Technology & Science
Responding to the Climate Threat
Gary Yohe
This compelling collection of essays, penned by a quartet of distinguished experts, delves into the multifaceted challenge of climate change. Aimed at informing both the general public and policymakers, the book meticulously unpacks the scientific, economic, and political complexities surrounding our planet's gravest threat. From debunking climate denial to analyzing policy responses like the Green New Deal and the actions of various administrations, the authors advocate for urgent, informed action and effective communication. Discover how scientific understanding, political will, and public engagement are inextricably linked in humanity's fight for a sustainable future.
The Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu
During China's tumultuous Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space, leading to humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. Decades later, a nanomaterials researcher and a police detective are drawn into a global conspiracy as elite scientists commit suicide and a mysterious online game, 'Three Body,' reveals the terrifying truth about an impending interstellar invasion. As the world grapples with this existential threat, humanity's deepest flaws and the ethics of survival are brought into sharp focus, forcing a choice between fighting for Earth's future or welcoming an alien 'savior.'
The Visual Elements Photography
Felice C. Frankel
Unlock the power of visual communication in science and engineering with this essential handbook. From mastering scanners and phone cameras to utilizing professional DSLRs and microscopes, learn to create stunning, honest, and technically superior photographs that effectively convey your research. This guide emphasizes image integrity and practical techniques for making your scientific work accessible and compelling to a broad audience.
The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage
Sydney Padua
Embark on a witty and imaginative graphic novel journey through the lives and groundbreaking work of Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, the visionary pioneers of computing. Blending meticulous historical research with fantastical adventures and comedic flair, this book explores their brilliant minds, eccentric personalities, and their quest to build the world's first computer, the Analytical Engine, in a way that is both profoundly educational and hilariously entertaining.
The Miraculous from the Material
Alan Lightman
In this captivating exploration, physicist and writer Alan Lightman delves into the profound wonder of the natural world, from the intricate dance of atoms to the majestic rings of Saturn. He argues for a 'spiritual materialism,' demonstrating how a deep understanding of scientific laws and material reality can amplify, rather than diminish, our sense of awe and connection to the cosmos. Through accessible explanations of phenomena like DNA, galaxies, and bioluminescence, Lightman invites readers to discover the miraculous inherent in the material, leaving them with a renewed appreciation for the universe and our place within it.
The Mountain in the Sea
Ray Nayler
Rumors of a dangerous species of hyperintelligent octopus, possibly possessing its own language and culture, draw marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen to a remote, sealed-off archipelago. Partnering with a battle-scarred security agent and the world's first android, she races against time to communicate with this groundbreaking species. As powerful transnational corporations and other forces converge to exploit the octopuses' advancements, Dr. Nguyen must uncover what these creatures truly think, and what they might do, in this dazzling near-future thriller that delves into the profound nature of consciousness and extrahuman intelligence.
Theodore Savage
Cicely Hamilton
Set in a world ravaged by scientific warfare, Cicely Hamilton's prescient 1922 novel, reissued in the Radium Age series, plunges readers into a chilling post-apocalyptic landscape. It follows Theodore Savage, a former civil servant, as he navigates a regressed society where knowledge is feared as 'devil's knowledge' and humanity struggles to survive in tribal communities. This 'feminist dystopia' offers a profound critique of unchecked technological progress and the fragility of civilization, exploring themes of human nature, gender roles, and the desperate search for meaning amidst utter devastation.
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Explore Charles Darwin's groundbreaking theories on evolution and natural selection in 'On the Origin of Species.' This seminal work challenges conventional wisdom and presents a compelling argument for the interconnectedness of life, forever changing our understanding of the natural world.