Counting: Humans, History and the Infinite Lives of Numbers
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COUNT? WHY ARE HUMANS THE ONLY SPECIES ON EARTH THAT CAN DO IT? WHERE DID COUNTING COME FROM? HOW HAS IT SHAPED SOCIETIES ALONG THE WAY? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COUNT? WHY ARE HUMANS THE ONLY SPECIES ON EARTH THAT CAN DO IT? WHERE DID COUNTING COME FROM? HOW HAS IT SHAPED SOCIETIES ALONG THE WAY? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The eagerly anticipated conclusion to Peter Godfrey-Smith’s three-part exploration of the origins of intelligence on Earth, which began with the bestselling Other Minds in 2018 and continued with Metazoa in 2020.
Ancient trees, some over a thousand years old, are dotted around the British Isles, the last survivors of a lost world. Now, new scientific studies of these trees and of fossilised forests and of our oldest wooden artifacts can help us to understand the many woodlands that have disappeared from our landscapes.
We love chickens. From Instagram stars and therapy chickens to our mugs and calendars, greeting cards and dish towels, our love for chickens is EVERYWHERE. They cheer us, make us laugh, make us love, and help us to see the beauty, joy and humour in life.
*A FINANCIAL TIMES, GUARDIAN AND TLS BOOK OF THE SUMMER*
‘The fascinating story of ancient words … new revelations await’ The Guardian
‘A magisterial feat’ New Scientist
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Exmoor is one of only three large moorlands in southern England. Together with Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, they have long been an inspiration for field naturalists of all descriptions. It seems appropriate, therefore, that this volume should bring the inspiration and the particularities of place together and allow the landscape of Exmoor to shine.
Sleep has hardly changed since Paleolithic humans snoozed soundly in their caves. While sabre-toothed tigers were their biggest night-time worry, today it’s stress and social media that keep us awake, but the solutions are the same, and sleep therapist Dr Merijn van de Laar offers understanding and advice to have you sleeping better within weeks.
Human olfaction – the sense of smell – enables us to appreciate food and drink, it warns us of dangers and it makes our environments more enjoyable. However, olfaction is one of our least explored sensory systems. Until now.
‘Has the power to change the way you look at the world’ Steven Bartlett
‘The heir to Oliver Sacks’ David Baddiel
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2024
AN INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE MONTH
Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger.
Combining practical stargazing information and advice, the insights of internationally renowned astronomers and the history, technological advances and art revering the night sky, Collins Stargazer’s Bible is a stunning celebration of the remarkable sky above.
‘I found this book amazing’ Daniel Kahneman, Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics and bestselling author of Thinking Fast & Slow
Mushrooms have always had a global fan club. And that fanbase continues to spread – like the windswept spores of the colossal Honey Fungus.
Mushroom Miscellany is a love letter to all things mushroom. This charmingly illustrated gift book explores the fantastical world of the mushroom – featuring profiles, fun facts, recipes, and more.
Beekeeping is a popular past time that more and more people are turning to for personal enjoyment, or even small commercial gain. Today you will find hives in backyards, gardens, and on rooftops, benefiting both the bee and the keeper.
‘A very enjoyable book that brilliantly blends science, insight and passion’ TRISTAN GOOLEY
This is a tale of human obsession, one intrepid tuna, the dedicated fisherman who caught and set her free, the promises and limits of ocean science and the big truth of how our insatiable appetite for bluefin transformed a cottage industry into a global dilemma.