Other books that might interest you

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  The Hidden Histories of...

  Alice Bailey, Maddie Bailey

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  The Hidden Histories of Houseplants explores twenty of the world's most common houseplants. 
   
   
   
  This book isn't just a dry exploration of historical cultivation; the narrative explores the plants' places in social history, science and culture, showcasing the most fascinating elements of each plant's story, be it the exploration as to why Monstera deliciosa have holes in their leaves, whether houseplants have the ability to count, or why Calathea leaves open during the day and close up at night. 
   
   
   
  Each chapter takes the listener on a journey through time, history, and culture, told by the most universally binding objects in our homes from London to Beijing—houseplants.

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  The Demon in the Machine - How...

  Paul Davies

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  What is life? For generations, scientists have struggled to make sense of this fundamental question, for life really does look like magic: even a humble bacterium accomplishes things so dazzling that no human engineer can match it. Huge advances in molecular biology over the past few decades have served only to deepen the mystery. 
   
   
   
  In this penetrating and wide-ranging book, world-renowned physicist and science communicator Paul Davies searches for answers in a field so new and fast-moving that it lacks a name; it is a domain where biology, computing, logic, chemistry, quantum physics, and nanotechnology intersect. At the heart of these diverse fields, Davies explains, is the concept of information: a quantity which has the power to unify biology with physics, transform technology and medicine, and force us to fundamentally reconsider what it means to be alive—even illuminating the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe. 
   
   
   
  The Demon in the Machine journeys across an astounding landscape of cutting-edge science. Weaving together cancer and consciousness, two-headed worms and bird navigation, Davies reveals how biological organisms garner and process information to conjure order out of chaos, opening a window onto the secret of life itself.

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  The New Era of Space Stations

  Martin K. Ettington

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  We are at an exciting threshold for the development and deployment of private space stations and more advanced designs from various countries. This trend shows how quickly space technologies are developing. 
  The advancements in cheaper rockets to carry more payloads into Earth’s orbit in a less costly manner is another trend which is supporting the development of these new space stations and space transportation options. 
  The last few years a lot of companies and governments are making plans to develop and deploy a variety of space stations and moon bases. This seems like to good time to update everyone with what are these latest plans, space technologies, transportation options and more. 
  I’ve tried to include all I could find on new space technologies and plans relevant to working and living in space. 
  I wrote a book on Space in 2017 titled “Designing and Building Space Colonies” along with another ten space related books later on. So this is one of my favorite genres.

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  Cull of the Wild - Killing in...

  Hugh Warwick

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  Across the world, invasive species pose a danger to ecosystems. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity ranks them as a major threat to biodiversity on par with habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Tackling this isn't easy, and no one knows this better than Hugh Warwick, a conservationist who loathes the idea of killing, harming, or even eating animals. Yet as an ecologist, he is acutely aware of the need, at times, to kill invasive species whose presence harms the wider environment. 
   
   
   
  Hugh explores the complex history of species control, revealing the global movement of species and the impacts of their presence. Combining scientific theory with gentle humor in his signature style, he explains the issues conservationists face to control non-native animals and protect native species—including grey and red squirrels on Anglesey, ravens and tortoises in the Mojave Desert, cane toads in Australia, and the smooth-billed ani on the Galapagos—and describes cases like Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos and the Burmese python pet trade. 
   
   
   
  Taking a balanced and open approach to this emotive subject, Hugh speaks to experts on all sides of the debate. How do we protect endangered native species? Which species do we prioritize? And how do we reckon with the ethics of killing anything in the name of conservation?

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  Starry Messenger - Cosmic...

  Neil deGrasse Tyson

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  "This engaging, conversational book begs to be read aloud, and who better than its author?... Tyson’s warmth and erudition make him a superb narrator of this excellent, thought-provoking book."- Library Journal"Like a spaceship traveling the stars, Tyson's voice flows smoothly as he delivers complex topics and positive perspectives on the future..."- AudioFileThis program is read by the author, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time—war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race—in a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all.In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment—a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science.After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life’s priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched.With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.

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  The Science of Computing -...

  Craig Dames

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  Computing has become an integral part of modern society, shaping various industries, scientific research, and everyday life. At its core, computing involves the use of computers and algorithms to process data, solve problems, and automate tasks. This chapter provides an overview of computing and the fundamental principles of computational thinking, which form the foundation for problem-solving in the digital age. 
  Computing encompasses both hardware and software components. Hardware refers to the physical devices, such as processors, memory units, and input/output devices, that perform computational tasks. Software, on the other hand, consists of programs and algorithms that instruct hardware on how to process information. The evolution of computing has led to significant advancements, from early mechanical calculators to modern high-performance computing systems capable of handling vast amounts of data. 
  Computational thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, recognizing patterns, and developing step-by-step solutions. It consists of several key principles, including decomposition, abstraction, pattern recognition, and algorithm design. Decomposition involves dividing a problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems. Abstraction focuses on identifying relevant details while ignoring unnecessary complexity. Pattern recognition allows problem solvers to identify similarities between different problems, enabling efficient solutions. Algorithm design involves creating a set of well-defined steps to achieve a specific outcome.

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