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The Magic of Reality

The Magic of Reality

How We Know What's Really True

by Richard Dawkins and Dave McKean
Hardback
Publication Date: 04/10/2011

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Magic takes many forms. Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was the gods' bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic catfish that carried the world on its back--earthquakes occurred each time it flipped its tail. These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality--science.

Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman? This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.

Richard Dawkins, the world's most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education's most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world--and the universe beyond--that will entertain and inform for years to come.

ISBN:
9781439192818
9781439192818
Category:
Philosophy
Format:
Hardback
Publication Date:
04-10-2011
Language:
English
Publisher:
Free Press
Country of origin:
United States
Dimensions (mm):
246.08x187.32x27.94mm
Weight:
0.99kg
Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins is the former Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University (1995-2008).

His many bestsellers include The Selfish Gene and The God Delusion.

Dave McKean

Dave McKean is one of the most widely acclaimed and highly regarded artists in the field; his work includes covers for the Sandman series, Violent Cases, Signal to Noise and Mr. Punch.

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