20 books to refresh your memory of the world around you

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How the Universe works, why viruses are our friends and why people fought over the carnation.

1. “The origin of life. From nebula to cell ", Mikhail Nikitin

Mikhail Nikitin, a graduate and teacher of Moscow State University, author of books and popularizer of biological sciences, is studying the evolution of animal genomes. In his new work, he presents a modern study of all the main ideas and hypotheses of the origin and development of life on the planet. This fundamental work is written in a lively and easy language that will be understandable even to readers far from biology.

The book will tell readers about the most advanced scientific ideas that affect our perception of life around.

2. “How the Universe works. Introduction to modern cosmology ", Sergei Parnovsky

Astrophysicist, professor and doctor of sciences Sergey Parnovsky talks about the past and future of our Universe with its black holes, dark matter and energy. He lucidly explains how everything that surrounds us today was formed. A simple and detailed author's presentation of the foundations of the general theory of relativity will be understood even by a person ignorant of physics.

The book will help you understand the laws of our world and what can happen to the Universe in the future.

3. “Explaining the world. The origins of modern science ", Steven Weinberg

Steven Weinberg is a Nobel laureate in physics and one of the world's most respected scientists. In the book, the author traces the formation of the method of scientific understanding of the universe around us. This is an encyclopedic complete history of science from ancient thinkers to the outstanding scientists of our time. How it originated, developed and influenced people. The reader, along with the author, will walk a fascinating path to understanding life in general.

For the first time, science appears in such an understandable and accessible form. The book will surely become a reference book for many readers.

4. Professor Stewart's Incredible Numbers by Ian Stewart

Numbers are the main tool for understanding the world for people. Ian Stewart, a professor of mathematics and British popularizer of science, is convinced of this. In his presentation, boring science will appear as a living and original component of our entire existence. Mathematics, says Professor Stewart, is in everything: in music, games and even relationships.

The book, written in witty language, will change the perception of readers about this science and its role in our lives.

5. “Viruses. Rather friends than enemies”, Karin Mölling

German virologist Karin Mölling convincingly talks in her book that viruses can be our helpers, not enemies. They know how, for example, to treat obesity and influence our mood. As part of the genome, it is these microscopic particles that influence our future.

The amazing history of viruses, terrible and not so, will allow you to look differently at the world that was directly involved in the creation and formation of us, humans.

6. “Creation of the Earth. How living organisms created our world ", Andrey Zhuravlev

How is Earth different from Mars? It is inhabited by living organisms: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, plants, animals, fungi. What contribution they all made to the development of the planet and made the world exactly as we know it today, tells the readers Andrei Zhuravlev, paleontologist, doctor of biological sciences and professor at Moscow State University.

It turns out that even living organisms are responsible for moving continents. A complete picture of the past will help you understand the present and imagine the future.

7. “Tales from the grotto. 50 stories from the life of ancient people ", Stanislav Drobyshevsky

Stanislav Drobyshevsky, a well-known anthropologist and popularizer of science, tells fascinatingly and humorously how scientists learn about people's lives after many thousands of years. What were our ancestors like? How we whiled away the long winter evenings in the caves, did we love sweets, as we do today, and how we treated our teeth - this and many other things will be told to the readers of Tales from a grotto or stories from the life of ancient people.

The book will pave a bridge for readers between the past and the present and help to understand why we are who we are.

8. “From atoms to tree. Introduction to modern biology ", Sergey Yastrebov

Sergey Yastrebov, biologist and science journalist, wrote a "textbook" for those who want to understand the structure of life, its sources and the future. Complex material is presented in a simple and original way. Readers will learn how carbon matters to the planet, what the genetic code is, and how evolution works.

Even those who have always yawned in biology lessons at school will understand complex biological laws and mechanisms.

9. “Who are we? Genes, our body, society ", Robert Sapolsky

Renowned neuroscientist, professor at Stanford University, author of books and popularizer of science, Robert Sapolsky is known as a humorist scientist. His non-standard approach to explaining the main questions of natural science conquers from the first page. The author skillfully combines scientific discoveries with ironic everyday observations and conclusions.

The book is written in such a lively language that it is impossible not to get carried away by serious science.

