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Nature and Science October 2020 |
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Opium : how an ancient flower shaped and poisoned our world by John HalpernA psychiatrist on the front lines of addiction medicine presents a history of the poppy flower that traces its use in ancient civilizations through the opioid epidemic of today, outlining compassionate recommendations for necessary changes.
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he War on the EPA : America's Endangered Environmental Protections by William M. Alley As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nears the half century mark, the public is largely apathetic towards the need for environmental protections. Today’s problems are largely invisible, and to many people’s eyes, the environment looks like it’s doing just fine. The crippling smog and burning rivers of yesteryear are just a memory. In addition, Americans are repeatedly told that the EPA is hurting the economy, destroying jobs, and intruding into people’s private lives. The truth is far more complicated.
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In See You at the Campground, Stephanie and Jeremy show readers how the open road could be the ticket to a happier, healthier family. From cabin camping to RVs to tents, and from national parks to private campgrounds, Stephanie and Jeremy explore the ins and outs of road trips, camping, and enjoying adventurous, exciting family trips that don't break the budget but leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Perfect for families who have never camped before, those thinking of exploring a new type of camping experience, and seasoned campers seeking high-level hacks and tips, See You at the Campground is the ultimate guide to fostering a sense of adventure and exploration in your family each time you hit the road" |
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| Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances that Flow Through Our Lives by Mark MiodownikWhat it's about: Having tackled solids in Stuff Matters, materials scientist Mark Miodownik introduces readers to the unique properties of liquids from the confines of an airplane cabin during a transatlantic flight.
Why you might like it: Filled with fascinating facts (airplanes are essentially glued together), this accessible book pairs scientific principles (viscosity, vaporization) and their real-life applications (how ballpoint pens work, brewing the perfect cup of tea). |
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The world of dinosaurs : an illustrated tour by Mark NorellThe renowned paleontologist and curator at New York's American Museum of Natural History presents a richly illustrated volume chronicling the evolution of the dinosaurs through immersive text and a wealth of color photographs, sketches, maps and materials derived from the latest scientific findings.
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The Human Planet : Earth at the Dawn of the Anthropocene by George SteinmetzThe Human Planet is a sweeping visual chronicle of the Earth today from a photographer who has circled the globe to report on such urgent issues as climate change, sustainable agriculture, and the ever-expanding human footprint. George Steinmetz is at home on every continent, documenting both untrammeled nature and the human project that relentlessly redesigns the planet in its quest to build shelter, grow food, generate energy, and create beauty through art and architecture. In his images, accompanied by authoritative text by renowned science writer Andrew Revkin, we are encountering the dramatic and perplexing new face of our ancient home.
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Losing Earth : a recent history by Nathaniel RichA groundbreaking account of the failures that prevented the world from committing to taking measures against climate change documents key negotiations against the backdrop of 1980s history while explaining what the choices of the past mean for today's world.
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Troubled water : what's wrong with what we drink by Seth M. SiegelA lawyer, activist and entrepreneur shows how chemicals linked to cancer, heart disease, obesity and birth defects have contaminated our drinking water through the failures of government, chemical companies and utilities and explains what can be done about it.
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Rivers of power : how a natural force raised kingdoms, destroyed civilizations, and shapes our world by Laurence C. SmithRivers, more than any road, technology, or political leader, have shaped the course of human civilization. They have opened frontiers, founded cities, settled borders, and fed billions. They promote life, forge peace, grant power, and can capriciously destroy everything in their path. Even today, rivers remain a powerful global force -- one that is more critical than ever to our future.
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Reef Life : An Underwater Memoir by Callum RobertsReef Life is filled with astonishing stories of adventure and the natural world, which are by turns lyrical and laced with a wonderful wry humor. Callum illuminates the science of our oceans and reefs and his book, combined with the stunning photographs from Alex Mustard, will also commit readers to support Callum’s goal to preserve 10 percent of the world’s oceans.
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| Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty; illustrated by Dianne RuzThe premise: a mortician answers children's questions about death in an engaging and matter-of-fact style.
About the author: Funeral director Caitlin Doughty is the creator of the web series "Ask a Mortician" and the author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and From Here to Eternity.
So...will your cat eat your eyeballs? Not immediately. (Not when there are tastier tidbits like eyelids.) |
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Breath : the new science of a lost art by James Nestor"No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how resilient your genes are, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you're not breathing properly. There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. Science journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong with our breathing and how to fix it.
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| he Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers by Emily LevesqueWhat it's about: an astronomer recounts her career in science while contemplating the past, present, and future of her field.
Don't miss: visits to Hawaii's Mauna Kea Observatories, Chile's Paranal Observatory, and the airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). |
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The Amazon : what everyone needs to know by Mark J. Plotkin"Rainforests occupy a special place in the imagination. Literary, historical and cinematic depictions range from a ghastly Green Hell to an idyllic Garden of Eden. But rainforest fact is no less fascinating than rainforest fiction. Brimming with mystery and intrigue, these forests still harbor lost cities, uncontacted tribes, ancient shamans, and powerful plants than can kill - and cure.
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