New Releases by Anne Rooney

Explore the impact and potential of AI technologies in this illustrated guide, written by award-winning science author Anne Rooney. Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant technological developments of recent times, with the possibility to reshape society as we know it. In this engaging volume, the author explains the cutting-edge science behind artificial intelligence models as well as the philosophical implications in simple and accessible language. Covering subjects such as deep learning, neural networks, large language models, The Essential Book of Artificial Intelligence provides the perfect starting point for anyone interested in the subject. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Concepts is a series of titles diving into some of the most compelling subjects in modern science. Written by a variety of experts, these beautifully illustrated foil-stamped hardbacks provide a perfect starting point to a range of fascinating topics.

Explore the intriguing subject of human consciousness in this illustrated guide, written by award-winning science writer Anne Rooney. The study of consciousness is one of the more fascinating frontiers in science, combining aspects of neurology, psychology, evolutional biology and philosophy. In this highly-visual, full-colour guide, Rooney explores the philosophical conundrums and scientific breakthroughs surrounding consciousness and shows how leading thinkers have sought to understand the enigma of awareness. Covering subjects such as mind-body dualism, the nature of thought, the ''easy'' and ''hard'' problems of consciousness and free will, The Essential Book of Consciousness provides the perfect starting point for anyone interested in the subject. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Concepts is a series of titles diving into some of the most compelling subjects in modern science. Written by a variety of experts, these beautifully illustrated foil-stamped hardbacks provide a perfect starting point to a range of fascinating topics.

How did life emerge? What are the smallest elements of matter? How are planets formed? Over the centuries, brilliant men and women have sought to develop theories to answer the most compelling questions about the world around us. Through their amazing insights and conscientious efforts they helped to create the world we know today. In this beautifully illustrated book, Anne Rooney introduces you to the fascinating world of science and its greatest practitioners. Ranging from evolutionary biology to quantum physics to chaos theory and featuring the ideas of such pivotal scientists as Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Stephen Hawking, this essential guide will bring you up to speed on all of the world''s most important scientific discoveries.

Young readers can turbo-charge their science skills with this mind-expanding book, jam-packed with over 50 awesome science experiments! These eye-opening tricks will introduce children to the miraculous world of biology, chemistry and physics, including forces, optics, acoustics and more. Every experiment is set out in clear, step-by-step instructions with hilarious cartoon artworks and includes a breakdown of the scientific principles behind it. Experiments include: • How to make eggs bounce and bones bend • How to make secret messages using just a ... lemon?! • How to bend light with water • How to create your own eye-opening optical illusions Through these fun experiments, this book will spark a life-long interest in the marvels of science. Perfect for readers aged 7+. ABOUT THE SERIES: Bamboozle, befuddle and blow the minds of young readers with the Absolutely Epic Activity Books. This fab and funny series of puzzles, experiments and activities feature wacky cartoon illustrations and are perfect for kids aged 7+.

What kinds of machines are used to explore outer space? The answer to this question and many more are waiting for readers to discover in this relatable guide to a high-interest STEM topic. Common and creative questions about space machines are presented through clear text and simple sentences, allowing even reluctant readers to find information and entertainment with each turn of the page. As readers travel through the fun and fact-filled text and colorful illustrations, they’re inspired to think critically about technology and how it’s being used to explore the universe beyond our planet.

The moon is a familiar sight in the sky, but how much do we actually know about it? Common questions about the moon and their answers are presented to readers in an engaging way in this helpful guide to an essential science curriculum topic. Fun facts are presented through clear and concise text, allowing readers at a variety of levels to learn more about the moon. Colorful and often humorous illustrations accompany the relatable questions and accessible answers, creating a unique reading experience that’s out of this world!

Young people often have many questions about their bodies, and they''ll find many answers in this entertaining volume full of fun facts. They''ll learn about various body systems, processes, and parts as they embark on a creative journey through the human body. The question-and-answer format offers a fresh and relatable perspective on science curriculum topics, which are further defined in the detailed glossary. Colorful and creative illustrations present these biology concepts in a fun way.

