Science & Nature Books

Book SynopsisRoger Penrose is one the world's foremost theoretical physicists, and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020. He has won numerous other prizes, including the Albert Einstein Medal, for his fundamental contributions to general relativity and cosmology. He is the bestselling author of The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe and Cycles of Time: An Extraordinary New View of the Universe. His other books include Fashion, Faith and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe, The Emperor's New Mind, Shadows of the Mind and, with Stephen Hawking, The Nature of Space and Time. He is the Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics Emeritus at the University of Oxford, and lives in Oxford.Trade ReviewPenrose is truly one of the world's leading mathematical physicists * Scotland on Sunday *Science needs more people like Penrose, willing and able to point out the flaws in fashionable models from a position of authority, and to signpost alternative roads to follow * Independent *A genuinely new idea about the origins of the universe that, although untested, seems to hold together theoretically and must be taken seriously given Penrose's status -- Doug Johnstone * Scotsman *Cycles of Time can be highly recommended as an example of how cosmologists are now thinking the unthinkable by trying to look back beyond the Big Bang and forward beyond the death of our universe * Literary Review *Cycles of Time is as uncondescending in style and as impenetrable in content as his previous books. Which is not to say that there are not, as before, many pleasures to be had along the way * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA crime scene. A murder. A mystery.The most important person on the scene? The forensic scientist. And yet the intricate details of their work remains a mystery to most of us. Silent Witnesses looks at the history of forensic science over the last two centuries, during which time a combination of remarkable intuition, painstaking observation and leaps in scientific knowledge have developed this fascinating branch of detection. Throwing open the casebook, it introduces us to such luminaries as ''The Wizard of Berkeley'' Edward Heinrich, who is credited with having solved over 2000 crimes, and Alphonse Bertillon, the French scientist whose guiding principle ''no two individuals share the same characteristics'' became the core of identification. Along the way, it takes us to India and Australia, Columbia and China, Russia, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. And it proves that, in order to solve ever more complicated cases, science must always stay one step ahead of the killer.Trade ReviewIt is a fascinating story, and makes for a thoroughly good read. -- Bernard Porter * Guardian *A convincing and readable history of a science defined by the simple maxim: 'Every contact leaves a trace.' -- Tom Whipple * The Times *A real-life whodunnit. -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *A truly gripping story. * Big Issue in the North *

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Book SynopsisAs an acoustic engineer, Trevor Cox has spent his career eradicating unwanted noises echoes in concert halls, clamour in classrooms. Until the day he heard something so astonishing that he had an epiphany: rather than quashing rare or bizarre sounds, we should be celebrating these sonic treasures. This is the story of his investigation into the mysteries of these Sonic Wonders of the World. In the Mojave Desert he finds sand dunes that sing. In France he discovers an echo that tells jokes. In California he drives down a musical road that plays the William Tell Overture. In Cathedrals across the world he learns how acoustics changed the history of the Church. Touching on physics, music, archaeology, neuroscience, biology, and design, Cox explains how sound is made and altered by the environment and how our body reacts to peculiar noises from the exotic sonic wonders he encounters on his journey, or the equally unique and surprising sounds of our everyday environmTrade ReviewA riveting ear-opener, Trevor Cox describes in lyrical detail a range of sonic events and new ways of listening that can only brighten our experience of the acoustic world around us. A must-read for sound-lovers of all stripes -- Bernie Krause, author of The Great Animal OrchestraThis is acoustician Trevor Cox’s fun but thoroughly detailed tour through some of the world’s aural gems. Sounds like music to our ears * New Scientist *A must read for musicians, producers, sound engineers and nerds of all kinds -- Lauren Laverne * BBC 6 Music *A David Attenborough of the acoustic realm, whose knowledge is unimpeachable yet worn lightly, whose language is vivid yet without indulgence -- David Hendy * Observer *Sonic Wonderland by Trevor Cox is one of those books that require a "this book will change your life" sticker -- Simon Barnes * The Times *Sonic Wonderland, a delightfully instructive book, will make you want to listen to the world anew and with beatifically attuned ears -- Ian Thomson * Sunday Telegraph (Book of the Week) *Captivating book... This book does not call for quiet, but for good sound over bad... Reading this revelatory book, it is impossible not to be converted to his cause. He syringes his readers’ ears and the effect is delightful -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *If there's one man who could give you an informed account of one-hand clapping, it's Trevor Cox. Fascinating …. Thought-provoking -- Tibor Fischer * The Times *Cox explores a dazzling variety of fascinating sounds... When we actively listen rather than merely hear, the world becomes a richer and fuller place, and Cox's book is the perfect primer for retraining your ears -- Chris Maume * Independent *It's a joy as a reader to follow [Cox's] captivating forays into this "sonic wonderland" that surrounds us all. His enthusiasm is palpable and I challenge anybody to read this book and not want to experience for themselves at least one of the subjects described. This really is a perfect book for anyone with an interest in sound * BBC Focus *Compellingly original... Fluent and engaging, the book's lapses into scientific jargon are leavened by Cox's boyish enthusiasm and earnest desire that the world's sonic wonders should not fall on deaf ears * Lonely Planet Traveller *Delightful and informative * Sunday Times *An infectiously enthusiastic study -- Caspar Henderson * Guardian *[An] intriguing book -- Orlando Bird * Financial Times *Cox’s strengths are founded in joyful ardour – a love of unusual sound events – and the scientific knowledge and communicative skills to analyse each of these events as he encounters them on his travels -- David Toop * Times Higher Education *

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Book SynopsisAlan Guth, after receiving his doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, held positions at Princeton University, Columbia, Cornell and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. He is now the V. F. Weisskopf Professor of Physics at MIT. He has been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has been awarded the Eddington Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in London.Trade ReviewMind-blowing stuff * Sunday Times *[Alan Guth's] remarkably lucid account is set to become a seminal text in cosmology...helping us up the learning curve without ever making recourse to unfriendly mathematical equations * Literary Review *[Guth] conveys how science can be an intensely social and interactive activity, and the erratic and fitful way in which new ideas clarify * The Times *One of the most fascinating and fundamental fields of human enquiry...handsomely rewards study * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisKingslake (lens design E. Kodak, retired, and optics, U. of Rochester emeritus) is a rarity-an expert among experts in lens history, theory and application. He briefly treats design, general history, recent refinements, before settling into a detailed description of the development of various lensTrade Review"This book is well illustrated, clearly written and a most useful source of knowledge about lenses. It will interest historians of photography, camera collectors and amateur photographers. For any first-time would-be buyer of a good camera, it will prove an invaluable aid." --NEW SCIENTIST "[Kingslake has written] an instructive and entertaining account of the development of lenses from the earliest simple double convex lens to the meniscus, to doublets and triplets, achromats and apochromats and even aspherics, and including the most elaborate telephoto and zoom lenses used today." --John N. Howard, OPTICS NEWS "Kingslake has done an outstanding job of writing a readable book.... Rudy Kingslake is today's first name in optics. His new book belongs in every camera collector's library." --SHUTTERBUG MAGAZINE "Rudolph Kingslake is eminently qualified to write this book...It is...a rich source of references to books, papers, and most importantly patents, where much of lens design knowledge is archived." --JOURNAL OF MODERN OPTICSTable of ContentsIntroduction. Meniscus Landscape Lenses. Portrait Lenses. Early Double Objectives. Optical Glass. The First Anastigmats. The Triplet Lens and its Modifications. Meniscus Anastigmats. Telephoto Lenses. Reversed Telephoto Lenses. Varifocal and Zoom Lenses. Catadioptric (Mirror) Systems. Lens Attachments. Brief Biographies. Appendix. A Glossary of Optical Terms.

