A. C. Fabian - Böcker

We all have a natural interest in our own origins and, by extension, the origins of the world in which we live. In this volume, the first in The Darwin College Lectures Series, a distinguished team of international authorities reports on the latest research on the origins of the most fundamental features of our world. Martin Rees begins the book with a bang, the Big Bang that was the probable start of our expanding universe. The contributors then focus on the origins of the solar system, material complexity and the human species. The volume ends with essays by John Maynard Smith on social behaviour, Ernest Gellner on society and John Lyons on language. The book derives from a highly successful series of lively public lectures which have since been revised and illustrated for publication under the editorship of Professor A. C. Fabian of the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge.

Cutting across boundaries of art and science, evolution is a fundamental process that has beguiled thinkers through the ages. This collection draws together world-renowned thinkers and communicators with their own intriguing insights. In these essays they offer a feast of dazzling thoughts and ideas to challenge and enthral the reader. Why and how do civilizations and societies change over time? Why do our cells develop the way they do? Why are some villages still villages while others have grown into vast cities? Can we learn from our evolutionary past to plan a better future for our health and society? Tracing a line from the history of biological evolution, through the evolution of cultures, society, science and the universe, Evolution brings together intriguing parallels from all levels of life. From the evolution of the developing embryo to the evolution of a developing star, common threads develop into a fascinating story.

X-ray astronomy has undergone a revolution in recent years. With the launch of two orbiting observatories, Chandra and XMM-Newton, astronomers are now able to obtain spectra and images at a higher resolution than ever before. Observations have had a major impact on topics ranging from protostars to cosmology. The contributions in this 2004 work, by leading authorities in the field, originate from a Royal Society Discussion Meeting that was held to review results from the current generation of X-ray telescopes, and set them in context. This book is a valuable reference for research astronomers and graduate students wishing to understand the latest developments in this exciting field.