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Nature and ScienceApril 2015
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"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by rivers." ~ from Norman MacLean's A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
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New and Recently Released!
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| The Interstellar Age: Inside the Forty-Year Voyager Mission by Jim BellIn 1977, NASA scientists took advantage of a rare planetary alignment to launch two unmanned space probes. It was a tremendous technical challenge, as well as a risky (and expensive) endeavor. Fortunately, all that effort paid off, and for the past 40 years, both Voyager spacecraft have surpassed the goals of their original mission (exploring Jupiter) by photographing all of the outer planets and, in the case of Voyager 1, entering interstellar space and leaving the solar system altogether. Planetary Society president Jim Bell, one of many scientists who contributed to making Voyager a reality, provides an inside look at the mission as well as the men and women who made it possible. |
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How to read the solar system : a guide to the stars and planets
by Chris North
Two astronomers offer an informative tour of the Solar System—from the Sun to the planets, their moons and visiting bodies like asteroids and meteors—describe theories on how it came to be and discuss the latest discoveries. Includes black-and-white illustrations and graphs.
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| The Man Who Touched his Own Heart: True Tales of Science, Surgery, and Mystery by Rob R. DunnThe first documented open-heart surgery was performed in 1893 by African-American physician Daniel Hale Williams, who operated on a man who'd been stabbed in the chest during a bar brawl. Prior to that event, the heart was a medical mystery even to so-called experts. From the writings of ancient Greek physician Galen (whose theories on blood circulation came from treating wounded gladiators) to Leonardo da Vinci's insights into the function of heart valves to today's cutting-edge research and treatments for once-fatal cardiac conditions, this engrossing book gets to the heart of its complex subject. |
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| Tales from Both Sides of the Brain: A Life in Neuroscience by Michael S. GazzanigaAmerican cognitive neuroscientist Michael S. Gazzaniga, best known for his contributions to "split-brain" research, recounts his 50-year career in science. In this biographical account, he intersperses personal anecdotes with descriptions of career milestones. From his graduate studies at Cal Tech, where he focused on brain function in individuals with epilepsy, as well as his later work concerning functional lateralization in the brain and hemispheric specialization, Gazzaniga documents the emergence of neuroscience through the eyes of a working scientist. |
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| Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariUntil about 10,000 years ago, Earth was home to at least six species of human; now it boasts just one. So what happened? Drawing on current research from multiple disciplines (including evolutionary biology and anthropology), Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari traces the natural history of humans from marginal mammals to the planet's dominant species, while weighing in on still-unresolved debates concerning interbreeding versus genocide. Focusing on three distinct periods, The Cognitive Revolution (70,000 years ago), the Agricultural Revolution (12,000 years ago), and the Scientific Revolution (500 years ago), Harari details the evolutionary leaps our species made in order to master our environment and ensure our survival. |
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Sex on Earth: A Celebration of Animal Reproduction
by Jules Howard
Approximately one billion years ago, living organisms began having sex. We know this, in part, because of 33 fossilized acts of intercourse. Since then, every type of animal on Earth has engaged in some sort of coitus. In Sex on Earth, zoologist and writer Jules Howard examines the sexual behavior of everyday creatures, from ducks ("The Cloaca Monologues") to slugs ("Land of the Sexless Zombie Time-Travellers") and more. Readers with an interest in sex and reproduction in the natural world may also enjoy Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice for All Creation by Olivia Judson.
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City beasts : fourteen stories of uninvited wildlife
by Mark Kurlansky
A collection of accounts by the best-selling author of Salt and Cod shares moving and hilarious examples of human and animal lives that have been impacted by interspecies fights, love and compromise in urban regions. Original.
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A blessing of toads : a gardener's guide to living with nature
by Sharon Lovejoy
Sharing the delights of a country garden, the creator of Country Living's "Heart's Ease" column focuses on the animal life in the garden, including birds, caterpillars, and dragonflies, as well as offers tips on traditional plant care, in such essays as "The Bumble Bee Rumba," "Faeries in the Fuschias," and "Holiday Feasts for the Birds and the Beasts." Reprint.
