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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGrounding, calming, and quietly revolutionary. -- Robert MacFarlaneI give daily thanks for Robin Wall Kimmerer for being a font of endless knowledge, both mental and spiritual. -- Richard PowersGathering Moss is fantastic and offers an extraordinary point of view on the natural world -- Natalie PortmanSoulful, accessible... informed by both western science and indigenous teachings alike ... Kimmerer blends, with deep attentiveness and musicality, science and personal insights to tell the overlooked story of the planet's oldest plants * Guardian *Beneath your feet, barely visible to the eye, is another world: a rainforest in miniature ... Read Kimmerer's book and you're unlikely ever again to waste precious gardening time scraping moss from paving stones. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Beautiful ... Her scientific training and knowledge of plants from her Potawatomi heritage create a unique lens, teaching us how to look and watch... Reading this has made me stop to wondrously admire any patch of moss I come across. * Quietus *

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Book Synopsis'This is the story of how your life shapes your brain, and how your brain shapes your life.' Join renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman on a whistle-stop tour of the inner cosmos. It's a journey that will take you into the world of extreme sports, criminal justice, genocide, brain surgery, robotics and the search for immortality. On the way, amidst the infinitely dense tangle of brain cells and their trillions of connections, something emerges that you might not have expected to see: you.Trade ReviewEntertaining and profound: page-turning neuroscience from a bit of a genius * * GUARDIAN * *On every page of The Brain there is a revelation so fantastic as to make one gasp -- STEPHEN FRYClear, engaging and thought-provoking * * NATURE * *The posterboy of neuroscience with ideas that will stretch your mind * * OBSERVER * *Mind-blowing revelations abound * * FINANCIAL TIMES * *It's no wonder reading David Eagleman's new book, The Brain, made me a little bit giddy. Eagleman tosses about ideas that had my grey matter pushed and pummelled, stimulated and stretched * * SCOTSMAN * *The hottest thing in neuroscience * * THE TIMES * *The rock star of neuroscience * * TELEGRAPH * *Accessible and fascinating * * SUNDAY TIMES * *If neuroscience had a rock legend this would be him -- RUBY WAX

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Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEARGUARDIAN, THE ECONOMIST, NEW STATESMAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, BLOOMBERGAnil Seth's radical new theory of consciousness challenges our understanding of perception and reality, doing for brain science what Dawkins did for evolutionary biology.'A brilliant beast of a book.' DAVID BYRNE'Hugely important.' JIM AL-KHALILI'Masterly . . . An exhilarating book: a vast-ranging, phenomenal achievement that will undoubtedly become a seminal text.'GAIA VINCE, GUARDIANBeing You is not as simple as it sounds. Somehow, within each of our brains, billions of neurons work to create our conscious experience. How does this happen? Why do we experience life in the first person? After over twenty years researching the brain, world-renowned neuroscientist Anil Seth puts forward a radical new theory of consciousness and

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Book Synopsis''teeming with fascinating and enlightening insights'' OBSERVERPlant lovers will find much of interest in Schlanger's inspiring tale of where her curious mind has led her' NATURECaptivating' THE GUARDIANIt's rare that you read a book that makes you want to grab people to tell them what it's about, but this is one of them' DAILY MAILLook at the green organism across the room or through the window: the potted plant, or the grass or a tree. Think how a life spent constantly growing yet rooted in a single spot comes with tremendous challenges. To meet them, plants have come up with some of the most creative methods for surviving of any living thing us included. Many are so ingenious that they seem nearly impossible.Did you know plants can communicate when they are being eaten, allowing nearby plants to bolster their defences? They move and that movement stops when they are anaesthetised. They also use electricity for internal communication. They can hear the sounds of caterpillars eating. Plants can remember the last time they have been visited by a bee and how many times they have been visited so they have a concept of time and can count. Plants can not only communicate with each other, they can also communicate with other species of plants and animals, allowing them to manipulate animals to defend or fertilise them.So look again at the potted plant, or the grass or the tree and wonder: are plants intelligent?Or perhaps ask an even more fundamental question: are they conscious?The Light Eaters will completely redefine how you think about plants. Packed with the most amazing stories of the life of plants it will open your eyes to the extraordinary green life forms we share the planet with.

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Book Synopsis**The First Ever Maths Book to be a No.1 Bestseller**''Wonderful ... superb'' Daily MailWhat makes a bridge wobble when it''s not meant to? Billions of dollars mysteriously vanish into thin air? A building rock when its resonant frequency matches a gym class leaping to Snap''s 1990 hit I''ve Got The Power? The answer is maths. Or, to be precise, what happens when maths goes wrong in the real world.As Matt Parker shows us, our modern lives are built on maths: computer programmes, finance, engineering. And most of the time this maths works quietly behind the scenes, until ... it doesn''t. Exploring and explaining a litany of glitches, near-misses and mishaps involving the internet, big data, elections, street signs, lotteries, the Roman empire and a hapless Olympic shooting team, Matt Parker shows us the bizarre ways maths trips us up, and what this reveals about its essential place in our world.Mathematics doesn''t have good ''people skills'', but we would all be better off, he argues, if we saw it as a practical ally. This book shows how, by making maths our friend, we can learn from its pitfalls. It also contains puzzles, challenges, geometric socks, jokes about binary code and three deliberate mistakes. Getting it wrong has never been more fun.Trade ReviewMatt Parker has pulled off something wonderful . . . his stories are superb. -- Marcus Berkmann * The Daily Mail *Parker is consistently very funny . . . highly entertaining. * The Guardian *Numbers to die for. Four stars. -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *Bought it yesterday, enjoying it enormously, well done! -- Dara Ó Briain * Twitter *I just finished the new book by irrepressible maths enthusiast @standupmaths, and it's GREAT! -- Adam Savage, ex-host of 'Mythbusters' * Twitter *An entertaining and often alarming journey through the numerical blunders made over the years. * The Big Issue *Very funny. . . a compendium of stories about mathematical failures; some are amusing, others alarming, as in the case of the passenger aircraft that ran out of fuel because it had been measured in the wrong units * Telegraph Books of the Year *The surprise bestseller that makes maths fun * Sunday Times Magazine *Fun, informative, and relentlessly entertaining, Humble Pi is a charming and very readable guide to some of humanity's all-time greatest miscalculations - that also gives you permission to feel a little better about some of your own mistakes -- Ryan North, author of How to Invent Everything

