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The Little Book of Exoplanets
by Joshua N. WinnA concise and accessible introduction to exoplanets that explains the cutting-edge science behind recent discoveriesFor centuries, people have speculated about the possibility of planets orbiting distant stars, but only since the 1990s has technology allowed astronomers to detect them. At this point, more than five thousand such exoplanets have been identified, with the pace of discovery accelerating after the launch of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the Webb Space Telescope. In The Little Book of Exoplanets, Princeton astrophysicist Joshua Winn offers a brief and engaging introduction to the search for exoplanets and the cutting-edge science behind recent findings. In doing so, he chronicles the dawn of a new age of discovery—one that has rapidly transformed astronomy and our broader understanding of the universe.Scientists now know that many Sun-like stars host their own systems of planets, some of which may resemble our solar system and include planets similar to the Earth. But, Winn tells us, the most remarkable discoveries so far have been of planets with unexpected and decidedly un-Earth-like properties, which have upended what we thought we knew about the origins of planetary systems. Winn provides an inside view of the sophisticated detective work astronomers perform as they find and study exoplanets and describes the surprising—sometimes downright bizarre—planets and systems they have found. He explains how these discoveries are revolutionizing astronomy, and he explores the current status and possible future of the search for another Earth. Finally, drawing on his own and other scientists’ work, he considers how the discovery of exoplanets and their faraway solar systems changes our perspectives on the universe and our place in it.
The Little Book of Fungi (Little Books of Nature)
by Britt A. BunyardA charming, richly illustrated, pocket-size exploration of the world&’s fungiPacked with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile any nature lover. Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, The Little Book of Fungi is an accessible and enjoyable mini-reference about the world&’s fungi, with examples drawn from across the globe. It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from morphology, diversity, and reproduction to habitat and conservation. It also includes curious facts and a section on fungi in myths, folklore, and modern culture from around the world. The result is an irresistible guide to the amazing lives of fungi.A beautifully designed pocket-size book with a foil-stamped cloth coverFeatures some 140 color illustrations and photosMakes a perfect gift
The Little Book of Going Green: An Introduction to Climate Change and How We Can Reduce Our Carbon Footprint (The\little Book Of Ser.)
by Harriet DyerThe Little Book of Going Green aims to shed light on the ways humans are harming the environment, from pollution and deforestation to industrial production and farming methods. Filled with facts, theories and tips on how we can do our bit for the planet, this is your one-stop guide to making every aspect of your life earth-friendly.
The Little Book of Mushrooms: An Illustrated Guide to the Extraordinary Power of Mushrooms
by Alex DorrA beautifully illustrated guide to 75 of the most unique and fascinating mushrooms in the world, including interesting insight into their history, uses, and etymologies.From sweet little toadstools to giant puffballs, mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes. With over 10,000 mushrooms in the world, some are cute and colorful, while others may look super adorable but are actually deadly. No matter the kind, it&’s time to celebrate all types of mushrooms with The Little Book of Mushrooms. This book is a collection of everything you need to know about 75 of the world&’s most unique mushrooms. With information on their etymology, geographic location, characteristics, and culinary or healing powers, this book is the perfect companion for amateur mushroom hunters, cottage-core fans, or anyone just looking for a beautifully illustrated book on some of the most incredible fungi around the world.
The Little Book of Neuroscience Haiku
by Eric ChudlerFun, informative poetry about the brain. Elephant on brain "You have a lot on your mind" Neurologist says. The brain has fascinated philosophers and scientists for centuries. And why not? It is perhaps the most mysterious thing in the universe. Yet it's probably safe to say that The Little Book of Neuroscience Haiku approaches the brain in a way that no one has before. Neuroscientist Eric H. Chudler has created a whimsical yet educational book of haiku about the brain, each poem conforming to the strict definition of the Japanese verse form: three lines containing five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables. Organized in three parts, one part discusses places (areas of the brain); one takes up things (such as brain scans); and one is about people (such as the researchers who have helped us learn about this elusive organ). Extensive notes complete the book, educating readers in an amusing, poetic, and at times moving fashion. This book will be sure to delight science readers.
