Reviews
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Fifty Machines That Changed the Course of History by Eric Chaline
Review key inventions of the 19th and 20th centuries, from bicycles to the Underwood typewriter. Firefly, 2012, 224 p., $29.95
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Near-Earth Objects: Finding Them Before They Find Us by Donald K. Yeomans
The head of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office describes the planet’s risk of being smacked by a comet or asteroid and what can be done to prevent such a fate. Princeton Univ., 2012, 172 p., $24.95
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A Little History of Science by William Bynum
This abridged version of the human search for knowledge covers major discoveries in medicine, astronomy and other fields. Yale Univ., 2012, 263 p., $25
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Thirst: Water and Power in the Ancient World by Steven Mithen
Learn how humans have managed water throughout history and how shortages have driven conflict and social change. Harvard Univ., 2012, 347 p., $25.95
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The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact Our World by Susan M. Schneider
A biopsychologist examines how the brain shapes behavior by learning from the consequences of actions. Prometheus, 2012, 383 p., $21
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Space Atlas: Mapping the Universe and Beyond by James Trefil
A large-format guide to the universe covers astronomy basics, with eye-catching images plus a foreword by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin. National Geographic, 2012, 335 p., $50
- Health & Medicine
I Died for Beauty
Dorothy Wrinch and the Cultures of Science by Marjorie Senechal.
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Life’s Ratchet: How Molecular Machines Extract Order from Chaos by Peter M. Hoffmann
Explore life at the smallest scales in this look at how molecules within cells operate like machines to keep organisms alive. Basic Books, 2012, 278 p., $27.99
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Wind Wizard: Alan G. Davenport and the Art of Wind Engineering by Siobhan Roberts
Skyscrapers and massive bridges would not be the same without Alan Davenport, whose engineering for wind conditions improved the safety of structures around the world. Princeton Univ., 2013, 278 p., $29.95
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Mad Science: Einstein’s Fridge, Dewar’s Flask, Mach’s Speed, and 362 Other Inventions and Discoveries that Made Our World by Randy Alfred, ed.
Celebrate a technology anniversary for each day of the year with this compendium of inventions. Little, Brown and Co., 2012, 390 p., $19.99
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BOOK REVIEW: Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova
Review by Alexandra Witze.
