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73 books match the query 'Popular works' and 2 start with s
Seeds
A Natural HistoryCarolyn Fry
University of Chicago Press, 2016
From the magnificence of a towering redwood to the simple elegance of a tiny dandelion, seed-bearing plants abound on planet Earth. The sheer diversity of plants thriving today is largely thanks to the evolution of the seed, as this made plants resilient to environmental changes by enabling them to await optimum conditions for growth before springing to life. In a time of declining biodiversity, studying seeds is now helping scientists preserve this plant diversity for future generations.
With Seeds, Carolyn Fry offers a celebration of these vital but unassuming packages of life. She begins with a sweeping tour through human history, designed to help us understand why we should appreciate and respect these floral parcels. Wheat, corn, and rice, she reminds us, supply the foundations of meals eaten by people around the world. Countless medicines, oils, clothing materials, and building supplies are available only because of the versatility and variety of seed-bearing plants. Fry then provides a comprehensive history of the evolution of seeds, explaining the myriad ways that they have adapted, survived, and thrived across the globe. Delving deeper into the science of seeds, she reveals the fascinating processes of dormancy, reproduction, germination, and dispersal, and showcases the estimable work conservationists are doing today to gather and bank seeds in order to prevent species from going extinct.
Enriched by a stunning array of full-color images, Seeds offers a comprehensive exploration of some of the most enduring and essential players in the natural world.
With Seeds, Carolyn Fry offers a celebration of these vital but unassuming packages of life. She begins with a sweeping tour through human history, designed to help us understand why we should appreciate and respect these floral parcels. Wheat, corn, and rice, she reminds us, supply the foundations of meals eaten by people around the world. Countless medicines, oils, clothing materials, and building supplies are available only because of the versatility and variety of seed-bearing plants. Fry then provides a comprehensive history of the evolution of seeds, explaining the myriad ways that they have adapted, survived, and thrived across the globe. Delving deeper into the science of seeds, she reveals the fascinating processes of dormancy, reproduction, germination, and dispersal, and showcases the estimable work conservationists are doing today to gather and bank seeds in order to prevent species from going extinct.
Enriched by a stunning array of full-color images, Seeds offers a comprehensive exploration of some of the most enduring and essential players in the natural world.
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Star Gazers
Finding Joy in the Night SkyDavid H. Levy
University of Arizona Press, 2025
A flash, a single streak of light, is what sparked David Levy’s passion for astronomy more than sixty years ago. In this delightful collection of essays, Levy shares not only his love for the sky and stars, but also his love for language and literature. With the voice of a poet and the eye of a skilled, albeit amateur, astronomer, Levy takes us on a glorious adventure as large as the universe.
Bringing together writing from across two decades of stargazing, Levy explores the different aspects of the night sky, from the simple star-studded vault that appears every clear night, to insight into how some amateur astronomers use advanced equipment to image details of the night sky. He writes about the James Webb Space Telescope and the Northern Lights, offering commentary on astronomical events and the profound questions they inspire. While there are books that describe how to observe the sky, this book explains why.
Star Gazers is a celebration of the joy and mystery found in the stars, with the author’s personal experiences serving as a continuous thread throughout. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a curious newcomer, Star Gazers will inspire you to look up and embrace the night sky with renewed passion and curiosity.
Bringing together writing from across two decades of stargazing, Levy explores the different aspects of the night sky, from the simple star-studded vault that appears every clear night, to insight into how some amateur astronomers use advanced equipment to image details of the night sky. He writes about the James Webb Space Telescope and the Northern Lights, offering commentary on astronomical events and the profound questions they inspire. While there are books that describe how to observe the sky, this book explains why.
Star Gazers is a celebration of the joy and mystery found in the stars, with the author’s personal experiences serving as a continuous thread throughout. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a curious newcomer, Star Gazers will inspire you to look up and embrace the night sky with renewed passion and curiosity.
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