Intellectually stimulating and visually appealing book
587842
Modern history that lead to the present state of avionics is enjoyable to read about. The author created an intellectually stimulating and visually appealing book. It feels good, knowing that what was once science fiction is now history. With this book I am inspired to dream about the future of avionics and smile knowing impossible dreams can become history with the work of dedicated people.
3207536
UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF CREATION is a visually stunning book that is divided into four different sections. The first section of the book talks about the creation, what nature tells us about the creation, how the Great Flood fits into science, and the unreliability of radiocarbon dating. The second section talks about evolution and the flaws in the theory of evolution. The third section is tightly connected with the second and illustrates "missing links" that were frauds, what happened to dinosaurs, and some often overlooked archeological finds that most people have never heard about. The fourth and final section of the book talks about ancient civilizations and how ancient man was probably more intelligent than modern man.

I found UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF CREATION to be a very interesting book. Some of the research is a bit dated and I often wondered why the author didn't use more recent quotes and magazine and journal articles than the ones he did. Nevertheless, the book raises some interesting points and made me think about some things I never thought about before. For instance, I've always believed what I was taught in school about ancient man: they lived a long time ago and weren't as intelligent as us; knowlege has only really started to increase in recent times. However, UNLOCKING THE  MYSTERIES OF CREATION made me evaluate what I had always believed. Maybe the ancients were much more intelligent than we "moderns" are. It still seems hard to believe, but I'm much more open to the idea now and can see that it is a possibility.

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF CREATION is not a flawless book. However, I think it is a good book for lay people to read. It does a good job of presenting points of view that many have been blinded to and never thought about. Plus, it's got some great pictures and illustrations. There are even a few funny pieces scattered throughout (the baloney detector, for instance: not only is it funny, but it's spelled wrong!). If you are a serious scientist, this book is not for you. However, if you are someone who is curious why your worldview always seems to collide with what you've learned in school, you might want to check this book out.
1695604
User interface design books, with their infamously dry reputations, do not often summit the top of young college students' reading lists. Yet, I am glad that Jeff Johnson's Designing with the Mind in Mind did. For the similarly minded skeptics, I have suffered through my own share of obvious compilations filled with sterile patterns and overly colorful picture forests, kindergarten terrains that often feel more like academic deserts. While Johnson does not tax your mental firepower and might not offer anything for the neuroscience expert, the book's satisfying 200 page walk-through pays attention to approachability without sacrificing an appropriate slice of academia. In fact, it is Johnson's acceptance of the cross-disciplinary nature of UI design that highlights his contribution, recognizing the obvious overlap between computer science and psychology while still taking himself seriously. For a CS major fresh from the rigor of Operating Systems and the tedium of assembly, this refreshing introduction found the perfect blend.
459706
This beautifully illustrated, richly colorful book spans the breadth of science, giving the reader context so he or she can dive into areas of personal interest.  This is a fun read with playful, provocative writing that reveals the science underlying our choices in life:

"Science can help you answer those questions about your personal decisions.  We also think that science can help you make the best decisions for your local community, your country, and for the planet."

This is the thesis that grabbed me.  Although I find science intrinsically fascinating, I am deeply concerned that our civilization is ignorantly wielding its immense powers of science and technology.  This book invites us to think critically.

Those versed in science will probably learn something out of their area of expertise.  They will surely learn how to more engagingly explain that with which they are already familiar.  Those fresh to science could ask for no more pleasant or exciting a guide.

