The Ponderables

COMPUTER SCIENCE
An Illustrated History of the World’s Smartest Machines
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-200-2 | Hardcover | 168 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Here is the essential guide to computers, an authoritative reference book and timeline about the most powerful tools ever devised. Computing has been the sharp end of cutting-edge technology for a generation and it now permeates all our lives. But to many computer science remains something of a mystery. Our story begins long before the silicon chip, when the pinnacle of binary code was found in the Chinese I-Ching, when Algorithm was a man from Baghdad, and when Lord Byron’s daughter wrote the first software—in ink. Above all the first computers were humans, but today they are anything but. Our journey hacks through the jargon jungle of blockchains, botnets, and bitcoins, to arrive at the latest computing technologies, which will no doubt be changing our world all over again.

• Contains chronological articles that tell the story of computers through 100 discoveries and inventions.
• A guide to computer science demystifies the subject, setting out the basics with light-hearted text and simple diagrams.
• Includes biographies of the great computer scientists, such as Babbage, Turing, and Berners-Lee.
• A series of infographics presenting the mind-boggling facts and figures of modern computing at a glance also boosts the contents for all readers.
• Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

Computer Science is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

EARTH SCIENCES
An Illustrated History of Planetary Science
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page Timeline History of Earth Science

978-1-62795-142-5 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.4″ x 11″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Do you want to understand the history and forces that created our planet and are still shaping it today? Through 100 pivotal milestones, this gorgeous reference book and timeline shows how our planet evolved from a disk of dust left behind by a young Sun and how it is constantly altered by events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. The accessible text describes the Earth’s ever-changing layers and what researchers have learned about the past through fossils and about the future in the search for habitable exoplanets. At a time when human life is impacting the Earth at a noticeable rate, Earth Sciences provides a rich understanding of:

• 100 milestone facts, labeled Ponderables, which detail pivotal breakthroughs in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy
• Stunning imagery and illustrations to help clarify key concepts
• An overview of core concepts in “Earth Science 101: The Basics” and biographies of key scientists
• A section that explores imponderable topics that researchers still don’t fully understand
• A removable, foldout 12-page Timeline History of Earth Science that shows every eon, era, period, epoch, and age from the formation of the planet to the present day

Earth Sciences is is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“Highlights of our historical study of what’s happening in, on, and above Earth’s surface. Jackson hangs this sumptuously produced overview on an expansive if arbitrary 100 topics or discoveries beginning with ancient celebrations marking the solstices and equinoxes and ending with a look at the next Mars rover. In between, he builds a roughly chronological picture of how scientific fields ranging from chemistry to seismology and paleontology developed over time and have helped us to understand geological processes, explore our planet and reconstruct its long history, measure and at least try to predict weather and natural disasters, and provide some clues to conditions on other worlds. Plentiful side boxes, period or later images, and finely detailed diagrams enhance the half to two-page entries. A big folded timeline poster tucked into a back pocket summarizes the contents and also expands on them by tracking select contemporaneous world cultural milestones. After pondering a few “Imponderables ” such as whether climate is actually controllable and why the notion that Earth is flat just won’t die, the author finally shovels in all sorts of useful back matter. Though he displays an overall parochialism reflected in a closing gallery of earth-science greats in which but three of the 23 are women, and only two not white, he crafts a grand tapestry of scientific thought and invention in action over many centuries. A rich, if patchwork, view of large-scale events and our evolving understanding of them.”
Kirkus Review, September 15, 2019

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

PSYCHOLOGY
An Illustrated History of the Mind from Hypnotism to Brain Scans
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-120-3 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.4″ x 11.4″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Here is the essential guide to psychology, an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines how we learned to understand the mysteries of the human mind. Psychology is a young science. While great thinkers have pondered the nature of thought itself for centuries, the idea of using scientific experiments to examine the way we think, make decisions, and behave was only arrived at in the mid-19th century. However, the impact of psychology has been far reaching. Thanks to the work of Sigmund Freud, William James, Abraham Maslow, and many others, we now consider the psychological impact of events, along with their economic, political and legal aspects. Nevertheless, psychology studies a very difficult subject, the human mind, and finding ways of measuring our thoughts is not easy. New techniques, such the functional MRI scanner and improved understanding of brain function, may help to unlock the secrets of what makes us who we are. What do you think?