The Little Book of Palaeontology: The Pocket Guide to Our Fossilized Past
by Rasha BarrageIf you want to know your ichthyosaur from your iguanodon, and your belemnites from your brachiopods, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of palaeontology Life as we know it now has a long history, buried beneath the ground. Palaeontology is the science of fossilized animals and plants, using discoveries of ancient lifeforms to uncover secrets of the past. From giant dinosaurs, to ammonites, to the first ever humans, explore the greatest findings in palaeontology in this pocket-sized introduction. The Little Book of Palaeontology includes:- The key palaeontological discoveries over the past 400 years, including the dinosaur found complete with intricate scales, and the largest fossil ever uncovered- Profiles of influential palaeontologists such as Jack Horner, Dong Zhiming and Mary Anning- What we have learnt about the lives of ancient creatures and how they became extinct- The big questions about the prehistoric world that palaeontologists are trying to answer todayThis illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how life evolved. Look through this window to the past and learn about our prehistoric ancestors and the creatures of a bygone age.
The Little Book of Scientific Principles, Theories, and Things
by Surendra VermaWhat is Pythagoras' Theorem? Who developed the World Wide Web? What is the difference between circadian rhythms and the popular concept of biorhythms? Find out the answers here, where serious science is presented simply, clearly, and chronologically for the layperson. This book explains 175 of the most important laws, principles, equations, and theories that form the foundation of the field as we know it. All the great names are featured, including Galileo, Newton, Darwin, and Einstein, as well as more recent contributors such as Rachel Carson, James Lovelock, and Stephen Hawking.
The Little Book of Space: An Introduction to the Solar System and Beyond
by Norman FergusonSpace is spectacularThis short, informative and engaging guide to the wonders of the universe will fascinate and inspire readers of all agesThere’s never been a more exciting time to learn about space. As new rockets are launched and fresh discoveries are made, humanity’s urge to explore and understand what’s going on out there keeps evolving and expanding.But you don’t need to have Einstein-level training to grasp the science and ponder the big questions. This little book covers everything from the Big Bang and the formation of the planets in our solar system, and how to spot them in the night sky, to a timeline of firsts and major events, including the Apollo missions, Elon Musk’s SpaceX programme and Tim Peake’s Principia mission.Packed with awe-inspiring facts and profiles of key figures, it will take you on an out-of-this-world adventure to the stars and back.Among the many fascinating questions the book will answer are these:How big is the universe and how was it formed?How many meteorites crash into Earth every day?Could humans one day live on Mars?Are we alone in the universe?
The Little Book of Spiders (Little Books of Nature #3)
by Simon PollardA charming, richly illustrated, pocket-size exploration of the world&’s spidersPacked with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile any nature lover. Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, The Little Book of Spiders is an accessible and enjoyable mini reference about the world&’s spiders, with examples drawn from across the globe. It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from anatomy, diversity, and reproduction to habitat and conservation. It also includes curious facts and a section on spiders in myths, folklore, and modern culture from around the world. The result is an irresistible guide to the amazing lives of spiders.A beautifully designed pocket-size book with a foil-stamped cloth coverFeatures some 140 color illustrations and photosMakes a perfect gift
The Little Book of String Theory (Science Essentials #11)
by Steven S. GubserThe essential beginner's guide to string theoryThe Little Book of String Theory offers a short, accessible, and entertaining introduction to one of the most talked-about areas of physics today. String theory has been called the "theory of everything." It seeks to describe all the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses gravity and quantum mechanics in one unifying theory. But it is unproven and fraught with controversy. After reading this book, you'll be able to draw your own conclusions about string theory.Steve Gubser begins by explaining Einstein's famous equation E = mc2, quantum mechanics, and black holes. He then gives readers a crash course in string theory and the core ideas behind it. In plain English and with a minimum of mathematics, Gubser covers strings, branes, string dualities, extra dimensions, curved spacetime, quantum fluctuations, symmetry, and supersymmetry. He describes efforts to link string theory to experimental physics and uses analogies that nonscientists can understand. How does Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu relate to quantum mechanics? What would it be like to fall into a black hole? Why is dancing a waltz similar to contemplating a string duality? Find out in the pages of this book.The Little Book of String Theory is the essential, most up-to-date beginner's guide to this elegant, multidimensional field of physics.
