THE CURE FOR EVERYTHING: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving

THE CURE FOR EVERYTHING: The Epic Struggle for Public Health and a Radical Vision for Human Thriving
MICHELLE A. WILLIAMS with Linda Marsa
One World (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$13.99 ebook, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: The inspiring story of how we overcame a history of infectious disease, poisonous environments, and early death and unlocked an explosion in human potential—and a vision for the work ahead to optimize human flourishing in the twenty-first century

Public health is an unusual discipline—a combination of science, sociology, politics, and logistics—with a simple goal: to create the conditions for human thriving. Despite a century of massive improvements in our health and quality of life, Americans—reeling from our disastrous pandemic response, epidemics of depression and isolation, and a failing healthcare system—are understandably distrustful of public health. But the true history of public health doesn’t just reveal one of the greatest feats in human history—our great escape from early death and infectious disease—it points toward a future of even greater improvements. The cure for everything? It’s all of us, working together for our collective health.

Michelle A. Williams, one of the country’s true innovators in public health, here tells the dramatic hidden history of public health in America: a story of how radicals and renegades—from W.E.B. Du Bois to Alice Hamilton to the activists of ACT UP—and the institutions and infrastructure we built together helped transform our world. As she takes readers through these dramatic stories, she draws out their deeper lessons. In the end, she makes a powerful argument that it is public health that should drive our country’s policies and politics—that if our policies fail to increase the health and well-being of everyone, regardless of race or economic status, we have failed as a society.

Here is a dramatic, sweeping history with a galvanizing vision for how we can address new threats and complete the unfinished business of public health.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Public health, in thae definition fronted by Wikipedia, is "the science and art of preventing disease" and I have only one quibble with this as a jumping-off point for studying the subject: the phrase is rightly "art, and science, of preventing disease."

Firstly the art of medicine is best acknowledged as such; secondly the science is a fully separate topic the way I've punctuated it. Both are crucial, essential components of the field we call "public health," along with huge doses of politics and other coalition-building matters. Author Williams has an impressive and extensive CV that demonstrates her knowledge of public health is not solely theoretical. Make no mistake, in a career of fortyish years Author Williams has worked on tough health problems as far afield from academia as Haitian perinatal health.

A wad of notes, a premise that explains her career, a publisher excited to present the book. It's all gone right so far. How about the story she's telling?

I came into adulthood as AIDS was making itself known. I had an anti-vaxxer mother who lied to the schools I attended that of course I'd been vaccinated! I hadn't apart from polio when I was two, my father...polio survivor himself...had it done and her fury was loud and scary to tiny little me, and smallpox, when my doctor just did it and told her afterwards she was an idiot and to pull her head out of her ass (in those words) and remember her little brother's death (he had been her own doctor in childhood). No others, no MMR, no DPT, I got the diseases instead. My interest, then, in the topic is rooted in personal experiences I wouldn't wish on anyone not named Trump.

Author Williams speaks to me directly by speaking of the people, the movers and shakers, the subversive insurgents, the deeply humane empaths and the policy wonks who completely devoted themselves to bettering the lives of their fellow humans. I really expected the read to leave me more admiring than impressed. It left me both. I don't think the prose, largely (I assume) penned by health-focused journalist Linda Marsa, is noteworthy, in either elegance or lack thereof. It is precise, it is selected with an aim in mind to inform, to convey huge swaths of research without making the layperson feel talked down to or left behind. It is a successful effort. It is a hugely important story of one of the most astounding, and undercelebrated, achievements made by individual people moving massive inertial forces by dint of sheer stubborn refusal to give up. These many people who worked to find reasons for catastrophes of preventable deaths on a scale I myownself quail before are celebrated and named. Their contributions are brought to your eyes for what is very often the first time.

I give the book all five stars because I have not read a more succinct, informative treatment of a subject within the history of science that is more pleasantly conversational, less irritatingly superior of tone, or more urgent to grasp. We are witnessing an appalling and potentially lethal dismantling of a system dedicated to public health. It behooves each of us to learn as much as possible about how we achieved the heights before we are cast back into the depths. It will, I expect, create a lot of new advocates for our threatened public health system.