I am the Director of Education for the Foresight Nanotech Institute and the author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Technology-Challenged-Understanding-Our-Creations-Choosing-Our-Future/dp/0976385805/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Technology Challenged: Understanding Our Creations & Choosing Our Future</a>
2677882
A wonderful book that shows very simply and beautifully, in flowing rhymes with soft, whimsical, yet vibrant illustrations that a leaf is not just a leaf - it is and can be many different things - other than the obvious. It can, of course be, a sun-taker, and it can also be a moth-matcher!
The book takes us through the seasons to show the many faces of the leaf during the many phases of the year. Author  Laura Purdie Salas and illustrator Violeta Dabija have blended their talents to bring together a book that is entertaining, enchanting, and educational at the same time.
By showing us that a leaf can be so much, this book teaches us not only the many uses of leaves (and thus plants/trees), and it also subtly tells us that each of us can be so much more!
The book also includes a glossary, a list of books for further reading, and a useful index called `More about Leaves' where each of the phrases used in the book is described in detail. One example is below:
"Air cleaner: When leaves take in air , they also take tiny bits of pollution out of the air. Leaves also send out clean oxygen , a chemical in the air that people need to breathe"
Disclaimer:Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal opinions formed when I read this book.
289977
First, I wholeheartedly recommend the book to everyone. It is big, beautiful and a thing of surpassing elegance. If you are reading this review to decide whether or not to buy it, there, I told you. Go no further.
The rest of the review is dedicated to discussing the contents and finer features of the book.

The book is a visual introduction to the Animal Kingdom. The format of the book gives us the impression of having visited the Natural History Section of a well curated Museum. The prominent feature of this work are the full page 'plates' that exhibit truly beautiful illustrations of animals printed on heavy ivory coloured paper. The style of illustrations is reminiscent of the biology lab journals of a truly gifted artist: Attractive, accurate and informative. Each specimen on the plate is numbered and the facing page furnishes us with its common and the Latin name. This is then followed by a short description often mentioning some interesting and odd facts about the creature in question. For instance the life of a Mayfly is a mere sixty minutes, or that the Song Thrush uses stones to break open shells of snails in order to consume them.

The book is divided into sections each dedicated to a progressively more evolved family of the animal kingdom. Aside from the plates discussed above, each section includes a discussion of a representative member of the family. These pages feature a large horizontally oriented drawing of the animal being discussed. Often cross-sections of the specimen are drawn and at times a dissected animal is presented. Towards the end of each section is a plate dedicated to illustrating the animals in that section in their natural habitat. The text throughout the book is succinct.

The book features an index and a 'further reading' section. Finally a word on the illustrations. The images in this book shine with unfashionable virtues and understated beauty. What makes this book an object of art is the quite and unassuming style of illustration that betrays the illustrator's immense talent. One is reminded of the work of Ernst Haeckel when leafing through this book.

I bought this book for my two year old son, the book always managed to grab his attention even in very distracting situations. He has seen many picture books on animals by now, but I can tell that this one isn't just another one of those for him.
647435
As with Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum when I reviewed it, I was simply fascinated and thoroughly impressed with the presentation, information, and art of the beautiful oversized book. In Animalium: Welcome to the Museum, we have a pretty clear presentation of Darwin's evolutionary theory as being an accepted theory. I disagree and hold to the Creation concept of the species. I still think, however, that this is a fascinating book and those who hold to either origin of creatures will discover much to interest them.

The accurate drawings are exquisite and the book is printed in an oversized format on heavy ivory toned paper. There is an antique or museum quality look to the book and drawings as presented. This makes it even more special to me.

Animalium: Welcome to the Museum and Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum, while designated for the age 8 to 12 child, utilizes information and vocabulary that might be beyond the realm of this age group making the books fitting upward to adults. Introduction of vocabulary and scientific information can begin at any age and more is often absorbed than imagined possible. However, the majority of age 8 to 12 students will find some of the text daunting. And no, this is not your toddlers lovely animal picture book. This is a book that provides insight into the groupings of animals and species. It encompases virtually the whole spectrum of living creatures.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.
2862503
This picture book proved a great addition to our resource library. With a lack of emphasis on evolution at school, we were keen to introduce the building block concepts of natural science. The rich images and fairly straight forward style entranced our four and six year old, quickly making it a requested favourite.
It has stimulated many questions from them by providing a good balance between visual interest and information about how life came about and evolved on earth.
1085865
The late Dr. Phillips appeals to my visual learning style with various geometric, analytic grids that impose depth onto intercepting concepts.  His approach has led me to investigate and develop a personally deeper understanding of the conceptual interrelation of numerical and alphabetical character values.  Of course, I am only beginning, but I am far more motivated by my growing understanding and excitement developing from the questions and patterns implied, built on, and generated.  For me, this book provides the type of positive, self-motivated growth cycle that my brain responds to with quickening pleasure, often late into the night!  I cannot speak for others.
980829
The title may be grandiose, but this book delivers on its claims. Even better, it is ultra readable. Complex info is largely digestible. It is enlivened with whimsical anecdotes and side commentary on the people who made our world. We are kept aware of the humanity and failings of our intellectual giants so that the whole adventure is warm and endearing rather than  the crushing weight the topic suggests.

