(4) 4-6 Scientific American series. This book groups inventions under seven topics: On the Road, At Home, Power, Factories, In the Air, Medicine, and Information. Technology ranges from bridges to alkaline batteries, from Bakelite to MRIs, computers, and "Just in Time" manufacturing. Though superficial and incomplete, these introductions may foster readers' curiosity. Well-chosen photographs and sidebars extend the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Scientific American series. Succinctly and clearly, this book traces space exploration, from Tsiolkovsky’s "rocket train" and Goddard's significant contributions to satellites, human spaceflight, moon landings, and various space probes to the inner and outer solar system. Telescopes and public space habitats such as the ISS are also featured, though briefly. Photos and sidebars extend the text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Scientific American series. Beginning with early attempts to understand scientific phenomena, these books progress through experiments and more refined theory to such topics as black holes, dark matter, and atomic colliders. Captioned illustrations and sidebars extend the texts, whose material is generally accurate if introductory. Gravity is current; Electromagnetism uses some outmoded examples (e.g., cassette tapes) and non-standard terminology. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Scientific American titles: Gravity, and How It Works and Electromagnetism, and How It Works.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian