Reviews

  1. Seven Wonders of the Universe That You Probably Took for Granted by C. Renée James

    A lighthearted tour of everyday phenomena like light, time and gravity that also explores what makes Earth special and the evolution of life. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 240 p., $25.    

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  2. Meteorites by Caroline Smith, Sara Russell and Gretchen Benedix

    A well-illustrated overview of the science and (literal) impacts of these space rocks. Firefly Books, 2011, 112 p., $19.95.

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  3. Book Review: The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality by Richard Panek

    Review by Ron Cowen.

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  4. Book Review: The Natural Navigator: A Watchful Explorer’s Guide to a Nearly Forgotten Skill by Tristan Gooley

    Review by Sid Perkins.

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  5. Book Review: Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid by Wendy Williams

    Review by Daniel Strain.

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  6. Craving Earth by Sera L. Young

    Human biology and culture are interwoven in this exploration of pica, the craving to eat clay, dirt, starch and other nonfood substances. Columbia Univ. Press, 2011, 228 p., $29.50.

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  7. The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds by Richard Crossley

    This illustrated field guide shows each bird in lifelike scenes using the author’s photos. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 529 p., $35.

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  8. Fast Car Physics by Chuck Edmondson

    Fans of fast wheels and science alike will get a charge from this look at motor sports by a physicist and amateur race car driver. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 229 p., $29.95.

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  9. Loving + Hating Mathematics by Reuben Hersh and Vera John-Steiner

    Tales of mathematicians’ engagement with their subject bring to life this examination of the human and cultural aspects of math. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 416 p., $29.95.

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  10. The Most Human Human by Brian Christian

    The Turing test competition, an annual search for the most “human” computer, is the thread in this tour through the makings of human intelligence. Doubleday, 2011, 303 p., $27.95.

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  11. Book Review: The Philosophical Breakfast Club: Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World by Laura J. Snyder

    Review by Camille M. Carlisle.

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  12. Book Review: Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo by Nicholas de Monchaux

    Review by Ron Cowen.

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