Bestselling author Bryson sets out to put his irrepressible stamp on all things under the sun. This is a book about life, the universe and everything, from the Big Bang to the ascendancy of Homo sapiens. "This is a book about how it happened," the author writes. "In particular how we went from there being nothing at all to there being something, and then how a little of that something turned into us, and also what happened in between and since." What follows is a brick of a volume summarizing moments both great and curious in the history of science, covering already well-trod territory in the fields of cosmology, astronomy, paleontology, geology, chemistry, physics and so on.
Europe1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World (Six Vol. Set)
In the distinguished tradition of its Encyclopedia of the Renaissance (1999) and Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1982-1989), Scribner has published an encyclopedia that is even grander than these award-winning works. Europe, 1450 to 1789 spans the mid-fifteenth century, a period of relative stability following the chaos of the late Middle Ages, to the French Revolution. The focus is on Europe within the context of world history, including meaningful developments in the arts, religion, politics, exploration, and warfare. Alphabetical entries range from broad and expected topics like the Enlightenment and the Renaissance to the more narrowly defined, such as Advice and etiquette books, Balloons, and tulips. Cross-references are numerous, and each signed entry is followed by a bibliography and see also references.
The 1,100-plus entries range in length from half a page to eight pages, and the number of bibliographical references from a few to 40. Major topics are represented by extended, in-depth essays, but the more tangential entries--Concubinage, Sanitation, Virtue --are also informative. More than a third of the entries are biographical. The first volume contains a helpful 120-page chronology dividing notable subjects into three categories--"Art and Architecture," "Drama and Music," and "Literature and Scholarship." Volume 6 has a "Systematic Outline of Contents," so users can locate all entries under a broad topic like "Law," "Religion," or "Science." Each volume lists the contents of all volumes in the set (though there is only one index at the end of the last volume), and each includes the same six maps representing major political changes during this period. Overall, there are 90 archival maps in the set. Gorgeous illustrations are sprinkled throughout, including an eight-page color section in the middle of each volume. Breathtaking reproductions of paintings provide a good argument for print encyclopedias over their online counterparts. Landmark pieces of art and architecture are also splendidly exhibited. Additionally, there are 750 black-and-white illustrations.
New Mathematical Diversions: More Puzzles, Problems, Games, and
Added by: cumartesileri | Karma: 111.83 | Fiction literature | 21 June 2007
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New Mathematical Diversions: More Puzzles, Problems, Games, and Other Mathematical Diversions (Spectrum Series)
By Martin Gardner
Another collection of pearls of mathematical wisdom
If there were a mathematics of watching paint dry, Martin Gardner would make it interesting. Without peer as a popularizer of mathematics, he is equally adept at explaining all areas. This book, another updated collection of his Scientific American columns, is a twenty member set of polished pearls. Although somewhat mundane as a descriptive adjective, the word readable fits his writing like a custom made body stocking.
Always interesting and entertaining, reading his essays is somewhat like eating tiny chocolate bars. You can't get enough, each seems too small, and there are no negative side effects.
Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission
Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation - Invisible Rules for Success
Added by: Maria | Karma: 3098.81 | Coursebooks | 31 May 2007
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Writing Your Doctoral Dissertation Invisible Rules for Success While there are increasing numbers of books which are outlining the parts of a dissertation, there is a need for students to understand both the academic and the social elements which contribute to their progress.
This book combines both of these elements as it provides step-by-step guidance in moving from identifying a research problem to defending your dissertation.
Expert Resumes for Teachers and Educators
As an educator, you no longer have to look to the school system for employment opportunities. There is now a wealth of for-profit training companies, tens of thousands of companies that employ training professionals, and
unlimited opportunities as a self-employed trainer and coach. There are thousands and thousands of positions with the more traditional school-based systems, colleges, and universities. What this means is that there are unlimited employment opportunities, and that’s great news for you!
To take advantage of all of these opportunities, you must first develop a powerful, performance-based resume. To be a savvy and successful job seeker, you must know how to communicate your qualifications in a strong and effective written presentation. Sure, it’s important to let employers know essential details, but a resume is more than just your job history and academic credentials. A winning resume is a concise yet comprehensive document that gives you a competitive edge in the job market.
Creating such a powerful document is what this book is all about.
