The Science Shelf
Notes on Acoustics
Uno Ingard
Infinity Science Press
11 Leavitt Street, Hingham, MA 02043
9781934015087, $69.95, www (dot) infinitysciencepress (dot) com
Sound is all around us, and it's an im****tant element for
understanding physics. "Notes on Acoustics" is a look at the hard
science behind the study of acoustics. Covering countless topics on
the subject such as Oscillations, Sound Waves, Reflection, Duct
Acoustics, and more, "Notes on Acoustics" is a seminal work on the
topic. Enhanced with formerly unpublished bonus material, "Notes on
Acoustics" is highly recommended for community library physics
collections.
Principles and Practice of Bioanalysis, second edition
Richard F. Venn
CRC Press
270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016
0849338573, $89.95, www (dot) crcpress (dot) com
Bioanalytical usage has changed a good deal in the past seven years.
Now in a newly expanded and updated second edition, "Principles and
Practices of Bioanalysis" looks at the concept as a whole, examining
every change that has occurred in the past couple years. "Principles
and Practices of Bioanalysis" is a living guide on the subject,
scrutinizing how its topics have changed over the years - mass
spectronomy, immunoassay, gas chromatography and more. A scholarly,
seminal piece, "Principles and Practices of Bioanalysis" is highly
recommended for community library science collections.
Why Beauty is Truth
Ian Stewart
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465082377, $16.95 www (dot) basicbooks (dot) com
WHY BEAUTY IS TRUTH: A HISTORY OF SYMMETRY is a fine blend of science,
politics and history but deserves a place in any general interest
science collection. It traces the idea of symmetry from early
mathematicians of Babylon to modern times, considering how this
concept and its math has proved a building block for many basic
concepts of the universe. No math expertise is needed to appreciate
this in-depth survey with its clear descriptions and easily understood
science.
Coming to Life
Christiane Nusslein-Volhard
Kales Press
7031 Columbine Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92011
9780979845604, $17.95, www (dot) kalespress (dot) com
Genetics are what dictate the physical development of every living
thing on the planet. "Coming to Life: How Genes Drive Development" is
a scholarly and educational text seeking to explain in plain terms how
complex plants and animals spring from seemingly simple egg and sperm
cells. An ideal way to understand genetics enhanced with over fifty
hand drawn illustrations, "Coming to Life: How Genes Drive
Development" is highly recommended for community library science
collections.
N-Body Gravitational Problem
Karel Havel
Grevyt Press
PO Box 51015, Brampton, ON, Canada, L6T 5M2
9780968912058, $14.95, www (dot) grevytpress (dot) com
There are some concepts that are so complex that even the most learned
of minds fail to grasp them. "N-Body Gravitational Problem:
Unrestricted Solution" attempts to solve the unsolvable by offering a
possible solution to one of the most controversial and debated topics
in modern physics =96 the N-body gravitational problem. Claimed by Isaac
Newton as simply incomprehensible to the human mind, this problem has
baffled the world for over three centuries. Offering a new way of
exploring the problem, "N-Body Gravitational Problem: Unrestricted
Solution" is highly recommended for community library physics
collections.
The Unknown Universe
Richard Hammond, Ph.D.
New Page Books
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601630032, $21.99 www (dot) newpagebooks (dot) com
=46rom the basics of how physicists view the universe and its creation
to the latest scientific theories and explanations and some of the
major puzzles physics is trying to handle today, THE UNKNOWN UNIVERSE
is a fine survey of the latest puzzles and science, and come from
personal insights from the author's own research. From cosmic rays to
hydrogen collapses, THE UNKNOWN UNIVERSE is packed with exciting
science possibilities and perfect for both science and general-
interest collections.
Cosmology
Steven Weinberg
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780198526827, $90.00, www (dot) oup (dot) com
How do modern scientists form a basis for their research? "Cosmology"
is a complete and comprehensive manual to anyone who is curious about
he functions of this science and wants to learn more. Covering
countless topics in nearly six hundred pages, such as microwave
background polarization, leptogenesis, multifield inflation, and
others, "Cosmology" is an ideal text for students. Enhanced with
appendices containing formulas, glossaries, and more, "Cosmology" is
almost a science college course on its own. A top pick for college
library science collections.