The Little Book of Talent: 52 Tips for Improving Your Skills
by Daniel CoyleThe Little Book of Talent is a manual for building a faster brain and a better you. It is an easy-to-use handbook of scientifically proven, field-tested methods to improve skills--your skills, your kids' skills, your organization's skills--in sports, music, art, math, and business. The product of five years of reporting from the world's greatest talent hotbeds and interviews with successful master coaches, it distills the daunting complexity of skill development into 52 clear, concise directives. Whether you're age 10 or 100, whether you're on the sports field or the stage, in the classroom or the corner office, this is an essential guide for anyone who ever asked, "How do I get better?""The Little Book of Talent should be given to every graduate at commencement, every new parent in a delivery room, every executive on the first day of work. It is a guidebook--beautiful in its simplicity and backed by hard science--for nurturing excellence."--Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit "It's so juvenile to throw around hyperbolic terms such as 'life-changing,' but there's no other way to describe The Little Book of Talent. I was avidly trying new things within the first half hour of reading it and haven't stopped since. Brilliant. And yes: life-changing."--Tom Peters, co-author of In Search of ExcellenceFrom the Hardcover edition.
The Little Book of Trees (Little Books of Nature #4)
by Herman Shugart Peter WhiteA charming, richly illustrated, pocket-size exploration of the world&’s treesPacked with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile any nature lover. Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, The Little Book of Trees is an accessible and enjoyable mini reference about the world&’s trees, with examples drawn from across the globe. It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from tree anatomy, diversity, and architecture to habitat and conservation. It also includes curious facts and a section on trees in myths, folklore, and modern culture from around the world. The result is an irresistible guide to the amazing lives of trees.A beautifully designed pocket-size book with a foil-stamped cloth coverFeatures some 140 color illustrations and photosMakes a perfect gift
The Little Book of Whales (Little Books of Nature)
by Robert Young Annalisa BertaA charming, richly illustrated, pocket-size exploration of the world&’s whalesPacked with surprising facts, this delightful and gorgeously designed book will beguile any nature lover. Expertly written and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photographs and original color artwork, The Little Book of Whales is an accessible and enjoyable mini-reference about the world&’s whales, with examples drawn from across the globe. It fits an astonishing amount of information in a small package, covering a wide range of topics—from anatomy, diversity, and reproduction to habitat and conservation. It also includes curious facts and a section on whales in myths and folklore from around the world. The result is an irresistible guide to the amazing lives of whales.A beautifully designed pocket-size book with a foil-stamped cloth coverFeatures some 140 color illustrations and photosMakes a perfect gift
Little Bustard: Ecology and Conservation (Wildlife Research Monographs #5)
by Vincent Bretagnolle Juan Traba Manuel B. MoralesThis book is devoted to the Little Bustard, a medium sized Paleartic steppe bird whose distribution ranges from the Iberian Peninsula to Central Asia. At present, the European population is suffering a severe decline mainly due to agricultural intensification, although its status and concerns in non-European countries are relatively unknown. In spite of this dramatic situation, the Little Bustard is an interesting model species for topics as varied as phylogeny, life history evolution and demographic traits, sexual selection and lekking behavior, habitat selection, intra- and interspecific relationships, or interaction with farming and other anthropogenic disturbances. This book provides an updated, interdisciplinary, and worldwide review of the most recent information of this crucial species in the Palearctic steppe-bird community, from specific biological aspects and traits to research-focused management. Some of the most prominent scientists from different fields (systematics, breeding ecology, behavior, competence, predation, population dynamics, farming, conservation) update and synthesize the existing information on a singular, threatened and vulnerable species.
