Science and Natural History discussion

September nominations are now open! Choose one of your own books or find inspiration from the group's bookshelf.

- Only one nomination per person please.
- Books must be nonfiction, within our general theme.
- Nominations are open until 19th of August.
- Please add suggestions using add book/author.
- All recommendations will be featured in a subsequent poll.
- Feel free to pitch, especially in the comments at the poll.
- In case of draw, another poll will be done.

I'll be nominating Weird Life: The Search for Life That Is Very, Very Different from Our Own as it is the book I voted for last time and it was tied with the (now) August read.

Tales from the Underground by David Wolfe.Tales From The Underground: A Natural History Of Subterranean Life

How do I add a link to a title?

Weird Life: The Search for Life That Is Very, Very Different from Our Own

Florence wrote: "Tales from the Underground by David Wolfe.Tales From The Underground: A Natural History Of Subterranean Life"

Using the 'add book/author' link right above the comment field.

Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America by Jon Mooallem.

The Global Warming Reader, edited by Bill McKibben.

The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilson

I read this book about a week ago and found it to be an amazing discussion of the evolution of eusociality and a strong argument for group selection over kin selection. I want to read it again because some of it was difficult reading for me. (I don't have a background in science.) From the publisher's book description: "Demonstrating that the sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature, the renowned Harvard University biologist [Edward O. Wilson] presents us with the clearest explanation ever produced as to the origin of the human condition and why it resulted in our domination of the Earth’s biosphere."

This looks like an interesting and enjoyable fall read.

Pleasurable Kingdom

I'm also nominating Tales from the Underground, by DAvid Wolfe. I do have a review on Goodreads. Plenty of science but readable. - Sara van Dyck (I'm also contacting the moderators because my name shows up as Sara Dyck, so no one can find me.)

I just finished Tales from the Underground too. It was excellent and I have a brief review of it also.

Florence wrote: "I just finished Tales from the Underground too. It was excellent and I have a brief review of it also."

I read your review, Florence,and I think even though we both have reviewed the book there's enough still to discuss, and I'd like to hear others' reactions. Sara van Dyck

My vote goes for Weird Life

Stephanie wrote: "My vote goes for Weird Life"

Remember to vote here: http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/89583

I suggested THE SOCIAL CONQUEST OF EARTH, but I'm really intrigued by PLEASURABLE KINGDOM. TALES FROM THE UNDERGROUND sounds really good, too. I'll be voting for one of these three.