Science & Nature Books

Book SynopsisPHYSICS WORLD 2018 BOOK OF THE YEAR‘A clear and deeply researched account of what’s known about the quantum laws of nature, and how to think about what they might really mean’ Nature ‘I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.’ Richard Feynman wrote this in 1965 – the year he was awarded the Nobel prize in physics for his work on quantum mechanics. Over the past decade, the enigma of quantum mechanics has come into sharper focus. We now realise that quantum mechanics is less about particles and waves, uncertainty and fuzziness, than a theory about information: about what can be known and how. The quantum world isn’t a different world: it is our world, and if anything deserves to be called ‘weird’, it’s us. This exhilarating book is about what quantum maths really means – and what it doesn’t mean. ‘Gorgeously lucid…takes us to the edge of contemporary theorizing about the foundations of quantum mechanics… Easily the best book I’ve read on the subject’ Washington PostTrade ReviewThis is the book I wish I could have written, but am very glad I've read. It's an accessible, persuasive and thorough appraisal of what the most important theory in all of science actually means. -- Jim Al-KhaliliExcellent. -- Andrew Crumey * Spectator *Ball is an exceptionally talented writer who manages to combine accessibility and thoroughness in razor-sharp prose -- Philip Moriarty * Physics World *Riveting ... Ball is an intelligent guide -- Natalie Wolchover * Nature *A deeply fascinating book … Philip Ball is a rare writer in having such depth of knowledge of a difficult field, yet retaining the critical eye of an observer. Highly recommended. -- Jon Butterworth, Professor of Physics at UCL and author of SMASHING PHYSICS

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Book SynopsisSigmund Freud was no stranger to controversy. He shocked many with his revolutionary theories on human development, desires and sexuality, and transformed the way we think about ourselves today. Starting with a brilliant foreword from renowned psychologist Edward de Bono, the book is then divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of Freud's life, achievements, theories and controversies; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating Freud's actual spoken or written words whenever possible. D.M. Thomas carefully guides us through Freud's life and theories that would lead to him become the father of psychoanalysis. In frank conversation, full of energy and spiced with cynicism and wit, he'll interpret your wildest fantasies and strangest dreams, and even let you in on a few family secrets.

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Book SynopsisComplete course coverage for the best grades in the upcoming mocks and exams!This fantastic CGP Student Book comprehensively covers both years of AQA A-Level Chemistry. It's bursting with in-depth, accessible notes explaining every course topic, plus all of the Required Practicals. Everything's supported by clear diagrams, photographs, tips and worked examples. Throughout the book there are lots of practice questions and exam-style questions (with answers at the back). There's detailed guidance on Maths Skills and Practical Skills, as well as indispensable advice for success in the final exams. We've even thrown in 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. If you'd prefer Year 1 (9781782943211) & Year 2 (9781782943266) in separate books, CGP has them too! And for more detailed coverage of the mathematical elements of A-Level Chemistry, try our Essential Maths Skills book (978182944720)!

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Book SynopsisComplete course coverage for the best grades in the upcoming mocks and exams!This unbeatable CGP Student Book covers all of the core content for both years of AQA A-Level Physics - plus the optional topics 9-12. It's brimming with in-depth, accessible notes, clear diagrams, photographs, tips and worked examples. Throughout the book there are lots of practice questions and end of section summaries with exam-style questions (answers at the back). There's detailed guidance on Maths Skills and Practical Skills, as well as indispensable advice for success in the final exams. We've even thrown in 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. If you'd prefer Year 1 (9781782943235) & Year 2 (9781782943280) in separate books, CGP has them too! And for more detailed coverage of the mathematical elements of A-Level Physics, try our Essential Maths Skills book (9781782944713)!

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Book SynopsisComplete course coverage for the best grades in the upcoming mocks and exams!Look no further than this immense CGP Student Book for comprehensive coverage of both years of OCR A A-Level Physics! It's packed with in-depth, accessible notes explaining every topic, supported by clear diagrams, photographs, tips and worked examples. To test students' knowledge and understanding, there are practice questions and exam-style questions throughout the book (with detailed answers included). There's also detailed guidance on Maths Skills and Practical Investigations, plus indispensable advice for success in the final exams. What's more, we've thrown in a free Online Edition that lets you read the entire book on a PC, Mac or tablet. When the book arrives, just use the unique code printed inside the cover to gain full access. Don't miss CGP's Student Books covering both years of OCR A A-Level Biology (9781789086676) and Chemistry (9781789086683).

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Book SynopsisStarre Vartan is an independent freelance science writer with a focus on health-related biotech, mental health, disease and women's bodies, as well as animals and environment. She writes on health for CNN; regularly on biotechnology and health for Scientific American; and frequently about animals for National Geographic, as well as contributing science- and heath stories to the Washington Post, Dame magazine, Slate, Gizmodo, Hakai, Digital Trends, The Daily Beast and New York magazine. She has a BS in Geology, a BA in English, and, a minor in Biology and worked as a geologist specializing in hydrology in Connecticut before turning to writing about science and health.

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Book SynopsisThis title offers a guide to the world of arthropods, covering many insect orders, including beetles, flies, stick insects, dragonflies, ants and wasps, as well as microscopic creatures. It provides a fascinating overview of insects and spiders, including their habitats and classification, all shown in over 195 beautiful photographs and illustrations. All aspects of insect life are covered, such as the way insects defend themselves and how they are able to jump, leap and fly. It describes cryptic coloration, and the way insects can use camouflage to blend into their background and escape attack from predators. It offers various methods of feeding are discussed, from biting and chewing to lapping, sucking, piercing and filter feeding, according to their different mouthparts. It outlines their useful role in pollination of crops, production of honey, and removing insect pests. In the arthropoda phylum, insects are one of the most successful species, and spiders are one of the largest groups. This book studies how they organize their lives. The first section provides information of every aspect of insect life: evolution, anatomy, life cycles, flight and social organization. The last section describes the 30 orders within the class Insecta, demonstrating the huge variety of insects, from microscopic creatures to giant stick insects and large beetles. Typical features of insects in each order are highlighted. With expert text, illustrations and clear photographs, this guide will be enjoyed by all who take an interest in natural history.

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Book Synopsis Fascinating stories of the birds and birdsongs from the Tropics for every week of the year, with QR codes for every entry. From the incredible screech of the macaw, who shows amazing intelligence, to the imitations of humans of the mynah bird and the humming sounds of the hummingbird, this is a beautiful collection of stories about one of nature''s wonders: tropical birds. Bird expert and writer Dominic Couzens invites you to enjoy not only their birdsongs but also their amazing feats and colourful displays. With stunning illustrations from award-winning Madeleine Floyd and QR codes to listen to their songs as you read, you can immerse yourself in a tropical wonderland. A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated generations, tropical birdsong is unique. This book offers the perfect tonic whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just want to understand the songs from the most iconic birds in the world. With 52 weekly stories, the book takes you through the calendar year of tropical life. Listen and read about jewel-like toucans, mating cries of the cock-of-the-rock bird of paradise, duet songs of sunbirds, the fascinating glossy starling oxpeckers who sit on the backs of elephants and the gorgeous songs of hornbills. The latest research and information about these bright lights of the bird world is captured here by one of the most respected but accessible writers on birds. It''s like joining him on a field trip. Anyone with even a passing interest in the bird world, or even the natural world, will be captivated by the stories and sounds.

