Science 31 72808 MAPPING THE UNIVERSE: The
Interactive History of Astronomy by Professor Paul Murdin OBE, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society Includes facsimiles of Galileo’s notes and sketches made in 1610 during his first detailed observations of the planet Jupiter and four of Jupiter’s moons, Sir Isaac Newton’s own drawing, made in 1668, of his first reflecting telescope design, and William Herschel’s notes recording the moment in 1781 when he first saw the planet Uranus. This astounding volume takes readers on a journey which traces how our understanding of the Universe has evolved. We see how astronomers have always used the newest, most advanced technology of their time to analyse the trace messages of light and other radiations sent by distant heavenly bodies to our own planet. Nearly half a century ago now, humankind left the first footprints on the surface of the Moon and, today, it is possible to send spacecraft to the nearest of the planets as proxies for human explorers. With this incredible book, we can experience what astronomers have discovered over 10,000 years of history, and how and why this is significant. Mind-boggling. 124 pages 27cm x 30.5cm filled with amazing colour photos. £30 NOW £9.50
71507 RELUCTANT GENIUS: Alexander
Graham Bell and the Passion for Invention by Charlotte Gray
The book reveals Alexander Graham Bell’s passion for invention, and delves into the private life which supported his genius. Bell was far ahead of his times with innovations such as electric heating, using light to transmit sound, electronic mail, flight, genetics, composting toilets and the artificial lung, but as a rule he shunned publicity and was protective about his relationship with his protégée Helen Keller. 466pp paperback, b/w photos plus maps. $14.95 NOW £4
71511 SMOKING EARS AND SCREAMING TEETH: A Celebration of Scientific Eccentricity
and Self-Experimentation by Trevor Norton This fascinating, hilarious and scary book about self- experimenters and other creative scientists starts with the 18th century brothers John and William Hunter who pioneered the dissection of cadavers rather than allowing surgeons to make their first cut on a living patient. In 1943 Edgar Pask trialled four different types of resuscitation by allowing himself to be anaesthetised to the point of respiratory arrest, while Ray Damadian, inventor of the MRI scanner, did not know whether the human body could withstand the massive magnetic field so tested it himself (it could). 404pp. $24.95 NOW £3.50
71521 THE FELLOWSHIP: Gilbert, Bacon,
Harvey, Wren by John Gribbin The master of popular science writing describes to us how the Royal Society developed in this story of scientific revolution involving Gilbert, Bacon, Harvey, Wren and Newton. 17th century England was wracked by civil war, plague and fire, a world ruled by superstition and ignorance. But then a series of meetings of ‘Natural Philosophers’ in Oxford and London saw the beginning of a new method of thinking based on proof and experiment. At the heart of this renaissance were the founding fathers of modern Western science - the Royal Society. Diagrams. 336pp in paperback. $15.95 NOW £3.50
71541 WHY CAN’T ELEPHANTS JUMP? by NewScientist Magazine
From the series that began with ‘Does Anything Eat Wasps?’ here are readers’ science questions and a book which muses over what chemistry creates the difference between a shaken or a stirred vodka martini. What is the storage capacity of the human brain in gigabytes? Why is frozen milk yellow and why do flamingos stand on one leg? Full of intellectually intriguing scientific questions. 232pp in paperback. $14.95 NOW £4
71629 DISCARDED SCIENCE: Ideas that
Seemed Good at the Time by John Grant Contains research from the fields of medicine, geology, biology, chemistry and many more. Galileo, for instance, was hounded for proposing that the earth was not the centre of the universe with all the other planets revolving around it. In a feast of curiosities, here are bizarre conclusions about alchemy, homunculi, evolution, aliens and lost worlds, not to mention so-called ‘facts’ which turn out to be nothing but the prejudices of the scientists themselves. 336 pages, illus. £9.99 NOW £3.50
71871 PIGEON GUIDED MISSILES: And 49 Other Ideas that Never Took Off by James Moore and Paul Nero
Why did the Victorian Channel Tunnel hit a dead end? Was it simply just too far ahead of its time? Whatever happened to flying cars? Using 50 examples as varied as exploding traffic lights, London’s Eiffel Tower and Nelson’s pyramid, the authors go in search of history’s lost ideas - the grandiose schemes that never quite took off. 254 pages, illus. £12.99 NOW £2.50
71959 SEED OF KNOWLEDGE STONE OF PLENTY: Understanding the Lost Technology of
