Science: general issues Books

Book SynopsisIn this dazzling coffee table book, acclaimed scientist-photographer Anand Varma unveils a world never before seen by human eyes, achieved through the innovative techniques of today’s finest photographers.“If we hold our breath and gaze a bit more carefully at our world, we might just glimpse a few beautiful secrets hiding in plain sight,” writes Anand Varma, renowned National Geographic photographer, in this book.The long tongue of a hummingbird. The intricate shape of a butterfly pupa. The propulsive appendages of a cancer cell. These and many more phenomena appear in this astonishing book, revealing a world once invisible to the naked eye, but now revealed through the lenses of today’s most innovative photographers.Invisible Wonders explores how size and time, light and focus, can show us our world in brand new ways. From the microscopic to the cosmic, from minuscule elements to intricate life-forms, here is a surprising

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Book SynopsisOften, parenting is treated like some form of manipulation or behavioural coercion that must be kept secret from children. This book focuses on discoveries about the brain that give us deep insights into the children we care for, what they need, and how to discipline them in ways that foster optimal development.

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Book SynopsisLiving on a damaged planet challenges who we are and where we live. This timely anthology calls on twenty eminent humanists and scientists to revitalize curiosity, observation, and transdisciplinary conversation about life on earth.As human-induced environmental change threatens multispecies livability, Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet puts forward a bold proposal: entangled histories, situated narratives, and thick descriptions offer urgent “arts of living.” Included are essays by scholars in anthropology, ecology, science studies, art, literature, and bioinformatics who posit critical and creative tools for collaborative survival in a more-than-human Anthropocene. The essays are organized around two key figures that also serve as the publication’s two openings: Ghosts, or landscapes haunted by the violences of modernity; and Monsters, or interspecies and intraspecies sociality. Ghosts and Monsters are tentacular, windy, and arboreal arts that invite readers to encounter ants, lichen, rocks, electrons, flying foxes, salmon, chestnut trees, mud volcanoes, border zones, graves, radioactive waste—in short, the wonders and terrors of an unintended epoch.Contributors: Karen Barad, U of California, Santa Cruz; Kate Brown, U of Maryland, Baltimore; Carla Freccero, U of California, Santa Cruz; Peter Funch, Aarhus U; Scott F. Gilbert, Swarthmore College; Deborah M. Gordon, Stanford U; Donna J. Haraway, U of California, Santa Cruz; Andreas Hejnol, U of Bergen, Norway; Ursula K. Le Guin; Marianne Elisabeth Lien, U of Oslo; Andrew Mathews, U of California, Santa Cruz; Margaret McFall-Ngai, U of Hawaii, Manoa; Ingrid M. Parker, U of California, Santa Cruz; Mary Louise Pratt, NYU; Anne Pringle, U of Wisconsin, Madison; Deborah Bird Rose, U of New South Wales, Sydney; Dorion Sagan; Lesley Stern, U of California, San Diego; Jens-Christian Svenning, Aarhus U.Trade Review"Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet exposes us to the active remnants of gigantic past human errors—the ghosts—that affect the daily lives of millions of people and their co-occurring other-than-human life forms. Challenging us to look at life in new and excitingly different ways, each part of this two-sided volume is informative, fascinating, and a source of stimulation to new thoughts and activisms. I have no doubt I will return to it many times."—Michael G. Hadfield, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa"Facing the perfect storm strangely named the Anthropocene, this book calls its readers to acknowledge and give praise to the many entangled arts of living which made this planet liveable and which are now unravelling. Grandiose guilt will not do, we need to learn noticing what we were blind to, a humble but difficult art. The unique welding of scholarship and affect achieved by the texts here assembled tells us that learning this art also means allowing oneself to be touched and induced to think and imagine by what touches us."—Isabelle Stengers, author of Cosmopolitics I and Cosmopolitics II"What an inventive, fascinating book about landscapes in the anthropocene! Between these book covers, rightside-up, upside-down, a concatenation of social science and natural science, artwork and natural science, ghosts of departed species and traces of our own human shrines to memory... Not a horror-filled glimpse at destruction but also not a hymn to romantic wilderness. Here, guided by a remarkable and remarkably diverse set of guides, we enter into our planetary environments as they stand, sometimes battered, sometimes resilient, always riveting in their human—and non-human—richness. Arts of Living On a Damaged Planet is truly a book for our time."—Peter Galison, Harvard University"Calling a book ‘mandatory reading’ usually feels hyperbolic, but it's justified in the case of Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet. A stunning collection of essays from scientists, writers and artists on humankind's impact on the planet, and how we all can survive it."—Shelf Awareness"This vibrant, moving, and philosophical two-sided essay collection reminds us of all the ways that human beings and the natural world are interconnected. Deborah Bird Rose’s piece on the “shimmer of life” alone makes the book worth reading."—Chicago Review of Books"There’s a poetry in facts. And as this book reveals, there is an increasing amount of courage and acceptance to be found in understanding even the most destructive changes in plant and wildlife that the overheated Anthropocene will bring us."—Santa Fe New Mexican"Well worth reading: a frank, luminous set of dispatches from future worlds and fractured pasts."—Full Stop"Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet is a strikingly aesthetic object, carefully curated at the level of form as well as content. It makes a convincing case for the relevance of ‘hard science’ to art and politics."—Glasgow Review of Books"The Anthropocene is characterised by extreme and irreversible changes to the environment, resulting in an exponential scarcity of living beings and threats to most life systems on earth. In response to this precarity, the editors and contributors to Arts suggest that we must collectively observe and study the world around us to attune our co-existence more authentically to these ecologies, through increased knowledge about both the impacts of past actions and our embeddedness in multispecies webs."—Environmental Values"By focusing on entanglement and haunting in this double-sided book, the contributors in Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet demand a reconceptualisation of what it means to be active participants in the Anthropocene. They also want us to recognise that our standing is not at all separate from nature, time, or matter."—Gothic Nature Journal"The editors of Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet set out to illustrate through storytelling the ambivalent entanglements of ghosts and monsters in the Anthropocene as a practical means toward broadening our knowledge-creation of the challenges of a world in the making. If the scientific community takes to heart their offering (and the offerings of those who came before them), the scientific paradigm-shift (that started with feminist science studies, the civil rights movement, and environmentalism) from objectivity to subjectivity might just take hold as a dominant epistemology."—Hypatia Reviews"Arts of Living is a provocative dispatch from the edges of humanity’s new condition."—Sedimenta Table of ContentsContentsGhosts on a Damaged PlanetIntroduction: Haunted Landscapes of the AnthropoceneElaine Gan, Nils Bubandt, Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, and Heather Anne Swanson1. A Garden or a Grave?: The Canyonic Landscape of the Tijuana-San Diego RegionLesley SternIn the Midst of Damage2. Marie Curie's Fingerprint: Nuclear Spelunking in the Chernobyl ZoneKate Brown3. Shimmer: When All You Love Is Being TrashedDeborah Bird RoseFootprints of the Dead4. Future Megafaunas: A Historical Perspective on the Scope for a Wilder AnthropoceneJens-Christian Svenning5. Ladders, Trees, Complexity, and Other Metaphors in Evolutionary ThinkingAndreas Hejnol6. No Small Matter: Mushroom Clouds, Ecologies of Nothingness, and Strange Topologies of SpacetimematteringKaren Barad7. Haunted Geologies: Spirits, Stones, and the Necropolitics of the AnthropoceneNils BubandtWhat Remains8. Ghostly Forms and Forest HistoriesAndrew S. Mathews9. Establishing New Worlds: The Lichens of PetershamAnne PringleCoda: Concept and ChronotopeMary Louise PrattContributorsIndexContentsMonsters and the Arts of LivingAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Bodies Tumbled into BodiesHeather Anne Swanson, Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, Nils Bubandt, and Elaine Gan1. Deep in AdmirationUrsula K. Le Guin Inhabiting Multispecies Bodies2. Symbiogenesis, Sympoiesis, and Art Science Activisms for Staying with the TroubleDonna Haraway 3. Noticing Microbial Worlds: The Post Modern Synthesis in BiologyMargaret McFall-NgaiBeyond Individuals4. Holobiont by Birth: Multilineage Individuals as the Concretion of Cooperative ProcessesScott F. Gilbert5. Wolf, or Homo Homini LupusCarla Freccero6. Unruly Appetites: Salmon Domestication “All the Way Down”Marianne Elisabeth Lien7. Without Planning: The Evolution of Collective Behavior in Ant ColoniesDeborah M. GordonAt the Edge of Extinction8. Synchronies at Risk: The Intertwined Lives of Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knot BirdsPeter Funch9. Remembering in Our Amnesia, Seeing in Our BlindnessIngrid M. ParkerCoda. Beautiful Monsters: Terra in the Cyanocene Dorion SaganContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisWhat if life isn't just a part of the universe . . . what if it determines the very structure of the universe itself? The theory that blew your mind in Biocentrism and Beyond Biocentrism is back, with brand-new research revealing the startling truth about our existence. What is consciousness? Why are we here? Where did it all come from—the laws of nature, the stars, the universe? Humans have been asking these questions forever, but science hasn't succeeded in providing many answers—until now. In The Grand Biocentric Design, Robert Lanza, one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People," is joined by theoretical physicist Matej Pavšic and astronomer Bob Berman to shed light on the big picture that has long eluded philosophers and scientists alike. This engaging, mind-stretching exposition of how the history of physics has led us to Biocentrism—the idea that life creates reality-takes readers on a step-by-step adventure into the great science breakthroughs of the past centuries, from Newton to the weirdness of quantum theory, culminating in recent revelations that will challenge everything you think you know about our role in the universe. ​This book offers the most complete explanation of the science behind Biocentrism to date, delving into the origins of the memorable principles introduced in previous books in this series, as well as introducing new principles that complete the theory. The authors dive deep into topics including consciousness, time, and the evidence that our observations-or even knowledge in our minds-can affect how physical objects behave. The Grand Biocentric Design is a one-of-a-kind, groundbreaking explanation of how the universe works, and an exploration of the science behind the astounding fact that time, space, and reality itself, all ultimately depend upon us.Trade Review"For those addicted to exploring our role as observers in defining our universe, here is your long-awaited major update . . . You'll love The Grand Biocentric Design―it adds new turf to the physics of making universes, and includes ‘solid evidence,' at last, that observers define the structure of physical reality itself." —George Church, Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, professor of health sciences and technology at Harvard and MIT, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering (on Thomson Reuters short-list for the Nobel Prize) "The Grand Biocentric Design brilliantly draws our attention to the most important feature of the entire universe: our human minds . . . This new book brings out the real nature of our universe: for all of us to deeply search for fuller understanding, and for meaning." —Richard Conn Henry, academy professor of physics and astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University, and former deputy director of NASA's Astrophysics Division "For those searching for answers to contemporary physics' disturbing findings, The Grand Biocentric Design is a must-read." —Ronald M. Green, Eunice and Julian Cohen Professor Emeritus for the study of ethics and human values at Dartmouth College, and Professor Emeritus and former chairman of the Department of Religion. "In The Grand Biocentric Design, his third and best book on the topic, Lanza and colleagues unpack, with unprecedented rigor, his theory of biocentrism through the hard lens of physics . . . If you consider biocentrism mere philosophy, look to this volume to make the case that science is at its core." —Pamela Weintraub, senior editor at Aeon, former executive editor of Discover,and editor-in-chief of OMNI "In his two previous books on biocentrism (written with Bob Berman), biologist Robert Lanza proposed a bold new theory of the universe, one that builds on the insights of quantum physics to put consciousness at its center. Here, with theoretical physicist Matej Pavšič, Lanza strives, in language suited to the general reader, to explain the science behind this theory." —Robert Wilson, editor in chief at The American Scholar, the venerable magazine of Phi Beta Kappa, which has published the work of Albert Einstein, John Updike, Saul Bellow, Bertrand Russell, Margaret Mead, and Robert Frost, among others "This must-read book is a masterpiece, discussing newly emergent research that answers questions, through the lens of biocentrism, on how the world works and who we are . . . It will provide thought-provoking and life-changing insights on your existence and everything that surrounds you." —Anthony Atala, W. Boyce Professor and chairman, and director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University, and member of the National Academy of Medicine, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine "Robert Lanza is one of the most creative and brilliant scientists I have ever known . . . The Grand Biocentric Design is his latest creative work based on his life-long scientific journey, which opens up a new biology-based vista to our understanding of existence and consciousness." —Kwang-Soo Kim, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School, and director of the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, McLean Hospital "A unique and paradigm-shattering concept that biological systems are primary and affect our perception of physical systems . . . This insightful work is certain to energize our conversations about the nature of the biological and physical world." —Lucian V. Del Priore, MD, PhD (physics), Robert R. Young Professor at Yale University "A masterly tour de force that will change your life. Robert Lanza and his coauthors take on the Herculean task of reconciling quantum theory, relativity, and consciousness. You will never look at science—indeed, life and death—the same way again." —Ralph Levinson, Professor Emeritus of health sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] brilliantly detailed book. . . . Newman’s patient research has produced a masterpiece of scientific history . . . that will still be read in a century."---Dmitri Levitin, Literary Review"Newton the Alchemist is unquestionably a significant reappraisal of one of the most iconic figures in the history of science. As such, the stakes are high, and scholars of Isaac Newton and the history of alchemy will no doubt grapple with Newman’s arguments for some time to come."---Tara Nummedal, Isis"The most thorough, penetrating, and perceptive analysis of Newton’s alchemy ever to appear."---John Henry, Annals of Science"Keeping a careful balance between the detailed reconstruction – and reproduction – of chymical processes and the portrayal of those authors and texts which influenced Newton’s practices, Newton the Alchemist will remain, probably for years to come, the most complete account – spanning on thirty years – of how the natural philosopher approached the quest for the Philosophers Stone."---Lavinia Maddaluno, Nuncius"[A] magisterial study.—Thomas Willard, Renaissance Quarterly"