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Book SynopsisA ground-breaking synthesis of the entire science of human behaviour by 'one of the best scientist-writers of our time' (Oliver Sacks) -- 'It's no exaggeration to say that Behave is one of the best nonfiction books I've ever read' Wall Street Journal Why do we do what we do? Behave is at once a dazzling tour and a majestic synthesis of the whole science of human behaviour. Brought to life through simple language, engaging stories and irreverent wit, it offers the fullest picture yet of the origins of tribalism and xenophobia, hierarchy and competition, morality and free will, war and peace. Robert Sapolsky's ingenious method is to move backwards in time from the moment at which a behaviour occurs, layer by layer through the myriad influences that led to it: - We begin with the split-second reactions of the brain and nervous system... - Then we consider our response to sight, sound and smell in the minutes and seconds beforehand... - Next he explains the interactions of hormones, which Trade ReviewAwe-inspiring … This is the best scientific book written for non-specialists that I have ever read. You will learn more about human nature than in any other book I can think of, and you will be inspired -- Henry Marsh, author of Do No HarmIt’s no exaggeration to say that Behave is one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read * Wall Street Journal *Behave is the best detective story ever written, and the most important. If you've ever wondered why someone did something – good or bad, vicious or generous – you need to read this book. If you think you already know why people behave as they do, you need to read this book. In other words, everybody needs to read it. It should be available on prescription (side effects: chronic laughter; highly addictive). They should put Behave in hotel rooms instead of the Bible: the world would be a much better, wiser place -- Kate Fox, author of Watching the EnglishMagisterial … This extraordinary survey of the science of human behaviour takes the reader on an epic journey … Sapolsky makes the book consistently entertaining, with an infectious excitement at the puzzles he explains … a miraculous synthesis of scholarly domains -- Steven Poole * Guardian *Truly all-encompassing … detailed, accessible, fascinating * Telegraph *Rarely does an almost 800-page book keep my attention from start to finish, but Behave is exceptional in its scale, scope, detail and writing style ... Sapolsky places what makes us special in the wider context of humans as animals with brains that are fundamentally similar to those of other species. It is the first book that does so comprehensively enough to qualify as a guide to human behaviour -- Frans de Waal * Science *A miraculous book, by far the best treatment of violence, aggression, and competition ever. Its depth and breadth of scholarship are amazing, building on Sapolsky’s own research and his vast knowledge of the neurobiology, genetic, and behavioral literature. All this is done brilliantly with a light and funny touch that shows why Sapolsky is recognized as one of the greatest teachers in science today -- Paul Ehrlich, author of Human NaturesA great writer and a superb guide to human nature, Sapolsky shows you how all the perspectives and systems connect, and he makes you laugh and marvel along the way. A beautifully crafted work about the biology of morality -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous MindOne of the best scientist-writers of our time -- Oliver SacksBehave is like a great historical novel, with excellent prose and encylopedic detail. It traces the most important story that can ever be told -- E O WilsonAs wide as it is deep, this book is colorful, electrifying, and moving. Sapolsky leverages his deep expertise to ask the most fundamental questions about being human -- David Eagleman, author of IncognitoMarvellous. Behave gives us the knowledge of how to manifest more of our best selves and less of our worst, individually and as a society -- Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of HabitOne of the finest natural history writers around * The New York Times *Robert Sapolsky's students must love him ... witty, erudite and passionate about clear communication ... the implications of fascinating scientific findings are illuminated through topical stories ... then Sapolsky reaches for the big, synthetic pay-offs, examining how, together, these insights can enhance our understanding of the forces that lead to tribalism, violence, dehumanization and war - as well as tolerance, empathy and peace ... The analysis is arresting and the writing is often moving ... It is impossible not to deeply admire a project bold enough to ask an entire field to work to create a more just and peaceful world * Nature *Sapolsky’s book shows in exquisite detail how culture, context and learning shape everything our genes, brains, hormones and neurons do * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisWhat was the golden secret known to Leonardo da Vinci, Kepler, Plato and the ancient magicians? Can there really be a key to nature and life itself? In this small but compact volume, internationally renowned divine proportion supersleuth Dr. Olsen unravels perhaps the greatest mystery of all time, a code that seems to underly life, the universe and everything, a pattern we instinctively recognise as beautiful, and which nature herself uses at every scale. Designed for artists and scientists alike, this is the smallest, densest and most beautiful book on the golden section ever produced. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisBBC R4 Book of the WeekBrilliant' GuardianFascinating and often delightful' The TimesWhat if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how nature became aware of itself a story that largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared.Tracking the mind's fitful development from unruly clumps of seaborne cells to the first evolved nervous systems in ancient relatives of jellyfish, he explores the incredible evolutionary journey of the cephalopods, which began as inconspicuous molluscs who would later abandon their shells to rise above the ocean floor, searching for prey and acquiring the greater intelligence needed to do so a journey completely independent from the route that mammals and birds would later take.But what kind of intelligence do cephalopods possess? How did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? What is it like to have eight tentacles that are so packed with neurons that they virtually think for themselves'? By tracing the question of inner life back to its roots and comparing human beings with our most remarkable animal relatives, Godfrey-Smith casts crucial new light on the octopus mind and on our own.Trade ReviewPraise for Other Minds: ‘Entrancing and profound’ Financial Times ‘A superb, coruscating book’ Literary Review ‘Startlingly incisive … refreshing guidance’ New York Times ‘The beauty of Godfrey-Smith’s book lies in the clarity of his writing; his empathy, if you will. He takes us through those early stirrings in the seas of deep time, from bacteria that sense light and can taste, to cnidarian jellyfish, the first organisms to exhibit nervous systems, which he describes wonderfully.’ Philip Hoare, Guardian ‘Fascinating and often delightful … This book ingeniously blends philosophy and science to trace the epic journey from single-celled organisms of 3.8 billion years ago to the awakening and development of cephalopod consciousness.’ The Times ‘As poignant as anything you will read this year’ Mail on Sunday ‘In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher, skilfully combines science, philosophy and his experiences of swimming among these tentacled beasts to illuminate the origin and nature of consciousness.’ The Economist ‘A delight on so many levels’ Dive magazine ‘To investigate these astonishing animals with such empathy and rigour is achievement enough. To do so while casting light on the birth and nature of consciousness, as Peter Godfrey-Smith does here, is captivating.’ China Miéville, author of Kraken ‘I love this book, its masterful blend of natural history, philosophy, and wonder … It’s a captivating story, and Peter Godfrey-Smith brings it alive in vivid, elegant prose … A must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the mind – ours and the very other, but equally sentient, minds of the cephalopods.’ Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds

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Book SynopsisThe ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.This is the perfect pocket guide for keen birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to identify the most commonly seen species in Britain and Europe.Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each bird, including notes on appearance, colour and distinctive features, and information on juveniles, range and habitat, nests, call and breeding sites.In addition, an extensive introduction covers general information on plumage, habitats and migration, and gives first-time birdwatchers advice on what equipment to buy and where to go to spot the most desirable species.This new edition builds on the strengths of the unrivalled original, covering over 200 species of bird found in Britain and Europe.

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Book SynopsisYou don't need to travel to experience the joy of bird-watching: just take a look at the pigeons in your nearby park! With this fun, quirky, and scientifically correct field guide to the most common bird in most cities, you'll learn to see pigeons and doves (they're the same thing) with a bird-watcher's expertise, understanding their fascinating behaviour and appreciating nature right outside your window.Part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun. Fact: Pigeons are amazing, and until recently, humans adored them. We've kept them as pets, held pigeon beauty contests, raced them, used them to carry messages over battlefields, harvested their poop to fertilize our crops-and cooked them in gourmet dishes. Now, with The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching, readers can rediscover the wonder. Equal parts illustrated field guide and quirky history, it covers behaviour: Why they coo; how they flock; how they preen, kiss, and mate (monogamously); and how they raise their young (on chunky pigeon milk). Anatomy and identification, from Birmingham Roller to the American Giant Runt to the Scandaroon. Birder issues, like what to do if you find a baby pigeon stranded in the park. And our lively shared story together, including all the things we've taught them-Ping-Pong, for example. "Rats with wings?" Think again. Pigeons coo, peck and nest all over the world, yet most of us treat them with indifference or disdain. So Rosemary Mosco, a bird-lover, science communicator, writer, and cartoonist (and co-author of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid) is here to give the pigeon's image a makeover, and to help every town- and city-dweller get closer to nature by discovering the joys of birding through pigeon-watching.Trade Review"This book will change what you think about pigeons! With loads of eye-opening pigeon science, delivered in playful and engaging style by Rosemary Mosco's text and illustrations, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching you will help you gain a whole new appreciation of these smart, savvy, and adaptable birds whose lives are so intertwined with ours." --David Allen Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds "We scorn pigeons for their commonness, but their ubiquity speaks to their talents. Past civilizations domesticated them and brought them wherever they went, for pigeons were loved and prized--as messengers, as producers of fertilizer, as meat on the plate. With her trademark wit and artistic charms, Mosco gives us a hundred reasons to rekindle the love affair. A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching is part field guide, part history, part ornithology primer, and altogether fun!" --Mary Roach, New York Times bestselling author of Stiff and Grunt "So joyful that it's almost effervescent, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching will convert even the grumpiest pigeon skeptics into being, at the very least, pigeon-curious. Readers will never hear the cooing in a city park or watch a preening flock of pigeons the same way again." --Foreward Reviews "A gifted communicator, Rosemary Mosco makes every science subject both fascinating and fun--as they should be. This delightful look at the world of pigeons is a treasure." --Kenn Kaufman, editor of Kaufman Field Guides "A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching is my favorite kind of book: one that teaches you everything you could want to know about a single fascinating topic in a way that is accessible, charming, and hilarious." --Ryan North, New York Times bestselling author of How to Invent Everything "Sparkling, witty prose, loaded with relatable pop-culture references and enhanced with charming cartoons, A Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching is a seductive draw into the multilayered world of pigeons. This little book will sneak up and drop a load of solid ornithology on the unsuspecting reader." --Julie Zickefoose, author of Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay

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Book SynopsisProf. Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher and the global bestselling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, the graphic adaptation series Sapiens: A Graphic History, and Unstoppable Us, his first series of books for children. His books have sold over 45 million copies in 65 languages, with Sapiens alone selling 25 million copies since it was first published in 2013. A New York Times and Sunday Times #1 bestseller, Sapiens spent an incredible 96 consecutive weeks in the top 3 of the Sunday Times bestseller list. Yuval Noah Harari is also behind Sapienship an international social impact company focused on education and storytelling, which he co-founded with his husband Itzik Yahav. Harari is considered one of the world's most influential public intellectuals today.