the Ancient Megalith-Builders by John Burke and Kaj Halberg Generations of archaeologists have puzzled over the question of why our pre-industrial ancestors invested huge amounts of labour and time to erect enormous creations of stone and earth such as pyramids, henges and mounds. According to the evidence cited here, megaliths are always built on ground where certain natural electromagnetic energies are concentrated and
can be tapped to produce more food. Apparently, experiments have shown that seed of ancient varieties, if left for a time in the air at such structures, often grows faster and more vigorously - giving up to double or triple the amount of food. Corn seeds, for example, placed on one of the oldest Meso-American pyramids, grew dramatically better, particularly if placed there on days of high electric energy. 255 pages, illus in colour, two appendices: Electromagnetic Energy Locations in the US, Canada and England Open to the Public, and Do It Yourself (With Your Own Instruments). £26 NOW £6
72182 GENIUS OF BRITAIN: The Scientists
Who Changed the World by Robert Uhlig From Bede the Ecclesiastical in the 7th century to Stephen Hawking, the history of British science and invention is rich with incredible stories of endurance, talent and obsession. In a magnificent volume, with contributions from some of the greatest names of today, including Richard Dawkins evolutionary biologist, James Dyson dynamic inventor, designer and engineer, David Attenborough naturalist and veteran broadcaster, Robert Winston the pioneer of IVF, and the physicists Jim Al- Khalili and Kathy Sykes, it encompasses the heart- stopping story of people who pushed the boundaries. 340 pages with colour and b/w archive photos, tree of Famous Scientists and Key Dates in British Science. £20 NOW £6
72204 PATRICK MOORE: The Autobiography by Patrick Moore
As the presenter of ‘The Sky at Night’ - the world’s longest-running TV series with the same presenter, Sir Patrick Moore has been honoured with an OBE, a CBE and a knighthood and was also involved in the lunar mapping carried out prior to the NASA Apollo missions. He has written more than 60 books, all on his 1908 Woodstock typewriter. A self-taught musician and talented composer, he has played for the Lord’s Taverners’ charity cricket team. 276 paperback pages with many b/w and colour photographs. £7.99 NOW £3.50
72346 ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE: Why Our Planet is Unique by John Gribbin
There must be intelligent life “out there” - for some this is a simple article of faith; for others a simple matter of statistics, given an effectively infinite number of stars and planets. But just hold your horses, says John Gribbin. He argues, was the impact of an object the size of Mars hitting a very young Earth, resulting in the Moon, hence tides, as well as a tilt of 23°, hence seasons. Then, some 600 million years ago a comet collided with Venus, putting Earth into a “snowball” state of deep freeze. As Earth thawed, the microscopic unicellular organisms which had populated the planet virtually unchanged for three billion years suddenly began to evolve into complex multicellular ones and this sudden change, known as the Cambrian Explosion, marked the start of the rapid evolution of life which ultimately led to ourselves. What are the chances of two disasters of cosmic proportions affecting the same planet, and their results being positive? Not good, says Gribbin. 219pp. $25.95 NOW £7
72628 PRESENT AT THE CREATION: The
Story of Cern and the Large Hadron Collider by Amir Aczel
With this futuristic book, written by one of today’s finest popular interpreters of basic science, we can now all follow the progress of an experiment that promises to satisfy the curiosity of everyone who has ever asked: Will the hidden dimensions posited by string theory be revealed? Will we at last identify the nature of the dark matter that makes up more than 90% of the cosmos? And will the Higgs Boson confirm at last the Standard Model of particles and their interactions that is among the great theoretical achievements of 20th century physics? The Large Hadron Collider is the biggest and by far the most powerful machine ever built. The collider is now crashing protons at record energy levels never before created by scientists, and it will reach even higher levels in 2013. After accelerating the beams to 99.9999991% of the speed of light, it collides the protons head-on, annihilating them in a flash of energy. Within the LHC’s detectors, scientists hope to see empirical confirmation of key theories in physics and cosmology. Through the eyes and words of the men and women who conceived and built CERN and the LHC, the author enriches all of us with a firm grounding in the scientific concepts. 271 pages illustrated in colour.