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Book SynopsisA brilliant theoretical physicist argues that the solution to the ultimate question in science: how to unify Einstein's theory of general relativity with quantum mechanics, is possible only if we abolish time from the foundations of the universe. In other words, despite our deepest intuitions, time does not exist.

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Book Synopsis''You''ll never look at people in quite the same way again. EMOTIONS REVEALED is a tour de force'' Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of BLINK''A fascinating and enormously helpful picture of our emotional lives'' John Cleese''A charming, sound, sane map to the world of emotions, the perfect guide'' Daniel Goleman, author of EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.Using 40 years of groundbreaking research, Paul Ekman explores why and when we become emotional and what happens when we do - the external signs and facial expressions. So much of what we communicate is non-verbal. In this very practical book, Paul Ekman helps the reader to observe the underlying, concealed emotions that we can observe in those around us, and understand why our bodies react in the ways they do. EMOTIONS REVEALED also helps the reader to identify why they might feel ''overly'' emotional in some situations, and why some people wear their heart on their sleeve whilst otheTrade ReviewYou'll never look at people in quite the same way again. EMOTIONS REVEALED is a tour de force -- Malcolm Gladwell, author of BLINKA fascinating and enormously helpful picture of our emotional lives -- John CleeseA charming, sound, sane map to the world of emotions, the perfect guide -- Daniel Goleman, author of EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCEHere Paul Ekman, doyen of contemporary emotion researchers, turns to the practical management of emotion in everyday life * NEW SCIENTIST *There are some fascinating titbits along the way... Ekman can be riveting on the minutiae of facial expressions, especially the way that an expression can be observed even when an emotion is being half-felt or suppressed * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A brilliant and gripping read * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisThis engaging review guide and workbook is the ideal tool for sharpening your Trigonometry skills!This review guide and workbook will help you strengthen your Trigonometry knowledge, and it will enable you to develop new math skills to excel in your high school classwork and on standardized tests. Clear and concise explanations will walk you step by step through each essential math concept. 500 practical review questions, in turn, provide extensive opportunities for you to practice your new skills. If you are looking for material based on national or state standards, this book is your ideal study tool!Features:â Aligned to national standards, including the Common Core State Standards, as well as the standards of non-Common Core states and Canadaâ Designed to help you excel in the classroom and on standardized testsâ Concise, clear explanations offer step-by-step instruction sTable of ContentsIntroduction CHAPTER 1 Angles and Their Measure Definitions and Terminology Complementary and Supplementary Angles Coterminal Angles and Reference Angles Radian Measure CHAPTER 2 Concepts from Geometry The Sum of a Triangle’s Angles and the Triangle Inequality The Pythagorean Theorem CHAPTER 3 Right Triangle Trigonometry Trigonometric Ratios of an Acute Angle in a Right Triangle Trigonometric Ratios of Special Acute Angles CHAPTER 4 General Right Triangles Solving Right Triangles Applications of Right Triangle Trigonometry CHAPTER 5 Oblique Triangles Law of Cosines (SAS or SSS) Law of Sines (ASA or AAS) Law of Sines Ambiguous Case (SSA) Solving General Triangles Area of a General Triangle Using Trigonometry CHAPTER 6 Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle Definitions of the Trigonometric Functions Trigonometric Functions of Complementary Angles The Unit Circle Trigonometric Functions of Quadrantal Angles Trigonometric Functions of Coterminal Angles Trigonometric Functions of Negative Angles Using Reference Angles to Find the Values of Trigonometric Functions CHAPTER 7 Trigonometric Identities Definition and Guidelines The Reciprocal and Ratio Identities The Pythagorean Identities Sum and Difference Formulas for the Sine Function Sum and Difference Formulas for the Cosine Function Sum and Difference Formulas for the Tangent Function Reduction Formulas Double-Angle Identities Half-Angle Identities Sum-to-Product Identities Product-to-Sum Identities CHAPTER 8 Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers Definitions and Basic Concepts of Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers Periodic Functions CHAPTER 9 Graphs of the Sine Function The Graph of y = sin x The Graph of y = A sin x The Graph of y = A sin Bx The Graph of y = A sin (Bx – C) The Graph of y = A sin (Bx – C) + D CHAPTER 10 Graphs of the Cosine Function The Graph of y = cos x The Graph of y = A cos (Bx – C) + D CHAPTER 11 Graphs of the Tangent Function The Graph of y = tan x The Graph of y = A tan (Bx – C) + D CHAPTER 12 Graphs of the Secant, Cosecant, and Cotangent Functions The Graph of y = A sec (Bx – C) + D The Graph of y = A csc (Bx – C) + D The Graph of y = A cot (Bx – C) + D CHAPTER 13 Inverse Trigonometric Functions The Inverse Sine, Cosine, and Tangent Functions The Inverse Secant, Cosecant, and Cotangent Functions CHAPTER 14 Solving Trigonometric Equations Basic Concepts of Trigonometric Equations Solving for Exact Solutions to Trigonometric Equations Solving for Approximate Solutions to Trigonometric Equations CHAPTER 15 Trigonometric Form of a Complex Number Definition of the Trigonometric Form of a Complex Number The Product and Quotient of Trigonometric Forms of Complex Numbers De Moivre’s Theorem Roots of Complex Numbers CHAPTER 16 Polar Coordinates Basic Concepts of Polar Coordinates Converting Between Coordinate Systems Graphing Equations in Polar Form Glossary APPENDIX A Calculator Instructions for Trigonometry Using the TI-84 Plus General Usage Setting the Calculator to Degree or Radian Mode Overriding Radian or Degree Mode Evaluating Trigonometric Functions Determining Inverse Trigonometric Values Graphing Polar Equations APPENDIX B Trigonometric Identities APPENDIX C The Complex Plane Answer Key