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Book SynopsisAVAILABLE NOW -THE RSPB GARDEN BIRDWATCHER'S PUZZLE BOOKA jam-packed puzzle and trivia book about the birds in Britain, in collaboration with the RSPB.Can you tell your rook from your crow? Do you know the collective noun for a group of goldfinches? Or where a willow warbler goes when it migrates?A must-buy for any bird enthusiast or bird-watching novice, this puzzle book is filled with questions, word games and brainteasers that will test your ornithological knowledge and reveal a treasure trove of incredible facts about our feathered friends - covering topics such as garden birds, coastal and country birds, behaviour, biology, culture, rare birds and bird migration.Featuring over 150 puzzles, from quiz questions to illustrations of birds to test your identification knowledge, wordsearches and crosswords, as well as maps to explore flight patterns, the RSPB Great British Birdwatcher's Puzzle Book will put your friends and family through their paces, and on the path to becoming an ornithological expert.

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Book SynopsisThis site guide covers the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey, including sites in southwest Greater London. From the heaths of Surrey to the chalky grassland of the North and South Downs, the great forests of the Weald and the headlands, shingle beaches and river valleys of England''s south coast, these three counties are a bird-rich part of the country, with perhaps the most diverse range of habitats in the country, and all within easy distance of London, the southwest part of which contains birding sites such as Barnes wetland centre.This new book by Matthew Phelps and Ed Stubbs is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites, and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit. Where to Watch Birds in Surrey and Sussex is indispensable for any birder heading to this bird-rich region, or anyone in London who wTrade Review... A comprehensive celebration of an extraordinary and much under-rated region with lots to delight the birders mind. * KOS News *

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Book SynopsisProfessor Brian Cox is back with another insightful and mind-blowing exploration of space. This time he shows us our universe as we've never seen it before.Trade ReviewPraise for Professor Brian Cox’s previous books: ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book.’The Times ‘Engaging, ambitious and creative’Guardian ‘In this book of the acclaimed BBC2 TV series, Professor Cox shows us the cosmos as we have never seen it before – a place full of the most bizarre and powerful natural phenomena.’Sunday Express ‘Will entertain and delight … what a priceless gift that would be.’Independent on Sunday

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate field guide to birds of Madagascar, the Seychelles, Comoros and Mascarene Islands.The Malagasy region contains one of the most extraordinary concentrations of biodiversity in the world, and a diverse avifauna rich with exciting endemic taxa; birds such as vangas, mesites and asities live nowhere else. This guide covers the whole of the Malagasy region, which comprises both Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean including the Seychelles, Comoros and Mascarenes Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues all of which host their own endemics and large seabird colonies.Every species in the region is covered in full detail, with a colour distibution map for resident and migrant birds. All species are illustrated on a spectacular series of 124 colour plates by leading bird artists John Gale and Brian Small, with concise species text opposite the plates. The species are arranged to keep the key species of the various archipelagos together in sections.This major work of is a stunning combination of scholarship and beauty. Authoritative yet pocket-friendly, it''s an essential addition to the backpack of any visiting naturalist or birdwatcher, anywhere in the region.Trade ReviewI was fortunate to have a pre-publication copy on my recent trip to Madagascar. It's surely the best and most up-to-date bird field guide out there, with excellent discussions of topics beyond identification. Buy it and take it with you! * Robert. S. Ridgely, Rainforest Trust *Twitchers bound for... Madagascar can enjoy Helm Field Guides' new additions ... Helm's exquisite eye for detail and intricate illustrations - hitting that sweet spot between art and practicality - make these welcome additions. A must-have for any globetrotting birders. * Wanderlust *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements About this book The Malagasy Region and Its Birds Geography, Climate and Habitats Biogeography: Colonisation, Differentiation and Survival Endemic Families and Genera List of Bird Organisations Plate Section Part 1: Larger birds (non-passerines): Malagasy Region Part 2: Landbirds ('near-passerines' and passerines) Part 3: Vagrants: Malagasy region Appendix 1: Checklist of birds of the Malagasy region Appendix 2: A new classification of bird orders and families native to the Malagasy region References Index

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Book SynopsisNational BestsellerCNBC and Strategy + Business Best Business Book of the YearIt’s the biggest revolution you’ve never heard of, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Over the past decade, Silicon Valley executives like Eric Schmidt and Elon Musk, Special Operators like the Navy SEALs and the Green Berets, and maverick scientists like Sasha Shulgin and Amy Cuddy have turned everything we thought we knew about high performance upside down. Instead of grit, better habits, or 10,000 hours, these trailblazers have found a surprising short cut. They''re harnessing rare and controversial states of consciousness to solve critical challenges and outperform the competition. New York Times bestselling author Steven Kotler and high performance expert Jamie Wheal spent four years investigating the leading edges of this revolution—from the home of SEAL Team Six to the Googleplex, the Burning Man festival, Richard Branson’s Necker Island, Red Bull’s training center, Nike’s innovation team, and the United Nations’ Headquarters. And what they learned was stunning: In their own ways, with differing languages, techniques, and applications, every one of these groups has been quietly seeking the same thing: the boost in information and inspiration that altered states provide. Today, this revolution is spreading to the mainstream, fueling a trillion dollar underground economy and forcing us to rethink how we can all lead richer, more productive, more satisfying lives. Driven by four accelerating forces—psychology, neurobiology, technology and pharmacology—we are gaining access to and insights about some of the most contested and misunderstood terrain in history. Stealing Fire is a provocative examination of what’s actually possible; a guidebook for anyone who wants to radically upgrade their life.Trade Review“Reading Stealing Fire, Mr. Lang-Willar said, he became convinced that nothing less than a ‘cultural awakening’ was underway.” — The New York Times “A mind-blowing tour along the path from sex and drugs to R&D.” — Financial Times “Stealing Fire is a beautifully written, must-read for anyone interested in living up to their full potential. Kotler and Wheal have produced a user-manual for your hacking your brain to drive high performance.” — Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize, co-chairman of Singularity University, bestselling author “Stealing Fire cracks the secret code of peak performance so that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results.” — Cdr. Mark Divine (USN Ret.), New York Times best selling author, founder SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind “Meticulously researched and innovatively conceptualized, Stealing Fire is not just a bible for the second psychedelic revolution (drugs not required), but a manual to getting more: out of your body, your mind, and your happiness.” — Neil Strauss, New York Times best-selling author of The Game “An electrifying, fast-paced journey into the deep potential of the human brain.” — David Eagleman, Stanford University neuroscientist, bestselling author, presenter of PBS's The Brain “Our linear lives and brains need to be thrown a curve on occasion and this is a masterpiece literary curveball.” — Chip Conley, bestselling author of Peak and Emotional Equations and former Head of Strategy for AirBnB “Captures the unspoken essence of what men and women on the frontier of human experience, think and do to excel in creativity and performance.” — Michael Gervais, High Performance Psychologist to Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks “Stealing Fire lays out exactly how to hack the brain...Kotler and Wheal have taken a major bite out of the unknown. If you’re at all interested in knowing how your mind works, this is imperative reading!” — Salim Ismail, founding executive director of Singularity University and bestselling author of Exponential Organizations “Stealing Fire is a fantastic book about the future of humanity and everything that we can become. Based on incredible stories and cutting edge data, it reveals how our brain and body can be optimized to its greatest potential.” — Andrew Newberg, MD., director of research Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine and author of How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain “The North Star we’ve been waiting for--finally a distillation of the upper reaches of the human experience unveiled! I am so excited for this book to reach the world!” — Jason Silva, artist, futurist, host of National Geographic's Brain Games “[Stealing Fire is] well-written, well-documented, and significant work.” — Library Journal