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Book SynopsisA facsimile edition of the seminal scientific work which introduced the theory of evolution and founded the field of evolutionary biology.Trade ReviewJust the right size to hold in the hand, with its classically presented typeface and composition, its bright, hard-finished (but not glossy) paper, and its richly embossed cover that feels exactly like a book of substance should feel, this Origin is one I shall now be turning to both for reference as well as for personal enjoyment. - The Well-Read Naturalist The Dispersal of Darwin ‘This is a small, and handsome facsimile edition of the second edition of Origin from 1860, with a green cover mimicking that of the original first edition from 1859… While there are many current editions of Darwin’s Origin one could have on their shelf, this affordable and highly-pleasing edition would be a great way to go.’ The Dispersal of Darwin

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Book SynopsisThe smash-hit Sunday Times bestseller now illustrated with over 100 spectacular full-colour images, showcasing this wondrous and wildly various lifeform as never before'Astonishing ... it seems somehow to tip the natural world upside down' Observer'Completely mind-blowing ... reads like an adventure story' Sunday Times*WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY BOOK PRIZE 2021**WINNER OF THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATION WRITING 2021*The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.'Dazzling, vibrant, vision-changing' Robert Macfarlane'Urgent, astounding and necessary' Helen Macdonald'Gorgeous!' Margaret Atwood (on Twitter)'Wonderful' Nigella Lawson'This book is like one surprise after another' David Byrne'Uplifting' Jeanette Winterson*SHORTLISTED FOR THE RATHBONES FOLIO PRIZE 2021**SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021** A Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, The Times, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, BBC Science Focus and Time Book of the Year *Trade ReviewAfter this book, nothing will seem the same again ... beautifully written and illustrated ... dazzling ... reveals a world that's both more extraordinary and more delicate than could be imagined * Mail on Sunday *Riveting and surprising at every turn ... A sensory as well as an intellectual pleasure * New Statesman *Wondrous ... Humans should consider fungi among the greatest of earth's marvels * Time, Books of the Year *Mind-boggling ... It's tempting ... to see fungi as the biological model for a better world * Telegraph *Truly astounding ... An engrossing, captivating journey * Spectator *Gorgeous, intelligent, utterly absorbing ... it expands our world, and makes us look up from the page with renewed wonder * Irish Times *One of those rare books that can truly change the way you see the world around you ... revelatory ... astounding ... and brimming with infectious joy * HELEN MACDONALD, author of H is for Hawk *A true masterpiece, a thrilling and fascinating insight into the living world ... I hope and trust that it will become an instant classic * GEORGE MONBIOT *Blew my mind ... Essential reading. Go and get swept up in a new world * ANDREA WULF, author of The Invention of Nature *Astonishing ... it's impossible to finish this book without feeling awestruck * ANDREW MOTION, TLS Books of the Year *Delightful to read but also grand and dizzying in how thoroughly it recalibrates our understanding of the natural world * ED YONG, author of An Immense World *Sentence after sentence stopped me short. I ended it wonderstruck at the fungal world - the secrets of which modern science is only now beginning to fathom - and the earth-shaking, hierarchy-breaking implications of Sheldrake's argument. A remarkable work by a remarkable writer * ROBERT MACFARLANE, author of Underland *A revelation ... Changes the way we need to look at life, the planet and ourselves * ISABELLA TREE, author of Wilding *Wonderfully written ... surprising ... The best science writing invites people to view the world around them in a new way, and Entangled Life is a perfect example * BRIAN COX *This is a book that, by virtue of the power of its writing, shifts your sense of the human ... It will inspire a generation * Michael Pollan (Bay Area Book Festival, 2020) *I have been working on and reading and writing about fungi for a decade. And yet, nearly every page of this book contained either an observation so interesting or a turn of phrase so lovely that I was moved to slow down, stop, and reread ... This book rocked me into remembering that nature, especially fungal nature, is big and encompassing and creative and destructive. It reminded me that fungi are, like the universe, sublime * Rob Dunne, Science *A magical journey deep into the root of nature by an expert storyteller ... a must-read for citizen scientists hoping to make a positive difference on this sacred planet we share * PAUL STAMETS, author of Mycelium Running *Reading this book, I felt surrounded by a web of wonder. The natural world is more fantastic than any fantasy, so long as you have the means to perceive it. This book provides the means * JARON LANIER, author of Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now *You may never look at fungi in the same way ... an eye-opening exploration of this mysterious taxonomic kingdom ... a journey into an untapped world. It is both a wonderful collection of fungal feats ... and a personal account of Sheldrake's experiences with these miraculous organisms * New Scientist *Brilliant ... entrancing ... when we look closely [at fungi], we meet large, unsettling questions ... Merlin Sheldrake ... carries us easily into these questions with ebullience and precision ... challenging some of our deepest assumptions * Guardian *A joy ... a captivating trip into the weird and wonderful mycorrhizal world around us - and inside us ... full of startling revelations * Daily Mail *The oddest and most uplifting book ... It is, to say the least, rare to find such a vast area of life on earth - fungi - about which one knows almost nothing, and which gives promise of being so important to human life during our next century * ANDREW MARR, New Statesman Books of the Year *If you had told me a book about fungi would be both enthralling and completely mind-blowing, I wouldn't have believed you. And yet. Dazzlingly good * INDIA KNIGHT, Sunday Times *A triumph and a thing of vast beauty * TOM HODGKINSON, The Idler *Fungi are everywhere, and Merlin Sheldrake is an ideal guide to their mysteries. He's passionate, deeply knowledgeable and a wonderful writer * ELIZABETH KOLBERT, author of Under a White Sky *Deeply engaging and constantly surprising ... the magic of mushrooms is not merely mind-expanding ... it might expand the very concept of the mind * PHILIP BALL, Prospect *As hard to put down as a thrilling detective novel, and one of the best works of popular science writing that I have enjoyed in years * DENNIS MCKENNA, author (with Terence McKenna) of Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide *It is impossible to put this book down. Entangled Life provides a window into the mind-boggling biology and fascinating cultures surrounding fungal life, as well as fungi's innumerable uses in materials, medicine and ecology. Sheldrake asks us to consider a life-form that is radically alien to ours, yet vibrant and lively underfoot * HANS ULRICH OBRIST *This is not just for mushroom-heads - it is science at its most uplifting * JEANETTE WINTERSON, The Times *Playful, strange, intensely philosophical ... Until very recently, human knowledge of this most mysterious life-form, neither plant nor animal, has been extremely limited. This is astounding, given ... their seismic impact on life on earth ... [Sheldrake's] central vision of the interconnectedness of all life-forms feels shiveringly prescient * Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'How Emotions Are Made did what all great books do. It took a subject I thought I understood and turned my understanding upside down' - Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point.When you feel anxious, angry, happy, or surprised, what's really going on inside of you? Many scientists believe that emotions come from a specific part of the brain, triggered by the world around us. The thrill of seeing an old friend, the fear of losing someone we love – each of these sensations seems to arise automatically and uncontrollably from within us, finding expression on our faces and in our behaviour, carrying us away with the experience.This understanding of emotion has been around since Plato. But what if it is wrong? In How Emotions Are Made, pioneering psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett draws on the latest scientific evidence to reveal that our common-sense ideas about emotions are dramatically, even dangerously, out of date – and that we have been paying the price. Emotions aren't universally pre-programmed in our brains and bodies; rather they are psychological experiences that each of us constructs based on our unique personal history, physiology and environment.This new view of emotions has serious implications: when judges issue lesser sentences for crimes of passion, when police officers fire at threatening suspects, or when doctors choose between one diagnosis and another, they're all, in some way, relying on the ancient assumption that emotions are hardwired into our brains and bodies. Revising that conception of emotion isn't just good science, Barrett shows; it's vital to our well-being and the health of society itself.Trade ReviewHow Emotions Are Made did what all great books do. It took a subject I thought I understood and turned my understanding upside down. -- Malcolm GladwellThe definitive field guide to feelings and the neuroscience behind them. -- Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of GritA brilliant and original book on the science of emotion, by the deepest thinker about this topic since Darwin -- Daniel Gilbert, author of the bestseller Stumbling on HappinessMeticulous, well-researched, and deeply thought out . . . For anyone who has struggled to reconcile brain and heart, this book will be a treasure; it explains the science without short-changing the humanism of its topic. -- Andrew Solomon, bestselling author of Far from the Tree and The Noonday DemonRadical and fascinating ... How Emotions are Made defends a bold new vision of the most central aspects of human nature. -- Paul Bloom, author of Against Empathy and How Pleasure WorksEvery lawyer and judge doing serious criminal trials should read this book. -- Baroness Helena Kennedy QC House of Lords, U.K.Barrett's figurative selfie of the brain is brilliant. * Booklist *A provocative, insightful, and engaging analysis ... You won't think about emotions in the same way after you read this important book. -- Daniel L. Schacter, author of The Seven Sins of MemoryThe implications of Lisa Barrett’s work (which ‘only’ challenges two-thousand-year-old assumptions about the brain) are nothing short of stunning. Even more stunning is how extraordinarily well she succeeds. -- Nancy Gertner, Senior Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School, and former U.S. federal judge for the United States District Court of MassachusettsThis is a provocative, accessible, important book. -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and A Primate's MemoirLisa Feldman Barrett illuminates the fascinating new science of our emotions. -- Peggy Orenstein, author of Girls & SexLisa Barrett masterfully integrates discoveries from affective science, neuroscience, social psychology, and philosophy to make sense of the many instances of emotion that you experience and witness each day. -- Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0Fascinating . . . a thought-provoking journey into emotion science * The Wall Street Journal *Lisa Barrett writes with great clarity about how your emotions are not merely about what you're born with, but also about how your brain pieces your feelings together, and how you can contribute to the process. She tells a compelling story. -- Joseph Le Doux, author of Anxious and Synaptic SelfFascinating . . . a thought-provoking journey into emotion science * The Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction - i: Introduction: The Two Thousand Year Old Assumption Chapter - 1: The Search For Emotion's ''Fingerprints'' Chapter - 2: Emotions Are Constructed Chapter - 3: The Myth of Universal Emotions Chapter - 4: The Origin of Feeling Chapter - 5: Concepts, Goals, and Words Chapter - 6: How the Brain Makes Emotions Chapter - 7: Emotions As A Social Reality Chapter - 8: A New View of Human Nature Chapter - 9: Mastering Your Emotions Chapter - 10: Emotions and Illness Chapter - 11: Emotion and the Law Chapter - 12: Is a Growling Dog Angry? Chapter - 13: From Brain to Mind: The New Frontier Acknowledgements - ii: Acknowledgments Section - iii: Appendix A: Brain Basics Section - iv: Appendix B: Supplement for Chapter 2 Section - v: Appendix C: Supplement for Chapter 3 Section - vi: Appendix D: Evidence for the Concept Cascade Section - vii: Bibliography Section - viii: Notes Section - ix: Illustration Credits Index - x: Index

