Well-written, nicely paced, examination of the discoveries of Australopithecus Sediba and Homo Naledi by teams led by Lee Berger. Of special interest Well-written, nicely paced, examination of the discoveries of Australopithecus Sediba and Homo Naledi by teams led by Lee Berger. Of special interest is the Berger's commitment to open source research and providing opportunities to young scientists. ...more
Christine Negroni offers a credible theory about the disappearance of Malaysia Air 370 by folding in the fascinating and sobering details of at least Christine Negroni offers a credible theory about the disappearance of Malaysia Air 370 by folding in the fascinating and sobering details of at least a dozen other air disasters and near disasters that have occurred since the dawn of the age of flight. I regret not be able to see her speak when she visited our campus but at least my copy of "The Crash Detectives" is autographed by her. A quick and compelling read, I've made a gift of it to several friends. ...more
Born at the end of the 1950s, I don't much remember the early Mercury spaceflights, but the Gemini program, the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber, and Born at the end of the 1950s, I don't much remember the early Mercury spaceflights, but the Gemini program, the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber, and the X-15 rocket planes were front page news, featured on magazine covers, and discussed on television constantly throughout my childhood in the 1960s. By presenting the personal story of each of the X-15's pilots, from first to last, Michelle Evans communicates the complexities and realities of this groundbreaking research program in a respectful and loving, yet honest and unflinching, manner. If the history of manned spaceflight is your thing your bookcase is incomplete unless this book rests upon shelves....more
Those who know me understand that sussing out what humankind was up to in the pre-historic period is my thing. David Noble's book came highly recommenThose who know me understand that sussing out what humankind was up to in the pre-historic period is my thing. David Noble's book came highly recommended by another amateur enthusiast who works a V-Bar-V petroglyph heritage site. It does not disappoint, offering succinct directions, useful descriptions, and thoughtful analysis of "ruins and rock art" found in my neighborhood. ...more
Of the thousand some petroglyphs discerned on the rock panels at V Bar V Heritage Site located along Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley, many correlate Of the thousand some petroglyphs discerned on the rock panels at V Bar V Heritage Site located along Beaver Creek in the Verde Valley, many correlate to midday shadows cast by two rock gnomens during the equinoxes and solstices and at other calendrical events throughout the year. "Sinagua Sunwatchers", by Kenneth J. Zoll, lays out the details patiently in methodical detail....more
"Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools," by John C. Whittaker, is a rich resource for those who want to make stone tools or just underst"Flintknapping: Making and Understanding Stone Tools," by John C. Whittaker, is a rich resource for those who want to make stone tools or just understand their place in pre-history. ...more
"Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel: The Gun That Changed Everything and the Misunderstood Genius Who Invented It" is a social history about the man and hi"Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel: The Gun That Changed Everything and the Misunderstood Genius Who Invented It" is a social history about the man and his times, the application of patent law, the rise of industrialization, the internecine machinations of weapons procurement by the American military establishment, and the role of military technology applied to the acquisition and defense of empire. Regrettably this book contains very little about the innovative gun itself, its evolutions, or its use in modernized form in the jet age. Not what I expected....more
A worthy effort by two evenly matched opponents, yet more enjoyable than most such exchanges in that authors Rauser and Schieber obviously respect eacA worthy effort by two evenly matched opponents, yet more enjoyable than most such exchanges in that authors Rauser and Schieber obviously respect each other. Not sure they got to choose their title. Schieber was called upon to defend the implications of a materialism I'm not sure he holds, while Rauser defended a God of the Philosophers (bare theism) rather than the trinitarian~monotheism of biblical Christianity. I'd buy a sequel, but next time I'd hold out for paper rather than use the Kindle app on my smartphone again....more
I bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it foI bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it for that reason alone, but there are other stories in this collection which are even better. Ted Chiang is whip smart, wicked imaginative, and viciously clever. ...more
Useful summary of theories of culture, economics, agriculture, demography, disease, architecture, alliances, conflict, and abandonments in the prehistUseful summary of theories of culture, economics, agriculture, demography, disease, architecture, alliances, conflict, and abandonments in the prehistoric Southwest....more
This handy little book is well-organized and concise. It's light and compact enough to bring along instead of leaving in the car.This handy little book is well-organized and concise. It's light and compact enough to bring along instead of leaving in the car....more
"Hiking the Southwest's Geology: Four Corners Region", by Ralph Lee Hopkins, is a marvelous and easily accessible guide to all the many features of th"Hiking the Southwest's Geology: Four Corners Region", by Ralph Lee Hopkins, is a marvelous and easily accessible guide to all the many features of the primordial past that lie beneath our feet and entertain our eyes with scenic vistas. This is one of our "Go-To" books we use to plan our road trips across the southwest. Highly recommended!...more
Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!...more
Very accessible discussion of the rise of Soviet airpower from Hitler's surprise in 1941 to Hitler's demise in 1945. Interesting that Soviets chose taVery accessible discussion of the rise of Soviet airpower from Hitler's surprise in 1941 to Hitler's demise in 1945. Interesting that Soviets chose tactical air power as part of a combined arms approach over strategic bombing. good read....more
The details of Stoner's ArmaLite internal gas piston being distinctly different from direct gas impingement had never been clear to me before. The details of Stoner's ArmaLite internal gas piston being distinctly different from direct gas impingement had never been clear to me before. ...more