内容简介 本书是关于我们如何从科学的视角重新认识这个世界的科普读物，阐述了宇宙、世界、生命科学视角下，对世界本源的认识，并结合生物学、数学、物理学和计算机科学知识，更加细致入微地解释我们观察到的世界中的各类现象。 在这本书中，作者希望表明我们的宇宙不仅仅是一座没有生命、毫无意义的数学机器。在我们真正了解意识和人类思想的奇迹之前，我们能真正了解宇宙吗？为了做到这一点，作者超越了物理世界去寻找答案。对于对生命、宇宙和一切事物的深层问题感到好奇的读者来说，《世界本身》是一本必不可少的读物。

This book answers the most obvious, the most important, yet the most difficult question about human history: why history unfolded so differently on different continents. Geography and biography, not race, moulded the contrasting fates of Europeans, Asians, Native Americans, sub-Saharan Africans, and aboriginal Australians. An ambitious synthesis of history, biology, ecology and linguistics, Guns, Germs and Steel is one of the most important and humane works of popular science.

The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries saw anextraordinary flowering of arts and culture in Germany whichproduced many of the world's finest writers, artists, philosophersand composers. This volume offers students and specialists anauthoritative introduction to that dazzling cultural phenomenon,now known collectively as German Romanticism. Individual chaptersnot only introduce the reader to individual writers such asFriedrich Schlegel, Novalis, Eichendorff, Heine, Hoffmann, Kleist,Schiller and Tieck, but also treat key concepts of Romantic music,painting, philosophy, gender and cultural anthropology, science andcriticism in concise and lucid language. All German quotations aretranslated to make this volume fully accessible to a wide audienceinterested in how Romanticism evolved across Europe. Briefbiographies and bibliographies are supplemented by a list ofprimary and secondary further reading in both English andGerman.

The 110 star clusters, nebulae and galaxies of Messier'scatalog are among the most popular of all the deep sky objects andare beautiful targets for amateur observers of all abilities. Thisstunning new atlas presents a complete and lively account of all ofthe Messier objects. Details for each object given include athoroughly-researched history of its discovery, historicalobservations and anecdotes, the latest scientific data detailingits astrophysical findings, and clear observational de*ionsfrom naked eye through to large telescopes. In addition, this atlashas some of the world's finest color astrophotos, inverted andlabelled photos pointing to hidden details and neighboring objects,as well as historical sketches alongside new deep sky drawings.Quite simply, this is the most far-reaching and beautiful referenceon the Messier objects there has ever been, and one that noobserver should be without!

Creativity is fundamental to human experience. In On Creativity David Bohm, the world-renowned scientist, investigates the phenomenon from all sides. This is a remarkable and life-affirming book by one of the most far-sighted thinkers of modern.

The Cambridge Companion to Mozart paints a rounded yetfocussed picture of one of the most revered artists of all time.Bringing the most recent scholarship into the public arena, thisvolume bridges the gap between scholarly and popular images of thecomposer, enhancing the readers' appreciation of Mozart and hisextraordinary output, regardless of their prior knowledge of themusic. Part I situates Mozart in the context of lateeighteenth-century musical environments and aesthetic trends thatplayed a pivotal role in his artistic development and examines hismethods of composition. Part II surveys Mozart's works in all ofthe genres in which he excelled and Part III looks at the receptionof the composer and his music since his death. Part IV offersinsight into Mozart's career as a performer as well as theoreticaland practical perspectives on historically informed performances ofhis music.

This Companion is an essential guide to all aspects of the organand its music. It examines in turn the instrument, the player andthe repertoire. The early chapters tell of the instrument's historyand construction, identify the scientific basis of its sounds andthe development of its pitch and tuning, examine the history of theorgan case, and consider the current trends and conflicts withinthe world of organ building. Central chapters investigate thepractical art of learning and playing the organ, introduce thecomplex area of performance practice, and outline the relationshipbetween organ playing and the liturgy of the church. The finalsection explores the vast repertoire of organ music, focusing on aselection of the most important traditions.

