This is not an updated edition! Because of the many topics that appear in this book, it was decided to split the book into two parts, make corrections and more. You can now purchase the Second Edition: Understanding physics-mechanics I (earlier chapters from the first edition + corrections + chapter summaries) Understanding physics mechanics II (later chapters from the first edition + new chapter + corrections + chapter summaries).

Delivers fascinating insights into the development of the modern theory of stars Attractively illustrated with clear diagrams and beautiful colour pictures Delights the reader with entertaining anecdotes alongside deep philosophical excursions This beautifully illustrated book describes the birth and evolution of the theory of stellar structure through the vehement controversy between biology (as presented by Darwin) and physics (as presented by Kelvin) about the age of the Earth, which culminated with Rutherford suggesting radioactive dating. Shaviv analyzes critically many proclaimed scientific results, showing how and why they were wrong, and explains why it took decades to find the now accepted scientific answers - where there are such - and why there remains much more to be done before we can say we fully understand what happens up there in the heavens. The Life of the Stars provides fascinating reading for all those interested in the stars, in the history of astronomy and in what their story tells us about how science progresses. Moreover, it will bring readers up-to-date on current problems in astrophysics.

Most of us suspect that climate change is happening, but is it a terrible threat to our world or an exaggerated beat up? Or is it something in between - an issue that humanity must eventually face, but not yet? In this groundbreaking and essential new book, Tim Flannery argues passionately for the urgent need to address - NOW - the implications of a global climate change that is damaging all life on earth and endangering our very survival. This book is unimpeachable in its authority, deftly and accessibly written in its vision for what each of us can do to avoid catastrophe. It is a global call to arms, laying out plainly if not controversially what we know, what we think might happen, and what tools we have available to us to make a difference. The Weather Makers will change your life. It is a difficult subject and hard for people to evaluate dispassionately because it entails deep political and industrial implications, and because it arises from the very core processes of our civilisation's success. Right now our fate is in our hands, for we are the weather makers and we already possess the tools required to avoid catastrophic climate change.

The ideal gift for all science lovers. This beautifully designed book features a significant number of previously unreleased documents and photographs from the Albert Einstein Archives and links them together with short introductions to chapters about Einstein’s private life, his scientific achievements and his political activities. The new volume represents a substantially enlarged English edition of a title originally published as a version to supplement the permanent exhibition on Albert Einstein at the Jewish National and University Library

Despite its small size, only 22,000 km, Israel displays an impressive ecological diversity. This stems from its unique bio-geographic location; a bridge between the desert belt (Sahara-Arabia) and the Mediterranean region, with corridors to the dry topics via the rift valley and to the heights of central Asia through the northern mountain chain. The region has experienced a series of drastic climate changes in the last 20,000 years that have introduced, and eliminated, species from all these regions. Israel is also one of the major bird migration route between Europe and Africa. Topography varies sharply, from the mountain tops in the north (~ 2000 m) to the Dead Sea (~ -400 m). The precipitation gradient ranges from 900 mm in the upper northern region to about 10 mm at Eilat in the far south. Within this limited area, rock-soil diversity is also high, contributing to the richness of habitats and niches. However, nature conservation in modern Israel is not an easy task. High population density along with a high habitat fragmentation rate, intensive agriculture, allocation of most natural water sources for human use and designation of extensive sections of open space for army training, pose serious threats to the local fauna and flora. This Red Book of the endangered vertebrates of Israel is an important tool in the endless task of preserving the unique faunal diversity of the country. The authors are experts on the systematic group they cover and rely on field data gathered in the last 50 years. The book was prepared according to IUCN instructions. We hope that it will help to improve conservation of the biological assets of Israel.