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Book SynopsisTHE PHENOMENAL BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF WHITE HOLESOne of the Best Books of the 21st Century according to The Guardian''The perfect antidote to the fluff and nonsense around right now. Learn how the world is and how you might just fit in'' Simon MayoThese seven short lessons guide us, with simplicity and clarity, through the scientific revolution that shook physics in the twentieth century and still continues to shake us today. In this mind-bending overview of modern physics, Carlo Rovelli explains Einstein''s theory of general relativity, quantum mechanics, black holes, the complex architecture of the universe, elementary particles, gravity, and the nature of the mind. Not since Richard Feynman''s celebrated Six Easy Pieces has physics been so vividly, intelligently and entertainingly revealed.Translated by Simon Carnell and Erica SegreTrade ReviewA sensation... The new cult book -- Katie Law * Evening Standard *There's a book I've been carrying around like a small Bible, Seven Brief Lessons on Physics -- Benedict CumberbatchAbsolutely fascinating... explains the entire universe in 79 pages -- Steve Wright * BBC Radio 2 *The man who makes physics sexy... The new Hawking... His writing is luminous. By the time I had finished reading I was in serious awe of the author -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *Honestly I cannot recommend it too strongly... One of the fastest selling science titles of all time because it is so clear -- Jeremy Vine * BBC Radio 2 *The perfect antidote to the fluff and nonsense around right now. Learn how the world is and how you might just fit in -- Simon Mayo * Daily Mirror *The essays in Seven Brief Lessons on Physics arrive like shots of espresso, which you can consume the way the Italians do, quickly and while standing up -- Dwight Garner * New York Times *The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *With the publication of his million-selling Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, Carlo Rovelli took his place with Stephen Hawking and Richard Feynman as one of the great popularisers of modern theoretical physics -- Sam Leith * Spectator *A global superstar... Professor Rovelli is making the grammar of the universe accessible to a new generation * Channel 4 News *The physicist transforming how we see the universe * Financial Times *Surely Rovelli deserves the title 'world's most inspiring physics teacher' * Daily Telegraph *An amuse bouche for some of the ideas that are wrapped up in 20th-century astrophysics where it borders on philosophy. Millions have digested this little treat -- Adam Rutherford * Guardian *If you've ever wanted to understand physics better, read Carlo Rovelli's masterful book, Seven Brief Lessons on Physics. One of the world's leading scientists, he explains concepts like relativity, quantum mechanics and black holes with an elegance and clarity that reminded me of Richard Feynman... You will probably find yourself coming back to it again and again -- Fareed ZakariaWonderfully clear and vivid. Carlo Rovelli manages to convey the mystery of very large things and very small things with brilliant effect -- Philip Pullman, author of His Dark MaterialsA sublime read... The triumph of this book is that it educates you, guides you, and brings you bang up to date with the central issues in theoretical physics today... Intriguing, captivating and magical -- Ivor Mason * I Newspaper *If you want to understand what gets physicists out of bed in the morning, there is no better guide than Rovelli... Seven Brief Lessons on Physics is an absorbing, lovely book... This is physics as romantic poetry and, by God, it's beguiling -- Michael Brooks * New Statesman *A startling and illustrative distillation of centuries of science... The book's triumph lies not only in presenting some of the headiest stuff science has produced in so few pages, but also in giving real insight into how science treats those ideas * Economist *There have been plenty of attempts in recent years to explain the basic concepts of physics to us, but few as elegant and concise as Carlo Rovelli's... there's enough food for thought here to last a lifetime -- Nick Rennison * Daily Mail *Sparse, elegant and most of all readable... at the end of it you feel more clever. Rovelli has achieved something unheard of in books about theoretical physics: most of the people who have started his book have also probably finished it -- Tom Whipple * The Times *A surprise bestseller... the most interesting of the year's science books * Daily Telegraph *It is amazing that such a short book can dig to such satisfying depths -- Stephen Curry * Guardian *The slim volume is stereotypically the province of poetry, but this beautifully designed little book shows that science, with its curiosity, its intense engagement with what there really is, its readiness to jettison received ways of seeing, is a kind of poetry too * Financial Times *Rovelli has a rare knack for conveying the top line of scientific theories in clear and compelling terms without succumbing to the lure of elaborate footnotes... a breath of fresh air -- Nicola Davis * Observer *A slim poetic meditation... Rovelli belongs to a great Italian tradition of one-culture science writing that encompasses the Roman poet Lucretius, Galileo, Primo Levi and Italo Calvino. The physics here is comprehensible and limpid, and Rovelli gives it an edge through his clear-eyed humanistic interpretations -- Best science books * Independent *The book to read if you know very little about modern physics but want to begin to grasp its wonder, and the potential it has to enrich our understanding of the universe and our place in it -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian *Totally gripping. . . full of thought-provoking ideas. . . very beautiful -- Harriet Gilbert * A Good Read Radio 4 *If you only ever read one book on physics, read this. Beautifully written and engaging -- Rowan Coleman, author of We Are All Made of StarsThe rare book about physics that can be ingested in a single sitting -- Alexandra Alter * New York Times *Utterly blown away by the concise beauty of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli. Science as poetry. Awe inspiring -- Michael Bhaskar, author of The Content MachineNo one should hold office unless they have read Carlo Rovelli's Seven Brief Lessons on Physics -- Nick Harkaway, author of The Gone-Away World and AngelmakerBrilliant... Rovelli writes with clarity and verve, vividly bringing to life concepts that can often appear incomprehensible, and inviting readers to see the world anew. Few writers, let alone physicists, capture the beauty of nature and the excitement of its discovery in such clear, rich prose... It's hard to imagine a more coherent, inspiring introduction to modern physics. It really is an enchanting little volume * New Scientist *Carlo Rovelli has never been afraid to challenge the status quo -- Morgan Freeman * Science Channel *A love letter to physics. You can't believe everyone isn't reading this, and you want to tell everyone about it... thrilling -- Felicity WardI loved this book. The final chapter is filled with breathless amazement and humble awe... it's almost trippy -- Harriet Gilbert

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Book SynopsisThe epic that began with the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning classic DUNE continues ...Trade ReviewI know nothing comparable to it except The Lord of the Rings * Arthur C. Clarke on Dune *It is possible that Dune is even more relevant now than when it was first published * The New Yorker on Dune *An astonishing science fiction phenomenon * The Washington Post on Dune *One of the monuments of modern science fiction * The Chicago Tribune on Dune *Powerful, convincing, and most ingenious * Robert A. Heinlein on Dune *A novel of extraordinary complexity ... the work of a speculative intellect with few rivals in modern SF * The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction on Dune *A tight mesmerising fabric, interwoven with a potent element of mysticism ... intensely realised * Brian W. Aldiss on Dune *