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Book Synopsis''A monumental achievement - one of the great scientific biographies.'' Michael FraynThe Strangest Man is the Costa Biography Award-winning account of Paul Dirac, the famous physicist sometimes called the British Einstein. He was one of the leading pioneers of the greatest revolution in twentieth-century science: quantum mechanics. The youngest theoretician ever to win the Nobel Prize for Physics, he was also pathologically reticent, strangely literal-minded and legendarily unable to communicate or empathize. Through his greatest period of productivity, his postcards home contained only remarks about the weather.Based on a previously undiscovered archive of family papers, Graham Farmelo celebrates Dirac''s massive scientific achievement while drawing a compassionate portrait of his life and work. Farmelo shows a man who, while hopelessly socially inept, could manage to love and sustain close friendship.The Strangest Man is an extraordinary and moving human story, as well as a study of one of the most exciting times in scientific history.''A wonderful book . . . Moving, sometimes comic, sometimes infinitely sad, and goes to the roots of what we mean by truth in science.'' Lord Waldegrave, Daily Telegraph

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Book Synopsis‘A highly readable, entertaining and mind-expanding read from a formidable scientist’ iNews ‘A highly informative survey of the current state of astrobiology’ Literary ReviewOver the last few decades, space exploration has revolutionised our understanding of our place in the cosmos. We now know that there are many habitable environments within our solar system. Yet a profound question remains: are we alone in the universe? Nathalie A. Cabrol, leading astrobiologist and director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, takes us to the frontiers of the search for life. This book’s odyssey begins by searching for how life began on Earth in order to understand what’s necessary for life to exist elsewhere. What role did our moon play? And could life on Mars, or another world, have seeded life on Earth? Cabrol continues this dazzling interplanetary tour, illuminati

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Book SynopsisEcology: Concepts and Applications was written for students taking their first undergraduate course in ecology. The authors have assumed that students in this one-semester course have some knowledge of basic chemistry and mathematics and have had a course in general biology, which included introductions to evolution, physiology, and biological diversity.Table of Contents1 Introduction to Ecology: Historical Foundations and Developing FrontiersSection I Natural History and Evolution 2 Life on Land 3 Life in Water 4 Population Genetics and Natural Selection Section II Adaptations to the Environment5 Temperature Relations 6 Water Relations 7 Energy and Nutrient Relations 8 Social Relations Section III Population Ecology9 Population Distribution and Abundance 10 Population Dynamics 11 Population Growth 12 Life Histories Section IV Interactions13 Species Interactions and Competition 14 Exploitative Interactions: Predation, Herbivory, Parasitism, and Disease 15 Mutualism Section V Communities and Ecosystems16 Species Abundance and Diversity 17 Species Interactions and Community Structure18 Primary and Secondary Production19 Nutrient Cycling and Retention 20 Succession and Stability Section VI Large-Scale Ecology21 Landscape Ecology 22 Geographic Ecology 23 Global Ecology

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'This is about gob-smacking science at the far end of reason … Take it nice and easy and savour the experience of your mind being blown without recourse to hallucinogens' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian For most people, quantum theory is a byword for mysterious, impenetrable science. And yet for many years it was equally baffling for scientists themselves. In this magisterial book, Manjit Kumar gives a dramatic and superbly-written history of this fundamental scientific revolution, and the divisive debate at its core. Quantum theory looks at the very building blocks of our world, the particles and processes without which it could not exist. Yet for 60 years most physicists believed that quantum theory denied the very existence of reality itself. In this tour de force of science history, Manjit Kumar shows how the golden age of physics ignited the greatest intellectual debate of the twentieth century. Quantum theory is weird. In 1905, Albert Einstein suggested that light was a particle, not a wave, defying a century of experiments. Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and Erwin Schrodinger's famous dead-and-alive cat are similarly strange. As Niels Bohr said, if you weren't shocked by quantum theory, you didn't really understand it. While "Quantum" sets the science in the context of the great upheavals of the modern age, Kumar's centrepiece is the conflict between Einstein and Bohr over the nature of reality and the soul of science. 'Bohr brainwashed a whole generation of physicists into believing that the problem had been solved', lamented the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann. But in "Quantum", Kumar brings Einstein back to the centre of the quantum debate. "Quantum" is the essential read for anyone fascinated by this complex and thrilling story and by the band of brilliant men at its heart.

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Book SynopsisThe legendary introduction to physics from the subject's greatest teacher"The whole thing was basically an experiment," Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful, spawning a book that has remained a definitive introduction to physics for decades. Ranging from the most basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight. Now, we are reintroducing the printed books to the trade, fully corrected, for the first time ever, and in collaboration with Caltech. Timeless and collectible, the lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable Feynman.