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Aha! : the moments of insight that shape our world
by William Braxton Irvine
Draws on expertise from psychology, neurology and evolutionary psychology to illuminate the process of spontaneous flashes of human insight, surveying engaging examples from the fields of religion, science, math and art.
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Blood of the tiger : a story of conspiracy, greed, and the battle to save a magnificent species
by Judy A Mills
"Trying to sidetrack J.A. Mills from her investigation of China's bear farms, her Communist Party minders take her to a rural mink farm to see a handful of tigers behind bars. That detour leads her to discover a conspiracy so pervasive that it threatens to take out every last tiger in the wild. In this memoir of geopolitical intrigue, the author tries to thwart a Chinese cadre's plan to make The King of the Jungle into a farm animal, to drive a billion-dollar luxury-goods industry. Her efforts take her across Asia and Europe, by every means from elephant back to presidential motorcade, and into the company of man-eaters, movie stars and world leaders. Every time victory seems at hand, powerful forces banking on the tiger's extinction intervene. Blood of the Tiger is a startling tale of human tenacity and greed, set against the backdrop of China's reawakening and ascendency toward world dominance"
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Bear : spirit of the wild
by Paul Nicklen
A follow-up to Polar Obsession combines vibrant photography with personal accounts by noted environmentalists to share insights into the endangered realm of North America's bears, sharing coverage of a variety of species, including the rare spirit bear, to challenge popular myths and explore their threatened ecosystems.
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The truth about nature : a family's guide to 144 common myths about the great outdoors
by Stacy Tornio
"Does moss grow only on the north side of a tree? Should I always wait an hour after swimming? Do hummingbirds really migrate on the backs of other birds? Find out in The Truth About Nature by the authors of The Kids' Outdoor Adventure Book. This companion title, unlike other nature-myth titles for children, won't focus on classic mythology and folklore, but rather will be a useful compendium debunking everyday myths with which children can relate. Organized by season, these 144 nature-based fableswill educate, breaking down the myth with an illustrated myth scale depicting how true the myth really is (level 1 being true and level 3 a complete myth). Each item has a takeaway at the end with hands-on ideas to encourage kids to get outside. In addition, kids will also find "Be a Scientist" activities throughout the book where they can try some experiments to bust a few myths on their own, as well as "Incredible Nature" sections highlighting some of the unbelievable yet true. The Truth About Nature will serve as a resource for kids and families for years to come, setting the record straight for many nature myths once and for all"
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Shrinks : the untold story of psychiatry
by Jeffrey A. Lieberman
A former president of the American Psychiatric Association traces the rise, fall and redemption of psychiatry, illuminating the contributions of such figures as Sigmund Freud and Eric Kandel while calling for an end to cultural stigmas that prevent effective mental treatments. 75,000 first printing.
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To explain the world : the discovery of modern science
by Steven Weinberg
A Nobel Prize-winning physicist presents a masterful commentary on the history of science that examines historic clashes and collaborations between science and the competing realms of religion, technology, poetry, mathematics and philosophy, from the Ancient Greece to the world of today,. 25,000 first printing.
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This idea must die : scientific theories that are blocking progress
by John Brockman
A collection of essays curated by the editor of This Explains Everything features some of the most brilliant minds in the world responding to Edge.org's question about what is stalling scientific progress, including Steven Pinker, Richard Dawkins, Sherry Turkle, Rebecca Newberger and Ian McEwan. Original. 50,000 first printing.
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Rust : the longest war
by Jonathan Waldman
An environmental journalist traces the historical war against rust, revealing how rust-related damage costs more than all other natural disasters combined and how it is combated by industrial workers, the government, universities and everyday people.
