CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THE MILLION-SELLING POP SCIENCE CLASSIC WITH A SPECIAL EDITION. THIS IS WHAT IF? . . . x10.THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Nerd royalty' BEN GOLDACRE 'Totally brilliant' TIM HARFORD'Required reading across the world' NEW YORK TIMESFrom the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.Fans of Randall Munroe ask him a lot of strange questions: How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living? How many humans would a T Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day? In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by comics. (They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.)In celebration of 10 years of unusual insight, Randall Munroe has revised his classic blockbuster to ask what if? x 10. Featuring brand-new 2-colour annotations and illustrations, this special anniversary edition will leave you feeling much smarter, whether you have a Nobel Prize or not. Read more

The ultimate eye-opening journey through time and space, A Short History of Nearly Everything is the biggest-selling popular science book of the 21st century and has sold over 2 million copies.'Possibly the best scientific primer ever published.' Economist'Truly impressive...It's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.' Guardian'A travelogue of science, with a witty, engaging, and well-informed guide' The TimesBill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays safely at home he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization - how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us.Bill Bryson's challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry and particle physics, and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. As a result, A Short History of Nearly Everything reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before. Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK*An Economist, Financial Times, Times and New Statesman Book of the Year*Shortlisted for the FT Business Book of the Year Award and the British Academy Book Prize, Longlisted for the Wainwright Conservation Writing Prize'Compelling' TIM MARSHALL'Lively, rich and exciting' PETER FRANKOPAN'Vitally important' TIM HARFORD_____________Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. They built our world, and they will transform our future.They took us from the Dark Ages to the present day. They power our computers and phones, build our homes and offices, and create life-saving medicines. But most of us take these six crucial materials completely for granted.In Material World, Ed Conway travels the globe to uncover a secret world we rarely see. As we wrestle with climate change, energy crises and the threat of new global conflict, Conway shows why these substances matter more than ever before, and how the hidden battle to control them will shape our geopolitical future. Read more

WHAT IF... one man decided to answer all the unanswerable questions, using science.The Sunday Times-bestselling author and xkcd creator, Randall Munroe is here to provide the best answers yet to the important questions you probably never thought to ask.The millions of people around the world who read and loved What If? still have questions, and those questions are getting stranger.Planning to ride a fire pole from the moon back to Earth? The hardest part is sticking the landing.Hoping to cool the atmosphere by opening everyone's freezer doors at the same time? Maybe it's time for a brief introduction to thermodynamics.Want to know what would happen if you rode a helicopter blade, built a billion-storey building, made a lava lamp out of lava, or jumped on a geyser as it erupted? Okay, if you insist.Welcome (back) to the mind-blowing world of What If?Unfazed by absurdity, Randall consults the latest research on everything from swing-set physics to airplane-catapult design to clearly and concisely answer his readers' questions. As he consistently demonstrates, you can learn a lot from examining how the world might work in very specific extreme circumstances.Filled with bonkers science, boundless curiosity, and Randall's signature stick-figure comics, What If? 2 is sure to be another instant classic adored by inquisitive readers of all ages. Read more

Harness the power of Methylene Blue to Revolutionize Your Health and Life20th Century scientific breakthroughs have revealed that virtually all diseases in existence are metabolic in origin, and that improving cellular mitochondrial function is the fastest way to restore health.Originally developed for dying fabric by the textile industry, you’re about to learn why methylene blue is one of the most potent metabolic medicines ever discovered.Your Complete Guide to Methylene Blue will show you the secrets of dye therapy, and how to use it to improve mitochondrial function and powerfully enhance your body’s metabolism.Bestselling author Mark Sloan is the creator of the popular blog Endalldisease, which delivers evidence-based health information and has helped tens of thousands of people get healthy. After losing his mother to cancer at age 12, Mark has committed his life to finding safer and more effective therapies for diseases of all kinds.In this book, you’ll learn how to:Skyrocket your energy levels so you can take action in your lifeBoost your brain function, memory and creativityRelieve aches and accelerate repair of injuries and woundsEnhance sexual function, performance and fertilityEliminate depressive thoughts and feel better about your lifeMethylene Blue is your ultimate guide for understanding what disease is, what disease isn’t, and how to use methylene blue to dramatically enhance your health and quality of life.Get Started Immediately!Pick up your copy now by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page! Read more