$25.99 NOW £7
72646 THE DISCOVERY OF JEANNE BARET: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe by Glynis Ridley
The mesmerising account of an intrepid, intelligent woman, who battled against 18th century male prejudice to live the life she wanted. Now, our author reveals all, including the newly discovered notebook, written in Baret’s own hand, that proves her scientific acumen, recording the thousands of specimens she collected, most famously the vine bougainvillea. Jeanne Baret was the mistress of an eminent botanist. When her lover was appointed as ship’s naturalist, she disguised herself as a teenage boy and signed on as his assistant. Her identity was, in fact, suspected within a couple of weeks of embarking, putting her life in danger. Bursting with vivid characters and exotic settings, this unforgettable book offers an unacknowledged heroine a chance to bloom at long last. 288 pages. $25 NOW £5.50
72780 PROGRAMMING THE UNIVERSE by Seth Lloyd
Subtitled ‘A Quantum Computer Scientist Takes on the Cosmos’ here is a book concerning every computer which needs a programme, the set of instructions that tells it what patterns to create. The history of the Universe consists of a sequence of information-processing revolutions, each of which builds on the previous one. The current revolution in electronic computing arises out of the invention of language and of logic. Language and logic in turn arise out of the mother of all information-processing revolutions, life itself. But where did life come from? Building on recent breakthroughs in quantum computation, Seth Lloyd shows that the Universe itself is a gigantic computer. 222pp. £18.99 NOW £4.75
SCIENCE FICTION
I’m sure the universe is full of intelligent life. It’s just been too intelligent to come here.
- Arthur C. Clarke
72018 THE COMING OF THE TERRAPHILES
by Michael Moorcock Authentic Moorcock authentic Doctor Who - the modern genre’s most original voice has invited the Doctor into his multiverse for an adventure sparkling with wit and peril, The Terraphiles are a group obsessed with Earth’s past and dedicated to re-enacting ancient sporting events. The Doctor and
Amy join them on a trip to Miggea, a star on the very edge of reality, and the venue for a competition to win the fabled Arrow of Law. Reality is falling apart, ships are disappearing, and Captain Cornelius and his pirates are looking for easy pickings. The Doctor and Amy have to find out who is so desperate to get the Arrow of Law that they will kill for it. 343pp. £7.99 NOW £2.50
71921 THE EARTHSEA QUARTET by Ursula Le Guin
The first volume of the Earthsea books, A Wizard of Earthsea was published in 1971 and has never been out of print since. Here it is together with The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore and Tehanu. Ged is but a goatherd on the island of Gont when he comes by his strange powers over nature. Sent to the School of Wizards on Roke, he learns the true way of magic and proves himself a powerful magician. And it is as the Archmage Sparrow Hawk that he helped the High Priestess Tenar escape the Labyrinth of Darkness. But over the years, Ged witnesses true magic and the ancient ways submit to the forces of evil and death. Will he too succumb, or can he hold them back? 691pp in paperback with line art maps. £16.99 NOW £6
SCOTTISH INTEREST
It’s guid to be merry and wise, It’s guid to be honest and true, It’s guid to support Caledonia’s cause, And bide by the buff and the blue!
- Robert Burns
72619 LOCHS: Exploring Scotland’s Freshwater Lochs
by Julian Holland
The many freshwater lochs of Scotland are amongst the most beautiful destinations to be found anywhere in Britain. During the 20th century, some were turned, by the building of dams, into giant
reservoirs. But here are over 30 which escaped that fate. Each loch has its own unique personality: some are famed for their fish, others are rich in flora and fauna. This book gives readers an insight into their geology, historical background, myths, legends and natural history. Supported by location maps, the text includes details on walks, cycle rides, boat trips, angling, water sports, tourist info and accommodation. From remote Loch Coruisk, set in the Black Cuillins of Skye, via the prison of Mary Queen of Scots in the middle of Loch Leven, to the sinister depths of Loch Morar and the famous monster of Loch Ness, here is a loch to suit every taste. 160 pages 22cm by 30cm, beautiful photos and maps.
£19.99 NOW £9.50 71315 ABERDEEN IN THE 70s: A Decade of
Change by Raymond Anderson In this compilation of mono photos we can see that much of the story of Aberdeen in the 70s sprang from that discovery plus huge changes at the harbour and the airport, the demolition of old parts of the city, and the rapid spread of new building. 400 images showing the fashion, protests and unrest, Gordon Banks and Scottish football, Jubilee street parties, the September gale of 1976, the Bay City Rollers in concert, busy heliports, the mayor’s office and much more to spark recognition, pleasure and nostalgia. 192pp in softback. £12.99 NOW £3
71487 HIGHLANDERS: A History of the Highland
Clans by Fitzroy Maclean In this extraordinary and romantic account of the Highlanders, from their earliest Celtic origins to the modern day, Sir Fitzroy MacLean - himself a Knight of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest chivalric order - sheds light on the character and
motivation of the clans and brings vividly to life their highly dramatic stories. The reproduction of early Scottish artefacts is exquisite. The volume omits nothing, from Robert the Bruce and Bannockburn, through the Lords of the Isles and the Clan Wars, on to the early Stuarts, the doomed Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobite Risings of the 18th century, the tragic 19th century Clearances which so nearly meant the end of Scotland, and so to the present day. 276 softback pages, 23cm x 29cm. Colour illus, Clan Glossary and Examples of Tartans. $35 NOW £13
SPORT
The uglier a man’s legs are, the better he plays golf. It’s almost a law.