Psychology is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“VERDICT: An absorbing overview of the human mind and how we think, for most public libraries.”
Library Journal

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

THE BRAIN
An Illustrated History of Neuroscience
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page poster featuring a Timeline History of the Brain and optical illusions

978-0-9853230-8-0 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.1″ x 10.9″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Here is the essential guide to the human brain, an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines the three pounds of matter inside our heads that does all our thinking for us. With 100 billion nerve cells joined by thousands more to every corner of the body, the brain is wired together with 100 trillion connections. That makes each and every human brain a contender for the most complex system in the Universe, endowing us with an intellect that far outstrips any other creature. However, one difficult question remains: Are we intelligent enough to understand our own brains? Follow the journey as history’s greatest brains, including Avicenna, Thomas Willis, Charles Darwin, and Paul Broca, try to figure it out by linking structure to function. How does the brain control the body, make sense of our surroundings, and allow us to understand, empathize with, and love other people and their brains? And how does it create that most mysterious feature of the Universe, consciousness? 100 chronological articles tell the story of neuroscience from the dawn of history to the present day. Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompany each of the steps along the way. Biographies of great neuroscientists and a functional map of the brain boost the content for all readers. This simple guide to neuroscience draws together current understanding and sets out the basics of the field. A removable foldout timeline/chart poster neatly housed at the back of the book includes a 12-page Timeline History of the Brain and 12 pages of optical illusions that demonstrate how our view of the world comes entirely from the brain which can sometimes be fooled.

The Brain is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

“In 100 concise (most a page or less in length) essays, this beautifully illustrated volume provides a fascinating take on the most misunderstood human organ: the brain. Science writer Jackson (Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers) includes a removable/foldout time line that parallels the development of neuroscience alongside cultural events, world events, scientific discoveries, and inventions. This book is not meant to be an all-inclusive or in-depth analysis of this subject, like Mitchell Glickstein’s Neuroscience: A Historical Introduction. Instead it’s aimed at reaching a middle to high school audience and the interested layperson. Illustrations of the nervous system and diagrams of the parts of the brain that control different functions in the body provide clear, easy-to-understand information of complex systems. A section entitled “Imponderables” considers what the point of crying is, and if it’s possible to preserve a brain after death and restart it. Short biographies of key people who helped advance the development of brain science such as Avicenna, Thomas Willis, Charles Darwin, and Paul Broca are included. VERDICT This book is essential for middle and high school teachers as well as career advisors; it is guaranteed to pique the interest of the most reluctant science student, making neuroscience approachable and exciting for general readers.”
Library Journal, Christine Sharbrough, Chelmsford P.L., MA

“This book is essential for middle and high school teachers as well as career advisors; it is guaranteed to pique the interest of the most reluctant science student, making neuroscience approachable and exciting for general readers.”
Library Journal, Cristine Sharbrough, Chelmsford P.L.. MA

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

BIOLOGY
An Illustrated History of Life Science
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-093-0 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.4″ x 10.9″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Here is the essential guide to biology, an authoritative reference book and foldout timeline that examines how we have uncovered the secrets of life – the most complex process in the Universe! From the workings of molecules to the way entire oceans or continents of life forms interact, biology seeks to understand how it is that something can be alive, how it fends off death and how it leaves more life in its wake. We follow the journey through the history of life science to find out why the dolphin got its name (it is the womb fish), how a seven-foot strand of DNA is able to build your body, and what gives a lobster its blue blood. The great names, such as Darwin and Linnaeus, are joined by lesser known discoverers, such as Karl von Frisch who discovered that bees dance and Jan Baptist van Helmont who found a plant uses air and water to grow. Biology today is still very much a live science, finding a purpose in robot design and helping us to understand non-living complex systems like the Internet. Biology has changed the way we understand ourselves. What will it tell us next? Biology is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

“VERDICT This beautifully designed book deserves a spot in every life sciences collection. Whether browsed or read straight through, it will be an enjoyable selection for anyone interested in learning about scientific discoveries that changed the way we understand the world.”
Library Journal, Starred Review, Cynthia Lee Knight, Hunterdon Cty. Historical Soc., Flemington, NJ.

