Science: general issues Books

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 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 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 SynopsisTrade Review"A smorgasbord of ideas." -- Kirkus Reviews "Offers a rare chance to discover big ideas before they hit the mainstream." -- New York Times Book Review "Fun and inspirational. ... This engaging collection can be read from cover to cover or browsed as interest dictates, but all inquisitive readers will enjoy it. Highly recommended..." -- Library Journal "Characteristically thought-provoking and reliably cross-disciplinary, This Explains Everything is a must-read in its entirety." -- Brain Pickings "A collection of essays by big thinkers answering big questions [should be] deeply satisfying. And This Explains Everything delivers." -- New Scientist "The most stimulating English-language reading to be had from anywhere in the world." -- The Canberra Times "Delivers an intellectual melange you can dip into and savor. ... The reader gets something new at each turn of the page." -- New York Journal of Books "A collection that reads like the best TED talks ever. It's an absolute pleasure to read." -- FAREED ZAKARIA "Rich in mental fodder. ... An indispensable way to sample thinking from many corners of the intellectual spectrum." -- Pop Matters

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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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Book SynopsisThe oceans exert a vital moderating influence on the Earth's climate system. They provide inertia to the global climate, essentially acting as the pacemaker of climate variability and change, and they provide heat to high latitudes, keeping them habitable. This title offers a short, self-contained introduction to the subject.Trade Review"This easy-to-read illustrated book, filled with both data and accessible mathematical equations demonstrating the impact of the oceans on the Earth's climate, offers practitioners and stakeholders' state-of-the-art scientific analysis of how the oceans and climate interact that is both user friendly to the non-expert yet scientifically rigorous enough as bridge material for graduate students as they grapple with the compelling field of climate science and oceanography... These books at Princeton Primers in Climate are a superb resource to find meticulous, detailed, and clearly presented facts on climate change science."--Gabriel Thoumi, MongaBay.com "This is an excellent primer on the physical processes that control interactions within and between the atmosphere and ocean... It is a quick read that would be appropriate for scientists looking for information on the salient points of ocean-atmosphere interactions and climate. It would also serve as a useful complementary resource for an introductory-level course in oceanography."--Choice "I absolutely recommend this book. Those expecting a primer on oceans and climate will be rewarded with much more than a book that teaches the basics of a subject. I have taught about the ocean for more than 20 years and I still found plenty of insights in this text that will enhance my own teaching of undergraduate and graduate students."--Susan Lozier, Bulletin of the American Meteorological SocietyTable of ContentsPreface vii Chapter 1: Basics of Climate 1 Chapter 2: The Oceans: A Descriptive Overview 22 Chapter 3: A Brief Introduction to Dynamics 41 Chapter 4: The Ocean Circulation 75 Chapter 5: The Ocean's Overall Role in Climate 105 Chapter 6: Climate Variability from Weeks to Years 128 Chapter 7: Global Warming and the Ocean 156 Notes 205 Further Reading 211 Glossary 215 References 223 Index 229

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated guide to the core design principles of the body’s musculoskeletal system—for kinesiologists, movement therapists, yoga teachers, dancers, and bodyworkers of all kindsWhat does knowledge of anatomical structure have to do with preventing everyday muscular aches, pains, and injuries? According to Dr. Theodore Dimon, everything!Our bodies are designed to work holistically, supported by an intelligently organized system of muscles, bones, and connective tissue. So when we target problem spots by stretching, relaxing, or strengthening individual muscles, we bypass the dynamic, interconnected network that enables healthy functioning and injury prevention. Understanding how this system works in action is the key.In this groundbreaking guide, Dr. Dimon describes the basic principles that govern our bodies’ musculoskeletal architecture and provides practical exercises to activate specific muscle groups and demonstrate our bodies’ efficient holistic function. Readers will learn about dynamic design and the body in action, including: How the musculoskeletal system works as a whole The relationship between proprioception and muscle length About maximizing spinal, shoulder, hip, arm, and leg stability and health The important role of breath and breathing About posture and musculoskeletal support  With more than 300 illustrations, this is an ideal resource for students and practitioners of kinesiology, bodywork, movement, sport kinesiology, dance, and all readers searching for a dynamic guide to the human body.