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Book Synopsis**THE MILLION COPY BESTSELLER**Sapiens showed us where we came from. In our increasingly uncertain times, Homo Deus shows us where we're going.'Spellbinding' GuardianThe world-renowned historian and intellectual Yuval Noah Harari envisions a near future in which we face a new set of challenges. Homo Deus explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century and beyond - from overcoming death to creating artificial life.It asks the fundamental questions: how can we protect this fragile world from our own destructive power? And what does our future hold?'Even more readable, even more important, than his excellent Sapiens' Kazuo Ishiguro'Homo Deus will shock you. It will entertain you. It will make you think in ways you had not thought before' Daniel Kahneman, bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and SlowTrade ReviewHomo Deus will shock you. It will entertain you. Above all, it will make you think in ways you had not thought before. -- Daniel Kahneman, author of Thinking, Fast and SlowShows us where mankind is headed in an absolutely clear-sighted and accessible manner * Jarvis Cocker *Even more readable, even more important, than his excellent Sapiens -- Kazuo Ishiguro * Guardian Books of the Year *An exhilarating book that takes the reader deep into questions of identity, consciousness and intelligence * Observer *A brilliantly original, thought-provoking and important study of where mankind is heading. * Evening Standard *Spellbinding… a quirky and cool book, with a sliver of ice at its heart * Guardian *An intoxicating brew of science, philosophy and futurism. * Mail on Sunday *Yuval Noah Harari is the most entertaining and thought-provoking writer of non-fiction at the moment. As with Sapiens, you finish the book feeling much wiser -- Matt HaigIt is thrilling to watch such a talented author trample so freely across so many disciplines... Harrari's skill lies in the way he tilts the prism in all these fields and looks at the world in different ways, providing fresh angles on what we thought we knew... the result is scintillating -- John Thornhill * Financial Times *What elevates Harari above many chroniclers of our age is his exceptional clarity and focus. -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisThe scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. But this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct. On Being a Scientist was designed to supplement the informal lessons in ethics provided by research supervisors and mentors. The book describes the ethical foundations of scientific practices and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers encounter in their work. It applies to all forms of researchwhether in academic, industrial, or governmental settings-and to all scientific disciplines. This third edition of On Being a Scientist reflects developments since the publication of the original edition in 1989 and a second edition in 1995. A contTable of Contents1 Front Matter; 2 Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research; 3 Advising and Mentoring; 4 The Treatment of Data; 5 Mistakes and Negligence; 6 Research Misconduct; 7 Responding to Suspected Violations of Professional Standards; 8 Human Participants and Animal Subjects in Research; 9 Laboratory Safety in Research; 10 Sharing of Research Results; 11 Authorship and the Allocation of Credit; 12 Intellectual Property; 13 Competing Interests, Commitments, and Values; 14 The Researcher in Society; 15 Appendix: Discussion of Case Studies; 16 Additional Resources

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Book Synopsis‘Clever, inventive and a cracking read’ – Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl A locked-room mystery packed with rooftop chases, hidden codes and mind-bending science, The Clockwork Conspiracy is a must for fans of the Adventures on Trains series and Sharna Jackson's High Rise mysteries. Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him. Hunting a trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father – and time itself. ‘An ingenious mystery full of fascinating facts. Sedgman has cracked the code for an absolute triumph of a book’ – A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief ‘The Clockwork Conspiracy offers a captivating and perilous adventure that surprises and delights at every turn’ – Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper's Island ‘A smart and pacey thriller. Time well spent’ – The Times ‘A taut, tense mystery with perfectly-timed plotting, this is guaranteed to make the time fly’ - Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out? ‘A gripping mystery delivered with panache’ ­– The Observer ‘A thrilling story from start to finish’ ­­– Inis Magazine ‘THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY is a fiendishly clever contraption, featuring brilliantly savvy characters and a well-wound plot that ticks along like – what else? – clockwork’ - Andy Sagar, author of Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup ‘A thrilling locked-room mystery, with a plot as beautifully engineered as clockwork’ - Pari Thomson, author of Greenwild: The World Behind the Door ‘An action-packed, thrilling adventure’ – The Week Junior ‘A rapid adventure, combined with an encyclopaedic focus on a particular subject – and an ability to make it sing’ – The Telegraph ‘I predict this will be a very popular addition to any library, home or classroom’ – Books for KeepsTrade ReviewAn ingenious mystery full of fascinating facts. Sedgman has cracked the code for an absolute triumph of a book * A.F. Steadman *Clever, inventive and a cracking read * Eoin Colfer *The Clockwork Conspiracy offers a captivating and perilous adventure that surprises and delights at every turn. I raced through this brilliant page-turning mystery, and loved every breathless minute! * Catherine Doyle *A taut, tense mystery with perfectly-timed plotting, this is guaranteed to make the time fly * Maz Evans *A race of a read. Once you open this book you will not be able to stop reading until the very last sentence. It is the definition of a page-turner. Thrilling, exciting and compelling, Sam Sedgman has written a clever adventure ruled by time and rife with political intrigue, constructing a plot with unexpected twists and turns. A refreshingly contemporary adventure and brilliant fun. * M.G Leonard *An adventure so gripping you will feel like time has stopped! Isaac and Hattie‘s quest through London will keep you reading until your own clock says it’s way past bedtime * Chris Smith *Hugely exciting, hugely fun sure-fire clock-ticking hit * Sam Copeland *THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY is a fiendishly clever contraption, featuring brilliantly savvy characters and a well-wound plot that ticks along like – what else? – clockwork. * Andrew Sagar *A twisty-turny adventure that will have you hopping across the rooftops of parliament and uncovering mysteries in underground tunnels. Isaac Turner is a real page turner! * Annabelle Sami *A thrilling locked-room mystery, with a plot as beautifully engineered as clockwork. * Pari Thomson *Like Arthur Conan Doyle meets Back to the Future * Elle McNicoll *Perfect for science lovers and codebreakers everywhere, The Clockwork Conspiracy is a gripping, high-stakes thriller with more twists and turns than a Rubik’s Cube! I cannot wait to read more of Isaac Turner’s investigations * Jennifer Bell *I predict this will be a very popular addition to any library, home or classroom and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. * Books for Keeps *This is a thrilling story from start to finish. […] This is a book for anyone who loves a good adventure story, as its mysteries will keep you guessing just what’s going to happen next, while the action will have you on the edge of your seat * Inis Magazine *A rapid adventure, combined with an encyclopaedic focus on a particular subject – and an ability to make it sing * The Telegraph *The Clockwork Conspiracy is a gripping mystery delivered with panache [...] A timely thriller that roots for the democratic process. * The Observer *An action-packed, thrilling adventure * The Week Junior *The whole thing whirrs along like a high-concept Alex Rider novel, never missing a beat, thanks to a tightly wound plot […] A smart and pacey thriller. Time well spent. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisAn ambitious book about modern diagnosis from the neurologist and prize-winning author of It's All In Your Head.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA scientific memoir as gripping as any HBO drama series... Just as she disinters earthy mushrooms and the finest of filaments, so she lays bare the human heart with moving simplicity... It is her gallant mission in the book and in her life - and one essential to combating the climate crisis - to make science more humanly engaged -- Kate Kellaway * Observer *Finding the Mother Tree is the kind of story we need to be telling, a new way of communicating that the world desperately needs to hear... A reminder to listen to our wilder selves, and to remember, with humility, how little we know of the complexities of the natural world -- Tiffany Francis-Baker * Guardian *This book is a testament to Simard's skill as a science communicator. Her research is clearly defined, the steps of her experiments articulated, her astonishing results explained and the implications laid bare: We ignore the complexity of forests at our peril -- Jonathan C. Slaght * The New York Times *A masterwork of planetary significance * Booklist (starred review) *[Simard] is an intellectual force... Simard's results are so revolutionary and controversial that they have quickly worked their way into social theory, urban planning, culture and art... We have a lot of rethinking to do about the economic and political models that, since Darwin, have been taken to be natural -- Kate Brown * Independent *Finding the Mother Tree has come at a crucial moment... With biodiversity on a knife edge, the need to appreciate and understand the complexity and brilliance of the natural world could not be more important -- Rosie Boycott * Financial Times *Vivid and inspiring... a radical new understanding of plants -- Eugenia Bone * Wall Street Journal *Speaking with Simard felt like coming to the headwaters of a vast system of ideas, both innovative and ancient... To read Finding the Mother Tree is to imagine the view from a 250-foot redwood. The recognition that we're all connected is one of the great gifts of the memoir * Los Angeles Times *[Suzanne Simard] forever transformed our views of the world and the interconnectivity of our environment. Finding the Mother Tree is not only a deeply beautiful memoir about one woman's impactful life, it's also a call to action to protect, understand and connect with the natural world -- Amy AdamsA vivid and compelling memoir of [Simard's] lifelong quest to prove that the forest is more than just a collection of trees * The New York Times *Extraordinary * BBC Wildlife Magazine *The moving and remarkable story of one of the greatest ecological discoveries of our time. Writing with humility and passion, Suzanne Simard's unravelling of the secret life of trees is changing the scientific mindset. Finding the Mother Tree is a crucial step towards healing our planet -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding and The Living GoddessFew scientists make much impact with their PhD thesis, but, in 1997, Suzanne Simard did just that ... What was then a challenge to orthodox ideas is today widely accepted * New Scientist *Finding the Mother Tree is a rare and moving book - part charming memoir, part crash course in forest ecology. And yet, it manages to be about the things that matter most: the ways we care for each other, fail each other and listen to each other. After the last year and a half, its lessons about motherhood, connection and the natural world are more timely than ever -- Jake GyllenhaalFew researchers have had the pop culture impact of Suzanne Simard * Scientific American *The interplay of personal narrative, scientific insights and the amazing revelations about the life of the forest make a compelling story... These are stories that the world needs to hear -- Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding SweetgrassSuzanne Simard has a completely beguiling way of writing. I love how she combines brilliant scientific explanation with emotion and feeling -- Patrick Barkham, author of Wild Child and The Butterfly IslesSuzanne Simard is a total legend - someone who transformed the world in the way of James Lovelock, or Lynn Margulis -- Rowan HooperRevolutionary on both the scientific and the spiritual level. It is so extraordinary that it is, frankly, hard to believe - until you see the data, the science, the rigour, and the many independent affirmations of her findings... Simard is one of [Nature's] most insightful and eloquent translators -- John Vaillant, author of The Tiger

