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Category: Mathematics/Science

Review: Beneath the Sands of Egypt by Donald P. Ryan

[ 8 ] July 11, 2011
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Reviewed by Jenna Arthur

Ancient Egypt has captivated many history and archaeology enthusiasts over the years. Whether it’s the massive dynamic of the pyramids or perhaps the intrigue of ancient metropolises and pharaohs: Egypt still remains a puzzle to be solved.

Beneath the Sands of Egypt tells Donald P. Ryan’s first hand account of a lifetime spent trying to piece together what remains beneath the sands of Egypt’s past. Fascinated at an early age with archaeology, a young Donald Ryan spent his time reading National Geographic and dreaming of bones. Ryan spent his college years climbing mountains and preparing, training to withstand Egypt’s harsh environment.

Beneath the Sands of Egypt takes us along on the bumpy ride as the author becomes a respected archaeologist, and experiences the events that shape not only his family but his obsession with Egyptian history. Weaving life events with fact, this story not only educates the reader but allows them to live in the field through Ryan’s eyes.

I have always been fascinated with history and Egyptology and had great expectations of Beneath the Sands of Egypt. The book is written with knowledge and spunk and I would truly recommend it to all those history and archaeological enthusiasts out there.

Rating: 4/5

Jenna lives in the bustling city of Pittsburgh, PA with her fiance and her two beautiful cats. Along with her passion for reading and the literary world, she is also an artist, writer, environmental activist, creative coordinator and aspiring culinary genius. She believes there is nothing better to her then a good book, and lives one cover to the next.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Harper Collins. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Bonobo Handshake by Vanessa Woods

[ 3 ] June 25, 2011
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Reviewed by Jennifer Jensen

Vanessa Woods had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Accepting an opportunity to work with her friend Debby’s chimpanzee orphanage in Africa was just the beginning in a series of events that would change Vanessa in ways she had never expected. First, Vanessa fell in love with a primatologist who worked with the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island. She accepted his quick marriage proposal, scared and excited all at the same time.

Brian Hare’s scientific research took him and his new wife to Congo, where he hoped to find the answer to one of the greatest questions of mankind: What makes us human? Hesitant about Congo, which has the highest rate of rape in the world, Vanessa did not anticipate how involved she herself would become in Brian’s testing. Unlike the chimpanzees they had both worked with before, the bonobos are a peaceful species. Instead of using war to resolve conflict, they used sex. However, bonobos are an endangered species. They have been hunted for their meat in times of food shortages, have had their body parts cut off for use in black magic, and have been abandoned once rich families are no longer amused by or can care for them as house pets. Bonobo Handshake is not only Vanessa’ story or the bonobo’s, it is also the story of Congo.

Out of any primate I learned about in my college anthropology class, the bonobo was the one with which I fell in love. Even in dry textbook language, this amazing creature stood out to me. I remember commenting to a friend at dinner one night that I wished we humans were more like bonobos. As I started explaining how touching each other’s genitals allowed for acceptance of a foreign bonobo into a new group, I lost my friend to his booming laughter. My face flushed, and I sank down into my seat. Reading Bonobo Handshake let me know that I’m not the only one who has seen the valuable lessons we could learn from the bonobos.

I learned even more than I did before about bonobos, as well as more of the history of Congo and why it is currently in such a devastating situation. The bonobos were so lovingly described. Certain passages made me smile and laugh out loud, while others broke my heart and caused tears to pool in my eyes. I now have a better grasp on the history of Congo and the leaders of that developing world who contributed to its state. Best of all, I loved the style in which this memoir was written. The prose flowed smoothly, and at times I found myself forgetting I wasn’t reading a beautifully detailed work of fiction.

Rating: 5/5

Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She occasionally dabbles with her own fiction writing, particularly with the Young Adult and Paranormal genres. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and daughter.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Gotham. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Vaccine-nation by Andreas Moritz

[ 22 ] June 22, 2011
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Reviewed by Jenna Arthur

Mercury and formaldehyde are two toxic chemicals that draw a furrow to our brow. When you think of these two chemicals, do you think vaccine? Well you should. Mercury and formaldehyde are just two of the many harsh chemicals in some of our vaccines today.

In Vaccine-nation, Andreas Moritz takes us on a controversial ride through cause and effect. Mr. Moritz gives inside facts to what pharmaceutical companies do not want us to know: that vaccines harm more then they cure. Did you know that 120% more Asthma, 317% more ADHD, 185% more Neurologic disorders, and 146% more Autism occur in children that are vaccinated? People vaccinated are more likely to contract the disease they are being inoculated against than those who have not been vaccinated.

Mr. Moritz backs his research with thorough scientific facts and research, furthermore hoping to prove to the nation that vaccines are not the answer. Vaccines can destroy your immunity system and increase your sensitivity to allergens making you more susceptible to an increased allergic reaction. Each shot administered by a doctor or medical professional has the potential of eradicating your immunity to other potentially life threatening diseases, overtime wearing on your body leaving you open for infection or contraction.