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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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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Book SynopsisFor twenty-five years following the Voyager mission, scientists speculated about Saturn's largest moon, a mysterious orb clouded in orange haze. This book reveals the startling discoveries that have been made since the arrival of the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan.Trade Review"[A]n enjoyable mix: a very accessible summary of current knowledge about Titan is combined with a firsthand account that gives a flavour of what it has been like to be part of this grand, bold, international collaboration that is the Cassini-Huygens project."--Times Higher Education "Titan Unveiled describes how most of what we once hypothesized about Titan has been proved wrong. The story of how we gained our current knowledge is fascinating; even more intriguing is what remains to be learned."--Henry Roe, Nature Ralph Lorenz ... has teamed with veteran science journalist Jaqueline Mitton to convey both the human and scientific drama of remote robotic space exploration."--Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History "Lorenz, a planetary scientist, and Mitton, a science writer, vividly describe this encounter with an alien landscape; excerpts from Lorenz's log convey what it was like to be involved with the mission."--Scientific American "[A]n engrossing firsthand account of one of humankind's greatest adventures of recent years. It will take decades to prepare a new mission and then an additional seven years for another spacecraft to reach titan. In the meantime, Titan Unveiled provides the general reader with a lively narrative that combines a reliable, nontechnical account of the Cassini-Huygens mission with personal and often intimate insights into these efforts to explore a fascinating planetary analogue to the Earth."--Fred Taylor, American Scientist "An insider's look behind the headlines, focusing on the thought processes and instrumentation tricks involved. Lorenz's bloglike entries liven up the prose, but the star is Titan."--Richard Lovett, New Scientist "Titan's allure seems only to increase the more scientists learn about it...Obscured by haze, the landscape has been exposed by radar, special optical cameras, and the Huygens lander. The authors cover in detail the information gathered by these and other instruments, which impart a practical sense of how scientists work from raw data toward finished interpretations...Including amazing photographs of Titan's evident geological dynamism, Lorenz and Mitton's work has a high 'wow' factor that will thrill buffs and may spur students toward a planetary science career."--Gilbert Taylor, Booklist "Lorenz, the author of this popular account of Titan, is intimately involved in the Cassini-Huygens mission as a planetary scientist, and he contributes personal anecdotes as well as a thorough treatment of the science and technology of missions to Saturn and its moons."--M. Dickinson, Choice "Lorenz provides an intimate account of this unique adventure... Anyone with an interest in science, astronomy, planetary science and exploration, engineering or the evolution of our own planet will find this book captivating and uplifting."--Agustin Chicarro, Physics World "This fantastic book shines a light on the truth of the matter: that science is about a sense of wonder, awe, the joy of finding stuff."--Nature Geoscience "[W]hile expert readers in the science and engineering community will find much of interest here, it is the book's less technical target audience that will benefit the most. Apart from unveiling the mysteries of an alien world, it opens a window on the mostly hidden world of the planetary scientist, which is equally fascinating."--Mark Williamson, Space Times "Illustrated with many stunning images, Titan Unveiled is essential reading for anyone interested in space exploration, planetary science, or astronomy."--Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin "A fascinating read."--David Tytell, Sky & Telescope "Titan Unveiled is a great read. It also may well prepare the reader for more adventures to Titan in the future."--Coalition for Space Exploration "Titan Unveiled unveils not only this remarkable moon but also the way that science is done, at least with large scale planetary science. High-school and college students would benefit from following the twists and turns, and the evolving thought, of the scientists involved. And the general reader will enjoy seeing scientific progress revealed as well as the coverage of excellent and interesting results."--Jay Pasachoff, Key Reporter "Lorenz was one of the researchers on the Cassini-Huygens mission which first successfully explored beyond the hazy atmosphere (and arguably, most intriguing) moon. In Titan Unveiled, he, with Mitton, an astronomer and writer, provides an insider's perspective of this first encounter with an alien landscape... Recommended to lovers of cosmology and planetary science, both professional and amateur."--Cosmos "[T]he delight of reading about a mission that has boldly gone where no man has gone ... yet make[s] Titan Unveiled and enticing read."--Ray Bert, Civil EngineeringTable of ContentsList of Illustrations and Tables vii Preface xi Chapter 1: The Lure of Titan 1 Chapter 2: Waiting for Cassini 21 Chapter 3: Cassini Arrives 67 Chapter 4: Cassini's First Taste of Titan 101 Chapter 5: Landing on Titan 132 Chapter 6: The Mission Goes On 174 Chapter 7: Where We Are and Where We Are Going 211 Afterword to the Paperback Edition 233 Appendix: Summary of Dynamical and Physical Data 255 Further Reading 257 Index 261

