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"Every animal form is the product of two processes--development from an egg and evolution from its ancestors," writes Sean B. Carroll in his introduction to Endless Forms Most Beautiful. The new science of "evo devo"--or evolutionary developmental biology--examines the relationships between those two processes, embryonic development and evolutionary changes, despite their radically different time scales. Carroll first offers a recap of how genes express themselves in a growing embryo, then peers into the life histories of real-life examples to explain how those genes have changed (or not changed) over millions of years of evolution. Paraphrasing Thomas Huxley, he asks us to consider evolution and development as two sides of the same coin.
We may marvel at the process of an egg becoming an adult, but we accept it as an everyday fact. It is merely then a lack of imagination to fail to grasp how changes in this process that assimilated over long periods of time, far longer than the span of human experience, shape life's diversity."
The book's second half is where Carroll really gets at the meat of evo devo, explaining how regulatory genes control such mysteries as individual and population changes in butterfly's spots, jaguar fur, and hominid skulls. Evo devo is one of the hottest areas of study in 21st-century biology, and Carroll's outline of the field is a great place to start understanding it. --Therese Littleton
Book Description
"A beautiful and very important book."—Lewis Wolpert, American Scientist
For over a century, opening the black box of embryonic development was the holy grail of biology. Evo Devo—Evolutionary Developmental Biology—is the new science that has finally cracked open the box. Within the pages of his rich and riveting book, Sean B. Carroll explains how we are discovering that complex life is ironically much simpler than anyone ever expected.
Perhaps the most surprising finding of Evo Devo is the discovery that a small number of primitive genes led to the formation of fundamental organs and appendages in all animal forms. The gene that causes humans to form arms and legs is the same gene that causes birds and insects to form wings, and fish to form fins; similarly, one ancient gene has led to the creation of eyes across the animal kingdom. Changes in the way this ancient tool kit of genes is used have created all the diversity that surrounds us.
Sean Carroll is the ideal author to lead the curious on this intellectual adventure—he is the acknowledged leader of the field, and his seminal discoveries have been featured in Time and The New York Times. 16 pages of color and 100 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting Book.......2007-08-23
I read this book over the summer for my AP Biology class. I was a bit nervous when I saw that this was a bargain book, but it was very informative and it kept me interested. Sean B. Carroll is an amazing author and this book opened my eyes to Evo Devo.
Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science Of Evo Devo And The Making Of The Animal Kingdom.......2007-07-30
This book offers a fresh perspective to evolution. The fact that our most complex human genetic processes take origin at a very primitive level. That is, we have evolved from a more primitive life form and our complexity evolves because we use or not use certain inherent basic genes or what the author calls "tool kits". The book gets pretty esoteric at times but the examples are good and the author writes clearly. I recommend the book for scientists and non-scientists. I suggest the creationists read the book to counter their argument that man is too complex to be left to the whim of random evolution. That is not to say there is not a higher power guiding the process but it is clear that the theory of evolution is sound and supported by works of Dr. Carroll, her colleagues and other developmental biologists.
New views of Darwinian evolution.......2007-01-03
Evo Devo consists of the merged sciences of evolution and embryology. The relationship between these two branches of science isn't new, but it has expanded hugely over the last several decades. Darwin anticipated the role that embryology played (and would play) in the theory of evolution, as Carroll shows by quoting Charles Darwin in his September 10, 1860 letter to Asa Gray:
"Embryology is to me by far the strongest single class of facts in favor of change of forms, and not one, I think, of my reviewers has alluded to this.
Even though Darwin clearly understood the implications of embryology to evolution, Carroll's book is a breathtaking example of previously (perhaps) unimagined insights into evolution that embryology has brought to modern science, much of which has been discovered and expanded upon over the past 20 years.
One of the most important discoveries of Evo Devo is the ancient origin of the genes used to build basic body plans. From fins to legs, fingers, and wings, nature has a tendency to use many of the same basic genes. The fact that a common set of genes is used to form such a wide variety of different body shapes and appendages was unanticipated, and shows the great antiquity of life while illuminating the literal truth of the fundamental thesis of evolution: decent from a common ancestor. The author presents detailed examples and evidence showing the different ways in which ancient - very ancient, in many cases - tool kit genes are used to shape the evolution of animal forms from Urbilateria to Homo sapiens.
