"The
Hole in the Universe" by K.C. Cole
Los Angeles Times columnist K.C. Cole gives the literary treatment to the
toughest stuff science has to offer. In "The Hole in the Universe," she explains
one of the strangest mysteries of cosmology--the emptiness lurking out beyond
the stars. Cole's hunt for missing mass is a compelling examination of how
science looks at nothing.
"Dr.
Folkman's War" by Robert Cooke
"Dr. Folkman's War" chronicles the herculean efforts of Judas Folkman, whose
pioneering work on angiogenesis opened up amazing new possibilities in the
often-frustrating world of cancer research. Newsday writer Robert Cooke takes
a look at Folkman's efforts in this insightful medical tale.
"Tinkering
with Eden" by Kim Todd
Species that wouldn't be where they are without human help are known as exotics.
In "Tinkering with Eden," Kim Todd presents a detailed history of exotic species
in the United States. Find out why many of our most flourishing and successful
wildlife populations actually threaten the biodiversity of the continent.
"Robo
sapiens: Evolution of a New Species" by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio
Robots are nothing new, but researchers all over the world are racing to create
an electronic being that can think, act, and move on its own. In "Robo sapiens,"
writer Peter Menzel and photographer Faith D'Aluisio offer a cool (and creepy)
view of the state of robotics.
"E=mc2:
A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation" by David Bodanis
"E=mc2" reveals the history and science behind the world's most famous equation.
In an engaging and enlightening story, David Bodanis examines the steps that
led to Einstein's legendarily simple summation of how energy, mass, and light
are related. A must-read for Einstein-philes.
"Darwin's
Ghost: The Origin of Species Updated" by Steve Jones
If ever there was a scientific work that withstood critical scrutiny, it's
Charles Darwin's "The Origin of Species." Unfortunately, even most biologists
have never read that classic science work. In "Darwin's Ghost," Steve Jones
presents a clever new take on the old classic--a new and improved evolutionary
primer for everyone.
"Rare
Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe" by Peter Douglas Ward and Donald Brownlee
Maybe we really are alone, speculate Ward and Brownlee in this controversial
and challenging look at what's really out there. Questioning the widely accepted
assumptions of Carl Sagan and Drake's equation, the authors present evidence
that not only is advanced life rare, but it may be unique to Earth.
"Where
Mathematics Comes From" by George Lakoff and Rafael Nuñez
George Lakoff and Rafael Nuñez take a look at the human brain to find
out why we can count, do arithmetic, and wrap our minds around even bigger
numerical concepts. Blending cognitive science, linguistics, and psychology,
"Where Mathematics Comes From" uncovers the secrets of the numerical brain.
"The
Code Book" by Simon Singh
Now out in paperback, Simon Singh's engrossing history of cryptography follows
the human yen for secrecy from the ancient Egyptians through quantum computing.
Alan
Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges
Alan Turing, top thinker on the World War II team that solved the German Enigma
ciphers, was a brilliant man. His pioneering work in computer design and artificial
intelligence theory set the stage for the technological future. But Turing
led a life of turmoil and humiliation as an openly gay man in the intolerant
midcentury, and he died too young. Andrew Hodges's biography of Turing is
a compassionate and thorough portrait of an intriguing historical figure.
"The
Double Helix"
by James D. Watson
Direct from James Watson, "The Double Helix" tells the uncensored story behind
the discovery of DNA's structure. Watson and Francis Crick are revered in
biology for their accomplishments, but this story reveals them as human beings,
with faults and foibles to go with their brilliance. A compelling story of
real science.
"Advice
for a Young Investigator"
by Santiago Ramon y Cajal (translated by Neely Swanson and Larry W. Swanson)
Although largely unappreciated, Santiago Ramon y Cajal has been called the
"father of modern anatomy and neurobiology." His classic 1897 work,
"Advice for a Young Investigator," has been rediscovered, and it's
a true gem of scientific thought. Don't overlook this treasure.
"Time,
Love, Memory"
by Jonathan Weiner
In the fascinating "Time, Love, Memory," Jonathan Weiner follows
the life of a scientist in search of the secrets of animal behavior. Weiner,
the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Beak of the Finch," focuses
on Seymour Benzer, a dedicated researcher who has devoted his life to discovering
the origins of behavior, from genetic codes to unexplained disorders.
"The
Universal History of Numbers"
by Georges Ifrah
In "The Universal History of Numbers," a big, illustrated chronicle
of numerical development, Georges Ifrah traces the genesis of numbering systems
in ancient civilizations from the Babylonians, Sumerians, and Indians through
the possibility of alien intervention.
