Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils the Universe - Ian Stewart

Submitted by lluncheon on Mon, 2016-11-21 14:16
Staff Pick
Bill L.

In Calculating the Cosmos (Basic Books, $27.99) award-winning scientist and math popularizer Ian Stewart takes the majesty and complexity of our universe and explains it, bit by bit, according to how the numbers add up. In addition to showing how math helps us understand the cosmos as it is (and will be), Stewart also humanizes and contextualizes our history of calculations. Through short summaries he explains how we came to better understand the universe, detailing our record of insights, mistakes, recalculations, and lucky guesses. Discussing everything from how the bodies in our solar system affect each other to whether dark matter exists, and on to speculations about how new discoveries may guide future deep space exploration, this book is for anyone who is fascinated by looking at the stars and wants to better understand their—and our—place in the universe.

2016 Holiday Newsletter
Spacetime
Math

Game Worn: Baseball Treasures from the Game's Greatest Heroes and Moments - Stephen Wong, Dave Grob, Francesco Sapienza

Submitted by lluncheon on Mon, 2016-11-21 13:41
Staff Pick
Bill L.

Game Worn: Baseball Treasures from the Game’s Greatest Heroes and Moments (Smithsonian Books, $34.95) brings baseball history to life through its iconic memorabilia. By Stephen Wong, a lifelong collector of baseball artifacts and the author of Smithsonian Baseball, and photographer Dave Grob, this collection of essays and photographs features one-of-a kind relics from throughout the 20th century, from Ty Cobb’s sharpened spikes to David Cone’s crisp and pristine game uniform, charting the evolving look and recalling the major moments of the game. Richly nostalgic and lovingly rendered, this book will bring baseball fans of all ages back to their youth. Go, team!

Sports
2016 Holiday Newsletter
Game Worn: Baseball Treasures from the Game's Greatest Heroes and Moments By Stephen Wong, Dave Grob, Francesco Sapienza (Photographs by), John Thorn (Foreword by) Cover Image

Game Worn: Baseball Treasures from the Game's Greatest Heroes and Moments (Hardcover)

By Stephen Wong, Dave Grob, Francesco Sapienza (Photographs by), John Thorn (Foreword by)
$34.95
ISBN: 9781588345714
Availability: Special Order—Subject to Availability
Published: Smithsonian Books - October 25th, 2016

Void Star - Zachary Mason

Submitted by dschuller on Thu, 2016-10-20 10:46
Staff Pick
Bill L.

In a future of extreme climate change, class disparity, and artifical intelligence, humanity is running out the clock. Some are in secured cities with private armies and security drones, others in the favelas, piled upon each other like ants. The poor live day to day, while the rich hold off aging with trips to the Mayo Clinic and learn to take a long view of things. AIs, which are now acting on their own, take the longest view imaginable. Void Star depicts a future where what is real or virtual is becoming less distinct, and perhaps in the end more a matter of choice. It is also a meditation on memory, death, and shared humanity.

Science Fiction

Pages