A not uncommon misconception is that different features in living organisms require different genes. In this flawed world view there are things like an "elephant trunk gene" and an "intelligence gene." To understand why an elephant looks the way it does and why people are smart (supposedly) you simply need to find the genes that make them unique. Through the science of Evo Devo we've learned that body shapes are determined not simply by what genes are present, but when and how various genes are turned on and off. As the old saying goes: "timing is everything." It's the timing of how genes are activated during development that largely results in the stark physical differences between humans and mice, even though the two species share more than half their genes. As Carroll puts it:
"We have seen that insects, pterosaurs, birds, or bats did not invent "wing" genes (chapter 7), butterflies a "spot" gene (chapter 8), or humans a "bipedalism" gene (chapter 10). Rather, innovation in all of these groups has been a matter of modifying existing structures and of teaching old genes new tricks. The key to innovation at the genetic level is the multifunctionality of too kit genes. The multifunctionality of tool kit genes stems from their deployment at different times and places through batteries of genetic switches. In this manner a protein such as Distal-less can act at one time to promote limb formation, and at another to promote eye-spot development."
Historically, some biologists supposed that different genes would be used for similar solutions in different species. Carroll shows that "this view is entirely incorrect." Much of his book is devoted to showing how a relatively small group of "tool kit" genes is used in many different species to accomplish the same general task. He uses examples from fly legs, mouse feet, and the tube feet of sea urchins. Although these structures look and act in entirely different ways, they are all governed by the distal-less gene. As it turns out, it's not just the genes that determine body shape and function but when and how the genes are tuned on/off during embryological development.
The use of common genes goes beyond development of different structures. Organs that were once thought of as distinctly different, such as eyes and hearts, are now understood to have common genetic ingredients that control their formation. This, Carroll explains "has forced a complete change in our picture of Cambrian animals..." The real lesson here is the great power of combinatorial genetics, and its ability to create vastly more complexity. For example, in a simple case we might imagine four genes, each responsible for a single function. Those same four genes, if used together - in combination - can be responsible for dozens of functions. Quoting Carroll again: "The combinatorial power of the genetic tool kit acting on vast arrays of genetic switches has produced this complexity and diversity [of the natural world]"
This book rates as one of the best I've read in 2006. Carroll is a fine writer and accomplished scientist, and his book offers insight into one of the great developing scientific fields of the 21st century. My copy of the book is hardbound with color prints, as well as many black-and-white figures/drawings that help bring Carroll's writing to life. For anyone fascinated by life and its origins, this is one book you'll definitely want to read.
Endless Forms Most Beautiful: Evo Devo Popularized.......2006-10-31
Despite vast differences in form and function common principles coordinate animal development from a single fertilized egg. Master genes that control development are found across widely divergent species - Drosophila fruit flies and humans share a deep genetic legacy - many of the genes identified as controllers of vertebrate development were originally discovered in these flies.
Multicellular plants and animals are essentially societies of cells that vary in configuration and complexity. Darwinian evolution shaped these multitudinous forms as a result of small changes in offspring and natural selection of those best adapted to their environment. Variation arises from mutations in genes that control how cells in developing embryos behave. This tight linkage between evolution and development lies at the heart of the questions evo devo, shorthand for evolutionary developmental biology, is attempting to answer. Sean B. Carroll is perfectly positioned to explain evo devo, and his comprehensive understanding illuminates "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom."
When and where genes are expressed determines how animals develop. The control regions of these genes - switches that change existing patterns of gene activity into new patterns - are crucial and a single gene can have many control regions. This flexibility underlies the fact that 95% of genes coding for proteins are similar in humans and mice. Evolution of control regions has made us human - and different from our primate ancestors.
Drosophila is utilized to explain the basic developmental tool kit shared by all animals. Carroll introduces the master Hox genes and intercellular signaling molecules such as proteins specified by hedgehog genes. The economy of signaling proteins utilized during development is also emphasized - the same molecules can be employed multiple times since cells respond differently according to their genetic characteristics and developmental history. Carroll also illustrates how individual animals are made up of similar parts - modular construction plays an important role in evolution. Structures ranging from vertebrae to spots on butterfly wings are artfully presented to drive this point home.