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Book SynopsisAbout our authors William S. Klug is an Emeritus Professor of Biology at The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) in Ewing, New Jersey, where he served as Chair of the Biology Department for 17 years. He received his B.A. degree in Biology from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Prior to coming to The College of New Jersey, he was on the faculty of Wabash College, where he first taught genetics, as well as general biology and electron microscopy. His research interests have involved ultrastructural and molecular genetic studies of development, utilizing oogenesis in Drosophila as a model system. He has taught the genetics course as well as the senior capstone seminar course in Human and Molecular Genetics to undergraduate biology majors for over four decades. He was the recipient in 2001 of the first annual teaching award given at The College of New Jersey, granted tTable of Contents1. Introduction to Genetics2. Mitosis and Meiosis3. Mendelian Genetics4. Modification of Mendelian Ratios5. Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes6. Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement7. Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes8. Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages9. DNA Structure and Analysis10. DNA Replication11. Chromosome Structure and DNA Sequence Organization12. The Genetic Code and Transcription13. Translation and Proteins14. Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition15. Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria16. Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes17. Recombinant DNA Technology18. Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Proteomics19. The Genetics of Cancer20. Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits21. Population and Evolutionary Genetics Special Topics in Modern Genetics1. Epigenetics2. Genetic Testing3. Gene Therapy4. Advances in Neurogenetics: The Study of Huntington Disease5. DNA Forensics6. Genetically Modified Foods7. Genomics and Precision Medicine

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Book SynopsisDonal O'Shea is professor of mathematics and dean of faculty at Mount Holyoke College. He has written scholarly books and monographs, and his research articles have appeared in numerous journals and collections. He lives in South Hadley, Massachusetts.Trade ReviewConveys topology's mind-bending contortions with great flair * New Scientist *One can't read The Poincaré Conjecture without an overwhelming awe at the infinite depths and richness of a mathematical realm not made by us * Martin Gardner, author of The Annotated Alice *Reveals the human story behind the challenge of the conjecture, and gives us a glimpse of the weird world inhabited by mathematicians * BBC Focus *Beautifully written * American Scientist *Intriguing * The Times *A truly marvellous book * Martin Gardner *One can't read The Poincaré Conjecture without an overwhelming awe at the infinite depths and richness of a mathematical realm not made by us * Martin Gardner, author of The Annotated Alice *

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Book SynopsisWhen he was twenty-seven, Henry Molaison underwent surgery for his epilepsy. He awoke with part of his brain destroyed, and for the rest of his life would be trapped in the moment, unable to remember anything for more than a few seconds. For nearly five decades, distinguished neuroscientist Suzanne Corkin studied Molaison and oversaw his care. In Permanent Present Tense she tells his extraordinary story, showing how his amnesia revolutionized our understanding of the brain, and also challenged our very notions of who we are.Trade ReviewFascinating ... rich with implications for our understanding of the brain, our experience and what it means to be human -- Steven Pinker, author of 'How the Mind Works' and 'The Stuff of Thought'The poignant story of a man who became one of history's most studied patients -- John Carey * Sunday Times *In this fine and moving book, Corkin pays tribute to a much-missed friend, as well as offering lucid accounts of the neuropsychological discoveries he made possible -- Jonathan Rée * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisMany scientific and philosophical ideas are so powerful that they can be applied to our lives to help us think smarter and more effectively about our behaviour and the world around us. Surprisingly, many of these ideas remain unknown to most of us. Drawing on his own groundbreaking research, Richard Nisbett presents these ideas in clear and accessible detail to offer a tool kit for better thinking and wiser decisions. Mindware shows how to reframe common problems - whether professional, business, or personal - in such a way that these powerful scientific and statistical concepts can be applied to them.Trade ReviewThe most influential thinker, in my life, has been Richard Nisbett. -- Malcolm Gladwell * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisPlanet Earth needs a self-help book, and this is itThe future is happening to us far faster than we thought it would and this book explains whyFifty years after Marshall McLuhan''s ground breaking book on the influence of technology on culture The Medium is the Massage, Shumon Basar, Douglas Coupland and Hans Ulrich Obrist extend the analysis to today, touring the world that''s redefined by the Internet, decoding and explaining what they call the ''extreme present''.The Age of Earthquakes is a quick-fire paperback, harnessing the images, language and perceptions of our unfurling digital lives. The authors invent a glossary of new words to describe how we are truly feeling today; and ''mindsource'' images and illustrations from over 30 contemporary artists. Wayne Daly''s striking graphic design imports the surreal, juxtaposed, mashed mannerisms of screen to page. It''s like a culturally prescient, all-knoTrade ReviewBrainy book that will rock your world * Evening Standard *Absolutely amazing -- Jon Snow * Channel 4 News *An email-like, culturally-perceptive exploration of our digital realities... a mix between a dystopian modern glossary, Internet memes, multiple-choice dropdowns, mindsourced images and a fair bit of wisdom, it is a self-help book for the "last generation that will die" * AnOther Magazine *A philosophical Anarchist Cookbook for the online era, when we are in touch with everyone at once all the time, or like to feel that we are... Like Marshall McLuhan's iconic dictum "the medium is the message" or the staccato bursts of meaning of George W.S. Trow's essay-book In the Context of No Context, The Age of Earthquakes is an abstract representation of how we feel now about how we are now. It's a book insistently engaged with the present tense... Perhaps it is the 21st century's first book-meme * Pacific Standard *Many of us feel like technologies of the future are arriving too slowly, but a new philosophy-cum-modern-self-help book suggests that, in fact, it's dawning on us faster than we ever thought possible * Vice *A pocket-sized primer on our blossoming obsolescence -- Kate Sutton * Art Forum *Age of Earthquakes = panic-inducingly addictive -- Penny Martin, editor of The GentlewomanIt's a fun, visual and easy read. Verdict: In the future all books will be written this way -- Sultan Saood Al QassimiAn abstract representation of how we feel about our digital world * Hello! *I don't know about you but I would very much like a guide to this brave new world * Huck *Addictive... A fun read. But one that makes you question how you read, why you read and just how much the internet has restructured our brains... It is a book not only inspired by the internet, but seemingly written by the internet. It is as if the internet gained not only artificial self-consciousness but wisdom - and then became your pal -- Tod Wodicka * National *I think everyone should read it -- Mike Pinnington * Double Negative *The Age of Earthquakes seeks to induce paradoxical visions of the contemporary, both ambivalent and critical * V Magazine *

