Most Popular Books by John Farndon

How do hurricanes form? Why does the moon change shape? What are tectonic plates? You''ll discover the answer to these questions and many more when you step inside the inner workings of Planet Earth! From digging deep under the ground to floating to the highest layer of the atmosphere – you might be surprised where you end up.In this fascinating introduction to Planet Earth, large, colourful diagrams are brought to life by tiny people running around performing the actions that are explained in the text. The 80-page extent allows for an in-depth look at the workings of our planet, from the water cycle and the atmosphere, to how the seasons change and why hurricanes happen. Double gatefolds give a large space in which to explore complex processes such as the rock cycle and evolution. A follow-up to the successful book, Stuff You Should Know About the Human Body.

Discusses the origin, discovery, special characteristics, and use of nitrogen in such products as explosives and fertilizers.

From the ever-curious mind that brought you the bestselling Do You Think You''re Clever? comes a brand-new trip to the far reaches of the intellectual universe, courtesy of even more notoriously provocative Oxbridge interview questions. How would you poison someone without the police finding out? (Medicine, Cambridge) What makes a strong woman? (Theology, Oxford) Instead of politicians, why don''t we let the managers of IKEA run the country? (Social and Political Sciences, Cambridge) How do you organise a successful revolution? (History, Oxford) Whether you''re interested in going to Oxbridge or just want to give your brain a workout, join polymath John Farndon on another exhilarating journey through the twists and turns of thought, and explore just what it means to be genuinely clever – rather than just smart.

From the ever-curious mind that brought you the bestselling Do You Think You''re Clever? comes a brand-new trip to the far reaches of the intellectual universe, courtesy of even more notoriously provocative Oxbridge interview questions. How would you poison someone without the police finding out? (Medicine, Cambridge) What makes a strong woman? (Theology, Oxford) Instead of politicians, why don''t we let the managers of IKEA run the country? (Social and Political Sciences, Cambridge) How do you organise a successful revolution? (History, Oxford) Whether you''re interested in going to Oxbridge or just want to give your brain a workout, join polymath John Farndon on another exhilarating journey through the twists and turns of thought, and explore just what it means to be genuinely clever – rather than just smart.

"Hurricanes, tornadoes, weather bombs, and blizzards...how our weather really works"--Cover.

Describes the discovery, versatility and other special characteristics, various uses, and affect on the human body of this most common metal in the world.

"When bacteria and viruses attack"--Cover.

The direct correspondence between image and text and consistent format make these books ideal for the emergent reader and mathematician.

Meet some of the most interesting birds on Earth, and learn about their remarkable abilities—from elaborate nest-building and singing to logical thinking and language skills. Discover how these fascinating birds and others use their smarts and skills to thrive in diverse environments.

The Kingfisher First Encyclopedia of Animals is the ideal introductory encyclopedia for young wildlife enthusiasts, containing a wealth of animal information explained in an understandable, accessible manner. The entries are clearly presented, with simple, informative text and attractive artworks and photographs which aid understanding and enhance the book''s appeal to young readers.

"Learn more about the destructive force of volcanoes through powerful images and stories. Clear text emphasizes scientific efforts to better understand how to prepare for volcanic eruptions, while appropriately high-impact visuals keep readers engaged"--Provided by publisher.

"Epidemics and scourges through the ages"--Cover.

"What do whales sing to one another? How are dolphins so brainy? Learn more about these fascinating underwater animals'' unique survival skills."--

With more than 20 million copies sold in 41 languages and more than 88 countries worldwide, DK Eyewitness has been the most trusted series in reference publishing for more then three decades. Visually engaging, informative, and lively, the more than 100 titles in the Eyewitness series focus on subjects that complement students'' personal interests and areas of study to make learning simple and fun.The most trusted nonfiction series for teachers, librarians, and parents. Perfect for homework help. Combination of pictures and text make the series perfect for reluctant readers and ESL students.

"Explores and explains physics concepts--including energy, motion, simple machines, gravity, flight, electricity, and magnetism--and provides experiments to aid in understanding physics"--Provided by publisher.

This book explains how the Universe is made up, from stars and their systems to galaxies and globular clusters.

The ancient birthplace of some of the world''s major religions and now a modern nuclear power, India is experiencing spectacular economic growth. In twenty-five years its population will overtake that of China, making it one of the most populous and rapidly-developing countries in the world. We all need to know more about this intriguing country. John Farndon explores the changing face of modern-day India and its fundamental contradictions. The country is leading the world in cutting edge technology and research, but it is also home to 40 per cent of the world''s malnourished children. It is a liberal democracy, yet its political processes are influenced by some of the most conservative religious ideas in the world. The booming economy is at times both global and archaic. Getting to the heart of these inconsistencies, Farndon gives a fascinating insight into the country as it is now and as it will be in the future, and reveals how the changes in India will affect us all.

