Downs R Books that Changed the World

A unique history of humanity told through its seventeen defining equations; from Pythagoras to Calculus • From Newton's Law of Gravity to the Black-Scholes model used by bankers to predict the markets, equations, are everywhere - and they are fundamental to everyday life.Seventeen Equations that Changed the World examines seventeen ground-breaking equations that have altered the course of human history. He explores how Pythagoras's Theorem led to GPS and Satnav; how logarithms are applied in architecture; why imaginary numbers were important in the development of the digital camera, and what is really going on with Schrodinger's cat • Entertaining, surprising and vastly informative, Seventeen Equations that Changed the World is a highly original exploration - and explanation - of life on earth

On 24th November 1859, Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was first published, selling out almost immediately. Describing the now well known theory that humans evolved through a process called natural selection, it became an instant classic and cemented Darwin as one of the greatest biologists of all time • However, he couldn't have done it without the support, encouragement and advice from those who believed in him. None more so than Joseph Hooker, his friend, confidant and fellow collector, who supported and helped Darwin when he didn't dare ask anyone else. Hooker, too, had his own adventures and made his own discoveries – many of which not only aided Darwin, but went on to change what the world knew about plants. Becoming head of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he came to be one the world's most influential botanists

What incredible innovations have changed the course of history? • From rudimentary metalwork to 3-D printing, human ingenuity has set us apart from other animals on earth. Great Breakthroughs in Technology explores man's most ingenious inventions and how they have solved some of life's most pressing challenges • In this highly illustrated, full-colour hardback, Robert Snedden takes the reader on a chronological journey from our creation of fire to robots and artificial intelligence. Each chapter opens with a helpful overview and timeline of events, introducing remarkable inventors and their creations • Includes • Clockwork • Flight • Steam Engines • The Printing Press • Nuclear Power • The Internet • Featuring useful timelines, text boxes and diagrams, this lavishly illustrated reference book is the perfect overview for anyone interested in the ingenuity of the human race and the possibilities of the future

Packed full of wisdom from Britain's most trusted beauty journalist, Pretty Iconic considers which much-hyped beauty buys are worth the buzz and who they are best suited for • In Pretty Iconic Sali Hughes uses her witty, inclusive and discerning style to look at some of the most significant products in beauty - from treasured classics such as Chanel No 5, to life-changers such as Babyliss Big Hair, and the more recent releases from Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and others that are shaping the beauty industry today. Sali takes us from the evocative smell of Johnson's baby lotion through to Simple Face wipes, NARS Orgasm and beyond, looking at the formative role beauty plays in our lives

Discover the real history behind the Mayflower in this illustrated nonfiction storybook for kids ages 7 to 9, timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' famous voyage to the Americas • Step on board the Mayflower and meet the amazing crew and passengers, from burly sailors to pilgrims, servants, orphaned children, and animals. Discover who the pilgrims were and why they chose to risk their lives to make the treacherous journey across the Atlantic, relive the ferocious storms as the Mayflower crested gigantic waves, find out what life was really like on board for the 102 passengers, and discover the secret history of the second ship, the Speedwell. Learn the real story of the Pilgrims' fateful landing on the shores of what is now Massachusetts

These are the stories of some of the women who changed our world. Read about the women who fought to be equal to men, and learn about the things that women have done in education, science, sport and politics • Penguin Readers is a series of popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction written for learners of English as a foreign language. Beautifully illustrated and carefully adapted, the series introduces language learners around the world to the bestselling authors and most compelling content from Penguin Random House. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework and include language activities that help readers to develop key skills • Women Who Changed the World, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework

How did a piece a gold foil completely change our understanding of atoms? • What part did a hot air balloon play in the discovery of cosmic rays? • How did the experiments in the run-up to the Large Hadron Collider lead to the invention of the World Wide Web? • Asking questions has always been at the heart of physics, our unending quest to understand the Universe and how everything in it behaves. How do we know all that we know about the world today? It's not simply because we have the maths - it's because we have done the experiments • In The Matter of Everything, accelerator physicist Suzie Sheehy introduces us to the people who, through a combination of genius, persistence and luck, staged the ground-breaking experiments of the twentieth century that changed the course of history

