Nature and Science February 2020 Recent Releases Adrift : a true story of tragedy in the icy Atlantic- and the one man who lived to tell about it by Brian Murphy A book based on the sole survivor's journal describes the 1856 maritime tragedy of a small ship traveling from Liverpool to New York that hit an iceberg and left five lifeboats adrift 400 miles off Newfoundland. Co-written by a New York Times best-selling author.  Transcendence: How Humans Evolved Through Fire, Language, Beauty, and Time by Gaia Vince What it does: Examines human evolution through four key "drivers": Fire, Language, Beauty and Time, while arguing that it is collective culture, not individual intelligence, that sets humans apart. About the author: Journalist Gaia Vince won the Royal Society Insight Investment Prize for her debut, Adventures in the Anthropocene: A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Made. For fans of: Diane Ackerman's The Human Age. SAM: One Robot, a Dozen Engineers, and the Race to Revolutionize the Way We Build by Jonathan Waldman Introducing: SAM (short for "semi-automated mason") and the team of engineers who built this innovative brick-laying machine. Why you might like it: Recounting SAM's journey from rough concept to prototype (after prototype after prototype...), this richly detailed book offers both an illuminating look at the technological aspects of construction and an absorbing account of a family-run start up. Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration by Giles Whittell What it is: a wide-ranging, trivia-rich guide to the white stuff by a self-proclaimed "snow addict." What you'll learn about: the number of snowflakes that fall each year, the science of avalanches, the history of snow in art, the filming of the opening scene of The Spy Who Loved Me, and the estimated date that climate change will finally put an end to snow. Reviewers say: This book is "downright giddy with enthusiasm for its subject" (The Boston Globe). Animalkind : remarkable discoveries about animals and revolutionary new ways to show them compassion by Ingrid Newkirk The founder and president of PETA and a bestselling author pair their tour of the astounding lives of animals with a guide to the exciting new tools that allow humans to avoid using or abusing animals as we once did. Imagination : the science of your mind's greatest power by Jim Davies A psychology professor whose previous works examined the science of emotions and religion investigates the complex science of imagination by discussing the inner-workings of the human mind offering ways in which imagination can make us both happier and more productive. Moths : a complete guide to biology and behavior by David Conway Lees An illustrated guide to the biology, evolution and history of the common, winged insect that explores its life cycle, color and wing patterns and the surprisingly ruthless tactics some species used to survive, like cannibalism and blood-sucking.  The Seine : the river that made Paris by Elaine Sciolino The former New York Times Paris bureau chief and author of the best-selling The Only Street in Paris presents a vibrant tour of the Seine that traces its rich history and the stories of contributors from all walks of life. Chasing the sun : how the science of sunlight shapes our bodies and minds by Linda Geddes Drawing on fascinating stories, innovative science and unique perspectives, a science journalist analyzes all aspects of our relationship to the sun, which continues to shape our bodies and minds in the 21st century. The geography of risk : epic storms, rising seas, and the costs of America's coasts by Gilbert M Gaul Citing the five most expensive hurricanes in recent history, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist reveals how federal subsidizing of high-risk property development has distorted common understandings of the dangers of living on the coast.  How charts lie : getting smarter about visual information by Alberto Cairo A visualization expert explains how charts and graphs can mislead and deceive by showing incomplete or inaccurate data and suggesting patterns that don’t exist to help support and promote a person or entity’s agenda.  Knits from the greenhouse : knitting patterns for plant-based fibers by Cornelia Bartlette Celebrates the joys of working with plant-based yarns through 18 projects designed specifically to show off the best properties these fibers have to create a beautiful finished project no matter what the season.  Father of lions : one man's remarkable quest to save the Mosul Zoo by Louise Callaghan An award-winning journalist puts a human face on life under ISIS, told through the prism of the Mosul Zoo. The math of life & death : 7 mathematical principles that shape our lives by Kit Yates A first book by an Oxford-trained mathematician illuminates seven mathematical principles that shape our lives, from the controversies of DNA testing to the probabilities that shaped the Chernobyl disaster.  Nature's Best Hope : A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy The best-selling author of Bringing Nature Home outlines practical next-step approaches to conservation, instructing homeowners on how to turn yards into supportive wildlife habitats that do not require government regulation.  Physical intelligence : the science of how the body and the mind guide each other through life by Scott T. Grafton A leading neuroscientist draws on findings in behavioral neurology and cognitive neuroscience in a comprehensive examination of the fundamental relationship between the physical world and the mind, explaining how sophisticated “action intelligence” helps humans solve complex problems.  The pollinator victory garden : win the war on pollinator decline with ecological gardening : how to attract and support bees, beetles, butterflies, bats, and other pollinators by Kim Eierman An environmental horticulturalist and landscape designer shows us how to create a beautiful landscape that attracts and supports many different specials of pollinators so that we can win the war against the demise of these essential animals.  Human Diversity : The Biology of Gender, Race, and Class by Charles Murray The New York Times best-selling author of Coming Apart uses genetics and neuroscience to explore the differences between different groups of humans.  Cat Tale : The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther by Craig Pittman The award-winning journalist and author of the best-selling Oh, Florida! traces the story of the unlikely rescue of the Florida panther from extinction while revealing the political factors and colorful personalities that are impacting the species today.  And many more! Contact your librarian for more great books! Bloomington Public Library 205 E. Olive St. Bloomington, Illinois 61701 309.828.6093 www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/