"Clouds are the most egalitarian of nature's displays, since each one of us has a good view of them." ~ from Gavin Pretor-Pinney's The Cloudspotter's Guide
|
|
| Chilled: How Refrigeration Changed the World, and Might Do So Again by Tom JacksonMany household appliances generate heat, but only the refrigerator creates cold -- an application of thermodynamics that has revolutionized human civilization. In this engaging, anecdote-rich account, science writer Tom Jackson traces the multi-millennial history of artificial refrigeration from the ice pits of the ancient Persian Empire to today's "cold chain," the food industry's "temperature-controlled transport corridor" that links farms, fishing boats, supermarkets, and consumers. Yet refrigeration is responsible for more than midnight snacks; it has also made possible numerous scientific breakthroughs, including in vitro fertilization, superconductors, and penicillin. |
|
| Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy by David A. MindellFirst, let's get this out of the way: we are NOT headed for a robot apocalypse. In this engaging, thoughtful analysis, MIT professor David Mindell addresses three popular misconceptions about automation: the myth of linear progress (that the natural evolution of technology is from human to fully autonomous system); the myth of replacement (that machines will "take over" from humans); and the myth of autonomy (that robots can operate independently). Instead, he cites examples of humans and robots co-evolving and working in concert, from self-driving cars to robotic surgery to drone warfare. |
|
| Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs: The Astounding Interconnectedness... by Lisa RandallDespite its name, dark matter is "neither ominous nor powerful," explains particle physicist Lisa Randall. Mostly, it's just hidden from view: although it comprises 85% of the universe, dark matter can only be detected indirectly through measurement of its gravitational effects. In this accessible, thought-provoking book, Randall defines dark matter (distinguishing it from both black holes and dark energy) while describing its role in the formation and composition of the universe. Finally, for those wondering where dinosaurs enter the discussion, she puts forth a plausible hypothesis that a disc of dark matter embedded in the Milky Way dislodged a city-sized object from its orbit 66 million years ago, altering its course enough to strike Earth and cause a mass extinction event. |
|
| The Horse: The Epic History of our Noble Companion by Wendy WilliamsBefore horses galloped, they probably scampered. That's just one revelation in journalist Wendy Williams' comprehensive history of the horse, which covers 56 million years and six out of seven continents. In addition to describing equine biology and evolution, she also considers the longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship between humans and horses. Most relevant for horse lovers, she describes the complexities of horse behavior through observations of both captive animals and free-roaming populations, including the wild American mustangs, Australia's drought-tolerant brumbies, and the endangered garranos of the Iberian Peninsula. |
|
|
Machines of Loving Grace : The Quest for Common Ground between Humans and Robots by John MarkoffA Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times science writer travels across the country to evaluate the present state of the artificial intelligence and the intelligence-augmentation debate, delving into the science-fiction worlds that are fast becoming a reality and talks to the insiders who are shaping the future. 50,000 first printing.
|
|
| The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea WulfDid you know that the U.S. state of Nevada was almost named "Humboldt," after the Enlightenment-era German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt? During his lifetime, Humboldt was the "most famous man in the world after Napoleon," due to his five-year expedition to South America, not to mention the 34 bestselling books he wrote about his experiences. Never heard of him? This biography rescues Humboldt from relative obscurity, describing his life as well as his many contributions to science. For example, Humboldt came up with the concept of climate zones, created isotherms (contour lines on maps), discovered the magnetic equator, and redefined our concept of nature itself -- as a web of life connecting every organism on Earth. |
|
|
The Invention of Science : A New History of the Scientific Revolution
by David Wootton
A groundbreaking examination of the Scientific Revolution by the author of Bad Medicine chronicles the essential transformations that were made possible by science throughout the past five centuries, profiles forefront iconoclasts and identifies links between key discoveries and the rise of industrialization. 25,000 first printing.
|
|
|
Rain: A Natural and Cultural History
by Cynthia Barnett
"We long for rain especially when we've gone without," observes author Cynthia Barnett in this richly detailed exploration of precipitation. Rain has always been an important aspect of life on Earth, from the downpours of 4 billion years ago, which filled the planet's oceans, to the erratic weather wrought by climate change. In anecdotal style, Barnett combines science, history, and travel writing to cover a variety of topics, including the shape of raindrops, the cultural significance of water, and human efforts to predict and even alter rainfall patterns. A must-read for days when it's raining cats and dogs (United States), old women and walking sticks (Wales), or men (The Weather Girls).
|
|
| Air: The Restless Shaper of the World by William Bryant LoganIn this "tour-de-force journey through the natural world" (Kirkus Reviews), author and arborist William Bryant Logan explores the nature of air, that omnipresent yet oft-ignored medium that surrounds and sustains us. From circulation patterns that change the weather to the airborne transmission of particles, Air examines how our planet's atmosphere influences all life on Earth. Fans of this 3rd book in a loosely connected trilogy (after Dirt and Oak) might also appreciate Gabrielle Walker's An Ocean of Air, which covers similar ground but with greater emphasis on the physical sciences. |
|
|
Mission to Mars : My Vision for Space Exploration by Buzz AldrinThe history-making astronaut, aerospace engineer and respected advocate for space colonization outlines a plan for taking humans to Mars within the next quarter century, posing business-specific arguments while outlining practical strategies for travel and planetary homesteading.
|
|
|
The Fabric of the Cosmos : Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality by B. GreeneA foremost string theorist and the author of The Elegant Universe discusses such topics as Newton's perspectives on space, Einstein's fusion of space and time, and recent breakthroughs on multidimensional universe theory. Reprint. 150,000 first printing.
|
|
|
The Weather Experiment: The Pioneers Who Sought to See the Future
by Peter Moore
Weather forecasting only date back to the 1860s. Before the 19th century, no one really understood what caused atmospheric processes, let alone how to predict them. This engaging history delves into the science of meteorology, which author Peter Moore calls the result of "one of the most notorious and daring experiments" of its time. Outlining the scientific underpinnings of natural phenomena such as wind, storms, and clouds, Moore considers the contributions of individuals who have significantly advanced our understanding of weather: navigator and "wind scale" developer Francis Beaufort, landscape artist John Constable, and astronomer George Airy, to name but a few.
|
|
|
Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air
by Richard Holmes
In his award-winning book The Age of Wonder, biographer Richard Holmes dedicated a chapter to the history of ballooning. In Falling Upwards, he expands on the subject, delving into the lives and careers of early pioneers of human flight such as André-Jacques Garnerin (who also developed parachutes) and French aeronaut Sophie Blanchard (who could have used one during her flights across Paris). As Holmes introduces aerial enthusiasts -- both famous and obscure -- whose motives range from scientific discovery to military applications to exploration and adventure, he demonstrates how their efforts shaped the course of history, technology, and culture.
|
|
|
Packing for Mars : The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary RoachThe author of Stiff and Bonk describes the weirdness of space exploration and answers questions about the long-term effects of zero gravity on the human body and what happens if you vomit in your helmet during a space walk.
|
|
Contact your nearest HCLS branch for more great books! |
|
|