February 2024 MBR The Science Shelf

The Science Shelf

Thriving in Space
Medicine National Academies of Sciences, Engineering
The National Academies Press
www.nap.edu
9780309694988, $60.00, PB, 322pp

https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Space-Ensuring-Biological-2023-2032/dp/0309=
694981

Synopsis: Research in biological and physical sciences in space provides th=
e critical scientific and technological foundations that make space explora=
tion possible. As humanity looks towards the Moon and Mars for future missi=
ons, this work is needed to help astronauts adapt and live in the harsh env=
ironments of space.

"Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Sciences=
 Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032" provides a roadmap for increasin=
g national investment in biological and physical science research, from exp=
eriments to infrastructure to education. This report identifies key scienti=
fic questions, priorities, and ambitious research campaigns that will enabl=
e human space exploration and transform our understanding of how the univer=
se works.

"Thriving in Space" also reviews the state of knowledge in the current and =
emerging areas of space-related biological and physical sciences research a=
nd generates recommendations for a comprehensive vision and strategy for a =
decade of transformative science at the frontiers of biological and physica=
l sciences research in space. Additionally, this report will help NASA defi=
ne and align biological and physical sciences research to uniquely advance =
scientific knowledge, meet human and robotic exploration mission needs, and=
 provide terrestrial benefits.

Critique: Of special value to readers with an interest in astrophysics and =
space science, "Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Ph=
ysical Sciences Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032" provides an impre=
ssively informative survey of current findings from contemporary and on-goi=
ng experiments and research. Exceptionally well organized and presented, th=
is large format (8.8 x 1.2 x 10.7 inches, 2 pounds) paperback edition of "T=
hriving in Space" is particularly and especially recommended for personal, =
professional, college and university library Astrophysics/Space Science col=
lections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: The National Academies Press (NAP) publishes more than 200 =
publications per year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, an=
d medicine, providing authoritative, independently researched information o=
n important matters in science and health policy.

The Trilobite Collector's Guide
Andy Secher, author
Richard Fortey, foreword
Melanie J. Hopkins, foreword
Columbia University Press
https://cup.columbia.edu
9780231213806, $59.95, HC, 427pp

https://www.amazon.com/Trilobite-Collectors-Guide-Andy-Secher/dp/0231213808

Synopsis: Trilobites are extinct marine arthropods that form the class Tril=
obita. Trilobites form one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. The =
first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the=
 Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period (521 million years ago) and =
they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic before slipping into a long =
decline, when, during the Devonian, all trilobite orders except the Proetid=
a died out. The last trilobites disappeared in the mass extinction at the e=
nd of the Permian about 251.9 million years ago. Trilobites were among the =
most successful of all early animals, existing in oceans for almost 270 mil=
lion years, with over 22,000 species having been described.

So for more than 250 million years, the primeval oceans of the Paleozoic te=
emed with trilobites. These hardy invertebrates evolved into an astonishing=
 array of separate species (more than 25,000 at last count) and much remain=
s unknown about these once-ubiquitous creatures. Fossil enthusiasts are cap=
tivated by trilobites' diversity and adaptability, enthralled by the possib=
ility of catching a glimpse of a transcendently strange past.

With the publication of "The Trilobite Collector's Guide", Andy Secher (one=
 of the most prolific trilobite collectors in the world) takes readers on a=
n entertaining and enlightening journey to the distant epoch when these anc=
ient arthropods swarmed through the seas.

"The Trilobite Collector's Guide" presents a series of "Top Ten" lists cove=
ring everything from celebrated Cambrian localities and world-class fossil =
shows to invaluable collecting tips and ways to spot a fake trilobite. Thes=
e brisk and often witty chapters enumerate trilobites in all their beauty a=
nd strangeness, from the most common to the ridiculously rare, the outrageo=
usly old to the last in line.

"The Trilobite Collector's Guide" also showcases more than 350 full-color p=
hotographs, mostly of stunning specimens from Secher's personal collection,=
 that put trilobites' staggering variety and complexity on full display. En=
gaging and informative, "The Trilobite Collector's Guide" showcases the wor=
ld of trilobites as it has never been done before.

Critique: This large format (8.5 x 1.5 x 11.1 inches, 4.35 pounds) hardcove=
r edition from Columbia University Press of "The Trilobite Collector's Guid=
e" by Andy Secher will be of special and enduring value to readers with an =
interest in fossils and invertebrate zoology. Beautifully illustrated throu=
ghout, and informatively enhanced for the reader's benefit with two Forewor=
ds (Beetles of the Paleozoic & 10 Reasons to Read this Book), a four page G=
lossary: Trilobite Terminology, and a twelve page Index, "The Trilobite Col=
lector's Guide" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, pr=
ofessional, community, and college/university library Fossil collections an=
d supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, a=
cademia, paleontologists, fossil collectors, and non-specialist general rea=
ders with an interest in the subject that "The Trilobite Collector's Guide"=
 is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $47.19).

Editorial Note #1: Andy Secher has been a field associate in paleontology a=
t the American Museum of Natural History for more than two decades. He cura=
tes one of the world's largest private trilobite collections. Secher is als=
o the author of "Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic" (Col=
umbia, 2022).

Editorial Note #2: Richard Fortey is the former head of fossil arthropod re=
search at the Natural History Museum, London.

Editorial Note #3: Melanie J. Hopkins is chair of the Division of Paleontol=
ogy and curator in charge of fossil invertebrates at the American Museum of=
 Natural History.

Roadside Geology of Kansas
James S. Aber, Susan E.W. Aber, and Michael J. Everhart
Mountain Press Publishing Company
www.mountain-press.com
9780878427154, $26.00, PB, 318pp

https://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Geology-Kansas-James-Aber/dp/0878427155

Roadside Geology of Kansas should be on any destination traveler's reading =
list, to be used as a take-along tote for those planning to explore Kansas,=
 who harbor an appreciation of geology. Sixteen roads, including all the st=
ate's scenic byways, are covered in a trip that not only points out geologi=
c landmarks that might otherwise be missed, but discusses the history and i=
nfluences on their making, preservation, and appearance. Packed with inviti=
ng glossy color photos, route suggestions, and science, Roadside Geology of=
 Kansas is the perfect gift for any Kansas resident and those looking to ex=
plore the state's wonders.

The Making, The Rise, And The Future Of The SpeakingMan, fourth edition
Dan M. Mrejeru
https://danmrejeru.com
A Terrestrial's Mind Publishing
9798865351863, $20.00, PB, 319pp

https://www.amazon.com/Making-Rise-Future-SpeakingMan/dp/B0CLRRSGZB

Originally published as a series of articles on-line, human evolution is th=
e core subject of "The Making, The Rise, And The Future Of The SpeakingMan"=
 is heavily laced with the results of years of study focused on the evoluti=
on of homo sapiens and how environmental factors played (and continue to pl=
ay) on the cognitive and physical development of human beings.

Critique: An original, seminal, deftly crafted, and ground-breaking study, =
this newly updated and expanded fourth edition of "The Making, The Rise, An=
d The Future Of The SpeakingMan" by Dan M. Mrejeru is an extraordinary and =
unreservedly recommended contribution to personal, professional, community,=
 and college/university library collections. It should be noted for persona=
l reading lists of student, academia, anthropologists, and non-specialist g=
eneral readers with an interest in the subject that "The Making, The Rise, =
And The Future Of The SpeakingMan" is also readily available in a digital b=
ook format (Kindle, $5.00).

Editorial Note: Dan Mrejeru was always interested in the profound mystery o=
f human beings. That interest compelled him to study many sciences resultin=
g in him becoming a multi-disciplinary scientist.

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