| Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott KellyWhat does space smell like? Sparklers on the Fourth of July, according to astronaut Scott Kelly, whose candid memoir provides an often surprising look at life in orbit. Focusing on his year aboard the International Space Station (during which time his twin brother Mark, also an astronaut, remained on Earth as part of a unique research study), Kelly describes his day-to-day experiences in microgravity while reflecting on his decades-long career at NASA. |
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| The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian... by Lindsey FitzharrisUntil the mid-19th century, surgery was a bloody business with a sky-high mortality rate, primarily due to post-operative infections. Then Quaker surgeon Joseph Lister took Louis Pasteur's germ theory and applied it to surgery, utilizing antiseptics, sterilizing instruments, and laying the groundwork for a medical revolution. Not for the squeamish, historian and blogger Lindsey Fitzharris' engaging biography simultaneously entertains and enlightens readers interested in the history of medicine. |
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My absolute darling : a novel
by Gabriel Tallent
Enduring an isolated existence after the death of her mother, 14-year-old Turtle roams the rocky shores and tide pools of the California coast and refutes every outside attempt to engage her before an unexpected friendship with a newcomer helps her realize the vulnerabilities of her life with her charismatic father.
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Good me bad me : a novel
by Ali Land
A debut novel of psychological suspense follows the experiences of the 15-year-old daughter of a serial killer who, in spite of a new identity and placement in an affluent foster family, wrestles with the decision not to follow in her mother's violent footsteps in the face of bullies, a teacher's discovery and threats against a vulnerable friend.
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A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution
by Jennifer A. Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg
CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing technique that makes possible permanent modifications within an organism's DNA. However, the scientists who discovered this "molecular machine" argue that we shouldn't use it without first addressing the serious bioethical issues involved. This balanced and accessible book describes the research that led to this groundbreaking discovery and examines the potential applications (and implications) of a revolutionary new technology.
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| Secret Warriors: The Spies, Scientists, and Code Breakers of World War I by Taylor DowningAlthough the trenches of the Western Front dominate the popular imagination, World War I was responsible for some astonishing advances in science and technology. Divided into five loosely connected sections, this book examines developments in aviation, communication, intelligence, weapons, and medicine, all of which played crucial roles in the war effort. For those unfamiliar with the conflict, a glossary of terms and abbreviations, as well as a "Who's Who" section provide context. |
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| The Pentagon's Brain: An Uncensored History of DARPA, America's Top Secret... by Annie JacobsenInternet. GPS. That robot that does backflips. These are just a few of the innovations that have originated within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which develops cutting-edge technologies for potential military applications. From DARPA's Cold War-era efforts to win the space race to its present-day focus on data mining and surveillance, The Pentagon's Brain draws on interviews and archival materials to present a comprehensive history of the agency. For another book on DARPA, try Sharon Weinberger's The Imagineers of War. |
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| The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of The Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise KiernanAlthough Oak Ridge, Tennessee, boasted a population of 75,000 and used as much electricity as New York City, the military-constructed town didn't appear on a single map during its World War II heyday. Many of its residents were women, recruited for a variety of positions, sworn to strict secrecy protocols, and told only that their work would ensure a swift, final World War II victory. The nuclear blast at Hiroshima at last revealed their hidden roles, for better or worse. Drawn from interviews with women who lived and worked in Oak Ridge in their youth, The Girls of Atomic City brilliantly illuminates an overlooked chapter of both World War II and women's history. |
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| Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary RoachChicken guns are pretty much what you'd expect, but what about HRVs? That stands for "human research volunteers," by the way, and they're an essential part of keeping soldiers alive, what with testing shark-repellent, flying fighter jets while blindfolded, and injecting themselves with snake venom. Steering clear of the battlefield, bestselling science writer Mary Roach instead focuses on the unsung heroes of military science while tackling, in her signature witty and irreverent style, the quirkier aspects of feeding, clothing, cleaning, and healing members of the armed forces. |
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