This Introduction - an indispensable 'how to' guide forstudents and teachers alike - investigates the methods and aims ofhistorical study in the performing arts, from archival research tohistorical writing. Beginning with case studies on Shakespeareantheatre and avant-garde theatre, this study examines fundamentalprocedures and problems in documentary history and culturalhistory. It demonstrates how historians not only construct variouskinds of performance events but also place them in relation to thehistorical agents, the political and social conditions, artistictraditions, audience responses, and historical periods. Drawingupon scholarship in classics, literary studies, art history,performance studies, and general history, Postlewait shows how toask appropriate historical questions, construct evidence, use playsas historical documents, eliminate faulty sources, challengeunreliable witnesses, and develop historical arguments andnarratives. The book concludes with a survey of the 'twelve cruxes'of rese

Some of the most innovative and spell-binding literature hasbeen written for young people, but only recently has academic studyembraced its range and complexity. This Companion offers astate-of-the-subject survey of English-language children'sliterature from the seventeenth century to the present. Withdiscussions ranging from eighteenth-century moral tales to modernfantasies by J. K. Rowling and Philip Pullman, the Companionilluminates acknowledged classics and many more neglected works.Its unique structure means that equal consideration can be given toboth texts and contexts. Some chapters analyse key themes and majorgenres, including humour, poetry, school stories, and picturebooks. Others explore the sociological dimensions of children'sliterature and the impact of publishing practices. Written byleading scholars from around the world, this Companion will beessential reading for all students and scholars of children'sliterature, offering original readings and new research thatreflects the latest dev

“Number One” was a phrase my father—and, for that matter, my mother—repeated time and time again. It was a phrase spoken by my parents’ friends and by their friends’ children. Whenever adults discussed the great Chinese painters and sculptors from the ancient dynasties, there was always a single artist named as Number One. There was the Number One leader of a manufacturing plant, the Number One worker, the Number One scientist, the Number One car mechanic. In the culture of my childhood, being best was everything. It was the goal that drove us, the motivation that gave life meaning. And if, by chance or fate or the blessings of the generous universe, you were a child in whom talent was evident, Number One became your mantra. It became mine. I never begged my parents to take off the pressure. I accepted it; I even enjoyed it. It was a game, this contest among aspiring pianists, and although I may have been shy, I was bold, even at age five, when faced with a field of rivals. Born in China to paren

The human brain will do a number of unusual, interesting and important things-if given time. As described in this book, there is evidence from cognitive science and elsewhere that it will learn patterns of a degree of subtlety which normal, purposeful, busy consciousness cannot even see, let alone master; it will make sense out of hazy, ill-defined situations which leave everyday rationality flummoxed; it will get to the bottom of personal, emotional issues much more successfully than the questing intellect; it will detect and respond to meaning - in poetry, for example - that cannot be articulated; and it will sometimes come up with solutions to complicated predicaments that are wise rather than merely clever. The book explores these slower ways of knowing and explains how we could, or should, use them more often and more effectively.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years-from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding--that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives--the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness--are inextricable from the history playing out around them. Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made TheKiteRunner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love--a stunning accomplishment.

This easy-to-use reference—with hundreds of helpful, classroom-tested answers, ideas, techniques, and teaching tools—will help you on your way to a successful and productive school year. Designed to be flexible, the book offers a choice of ideas and approaches that best fit your classroom situation. Master teacher Julia Thompson shows you how to: Develop successful relationships with students, colleagues, administrators, and parents Manage professional responsibilities and develop career skills Create an orderly classroom where students are courteous and respectful Motivate students to become independent learners Use proven strategies to prevent misbehavior Design instruction that will appeal to every student Set up a classroom for maximum comfort and learning Thrive in the world of high-stakes testing

Anthony Trollope was among the most prolific, popular, andrichly diverse writers of the mid-Victorian period, withforty-seven novels and a variety of other writings to his name.Both a serial and series writer whose novels traversed Ireland,England, Australia and New Zealand, and genres from realism toscience fiction, Trollope also published criticism, short fiction,travel writing and biography. The Cambridge Companion to AnthonyTrollope provides a state-of-the-field review of criticalperspectives on his work, with the volume's sixteen essaysaddressing Trollope's biography, autobiography, canonical fiction,short stories and travel writing, as well as surveying diversetopics including gender, sexuality, vulgarity, and the law.

Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State, and Utopia (1974) is recognisedas a classic of modern political philosophy. Along with JohnRawls's A Theory of Justice (1971), it is widely credited withbreathing new life into the discipline in the second half of thetwentieth century. This Companion presents a balanced andcomprehensive assessment of Nozick's contribution to politicalphilosophy. In engaging and accessible chapters, the contributorsanalyse Nozick's ideas from a variety of perspectives and exploreneglected areas of the work such as his discussion of anarchism andhis theory of utopia. Their detailed and illuminating picture ofAnarchy, State, and Utopia, its impact and its enduring influencewill be invaluable to students and scholars in both politicalphilosophy and political theory.

The year is 2700. Wall E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for. This is the story of the last little robot on Earth who was programmed to clean up.

Teaches students of all ages the basics of phonics with atime-tested, foolproof method This tenth edition of the best-selling book teaches reading usingsounds and spelling patterns. These sounds and patterns areintroduced one at a time, and slowly built into words, syllables,phrases, and sentences. Simple step-by-step directions begin everylesson. Although originally designed for K-2 emergent readers, thisaward-winning book is also successfully being used with adolescentand adult learners, as well as second language learners andstudents with learning disabilities. Wise and humorous proverbsencourage virtues such as patience, perseverance, honesty,kindness, compassion, courage, and loyalty. Offers help for all students including those with learningdisabilities or very short attention spans Includes extensive examples, word lists, and practice readingsthat are 100% decodable Uses a multisensory method that benefits all learningstyles This bestselling, much-loved book offers

This self-scoring test is not intended for clinical use and in no way can replace,simulate, or substitute for I.Q.testing administered by a qualified professional psychologist. If you wish to pursue a definitive I.Q.an lysis , consult a qualified professional psychologist.

Based on rapid advances in what is known about how peoplelearn and how to teach effectively, this important book examinesthe core concepts and central pedagogies that should be at theheart of any teacher education program. Stemming from the resultsof a commission sponsored by the National Academy of Education,Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends the creation ofan informed teacher education curriculum with the common elementsthat represent state-of-the-art standards for the profession.Written for teacher educators in both traditional and alternativeprograms, university and school system leaders, teachers, staffdevelopment professionals, researchers, and educationalpolicymakers, the book addresses the key foundational knowledge forteaching and discusses how to implement that knowledge within theclassroom. Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends that, inaddition to strong subject matter knowledge, all new teachers havea basic understanding of how people learn and develop, a

History tells us that when you want something clone you turn to a leader: right? Wrong. If you want to make a correct decision or solve a problem, large groups of people are smarter than a few experts. This brilliant and insightful book shows why the conventional wisdom is so wrong and why the theory of the wisdom of crowds has huge implications for how we run our businesses, structure our political systems and organise our society. Shrewd, meticulous and profound, The Wisdom of Crowds will change for ever the way you think about human behaviour. 作者简介： James Surowiecki is a staff writer at the New Yorker, where he writes the popular business column, 'The Financial Page'. His work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Artforum, Wired and Slate. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

George Orwell is regarded as the greatest political writer inEnglish of the twentieth century. The massive critical literatureon Orwell has not only become extremely specialized, and thereforesomewhat inaccessible to the nonscholar, but it has also attributedto and even created misconceptions about the man, the writer andhis literary legacy. For these reasons, an overview of Orwell'swriting and influence is an indispensable resource. Accordingly,this Companion serves as both an introduction to Orwell's work andfurnishes numerous innovative interpretations and fresh criticalperspectives on it. Throughout the Companion, which includeschapters dedicated to two of Orwell's major novels, NineteenEighty-Four and Animal Farm, Orwell's work is placed within thecontext of the political and social climate of the time. Hisresponse to the Depression, British imperialism, Stalinism, WorldWar II, and the politics of the British Left are also examined.