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Book SynopsisHow do we find the life that''s right for each of us?More and more of us are feeling overwhelmed by the everyday struggle to lead the lives to which we aspire. Children are placed under unbearable pressure to achieve; adults fight a constant battle to balance family life with work and economic demands; old people suffer from social isolation and a lack of emotional security. People of every age are feeling increasingly at odds with the world, and less able to live a life that corresponds to their individual needs and talents.At the root of this problem, argues internationally renowned child development expert Remo Largo, is a mistaken idea of what makes us human.A distillation of forty years of research and medical experience, The Right Life sets out a new theory of human thriving. Tracing our development as individuals from the beginnings of evolution to the twenty-first century, he sets out his own theory, the ''Fit Principle'', which proposes that every human strives to live in harmony with their fellow humans and their environment. Rather than a ceaseless quest for self-improvement and growth, he argues, our collective goals should be individual self-acceptance, as we embrace the unique matrix of skills, needs and limitations that makes each of us who we are.Not only, Largo suggests, can a true understanding of human thriving help people find their way back to their individuality; it can help us to reshape society and economy in order to live as fully as possible.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive history of the modern climate change era, from an award-winning writer who has been at the centre of the fight for more than thirty yearsIn 1979, President Jimmy Carter was presented with the findings of scientists who had been investigating whether human activities might change the climate in harmful ways. A wait-and-see policy may mean waiting until it is too late, their report said. They were right -- but no one was listening. Four decades later, we are haunted by the consequences of this inattention, and the years of complacency, obfuscation and denialism that followed. Today, the staggering scale and scope of what we have done to the planet is impossible to ignore: the seasons of fire and flood have crossed into plain view. Fire and Flood is a comprehensive, compulsively readable history of climate change from veteran environmental journalist Eugene Linden. Linden retells the story of the modern climate change era decade by decade, Trade ReviewFascinating ... This will be a telling story for a long time to come (assuming we're around to hear it) -- Bill McKibbenUrgent, meticulous ... Linden pulls no punches * Publishers Weekly *Praise for The Winds of Change * - *Beautifully written ... a very thought-provoking volume. Linden manages to weave history, science, and narrative together in a compelling way * Science *Impressive ... Linden takes a penetrating historical view * The New York Times *Fascinating * NPR *Invaluable * Washington Post *Linden expertly and succinctly describes the natural cycles that control climate and the many ways they interact * Nature *Should be required reading for policy makers across the globe -- Doug Macdougall * Chronicle of Higher Education *Fascinating-a tour de force. Linden has accumulated a greater comprehension of paleo-climatic and oceanographic issues than all but a very few scientists. I have nothing but admiration for this book -- George Woodwell, founder of the Woodwell Climate Center and former president of the Ecological Society of AmericaIn-depth, expertly researched, eminently readable ... Linden combines analysis with solutions as to where humanity should and may go, and those solutions should surprise, enrage, and enlighten readers... Fire and Flood should be on every person's bookshelf -- Laure Hiatt * Library Journal *A hard-hitting study of contemporary climate change, exploring how science, business and public perception have become dangerously misaligned ... Linden cuts through the thickets of information to deftly guide the reader towards knowledge that is urgently required in this troubling age * BBC History *Refreshing... Eugene Linden tells a sorry story of good intentions backed by serious research * The Energy Mix *Linden's aim is true and, even if he doesn't name names, his analysis of the financial industry's role in the climate crisis is fresh... Fire and Flood stays on the shelf * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisWhat is dreaming and what causes it? Why are dreams so strange and often hard to remember? Modern science has given us a new and increasingly clear picture of how dreaming is created by the brain. This book introduces sleep laboratory science, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of sleep, and explores how the science of dreaming impacts our understanding of psychoanalysis and mental illness.Trade ReviewFascinating. * Caroline Green, BBC Focus *Table of Contents1. What is dreaming? ; 2. Why dream content analysis failed to become a science ; 3. How is the brain activated in sleep? ; 4. Cells and molecules of the dreaming brain ; 5. Why dream? The functions of brain activation in sleep ; 6. Disorders of dreaming ; 7. Dreaming as delirium: sleep and mental illness ; 8. The new neuropsychology of dreaming ; 9. Dreaming, learning and memory ; 10. Dream consciousness ; 11. The interpretation of dreams ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisAstronomy, perhaps the first of the sciences, was already well developed by the time of Christ. Seventeen centuries later, after Newton showed that the movements of the planets could be explained in terms of gravitation, it became the paradigm for the mathematical sciences. In the nineteenth century the analysis of star-light allowed astrophysicists to determine both the chemical composition and the radial velocities of celestial bodies, while the development of photography enabled distant objects invisible to the human eye, to be studied and measured in comfort. Technical developments during and since the Second World War have greatly enlarged the scope of the science by permitting the study of radiation.This is a fascinating introduction to the history of Western astronomy, from prehistoric times to the origins of astrophysics in the mid-nineteenth century. Historical records are first found in Babylon and Egypt, and after two millennia the arithmetical astronomy of the Babylonians merged with the Greek geometrical approach to culminate in the Almagest of Ptolemy. This legacy was transmitted to the Latin West via Islam, and led to Copernicus''s claim that the Earth is in motion. In justifying this Kepler converted astronomy into a branch of dynamics, leading to Newton''s universal law of gravity. The book concludes with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century applications of Newton''s law, and the first explorations of the universe of stars.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 ReviewPacked with information as it is, Hoskin's short introduction makes an astonishingly good read. * Curtis Wilson, JHA *Table of Contents1. The Sky in Prehistory ; 2. Astronomy in Antiquity ; 3. Astronomy in Middle Ages ; 4. Astronomy Transformed ; 5. Astronomy in the Age of Newton ; 6. Exploring the Universe of Stars ; Epilogue ; Further Reading

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Almost everything we know about the Universe has come from studying the messages carried by light from outer space. Until only a handful of decades ago, this meant observing optical photons in the narrow visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, recent technological developments have now enabled us to extend this range and explore the Universe at radio, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths. The observations reveal a plethora of exotic phenomena such as young galaxies at the edge of the visible Universe, quasars, pulsars, colliding galaxies, and exploding stars, often at great distances. We have discovered that the Universe is expanding and that the expansion itself is accelerating. Closer to our home planet, we track killer asteroids and comets. Working closely together, observational astronomy and astrophysics have shown us how stars produce their energy, where the chemical elements come Table of ContentsList of illustrations Preface 1: The observable Universe 2: The life and death of stars 3: Big telescopes 4: The radio Universe 5: Observations from space 6: The transient Universe 7: Multi-messenger astronomy 8: A bigger picture Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisIn a startling reinterpretation of the evidence, Stillman Drake advances the hypothesis that Galileo''s trial and condemnation by the Inquisition was caused not by his defiance of the Church, but by the hostility of contemporary philosophers.Galileo''s own beautifully lucid arguments are used to show how his scientific method was utterly divorced from the Aristotelian approach to physics in that it was based on a search not for causes but for laws. Galileo''s method was of overwhelming significance for the development of modern physics, and led to a final parting of the ways between science and philosophy. 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 Reviewstimulating and very convincing. * Theology *Table of ContentsList of illustrations ; Introduction ; 1. The background ; 2. Galileo's early years ; 3. Conflicts with philosophers ; 4. Conflicts with astronomers and theologians ; 5. The Dialogue and the Inquisition ; 6. The final years ; Reading list ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis textbook uses insight from differential equations to analyse fundamental subjects of modern theoretical physics, including classical and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, superconductivity, gravitational physics, and quantum field theories.Table of ContentsPreface Notation and Convention 1: Hamiltonian Systems and Applications 2: Schrödinger Equation and Quantum Mechanics 3: Maxwell Equations, Dirac Monopole, and Gauge Fields 4: Special Relativity 5: Abelian Gauge Field Equations 6: Dirac Equations 7: GinzburgDSLandau Equations for Superconductivity 8: Magnetic Vortices in Abelian Higgs Theory 9: Non-Abelian Gauge Field Equations 10: Einstein Equations and Related Topics 11: Charged Vortices and ChernDSSimons Equations 12: Skyrme Model and Related Topics 13: Strings and Branes 14: BornDSInfeld Theory of Electromagnetism 15: Canonical Quantization of Fields Appendices Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSamir Okasha approaches evolutionary biology from a philosophical perspective in Agents and Goals in Evolution, analysing a mode of thinking in biology called agential thinking. He considers how the paradigm case involves treating an evolved organism as if it were an agent pursuing a goal, such as survival or reproduction, and seeing its phenotypic traits as strategies for achieving that goal or furthering its biological interests. As agential thinking deliberately transposes a set of concepts--goals, interests, strategies--from rational human agents and to the biological world more generally, Okasha''s enquiry firstly looks at the justification for this: is it mere anthropomorphism, or does it play a genuine intellectual role in the science? From this central question, key points are considered such as: how do we identify the ''goal'' that evolved organisms will behave as if they are trying to achieve? Can agential thinking ever be applied to groups rather than to individual organisms? And how does agential thinking relate to the controversies over fitness-maximization in evolutionary biology? In addition, Okasha examines the relation between the adaptive and the rational by considering whether organisms can validly be treated as agent-like. Should we expect their evolved behaviour to correspond with that of rational agents as codified in the theory of rational choice? If so, does this mean that the fitness-maximizing paradigm of the evolutionary biologist can be mapped directly to the utility-maximizing paradigm of the rational choice theorist? All of these important questions are engagingly raised and discussed at length.Trade ReviewOkasha provides a convincing and valuable analysis of a particular, some might say peculiar, way of doing science. Both biologists and philosophers will have much to gain from reading this book. * J. Arvid Ågren, The Quarterly Review of Biology *Review from previous edition Agents and Goals in Evolution is essential reading for philosophers and biologists interested in subjects where reference to agency occurs, including fitness optimization, kin selection, and social evolution. It also touches on the relation between rationality and evolution, which could make it of interest to scholars working outside evolutionary biology but seeking to understand the appeal to evolution in different scientific fields. * Adrian Stencel, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences *Samir Okasha's 2018 book might well become the consensus classic text for biologists to fall back on when they find themselves unable to resist both function talk and agent talk in the course of their inquiries and explanations. It covers the ground with admirable clarity, caution and scholarship, delving in detail into the formal work by Hamilton, Maynard Smith, Grafen, Trivers and others, while also considering a wealth of theoretical and empirical research in behavioral ecology, cognitive ethology, economics and psychology. * Daniel C. Dennett, Metascience *His book is thought-provoking, and it provides an excellent entry point into an interesting multidisciplinary literature. I will certainly make use of it in the future as a reference work. * Andy Gardner, Metascience *remarkably well argued and deep for a book that covers so much ground. Okasha clarifies and organizes many formerly disparate ways of using agential thinking in biology, discussing grand ideas with extraordinary clarity and subtly. * Hannah Rubin, Metascience *I have barely scratched the surface here of the many subtle, rich and illuminating points made in this book. Anyone with a serious interest in the foundations of evolutionary theory and the nature of evolutionary explanation will get a lot out of it, whatever their disciplinary background. * Jonathan Birch, Mind *Okasha's overall discussion is admirably clear, focused, and integrative, despite ranging over literatures from evolutionary biology, game theory, rational choice theory, and the philosophy of economics. He brings much order to what can be a confusing set of issues and debates . . . those looking for a clear overview of agential thinking in the evolutionary sciences will learn much from the book, and it will be important reading for philosophers of the biological and social sciences more generally. * Robert A Wilson, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *Table of ContentsPart I: Agency in Evolutionary Biology 1: Agential Thinking and its Rationale 2: Genes and Groups as Agents Part II: The Goal of Fitness Maximization 3: Wright s Adaptive Landscape, Fisher s Fundamental Theorem 4: Grafen s Formal Darwinism, Adaptive Dynamics 5: Social Evolution, Hamilton s Rule, Inclusive Fitness Part III: Rationality meets Evolution 6: The Evolution-Rationality Connection 7: Can Adaptiveness and Rationality Part Ways? 8: Risk, Rational Choice and Evolution Final Thoughts