Complex animals arose in the Vendian period (650 - 543 MYA). During the Cambrian (543 - 490 MYA) animals with hard body parts enter the fossil record. Evo devo shows that genes responsible for Cambrian animals were plausibly derived from Vendian precursors. Cambrian arthropod dominance is probably due to Hox genes that specify different body segments and the corresponding appendages that formed their bodies. Carroll explores how the number of distinct appendage types increased - the relative shifting of Hox genes could have lead to the ancestral biramous (forked) limb that eventually diversified into structures ranging from gills to wings.
Butterfly spots are a beautiful and clever example of evolutionary tinkering. Each spot appears to evolve its shape, color and size independently of other elements. Evolution has tinkered not only with the qualities of each spot, but with the making of the spot itself. Carroll's group discovered that at the center of each spot the gene Distal-less - a key gene controlling the distal development of appendages such as insect limbs - is expressed and initiates spot development.
Carroll also addresses creationists - the bizarre bibliolaters who think Flintstones reruns on late night TV are documentaries - by pointing out the importance of evolution and evo devo to science and human knowledge in general. The PR campaign known as Intelligent Design is similarly debunked as irreducibly insipid. Science is full of mysteries, that is why there are still employment opportunities for scientists.
After reading this important book try From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design by Sean B. Carroll, Grenier, and Weatherby for a more detailed discussion or The Plausibility of Life: Resolving Darwin's Dilemma by Kirschner and Gerhart - who introduce "facilitated variation" based on evo devo insights to explain the evolution of complexity and novelty.
The mechanics of evolution.......2006-10-31
The main title of the book comes from the final paragraph of Darwin's "Origins of Species". This is quite appropriate as this book is a great add-on to original classic of biology. The book begins with a history of evolutionary thought, and shows how the spread of genetics has helped to support, or refute, evolutionary thought. The book then introduces the reader to evo - devo; or evolutionary development. In essence, the development of an embryo can be used to track the evolution of that particular species. The author expounds on this by first explaining the science of genetics, how genes are used to generate proteins, how specific genes are expressed or not expressed in an organism, how the embryo develops, and how the artificial (by man) manipulation of genes affects the development of an embryo into a different organism. The author then focuses on specific examples to illustrate evo devo in progress. These include wings, spots, black skin due to melanin, and the hominid skull. The author concludes the book by showing how evo devo can be used in the debate of creationism versus evolution.
Overall, a great book. There are multiple images and color figures that helps to explain the concepts explained in the text. I only give it four out of five stars as there is no commentary on how applicable is evo devo to plants, protists, fungi and other types of organisms. For evo devo to be an accurate tool to explain how evolution occur, it must apply to all organisms, and not just animals.
Average customer rating:
- Short Story Freedom
- Most Beautiful Woman in Town/Tales of Ordinary Madness
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The Most Beautiful Woman in Town and Other Stories
Charles Bukowski
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ASIN: 0872861562 |
Book Description
These mad immortal stories, now surfaced from the literary underground, have addicted legions of American readers, even though the high literary establishment continues to ignore them. In Europe, however (particularly in Germany, Italy, and France where he is published by the great publishing houses), he is critically recognized as one of America's greatest realist writers.
Charles Bukowski was born in Andernach, Germany in 1920 and brought to America at the age of two. Eighteen or twenty books of prose and poetry, Bukowski, after publishing prose in Story and Portfolio, stopped writing for ten years. He arrived in the charity ward of the Los Angeles County General Hospital, hemorrhaging as a climax to a ten year drinking bout. Some say he didn't die. After leaving the hospital he got a typewriter and began writing again-this time, poetry. He later returned to prose and gained some fame with his column, Notes of a Dirty Old Man. After 14 years in the Post Office he resigned at age 50, he says, to keep from going insane. He now claims to be unemployable and eats typewriter ribbons.
Customer Reviews:
Short Story Freedom.......2007-04-12
This title is a collection of the disturbing and the disappointing; it should be read by anyone with a brain and a sense of humor.