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Book SynopsisNikola Tesla was a major contributor to the electrical revolution that transformed daily life at the turn of the twentieth century. His inventions, patents, and theoretical work formed the basis of modern AC electricity, and contributed to the development of radio and television. Like his competitor Thomas Edison, Tesla was one of America's first cTrade ReviewWinner of the 2015 Sally Hacker Prize, Society for the History of Technology Winner of the 2015 IEEE William and Joyce Middleton Electrical Engineering History Award, History Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers One of Amazon.com's 2013 Best Science Books One of Booklist Online's Top 10 Science & Health Books for 2013 One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2013 One of The Guardian's Best Popular Physical Science Books of 2014, chosen by GrrlScientist Honorable Mention for the 2013 PROSE Award in Biography & Autobiography, Association of American Publishers Longlisted for the 2014 Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books "[An] assiduous, endlessly patient biography... In Carlson's eyes, Tesla's relationship with modernity in all its forms--its fixation with progress and explanation, capital and connection, but also its fragmentation of narrative and self--is more complex and revealing than even the conspiracy nuts have imagined."--Richard Barnett, London Review of Books "Carlson sheds light on the man and plenty of his inventions... [An] electric portrait."--Publishers Weekly "Superb... Carlson brings to life Tesla's extravagant self-promotion, as well as his eccentricity and innate talents, revealing him as a celebrity-inventor of the 'second industrial revolution' to rival Thomas Alva Edison."--W. Patrick McCray, Nature "Soundly footnoted, yet eminently readable, it provides a balanced examination of the man and his work, focusing particularly on Tesla's distinctive style of invention."--Natural History "Carefully researched and thoughtfully written... Clearly surpassing earlier accounts, [this] will be the gold standard for Tesla biography."--Thomas J. Misa, Science "A scholarly, critical, mostly illuminating study of the life and work of the great Serbian inventor."--Kirkus Reviews "Carlson even has something to teach readers familiar with Seifer's dissection of Tesla's tortured psyche in Wizard (2001) and O'Neill's much earlier chronicle of Tesla's childhood and early career in Prodigal Genius (1944). Carlson provides not only a more detailed explanation of Tesla's science but also a more focused psychological account of Tesla's inventive process than do his predecessors. Carlson also surpasses his predecessors in showing how Tesla promoted his inventions by creating luminous illusions of progress, prosperity, and peace, illusions so strong that they finally unhinge their creator. An exceptional fusion of technical analysis of revolutionary devices and imaginative sympathy for a lacerated ego."--Bryce Christensen, Booklist starred review "This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a monumental inventor whose impact on our contemporary world is all too unfamiliar to the general public. Carlson relates the science behind Tesla's inventions with a judicial balance that will engage both the novice and the academic alike. Highly recommended to serious biography buffs and to readers of scientific subjects."--Brian Odom, Library Journal "Carlson deftly weaves the many threads of Tesla's story."--Nicola Davis, Times "Splendid."--Jon Turney, Times Higher Education "Run, don't walk, to buy this book for the Nikola Tesla cultist in your life... [Carlson] is the first trained academic historian of technology to approach this topic, and he snaps the intense, romantic Serb back into his proper context."--Colby Cosh, Maclean's Magazine "Carlson takes a historian's approach to piecing together Tesla's life. He resists the temptation to focus only on Tesla's persona as an eccentric genius with a flair for drama... Instead, Carlson sets out to answer three questions: 'How did Tesla invent? How did his inventions work? And what happened as he introduced his inventions?'"--Maggie Fazeli Fard, Washington Post "Required reading for any would-be innovator."--Christine Evans-Pughe, Engineering and Technology "An impressive piece of scholarship."--Graham Farmelo, Daily Telegraph "Carlson has written an exhaustive biography of Tesla, remarkable for its breadth and thoroughness. He explores and details all his major inventions, providing illustrations and in some cases even reproductions of the patent applications. This is as fair and balanced a biography of Tesla as one could hope for, no mean feat for a man so full of contradictions."--Gino Segre, Physics in Perspective "Historian Carlson ... has at last written a balanced and nuanced scholarly treatment of Tesla in the technical and social contexts of his time... Carlson's easy-to-read style and almost flawless exposition of technical matters will make this book attractive for everyone from general readers to engineers and historians. It is well illustrated and indexed with extensive footnotes. This book is likely to become the standard scholarly biography of Tesla for decades to come."--Choice "Since the death of Nikola Tesla in 1943, his life has deserved a worthy biography. Bernard Carlson has delivered that in Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age, which portrays Tesla as intensely human... Anyone, whether simply an interested reader or a professional historian, engineer, or physicist, will finish Tesla with a deepened understanding of his world, character, and accomplishments."--Robert Rosenberg, Physics Today "This major biography sheds new light on Tesla's visionary approach to invention and the business strategies behind his most important technological breakthroughs."--World Book Industry "The author Bernard Carlson has put a herculean effort in presenting a detailed biographical study of one of the greatest engineer-scientists of human history, Nikola Tesla... The book may be treated as a benchmark by future biographers of inventors and scientists."--Mainak Sengupta, Current Science "It is a very readable work and presents the whole picture of Tesla both as an electrical wizard and as a human being with all the associated foibles. I particularly liked the way Carlson interspersed the narrative with commentary on the inventive process, the role of illusion, and the social implications of his technologies on bringing about positive changes in society as a whole. If you wish to read a factual book about Tesla, this is the one."--Eric P. Wenaas, IEEE Technology and Society Magazine "[Readers] will certainly see this volume as an indispensable guide to one of the most fascinating yet controversial and misunderstood innovators of the modern era."--Graeme Gooday, Metascience "[A] masterly study of the man and his work, explaining how business interests as well as scientific curiosity drove Tesla. Carlson shows how engineers, just as much as artists, benefit from creativity, imagination and idealism."--Roger Backhouse, Journal of the Society of Model & Experimental Engineers "[T]his is an enjoyable biography of Tesla, concentrating in detail on his engineering achievements and business arrangements, even though it could have been firmer on the unscientific nature of some of Tesla's ideas."--Brian Clegg, Popular Science "The most objective and balanced Tesla biography to date."--Tibi Puiu, ZME Science "Tesla is a tour de force of sound scholarship and cogent analysis that brings to life one of the most eccentric and enigmatic characters in the history of technology."--Michael Brian Schiffer, Register of The Kentucky Historical Society "An eminently readable history that, while avoiding hagiography, reconstructs the intellectual development of one of history's great electrical inventors and the social contexts in which he worked."--Benjamin Gross, Chemical Heritage "Carlson's book is likely the definitive biography of Tesla. It is a challenging read, but a rewarding one. It also contributes in the wider context to the reinvention of scientific biography as a prism of cultural history."--Guillaume de Syon, Canadian Journal of History "Carlson's book stands out compared with previous Tesla biographies... The result is an eminently readable history that, while avoiding hagiography, reconstructs the intellectual development of one of history's great electrical inventors and the social contexts in which he worked."--Benjamin Gross, Chemical Heritage "Dr. Carlson has written an outstanding work, exhibiting a true understanding of the complex person who was Nikola Tesla. The book is alternatively uplifting--as it reveals how Tesla's mind worked, creating prototypes of inventions which have changed the world--and heartbreaking... The book is much more than a biography, as Carlson examines the art of invention as it applied to Tesla. He skillfully weaves into the narrative insights as to why Tesla approached his work in the way he did."--John Bowditch, Technology and Culture "Only the bravest of historians elects to take on the challenge of writing a scholarly biography of Tesla that examines and critiques such fondly cherished myths. And Bernie Carlson is certainly up to this challenge... [A]n indispensable guide to one of the most fascinating yet controversial and misunderstood innovators of the modern era."--Graeme Gooday, Metascience "[Carlson's] extensive notes on his sources are invaluable for Tesla researchers, and his book sheds light on many misconceptions perpetuated in some popular Tesla biographies."--Nexus Magazine "The problem for any biographer is that there are really two distinctly different Nikola Teslas. One is the towering genius shunned by the ignorant establishment, whose greatest works are still suppressed; this is the Tesla adored by the alternative science community and the popular media... The other Tesla is the miserable failed inventor whose great plans and endless boasts came to nothing... Carlson manages the impressive feat of steering a middle course between these two."--David Hambling, Fortean TimesTable of ContentsList of Illustrations ix CHAPTER ONE An Ideal Childhood (1856-1878) 12 CHAPTER TWO Dreaming of Motors (1878-1882) 34 CHAPTER THREE Learning by Doing (1882-1886) 60 CHAPTER FOUR Mastering Alternating Current (1886-1888) 76 CHAPTER FIVE Selling the Motor (1888-1889) 100 CHAPTER SIX Searching for a New Ideal (1889-1891) 117 CHAPTER SEVEN A Veritable Magician (1891) 129 CHAPTER EIGHT Taking the Show to Europe (1891-1892) 143 CHAPTER NINE Pushing Alternating Current in America (1892-1893) 158 CHAPTER TEN Wireless Lighting and the Oscillator (1893-1894) 176 CHAPTER ELEVEN Efforts at Promotion (1894-1895) 193 CHAPTER TWELVE Looking for Alternatives (1895-1898) 214 CHAPTER THIRTEEN Stationary Waves (1899-1900) 262 CHAPTER FOURTEEN Wardenclyffe (1900-1901) 302 CHAPTER FIFTEEN The Dark Tower (1901-1905) 331 CHAPTER SIXTEEN Visionary to the End (1905-1943) 368 EPILOGUE 396 Note on Sources 415 Abbreviations and Sources 421 Notes 423 Acknowledgments 473 Index 477