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Book SynopsisWater Chemistry provides students with the tools needed to understand the processes that control the chemical species present in waters of both natural and engineered systems. After providing basic information about water and its chemical composition in environmental systems, the text covers theoretical concepts key to solving water chemistry problems. Water Chemistry emphasizes that both equilibrium and kinetic processes are important in aquatic systems. The content focuses not only on inorganic constituents but also on natural and anthropogenic organic chemicals in water. This new edition of Water Chemistry also features updated discussions of photochemistry, chlorine and disinfectants, geochemical controls on chemical composition, trace metals, nutrients, and oxygen. Quantitative equilibrium and kinetic problems related to acid-base chemistry, complexation, solubility, oxidation/reduction reactions, sorption, and the fate and reactions of organic chemicals are solved using mathematical, graphical, and computational tools. Examples show the application of theory and demonstrate how to solve problems using algebraic, graphical, and up-to-date computer-based techniques. Additional web material provides advanced content.Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Symbols and Acronyms Symbols Acronyms Units for physical quantities Important constants Conversion Factors Energy-related quantities Pressure Some useful relationships Part I. Prologue 1 Introductory matters 2 Aqueous geochemistry I: Inorganic chemical composition of natural waters Part II. Theory, Fundamentals, and Important Tools 3 The thermodynamic basis for equilibrium chemistry 4 Activity-concentration relationships 5 Fundamentals of chemical kinetics 6 Fundamentals of organic chemistry for environmental systems Part III. Chemical Equilibria and Kinetics 7 Principles of acid-base equilibria 8 Solving acid-base equilibria and the carbonate system 9 Complexation reactions and metal ion speciation 10 Solubility: Reactions of solid phases with water 11 Redox equilibria and kinetics 12 Surface chemistry and sorption 13 Partitioning and chemical transformations of organic contaminants Part IV. Chemistry of Natural Waters and Engineered Systems 14 Fundamentals of photochemistry and some applications in aquatic systems 15 Chemistry of chlorine and other oxidants/disinfectants 16 Aqueous geochemistry II: Provenance, weathering, and landscape models for natural waters 17 The minor elements: Fe, Mn, Al 18 Dissolved oxygen 19 Nutrient cycles and the chemistry of nitrogen and phosphorus 20 Natural organic matter Appendix: Free energies and enthalpies of formation of common chemical species Index

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Book SynopsisThis volume presents two closely related essays by Thomas Nagel: Gut Feelings and Moral Knowledge and Moral Reality and Moral Progress. Both essays are concerned with moral epistemology and our means of access to moral truth; both are concerned with moral realism and with the resistance to subjectivist and reductionist accounts of morality; and both are concerned with the historical development of moral knowledge. The second essay also proposes an account of the historical development of moral truth, according to which it does not share the timelessness of scientific truth. This is because moral truth must be based on reasons that are accessible to the individuals to whom they apply, and such accessibility depends on historical developments. The result is that only some advances in moral knowledge are discoveries of what has been true all along.Table of ContentsPreface 1. Gut Feelings and Moral Knowledge 2. Moral Reality and Moral Progress Index

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: OCR Level: A Level Subject: ChemistryFirst teaching: September 2015First exams: June 2017Written by the University of York project team for Salters Advanced Chemistry, this Student Book supports and extends students through the new linear course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed in the new A Level and beyond. It develops true subject knowledge while also developing essential exam skills. The fourth edition combines the Chemical Storyline and Chemical Ideas into a single, integrated volume for the first time, providing ideal support for the new specification.Table of ContentsDevelopment of practical skills in chemistry Chapter 1 Elements of life Chapter 2 Developing fuels Chapter 3 Elements from the sea Chapter 4 The ozone story Chapter 5 What's in a medicine Chapter 6 The chemical industry Chapter 7 Polymers and life Chapter 8 The oceans Chapter 9 Developing metals Chapter 10 Colour by design Scientific literacy in chemistry Techniques and procedures

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Book SynopsisNew and updated resources tailored to the 2015 Advancing Physics specification, from OCR's resource partner. With new accessible format and features throughout, these resources retain the ethos of Advancing Physics while providing full support for the new linear qualification.Trade Review"At last a good OCR B textbook. Clear concise explanations, the best bits from the old books minus the useless waffle... This is a good if not excellent book which with the support of the CD-ROM or online support will hopefully revitalise this once excellent course" * Amazon review, June 2015 *

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive Study Guide reinforces all the key concepts for the 2014 syllabus, ensuring students develop a clear understanding of all the crucial topics at SL and HL. Breaking concepts down into manageable sections and with diagrams and illustrations to cement understanding, exam preparation material is integrated to build student confidence and assessment potential. Directly linked to the Oxford Physics Course Book to extend and sharpen comprehension, this book supports maximum achievement in the course and assessment.Concise and focused approach simplifies complex ideas, building truly confident understandingClear and explanatory style uses plenty of visuals to make each concept accessible, easing comprehensionBuild a strong foundation of assessment skills, strengthening potential with integrated exam questionsDevelop assessment confidence, drawing on thorough assessment support and adviceClear and straightforward language helps EAL learners focus on the PhysicsAbout the serieTable of Contents1. Measurements and uncertainties ; 2. Mechanics ; 3. Thermal physics ; 4. Waves ; 5. Electricity and magnetism ; 6. Circular motion and gravitation ; 7. Atomic, nuclear and particle physics ; 8. Energy production ; 9. Wave phenomena (HL) ; 10. Fields (HL) ; 11. Electromagnetic induction (HL) ; 12. Quantum and nuclear physics (HL) ; 13. Option A: Relativity ; 14. Option B: Engineering Physics ; 15. Option C: Imaging ; 16. Option D: Astrophysics ; 17. Appenix: Mathematical techniques