Most Beautiful Woman in Town/Tales of Ordinary Madness.......2007-01-22
Bought these as Christmas gift but very familiar with content since had original one volume copy of works published years ago by City Lights. Bukowski is a wonderful - although definitely different - story teller. His humanity and humor are unparalled. Not for the thin-skinned, if the reader can suspend routine expectations, he'll take you to wonderous places you've never been before.
Spotlight on the seamy side of life.......2006-09-10
Bukowski tends to, as far as I can tell, polarize readers something fierce. There are those who claim that he belongs among the highest pantheon of American writers for his no holds barred writings and ability to tell it like it is. Others will say that his stories aren't worth the paper they're printed on, full of trash writing and vulgarity, appealing to only the basest of emotions. While I don't think he's a literary genius, I certainly don't think his writing can be dismissed totally out of hand, at least not from the representative sample presented in this collection. Most of the stories focus on a male character, who may or may not be Bukowski, going about his day in some fashion, which will generally include drinking, picking up women or otherwise seeing whatever bizarre things lie at the edge of society. His style is deceptively simple, never flowery or ornate but somehow getting the point across anyway, at its best his words take on a Hemmingwayesque sparseness, the short declarative sentences forming a terse rhythm that gives them more resonance than you would otherwise think. Strangely enough a lot of those moments come at the end of a story, he's good at wrapping tales up, often finishing with a paragraph or two of sobering observation, capping it with some variation of a fatalistic, "well, whatever." At their heart the stories strike me as honest, they're rough and unadorned, but sincere all the same. The most honest ones may be the autobiographical-type tales, not knowing a whole lot about the man I can't tell how much is totally invented and how much was real but those ones (such as "Life and Death in the Charity Ward") have the ring of stark reality about them. He depicts life in the sideways corners, the people who hold the odd jobs, who need a drink to get through the day, the greasy squalor of it all, seen briefly admist the mess of neon lights and burnt out streetlamps, dirty apartments, sweaty desperate couplings, the hope of betting money at the race track and praying that this time, maybe, God willing, you might hit it big. Not huge, but just enough to live comfortably for just one more day. Bukowski depicts them, and by extension himself, unflinchingly and with equal parts contempt and sympathy. The people in his stories are just trying to live, the same as anyone else, and this is how they live. For all the vulgarity and whatnot, nothing in here really shocked me, even the most abrasive act is rendered somehow touching, either through his dry commentary or a dark bit of humor. Even "The Fiend", probably the most disturbing story in here, is balanced by the main character's fate at the end. This collection is by no means perfect, reading too many of these in a row could drive you mad, as a lot of it can strike you as variations on a theme. But read in small chunks, these stories act like the best kind of punk rock music, it says what it has to say and gets the heck out, with not a single word wasted. For those capable of stomaching what amounts to kicking over a rock in the forest and seeing what kind of slimy insects crawl out, this is probably worth checking out. For the rest, you may have to build up your tolerance in other places first.
Pushes the Boundaries of What Good Literature Is.......2006-03-22
The Most Beautiful Woman in Town challenges the reader. At times, Bukoswki seems to be asking, "How much can you take? How far can I go?" No question, he's at the top of his form as a writer here. The objections I have are not with his artistic skill, but with his choices in material. "The Copulating Mermaid of Venice, Calif.," is a disturbing tale of necrophilia. Bad enough. But "The Fiend" is perhaps the most repellent short story I have ever read--a morally repugnant tale of child rape. And after reading a biography of Bukowski, I discovered that the story was not simply a fictional take on sexual depravity, but a variation of an actual sexual fantasy Bukowski had. The author goes too far here. All writers must face their demons, and some do well to write about them. But what is so objectionable about the "The Fiend" is that Bukowski sets up the rape scene for a laugh. "The Fiend" is the largest stain on a very good writer's body of work. That said, this book contains some of Buk's best work, such as the title story, which might be the best introduction to Bukowski's short story style. Also great is "Life and Death in the Charity Ward," about Bukowski's near fatal drinking bout. If I had to recommend one short story of his, it would be "Most Beautiful" or "Life and Death." "Kid Stardust on the Porterhouse" is also great, a retelling of the half-day that Buk spent working at a slaughterhouse. Given the varying quality of this book, Bukowski fans might come away from it with mixed feelings.