10. “Superobjects. Stars the size of a city ", Sergei Popov

Sergei Popov, an astrophysicist and Ph. D., is attracted not just by stars, but by neutron stars. These are the only astronomical objects whose research has been awarded two Nobel Prizes. The work can be called truly unique: there is simply no other literature in Russian devoted to neutron stars.

The author speaks about complex things in a lively and understandable language. The book will help expand intellectual horizons and present the world in its entirety.

11. “Brock's Brain. About Science, Space and Man ", Carl Sagan

The romance of science, its responsibility and influence on the life of modern people captivated the legendary astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan and became the basis for a sincere and understandable story-reflection about life. Many perceive science as something transcendental and has the right to exist only in the silence of laboratories.

Carl Sagan, in his usual manner, convinces readers of the opposite and shows that science is inseparable from the world and life, and it is she who makes people develop.

12. “Skeptic. A rational view of the world ", Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer, an American scientist and popularizer of science, has come a long way from a Christian fundamentalist to a skeptic. His book will help readers to develop a critical view of the achievements of science in order to protect themselves from disappointment and following the wrong path. Evolution, human nature, alternative medicine - discussions on these and other topics are spiced with a great sense of humor and a light syllable.

Vivid examples and facts will help readers start looking at the world around them differently.

13. “Battles for food and wars of cultures. The Secret Engines of History, Tom Nealon

Food is the basis of life, and almost everyone knows about it. Tom Neilon, an antique dealer and a specialist in early printed books, describes in his work how mayonnaise influenced the course of history, cocoa destroyed empires, and why bloody wars arose over the carnation.

The cookbook as a textbook of life - this is something the readers have never seen before.

14. “Dinosaurs. 150,000,000 Years of Dominance on Earth ", Darren Naish, Paul Barrett

More than a thousand species of dinosaurs millions of years ago shaped what we will be today. It is difficult to describe this vast group of animals, but the authors - researchers and paleozoologists - have succeeded. The book will capture the imagination of even those who have never been interested in dinosaurs - such beautiful and amazing creatures.

15. “The future of things. How fairytale and fantasy become reality”, David Rose

David Rose, an entrepreneur and instructor in the Media Lab at MIT, shares his vision for the future with readers. And this is not a linear continuation of the current images. Something absolutely grandiose awaits us all - something that is difficult to imagine yet.

The author is convinced that creating the future, even with the highest technological development of society, one cannot do without a little magic and a drop of a fairy tale.

16. “Atoms are at home. The Amazing Science Behind Everyday Things ", Chris Woodford

An entertaining and witty explanation of everyday things will delight and charm readers. Chris Woodford, author and editor, talks lightly and humorously about the essence of things and the structure of life. Readers will learn what cycling and kneading dough have in common and how many atoms need to be split to light one light bulb in the house.

17. “Triumph of seeds. How seeds conquered the plant world and influenced human civilization ", Thor Hanson

American biologist and author of books Thor Hanson speaks in an accessible and very vivid way about the evolution of plants, their influence on human life and the development of civilizations. Spices influence world trade, grains rule civilizations, and coffee has a hand in creativity.

Lively figurative language and unobtrusive humor of the author will make readers fall in love with seeds and everything connected with them.

18. “Whom to believe? What do we really know about the world around us ", Brian Clegg

The British popularizer of science decided to show readers that the world is not as simple as it might seem. Among the many popular myths and modern legends like the fact that cell towers are harmful to health, it is very difficult to find a grain of truth. The author examines the areas of interest to us through the prism of healthy skepticism, mixed with the latest scientific advances.

The book will help readers get to know the world around them better.

19. "Simple Complex Universe", Christoph Galfard

Physicist Christoph Galfar is from the University of Cambridge. His book takes readers on a fascinating journey through the world of numbers and formulas. Theories in a simple presentation by the author will help to understand the structure of the world and the Universe. Each incomprehensible phenomenon is explained with the help of ordinary, but very colorful examples. Stunning illustrations complement the story.

20. “Invented in Russia. The history of Russian inventive thought from Peter I to Nicholas II ", Tim Skorenko

The writer and editor Timofey Skorenko told the readers about the wonderful ideas that were born in our country at different times. He also sets out to debunk the numerous myths that these ideas and inventions managed to acquire. The author as objectively as possible tells about our brilliant compatriots, whose work and successes made the world the way we see it today.