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Book SynopsisWith over 6,000 entries, A Dictionary of Zoology is a detailed and authoritative guide to all areas of the field. It offers full taxonomic coverage of arthropods, other invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. It also includes terms from the areas of ecology, animal behaviour, evolution, earth history, zoogeography, genetics, and physiology. All entries have been fully revised and updated, making this the most up-to-date reference guide of its kind. There are around 400 entries new to this edition covering areas that include taxonomic groups, prefixes, and widely used descriptive terms. These include articles on micronucleus, stoma, platy-, proto-, and terrestrial.The dictionary is enriched through its useful web links, accessible via the companion website, as well as diagrams and detailed appendices. This fifth edition also includes a new Common Names appendix and three new illustrations.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition a fine compendium of unquestionable use ... Make sure you have an Allaby handy * Nature *Table of ContentsPreface A to Z entries Endangered animals Endangered animals 2012 The universal genetic code Geologic time-scale SI units Supplementary units Derived SI units Multiples used with SI units Extant animal phyla Taxonomic classification Common names

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Book SynopsisIn The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins crystallized the gene''s eye view of evolution developed by W.D. Hamilton and others. The book provoked widespread and heated debate. Written in part as a response, The Extended Phenotype gave a deeper clarification of the central concept of the gene as the unit of selection; but it did much more besides. In it, Dawkins extended the gene''s eye view to argue that the genes that sit within an organism have an influence that reaches out beyond the visible traits in that body - the phenotype - to the wider environment, which can include other individuals. So, for instance, the genes of the beaver drive it to gather twigs to produce the substantial physical structure of a dam; and the genes of the cuckoo chick produce effects that manipulate the behaviour of the host bird, making it nurture the intruder as one of its own. This notion of the extended phenotype has proved to be highly influential in the way we understand evolution and the natural world. It represents a key scientific contribution to evolutionary biology, and it continues to play an important role in research in the life sciences.The Extended Phenotype is a conceptually deep book that forms important reading for biologists and students. But Dawkins'' clear exposition is accessible to all who are prepared to put in a little effort.Oxford Landmark Science books are ''must-read'' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewThe Extended Phenotype is a sequel to The Selfish Gene ... he writes so clearly it could be understood by anyone prepared to make the effort * John Maynard Smith, LRB *This entertaining and thought-provoking book is an excellent illustration of why the study of evolution is in such an exciting ferment these days. * Science *Table of ContentsAFTERWORD BY DANIEL DENNETT; GLOSSARY; AUTHOR INDEX; SUBJECT INDEX

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Book SynopsisObesity, autism, mental health problems, IBS, allergies, auto-immunity, cancer. Does the answer to the modern epidemic of Western' diseases lie in our gut?You are 10% human. For every one of your cells, there are nine impostors hitching a ride. You are not just flesh and bone, but also bacteria and fungi. And you are more them' than you are you'.Your gut alone hosts 100 trillion of them and until recently we thought that our microbes didn't matter. This is all set to change as the latest scientific research tells a very different story, one where microbes run our bodies and becoming healthy is impossible without them.In this ground-breaking book, biologist Alanna Collen reveals how our personal colony of microbes influence our weight, immune system, mental health and even our choice of partner. This is a new way of understanding modern diseases obesity, autism, mental health problems, gut disorders, allergies, auto-immunity and even cancer as she argues they have their root in our faTrade Review‘A fascinating study of the intertwined lives of microbes and humans, ‘10% Human’, is a manual for the new,healthy way of being dirty … Read it, and you will learn to love your microbiota’ Newsweek ‘A welcome antidote to the simplistic "boost your health with probiotics" books and articles posing as science (but serving mostly commerce), Collen dares to tell the messy truth about what science knows – and doesn't know – about the microbes that live in us, live with us, and in some ways even become us … [Collen] is clearly an expert in the field … fascinating … Everything you wanted to know about microbes but were afraid to ask’ Kirkus, *Starred* Review

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Book SynopsisChanges and additions to the new edition of this classic textbook include a new chapter on symmetries, new problems and examples, improved explanations, more numerical problems to be worked on a computer, new applications to solid state physics, and consolidated treatment of time-dependent potentials.Table of ContentsPart I. Theory: 1. The wave function; 2. Time-independent Schrodinger equation; 3. Formalism; 4. Quantum mechanics in three dimensions; 5. Identical particles; 6. Symmetry; Part II. Application: 7. Time-independent perturbation theory; 8. The variational principle; 9. The WKB approximation; 10. Scattering; 11. Quantum dynamics; 12. Afterword; Appendix A. Linear algebra; Index.

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated guide to 75 of the most unique and fascinating mushrooms in the world, including interesting insight into their history, uses, and etymologies.From sweet little toadstools to giant puffballs, mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes. With over 10,000 mushrooms in the world, some are cute and colorful, while others may look super adorable but are actually deadly. No matter the kind, it’s time to celebrate all types of mushrooms with The Little Book of Mushrooms. This book is a collection of everything you need to know about 75 of the world’s most unique mushrooms. With information on their etymology, geographic location, characteristics, and culinary or healing powers, this book is the perfect companion for amateur mushroom hunters, cottage-core fans, or anyone just looking for a beautifully illustrated book on some of the most incredible fungi around the world.

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Book SynopsisIn Darwin''s Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life Daniel C. Dennett argues that the theory of evolution can demystify the miracles of life without devaluing our most cherished beliefs. From the moment it first appeared, Charles Darwin''s theory of evolution by natural selection has been controversial: misrepresented, abused, denied and fiercely debated. In this powerful defence of Darwin, Daniel C. Dennett explores every aspect of evolutionary thinking to show why it is so fundamental to our existence, and why it affirms - not threatens - our convictions about the meaning of life. ''Essential and pleasurable for any thinking person''Stephen Pinker ''A surpassingly brilliant book. Where creative, it lifts the reader to new intellectual heights. Where critical, it is devastating''Richard Dawkins ''A brilliant piece of persuasion, excitingly argued and compulsively readable''The Times Higher Education SuppleTable of ContentsPart I Starting in the middle: tell me why; an idea is born; universal acid; the tree of life; the possible and the actual; threads of actuality in design space. Part II Darwinian thinking in biology: priming Darwin's pump; biology is engineering; searching for quality; bully for brontosaurus; controversies contained. Part III Mind, meaning, mathematics, and morality: cranes of culture; losing our minds to Darwin; the evolution of meanings; the emperor's new mind, and other fables; on the origin of morality; redesigning morality; the future of an idea.

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Book SynopsisModern perfumery is a blend of art, science and technology, with chemistry being the central science involved. The Chemistry of Fragrances aims to educate and entertain, and inform the audience of the very latest chemistry, techniques and tools applied to fragrance creativity. Beginning with the history of perfumes, which goes back over fifty thousand years, the book goes on to discuss the structure of the Perfume Industry today. The focus then turns to an imaginary brief to create a perfume, and the response to it, including that of the chemist and the creative perfumer. Consumer research, toxicological concerns, and the use of the electronic nose are some of the topics discussed on this journey of discovery. Written by respected experts in their fields, this unique book gives an insider view of mixing molecules from behind the portals of modern-day alchemy. It will be enjoyed by chemists and marketeers at all levels.Trade ReviewA concise approach to cover the multi-facets of the science of fragrance...as a useful introduction to the chemistry of fragrance. -- Chemistry and Industry, 9 July 2007 (Thomas McGee) Chemistry and Industry The authors are able to demonstrate that the chemistry of such tiny fragrant molecules can be very fascinating...the book is a must for anyone with an interest in fragrances. It is simply fascinating!! -- Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 2008, 23:66 (Gerhard Buchbauer) Flavour and Fragrance JournalTable of ContentsA Home Full of Fragrance; The History of Aroma Chemistry and Perfume; Perfumery Materials of Natural Origin; Ingredients for the Modern Perfumery Industry; The Structure of an International Fragrance Company; The Fragrance Brief; Perfume Creation - The Role of the Perfumer; Measurement of Fragrance Perception; Application of Fragrances; The Safety and Toxicology of Fragrances; Volatility and Substantivity; Natural Product Analysis in the Fragrance Industry; Chemoreception; Electronic Odour Sensing; The Quest for Novel Aroma Chemicals; Brief Submission; Epilogue; Glossary of Terms; Bibliography; Index; Useful Addresses; Djinn's Lamp.

