Author:Lisa Jardine,Lisa Jardine
In Britain, we're sometimes inclined to think of science as happening far away from us - in labs or universities or even in the past - and having little impact on our lives. In this groundbreaking series, Lisa Jardine weaves science back into the everyday by showing how the concerns of scientists have always been the concerns of us all. Starting in Restoration England, we travel through seven ages to examine Britain's unparalleled contribution to science.
First, the age of ingenuity, when mechanically-minded citizens pioneered a new way of thinking.
Then, the age of exploration when young bright men sailed the seas in search of specimens and exotic lands.
We travel through the age of opportunity when the industrial revolution made science, like industry, into a factory-based, mass-manufactured pursuit.
Next into the age of inspiration when scientists like Maxwell, Einstein, Darwin, and Anning took great leaps of faith.
Onward into the age of the lab when scientists professionalised and started to be separated from society in general.
Into the age of war when military needs placed new demands on science.
Finally into the age of now where we find science is driven sometimes by curiosity, but also by politics, PR and profit.
From the 1600s to the present day, Seven Ages of Science offers a fascinating insight into the history of science in Britain.
Excellent... blends investigative reporting, science and foodie writing to argue that the processed food industry is no different from tobacco companies
—— New York TimesChilling ... succeed[s] brilliantly in evidencing the systematic venality of corporate junk food and drink interests
Gripping
—— Wall Street JournalHooked shows how food manufacturers have taken advantage of our habits, our biology, our psychological quirks, and our ignorance to transform foods into addictive substances. He takes us into laboratories and courtrooms, kitchens and legislatures-and shows us how we can win our freedom back
—— Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of HabitMichael Moss delivers again with a deep, well-written investigation into food addiction and mass food production. With so many companies competing for our attention, dollars, and stomachs, it's more important than ever to educate ourselves about food and arm ourselves against efforts to get us hooked. This is a very important read for anyone who cares about their health
—— Sylvia Tara, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF FATNo one has done more to reveal the intentional and underhanded ways in which food companies manipulate our desires and eating habits than Michael Moss. In Hooked, he shows how these ongoing crimes must be challenged and stopped. A must-read for anyone who cares about food, general well-being, and justice
—— Mark Bittman, author of ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, JUNKHooked is smoothly written, with just the right amount of fascinating scientific detail
—— NPRPulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Moss is a powerhouse when it comes to research and analysis, and much like his contemporary Michael Lewis, he possesses the ability to maintain a solid narrative arc ... He explores the often devious and potentially dangerous ways that manufacturers manipulate foods to trigger addictive behavior, spark sense memories of foods from our childhoods, and treat addiction and dependence as a corporate strategy ... Another clear-eyed inquiry into the companies that feed us, hook us, and leave us wanting more
—— Kirkus ReviewsMoss brings the same keen-eyed, lucid reporting to Hooked, illuminating the science of addiction to show that processed food is a drug ... If knowledge is power, then Hooked provides the facts we need to free ourselves from remaining unwitting conspirators in Big Food's ruse
—— San Francisco ChronicleBrilliant
—— Melissa HarrisonFascinating ... the connection between mental health and the natural world turns out to be strong and deep - which is good news in that it offers those feeling soul-sick the possibility that falling in love with the world around them might be remarkably helpful. And those who fall in love with the world might protect it, a virtuous cycle that would make a real difference in the fight for a workable planet.
—— Bill McKibben, author of Falter; Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?An absorbing book...more than just a scientific treatise: Jones writes beautifully about nature and her own experiences of its healing powers
—— Country and TownhouseFantastic
—— Guy ShrubsoleA delightful book . . . Frank Wilczek is that rare creature: a first-class scientist who is also an extremely talented communicator. . . Wilczek constantly finds fresh ways to present such ideas, so that you emerge with new insight into what they mean. . . . Fundamentals is, then, not only an exceptional piece of science communication but also a deeply humanistic book
—— Physics WorldFundamentals is an engaging account of the history of humankind's understanding of reality, told by one of the key contributors to recent parts of that story. Wilczek's grasp on the physics he relates is comprehensive and authoritative; he conveys technicalities with a rare combination of accuracy and accessibility . . . Wilczek provides an exceptionally clear guide to the state of physical knowledge in the early 21st century, much in the spirit of the sort of explanation that the ancient Greeks desired
—— Science NewsIt's hard to imagine a better tour of fundamental physics than the one I got from Frank Wilczek here. Loved it
—— Sam Harris, TwitterIn this persuasive book, one of our leading thinkers Roman Krznaric expands his ground-breaking work on empathy to argue that our only hope of survival is to develop deep empathy for future generations across time and space
—— Professor Morten Kringelbach, neuroscientist, Universities of Oxford and Aarhus, DenmarkA fascinating and inspiring exploration of one of the great relationship questions of the 21st century: how can we extend our circle of care to future generations?
—— John Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From VenusRoman Krznaric passionately argues that thinking long term would bring untold benefits and may very well be vital to our survival as a species. Lose yourself in these pages, expand your time horizons, and reimagine your relationship to time, to the future, to activism
—— Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement and author of From What Is to What IfBrilliant ... A terrific read
—— Michael Pawlyn, the RIBA JournalAn extraordinary diary . . . it's a powerful pitch for why the school curriculum needs to be wilded and a reminder of the value of neurodiversity in literature
—— The TimesRovelli opens windows onto the imagination for all of us
—— Antony GormleyI always find with Carlo Rovelli's books that there are moments when you get a real hit of understanding -- a jigsaw in your mind that just falls into place
—— Robin InceHelgoland is a wonderful guide to the most extraordinary story in physics. It will reset your view of the universe
—— Marcus du SautoyHooked me so hard I read the entire book in one sitting. And then twice more
—— Lisa Feldman Barrett , Chronicle of Higher EducationThe old, solid world, if you believed in it at all, breaks into a glorious shimmer of limitless potential
—— Brian Morton , TabletRovelli has an uncanny knack for instilling wonder and explaining complex theories in plain, entertaining ways
—— Irish TimesI'm keen for everyone to read Helgoland: a wonderfully lucid and poetic account of the foundations of quantum physics. It combines a compelling history with Rovelli's own intriguing - and for me very appealing - views about the basis of all things
—— Anil Seth, author of Being You