Little Book Series – Serie

Gratitude is, first and foremost, a way of seeing that alters our gaze.Gratitude is the simple, scientifically proven way to increase happiness and encourage greater joy, love, peace, and optimism into our lives. It's not just good medicine though, a nice sentiment, a warm fuzzy feeling, or a strategy or tactic for being happier or healthier. It is also the truest approach to life. We did not create or fashion ourselves, and we did not get to where we are in life by ourselves.Living gratefully begins with affirming the good and recognizing its sources. It is the understanding that life owes you nothing and all the good you have is a gift, accompanied by an awareness that nothing can be taken for granted.Featuring beautiful illustrations and simple exercises, this is the perfect little book to help you:- Practice gratitude- Improve your health and wellbeing- Enhance your relationships- Encourage healthy sleep- Heighten feelings of connectedness

The point of this book is to provide a brief, easy-to-read but comprehensive overview of stars: where they came from; what they are made of; what will happen to them, and what they mean to us from a scientific, aesthetic and cultural point of view. The book will focus on stars and astronomy, and will keep technical physics to a minimum.

The more we learn about bees, the more extraordinary they seem. They have five eyes. Their fertilized eggs hatch as females; unfertilized eggs become males. They beat their wings at a rate of almost 200 cycles per second, but fly at only 10 or 15 miles per hour. In the course of a lifetime, a typical worker bee will produce less than a tenth of a teaspoon of honey, yet a single hive's population can produce as much as 2 pounds of honey a day. A queen bee, in a single day, will lay her weight in eggs - as many as 1,500 in an uninterrupted 24-hour period. And to communicate with each other bees do make sounds, but mostly they dance in order to share information on the distance and direction to the nearest food source.This book provides the newcomer a first view into the extraordinary and surprisingly complex and highly organized world of bees. The book describes their evolution, and explains the differences between wild bees and honey-bees. It also sheds light on bee society, with its amazing rituals related to work, reproduction, defense of the hive, and most amazingly, communication.The author also explains the critical role that bees and beekeeping play for human society, and offers advice for those interested in raising bees themselves.Dr. Karl Weiss is an entomologist and the director of the Bavarian Institution for Beekeeping at Erlangen, Germany. He is engaged in theoretical as well as applied apicultural research. Weiss is the author of numerous scientific and popular publications on bees and is considered one of Germany's foremost authorities on apiculture.

The Little Book of Planet Earth presents a concise description of the geological evolution of Earth from its formation. Meissner describes in detailed but accessible prose not just the planet's features, but the tools that modern geologists use to explore and track the ever-changing subterranean and surface features of the planet. With a particular gift for expressing how the forces in and around our planet constantly alter the world we live in, the author introduces lay readers to the key topics in modern earth and planetary science: the creation of Earth and its moon (as well as stars and other planets), the role of seismology in analyzing Earth's structure, the formation of mountain ranges and basins, the role of plate tectonics, the significance of Earth's magnetic field, and the complex relationship of our planet's geology to the life forms found there.

In this lay reader's introduction to the most spectacular and devastating of all geological events, Rolf Schick describes how earthquakes and volcanoes are related, and how they are an integral part of Earth's structure. Tracing the latest findings and theories in plate tectonics, he helps readers ask and answer the basic questions: What was it during the formation of Earth that led to these phenomena? Why do they occur in certain areas and not in others? How can we, within reason, protect ourselves from their devastation? And how far have we come, and how far can we go, in predicting when they will strike? For the reader who wants a concise and accessible guide to what makes the ground shake and explode, this is the perfect introduction.

From the distinguished philosopher and historian of science Klaus Mainzer, a very brief history of the way we have come to understand, and not understand, time.

"Hogan compresses the fifteen-billion-year history of the Universe into a pleasurable evening. In a very direct way, he answers the questions everyone asks." -MARGARET GELLER, HARVARD-SMITHSONIAN CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS"This delightful little primer brings you right up to the cutting edge of modern cosmology." -GEORGE SMOOT, PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR, COBE AND AUTHOR OF WRINKLES IN TIME"An excellent bridge by which the layperson can enter the domain of the Cosmos with understanding." -ROBERT WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR, SPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