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Book SynopsisFrom internationally renowned expert in resuscitation and near-death experience Sam Parnia, MD, PhD, comes a groundbreaking look at what happens to us when we die, based on the largest-ever research study run on near-death experiencesWhat happens to us when we die?For millennia, we''ve sought the answers, and we''ve hoped to find them in near-death experiences. But while those answers have come haphazardly and can''t be trusted, groundbreaking research is now formalizing our understanding of death in new and thrilling ways. At the frontlines of that research is Dr. Sam Parnia.Lucid Dying is the first book to formally explore what happens to the human mind and consciousness not only in the period leading up to death, but also during and after death. Using data derived from multiple scientific studies, Dr. Parnia shows that the entity we refer to as consciousness-our Self-does not seem to become annihilated at the moment of death. In fact, during death, our consciousness follows a very specific narrative arc, in which we relive our lives not only from our own experiences, but from the perspective of everyone we''ve interacted with. What follows is a purposeful review of our own actions, thoughts, and intentions towards others.These studies also show that there is a universal experience of death that is meaningful, transcendent, positive, and transformative-not hallucinatory, delusional, or illusory as previously imagined. With empirical research and gripping anecdotes that explore the notion of a collective unconsciousness. Dr. Parnia shows how we can access this deeper wisdom to lead more intentional lives.

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Book SynopsisThe author team of Prescott's Microbiology continues to provide a modern approach to microbiology using evolution as a framework. This new 12th edition integrates impactful new changes to include a fresh new design to engage students and important content updates including SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 which are prominently featured, taxonomic schemes that have been extensively revised, recent epidemiological data, and mRNA vaccines which just scrapes the surface of this new edition.Table of ContentsPart One Introduction to MicrobiologyChapter: 1. The Evolution of Microorganisms and MicrobiologyChapter: 2. MicroscopyChapter: 3. Bacterial Cell StructureChapter: 4. Archaeal Cell StructureChapter: 5. Eukaryotic Cell StructureChapter: 6. Viruses and Other Acellular Infectious AgentsPart Two Microbial Nutrition, Growth, and ControlChapter: 7. Bacterial and Archaeal GrowthChapter: 8. Control of Microorganisms in the EnvironmentChapter: 9. Antimicrobial ChemotherapyPart Three Microbial MetabolismChapter: 10. Introduction to MetabolismChapter: 11. Catabolism: Energy Release and ConservationChapter: 12. Anabolism: The Use of Energy in BiosynthesisPart Four Microbial Molecular Biology and GeneticsChapter: 13. Bacterial Genome Replication and ExpressionChapter: 14. Regulation of Cellular ProcessesChapter: 15. Eukaryotic and Archaeal Genome Replication and ExpressionChapter: 16. Mechanisms of Genetic VariationChapter: 17. Microbial DNA TechnologiesChapter: 18. Microbial GenomicsPart Five The Diversity of the Microbial WorldChapter: 19. ArchaeaChapter: 20. Nonproteobacterial Gram-Negative BacteriaChapter: 21. ProteobacteriaChapter: 22. Gram-Positive BacteriaChapter: 23. ProtistsChapter: 24. FungiChapter: 25. VirusesPart Six Ecology and SymbiosisChapter: 26. Exploring Microbes in EcosystemsChapter: 27. Microbial InteractionsChapter: 28. Biogeochemical Cycling and Global Climate ChangeChapter: 29. Microorganisms in Marine and Freshwater EcosystemsChapter: 30. Microorganisms in Terrestrial EcosystemsPart Seven Pathogenicity and Host ResponseChapter: 31. Innate Host ResistanceChapter: 32. Adaptive ImmunityChapter: 33. The Microbe-Human EcosystemChapter: 34. Infection and Pathogenicity Part Eight Microbial Diseases, Detection, and Their ControlChapter: 35. Epidemiology and Public Health MicrobiologyChapter: 36. Clinical Microbiology and ImmunologyChapter: 37. Human Diseases Caused by Viruses and PrionsChapter: 38. Human Diseases Caused by BacteriaChapter: 39. Human Diseases Caused by Fungi and ProtistsPart Nine Applied MicrobiologyChapter: 40. Microbiology of FoodChapter: 41. Biotechnology and Industrial MicrobiologyChapter: 42. Applied Environmental MicrobiologyAppendix 1 A Review of the Chemistry of Biological MoleculesAppendix 2 Common Metabolic PathwaysAppendix 3 Microorganism Pronunciation Guide

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Book SynopsisCovering subjects ranging from the personal to the scientific, this is a collection of Stephen Hawking's essays and other pieces. They reveal him as scientist, man, concerned world citizen and imaginative thinker. A transcript of his conversation on "Desert Island Discs" is included.Trade ReviewIs the universe going to expand into eternity or will everything collapse in one Big Crunch in which physical laws become meaningless? Stephen Hawking, author of the phenomenal bestseller A Brief History of Time, sheds light on the darkest regions of space and time and considers an extraordinary array of possibilities for our future? * The Times *Stephen Hawking has done it again. In A Brief History of Time he succeeded in interesting the widest possible audiences in the most abstract of theoretical astrophysics. Now he has once more broken out of the scientific ghetto to claim the intellectual and cultural high ground for science... Black Holes and Baby Universes takes us still further, almost over the limit...Turn to Stephen Hawking if you would look outward, to the ends of the universe * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Biological Sciences""A thorough and thoughtful primer on the interiority of bees."---Mike Welch, Scientific American"The book’s bees astound; so too the clever humans who study them."---Robert Eagan, Library Journal, starred review"The knowledge on offer here is as entertaining as it is edifying. Readers won’t look at bees the same way again." * Publishers Weekly *"This is an outstanding book that provides a comprehensive overview of honeybee cognition. It provides a clear introduction to the field for amateur bee lovers as well as a nuanced and up-to-date summary for professionals. By looking at the world through the lens of a bee, readers will develop tools to better understand the distinct and vivid experiences of tiny invertebrates that are too frequently ignored."---Elizabeth A. Tibbetts, Current Biology"An entrancing journey through the senses and life struggles of bees."---Alun Anderson, New Scientist"The Mind of a Bee is a fascinating book that I hope will be read and understood by as broad an audience as possible, so that the important conclusions within may be shared more widely."---Amanda Williams, Buzz about Bees"This is an amazing book. I give it my highest recommendation."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"I strongly recommend you read [Chittka’s] book and if you will excuse the pun ‘make your own mind up’. Science and nature writing at its finest and an essential read."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists' Association"Written with moments of levity and soaked in curiosity, The Mind of a Bee is a delight."---Eliza Middleton, The Conversation"Chittka has managed the extraordinary feat of condensing over three decades of research into a single book and in such a way as to make it accessible to the non-expert." * Beekeepers Quarterly *"[A] devoted, accessible analysis."---Andrew Robinson, Nature"Bee behaviour is undoubtedly fascinating and Chittka is the ideal author to explain the intricacies of how bees learn and make decisions."---John Badmin, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History"Engaging and intellectually stimulating. . . .Despite it being basically a science book, The Mind of a Bee keeps you glued like it were an action-packed story where you just need to know the final conclusion."---Mihai Andrei, ZME Science"An entertaining and enlightening read."---Helen Gray, Animal Welfare"Lars Chittka's book is timely indeed, as it vividly describes and scientifically underpins the stunning intellectual power of these little creatures. . . .Highly recommend this book to everybody interested in nature- layman or professional."---Rudolf Alexander Steinbrecht, Arthropod Structure & Development ​​​​​​​"A wonderful journey into the fascinating world of bee intelligence and consciousness." * Conservation Biology *"The Mind of a Bee makes for fascinating reading. The book’s tight structure and numerous illustrations make it accessible . . . . [And I have] been thoroughly convinced by Chittka that bees are anything but little automatons."---Leon Vlieger, Inquisitive Biologist"This book is based on years of scientific research. It is a fascinating read that poses questions we all ought to be asking ourselves."---Claire Waring, Country Smallholder

