Nature and ScienceApril 2025 Recent Releases When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest Romance by Riley Black Science writer Riley Black stuns with a panoramic natural history that acquaints readers with the interactive nature of life among Earth’s plants, animals, and habitats through the eons. Black’s accessible writing “illuminat[es] natural history into sparkling descriptions of what the Earth was like millions of years ago” (Publishers Weekly). Read-alike: A Brief History of Earth by Andrew H. Knoll. Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe by Carl Zimmer Science writer Zimmer puts airborne pathogens under the microscope, taking readers on a tour spanning from the 14th century to COVID-19 that exposes how much we have yet to learn about communicable diseases in the Earth’s atmosphere. "Breathtaking facts plus superior science writing equals engaging, essential reading." (Booklist Reviews) Atlas obscura : Wild life : an explorer's guide to the world's living wonders by Cara Giaimo The online platform known for highlighting the world's wonders offers an illustrated exploration of over 500 extraordinary plants, animals and natural phenomena across diverse landscapes, accompanied by illustrations and photos, highlighting the Earth's incredible biodiversity. Booklist Reviews says it's "sure to please naturalists."  The art of uncertainty : how to navigate chance, ignorance, risk and luck by D. J. Spiegelhalter In lucid, lively prose, Spiegelhalter guides us through the principles of probability, illustrating how they can help us think more analytically about everything from medical advice to sports to climate change forecasts. He demonstrates how taking a mathematical approach to phenomena we might otherwise attribute to fate or luck can help us sort hidden patterns from mere coincidences, better evaluate cause and effect, and predict what's likely to happen in the future.  A history of the world in six plagues : how contagion, class, and captivity shaped us, from Cholera to COVID-19 by Edna Bonhomme Exploring six epidemics from cholera to COVID-19. Epidemic diseases enter the world by chance, but they become catastrophic by human design. With clear-eyed research and lush prose, A History of the World in Six Plagues shows that throughout history, outbreaks of disease have been exacerbated by and gone on to further expand the racial, economic, and sociopolitical divides we allow to fester in times of good health. The Mesopotamian riddle : an archaeologist, a soldier, a clergyman, and the race to decipher the world's oldest writing by Joshua Hammer Recounts the race among 19th-century scholars and adventurers to decipher cuneiform script, unraveling the history of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations while exploring the ruins of Persepolis and Ottoman territories during archaeology's golden age. "This is no dry recitation of events, but a lively, suspense-filled story of adventurers and their quest to be the first to unlock the hidden rooms of history." (Booklist) Machines : a visual history : 100 machines and the remarkable stories behind each invention by Dominic Chinea Filled with stunning illustrations and lively, engaging text, The Repair Shop's Dom Chinea guides readers through this celebration of the history and uses of 100 machines that have allowed artisans to create beautiful items for centuries. Each machine is creatively profiled and deconstructed in pinpoint detail, with a fascinating history and story that highlights its contribution to artisanal crafts.  Contact your librarian for more great books! If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contactthe Winfield Public Library 630-653-7599, 0S291 Winfield Rd. Winfield, IL 60190