The extra graphics of the Special Illustrated Edition aren't essential, but they do add real pleasure that seems appropriate to such a daunting task.

I would love to see this book on every senior school reading list. Public debate would be a lot better for it.
4008801
A thought provoking and visually stimulating presentation of a classic in SciFi literature.  Reading this book has started, and maintained, conversations of intent and meaning in conversation and words used to convey meaning.  A definite bonus in my library.
69315
Divided into vague chapters, this book is loaded with remarkable photographs, but also offers interesting information, though it is by no means a textbook or science guide.  Fun facts are illustrated, evolution and origins are discussed.  I really enjoyed the Form and Function chapter, which separates comparative photos into sections on trunks, roots, leaves, etc.  There are usually one to three pictures on a page, so it's not comprehensive, but it is fascinating and beautiful.

The Diversity and Design chapter introduces concepts of tree structure and variability, then offers pages and pages devoted to individual species, with a wealth of interesting illustrations and photos.  A section at the end shows a wider selection of variations of shape, leaves, flowers, genera and biomes.  This is followed by a glossary and a good index.

More than a photography book, though the photographs are the star, chapters include:  A World of Trees, Form and Function, Diversity and Design, Communities of Life, Trees and the Human World, and An Indispensable Resource.

Wonderful book.
1306155
Flora Illustrata is an intellectual and aesthetic feast for both gourmands and gourmets of gardens, and will satisfy many other tastes as well; within these pages are history and science--the history of science, of art, of botany and pharmacy, of gardens and garden design, of book illustration and production; even the history of museum and library curation, philanthropy, and civic life. In short, here we have a work to celebrate and cherish for many years to come, and an example of the elegant perfection that can ensue when people of different disciplines collaborate to create; this is a work of love as well as of art and science, engaging all the senses as well as the mind.

Honestly, Miss Em is trying not to be giddy, but it's not working. She was unaware, growing up in the wilds, that one can travel a mere two thousand miles to New York's Botanical Garden and be almost as happy as traveling the 5,000 miles to Kew Gardens in London. She was unaware of the presence of these rich treasures of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden, acquired in those dizzying years of the expanding American Empire, reaching back to Pliny the Elders Naturalis historia (1483), to especially rare  etchings of the water gardens at Villa Pratolino in Florence (1600s), to books that depict the exploration of South America. Flora Illustrata highlights key works spanning more than eight centuries, from rare manuscripts and iconic books to Renaissance herbals, precious botanical drawings, elegant engravings, explorers notebooks, and more.  Lilies and lettuces, librarians and landscape theorists, explorers, scientists, philanthropists and shopkeepers, the history of New York and the world--all glimpsed and touched upon in these pages.

Flora Illustrata was created in order to highlight the astounding and not-so-well-known collection of the Mertz Library, and there's an exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden from Nov 15, 2014-Jan 19, 2015 to celebrate the publication.
For those who go and those who can't, Flora Illustrata is an exhibition in itself, lavishly illustrated, beautifully written and edited to create prose that flows instead of "scholar-speak." Yet the authors' and editors' love of scholarship shows through, making this a perfect book for both coffee table and research collections, to be cherished for years to come.