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Book SynopsisSharks are ruthlessly efficient predators, the apex of 450 million years of evolution. They are older than trees, have survived five extinction events and are essential to maintaining balanced ocean ecosystems, but how much do we really know about their lives?The first book to reveal the hidden world of sharks, Emperors of the Deep draws upon the latest scientific research to examine four species in detail mako, tiger, hammerhead and great white as never before. An eye-opening tour of shark habitats ranges from the coral reefs of the Central Pacific where great whites mysteriously congregate every autumn in what researchers call a festival for sharks, to tropical mangrove forests where baby lemon sharks play in social groups and to the frigid waters of the North Atlantic, home to 400-year-old Greenland sharks, the world's longest-lived vertebrates. McKeever also traces the evolution of the myth of the man-eater' and exposes the devastating effects of the fishing industry on shark popTrade Review‘A must-read for anyone in love with our oceans and concerned with averting the looming ecological destruction of our planet … Brings to light the importance of sharks and their role as ancient guardians of the seas.’John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA ‘Emperors of the Deep is a heartfelt tribute to the shark. When McKeever finally comes face to face with a great white, the monster of his childhood nightmares, his fear is gloriously transformed to awe, as he steals a glimpse of “a steadfast guardian of the world's oceans”’ Philip Hoare, Spectator ‘The plight of a much maligned predator is revealed in this heartfelt plea to respect the life in our oceans’ PD Smith, Guardian ‘A wonderful new book covering the biology of sharks, their ecological importance, and the threats they face … It puts forth an incredible amount of effort into educating a reader that has limited prior knowledge on the subject – a fantastic beginner read’ BBC Wildlife magazine

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Book SynopsisThis classic guide to the butterflies of Britain and northern Europe enters its third edition as part of the authoritative Collins Guide series.This comprehensive guide to the butterflies of Britain and Europe features over 400 species, depicting both male and female insects. Species descriptions include details on taxonomic nomenclature, distribution, flight period, variation, habitat, behaviour and life cycle. Subspecies are included where there is significant variation, and distribution maps accompany each widespread species.Illustrated by Richard Lewington, the world''s leading butterfly illustrator, this is an ideal field guide for travelling naturalists and butterfly enthusiasts alike and is an essential addition to every nature lover''s bookshelves.Trade Review'Richard Lewington's illustrations are magnificent…Tom Tolman's text is excellent’New Scientist 'The identification plates are without equal in any modern field guide to butterflies'Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Milwaukee Public Museum

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Book SynopsisEnergy is at the heart of physics and of huge importance to society and yet no book exists specifically to explain it, and in simple terms. In tracking the history of energy, this book is filled with the thrill of the chase, the mystery of smoke and mirrors, and presents a fascinating human-interest story. Moreover, following the history provides a crucial aid to understanding: this book explains the intellectual revolutions required to comprehend energy, revolutions as profound as those stemming from Relativity and Quantum Theory. Texts by Descartes, Leibniz, Bernoulli, d''Alembert, Lagrange, Hamilton, Boltzmann, Clausius, Carnot and others are made accessible, and the engines of Watt and Joule are explained.Many fascinating questions are covered, including:- Why just kinetic and potential energies - is one more fundamental than the other?- What are heat, temperature and action?- What is the Hamiltonian?- What have engines to do with physics?- Why did the steam-engine evolve only in England?- Why S=klogW works and why temperature is IT.Using only a minimum of mathematics, this book explains the emergence of the modern concept of energy, in all its forms: Hamilton''s mechanics and how it shaped twentieth-century physics, and the meaning of kinetic energy, potential energy, temperature, action, and entropy. It is as much an explanation of fundamental physics as a history of the fascinating discoveries that lie behind our knowledge today.Trade ReviewThe work is full of surprises, and some illuminating apercus. It makes one think about the subject in a new way - the connections made with dynamics, Hamilton and Lagrange are germane, and one never sees these in books on thermodynamics. * Sir Aaron Klug, Nobel laureate, President of the Royal Society 1995-2000 *I am pleased to heartily recommend Coopersmith's readable, enjoyable, and largely nonmathematical yet profound account of the development of an important physical concept - energy. With a vein of humor running throughout, it deals with an enormous compass of important topics seldom found elsewhere at this level. It should be of great interest and utility to students, both undergraduate and graduate, historians of science, and anyone interested in the concepts of energy and their evolution through time. * George B. Kauffman, Chemical & Engineering News *In clear and engaging prose, Coopersmith shows how the modern understanding of energy was formulated, moving from the first documented discussions of simple machines and perpetual motion in ancient Greece, to the work of Gottfried Leibniz and other 17th-century thinkers, to Einstein's theory of relativity and beyond... 'Energy, the Subtle Concept' is a fascinating read, both physicists and nonphysicists who want to learn more about the history of energy will enjoy it. * Lisa Crystal, Physics Today *Coopersmith has been on a commendable personal journey to understand energy * Colin Axon, Energy Group Newsletter *The more I read this book, the more difficult it was to put it down ... [It] has a fascinating story to tell about the development of our understanding of energy as a physical quantity... * Matt Chorley, Popular Science *beautifully-written text ... Throughout, the book is sprinkled with anecdotes and, most importantly, insightful commentary, with a plethora of figures that assist the reader in digesting the concepts detailed. * Jay Wadhawan, University of Hull *The conservation of energy is arguably the most important law in physics. But what exactly is being conserved? Are some forms of energy more fundamental than others? You will have to read the book to find out. Coopersmith sets out to answer such questions and to explain the concept of energy through the history of its discovery. This is neither a straightforward narrative nor one for the faint-hearted. Those not put off by the odd bit of mathematics, will be well-rewarded by dipping into this book. * Manjit Kumar, New Scientist *This is a work of physics in substance and history in form. 'Energy, the Subtle Concept' is as much concerned with physicists as with physics. Its scientific interest is matched by human interest. Jennifer Coopersmith deftly brings to life the people who made the science throughout its history. * Charles C. Gillispie, Professor of History of Science Emeritus, Princeton University *This book makes me proud to be a physicist, for two reasons. First it is a tale of the giants of the past who contributed to our present understanding of energy, people whose astonishing intuition took them from gossamer clues to the understanding we have today of one of the most basic explanatory concepts in physics. We've had some pretty good players in our team. More than this - and this is the second reason - this is a story as much about invention as discovery ... I am sure all physicists would enjoy this book and indeed learn from it. * Australian Physics *Table of Contents1. Introduction: Feynman's Blocks ; 2. Perpetual Motion ; 3. Vis viva, the First 'Block' of Energy ; 4. Heat in the Seventeenth Century ; 5. Heat in the Eighteenth Century ; 6. The Discovery of Latent and Specific Heats ; 7. A Hundred and One Years of Mechanics: Newton to Lagrange ; 8. A Tale of Two Countries: the Rise of the Steam Engine and the Caloric Theory of Heat ; 9. Rumford, Davy, and Young ; 10. Naked Heat: the Gas Laws and the Specific Heat of Gases ; 11. Two Contrasting Characters: Fourier and Herapath ; 12. Sadi Carnot ; 13. Hamilton and Green ; 14. The Mechanical Equivalent of Heat ; 15. Faraday and Helmholtz ; 16. The Laws of Thermodynamics: Thomson and Clausius ; 17. A Forward Look ; 18. Impossible Things, Difficult Things ; 19. Conclusions

