|
Nature and Science February 2019
|
|
|
|
| Einstein's Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes by Chris ImpeyWhat it's about: black holes, those mysterious regions of spacetime where gravitational forces are so strong that not even light can escape.
Why you might like it: Author and astronomer Chris Impey presents complex topics in theoretical physics in an accessible manner.
Further reading: Black Hole by Marcia Bartusiak, which profiles prominent physicists and their work; Einstein's Shadow by Seth Fletcher, about a team of astronomers attempting to photograph a black hole. |
|
| Dreaming in Turtle: A Journey Through the Passion, Profit, and Peril of Our Most Coveted Prehistoric Creatures by Peter LauferWhat it's about: turtles, tortoises, and terrapins -- from their prehistoric origins to their increasingly uncertain future.
What sets it apart: Author and journalist Peter Laufer includes amusing anecdotes about his experiences fostering a tortoise named Fred.
Is it for you? Although turtle-lovers may flinch at detailed descriptions of poaching and animal trafficking, readers with an interest in wildlife conservation will find this book to be eye-opening. |
|
| Your Place in the Universe: Understanding Our Big, Messy Existence by Paul M. SutterWhat it is: an accessible, amusing tour of the universe and its mysteries.
About the author: Astrophysicist and cosmologist Paul M. Sutter is the creator of the "Ask a Spaceman!" podcast.
You might also like: Jorge Cham's similarly irreverent (but illustrated) We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe; Carlo Rovelli's concise Seven Brief Lessons on Physics. |
|
| What It's Like to be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience by Gregory BernsWhat it's about: Human and canine brains show striking structural similarities, offering intriguing hints about dogs' emotional lives.
About the author: To study the canine brain, neuroscientist Gregory Berns trained dogs to climb into MRI machines. And his training regimen is almost as fascinating as his research findings.
For fans of: John Bradshaw's Dog Sense or Alexandra Horowitz's Inside of a Dog. |
|
| The Animals Among Us: How Pets Make Us Human by John BradshawWhat it's about: the complex and ever-evolving relationships between humans and their companion animals, which shape human nature.
Contains: evidence-based answers to such timeless questions as "Would my pet eat me if I died?"
About the author: Anthrozoologist John Bradshaw is the author of Cat Sense and Dog Sense, which reveal the secrets of pet behavior while debunking myths and misconceptions. |
|
| The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History by Brian FaganWhat it is: a thought-provoking history of the human-animal bond from prehistoric times to the present.
What sets it apart: Anthropologist Brian Fagan examines the process of domestication in dogs, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, donkeys, horses, and camels. (The not-quite-domesticated cat gets a mention, too.)
Don't miss: discussions of the role of animal domestication in creating and maintaining social hierarchies. |
|
| Domesticated: Evolution in a Man-Made World by Richard C. FrancisWhat it's about: Drawing on current research, science writer Richard C. Francis demonstrates that domestication is an evolutionary process.
Who it's for: readers with a basic understanding of molecular genetics and evolutionary biology.
Want a taste? "The human population explosion has been bad for most other living things, but not so for those lucky enough to warrant domestication." |
|
| The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions by Thomas McNameeWhat it is: A guide to cats by nature writer (and Guggenheim Fellow) Thomas McNamee, who identifies best practices for cat care by consulting zoologists, animal behavior experts, and others.
Don't miss: appearances by the author's feline companion, Augusta.
You might also like: John Bradshaw's Cat Sense or Abigail Tucker's The Lion in the Living Room. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply with a list of the next five books you should read -- all ages of readers welcome!
|
|
Want to keep up-to-date on new books at the library? on everything from Horror to Home & Garden!
|
|
NoveList Plus is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. DCL cardholders can access NoveList Plus from any computer.
|
|
Check out the library's top ten checkouts! Lists include top tens for adult fiction and nonfiction, movies, young adults fiction, picture books and kids' fiction.
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, Administration Building, 101 E. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|