chapter1 Bees in the Animal Kingdom and in Earth’s History 1 chapter2 The Bee—An Insect chapter3 What Does “Social” Mean in the Animal Kingdom? 25 Anonymous Societies 26 Family Associations 28 The Insect Colony 30 Social Classifications 34 chapter4 The Traits of Bees and Their System chapter5 Solitary Bees and Social Development 45 Solitary Bees 45 On the Way to a Colony Unique Mating Behavior 75 Threats from Outside, and Enemies Within the Ranks 77 chapter6 Bumblebees and Stingless Bees Bumblebees Stingless Bees 97 84 83 63 35 15 chapter7 On the Summit of Social Insect Life 7 The Genus Apis: Species and Races The Domestic Honeybee The Comb The Colony and Its Individuals Brood Rearing and Division of Labor What Holds a Colony Together 8 How New Colonies Originate Sensory Capabilities 2 Artists of Orientation The Language of Honeybees 8 chapter8 Nest Aids for Wild Bees 145 Abridged Bibliography and Further Reading 1 Index 155 15 13 136 13 130 12 126 122 118 118 108 10 Preface People generally think of bees as insects that fly out of hives and make us honey. Actually, there are many different kinds of bees, most of which live relatively hidden from our view. Maybe some of us are familiar with bumblebees, but who would recognize the solitary bees, which considerably o- number the social bees? These little-observed bees are often dubbed “wild bees” to distinguish them from our honeymakers.

The Little Book of Planet Earth presents a concise description of the geological evolution of Earth from its formation. Meissner describes in detailed but accessible prose not just the planet's features, but the tools that modern geologists use to explore and track the ever-changing subterranean and surface features of the planet. With a particular gift for expressing how the forces in and around our planet constantly alter the world we live in, the author introduces lay readers to the key topics in modern earth and planetary science: the creation of Earth and its moon (as well as stars and other planets), the role of seismology in analyzing Earth's structure, the formation of mountain ranges and basins, the role of plate tectonics, the significance of Earth's magnetic field, and the complex relationship of our planet's geology to the life forms found there.

chapter 1 Time in the Classical and Medieval Worldviews From the Beginnings to the Pre-Socratic School Zeno's Time Arrow and Aristotle's Continuum 6 Time and Creation According to Saint Augustine 15 Time and Medieval Astronomy 18 20 Calendars and Clocks chapter 2 Time in the Worldview of Classical Physics 25 Absolute Time According to Newton 26 Relational Time According to Leibniz 30 Time in Classical Mechanics 31 Time in Kant's Epistemology 35 chapter 3 Relativistic Spacetime 43 Time in Special Relativity Theory 44 Time in General Relativity Theory 50 Time in Relativistic Cosmology 54 chapter 4 Time and the Quantum World 61 Time in Quantum Mechanics 62 Time in Quantum Field Theories 70 Time, Black Holes, and the Anthropic Principle 78 Time and Thermodynamics chapter 5 83 Time in Equilibrium Thermodynamics 84 Time in Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics 2 9 Time, Irreversibility, and Self-Organization 100 chapter 6 Time and Life 107 Time in Darwin's Theory of Evolution 108 Time in Molecular Evolution 111 Time Hierarchies and Biological Rhythms 117 chapter 7 Time and Consciousness 121 Temporal Rhythms and Brain Physiology 122 The Experience of Time and the Emergence of Consciousness 124 Computation Time and Artificial Intelligence 128 chapter 8 Time in History and Culture 137 Time in Historical Cultures 138 Time in Technological-Industrial Cultures 144 The Time Horizon of the Technological World and the Philosophy of Time 152 Further Reading 161 Index 167 Acknowledgments The Little Book of Time was inspired by my research in

What do we know about the origins of the Universe, and more important, how do we know it? In a small, easy-to-read package, this book introduces you to all of the important ideas about the Big Bang and its consequences. Craig Hogan explains what happened in the early days of the universe, why we think it's expanding (and how the expansion can look the same from everyplace at once), different ways the universe could end, and the meaning of such terms as "cosmic inflation," "cosmic background radiation," and "dark matter." For everyone who has always wondered just what the cosmologists are talking about but could never find the basics explained clearly and simply, this is the book to read.

The Little Book of Stars tells the story of stellar science and what the stars mean to us from a variety of perspectives. Beginning with the "big picture;' the book moves through progressively more and more intimate views until we feel we can hold the stars in our hands, from which we can then throw them back to the sky to see our place among them. The book opens with a summary of the event that created our Universe, the Big Bang, and then goes on to describe the natures of the Big Bang's progeny, the stars-what they are, how they shine, and how they can live such immensely long lives. Approaching horne, it next examines the measures of the stars: where they are, how they are collected together from pairs to galaxies of billions, and how we learn of their individual properties. Yet closer, we look in depth at the Sun and at the physical differences among the stars, at the immense range of properties they possess. Finally, arriving at Earth, we see the signif­ icance of the stars to human life, how we have used them to tell our stories and to find where we are in both space and time. v From this base, the book looks more closely at stellar details, concentrating on temporal phenomena-on stellar change-and on the observational base that helps set the stage for the theory that links them all together.

