Science ebook recommendations

[BenG]

Holiday Gift Idea: Offbeat Science Books:

http://www.sciencefriday.com/blogs/1...nce-books.html

[kennyc]

Nice! Love that The Book of Barely Imagined Beings, looks very interesting!

[kennyc]

And another NPR science book list:
http://sciencefriday.com/segment/12/...-for-2013.html

[kennyc]

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
by Chris Hadfield

Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success-and survival-is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst-and enjoy every moment of it.

In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Col. Hadfield takes readers deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks, and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement-and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don't visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/Astronauts-Gui.../dp/0316253014

[MickeyC]

And don't forget Michio Kaku has a new one due out in late Feb. It's THE FUTURE OF THE MIND. His web site describes the book as "The scientific quest to understand, enhance, and empower the mind.”

I've enjoyed every one of his books am looking forward to this one.

[kennyc]

Spent the day reading E. O. Wilson's - Letters to a Young Scientist
http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-.../dp/0871403773


4/5 stars -- excellent overview and insight into a career as a scientist. He explores the preparation, advancement and on-going career based on his own (extraordinary) experience from a boy collecting insects to one of the most respected entomologists in the world.

A short easy read. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in science.

[Soldim]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Spent the day reading E. O. Wilson's - Letters to a Young Scientist
http://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-.../dp/0871403773


4/5 stars -- excellent overview and insight into a career as a scientist. He explores the preparation, advancement and on-going career based on his own (extraordinary) experience from a boy collecting insects to one of the most respected entomologists in the world.

A short easy read. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in science.

That's curious. I just read Adventures among Ants by Mark Moffet, who did his PhD with Wilson. I definitely liked that book a lot, I give it 9/10. Since many of the evidence is anecdotal I was wondering whether it would qualify as science recommendation. But, I'd say, go for it

[kennyc]

I'll take a look Soldim. Thanks!

[drmaxx]

Allen Frances: Saving Normal: An Insider's Revolt Against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life

Just started reading this weekend and it is a fascinating tale about the boundaries of scientific/medical research and the substantial implications it can have on our lives. Frances is somewhat preaching a lot - but I guess a desperate situation justifies strong language.

[kennyc]

Yes there are some significant issues with the way the DSM-5 was developed that need to be examined/exposed....I know nothing about this particular book but hopefully it can help get the word out.

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by drmaxx

Allen Frances: Saving Normal: An Insider's Revolt Against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life

Just started reading this weekend and it is a fascinating tale about the boundaries of scientific/medical research and the substantial implications it can have on our lives. Frances is somewhat preaching a lot - but I guess a desperate situation justifies strong language.

I certainly like the title. I'm not an insider but I have often felt that way myself.

[drmaxx]

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I certainly like the title. I'm not an insider but I have often felt that way myself.

What made the book enticing to me is that Allen Frances is a retired Prof of psychology. This gives the book quite some depth and credibility. And he is seriously ranting ...

[drmaxx]

Just given up on
James Salzman: Drinking Water: A History

Can not say anything negative about it, but also not much positive. Most of the content was nothing new for me and the writing style was not reeling me in. He did quite some extensive research, but there is not much depth to his stories - at least not for somebody working in this domain.

[drmaxx]

Daniel Kahneman: Thinking, Fast and Slow

My parallel read to 'Saving normal'. Highly recommended. Explores the strength of weaknesses of your intuition and your cognitive brain. Lot's to learn, e.g. how to brainwash people (repeating phrases makes them familiar and therefore more trusted....), or why people with easy names are more trusted....

[WT Sharpe]

Scientific American has released Climate Change and Extreme Weather; a compilation of some of their most relevant articles on the subject. You can buy it here for just $3.99.

Spoiler:

From Scientific American:
Storm Warnings: Climate Change and Extreme Weather
By The Editors

Hurricanes. Blizzards. Flooding. Drought. If extreme events like these seem to be on the rise, it’s for apparent reason. The first three-quarters of 2012 brought the worst European winter in 25 years; massive flooding in Australia, Brazil and China; a deepening drought affecting over 50% of the US; and Hurricane Sandy inflicted massive damage on the Northeast US. The likelihood of these extreme weather events are increasingly being tied to anthropogenic—or manmade, mostly through overproduction of carbon dioxide—global warming. It’s no longer an abstract idea; it’s being felt locally, on every level.

This eBook, Storm Warnings: Climate Change and Extreme Weather, gives you the tools to better understand what’s behind climate change, what might be in store during the coming decades and how we can begin to reverse the detrimental effects mankind has had on the atmosphere. The first half of the book focuses on those unprecedented weather events and the science behind them, from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy to the collapse of glacial ice shelves in the Antarctic. Chapter 5 delves into greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on global warming, including an excellent piece by leading expert James Hansen, who exposes the main culprits of climate change. The last chapters focus on addressing and reducing the problems of climate change at both the public policy and local levels. In particular, Scientific American Editor David Biello lays out 10 solutions that include small changes we all can make in our daily lives—practical, but effective, consumer choices that add up. It might be a drop in the bucket, but every drop counts.

On sale November 12, 2013