A call to action to prevent a brain health crisis - does for diet what Why We Sleep does for sleep 'I cannot recommend this book enough' - Dr Rupy Aujla, author of The Doctor's KitchenWe often talk about how our diets affect our fitness - but we don't discuss how they affect the hungriest organ in the body, the brain. And it has surprising dietary needs that differ from the rest of our body. Brain Food uses cutting-edge research to highlight the connection between nutrition and our brain's health, busting through pseudoscience and demonstrating how we can all change our diet most effectively. Based partly on her own discoveries, and using emerging science, for example on the connection between the brain and the gut, Dr Lisa Mosconi, an expert in both neuroscience and nutrition, reveals the foods and drinks that can prevent dementia, stress, cognitive decline and memory loss - no matter how old we are. Innovative and timely, and with accompanying brain-boosting recipes and lists of what to eat and what to avoid, Brain Food provides the ultimate plan for maximising our brain power. 'A critically important book. If you want to keep and save your brain you have to get your food right. Brain Food will help you do just that in a delicious, easy way' - Daniel G. Amen, author of Memory Rescue Read more

Ever wondered why we yawn and have eyebrows, what happens at absolute zero and why some tunes get stuck in our heads?If you've spent your days searching for the answers to these and life's other big questions then look no further.Yawns Freeze Your Brain from the bestselling author of Does Anything Eat Wasps and Farts Aren't Invisible is the gift of enlightenment that you never knew you needed!Shining a light on some of life's trickiest questions across science, history, life and the universe. Uncover the mysteries woven into the fabric of our very existence with answers to questions such as;How much fuel does the sun burn in a second?What are the most misheard song lyrics?Why does cheese smell?Why is the Eiffel Tower 15cm taller in summer than winter?Who on earth invented existentialism (and what is it)?Increase your IQ and win pub quizzes with this perfect blend of wit, wisdom and wonder.The perfect gift for brainiacs. Read more

Randall Munroe is . . .'Nerd royalty' Ben Goldacre'Totally brilliant' Tim Harford'Laugh-out-loud funny' Bill Gates'Wonderful' Neil GaimanAN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe world's most entertaining and useless self-help guide, from the brilliant mind behind the wildly popular webcomic xkcd and the million-selling What If? and Thing Explainer For any task you might want to do, there's a right way, a wrong way, and a way so monumentally bad that no one would ever try it. How To is a guide to the third kind of approach. It's full of highly impractical advice for everything from landing a plane to digging a hole. 'How strange science can fix everyday problems' New Scientist'A brilliant book: clamber in for a wild ride' Nature Read more

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NEW NETFLIX SERIES 'It's not often that a life-changing book falls into one's lap ... Yet Michael Pollan's Cooked is one of them.' SundayTelegraph'This is a love song to old, slow kitchen skills at their delicious best' Kathryn Huges, GUARDIAN BOOKS OF THE YEARThe New York Times Top Five Bestseller - Michael Pollan's uniquely enjoyable quest to understand the transformative magic of cookingMichael Pollan's Cooked takes us back to basics and first principles: cooking with fire, with water, with air and with earth.Meeting cooks from all over the world, who share their wisdom and stories, Pollan shows how cooking is at the heart of our culture and that when it gets down to it, it also fundamentally shapes our lives.Filled with fascinating facts and curious, mouthwatering tales from cast of eccentrics, Cooked explores the deepest mysteries of how and why we cook. Read more

SELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2018 BY THE DAILY MAIL 'A hugely entertaining tour of the periodic table and the 118 elements that are the basic building blocks of everything' Daily MailIn 2016, with the addition of four final elements - nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson - to make a total of 118 elements, the periodic table was finally complete, rendering any pre-existing books on the subject obsolete.Tim James, the science YouTuber and secondary-school teacher we all wish we'd had, provides an accessible and wonderfully entertaining 'biography of chemistry' that uses stories to explain the positions and patterns of elements in the periodic table. Many popular science titles tend to tell the history of scientific developments, leaving the actual science largely unexplained; James, however, makes use of stories to explain the principles of chemistry within the table, showing its relevance to everyday life.Quirkily illustrated and filled with humour, this is the perfect book for students wanting to learn chemistry or for parents wanting to help, but it is also for anyone who wants to understand how our world works at a fundamental level. The periodic table, that abstract and seemingly jumbled graphic, holds (nearly) all the answers. As James puts it, elements are 'the building blocks nature uses for cosmic cookery: the purest substances making up everything from beetroot to bicycles.'Whether you're studying the periodic table for the first time or are simply interested in the fundamental building blocks of the universe - from the core of the sun to the networks in our brains - Elemental is the perfect guide.Website: timjamesscience.com YouTube: timjamesScience Twitter: @tjamesScience Read more

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ‘Neat, and extremely simple: only a deep thinker such as Sean Carroll could introduce the complexity of Einstein’s general relativity in such a luminous and straightforward manner.’ Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics Immense, strange and infinite, the world of modern physics often feels impenetrable to the undiscerning eye – a jumble of muons, gluons and quarks, impossible to explain without several degrees and a research position at CERN. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Allow world-renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author Sean Carroll to guide you through the biggest ideas in the universe. Elegant and simple, Carroll unravels a web of theory to get to the heart of the truths they represent about the world around us. — In Quanta and Fields, the second in this landmark trilogy, Carroll delves into the baffling and beautiful world of quantum mechanics. From Schrödinger to Feynman, Carroll travels through the quantum revolution with the greatest minds of the twentieth century. Exploring how several decades of research overturned centuries of convention, Carroll provides a dazzling tour of the most exciting ideas in modern science. Read more

The periodic table, created in the early 1860s by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, marked one of the most extraordinary advances in modern chemistry. This basic visual aid helped scientists to gain a deeper understanding of what chemical elements really were: and, astonishingly, it also correctly predicted the properties of elements that hadn’t been discovered at the time.Here, in the authoritative Elementary, James Russell uses his lively, accessible and engaging narrative to tell the story behind all the elements we now know about. From learning about the creation of the first three elements, hydrogen, lithium and helium, in the big bang, through to oxygen and carbon, which sustain life on earth – along with the many weird and wonderful uses of elements as varied as fluorine, arsenic, krypton and einsteinium – even the most unscientifically minded will be enthralled by this fascinating subject. Russell compellingly details these most basic building blocks of the universe, and the people who identified, isolated and even created them. Read more

Organic chemistry is the chemistry of compounds of carbon. The ability of carbon to link together to form long chain molecules and ring compounds as well as bonding with many other elements has led to a vast array of organic compounds. These compounds are central to life, forming the basis for organic molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. In this Very Short Introduction Graham Patrick covers the whole range of organic compounds and their roles. Beginning with the structures and properties of the basic groups of organic compounds, he goes on to consider organic compounds in the areas of pharmaceuticals, polymers, food and drink, petrochemicals, and nanotechnology. He looks at how new materials, in particular the single layer form of carbon called graphene, are opening up exciting new possibilities for applications, and discusses the particular challenges of working with carbon compounds, many of which are colourless. Patrick also discusses techniques used in the field.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Read more

Discover and understand the key ideas that underpin the core science of chemistry and learn about the great minds who uncovered them.Written in plain English, The Chemistry Book includes short, pithy explanations of some of the most historic moments in science, from the birth of atomic theory to the discovery of polythene and the development of new vaccine technologies to combat COVID-19. Simple graphics, such as flowcharts and mind maps, support the text and make the explanation of key concepts easy to follow.Arranged in chronological order, the ebook covers key themes in the physical and natural sciences, such as geochemistry and the elements. Within each chapter, a series of articles traces the history of scientific thought and introduces the work of the scientists who have shaped the subject such as John Dalton, Marie Curie, Dmitri Mendeleev, Kathleen Lonsdale, and Stephanie Kwolek. Along the way, the ebook addresses some of the most fundamental questions in science, such as what is the universe made of, how is matter created, and what are the chemical bonds that make life possible?Whether you are new to chemistry, a student of the sciences, or just want to keep up with and understand the latest news and scientific debates, The Chemistry Book is for you. Read more

