What is ear wax for? Do bacteria have sex? How do they put stripes in toothpaste? Does your nose run in space? What are stars made of? This book answers those tantalising or perplexing questions for which you thought you'd never find an answer. A book for the naturally curious, as well as those seekers after scientific truths, it unravels both those things we take for granted, such as when you boil an egg, why does the yolk stay in the middle, or why is the sky blue, as well as questions which probe deeply, such as, what does an atom look like, or what was there before the beginning of time? if you were to write in the dust on the moon, how big would the letters have to be so you could see them from earth without a telescope? Drawing on the expertise of a team of enthusiastic scientists around the world, authoritative, entertaining, and often a touch humorous, it will appeal to anyone who's ever been curious about life on earth.

In Can Crocodiles Cry? Paul Heiney unravels further science behind those things we take for granted, and explains just why the world and its contents are the way they are. Drawing on questions asked by the public, this book brings some of the finest scientific minds to bear on how the laws of science apply to everyday life. It is the perfect gift for the insatiably curious, provocative poseurs, quizaholics and science addicts everywhere.

From the author of The Guards of the Shadowlands series comes a love story for the ages, set in a reimagined industrial Asia, in which a 16-year-old girl is torn between her love for an oppressed factory worker and appeasing the ghost who is determined to protect her against any threat.

Why music doesn't add up, what The Simpsons can teach us about science, whether Juana la Loca wasn't crazy after all, and what's behind the gaseous veil of Saturn's moon Titan ' these are just some of the questions addressed in the more than 70 reviews and essay reviews from the years 2000 to 2009 collected in this volume. They cover books about science, ranging from the academic to the popularized kind, but there are also books about cultural topics and even a few novels scattered in for good measure. Most of these books reviewed haven't found a massive amount of attention, although some of them should have, at least in the reviewer's opinion. And even if the book under review wasn't all that good, the format of an essay review allows the author to have a go at presenting the subject matter his own way. All in all, a reflection of what happened during the noughties in the worlds of science and culture, and off the beaten track.

"Rural New Englanders, Hoberman suggests, have too long been portrayed as backward-looking and dangerously homogeneous in their makeup - crotchety exceptions to modernity's nearly worldwide sweep. This insightful work, with its emphasis on instability and adaptation as persistent features of the folk region, does much to lay that stereotype to rest."--BOOK JACKET.

Why do jellies wobble? Why don't the oceans overflow? Why do racing cars have fat tyres? How do widgets in beer cans work? How many bones does a giraffe have in that long neck? I've been told that dogs only see in black and white. Is that true? How do we know that no two snow crystals are the same? Why is the earth round? And how do we know it is? why do camels have such bad breath? What is a bruise? Are chemicals in my brain responsible for my falling in love? Will they fade as I grow older? How long can love last? Do Cats Have Belly Buttons? is a follow-up to the successful Can Cows Walk Down Stairs?. Answering life's big questions, as well as the small, it unravels the science behind those things we take for granted, and explains just why the world and its contents are as they are. Informative, entertaining, humorous, it is the perfect present for quizaholics, science addicts, the insatiably questioning, and anyone curious about life on earth.

From New York Times bestselling authors Mac Barnett and Jory John comes a deviously funny series about fitting in, making your mark, and finding a friend where you least expect one. This ebook collection brings together all four laugh-out-loud books that have captivated young readers and prank enthusiasts alike. “A double helping of fun and mischief.” —Jeff Kinney, author, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 1: The Terrible Two Meet Miles Murphy, the new kid in town and a master prankster. But when he arrives at Yawnee Valley, he discovers that there’s already a prankster in residence. Will Miles and his rival, Niles Sparks, become friends or foes? Book 2: The Terrible Two Get Worse Miles and Niles have joined forces to become the ultimate pranking duo. But when their pranks start to backfire, they must find a way to outwit the new principal, who is determined to put an end to their antics. Book 3: The Terrible Two Go Wild The pranksters take their tricks to the great outdoors! As they navigate the challenges of summer camp, Miles and Niles must use their wits to outsmart the camp director and keep their pranking streak alive. Book 4: The Terrible Two’s Last Laugh In their final adventure, Miles and Niles face their biggest challenge yet. With graduation looming, they must pull off the ultimate prank to leave their mark on Yawnee Valley forever. Readers in grades 3 through 7 enjoy zooming through the books in this series. These laugh-out-loud books have captivated young readers and prank enthusiasts alike.

What is knowledge? Why is it valuable? How much of it do we have (if any at all), and what ways of thinking are good ways to use to get more of it? These are just a few questions that are asked in epistemology, roughly, the philosophical theory of knowledge. This is Epistemology is a comprehensive introduction to the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and scope of human knowledge. Exploring both classic debates and contemporary issues in epistemology, this rigorous yet accessible textbook provides readers with the foundation necessary to start doing epistemology. Organized around 11 key subtopics, and assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, this volume exposes readers to diverse, often contentious perspectives—guiding readers through crucial debates including Hume’s problem of induction, Descartes’ engagement with radical skepticism, rationalist and empiricist evaluations of a priori justification, and many more. The authors avoid complex technical terms and jargon in favor of an easy-to-follow, informal writing style with engaging chapters designed to stimulate student interest and encourage class discussion. Throughout the text, a wealth of up-to-date references and links to online resources are provided to enable further investigation of an array of epistemological topics. A balanced and authoritative addition to the acclaimed This is Philosophy series, This is Epistemology is a perfect primary textbook for philosophy undergraduates, and a valuable resource for general readers with interest in this important branch of philosophy.

Hands Pointed UP is a quick read of 60 inspirational sayings that include the word "up." It includes biblical references and observations that will help you keep a positive attitude.