Great cities are complex, chaotic and colossal. These are cities that dominate the world stage and define eras; where ideas flourish, revolutions are born and history is made • Through ten unique cities, from the founding of ancient capitals to buzzing modern megacities, Paul Strathern explores how urban centres lead civilisation forward, enjoying a moment of glory before passing on the baton • We journey back to discover Babylonian mathematics, Athenian theatre and intellectual debate, and Roman construction that has lasted millennia. We see Constantinople evolve into Istanbul, revolutionary sparks fly in Enlightenment Paris, and the railways, canals and ships that built Imperial London. In Moscow men build spaceships while others starve, New York's skyscrapers rise up to a soundtrack of jazz, Mumbai becomes home to immense wealth and poverty, and Beijing's economic transformation leads the way

The words in Dare to be Different have great power • Ben Brooks has brought together 100 people who have all in some way or another used words to do wonderful things. Some may have changed a single life, while others have changed the course of history for almost everyone on earth. But whether their effects were big or small, these individuals' speeches, letters, poems, songs, stories, and advice prove one thing: words can make the world a better place. And they can make you feel better about yourself too • This extraordinary compendium includes personal letters that were written for just one reader to help guide them through life's journey; sometimes they were intended for millions of people to hear about grand declarations of war, peace or new discoveries

How did a piece of gold foil completely change our understanding of atoms? • What part did a hot air balloon play in the discovery of cosmic rays? • How did the experiments in the run-up to the Large Hadron Collider lead to the invention of the World Wide Web? • Asking questions has always been at the heart of physics, our unending quest to understand the Universe and how everything in it behaves. How do we know all that we know about the world today? It's not simply because we have the maths – it's because we have done the experiments • Accelerator physicist Suzie Sheehy introduces us to the creative and curious people who, through a combination of genius, persistence and luck, staged the ground-breaking experiments of the twentieth century. From the serendipitous discovery of X-rays in a German laboratory, to the scientists trying to prove Einstein wrong (and inadvertently proving him right), The Matter of Everything takes us on a journey through the history of experiments that transformed our world

Preventable tells the extraordinary story of COVID-19 and how global politics shape our health - from a world-leading expert and the pandemic's go-to science communicator • Professor Devi Sridhar has risen to prominence for her vital roles in communicating science to the public and speaking truth to power. In Preventable she highlights lessons learned from outbreaks past and present in a narrative that traces the COVID-19 pandemic - including her personal experience as a scientist - and sets out a vision for how we can better protect ourselves from the inevitable health crises to come • In gripping and heartfelt prose, Sridhar exposes the varied realities of those affected (from the jailed doctor in Wuhan who sounded the alarm, and the bored passengers marooned on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, to the daily nightmares of exhausted healthcare workers), and puts you in the room with key decision makers at crucial moments (from over-confident heads of states and their hesitant scientific advisors, to the beleaguered leaders of global health organisations)

Think you know who first thought of the theory of evolution? Ever wondered who created the oldest university in the world? And have you heard the incredible tale of the masked knight - a rebel girl who became a military commander? • Meet just some of the amazing Muslim men and women who have changed our world - from pirate queens, nurses, warriors, scientists, actors, and mathematicians, to courageous ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things. You'll find people you might know, like Malala Yousafzai, Mo Farah and Muhammad Ali, as well as some you might not, such as • Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham: the first scientist to prove theories about how light travels, hundreds of years before Isaac Newton • Sultan Razia: a fearsome female ruler • G. Willow Wilson: the comic book artist who created the first ever Muslim Marvel character • Ibtihaj Muhammad: the Olympic and World Champion fencer and the first American to compete in the games wearing hijab