One of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative explorati One of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative exploration of water on other planets highlights the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Life's Matrix also examines the grim realities of depletion of natural resources and its effects on the availability of water in the twenty-first century.
Life's Matrix: A Biography of Water, With a new preface
One of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative explorati One of the four elements of classical antiquity, water is central to the environment of our planet. In Life's Matrix, Philip Ball writes of water's origins, history, and unique physical character. As a geological agent, water shapes mountains, canyons, and coastlines, and when unleashed in hurricanes and floods its destructive power is awesome. Ball's provocative exploration of water on other planets highlights the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Life's Matrix also examines the grim realities of depletion of natural resources and its effects on the availability of water in the twenty-first century.
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Eli –
What did I want from this book that it didn't give me? I can't say. More history and practicality, less chemistry and minutiae? Was Ball's tone too dry? On the surface, I can't name anything that should've been a deal-breaker; I just knew that after three weeks of slogging, I didn't want to read another word of this book. Certainly I would have loved it if Ball hadn't felt (like so many writers of science books for lay audiences) that he had to go all the way back to the Big Bang before he could What did I want from this book that it didn't give me? I can't say. More history and practicality, less chemistry and minutiae? Was Ball's tone too dry? On the surface, I can't name anything that should've been a deal-breaker; I just knew that after three weeks of slogging, I didn't want to read another word of this book. Certainly I would have loved it if Ball hadn't felt (like so many writers of science books for lay audiences) that he had to go all the way back to the Big Bang before he could tell us anything about water. Definitely I could have done without the digression into failed chapters in water science (which read more like lectures on the importance of scientific method). There's probably a lot to recommend this book, and I wish others better luck with it.
Carmenza Uribe –
Planeta azul. Vista desde el espacio la Tierra ofrece un espectáculo diferente a cualquier otro planeta del sistema solar. Es el agua la que le da este aspecto, y es el agua la que permite la vida en el planeta. Sin ella, la vida tal como la conocemos, simplemente desaparecería. Y sorprende que solo alrededor del 3.5% de toda el agua del planeta es potable, pero que más del 3% está congelada, lo que da como resultado menos del 1% de agua potable y disponible para sustentar la vida. "H2O, Una bio Planeta azul. Vista desde el espacio la Tierra ofrece un espectáculo diferente a cualquier otro planeta del sistema solar. Es el agua la que le da este aspecto, y es el agua la que permite la vida en el planeta. Sin ella, la vida tal como la conocemos, simplemente desaparecería. Y sorprende que solo alrededor del 3.5% de toda el agua del planeta es potable, pero que más del 3% está congelada, lo que da como resultado menos del 1% de agua potable y disponible para sustentar la vida. "H2O, Una biografía del agua" pone sobre el tapete prácticamente todo lo que se conoce del agua en la actualidad. Pillip Ball, editor de la revista Nature emprende una apasionante aventura por la historia del agua: sus orígenes en el mismo Big Bang, pasando por su estructura, sus sorprendentes propiedades que la hacen un líquido anómalo, su ubicuidad en la biosfera, su significado cultural, sus ciclos, su carácter de artículo de lujo y finalmente el problema de su disponibilidad, asunto que cada vez preocupa más a la humanidad. El epílogo del libro tiene el sugestivo título de "Oro azul" y deja una serie de hechos y reflexiones acerca de lo que podría esperarnos en el futuro con respecto al líquido vital. En el mejor estilo de la divulgación científica, Phillip Ball no solo informa sino que permite la formación de opinión y de responsabilidad social frente a un recurso natural del valor y la importancia del agua. Lectura imprescindible para todo el mundo, pero muy especialmente para las nuevas generaciones. "Si se tiene autoridad suficiente para eliminar un charco putrefacto de las cercanías de unas pocas viviendas humildes, sin duda no debería permitirse que el río que recorre tantos kilómetros a través de Londres, sea transformado en una charca de fermentación de albañales ... Si desatendemos este asunto, tampoco deberíamos sorprendernos si, antes de que pasen muchos años, una temporada de calor nos diera una triste prueba de la necedad de nuestro descuido" Michael Faraday, carta al periódico The Times, 1855.
Lakmus –
Stopped at p.96. It's actually a pretty interesting book, and written pretty engagingly (for me, at least). I did learn a lot about water. But I am going to put this one down, because at this point in my life, water has zero interest to me, and I am pressed to read more relevant stuff. Might come back to it later, and probably be way more excited over all the things I could learn about water from this one. Stopped at p.96. It's actually a pretty interesting book, and written pretty engagingly (for me, at least). I did learn a lot about water. But I am going to put this one down, because at this point in my life, water has zero interest to me, and I am pressed to read more relevant stuff. Might come back to it later, and probably be way more excited over all the things I could learn about water from this one.