What a perfect gift for book people, plant people, artists and antiquarians. Hint, hint. (Miss Em's giddiness was caused by a digital edition of the book provided for review.) www.missmrecommends.blogspot.com
206693
The Art Book joins sixteen other books in the series that present "big ideas expressed simply." The trendy two-color cover art of this volume contrasts with the stunning interior of the bookfull of information and full-color photos and more traditional in its visual appeal. Arranged chronologically from Prehistoric and Ancient Art to the Modern Age, the contents of the book address the subject matter in interesting ways. For example, one section explains how the treatment of the human figure evolves over time. As an art history major, reading this book gave me a fresh and comprehensive appreciation and knowledge of the field. The Art Book makes a great gift for the curious person or a solid addition to a classroom, school or public library.
3932277
Excellent illustrations, clear and accessible text, practical open-flat cover design, and stimulating project ideas.
1793729
If you want to learn about how drawing informs thinking, and how it is essential in both the arts and sciences, this is a very good read.  I am a practicing scientist and a lover of all things art, so can appreciate the book being about the process of visual creation and recreation.  It shows in great detail how discoveries are made in science, and how art is created in studios and outdoors. The author, a scientist originally and an artist/writer now, shows how visualizing an idea, solving a problem or making a painting are aided by informal sketches, where the process of drawing and redrawing inspires continuing and creative change, letting us discover what we know.  The book is also useful for teachers across the disciplines where visual learning is important, primarily in the sciences. Practical and intellectually compelling approaches are described that help students better understand the content they study.  It's an easy read because this is done with first-person vignettes, stories, memoir, and testimonies that elaborate the work of the author and others who use drawing as an integral part of thinking and learning.

I believe this book opens new creative doors if you are receptive to the ideas Strauss explores.  Though each of the chapters is about a specific area of interest, some of the later sections are less well connected to each other.  For example, a late chapter on drawing as a precursor to painting is done in an interview format with a master painter, and is very informative.  But the following chapter on pattern and form in nature, in the form of a play, while also interesting and fun to read, doesn't seem to directly follow from the interview.  The final section on the drawing workshop, while it works well as a stand-alone chapter on learning how to draw, really is quite different from the rest of the book.

If all you want is a book on basic drawing, Bert Dodson's "Keys to Drawing" is a better choice.  But if you want to know about how your mind, or your children's or student's minds, come up with visual ideas, i.e., about visual thinking, and how to put it into practice, this is the book for you.  It is accessible, easy and enjoyable reading.  Not many writers are equally comfortable in both halves or our brain, but Strauss is.  He has created a uniquely wonderful reading experience which on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, I'd give a 5-.
1714442
The Museum of Lost Wonder is a pop-up book for adults, a Maurice Sendak cartoon narrative for grown-ups. The text contains an eclectic blend of philosophical tidbits, scientific factoids, history, alchemy, New Age musings on dream states, visions and hypnosis, Tibetan Buddhism, and quantum physics, all presented in the form of enchanting illustrations and gorgeous artwork.

Author Jeff Hoke, senior exhibit designer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, CA, and an award-winning creator of museum exhibits, was inspired by the eclectic museums and curiosity cabinets of the 1600s. As such, The Museum of Lost Wonder is constructed as a storehouse for arcane bits of knowledge. Despite the grandiose claims of self-discovery, going through the book is like wandering through a funhouse. The seven "exhibit halls" (i.e., chapters) begin with "The Hall of Technology," whose ambitious exhibit is entitled, "The Beginning of Everything." The other exhibit halls have similarly provocative "exhibits," with titles such as "Who Are You?" and "What Is Reality?"

Each hall includes a fold-out, do-it-yourself model that is reminiscent of an Escher painting or a Rube Goldberg creation, with such titles as "Path of Destiny Peep Show" or the "Carousel of Life." The reader is instructed to cut the paper to build the models, but I was reluctant to do so because it would destroy the integrity of this gorgeous book.

At nearly $50, this book may out-price itself for what it delivers in terms of mystical wisdom or esoteric knowledge. But it is a marvelously beautiful piece of work, the top of the line in the tradition of the coffee table book. The Museum of Lost Wonder is well worth the time spent browsing through it--and its expensive cover price.
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