Science Recent Picks

August 2009

The title-underlined links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

Climate Change: Picturing the Science by Gavin Schmidt, Joshua Wolfe.
"Going beyond the headlines, this unprecedented union of scientific analysis and stunning photography by leading climate scientist Gavin Schmidt and master photographer Joshua Wolfe illustrates the ramifications of a shifting climate on the global ecosystem. Marshalling data spanning centuries and continents, the book sparkles with cutting-edge research and visual records, including contributions from experts on atmospheric science, oceanography, paleoclimatology, technology, politics and the polar regions. As Jeffrey D. Sachs writes in his powerful foreword, 'Climate Change is a tour de force of public education." (Amazon.co.uk)

The Britannica Guide to Genetics.
"The Britannica Guide to Genetics is the ideal companion for students or general popular science readers who wish to know the facts behind the latest research and discoveries. After the Introduction from bestselling science writer and geneticist Steve Jones the book covers the entire history of genetics from Gregor Mendel’s first experiments with peas at the end of the nineteenth century to the announcement of the Human Genome Project in 1998. Throughout the twentieth century new discoveries about the qualities of our genes have been heralded as essential leaps of progress in modern science forcing us to ask how much do our genes determine our personalities? What makes us different from other species? But as we enter the twenty-first century and we have begun to manipulate genes and the genome the questions have changed." (Amazon.co.uk)

General Relativity: An Introduction for Physicists, by M. P. Hobson, G. P. Efstathiou, A. N. Lasenby.
"An Introduction for Physicists provides a clear mathematical introduction to Einstein's theory of general relativity. It presents a wide range of applications of the theory, concentrating on its physical consequences. After reviewing the basic concepts, the authors present a clear and intuitive discussion of the mathematical background, including the necessary tools of tensor calculus and differential geometry. These tools are then used to develop the topic of special relativity and to discuss electromagnetism in Minkowski spacetime. Gravitation as spacetime curvature is then introduced and the field equations of general relativity derived. After applying the theory to a wide range of physical situations, the book concludes with a brief discussion of classical field theory and the derivation of general relativity from a variational principle. Written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, this approachable textbook contains over 300 exercises to illuminate and extend the discussion in the text." (Amazon)

Quantum Physics for Dummies, by Steven Holzner.
"Quantum Physics For Dummies helps make quantum physics understandable and accessible. From what quantum physics can do for the world to understanding hydrogen atoms, readers will get complete coverage of the subject, along with numerous examples to help them tackle the tough equations. Compatible with classroom text books and courses, Quantum Physics For Dummies lets students study at their own paces and helps them prepare for graduate or professional exams." (Amazon)

Lightning: Physics and Effects, by Vladimir A. Rakov , Martin A. Uman.
"Physics and Effects is the first book that covers essentially all aspects of lightning, including lightning physics, lightning protection and the interaction of lightning with a variety of objects and systems as well as with the environment. It is written in a style that will be accessible to the technical non-expert and is addressed to anyone interested in lightning and its effects. This will include physicists, engineers working in the power, communications, computer and aviation industries, meteorologists, atmospheric chemists, foresters, ecologists, physicians working in the area of electrical trauma and architects. This comprehensive reference volume contains over 300 illustrations, 70 tables containing quantitative information and a bibliography of more than 6000 references." (Amazon)

125 Physics Projects for the Evil Genius, by Jerry Silver.
"Turn to 125 Physics Projects for the Evil Genius for complete guidance on 125 hands-on physics experiments in the areas of motion, gravity, energy, sound, light, heat, astronomy, and electricity. This exciting resource explains how to perform each experiment, discussing all the tools and equipment needed to complete each one. Packed with 115 illustrations, the book describes expected results and also suggests ways to extend each activity in a new direction. A list of equipment and supplies is cross-referenced to the experiments, allowing readers to create their own physics toolkit." (Amazon)

The Link: Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor, by Colin Tudge, Josh Young.
"A secret until now, the fossil – ‘Ida’– is the most complete early primate fossil ever found. Forty-seven million years old, Ida rewrites what we’ve assumed about the earliest primate origins. Her completeness is unparalleled.
With exclusive access to the first scientists to study her, the award-winning science writer Colin Tudge tells the history of Ida and her place in the world. The Link offers a wide-ranging investigation into Ida and our earliest origins – and the magnificent, cutting-edge scientific detective story that followed her discovery. At the same time it opens a stunningly evocative window into our past and changes what we know about primate evolution and, ultimately, our own." (Mighty ape)

Practice in Physics, by Tim Akrill, Chris Millar.
"I would whole-heartedly recommend to every department and probably to every student too the updated Practice in Physics. This is an excellent book, with a fantastic wealth of questions to develop confidence and understanding. It is expanded from the last edition to include a really useful section called "practising calculations" and one on synoptic questions." (TES)

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