Best of
Popular-Science

1990

The Ants


Bert Hölldobler - 1990
    Hölldobler and Wilson review in exhaustive detail virtually all topics in the anatomy, physiology, social organization, ecology, and natural history of the ants. In large format, with almost a thousand line drawings, photographs, and paintings, it is one of the most visually rich and all-encompassing views of any group of organisms on earth. It will be welcomed both as an introduction to the subject and as an encyclopedia reference for researchers in entomology, ecology, and sociobiology.

Journey through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics


William Dunham - 1990
    Now William Dunham gives them the attention they deserve.Dunham places each theorem within its historical context and explores the very human and often turbulent life of the creator — from Archimedes, the absentminded theoretician whose absorption in his work often precluded eating or bathing, to Gerolamo Cardano, the sixteenth-century mathematician whose accomplishments flourished despite a bizarre array of misadventures, to the paranoid genius of modern times, Georg Cantor. He also provides step-by-step proofs for the theorems, each easily accessible to readers with no more than a knowledge of high school mathematics.A rare combination of the historical, biographical, and mathematical, Journey Through Genius is a fascinating introduction to a neglected field of human creativity.

Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - And How to Find Them


Guy Consolmagno - 1990
    Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn Guidepost figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Bo�tes has been added to Spring, replacing the Shrinking Double spread; and a unique When and Where to Look table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

Newton's Madness: Further Tales Of Clinical Neurology


Harold Klawans - 1990
    A leading neurologist offers a new collection of essays about the strange and frightening things that happen when the workings of the human brain go awry.

The New Ambidextrous Universe


Martin Gardner - 1990
    . . and making them accessible to the interested but nontechnical reader. This is a special talent and no one has ever displayed it quite as well as he does." — Los Angeles Times"Absorbing; enlightening; lucid; witty; inventive. An exemplar of science writing at its very best." — American Mathematical MonthlyA substantial revision of Martin Gardner's earlier well-known work on mirror symmetry and asymmetry, The New Ambidextrous Universe takes readers on an extraordinary journey. With Gardner’s guidance, they explore the two fundamental scientific discoveries of the past century: the asymmetric DNA helix and the overthrow of parity (left-right symmetry) in particle physics. Along the way, students will find absorbing and thought-provoking treatments of some of the deepest mysteries in modern physics.Author of more than 60 books, Martin Gardner has influenced and inspired generations of scientists, scholars, and other readers, especially those with an interest in mathematics. He originated Scientific American's popular Mathematical Games column, which he wrote from 1956 until his retirement from the magazine three decades later. This republication of his revised edition of an earlier work features a new appendix of notes and corrections.

The Ascent of Science


Brian L. Silver - 1990
    Silver translates our most important, and often most obscure, scientific developments into a vernacular that is not only accessible and illuminating but also enjoyable. Silver makes his comprehensive case with much clarity and insight; his book aptly locates science as the apex of human reason, and reason as our best path to the truth. For all readers curious about--or else perhaps intimidated by--what Silver calls the scientific campaign up to now in his Preface, The Ascent of Science will be fresh, vivid, and fascinating reading.

Chandra: A Biography of S. Chandrasekhar


Kameshwar C. Wali - 1990
    . . . I wish I had the job of reviewing this book for the New York Times rather than for Physics Today. If the book is only read by physicists, then Wali's devoted labors were in vain."—Freeman Dyson, Physics Today"An enthralling human document."—William McCrea, Times Higher Education Supplement"A dramatic, exuberant biography of one of the century's great scientists."—Publishers Weekly

Animal Watching: A New Guide to the Animal World


Desmond Morris - 1990
    Destined to be Morris' most popular book. 500 full-color photographs.

A Parrot Without a Name: The Search for the Last Unknown Birds on Earth


Don Stap - 1990
    He describes the thrill of discovering previously unknown species of birds--and the sobering realization that progress is fast destroying both habitat and inhabitants in the rain forest.

Astronomer By Chance


Bernard Lovell - 1990
    

Black Holes and the Universe


Igor D. Novikov - 1990
    In this popular account of the cosmic importance of black holes, he explores the properties and significance of these mysterious phenomena, which represent the most condensed state of matter in the Universe. Black holes are formed by the force of gravity, warping space and time, crushing stars and perhaps galaxies, too, until they fall in on themselves. Novikov's fascinating account illuminates this most enigmatic feature of our Universe with exemplary clarity, illustrated with a series of inspired cartoon drawings.

The Newtonian Casino


Thomas A. Bass - 1990
    They then smuggled the device into the casinos of Las Vegas, hidden in the soles of their shoes. This book is an introduction to computing as well as a thriller.

Atoms


Jean Perrin - 1990
    This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.