Science & Technology Audiobooks

Origin Story: The Trials of Charles Darwin

By early morning of June 30, 1860, a large crowd began to congregate in front of Oxford University's brand-new Museum of Natural History. The occasion was the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and the subject of discussion was Charles Darwin's new treatise: fact or fiction? Darwin claimed to have solved 'that mystery of mysteries,' introducing a logical explanation of the origin of species-how they adapted, even transmogrified, through natural selection. At stake, on that summer's day of spirited debate, was the very foundation of modern biology, not to mention the future of the church. Without fear of exaggeration, Darwin's thesis would forever change our understanding of the life sciences and the natural world. And yet the author himself was nowhere to be found in the debate hall-instead, he was miles away, seeking respite from a spate of illnesses that had plagued him for much of his adult life. In Origin Story, medical historian Howard Markel recounts the two-year period (1858 to 1860) of Darwin's writing of On the Origin of Species through its spectacular success and controversy. Simultaneously, Markel delves into the mysterious health symptoms Darwin developed, combing the literature to emerge with a cogent diagnosis of a case that has long fascinated medical historians.

Howard Markel (Author), Mike Cooper (Narrator)

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Hercules

Scott Bateman (Author), Angus King, TBD (Narrator)

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PRECIOUS: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time

Brought to you by Penguin. When Helen Molesworth joined the gem and jewellery industry she began her own love affair with one of humanity's oldest and richest fascinations. For as long as people have known about gemstones they have treasured them. Born of violent geological events and the chance meetings of minerals, their stories are an extraordinary journey through time, and are significant to the human narrative in as many ways as they boast sparkling facets. Selecting ten of nature's most dazzling jewels, Helen Molesworth makes journeys across the world to trace stones from their discovery to the moment a glimmering cut and polished masterpiece is traded, and then fought over, adorns oligarchs and kings, falls out of favour, and then raises eye-watering sums in another age. Touching on history and politics, archaeology and engineering, geography and geology, chemistry and physics, psychology and romance, fine art and high finance, her book is rich with great stories and has something for everyone. ©2023 Helen Molesworth (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Helen Molesworth (Author), Helen Molesworth, TBD (Narrator)

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Treating Violence: An Emergency Room Doctor Takes On A Deadly American Epidemic

The inspiring story of a Black doctor deeply affected by the violence in his childhood that plagued his Brooklyn community who was determined to be a force for change and dedicated himself to addressing trauma and violence as public health issues Rob Gore first encountered violence when he was beaten and robbed as a 10-year old; it was treated as an inevitable fact of life, but after another brush with violence as a teen, he began to reject that prevalent attitude. As he matured and became a doctor, he grew in his determination to find treatments for what he saw not as an unavoidable fact for most people living in vulnerable, underserved neighborhoods especially, but as a public health issue that could be addressed by early intervention and solid support, beginning in the medical community. He also became deeply involved in efforts to diversify the entire field of medicine, starting with the "front lines" in the Emergency Department. Seeing his brother Angel and close friend Willis fall prey to the epidemic of violence with profound-and in Willis's case-deadly consequences, Rob began seriously researching the issue and went on to found an organization which is one of the models for successful approaches to reducing violence and protecting victims, who are disproportionately BIPOC, living in impoverished neighborhoods, or members of the LGBTQ+ community. Here he provides not only statistics, but stories of what he witnessed in NYC neighborhoods, in Atlanta, Chicago, Buffalo and even in medical work in Haiti and Kenya. His work with the Kings Against Violence Initiate (KAVI) and allied organizations is a blueprint for treating violence not as a police matter, but as a public health crisis, which can and should be addressed and substantially reduced. The people he introduces us to in these pages are not merely victims, but often advocates, paving the way for eliminating the epidemic of violence in our country.

Rob Gore (Author), Ron Butler (Narrator)

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Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity, and Meaning in Mathematics

Jo Boaler (Author), Jo Boaler, TBD (Narrator)

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Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

Brought to you by Penguin. Whether we like it or not, the AI revolution is coming to education. In Brave New Words, Salman Khan, the visionary behind Khan Academy, explores how artificial intelligence and GPT technology will transform learning, offering a roadmap for teachers, parents, and students to navigate this exciting (and sometimes intimidating) new world. An insider in the world of education technology, Khan explains the ins and outs of these cutting-edge tools and how they will forever change the way we learn and teach. Rather than approaching the ChatGPT revolution with white-knuckled fear, Khan wants parents and teachers to embrace AI and adapt to it (while acknowledging its imperfections and limitations), so that every student can complement the work they're already doing in profoundly new and creative ways, to personalize learning, adapt assessments, and support success in the classroom. But Brave New Words is not just about technology - it's about what this technology means for our society, and the practical implications for administrators, guidance counsellors, and hiring managers who can harness the power of AI in education and the workplace. Khan also delves into the ethical and social implications of AI and GPT, offering thoughtful insights into how we can use these tools to build a more accessible education system for students around the world. ©2024 Salman Khan (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Salman Khan (Author), Salman Khan, TBD (Narrator)