Nicole –
It was well worth my time. Philip Ball's Biography of Water is illuminated mainly from a scientific perspectice, but doesn't end there. The epilogue is very depressing as we learn there how badly water is wasted by industry and ordinary citizens in the developed countries - and how many million people don't have access to clean water. Ball also describes shortly in the epilogue how different territories fight over water rights. He gives two examples: two states in the US (California and Arizona) It was well worth my time. Philip Ball's Biography of Water is illuminated mainly from a scientific perspectice, but doesn't end there. The epilogue is very depressing as we learn there how badly water is wasted by industry and ordinary citizens in the developed countries - and how many million people don't have access to clean water. Ball also describes shortly in the epilogue how different territories fight over water rights. He gives two examples: two states in the US (California and Arizona) and nations in the Middle East (Israel, Palestine, Jordan).
Matt Hockley –
I couldn't get into this book and I didn't enjoy it. The tangents were too large and personally it didn't grab my attention. I tried to read as much as I could but it felt tedious and ultimately I had to abandon this book after finishing the second chapter. That said, I learnt a lot of interesting facts and the way the tangents were introduced was good and clever. A lot of extra research was done and you get the feel for the work involved. Ultimately, it really wasn't my taste. I couldn't get into this book and I didn't enjoy it. The tangents were too large and personally it didn't grab my attention. I tried to read as much as I could but it felt tedious and ultimately I had to abandon this book after finishing the second chapter. That said, I learnt a lot of interesting facts and the way the tangents were introduced was good and clever. A lot of extra research was done and you get the feel for the work involved. Ultimately, it really wasn't my taste.
A.L. –
I've been reading this book forever. Well, for years anyway. I don't know why it took me so long. I just found it impenetrable at times. Maybe it's the chemistry that got me? I just know that I'm really interested in the subject, but I found it really hard going. I've been reading this book forever. Well, for years anyway. I don't know why it took me so long. I just found it impenetrable at times. Maybe it's the chemistry that got me? I just know that I'm really interested in the subject, but I found it really hard going.
Vaidya –
Pretty dry for a book dealing with Water. Trouble might be my expectation with it. Am used to reading such well written easy-to-read Non-fiction work, that the assumption is that there are lots of them. Unfortunately, in this case I wonder if the goal of the author was ever to simplify at all. Almost 80% of the book is chemistry about bonds, crystallising, membranes, pressure, temperature, density, stretching, compressing. I almost sleepwalked through most of it. Read it if a lot of chemistry does Pretty dry for a book dealing with Water. Trouble might be my expectation with it. Am used to reading such well written easy-to-read Non-fiction work, that the assumption is that there are lots of them. Unfortunately, in this case I wonder if the goal of the author was ever to simplify at all. Almost 80% of the book is chemistry about bonds, crystallising, membranes, pressure, temperature, density, stretching, compressing. I almost sleepwalked through most of it. Read it if a lot of chemistry doesn't bore you.
Jennifer –
This was a great book. Non-scientists may find it a little too detailed with all the chemistry that was included (by necessity), but I thought it was very clear and concise. Ball did manage to pull in a little philosophy with his descriptions, but I never felt he over-reached with it. I loved how he pulled in astronomy, chemistry, biology, and cultural issues associated with water.
Nicolina Miller –
A wonderful and amazing book. I made notes in the margin (with pencil), it spoke to me on the level of life, not just of science, it inspired a tattoo--then I let someone borrow it, to spread the word! ...and I never got it back. no notes, no book, no nothing. I will just have to buy it again and give it another read and see what new things it has to tell me!
Jenny –
Hugely influential. Eye opening information on this incredible element.
Helen –
Fascinating. well researched. wonderfully written. too much. I'm overwhelmed. Fascinating. well researched. wonderfully written. too much. I'm overwhelmed.
Cynthia Karl –
This is not a book to sit down and read for hours. It is a book to read in segments and marvel at the complexity of water and how well the author explains his subject.
Philip –
Water can be considered from many different angles...
Neil Crocker –
Water may be plentiful but that doesn't mean it isn't special! Water may be plentiful but that doesn't mean it isn't special!
Rich Taylor –
Water - it's wierd stuff. Nicely documented here Water - it's wierd stuff. Nicely documented here
Sarah –
Written in 1999 so some of the book is outdated. Covers some complicated science so not a book you'll just whizz through. Interesting. Written in 1999 so some of the book is outdated. Covers some complicated science so not a book you'll just whizz through. Interesting.
Grindy Stone –
A hybrid of the Pop Science and the Commodities genres that never really takes off. It's a tough assignment to write a couple hundred pages on water, and the author comes up short. A hybrid of the Pop Science and the Commodities genres that never really takes off. It's a tough assignment to write a couple hundred pages on water, and the author comes up short.
Jomy –
Justwinter –
Hedda –
Guido Vicentini –
Rudi Bezuidenhoudt –
Fernando García - Piedrahita –
Memo Ramirez –
Roberto Spampinato –
Simon –
Parsapoglio –
Joana –
Milos Todorovic –
Aisling –