In this lay reader's introduction to the most spectacular and devastating of all geological events, Rolf Schick describes how earthquakes and volcanoes are related, and how they are an integral part of Earth's structure.

From the bestselling author of The Little Book of Mindfulness.These days meditation is not only practised and appreciated by more and more people, the world of science has also recognized its potential and started researching it in depth. It can help calm an agitated mind, an all-too-common feature of life in the 21st century. Our minds are working overtime as we tackle our to-do lists and spend stressful days at work. But with a little practice we can learn to let go of our thoughts, allowing us to relax completely.Featuring beautiful illustrations, clear explanations, and simple exercises, Dr Patrizia Collard, bestselling author of The Little Book of Mindfulness, shows you how to be happier, healthier, and more relaxed. You will find that meditation helps you:- Strengthen your immune system- Relieve stress and clear your head- Gain courage and self-confidence- Learn to forgive yourself more

For hundreds of years, tarot cards have been used for predicting the future, and a way to cast light on life's big questions and inevitable challenges.Tarot reading is a fascinating and enjoyable way to explore your life's journey, whoever you are and whatever you're dealing with. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to tell the truth. What if I told you that our lives are made up of a set number of stories or patterns? At its simplest, the Tarot depicts 78 of these stories. Each story card holds a secret lesson or teaching, and deciphering each card's secret is what reading the Tarot is all about.With beautiful illustrations, instructions on how to use your cards and what they mean, this pocket-sized book is the perfect gift for Tarot enthusiasts and truth seekers.Chapters include:How to Use Your CardsThe Major ArcanaThe Minor ArcanaCard Spreads and StoriesTarot in Everyday LifeOther books in this series include The Little Book of Inner Peace, The Little Book of Mindfulness and The Little Book of Shadow Work.

Transform your life through shadow workShadow work involves delving into your subconscious to meet and heal your 'shadow self' - the 'darker side' of your personality. This often includes aspects of your self that you have repressed out of fear and shame because they do not conform to the environment around you. However, the memories we repress do not simply go away. Our emotional reactions and behaviour in the present day are often influenced by past experiences. For example, if you are often quick to become frustrated, angry or defensive, then this may be a sign that you need to address your shadow side.With clear explanations, simple exercises and journal prompts, this pocket-sized guide is the perfect book to help you address, accept and overcome your shadow. You will find that shadow work helps you:- Become more self-aware, and better understand your emotions, insecurities and triggers- Gain self-confidence and self-acceptance- Form healthier and more communicative relationships with others- Approach yourself and others with more compassion- Remove creative blocksOther books in this series include The Little Book of Inner Peace, The Little Book of Mindfulness and The Little Book of Tarot.

The chakras are vibrant energy wheels or centres of spiritual power, located within the subtle body, through which our life energy flows.Traditionally, there are seven principal chakras - the Base Chakra, the Sacral Chakra, the Solar Plexus Chakra, the Heart Chakra, the Throat Chakra, the Brow Chakra, and the Crown Chakra - with a number of minor chakras also being mentioned in sacred texts. With detailed descriptions of the chakras and their associations and easy-to follow exercises and activities, you will learn how to work with each of these powerful energy centres to enhance all aspects of your life.By bridging traditional practice and cutting-edge research, this book shows that you do not have to practice super difficult yoga asanas (postures) or lengthy meditations in order to increase your vital pranic energy, your life-force.Featuring beautiful illustrations and simple exercises, this is the perfect little book to help you:- Heighten your consciousness - Improve your health and wellness- Clear clutter from your mind and home- Tune into what the natural world and your body are telling you

What does it mean to get a good night's sleep?It's not just about quantity. It's about getting the right type and quality of sleep. To sleep deeply we need to live deeply. This means that we need to reconnect with ourselves and our inner stillness. It's not surprising that in the Western world practices such as yoga and mindfulness have become popular as more people seek inner peace and grounding to counterbalance the frenetic pace of life.The kind of sleep where we wake up feeling refreshed, filled with vitality and looking forward to the day ahead will not only heal us but also heal those around us.Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains why a good night's sleep is essential in today's demanding, 24/7, technology-driven world, introduces us to the science of sleep and teaches us that the secret of good sleep is to get out of our heads and back into our bodies.Featuring beautiful illustrations and simple exercises, this is the perfect little book to help you:- Wake up with energy and vitality- Fully engage in your relationships with courage and open-heartedness- Strengthen your immune system- Feel creative and focused- Live life with meaning, passion and inspiration

