Science & Nature Books

Book SynopsisAn authoritative photographic guide to edible (and poisonous) fungi found in Britain offers clear, practical information for the mushroom forager.

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR SERIES 'GENIUS' ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, PRODUCED BY RON HOWARD AND STARRING GEOFFREY RUSHEinstein is the great icon of our age: the kindly refugee from oppression whose wild halo of hair, twinkling eyes, engaging humanity and extraordinary brilliance made his face a symbol and his name a synonym for genius. He was a rebel and nonconformist from boyhood days. His character, creativity and imagination were related, and they drove both his life and his science. In this marvellously clear and accessible narrative, Walter Isaacson explains how his mind worked and the mysteries of the universe that he discovered. Einstein's success came from questioning conventional wisdom and marvelling at mysteries that struck others as mundane. This led him to embrace a worldview based on respect for free spirits and free individuals. All of which helped make Einstein into a rebel but with a reverence for the harmony of nature, one with just the right blend of imagination and wisdom to transform our understanding of the universe. This new biography, the first since all of Einstein's papers have become available, is the fullest picture yet of one of the key figures of the twentieth century. This is the first full biography of Albert Einstein since all of his papers have become available -- a fully realised portrait of this extraordinary human being, and great genius.Praise for EINSTEIN by Walter Isaacson:- 'YOU REALLY MUST READ THIS.' Sunday Times 'As pithy as Einstein himself.’ New Scientist ‘[A] brilliant biography, rich with newly available archival material.’ Literary Review ‘Beautifully written, it renders the physics understandable.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Isaacson is excellent at explaining the science. ' Daily Express

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Book SynopsisLook up...The Art of Stargazing is the ultimate insider's guide to the night sky in which award-winning space scientist and The Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock shares her expertise and unique insights into the marvellous world of stars. Take a tour of the 88 constellations and explore the science, history, culture and romanticism behind these celestial bodies.In this must-have handbook for budding stargazers - and anyone looking for a little more wonder in their lives - Maggie will help you to identify stars and teach you the basics of naked-eye observation, offering fascinating facts plus advice on kit, 'dark sky' locations and much more. Also included are beautiful illustrations to accompany each constellation and an easy-to-read sky map. With Maggie by your side, the night sky will truly come alive.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface ix Introduction xi Acknowledgments xiii How to Use This Book xvi 1 Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Electronic Structure 1 2 Atomic Weights 27 3 Periodic Properties and Chemical Bonding 47 4 Molecular and Formula Weights 79 5 Nomenclature 105 6 Chemical Equations 129 7 Mole Concept 155 8 Gases 167 9 Solids 203 10 Liquids 223 11 Solutions and Their Properties 245 12 Chemical Equilibrium 277 13 Acids and Bases 317 14 Organic Chemistry 355 Appendix Table of Atomic Weights 400 Periodic Table of the Elements 401 Table of Four-Place Logarithms 402 Index 405

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Book SynopsisThe sixth title in the bestselling Collins Guide series, this book covers the fungi of the British Isles, with considerable relevance for Europe and the wider temperate world.Leading mycological artists have been specially commissioned to ensure accurate, detailed illustrations. Where possible, species are described and illustrated on the same page, with up-to-date authoritative text aiding identification. Nearly 2,400 species are illustrated in full colour, with detailed notes on how to correctly identify them, including details of similar, confusing species. Illustrations of young and mature fruiting bodies are included where necessary, and key features are highlighted for quick and easy reference.Written by one of Europe''s leading mycologists and horticultural scientists, Stefan Buczacki, and illustrated by two of the world''s leading natural history illustrators, Chris Shields and Denys Ovenden, this is the ultimate field guide for mushroom and toadstool lovers.Trade Review‘What a great book. It adds a needed publication for the amateur's library which goes beyond other field guides. The illustrations of crust fungi are excellent and it is a pleasure to see them receive their rightful place in a fungal manual. I am sure you will stimulate many to look at the lower Basidiomycetes in a different light and overcome that fear of looking for and at them. Great stuff! […] A book which should be in lots of naturalists’ hands, not just field mycologists. I would gladly recommend [it] to anyone attending my forays and to my apprentices.’ Prof Roy Watling MBE, DSc., FRSE [Former Head of Mycology and Plant Pathology and sometime Acting Regius Keeper at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh] ‘There are some great images here to delight us […] this book will bring hundreds of new, rare or unusual species to the attention of the general reader, with the added bonus of their up-to-date names.’ Field Mycology journal (British Mycological Society)

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Book SynopsisWe live in a world made by science. How and when did this happen? This book tells the story of the extraordinary intellectual and cultural revolution that gave birth to modern science, and mounts a major challenge to the prevailing orthodoxy of its history.Before 1492 it was assumed that all significant knowledge was already available; there was no concept of progress; people looked for understanding to the past not the future. This book argues that the discovery of America demonstrated that new knowledge was possible: indeed it introduced the very concept of ''discovery'', and opened the way to the invention of science.The first crucial discovery was Tycho Brahe''s nova of 1572: proof that there could be change in the heavens. The telescope (1610) rendered the old astronomy obsolete. Torricelli''s experiment with the vacuum (1643) led directly to the triumph of the experimental method in the Royal Society of Boyle and Newton. By 1750 Newtonianism was being celebrateTrade ReviewThe seventeenth century saw the emergence of the mindset that characterizes modern science. David Wootton lucidly describes the individuals, the experiments and the controversies that marked this intellectually turbulent and transformative era. ... This fascinating and scholarly book should receive a wide readership. -- Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, President of the Royal Society 2005-10This is a superb book, at once cogent, revisionist and profound. It offers the most novel and significant account of the Scientific Revolution to appear for many years ... it is simply rather brilliant. -- Michael Hunter, Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of LondonA truly remarkable piece of scholarship. His work has an ingenious and innovative linguistic foundation, examining the invention and redefinition of words as tracers of a new understanding of nature and how to approach it. His erudition is awesome, and his argument is convincing. -- Owen Gingerich, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and of the History of Science at Harvard UniversityA grand, whooping narrative that is also exhaustively researched. It will, I am certain, become a landmark in the discipline of the history of science. -- Andrea Wulf * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying: Exam Board: OCR Level: A Level Subject: Chemistry A First teaching: September 2015; first exams: June 2017 . Written by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports students through the linear OCR A Level Chemistry course. Building on the experiences at GCSE, this book continues the exploration of key chemistry topics in depth. Support is given to help make links across topics, while application tasks look at a concept from a new context. There are also plenty of practice opportunities through guided activities that make sure maths and practical skills are covered.Table of ContentsModule 1 Development of practical skills in chemistry Module 2 Foundations in chemistry Ch2: Atoms, ions, and compounds Ch3: Amount of substance Ch4: Acids and redox Ch5: Electrons and bonding Ch6: Shapes of molecules and intermolecular forces Module 3 Periodic table and energy Ch7: Periodicity Ch8: Reactivity trends Ch9: Enthalpy Ch10: Reaction rates and equilibrium Module 4 Core organic chemistry Ch11: Basic concepts of organic chemistry Ch12: Alkanes Ch13: Alkenes Ch14: Alcohols Ch15: Haloalkanes Ch16: Organic synthesis Ch17: Spectroscopy Module 5 Physical chemistry and transition elements Ch18: Rates of reactions Ch19: Equilibrium Ch20: Acids, bases, and pH Ch21: Buffers and neutralisation Ch22: Enthalpy and entropy Ch23: Redox and electrode potentials Ch24: Transition elements Module 6 Organic chemistry and analysis Ch25: Aromatic chemistry Ch26: Carbonyls and carboxylic acids Ch27: Amines, amino acids, and polymers Ch28: Organic synthesis Ch29: Chromatography and spectroscopy Unifying concepts