“From the study of the cell to the biosphere, from DNA to dinosaurs, the scope of modern biology is astonishing. Science writer Jackson whittles down the discipline into 100 topics, terms, theories, and breakthroughs that highlight its historical evolution. The one to two-page entries are arranged chronologically, beginning with early ideas such as spontaneous generation and concluding with some of the field’s latest advances in synthetic biology, cloning, and genetic engineering. Photographs, charts, diagrams, and images of medieval herbs and bestiaries draw in the eye, especially the photo of an underwater plant releasing oxygen during photosynthesis with the oxygen gas visible as pearl-like bubbles covering the plant. Rounding out this whirlwind tour is a peek at some of the big unanswered questions in biology—how proteins fold, the origin of life, the biological basis of aging—as well as short biographies of 31 biologists. VERDICT This beautifully designed book deserves a spot in every life sciences collection. Whether browsed or read straight through, it will be an enjoyable selection for anyone interested in learning about scientific discoveries that changed the way we understand the world.”
Library Journal, Cynthia Lee Knight, Hunterdon Cty. Historical Soc., Flemington, NJ

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

THE ELEMENTS
An Illustrated History of the Periodic Table – Revised and Updated
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-198-2 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION Here is the latest edition of this essential guide to the Periodic Table, an authoritative reference book and timeline with at-a-glance information for every element. The Periodic Table, set out by Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869, is the result of centuries of accumulated knowledge. It is a powerful yet elegant tool that opens a window onto the very stuff of nature – stars, rocks, life, and more –and it shows us the way to make ever smarter technologies. One hundred ponderables, the puzzles solved and inspirations reached, tell the story of how the Periodic Table came to be. The journey begins just as the first cities are forming and follows the contributions made by philosophers, alchemists, industrialists, and great scientists. It ends with the synthesis of superheavy elements never seen before on Earth – and an understanding of how the universe really works.

• 100 milestone facts reveal the chronological history of how the weighty problems in the world of chemistry led to great discoveries.
• Authoritative but lively text, first-hand imagery, and explanatory illustrations set out the reasoning behind the Periodic Table, bringing the elements into clear focus.
• Includes a 12-page fold-out Timeline poster – stretches out to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long.

The Elements is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“If you have forgotten what an atom is, are unsure why an element is specifically located on the periodic chart, or what in the world is a Buckministerfullerene, here is your chance to learn quickly, to-the-point and educationally. Ideal for those who are studying or fascinated with the world in relationship to elements, this is a wonderful resource that can be examined, researched and enjoyed over and over.”
BookPleasures.com

“This is exactly the kind of engaging book I loved to have in my classroom library — something a student could pick up and be quickly drawn in to, with the chance of sparking a bigger interest in the subject. It would also be a great coffee table book to have at home for young kids who are beginning to learn about the world around them.”
Teachforever.com

“… a beautiful book to look at, filled with interesting facts about the history of chemistry (and science in general.) The structure is unique; it is structured as a list of 100 mileposts in history, it starts with “Stone Age Chemistry” as item #1 and ends with “The Higgs Boson” as item #100. The book teaches a variety of chemically-related concepts (e.g. temperature, disproving vitalism, chirality (!), x-ray crystallography) in very accessible but accurate language.”
Chemjobber

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

PHYSICS
An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science – Revised and Updated
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-197-5 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION – Here is the latest edition of this essential guide to physics, an authoritative reference book and timeline that examines the foundations upon which all scientific knowledge rests. Without physics, everything else—from astronomy to zoology— would be meaningless conjecture. Our journey begins with the first attempts to understand reality, Mother Nature—or as the ancient Greeks called it, physis. Follow the journey through history as great scientists, such as Thales, Galileo, Feynman, and many others, gradually unpick the fabric of the Universe revealing an array of fundamental forces, intangible particles and indestructible energy. Today, physics discoveries make headline news as we all grapple with the fresh mysteries of the Higgs boson, supersymmetry, and dark energy. The boundaries of physics are on the move once again. What new truths will be revealed next?

