aNobii: News from [person name]'s shelf

Fermat's Last Theorem

Wed, 4 May 2011 0:27:13 PST

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'I have a truly marvellous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain.' It was with these words, written in the 1630s, that Pierre de Fermat intrigued and infuriated the mathematics community. For over 350 years, proving Fermat's Last Theorem was the most notorious unsolved mathematical problem, a puzzle whose basics most children could grasp but whose solution ...

Flatland

Tue, 3 May 2011 21:40:46 PST

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Classic of science (and mathematical) fiction — charmingly illustrated by author — describes the journeys of A. Square, a resident of Flatland, and his adventures in Spaceland (three dimensions), Lineland (one dimension) and Pointland (no dimensions). A. Square also entertains thoughts of visiting a land of four dimensions — a revolutionary idea for which he is banished from Spaceland.

The Physics of Superheroes

Tue, 3 May 2011 21:39:34 PST

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If superheroes stepped off the comic book page or silver screen and into reality, could they actually work their wonders in a world constrained by the laws of physics? How strong would Superman have to be to "leap tall buildings in a single bound"? Could Storm of the X-Men possibly control the weather? And how many cheeseburgers would the Flash need to eat to be able to run at supersonic spee ...

THE TEMPEST

Tue, 3 May 2011 21:37:51 PST

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This joyous play, the last comedy of Shakespeare's career, sums up his stagecraft with a display of seemingly effortless skill. Prospero, exiled Duke of Milan, living on an enchanted island, has the opportunity to punish and forgive his enemies when he raises a tempest that drives them ashore--as well as to forestall a rebellion, to arrange the meeting of his daughter, Miranda, with an eminently ...

Physics of Star Trek

Tue, 3 May 2011 1:10:29 PST

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What exactly "warps" when you are traveling at warp speed? What is the difference between the holodeck and a hologram? What happens when you get beamed up? Are time loops really possible, and can I kill my grandmother before I was born? Until now, fans of "Star Trek" were hard pressed to find answers to vital questions such as these. Now Lawrence M. Krauss, an internationally known theoretical p ...

Alice in Quantumland

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:09:39 PST

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In this cleverly conceived book, physicist Robert Gilmore makes accessible some complex concepts in quantum mechanics by sending Alice to Quantumland-a whole new Wonderland, smaller than an atom, where each attraction demonstrates a different aspect of quantum theory. Alice unusual encounters, enhanced by illustrations by Gilmore himself, make the Uncertainty Principle, wave functions, the Pauli ...

The Hobbit

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:09:02 PST

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The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King v.3

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:58:43 PST

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In this title, the forces of Gondor and Rohan must make a last desperate stand against the monstrous armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron. And while good and evil engage in mighty battle, the fate of Middle-earth rests in the hands of two weary hobbits.

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring v.1

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:58:42 PST

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In "The Fellowship of the Ring" the young hobbit, Frodo, is bequeathed a magical ring from his Uncle Bilbo, and learns that he must take it into the land of the Dark Lord, Sauron, and cast it into the Cracks of Doom.

The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers v. 2

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:58:41 PST

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In this title, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli attempt to rescue the hobbits, Merry and Pippin, while Frodo and Sam must journey into Sauron's desolate land of Mordor unprotected and alone.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:19:18 PST

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Harry has been burdened with a dark, dangerous and seemingly impossible task: that of locating and destroying Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Never has Harry felt so alone, or faced a future so full of shadows. But Harry must somehow find within himself the strength to complete the task he has been given. He must leave the warmth, safety and companionship of The Burrow and follow without fear or ...

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:18:54 PST

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Book 5 As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time wi ...

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:16:09 PST

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It is the summer holidays and soon Harry Potter will be starting his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is counting the days: there are new spells to be learnt, more Quidditch to be played, and Hogwarts castle to continue exploring. But Harry needs to be careful – there are unexpected dangers lurking… J.K. Rowling continues to surprise and delight with the power of ...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:13:57 PST

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince brings us Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as Lord Voldemort becomes ever more powerful with his followers increasing day by day in this continuing battle between good and evil.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:13:24 PST

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Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can’t wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn’t if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There’s an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of ...

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:13:03 PST

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Harry Potter is a wizard. He is in his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Little does he know that this year will be just as eventful as the last...

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:12:49 PST

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Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactl ...

Robinson Crusoe

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 5:17:23 PST

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The Music of the Primes

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 5:13:49 PST

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The paperback of the critically-acclaimed popular science book by a writer who is fast becoming a celebrity mathematician. Prime numbers are the very atoms of arithmetic. They also embody one of the most tantalising enigmas in the pursuit of human knowledge. How can one predict when the next prime number will occur? Is there a formula which could generate primes? These apparently simple questions ...