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Relationships can be notoriously complicated, and our ancient bond with wheat is no exception. As Zabinski recounts in Amber Waves, it’s been a rocky path over the millennia, replete with heartbreak, endless drama, and even an unlikely love affair. If it hadn’t been for a capricious interloper named goatgrass mixing into wheat’s gene pool half a million years ago, our daily staple of bread—not to mention birthday cakes, mac and cheese, and pepperoni pizza—might never have existed. . . . Amber Waves nimbly segues into a socio-agro primer, providing a crash course in genetics, plant breeding, and agronomy. The author . . . also provides a fascinating retrospective on some of our lesser-known food innovators. . . . Engaging. . . . Zabinksi is a reliably optimistic guide, pointing us toward a hopeful food future. ‘As a species,’ she observes, ‘we have a stunning capacity for creativity and problem solving. Imagine if we focused all that capacity on optimizing agricultural production in the most environmentally sustainable way.’ It’s a towering opportunity for such a tiny, humble seed—but one that seems tantalizingly close to being within our grasp." * Wall Street Journal *"Wheat is a staple in the diets of cultures across the globe. But when and how did the first societies decide to consume grass seeds? Plant and soil ecologist Zabinski takes the discussion beyond history and anthropology to talk about the science of agriculture and the development of wheat production throughout the modern world. The more practical aspects of the crop are also discussed, such as why grass seeds are easier to store than other early cultivated grains. While the account focuses on wheat’s history, there is a section that concentrates on the stress of the crop for a growing population. An abundance of endnotes and references indicate an extensively researched text, while the chronological narrative reads like a biography starting with ancient people and cultivation through the modern practices of manipulating food DNA. . . . This work will appeal to lay scientists, anthropologists, and consumers who wish to know more about the science behind this common dietary staple." * Library Journal *"A pleasant . . . account of the long history of humans and wheat. . . . Zabinski notes how agricultural practices have driven social and political organization, and speculates that wheat cultivation led to militarization, as armies were used to keep laborers in the fields and to protect farmers from outside raiders. In elaborating on the interconnections between wheat production and culture, she shares some worthwhile historical tidbits, such as how the need to grow wheat across North America’s ‘wide temperature and precipitation gradients’ gave rise, in the nineteenth century, to breeding as a modern science, or how Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union was motivated by his desire for Ukraine’s fertile soils." * Publishers Weekly *“Deftly surveys both the biological and the social perspective in nine concise chapters, starting in deep time, with a quick summary of the evolution of plants, then moving swiftly through the first agricultural societies, the growth of city-states, the great empires of the classical and medieval world, and on into the modern era. Wheat is a silent but salient character, providing the energy needed to maintain growing concentrations of population, shaping systems of social organization needed to manage production and distribute food, and driving innovations in agriculture, such as crop rotation, irrigation, and the moldboard plow of the Middle Ages. . . . It’s clearly an open-ended story, not just a tale of how humans have used a nutritious plant, writes Zabinski, but ‘how that plant used us to take over the world.’” -- Laurence A. Marschall * Natural History *"The human relationship with wheat is the subject of Zabinski’s short book Amber Waves, which presents itself as a ‘biography’ of the grain. . . . Zabinski, a plant and soil ecologist at Montana State University, seeks to tell ‘a story of a group of grasses whose existence became complicated by its convergence with our own species and our never-ending need for more food’. The vast consumption of wheat today is linked to the fact that it is the main ingredient in so many convenience foods. If you want to satisfy hunger quickly and cheaply, the odds are that you will turn to a wheat-based food (unless you opt for potatoes, in the form of crisps or chips). You might buy a healthy wrap or an unhealthy burger or a pie or a sandwich or a slice of pizza or a tub of instant ramen or a samosa or a slice of toast or a bowl of bran flakes. Whichever choice you make, you will end up eating the same industrial wheat. No other grain comes in such a vast range of ready-to-eat foods. Yet it must have taken great perseverance and ingenuity for our Neolithic ancestors to add wheat to their diets." -- Bee Wilson * London Review of Books *"In this high-fiber read, plant ecologist Zabinski follows the evolution of wheat, from its wild origins to its highly modified existence as a staple of modern agriculture." * LitHub *"Zabinski has produced a tour de force with Amber Waves. From her work as a soil and plant ecologist at Montana State University she pulls together the fascinating biological and social history of wheat. It is a story of human ingenuity across thousands of years." -- Jenny Willan * Resurgence and Ecologist *"Wheat was among the first grains to be cultivated and it is now one of the most important staple crops in the world. In Amber Waves, Zabinski . . . tells the story of wheat from its origin, domestication, and genetic improvement, and the history of its production, processing, and trade. Moreover, Zabinski proposes that the biography of wheat is not simply the story of a crop—it is a thread in the history of humans seeking food security. . . . This story about the complex relationship between humans and crops should appeal to plant scientists in particular, and indeed the general public." * Nature Food *"For a sustainability-conscious readership, Zabinski looks at how wheat both enabled the food security necessary for civilization and created new ecological problems." * Publishers Weekly, "Spring 2020 Announcements: Science Top 10" *"Zabinski explores the history of wheat and society, and argues we must focus on optimizing agriculture in environmentally sustainable ways." * Climate & Capitalism *"Skillfully done. . . . I urge you to read Amber Waves by Zabinski, which is an excellent example of plants-and-people writing—and is also pretty good SciComm . . . " * Botany One *"The story of wheat is inextricably linked with that of humans. Zabinski’s Amber Waves tells both. In fact, the author suggests this might be the tale of how wheat used humans to take over the world. . . . Zabinski’s warm, down-to-earth style and whimsical analogies are so engaging that readers might not notice how much archaeology, soil chemistry, and molecular genetics they are absorbing. Biology students who found photosynthesis boring didn’t have Zabinski as their instructor. . . . She tosses delicious tidbits into her literary soup, such as origin stories for Turkey Red and Red Fife, formerly the dominant types of wheat grown in the United States and Canada, respectively. . . . Amber Waves would make a good text for an introductory agriculture course—and for anyone who wants to understand how today’s food is grown. Zabinski does not rail against current agricultural systems; nor does she give checklists of actions for readers to follow to become better food citizens. Instead, she starts at the beginnings of agriculture to explain why contemporary wheat has turned out the way it has, why humans now grow it as they do, and why these methods might not work so well in the future. She suggests that readers listen to the story carried in the whisper of the wheat stalks and think hard about how to make food systems more sustainable and equitable." * Issues in Science and Technology *“In a friendly and accessible style, Amber Waves rather cleverly integrates material about plant evolution and physiological processes into a narrative of the development of wheat, concentrating heavily on the early stages of the process of plant domestication, with asides into evolution, genetics, plant nutrition, gluten-related health issues, and the role of wheat in history and power politics. A balanced discussion of the Green Revolution and the future possibilities of wheat breeding bring the story up to date for anyone who wishes to learn more about the history of farming and about plants.” -- Noel Kingsbury, author of "Hybrid: The History and Science of Plant Breeding" and "Garden Flora: The Natural and Cultural History of the Plants in Your Garden"“Zabinski not only offers a biography of the multiple species known as ‘wheat’ but presents their story in the context of the rise of civilization itself.” -- Norman C. Ellstrand, author of "Sex on the Kitchen Table: The Romance of Plants and Your Food" and "Dangerous Liaisons? When Cultivated Plants Mate with Their Wild Relatives""This book is recommended to everyone who wants to discover that wheat is much more than just the basis of regular bread." * Economic Botany *"In Amber Waves, Zabinski explores how wheat has claimed this preeminent place in farmers’ fields and in our diets. A professor of plant and soil ecology, Zabinski’s gift as a science communicator shines throughout the book. Her story goes well beyond photosynthesis, plant physiology, and genetics, as she uses insights from archeology, anthropology, and politics to unravel the long, intertwining history of wheat and the human societies that have gathered, planted, harvested, and eaten wheat seeds for millennia. . . . This book makes a fine contribution to food history. Suitable for a wide audience, it shows the promise of weaving together the natural and social sciences to engage with the full complexity of humanity’s relationship to food." * Gastronomica *"Zabinski’s book is very readable, reliable, and well-substantiated in scientific and historical terms. The author succeeds in presenting the ecological, political, social, and cultural conditions that have made wheat such an important staple food." * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (translated from German) *Table of ContentsIntroduction. A Biography of Wheat? Chapter One. The Whispering of the Grasses Chapter Two. The First Encounter Chapter Three. Intertwined Lives Chapter Four. From Villages to Cities Chapter Five. Relationships Are Hard Work Chapter Six. Nurture and Nature Chapter Seven. War and Peace and Wheat Chapter Eight. Order in Chaos Chapter Nine. A Love-Hate Relationship Epilogue. An Eternal Harvest Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIf you want to know how we know what we know about dinosaurs, read this book!' Steve BrusatteTrade Review'Undoubtedly a useful contribution to the corpus of popular books on dinosaur biology … the narrative is consistently interesting' - School Science Review'New science has transformed the way we understand the lives and evolution of the dinosaurs … Mike Benton has brought together all the latest information in this succinct and well illustrated book to challenge previously accepted ideas, and succeeds in bringing these fascinating creatures back to life for another generation' - Richard Fortey'I defy anyone who is, like me, a non-scientist to read it and not feel a sense of wonder' - Tom Holland, Guardian'Fascinating … a bold reiteration of the scientific method itself' - Scotland on Sunday'The Dinosaurs Rediscovered is easy to recommend. Benton’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his skill at packing so many exciting developments into this book speaks of his deep involvement in this field … now is a very exciting time, indeed, to be a palaeontologist' - Leon Vlieger, Natural History Book Service'Fascinating' - Dinosaur SocietyTable of ContentsPreface • 1. Origin of the Dinosaurs • 2. Making the Tree • 3. Digging Up Dinosaurs 4. Breathing – Brains – Behaviour • 5. Jurassic Park • 6. From Baby to Giant • 7. How Did They Eat? • 8. How Did They Move and Run? • 9. Mass Extinction • 10. Afterword

