The book "History of the Harvard College Observatory During the Period 1840-1890" by Daniel W. Baker provides a comprehensive examination of the pivotal role that the Harvard College Observatory played in the advancement of astronomy during the 19th century. It delves into the significant contributions made by astronomers and scientists associated with the observatory, highlighting their groundbreaking research and discoveries. Baker meticulously chronicles the evolution of the observatory...

“The story of one of the most prolific, independent, and iconoclastic inventors of this century…fascinating.”—Scientific AmericanNikola Tesla (1856-1943), credited as the inspiration for radio, robots, and even radar, has been called the patron saint of modern electricity. Based on original material and previously unavailable documents, this acclaimed book is the definitive biography of the man considered by many to be the founding father of modern electri...

Nikola Tesla was a major contributor to the electrical revolution that transformed daily life at the turn of the twentieth century. His inventions, patents, and theoretical work formed the basis of modern AC electricity, and contributed to the development of radio and television. Like his competitor Thomas Edison, Tesla was one of America's first celebrity scientists, enjoying the company of New York high society and dazzling the likes of Mark Twain with his electrical demonstrations. An a...

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Dava Sobel, the "inspiring" (People), little-known true story of women's landmark contributions to astronomyA New York Times Book Review Notable Book of 2017Named one of the best books of the year by NPR, The Economist, Smithsonian, Nature, and NPR'sScience Friday**Nominated for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Litera...

“[A] fascinating book...about the way four geniuses at Cambridge University revolutionized modern science.“ *—NewsweekThe* Philosophical Breakfast Club recounts the life and work of four men who met as students at Cambridge University: Charles Babbage, John Herschel, William Whewell, and Richard Jones. Recognizing that they shared a love of science (as well as good food and drink) they began to meet on Sunday mornings to talk about the sta...

Magnetism is a strange force, mysteriously attracting one object to another apparently through empty space. It has been claimed as a great healer, with magnetic therapies being proposed over the centuries and still popular today. Why are its mysterious important to solve?In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen J. Blundell explains why. For centuries magnetism has been used for various exploits; through compasses it gave us navigation and through motors, generators, and turbines it has giv...

The riveting and mesmerizing story behind a watershed period in human history, the discovery of the startling size and true nature of our universe.On New Years Day in 1925, a young Edwin Hubble released his finding that our Universe was far bigger, eventually measured as a thousand trillion times larger than previously believed. Hubble’s proclamation sent shock waves through the scientific community. Six years later, in a series of meetings at Mount Wilson Observat...

You flick on a light without thinking about it. But what about the fascinating and bizarre stories hidden behind that simple action? Fortunes were made and lost, ideas stolen, rivalries pursued, dogs electrocuted, beards set on fire, arms amputated, and decapitated human heads reanimated all with the invention and evolution of electricity.In this physics and engineering chronicle disguised as an electric time-travel adventure, Kathy Joseph, physicist, educator, and creator of the p...

"A short, excellent account of [Leavitt’s] extraordinary life and achievements." —Simon Singh, New York Times Book ReviewGeorge Johnson brings to life Henrietta Swan Leavitt, who found the key to the vastness of the universe—in the form of a “yardstick” suitable for measuring it. Unknown in our day, Leavitt was no more recognized in her own: despite her enormous achievement, she was employed by the Harvard Observatory as a mere number-cruncher, at a wage n...

One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe by William Carpenter is a groundbreaking work that challenges the conventional view of the Earth's shape. Carpenter presents a compelling argument using scientific evidence and everyday observations to prove that the Earth is not spherical as commonly thought, but rather flat.Why This Book? For anyone interested in alternative views of our world and universe, this book is a must-read. William Carpenter's arguments ar...

“Astronomy is the science which treats of the sun, the moon, the stars, and other objects such as comets which are seen in the sky. It deals to some extent also with the earth, but only in so far as it has properties in common with the heavenly bodies.”The growth of intelligence in the human race has its counterpart in that of the individual, especially in the earliest stages. Intellectual activity and the development of reasoning powers are in both cases based upon the accumulatio...

Astronomy by David P. Todd is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the science of the stars, planets, and the universe beyond our world. First published in the early 20th century, this classic work guides readers through the fundamental principles and discoveries of astronomy, blending scientific rigor with clear, engaging prose. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the history of astronomy, the structure and motion of the solar system, the nature of the sun, moon, a...