Microbial Ecology: Habitat Structure, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Function 488 IV.10 Spatial Dynamics of Marine Fisheries 501 Part V: Conservation Biology 511 V.1 Causes and Consequences of Species Extinctions 514 V.2 Population Viability Analysis 521 V.3 Principles of Reserve Design 529 V.4 Building and Implementing Systems of Conservation Areas 538 V.5 Marine Conservation 548 V.6 Conservation and Global Climate Change 557 V.7 Restoration Ecology 566 Part VI: Ecosystem Services 573 VI.1 Ecosystem Services: Issues of Scale and Trade-Offs 579 VI.2 Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning, and Ecosystem Services 584 VI.3 Beyond Biodiversity: Other Aspects of Ecological Organization 591 VI.4 Human-Dominated Systems: Agroecosystems 597 VI.5 Forests 606 VI.6 Grasslands 614 VI.7 Marine Ecosystem Services 619 VI.8 Provisioning Services: A Focus on Fresh Water 625 VI.9 Regulating Services: A Focus on Disease Regulation 634 VI.10 Support Services: A Focus on Genetic Diversity 642 VI.11 The Economics of Ecosystem Services 652 VI.12 Technological Substitution and Augmentation of Ecosystem Services 659 VI.13 Conservation of Ecosystem Services 670 Part VII: Managing the Biosphere 679 VII.1 Biological Control: Theory and Practice 683 VII.2 Fisheries Management 689 VII.3 Wildlife Management 695 VII.4 Managing the Global Water System 701 VII.5 Managing Nutrient Mobilization and Eutrophication 712 VII.6 Managing Infectious Diseases 718 VII.7 Agriculture, Land Use, and the Transformation of Planet Earth 724 VII.8 The Ecology, Economics, and Management of Alien Invasive Species 731 VII.9 Ecological Economics: Principles of Economic Policy Design for Ecosystem Management 740 VII.10 Governance and Institutions 748 VII.11 Assessments: Linking Ecology to Policy 754 Milestones in Ecology 761 Glossary 775 Index 793

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Book Synopsis"Some people say, 'How can you live without knowing?' I do not know what they mean. I always live without knowing. That is easy. How you get to know is what I want to know."--Richard P. Feynman Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman (1918-88) was that rarest of creatures--a towering scientific genius who could make himself understood byTrade Review"Feynman's depth and zing leap from the page."--Nature "[Richard Feynman] combined scientific genius with regular-guy language... Now his daughter, Michelle Feynman--born three years after he received the Nobel in 1965--has edited a collection of quotes from his voluminous output of books, lectures, essays, articles and scientific papers."--Washington Post "So much has been said by and about the charismatic physicist Richard Feynman that it is no surprise to find that his witticisms fill a book nearly 400 pages long... A fun present for any Feynman fanboys and fangirls in your life."--Physics World "Deeply learned... Highly detailed and utterly convincing."--Tarek Masoud, Perspectives on Politics "[Feynman] was, after all, a Nobel Prize winning scientist, yet he wrote often with great lucidity and humor, much of which is on display in this collection."--Acadiana LifeStyleTable of ContentsA Brief Note on Sources ix Foreword, by Brian Cox xi Reflections on Richard Feynman, by Yo-Yo Ma xv Preface: My Quotable Father, by Michelle Feynman xvii Chronology xxiii Youth 3 Family 15 Autobiographical 23 Art, Music, and Poetry 51 Nature 57 Imagination 83 Humor 89 Love 103 Philosophy and Religion 109 Nature of Science 123 Curiosity and Discovery 165 How Physicists Think 185 The Quantum World 197 Science and Society 213 Mathematics 223 Technology 241 War 249 Challenger 261 Politics 271 Doubt and Uncertainty 281 Education and Teaching 293 Advice and Inspiration 317 Intelligence 327 The Nobel Prize 333 Worldview 345 The Future 355 Honoring Richard Feynman 363 Acknowledgments 383 Photo Credits 387 Sources 389 Index 397

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Book SynopsisWith this volume, Hal Whitehead gives us a clearer picture of the ecology and social life of sperm whales than we have ever had before. Of interest to animal behaviourists, conservationists, biologists, as well as marine mammalogists.

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Book SynopsisComparison is fundamental to evolutionary anthropology. This book provides an investigation of the comparative foundations of evolutionary anthropology in research, including studies of animal behavior, biodiversity, linguistic evolution, allometry, and cross-cultural variation.Trade Review"A very impressive volume. I found myself again and again wanting to revisit many old questions and explore just as many new ones - truly delicious food for thought." (William L. Jungers, Stony Brook University)"

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Book SynopsisIn this indispensable reference, Fix applies the practical language of science to the art of brewing.