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Book SynopsisTHE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO AI FROM THE PRESENTER OF THE 2023 ROYAL INSTITUTION CHRISTMAS LECTURE''I propose to consider the question, ''Can machines think?'' Alan Turing (1950)Part of the ALL-NEW Ladybird Expert series.This book is for everyone living in the age of Artificial Intelligence. And this is an accessible and authoritative introduction to one of the most important conversations of our time . . . Written by computer scientist Michael Wooldridge, Artificial Intelligence chronicles the development of intelligent machines, from Turing''s dream of machines that think, to today''s digital assistants like Siri and Alexa. AI is not something that awaits us in the future. Inside you''ll learn how we have come to rely on embedded AI software and what a world of ubiquitous AI might look like.What''s inside?- The British mathematician Alan Turing- Can machines ''understand''?<Trade ReviewThe artwork is gloriously retro, echoing the original Ladybird house style but containing completely up to date information. * Shiny New Books *

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Book SynopsisThe plain-English guide to understanding quantum physics Mastering quantum physics is no easy feat, but with the help of Quantum Physics For Dummies you can work at your own pace to unlock key concepts and fascinating facts. Packed with invaluable explanations, equations, and step-by-step instructions, this book makes a challenging subject much more accessible. Great for college students taking a quantum physics course, Quantum Physics For Dummies offers complete coverage of the subject, along with numerous examples to help you tackle the tough stuff. The Schrodinger Equation, the foundations of quantum physics, vector notation, scattering theory, angular momentumit's all in here. This handy guide helps you prepare for exams and succeed at learning quantum physics. Get clear explanations of the core concepts in quantum physics Review the math principles needed for quantum physics equations Learn the latest breakthroughs and researc

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Book SynopsisExam Board: OCR Level: AS/A-level Subject: Economics First Teaching: September 2015 First Exam: Summer 2016Ensure your students get to grips with the core practicals and develop the skills needed to succeed with an in-depth assessment-driven approach that builds and reinforces understanding; clear summaries of practical work with sample questions and answers help to improve exam technique in order to achieve higher grades.Written by experienced teacher Martin Rowland, this Student Guide for practical Biology:- Help students easily identify what they need to know with a concise summary of required practical work examined in the A-level specifications.- Consolidate understanding of practical work, methodology, mathematical and other skills out of the laboratory with exam tips and knowledge check questions, with answers in the back of the book.- Provide plenty of opportunities for students to improve exam

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Book SynopsisThe RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds is the ideal reference for keen birdwatchers and visitors to Scotland alike, and this fully updated second edition is richer and more comprehensive than ever. Over 250 species are covered in detail with each account including information on identification, voice, habits, habitat, food, breeding, ecology, seasonal movements, population and conservation. More than 1,000 superb colour illustrations by some of the world''s leading bird artists are integrated into the text for easy reference. This second edition features newly added Gaelic names, updated distribution maps, and also incorporates the latest information on the conservation status of each species.- Concise text offers a ''biography'' of each species in simple, non-technical language- Practical, easy-to-use format- Updated distribution maps show resident species, summer and winter visitors, and passage migrantsTrade ReviewThe RSPB Handbook of Scottish Birds fully justifies its existence by virtue of the comprehensive coverage given to each species. * Birdwatching *A must-have book for anyone interested in birds, beginner or otherwise. * Highland News *Contains much basic information in concise and conveniently accessible form, and it will fit in an OS map-sized pocket. * Scottish Birds *It is difficult to imagine a better introduction to the birds of Scotland. * British Ornithologists' Union *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements RSPB Scotland Map of Birdwatching Locations Birds in Scotland Using this book Species Accounts Rarities Glossary Bibliography Index