Food Biodeterioration and Preservation
Gary S. Tucker (editor)
Blackwell Publi****ng
2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50014-8300
9781405154178, $184.99, www (dot) blackwellfood (dot) com
All living things decompose =96 and the mastery of food science is
measuring and using this effectively. "Food Biodeterioration and
Preservation" is a scholarly look at this science down to an almost
molecular level, and how these microbiological agents affect food and
food's shelf life. In depth looks at many a food's staying life, and
how various preservatives affect and change them, "Food
Biodeterioration and Preservation" is a far reaching survey that
should be read by every step of the food manufacturing industry, from
agriculture to factories. A top pick for community library science
collections.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
A.B. Bhattacharya, S. Joardar, & R. Bhattacharya
Infinity Science Press
11 Leavitt Street, Hingham, MA 02043
9781934015056, $69.95, www (dot) infinitysciencepress (dot) com
The Universe is infinite and always expanding, as is mankind's
understanding of it. "Astronomy and Astrophysics" is a scholarly,
informed and informative look at humanity's current understanding of
the Universe. Chapters focus on radio astronomy, optical astronomy,
minor planets, the Big Bang theory, Einstein's theories, and many
other topics that those in the field will find fascinating.
Accompanied by a bonus CD ROM featuring NASA simulations, figures, and
much more, "Astronomy and Astrophysics" is a complete a text on the
subject as one can find in today's world, and highly recommended for
college library physics collections.
Secrets of the Hoary Deep
Riccardo Giacconi
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801888090, $45.00 www (dot) press (dot) jhu (dot) edu
1-800-537-5487
Secrets of the Hoary Deep: A Personal History of Modern Astronomy
recounts the amazing history of the science of x-ray astronomy from
its inception to the modern day. Told by 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics
winner and founding father of x-ray astronomy Riccardo Giacconi,
Secrets of the Hoary Deep blends elements of memoir into the
accounting, offering a personal touch into the story x-ray astronomy.
A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this in-depth,
engrossing account sure to fascinate lay readers and experts alike.
Of The Earth, Spheres, and Consequences
Michael S. Hamilton
Vantage Press
419 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016
0533134145, $24.95, www (dot) vantagepress (dot) com
Geology, Meteorology, and Hydrology =96 few people would call them their
favorite subjects to talk about. Dr. Michael S. Hamilton seeks to
change that with "Of the Earth, Spheres, and Consequences", a guide
for non-specialist lay readers to the these fields of science, and
successfully makes these subjects intriguing, interesting, and
fascinating. An essential read addition to community library science
collections.
Medicinal Plants of North America
Jim Meuninck
Falcon Press
c/o Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9780762742981, $16.95 www (dot) falcon (dot) com 1-800-243-0495
A welcome addition to the practical Falcon Guides series, Medicinal
Plants of North America is a full-color field guide to North American
plants used in medicine from traditional times to the modern day. Each
entry describes the plant's traditional and modern uses, as well as
veterinary/wildlife uses, and is careful to note any precautions that
should be taken while dealing with the plant (warnings of toxicity, or
against consuming specific plants while pregnant or lactating, are
especially common). An excellent, easy-to-use field guide.
Geology Underfoot in Illinois
Raymond Wiggers
Mountain Press Publi****ng Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, Montana 59806
087842346X, $18.00 www (dot) mountain-press (dot) com 1-800-234-5308
Geology Underfoot in Illinois is an amazing tour of the geological
diversity and wonders to be found in the great state of Illinois.
Readers of all backgrounds are sure to enjoy the geologic walking or
driving tours of thirty-seven Illinois sites. Maps and black-and-white
photographs enhance this wonderfully enriching complement to solo or
family vacations. "The most accessible [canyon] from the Starved Rock
footpath is French Canyon. One of the loveliest times to see it is in
winter, when the falling streams have frozen into sparkling columns of
ice. To me, these narrow rockbound defiles, with their horizontal
ribbing of Paleozoic strata, define the Illinois landscape every bit
as much as the prairies." Enthusiastically recommended for anyone who
is eager to see all the natural wonders Illinois has to offer, not
just its flora and fauna.
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