Exam Board: SQALevel: National 5Subject: ChemistryFirst Teaching: September 2017First Exam: Summer 2018This book contains all the advice and support you need to revise successfully for your National 5 exam. It combines an overview of the course syllabus with advice from a top expert on how to improve exam performance, so you have the best chance of success.- Refresh your knowledge with complete course notes- Prepare for the exam with top tips and hints on revision technique- Get your best grade with advice on how to gain those vital extra marks Read more

Water is arguably the most critical and least understood of the foundation elements in brewing. For many brewers used to choosing from a wide selection of hops and grain, water seems like an ingredient for which they have little choice but to accept what comes out of their faucet. But brewers in fact have many opportunities to modify their source water or to obtain mineral-free water and build their own brewing water from scratch. Much of the relevant information can be found in texts on physical and inorganic chemistry or water treatment and analysis, but these resources seldom, if ever, speak to brewers.Water: A Comprehensive Guide for Brewers takes the mystery out of water's role in the brewing process. This book is not just about brewing liquor. Whether in a brewery or at home, water is needed for every part of the brewing process: chilling, diluting, cleaning, boiler operation, wastewater treatment, and even physically pushing wort or beer from one place to another. The authors lead the reader from an overview of the water cycle and water sources, to adjusting water for different beer styles and brewery processes, to wastewater treatment.It covers precipitation, groundwater, and surface water, and explains how municipal water is treated to make it safe to drink but not always suitable for brewing. The parameters measured in a water report are explained, along with their impact on the mash and the final beer. Understand ion concentrations, temporary and permanent hardness, and pH. The concept of residual alkalinity is covered in detail and the causes of alkalinity in water are explored, along with techniques to control alkalinity.Ultimately, residual alkalinity is the major effector on mash pH, and this book addresses how to predict and target a specific mash pH—a key skill for any brewer wishing to raise their beer to the next level. But minerals in brewing water also determine specific flavor attributes. Ionic species important to beer are discussed and concepts like the sulfate-to-chloride ratio are explained. Examples illustrate how to tailor your brewing water to suit any style of beer.To complete the subject, the authors focus on brewery operations relating to source water treatment, such as the removal of particulates, dissolved solids, gas and liquid contaminants, organic contaminants, chlorine and chloramine, and dissolved oxygen. This section considers the pros and cons of various technologies, including membrane technologies such as filtration, ion-exchange systems, and reverse osmosis. Read more

A long deceased body, encrusted in phosphate rock, is uncovered during the demolition of an old chemical works.Ten unusual objects are positioned in front of the mummified corpse.Detective Inspector Rose Irving from Police Scotland is tasked with making sense of this eerie scene, and sets out to find someone familiar with the history of the site.Enter retired shift foreman John Gibson, a veritable mine of information. DI Irving certainly gets more than she bargained for: a history of technology, a lesson in chemistry and an unusual insight into the people who worked in Edinburgh’s last fertiliser factory on Leith Docks.Who was the victim? How did he die? What is the significance of the ten objects that surround him? And how reliable is the chief witness?Praise for Phosphate Rocks'Phosphate Rocks rocks! I'm not sure how Fiona Erskine pulled this one off but it's kind of mesmerising, and I speak as a science-moron. The weaving of stories and science really pulls the whole thing together. Bravo!' --Trevor Wood'An original and fascinating combination of memoir and crime novel.' --Literary Review'Quite possibly the best mystery novelist ever to have taken up the quill in the name of chemistry.' --Engineering and Technology'Phosphate Rocks, currently my book of the year. It will take something incredible to top this one.' --Grab This Book'A pacy murder mystery which also offers a fascinating insight into the workings of an industrial plant.' --Undiscovered Scotland'A brilliant book with a perfect mix of mystery, science, facts and great characters!' --MrsJTea blog'An absolutely compelling read, clever and inventive, but with a deeply engrossing human story at the heart of it.' --Lesley Kelly'Brilliant... This is a book that defies genre and expectations.' --Books in Steel City'A quirky read blending science, history and crime in a novel with plenty intrigue and suspense... A clever book, very entertaining and something that bit different in the crime genre.' --Portobello Book Blog'Utterly fascinating' --Ramblingmads blogFive star reader reviews'Fiona Erskine is one of the most original and thoughtful writers of crime and thrillers out there.''A murder mystery that is also part memoir, part chemistry manual, and the unique fusion of styles will educate and entertain crime and literary fiction fans alike.''Brilliant novel, erudite and moving with working class history strongly represented in Leith Docks and environs.''This is not your normal crime fiction read...inventive and refreshing, combining a suspenseful murder mystery with science based fact.''An unexpected gem.' Read more

