The Selfish Gene

Timothy Ferris

The Science of Liberty: Democracy, Reason, and the Laws of Nature

From the author of the acclaimed "Coming of Age in the Milky Way" comes a brilliant chronicle of how science sparked the spread of liberal democracy across the modern world.

Janine M. Benyus

Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature

Repackaged with a new afterword, this "valuable and entertaining" ( New York Times Book Review ) book explores how scientists are adapting nature's best ideas to solve tough 21st century problems. Biomimicry is rapidly transforming life on earth. Biomimics study nature's most successful ideas over the past 3.5 million years, and adapt them for human use. The results are revolutionizing how materials are invented and how we compute, heal ourselves, repair the environment, and feed the world. Janine Benyus takes readers into the lab and in the field with maverick thinkers as they: discover miracle drugs by watching what chimps eat when they're sick; learn how to create by watching spiders weave fibers; harness energy by examining how a leaf converts sunlight into fuel in trillionths of a second; and many more examples. Composed of stories of vision and invention, personalities and pipe dreams, Biomimicry is must reading for anyone interested in the shape of our future.

Mark A. S. McMenamin

Geology

"Science 101: Geology" goes deep into the core of this gritty earth science, covering everything from the history of geological theory to the formation and structure of the Earth's layers to the basics of plate tectonics, magma, and fossils. More than 250 color photos illustrate subjects such as rock classification and geological catastrophes Highlights include cutting-edge information on new technologies and research breakthroughs Ready Reference section with at-a-glance timelines, charts, and diagrams, including a geological map of the world Perfect at-home reference for students, families, and rock hounds everywhere