U. of Chicago Press

Genentech; the beginnings of biotech.

This volume on the nexus of corporate and scientific history explores the field of biotechnology through the story of Genetech, the first successful and lucrative startup corporation in the field. The work examines the people and policies behind Genetech's rise and discusses key issues regarding the separation of science and business, the ethics of healthcare based corporations, and the technology sector as a viable market engine. Hughes is a historian of science at the Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

How we see the sky; a naked-eye tour of day & night.

Hockey (astronomy, U. of Northern Iowa) bursts with enthusiasm about astronomy, and the reader of this volume can't help but be caught up as he describes what we all can see, with no equipment and little effort, of the sun and stars, the moon and the planets, as well as extraordinary events like eclipses and everyday realities like the calendar. He offers practical advice for when and how to look, describing the science of the phenomena in clear language that is further illustrated with diagrams and photos. The accounts of his own experiences are engaging, adding to the friendly tone of the book while also demonstrating how anyone can learn about the sky and myriad aspects of astronomy around us. Explaining the costs and prevalence of light pollution, Hockey also explains how the reader can take part in making the night sky more visible again. This is a delightful volume, one that will change how readers, particularly urban and suburban readers, will see the world around them. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)