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisIt takes a whole universe to make one small black birdThe bestselling author of Crow Country and writer of The Guardian''s Country Diary tells the story of all life on Earth through a single day spent in the company of swifts.''A jewel of a book'' Caroline Lucas MPSwifts are among the most extraordinary of all birds. Their migrations span continents and their twelve-week stopover, when they pause to breed in European rooftops, is the very definition of summer. They may nest in our homes but much about their lives passes over our heads. No birds are more wreathed in mystery. Captivated, Mark Cocker sets out to capture their essence.Over the course of one day in midsummer he devotes himself to his beloved black birds as they spiral overhead. Yet this is also a book about so much more. Swifts are a prism through which Cocker explores the profound interconnections of the whole biosphere.From the deep-sea thermal

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Book SynopsisThis indispensable CGP Exam Practice Workbook is packed with ultra-realistic questions covering every topic students need to know for Year 1 & 2 of OCR A A-Level Physics. It also includes a section of mixed (synoptic) questions. Plus we’ve added in tips throughout to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises in their exams! To round things off there are fully worked answers and mark schemes for every question. For study notes and even more practice don’t miss the CGP OCR A A-Level Physics Complete Revision & Practice guide (9781782943068).

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Book Synopsis'Funny, wise and absolutely fascinating.' Adam Kay, author of This Is Going to HurtDo you want to be happy? If so - read on. This book has all the answers*In The Happy Brain, neuroscientist Dean Burnett delves deep into the inner workings of our minds to explore some fundamental questions about happiness. What does it actually mean to be happy? Where does it come from? And what, really, is the point of it? Forget searching for the secret of happiness through lifestyle fads or cod philosophy - Burnett reveals the often surprising truth behind what make us tick. From whether happiness really begins at home (spoiler alert: yes - sort of) to what love, sex, friendship, wealth, laughter and success actually do to our brains, this book offers a uniquely entertaining insight into what it means to be human.*Not really. Sorry. But it does have some very interesting questions, and at least the occasional answer.

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Book SynopsisYuval Noah Harari’s bestselling phenomenon now in a beautifully packaged new special edition. Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it. Us. We are the most advanced and most destructive animals ever to have lived. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us Sapiens? In this bold and provocative book, Yuval Noah Harari explores who we are, how we got here and where we’re going. Sapiens is a thrilling account of humankind’s extraordinary history – from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age – and our journey from insignificant apes to rulers of the world. 'Unbelievably good. Jaw dropping from the first word to the last' Chris Evans, BBC Radio 2PATTERNS OF LIFE: SPECIAL EDITIONS OF GROUNDBREAKING SCIENCE BOOKSTrade ReviewSapiens is packed with heretical thinking and surprising facts. This riveting, myth-busting book cannot be summarised in any detail; you will simply have to read it -- John Gray * Financial Times *Here is a simple reason why Sapiens has risen explosively to the ranks of an international best-seller. It tackles the biggest questions of history and of the modern world, and it is written in unforgettably vivid language. You will love it! -- Jared DiamondWhat’s unique about Harari’s take is that he focuses on the power of stories and myths to bring people together... I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, engaging look at early human history... Harari tells our history in such an approachable way that you’ll have a hard time putting it down -- Bill GatesWhat makes it so interesting and provocative is that because it’s such a condensed sweeping history it talks about some core things that have allowed us to build this extraordinary civilisation that we take for granted, but weren’t a given, and it gives you a sense of perspective in how briefly we’ve been on this Earth -- Barack Obama * CNN *Sapiens is the sort of book that sweeps the cobwebs out of your brain. Its author, Yuval Noah Harari, is a young Israeli academic and an intellectual acrobat whose logical leaps have you gasping with admiration...Harari's writing radiates power and clarity, making the world strange and new -- John Carey * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisThe perfect companion for A-Level AQA Biology, this new and improved CGP Complete Revision & Practice Guide is ideal for reference throughout both years and preparing for those final exams! It has straightforward study notes, helpful examples and full-colour diagrams. We've included more challenging exam practice than ever before with plenty of practice questions and exam-style questions (with detailed answers) for every topic - plus a section of mixed (synoptic) practice testing different parts of the course. To round things off there are sections of in-depth advice on Practical Skills and how to pick up top marks in the exams. There's even a free Online Edition of the whole book - just use the code printed inside the book to access it on your PC, Mac or tablet. For even more practice don't miss CGP's A-Level Biology Exam Practice Workbook (9781782949107).

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Book SynopsisThis brilliant CGP book covers all the maths skills needed in AS and A-Level Biology (the use of maths is required for 10% of the marks in the final exams and assessments). It explains Calculations, Graph Skills and Statistics, with clear study notes and step-by-step examples in the context of Biology. And to make sure you’ve really got to grips with it all, there are practice questions for each topic - with answers included at the back of the book.

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Book SynopsisDr Jacob Bronowksi's The Ascent of Man traces the development of human society through our understanding of science.First published in 1973 to accompany the groundbreaking BBC television series, it is considered one of the first works of 'popular science', illuminating the historical and social context of scientific development for a generation of readers. In his highly accessible style, Dr Bronowski discusses human invention from the flint tool to geometry, agriculture to genetics, and from alchemy to the theory of relativity, showing how they all are expressions of our ability to understand and control nature.In this new paperback edition, The Ascent of Man inspires, influences and informs as profoundly as ever.Trade ReviewThe book and television series... are a superb teaching tool and a remarkable memorial * Carl Sagan *A great book... it taught me a huge amount about mixing history and science * Simon Singh *

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Book SynopsisThe Age of Intelligent Machines is upon us, and as we approach the end of human intellectual superiority, we as a species need to plan for a monumental shift. A Human Algorithm examines the immense impact intelligent technology will have on humanity. These machines, while challenging our personal beliefs and our socio-economic world order, also have the potential to transform our health and well-being, alleviate poverty and suffering, and reveal the mysteries of intelligence and consciousness. International human rights attorney Flynn Coleman deftly argues that it is critical we instill values, ethics, and morals into our robots, algorithms, and other forms of AI. Equally important, we need to develop and implement laws, policies, and oversight mechanisms to protect us from tech's insidious threats. Ultimately, A Human Algorithm is a clarion call for building a more humane future and moving conscientiously into a new frontier of our own design.Trade Review'What does artificial intelligence mean, where is it going, and how will it affect us? We’re currently on a very steep part of the technology curve, and Flynn Coleman is a wonderfully astute, perceptive, and reliable guide as we ascend into our future.' David Eagleman, author of The Brain: The Story of You

