The Story of Physics - Anne Rooney

From Natural Philosophy to the Enigma of Dark Matter
Physics is the science which ties together all others,aiming to explain the nature of the universe from the smallest subatomic particles to vast galaxies and the very nature of space-time. 
It represents human intellectual endeavor at its most ambitious.

The Story of Physics traces the development of physics from the natural philosophies of the ancient world to cutting-edge experiments in quantum mechanics.

Topics include:

• The nature of mattter, which was first theorized as atoms 2,500 years ago
• Light and optics - from simple lenses to the wave-particle duality of light 
• Masses and forces - harnessing energy and mass to work for us
• The bizarre subatomic world of quantum mechanics
• Our fascination with the stars, which prompted the earliest scientific thought
• The universe around us, from the Big Bang to distant galaxies

The Story of Physics also features the giants of science history, from Archimedes through Newton and Galileo to Curie, Einstein and Hawking. 
[Book Description Source: Book Cover Notes] 


From the Ancient Greeks, who first suggested that matter might be made of indivisible atoms, through the great explorations of Arab, the Renaissance and then Enlightenment scientists, the story of physics has been written through trial and error, sheer persistence, and intermittent flashes of pure genius, despite many periods of persecution, hardship, and danger. 
Author Anne Rooney follows its narrative from the earliest societies to the current day, discovering the entrancing appeal of the secrets that rule the universe. 
On the way from prehistory to the twenty-first century, we encounter Newton poking a needle into his own eye, Einstein paving the way for nuclear weapons, and the ultimate puzzle of dark matter. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout in full color.

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ] 

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 3.81 out of 5 (21 Ratings, 2 Reviews)

My Rating:  4 out of 5.  


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A Brigand for a Night and Other Tales - Madhavi N. Gunasheela

The short stories in this book span different genres from sagas to comedy to horror. 
Set in different time frames in both urban and rural settings, it makes for a combination of sorts. 
The author, having experienced an amalgam of cultures, has fashioned a potpourri, infusing the mystical east into the discriminative west. 
Prevailing social concerns and common Indian traditions have been played out to question the readers' views and will empower them to adopt a new mirror for reflection of outdated societal values and ways. 
Women play the lead role in few stories, indicating the author's strong need to highlight issues uniquely known only to women. 
An occasional international backdrop emphasizes the coziness of our global village and shrinking boundaries. 
Humor sprinkled generously as a tasty topping ensures the reader of a perpetual smile. 
Every grim thought uncovered amidst hilarious plots leaves the reader laughing at the otherwise dark circumstance. 
Light and easy to read, this book would be an ideal companion for a rainy afternoon or a lazy Sunday. 
It would transport you to different worlds at a dizzying speed, leaving you wanting to quickly return to relive the journey of the protagonist.

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ] 

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 4.5 out of 5 (2 Ratings, 1 Review)

My Rating:  4 out of 5.  


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Future Work - Alison Maitland & Peter Thomson

Changing Organizational Culture for the New World of Work
The way we work is overdue for change. 
This expanded and updated edition of the global bestseller sets out the compelling case for a revolution in organizational cultures and working practices, to boost output, cut costs, give employees more freedom over how they work and contribute to a greener economy.

Featuring insightful new case studies and updates on fast-moving trends, this book provides a clear framework and step-by-step guide to introducing new ways of working for leaders, managers and employees, with an extra chapter on how individuals can make change happen. 
Addressing both opportunities and challenges, this highly readable and inspiring book offers the most up-to-date guidance on modern business and organisational culture for everyone who wants, or needs, to embrace the new world of work.

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ] 

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 4.67 out of 5 (4 Ratings, 0 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5.  


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  (Older Edition)
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The Story of the World's Greatest Paintings - Charlie Ayers

An introduction for young readers to some of the greatest paintings of all time.

Here are twenty world-famous artworks featured in easy-to-follow chronological order, including: Jan Van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, Paolo Uccello’s The Battle of San Romano, Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Children’s Games, Jan Vermeer’s The Artist’s Studio, John Constable’s The Hay Wain, Winslow Homer’s Breezing Up (A Fair Wind), Auguste Renoir’s La Loge, Berthe Morisot’s Summer’s Day, Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Paul Cézanne’s Mont Sainte-Victoire, and Paul Gauguin’s Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

All of the works are remarkable paintings with remarkable histories that have been chosen specifically to appeal to a young audience. 
The illustrations include a portrait or self-portrait of each artist, as well as a reproduction of their masterpiece, along with carefully selected details and other paintings by the same artist for comparison.

The entertaining and informative texts give an account of the artists at work, and extended picture captions offer further information. 
Each section is accompanied by a “Why Don’t You?” box suggesting a practical art project; a “Did You Know?” box with extra information; and a “Want to See More?” feature box with useful Web sites. 120 color illustrations

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ]  

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 4.67 out of 5 (6 Ratings, 2 Reviews)

My Rating:  4 out of 5. 


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The Universe Inside You - Brian Clegg

The Extreme Science of the Human Body From Quantum Theory to the Mysteries of the Brain
Built from the debris of exploding stars that floated through space for billions of years, home to a zoo of tiny aliens, and controlled by a brain with more possible connections than there are atoms in the universe, the human body is the most incredible thing in existence.
In the sequel to his best-selling Inflight Science, Brian Clegg offers a spectacular tour through the human body.
He explores mitochondria, in-cell powerhouses once separate creatures; 
how your eyes consume million-year-old photons of light;
your many senses, which include the ability to detect warps in space and time; and why meeting an attractive person can turn you into a gibbering idiot.

Read The Universe Inside You and you'll never look at yourself the same way again.