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Book SynopsisVinciane Despret argues that behaviors we identify as separating humans from animals do not actually properly belong to humans. Combining serious scholarship with humor, this book poses twenty-six questions that stretch our preconceived ideas about what animals do, what they think about, and what they want.Trade Review"Despret’s book is a timely one—as today ethical questions related to animals seem to be almost everywhere."—PopMatters.com"Many philosophers have considered the issue of animal rights, but Despret considerably broadens the range of moral and philosophical concerns in this field."—CHOICE"Eccentric but brilliant."—American Book ReviewTable of ContentsContentsForewordBruno LatourAcknowledgmentsHow to Use This BookTranslator's NoteA for Artists: Stupid like a painter?B for Beasts: Do apes really ape?C for Corporeal: Is it all right to urinate in front of animals?D for Delinquents: Can animals revolt?E for Exhibitionists: Do animals see themselves as we see them?F for Fabricating Science: Do animals have a sense of prestige?G for Genius: With whom would extraterrestrials want to negotiate?H for Hierarchies: Might the dominance of males be a myth?I for Impaired: Are animals reliable models of morality?J for Justice: Can animals compromise?K for Killable: Are any species killable?L for Laboratory: What are rats interested in during experiments?M for Magpies: How can we interest elephants in mirrors?N for Necessity: Can one lead a rat to infanticide?O for Oeuvres: Do birds make art?P for Pretenders: Can deception be proof of good manners?Q for Queer: Are penguins coming out of the closet?R for Reaction: Do goats agree with statistics?S for Separations: Can animals be broken down?T for Tying Knots: Who invented language and mathematics?U for Umwelt: Do beasts know ways of being in the world?V for Versions: Do chimpanzees die like we do?W for Work: Why do we say that cows don’t do anything?X for Xenografts: Can one live with the heart of a pig?Y for YouTube: Are animals the new celebrities?Z for Zoophilia: Can horses consent?NotesIndex

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Book SynopsisNow with a new introduction on how this book can help readers overcome any of life’s obstacles, Deep Survival motivates and enlightens.Trade Review"Buy it so you know what to do if you happen to fall off a mountain." -- The Sunday Times"This is a gruelling, but gripping read." -- The Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisIn Don’t Be Such a Scientist, Randy Olson recounts the lessons from his own hilarious—and at times humiliating—evolution from science professor to Hollywood filmmaker, sharing the secrets of talking substance in an age of style. The key, he argued, is to stay true to the facts while tapping into something more primordial, more irrational—and ultimately more human. Now, in this second edition of his provocative and groundbreaking book, Olson builds upon the lessons and storytelling of Don’t Be Such a Scientist, providing an epilogue to each chapter for the current times, and adding a fresh introduction and new chapter on the importance of listening for science communicators (and beyond).Don’t Be Such a Scientist, Second Edition is a cutting and irreverent manual to speaking out and making your voice heard in an age of attacks on science.Invaluable for anyone looking to break out of the boxes of academia or research, Olson’s writing will inspire readers to “make science human”—and to enjoy the ride along the way.

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Book SynopsisExplore the physics behind the world of Star Wars, with engaging topics and accessible information that shows how we’re closer than ever before to creating technology from the galaxy far, far away—perfect for every Star Wars fan!Ever wish you could have your very own lightsaber like Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi? Or that you could fly through space at the speed of light like Han Solo and Poe Dameron? Well, those ideas aren’t as outlandish as you think. In The Physics of Star Wars, you’ll explore the mystical power of the Force using quantum mechanics, find out how much energy it would take for the Death Star or Starkiller Base to destroy a planet, and discover how we can potentially create our very own lightsabers. The fantastical world of Star Wars may become a reality!Trade Review"When you think of the science behind Star Wars, what do you think of? In this new book you can delve into the science of the galaxy far, far away and maybe get some answers." * Geek Girl Authority *"Patrick Johnson … breaks down the Star Wars franchise into its constituent parts, and offers scientific explanations, grounded in reality, for just about every detail … .A compulsive pleasure to read." * VICE *"Gets a fun conversation about physics brewing in the zeitgeist, but also might neatly explain everything that’s weird about the Star Wars galaxy. The wonderful thing about Johnson’s way of thinking is that nearly every quibble we might have about the science mistakes or fallacies inherent to Star Wars could have a neat explanation." * Inverse.com *"A stellar read …. a deep dive into the real science behind the world of Star Wars. You can really tell how big a fan the author is, which makes for an extra fun read. By comparing the galaxy to our own, the author makes it very accessible and even more interesting. If you’re interested in this book and don’t have a science background, you’ll still enjoy it … .A fun, educational read." * Hypable *"As part of his mission to communicate science to nonscientists, physicist Patrick Johnson uses the fictional world of Star Wars to explore real-life science. The book is divided into categorized topics … followed by an analysis of the physics involved in the Star Wars universe compared with current science and technology here on Earth. Aimed at a general audience, The Physics of Star Wars could stimulate some thought-provoking discussions." * Physics Today *

