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Nature and Science December 2020 |
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Apollo's arrow : the profound and enduring impact of coronavirus on the way we live
by Nicholas A. Christakis
"Offers a riveting account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as it swept through American society in 2020, and of how the recovery will unfold in the coming years. Drawing on momentous (yet dimly remembered) historical epidemics, contemporary analyses, and cutting-edge research from a range of scientific disciplines, explores what it means to live in a time of plague--an experience that is paradoxically uncommon to the vast majority of humans who are alive, yet deeply fundamental to our species"
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| Ice Walker: A Polar Bear's Journey Through the Fragile Arctic by James RaffanIntroducing: Nanurjuk ("Nanu"), a seven-year-old polar bear, and her cubs, Siu and King, who live in the wilderness surrounding Hudson Bay.
What it's about: In this "bear's-eye view of a changing Arctic" (Kirkus Reviews), Canadian author Raffan vividly evokes a rapidly transforming landscape while documenting its inhabitants' struggle to survive.
Did you know? Although they've existed since the Pleistocene, polar bears have left almost no fossil record due to the fact that most have never set foot on land. |
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Nature obscura : a city's hidden natural world
by Kelly Brenner
"With wonder and a sense of humor, Kelly Brenner aims to help us rediscover our connection to the natural world that is just outside our front door--we just need to know where to look. Through explorations of a rich, varied urban landscape, Brenner reveals the complex micro-habitats and surprising nature that exists in the middle of a city. In her hometown of Seattle, which has plowed down hills, cut through the land to connect fresh- and saltwater, and paved over much of the rest, she exposes a diverse range of often unnoticed creatures. 'Nature Obscura' explores the species that inhabit the urban environment across the four seasons"
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Kindred : Neanderthal life, love, death and art
by Rebecca Wragg Sykes
Casting aside the cliché of the shivering ragged figure in an icy wasteland, this fascinating volume sheds new light on the Neanderthal and where they lived, what they ate and the increasingly complex Neanderthal culture that researchers have discover. 30,000 first printing. Illustrations.
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Weird earth : debunking strange ideas about our planet
by Donald R. Prothero
"Aliens. Ley lines. Water dowsing. Conspiracies and myths captivate imaginations and promise mystery and magic. Whether it's arguing about the moon landing hoax or a Frisbee-like Earth drifting through space, when held up to science and critical thinking, these ideas fall flat. In Weird Earth: Debunking Strange Ideas About Our Planet, Donald R. Prothero demystifies these conspiracies and offers answers to some of humanity's most outlandish questions"
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| Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill HeinerthWho: Canadian cave diver, explorer, and filmmaker Jill Heinerth, who proudly claims that adventure is in her DNA.
Where she's been: Florida's extensive network of caverns; Mexico's Sistema Huautla, the Western Hemisphere's deepest cave network; the interior of Antarctic iceberg B-15, at the time the largest free-floating object on Earth.
You might also like: Julie Hauserman's Drawn to the Deep; William Stone's Beyond the Deep. |
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The shadow drawing : how science taught Leonardo how to paint
by Francesca Fiorani
A new biography of the artist behind the Mona Lisa distinguishes between his life as an artist and as an inventor and discusses how he used his understanding of optical science to perfect his painting techniques. 15,000 first printing. Illustrations.
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| How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery; illustrated by Rebecca GreenFeaturing: feisty Scottish terrier Molly; Christopher Hogwood, a pig with personality; a trio of emus; tarantula Clarabelle, friend to children in French Guiana; and more!
Is it for you? Author Sy Montgomery opens up about her difficult childhood and lifelong struggle with depression, which is exacerbated by the passing of some of the animals featured in the book.
Crossover alert: Fans of the author's National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus will remember charismatic cephalopod Octavia, who makes an appearance here. |
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For Future Scientists & Family Fun! |
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Letters from space
by Clayton C. Anderson
"Astronaut Clayton Anderson lived aboard the International Space Station--and while he didn't mail letters home, imagine if he did! These letters are full of weird science, wild facts, and outrageous true stories from life in space. Backmatter includes even more information on space, astronauts, and living among the stars"
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