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2016 Praise for the first edition: "Dan Maoz aims to provide a concise guide to the subject for advanced science undergraduates. The essentials of modern astrophysics are covered, from traditional topics such as stellar remnants and galaxies to recent research including dark matter and dark energy, while training students in order-of-magnitude analysis."--Times Higher Education Praise for the first edition: "Maoz makes generous and excellent use of back-of-the-envelope calculations and approximations to the more complete theory, accurate enough to both illustrate the physics and to arrive at decent numerical answers... Lots of material is squeezed into this thin volume. The treatment of stellar physics is particularly insightful; other topics--galaxies and galactic structure and cosmology--are also very well done."--K. L. Schick, Choice Praise for the first edition: "The presentation of so much material ... is done very skillfully, with a judicious balance between mathematical discussion and physical argument. The pedagogic value of the text is greatly enhanced by the problems given at the end of each chapter. Altogether, the book lives well up to the publisher's declared aims."--Leon Mestel, Observatory Praise for the first edition: "This is, without a doubt, one of the best books that I have used for an introductory course in astrophysics over the past decade. The book is unique in providing a pedagogical and authoritative overview of all the important topics in present-day astrophysics with mathematical rigor. The equations are self-contained and well explained, and the results are derived in a concise, factual manner with careful attention to details. My students, teaching assistant, and I have all found the book to be outstanding."--Avi Loeb, Harvard University Praise for the first edition: "Astrophysics in a Nutshell introduces the serious student to the tools, diversity, and power of modern astrophysical theory. In one panoramic volume, both text and reference, the author presents and applies essential concepts and equations, introducing the methods by which we seek to understand the inner workings of the cosmos. It will make a useful addition to the libraries of novice and pundit alike."--Adam Burrows, Princeton University Praise for the first edition: "Astrophysics in a Nutshell is just that--a no-nonsense, fast-paced textbook that authoritatively covers the concepts underlying modern astronomy at an advanced undergraduate level. Dan Maoz does a remarkably good job of presenting the widest range of material that can be reasonably contained in a serious one-semester course. The book's scholarship is excellent and fully up to date."--Greg Laughlin, University of California, Santa Cruz Praise for the first edition: "I have nothing but praise for this textbook. It is a significant contribution to a field that is short on introductions to astronomy for science majors. Astrophysics in a Nutshell fills a basic need."--Lynne Hillenbrand, California Institute of Technology "The book is outstanding and belongs on al physics professors' desks and in all colleges and libraries."--ChoiceTable of ContentsPreface xii Constants and Units xvii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Observational Techniques 2 Problems 8 Chapter 2: Stars: Basic Observations 10 2.1 Review of Blackbody Radiation 10 2.2 Measurement of Stellar Parameters 14 2.3 The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram 26 Problems 28 Chapter 3: Stellar Physics 30 3.1 Hydrostatic Equilibrium and the Virial Theorem 31 3.2 Mass Continuity 35 3.3 Radiative Energy Transport 35 3.4 Energy Conservation 40 3.5 The Equations of Stellar Structure 41 3.6 The Equation of State 42 3.7 Opacity 44 3.8 Scaling Relations on the Main Sequence 45 3.9 Nuclear Energy Production 47 3.10 Nuclear Reaction Rates 52 3.11 Solution of the Equations of Stellar Structure 57 3.12 Convection 57 Problems 60 Chapter 4: Stellar Evolution and Stellar Remnants 64 4.1 Stellar Evolution 64 4.2 White Dwarfs 69 4.3 Supernovae and Neutron Stars 82 4.4 Pulsars 89 4.5 Black Holes 96 4.6 Interacting Binaries 99 Problems 109 Chapter 5: Star Formation and the Interstellar Medium 115 5.1 Cloud Collapse and Star Formation 115 5.2 H II Regions 122 5.3 Components of the Interstellar Medium 133 5.4 Shocks, Supernova Remnants, and Cosmic Rays 136 Problems 153 Chapter 6: Extrasolar Planets 157 6.1 Planet Detection Methods 158 6.2 Planetary System Occurrence and Architecture 175 6.3 Planet Formation and Evolution 178 6.4 Habitable Zones and the Search for Life 180 Problems 182 Chapter 7: The Milky Way and Other Galaxies 185 7.1 Structure of the Milky Way 185 7.2 Galaxy Demographics 200 7.3 Active Galactic Nuclei and Quasars 203 7.4 Groups and Clusters of Galaxies 208 Problems 212 Chapter 8: Cosmology: Basic Observations 215 8.1 The Olbers Paradox 215 8.2 Extragalactic Distances 216 8.3 Hubble's Law 223 8.4 Age of the Universe from Cosmic Clocks 225 8.5 Isotropy of the Universe 226 Problems 227 Chapter 9: Big Bang Cosmology 228 9.1 The Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Metric 228 9.2 The Friedmann Equations 231 9.3 History and Future of the Universe 234 9.4 A Newtonian Derivation of the Friedmann Equations 240 9.5 Dark Energy and the Accelerating Universe 242 Problems 245 Chapter 10: Tests and Probes of Big Bang Cosmology 247 10.1 Cosmological Redshift and Hubble's Law 247 10.2 The Cosmic Microwave Background 251 10.3 Anisotropy of the Microwave Background 255 10.4 Baron Acoustic Oscillations 261 10.5 Nucleosynthesis of the Light Elements 263 10.6 Quasars and Other Distant Sources as Cosmological Probes 266 Problems 269 Appendix 275 Index 239

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Book SynopsisBy the age of nine, Taylor had mastered the science of rocket propulsion.At eleven, his grandmother''s cancer diagnosis inspired him to seek new ways to produce medical isotopes.And by fourteen, Taylor had built a reactor which produces temperatures hotter than the sun, becoming the youngest person in history to achieve nuclear fusion.How did Taylor manage all this? And how did his parents find the courage to give their son the support and freedom he needed to succeed? Here is an astonishing story of audacity, perseverance and passion -- and a boy whose world seems to have no limits.

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Book Synopsis“A great storyteller.”—Paulo Coelho, author of The AlchemistTrade Review"I love The Man Who Counted. The book transports you into a magical world of Bedouins, viziers, sheiks, princes, and kings, rich in references to Islamic traditions and locations in the Middle East. The math is gentle, accessible, and drives the stories." -- Alex Bellos, author of The Grapes of Math

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPart I: AN INTRODUCTION TO INQUIRY. 1. Human Inquiry and Science. 2. Paradigms, Theory, and Social Research. 3. The Ethics and Politics of Social Research. Part II: THE STRUCTURING OF INQUIRY: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE. 4. Research Design. 5. Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement. 6. Indexes, Scales, and Typologies. 7. The Logic of Sampling. Part III: MODES OF OPERATION: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE. 8. Experiments. 9. Survey Research. 10. Qualitative Field Research. 11. Unobtrusive Research. 12. Evaluation Research. Part IV: ANALYSIS OF DATA: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE. 13. Qualitative Data Analysis. 14. Quantitative Data Analysis. 15. The Logic of Multivariate Analysis. 16. Statistical Analyses. 17. Reading and Writing Social Research. APPENDICES. A. Using the Library. B. GSS Household Enumeration Questionnaire. C. Random Numbers. D. Distribution of Chi Square. E. Normal Curve Areas. F. Estimated Sampling Error. Preface. Acknowledgments.

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Book SynopsisFeatures roughly 1,600 quotes in all. This book includes sections unique to the ultimate collection such as "On and to Children," "On Race and Prejudice," and "Einstein's Verses: A Small Selection" - as well as a chronology of Einstein's life and accomplishments, and Freeman Dyson's authoritative foreword.Trade Review"[The Ultimate Quotable Einstein] is a compelling selection... Students of Einstein's work and life, who are familiar with these contexts, can find many embellishments to their research, and often puzzling contrary notes to customary portrayals of his stance on issues ranging from Zionism to domestic life."--ChoiceTable of ContentsForeword, by Freeman Dyson ix A (long) note about this final edition xvii A brief chronology xxv THE QUOTATIONS On Einstein Himself 1 On and to His Family 29 On Aging 53 On America and Americans 61 On and to Children 75 On Death 89 On Education, Students, and Academic Freedom 97 On and to Friends, Specifi c Scientists, and Others 111 On Germans and Germany 159 On Humankind 171 On Jews, Israel, Judaism, and Zionism 191 On Life 227 On Music 233 On Pacifi sm, Disarmament, and World Government 243 On Peace, War, the Bomb, and the Military 261 On Politics, Patriotism, and Government 287 On Race and Prejudice 309 On Religion, God, and Philosophy 319 On Science and Scientists, Mathematics, and Technology 347 On Miscellaneous Subjects 411 Abortion, Achievement, Ambition, Animals/Pets, Art and Science, Astrology, Birth Control, Birthdays, Books, Causality, China and the Chinese, Christmas, Clarity, Class, Clothes, Competition, Comprehensibility, Compromise, Conscience, Creativity, Crises, Curiosity, Death Penalty, Doctors, England, the English, and the English Language, Epistemology, Flying Saucers and Extraterrestrials, Force, Games, Good Acts, Graphology, Home, Homosexuality, Immigrants, Individuals/Individuality, Intelligence, Intuition, Invention, Italy and the Italians, Japan and the Japanese, Knowledge, Love, Marriage, Materialism, Miracles, Morality, Mysticism, Nature, Pipe Smoking, Posterity, The Press, Prohibition, Psychoanalysis, Public Speaking, Rickshaw Pullers, Sailing, Sculpture, Sex Education, Success, Thinking, Truth, Vegetarianism, Violence, Wealth, Wisdom, Women, Work, Youth Einstein's Verses: A Small Selection 461 Attributed to Einstein 471 Others on Einstein 487 Bibliography 547 Index of Key Words 557 Subject Index 563