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

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Book SynopsisScience and religion have always been at each other’s throats, right?Trade Review'This book, though, is surely [Spencer's] magnum opus. It is astonishingly wide-ranging… and richly informed… So much complex history, theology and science could be heavy. What lightens the book is its clarity and the effervescent writing.' —The Sunday Times'With patience, balance and deep learning, Spencer… dismantles the myths that have accumulated around Galileo Galilei, Charles Darwin and other scientific figures… Filled with wit and wisdom.' —Philip Ball, TLS'Fascinating… prepare to read something genuinely fresh in what can be an extremely hackneyed debate.' —New Scientist'Magisterial and brilliant.' —Professor John Milbank‘Easily the best exploration of the complex relation between science and religion I have ever read. As exemplary in his even-handedness as in his patient research… I suspect it will become the classic work on its subject.' —Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and his Emissary'Spencer knows his history of science. He recounts the set pieces of any such story – the trial of Galileo, Huxley vs Wilberforce, the Scopes monkey trial – with bravura.' —Spectator‘A must-read for anyone interested in this vital topic, and outstanding for its destruction of old myths about “the war between religion and science”, and for showing how complex, and various, and often positive relations have actually been.’ —Church Times, BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR'[Spencer] has a lot of interesting things to say about how exactly the often fraught relationship between science and faith has fared over the centuries… Mr. Spencer carefully reconstructs what actually happened. It’s interesting to read how the stories have become simplified and exaggerated over time… Mr. Spencer’s most important corrective is to show that Galileo’s theory raised scientific and theological questions that had not been answered at the time… a fascinating tour through a history of a difficult relationship, the fate of which is still unclear.' —Wall Street Journal'This page-turner of a book compellingly tracks the relation between science and religion, eternally bickering siblings, across two millennia. The ironies of the collaborations and oppositions between the two are brilliantly set out. You don’t have to have religious belief to recognise that science doesn’t always have the right answers. The real question: who has the authority to make statements about the natural world? Nicholas Spencer well shows that this authority – formerly in the hands of religious authorities, now usually scientific ones – has been effortfully constructed and disagreed over across time.' —Chris Wickham, author of The Inheritance of Rome'This sweeping and comprehensive look at the "war" between religion and science lays it bare as a nineteenth-century myth. Studying God’s Works – what we call "science" – was historically as important to Christianity as studying his Word. The battles we’ve mythologised – from the ancient mathematician Hypatia’s murder by a Christian mob, to Galileo kneeling before the Inquisition, to the 1925 Scopes “monkey” trial – were not about ideology, but authority. A compelling act of myth-busting.' —Nancy Marie Brown, author of The Abacus and the Cross'Illuminating… Even (or especially) those readers inclined to disagree with him will find his narrative refreshing… [Spencer] is one of Britain’s most astute observers of religious affairs… He offers an engaging tour of the intersection of religious and scientific history… Mr Spencer insightfully revisits the dust-ups involving Galileo, Darwin and John Scopes (prosecuted in Tennessee in 1925 for teaching evolution). He traces the interaction of the two disciplines in often fascinating detail.' —Economist'Highly readable... Spencer convincingly shows how, until the modern period, religion largely supported the sciences of the day.' —Financial Times'Tremendous… [Spencer's] survey of more than two millennia to the present day is consistently well-informed, witty and merciless to those wanting easy headlines. Every journalist would benefit from reading this substantial but very useful text, but all its readers will emerge better informed—and perhaps even saner.’ —Diarmaid Macculloch, Prospect'Books that attempt to encompass the whole history of science and religion within a single volume are rare. This is one of them, and it is a good one… clearly written, with plenty of humour... this superb volume... is likely to become the standard work on the subject for the general reader for many years to come, and deservedly so.' —Tablet'Nicholas Spencer is always worth reading. In this new book he brilliantly synthesises a mass of scholarly research to provide an authoritative, lucid and, at times, surprising account of the historical relations between Western science and religion. This is easily the most comprehensive and accessible history of these two "magisteria" presently available.' —Peter Harrison, author of The Territories of Science and Religion 'Spencer’s historical portrait is erudite and wide-ranging…[a] necessary [book].' —Literary Review

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Book Synopsis20 years later The Music of the Primes is still a groundbreaking popular science book. This new edition features updates from the author and a foreword by actor and director, Simon McBurney. In 1859, the German mathematician Bernhard Riemann presented a paper to the Berlin Academy which would change the history of mathematics. The subject was the strange and enigmatic prime numbers. At the heart of the presentation was an idea, a hypothesis, that Riemann had not yet proved but which has come to obsess mathematicians for the last 150 years. No one knows if he ever found the proof; on his death his housekeeper burnt all the personal papers. Today, the hypothesis is considered by many the holy grail of mathematics but has significance far beyond maths. At the of the heart of the enigma is a prize much larger than just intellectual glory; not only is there a $1 million reward for the person who can crack it but also is the key to all banking and e-commerce security. It is the idea that brings together many other areas of science and has ramifications within Quantum Mechanics, Chaos Theory and the future of computing. In 'The Music of the Primes', one of Britain's leading mathematicians, Marcus du Sautoy, recounts the history of these elusive numbers. It is a story of eccentric and brilliant men, last minute escapes from death, strange journeys, dangerous ideas and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge that drove some men mad and others to unparalleled glory. du Sautoy also tells a coruscating history of Mathematics. Combining in-depth knowledge as a practitioner in the field with narrative flair, this book will become a classic of popular science writing and will rank alongside 'Chaos' and 'Fermat's Last Theorem' within the genre. The Riemann Hypothesis:• Compared to Fermat's Last Theorem, the Hypothesis is mathematicians’ real Holy Grail• Is the only problem from Hilbert's 1900 Centenary Problems that was unproved in the 20th century and now has a $1 million reward for the person who cracks it.• The Hypothesis is the key to all Internet and e-commerce securityTrade Review'Du Sautoy is a contagious enthusiast, a populist with a staunch faith in the public's intelligence…he has uncovered a wealth of intriguing anecdotes that he has woven into a compelling narrative.' Observer 'He laces the ideas with history, anecdote and personalia – an entertaining mix that renders an austere subject palatable…valiant and ingenious…Even those with a mathematical allergy can enjoy du Sautoy's depictions of his cast of characters' The Times 'He brings hugely enjoyable writing, full of zest and passion, to the most fundamental questions in the pursuit of true knowledge.' Sunday Times 'A mesmerising journey into the world of mathematics and its mysteries.' Daily Mail 'A brilliant storyteller.' Independent

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction; Safety information; Practical skills; 1. Using apparatus; 2. Limitations and improvements; 3. Kinematics and dynamics; 4. Forces, work and energy; 5. Matter and materials; 6. Electric current, potential differences and resistance; 7. Resistance and resistivity; 8. Waves; 9. Planning and data analysis; 10. Circular motion and gravitational fields; 11. Oscillations; 12. Thermal physics and ideal gases; 13. Coulombs law and capacitance; 14. Magnetic fields, electromagnetism and charged particles; 15. Electromagnetic induction and alternating currents; 16. Quantum physics, nuclear physics and medical imaging; 17. Astronomy and cosmology; Glossary.