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Book SynopsisWritten by a leading author in the field, Introduction to Protein Science provides a wide-ranging perspective on the study of protein structure and function in the context of bioinformatics and genomics. Opportunities for active learning are provided both in the text and online, enabling students to develop their problem solving skills.Trade ReviewThe third edition of Introduction to Protein Science continues to be a brilliant superior textbook for undergraduate and new postgraduate students in biology and chemistry. * Acta Crystallographica Section D, Volume D72, Part 12 (pp. 1227-1309, 1 December 2016) *It would be difficult to express the qualities of this book better than Doolittle (2005) in his review of the first edition: How can a book with only seven chapters cover so many topics so thoroughly and so well? For one thing, Lesk is a gifted writer with a knack for making complex material eminently understandable. For another, he has managed an adroit balancing of the carefully crafted main text with dozens of well-situated "boxes" and "case studies", each of which provides intriguing connections to the subject at hand. * Acta Crystallographica Section D, Volume D72, Part 12 (pp. 1227-1309, 1 December 2016) *This new edition is, above all, an excellent update of the previous one. * Acta Crystallographica Section D, Volume D72, Part 12 (pp. 1227-1309, 1 December 2016) *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Protein structure ; 3. Protein structure determination ; 4. Bioinformatics of protein sequence and structure ; 5. Proteins as catalysts: enzyme structure, kinetics, and mechanism ; 6. Proteins with partners ; 7. Evolution of protein structure and function ; 8. Protein folding and design ; 9. Proteomics and systems biology

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Book SynopsisThe perfect introduction to the essential mathematical concepts which all chemistry students need to master. Working from foundational principles, the book builds the student's confidence by leading them through the subject in a steady, progressive way from basic algebra to the mathematics of quantum chemistry. mathematics.Trade ReviewA very useful text to gradually guide students through both the fundamental and more advanced aspects of mathematics specifically relevant for a chemistry undergraduate degree. It is particularly useful in allowing students to test their knowledge of mathematical concepts and processes via self-test exercise and additional problems that are directly relevant to chemistry. * Dr Jon Tandy, Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, London Metropolitan University *This is an outstanding and carefully thought-out introduction to the mathematical toolkit required for students embarking on a chemistry degree programme. * Dr Robert Johnson, Lecturer, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin *Table of ContentsSection A: Core mathematics: algebra, logarithms and trigonometry 1: The display of numbers 2: Algebra I 3: Algebra II 4: Algebra III 5: Algebra IV 6: Algebra V 7: Algebra VI 8: Algebra VII 9: Powers I 10: Powers II 11: Trigonometry 12: Advanced BODMAS Section B: Calculus 13: Differentiation I 14: Differentiation II 15: Differentiation III 16: Differentiation IV 17: Differentiation V 18: Differentiation VI 19: Integration I 20: Integration II 21: Integration III 22: Integration IV Section C: Matrices, vectors and complex numbers 23: Matrices I 24: Matrices II 25: Complex numbers 26: Vectors Section D: Laboratory mathematics 27: Graphs I 28: Graphs II 29: Graphs III 30: Probability I 31: Probability II 32: Statistics I 33: Statistics II 34: Statistics III 35: Statistics IV 36: Dimensional analysis

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Book SynopsisCrystals have fascinated us for centuries with their beauty and symmetry, and have often been invested with magical powers. The use of X-ray diffraction, first pioneered in 1912 by father and son William and Lawrence Bragg, enabled us to probe the structure of molecules, and heralded the scientific study of crystals, leading to an understanding of their atomic arrangements at a fundamental level. The new discipline, called X-ray crystallography, has subsequently evolved into a formidable science that underpins many other scientific areas. Starting from the determination of the structures of very simple crystals, such as that of common salt, today it has become almost routine to determine the positions of tens of thousands of atoms in a crystal. In this Very Short Introduction Mike Glazer shows how the discoveries in crystallography have been applied to the creation of new and important materials, to drugs and pharmaceuticals and to our understanding of genetics, cell biology, proteins, and viruses. Tracing the history of crystallography, he analyses astonishing developments in new sources of X-rays, as well as of neutrons, and in electron microscopy, and considers the impact they have on the study of crystals today. 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 Reviewhighly recommended as a starter reference on crystallography for general readers with a scientific bent. The book combines scientific rigour and moderate entertainment value in a brief and affordable format. * John D. Clayton, Contemporary Physics *The merits of this book are that it is extremely concise and compact, yet precise and complete; it is written in a very pleasant and clear way; and it mixes history, anecdotes, theory and examples in a well-blended recipe. It is easy to read and the concepts flow naturally, and you arrive to the end with the impression of a birds eye view on all what you need to know about crystallography. * Crystallography Reviews *This book is an excellent account of the science behind the study and understanding of crystals. * John Nicholson, Chemistry and Industry *Explaining in 144 pages just what crystallography is, how it originated and developed, and in what fields it has been put to use, this new VSI volume superbly embodies the purpose of the Very Short Introductions series. * The Well-Read Naturalist *for anyone layperson or technicianwho would like to know what crystallography is all about, this is the book to read. * Optics and Photonics *The author of this book should write so many more books, what a good read! The illustrations were informative and clear and the writing was not only informative, but there was also a distinct sense of humor. I would highly recommend this to anyone working with or interested in crystallography or XRD. * Emily, Amazon Review *Table of ContentsPreface ; A long history! ; Symmetry ; Crystal structures ; Diffraction ; Seeing atoms ; Sources of radiation ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe 1960s revealed a new and revolutionary idea in geological thought: that the continents drift with respect to one another. After having been dismissed for decades as absurd, the concept gradually became part of geology''s basic principles. We now know that the Earth''s crust and upper mantle consist of a small number of rigid plates that move, and there are significant boundaries between pairs of plates, usually known as earthquake belts. Plate tectonics now explains much of the structure and phenomena we see today: how oceans form, widen, and disappear; why earthquakes and volcanoes are found in distinct zones which follow plate boundaries; how the great mountain ranges of the world were built. The impact of plate tectonics is studied closely as these processes continue: the Himalaya continues to grow, the Atlantic is widening, and new oceans are forming. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Molnar provides a succinct and authoritative account of the nature and mechanisms of plate tectonics and its impact on our understanding of Earth.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 ReviewThis excellent guide to the plate tectonics revolution joins the superb Very Short Introduction series ... The book is peppered with engaging images ... illustrated with beautifully produced line drawings. * Dr Chris Pyle, Geography *yet another informative and engaging book in the wonderful Very Short Introductions series. * Guardian Online, Grrl Scientist *Table of Contents1. The basic idea ; 2. Seafloor spreading and magnetic anomalies ; 3. Fracture zones and transform faults ; 4. Subduction of oceanic lithosphere ; 5. Rigid plates of lithosphere ; 6. Tectonics of continents ; 7. Tectonics of continents ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisGravity is one of the four fundamental interactions that exist in nature. It also has the distinction of being the oldest, weakest, and most difficult force to quantize. Understanding gravity is not only essential for understanding the motion of objects on Earth, but also the motion of all celestial objects, and even the expansion of the Universe itself. It was the study of gravity that led Einstein to his profound realisations about the nature of space and time. Gravity is not only universal, it is also essential for understanding the behaviour of the Universe, and all astrophysical bodies within it. In this Very Short Introduction Timothy Clifton looks at the development of our understanding of gravity since the early observations of Kepler and Newtonian theory. He discusses Einstein''s theory of gravity, which now supplants Newton''s, showing how it allows us to understand why the frequency of light changes as it passes through a gravitational field, why GPS satellites need their clocks corrected as they orbit the Earth, and why the orbits of distant neutron stars speed up. Today, almost 100 years after Einstein published his theory of gravity, we have even detected the waves of gravitational radiation that he predicted. Clifton concludes by considering the testing and application of general relativity in astrophysics and cosmology, and looks at dark energy and efforts such as string theory to combine gravity with quantum mechanics.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 Reviewwell worth reading * Physics Education *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe discoveries of the last decade have brought about a completely revised understanding of human evolution due to the recent advances in genetics, palaeontology, ecology, archaeology, geography, and climate science. Written by two leading authorities in the fields of physical anthropology and molecular evolution, Processes in Human Evolution presents a reconsidered overview of hominid evolution, synthesising data and approaches from a range of inter-disciplinary fields. The authors pay particular attention to population migrations - since these are crucial in understanding the origin and dispersion of the different genera and species in each continent - and to the emergence of the lithic cultures and their impact on the evolution of cognitive capacities.Processes in Human Evolution is intended as a primary textbook for university courses on human evolution, and may also be used as supplementary reading in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses. It is also suitable for a more general audience seeking a readable but up-to-date and inclusive treatment of human origins and evolution.Table of Contents1: Evolution, Genetics, and Systematics 2: Taxonomy 3: The Origin of Hominins 4: Miocene and Early Pliocene Hominins 5: Middle and Upper Pliocene Hominins 6: The Emergence of the Genus Homo 7: Lithic Traditions: Tool Making 8: Middle and Lower Pleistocene: The Homo Radiation 9: Hominin Transition to Late Pliocene 10: Species of the Late Pleistocene 11: Neandertals and Modern Humans: Similarities and Differences

