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The rapidly increasing human pressure on the biosphere is pushing biodiversity into the sixth mass extinction event in the history of life on Earth. The organisms being exterminated are integral working parts of our planet's life support system, and their...
I can't recall us ever talking about anything other than eels and how to best catch them, down there by the stream. Actually, I can't remember us speaking at all. Maybe because we never did.' The European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is one of the strange...
This book describes the similarities and differences between two species, bonobos and chimpanzees, based on the three decades the author has spent studying them in the wild, and shows how the contrasting nature of these two species is also reflected in...
A friendly, accessible insight into the weird, but wonderful world of bees in your garden. From the common or garden bumblebees that nest in bird boxes, compost heaps and old mouse holes, making Winnie the Pooh' style honey pots to feed their babes, to...
Did you know a compost heap generates as much energy as the Sun? Or that dung beetles use the Milky Way to navigate? Maybe you have not been into space but if you have then you will know that astronauts have feet as soft as babies! 101 Space Facts You...
Light pollution is everywhere. Not only is it damaging to humans and to wildlife, disrupting our natural rhythms, but it obliterates the subtler lights that have guided us for millennia. Moonlight, starlight, the ethereal glow of snow in winter ... When...
In The Accidental Countryside, author and naturalist Stephen Moss makes a journey of discovery through Britain, in search of the hidden corners where wildlife survives against the odds. From Shetland's Iron Age stone structures to London's most moder...
The bonobo, along with the chimpanzee, is one of our two closest living relatives. Their relatively narrow geographic range combined with the history of political instability in the region, has made their scientific study extremely difficult. Because...
The Little Book of Orchids introduces you to 75 exquisite examples from around the world. Orchids are elegant, exotic and mysterious. Discover 75 amazing examples in this beautiful little book. One in every seven flowering plants on earth is an orchid,...
Dip into the intriguing world of shells with this beautifully illustrated guide to 75 weird and wonderful examples. When we pick up a shell on the beach, we notice its beautiful shape or attractive colours, but how often do we consider what it tells us...
Discover the world’s birds, their homes, and their eggs in this gorgeously illustrated, entertaining, and educational guide. Did you know that the tailorbird 'sews' leaves together to make its nest? Or that hummingbird eggs are the size of jellybeans?...
A comprehensive guide to the country's butterflies covering everything from the eye-catching Common Jezabel and Ulysses Butterfly, to the gigantic Cairns Birdwing, to the more cryptic Blues and Skippers. The key features that separate this book from all...
This easy-to-use identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen in Australia is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from one of Australia's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species des...
Exploring the sex life of birds and their wide range of mating and parenting habits, Bird Love gives you a detailed insight into bird family life. Discover the amazing array of courtship techniques employed by birds around the world, such as ospreys ...
Flight has fascinated humans since we first looked into the sky and saw birds on the wing, and no flights are more fascinating than the extraordinary migrations birds make every day, week, month, and season of the year. Migration explores how birds make...
PixInsight has taken the astro-imaging world by storm. As the first comprehensive postprocessing platform to be created by astro-imagers for astro-imagers, it has for many replaced other generic graphics editors as the software of choice. PixInsight has...
Elephants are as unique as people. They can be clever and curious or headstrong and impulsive, shy or sociable. Learn to know them as individuals as well as a species in this evocative account of years spent studying elephant behaviour in the wild. Watching...
This book spells out in detail how the age of the Earth has been determined over the centuries. First — the 'biblical' age: how was the date of Creation 4004 BC figured out? A date which is so important even today ... it is the basis of claims made by...
Are you a student of the sciences? Into research? Curious about how genetics affects your life? Then this book is for you! Here's a no-nonsense guide to help you understand genetics without boggling your mind. Get an overview of the basics, including...
This is the definitive book on the Hubble Space Telescope, written by noted astronomer Jim Bell. Looking deep into space, by definition, means looking back in time--and the Hubble Space Telescope can look very far back, including at stars, nebulae, a...
This book comes at a critical time. Fifty years ago, Africa was home to just over 1.3 million elephants, but by 1990 the number had halved. Meanwhile in the span of a lifetime, the human population has more than doubled. In Levison Wood's The Last Giants,...
The great transformations in the history of life brought about whole scale shifts in how animals live and how their bodies are organized: the evolution of fish to land-living creature, the origin of birds, the beginnings of bodies in single-celled cr...
Feeding the Birds at Your Table is designed to provide detailed, comprehensive advice and suggestions for people wishing to feed wild birds in Australia from their own backyards and balconies. Millions of Australians feed wild birds in their gardens....
This is the story of plant life on Earth, uniquely retold through a remarkable record of spectacular fossils. Palaeobotanist Paul Kenrick explains the importance of each fossil and how it marks a crucial inflection point in plant evolution. Each discovery...
