The Seventy Great Mysteries of the Natural World

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Why do mammals rule the world? How did the eye evolve? What is the largest living organism? Why do we have five fingers and toes? What will Earth's climate be like in the future?

More than 60 eminent scientists from all over the world give us privileged insights into their cutting-edge research into subjects such as our origins, evolution, bio-geography and environments, animal behaviour, climate change and the possibilities for our future.

Through fascinating essays and superb illustrations you can journey from the core of the Earth to the top of Mount Everest, learn about microbes living without oxygen in the deepest oceans and the remarkable ways in which bees communicate, investigate the secrets of animal movement and migration, the rigours of life in the desert and how many species there may be in existence.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This book is essentially a "mini-encyclopedia" with only 70 entries organized in the following sections: "Origins," "The Earth," "Evolution," "Biogeography and Environments," "Plants and Animals," "Animal Behaviour," and "Global Warming and the Future." Each entry is three to five pages in length and includes excellent illustrations and diagrams. Of course, the 70 great mysteries are not that at all--they simply reflect the number of topical entries that constitute the volume. The selection of those topics appears to be idiosyncratic. For example, the section on "Plants and Animals" contains ten entries, but none of them concerns plants. In spite of this unbalanced coverage, the book reads surprisingly well. It felt as if each entry were a brief personal lecture from a knowledgeable expert on the topic. This is not unlike attending a scientific meeting with a wide set of topics. The book is primarily for undergraduate audiences; however, as someone who teaches paleontology, this reviewer found many of the entries quite enlightening. Summing Up: Recommended. Libraries serving lower- and upper-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers. P. K. Strother Boston College

Booklist Review

Sixty top science writers intent on imparting knowledge and evoking awe convene between the covers of this superbly illustrated, multidiscipline overview. Seven topical sections with 10 chapters each produce the promised 70 mysteries. Beginning with the origins of the planet and earthly life, concise and lively essays illuminate earth and life science fundamentals, then branch out into fresh and mind-expanding discussions of deserts, tsunamis, how evolution works, why insects are so diverse, and how plants and animals adapt to extreme conditions. As the book progresses, the questions raised and answered become more urgent and involved, as scientists consider human genetic variation, biodiversity, animal emotions and morality ( wild justice ), global warming, wildlife conservation, the ever-growing human population, what will replace oil, and the pursuit of sustainability. This exceptionally welcoming and clarifying browsing book offers insights into how and why scientists study an array of complex topics and how scientific inquiry impacts our lives. A one-stop boost to science literacy, this well-designed survey will arouse curiosity and inspire further reading and inquiry.--Seaman, Donna Copyright 2008 Booklist