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Book SynopsisCan you taste words, feel flavours as a shape, or hear colors? If so you may well have synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a ''merging of the senses''.This Very Short Introduction describes synaesthesia''s many forms, and delves into the underlying neuroscience. Explaining the scientific basis for synaesthesia, Julia Simner considers how we can measure the effects synaesthesia has on the everyday lives of people living with it. Exploring the fascinating stories of different synaesthetes'' experiences of the world, she also discusses the documented links between synaesthesia, childhood development, memory, personality, and artistic creativity, and the potential limitations synaesthesia might impose.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 ReviewCan reality be measurably different inside different heads? Synaesthesia teaches us that the answer is yes, and no one is better positioned than Simner to tell the story of this remarkable phenomenon. She and her colleagues have helmed the cutting edge of this research for decades, and she has now penned a wonderful book that deftly balances brevity with depth. * Dr David Eagleman, neuroscientist at Stanford University *Table of ContentsPreface 1: What is synaesthesia? 2: Synaesthesia in the brain 3: Synaesthesia and the arts 4: The ups and downs of synaesthesia: is it a 'gift' or a 'condition'? 5: Where does synaesthesia come from? The role of genetics and learning 6: The question of synaesthesia Conclusion Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisChemical processes shape the world we live in; the air we breathe, the water we drink, the weather we experience. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective describes those chemical principles which underpin the natural processes occurring within and between the air, water, and soil, and explores how human activities impact on these processes, giving rise to environmental issues of global concern. Guiding us through the chemical composition of the three key environmental systems - the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environment - the authors explain the chemical processes which occur within and between each system. Focusing on general principles, we are introduced to the essential chemical concepts which allow better understanding of air, water, and soil and how they behave; careful explanations ensure that clarity is not sacrificed at the expense of thorough coverage of the underlying chemistry. We then see how human activity continues to affect the chemical behaviour of these environmental systems, and what the consequences of these natural processes being disturbed can be. Environmental Chemistry: a global perspective takes chemistry out of the laboratory, and shows us its importance in the world around us. With illuminating examples from around the globe, its rich pedagogy, and broad, carefully structured coverage, this book is the perfect resource for any environmental chemistry student wishing to develop a thorough understanding of their subject.Trade ReviewThe book is well written and clear to understand. Unlike its competitors, it makes the complex simple. * Matthew-John Tully, student, University of Bangor *I enjoyed reading Environmental Chemistry and I feel that it was very helpful in aiding my understanding of the subject. It includes many worked examples with explanations and clear diagrams. * Xinci Koh, student, University of Durham *This text gives a thorough treatment of all aspects of environmental chemistry. I particularly liked the inclusion of the more probing Fermi questions that require integration of the material with concepts and ideas beyond the text and lead to some very interesting results! * Patrick Boaler, student, University of York *Environmental Chemistry is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the chemistry of the Earths atmosphere and environment. The authors provide clear graphs and diagrams throughout to explain the text in a concise manner. Throughout, the theory is supported strongly with data, research and calculations. * Adam Stubbs, student, Newcastle University *Table of ContentsPART A: THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE; PART B: THE HYDROSPHERE; PART C: THE TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisThe greatest challenge for physics is to combine its two most successful theories: general relativity and quantum mechanics. The resulting quantum theory of gravity would explain the universe across all scales. Much has been said about the approach based on string theory. Here, Jim Baggott describes its powerful rival: Loop Quantum Gravity.Trade Review...if you have enjoyed/got through popular science books about such areas as strings and superstrings, time, and the God particle, here is a fine addition to the oeuvre. * Ian Francis, School Science Review *There is no doubt that Jim Baggott is an excellent popular science writer, and Quantum Space is the first complete and approachable account to a quantum theory that delves deep into the quest to resolve one of the great unanswered problems of modern physics: How can general relativity be made compatible with quantum mechanics? Baggott proposes Loop Quantum Gravity, which in our mind is one of the best explanations for anyone who wants to understand more about our puling universe ... It's a triumph. * All About Space Magazine *There's no doubt that Jim Baggott is one of the best popular science writers currently active ... [he] has done a huge favour for anyone who really wants to understand modern theoretical physics, giving a much better understanding of this fascinating attempt to deal with a central requirement to explain the workings of our universe. It's a triumph. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.com *A lucid exposition of loop quantum gravity and the search for the structural space, time and the universe focusing around the work of Lee Smolin and Carlo Rovelli. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *The discovery and development of Loop Quantum Gravity has been a great adventure. Jim's story beautifully captures its insights and excitement. * Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics *...if you have enjoyed/got through popular science books about such areas as strings and superstrings, time, and the God particle, here is a fine addition to the oeuvre. * Ian Francis, School Science Review *There is no doubt that Jim Baggott is an excellent popular science writer, and Quantum Space is the first complete and approachable account to a quantum theory that delves deep into the quest to resolve one of the great unanswered problems of modern physics: How can general relativity be made compatible with quantum mechanics? Baggott proposes Loop Quantum Gravity, which in our mind is one of the best explanations for anyone who wants to understand more about our puling universe ... It's a triumph. * All About Space Magazine *There's no doubt that Jim Baggott is one of the best popular science writers currently active ... [he] has done a huge favour for anyone who really wants to understand modern theoretical physics, giving a much better understanding of this fascinating attempt to deal with a central requirement to explain the workings of our universe. It's a triumph. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.com *A lucid exposition of loop quantum gravity and the search for the structural space, time and the universe focusing around the work of Lee Smolin and Carlo Rovelli. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *The discovery and development of Loop Quantum Gravity has been a great adventure. Jim's story beautifully captures its insights and excitement. * Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics *Table of ContentsPreface Prologue Part I: Foundations 1: The Laws of Physics are the Same for Everyone 2: There>'s No Such Thing as the Force of Gravity 3: Why Nobody Understands Quantum Mechanics 4: Mass Ain>'t What it Used To Be 5: How to Fudge the Equations of the Universe Part II: Formulation 6: To Get There I Wouldn>'t Start From Here 7: A Gift From the Devil>'s Grandmother 8: Our Second or Third Guess Solved the Equations Exactly 9: I Used Every Available Key Ring in Verona 10: Is There Really No Time Like the Present? Part III: Elaborations 11: Gravitons, Holographic Physics and Why Things Fall Down 12: Fermions, Emergent Particles and the Nature of Stuff 13: Relational Quantum Mechanics and Why

