FrontiersII: More Recent Discoveries About Life, Earth, Space and the Universe

A treasury of 121 tales from the authors of Frontiers contains remarkable stories about humankind, the secrets of planet Earth, the vast expanse of outer space, and the mysteries of the universe. 15,000 first printing. $15,000 ad/promo.

This second compilation of Isaac Asimov's syndicated science column includes 125 articles, approximately 30 of which were contributed by his wife Janet after her husband's death in 1992. Arranged in sections concerning life sciences, astronomy, particle physics and general technology news, the 1500-word essays offer lively, though brief, discussions of such matters as right- and left-handedness and Neptune's farthest satellite (Triton). Though Asimov fans will appreciate this collection of the science polymath's last pieces, many will regret the column-length restriction that makes this anthology the intellectual equivalent of a bowl of mixed nuts. The first Frontiers collection aged quickly, as this one certainly will.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In this second collection of their weekly science columns for the Los Angeles Times syndicate, Isaac Asimov is joined by his wife, Janet, who coauthored a number of the essays and independently wrote about a quarter of them. Apparently, Isaac was ill during the winter before his death in April 1992, and Janet therefore became involved in his work. This collection is as far-ranging as the first ( Frontiers , LJ 1/90), dealing with proteins in the first paper, then advancing to "What Teeth Can Tell Us," an analysis of the dodo, and a discussion of the spread of landfills. The book is arranged in four parts: "Life: Past, Present, and Future"; "Our Planet and Our Neighbors"; "Science and Technology"; and "The Universe from Quarks to the Cosmos." As educational and entertaining as the first volume, this is recommended for popular science collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/93.
- Hilary D. Burton, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Livermore, Cal.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.