The Vital Question


Book Description

A game-changing book on the origins of life, called the most important scientific discovery 'since the Copernican revolution' in The Observer.




Expertise


Book Description

This is a collective study of philosophical questions to do with experts and expertise, such as: What is an expert? Who decides who the experts are? Should we always defer to experts? How should expertise inform public policy? What happens when the experts disagree? Must experts be unbiased? Does it matter what the source of the expertise is?




Nonsense on Stilts


Book Description

“This crash course in critical thinking . . . includes handy rules for evaluating the confused public discourse on climate change, evolution, and even UFOs.” —Discover Recent polls suggest that fewer than forty percent of Americans believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution, despite it being one of science’s best-established findings. Parents still refuse to vaccinate their children for fear it causes autism, though this link has been consistently disproved. And about forty percent of Americans believe that the threat of global warming is exaggerated, including many political leaders. In this era of fake news and alternative facts, there is more bunk than ever. But why do people believe in it? And what causes them to embrace such pseudoscientific beliefs and practices? In this fully revised second edition, noted skeptic Massimo Pigliucci sets out to separate the fact from the fantasy in an entertaining exploration of the nature of science, the borderlands of fringe science, and—borrowing a famous phrase from philosopher Jeremy Bentham—the nonsense on stilts. Presenting case studies on a number of controversial topics, Pigliucci cuts through the ambiguity surrounding science to look more closely at how science is conducted, how it is disseminated, how it is interpreted, and what it means to our society. The result is in many ways a “taxonomy of bunk” that explores the intersection of science and culture at large. Broad in scope and implication, Nonsense on Stilts is a captivating guide for the intelligent citizen who wishes to make up her own mind while navigating the perilous debates that will shape the future of our planet. “Brilliant . . . required reading for, well, everyone.” —New Scientist




Almost Home


Book Description

Old flames reignite and new passions burn when lovers follow their hearts back to the place they once called home. . . "Whale Island" by Cathy Lamb Family secrets and imposing friends are making Chalese feel like an outsider in her very own home on beautiful Whale Island. But it's only when a shocking revelation makes her feel truly lost that she opens her heart to the possibilities the past offers--including a chance at love with the last man she expected. . . "Queen Of Hearts" by Judy Duarte Her high school reunion is coming up, and advice columnist Jenn Kramer couldn't be dreading it more--until she lays eyes on Marcos. Jenn hardly noticed him when they were kids, but now he's all grown up. . . and how deliciously he's changed. . . "The Honeymoon House" by Mary Carter It doesn't get more romantic than Andy Beck's cottage on Martha's Vineyard. But love is the last thing on his mind--he just wants to get the cottage ready for his best friend's honeymoon. At least that's the plan, until he finds the gorgeous Maid of Honor ransacking his house--in the most irresistible way. . . "The Marrying Kind" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber High school sweethearts Katie and Jason haven't seen each other in ten years--and now she's walked back into his life. With one look, the love they shared comes flooding back--only now the odds seem stacked against them. But when something's meant to be, all bets are off. . .




The Well of Stars


Book Description

An epic high-concept hard-SF sequel to Reed's major novel Marrow.




Perfect Cover


Book Description

My friends and I are headed to the Big Apple! George, Bess, and I continue our investigation of the Miss Pretty Face Beauty Pageant in New York City, where the next round of competition is being held. When I get there, Pretty Face Cosmetics seems creepier than ever! Suspicious security men, animal rights protesters, and a mysterious scientist make this the craziest case I've ever investigated. And when someone suddenly goes missing, I realize it just might be the most dangerous!




Believe Me


Book Description

From the star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills comes an emotional and eye opening behind-the-scenes look at her descent into uncovering the mystery of chronic Lyme disease. In early 2011, Yolanda was struck by mysterious symptoms including brain fog, severe exhaustion, migraines and more. Over the months and years that followed, she went from being an outspoken, multi-tasking, hands-on mother of three, reality TV star, and social butterfly, to a woman who spent most of her time in bed. Yolanda was turned inside out by some of the country’s top hospitals and doctors, but due to the lack of definitive diagnostic testing, she landed in a dark maze of conflicting medical opinions, where many were quick to treat her symptoms but could never provide clear answers to their possible causes. In this moving, behind the scenes memoir, Yolanda Hadid opens up in a way she has never been able to in the media before. Suffering from late stage Lyme, a disease that is an undeniable epidemic and more debilitating than anyone realizes, Yolanda had to fight with everything she had to hold onto her life. While her struggle was lived publicly, it impacted her privately in every aspect of her existence, affecting her family, friends and professional prospects. Her perfect marriage became strained and led to divorce. It was the strong bond with her children, Gigi, Bella and Anwar, that provided her greatest motivation to fight through the darkest days of her life. Hers is an emotional narrative and all-important read for anyone unseated by an unexpected catastrophe. With candor, authenticity and an unwavering inner strength, Yolanda reveals intimate details of her journey crisscrossing the world to find answers for herself and two of her children who suffer from Lyme and shares her tireless research into eastern and western medicine. Believe Me is an inspiring lesson in the importance of having courage and hope, even in those moments when you think you can’t go on.




Seduced by the Night


Book Description

With a powerful, sensual style reminiscent of ChristineFeehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon, Robin T. Popp delivers a spellbindingromance between a man who hunts vampires and the woman who'scaptured his heart.




Alice in Quantumland


Book Description

In this cleverly conceived book, physicist Robert Gilmore makes accessible some complex concepts in quantum mechanics by sending Alice to Quantumland-a whole new Wonderland, smaller than an atom, where each attraction demonstrates a different aspect of quantum theory. Alice unusual encounters, enhanced by illustrations by Gilmore himself, make the Uncertainty Principle, wave functions, the Pauli Principle, and other elusive concepts easier to grasp.




Forever Alpha


Book Description

"Andrew Caruthers' Forever Alpha is a masterpiece of fictional writing. Not only has his series about Moonbase Alpha been met with great enthusiasm among fans of Space 1999, but the stories contained in this book were also subject to a scholarly Online Alpha discussion that lasted for almost a year. Something that was repeated in the discussion was how Caruthers' love for the series provided him with a psychological understanding of characters and relationships that has made him into one of the leading chroniclers of the new adventures of Moonbase Alpha. This book is a must-have for all those who enjoyed Space 1999 on television and wanted the series never to end."--Publisher's description.