Technology & Science
The Signal and the Noise
Nate Silver
A groundbreaking exploration of the world of prediction, revealing how we can distinguish a true signal from a universe of noisy data. From the stock market to the weather, from baseball to terrorism, award-winning statistician Nate Silver provides an illuminating and essential guide to understanding the world.
The Singularity Is Nearer
Ray Kurzweil
Ray Kurzweil revisits his groundbreaking predictions about the technological singularity, arguing that it's not just near, but nearer than ever. He explores the exponential growth of technology, AI, and biotech, and their potential to revolutionize human life, while also addressing the ethical and existential challenges that lie ahead.
The Sports Gene
David Epstein
An exploration into the science and genetics behind athletic performance, examining the interplay of nature and nurture in creating elite athletes. From speed genes to the impact of training, this book delves into the fascinating world of sports science.
The Story of the Human Body
Daniel Lieberman
An exploration of the human body through the lens of evolution, health, and disease. It delves into how our bodies have adapted over millions of years and how these adaptations impact our health in the modern world. It challenges us to rethink our understanding of health and well-being in light of our evolutionary past.
The Strange Order of Things
Antonio Damasio
A groundbreaking exploration of the crucial role of feelings in the creation of human cultures. Antonio Damasio connects the origins of human societies to the fundamental principles of life regulation, revealing how feelings, as expressions of homeostasis, have driven the development of art, morality, governance, and technology. Delve into the surprising links between early life forms and the complex tapestry of human civilization.
The Thing with Feathers
Thor Hanson
A captivating exploration of feathers, from their evolutionary origins to their profound impact on human culture, revealing the surprising connections between birds and humanity.
The Universe in a Nutshell
Stephen Hawking
A fascinating exploration of the universe's fundamental concepts, building upon 'A Brief History of Time'. Hawking delves into relativity, quantum theory, and the ongoing quest for a unified Theory of Everything, offering insights into the cosmos and our place within it.
Under a White Sky
Elizabeth Kolbert
An exploration of the ways in which humans are attempting to control and manage nature, often with unintended consequences, and the challenges of engineering our way out of the environmental problems we have created. From reversing rivers to electrifying them, and from manipulating species to geoengineering the climate, Elizabeth Kolbert investigates the complex and often paradoxical relationship between humanity and the natural world.