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Nature and Science February 2019
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| End of the Megafauna: The Fate of the World's Hugest, Fiercest, and Strangest Animals by Ross D.E. MacPhee; illustrated by Peter SchoutenIntroducing: a menagerie of megafauna, from mastodons (Mammut americanum) and sabertooth cats (Smilodon fatalis) to giant ground sloths (Lestodon armatus) and elephant birds (Aepyornis maximum).
Why you might like it: This thought-provoking book offers a paleomammalogist's perspective on the extinction of Earth's large vertebrates, examining evidence that points to humans as the cause.
Contains: photorealistic paintings of megafauna, as well as maps, charts, timelines and line drawings that supply necessary context. |
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| Your Place in the Universe: Understanding Our Big, Messy Existence by Paul M. SutterWhat it is: an accessible, amusing tour of the universe and its mysteries.
About the author: Astrophysicist and cosmologist Paul M. Sutter is the creator of the "Ask a Spaceman!" podcast.
You might also like: Jorge Cham's similarly irreverent (but illustrated) We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe; Carlo Rovelli's concise Seven Brief Lessons on Physics. |
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| What It's Like to be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience by Gregory BernsWhat it's about: Human and canine brains show striking structural similarities, offering intriguing hints about dogs' emotional lives.
About the author: To study the canine brain, neuroscientist Gregory Berns trained dogs to climb into MRI machines. And his training regimen is almost as fascinating as his research findings.
For fans of: John Bradshaw's Dog Sense or Alexandra Horowitz's Inside of a Dog. |
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| The Intimate Bond: How Animals Shaped Human History by Brian FaganWhat it is: a thought-provoking history of the human-animal bond from prehistoric times to the present.
What sets it apart: Anthropologist Brian Fagan examines the process of domestication in dogs, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, donkeys, horses, and camels. (The not-quite-domesticated cat gets a mention, too.)
Don't miss: discussions of the role of animal domestication in creating and maintaining social hierarchies. |
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| The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions by Thomas McNameeWhat it is: A guide to cats by nature writer (and Guggenheim Fellow) Thomas McNamee, who identifies best practices for cat care by consulting zoologists, animal behavior experts, and others.
Don't miss: appearances by the author's feline companion, Augusta.
You might also like: John Bradshaw's Cat Sense or Abigail Tucker's The Lion in the Living Room. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Glenside Public Library District 25 E Fullerton Ave Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139 630–260–1550www.glensidepld.org |
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