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Book Synopsis'Groundbreaking' OBSERVER 'Blows assumptions about abusive relationships out of the water' CAITLIN MORAN 'Offers a strategy for intervention that would save lives' INDEPENDENT Every four days in the UK, a woman is killed by her partner or ex-partner – and in the past year, domestic abuse has become an epidemic. For thirty years, Jane Monckton Smith has been fighting to change this. A former police officer and internationally renowned professor of public protection, she has developed her ground-breaking research into an eight-stage homicide timeline, laying out identifiable stages in which coercive relationships can escalate to violence and murder. Drawing on disciplines including psychology, sociology and law, Monckton Smith talks to victims, their families and killers to piece together the hows and whys of abuse – while shining a searching light onto the society and media that allow it to thrive.Trade ReviewBlow assumptions about relationships out of the water . . . A game-changer -- Caitlin MoranShocking, frank, and very, very necessary. -- Sam BakerA powerful book that offers a strategy for intervention that would save lives * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisBees are a fascinating and indispensable group of insects, but many species are in decline, and efforts to help determine distributions and changes in abundance have to date been compromised by a serious lack of identification resources. This book is from author Steven Falk, who is a professional naturalist and conservationist with over forty years' experience of working with bees. It is a comprehensive introduction to bee classification, ecology, field techniques and recording, a full glossary, and information on how to separate the sexes and distinguish bees from other insects. Also included are introductions to families and genera, describing key characters and life histories, as well as detailed species descriptions covering field and microscopic characters, similar species, variants, flight season, habitat, flowers visited, nesting habits, status & distribution, and parasites & associates. A series of innovative illustrated keys to genera and species are designed to guide the Trade ReviewRichard Lewington’s delicate pictures are without equal, but with copious thumbnail diagrams, and close-up photos of body parts, this is also a detailed key work for the specialist wanting to learn more. -- Richard Jones * BBC Wildlife *Bee identification just got a whole lot easier...with Richard Lewington's stunning artwork and Steven Falk's accessible text and identification keys * Bird Table magazine *Comprehensive, well organised, easy to use, beautifully illustrated and packed with detail this is, quite simply, one of the best field guides I’ve had the pleasure of using. -- Calvin Jones * Ireland's Wildlife *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction What is a bee? Classification of bees At-a-glance guide to bee genera Species, races, forms and variations The life cycle of bees Enemies and associates of bees Habitats of bees Field techniques for finding and recording bees Conserving bees Societies and recording groups Bees beyond Britain and Ireland Further Reading How to Use this Guide Dichotomous keys Format of the species accounts The colour plates Male or female? Is it a bee? Bee anatomy Glossary Author’s web feature Key to Bee Genera Family colletidae - Colletes – Plasterer bees - Hylaeus – Yellow-face bees Family andrenidae - Andrena – Mining bees - Panurgus – Shaggy bees Family halictidae - Halictus – End-banded furrow bees - Lasioglossum – Base-banded furrow bees - Sphecodes – Blood bees - Rophites – Bristle-headed bees - Dufourea – Short-faced bees Family melittidae - Melitta – Blunthorn bees - Macropis – Oil-collecting bees - Dasypoda – Pantaloon bees Family megachilidae - Anthidium – Wool carders - Stelis – Dark bees - Heriades – Resin bees - Chelostoma – Scissor bees - Osmia – Mason bees - Hoplitis – Lesser masons - Megachile – Leafcutter and mud bees - Coelioxys – Sharp-tail bees Family apidae - Nomada – Nomad bees - Epeolus – Variegated cuckoo bees - Eucera – Long-horned bees - Anthophora – Flower bees - Melecta – Mourning bees - Ceratina – Small carpenter bees - Xylocopa – Large carpenter bees - Bombus – Bumblebees - Apis – Honey bees Colour Plates Checklist of the bees of Britain and Ireland Index Photographic credits

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Book SynopsisThe definitive photographic guide to the avifauna of Spain.Spain is recognised as one of Europe's richest birdwatching destinations, one that offers a host of regional specialities. It includes famous birding hotspots such as the vast Coto Doñana wetlands, mountainous areas such as the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa, the Mediterranean oak forests of the south, the migration crossroads of the Strait of Gibraltar and the plains of Extremadura. Completely revised and updated, this new version of Birds of Spain provides photographic coverage of more than 320 species that regularly occur in the region, from the Hoopoe to the Golden Eagle. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo having been carefully selected to aid identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in Spain is also included.Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect companion foTable of ContentsIntroduction How to Use This Book How to Identify a Bird Natural Spain – An Overview Birds and Bird Conservation in Spain Best Birdwatching Sites in Spain Species Accounts Further Reading and Resources Photo Credits Index

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part 1: Introducing the Nervous System 5 Chapter 1: A Quick Trip through the Nervous System 7 Chapter 2: All about the Brain and Spinal Cord 23 Chapter 3: Understanding How Neurons Work 51 Part 2: Translating the Internal and External Worlds through Your Senses 69 Chapter 4: Feeling Your Way: The Skin Senses 71 Chapter 5: Looking at Vision 87 Chapter 6: Sounding Off: The Auditory System 109 Chapter 7: Odors and Taste 127 Part 3: Moving Right Along: Motor Systems 143 Chapter 8: Movement Basics 145 Chapter 9: Coordinating Things More: The Spinal Cord and Pathways 159 Chapter 10: Planning and Executing Actions 173 Chapter 11: Unconscious Actions with Big Implications 191 Part 4: Intelligence: The Thinking Brain and Consciousness 211 Chapter 12: Understanding Intelligence, Consciousness, and Emotions 213 Chapter 13: How the Brain Processes Thoughts 239 Chapter 14: The Executive Brain 259 Chapter 15: Learning and Memory 275 Chapter 16: Developing and Modifying Brain Circuits: Plasticity 299 Chapter 17: Neural Dysfunctions, Mental Illness, and Drugs That Affect the Brain 325 Part 5: The Part of Tens 339 Chapter 18: Ten (or So) Crucial Brain Structures 341 Chapter 19: Ten Tricks of Neurons That Make Them Do What They Do 349 Chapter 20: Ten Promising Treatments for the Future 357 Glossary 367 Index 383

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Book Synopsis'A quite delightful book on the joys, and universality, of physics. Czerski's enthusiasm is infectious because she brings our humdrum everyday world to life, showing us that it is just as fascinating as anything that can be seen by the Hubble Telescope or created at the Large Hadron Collider.' - Jim Al-KhaliliOur world is full of patterns. If you pour milk into your tea and give it a stir, you'll see a swirl, a spiral of two fluids, before the two liquids mix completely. The same pattern is found elsewhere too. Look down on the Earth from space, and you'll find similar swirls in the clouds, made where warm air and cold air waltz. In Storm in a Teacup, Helen Czerski links the little things we see every day with the big world we live in. Each chapter begins with something small - popcorn, coffee stains and refrigerator magnets - and uses it to explain some of the most important science and technology of our time. This is physics as the toolbox of science - a toolbox we need in order to make sense of what is around us and arrive at decisions about the future, from medical advances to solving our future energy needs. It is also physics as the toy box of science: physics as fun, as never before.Trade ReviewIf you've ever felt like understanding how things work is just too big a mountain to climb then read this book. It'll carry you gently to the peak and show you how stunning and beautiful the view is. It is rare that someone can explain that which seems endlessly complex and makes you feel like in fact you'd understood it all along. Helen Czerski's book does just that.Fun, fascinating and brilliantly well written - 'Right there, in my teacup, I can see the storm.' Me too and I know what it is now. * Marcus Brigstocke *This book is charming, accessible and enthusiastic. Helen invites you in to see the world through a her eyes and understand how a physicist thinks. It's a wonderful way to discover the hidden scientific connections behind the ordinary and everyday. * Dr Hannah Fry *Helen Czerski's absorbing Storm in a Teacup stands head and shoulders above other popular science books. The little fascinations we left behind in childhood are but her jumping-off points for the really, really big picture ... Hers if the kind of self-assured, endearing nerdishness that doesn't wait to see if you're on board: she pulls you along, anticipating your head-scratching at every fluorescing scorpion and swirling drop of milk in your teacup. * The Irish Times *In a friendly, chatty style that includes anecdotes from her personal and professional life, Czerski manages to make spilled coffee fascinating; tree growth astonishing; telecommunications intuitive. * Physics World *[Helen Czerski] has a formidable knack for explaining mind-bending concepts in easy-to-understand language ... the book to read this week. * Science Focus *Helen Czerski has a remarkable knack for finding scientific wonders under every rock, alongside every raindrop, and inside every grain of sand.The written equivalent of a spectrum beaming out from a prism. Thanks to Helen’s brilliantly engaging book you’ll never consider anything to be mundane or ordinary again. * Jon Culshaw *