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Book SynopsisThe follow-up to the BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week Other MindsA Times and Sunday Times Book of the YearA Waterstones Best Book of 2020The scuba-diving philosopher explores the origins of animal consciousness.Dip below the ocean's surface and you are soon confronted by forms of life that could not seem more foreign to our own: sea sponges, soft corals and flower-like worms, whose rooted bodies and intricate geometry are more reminiscent of plant life than anything recognisably animal. Yet these creatures are our cousins. As fellow members of the animal kingdom the Metazoa they can teach us about the evolutionary origins of not only our bodies, but also our minds.In his acclaimed book, Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith explored the mind of the octopus the closest thing to an intelligent alien on Earth. In Metazoa, he expands his inquiry to animals at large, investigating the evolution of experience with the assistance of far-flung species. Godfrey-Smith shows that the appearance of the Trade ReviewA Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year A BBC Science Focus Book of the Month ‘This gentle approach won a wide readership for Godfrey-Smith’s last book and deserves to do the same for this. But perhaps his exploratory style is well-suited, not just to the general reader, but to the problem of consciousness itself’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Enthralling … A rather winning combination of not once ever making readers feel as if they are being lectured to; rather, it is the sensation of joining a wise, ever-patient friend on a time-traveling tour of the cognitive experiences of animals … Metazoa brings an extraordinary and astute look at our own mind’s essential link to the animal world’ Aimee Nezhukumatathil, New York Times ‘A profound scientific drama, in which the lives of quite un-human creatures illuminate deep mysteries about the nature of sentience, and what it means to possess a mind … In Metazoa, the scuba-diving historian and philosopher of science tackles these questions with eloquent boldness … As in Other Minds, Mr Godfrey-Smith recounts close encounters with marine fauna, gleaned from years of diving off the Australian coast. These have an electric immediacy … Evocative [and] gripping’ Barbara Kiser, Wall Street Journal ‘Peter Godfrey-Smith's new book Metazoa is, like his last one, not only deeply interesting but beautifully written. Also, it finally taught me how to pronounce "cnidarian" properly’ Philip Ball ‘Peter Godfrey-Smith writes and thinks like no one else that I know of. He’s well immersed in the science of life, a deep-diver into the philosophical implications of the factual world – and a writer so skillful he can give a reader chills. Metazoa is his deepest dive to date on what life is’ Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild

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Book SynopsisIs it possible to heal by thought alone—without drugs or surgery?The truth is that it happens more often than you might expect. In You Are the Placebo, best-selling author, international speaker, chiropractor, and renowned researcher of epigenetics, quantum physics, & neuroscience, Dr. Joe Dispenza shares numerous documented cases of those who reversed cancer, heart disease, depression, crippling arthritis, and even the tremors of Parkinson’s disease by believing in a placebo. Similarly, Dr. Joe tells of how others have gotten sick and even died the victims of a hex or voodoo curse—or after being misdiagnosed with a fatal illness. Belief can be so strong that pharmaceutical companies use double- and triple-blind randomized studies to try to exclude the power of the mind over the body when evaluating new drugs.“In his paradigm-altering book, You Are the Placebo, Dr. Joe Dispenza catapults us beyond thinking of the placebo effect as an anomaly. Through 12 concise chapters that read like a true-life scientific thriller, Dispenza gives us rock-solid reasons to accept the game-changer of our lives: that the placebo effect is actually us, proving to ourselves the greatest possibilities of healing, miracles, and longevity! I love this book and look forward to a world where the secret of the placebo is the foundation of everyday life.” — Gregg Braden, New York Times best-selling author of Deep Truth and The Divine MatrixChapters Include: Foreword by Dawson Church, Ph.D.Part I: Is It Possible? A Brief History of the Placebo The Placebo Effect in the Brain The Placebo Effect in the Body How Thoughts Change the Brain and the Body Suggestibility Attitudes, Beliefs, and Perceptions The Quantum Mind Three Stories of Personal Transformation Information to Transformation: Proof That You Are the PlaceboPart II: Transformation Meditation Preparation Changing Beliefs and Perceptions Meditation Becoming Supernatural Dr. Joe does more than simply explore the history and the physiology of the placebo effect. He asks the question: "Is it possible to teach the principles of the placebo, and without relying on any external substance, produce the same internal changes in a person’s health and ultimately in his or her life?" Then he shares scientific evidence (including color brain scans) of amazing healings from his workshops, in which participants learn his consciousness shifting model of personal transformation, based on practical applications of the so-called placebo effect. The book ends with a "how-to" calming meditation for changing limiting beliefs and mental perceptions that hold us back—the first step in healing. You Are the Placebo combines the latest research in neuroscience, biology, psychology, hypnosis, behavioral conditioning, and quantum physics to demystify the workings of the placebo effect . . . and show how the seemingly impossible can become possible.“I discovered that if I could teach people the scientific model of transformation (bringing in a little quantum physics to help them understand the science of possibility); combine it with the latest information in neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, epigenetics, and psychoneuroimmunology; give them the right kind of instruction; and provide the opportunity to apply that information, then they would experience a transformation...This book is about: empowering you to realize that you have all the biological and neurological machinery to do exactly that. My goal is to demystify these concepts with the new science of the way things really are so that it is within the reach of more people to change their internal states in order to create positive changes in their health and in their external world.”— Dr. Joe DispenzaTrade ReviewYou Are the Placebo is the instruction manual for how to produce miracles in your body, with your health, and in your life. It's simply magnificent. This may be the only prescription you'll ever require. -- Christiane Northrup MD New York Times bestselling author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause Your mind is so incredibly important to the success or failure of virtually everything you do, from relationships, school, work and finances to overall happiness. You Are the Placebo is a powerful exploration of your most important resource and offers many practical tools to optimize your mind to enhance your overall success. I love Dr Dispenza's way of communicating complex ideas in a way all of us can understand and benefit from. -- Daniel G. Amen MD founder of Amen Clinics and New York Times bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and Magnificent Mind at Any Age From my experience with patients with life-threatening illnesses, I have learned the truth as shared in You Are the Placebo. The body experiences what the mind believes. I have learned how to deceive people into health for their benefit. Doctors can kill or cure with 'wordswordswords' when they become 'swordswordswords.' We all have the potential for self-induced healing built into us. The key is to know how to achieve your potential. Read and learn. -- Bernie Siegel MD author of A Book of Miracles and The Art of Healing Dr Joe Dispenza weaves scientific studies together to come up with a true revolutionary approach to using our minds to heal our bodies. I was spellbound. Bravo! -- Mona Lisa Schulz MD PhD author of The Intuitive Advisor and All Is Well The placebo effect - our response to the belief that we've received a catalyst for healing - has long been studied in medicine as a curious phenomenon. In his paradigm-altering book You Are the Placebo, Dr Joe Dispenza catapults us beyond thinking of the effect as an anomaly. Through 12 concise chapters that read like a true-life scientific thriller, Dispenza gives us rock-solid reasons to accept the game-changer of our lives: that the placebo effect is actually us, proving to ourselves the greatest possibilities of healing, miracles and longevity! I love this book and look forward to a world where the secret of the placebo is the foundation of everyday life. -- Gregg Braden New York Times bestselling author of Deep Truth and The Divine Matrix Dr Joe Dispenza is a master teacher who has the ability to explain science at a very simple level so that everyone understands. -- don Miguel Ruiz MD author of The Four Agreements You Are the Placebo is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience optimal health in mind, body and spirit. Dr Joe Dispenza dispels the myth that our health is out of our control and restores to us our power and right to expect wonderful health and wellbeing throughout our lives by showing us the way to create it. To read this book is to subscribe to the absolute best health insurance available in the world. -- Sonia Choquette six-sensory consultant and New York Times bestselling author of The Answer Is Simple If you're looking for a practical explanation to the benefits of meditation, look no further. Soul & Spirit