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ]  

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 3.7 out of 5 (171 Ratings, 19 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 


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The Tigerclaw Tree - P.A. Krishnan

The Tigerclaw Tree follows the shifting fortunes of four generations of a Tenkalai Iyengar family, as each member confronts his or her own role in their family legacy of idealism, political involvement and, ultimately, betrayal. 
Ponna, the matriarch, bedridden and fighting a last losing battle with memory, forces her children and grandchildren to deal with events and people from their past, known from half-remembered family anecdotes. Her great-grandsons, Kannan and Nambi, enter her fragmented twilight world with its confusion of stories that are set against the larger regional and national histories. 
Their quest exhumes relatives conveniently dead or forgottten: Andal, the child widow, whose search for love ends in insanity; Madhurakavi, the comunist turned-nationalist; and Nammalwar, the ascetic, whose coming coincides with Nambi's death.
A novel about love and loss, about the persistence of the past and the redemptive powers of memory
First published in 1998, this attractive new edition brings to life again a novel that became a cult classic in its time.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com & www.flipkart.com ]
 

Goodreads Rating - 3.5 out of 5 (2 Ratings, 0 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 


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Aleph - Paulo Coelho

In his most personal novel to date, internationally bestselling author Paulo Coelho returns with a remarkable journey of self-discovery. 
Like the main character in his much-beloved The Alchemist, Paulo is facing a grave crisis of faith. 
As he seeks a path of spiritual renewal and growth, his only real option is to begin again—to travel, to experiment, to reconnect with people and the landscapes around him.

Setting off to Africa, and then to Europe and Asia via the Trans-Siberian railroad, he initiates a journey to revitalize his energy and passion. 
Even so, he never expects to meet Hilal. 
A gifted young violinist, she is the woman Paulo loved five hundred years before—and the woman he betrayed in an act of cowardice so far-reaching that it prevents him from finding real happiness in this life.
Together they will initiate a mystical voyage through time and space, traveling a path that teaches love, forgiveness, and the courage to overcome life’s inevitable challenges. 
Beautiful and inspiring, Aleph invites us to consider the meaning of our own personal journeys.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.39 out of 5 (21825 Ratings, 2099 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 

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Your Digital Afterlife - Evan Carroll & John Romano

When Facebook, Flickr and Twitter Are Your Estate, What's Your Legacy?

Almost without realizing it, we have shifted toward an all-digital culture. 
Future heirlooms like family photos, home movies, and personal letters now exist only in digital form, and in many cases they are stored using popular services like Flickr, YouTube, and Gmail. 
These digital possessions form a rich collection that chronicles our lives and connects us to each other.

But have you considered what will happen to your treasured digital possessions when you die?

Unfortunately the answer isn't as certain as we might presume. 
There are numerous legal, cultural, and technical issues that could prevent access to these assets, and if you don't take steps to make them available to your heirs, your digital legacy could be lost forever.

Written by the creators of TheDigitalBeyond.com, this book helps you secure your valuable digital assets for your loved ones and perhaps posterity. 
Whether you're the casual email user or the hyper-connected digital dweller, you'll come away with peace of mind knowing that your digital heirlooms won't be lost in the shuffle.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.74 out of 5 (31 Ratings, 7 Reviews)

My Rating:  3 out of 5. 

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The Innovator's Toolkit - David Silverstein, Philip Samuel, Neil DeCarlo

50+ Techniques for Predictable and Sustainable Organic Growth

The Innovator's Toolkit is an essential companion for every innovator, innovation team leader, operations manager, and corporate change agent who needs to drive organic growth. 
Written and presented in an easy-to-use reference format, the book helps users understand why, when, and how to apply each technique for maximum benefits and results. 
The fifty-plus tools and techniques in this book are organized around a framework for identifying innovation opportunities, generating new and unusual ideas, selecting the best ideas for further refinement, and implementing new solutions that better meet customer expectations.
This revised second edition includes significant updates to nearly two dozen techniques.
Also offers several brand new techniques, including Idea Harvesting and Treatment, Seventy-six Standard Solutions, and Six Thinking Hats
This updated and revised edition of The Innovator's Toolkit simply helps innovation leaders, managers, and specialists do their jobs better than ever before giving them more confidence, greatly reducing the chance of expensive failures, and packing more practical innovation knowhow under one cover than ever before.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 3.84 out of 5 (56 Ratings, 6 Reviews)

My Rating:  4 out of 5. 

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Practices for Scaling Lean & Agile Development - Craig Larman & Bas Vodde

Large, Multisite, and Offshore Product Development with Large-Scale Scrum

Increasingly, large product-development organizations are turning to lean thinking, agile principles and practices, and large-scale Scrum to sustainably and quickly deliver value and innovation.

Drawing on their long experience leading and guiding lean and agile adoptions for large, multisite, and offshore product development, internationally recognized consultant and best-selling author Craig Larman and former leader of the agile transformation at Nokia Networks Bas Vodde share the key action tools needed for success.

Coverage includes

• Frameworks for large-scale Scrum for multihundred-person product groups
• Testing and building quality in
• Product management and the end of the “contract game between business and R&D
• Envisioning a large release, and planning for multiteam development
• Low-quality legacy code: why it's created, and how to stop it
• Continuous integration in a large multisite context
• Agile architecting
• Multisite or offshore development
• Contracts and outsourced development

In a competitive environment that demands ever-faster cycle times and greater innovation, the practices inspired by lean thinking and agile principles are ever-more relevant.Practices for Scaling Lean & Agile Development will help people realize a lean enterprise—and deliver on the significant benefits of agility.

 [Book Description Source: www.amazon.com]

Goodreads Rating - 4.12 out of 5 (60 Ratings, 8 Reviews)

My Rating:  4 out of 5. 

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