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Book SynopsisNiels Bohr, who pioneered the quantum theory of the atom, had a broad conception of his obligations as a physicist. They included not only a responsibility for the consequences of his work for the wider society, but also a compulsion to apply the philosophy he deduced from his physics to improving ordinary people''s understanding of the moral universe they inhabit. In some of these concerns Bohr resembled Einstein, although Einstein could not accept what he called the tranquilizing philosophy with which Bohr tried to resolve such ancient conundrums as the nature (or possibility) of free will. In this Very Short Introduction John Heilbron draws on sources never before presented in English to cover the life and work of one of the most creative physicists of the 20th century. In addition to his role as a scientist, Heilbron considers Bohr as a statesman and Danish cultural icon, who built scientific institutions and pushed for the extension of international cooperation in science to all nation states. As a humanist he was concerned with the cultivation of all sides of the individual, and with the complementary contributions of all peoples to the sum of human culture. Throughout, Heilbron considers how all of these aspects of Bohr''s personality influenced his work, as well as the science that made him, in the words of Sir Henry Dale, President of the Royal Society of London, probably the first among all the men of all countries who are now active in any department of 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 book is very successful in providing a comprehensive but short introduction to Bohr's life and thought. * K. Brad Wray, Metascience *Table of ContentsPrologue 1: A richly furnished mind: Viking Jew; Christian philosopher; physicist 2: Productive ambiguity: Revelations of hydrogen; unfinished business 3: Magic wand: instant progress; the Institute, the Bohrfest, and the Nobel Prize; exclusion and energy 4: Enthusiastic resignation: quantum talk; the challenger; complementarity 5: The Institute: mopping up; new directions; outreach 6: Elder statesman: Uncle Nick; historia magistra vitae Appendices General reading Index

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Book SynopsisThis accessible book describes a fascinating range of emerging infectious disease outbreaks affecting humans, including rabies, Ebola virus, Lyme disease, bubonic plague, and of course, Covid-19. The book also covers emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, such as Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, white nose syndrome, mange, and musk ox lungworm. These case studies span the entire range of zoonotic disease emergence pathways, from sheep testicles in Wyoming, USA to butchered bush rats in Vietnam! Transmission dynamics are examined from diverse perspectives - from global drivers of pathogen emergence (including globalization, land use patterns, and changing climates) to outbreak epidemiology (epidemic curves and disease spillover), to conservation and control interventions.Despite a recent explosion of courses on the topic, and a viral pandemic that has affected the entire world, this is the first textbook to focus on pathogen spillover ecology at the humanwildlife interface. EmeTable of Contents1: Spillover and emerging infectious diseases 2: The anatomy of disease 3: Descriptive epidemiology of disease outbreaks 4: Surveillance 5: Making simple predictions using models 6: The environment as a pathogen reservoir 7: Reservoir hosts 8: Identifying animal reservoirs during an epidemic 9: Emerging infectious diseases and globalizationDLtravel, trade, and invasive species 10: Climate change and emerging infectious diseases 11: Land use change and emerging infectious diseases 12: Impacts of emerging infectious diseases on wildlife populations 13: Infectious diseases in ecosystems 14: Infectious disease control 15: COVID-19, One Health, and pandemic prevention

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Book SynopsisThe study of human evolution is advancing rapidly. Newly discovered fossil evidence is adding ever more pieces to the puzzle of our past, whilst revolutionary technological advances in the study of ancient DNA are completely reshaping theories of early human populations and migrations.In this Very Short Introduction Bernard Wood traces the history of paleoanthropology from its beginnings in the eighteenth century to the very latest fossil finds. In this new edition he discusses how Ancient DNA studies have revolutionized how we view the recent (post-550 ka) human evolution, and the process of speciation. The combination of ancient and modern human DNA has contributed to discoveries of new taxa, as well as the suggestion of ''ghost'' taxa whose fossil records still remain to be discovered. Considering the contributions of related sciences such as paleoclimatology, geochronology, systematics, genetics, and developmental biology, Wood explores our latest understandings of our own evolution.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 ReviewConcise but with wide coverage, this is your ideal pocket guide to human evolution. * Chris Stringer, Natural History Museum *This is a well written, concise survey of research on our origins. Bernard Wood writes with an authority that few in the discipline can approach. The text is accessible, and the coverage is comprehensive. * Professor Peter Ungar, University of Arkansas *Wood presents a concise but comprehensive treatment of our own evolutionary history. Any reader interested in the topic of human origins will greatly benefit from this work. * Professor Zeray Alemseged, University of Chicago *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Finding our place 3: Fossil hominins: their discovery and context 4: Fossil hominins: analysis and interpretation 5: Early hominins: possible and probable 6: Archaic and transitional hominins 7: Pre-modern Homo 8: Modern Homo Timeline of thought and science relevant to human origins and evolution Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe renowned Oxford Chemistry Primers series, which provides focused introductions to a range of important topics in chemistry, has been refreshed and updated to suit the needs of today''s students, lecturers, and postgraduate researchers. The rigorous, yet accessible, treatment of each subject area is ideal for those wanting a primer in a given topic to prepare them for more advanced study or research. Moreover, cutting-edge examples and applications throughout the texts show the relevance of the chemistry being described to current research and industry.The learning features provided, including questions at the end of every chapter and online multiple-choice questions, encourage active learning and promote understanding. Furthermore, frequent diagrams, margin notes, further reading, and glossary definitions all help to enhance a student''s understanding of these essential areas of chemistry.Supramolecular Chemistry provides a concise and fully-illustrated introduction to one of the fTrade ReviewAn excellent primer for anyone intending to give a short course on supramolecular chemistry to final year undergraduates. * Peter Cragg, Reader in Supramolecular Chemistry and Bioinorganic Chemistry, University of Brighton *If you want an introductory accessible guide to supramolecular chemistry that will teach you something and test your knowledge simultaneously, look no further... * Jennifer Hiscock, Reader in Supramolecular Chemistry and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, University of Kent *Wide coverage, excellent detail and good examples. Invaluable for delivering an undergraduate course on supramolecular chemistry. * Neil Champness, Norman Haworth Professor of Chemistry, University of Birmingham *Table of Contents1: Introduction to Supramolecular Chemistry 2: Binding of Charged Guests 3: Binding of Neutral Guests 4: Self-assembly 5: Mechanically Interlocked Molecules

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Book SynopsisEric R. Scerri presents a modern and fresh exploration of this fundamental topic in the physical sciences, considering the deeper implications of the arrangements of the table to atomic physics and quantum mechanics. This new edition celebrates the completion of the 7th period of the table, with the naming of elements 113, 115, 117, and 118Trade ReviewIn the 150 years since Mendeleev unveiled his periodic table, much has been written about chemistry's iconic organizing system. But for a concise and up-to-the-moment summary of the table's origins, significance and continuing growth, Eric Scerri's introduction can't be bettered. * Philip Ball, science writer and author *A masterful and readable account of an iconic symbol of science. * John Emsley, chemist and popular science writer *The Periodic Table: A Very Short Introduction, is an excellent choice for the chemistry teacher. It is an easy and quick read and offers considerable information both in history and background that can be helpful to your teaching of this aspect of chemistry. * Chem13 News Magazine *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Atomic weight, Triads and Prout 3: Steps towards the periodic table 4: Triumph of a Russian genius 5: The impact of the new physics 6: How the electron explains the periodic table 7: How chemists reacted 8: Quantum Mechanics makes further advances 9: Forged in the stars 10: Back to chemistry 11: Why so many tables? Which is best? Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisPhysics on Your Feet (2nd Edition) is a significantly expanded collection of physics problems covering the broad range of topics in classical and modern physics that were, or could have been, asked at oral PhD exams.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition The inventive and challenging puzzles in this book are guaranteed to make you think, and they will probably also make you glad you are not encountering them on your feet in an exam! * Physics World *This practical study book for university students will help every student in the preparation of their exams. * Jan M. Broders, Optische Fenomenen *Table of Contents1: Mechanics, heat, and general physics 2: Fluids 3: Gravitation, astrophysics, cosmology 4: Electromagnetism 5: Optics 6: Quantum, atomic, and molecular 7: Nuclear and elementary-particle physics 8: Condensed-matter physics Appendix A Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field boundary Appendix B Symbols and useful constants Free