"With clever text, vibrant illustrations, and simple diagrams, this book gives readers a look into their circulatory and respiratory systems. Humorous text and imagery make this complex topic fun and engaging."--

The Little Animal Encyclopedia is the perfect introduction to wild and domestic animals for young children. Fact boxes and captions provide older children with additional detail. The many images of children interacting with animals make this an exceptionally child-friendly book.

Just think, every single thing you do is handled by an amazing computer inside your head—your brilliant brain! And it''s helped by your body''s internet—your nervous system. Join the Stickmen to discover how spidery nerve cells send messages to the brain in seconds, how quick reflexes keep you safe, and how different parts of your brain are in charge of different thoughts and actions. Learn how all the parts of your body work together with the brain to help you to see, hear, smell, and make memories. Fun illustrations and fact-filled text reveal the mysteries of your brain and what it is that makes you so smart!

Meet some of the coolest land animals on Earth, and learn about their amazing abilities—from camouflage and communication to super senses and use of tools. Find out how these clever creatures and others use their smarts and skills to thrive in even the harshest environments.

These DK books are a convenient, affordable source of information that fits perfectly in a knapsack or a briefcase or as ready reference on a desk. The DK Concise Encyclopedia is an illustrated guide to the world around us and the DK Dictionary/Thesaurus offers definitions plus synonyms for thousands of words. For those interested in foreign languages, DK Spanish Dictionary and DK French Dictionary offer a world of homework and conversational help!

Discusses the cause and impact of hurricanes and tornados.

What happens if I drop an ant? What books are bad for you? What percentage of the world''s water is contained in a cow? The Oxbridge undergraduate interviews are infamous for their unique ways of assessing candidates, and from these peculiar enquiries, professors can tell just how smart you really are. John Farndon has collected together 75 of the most intriguing questions taken from actual admission interviews and gives full answers to each, taking the reader through the fascinating histories, philosophies, sciences and arts that underlie each problem. This is a book for everyone who likes to think they''re clever, or who thinks they''d like to be clever. And cleverness is not just knowing stuff, it''s how laterally, deeply and interestingly you can bend your brain. Guesstimating the population of Croydon, for example, opens a chain of thought from which you can predict the strength of a nuclear bomb ...and that''s just the start of it.

How to have a super-smart baby in 50 bite-sized chapters. From pregnancy to toddlerhood, Super Bright Baby: 50 Things You Really Need to Know will help parents nurture their child''s burgeoning mind. Expert author John Farndon recommends strategies--including ways to bond, intelligence--building play and teaching your child to read--that can be used throughout every stage of a baby''s development. With a timeline covering learning and growing milestones, boxes outlining the scientific facts for each topic, and quotes from leading childcare experts, this book is the smart choice for parents who want a great future for their children.

Experiments and projects explore the earth''s structure, features, and changing landscape.

Iran’s President Ahmadinejad shocked the world when he described the Holocaust as a myth and called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” Could Iran build and use nuclear weapons? How would we be affected if Iran cut off oil supplies? Many see Iran as part of the “axis of evil,” and America is not alone in arguing that it presents a huge danger. But is Iran really the rabid Islamic dog that some paint it? Or is it in fact the most prosperous, sophisticated, cultured nation in the Middle East, despite its president’s belligerence? This book gives you the facts and lets you form your own opinion.

"Explore human history as nations emerge and fall, from the empires of Spain, Russia, and China to revolutions in Europe and the USA. Engaging illustrations, maps, and a continuous timeline detail important events, achievements, and cultures from 1500 to 1900"--

Everything in the universe is made of elements. This series looks at the most important chemical elements and explains where they can be found, how they were discovered, their special characteristics and reactions, and their importance in the body and in everyday life. Understanding how the elements behave is the key to understanding chemistry. The Elements provides a fascinating and fact-filled introduction to this important subject. Book jacket.

Earthquakes can destroy entire cities in mere minutes and send shock waves rippling around the world. These devastating quakes become even more deadly when followed by monster waves. Tsunamis may travel faster than a jet across thousands of miles of ocean. Once they reach the coast, these huge walls of water can wash away everything in their path in one fatal whoosh. No place on Earth is entirely safe from earthquakes. But the technology to detect these hidden terrors is constantly improving. Discover the most fearsome earthquakes and tsunamis throughout history, as well as the science behind how and where these disasters strike.