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Book SynopsisIn this classic work that continues to inspire many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that the Earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence in support of a radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that life is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the Earth's living matter influences air, ocean, and rock to form a complex, self-regulating system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life. Since Gaia was first published, Jim Lovelock's hypothesis has become a hotly debated topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this edition, he outlines his view of the present state of the debate. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewDaring, exciting, original. * Scientific American *Jim Lovelock, a man as inventive and ingenious as he is lively and unorthodox, places a daring hypothesis before the general reader, a kind of geochemical myth for our time.. [His book] is the exciting personal argument of an original thinker caught in wonder. It wins and repays attention. * Scientific American *Lovelock writes beautifully. A book that is both original and well written is indeed a bonus. Only a genius thinks of the obvious, and Lovelock deserves to be described as a genius. * New Scientist *The breath-taking sweep of his central idea - that the earth is a living, self-regulating organism - poses the most dramatic challenge to scientists, politicians, and environmentalists. * Jonathon Porritt *Table of ContentsPreface 1: Introductory 2: In the beginning 3: The recognition of Gaia 4: Cybernetics 5: The contemporary atmosphere 6: The sea 7: Gaia and Man: the problem of pollution 8: Living within Gaia 9: Epilogue Definitions and explanations of terms Further reading

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Book SynopsisWith more than 1 million copies sold worldwide, The Elements is the most entertaining, comprehensive, and visually arresting book on all 118 elements in the periodic table.Includes a poster of Theodore Gray's iconic photographic periodic table of the elements!Based on seven years of research and photography by Theodore Gray and Nick Mann, The Elements presents the most complete and visually arresting representation available to the naked eye of every atom in the universe. Organized sequentially by atomic number, every element is represented by a big beautiful photograph that most closely represents it in its purest form. Several additional photographs show each element in slightly altered forms or as used in various practical ways. Also included are fascinating stories of the elements, as well as data on the properties of each, including atomic number, atomic symbol, atomic weight, density, atomic radius, as well as scales for electron filling order, state of matter, and an atomic emission spectrum.This of solid science and stunning artistic photographs is the perfect gift book for every sentient creature in the universe.

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Book SynopsisLinked to a special mini season of the award-winning StarTalk podcast, this enlightening illustrated narrative by the world’s most celebrated astrophysicist explains the universe from the solar system to the farthest reaches of space with authority and humor.No one can make the mysteries of the universe more comprehensible and fun than Neil deGrasse Tyson. Drawing on mythology, history, and literature—alongside his trademark wit and charm—Tyson and StarTalk senior producer Lindsey Nyx Walker bring planetary science down to Earth and principles of astrophysics within reach. In this entertaining book, illustrated with vivid photographs and art, readers travel with him through space and time, starting with the Big Bang and voyaging to the far reaches of the universe and beyond. Along the way, science greets pop culture as Tyson explains the triumphs—and bloopers—in Hollywood’s blockbusters: all part of an entertaining ride through the cosTrade Review"Buoyed by eye-popping photos of supernovas and distant galaxies, this is equal parts entertaining and informative."—Publisher's Weekly"This is a book that makes you want to go out and look up at the night sky. Buzz Lightyear would be proud."—Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisDiscover the healing power of nature through the stories of these characterful birds, whose song is never far away . . .LONGLISTED FOR THE 2022 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE''A lyrical and life-affirming book that teaches us as much about birds as it does ourselves - a balm for the soul'' Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path''Totally absorbing and completely engaging on so many levels . . . Charlie has opened my eyes to the constant joy of the sights and sounds of the birds that surround us. It is a book that really will save lives'' Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes_________After the tragic loss of his mother, Charlie Corbett felt trapped by his pain. Having lost all hope and perspective he took to the countryside in search of solace. There, he heard the soaring, cascading song of the skylark - a sound that pulled him from the depths of despair and into the calm of the natural world.Weaving his jTrade ReviewA lyrical and life-affirming book that teaches us as much about birds as it does ourselves - a balm for the soul * Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path *Totally absorbing and completely engaging on so many levels... Charlie has opened my eyes to the constant joy of the sights and sounds of the birds that surround us. It is a book that really will save lives * Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes *An enchanting book. I knew at once this was something special * Lady Glenconner *This is no ordinary ornithology, but one that portrays the very essence of each bird through a very human lens and shows us that both solace and joy can be ours by merely observing with an open eye and an open heart * John Wright, author of The Forager's Calendar *A wonderful blend of the lyrical and practical. Charlie shows us that our relationship with birds and the natural world is not only healing, but an important part of our cultural heritage worth protecting * Adam Henson *From dawn choruses to the first chiffchaff calls of spring, Charlie Corbett shows how the changing seasons can bring happy natural rhythms to times of hardship * National Geographic Traveller *This is no misery memoir . . . The story moves apace to its uplifting conclusion, that Nature is the best medicine * Country Life *There is much to be admired * Countryfile *An important book, woven with the countryside and catharsis. Also instructive into which birds to look for and how to recognise their calls and song. Written by a true countryman and loving son * The Field *Honest, uplifting and written from the heart, this is a rediscovery of life inspired by a re-discovery of birds -- Tim BirkheadOne of those charming nuggets you sometimes chance across in the bookshop, pulling together themes of nature, grief, mental health and healing * Salisbury Journal *

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Book SynopsisForage more than 100 delicious edible plants straight from your backyard with this useful, engaging, beautifully illustrated guide. Nature-lovers, gardeners, and foodies can turn their backyard into a bounty with tips for identifying wild plants, advice for beginner and experienced harvesters, and more than 600 ideas and recipes to bring the wild into the kitchen.

