Added by: Maria | Karma: 3098.81 | Non-Fiction | 1 June 2008
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Finally here is a book about Scotland that keeps kilts, bagpipes and
such in proper perspective. In the first paragraph Mr. Dendinger lists
images everyone associates with Scotland, then adds that it is also the
country that produces half of all laptop computers sold in Europe. He
adds details about the international technological activity in
Scotland's Silicon Glen that lets the reader know Scotland is a
technologically sophisticated country. As he describes the romance and
beauty of the Scottish countryside, he also tells about the effects of
devolution, supranationalism, the European Union and North Sea oil.
Instead of falling back on simplistic conclusions about complex issues,
this author provides a balanced discussion of the many viewpoints about
these and other topics that affect life in Scotland. He describes
Scotland's past and even tackles projections about the future. This
excellent book in the "Modern World Nations" series includes these
chapters: "Introducing Scotland," "Natural Landscapes," "Scotland
Through Time," "People and Culture," "Nation and State," "Economy,"
"Regional Contrasts," and "Future of Scotland." In addition, the book
has maps, facts and history at a glance, further reading,
Internet-accessed resources, a bibliography and an index.
You know that you need oxygen to breathe, that neon can glow and chrome shines?
But did you know that your cell phone contains arsenic, your spectacles contain rhodium and that the tin pest is not a disease?
And can you name just three researchers whom we have to thank for all these results?
Here, Professor Quadbeck-Seeger, a long-serving member of the board at BASF, goes in search of these and other questions.
Based on the periodic table, the key reference source for any natural scientist, he explains the criteria that define an element's position in the table and are responsible for its particular characteristics. In a clear and concise manner, he describes for each element the story behind its discovery, its physical and chemical properties as well as its role in our everyday lives.
Enriched by a wealth of interesting details, this beautifully designed book in full color represents not only varied reading, but also a treasure trove of surprising facts.