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Book SynopsisAmong rock-forming minerals, the colorful tourmaline group is a favorite of both mineral collectors and gemologists. Superb examples are found at many locales worldwide, and in diverse geological settings from pegmatites to schists. Over 120 clear, crisp photos show each mineral in its geological context. This book will help mineral and gem collectors understand tourmaline mineralogy and see how changes in nomenclature reflect our evolving understanding of the group. The text explains the chemistry and taxonomy of the group, the environment in which tourmalines form, provides a detailed entry for each mineral including locality information and full-color photos wherever possible so that collectors can see what good specimens look like and which minerals one might expect to find in association with them. An extensive bibliography is provided for readers who wish to learn more. Every serious mineralogist, gemologist, and rock hound will need this book.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review...interesting to anyone curious about the science of the shore. Library Journal ...for the serious minded beachgoer... Los Angeles Times Fascinating phenomena - from surf beat, edge waves and beach cusps to the dunes known as barchans - bob through this crisply written guide to ecology and geology at the edge. Nature ...offers material not only for science junkies but for anyone who loves the beach experience. Richmond Times-Dispatch It is an easy read for those who live by the shore and want a good, simple understanding of why it's there, what is going on now, and what might happen in the future... -- Andrew D. Short Oceanography Engaging and easy to read... This book helps readers understand the physical processes that form that shore... Highly recommended. Choice a good comprehensive introduction to the shore... -- Judith S. Weis Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Beaches 2. Wind 3. Waves 4. Tides 5. Sediments 6. Barrier Islands and Tidal Inlets 7. Sand Dunes and Salt Marshes 8. Sea Level and Sea-Level Rise 9. Storms and Storm Surges 10. Erosion and Shore Protection Appendix 1. Units of Speed: Approximate Conversion Factors Appendix 2. Beaufort Scale Appendix 3. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Glossary Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWhat is our place in the 14-billion-year history of the universe? This book tells the epic story of the universe from an new perspective, weaving the findings of modern science together with enduring wisdom found in the humanistic traditions of the West, China, India, and indigenous peoples.Trade Review"The book is simply written and easy to read—more like Kipling's Just So Stories than Being and Time—and you may or may not be convinced by Swimme and Tucker's interpretations of modern cosmology and evolutionary history. But it's a fascinating game to play. More theology of physics, please!"—Josh Rothman, Boston Globe (Brainiac blog)". . . captivating in its narrative and imagery. . . . Brian Swimme is a great storyteller who uses down to earth illustrations such as the comparison between an egg and the crust of the Earth in order to convey his understanding."—David Lorimer, The Scientific and Medical Network"The authors never left me confused, or feeling like an outsider even in unfamiliar intellectual territory, but they stoked my curiosity. Readers . . . will find treatments of an interdisciplinary range of concepts readily accessible, including dark matter, quarks and leptons, coevolution and female choice, religious ideas about the sun, and ideas of famous thinkers such as Pythagoras."—Julianne Lutz Warren, SpringerJourney of the Universe (the film) has been nominated for an Emmy for the West Coast (winner will be announced 9 June) "For those of us enmeshed in symbolic consciousness, this is just the story we need to hear, loud and clear. It helps us understand how we happened to be here, and, more important, why."—Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet and The End of Nature"This is a wonderful, highly readable account of the history of the universe from the Big Bang through the present moment. . . . There is blockbuster potential in Journey of the Universe, and I recommend it with great enthusiasm."—Thomas Lovejoy, University Professor in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University"Journey of the Universe is eloquent, accessible, and powerful, and conveys a sense of wonder ranging from the cosmos to the microcosm—in itself a considerable achievement. This is one of the most compelling and inspiring works I've read in a long time."—David W. Orr, Oberlin College"This cosmic saga offers a compelling vision of the grand adventure in which we humans are taking part."—Scott Russell Sanders, author of A Conservationist Manifesto"The sense of deep time and space that Journey of the Universe establishes is the greatly needed context for students, who do not always appreciate the present predicament and the role of humanity in the world. It puts us in perspective—and conveys wonder that Earth and life are here in the first place and how amazing it is to be in what is apparently one of the most creative nooks in the universe. Also wonderful is the scientific narrative spine and to ask over and over—ok, what does it mean for us?"—Julianne Lutz Warren, author of Aldo Leopold’s Odyssey

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Book SynopsisIn the mid-1850s, no scientist in the British Empire was more visible than Richard Owen. This is a biography of Owen.Trade Review"This is not a standard biography in the traditional sense, but a marvelous interrogation of one of Victorian Britain's major scientists. It succeeds in capturing the remarkable and multifaceted career of Richard Owen himself, while at the same time opening up the entire culture of British natural history in the nineteenth century. An outstanding work." - David Livingstone, Queen's University Belfast"

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Book SynopsisA New York Times bestseller: "A passionate and convincing case for the sophistication of nonhuman minds." —Alison Gopnik, The AtlanticTrade Review"The book is not only full of information and thought-provoking, it’s also a lot of fun to read." -- Nancy Szokan - Washington Post"Astonishing…has the makings of a classic—and is one fascinating read." -- People"Walks us through research revealing what a wide range of animal species are actually capable of…[I]t all deals a pretty fierce wallop to our sense of specialness." -- Jon Mooallem - New York Times Book Review"A thoughtful and easy read, packed with information stemming from detailed empirical research, and one of de Waal’s most comparative works that goes well beyond the world of nonhuman primates with whom he’s most familiar." -- Marc Bekoff - Psychology Today"A beautifully written and delightfully conceived popular science book, written by an eminent researcher who has dedicated his career to making the general public aware of just how smart animals are." -- Nicola Clayton - Science"If you are at all interested in what it is to be an animal, human or otherwise, you should read this book." -- The Guardian"This is a remarkable book by a remarkable scientist. Drawing on a growing body of research including his own, de Waal shows that animals, from elephants and chimpanzees to the lowly invertebrates, are not only smarter than we thought, but also engaged in forms of thought we have only begun to understand." -- Edward O. Wilson, University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University"Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? will completely change your perceptions of the abilities of animals. This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of animal problem-solving." -- Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human"So, are we ‘smart enough to know how smart animals are’? The question will occur to you many times as you read Frans de Waal’s remarkable distillations of science in this astonishingly broad-spectrum book. I guarantee one thing: readers come away a lot smarter. As this book shows, we are here on Planet Earth with plenty of intelligent company." -- Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel

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Book SynopsisAn exciting journey of science discovery is as near as your own backyard. Just one small square is alive with creepers and crawlers, lifters and leapers, singers, buzzers, climbers, builders, and recyclers. Backyard invites children ages 7 and up to become nature lovers by looking, listening, touching, and smelling the world from the ground up! From the unique One Small Square series of science acitivity books. . .where children can explore exotic and familiar ecosystems in detail, one small square at a time.Table of ContentsIntroduction.The Food Makers.Guests for Dinner.Life Cyclers.Out in the Cold.Making a Living.Definitely Not a Golf Ball.Night Life.Litter ``Bugs''.Watch Out for Traps! More Than Just Dirt.

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Book SynopsisThroughout the four hundred thousand years that humanity has been collecting fossils, sea urchin fossils - or echinoids - have continually been among the most prized, from the Paleolithic era, when they decorated flint axes, to today, when paleobiologists study them for clues to the earth's history. The author takes the reader on a fossil hunt.Trade Review"The Star-Crossed Stone is outstanding and original, a fascinating story about sea urchin fossils from Neolithic times to the present. It is much more than a summary of the folklore surrounding a particular fossil, however: it also traces the evolution of mythmaking, the human urge to collect, and the development of complex symbolic thought, combining archaeology, paleontology, folklore, and anthropology in wonderful, surprising ways that will delight general and scientific readers alike." - Adrienne Mayor, author of The Poison King"

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Book SynopsisCovers giant cats and skittish bats, squawking parrots and upside-down sloths. This title covers what from earth floor to the top of the tree canopy. It contains drawings, step-by-step experiments, fun activities, and facts abound in the ecosystem.Table of ContentsIntroduction.What Lives in a Rain Forest? Where Rain Forests are Found.Forest Floor: Army Ants, Buttress Roots, Soil.Forest Floor: Herbivores, Camouflage.Forest Floor: Predators Including Big Cats.Midstory: Vines, Sloths, Snakes.Midstory: Frogs, Parasites, Large Insects.Midstory: Highway to the Top.Canopy: Where the Light Is, Epiphytes, Reptiles.Canopy: Creatures That Live in a Bromeliad ``Pond''.Canopy: Colorful Butterflies and Birds.Canopy: Monkeys.Canopy: Trees That Emerge from the Canopy, Eagles and Other Soaring Predators.When the Rain Forest Floods.Why Save the Rain Forest.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Making sense of data is emerging as the limiting factor of progress in neuroscience. This book is the accessible way to learn how to do that." --Konrad Koerding, Professor, Northwestern University "This is a fun, hands-on introduction to the important emerging field of neural data science. It's at the intersection of programming, data analysis, and neuroscience -- perfect for aspiring researchers looking to learn these three in parallel. This book will help inspire a new generation to join us in finding out how the brain works with modern computational tools." --Nikolaus Kriegeskorte, Programme leader, Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of CambridgeTable of ContentsPart I: Foundations 1. Philosophy 2. From 0 to 0.01 Part II: Neural Data Analysis 3. Wrangling Spike Trains 4. Correlating Spike Trains 5. Analog Signals 6. Biophysical Modeling Part III: Going Beyond the Data 7. Regression 8. Dimensionality Reduction 9. Classification and Clustering 10. Web Scraping