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Book SynopsisNot since Darwin has an author so lifted the science of ecology with insight and delightful imagery - Richard Dawkins In this book a master scientist tells the great story of how life on earth evolved. E.O. Wilson eloquently describes how the species of the world became diverse, and why the threat to this diversity today is beyond the scope of anything we have known before. In an extensive new foreword for this edition, Professor Wilson addresses the explosion of the field of conservation biology and takes a clear-eyed look at the work still to be done.Trade Review"Not since Darwin has an author so lifted the science of ecology with insight and delightful imagery" - Richard Dawkins"

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Book SynopsisA magisterial exploration of the natural history of the first four thousand million years of life on and in the earth, by one of Britain's most dazzling science writers.What do any of us know about the history of our planet before the arrival of man? Most of us have a dim impression of a swirling mass of dust solidifying to form a volcanic globe, briefly populated by dinosaurs, then by woolly mammoths and finally by our own hairy ancestors. This book, aimed at the curious and intelligent but perhaps mildly uninformed reader, brilliantly dispels such lingering notions forever. At the end of the book we understand the complexity of the history of life on earth, and the complexity of how it has come to be understood, as, perhaps, from no other single volume. The result is enthralling.Trade Review‘This is not a book for people who like science books. It is a book for people who love books, and life… [Fortey] has written a wonderful book.’Tim Radford, Guardian ‘Read this book because it is, indeed, the best natural history of the first four billion years of life on earth.’John Gribbin, Sunday Times ‘Fortey writes beautifully and this is a wonderful biography of rock and life… He has restored palaeontology to its rightful place in the pantheon.’Lewis Wolpert, Observer ‘Richard Fortey is a scientist… but his big, rich history of four billion years of evolution is written with an artist’s zest for life and language… In his last chapter Fortey quotes Goethe:“Zum Erstaunen bin ich da – I am here to wonder.”Richard Fortey has the rare gift of making his readers share that wonder. Anyone who wants to understand how we came to be here on earth, 4,000,000,000 years after life began, should read this sparkling book.’Maggie Gere, Daily Telegraph ‘The tale of life needs constant retelling. Thank some happy accident of history that we have Fortey to tell it to us anew.’Ted Nield, New Scientist

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Book SynopsisTest your powers of logic with these fun Su Doku puzzles.Su Doku is the classic number puzzle.The Times Su Doku Book 14 contains a mix of 150 mind-bending variations, ranging from mercifully Mild to the uber-challenging Super fiendish:10 Mild puzzles60 Difficult puzzles50 Fiendish puzzles30 Super fiendishThis latest edition offers completely new and unpublished puzzles, provided by the puzzle suppliers to The Times, and are of the highest quality.So sharpen your wits and prepare to get solving the only question is: can you make it to the end?

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Book SynopsisCan horses feel shame? Do deer grieve? Why do roosters deceive hens? We tend to assume that we are the only living things able to experience feelings but have you ever wondered what’s going on in an animal’s head? From the leafy forest floor to the inside of a bee hive, The Inner Life of Animals opens up the animal kingdom like never before. We hear the stories of a grateful humpback whale, of a hedgehog who has nightmares, and of a magpie who commits adultery; we meet bees that plan for the future, pigs who learn their own names and crows that go tobogganing for fun. And at last we find out why wasps exist.Trade ReviewAlways fascinating… Wry, avuncular, careful and kind, Wohlleben guides us from one creature to the next -- Richard Kerridge * Guardian *Wohlleben presents short chapter in bite-sized portions, so the reader has a constant sense of learning something new almost with every page ... The formula is provably winning. I still felt I was on a robust learning curve as subjects as diverse as motherly love, gratitude, deception, desire, shame and knowledge of good and evil were explored one by one ... fascinating -- Katharine Norbury * Observer *Wohlleben is connecting with something big here… He truffles up some wonderful animal facts, too… Wohlleben’s empathy with animals can be touching and illuminating -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *Entertaining and enthusiastic -- Tim Smith-Laing * Daily Telegraph *The Inner Life of Animals will rock your world. Surprising, humbling, and filled with delight, this book shows us that animals think, feel, and know in much the same way as we do -- and that their lives are, to them, as precious as ours are to us. -- Sy Montgomery, author of THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS

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Book SynopsisLearn the art of growing old from the supercentenarians living life to the fullest.It's said that life begins at 40 - but that number is constantly revised upwards as we live longer and longer. With the number of centenarians having quadrupled in the last thirty years, more of us can now hope to reach the 100-year mark than ever before. But how can we navigate this journey with grace, dignity and style? In this charming and informative book, Daniela Mari - the Italian doctor caring for some of the oldest people on the planet - draws on her experiences as a renowned gerontologist to reveal the science behind a healthy, happy old age. It turns out that the world's centenarians can teach us a thing or two about ageing well. And the secrets are not always what you'd think. Informed by the latest medical studies and incredible stories of individual longevity, Mari shows how our lifestyles can far surpass the influence of our genetics and why a daily glass of liquor isn't the end of the world. From our sleeping habits and diet to the crucial importance of our passions and interests, Breakfast with the Centenarians is the essential handbook for a fruitful and fulfilling old age.