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Book Synopsis206 bones. One heart. Two eyes. Ten fingers. You may think you know what makes up a human. But it turns out our bodies are full of surprises.What makes tears of joy different from tears of sadness?Why is a gut feeling so much smarter than you think?And why is 90% of you not even human?This book turns your knowledge of the human body on its head. The effervescent van Tulleken twins bring their knowledge and charm to the page to reveal just how well our bodies keep secrets from the things that want to exploit it: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, larger predators and, crucially, other people. They reveal the remarkable stories behind the science we are not meant to know, on matters of life and death.Leading us through these revelations are tales of everyday miracles the human stories that bind every one of us together through the universal stages of life. Chris and Xand van Tulleken reveal the incredible abilities every human shares, leading us to discover the secrets that make every ordinary human body extraordinary.Trade Review‘The van Tullekens are the pin-up doctors at the forefront of HIV research, medicine in war zones and the Ebola epidemic. They’re so warm and likeable that they’ve made roughly 20 TV shows between them in the past ten years. Proving that smart is indeed the new sexy, both van Tullekens are highly qualified doctors researching and treating infectious diseases, while their shows tend to involve hair-raising, death-defying or body-hacking challenges — all carried off with inexhaustible good humour in the name of science. Indeed, at the age of 36, their bucket list is as short as Chris’ stubble: to date they’ve trekked to the North Pole, shoved spikes through their tongues and even won a BAFTA.’ Evening Standard

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE FT & McKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020The Sunday Times Best Business Books of the Year 2020The Times of London Best Business Books of the Year 2020The Financial Times Best Books of the Year 2020Fortune Magazine Best Business Book of the Year 2020 FiveBooks.com Best Non-Fiction of 2020 Inc.com Best New Business Books of 2020''A path-breaking, thought-provoking and in-depth study of how new technology will transform the world of work'' Gordon Brown ''Compelling... Should be required reading for any presidential candidate'' New York TimesNew technologies have always provoked panic about workers being replaced by machines. In the past, such fears have been misplaced, and many economists maintain that they remain so today. Yet in A World Without Work, Daniel Susskind shows why this time really is different. Advances in artificial intelligence mTrade ReviewCompelling ... Thought-provoking ... Should be required reading for any presidential candidate thinking about the economy of the future. * New York Times *An excellent and timely piece of analysis ... Susskind combines a mastery of global research with insight into how government works. A book of immense importance that demands to be taken very seriously by No. 10, and by anyone who cares about the future of our country and world. * New Statesman *A pathbreaking, thought-provoking, and in-depth study of how new technology will transform the world of work. * The Right Honourable Gordon Brown *A fascinating book about a vitally important topic - and he writes with such elegance that you don't even notice how much you're learning. Elegant, original and compelling. -- Tim Harford, author of 'Fifty Things That Made The Modern Economy' and 'The Undercover Economist'A superb and sophisticated contribution to the debate over work in the age of artificial intelligence. Susskind approaches the debate with a great command of the evidence and with excellent judgment. He takes on all of the major debates: whether new jobs will replace those that disappear, how the income distribution will be affected, and how individuals are likely to allocate their time in the future between work, leisure, study, and other activities. Never glib, consistently wise and well-informed, this is the book to read to understand how digital technologies and artificial intelligence in particular are reshaping the economy and labor market, and how we will live alongside increasingly smart machines. -- Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Economics at Columbia University, Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions NetworkDaniel Susskind has written an important book on an equally important topic: the future of work in an economy driven by the advances in artificial intelligence. His conclusion is that ultimately there will be less work, or at least less paid work. This will shake the foundations of our economy and our society. Our institutions will have to be transformed. It will be a daunting challenge. We have to start thinking hard about it now. -- Martin Wolf * Chief Economics Commentator, 'The Financial Times' *This is the book to read on the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. It is thoughtful and state-of-the-art on the economics of the issue, but its real strength is the way it goes beyond just the economics. A truly important contribution that deserves widespread consideration. -- Lawrence Summers, former Chief Economist of the World Bank, Treasury Secretary for the Clinton Administration and Director of the National Economic Council for the Obama AdministrationEloquent and humane, A World Without Work moves the debate beyond the illusion that technology always creates more jobs than it destroys and provocatively explores the role of work in human life and what to do when that role evaporates. -- Stuart Russell, author of 'Human Compatible' and Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, BerkeleyFascinating and tightly argued * Sunday Telegraph *

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

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Book SynopsisA Telegraph Book of the Year A remarkable, unprecedented account of the role of magic in cultures both ancient and modern -- from the first known horoscope to the power of tattoos.''Fascinating, original, excellent'' Simon Sebag Montefiore______________________Three great strands of practice and belief run through human history: science, religion and magic. But magic - the idea that we have a connection with the universe - has developed a bad reputation.It has been with us for millennia - from the curses and charms of ancient Greek, Roman and Jewish magic, to the shamanistic traditions of Eurasia, indigenous America and Africa, and even quantum physics today. Even today seventy-five per cent of the Western world holds some belief in magic, whether snapping wishbones, buying lottery tickets or giving names to inanimate objects.Drawing on his decades of research, with incredible breadth and authority, Professor Chris Gosden provides a timely history of human thought and the role it has played in shaping civilization, and how we might use magic to rethink our understanding of the world.______________________''This is an extraordinary work of learning, written with an exhilarating lightness of touch . . . It is essential reading.'' Francis Pryor, author of Britain BC, Britain AD and The Fens''Without an unfascinating page'' Scotsman''Chris Gosden shows how magic explores the connections between human beings and the universe in ways different from religion or science, yet deserving of respect'' Professor John Barton, author of A History of The BibleTrade ReviewWith his own magic touch, Chris Gosden brilliantly reveals the place of magic in human societies from the Ice Age to the present day in all inhabited continents, and shows how the exercise of magic was an everyday practice that joined the world of the dead to that of the living -- Professor David Abulafia, author of The Boundless SeaFascinating, original and excellent, written with both narrative flair and deep scholarship, this is a world history, from the steppes of Mongolia to the palaces of London and Paris from prehistory to today, told through the lens of magic, that has always existed alongside and within religion itself, a gripping ride of astonishing span, filled with colourful characters, shaman, witches and kings, esoteric rites and revelatory research. An important and essential read that also happens to be a highly entertaining historical treasure-trove -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Jerusalem and The RomanovsThis is an extraordinary work of learning, written with an exhilarating lightness of touch. And it's flexible: you can read it from cover-to-cover, or just dip in - or both. Chris Gosden has traced the story of magical beliefs from the Old Stone Age to modern times, across all the continents of the world. But it isn't just a work of archaeology and history: it has increasing relevance for our own times, as we witness the growth of extreme cults and the seditious myths of the post-truth era. It is essential reading -- Francis Pryor, author of Britain BC, Britain AD and The FensThe History of Magic is a major contribution to an important but neglected subject. It should be read not only by archaeologists and anthropologists but by everyone interested in the human condition -- Barry Cunliffe, author of The Scythians"To be human is to be connected." Chris Gosden shows how magic explores the connections between human beings and the universe in ways different from religion or science, yet deserving of respect. A magisterial account of the central place of magic in many cultures both ancient and modern -- Professor John Barton, author of A History of The BibleAn impressive and much-needed book, Gosden masterfully presents the history of magic from a global perspective, enabling the reader to make fascinating connections between traditions in different places and eras -- Violet Moller, author of the Map of KnowledgeBreathtaking in scope... For many readers its pages will be full of fascinating discoveries -- John Carey * Sunday Times *Comprehensive and remarkable . . . his book subverts essentially everything we are meant to believe -- Clement Knox * The Telegraph *Bold, gripping and arrestingly readable ... a path-breaking study of a pervasive and strangely neglected phenomenon -- John Gray * New Statesman *Exceptional -- Simon Heffer * Telegraph, Books of the Year *

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

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