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Book SynopsisIn this rare personal investigation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama discusses his vision of science and faith working hand in hand to alleviate human suffering. Drawing on a lifetime of scientific study and religious practice, he explores the great debates and makes astonishing connections between seemingly disparate topics - such as evolution and karma - that will change the way we look at the world.While he sees science and faith as ''complementary but different investigative approaches with the same goal of seeking the truth,'' the fact is that the two have often been at the root of human conflict for centuries. The Dalai Lama challenges us to see that the benefits of opening our hearts and minds to the connections between science and faith are far preferable to perpetuating the divisive rhetoric that often surrounds them. Now, as we face such troubled and uncertain times, the need has never been greater for this extraordinary man''s compassion and wisdom.Trade ReviewWith immense charm and lucidity, [the Dalai Lama] riffs on possible congruences between quantum physics or relativity and the Buddhist concept of impermanence and nothingness Steven Poole, GUARDIAN Wise and compassionate DAILY EXPRESS Some fascinating fresh insights ... Those who confuse the Dalai Lama's affability and simple-heartedness for a lack of intellectual rigour will be confounded by the strength of his reasoning, and no one can deny his argument that science should serve us all ... a fascinating account of an intellectual journey from the rooftops of Lhasa to the modern world SCOTSMAN The lucidity of the writing is a joy, and conveys with simple elegance profound truths from both traditions. For those wishing to understand the nature of reality, this is an excellent work THE MIDDLE WAY: JOURNAL OF THE BUDDHIST SOCIETY

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Book SynopsisFlatland is a unique, delightful satire that has charmed readers for over a century. Published in 1884 by the English clergyman and headmaster Edwin A. Abbott, it is the fanciful tale of A. Square, a two-dimensional being who is whisked away by a mysterious visitor to The Land of Three Dimensions, an experience that forever alters his worldview. Like the original, Ian Stewart''s commentary takes readers on a strange and wonderful journey. With clarity and wit, Stewart illuminates Abbott''s numerous Victorian references and touches on such diverse topics as ancient Babylon, Karl Marx, Mary Shelley''s Frankenstein , Mt. Everest, H.G. Wells, and phrenology. The Annotated Flatland makes fascinating connections between Flatland and Abbott''s era, resulting in a classic to rival Abbott''s own, and a book that will inspire and delight curious readers for generations to come.Trade Review"Stewart... is renowned for his popular science books, but Why Beauty is Truth is without a doubt the finest." Nature "Stewart, long a class act in popular maths, does not shy from presenting equations, illuminating them with imagistic explanations and sympathetic character sketches of heroes past and present." Guardian "I resorted to hiding (Why Beauty is Truth) from other members of the family until I'd finished and am confident that those on the 'waiting list' will not be disappointed. Inspirational." TLS"

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Book SynopsisEstablishing the fundamental importance of geography in both the generation and the consumption of scientific knowledge, this work does so with historical examples of the many places where science has been practised.

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Book SynopsisThe renowned theoretical physicist and national bestselling author of The God Equation takes readers on an exciting excursion into the discoveries that have led scientists to the brightest new prospect in theoretical physics today: superstring theory. What is superstring theory and why is it important? This revolutionary breakthrough may well be the fulfillment of  Albert Einstein's lifelong dream of a Theory of Everything, uniting the laws of physics into a single description explaining all the known forces in the universe. Co-authored by one of the leading pioneers in superstrings, Michio Kaku, the book approaches scientific questions with the excitement of a detective story, offering a fascinating look at the new science that may make the impossible possible.

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Book SynopsisIn this entertaining collection of intriguing, educational, and fun braintwisters, acclaimed author and physicist Christopher Jargodzki and physicist Franklin Potter join forces to explore the curiosities of physics and provide answers intriguing conundrums.Table of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgments xiii To the Reader xv Chapter 1 Temperature Risin’ 1 Chapter 2 Color My World 1 3 Chapter 3 Splish! Splash! 25 Chapter 4 Fly like an Eagle 4 1 Chapter 5 Good Vibrations 53 Chapter 6 Opposites Attract 65 Chapter 7 Bodies in Motion 79 Chapter 8 Stairway to Heaven 101 Chapter 9 Life in the Fast Lane 1 1 1 Chapter 10 Born to Run 121 Chapter 1 1 Third Stone from the Sun 131 Chapter 12 Across the Universe 143 Answers Temperature Risin’ 155 Color My World 166 Splish! Splash! 1 7 5 Fly like an Eagle 185 Good Vibrations 194 Opposites Attract 209 Bodies in Motion 219 Stairway to Heaven 239 Life in the Fast Lane 247 Born to Run 255 Third Stone from the Sun 269 Across the Universe 283 Index 298

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Book SynopsisExplores the beach - one of the planet's most dynamic environments - from tourist beaches to Arctic beaches strewn with ice chunks to steaming hot tropical shores. This book tells how beaches work, explains why they vary so much, and shows how dramatic changes can occur on them in a matter of hours.Trade Review"A comprehensive, readable guide to the physical features of many kinds of beaches and some of the threats they face." New York Times "A well-illustrated introduction to the geology and ecology of beaches." Scienceblogs.com/The Guardian "If one wonders how beach systems work and cares about the future, then this is the book to own, read, and share." -- PR Pinet Choice "This book has a wide appeal... Written in an engaging style." Reference & Research Book News / Scitech Book NewsTable of ContentsDedication Page (Santa Aguila Foundation) PREFACE (ACKNOWLEDGMENTS) LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS LIST OF TABLES Part I: THE GLOBAL CHARACTER OF BEACHES Chapter 1: A WORLD OF BEACHES Beaches: Crossroads of History Beaches: Avenues of Commerce Beaches: Nature's Most Dynamic Environment Beaches: Varied Materials Beaches: Obstacle Courses Beaches: To Be or Not To Be Beaches: Comber's Delight or Nature's Trash Collector? Beaches: A Natural Laboratory Chapter 2: BEACHES OF THE WORLD What is a Beach? Recipe for Making a Beach Classification of Coasts and Beaches Classifications and a Global Model Beach Sediments and the Plate Tectonic Setting Beaches as Landforms Climate and Types of Coasts We Stand on Their Shoulders Chapter 3: OF WHAT ARE BEACHES MADE: SEDIMENTS Beach Sediments Grain Size, Sorting and Shape Grain Composition Terrigenous Sediments Heavy Minerals Carbonate Sediments Other Beach Materials Chapter 4: HOW BEACHES WORK: WAVES, CURRENTS, TIDES AND WIND The Most Dynamic Place on Earth Waves Wave Energy Wave Types Breakers Wave Refraction, Diffraction and Reflection Currents (Alongshore; Onshore; Offshore) Wave-Current-Sediment Interaction Tsunamis Tides Tides and Beach Groundwater Other Water Level Changes Surges El Nino Wind The Global Picture Chapter 5: THE FORM OF THE BEACH: CRABS-EYE AND BIRDS-EYE VIEWS Beach Profiles: The Crab's Eye View Profile Changes Beach Plans: The Bird's Eye View Berms and Cusps Washover Fans Offshore Bars Part II: HOW TO READ A BEACH Chapter 6: THE BEACH SURFACE UP-CLOSE: IMPRINTS OF TIDES, CURRENTS, AND WAVES Near-Shore, Beach, and Tidal Flat Features Ripple Marks Modified Ripple Marks Swash and Backwash Features Other Surface Features Chapter 7: ESCAPE FROM WITHIN: AIR AND WATER IN THE BEACH Knee Deep in Sand: Airy Beaches Air Escape Structures Watery Beaches and Water Escape Structures Chapter 8: WHICH EVER WAY THE WIND BLOWS: REWORKING THE BEACH SURFACE Wind on Wet Sand and Mud Wet-to-Dry Transition Structures Wind on Dry Sediment Dunes and Dune Structures Dune Plants: Surviving in a Desert Chapter 9: BEACH CREATURES: TRACKS, TRAILS, AND TRACES Beach Animals from Micro to Macro Macrofaunal Clues Molluscs (clams and snails) Crustaceans Chelicerata Polychaetes Other Invertebrate Animals Vetebrates Evidence of the Habitat Role of Animals Chapter 10: CARBONATE BEACHES: SEA SHELLS AND THE STORIES THEY TELL Carbonate Shells, Skeletons, and Secretions Other Carbonate Sediments Non-Calcareous Plant and Animal Remains Shell Abundance Where do Seashells Come From? The Significance of Broken Seashells Shell Rounding Orientation of Shells on the Beach Secondary Shell Color Shell Collecting: An Environmental Afterthought Chapter 11: DIGGING THE BEACH: INTO THE THIRD DIMENSION Bedding Black Sands and Cross Bedding Burrows and Bioturbation Part III: THE GLOBAL THREAT TO BEACHES Chapter 12: BEACHES AND PEOPLE Coastal Engineering Hard Stabilization Soft Stabilization Other Damaging Activities Water Pollution Oil Spills The Environmental Truths About Beaches Chapter 13: EPILOGUE The Urbanized Beach: From Middens to the Maelstrom of Development GLOSSARY REFERENCES

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Book SynopsisGrowing from the seafloor and extending along the ocean surface in lush canopies, giant kelp provides an extensive vertical habitat in a largely two-dimensional seascape. This book provides a discussion of kelp species and forest ecology worldwide, with considerations of human uses and abuses, management and conservation, and more.Trade Review"A detailed, multifaceted synthesis of knowledge... Recommended." -- R. Schmid CHOICE connect "Remarkable... as comprehensive as could conceivably be attempted... A pleasure to read." -- John J. Bolton PhycologiaTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction PART I. THE BIOLOGY OF GIANT KELP 1. Introduction to Giant Kelp Forests Worldwide 2. The Structure, Function, and Abiotic Requirements of 3. The Abiotic Environment 4. Demography, Dispersal, and Connectivity of Populations PART II. THE GIANT KELP ECOSYSTEM 5. Giant Kelp Communities 6. Detached Giant Kelp Communities, Production, and Food / Control Webs 7. Facilitative and Competitive Interactions in Giant Kelp Forests 8. Grazing in Kelp Communities 9. Predation and Trophic Cascades in Kelp Communities PART III. HUMAN USAGE, MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION 10. Anthropogenic Effects on Kelp Forests 11. Human Usage of Giant Kelp and Kelp Forest Organisms 12. Marine Protected Areas and Fisheries Effects PART IV. GLOBAL CHANGE AND THE FUTURE 13. Global Change 14. Giant Kelp Forests: Conclusions and Final Thought Afterword References Index

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Book SynopsisA "revolution" in the cognitive sciences has irrevocable transformed our basic understanding of the mind, establishing that imagination is both central to cognition and that imagination is an orderly, systematic, embodied process. This book applies this understanding to the discipline of law.

