Our review of : Cosmos

In A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, evolutionary biologist Heather Heying offers a fresh perspective on how humans can thrive in the modern world. Drawing from her experience as an academic and mother, Heying provides readers with a clear and concise understanding of human evolution – and how it affects our day-to-day lives. From [...]

Walter Isaacson’s The Code Breaker is a fascinating look at the life and work of Jennifer Doudna, one of the scientists responsible for discovering CRISPR-Cas9 – a gene editing technology with enormous potential implications for human health. Isaacson chronicles Doudna’s journey from young scientist searching for answers to global superstar, exploring both her professional achievements [...]

This fascinating book explores the biology behind human behavior, both good and bad. It offers insightful explanations for why we act the way we do, ranging from our evolutionary origins to the effects of drugs and stress on our brains. Robert Sapolsky provides a wealth of information that is both informative and entertaining, making it [...]

Are you getting enough sleep? You should be, according to Matthew Walker, author of the new book “Why We Sleep.” Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley and one of the world’s foremost experts on sleep. In “Why We Sleep,” he argues that insufficient slumber is not only making us fat [...]

The Body is a comprehensive guide to all things human, explaining how our bodies work and what we can do to keep them healthy. It covers everything from the brain and nervous system to muscles, bones, and skin, providing clear explanations of complex topics in an easy-to-read style. With helpful diagrams and illustrations throughout, The [...]

Red Famine is a meticulously researched account of Stalin’s deliberate campaign to exterminate the Ukrainians. Anne Applebaum provides an in-depth analysis of how this mass genocide was carried out and its consequences for Ukraine and Russia today. Based on recently declassified documents, eyewitness testimony, and personal stories, Red Famine offers a new understanding of one [...]

In “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Robin Wall Kimmerer shows how science and indigenous wisdom converge in important ways. Drawing on her experience as a scientist and member of the Potawatomi nation, Kimmerer reveals that modern ecology provides a scientific lens for understanding indigenous teachings about relationships with nature. She then demonstrates the importance of restoring traditional ecological [...]

In “Homo Deus,” Yuval Noah Harari explores the future of humankind. He argues that despite our many flaws, humans are likely to continue making progress and evolving until we become gods ourselves. Along the way, he looks at how developments in science and technology will shape our lives in the years to come. For who [...]

In Fuzz, Mary Roach takes readers on a tour of the strange and often startling world of scientific investigation into the paranormal. She introduces us to researchers who study topics such as out-of-body experiences, hauntings, psychokinesis, and more. Along the way she highlights just how difficult it is to apply science to these elusive phenomena–and [...]

In Breath, James Nestor takes an in-depth look at the science of freediving and its history. He examines how diving affects both the body and mind, as well as current research on safety and technique. Featuring interviews with top divers from around the world, this book is a comprehensive exploration of one of humanity’s oldest [...]

A Brief History of Time is a book by physicist Stephen Hawking, published on April 5, 1988. It deals with the nature of time and the universe. A shortened version for popular audiences was simultaneously published. Hawking wrote the book for non-scientists and sought to explain some of the more complex. For who is this [...]

In “Waking Up,” Sam Harris argues that there is a way to spirituality without religion. He takes the reader on a journey through neuroscience, philosophy, and first-person experience to show how this can be done. Along the way, he discusses various ways in which spiritual experiences can be had and offers advice for those who [...]