Search results for ""author john farndon""

Climb up up and into the cabs of the world's fastest trucks - they may be big but these machines can really move. Roar off in the... Shockwave powered by three jet engines - why not race a jet plane Banks Sidewinder Dodge Dakota - it set a world record of 217 mph Ford F-150 SVT Raptor the fastest off-roader ...and more.

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Over 30 of the fastest machines ever invented. With fantastic, true-to-life illustrations showcasing supercars, spectacular superbikes, powerful planes and monster trucks, all record-breaking vehicles. With bite-size facts and a dashboard' of statistics for each vehicle's maximum speed, engine power and more, recommended for reluctant readers.

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From the ever-curious mind that brought you the bestselling Do You Think You're Clever? comes a brand-new trip to the far reaches of the intellectual universe, courtesy of even more notoriously provocative Oxbridge interview questions.How would you poison someone without the police finding out? (Medicine, Cambridge)What makes a strong woman? (Theology, Oxford)Instead of politicians, why don't we let the managers of IKEA run the country? (Social and Political Sciences, Cambridge)How do you organise a successful revolution? (History, Oxford)Whether you're interested in going to Oxbridge or just want to give your brain a workout, join polymath John Farndon on another exhilarating journey through the twists and turns of thought, and explore just what it means to be genuinely clever - rather than just smart.

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This is the ultimate photographic guide to the world of rocks and minerals, as well as how to build your own collection. An extensive introduction section describes the impact of factors such as time, weather and water erosion on the development of these substances, and the part played by natural phenomena such as volcanoes and earthquakes. Specimens are grouped according to their chemical composition and characteristics, and all entries include quick-reference identification checklists to aid recognition. A scientific introduction looks at the origins of these materials and their impact on the landscape, with examples of striking natural formations and explanatory diagrams. The amateur geologist is shown how to identify specimens by their appearance, texture, hardness, and density, as well as how to extract samples safely, how to clean and store rocks and minerals, and build and present their own collection. Featuring over 800 images, this book is a classic illustrated encyclopedia and field guide on an endlessly fascinating and richly consuming subject.

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It's horrible having a fever feeling sick and getting spots and rashes isn't it But look inside this book and you'll witness the true horrors people faced in the past - rotting skin dissolving lungs and sinister pustules and swellings all over the body. The Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages Tuberculosis consumed young people like a blood-sucking vampire Smallpox left its victims scarred for life - if they survived. No one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. Frightening See how people tried to ward them off and made vital discoveries. The Egyptians chewed garlic to keep malaria at bay an English physician found a source of cholera and a Cuban doctor showed that mosquitoes spread yellow fever - all pieces in the giant jigsaw puzzle of modern medicine.

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The dramatic lives and conflicts of the world's strangest creatures are shown in 1500 amazing close-up photographs. It is a fascinating guide to the hidden world of snakes, crocodiles, alligators, lizards, turtles, spiders, beetles, bugs, butterflies, moths, bees and ants. More than 1500 fabulous wildlife photographs and illustrations provide a stunning close-up view of survival in the wild. Exciting and accessible information provides an insight into every aspect of reptile and insect life. 'Did You Know' spotlights reveal amazing-but-true facts: for example, some crocodiles can live up to 100 years. It is an ideal reference book for 8- to 12-year-olds for school and home study, and a superb family encyclopedia. It is written by a team of experts: Barbara Taylor, Dr Jen Green, John Farndon and Mark O'Shea. From poisonous snakes and fearsome alligators to delicate butterflies and industrious honey bees, this guide captures the world of reptiles and insects from all over the globe. It examines life cycles, how the bodies work, habitat, ancestors and conservation. Did you know that some species of ant can lift up to 50 times their own weight? Close-up photos and expert cross-section diagrams reveal anatomical secrets. The text sets out the link between animals and their environment, bringing the subject to life with stunning photography, informative diagrams and lively text. This book makes learning about natural history exciting and accessible.

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A fascinating guide to the hidden world of snakes, crocodiles, alligators, lizards, turtles, spiders, beetles, bugs, butterflies, moths, bees and ants. More than 1500 fabulous wildlife photographs and illustrations provide a stunning close-up view of survival in the wild. Exciting and accessible information provides an insight into every aspect of reptile and insect life and behaviour

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What happens if I drop an ant?What books are bad for you?What percentage of the world's water is contained in a cow?The Oxbridge undergraduate interviews are infamous for their unique ways of assessing candidates, and from these peculiar enquiries, professors can tell just how smart you really are. John Farndon has collected together 75 of the most intriguing questions taken from actual admission interviews and gives full answers to each, taking the reader through the fascinating histories, philosophies, sciences and arts that underlie each problem.This is a book for everyone who likes to think they're clever, or who thinks they'd like to be clever. And cleverness is not just knowing stuff, it's how laterally, deeply and interestingly you can bend your brain. Guesstimating the population of Croydon, for example, opens a chain of thought from which you can predict the strength of a nuclear bomb ...and that's just the start of it.

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Planes Discover the meaning of supersonic aircraft with the NASA Hyper X-43 scramjet, the NAA X-15 rocket plane, the Lockheed SR-71 and more. Learn what it means to break the sound barrier.

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