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Book SynopsisExtremely student friendly, Healey's STATISTICS: A TOOL FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH AND DATA ANALYSIS, 11e, equips you with a solid understanding of statistical fundamentals and their practical application to current social issues -- no advanced math knowledge required. The text breaks down even the most complex material to help you master key concepts and develop the skills you need as a professional in a social science field -- or simply to become a "statistically literate" consumer of social research. Everyday examples illustrate that statistics are not just abstract mathematical constructs, but they have practical value in government, education, business, media, politics, sports and more. Research examples in every chapter include the same "real data" used by professionals across various fields to make evidence-based decisions. Also available: MindTap digital learning solution.Table of Contents1. Introduction. PART I: DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS. 2. Basic Descriptive Statistics: Tables, Percentages, Ratios and Rates, and Graphs. 3. Measures of Central Tendency. 4. Measures of Variation. 5. The Normal Curve. PART II: INFERENTIAL STATISTICS. 6. Introduction to Inferential Statistics: Sampling and the Sampling Distribution. 7. Estimation Procedures. 8. Hypothesis Testing I: The One-Sample Case. 9. Hypothesis Testing II: The Two-Sample Case. 10. Hypothesis Testing III: The Analysis of Variance. 11. Hypothesis Testing IV: Chi Square. PART III: BIVARIATE MEASURES OF ASSOCIATION. 12. Bivariate Association for Nominal- and Ordinal-Level Variables. 13. Association Between Variables Measured at the Interval-Ratio Level. PART IV: MULTIVARIATE TECHNIQUES. 14. Elaborating Bivariate Tables. 15. Partial Correlation and Multiple Regression and Correlation. Appendix A: Area Under the Normal Curve. Appendix B: Distribution of t. Appendix C: Distribution of Chi Square. Appendix D: Distribution of F. Appendix E: Using Statistics: Ideas for Research Projects. Appendix F: An Introduction to SPSS. Appendix G: Codebooks for All Data Sets. Answers to Odd-Numbered End-Of-Chapter Problems and Cumulative Exercises. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, two distinguished scientists tackle common misconceptions about race, human biology, and racism. Using an accessible question-and-answer format, Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman show readers why antiracist principles are both just and backed by sound science.Trade ReviewNamed a Best Nonfiction Book of the Year and One of the Best Books About Being Black in America for 2021 * Kirkus Reviews *What a timely and thoughtful book, posing in Socratic fashion the central questions of our struggling republic. -- Ken Burns, filmmakerIn this timely and important book, Professors Graves and Goodman provide detailed explanations in response to questions about race and racism. They have also followed the 'Noah principle.' Indeed, it is not enough to simply predict the rain. One must also build arks. And that is what Professors Graves and Goodman have done. They offer concrete steps that can be taken to help to eliminate the scourge of racism, as well as other systems of oppression, that continue to plague our nation. -- Johnnetta Betsch Cole, author of Racism in American Public Life: A Call to ActionA timely tapestry of questions and answers on race and racism! Joseph Graves and Alan Goodman have intricately disentangled and woven together biological race, socially defined race, and racism, providing a strategy for addressing not only the consequences of systemic racism but more importantly, the root cause—the ideology of a hierarchy of human value. Brilliant work! -- Charmaine DM Royal, director of the Duke Center on Genomics, Race, Identity, DifferenceIn Racism, Not Race, Graves and Goodman lay out comprehensively and accessibly why notions of race are social constructs that cannot be justified in biological terms. Packed with contemporary and historical references that place race in perspective, this is an authoritative clarification of an issue that is critically important for society but is widely misunderstood despite its ever more pressing ramifications. A valuable resource. -- Ian Tattersall, author of Troublesome Science: The Misuse of Genetics and Genomics in Understanding RaceAn entertaining and informative read that will serve as a jumping-off point for countless discussions about racism. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *Brings a new angle and an accessible approach to the ongoing reckoning with race in America. * Publishers Weekly *Joseph Graves Jr and Alan Goodman explain why race isn’t a biological fact and ponder why society continues to act as if it is. * New Scientist *Racism and white supremacy are killing people every day, harming society at large, and fostering deep injustice. Graves and Goodman demonstrate why antiracism is not just an ethical and scientifically correct position, but why it is also necessary for the future of science and society. * Science *Racism, Not Race is definitely the type of book we need. * Kara Reviews *It is a testament to the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, and drives home the point that dissociating human variation from race, arguably one of the twentieth-century’s greatest scientific achievements, has been a multi-disciplinary task. * Ethnic and Racial Studies *It could not be easier to use if it was an audiobook that read itself to you. * Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud *Given the significance of the information it conveys and the approachability of the writing, every biology educator will benefit from reading this book and sharing its ideas with students...an indispensable tool for our biology classrooms. * American Biology Teacher *An excellent introduction to race and racism for both students and a general audience. * The Quarterly Review of Biology *

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