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Book SynopsisTackles the question of race in West Africa through its postcolonial manifestations. Challenging the view of the African continent as a nonracialized space, the author envisions Africa, and in particular the nation of Ghana, as a place whose local relationships are deeply informed by global structures of race, economics, and politics.Trade Review"In The Predicament of Blackness, Jemima Pierre makes an important intervention in Africanist anthropology, which is in dire need of analyses, such as Pierre offers, that illuminate the workings of race. This book is in a class by itself. It is not only a welcome addition to the field, but will in fact inspire a new generation of African studies scholarship that is more attentive to the cultural practices of race." (Bayo Holsey, Duke University)"

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Book SynopsisProvides a range of writing skills that an experimental scientist needs to employ. Chapters cover various types of science writing, from routine forms, such as laboratory notes, abstracts, and memoranda, to the more complex writing required in dissertations, journal articles, and grant proposals.

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Book SynopsisAsimov tells the stories behind the science: the men and women who made the important discoveries and how they did it. Ranging from Galilei, Achimedes, Newton and Einstein, he takes the most complex concepts and explains it in such a way that a first-time reader on the subject feels confident on his/her understanding.

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Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Bold futurist Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity Is Near, offers a framework for envisioning the future of machine intelligence—“a book for anyone who wonders where human technology is going next” (The New York Times Book Review). “Kurzweil offers a thought-provoking analysis of human and artificial intelligence and a unique look at a future in which the capabilities of the computer and the species that invented it grow ever closer.”—BILL GATES Imagine a world where the difference between man and machine blurs, where the line between humanity and technology fades, and where the soul and the silicon chip unite. This is not science fiction. This is the twenty-first century according to Ray Kurzweil, the “restless genius” (The Wall Street Journal), “ultimate thinking machine” (Forbes), and inventor of the most innovative and compelling technology of our era. In his inspired hands, life in the new millennium no longer seems daunting. Instead, it promises to be an age in which the marriage of human sensitivity and artificial intelligence fundamentally alters and improves the way we live. More than just a list of predictions, Kurzweil’s prophetic blueprint for the future guides us through the inexorable advances that will result in:• Computers exceeding the memory capacity and computational ability of the human brain (with human-level capabilities not far behind)• Relationships with automated personalities who will be our teachers, companions, and lovers• Information fed straight into our brains along direct neural pathways Eventually, the distinction between humans and computers will have become sufficiently blurred that when the machines claim to be conscious, we will believe them.

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Book SynopsisDaniel C. Dennett''s Freedom Evolves tackles the most important question of human existence - is there really such a thing as free will? How can humans make genuinely independent choices if we are just a cluster of cells and genes in a world determined by scientific laws? Here, Daniel Dennett provides an impassioned defense of free will. But rather than freedom being an eternal, unchanging condition of our existence, in reality, he reveals, it has evolved: just like life on the planet and the air we breathe. Evolution is the key to resolving this greatest of philosophical questions - and to understanding our place in the world as uniquely free agents. Dennett shows that far from there being an incompatibility between contemporary science and the traditional vision of freedom and morality, it is only recently that science has advanced to the point where we can see how we came to have our unique kind of freedom. ''A serious book with a

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewNeurogastronomy is a personal yet magisterial account of the new brain-based approach to flavor perception. Gordon M. Shepherd's panoramic view of science, culture, and behavior is that of a true pioneer of the chemical senses. -- Avery Gilbert, Author of What the Nose Knows: The Science of Scent in Everyday Life Cooking? It is first love, then art, then technique. Chefs and food lovers alike can benefit from a better appreciation of the phenomena at play throughout the culinary process, from the field to the fork and beyond. This is why flavor is so important, and why Gordon M. Shepherd's well-named Neurogastronomy is such a welcome addition to the literature. -- Herve This, author of Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor Those who make the effort will be rewarded: they'll never look at eating the same way again. Library Journal Shepherd makes an excellent case for neurogastronomy as an important cross-disciplinary field that is likely to motivate a variety of imperatives for our health and well-being. -- Chris Loss Nature Although written for lay readers, this excellent summary of everything people currently know about flavor perception must be considered the latest and most valuable review of research on the chemical senses. Choice Stimulating and informing. -- Israel Rosenfeld and Edward B. Ziff New York Review of Books A work that has the potential for breaking new ground and developing a whole new direction of study. Yum.fi

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be a horse? The definitive and bestselling book explaining the mysteries of the horse using insights of modern science.What makes a winning racehorse? How intelligent are horses? What are horses trying to tell us when they stamp their hooves and snort? Do horses talk to each other?The horse, long symbol of beauty and athletic prowess, has made and lost fortunes and transformed human history and culture, and yet has retained mysteries that baffle even those who work with them every day. There has recently been an explosion of scientific research on the horse. In this book Stephen Budiansky brings the insights of modern science to a wider audience of horse enthusiasts and animal-lovers.