Most people do not think about what is entering their bloodstream before an inoculation, but this book may have you second guessing. Vaccine-nation is over flowing with facts and science while gently bringing a sense of humanity into the words. You can tell the Mr. Moritz means to get the facts out, but thoroughly cares about the well being of the nation. He urges you to think about your body before letting someone inject something potentially harmful into your body. Vaccine-nation puts the facts in your face and leaves the decision to you. So I ask, the next time cold and flu season is near, will you be getting in line for a flu shot? I know I won’t be.

Rating: 4/5

Jenna lives in the bustling city of Pittsburgh, PA with her fiance and her two beautiful cats. Along with her passion for reading and the literary world, she is also an artist, writer, environmental activist, creative coordinator and aspiring culinary genius. She believes there is nothing better to her then a good book, and lives one cover to the next.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Andreas Moritz. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean by Susan Casey

[ 3 ] December 18, 2010
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Reviewed by Caitlin B.

The Wave alternates between anecdotes from legendary big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, harrowing tales of cargo ships lost at sea, and the adventures of wave scientists attempting to define the ocean’s behaviors.

Hamilton is known as an extreme among extremists. He and his crew all but invented the sport of two-in surfing when they began using Jet Skis to surf waves unreachable by typical paddle-in surfing. (For a history of big wave and tow-in surfing, the film Riding Giants is an excellent starting point.) Sooner than later, Hamilton and company were dropping down the faces of 50-foot waves in places unfamiliar to most other surfers. The risks have always been high, but science and experience point to ever-increasing peril generated by random forces: freak or rogue waves.

Modern-day wave scientists seek the ability to put our oceans’ behaviors into formulas, to catalog climate changes and protect cargo in our global shipping lanes. The juxtaposition of scientific studies against big wave surfers is a brilliant teaching tool. Big wave surfing goes hand-in-hand with high-tech forecasting and data collection. Casey sees firsthand that surfers are more attuned to oceanic mood shifts than anyone except sailors. Both groups can intuit what scientists still seek to categorize: that major changes are taking place in our oceans. As a result, The Wave serves as much an ecological lesson as a thrilling read. The author isn’t preachy, but allows her collected data and hypotheses of the scientists she interviewed speak for themselves.

[amazonify]0767928849[/amazonify]Fascinating historical reports of freak waves (nonlinear giant waves) pepper the pages of the book, as well as modern events. The number of reported incidents alone is staggering, making this book a very humbling read for those of us without many hours on the sea. As a layperson, Casey has no difficulty putting the risks, math and science into easily understood terms. She has compiled an exceptional description of the sport and study of giant waves, one part nail-biting athletic account and another part scientific thriller. From ships and people thrashed by waves to perfect surf days, The Wave is packed with action and impossible to put down once you crack its cover.

Rating: 5/5

The Wave was recently listed as one of the top 10 best non-fiction books of the year by Entertainment Weekly!

Caitlin is a fiction writer who also dabbles in poetry, creative nonfiction and acrylic painting. When not reading, she enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with friends and pets. She earned her B.A. in English from the University of Portland and currently resides in Oregon.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Doubleday. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: E=MC2: Simple Physics by Jeff Stewart

[ 5 ] October 24, 2010
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Reviewed by Poppy J.

E=MC2: Simple Physics uses a casually brilliant and humorously fun approach to explaining the most significant scientific theories of our time. Anyone can grasp the easy to understand physics examples highlighted and reviewed in this book. The examples are laid out in the most logical and practical way for the reader, making it possible to enjoy this book as bedtime reading material!

Many of the theories in the book will not surprise the reader, such as the laws of gravity (several apples tied together will fall to the ground at the same time), but other theories are a bit of a surprise after all and are just plain fun (you drive at 22mph, the police pass you at 68 mph, an erroneous speeding ticket may be in your future).

E=MC2: Simple Physics stays true to its theoretical roots, and puts Einstein against Galileo and Newton by continuously summarizing and developing on the intricate layers of theoretical thought on each of the topics.  This book is for students, adults interested in scientific thought, or even a general audience of anyone curious about the formal laws of science affecting our world.

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know by John Barrow

[ 5 ] August 19, 2010
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Reviewed by Caleb S.

While the title 100 Essential Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know is a bit of hyperbole, it is still a fun and interesting read. I happen to like math so I was able to follow along when it was explained. However, well over half of the chapters contain little or any actual math. There are even two or three math ‘tricks’ that non-math people can easily use to stump others. One chapter explains why spaghetti noodles break into at least three pieces when bent to the breaking point without using actual math. Another explains conditions that can happen at a race track that will guarantee winnings if the correct betting method is followed. There is also a decent explanation of the Monty Hall problem.

100 Essential Things is fairly low key on the math and most people will find the facts inside quite interesting. A few chapters are more involved but could be easily skipped for those who find math to be a chore. Overall, I found the book to be a fun little read, taking a chapter or two at a time in between other activities. I learned a bit, I was reminded of some things I had forgotten and gained new insights along the way. All in all, the read was well worth my time.

Caleb is a software engineer and amature woodworker living in southern Minnesota. He has more hobbies than he has time or money for, and enjoys his quiet time reading.

This book was provided free of any obligation by W. W. Norton & Company. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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