History & Philosophy

Bill Bryson has been an enormously popular author both for his travel books and for his books on the English language. Now, this beloved comic genius turns his attention to science...

Today's "machine-learning" systems, trained by data, are so effective that we've invited them to see and hear for us - and to make decisions on our behalf. But alarm bells are ringing. Systems cull résumés until, years later, we discover that they have inherent gender biases.

Based on the newly released personal letters of Albert Einstein, Walter Isaacson explores how an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk became the mind reader of the creator of the cosmos....

The New York Times best-selling author of Darwin’s Doubt presents groundbreaking scientific evidence of the existence of God, based on breakthroughs in physics, cosmology, and biology....

Discover the secret method used to build the world....

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells - taken without her knowledge - became one of the most important tools in medicine....

The science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology....

From the world's leading forest ecologist who forever changed how people view trees and their connections to one another and to other living things in the forest—a moving, deeply personal journey of discovery....

For the millions of Americans who want spirituality without religion, Sam Harris’s new book is a guide to meditation as a rational spiritual practice informed by neuroscience and psychology....

How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Find out....

Here for the first time, in rich human, political, and scientific detail, is the complete story of how the bomb was developed....

The national bestseller chosen by The New York Times Book Review as one of the ten best books of 1991 is now available as an audiobook....

Elon Musk is both an illuminating and authorized look at the extraordinary life of one of Silicon Valley's most exciting, unpredictable, and ambitious entrepreneurs....

Listeners learn the difference between how the world works at the quantum level, the cosmic level, and the human level - and then how each connects to the other....

There is a logical flaw in the statistical methods used across experimental science. This fault is not a minor academic quibble: It underlies a reproducibility crisis now threatening entire disciplines....

Philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith dons a wet suit and journeys into the depths of consciousness in Other Minds....

For over three decades, Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best....

The follow-up to Pinker's groundbreaking The Better Angels of Our Nature presents the big picture of human progress: People are living longer, healthier, freer, and happier lives....

An essential analysis of the modern science and technology that makes our twenty-first century lives possible—a scientist's investigation into what science really does, and does not, accomplish....

The authors of the best-selling Bold and The Rise of Superman explore altered states of consciousness and how they can ignite passion, fuel creativity, and accelerate problem solving....

One of our greatest philosophers and scientists of the mind asks where the self comes from - and how our selves can exist in the minds of others....

An eye-opening investigation into the history of diabetes research and treatment by the award-winning journalist and best-selling author of Why We Get Fat....

Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma....

An "elegant", "engrossing" (Carol Tavris, Wall Street Journal) examination of what we think we know about the brain and why - despite technological advances - the workings of our most essential organ remain a mystery....

Whether you are a student struggling to fulfill a math or science requirement, or you are embarking on a career change that requires a new skill set, A Mind for Numbers offers the tools you need to get a better grasp of that intimidating material....

Emily Dickinson and Charles Darwin were born at a time when the science of studying the natural world was known as natural philosophy, a pastime for poets, priests, and schoolgirls. The world began to change in the 1830s, while Darwin was exploring the Pacific aboard the Beagle and Dickinson was a student in Amherst, Massachusetts. Poetry and science started to grow apart, and modern thinkers challenged the old orthodoxies, offering thrilling new perspectives that suddenly felt radical—and too dangerous for women.

Daily we overlook fundamental simplicities. There are some fascinating things about how things got so easy. This book explores some interesting and captivating history behind everyday things that simplify our lives immensely. Why is your keyboard QWERTY? Why do we have 24 hours in a day and 12 months in a year? To highlight the importance of these simplicities, the book contrasts the daily lives of people who live in Anarcha, where there is no agreed-upon clock, calendar, unit of measurement, et cetera.

Throughout history, across cultures and countries, silk has reigned as the undeniable queen of fabrics, yet its origins and evolution remain a mystery. In a gorgeous and sweeping narrative, Silk weaves together its intricate story and the indelible mark it has left on humanity.

Africa, a continent teeming with diversity, culture, and history, has long been a destination for explorers seeking knowledge and enlightenment. While often portrayed through the lens of its natural wonders and political struggles, Africa has also been a crucible for intellectual exploration.

In Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion, Agnes Arnold-Forster blends neuroscience and psychology with the history of medicine and emotions to explore the evolution of nostalgia from its first identification in seventeenth-century Switzerland (when it was held to be an illness that could, quite literally, kill you) to the present day (when it is co-opted by advertising agencies and politicians alike to sell us goods and policies).

