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Nature and Science October 2018
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| The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization by Vince BeiserWhat it is: the story of sand. (Yes, sand.)
Why you should read it: From concrete to glass to computer chips, sand is the "literal foundation of modern civilization."
Little-known fact: Due to increasing demand and dwindling supply, there now exists a black market for sand, run by ruthless sand cartels who control the supply to industry. |
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| The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life by David QuammenWhat it's about: molecular phylogenetics, which uses biopolymers (DNA, RNA, and proteins) to study the evolutionary history of organisms and determine relationships between species.
Contains: three "big surprises" that will make you rethink your understanding of evolution: the domain of Archaea, the process of horizontal gene transfer, and a probable ancestor of humans previously unknown to science. |
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| Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis LangWhat it is: a thought-provoking examination of the long-standing relationship between science and the military-industrial complex, with a special focus on astrophysics and the aerospace industry.
Who it's for: readers interested in the intersection of science, industry, and politics; anyone who wonders what the proposed U.S. Space Force might look like.
Author alert: Well-known astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson teams up with longtime editor and frequent collaborator Avis Lang for this eye-opening book. |
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The dinosaur artist : obsession, betrayal, and the quest for Earth's ultimate trophy
by Paige Williams
What it's about: A New Yorker staff writer analyzes the perilous world of the international fossil trade through the story of one man's devastating effort to sell a Gobi Desert dinosaur skeleton from a nation that forbids natural-history trafficking.
Reviewers say: "Prokopi's case is a fascinating example of the pull of prehistoric fossils and the power of law. Nature enthusiasts, scientists, and politics buffs will sink their teeth into this intriguing account." (Library Journal)
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The deep
by Claire Nouvian
What it's about: Readers are taken on a voyage into the darkest realms of the ocean in this visual and scientific tour that reveals nature's oddest and most mesmerizing creatures in crystalline detail.
Reviewers say: "Readers will pick up science journalist Nouvian's book for its stunning, 200-plus full-page color photographs of dumbo octopi, vampire squid, frilled sharks, and hydrothermal vent worms; they will hang on to it for the well-written, extremely informative text." (Library Journal)
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Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
by Frans de Waal
What it's about: Do animals plan for the future? Reflect on the past? Regret their decisions? Say goodbye to friends and loved ones? Primatologist Frans de Waal has dedicated his life and career to understanding the inner lives of animals and reflects on his work.
Reviewers say: "Emphasizing the forms of animal "empathy and cooperation" he has long studied, de Waal teaches readers as much about humankind as he does about our nonhuman relatives." (Publishers Weekly)
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The Dragon Behind the Glass: A True Story of Power, Obsession, and the World's Most...
by Emily Voigt
What it's about: Imagine being murdered for the contents of your aquarium. As implausible as it might sound, homicide is a genuine risk when your tank contains the Asian arowana. Known as the "dragon fish," a single specimen can cost more than $150,000, and in this eye-opening look at the exotic animal trade, author Emily Voigt investigates how this "mass-produced endangered species" became a hot commodity within a thriving aquatic black market.
Why you might like it: This is a fascinating journey through the murky depths of an unseen and unexpected world.
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