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Book SynopsisIn September of 1859, the entire Earth was engulfed in a gigantic cloud of seething gas, and a blood-red aurora erupted across the planet. This title presents the story behind Carrington's observations of a mysterious explosion on the surface of the Sun and how his brilliant insight helped to usher in the modern era of astronomy.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2007 Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Cosmology and Astronomy, Association of American Publishers Shortlisted for the 2008 Royal Society Prizes for Science Books, General Prize In this well-researched and very well-written book, Clark tells the embattled, little-known history of modern astronomy, a spry tale full of intrigue, jealousy, spite, dedication and perseverance."--Publishers Weekly "Here is popular science at its best: accurate, meticulously researched ... and full of adventures."--Simon Mitton, Times Higher Education "The techniques of Carrington and his contemporaries gave birth to the new science of astrophysics, which can probe questions about the structure, function, and origin of the stars, planets, and the universe at large... From Carrington's observations, Clark spins a lively account of seminal discoveries in spectroscopy, photography, and theoretical physics that led to the present-day understanding."--Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History "Science journalist Stuart Clark, in his new book The Sun Kings, places [English amateur astronomer Richard] Carrington at the fulcrum of a century-long debate over the effects of sunspots, because he drew on two very different sorts of scientific observations--studies of sunspots and of the Earth's magnetic field--that together would eventually allow astronomers to see the relation between solar and terrestrial activity."--Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, American Scientist "Well paced and well chosen, Clark's history will delight science readers."--Booklist "Meticulously researched, The Sun Kings chronicles the largely untold story of the inception of modern astrophysics in marvelous detail."--SEED Magazine "We still don't understand the sun, but Clark shows with verve and assurance how it is that we understand so much more than we used to."--Lorien Kaye, The Age "A tale of ongoing speculations and proofs, The Sun Kings reveals, above all, Stuart Clark's passion for all things astronomical."--Brett Josef Grubisic, Vancouver Sun "Stuart Clark's The Sun Kings is a compelling account of how astronomers came to understand solar flares, sunspots, and magnetic storms. It is also a vivid portrait of the scientific climate of a vanished era... The Sun Kings is an excellent and fast-paced read for anyone interested in astronomy, history, or human drama, as well as important context for understanding some of the reasons Earth's climate changes over time."--Melissa A. Barton, BookSlut.com "The Sun Kings uncovers much of the history of how we came to understand how solar flares and associated phenomena can wreak havoc on Earth... This is popular science history told with rare accuracy and enough intrigue to keep the reader entertained."--Neil Bone, Astronomy Now "Each story is told with the clarity required to keep the non-expert engrossed and the stories are entertaining and genuinely fascinating."--Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald "Simply telling the history of scientific solar observations and the beginnings of modern astronomy and making the writing a page-turner would be a difficult feat, but Clark does it superbly. This is not a dry scientific chronology but a story of real men and women who had lives beyond the science they performed... Well-written and well-researched with a thorough bibliography and index."--M.V. Golden, Choice "The all-powerful, infinitely fragile nexus between Earth and its sun drives Stuart Clark's riveting study of astronomer Richard Carrington, dubbed the Sun King by his 19th-century English peers. Carrington's specialty was sunspots and solar flares, but the real drama here is off-telescope."--Tony Maniaty, The Australian "Stuart Clark's The Sun Kings is a lively, informative discourse on the research that led to a discovery that in Victorian times was revolutionary: a cause-and-effect relationship between events on the Sun and Earth. Although the book is biographical, the science is not secondary: The characters and their research are skillfully interwoven in the narrative. The inclusion of the discoveries and personas of so many of the pioneers of Victorian astrophysics will make Clark's book an enjoyable and meaningful read for anyone, professional physicist and layperson alike, who has an interest in the roots of physics and astronomy...Clark is writing for a popular science audience who will enjoy his lively and eminently readable account of the lives and scientific careers of those whose work furthered the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection."--Richard C. Canfield, Physics Today "What a delight! This is an enthralling account of the personal lives of the scientists who first demonstrated the Sun's dominant influence over Earthly affairs and laid the foundation for modern astronomy and astrophysics. This is a fast-moving, accurate, and fascinating story of diverse personalities, their families, ambitions, hopes, and struggles, their passion for knowledge, for awards, positions and recognition, and the inevitable roles that pride, greed, jealousy, and resentments played in deciding the tragedies, fame and fortune of the founders of modern astronomy."--Manuel K. Oliver, Twenty-first Century Science and Technology "Run, don't walk, to your nearest ... store to buy The Sun Kings... It is a remarkable book."--Jeff Kuhn, Nature Physics "This is a fascinating and fast-paced narrative."--Allan Chapman, The Observatory "Clark's engaging and authoritative account of the early years of solar-terrestrial science will he especially valuable as an introduction to space weather for undergraduates and beginning graduate students. It will also appeal more generally as a first-rate scientific detective story involving flesh-and-blood characters."--Edward W. Cliver, Space Weather Quarterly "Clark's style of popular historical storytelling effectively conveys the personal, interpersonal, and political aspects of scientific lives and work. He creates clear and interesting nontechnical explanations for solar phenomena and researchers' methods and analyses. Both general and academic readers should appreciate how his narrative demonstrates the multigenerational nature of solar astronomy and relates the contemporary importance of accurate verbal and artistic descriptions of natural phenomena... [T]here can be little doubt that the history of science and public science education both stand to benefit immensely from hybrid forms of historiography like Clark's."--Pamela Gossin, Isis "Stuart Clark's eminently readable book ... although aimed at a broad audience, is also useful for the specialist... The significance of coincidences and chance in research, as well as the personal side of science, is well described for the general public. It is highly recommended reading."--Bela Kalman, Solar Physics "Solar astronomy is truly a multigenerational science and its beginnings are brilliantly summarised in Stuart Clark's story, built around the greatest magnetic storm ever recorded... The tale is lively, informative and often compelling."--Keith Mansfield, Plus MagazineTable of ContentsList of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xi Prologue: The Dog Years 1 Chapter One: The First Swallow of Summer 9 Chapter Two: Herschel's Grand Absurdity 25 Chapter Three: The Magnetic Crusade 47 Chapter Four: The Solar Lockstep 58 Chapter Five: The Day and Night Observatory 71 Chapter Six: The Perfect Solar Storm 80 Chapter Seven: In the Grip of the Sun 93 Chapter Eight: The Greatest Prize of All 98 Chapter Nine: Death at the Devil's Jumps 117 Chapter Ten: The Sun's Librarian 129 Chapter Eleven: New Flare, New Storm, New Understanding 148 Chapter Twelve: The Waiting Game 168 Chapter Thirteen: The Cloud Chamber 179 Epilogue: Magnetar Spring 188 Bibliography 191 Index 207

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[T]here is much solid information to be gleaned from careful reading."--Publishers Weekly "A stellar read"--Nature "In this grand chronicle of the science behind the origins of our 4.6-billion-year-old Solar System, John Chambers and Jacqueline Mitton peruse everything from the giant collision thought to have formed our Moon to the nature of meteorites."--Rosalind Metcalfe, Nature "[This book] provides a truly comprehensive overview of our solar system's origins and is written in plain, jargon-free language."--Marcus Chown, New Scientist "Incredibly thorough and detailed, yet very accessible to non-scientists too... A compelling overview of the evolution of the Solar System."--Katia Moskvitch, BBC Sky at Night "This is not your average tour of our solar system. Using clear, relatively jargon-free language, Chambers and Mitton provide a comprehensive examination of our current understanding of its formation, which should readily appeal to the general reader who enjoys scientific detail without getting into equations."--Library Journal "Chambers and Mitton stay focused on the science in From Dust to Life: unlike other books that create narratives around the scientists, they discuss the science and the history of its development, rather than the individuals who made it possible. That's a worthwhile trade: while there have been, and are today, interesting people studying the formation of the solar system, the science is even more fascinating as we find out just how complex the process is to turn a cloud of gas and dust into a star and planets."