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Book SynopsisThere are many more states of matter than just solid, liquid, and gas. Examples include liquid crystal, magnet, glass, and superconductor. New states are continually, and unexpectedly, being discovered. Some states, such as superconductor, can act like Schrödinger''s cat and exhibit the weirdness normally associated with the quantum theory of atoms, photons, and electrons. Condensed matter physics seeks to understand how states of matter and their distinct physical properties emerge from the atoms of which a material is composed. A system of many interacting parts can have properties that the parts do not have. Water is wet, but a single water molecule is not. Your brain is conscious, but a single neuron is not. Such emergent phenomena are central to condensed matter physics and also occur in many fields, from biology to computer science to sociology, leading to rich intellectual connections. When do quantitative differences become qualitative differences? Can simple models describe rich and complex behaviour? What is the relationship between the particular and the universal? How is the abstract related to the concrete? Condensed matter physics is all about these big questions.The materials in silicon chips, liquid crystal displays, and magnetic computer memories, may have transformed society, but understanding them has transformed how we think about complex systems.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.Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of illustrations 1: What is condensed matter physics? 2: A multitude of states of matter 3: Symmetry matters 4: The order of things 5: Adventures in flatland 6: The critical point 7: Quantum matter 8: Topology matters 9: Emergence 10: The endless frontier References Further reading Appendix: List of Nobel Prizes in Condensed Matter Physics Index

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Book SynopsisWritten primarily for students embarking on an undergraduate bioscience degree, this primer introduces students to the essential topics in protein science clearly and concisely by describing the basic chemical structure of proteins, the factors that stabilize protein structures, protein function, and protein evolution. It begins by placing proteins in their general context in life. They are synthesized as amino-acid sequences encoded in genomes, and fold spontaneously to three-dimensional structures. This is the point where life makes the tremendous leap from the one-dimensional world of genome and amino-acid sequences, to the three-dimensional world of protein structures - indeed, the world which we inhabit. Protein Science prepares readers for later more advanced study of the subject, but will also leave readers who do not go on to such advanced study with a satisfying grasp of the essentials of the subject.Protein Science is supported by online resources and is available for studenTable of Contents1: Introduction 2: Protein structure 3: Purification and structure determination of proteins 4: Survey of protein functions 5: Protein evolution

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Book SynopsisWritten primarily for 16-to-19-year-old students, this primer provides a highly accessible overview of key elements of reproduction in humans and a wide range of animals and plants.Reproduction Biology introduces the main approaches and strategies that organisms use to reproduce and ensure the survival of their young, including sexual and asexual reproduction, ways of attracting pollinators or mates, and parenting behaviours. It explains why different species have evolved completely different strategies to ensure their reproductive success by placing these strategies in the context of the specific challenges that they help overcome. The primer also highlights the impact of emerging environmental challenges, such as climate change and plant diseases, and considers cutting-edge research that offers new opportunities in the field of human reproduction, such as the development of new forms of contraception. Key features- Oxford Biology Primers are the only resource to introduce prospective

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Book SynopsisAquaculture exemplifies the ongoing global struggle to strike a sustainable balance between the conflicting needs of a rapidly increasing world population, human health, ecosystem health, the welfare of wild and domesticated animals, and the economic principles of globalized economies. On the one hand, aquaculture has great potential for providing us with a healthy and nutritious food supply whilst alleviating pressure on captive fisheries and reducing fisheries-induced habitat destruction, overfishing, genetic modification of wild populations, and wholesale waste of bycatch. On the other hand, aquaculture relies heavily on clean water, an increasingly precious (and dwindling) resource that is subject to intense pressure of being used for many competing objectives. This concise primer introduces students to the basic concepts, opportunities, and challenges of aquaculture with an emphasis on ecological considerations. It provides a critical assessment of current aquaculture practices frTrade ReviewThis important new volume on aquaculture presents a remarkable synthesis of all the key issues involved in the commercial culturing of freshwater and marine species. It provides a comprehensive overview of the basic biological elements of aquaculture, including new information on the use of genomic and genetic tools, and incorporates these analyses into a broader ecological, environmental, and sociological context. The emphasis on strategies for protecting water quality-a vital part of the aquaculture enterprise-is especially well-presented. The volume deserves wide readership among students and scientists who not only have interests in aquaculture, but also in sustaining robust aquatic ecosystems in freshwater and marine environments. * George N. Somero, David and Lucile Packard Emeritus Professor of Marine Science, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, USA *Readers can obtain an excellent overall summation of the problems and ways forward as people rely more and more on augmented fish and seafood production. Though the style is technical, this primer is appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students in various fields, including ecology, geography, and more. * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface Part I: GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGICAL AQUACULTURE 1: Aquaculture Terminology and Basic Concepts 2: The Historical Origins of Aquaculture 3: Seafood and Beyond: Key Aquaculture Objectives 4: Aquaculture Systems as Mesocosms 5: Integrated Multitrophic Polycultures 6: Domestication of Aquaculture Species Part II: BIOLOGY AND CULTURE OF AQUATIC SPECIES 7: Overview of Aquaculture Species Diversity 8: Environmentally Sustainable Plant Aquaculture 9: Aquaculture of Sponges and Cnidarians 10: Mollusc Aquaculture 11: Crustacean Aquaculture 12: Ornamental Fishes 13: Aquaculture of Freshwater Fish 14: Anadromous Fish 15: Catadromous Fish Part III: WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS 16: Abiotic Parameters 17: Feeds, Waste, and Stress 18: Infectious Diseases

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Book SynopsisHow fast can you calculate? Would you like to be faster? This book presents the time honored tricks and tips of calculation, from a fresh perspective, to boost the speed at which you can add whether a couple of numbers, or columns so long an accountant may faint. Find out how to subtract, multiply, divide, and find square roots more quickly.Trade ReviewIf you think mental arithmetic is out of date in the 21st century, think again. This engaging book is about insight and interestingness beyond the simple utility of quicker calculations. The general style is original and characterful, and makes the book distinctive. * Prasenjit Saha, University of Zurich *This book is about very elementary concepts that ought to be read by sophisticated people who appreciate that elementary does not mean trivial. The author's erudite scholarship shines in the prose, along with just the right level of dry wit. It's serious stuff he's writing about (without numbers and arithmetic, our modern world simply vanishes into the ancient past where numbers were limited to none, one, and many), but in such a way that the reader does not slowly nod-off into a coma. * Paul J. Nahin, University of New Hampshire *Lipscombe's book is unusual, being, as it is, an expansive view of a small subject. The text he presents here is excellent, and is a model of everything a writer strives for: concision, simplicity, directness, accuracy, and surprise. * Don S. Lemons, Bethel College, Kansas *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Challenge 1: Arithmetical Advice 2: Speedier Sums and Subtractions Interlude I: The Magic of 111,111 3: Accounting for Taste -- Adding Columns Quickly Interlude II: Checking, Check Digits, and Casting out Nines 4: Quicker Quotients and Pleasing Products -- Multiply and Divide by Specific Numbers Interlude III: Doomsday 5: Calculations with Constraints -- Multiply and Divide by Numbers with Specific Properties Interlude IV: Multicultural Multiplication 6: Super Powers -- Calculate Squares, Square Roots, Cube Roots, and More 7: Close-Enough Calculations -- Quick and Accurate Approximations Interlude V: Approximating the Number of Space Aliens 8: Multiplying Irrationally The Grand Finale Further Reading Appendix I: Calculating Doomsday Appendix II: The Squares from 1 to 100

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