Reviews

Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia: A Photographic Guide by Richard Chandler

A shorebird photographer offers detailed commentary on and vivid photos of 135 shorebird species. But no gulls. Princeton Univ., 2009, 448 p., $35. SHOREBIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, AND ASIA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE BY RICHARD CHANDLER

Force and Motion: An Illustrated Guide to Newton’s Laws by Jason Zimba

Problem sets help high school and college students of all backgrounds understand mechanics. Johns Hopkins Univ., 2009, 428 p., $50 FORCE AND MOTION: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO NEWTON’S LAWS BY JASON ZIMBA

Book Review: Conservation Refugees: The Hundred-Year Conflict Between Global Conservation and Native Peoples by Mark Dowie

Review by Rachel Zelkowitz.

Book Review: Historic Photos of the Manhattan Project by Timothy Joseph

Review by Sid Perkins.

Building a Meal: From Molecular Gastronomy to Culinary Constructivism by Hervé This

A chemist trained in culinary arts explores the science of a good meal, with tips for how to make one. Columbia Univ., 2009, 135 p., $19.95. Building a Meal: From Molecular Gastronomy to Culinary Constructivism by Hervé This

Understanding Perennials: A New Look at an Old Favorite by William Cullina

An intimate portrait of perennials aims to give a deeper understanding of these garden standbys. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, 247 p., $40. Understanding Perennials: A New Look at an Old Favorite by William Cullina

Cogent Science in Context: The Science Wars, Argumentation Theory, and Habermas by William Rehg

A philosopher reflects on the best way to validate a scientific claim. MIT Press, 2009, 345 p., $40. Cogent Science in Context: The Science Wars, Argumentation Theory, and Habermas by William Rehg

Alien Ocean: Anthropological Voyages in Microbial Seas by Stefan Helmreich

Research reveals the complexity and diversity of microbial life in the sea. Univ. of California, 2009, 403 p., $24.95. Alien Ocean: Anthropological Voyages in Microbial Seas by Stefan Helmreich

Decoding the Heavens by Jo Marchant

A science writer takes readers on a quest to decode the Antikythera Mechanism, the first analog computer. Da Capo Press, 2009, 328 p., $25. Decoding the Heavens by Jo Marchant

Book Review: Weather’s Greatest Mysteries Solved! by Randy Cerveny

Review by Sid Perkins.

Book Review: Evolution Rx: A Practical Guide to Harnessing Our Innate Capacity for Health and Healing by William Meller

Review by Bruce Bower.

Complexity: A Guided Tour by Melanie Mitchell

A scientist surveys the field and explores how complexity emerges from simple interactions in a variety of systems. Oxford Univ., 2009, 349 p., $29.95. COMPLEXITY: A GUIDED TOUR BY MELANIE MITCHELL