THE MATHEMATICIANS' LIBRARY: The Books That Unlocked The Power Of Numbers, illustrated to a fare-thee-well

THE MATHEMATICIANS' LIBRARY: The Books That Unlocked The Power Of Numbers
THOMAS K. BRIGGS
Ivy Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$40.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: A lavishly illustrated compendium of the most significant publications that have informed mathematical knowledge throughout history.

Discover the story of mathematics like never before with The Mathematicians’ Library, an extraordinary collection that chronicles the evolution of mathematical thought and its profound impact on the world. This expertly curated anthology brings together the most influential works and authors from across history, showcasing the journey of mathematical discovery from ancient tablets to contemporary volumes.

The Mathematicians’ Library takes you through the pages of history, featuring groundbreaking works like Euclid’s Elements, Fibonacci’s Liber Abaci, Hilbert’s Foundations of Geometry, and Mandelbrot’s The Fractal Geometry of Nature. Each book offers a unique glimpse into how mathematics has shaped human civilization, guiding everything from transportation and commerce to art, science, and beyond.

Mathematics is the invisible force that governs our daily lives, influencing everything from the weather forecasts we trust to the technology we depend on. It has been a cornerstone of human progress, evolving through centuries of research, discovery, and collaboration across cultures. This book reveals that legacy by presenting works that have changed the way we understand our world, from ancient knowledge inscribed on clay tablets, the contributions of Babylonian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, Islamic, and Maya scholars, The Mathematicians’ Library offers unparalleled access to the greatest minds in mathematics—Plato, Pythagoras, Euclid, Hypatia, Galileo, Einstein, and more.

The Mathematicians’ Libraryis more than just a collection; it's a journey through the intellectual milestones that have defined our understanding of the world. Whether you're a scholar, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the forces that shape our lives, this collection will captivate and inspire. Unlock the secrets of mathematics and discover the brilliance behind the numbers that rule our world.

Table of contents:
Introduction
The Origins of Mathematics
Prehistoric
The Global Evolution of Mathematics (Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, India, Islam, Maya, Medieval Europe)
The Scientific Revolution
Modern Mathematics
The Future
Bibliography
Index

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I got mathphobia from my mother very early. I've used the established systematic desensitization technique of slowly increasing my exposure to it as a means of getting away from the extreme societal hazard of innumeracy. Goddesses please bless Author Paulos for writing that book I've linked to! It truly changed my life for the better.

That's one reason I asked for the DRC of this book. It's a seemingly unending process, this systematic desensitization, as ignoring it for very long will see my results evaporate...though they come back more and more quickly each time. This beautifully illustrated compendium of materials related to concepts I think most of us are noddingly acquainted with was a top-up.

If you're not a mathphobe like me, you might know one. You might also know a mathphile...I'm told they exist. Curious creatures I'm sure I do not know myownself. No matter, I think your science nerd bestie deserves a gorgeous work like this. It celebrates the tool they use the most.

These are the publicity samples the publisher provides. I think you'll agree that a non-fiction gift book about math is best illustrated in this demonstrative-of-concepts way. I found myself more focused on images than text...but remember I'm phobic about math. I would be.

A gift item for the biggest nerd you know and love! I'd get them the tree book, the design rendered onto the ebook looks...clunky. It's an option but not an ideal one.

Yuletide glory will be yours when gifting this one to the right giftee.

WACKY CONTRAPTIONS: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities

WACKY CONTRAPTIONS: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities
LAURA PERDEW (illus. Micah Rauch)
Nomad Press (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$24.95 hardcover, $19.95 paperback, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: In Wacky Contraptions: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities, young engineers ages 9 to 12 brainstorm, design, and build devices using the engineering design process. Kids learn about simple machines, mechanical advantage, forces, energy, motion, electricity, and other physical science concepts while creating fun and fascinating prototypes that do different kinds of work. A hands-on project book for kids who love building wacky contraptions!

How do we make contraptions that zoom, bounce, tower, and collapse? By using hands-on STEAM engineering!