I'd read this book a thousand times.......2005-10-08
I get sort of cranky when I hear and read reviews that say Bukowsi's stories are "too fake" or "exaggerated". Umm, the last time I checked, his books were in the fiction section.
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- Perfect Gift for a Friend
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Friendship: The Best Quotes and the Most Beautiful Pictures (Celebrations) (Celebrations)
Manufacturer: Helen Exley Giftbooks
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ASIN: 1850156220 |
Customer Reviews:
Perfect Gift for a Friend.......2006-03-30
This is a book filled with quotations about friendship. I bought one for each of my best friends. It's a keeper!
Book Description
Prickly and frequently taking strange shapes, cacti often thrive when given minimal care—and sometimes languish when owners "nurse them to death." This handsomely illustrated book introduces plant growers to the basics of cactus care and cultivation, then presents an alphabetized directory of roughly 50 varieties—from Acanthocalycium to Uebelmannia pectinifera. Only avid plant lovers need remember the scientific names. More practical for plant growers, and shown in stunning photographs, is the magnificent variety of cactus flowers that blossom from the unusual and fascinating shapes of these plants.
Customer Reviews:
Gorgeous and informative.......2007-07-16
Wow. Some of the most beautiful pictures here. The book seems very well put together. Instructions are clear and informative without being too scientific-y or too offhand. Very relevent information and great organization, along with fantastic photographs to inspire.
A VERY HELPFUL BOOK.......2006-09-09
I am quite glad I added this one to my collection. The photographs found in this volume are quite good, beautiful, as a matter of fact. I had to agree with another reviewer in that I do wish more of the actual plant was shown, rather than the flower. There are some very good growing tips in this small volume which I found very helpful. No one book can fill all of your needs is raising/growing any plants and I have found that it is very necessary to purchase a number of them. This is one I am glad to have added to the growing shelf. I did give this one five stars as the photographs alone are worth it. Recommend.
To the author 'beautiful'=flowers.......2006-06-02
This should be called Cactus Flowers because there is very little in this book other than pictures taken from above of cactus flowers, frequently obscuring the cacti themselves for page after page. There is hardly any discussion on form, spines, etc. just flowers, flowers, flowers. The actual photography of the flowers itself is very well done. There are some good tips on care, but it is very repetitive. This would be a good book for someone who likes pretty plant books or flowers, not necessarily someone interested in cacti.
The best book available for home cactus enthusiasts!.......2005-02-11
I've purchased over a dozen books on cacti, but none of them thoroughly discuss the proper care for cacti grown at home. I was amazed by author Elisabeth Manke's attention to detail as it pertains to information you actually need. For instance, one section of the book covers general cactus care on a month-by-month basis. For an Ohio cactus enthusiast, that kind of information is invaluable. Indeed, one of my cactus plants owes its life to this book!
If you often read about cacti, you already know that there is a lot of conflicting information out there from highly reputable sources. In my experience, any time the information in this book differs from that in other books, this book is the one that is correct (and that even counts a $100 cactus encyclopedia!) All of the pictures and species are properly labeled by modern naming conventions.
If you need a book to help you ID wild cacti in the Arizona desert, this one probably isn't it (despite the hordes of beautiful photos). If you're trying to raise a few (or a few hundred) plants of your own in a windowsill or a greenhouse, this book is the best resource I've found! I wish I would have bought this book first. I'd have saved a couple hundred dollars...
My First Book Ever on Cactus Care........2003-08-10
I have been an avid cactus fan since I was very young (I'm 16 now), but I never had a really good book on cacti until now. This one is concise, comprehensive, and offers a wide range of gorgeous color photos. Sure, it was the only one my local bookstore had. But by the same token, it is excellent, and not too expensive either. For the cactus lover.
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As a child, I found few things more fascinating than seashells: from the age of 10 until 15, I would often stay awake all night classifying and sorting shells that friends and family had sent me from around the world, and my most joyous summers were spent on the coasts of Maine, North Carolina, Florida, Washington, and Puerto Rico, gathering shells from the briny wrack.
