New Releases by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson

Author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson covers the compelling history of artificial intelligence (AI) to set the stage for its use in the modern world. Find out about the many fields where AI is used, including workplaces, the military, and schools, as well as the range of possibilities—and pitfalls—this technology brings. Along the way, McPherson addresses ethical issues about the use of AI, including environmental concerns. We’re living at a time when AI poses a multitude of questions that don''t yet have answers, but thinking more deeply about them will help us all better understand the technology and its place in society.

A thorough and accessible biography of Dr. Katalin Karikó, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, whose hard work pioneering mRNA research led to the COVID-19 vaccines. Her monumental contribution to global health care has rightfully placed Karikó as one of the most important scientists in history. She has won awards, given speeches, and appeared in magazines and television programs. But she wasn’t always famous—in fact, it took decades for anyone to recognize the importance of her research into RNA and the potential of mRNA to help cells fight off disease. Beginning with her birth in a small village in rural Hungary, Breakthrough tells the story of how a young girl interested in the wildlife around her became an internationally celebrated hero. Exuberant, devoted to her family, and hard-working, Karikó persevered in the face of challenges and obstacles that would have discouraged many of her peers. Her achievements remind us that if we believe in ourselves, no matter the setbacks we encounter, we can succeed.

As hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires are increasing in regularity and intensity, climate change can no longer be ignored. Melting permafrost, forest dieback, ocean acidification, and other processes are creating positive feedback loops which could, if not aggressively and quickly addressed, spiral out of control and take global warming past the point of no return. Hothouse Earth examines how science, politics, and social justice must all be part of the equation to counteract climate change.

In 2011 a computer named Watson outscored two human competitors on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! and snagged the million-dollar prize. Watson isn''t the only machine keeping up with humans. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is booming, with drones, robots, and computers handling tasks that once only humans could perform. Such advances raise challenging questions. Do Watson and other computers really think? Can machines acquire self-awareness? Is AI a promising or a dangerous technology? No machine, not even Watson, yet comes close to matching human intelligence, but many scientists believe it is only a matter of time before we reach this milestone. What will such a future look like?

"Iceberg, Right Ahead!" Only 160 minutes passed between the time a sailor on lookout duty uttered these chilling words and the moment when the mighty ocean liner Titanic totally disappeared into the cold, dark waters of the North Atlantic. This century-old tragedy, which took more than 1,500 lives, still captivates people in the twenty-first century. Seventy-three years separate the two major Titanic events—the 1912 sinking of the vessel and the dramatic 1985 discovery of the wreck by Robert Ballard. But additional stories about the victims, survivors, rescuers, reporters, investigators, and many others show the far-reaching effects this tragedy had on society. Award-winning author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson has collected numerous personal accounts of the event, including the knighted man who spent the rest of his life in seclusion because he was accused of dishonorable behavior in a lifeboat, the stewardess who survived two shipwrecks and a mid-ocean collision, and the New York Times executive who sent multiple reporters to meet the rescue ship, thus earning a national reputation for his newspaper. She also links the Titanic tragedy to changes in regulations worldwide. After a Senate Inquiry and a British trial attempted to assign blame for the disaster, new laws on ship safety were put in place. A group of nations also banded together to form an ice patrol, eventually leading to the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard. Even the most avid Titanic fans will learn something new as McPherson brings the reader up to date on the politics and intrigue still surrounding the wreck—including what modern science can reveal about what really happened to the ship and who was at fault. Prepare to follow the never-ending story of the Titanic into its second century.

Behind the fame of big-time sports lies a complex web of controversy and deceit. Doping—the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to gain a competitive athletic edge—is common in many sports. While doping can improve performance, it poses huge risks for athletes'' health and careers. Some of the world''s top athletes, from cyclist Lance Armstrong to professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez, have seen their images tarnished by doping scandals. Still, the pressure to win and high financial stakes drive many athletes to PEDs. Award-winning author Stephanie Sammartino McPherson uncovers the shadowy world of athletes who dope, the people and organizations that help them, and the scientists and officials committed to stopping them.

When an election is coming up, you usually expect a face-off between the two major US political parties—Democrats and Republicans. It''s easy to forget that there are numerous minor parties—and even groups within a single party—that have different goals. Why do we need political parties? In modern elections, they are important in shaping candidates'' positions on issues, determining who is nominated to run on a party ticket, and working behind the scenes to influence an election''s outcome. Examine opposing viewpoints on some of the key issues surrounding political parties and consider for yourself the power they hold in the US election process.