In Wacky Contraptions: Gadgets That Whiz, Whoosh, Whirl, and Twist with Hands-On Engineering Activities, young engineers ages 9 to 12 brainstorm, design, and build devices using the engineering design process. Kids learn about simple machines, mechanical advantage, forces, energy, motion, electricity, and other physical science concepts while creating fun and fascinating prototypes that do different kinds of work. Plus, this book encourages kids to adopt a growth mindset and understand that when their projects don’t work, that’s a sign that it’s time to revise and try again!

Built around a plethora of hands-on projects—a conveyor belt, magnetic slime, and a water wheel are just a few examples—a fun narrative style engages kids in discussions of the forces that define our world and the work we do in it. Tension, magnetism, electricity, and chemistry affect our daily lives in ways we often overlook—but armed with the power of knowledge, kids can identify and use the science that surrounds them. Graphic novel style illustrations, photographs, fun facts, sidebars, links to online resources, and more make Wacky Contraptions entertaining and educational.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: A bright sixth-grader who likes doing stuff with their hands will get a real lexical workout with this book. It keeps the language on the edge of their vocabulary; it will get many concepts across in infographics...the layout looks like a screen design...and it has a glossary included, to get them used to looking up words to figure out how to do something. Of course, starting out the usual stuff appears:

This is how we're starting out. It's really good at not being too far ahead of the bright ones, nor too "now look at the screen's left corner" for the average twelve-year-old.

Your middle-school nibling who's in a poor school district could get fired up over this because it's got stuff to do, to make things that work and aren't simply *there* when they are done. If the kid is watchin Mark Rober videos on YouTube, this is the gift of this Yuletide.

SISTERS OF THE JUNGLE: The Trailblazing Women Who Shaped the Study of Wild Primates, perfect for young women interested in life sciences

SISTERS OF THE JUNGLE: The Trailblazing Women Who Shaped the Study of Wild Primates
KERIANNE McGOOGAN
Douglas & McIntyre (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$19.99 ebook, available now

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Sisters of the Jungle explores the history of primatology, a rare scientific discipline led primarily by women, from pioneers like Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey to author Keriann McGoogan’s own adventurous field studies.

Since the 1970s, the science of primatology has been dominated by women—a unique reversal, as men usually outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Today, one of those women is primatologist Keriann McGoogan, who has traveled to the far corners of the earth in search of wild primates. In Sisters of the Jungle, McGoogan combines stories about her own studies of howler monkeys (the loudest living primate) and lemurs (the most endangered group of animals on the planet) with those of the women who paved the way: intrepid scientists like Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Biruté Galdikas, and Alison Jolly who broke boundaries, made astonishing discoveries and ultimately shaped the trajectory of an entire branch of science.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Women in STEM are only going to increase in numbers as "AI" (currently sophisticated LLMs not the AGI the tech scum are swearing is weeks away) becomes The Threat to Manhood the clique will worry about. Suddenly a human with ovaries won't get so much flak.

Such is my prediction, anyway.

The women who founded the concept of modern primatology are the subject of the memoir-cum-biography. The author's degrees are inspired by these foremothers of the field. After her first book, a memoir of her time in Madagascar researching lemurs, it seemed to be only right to discuss the founders of the current practices in primatology that are returning such excellent results. It pays huge dividends to stand on the shoulders of giants.

My desire to read this book was mainly to see if I could recommend it...was it too wonky, for professionals only, was it too chatty, for celebrity seekers only...none of the above, thankfully. It is a surface treatment of the lives and accomplishments, in the teeth of great opposition, of the multiple women who spent careers...lives...in pursuit of knowledge about humanity's last living cousins.

contents page

We're all indebted to these researchers for the many insights into the reality of being human that our primate family members have given us. Six women whose determination, passion, and intelligence have made our entire world both bigger in scope and brighter in affect.

our subjects of study doing their thing

There are always foregoers, frontrunners, trailblazers to thank for any truly revolutionary advance in any field. We're lucky to have had these women's contributions. Their enrichment of the world led to some media attention:

...that has paid dividends as well as extracted prices.

