"When homo sapiens made their entrance 100,000 years ago they were confronted by a wide range of other early humans--homo erectus, who walked better and used fire; homo habilis who used tools; and of course the Neanderthals, who were brawny and strong. But shortly after their arrival, something happened that vaulted the species forward and made them the indisputable masters of the planet. This book is devoted to revealing just what that difference...

Perhaps the most striking of heroic images, crack forces like the US Delta Force and British SAS hit the headlines with dramatic and daring feats when they are called upon to deal with seemingly irretrievable crises. But how much do we really know about these highly sophisticated combat units? Ultimate Special Forces, written by Hugh McManners, a former commando and defense correspondent for the London Sunday Times, traces the discipline and principles...

Resistance to malaria. Blue eyes. Lactose tolerance. What do all of these traits have in common? Every one of them has emerged in the last 10,000 years. Scientists have long believed that the "great leap forward" that occurred some 40,000 to 50,000 years ago marked end of significant biological evolution in humans. In this original account of our evolutionary history, top scholars Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending reject this conventional wisdom...

Tips and tricks on how to get rid of insects; get a weed free lawn, attract butterflies; how to remove tree stumps; how to get juicy tomatoes; make roses grow; helpful herbs in the garden. 1,001 secrets for the most novice or expert gardener.

"Since the sixteenth century, the Spanish inquisition has been synonymous with terror, bigotry, and persecution. In this book, a renowned historian sweeps away old misconceptions and presents a new view of this notorious and fascinating period." "Henry Kamen reassesses the significance and consequences of the expulsion of the Jews and also argues that there is little evidence for the alleged Jewishness of the conversos who were the Inquisition's first...

"Detective thriller meets astrophysics in this adventure into neutrinos and the scientists who pursue them For more than eighty years, brilliant and eccentric scientists around the world have been searching for the incredibly small bits of matter we call neutrinos. Trillions of these ghostly particles pass through our bodies every second, but they are so pathologically shy that neutrino hunters have to use Olympic-size pools deep underground and...

"This comprehensive guide to the tools and techniques of woodworking has been a favorite of both amateur and professional woodworkers for over a century. Readers will learn to make almost anything using only hand tools. With nearly three thousand illustrations, this definitive guide is an invaluable resource for any do-it-yourselfer. If its wood, and theres work to be done, dont start without Paul N. Haslucks essential guide"--provided by publisher....

Today it is common knowledge that the dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteorite impact 65 million years ago that killed half of all species then living. Far less well-known is a much greater catastrophe that took place at the end of the Permian period 251 million years ago: at least 90 percent of life was destroyed, both on land and in the sea. ... This book documents not only what happened during this gigantic mass extinction but also the recent rekindling...

In What's Eating You? Eugene Kaplan recounts the true and harrowing tales of his adventures with parasites, and in the process introduces readers to the intimately interwoven lives of host and parasite. Kaplan has spent his life traveling the globe exploring oceans and jungles, and incidentally acquiring parasites in his gut. Here, he leads readers on an unforgettable journey into the bizarre yet oddly beautiful world of parasites. In a narrative...

In 1695, Isaac Newton, already renowned as the greatest mind of his age, made a surprising career move.