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Book SynopsisTWICE WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTIONFROM THE WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTIONTHE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR''Beautifully written'' Irish Times''This is a rich rewarding book.'' The TimesWe wanted to live in a place that could feed us: where rain falls, crops grow, and drinking water bubbles up right out of the ground.Barbara Kingsolver opens her home to us, as she and her family attempt a year of eating only local food, much of it from their own garden. Inspired by the flavours and culinary arts of a local food culture, they explore many a farmers market and diversified organic farms at home and across the country. With characteristic warmth, Kingsolver shows us how to put food back at the centre of the political and family agenda. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is part memoir, part journalistic investigation, and is full of original recipes that celebrate healthy eati

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Book SynopsisHow much faith should we place in what scientists tell us? Is it possible for scientific knowledge to be fully ''objective''? What, really, can be defined as science? In the second edition of this Very Short Introduction, Samir Okasha explores the main themes and theories of contemporary philosophy of science, and investigates fascinating, challenging questions such as these.Starting at the very beginning, with a concise overview of the history of science, Okasha examines the nature of fundamental practices such as reasoning, causation, and explanation. Looking at scientific revolutions and the issue of scientific change, he asks whether there is a discernible pattern to the way scientific ideas change over time, and discusses realist versus anti-realist attitudes towards science. He finishes by considering science today, and the social and ethical philosophical questions surrounding modern science.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe 2nd Edition of Samir Okasha's Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction is a fantastic entry point for all those who would like to get an overview of the issues philosophers of science grapple with. The book is written in a highly accessible and clear fashion, and manages to cover an impressively wide-- and I would say, representative--range of topics on a mere 130 pages. - * Samuel Schindler, Metascience *Do not underestimate the value of having a working understanding the philosophy of science, to which end this short book is one that you - if your professional life has any connection with science - could well find invaluable * Jonathan Cowie, Concatenation *Table of Contents1: What is science? 2: Scientific Inference 3: Explanation in science 4: Realism and anti-realism 5: Scientific change and scientific revolutions 7: Science and its critics Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisNo recent scientific enterprise has been so alluring, terrifying, and filled with extravagant promise and frustrating setbacks as artificial intelligence. How intelligent are the best of today's AI programs? To what extent can we entrust them with decisions that affect our lives? How human-like do we expect them to become, and how soon do we need to worry about them surpassing us in most, if not all, human endeavours? From leading AI researcher and award-winning author Melanie Mitchell comes a knowledgeable and captivating account of modern-day artificial intelligence. Flavoured with personal stories and a twist of humour, Artificial Intelligence illuminates the workings of machines that mimic human learning, perception, language, creativity and common sense. Weaving together advances in AI with cognitive science and philosophy, Mitchell probes the extent to which today's 'smart' machines can actually think or understand, and whether AI requires such elusiTrade ReviewIf you think you understand AI and all of the related issues, you don't. By the time you finish this exceptionally lucid and riveting book you will breathe more easily and wisely -- Michael Gazzaniga, author of The Consciousness InstinctMelanie Mitchell writes about AI with a warm, friendly voice and an unpretentious brilliance that no machine could hope to match... for now -- Steven Strogatz, author of The Joy of XComputers are capable of feats of astonishing intelligence, while at the same time lacking any semblance of common sense. Melanie Mitchell takes us through an enlightening tour of how artificial intelligence currently works, and how it falls short of true human understanding -- Sean Carroll, author of The Big PictureA must read for anyone interested in the emerging revolution of AI, machine learning and big data. Mitchell lays bare the hyperbole and misconceptions that are being propagated in the media. This book can be, and should be, read by the proverbial man or woman-on-the-street, the Silicon Valley guru, members of Congress, or a student of the humanities, as well as by professional scientists and engineers. They will all profit enormously from it -- Geoffrey West, author of ScaleMitchell cuts through the hype that the field of A.I. is often prone to and lays out what it does well, where it fails, and how it might do better -- George Musser, author of Spooky Action at a DistanceMelanie Mitchell deftly provides the reader with a keen, clear-sighted account of the history of AI and neural networks. A wonderfully informative book -- John Allen Paulos, author of InnumeracyMitchell is one of the finest minds in computation today, and one of the clearest-spoken. She understands the power of a metaphor — and why nearly all of the ones we have for AI are either simply poor, in the best of cases, or dangerously misleading. If you want to know where our current mayhem came from, read this account of the field -- Cat Bohannon author of EveThe recent resurgence of AI has led to predictions of everything from the end of the world to immortality. Melanie Mitchell’s very intelligent, clear and sensible book is a welcome corrective to the exaggerated fears and hopes for AI, and the prefect primer to start understanding how the systems actually work -- Alison Gopnik, author of The Philosophical BabyMitchell knows what she’s talking about. Even better, she’s a clear, cogent and interesting writer . . . It has significantly improved my knowledge when it comes to automation technology, but the greater benefit is that it has also enhanced my appreciation for the complexity and ineffability of human cognition * Chicago Tribune *Without shying away from technical details, this survey provides an accessible course in neural networks, computer vision, and natural-language processing, and asks whether the quest to produce an abstracted, general intelligence is worrisome . . . Mitchell’s view is a reassuring one * The New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisHelp your students visualize chemistryand their role within it.

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Book SynopsisDesmond Morris was born in 1928. Educated at Birmingham and Oxford universities, he became the curator of mammals at London Zoo in 1959, a post he held for eight years. In 1967 he published The Naked Ape which was to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. An accomplished artist, television presenter and film maker, Desmond Morris's works have been published in over thirty-six countries.Trade ReviewReadable, surprising and provocative * The Times *I really enjoyed The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris. It was published in 1967 and is often a very amusing zoological perspective on human beings. The chapter on sex is hilarious -- KT Tunstall * Independent *Stimulating -- Arthur KoestlerThought-provoking...Morris has introduced some novel and challenging ideas * Natural History *Fascinating * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisLearn how to switch off and find calm - from the New York Times bestselling author of A World Without Email ''Digital Minimalism is the Marie Kondo of technology'' Evening Standard ''An eloquent, powerful and enjoyably practical guide to cutting back on screen time'' The Times ''An urgent call to action for anyone serious about being in command of their own life'' Ryan Holiday ''What a timely and useful book'' Naomi Alderman, author of The Power Do you find yourself endlessly scrolling through social media or the news while your anxiety rises? Are you feeling frazzled after a long day of endless video calls? In this timely book, professor Cal Newport shows us how to pair back digital distractions and live a more meaningful life with less technology. By following a ''digital declutter'' process, you''ll learn to: Rethink your relationship with social media Prioritize ''high bandwidth'' conversations over low quality text chains Rediscover the pleasures of the offline world Take back control from your devices and find calm amongst the chaos with Digital Minimalism. Trade ReviewA compelling case for cultivating intense focus, and offers immediately actionable steps for infusing more of it into our lives * Adam Grant, author of Originals on Deep Work *A wonderfully entangled, intertwined, and erudite series of strategies, philosophies, disciplines, and techniques to sharpen your focus and dive deep into your work * 800-CEO-READ on Deep Work *As a presence on the page, Newport is exceptional in the realm of self-help authors * New York Times Book Review *Cal Newport speaks human truth to digital power. He calls out our enslavement to modern devices and calmly presents a better way to live and work * author of Fully Connected *This book is an urgent call to action for anyone serious about being in command of their own life * author of The Obstacle is the Way *Cal Newport has discovered a cure for the techno-exhaustion that plagues our always-on, digitally caffeinated culture * The Minimalists *Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism is the best book I've read in some time about our fraught relationship with technology. If you're looking for a blueprint to guide you as you liberate yourself from the shackles of email, social networks, smartphones, and screens, let this book be your guide * author of Irresistible *You're not the user, you're the product. Hang up, log off, and tune in to a different way to be in the world. Bravo, Cal, smart advice for good people * author of This is Marketing *I hope that everyone who owns a mobile phone and has been wondering where their time goes gets a chance to absorb the ideas in this book. It's amazing how the same strategy can work for both financial success and mental well-being: Put more energy into what makes you happy, and ruthlessly strip away the things that don't * aka Mr. Money Mustache *I challenge you not to devour this wonderful book in one sitting. I certainly did and I started applying Cal's ideas to my own life immediately * author of Essentialism *Cal Newport's book is a refreshing antidote to the poisonous cycle of what's new? - what's new? that this digital, hyperconnected decade has seduced us into. Building on the economics of Henry David Thoreau, Cal's call for calmer waters, for meaningful and engaged interactions, is just what the world needs right now * author of The Organised Mind *Digital Minimalism is the Marie Kondo of mobile phones * Evening Standard *Willpower, tips, and vague resolutions are not sufficient by themselves to tame the ability of new technologies to invade your cognitive landscape * The New Yorker *What a timely and useful book! It's neither hysterical nor complacent - a workable guide to being thoughtful about digital media. It's already made me rethink some of my media use in a considered way * Naomi Alderman, author of The Power *

