The New Book of Popular Science

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The New Book of Popular Science has been a standard in school libraries for years. The newest edition is even more attractive, with sunflowers decorating the bright blue covers and more than one-third of the illustrations in color.

Organization has changed little from past editions. Information is thematically arranged in six volumes, with signed articles (mostly by academics) averaging six to eight pages. An index is found in each volume, with a cumulative one at the set's end. Also, in volume 6 are appendixes that include tables of earthquakes and international Internet codes. Much of the information is unchanged, but the 2006 edition has 7 new and 13 replaced articles. The "Physics" section has 3 new articles (Changes of state, Heat transfer, Mechanical waves) and replacement articles for Color, Fluid dynamics, Gravity, and Optics, among others. Other new entries include Forensic science, Nanotechnology, Science education, and Science fiction. Twenty-four articles had major revisions, meaning that more than 50 percent of the text was revised. Examples include Cellular technology, Earthquakes, Substance abuse, and Internet. There are more than 286 new four-color pieces of art, and 75 percent of the "Selected Readings" that precede the cumulative index in each volume have been replaced.

The New Book of Popular Science is also available online, but the print edition is still highly recommended, especially for middle- and high-school libraries and public libraries with anything older than the 2004 edition. Susan Gooden
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