What if changing the way we breathe can change the way we live?Breathing is perhaps the biological process to which we pay the least attention - but it's the most fundamental. Noticing and controlling our breathing sits in the overlapping section of a Venn diagram between mindfulness and yoga, between science and the spiritual, and chiefly between high-minded theory and practical solutions.Breathing - unlike many forms of complementary therapy - requires no special equipment or space. All you need is the willingness to turn your attention inward for a moment or two.Featuring beautiful illustrations and simple exercises, this is the perfect little book to help you:- Draw on sacred yoga practises and theories of mindfulness- Rise and shine by analysing your mornings- Clear your channel of information and see clearer- Beat stress using breathwork- Learn how to slow down and make time for yourself

"Everyone should read this. Mindfulness is such a great way to live life to the full." - Amazon Customer "The greatest 'little book' ever! Take my advice, buy it now and you will wonder how you ever managed without it!" - Amazon Customer "Patrizia Collard's depth of experience as a teacher and practitioner shines through. I love this little book!" - Amazon Customer "Great book to pick up if you just have a few minutes a day." - Amazon Customer "I carry it with me everywhere. Lovely little calming book." - Amazon Customer "Delightful little book." - Amazon CustomerMindfulness is the easy way to gently let go of stress and be in the moment. It has fast become the slow way to manage the modern world - without chanting mantras or setting aside hours of time for meditation.Dr Patrizia Collard will show you how to bring simple 5- and 10-minute practices into your day in order to free yourself from stress and, ultimately, find more peace in your life.This beautifully illustrated book will set you and your family on the road of mindfulness so you can lead a more mindful, peaceful and relaxed life. Find long-lasting happiness with The Little Book of Mindfulness!CONTENTS:1. Being in the Now2. Accept and Respond3. Making Your Mind Up4. Simply Be5. Mindful Eating6. Gratitude and Compassion7. Everyday Mindfulness

This stunning, colour-illustrated guide includes practices to help you let go of everyday stresses and find inner peace. With practical tools, strategies and exercises harnessing the benefits of mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, creativity, relaxation and compassion, this book will guide you towards your own inner peace and help you to find harmony with those around you: family, friends, your community and the world.CONTENTSIntroduction1. Grounded and Rooted2. Relaxation3. Equinamity4. Acceptance5. Gratitude6. Compassion7. Beyond YourselfToward World Peace

The chakras are vibrant, coloured energy wheels or centres of spiritual power, located within the subtle body, through which our life energy flows.This beautifully illustrated little book will help you to awaken your chakras to improve your physical health, balance energies and resolve physical, emotional and spiritual issues. With detailed descriptions of the chakras and their associations and easy-to follow exercises and activities, you will learn how to work with each of these powerful centres of energy to enhance all aspects of your life.

The Little Book of Sleep is a beautifully colour-illustrated guide to achieving deep, natural, clean sleep. Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains why a good night's sleep is essential in today's demanding, 24/7, technology-driven world, introduces us to the science of sleep and teaches us that the secret of good sleep is to get out of our head and back into our body. Using a unique combination of Eastern and Western practices, including yoga, ayurveda and body-awareness techniques, and with an abundance of invaluable advice and techniques, Dr Nerina guides the reader on their personal journey back to sleep.

From the author of The Little Book of Mindfulness.Meditation is an easy way to bring more peace and tranquillity into your life. Packed with practical advice, useful meditations and affirming thoughts, this little book teaches you how to be happier, healthier and more relaxed - without sitting for hours on a meditation cushion.Dr Patrizia Collard, author of The Little Book of Mindfulness, shows you another way, with these fun and efficient exercises: just 5 to 10 minutes a day is enough to strengthen your immune system, relieve stress and clear your head. Whether you like mindfulness or movement meditations, or simple mantras, everyone will find a meditation to suit them.

A calm mind comes from knowing how you handle your emotions.At its fullest expression, deep inner peace is a response to life - a compassionate, rooted awareness - that is independent of external circumstances. Like the ocean depths, inner peace is expansive and stable. With practice, you can learn to quickly leave the choppy, wild waves at the surface and dive into the calm deep. You can learn to fill your days with the unflappable experience of peace.With beautiful illustrations, and easy exercises, this pocket-sized guide is the perfect book to help you quiet your mind and foster awareness. Inner peace can help you:- Reduce your experience of anxiety, anger, and resentment.- Experience deeper degrees of contentment and calm- Have an awareness that peace is available in the present moment- Experience life with more flow and less resistance- Express more spontaneous gratitudeOther books in this series include The Little Book of Mindfulness, The Little Book of Shadow Work and The Little Book of Tarot.