As an adult, I have encountered few more beautifully illustrated volumes of seashells than this book. All of my favorites are here: the wentletraps, resembling elaborate spiral staircases (and so valued for their beauty in the 1800s that a clandestine industry of counterfeit wentletraps made of rice paste developed in China); the Venus Comb Murex, which has the beauty of a goddess's most prized hairbrush; the humble but lavishly calligraphed Nerites; and other extraordinarily colorful or structurally elaborate homes of homely molluscs. (This book also provides good evidence for my hypothesis that indigenous architectures of a region are influenced by the architecture of indigenous organisms.) An absolutely stunning book, and sure to be a source of inspiration for children, naturalists, and artists.
From the Publisher
The World's Most Beautiful Seashells won the Coffee Table Book Award of the National Association of Independent Publishers for 1996. It contains 305 large format, full color photographs of rare and lovely seashells. The photographer is James H. (Pete) Carmichael, whose nature photography has appeared widely in magazines such as Audobon, National Wildlife, Ranger Rick, etc. Pete is especially well-known for his work with shells, butterflies, and rainforests. The text is by Leonard Hill, a lifetime shell enthusiast, and a biologist employed by the US government who monitors the health of the oceans. At $32.95 in hardcover, the book has been considered an excellent value, and makes a great acquisition to the library of shell and nature enthusiasts.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic shell book.......2006-08-30
This book is pure eye candy for shell lovers. The photographs are beautiful and the close ups allow you to see the fine detail of many shells. This book can also be used as a shell identification reference as the photos are clearly annotated with the names of the shells.
Great for beach lovers.......2006-08-07
My wife purchased this book for our beach house and we decided to keep a copy for ourselves at home. It has every shell that you could ever dream of. Our kids love the book because they can look up shells that they have found in the book and see what they are called and what use to live inside of them.
It is great for anyone that has a room or bathroom using seashells or an ocean decoration theme.
Very good book!
Much more then expected.......2006-06-28
This book is not by any means scientific.
This book is not an identification guide.
The species list is obviously very incomplete.
but...
Truly marvelous, large-format photography of only the best of the best GEM specimens. Each with a short description, which is VERY interesting to read - these are some real facts about the shells and not the description of what you can see on the photo. I consider myself an advanced collector, and this book is a real relief after reading some of the more advanced publications on shell collecting. An excellent source for some real-life knowledge. Highly recommended - both for collectors, or just anyone.
Outstanding Shell Photographs and Excellent Text.......2005-03-19
The two authors have done an excellent job, not only of selecting truly beautiful shells from all over the world and doing an outstanding job with the photographs, they have also written very informative text for those who are new to shell collecting. The types of shells are representative and nicely organized.
While this may not be the first book you need to identify your beach shell collection if you are a new comer to shell collection you discover shortly to compare your own sheels to these and realize that in fact your own may compare well.
I especially enjoyed the collages of limpets turned on both sides with the wonderful greens and blue greens of quite ordinary Barbados Limpets.
I would recommend it as say a fifth purchase after some good idenfication compendia and shorter books on just starting the hobby, if you are a beginner.
Good book.......2001-08-01
It is a beautiful book, top photography, every single page catches your eyes. It really portrays the beauty of the seashells.
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Meselson, Stahl, and the Replication of DNA: A History of 'The Most Beautiful Experiment in Biology'
Frederic Lawrence Holmes
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
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ASIN: 0300085400 |
Book Description
In 1957 two young scientists, Matthew Meselson and Frank Stahl, produced a landmark experiment confirming that DNA replicates as predicted by the double helix structure Watson and Crick had recently proposed. It also gained immediate renown as a "most beautiful" experiment whose beauty was tied to its simplicity. Yet the investigative path that led to the experiment was anything but simple, Frederic L. Holmes shows in this masterful account of Meselson and Stahl's quest. This book vividly reconstructs the complex route that led to the Meselson-Stahl experiment and provides an inside view of day-to-day scientific research--its unpredictability, excitement, intellectual challenge, and serendipitous windfalls, as well as its frustrations, unexpected diversions away from original plans, and chronic uncertainty. Holmes uses research logs, experimental films, correspondence, and interviews with the participants to record the history of Meselson and Stahl's research, from their first thinking about the problem through the publication of their dramatic results. Holmes also reviews the scientific community's reception of the experiment, the experiment's influence on later investigations, and the reasons for its reputation as an exceptionally beautiful experiment.
Book Description
The Most Beautiful Molecule
"The molecule, buckminsterfullerene, is beautiful physically and intellectually. Its qualities, and even some of its properties, can be appreciated instantly and intuitively by nonscientists. Its uniqueness is bound to lead to novel applications-superconductivity is the leading contender at the moment."
"The commercial potential of buckminsterfullerene has heightened the excitement and controversy in recent years, while the exact nature of the discovery process in 1985 has been the subject of a heated feud between the British and American scientists involved."-Hugh Aldersey-Williams
Ten years ago, the discovery of buckminsterfullerene, a previously unknown form of carbon, stunned the scientific community, as much for the discovery itself as for the manner in which it came about. In the words of author Hugh Aldersey-Williams, it was an example of "classic bootleg science". The work was done on the back of other, funded projects, and when time would allow. Yet its commercial implications are probably immense.
Now, with objectivity and insight, The Most Beautiful Molecule recounts the events leading up to this momentous discovery and chronicles the ongoing, often frenzied aftermath. Hugh Aldersey-Williams leads us on a thrilling expedition to the very forefront of modern chemistry research.
Houston, Texas, 1985. Two industrious chemists discover a previously unknown form of carbon and christen it buckminsterfullerene, for its striking resemblance to American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller's geodesic domes. This unusual molecule-also known as the buckyball-is composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a hollow sphere, with hexagonal and pentagonal configurations similar to those found on a soccer ball. Its near-perfect symmetry is just one reason why scientists have since dubbed it "the most beautiful molecule."
The discovery of buckminsterfullerene-by American physicist and chemist Richard Smalley and British physical chemist Harry Kroto-rocked the scientific community. After all, generations believed graphite and diamond to be the only pure forms of carbon. How had this third form gone undetected?
In fact, the actual discovery was merely the beginning of an intense-and ongoing-quest to master this newest form of the most basic of elements. Confirmation would take five years and launch an unprecedented flood of investigation and investment. The unique physical structure of buckminsterfullerene-a "cage" into which atoms of other materials may be inserted-had huge commercial potential and inspired scientists, industrial laboratories, and corporations alike. Backed by such giants as AT&T, DuPont, Exxon, and IBM, a highly competitive search for practical applications began-and continues. Possibilities range from the creation of a revolutionary rocket fuel to nanotechnology-the construction of microscopic "molecular machines"-to developments in the fight against AIDS.
Here, then, is a fascinating, multilayered look at one of the most important scientific findings of our time. The Most Beautiful Molecule is a brain-teasing detective story, a marvelously detailed, inside look at the workings of the scientific community, and an exciting contemplation of what lies ahead. From the forefront of research in modern chemistry, author Hugh Aldersey-Williams offers, in his own words, "a celebration of the intimate world of physical science and its practitioners."
Customer Reviews:
Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception.......2005-02-03
This book is perfect for mystery lovers.Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception is riveting tale of suspense and revalation, a thrill ride that has all the elements of a classic: romance, action/adveture, comedy, and most importantly, mystery! I loved this book. It begs you to slow down and relish it's great quality. I belive Wendelin van Draanen outdid herself with an amazing book. Again!
-Katrina C.
The most beautiful molecule-The discovery of Bucky Ball.......2000-07-01
The book is exceedingly lucid in its style and very informative to all seekers of knowledge in the field of Fullerene Chemistry.Fullerene has the distinct place of being the molecule of the last century.Its applications being enormous are dealt with in an excellent way. "Nature"-a lover of symmetry is perhaps manifested as the black beauty in the form of C-60.What an insight the book provides for the prospective researchers in this discipline to seek more only to be found!
Field Goal: a pleasantly entertaining chemistry book.......1998-03-17
Having read many popular science books, this one is above average. All aspects of the discovery were well explained and references are extensive. Comparison with the cold fusion fiasco is appropriate, as the furor over these two scientific episodes were coincident. The petty fights and true believer mentality are present but tempered by appropriate scientific method, which went out the window quickly with cold fusion. Well written and enjoyable. If interested in cold fusion read Gary Taubes' Bad Science
Book Description
Scientific Commentaries by Grard G. Aymonin Originally published in 1613 by botanist-apothecary Basilius Besler, the monumental book known as the Hortus Eystettensis was, and is, the greatest botanical illustrated book ever created. With 367 plates depicting more than 1,000 species of plants, the book was spectacular even in black and white; the very few hand-colored copies are priceless. When Abrams issued its facsimile edition of Besler's great Florilegium in 1989, and followed that in 1994 with Hortus Eystettensis, featuring selected images, it became clear that there is great demand for a poster book of these irresistible botanicals.