- H. G. Wells
73091 PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MAN-POWERED WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION
by Richard Middleton The function of a bullet is to impart a blow. The weapon is the interesting means by which a missile is sent on its way, but the work itself is done by the bullet.
This one-of-a-kind book experiments with catapults, musket balls, stone bows, blow pipes, big air guns and bullets bows and low-pressure and high-pressure handguns as well as the special ammunition each requires. There are specifics on ammunition and velocities as well as a lively personal narrative filled with humour and a spirit of experimentation. Middleton explores in detail the many ways new and old that projectiles can be fired without the aid of modern technology. Line art throughout, 212pp in large softback. $14.95 NOW £6.50
73162 BARRY SHEENE: Motorcycle Racing’s Jet-Set
Superstar by Michael Scott As his sister writes, the
motorcycling legend ‘may well be gone, but he will never be forgotten’. His racing years are documented here, and they make
impressive reading. Barry Sheen’s exploits inspired generations of fans the world over, and his courage in the face of injury carried his fame still further. Over 34 action-packed years, he became an icon of achievement - this despite the fact that he suffered from asthma and was not naturally blessed with balance and co- ordination. But this moving book does not simply record his racing successes and his ability to attract female fans. It reveals a very touching side to a superstar. He had an amazing ability to remember names and faces, often remembering a person for whom he had signed an autograph years earlier. His capacity for compassion was enormous, and he would go out of his way to help with advice, comfort and support for anybody who, as he himself had often experienced, was going through rehabilitation. Barry was an excellent helicopter pilot and liked to pilot members of his family to and from venues. Unfortunately, having started to smoke at the age of 11, he died young of cancer. A tragic end to the canny Cockney with the cheeky grin. 224 paperback pages 24.5cm by 24.5cm with both colour and archive b/w photos, many previously unpublished, and appendix: Race Results 1968-2002. £12.99 NOW £5
72063 THE RIDING HANDBOOK: The
Complete Guide to Riding Horses by Zoe St Aubyn
Riding can be started at any age and very easily offer a lifetime of enjoyment. Packed with colour photos and diagrams, learn the quick release knot in the general handling and getting to know section, an A-Z of bits, riding clothes, basic rider fitness, common problems, the gallop, turning and circles, practice drills, vaccinations, a holistic approach, improving transitions, dressage, racing, breed A-Z and a glossary of terms in this complete guide to riding horses and ponies. 350 colour photos, 192pp in quality softback. $19.95 NOW £5
72703 BIKE TO WORK GUIDE by Roni Sarig and Paul Dorn
Covers bicycle technology and the main parts, steering, wheels and tyres, transmissions, suspension and breaks, bicycle types including mountain, road, hybrid, touring, cruiser and folding, determining your needs and whether to fix up your old bike or buy new, where to buy a bike and getting the right fit and the right price, getting equipped with safety gear and personal comfort, looking at your own body’s health, weight control and metabolism, road hazards, bicycling and traffic laws and what to do if a collision or injury occurs. Plus finding a route and securing your bike and dressing correctly for the job. Line art diagrams. 218pp in paperback. £7.99 NOW £3
71122 CHAPMAN PILOTING AND
SEAMANSHIP: 65th Edition by Elbert Maloney Completely updated and revised with new charts, photographs and illustrations, this is the boating world’s most respected reference. With millions of copies sold, it continues to be the world’s most widely used guide in both power and sailing boating for nearly a century. This volume with 928 pages, 1500 colour illustrations and charts, exploded views and cutaways has up-to-date information on US and worldwide navigation laws, regulations and fees and details on navigation equipment like GPS, radar, depth sounders/ fish finders, chart plotters, e-mail and website addresses. Help on plotting your distance to avoid collisions, tides and currents, ports, anchoring techniques to cleaning your boat and trailer. Nautical terms to inland boating. 928pp, 8" x 11". £40 NOW £8.50
71457 GRAND PRIX SHOWDOWN! by Christopher Hilton
Subtitled How Lewis Hamilton Joined The Greats - The Full Drama of Every Championship-Deciding Grand Prix Since 1950. Completely updated from the 1992 first edition, in this comprehensive volume you will meet all the men who became the ‘immortals’ and re-live the races. The 29 past champions came from 14 countries and five continents and they had won their titles at 24 different circuits on every continent except Antarctica. Here are the precise Alain Prost, the mythical Niki Lauda, the focused James Hunt, the courageous Nigel
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