Reviews

  1. Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life by Winifred Gallagher

    Reality consists of what you pay attention to, and new research is unraveling how the brain chooses some things over others. Penguin Press, 2009, 256 p., $25.95. Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life by Winifred Gallagher

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  2. The Mathematical Mechanic: Using Physical Reasoning to Solve Problems by Mark Levi

    A Pennsylvania State University professor reveals how physics can simplify proofs, illustrate theorems and offer quick mathematical solutions. THE MATHEMATICAL MECHANIC: USING PHYSICAL REASONING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BY MARK LEVI Princeton Univ., 2009, 186 p., $19.95.

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  3. Summer World: A Season of Bounty by Bernd Heinrich

    A naturalist’s observations reveal that the animal world is abuzz with activity during the summer. SUMMER WORLD: A SEASON OF BOUNTY BY BERND HEINRICH Ecco, 2009, 253 p., $26.99.

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  4. Kinematics: The Lost Origins of Einstein’s Relativity by Alberto A. Martínez

    This often-overlooked branch of mechanics, which describes objects’ motion, provided the foundation for special relativity, a historian argues. KINEMATICS: THE LOST ORIGINS OF EINSTEIN’S RELATIVITY BY ALBERTO A. MARTíNEZ Johns Hopkins Univ., 2009, 464 p., $65.

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  5. The Wonders Inside: Bugs & Spiders by Jan Stradling

    Illustrations for a young audience detail the anatomy and the ecosystems of these creatures. THE WONDERS INSIDE: BUGS & SPIDERS BY JAN STRADLING Silver Dolphin Books, 2009, 90 p., $19.95.

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  6. Life

    Book Review: The Root of Thought: Unlocking Glia–The Brain Cell That Will Help Us Sharpen Our Wits, Heal Injury, and Treat Brain Disease by Andrew Koob

    Review by Tina Hesman Saey.

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  7. Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia: A Photographic Guide by Richard Chandler

    A shorebird photographer offers detailed commentary on and vivid photos of 135 shorebird species. But no gulls. Princeton Univ., 2009, 448 p., $35. SHOREBIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, AND ASIA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE BY RICHARD CHANDLER

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  8. Force and Motion: An Illustrated Guide to Newton’s Laws by Jason Zimba

    Problem sets help high school and college students of all backgrounds understand mechanics. Johns Hopkins Univ., 2009, 428 p., $50 FORCE AND MOTION: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO NEWTON’S LAWS BY JASON ZIMBA

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  9. Book Review: Conservation Refugees: The Hundred-Year Conflict Between Global Conservation and Native Peoples by Mark Dowie

    Review by Rachel Zelkowitz.

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  10. Book Review: Historic Photos of the Manhattan Project by Timothy Joseph

    Review by Sid Perkins.

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  11. Building a Meal: From Molecular Gastronomy to Culinary Constructivism by Hervé This

    A chemist trained in culinary arts explores the science of a good meal, with tips for how to make one. Columbia Univ., 2009, 135 p., $19.95. Building a Meal: From Molecular Gastronomy to Culinary Constructivism by Hervé This

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  12. Understanding Perennials: A New Look at an Old Favorite by William Cullina

    An intimate portrait of perennials aims to give a deeper understanding of these garden standbys. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, 247 p., $40. Understanding Perennials: A New Look at an Old Favorite by William Cullina

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