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Book SynopsisThe ocean teems with life that thrives under difficult situations in unusual environments. This book takes readers to the absolute limits of the aquatic world - the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.Trade ReviewOne of American Association for the Advancement of Science's Books for General Audiences and Young Adults 2014 "This gem of a book by marine biologist Stephen Palumbi and his son, science writer Anthony Palumbi, finds enough weirdness in the ocean to feed creativity for generations to come... The Palumbis' writing is a wonderful mix of meticulous science and creative panache... A joy whether read at one sitting, or dipped in and out of to prolong the pleasure."--Callum Roberts, Nature "Marine biologist Stephen R. Palumbi and writer Anthony R. Palumbi survey an impressive catch of extreme oceanic species, from the oldest to the deepest-dwelling... A brilliant use of the rich store of research into Earth's largest habitat."--Nature "From 'immortal' jellyfish that age in reverse, to zombie bone worms that eat the skeletons of dead whales, the ocean is full of bizarre characters. Biologist Stephen Palumbi and his science writer son, Anthony, profile the most unusual specimens. Chapters cover the smallest, the oldest, the hottest and the coldest species, among others, and the landscape of strange creatures is brought to life by charming writing."--Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American "The Palumbis probe life in the depths of the oceans and in tide waters in successive chapters spotlighting the long-lived Bowhead whale; sea species that adapt to extremely high temperatures and others to cold; clownfish, which change gender, becoming male or female as circumstances dictate; and much more. The authors end with a warning that the oceans contain a complex ecology in which each species 'thrives in its easily disrupted specialized niche.'... A sparkling appreciation of the wonderful variety of marine life that also communicates an important message."--Kirkus Reviews "The book reads like an action-adventure novel... This approach is a pleasant departure from dull textbook prose. It will delight readers who lack scientific credentials but yearn to understand the diversity of life in the oceans. The text demystifies, mystifies, and amazes."--Geraldine Richards, ForeWord Reviews "Highlighting the strangest cases in animate sea life, marine ecologist S.R. Palumbi exudes a palpable and contagious sense of delight as he enlists his writer son's help to fill the 'gap in character development' in the story of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... By showing how each creature is so tightly tied to its environment, the authors are able to effectively demonstrate how small human-driven changes to the oceans disrupt a complex system developed over millions of years. The Palumbis encourage a childlike curiosity by showing us the amazing diversity of life down below, and perhaps our inner children will pester our grownup selves into doing what needs to be done to keep these habitats intact."--Publishers Weekly "A giddy scientific tour of weird underwater life."--Richard Conniff, TakePart "The Palumbis give us the sense that although some parts of nature are more romantically wondrous than others--those sponges, giant squids doing epic battle with sperm whales--it is the variety that is wonderful."--Owen Richardson, Sydney Morning Herald "The whole safari is conducted with a verve and joy that only comes from a deep love of the subject, a life-long dedication to its exploration and a true communicator's sense of the mot juste. This experience and range means the Palumbis can write comfortably about research and researchers, and about the physical and mental exploration of the ocean's ecology... [A] splendid book ... a dynamic text."--Adrian Barnett, New Scientist "Stephen and Anthony Palumbi--father and son; biologist and science writer--are brilliant guides to this realm about which we as a species have been remarkably incurious... The Palumbis pere et fils give us the new stories in succinct prose beautifully freighted with apt similes and metaphors."--Peter Forbes, Independent "The Extreme Life of the Sea is less narrative and more an enthusiastic sharing of cool things in the sea, which are loosely tied together in thematic sections. It is not, however, just a collection of 'gee whiz' facts. The compelling vignettes help to convey broader concepts of science and nature with excitement and enthusiasm... It reminds us that science and the natural world are really cool."--Josh Witten, Finch and the Pea "Highlighting the strangest cases of marine life, the authors give us a hint of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... In their delightful, vivid description about the struggle for existence in the sea, the Palumbis do manage to communicate a vital message: even the extreme conditions in the deep sea are not immune from disruptive and destructive human greed."--Wan Lixin, Shanghai Daily "Who doesn't like reading about the fantastical creatures that stalk the inky depths of the world's oceans? In The Extreme Life of the Sea, it's the marine environment's superlatives that are on display."--Scientist Magazine "The uniqueness of this book is due to the combination of a novel's flair utilizing figurative language and analogies with scientific concepts... The authors seek to help us understand the value, complexity, and vastness of the ocean and the importance of consequences of their actions. I think that this would be an excellent book in a seminar for high school students and biology majors in college."--Jean Worsley, NSTA Recommends "[The Palumbis] have written about some of the most alien creatures you will ever encounter, and for many of them it is far more pleasant to encounter them on these pages than in real life. Yet as strange as they are, many of them are vital to keeping the oceans in balance, or as indicators of oceans out of balance, and so we ought to know them better. Brightly written, with footnotes but without ponderousness, the Palumbis' book succeeds in inspiring what they say they in their preface that they set out to produce: 'a sense of guiltless wonder about how wonderful the ocean's life actually is.'"--Rob Hardy, Columbus Dispatch "[A] stimulating and enjoyable read."--Diver Magazine "Steve Palumbi has got a gift for summarizing complicated issues related to his field, making them both relatable and entertaining... The Extreme Life of the Sea plunges readers into the world of 'the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.'... At the heart of the book, though, the Palumbis stress how marine creatures have managed to adapt and thrive in some of the most punishing environments imaginable. Obviously, there's plenty we can learn from them."--Crystal Chow, San Jose Mercury News "Extremophiles are fun! Basically, they're the biggest, smallest, hardiest and definitely the oddest bunch of beasties to be found anywhere on this planet. The Palumbi father and son team--one scientist and one writer--bring us this fun little book on the extremophiles of the sea... The best part of the book is that the authors do more than just recite oddball trivia, they really tell the stories of the animals in the book... This is a solid book, very informative and very entertaining but with a strong message."--John Dupuis, Confessions of a Science Librarian "This engaging book eloquently captures the long history and immense variety of life in the world's oceans, and provides a glimpse into what makes the seas so special... Better than science fiction, this book is filled with amazing stories about amazing creatures... Sweetly enthusiastic, enlightening and witty and, at times, inspired... Regardless of your level of knowledge, this quietly joyful and informative book has something of value for everyone."--GrrlScientist "Drawing on decades of scientific research as well as a knack for storytelling, the authors convey what happens at the ocean depths without sugarcoating it... It doesn't just shed light on some of the most mysterious workings of the sea; it does so with vivid prose while managing to convey scientists' current understanding of how and why these phenomena operate. If that doesn't make people more invested in preserving the ocean, it's hard to know what will."--Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post "A rare hybrid: a funny and easy-to-read book full of accurate science."--Susan Scott, Honolulu Star-Advertiser "Marine biologists as well as lay readers with more than a casual interest in marine science will find this an engrossing discussion of what lies beneath the waters, how it's adapted, and threats to this adaptation process."--James A. Cox, California Bookwatch "Extensive notes and an index round out this fascinating account, enthusiastically recommended for public and college library collections alike."--James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review "Simply a tour de force, a splendid must read for any natural history enthusiast."--Gabriel Thoumi, Mongabay.com "This book about sea creatures is perfect for the curious person with limited time for reading... [T]he authors investigate all sorts of oddities, including whale falls, the bizarre sex life of angler fish, and the amazing aerodynamic design of humpback whale fins. They have conducted research in all sorts of odd corners of marine science and are wonderfully up-to-date, and end their text the necessary final chapter on how humans might be affecting all this diversity."--Choice "While packed with scientific information, this book is an easy read. The average chapter is just over ten pages long, and each is divided into clearly labeled subsections. It is fairly generously illustrated and written in a light, conversational style--as seen by the references to Volkswagen Beetles and the population of India. These characteristics make this an easy book to dip into, but once you get started, you'll probably want to immerse yourself."--Tom Baker, Japan News "The chapters are informative and interesting and altogether well written."--Tom Fenchel, Marine Biology Research "Every page of this wonderful book is filled with nuggets of information. It becomes quite clear that we all must strive to protect this vast pool of life that enables our own lives to continue."--Explorers Journal "One of the most informative books I've ever read."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-Ledger "Only the strong survive, it is said, but The Extreme Life of the Sea makes a good case for the strange, the efficient, and the ugly... [A]n engaging blend. Stanford professor Stephen serves up the heavier science of DNA and physiology, seasoned with a sprightly narrative, some scene-setting and humor from novelist Anthony. Extreme Life uses Guinness Record-like chapters to discuss the smallest, the deepest, the shallowest and the coldest marine life-forms."--Melissa Davis, Seattle Times "[B]eautifully descriptive and refreshingly free of technical terms. Here is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the biology of the seas, whatever their level of scientific education."--Anthony O'Toole, Sherkin Comment "This is a scientifically rich book that is also a good read and would be appropriate for a wide range of audiences."--AAAS "[W]ell worth purchasing... [The Extreme Life of the Sea] is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the seas and their creatures from the earliest ages to the present."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-LedgerTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments: Guiltless Wonder vii Prologue The Epic Ocean 1 1 The Earliest 5 2 The Most Archaic 19 3 The Smallest 36 4 The Deepest 46 5 The Shallowest 65 6 The Oldest 81 7 The Fastest Sprints and Longest Journeys 94 8 The Hottest 112 9 The Coldest 125 10 The Strangest Family Lives 141 11 Future Extremes 158 Epilogue: A Grand Bargain 175 Notes 179 Index 209 Color figures follow page 84.

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Book SynopsisGives earth scientists the essential skills for translating chemical and physical systems into mathematical and computational models that provide enhanced insight into Earth's processes. This book identifies the important geological variables of physical-chemical geoscience problems and describes the mechanisms that control these variables.Trade Review"The authors do a good job of deriving the mathematical models from physical considerations, and then showing how the equations can be solved by finite difference methods."--Choice "Where was this book when I was in university? ... I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to students and researchers with an interest in this field."--Ray Wood, Leading EdgeTable of ContentsPreface xi Chapter 1: Modeling and Mathematical Concepts 1 Pros and Cons of Dynamical Models 2 An Important Modeling Assumption 4 Some Examples 4 Example I: Simulation of Chicxulub Impact and Its Consequences 5 Example II: Storm Surge of Hurricane Ivan in Escambia Bay 7 Steps in Model Building 8 Basic Definitions and Concepts 11 Nondimensionalization 13 A Brief Mathematical Review 14 Summary 22 Chapter 2: Basics of Numerical Solutions by Finite Difference 23 First Some Matrix Algebra 23 Solution of Linear Systems of Algebraic Equations 25 General Finite Difference Approach 26 Discretization 27 Obtaining Difference Operators by Taylor Series 28 Explicit Schemes 29 Implicit Schemes 30 How Good Is My Finite Difference Scheme? 33 Stability Is Not Accuracy 35 Summary 37 Modeling Exercises 38 Chapter 3: Box Modeling: Unsteady, Uniform Conservation of Mass 39 Translations 40 Example I: Radiocarbon Content of the Biosphere as a One-Box Model 40 Example II: The Carbon Cycle as a Multibox Model 48 Example III: One-Dimensional Energy Balance Climate Model 53 Finite Difference Solutions of Box Models 57 The Forward Euler Method 57 Predictor-Corrector Methods 59 Stiff Systems 60 Example IV: Rothman Ocean 61 Backward Euler Method 65 Model Enhancements 69 Summary 71 Modeling Exercises 71 Chapter 4: One-Dimensional Diffusion Problems 74 Translations 75 Example I: Dissolved Species in a Homogeneous Aquifer 75 Example II: Evolution of a Sandy Coastline 80 Example III: Diffusion of Momentum 83 Finite Difference Solutions to 1-D Diffusion Problems 86 Summary 86 Modeling Exercises 87 Chapter 5: Multidimensional Diffusion Problems 89 Translations 90 Example I: Landscape Evolution as a 2-D Diffusion Problem 90 Example II: Pollutant Transport in a Confined Aquifer 96 Example III: Thermal Considerations in Radioactive Waste Disposal 99 Finite Difference Solutions to Parabolic PDEs and Elliptic Boundary Value Problems 101 An Explicit Scheme 102 Implicit Schemes 103 Case of Variable Coefficients 107 Summary 108 Modeling Exercises 109 Chapter 6: Advection-Dominated Problems 111 Translations 112 Example I: A Dissolved Species in a River 112 Example II: Lahars Flowing along Simple Channels 116 Finite Difference Solution Schemes to the Linear Advection Equation 122 Summary 126 Modeling Exercises 128 Chapter 7: Advection and Diffusion (Transport) Problems 130 Translations 131 Example I: A Generic 1-D Case 131 Example II: Transport of Suspended Sediment in a Stream 134 Example III: Sedimentary Diagenes Influence of Burrows 138 Finite Difference Solutions to the Transport Equation 143 QUICK Scheme 144 QUICKEST Scheme 146 Summary 147 Modeling Exercises 147 Chapter 8: Transport Problems with a Twist: The Transport of Momentum 151 Translations 152 Example I: One-Dimensional Transport of Momentum in a Newtonian Fluid (Burgers' Equation) 152 An Analytic Solution to Burgers' Equation 157 Finite Difference Scheme for Burgers' Equation 158 Solution Scheme Accuracy 160 Diffusive Momentum Transport in Turbulent Flows 163 Adding Sources and Sinks of Momentum: The General Law of Motion 165 Summary 166 Modeling Exercises 167 Chapter 9: Systems of One-Dimensional Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations 169 Translations 169 Example I: Gradually Varied Flow in an Open Channel 169 Finite Difference Solution Schemes for Equation Sets 175 Explicit FTCS Scheme on a Staggered Mesh 175 Four-Point Implicit Scheme 177 The Dam-Break Problem: An Example 180 Summary 183 Modeling Exercises 185 Chapter 10: Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Hyperbolic Systems 187 Translations 188 Example I: The Circulation of Lakes, Estuaries, and the Coastal Ocean 188 An Explicit Solution Scheme for 2-D Vertically Integrated Geophysical Flows 197 Lake Ontario Wind-Driven Circulation: An Example 202 Summary 203 Modeling Exercises 206 Closing Remarks 209 References 211 Index 217

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