This is the story of the magicians: the scientists who, using mathematics, predicted the existence of unknown planets, black holes, invisible force fields, ripples in the fabric of space-time, unsuspected subatomic particles, and even antimatter. The...
Britain's most-influential nature writer reflects on a lifetime of close observation and celebrates the positive force of the natural world. From the rediscovery of foraging that led to Food for Free, through his groundbreaking expeditions in the 'ed...
The British Isles are remarkable for the extraordinary diversity of seabird life that they support: spectacular colonies of charismatic Arctic terns, elegant fulmars and stoic eiders, to name just a few. Often found in the most remote and dramatic reaches...
The author of Stiff and Bonk explores the irresistibly strange universe of space travel and life without gravity. Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. Space exploration...
This book frames the nature and importance of modern physics in an accessible, compelling, succinct way, showing lay readers that physics is crucial to our modern understanding of the world-and indeed the world as we currently know and experience it....
Evolution is the process by which species adapt over time to their environments. The tricky part about human evolution is that, as technology builders, we have the power to alter our environments--and even build new, unprecedented conditions in which...
Caltech physicist and New York Times bestselling author Sean Carroll shows that there are multiple copies of you. And everyone else. Really. Something Deeply Hidden begins with the news that physics is in a crisis. Quantum mechanics underlies all of ...
With this definitive guide, professional paleontologists and amateur fossil enthusiasts alike will discover valuable information about finding, preserving, and studying fossils. This expanded edition features over 1,500 drawings and photographs in it...
Covering everything from the origins of life and the most basic of organisms, all the way through to the more complex creatures that we recognise today, 30-Second Zoology aims to showcase the most fantastic examples of life on our earth, all in 300 words...
30-Second Numbers explores number categories, the science of measuring, how guesstimates work, and the visualisation of numbers, taking you behind the digits into the world of statistics, probability, risk and ratios. Numbers are our way of imposing order...
"This fully revised edition of the first ever photographic identification guide to New Zealand’s unique marine algae is by the country’s pre-eminent seaweed expert, Dr Wendy Nelson. New Zealand Seaweeds: An Illustrated Guide describes over 150 genera...
"Plant Names" is a plain English guide to the use of plant names and the conventions for writing them as governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants and the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants....
The Story of Trees takes the reader on a visual journey from some of the earliest known tree species on our planet to the latest fruit cultivars. The chosen trees have all had a profound effect on the planet and humankind. Starting with the Ginkgo bi...
Trekking the globe and drawing from their latest research, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers discovered that all animals and humans on the journey to adulthood face four core challenges: how to stay safe, negotiate status, navigate sexuality,...
A stunning photographic celebration of the planet's myraid six -legged inhabitants. Incorporating everything from dragonflies, stick insects and grasshoppers through to flies, fleas and beetles, the world's million or more insect species are essential...
A stunning photographic celebration of the planet's mammals, from aardvarks to zebras. Covering everything from elephants to elephant shrews to elephant seals, and from mouse-deer to deermice, World of Mammals is a photographic celebration of the diversity...
Nothing fills us with a sense of wonder like fossils. What looks at first like a simple rock is in fact a clue that reveals the staggering diversity of ancient environments, the winding pathways of evolution, and the majesty of a vanished earth. But as...
With more than sixty stunning photographs of pillbugs, silverfish, moths, and other household insects, Aliens Among Us depicts a hidden world flourishing in our homes. Over the course of his photography career, Daniel Kariko came to realize that many...
How did the atom bomb help save the elephant? Have we found the secret to eternal youth? Could a parasite be manipulating you right now? This dazzling collection of stories reveals the key recent breakthroughs in science, across all fields.
The very best images captured by the new generation of terrestrial telescopes, orbiting telescopes and deep-space probes and landers have been collected in this magnificent volume. Detailed captions explain the equipment and techicalities of producing...
Perfect for the anti-aviary (or bird fanatic with a sense of humor), this snarky illustrated handbook is equal parts profane, funny, and--let's face it--true. Featuring 50 common North American birds, such as the White-Breasted Butt Nugget and the Go...
Awesome Math builds on the popular growth mindset by focusing on team-based problem solving. Applying a problem-solving approach to the education process develops the skills necessary to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively. This book will...
A masterful cultural history of mathematics from bestselling Italian mathematician and philosopher Paolo Zellini. Is mathematics a discovery or an invention? Have we invented numbers or do they truly exist? What sort of reality should we attribute to...
The word mathematics comes from the Greek word mathema, meaning knowledge or learning. And indeed mathematics is at the heart of almost all processes and patterns that occur in the modern world, yet many still find the discipline hard to fathom. Fibo...