Physics is the science which ties all others together. Aiming to explain the universe, from the smallest subatomic particles to vast galaxies, it represents human intellectual endeavor at its most ambitious. This illustrated guide traces the development of physics, from the natural philosophers of the ancient world to cutting-edge experiments in quantum mechanics. These complex ideas are expressed in clear and easy-to-understand language, providing a wonderful introduction to the vast subject. Topics include: • The nature of matter - first theorized as atoms 2,500 years ago • Light and optics • Masses and forces • The bizarre subatomic world of quantum mechanics • Our fascination with the stars • The universe around us, from the Big Bang to distant galaxies ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Fundamentals Series explains fascinating and far-reaching topics in simple terms. Designed with retro, tactile covers and filled with dynamic illustrations and fact boxes, these books will help you quickly get to grips with complex topics that effect our day-to-day living.

"The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water" - Sigmund Freud From Socrates to Carl Jung and Descartes to Daniel Dennett, this illustrated book brings together the threads that have made up psychology, from the musings of the Ancient Greeks to the findings of functional MRI scanning. Explained in a concise and easy-to-understand manner, it explores various key approaches, including structuralist, functionalist, behaviourist, psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive, and biological. It is a narrative of how we have tried to approach the very core of our being - of what makes us ourselves. Topics include: • The ghost in the machine - the search for the mind and how it relates to the body • Models of madness - attempts to categorize and treat mental illness • Artificial intelligence • Mind and matter - how modern neurology sheds new light on the workings of the mind • Psychoanalysis ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Fundamentals Series explains fascinating and far-reaching topics in simple terms. Designed with rustic, tactile covers and filled with dynamic illustrations and fact boxes, these books will help you quickly get to grips with complex topics that affect our day-to-day living.

People have always sought order in the apparent chaos of the universe. Mathematics has been our most valuable tool in that search, uncovering the patterns and rules that govern our world and beyond. This book traces humankind''s greatest achievements, plotting a journey from innumerate cave-dwellers, through the towering mathematical intellects of the last 4,000 years, to where we stand today.

Did you know that your body makes a billion cells a minute? Or that your fingers have no muscles in them? Or that if your blood vessels were stretched out in a long line they would go twice around the earth? Discover 500 unbelievable facts about your own body in this handy book. Packed full of fascinating information, incredible diagrams and wonderful illustrations, this fact book is the perfect guide to the human body for readers aged 8+.

Where did the first cells come from? If we evolved from monkeys, why are there still monkeys? How did birds first take flight? Join us on an extraordinary journey through the history of life in this unique, beautifully illustrated book. Explore one of the most incredible ideas in modern science ... how natural selection has given rise to the mind-boggling diversity of life on Earth today. Featuring fun fact boxes, an illustrated timeline and a glossary of key terms, Story of Life is presented in a clear, easy-to-understand way while maintaining rigorous scientific accuracy. A perfect gift for children aged 8+. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Story of Everything is a beautifully illustrated series for young readers which tells the story of life as we know it, from the big bang to evolution and the history of human development.

This book, with an introduction by Dr Anne Rooney and a helpful glossary at the back, is written in font size 16. Gabriel Utterson is intrigued by the sinister figure of Mr Hyde, and the latter''s strange relationship with Utterson''s good friend, Dr Jekyll. When Mr Hyde beats a Member of Parliament to death, Gabriel Utterson tries to get to the bottom of the mystery and eventually discovers Dr Jekyll''s dark secret... For more on our growing collection of books, and for more about bulk discounts for schools, visit: firestonebooks.com