• Contains 100 chronological articles that tell the story of physics from the dawn of history to the present day.
• Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompany each of the steps along the way.
• Biographies of great physicists and a chart of the Standard Model particles boosts the contents for all readers.
• A simple physics guide draws together current understanding to set out the basics of the science.
• Includes a 12-page fold-out Timeline poster – stretches out to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long.

Physics is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“Aimed at those who may find the history of science compelling but have not themselves studied it, this series installment summarizes thousands of years of human understanding of the physics of how the world works—in an attractive, coffee-table style volume. Each of the 100 entries names a concept; gives an extremely broad, sometimes multi­-century explanation of its origins; and describes the idea in half a page to a spread. UK author Jackson concludes with a look ahead, a summary of what we know, and some major questions we still need to answer. While the overall progression of entries is chronological, each one can treat decades, especially in the early sections (e.g., “Understanding Magnets” covers the topic from the fourth century BCE to 1600 CE). The arrangement of entries—within the broad categories “The Dawn of Science,” “The Scientific Revolution,” “From Classical to Modern Physics,” “The Subatomic Age,” and “Modern Physics”—can thus in fact be unintuitive. Copious illustrations and a foldout time line make for a visually appealing layout and add helpful background information. VERDICT This broad overview for the general reader—and for YA and high school students—can serve as a springboard to deeper study for those whose interest it piques. Recommended.
School Library Journal, Marcia R. Franklin

“This title from the Ponderables series consists of 100 entries on milestones in physics, from the dawn of science to today. Entries range in length from a half page to two pages and examine scientific breakthroughs that greatly influenced the world. The information is accessible and interesting, while an appealing layout features illustrations and photographs on every page. The book concludes with an overview of physics, profiles of key scientists, a bibliography and other resources, and an index. A pocket attached to the inside of the back cover contains a pullout chart with a time line on one side and pertinent quick-reference information on the reverse. This highly browsable title is well suited to the casual reader with an interest in the topic.”
Booklist, Maren Ostergard

“Gr 5 Up—The newest addition to this science series that includes Mathematics, The Elements, The Universe (all Shelter Harbor, 2012) tackles physics in an easy-to-read and understand format, breaking down the discoveries made over centuries to explain the universe—from force and motion to quantum theory. The questions pondered and the scientists who sought answers and made discoveries are presented. Short summaries are paired with colorful illustrations and photographs that guide readers to appreciate how each discovery led to a greater understanding of the universe. Brief biographies of each scientist in the book are included for easy reference with birthdate, birthplace, and date of death along with the importance of their discovery. An extensive 12-page, foldable timeline is tucked in the back cover, with 1000 milestone facts from 600 BCE to present day in color-coded categories that include culture, world events, science and invention, and physics. Avid scientists might find the explanations of theories simplistic, but typical readers will find the information fascinating and gain a greater understanding of how discoveries are made and how they lead to others.”
School Library Journal, Denise Moore, O’Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD

“Looking to spice up your science curriculum with real-world advances? Tom Jackson’s Physics: An Illustrated History of the Foundations of Science has a series of detailed breakthroughs that have changed our world. Part of a series of science books about the periodic table, math and the universe, Physics explains it all in short stories about the scientists and researchers. The topics range from Newton’s laws and Brownian motion to string theory and superfluidity. All told, the book explains 100 different exciting topics with beautiful illustrations and archival illustrations. There’s a great pull-out timeline of physics advances that can be hung from any classroom wall but has a just-as-useful list of constants printed on the back, so it’s either or.”
Scholastic Blog, Brian Nadal

PHILOSOPHY
An Illustrated History of Thought
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page Timeline of Philosophy poster

978-0-9853230-7-3 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.2″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