"Fifty of the world's most creative people share their stories, their inspirations, and their unique takes on science and education, all inspired by the Exploratorium science museum. What do music visionary Brian Eno, kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen, sc...
On a life raft in the Mediterranean, a teenager from Ghana wonders whether he will reach Europe alive, and if he does, whether he will be allowed to stay. In the North Atlantic, a young chef disappears from a cruise ship, leaving a mystery for his friends...
Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels away layers of mystery to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions, where the fabric of space tears and repairs itself, and all matter--from the smallest quarks to the most ...
World of Reptiles is a visual celebration of the diversity of the planet's scaly inhabitants. It is a unique book in that it distils the 10,800 species of reptiles into 240 full-page images, with these photographs depicting representatives from 68 of...
In 1869, a solar mystery was uncovered - astronomers observed a total solar eclipse, and for the first time saw the faint glow of the solar corona, the sun's outer atmosphere. Measurements of a previously unknown wavelength that made up this solar li...
This book charts the progress of astronomy through the observatories used throughout history, from the earliest such as Stonehenge, to places like Birr Castle with its Leviathan telescope used by Herschel. There are places where the secrets of the un...
Using a bold, graphic-led approach The Physics Book sets out more than 80 key concepts and discoveries that have defined the subject and influenced our technology since the beginning of time. With the focus firmly on unpicking the thought behind each...
Becoming the Iceman is a project inspired by Wim and Justin to show the world that anyone can adopt the ability to become an Iceman or Icewoman. The project's goal is to show that the ability to control the body's temperature is not a genetic defect in...
The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India had been founded in the 18th century with the aim of creating a detailed map of the country. While most people today are readily able to identify the world's highest mountain, few know of the man, George Everest,...
Half of Tanzania's elephants have been killed for their ivory since 2007. A similar alarming story can be told of the herds in northern Mozambique and across swathes of central Africa, with forest elephants losing almost two-thirds of their numbers to...
"This book investigates our turbulent tectonics. It tells us how earthquakes are measured and described, and how scientists predict future shakes. It details New Zealand's lesser known quakes, quakes that have had deadly consequences, and the tremors...
Yellowstone National Park was once home to an abundance of wild wolves--but park rangers killed the last of their kind in the 1920s. Decades later, the rangers brought them back, with the first wolves arriving from Canada in 1995. This is the incredible...
From the world-renowned physicist, co-founder of the World Science Festival, and best-selling author of The Elegant Universe comes this utterly captivating exploration of deep time and humanity's search for purpose. Brian Greene takes readers on a br...
Data describe and represent the world. However, no matter how big they may be, data sets don't - indeed cannot - capture everything. Data are measurements - and, as such, they represent only what has been measured. They don't necessarily capture all ...
Moving to Mars is the first book ever to thoroughly explore the crucial role that design will play in the collective endeavor to travel to and inhabit Mars. A comprehensive overview of both past and current developments in space travel and colonization,...
"From the structure of the cosmos to that of the human body, the discoveries of science over the past few hundred years have been remarkable. [This book] spans the realms of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy, offering an ... int...
What does it take to be an inventor? Judging by the ingenious individuals who have come into The Life Scientific studio in the last eight years, there is no simple answer. Mathematicians, electricians, molecular biologists and mechanics can all trans...
Do komodo dragons have toxic slobber? Is it true that a scorpion that sheds its tail dies of constipation? Speaking of poo, do rabbits really have a habit of, err, eating their own? And can you really get high from licking toads, or is that, fake newts?...
Adorable photographs of miniature hedgehog and Instagram sensation Azuki. See him, his daughter Monaka and their friends baking, playing pool, reading and enjoying other mini-adventures.
"Edible Shrubs" provides detailed information on over 70 shrub species. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, fl...
This book showcases the most spectacular space photography of its kind, taken from locations across the globe. Marvel at the wonders of the universe captured by the most talented astrophotographers. A perfect gift for all interested in exploring the ...
Are we alone in the Universe, or are there as many planets supporting life as there are stars in the sky? It's one of the most important and fascinating questions human beings can ponder, and astrobiology is the emerging field of science that tries to...
One of every seven flowering plants on earth is an orchid. Some are stunningly over the top; others almost inconspicuous. The Orchidaceae is the second most widely geographically distributed family, after the grasses, yet remains one of the least und...
Conventional wisdom holds that the murder rate has plummeted since the Middle Ages; humankind is growing more peaceful and enlightened; man is shortly to be much improved—better genes, better neural circuits, better biochemistry; and we are approaching...
The book covers all the areas in physics, and each chapter includes explanations and examples to help you develop the understanding you need. Physics does not have to be daunting. This book, complete with practice questions and answers, forms a course...
