Yolo County Library
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Nature and Science December 2016
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| Time Travel: A History by James GleickAs he did in The Information, popular science writer James Gleick weaves together literature, science, and philosophy in this fascinating exploration of time travel in popular culture. Beginning with H.G. Wells’ 1895 novel The Time Machine, which Gleick describes as an attempt to "gin up a plausible-sounding plot device for a piece of fantastic storytelling," the book examines fictional time travel in the context of its scientific underpinnings. From going back in time to prevent one’s own birth to creating alternate timelines, no plot device or paradox goes unexamined in this concise and accessible, yet intellectually wide-ranging discussion. |
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| Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard GottThree astrophysicists join forces to present this accessible introduction to the cosmos, based on an introductory astronomy course they co-taught at Princeton University. Aimed at general readers, this book begins with an overview of the universe, examining its composition and structure, before tackling the physics of multiverses, superstring theory, M-theory, and more. For big ideas in a compact and digestible format, look no further than Welcome to the Universe. |
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| How to Bake Pi: An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics by Eugenia ChengIf you dread math, this book might just change your mind. Armed with a seemingly infinite supply of logic, enthusiasm, and baking tips, math professor Eugenia Cheng explains how mathematicians think by focusing on category theory, which she dubs "the mathematics of mathematics." Employing a blend of accessible lessons, personal anecdotes, and tasty recipes to introduce concepts such as abstraction and axiomatization, Cheng also emphasizes the underlying mathematical mindset that uses logic to discover truth. |
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| Tasty: The Art and Science of What We Eat by John McQuaidThe tongue has one job: "to distinguish food from everything else." However, the process though which we determine what's edible is complicated, requiring an understanding of, among other areas, microbiology, genetics, and neuroscience. It also requires cleansing one's mental palate by, for example, discarding that diagram of the tongue depicting four distinct regions dedicated to sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors (which has no scientific basis) and accepting that, to a large extent, taste is hereditary. If you've ever wondered why and how we eat what we eat, check out Tasty. |
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| Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary RoachCan your stomach really burst? And why doesn't it digest itself? As she's proven in previous books, including Stiff and Bonk, science writer Mary Roach isn't squeamish when it comes to the physiology or functions of the human body. In addition to exploring the science of the digestive system, she also debunks myths and misconceptions including flammable farts and the possibility of surviving being swallowed by a whale. And as a bonus, you'll be able to impress your friends with all kinds of trivia ranging from explosive colonoscopies (France, 1977) to slang terms describing the act of concealing contraband in one's rectum ("keistering," "hooped," and "prison wallet" are but a few examples). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Yolo County Library
226 Buckeye St. Woodland, California 95695 530-666-8005
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