The Best Science & Technology Books 2025

1. 13 Things that Don't Make Sense : The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time (Paperback)

Spanning disciplines from biology to cosmology, chemistry to psychology to physics, Michael Brooks thrillingly captures the excitement of scientific discovery.Science's best-kept secret is this: even today, thereare experimental results that the most brilliant scientists cannot explain. In the past, similar "anomalies" have revolutionized our world. If history is any precedent, we should look to today's inexplicable results to forecast the future of science. Michael Brooks heads to the scientific frontier to confront thirteen modern-day anomalies and what they might reveal about tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Spanning disciplines from biology to cosmology, chemistry to psychology to physics, Michael Brooks thrillingly captures the excitement of scientific discovery.Science’s best-kept secret is this: even today, thereare experimental results that the most brilliant scientists cannot explain. In the past, similar “anomalies” have revolutionized our world. If history is any precedent, we should look to today’s inexplicable results to forecast the future of science. Michael Brooks heads to the scientific frontier to confront thirteen modern-day anomalies and what they might reveal about tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

2. Sick Planet: Corporate Food and Medicine (Paperback)

Neoliberals often point to improvements in public health and nutrition as examples of globalisation's success, but this book argues that the corporate food and medicine industries are destroying environments and ruining living conditions across the world. Scientist Stan Cox expertly draws out the strong link between Western big business and environmental destruction. This is a shocking account of the huge damage that drug manufacturers and large food corporations are inflicting on the health of people and crops worldwide. Companies discussed include Wal-Mart, GlaxoSmithKline, Tyson Foods and Monsanto. On issues ranging from the poisoning of water supplies in South Asia to natural gas depletion and how it threatens global food supplies, Cox shows how the demand for profits is always put above the public interest. While individual efforts to 'shop for a better world' and conserve energy are laudable, Cox explains that they need to be accompanied by an economic system that is grounded in ecological sustainability if we are to find a cure for our Sick Planet.

Neoliberals often point to improvements in public health and nutrition as examples of globalisation's success, but this book argues that the corporate food and medicine industries are destroying environments and ruining living conditions across the world. Scientist Stan Cox expertly draws out the strong link between Western big business and environmental destruction. This is a shocking account of the huge damage that drug manufacturers and large food corporations are inflicting on the health of people and crops worldwide. Companies discussed include Wal-Mart, GlaxoSmithKline, Tyson Foods and Monsanto. On issues ranging from the poisoning of water supplies in South Asia to natural gas depletion and how it threatens global food supplies, Cox shows how the demand for profits is always put above the public interest. While individual efforts to "shop for a better world" and conserve energy are laudable, Cox explains that they need to be accompanied by an economic system that is grounded in ecological sustainability if we are to find a cure for our Sick Planet.

3. Peterson First Guide to Forests (Paperback) by John C. Kricher

9780395971970. Paperback. Language: English. Pages: 128. 128 p. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. This guide describes and illustrates the 50 different kinds of forest and related habitats found throughout the United States and Canada, from the boreal forests and tundra of the north to the mangrove swamps, desert scrub, and giant saguaro forests of the south. 55 color plates.

9780395971970. Paperback. Language: English. Pages: 128. 128 p. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. This guide describes and illustrates the 50 different kinds of forest and related habitats found throughout the United States and Canada, from the boreal forests and tundra of the north to the mangrove swamps, desert scrub, and giant saguaro forests of the south. 55 color plates.

4. Pocket Naturalist Guides: Arkansas Trees & Wildflowers: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants (Paperback)

Arkansas' varied topography and temperate climate support thousands of plants species, many endemic to the state. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and also includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent botanical sanctuaries. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and resident alike.

Arkansas' varied topography and temperate climate support thousands of plants species, many endemic to the state. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and also includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent botanical sanctuaries. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and resident alike.

5. Pocket Naturalist Guides: Great Smoky Mountains Trees & Wildflowers: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants (Paperback)

The Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of an International Biosphere Reserve and contains nearly 200,000 acres of old growth forest. The extraordinary mosaic of life zones, including the world's finest example of a temperate deciduous forest, supports an estimated 5,600 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs including more than 1,600 species of flowering plants. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

The Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of an International Biosphere Reserve and contains nearly 200,000 acres of old growth forest. The extraordinary mosaic of life zones - including the world's finest example of a temperate deciduous forest - supports an estimated 5,600 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs including more than 1,600 species of flowering plants. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

6. Wildlife and Nature Identification: West Virginia Wildlife : An Introduction to Familiar Species (Other)

The portable and beautifully illustrated West Virginia Wildlife features 140 common and familiar mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, butterflies, and other insects as well as an ecoregion map showing over 20 wildlife-viewing hotspots and learning sites. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, 12-panel folding pocket guide is the ideal companion for educators, learners, naturalists, and educators who are keen to learn more about animals and peer more closely into their fascinating lives. Made in the USA.

West Virginia is home to more than 57 species of amphibians and reptiles; 70 wild mammals; 178 species of fish and nearly 300 species of birds. West Virginia Wildlife is the ideal pocket-sized, folding reference for the nature enthusiast. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects. Includes a map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.