Here is the essential guide to philosophy. Philosophy: An Illustrated History of Thought is an authoritative yet fun reference book and timeline on the compilation of human knowledge. Both art and science attempt answers to the big questions — what is truth, how to be good, and where did we come from? — but philosophy is the interpreter we use to verify it all. We need it to make sense of the simplest math and the most esoteric poetry, and it has even created a science of information itself. We begin our journey at the boundary of myth and reason, and along the way we visit the thoughts of the most high-flying of minds who could see that nothing, not ever-changing words, limitless numbers, or mystical visions, were beyond examination. Philosophy contains 100 chronological articles that recount the inspirations of great thinkers, including:

• Epicurus, who believed that the purpose of life was the pursuit of pleasure through education and friendship. In his own words: “It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living honorably, and it is impossible to live honorably without being pleasant.”
• St. Anselm, who proposed that the very act of imagining God was proof enough that he existed. God was the greatest thing that can be imagined, and so must exist beyond the confines of a person’s mind.
• David Hume, who questioned our knowledge of any natural phenomena and proposed that our lives were framed by customs passed down through generations rather than any true understanding of our place in the world.
• Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that the accepted notions of good and bad were outdated and urged people to re-evaluate morality and move humanity to a higher state of being.
• David Chalmers, who wondered what we could learn about consciousness by imagining philosophical zombies, who appeared like people and behaved just like them, but had no mind. What would be different?
• Nick Bostrom, who calculated the chances that a future human society would be able to simulate a universe on a giant computer. He found that it is more likely that we are living in a simulation than in a real Universe.

Philosophy, far from being the work of dead geniuses, is today at the heart of our battle to make sense of the quantum Universe. Philosophy embraces the paradox, and we present the most mind-boggling conundrums the last 3,000 years has to offer. Includes summaries of the fields of philosophy, setting out the basics in jargon-busting and lighthearted text. The life stories behind the great philosophers give further insight to their work. Philosophy also contains a 12-page “Timeline History of Philosophy.” Philosophy is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“This thoughtful and engagingly illustrated large-format book is popular science writer Jackson’s (Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers) fifth entry in the series. It chronologically presents ‘100 Ideas That Changed the World’—from monism and the Tao, through the ‘five ways,’ utopia, Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, and Hegel’s Spirit, up to philosophical zombies and ‘is [existence] a computer simulation?’—each summarized in a half or a whole page or a spread. Jackson rounds out the book with descriptions of the ‘schools’ of philosophy and brief lives of the great philosophers. The included fold-out wall chart contextualizes the history of philosophy amid world events, science and invention, and culture. The chart’s back adds biographies of 35 more exceptional minds that shaped the discipline. VERDICT: A colorful, thought-provoking book that presents the broad sweep of philosophical topics and figures with token attention to non-Western thinkers and women in the field. While suitable for high school and above, the text is occasionally marred by inaccuracies, and some explanations will make sense only to readers already familiar with the concept described. Stephen Law’s Philosophy and David Papineau’s Philosophy are quality alternatives by established philosophers.”
Library Journal, Steve Young, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL Library

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

MATHEMATICS
An Illustrated History of Numbers – Revised and Updated
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-196-8 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION Here is the latest edition of this essential guide to mathematics, an authoritative reference book and timeline that explores the work of history’s greatest mathematicians. These include the teasing genius of Pierre de Fermat, who said he knew the answers but rarely gave them up, the helpful guidance of Fibonacci, whose 13th-century compendium for bookkeepers proved to be a valuable tool for the most high-minded mathematicians, and the fractal pattern discovered by Wacław Sierpinski now used to plan the route a mailman takes. With a glimpse of the abstract landscapes of infinite numbers and multi-dimensional shapes that these incredible minds explore, we can begin to get beyond school-day sums and understand the true power of mathematics.

• 100 milestone facts reveal the greatest mathematical breakthroughs through the eyes of the people who made them.
• Authoritative text, historical imagery, and helpful diagrams are combined with stories and everyday examples to make the complex mathematics accessible to everyone.
• Includes a 12-page foldout Timeline poster which stretches out to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long.

Mathematics is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

REVIEWS

“Do you remember with fondness the thrill of mathematical discovery? Reading the Ponderables Mathematics: An Illustrated History of Numbers is the perfect way to capture the joy you once felt.”
Bergers Book Reviews

“Fascinating reading to anyone even slightly interested in mathematics and numbers…Both adults and young adults…will very much enjoy this volume…A truly excellent book.”
Portland Book Review

“An exquisite history of math.”
The Washington Post

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.