A renowned chemist and cooking pioneer breaks down the properties and benefits of cooking with molecular gastronomy.1-Octen-3-ol, which has a scent of wild mushrooms; limonene, a colorless liquid hydrocarbon that has the smell of citrus; sotolon, whose fragrance at high concentrations resembles curry and at low concentrations, maple syrup or sugar; tyrosine, an odorless but flavorful amino acid present in cheese—these and many other substances, some occurring in nature, some synthesized in the laboratory, make it possible to create novel tastes and flavors in the same way that elementary sound waves can be combined to create new sounds. Note-by-note cooking promises to add unadulterated nutritional value to dishes of all kinds, actually improving upon the health benefits of so-called natural foods. Cooking with molecular compounds will be far more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable than traditional techniques of cooking. This new way of thinking about food heralds a phase of culinary evolution on which the long-term survival of a growing human population depends. Hervé This clearly explains the properties of naturally occurring and synthesized compounds, dispels a host of misconceptions about the place of chemistry in cooking, and shows why note-by-note cooking is an obvious—and inevitable—extension of his earlier pioneering work in molecular gastronomy.Includes an appendix with representative selection of recipes, vividly illustrated in color.“Taking kitchen science to a whole new (molecular) level, Hervé This is changing the way France―and the world―cooks.”—Gourmet“[This] explores the science behind shape, consistency, odor, and color, giving readers the knowledge to create their own magnum opus in the kitchen.”—Discover Read more

This is the definitive instruction book for the care and feeding of your brain! - Dr Mark Hyman, author The Blood Sugar Solution The official lifestyle companion guide to Dr. David Perlmutter's revolutionary approach to vibrant health, as described in his international bestsellers Grain Brain, The Grain Brain Cookbook, and Brain Maker.With over one million copies sold worldwide, Dr. Perlmutter's books have changed the lives of people across the globe, revealing the devastating truth about the effects of gluten on the brain and teaching us how to reprogram our genetic destiny.Now, Dr. Perlmutter has written the definitive, highly practical lifestyle guide offering readers a step-by-step plan to lower the risk of brain ailments while yielding other benefits, such as weight loss, relief from chronic conditions, and total body rejuvenation.Accessible and science-based, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan provides readers with actionable information, including all the core nutritional advice they know and love from Grain Brain and Brain Maker, and going far beyond that in a comprehensive, personalised programme.From sleep to stress management, exercise, relationships, and more, The Grain Brain Whole Life Planwill teach you how to live happily and healthily ever after. Read more

The rapidly growing field of astrochemistry focuses on the chemistry occurring in stars, planets, and the interstellar medium, bringing together elements of chemistry, physics, astrophysics, and biology. Astrochemistry describes the chemical history of the Universe, our solar system, and our planet. It explores in some detail the 'alien' chemistry occurring in interstellar gas clouds, the regions where stars and planets are formed, and also looks at the theoretical and experimental methods that allow us to carry out Earth-based studies of astrochemistry. The evolution of the Universe and the complex chemistry occurring both in interstellar space and in the planetary systems that form in these regions is explained primarily in terms of basic principles of physical chemistry. While there is plenty to interest the general reader, this book is aimed at intermediate to advanced undergraduates of chemistry and astrochemistry, highlighting many different aspects of physical chemistry and demonstrating their relevance to the world we live in. This book was written in conjunction with Atmospheric Chemistry: From the Surface to the Stratosphere, Grant Ritchie (2017) World Scientific Publishing. Read more