Books in the Big Ideas series

Explore the laws and theories of physics in this accessible introduction to the forces that shape our Universe, our planet, and our everyday lives. Using a bold, graphic-led approach The Physics Book sets out more than 80 key concepts and discoveries that have defined the subject... and influenced our technology since the beginning of time. With the focus firmly on unpicking the thought behind each theory - as well as exploring when and how each idea and breakthrough came about - seven themed chapters examine the history and developments in areas such as Energy and Matter, and Electricity and Magnetism, as well as quantum, nuclear, and particle physics. Eureka moments abound: from Pythagoras's observations of the pleasing harmonies created by vibrating strings, and Galileo's experiments with spheres, to Isaac Newton's apple and his conclusions about gravity and the laws of motion. You'll also learn about Albert Einstein's revelations about relativity; how the accidental discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation confirmed the Big Bang theory; the search for the Higgs boson particle; and why most of our Universe is missing. If you've ever wondered exactly how physicists formulated - and proved - their abstract concepts, The Physics Book is the book for you.
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This comprehensive, accessible, and factual guide to Islam is essential to understanding the world's fastest-growing religion. This essential guide to Islam covers every aspect of the Muslim faith and its history - from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the teachings of the Ko...ran to Islam in the 21st century. Celebrating the scientific, literary, and artistic achievements of the Islamic Golden Age and the ideas of philosophers and theologians across the centuries, it opens a window on the Islamic world. The series' trademark graphics and mind maps unpick the central tenets of Islam, such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage. Clear factual writing offers insight into terms like Sharia law, the Caliphate, and jihad; Sunni and Shia divisions; and Sufi poetry and music. Images of Islamic art, architecture, calligraphy, and historical artefacts illustrate the articles. Modern issues such as fundamentalism are discussed in context alongside the work of peaceful traditionalists, modernizers, and women's rights campaigners, among others. Packed with more than 80 inspiring quotations, and bold, intriguing illustrations, The Islam Book is an invaluable source of information both for members of one of the world's major religions and any interested reader who wants a clear unbiased guide to the meaning of this faith.
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Discover and understand the key ideas that underpin the core science of biology and learn about the great minds who uncovered them. Written in plain English, The Biology Book is packed with short, pithy explanations of some of the most momentous ideas in science, from cell theory... to evolution by natural selection and the discovery of DNA. Simple graphics, such as timelines and mind maps, support the text and make the explanation easy to follow. The book is arranged in chapters covering key themes in the life sciences, such as zoology, evolution, and biotechnology. Within each chapter, a series of articles traces the history of scientific thought and introduces the work of the scientists who have shaped the subject such as Carl Linnaeus, Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck, Charles Darwin, and Gregor Mendel. Along the way, the book addresses some of the most fundamental questions in science: how did life begin, what is a species, and are we the products of nature or nurture? By covering subjects such as cloning, genomics, neuroscience, human evolution, and gene editing, the story comes right up to the present day and makes sense of some of the most pressing and relevant scientific issues of our times. Whether you are new to biology, a student of the life sciences, or just want to keep up with and understand current ethical and scientific debates, The Biology Book is for you.
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Learning about the vast concept of politics can be daunting, this book makes it easier than ever by giving you all the big ideas, simply explained. It includes more than 100 ideas in the history of politics that are helpfully broken down so that abstract topics, such as theoretic...al foundations and practical applications become real.
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Packed with infographics and flowcharts that explain complex concepts clearly and simply, this book examines the economic forces that shape all our lives. From the earliest forms of currency to the Industrial Revolution, and from the birth of the stock market to free-market capit...alism and globalized trade, The Little Book of Economics brings economic theory and the work of key economists to life. Journeying through centuries of economic thought, it is the perfect pocket-sized introduction to the subject. One of a series of new, compact sister titles to DK's Big Ideas series, The Little Book of Economics offers you the same combination of clear text and hard-working infographics in a portable format that is perfect for reading on the go.
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