ENGINEERING
An Illustrated History from Ancient Craft to Modern Technology
(100 Ponderables)

Tom Jackson

Includes a removable, foldout 12-page timeline/chart poster

978-1-62795-195-1 | Hardcover | 144 pages | 9.25″ x 11.2″

List Price: $24.95

DESCRIPTION

REVISED AND UPDATED EDITION Engineering: An Illustrated History from Ancient Craft to Modern Technology is an authoritative reference book and timeline about how technology has given shape to our civilization. A guide to each field of engineering, this book also includes biographies of the great engineers and a 12-page fold-out Timeline poster that is 8.5 feet long. Engineering is part of the bestselling 100 Ponderables series which tackles STEM subjects by partnering lively text about significant milestones with stunning illustrations. Every book includes a timeline/chart poster which puts these milestones in historical context. Perfect for smart kids and curious adults!

• In 1698,Thomas Savery builds “The Miner’s Friend; or, An Engine to Raise Water by Fire.” It is a water pump that uses steam power. Although incredibly inefficient it is the first functioning steam engine.
• In 1783, Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Ètienne Montgolfier build the first flying machine capable of carrying human passengers. It is a 30-feet wide hot air balloon, powered by an open fire and made of paper!
• In 1855, Henry Bessemer designs a new system for making steel, a strong alloy of iron and carbon. Before this invention it took 12 hours to make 1.5 tons of wrought iron. Bessemer’s “converter” could produce 15 tons of much stronger steel in just 20 minutes.
• The first communication satellite is Echo 1, a metallic balloon launched into the upper atmosphere by NASA in 1960.
• In 2007, 3.3 billion cubic feet (94 million cubic meters) of sand and rock are laid down along the coast of Dubai to make Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest artificial ocean island.
• In 2016, Solar Impulse flies more than half way around the world powered only by electricity generated by solar panels on its wings.

An indispensable volume for students and anyone interested in the marvels of engineering, this book includes:

• 100 chronological articles telling the story of engineering from prehistory to the present day.
• Authoritative text, exciting imagery, and helpful diagrams accompanying each of the steps along the way.
• Biographies of great engineers, such as Archimedes, Tesla, and Watt, showing the inspirations that lay behind their goals.
• A guide to each field of engineering and the materials they employ, offering insight into achievements in the fields, the limits, and what might come next.
• An easy-to-follow graphical representation of engineering milestones.
• A 24-page removable foldout concertina with a 12-page timeline history of engineering.

REVIEWS

“This wonderful book, which is part of the Ponderables history series from Shelter Harbor Press, explores one hundred technological achievements that have changed history, starting with stone technology and ending with solar power. It seems ideal for advanced readers, and I’d probably recommend it for teens to adults…Wonderful, full-color illustrations and side-bar notations enhance the reader’s understanding of the material…This fascinating book covers everything from taming fire and irrigation to the Great Wall of China and robots. It’s truly a remarkable read. It makes a lovely coffee table book to share with guests, and it’s a great conversation starter. It’s also one that I reach for when I just have a few minutes to relax and want to read about something stimulating and interesting. I found myself sharing tidbits of information with my children that fascinated them as much as it did me. My high school senior also found it a wonderful book to read at his leisure. I highly recommend it, and I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it as much as I have.”
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine®, LLC, Kelly Burgess

“…you’ll find beautifully illustrated pages listing 100 breakthroughs and important subject areas in the field…all explained in plain language that is easily accessible. These are great texts for reference or exploring a new area of interest, and they have a foldout timeline guide… depicting milestones in the field.”
Jaime Herndon, American Scientist, 2024

AUTHOR BIO

Tom Jackson is a science writer based in the United Kingdom. Tom specializes in recasting science and technology into lively historical narratives. After almost 20 years of writing, Tom has uncovered a wealth of stories that help create new ways to enjoy learning about science. He studied at the University of Bristol and still lives in the city with his wife and three children.