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The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts

Filling a gaping hole in menopause care, everything a woman needs to know to thrive during her hormonal transition and beyond, as well as the tools to help her take charge of her health at this pivotal life stage-by the bestselling author of The Galveston Diet. Menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! This is the empowering approach to self-advocacy that pioneering women's health advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver takes for women in the midst of hormonal change in The New Menopause. A comprehensive, authoritative book of science-backed information and lived experience, it covers every woman's needs: - From changes in your appearance and sleep patterns to neurological, musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues, a comprehensive A-Z toolkit of science-backed options for coping with symptoms. - What to do to mediate the risks associated with your body's natural drop in estrogen production, including for diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain. - How to advocate and prepare for annual midlife wellness visits, including questions for your doctor and how to insist on whole life care. - The very latest research on the benefits and side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Arming women with the power to secure vibrant health and well-being for the rest of their lives, The New Menopause is sure to become the bible of midlife wellness for present and future generations.

Mary Claire Haver (Author), Mary Claire Haver, TBD (Narrator)

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Hormones: The new science of hormones and how they shape us

Our hormones shape us at every stage of our lives, from the second we are conceived to the moment we breathe our last breath. They are essential to our immune system, sleep, digestion, hunger, stress levels and so much more. When our hormone systems derail this can wreak havoc on our health and our wellbeing - and yet most of us know very little about the far-reaching power of our chemical messengers. Professor Max Nieuwdorp, an international authority on hormones, sets out to change this. He explores the role our hormones play from our early years through to puberty, pregnancy and old age, combining stories from his day-to-day life treating his patients with the amazing, cutting-edge new science of hormones. These discoveries are changing the way that we understand our bodies, from the decline in male hormones during andropause to the new science on how gut bacteria impact on our hormone balance. This eye-opening, myth-busting book shines a light on the incredible and under-explored role of hormones, which are essential not only to our health but to our moods, our relationships, and so much of what makes us who we are.

Max Nieuwdorp (Author), Joe Eyre, TBD (Narrator)

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A Book of Balance: Kogi Wisdom for a Good Life and Thriving Earth

Lucas Buchholz (Author), Johnny Rey Diaz, TBD (Narrator)

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Holistic Anatomy: An Integrative Guide to the Human Body

An engaging and accessible exploration of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology-through a holistic lens Complementary and alternative approaches to health and medicine have become increasingly widespread as the limits of conventional treatments become more apparent. Holistic Anatomy presents an authoritative study of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, but it expands the discussion by connecting the science of the body to a variety of alternative modalities to explore how human beings exist within-and interact with-their environment, and how they experience existence in emotional and spiritual terms. Author and massage therapist Pip Waller interweaves basic scientific terminology and detailed descriptions with informal-and sometimes humorous-observations, facts, and ideas about life. The mechanisms, structure, and functions of the body are explored, along with how they relate to spiritual and energetic paradigms, emotions, and ecological principles. The first half of the book covers basic anatomy and physiology, describing each major system of the body and how they interrelate. This part includes a thoughtful discussion of aging and the dying process. The second half focuses on models of health and disease, both traditional and holistic. Topics include western pathology, emotional health, five element medicine, and the spiritual cause for disease.

Pip Waller (Author), Pip Waller (Narrator)

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Bothy: In Search of Simple Shelter

A stirring book for anyone who longs to run away to the woods sometimes. You will find a bothy in the mountains or the wilderness, remote huts you can’t reserve, usually without electricity or other mod-cons, running water or a marker on the map. In this beautiful journey, Kat Hill travels between fifteen bothies – across Scotland, England and Wales – revealing the beauty of these wild shelters, their history, the stories of the people who frequent them and the core of why we all crave escaping into the remote. Weaving in her own story of heartbreak and new purpose, her historian’s perspective and brilliant, fresh consideration of the environment and what we owe to it, this is a glorious book of adventure and peace, wilderness and refuge.

Kat Hill (Author), Catrin Walker-Booth, TBD (Narrator)

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Another Day, Another Collar: My Life Training Dogs

From the simple joys of owning rescue dogs to handling life-saving riot dogs, Steve Mann has seen and trained them all. Every day, he sees the power of dogs to change lives and help people, in all sorts of ways. Now, for the first time, he shares stories from his wide and varied career as the UK's no. 1 Dog Trainer. Filled with tales from the frontlines of dog-training, from meeting a puppy's basic needs to handling security dogs, and running with herding dogs in the Australian Outback, via understanding dog behaviour, psychology body-language and epigenetics, this book takes the reader on a journey from first love, to handling the grief of death, with everything that life throws at you in between. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hold your dog just that bit closer.

Steve Mann (Author), Steve Mann, Unknown (Narrator)

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