"Temporal Voyage" is a fascination-fueled journey that plunges readers into the enigma of time travel. From discerning its theoretical beginnings to evaluating its scientific implications, this eBook encompasses a full spectrum of engaging insights and in-depth knowledge about the science and philosophies of time travel. Our first encounter strikes at the core as we delve into the concept, examining various theories and philosophies that lay the foundation for temporal exploration. The adventure continues with an in-depth look into the physics that could potentially make this theoretical ...

Are you searching for a handbook that will guide you through the complex world of paranormal investigations? Look no further than The Ghost Hunter's Handbook! With over 20 chapters dedicated to all aspects of ghostly phenomena, this eBook is the quintessential guide for anyone interested in ghost hunting. In Chapter 1, readers will learn about the scientific method of investigating ghosts and spirits, providing a solid foundation for all investigations that follow. Chapters 2 through 6 cover the history of paranormal investigations, common beliefs about ghosts and spirits, the psychology of...

Prepare to dive deep into the realms of the known and the unknown with an eBook that is both engaging and enlightening. "Theoretical Frontiers" offers a unique exploration of the most compelling theories and discoveries in modern science. Starting your journey with "Decoding the Universe String Theory," you'll delve into the intricate world of quantum mechanics and branes, providing a grand tour of dimensions beyond our perception. The second chapter pulls back the curtains on Quantum Computing and the intriguing concept of qubits, which could revolutionize the way we process information. ...

Welcome to "Eternal Pursuit," an intriguing exploration of humanity's age-old obsession with longevity and invulnerability! Are we designed to endure endlessly, or is mortality an unalterable part of our existence? "Dive in and explore the multidimensional facets of immortality, from philosophical and theological perspectives to the potential technological, biological, and psychological implications of eternal life. Disentangle fascinating narratives of everlasting existence in different cultures, stories weaved throughout time that shaped our collective consciousness. Witness the magic of ...

Immerse yourself in the eerie and borderline surreal world of zombies, stripped from the confines of fiction and re-animated through the lens of science in "The Science of Zombies." This captivating read navigates the morbid allure of the undead, taking readers on a thrilling journey through history, pop culture, and the nooks and crannies of the human psyche. Utterly riveting, "The Science of Zombies" dissects the variations of zombies we encounter in media, while contrasting them with real-life, zombie-like situations. It sparks a chilling conversation about the chilling possibilities of ...

Do you find it suspect that the HIV virus showed up in two different places (Haiti and Africa) at the exact same time? For the most part, Africans do not travel, or vacation in Haiti and vice-versa (neither place considered ideal for vacation, and relaxation (where sexual interludes often occur), providing a gateway for transmission of the deadly virus. Yet this is where the virus was initially discovered. Science cannot explain how the HIV virus took a leap to these two distinct places in the mid, to latter 1970s. In 1981, AIDS made its debut in the United States; again, strangely, rapidly...

Dive into the cosmos and explore the captivating infinities of the universe with "Beyond the Stars." This book is an immersive journey decoding the intricacies of warp drive technology and the profound ripple effects it can have on our society if it were to become a reality. Chapter one starts by laying out the foundation, giving readers a comprehensive overview of warp drive technology, its hypothetical possibilities, and the need for a deep-rooted understanding of the ethical and societal considerations associated with such futuristic capabilities. As we navigate through the cosmos, ...

In The Invention of the Modern Dog, Michael Worboys, Julie-Marie Strange, and Neil Pemberton explore when, where, why, and how Victorians invented the modern way of ordering and breeding dogs. Though talk of "breed" was common before this period in the context of livestock, the modern idea of a dog breed defined in terms of shape, size, coat, and color arose during the Victorian period in response to a burgeoning competitive dog show culture.

Chronicles of Dragons: From Myth to Modernity is an enthralling exploration of the timeless allure and enduring legacy of dragons. From ancient legends and folklore to modern-day popular culture, this captivating book takes readers on a sweeping adventure through the realms of dragon lore. As we turn each page of "Chronicles of Dragons: From Myth to Modernity," we invite you to embark on a timeless adventure—one that celebrates the power of imagination, the beauty of storytelling, and the enduring legacy of dragons in the rich tapestry of human history. Prepare to be captivated, inspired,...

The previously classified story of the eccentric researchers who invented cutting-edge underwater science to lead the Allies to D-Day victory.