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Book Synopsis'A brilliant book [that] shows a way out of the destructive trap of Anthropocentric arrogance.' Vandana Shiva, from the Foreword 'Read this book if you would like to understand the intelligence of living systems.' Dr Denis Noble, University of Oxford ‘A welcoming yet fiercely challenging and provocative read shining a light on the way we look at the science of life.’ LoveReading What is life? This is arguably the fundamental question in all of science, and yet many scientists believe that life can be reduced to mechanistic factors, such as genes and information codes. But in a world as rich and complex as this one, can such an assertion really be true? Biocivilisations is a thrillingly original look at the mystery of life and a recognition of the complex civilisations of bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants and animals that have preceded the human world by billions of years. Dr Predrag Slijepčević, senior lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences at Brunel University, reconsiders the limited scope and timeframe of our current ‘scientific revolution’ and shares how – from the tiniest bacteria to the largest mammals – the living world has long fostered ancient biocivilisations: how ants practice agriculture, how insects perform surgery, how trees conduct research, how slime moulds build networks as complex as our modern transportations systems and more. More than 99.99 percent of life on Earth has existed without humanity and life will continue without humans long into the future. Biocivilisations challenges us to reconsider the limited scope and time-window of our current ‘scientific revolution’ and to fundamentally reimagine what we call ‘life on Earth’ by posing a powerful question: Are we really the intelligent masters over nature we think we are? Trade Review'A prodigious synthesis and a great, ambitious and informative book dovetailing multiple fields in its effort – largely successful I think – to light a match – and then blow on the fires of the coming "Copernican biological revolution."' Dorion Sagan'Read this book if you would like to understand the intelligence of living systems. Civilisation did not just start with Homo sapiens. Life cannot be reduced to pure mechanism.' Dr Denis Noble, Emeritus Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology, University of Oxford; Fellow of the Royal Society; 2022 Lomonosov Grand Gold Medal laureate'In Biocivilisations, Predrag Slijepčević tells stories about animals that create art, insects that do battlefield surgery, trees that perform scientific research, bacteria that create intelligent networks, and whole ecosystems that are organized with an efficiency that surpasses any human supply chain. Maybe you thought humans were the crown of creation. Maybe we humans have to learn humility and respect for the biosphere that birthed us. Maybe our future depends on it.' Josh Mitteldorf, PhD, coauthor of Cracking the Aging Code'Predrag Slijepčević’s Biocivilisations: A New Look at the Science of Life offers a powerful and welcome synthesis of what we ought by now to be happy to call Gaian science. It brings together crucial developments in biological systems thinking – such as symbiogenesis, epigenetics, biosemiotics, Gaia theory and autopoiesis – under a comprehensive vision founded on the cosmological longevity and cognitive acumen of the bacterial microcosm and its planetary offspring: multicellular life in all of its forms and alliances. Biocivilisations vigorously dismantles modern strains of scientific and cultural anthropocentrism and their current avatars peddling the futurist delusions of Singularity buffs and AI transhumanists. Slijepčević’s presentation of these crucial and heady matters is properly technical but consistently readable and deeply documented. His approach to science participates in a poetic spirit he perceives everywhere in a terrestrial biosphere that has risen for over four billion years to collective, eventually cross-kingdom consortia such as the ‘Wood Wide Web’ revealed by the new forest ecology. The environmental constructions of such biocivilisations long precede the human elaboration of its own technosphere. I highly recommend Slijepčević’s Biocivilisations for those who would like to get effectively up to speed on the most cogent contemporary challenges to the physicalist-mechanistic technoscientific mainstream.' Bruce Clarke, Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor of Literature and Science, Texas Tech University, Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology‘Biocivilizations is an unusually thought-provoking and ambitious book. It challenges the reader to abandon several centuries of assumptions about how to describe the living world in purely physical and mechanistic terms, a world governed by an evolutionary process that places human beings at the apex.’ Dr. James A. Shapiro, author of Evolution: A View from the 21st Century'Sentience, cognition and intelligence are emerging as inherent faculties of all life which has evolved on the Earth. Most of these living systems are much older than humanity and obviously are well integrated to support life. In Biocivilisations, Predrag Slijepčević makes clear that the sentient life is essential for the habitability of our planet and that humans should step down from the so-called crown of evolution model in order to appreciate our true position within the complex network of life. Only then will our civilization improve its rather doomed prospects for survival.' Dr František Baluška, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Bonn"Constructed with care, [Slijepčević's] arguments integrate hundreds of examples from the natural world . . . The prose is solid, impassioned, and informed. . . . [and] by defying entrenched and arrogant assumptions about human superiority, the book shows that people have much to learn from creatures like ants and bacteria." Foreword Reviews"Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, and as fascinating as it is informative, thoughtful, and thought-provoking, "Biocivilisations: A New Look at the Science of Life" will have a very special appeal and relevance to readers with an interest in bacteriology, microbiology, evolution, nature and ecology." Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY TRIVEDI SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2024FOYLE''S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023LONGLISTED FOR BLACKWELL''S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023ONE OF THE GUARDIAN''S BEST IDEAS BOOKS OF 2023ONE OF THE TELEGRAPH''S FIFTY BEST BOOKS OF 2023ONE OF PROSPECT''S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023ONE OF DUA LIPA''S SERVICE95 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ''5 INSPIRING READS TO KICK START THE NEW YEAR''''Funny and very important'' Chris van Tulleken, bestseling author of Ultra-Processed People''Educates and emboldens'' Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry''Should revolutionise our understanding of human life'' George Monbiot, bestselling author of Regenesis''A vast and revolutionary history of female evolution'' Sunday TimesHow did wet nurses drive civilization? Are women always the weaker sex? Is sexism useful for evolution? And are our bodies at war with our babies?In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex. Eve is not only a sweeping revision of human history, it''s an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Bohannon''s findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialized world are rearranging women''s pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species, from tool use to city building to the development of language.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAbsolutely sublime and transformational. [Maria Ressa] lays out the moral paradigm for our time and the consequences of ignoring it and the thrill and reward of embracing it * Shoshana Zuboff, author of the international bestselling Surveillance Capitalism *A personal hero of mine ... she's an important warning for the rest of us * Hillary Clinton *I don't think I've read a more important book this year. * Andrew Marr, LBC *Maria is a key voice... she is so incredible in so many ways. The world needs to listen to what she has to say * Carole Cadwalladr *Maria Ressa is five feet two inches, but she stands taller than most in her pursuit of the truth * Amal Clooney *

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Book Synopsis''Nerd royalty'' Ben Goldacre ''Laugh-out-loud funny'' Bill Gates''Totally brilliant'' Tim HarfordWHAT IF you still had so many more strange questions about the universe?And WHAT IF Randall Munroe, former NASA roboticist and xkcd creator, were prepared to move mountains, fill the solar system with soup and alter the space-time continuum to answer them?Whether it''s how to make a lava lamp out of lava or feeding the inhabitants of New York to a T. Rex, welcome to the weird, wonderful (and sometimes terrifying) world of WHAT IF? 2Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR WHAT IF?Nerd royaltyBrilliant * Rolling Stone *With this book you're a kid with a chemistry set all over again...required reading for grown-ups * Register *Smart answers to silly questions: Randall Munroe reveals all * Guardian *PRAISE FOR WHAT IF? 2 Randall Munroe [is] the guru of absurd science questions . . . What If ?2 is stuffed with questions that are fanciful in the asking, but perfectly - and playfully - informative in the answering. The questions throughout are equal parts brilliant, gross, and wonderfully absurd and the answers are thorough, deeply researched, and great fun. Do you need any of this information? No. Are you happy - indeed, delighted - to have it? Almost certainly yes. Science isn't easy, but in Munroe's capablehands, it surely can be fun. * Time Magazine *One of my favourite books of the year. * Financial Times *Head-scratching . . . seemingly simple conundrums lead to the most fascinating of rabbit holes. * WIRED **Staff's Favourite Books of 2022* A dense litany of thoroughly researched explanations of intensely silly hypotheticals. Perfect if you enjoy it when stuffy figures of authority crack a smile. Or if you like it when black holes form. That happens a lot. * Newsweek *One of my favourite books of the year

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