Here, then, are 27 superb, oversize, full-color prints suitable for framing, including images of tulips, irises, roses, lemons, and artichokes. Gardeners and horticulturalists, print collectors and botanists, indeed anyone who simply appreciates the beauty of botanicals and wants to frame them or give them as gifts will enjoy this book.
27 illustrations in full color, suitable for framing, 10 1/2 x 14 5/8"
NICOLAS BARKER is former deputy keeper of The British Library.
GRARD G. AYMONIN is an eminent botanist and a professor at the Musum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris.
Customer Reviews:
Could have had a much better selection of prints.......2004-01-25
please pardon my strong opinion, but i consider myself a huge fan of the Hortus Eystettensis. the original book consists of 367 beautiful plates of which 27 are reproduced here. the reproductions are very nice and the prints are excellent, but the selection of prints leaves much to be desired in my opinion in that many of the most beautiful and showy prints that you would expect aren't reproduced while many of the much lesser prints are. obviously this is merely my opinion, but i was really surprised not to find many of the obviously gorgeous plates represented and in their place many of the far less interesting and beautiful ones. this selection simply does not do justice to the book it represents, and nowhere in this book is there any explanation of this selection (did the British Library not want the 27 "best" plates represented?). only 5 of these 27 prints would have made my favorite top 50 prints from the original. the plates reproduced here are #s 10,14,68,51,70,87,145,96,104,118,199,140,142,150,186,204,209,234,324,223,335,337,348,355,357,123,364. Taschen has a wonderful, reasonably-priced reproduction of the entire Hortus Eystettensis called "The Garden at Eichstatt" (and a pocket book selection of the same title) and Nicholas Barker has a wonderful book called "Hortus Eystettensis: The Bishop's Garden" which are highly recommended in place of this.
great for framing.......2001-05-11
The quality of the prints is very good and they are a good size. The price is good enough to buy 2, one to use to frame and the other for the coffee table. Great photos!!
Unbelieveable Value.......2000-07-11
This book offers 27 beautiful, botanical prints in a variety of colors that are ideal for framing. (Between my sister, best friend and myself we're framing 20 of the 27). However, if you are looking for a nice coffee table book keep in mind that this is paper-backed. Also, if you are interested in reading about botanical prints this book has little narrative.
Beautiful, frameworthy prints!.......2000-05-15
In the 1600s, the Prince-Bishop of Eichsttt, Germany created a stunning garden filled with flowers, fruit, vegetables, trees and pleasure-houses, at the center of which was his palace. His intention was to recreate the Garden of Eden here on earth, and he searched everywhere for the rarest and most lovely of plants to include. His endeavor was documented by some of the best artists of the time, who drew these beautiful botanical images, which then were printed on the largest paper then made, and bound into books. Only a handful of these were hand-colored, to be offered for sale to those whose pockets were deep enough to afford them.
The 27 images selected for this book are exquisitely printed, each measuring about 10" x 13". The colors are fresh and the paper stock has a beautiful, soft sheen and a good weight. These botanical illustrations are fine enough to be framed, and are useful as resource for the artist and designer.
The first time I encountered these images was in poster form about 20 years ago. I loved them, and was so happy to see them offered again. The designs are elegant, some more graphic and modern than others, some more clearly antique. This book is worthwhile for all those who love botanical illustrations.
Product Description
Detailed Description
The youngest angel in Heaven is sent on a quest to find the most beautiful thing on earth. A red rose? Birds and butterflies? Puppies and kittens? A beautiful baby? No, each time the other angels send him back to earth to keep looking. Finally the angel visits the church and finds a surprising answer. Illustrated with full-page colorful pictures, this simple story shows the importance of the true love of God. An endearing, delightful tale also suitable for small children. It is bilingual.
Author: Susan Brindle
Format: Paperback
Publisher: New Hope Publications
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