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Book Synopsis'Enchanting to the point of escapism.' – Simon Ings, Spectator'Hugh Aldersey-Williams rescues his subject from Newton's shadow, where he was been unjustly confined for over three hundred years.' – Literary ReviewFilled with incident, discovery, and revelation, Dutch Light is a vivid account of Christiaan Huygens’s remarkable life and career, but it is also nothing less than the story of the birth of modern science as we know it. Europe’s greatest scientist during the latter half of the seventeenth century, Christiaan Huygens was a true polymath. A towering figure in the fields of astronomy, optics, mechanics, and mathematics, many of his innovations in methodology, optics and timekeeping remain in use to this day. Among his many achievements, he developed the theory of light travelling as a wave, invented the mechanism for the pendulum clock, and discovered the rings of Saturn – via a telescope that he had also invented.A man of fashion and culture, Christiaan came from a family of multi-talented individuals whose circle included not only leading figures of Dutch society, but also artists and philosophers such as Rembrandt, Locke and Descartes. The Huygens family and their contemporaries would become key actors in the Dutch Golden Age, a time of unprecedented intellectual expansion within the Netherlands. Set against a backdrop of worldwide religious and political turmoil, this febrile period was defined by danger, luxury and leisure, but also curiosity, purpose, and tremendous possibility.Following in Huygens’s footsteps as he navigates this era while shuttling opportunistically between countries and scientific disciplines, Hugh Aldersey-Williams builds a compelling case to reclaim Huygens from the margins of history and acknowledge him as one of our most important and influential scientific figures.Trade ReviewThis book, soaked like the Dutch Republic itself 'in ink and paint', is enchanting to the point of escapism . . . One of the best things about this absorbing book (and how many 500-page biographies feel too short when you finish them?) is the interest it shows in everyone else. -- Simon Ings * Spectator *Here’s early modern Europe by way of one of its most energetic minds. * Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year *Hugh Aldersey-Williams rescues his subject from Newton's shadow, where he was been unjustly confined for other three hundred years . . . a fresh and absorbing vision of 17th-century experimentation that sheds welcome light on wider European culture. * Literary Review *A clever and comprehensive portrait of a unique mind prospering on the border between Renaissance humanism and Enlightenment empiricism. -- Chris Allnutt * Financial Times *Hugh Aldersey-Williams reclaims the 17th-century polymath Christiaan Huygens from relative obscurity in an excellent biography that is also a story about the birth of modern science. Among other things, Huygens invented the mechanism for the pendulum clock and discovered the rings of Saturn through a telescope he had invented. -- Ruth Scurr * Spectator 'Books of the year' *Fascinating . . . an impressive piece of scholarship. I learned a lot -- John Gribbin, author of Six Impossible Things and In Search of Schrödinger's CatAt last – a scintillating biography of Christiaan Huygens, the Dutch mathematician, astronomer and inventor whose splendour has been unjustly eclipsed by the aura of Isaac Newton. After scouring archives, art galleries and museums in both the Netherlands and the UK, Hugh Aldersley-Williams has evocatively illuminated this brilliant polymath who laid the foundations of modern European science. -- Dr Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

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Book SynopsisRECOMMENDED AS ONE OF THE TIMES' BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF 2021'With all the talk about testosterone in sex, sports and politics, we need a good explanation of the science and its implications, and this one is outstanding.' STEVEN PINKER, bestselling author of The Blank Slate'There are whole books written about the idea that behavioural sex differences are a societal construct and how a male hormone we know influences animal behaviour somehow doesn't influence us. Hooven's book is a riposte to that silliness - and also a defence of a hormone that isn't just about aggression.' TOM WHIPPLE, THE TIMES, BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF 2021'Fascinating, vital, unputdownable.' JULIE BINDEL'The definitive book on testosterone . . . A brave and significant book . . . simply fascinating and filled with extraordinary facts.' EVENING STANDARD'Testosterone does what all superb popular science must do: it entertains as it educates.' THE WALL STREET JOURNALThrough riveting personal stories and the latest research, Harvard evolutionary biologist Carole Hooven shows how testosterone drives the behaviour of the sexes apart and how understanding the science behind this hormone is empowering for all.The biological source of masculinity has inspired fascination, investigation and controversy since antiquity. From the eunuchs in the royal courts of ancient China to the booming market for 'elixirs' of youth in nineteenth-century Europe, humans have been obsessed with identifying and manipulating what we now know as testosterone. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to this history and the methods of modern science, today we have a rich body of research about testosterone's effects in both men and women.The science is clear: testosterone is a major, invisible player in our relationships, sex lives, athletic abilities, childhood play, gender transitions, parenting roles, violent crime, and so much more. But there is still a lot of pushback to the idea that it does, in fact, contribute to sex differences and significantly influence behaviour.Hooven argues that acknowledging testosterone as a potent force in society doesn't reinforce stifling gender norms or patriarchal values. Testosterone and evolution work together to produce a huge variety of human behaviour, and that includes a multitude of ways to be masculine and feminine.Understanding the science sheds light on how we work and relate to one another, how we express anger and love, and how we fight bias and problematic behaviour to build a fairer society.'One of the most compelling books on human behaviour I've ever read. Testosterone is a scientific mystery story told with insight, intelligence and panache.' DANIEL GILBERT, Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Stumbling on Happiness'Science writing at its best: intriguing, personal, bold, persuasive, and most importantly, transparent. Her gripping account will fascinate, whether you're a teenager in the throes of puberty or are just curious about the nature of sex and gender - one of the most important debates of our time.' RICHARD WRANGHAM, author of The Goodness Paradox'A fascinating, brave, and brilliant book - the best I've read on the topic.' STEVE STEWART-WILLIAMS, author of The Ape that Understood the Universe'A superb and engaging book that delivers the unfiltered truth about testosterone, sex and sex differences, told with clarity and compassion.' DANIEL E. LIEBERMAN, author of Exercised'With wit and warmth, Hooven lucidly lays out a formidable scientific case for how and why the sexes are different. Boldly confronting contemporary gender issues, Testosterone speaks directly to why getting human nature right matters for making the world a better place.' JOE HENRICH, professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and author of The Secret of Our Success'An approachable introduction to an often misunderstood aspect of human biology.' Publishers Weekly'Carole Hooven's account ... is subtle, nuanced, and written with the sure touch of a natural storyteller ...Her commitment to science - to good science - is resolute.' LUKE SLATTERY, WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN'It is a book I couldn't put down. Beautifully written and goes into excellent but largely understandable detail regarding scientific information.' Steph Richards, co-founder of Steph's Place UK, a trans-led human rights organisation

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