"Hard work, we are often told, is the key to success. Putting in the effort, doing things the "right way," even if it's the long way. But according to Marcus du Sautoy, this common wisdom has it backwards. The key to success isn't hard work-it's shortcuts. We make the most progress when we find clever ways to do more with less. And there is no better way of finding shortcuts than math. Math is all about minimizing the amount of work you have to do...

Theory and practice of modular design for knitting, with patterns.

"The thrilling history of archaeological adventure, with tales of danger, debate, audacious explorers, and astonishing discoveries around the globe. What is archaeology? The word may bring to mind images of golden pharaohs and lost civilizations, or Neanderthal skulls and Ice Age cave art. Archaeology is all of these, but also far more: the only science to encompass the entire span of human history--more than three million years! This Little History...

"With more than a million copies sold since its first publication, The Craft of Research has guided generations of readers at all levels to become better researchers, thinkers, and communicators. The original authors--all of them legendary teachers--believed that research is a communal activity and illustrated how to choose meaningful topics, make sound and compelling arguments, and convey these arguments effectively in writing for the benefit of...

"For well over a century, cultural anthropologists have circled the globe, from Papua New Guinea to suburban England and from China to California, uncovering surprising facts and insights about how humans organize their lives and articulate their values. In the process, anthropology has done more than any other discipline to reveal what culture means--and why it matters. By weaving together examples and theories from around the world, [the author]...

"Make sure kids' first experience of the wonders of science is a thrilling eye-opener with this fun reference book. Fun activities, games, and simple experiments encourage interactive learning, showing kids that anyone can use scientific observation and experimentation to be a scientist and discover new things. With bright images and age-appropriate text, this book inspires kids to be curious, ask questions, and explore the world around them and maybe...

"Today we think statistics are the enemy, numbers used to mislead and confuse us. That's a mistake, Tim Harford says in The Data Detective. We shouldn't be suspicious of statistics-we need to understand what they mean and how they can improve our lives: they are, at heart, human behavior seen through the prism of numbers and are often "the only way of grasping much of what is going on around us." If we can toss aside our fears and learn to approach...

"Prepare to have your mind blown! As you explore ten of the world's greatest unsolved mysteries, you'll witness a UFO encounter, search for the lost city of Atlantis, tour a haunted house, and discover the kraken's true form. Along the way, you'll use the scientific method and sharp thinking to separate fact from fiction and explain the unexplainable. Learn how sightings of flying saucers and stories of alien abductions can be explained by sleep paralysis,...

Offers tips and techniques for conducting research, from narrowing a topic down to finding resources.