The Poincaré Conjecture: In Search of the Shape of the Universe
- Donal O'Shea
One of the great mathematical theories, the Poincaré conjecture defied proof for a century until it was solved in 2006 by an eccentric Russian mathematician. In his enthralling book, O'Shea explains the mathematics behind the conjecture, its proof and the curious personalities involved.
The Essential Einstein: His Greatest Works
Edited by: 
- Stephen Hawking
Collecting the highlights of his work, this book presents Einstein's view of physics and the world in his own words. Hawking introduces each section, summarizing the historical context and impacts of Einstein's discoveries.
New Theories of Everything
- John D. Barrow
Updating his 1991 work, Theories of Everything, Barrow looks at the latest discoveries and theories about the Universe and explores their philosophical and cultural implications. He shows how the search for a Theory of Everything leaves us more aware of the richness and complexity of the cosmos.
The Accidental Mind: How Brain Evolution Has Given Us Love, Memory, Dreams, and God
- David J. Linden
Linden's introduction to brain science is enjoyable and accessible. “Even readers trained in neuroscience are likely to enjoy the many tidbits of rarely taught information — on love, sex, gender, sleep and dreams — that spice up Linden's main argument,” wrote reviewer Georg Striedter (Nature 447, 640; 2007).
The Body Has a Mind of Its Own: How the Body Maps in Your Brain Help You Do (Almost) Everything Better
- Sandra Blakeslee &
- Matthew Blakeslee
This book explores the emerging science of mind–body connections. “Ideas from sister disciplines, including neurology, psychiatry and cultural anthropology, mix comfortably with laboratory observations,” wrote Edvard Moser (Nature 449, 406; 2007).
Baboon Metaphysics: The Evolution of a Social Mind
- Dorothy L. Cheyney &
- Robert M. Seyfarth
Cheyney and Seyfarth examine the dynamics of baboon society. “Their enthusiasm is obvious, and their knowledge is vast and expressed with great clarity,” wrote Asif A. Ghazanfar. “It will get you thinking — and maybe spur you to travel to Africa to see it all for yourself.” (Nature 448, 535–536; 2007).
Bad Science
- Ben Goldacre
Fast-paced and highly readable, Bad Science dismantles the dubious claims behind scare headlines, fad nutritionists and suspect 'clinical trials'. Looking at specific cases, Ben Goldacre explains how bad science is presented to look real and why people are so willing to believe it.
The Best American Science Writing 2008
Edited by: 
- Sylvia Nasar
The latest edition of this popular series offers a selection of excerpts from familiar names, including Oliver Sacks and Carl Zimmer. Some focus on climate change or new technology. Many deal with medicine or disease — from genetic disorders, psychiatry and cancer, to compromised physicians and misinterpreted research.
Super Crunchers
- Ian Ayres
Ayres explains how data mining, statistics and number crunching are used increasingly by everyone and everything from Internet search engines to your family physician. Showing how this affects people directly, he gives advice on how to defend ourselves against the negative sides of this data blitz.
Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations
- David Montgomery
Montgomery explains how the collapse of ancient civilizations is linked to soil erosion and shows that this can be seen today. “Societies prosper and persist best when they figure out ways to keep their soil where it belongs and not treat it as if it were dirt cheap,” wrote Eric A. Davidson (Nature 447, 777–778; 2007).
Citrus: A History
- Pierre Laszlo
Laszlo describes the chemistry of citrus fruits. “His succinct explanations of the Maillard and caramelization reactions when describing how to make marmalade, and his notes on foams, phase separation, and the volatility of aromas when explaining how to make a sabayon, justify the cost of the book on their own,” wrote Peter Barham (Nature 450, 479; 2007).
Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor
- Hervé This
French experimental chef, This, opens up the kitchen to scientific experiments. In this enjoyable book, he debunks old rules and superstitions about cooking, and shows how food can be looked at, prepared, cooked and tasted in new ways.
Exploitation and Developing Countries: The Ethics of Clinical Research
Edited by: 
- Jennifer S. Hawkins &
- Ezekiel J. Emanuel
Scientists and philosophers delve into the moral implications of clinical research in developing countries. Different chapters examine case studies and look at the benefits and costs of clinical trials, both to the individual subjects and the different nations involved.
Fearless Symmetry: Exposing the Hidden Patterns of Numbers
- Avner Ash &
- Robert Gross
This book attempts to explain complex maths in an interesting way. Reviewing the hardback edition, Timothy Gowers wrote: “The authors are to be admired for taking a very difficult topic and making it, if not fully accessible, then certainly more accessible than it was before.” (Nature 446, 26; 2007).
Everything Conceivable: How Assisted Reproduction is Changing Men, Women and the World
- Liza Mundy
Mundy looks at the consequences of the “reproductive revolution” in science that is changing who reproduces and how. She covers changes in society and technology, talking to physicians, scientists, parents and campaigners.
A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life
- J. Craig Venter
In his review of the hardback edition, Jan Witkowski wrote: “Four decades on, our infinitely more vulgar media has called Venter many things: maverick, publicity hound, risk-taker, brash, controversial, genius, manic, rebellious, visionary, audacious, arrogant, feisty, determined, provocative. His autobiography shows that they are all justified.” (Nature 449, 785–786; 2007).
Avoid Boring People: And Other Lessons From a Life in Science
- James Watson
Watson's frank autobiography covers personal areas as well as the discovery of DNA and his later controversies. It “weaves a deliciously detailed account of his life both in and out of science with a series of lessons drawn from those experiences,” wrote Huntington F. Willard (Nature 449, 787; 2007).
Suffer and Survive: Gas Attacks, Miners' Canaries, Spacesuits and the Bends: The Extreme Life of J. S. Haldane
- Martin Goodman
Physiologist John Scott Haldane deliberately exposed himself to toxic gases. His results saved many lives, from mine-workers to deep-sea divers. Reviewer Andy Meharg commented: “It is a fitting tribute to a pioneer who enabled the human body to survive at the extremes of modern life.” (Nature 449, 981; 2007).
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
- Oliver Sacks
Neurologist and medical writer Sacks delves into the world of music. Reviewing the hardback edition, Laura Garwin wrote: “Sacks is the consummate storyteller, and his extensive network of patients, friends and correspondents — supplemented by a magpie-like erudition — keeps him well supplied with raw material.” (Nature 449, 977–978; 2007).
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New in paperback. Nature 455, 863–864 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/455863b
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/455863b