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| The Internet is Not the Answer by Andrew KeenThe Internet is unquestionably shaping our society, but not necessarily for the better, argues Silicon Valley entrepreneur-turned-journalist Andrew Keen in this impassioned, thought-provoking book. He asserts that despite promises of greater freedom and transparency for ordinary citizens, digital technologies are instead contributing to "deepening inequality of wealth and opportunity" by consolidating resources and influence in the hands of a select few. Readers who enjoyed Astra Taylor's The People's Platform or Jaron Lanier's You Are Not a Gadget will want to read The Internet is Not the Answer. |
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| Elixir: A History of Water and Humankind by Brian FaganAccording to anthropologist Brian Fagan, water is "an integral part of our lives that we never think about," which (he adds) is a huge mistake on our part, as it's perhaps the most influential force to ever shape human civilization. In this narrative history, Fagan covers important milestones in the relationship between humans and water, one that spans millennia -- from approximately 10,000 BCE to the present. Whether discussing aquifers or aqueducts, hydroelectric power or hydroponics systems, Elixir brings together the historical, cultural, religious, scientific, and philosophical dimensions of water. |
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| The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael GrunwaldFrom sea of grass to dismal swamp to World Heritage Site, Washington Post reporter Michael Grunwald traces the history of the Everglades, demonstrating its profound ecological importance while describing its uncertain future. Originally encompassing an area of more than 4,000 square miles, stretching from modern-day Orlando to the Florida Keys, the Everglades have dramatically dwindled in size due to concerted efforts by the United States government and American corporations to drain the wetlands and convert the space to farmland, residential suburbs, and industrial hubs. Only recently have conservationists, politicians, business leaders, and ordinary citizens banded together to save this precious natural resource. Can the Everglades be saved, if not restored? Time will tell. |
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| Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products by Stephen LeahyWhether anyone realizes it or not, sustaining the average American lifestyle demands 2,000 gallons of water each day. How? Well, for starters, the amount of H2O needed to make a cheeseburger would easily fill a tanker truck. (And lest vegetarians start to feel smug, a single apple is the result of 33 gallons of water.) Distribute the three percent of Earth's total potable water among a global population of more than seven billion individuals and it's easy to see that the numbers just don't add up. Fortunately for readers who don't like math, the book's visual aids, including a wealth of charts and infographics, reveal the hidden costs of everyday items, from food and clothing to cars and computers. For more environmental auditing, check out Mike Berners-Lee's How Bad is a Banana? The Carbon Footprint of Everything. |
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The cultural lives of whales and dolphins
by Hal Whitehead
Drawing on their own research as well as scientific literature including evolutionary biology, animal behavior, ecology, anthropology, psychology and neuroscience, two cetacean biologists submerge themselves in the unique environment in which whales and dolphins live.
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Water 4.0 : the past, present, and future of the world's most vital resource
by David L. Sedlak
"Turn on the faucet, and water pours out. Pull out the drain plug, and the dirty water disappears. Most of us give little thought to the hidden systems that bring us water and take it away when we're done with it. But these underappreciated marvels of engineering face an array of challenges that cannot be solved without a fundamental change to our relationship with water, David Sedlak explains in this enlightening book. To make informed decisions about the future, we need to understand the three revolutions in urban water systems that have occurred over the past 2,500 years and the technologies that will remake the system. The author starts by describing Water 1.0, the early Roman aqueducts, fountains, and sewers that made dense urban living feasible. Hethen details the development of drinking water and sewage treatment systems--the second and third revolutions in urban water. He offers an insider's look at current systems that rely on reservoirs, underground pipe networks, treatment plants, and storm sewers to provide water that is safe to drink, before addressing how these water systems will have to be reinvented. For everyone who cares about reliable, clean, abundant water, this book is essential reading"
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Water : the epic struggle for wealth, power, and civilization
by Steven Solomon
The author of The Confidence Game paints a provocative, narrative portrait of the critical role that water has played in shaping key turning points in humankind's destiny, from ancient times to our dawning age of water scarcity. 35,000 first printing.
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| Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James NestorCompetitive free diving is a sport in which participants plunge, unburdened by scuba gear, to depths of up to 300 feet in the span of a single breath. Using this unusual leisure pursuit as a jumping off point for an examination of the enduring relationship between humans and the ocean, author James Nestor recounts the history of marine exploration. Diving enthusastically into his subject, Nestor devotes chapters (organized by depth) to pearl divers, submarines, oceanographers, whale songs, bioluminescence and hydrothermal vents, among other fascinating topics. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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