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World (Vashti Harrison)
by Vashti HarrisonFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History comes the highly anticipated follow-up, a beautifully illustrated collectible detailing the lives of women creators around the world.Featuring the true stories of 40 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamar, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Maya Deren, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. Some names are known, some are not, but all of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in.The charming, information-filled full-color spreads show the Dreamers as both accessible and aspirational so reader knows they, too, can grow up to do something amazing.
A Little History of Science
by William BynumScience is fantastic. It tells us about the infinite reaches of space, the tiniest living organism, the human body, the history of Earth. People have always been doing science because they have always wanted to make sense of the world and harness its power. From ancient Greek philosophers through Einstein and Watson and Crick to the computer-assisted scientists of today, men and women have wondered, examined, experimented, calculated, and sometimes made discoveries so earthshaking that people understood the world—or themselves—in an entirely new way. This inviting book tells a great adventure story: the history of science. It takes readers to the stars through the telescope, as the sun replaces the earth at the center of our universe. It delves beneath the surface of the planet, charts the evolution of chemistry's periodic table, introduces the physics that explain electricity, gravity, and the structure of atoms. It recounts the scientific quest that revealed the DNA molecule and opened unimagined new vistas for exploration. Emphasizing surprising and personal stories of scientists both famous and unsung,A Little History of Sciencetraces the march of science through the centuries. The book opens a window on the exciting and unpredictable nature of scientific activity and describes the uproar that may ensue when scientific findings challenge established ideas. With delightful illustrations and a warm, accessible style, this is a volume for young and old to treasure together.
The Little Ice Age
by Brian M. FaganThe Little Ice Age, the most significant climate event of the last millennium, was sandwiched between two warm spells-- the Medieval Warm Period, which lasted from about 900 to 1300 AD, and the present global warming, which began in about 1850. Although climatologists long suspected the broad outlines of these periods, only within the past decade have they developed an accurate picture of climate conditions in historical times. They can now determine yearly average temperatures and rainfall, the times and magnitude of volcanic eruptions, and even how brightly the sun shone centuries ago. This book focuses on the weather, farming and the fishing and exploring of the north Atlantic.
The Little Ice Age: Ancient And Modern (Routledge Studies In Physical Geography Ser. #Vol. 5)
by Jean M. GroveThe evidence for the Little Ice Age, the most important fluctuation in global climate in historical times, is most dramatically represented by the advance of mountain glaciers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and their retreat since about 1850. The effects on the landscape and the daily life of people have been particularly apparent in Norway and the Alps. This major book places an extensive body of material relating to Europe, in the form of documentary evidence of the history of the glaciers, their portrayal in paintings and maps, and measurements made by scientists and others, within a global perspective. It shows that the glacial history of mountain regions all over the world displays a similar pattern of climatic events. Furthermore, fluctuations on a comparable scale have occurred at intervals of a millennium or two throughout the last ten thousand years since the ice caps of North America and northwest Europe melted away. This is the first scholarly work devoted to the Little Ice Age, by an author whose research experience of the subject has been extensive. This book includes large numbers of maps, diagrams and photographs, many not published elsewhere, and very full bibliographies. It is a definitive work on the subject, and an excellent focus for the work of economic and social historians as well as glaciologists, climatologists, geographers, and specialists in mountain environment.
Little Leonardo's Fascinating World of Astronomy
by Sarafina NanceJoin author Sarafina Nance, a real-life astrophysicist and one of Forbes magazine "30 inspirational women," as she guides you through 22 fascinating pages of fun facts all about the universe. Get lost in captivating illustrations and text about that big wide-open space above us. Did you know that everything you can see, touch, taste, and smell is actually just a teeny tiny part of the Universe? Or that even though Earth has only 1 moon, Jupiter has 79 and Saturn has 82? Or did you know that there is a planet that’s made of diamond?