''How can a three-pound mass of jelly that you can hold in your palm imagine angels, contemplate the meaning of infinity, and even question its own place in the cosmos?'' V. S. Ramachandran, neuroscientist, 2011 How we think, feel, move, remember, imagine, and experience the outside world and our own bodies is the domain of neuroscience. For millennia, the workings of the brain and nerves could be approached only through superstition and conjecture. Then, in the 19th century, neuroscience began to cast light on this most complex of our bodily systems. This book traces the development of neuroscience, from ancient beliefs to the technologies of the present day. Neuroscience is the science of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Our fascination with the mental activity that makes humans unique in the animal kingdom is as old as humanity itself, and the interaction of the physical body with the insubstantial mind has puzzled some of the greatest thinkers. Here we trace the story of our growing understanding of the nervous system, from the time of the Ancient Greeks through Descartes, Willis and Golgi to the work of Nobel prizewinning scientists. The Story of Neuroscience weaves together narratives from philosophy, religion, psychology, physics, anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, and a host of other sciences. It is a story that is still unfolding today. Topics include: The interaction of mind, soul, and body The localization of functions within the brain The workings of the nervous system The motor system and how we move The sensory system and how we construct perception Mental illness, brain damage, and lessons from dysfunction and disease Mental activity, including learning, memory, identity, and imagination

''The importance of the end in view prompted me to undertake all this work, which seemed to me destined to bring about a revolution in physics and chemistry.'' Antoine Lavoisier, 1773 Great advances in human history have often rested on and prompted progress in chemistry. The exploitation of fire, the development of pigments, and the discovery that metals could be smelted and worked laid the foundations of civilization. The search for better tools and weapons drove metallurgy, and the need for medicines and perfumes lay behind the first laboratories. This book traces a story of exploration and discovery, from the earliest applications of chemistry by our ancient forebears. For more than 1,000 years, alchemists pursued the transformation of matter until the advent of modern chemistry in the 17th century set us on the path to the complex science of today. Topics include: • prechemistry since prehistory • alchemy and the transmutation of metals • the rise of the scientific method • identifying the chemical elements • understanding gases • the nature of the atom • organic chemistry • chemical analysis Beautifully illustrated throughout

''Astronomy, as nothing else can do, teaches men humility.'' Arthur C. Clarke, The Challenge of the Spaceship For thousands of years, the stars, planets, Moon and Sun were central to religious and superstitious beliefs. Astronomy has its origins in the context of these beliefs. From this starting point, scientific thinking emerged, as humans began to seek explanations for the existence of celestial bodies - explanations that did not rely on the supernatural. In the 17th century, the invention of the telescope marked a watershed, opening the heavens to scrutiny and revealing that the planets are other worlds. The wonders of space have multiplied ever since, puzzling and enthralling us. The Story of Astronomy charts our fascination with stars, from before Stonehenge to the search for exoplanets and extra-terrestrial life. This accessible, fascinating account of discoveries, from the times of Palaeolithic star-gazers to current space missions, shows how we have come to know so much about the universe. At the same time, unfolding knowledge has opened new horizons to explore. Our understanding of the boundless cosmos has only just begun. Topics include: Cosmology, from ancient times to the Big Bang Our place in the solar system Astrolabes, telescopes and radio astronomy Mapping the stars Space missions and probes Comets, asteroids, supernovae and black holes The unknown, from empty space to dark energy

What is math? Why do we need it? Can birds count? What is the biggest number? Math in 30 Seconds answers these and other questions across 30 awesome topics. Each topic is presented in a concise, 30-second summary, supported by a 3-second flash soundbite, and full-color artwork. Fun, active elements for kids to make-and-do support the topics, encouraging them to test, explore, and discover more. With fast facts, mini missions, and engaging artwork, this book is an exciting introduction to the amazing world of math.

Following the successful pattern of previous Story of ... titles, The Story of Biology traces the development of biology from its origins in myths invented to explain the wonders and perils of the natural world, through the first attempts at empirical investigation, to the highly structured and technical discipline it has become today. The book focuses on the personalities, studies and theories that have led to our current understanding of the natural world.

Some of life''s most fascinating and topical questions lie within the complex realm of science. From the serious and practical to the quirky and bizarre, 15-Minute Scientist answers these questions in an easy-to-understand manner. Ranging across biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry and geology, these questions include: • Why don''t we go to Mars? • Is this the end for antibiotics? • Do we all see the same colours? • What''s happening with the climate? • What is the most economical way to drive a car? Including pictures, diagrams and useful fact boxes, this riveting guide to science is perfect for the non-expert. Many of these answers have implications for everyday living and may change the way you perceive the future. ABOUT THE SERIES: Ideas to Save Your Life takes concepts from academic subjects and applies them to your everyday life. Written in an engaging Q&A format, these books will help you answer fundamental questions and improve your day-to-day living.

The 15-Minute Economist introduces the reader to the main ideas of economics, showing how the subject has a clear, practical purpose vital of our day-to-day lives and thinking. A fun and fascinating introduction to the subject, including the story of many of the world''s greatest economists and covering the history of economics from the early barter system through the Industrial Revolution to the emergence of globalization.

Mathematics is all around us. It governs how information is presented to us and how we understand it. It underpins all science and has thus been responsible for mankind''s incredible progress throughout the ages. The 15-Minute Mathematician introduces the reader to the main ideas of mathematics. In an engaging Q&A format, Anne Rooney explains the philosophical arguments behind fascinating mathematical questions, such as: • Why do we have negative numbers? • How straight is a straight line? • Is it a risk worth taking? • What did the Babylonians ever do for us? Dip inside to discover the miraculous ways that mathematics effects everyday life.

Beautifully illustrated, this book traces the strands of thought in Western philosophy from the ancient Greeks to the present day. The book asks key questions in philosophy explored over the past 2,500 years. Within each question, approaches are considered in chronological order, showing how each philosopher’s thoughts have been influenced by those who have gone before. Following the Common Core standard of exploring how two or more authors approach similar subjects, readers will learn how thinking has evolved or diversified over time.

Join Mr Utterson as he tries to uncover the relationship between the polite and caring Dr Jekyll and his companion, the evil and twisted Mr Hyde. Mr Utterson cannot believe that his kind and loyal companion Dr Jekyll and the cruel and villainous Mr Hyde are friends. He is determined to discover more about their unusual relationship. However, the deeper he digs the more perplexed he is by the facts and events that unfold. Will Utterson ever uncover the truth? Carefully retold in clear contemporary language, and presented with stunning illustrations, these favourite horror classics will capture the hearts and imagination of young readers. The Classic Horror series includes the following titles: Dracula: 9781781716304 Frankenstein: 9781781716281 Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: 9781781716328 Sleepy Hollow: 9781781716342

Containing several case studies of earthquakes, this book describes how and where earthquakes happen and looks at the destruction earthquakes can cause.

Nearly 1300 years ago, Britain was a collection of small kingdoms ruled by the Anglo-Saxons and Celts. Then the Vikings came. Fierce invaders, they caused chaos through repeated raids over hundreds of years. Many settled in Britain. Find out how the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings lived together until the Norman Conquest in 1066 changed everything again. Made for the KS2 History curriculum, these eight titles are packed with amazing historical facts and inspiring images. These handy guides explore the distant past, surviving historical evidence and the impact of our ancestors on our lives today.

Can you spot a psychopath? Will smiling make you happy? Can you be bored to death? How can we motivate ourselves to succeed? Take a peek behind the curtain of the mysterious human mind in this fascinating guide. The 15-Minute Psychologist introduces readers to many universal aspects of psychology which affect our day-to-day lives, written in an accessible Q&A format. Drawing on the theories of psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget and Abraham Maslow, this engaging and accessible book covers dreams, the psychology of motivation and more. In understanding these concepts, readers will be able to apply them to their own lives get insight into common dilemmas. ABOUT THE SERIES: Ideas to Save Your Life takes concepts from academic subjects and applies them to your everyday life. Written in an engaging Q&A format, these books will help you answer fundamental questions and improve your day-to-day living.

Part of the brand-new Arcturus series, Ideas to Save Your Life, The 15-Minute Philosopher introduces the reader to the main ideas of philosophy, showing how the subject has a clear practical purpose vital to our day-to-day lives and thinking. A fun introduction to the subject of philosophy...

Describes the science and technology concepts used by cyber attack investigators, including information on hackers, identity theft, firewalls, computer forensics, and data recovery.