--Jeff Foust, Space Review "Read From Dust to Life to gain a fascinating perspective on the current state of the science behind solar system formation."--David Dickinson, Astro Guys blog "This wild ride across the cosmos and through time covers a lot of territory but isn't merely a laundry list of observations. Instead, readers will find one lucid explanation piggybacked onto another... The authors ... make celestial mechanics comprehensible even to readers with more curiosity than scientific background... Best of all, the authors help readers glimpse the why of it all."--Science News "This book ... is accessible to a scientifically literate general reader... The author team is eminently qualified ... one is a well-known planetary scientist and the other an experienced science writer. The result of their efforts is a highly readable book."--Star Formation Newsletter "Chambers and Mitton present a well-researched, detailed, big-picture overview of the solar system that shows how all of people's observations of its contents contribute to a coherent model for its origin. The authors place the modern theory and latest observations in historical context by beginning each chapter with an overview of the development of these scientific ideas from their beginning."--Choice "This book is up-to date, thorough, and authoritative. It revels in the latest discussions and controversies... It is a joy to read and is accessible to any student with a scientific background... Read this book. Join the cosmogonists and help change the cosmogony/cosmology ratio."--David W. Hughes, Observatory "From Dust to Lifefurnishes a comprehensive overview of current models for the formation of the solar system."--Cait MacPhee, Times Higher EducationTable of ContentsList of Illustrations xi Preface xv 1 Cosmic Archaeology 1 A fascination with the past 1 A solar system to explain 3 Real worlds 9 Winding back the clock 12 Putting the pieces together 16 2 Discovering the Solar System 19 Measuring the solar system 19 From wandering gods to geometrical constructions 22 The Sun takes center stage 25 Laws and order 27 Gravity rules 29 The missing planet 31 Asteroids enter the scene 34 Rocks in space 36 Uranus behaving badly 37 Completing the inventory 40 3 An Evolving Solar System 43 A changing world 43 A nebulous idea begins to take shape 44 The nebular hypothesis in trouble 48 A chance encounter? 50 Nebular theory resurrected 54 4 The Question of Timing 56 Reading the cosmic clock 57 Early estimates: ingenious-but wrong 57 Geology versus physics 58 Radioactivity changes everything 61 Hubble and the age of the universe 63 How radioactive timers work 64 Meteorites hold the key 68 Dating the Sun 71 The age of the universe revisited 73 5 Meteorites 75 A dramatic entrance 75 Where do meteorites come from? 76 Irons and stones 80 Identifying the parents 83 Lunar and Martian meteorites 86 A rare and precious resource 87 What meteorites can tell us 88 6 Cosmic Chemistry 92 Element 43: first a puzzle then a clue 92 An abundance of elements 94 The first elements 96 Cooking in the stellar furnace 98 Building heavier elements 104 Supernovae 105 7 A Star Is Born 108 A child of the Milky Way 108 Where stars are born 110 First steps to a solar system 113 The solar system's birth environment 119 Essential ingredients 121 8 Nursery for Planets 123 An excess of infrared 123 Two kinds of disks 125 Inside the solar nebula 129 Getting the dust to stick 131 The influence of gas 134 How to build planetesimals 135 The demise of the disk 137 9 Worlds of Rock and Metal 140 Sisters but not twins 140 The era of planetesimals 141 Planetary embryos take over 144 The final four 147 Earth 148 Mercury 153 Venus 158 Mars 161 10 the Making of the Moon 168 The Moon today 169 What the Moon is made of 170 The Moon's orbit 172 The fission theory 174 The capture hypothesis 175 The coaccretion hypothesis 176 The giant impact hypothesis 177 Encounter with Theia 179 Earth, Moon, and tidal forces 181 Late heavy bombardment 183 11 Earth, Cradle of Life 186 The Hadean era 186 The tree of life 191 The building blocks of life 193 The rise of oxygen 196 A favorable climate 199 Snowball Earth 202 Future habitability 204 12 Worlds of Gas and Ice 205 Giants of the solar system 205 Building giants by core accretion 211 The disk instability model 214 Spin and tilt 215 Masters of many moons 217 Formation of regular satellites 219 The origin of irregular satellites 220 Rings 221 13 What Happened to the Asteroid Belt? 225 The asteroid belt today 225 Ground down by collisions? 226 Emptied by gravity? 229 Asteroid families 231 The missing mantle problem 233 Asteroids revealed as worlds 236 14 The Outermost Solar System 242 Where do comets come from? 242 Centaurs 246 Looking beyond Neptune 247 The Kuiper belt 248 Sedna 251 The nature of trans-Neptunian objects 252 Where have all the Plutos gone? 256 The Nice model 259 15 Epilogue: Paradigms, Problems, and Predictions 263 The paradigm: solar system evolution in a nutshell 264 Unsolved puzzles 267 Searching the solar system for answers 268 Other planetary systems 271 Future evolution of the solar system 273 Afterword to the 2017 edition 277 Glossary 291 Sources and Further Reading 305 Index 307

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