A Little Less Arctic: Top Predators in the World's Largest Northern Inland Sea, Hudson Bay
by Lisa L. Loseto Ferguson Steven H Mark L. MalloryIn Arctic Canada, Hudson Bay is a site of great exploration history, aboriginal culture, and a vast marine wilderness supporting large populations of marine mammals and birds. These include some of the most iconic Arctic animals like beluga, narwhal, bowhead whales, and polar bears. Due to the challenges of conducting field research in this region, some of the mysteries of where these animals move, and how they are able to survive in such seemingly inhospitable, ice-choked habitats are just now being unlocked. For example, are polar bears being replaced by killer whales? This new information could not be more salient, as the Hudson Bay Region is undergoing rapid environmental change due to global warming, as well as increased pressures from industrial development interests. A Little Less Arctic brings together some of the world's leading Arctic scientists to present the current state of knowledge on the physical and biological characteristics of Hudson Bay.
A Little Like an Animal
by Pete CocoAnimals move in all sorts of fun ways! Can you crouch like a bullfrog or arch your back like a cat? Learn new ways to move your body and mimic your favorite animals!
Little Miss Inventor (Mr. Men and Little Miss)
by Roger HargreavesMeet Little Miss Inventor, an ingenious new Little Miss character full of bright ideas!Little Miss Inventor is constantly inventing new things--her super-speedy reader page turner helps read books faster, and her back-pack-snack-attack fridge was a perfect match for her friend Mr. Greedy. But her greatest challenge yet has her stumped--what on earth could she invent for Mr. Rude?! Children will love learning about the newest Little Miss character and following her exciting adventures in this special, harcover title.
Little Monsters: The Creatures that Live on Us and in Us
by Albert MarrinAward winner Albert Marrin answers the question: "What's eating you?" - literallyFrom nonfiction master Albert Marrin, here is the shocking story of the longest running war of all time: man versus parasite. From fleas, ticks, lice, and bedbugs to worms, mites, leeches, and maggots, Marrin explains what parasites are, how they invade our bodies, and their effects for good or ill. At their best, parasites have saved limbs and lives; at their worst, they've been responsible for the deaths of billions of people and altered the course of human history. With photographs and illustrations throughout, this exploration of the hidden world exposes the creatures responsible for making our skin crawl - since the beginning of time.
The Little Owl: Conservation, Ecology And Behavior Of Athene Noctua
by Dries Van Nieuwenhuyse Ronald Van Harxen David H. Johnson Joris De Raedt
A Little Queer Natural History
by Josh L. DavisBeautifully illustrated and scientifically informed, a celebration of the astonishing diversity of sexual behavior and biology found in nature. From a pair of male swans raising young to splitgill mushrooms with over 23,000 mating types, sex in the natural world is wonderfully diverse. Josh L. Davis considers how, for many different organisms—animals, plants, and fungi included—sexual reproduction and sex determination rely on a surprisingly complex interaction among genes, hormones, environment, and chance. As Davis introduces us to fascinating biological concepts like parthenogenesis (virgin birth), monoecious plants (individuals with separate male and female flowers), and sex-reversed genitals, we see turtle hatchlings whose sex is determined by egg temperature; butterflies that embody male and female biological tissue in the same organism; and a tomato that can reproduce three different ways at the same time. Davis also reveals animal and plant behaviors in nature that researchers have historically covered up or explained away, like queer sex among Adélie penguins or bottlenose dolphins, and presents animal behaviors that challenge us to rethink our assumptions and prejudices. Featuring fabulous sex-fluid fishes and ant, wasp, and bee queens who can choose both how they want to have sex and the sex of their offspring, A Little Queer Natural History offers a larger lesson: that the diversity we see in our own species needs no justification and represents just a fraction of what exists in the natural world.