Andrew Darby follows the odysseys of two Grey Plovers, little-known migratory shorebirds, as they take previously uncharted ultramarathon flights from the southern coast of Australia to Arctic breeding grounds. On these extraordinary flights they cha...
The Little Ice Age tells the fascinating story of the turbulent, unpredictable, and often very cold years of modern European history. Using sources ranging from the dates of long-ago wine harvests and the business records of medieval monasteries to m...
Ever wonder what would happen if the Earth stopped spinning? Or lost all of its water at once? Or got hit by a fish the size of Pluto? In Volume One of his popular Quora Answers series, science teacher David Consiglio, Jr. ponders and logically answers...
Why the social character of scientific knowledge makes it trustworthy Do doctors really know what they are talking about when they tell us vaccines are safe? Should we take climate experts at their word when they warn us about the perils of global w...
A compilation of 60 beautiful screenprints by renowned wildlife artist Carry Akroyd from The Oldie magazine's "Birds of the Month" column. In this sumptuous new art book, renowned wildlife artist Carry Akroyd presents a sequence of screenprints of birds...
"Bill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays safely at home he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to understand everything that has happened from...
With clear graphics, instantly understandable diagrams, and welcoming, jargon-free text -- covering all the important areas of biology, chemistry and physics -- Help Your Kids with Science is a great resource for children and adults to learn even the...
Biologist Karsten Brensing has something astonishing to tell us about the animal kingdom: namely that animals, by any reasonable assessment, have developed the sophisticated systems of social organization and behaviour that human beings call 'culture...
Using a full-color illustrated approach, a guide to parental math tutoring looks at every aspect of the challenging subject, from simple sums to simultaneous equations, in a book with simple explanations and clear illustrations that parents can share...
The question of how falling cats land on their feet has long intrigued humans. In this playful and eye-opening history, physicist and cat parent Gregory Gbur explores how attempts to understand the cat-righting reflex have provided crucial insights i...
We need bees. We rely on them not only to pollinate our planet but to sweeten our lives with the fruits of their labours – honey, beeswax, Royal Jelly. These tiny, hardworking insects have transformed our lives with their quiet diligence; fertilising...
Forests are the green lungs of the world, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They filter our air, provide drinking water, and help stabilize our climate. They also vary greatly by region, providing a home to a rich diversity of animal, plant,...
The ability to understand science as a totality - matter, space, energy, life, weather, information and the future - will enhance your understanding of all the challenges facing humanity, as well as allow you to go deeper into specific technologies. This...
The 4.4-billion-year history of the oceans and their role in Earth's climate system. It has often been said that we know more about the moon than we do about our own oceans. In fact, we know a great deal more about the oceans than many people realize...
Joe McDonald and Mary Ann McDonald hold the record for treks to Rwanda to photograph mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. In this book, Joe shares his vast knowledge of the apes, and the pair present an unprecedented collection of images that ...
Why do so many of us struggle to remember the maths we were taught at school? The answer is that we can successfully memorise things for a short period but we only retain those memories long term if we understand them. Mattias Ribbing is a Grand Master...
"Our enduring fascination in our solar system and the wonders of the universe is now being fed by images of breathtaking detail, whether from data sent back 7.5 billion kilometres to bring Pluto into focus, or our first direct encounter with a comet by...
A photographic exploration of the life of one of New Zealand's favourite native birds, the tui. Rex Auty has captured the tui in his garden as they eat, fly, play and fight, and has a section dedicated to the beauty of their feathers. There are images...
Are you ready to #RateASpecies? Zoos and aquariums have poked wild fun at their animal friends - and their "product reviews" will leave your pack howling! Packed with adorable animal photos and laced with wit and humor, Animals Reviewed is a must-read...
Engage students in mathematics using growth mindset techniques The most challenging parts of teaching mathematics are engaging students and helping them understand the connections between mathematics concepts. In this volume, you'll find a collection...
Extinction and Evolution recounts the work and discoveries of Niles Eldredge, one of the world's most renowned paleontologists, whose research overturned Charles Darwin's theory of evolution as a slow and inevitable process, as published in On the Origin...
Whether to escape predators or to surprise their prey, the talented strategists of nature in The Champions of Camouflage survive using visual trickery and fascinating biology.
A captivatingly informative and visually beautiful survey of the tree species – from all over the world – that human cultures have found most useful. Each tree species is the subject of a concise text centred on a story – or stories – about the tree ...
Bees are our most loyal ally. These fascinating, enigmatic creatures are a key lynchpin in the working of our planet. Without them the landscape, as well as every aisle in our supermarkets would look radically different. And we're not just talking about...
Companion to the film Fantastic Fungi. Contributions from Michael Pollan, Andrew Weil, Eugenia Bone, and many more expterts make Fantastic Fungi an awe-inspiring visual journey through the exotic, little-known realm of fungi and its amazing potential...
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