It is not too much to say that following their examples is a gift to give the world. I'm suggesting you show the young women in your life that it can be done because it has been done.

THE SIRENS OF MARS: Searching for Life on Another World, when history isn't a far-away enough holiday escape

THE SIRENS OF MARS: Searching for Life on Another World
SARAH STEWART JOHNSON
Crown
$17.00 trade paper, available now

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Mars was once similar to Earth, but today there are no rivers, no lakes, no oceans. Coated in red dust, the terrain is bewilderingly empty. And yet multiple spacecraft are circling Mars, sweeping over Terra Sabaea, Syrtis Major, the dunes of Elysium, and Mare Sirenum—on the brink, perhaps, of a staggering find, one that would inspire humankind as much as any discovery in the history of modern science.

In this beautifully observed, deeply personal book, Georgetown scientist Sarah Stewart Johnson tells the story of how she and other researchers have scoured Mars for signs of life, transforming the planet from a distant point of light into a world of its own.

Johnson’s fascination with Mars began as a child in Kentucky, turning over rocks with her father and looking at planets in the night sky. She now conducts fieldwork in some of Earth’s most hostile environments, such as the Dry Valleys of Antarctica and the salt flats of Western Australia, developing methods for detecting life on other worlds. Here, with poetic precision, she interlaces her own personal journey—as a female scientist and a mother—with tales of other seekers, from Percival Lowell, who was convinced that a utopian society existed on Mars, to Audouin Dollfus, who tried to carry out astronomical observations from a stratospheric balloon. In the process, she shows how the story of Mars is also a story about Earth: This other world has been our mirror, our foil, a telltale reflection of our own anxieties and yearnings.

Empathetic and evocative, The Sirens of Mars offers an unlikely natural history of a place where no human has ever set foot, while providing a vivid portrait of our quest to defy our isolation in the cosmos.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Women in STEM fields are still outnumbered by men. I like reading about them because it gives me a hopeful feeling about the pace of change in our world. Once upon a time, Vera Rubin and Lise Mitner and Henrietta Swan Leavitt were just...not talked about, invisible in our public discourse about Science. Now, there are books and movies about the women who have always practiced in the STEM fields like Hidden Figures to educate us on this erased history.

About time, too.

What that doesn't do is tell us anything about the women actively working in the STEM fields, about their motivations and curiosities, their ideas about what the field they're working within is and should be doing. This book's main appeal to me, then, was to tell me about a woman's journey to, and progress within, planetary science—a field I find endlessly fascinating.

I get the whole enchilada here, the story of why the author became a planetary scientist...spoiler alert, the centuries-long Romance of it all had a lot to do with it...as well as her own précis of the state of modern research into the past and present of our neighbor. The reasons we should care about Mars and its past aren't stinted, either.

What I enjoyed most, I think, was her palpable pleasure and excitement as she tells us about the atmosphere of tension and the sense of relief in Mission Control as probes and rovers are launched toward and land on Mars. The description then weaves in the results, the science, that is the reason for all this highly educated and trained labor focusing on this place. Her narrative voice never descends into gee-whizzery. She is definitely writing out of passion and fascination but doesn't become a total fangirl squeeing her way around the world she is privileged to inhabit.

Since that's exactly what I'd do, I was impressed by this restraint. Of course, her long training in the field does instill a certain sense of remove from the raw passion of the fan. It's taken her a lifetime of learning to get to where she is. It wasn't, and isn't, easy to fully dedicate yourself to a passion. The compromises made are always hard...being away from family, the strains on one's marriage...and she deals with all those honestly.

An extensive Notes section offers the non-scientist a roadmap for further reading and discovery. As this is a personal story, a memoir of a woman who chose to serve her passion for science, it isn't a read I judge by how well-sourced her information is. I just went along with this intelligent, erudite guide as I visited the world of a practicing planetary scientist.

You should, too, whatever your sex or gender. Also a good last-minute ebook to gift to your high-school aged girl giftee as a proof that aspirations are very much achievable.