Ice in the Arctic is disappearing—and opportunity is calling. As climate change transforms the top of the world, warmer conditions are exposing a treasure trove of energy resources previously trapped in ice. The Arctic''s oil, natural gas, minerals, and even wind and hydroelectric power are becoming more accessible than ever before. With untold riches hanging in the balance, the race is on to control the Arctic and its energy potential. Oil companies vie for drilling rights that go to the highest bidder. Nations around the globe—whether they''re on the Arctic''s doorstep or half a world away—hope to claim territory for themselves. And the indigenous peoples who have called this region home for thousands of years are determined to be on the ground floor of its development. But the Arctic''s new possibilities come with grave risks. The pursuit of oil and natural gas threatens to further damage the Arctic''s fragile ecosystems and accelerate global warming worldwide. International disputes over who owns which pieces of the Arctic could bring countries to the brink of war. The fate of the entire planet may hinge on how far people are willing to go to tap and control the Far North''s energy resources. From oil rigs to military bases, the Arctic has never before hosted so many warring interests, and the stakes have never been so high. Join Stephanie Sammartino McPherson on a journey to the Far North to explore the energy controversies that will decide the future of the Arctic—and of the earth.

In the early 1880s, only a few wealthy people had electric lighting in their homes. Everyone else had use more dangerous lighting, such as gas lamps. Eager companies wanted to be the first to supply electricity to more Americans. The early providers would set the standards—and reap great profits. Inventor Thomas Edison already had a leading role in the industry: he had invented the first reliable electrical lightbulb. By 1882 his Edison Electric Light Company was distributing electricity using a system called direct current, or DC. But an inventor named Nikola Tesla challenged Edison. Tesla believed that an alternating current—or AC—system would be better. With an AC system, one power station could deliver electricity across many miles, compared to only about one mile for DC. Each inventor had his backers. Business tycoon George Westinghouse put his money behind Tesla and built AC power stations. Meanwhile, Edison and his DC backers said that AC could easily electrocute people. Edison believed this risk would sway public opinion toward DC power. The battle over which system would become standard became known as the War of the Currents. This exciting book tells the story of that war, the people who fought it, and the ways in which both kinds of electric power changed the world.

Sisters against Slavery recounts the lives of Sarah Grimke and Angelica Grimke Weld. These daughters of wealthy Southern planters and slave owners renounced slavery in the 1830''s. Through their writings and through a series of lectures delivered in the North, the sisters became famous for their views on slavery and women''s rights. Although the sisters were active as speakers and essayists for a relatively short time in the 1830s and 1840s, they reached tens of thousands of people, influenced American views on slavery, and were an inspiration to women''s rights leaders for decades to come.

As USA TODAY, the Nation''s No. 1 Newspaper, noted, "Google has infiltrated the daily lives of millions of people." But this giant company had very humble beginnings. In 1996 Sergey Brin and Larry Page were graduate students at Stanford University in California when they decided to invent a new way to search the information on the World Wide Web. Their technology project soon became a search engine and a company, Google, that changed the way information on the Internet is retrieved and controlled, making it easier, faster, and more relevant. Under Brin and Page, Google has become an international powerhouse, with an ever-widening scope of services—from Gmail to Google Earth to smart phones. It is also known for its fantasyland office complex, complete with gourmet chef and scooters. Sergey Brin and Larry Page continue to dream up exciting ventures for the future, and the world is waiting to see what''s next.

Presents the life of the first African American to play Major League baseball, from his childhood to his role as a hero of the Civil Rights Movement.

"Examines the stress and academic pressure students of all ages encounter, including early education, homework, standardized tests, college applications, peer pressure, and alternative learning styles"--Provided by publisher.

Chronicles the life and accomplishments of Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.

Presents the life, career, and accomplishments of the man who founded Levi Strauss and Co. and became wealthy selling clothes during the gold rush in San Francisco.

A biography of the brothers who, in 1903, made the first powered, controlled flight in an airplane.

"Give me liberty, or give me death!" A passionate speaker, Patrick Henry mesmerized and motivated audiences with his powerful words. Henry believed that Britain had stolen America''s freedom, and he was determined to prevent this injustice. Using his skills as a lawyer and politician, he inspired his fellow colonists to prepare for a war against Britain--and helped to create a new nation.

For use in schools and libraries only. Recounts the life of the scientist whose theories of relativity revolutionized the way we look at space and time.

A biography of Dr. Alice Hamilton, social worker and doctor, whose work brought attention to the health risks associated with particular jobs.

Recounts the life and accomplishments of the first woman astronomer in America.