Patterns are everywhere in nature - in the ranks of clouds in the sky, the stripes of an angelfish, the arrangement of petals in flowers. Where does this order and regularity come from? It creates itself. The patterns we see come from self-organization. Whether living or non-living, scientists have found that there is a pattern-forming tendency inherent in the basic structure and processes of nature, so that from a few simple themes, and the repetition of simple rules, endless beautiful variations can arise. Part of a trilogy of books exploring the science of patterns in nature, acclaimed science writer Philip Ball here looks at how shapes form. From soap bubbles to honeycombs, delicate shell patterns, and even the developing body parts of a complex animal like ourselves, he uncovers patterns in growth and form in all corners of the natural world, explains how these patterns are self-made, and why similar shapes and structures may be found in very different settings, orchestrated by nothing more than simple physical forces. This book will make you look at the world with fresh eyes, seeing order and form even in the places you'd least expect.
Shapes
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Wideranging, intelligent and non-dogmatic trilogy of books. (Martin Kemp, Times Literary Supplement )
Philip Ball gives us some very interesting food for thought. (Mark Ronan, Standpoint )
Ball has opened a welcome window on a little-understood but thought-provoking aspect of the making of the natural world. (Alan Cane, Financial Times )
Fascinating detail. (The Economist )
Philip Ball gives us some very interesting food for thought. (Mark Ronan, Standpoint )
Ball has opened a welcome window on a little-understood but thought-provoking aspect of the making of the natural world. (Alan Cane, Financial Times )
Fascinating detail. (The Economist )
About the Author
Philip Ball is a freelance writer and a consultant editor for Nature, where he previously worked as an editor for physical sciences. He is a regular commentator in the scientific and popular media on science and its interactions with art, history and culture. His ten books on scientific subjects include The Self-Made Tapestry: Pattern Formation in Nature, H2O: A Biography of Water, The Devil's Doctor: Paracelsus and the World of Renaissance Magic and Science, and Critical Mass: How One Thing Leads To Another, which won the 2005 Aventis Prize for Science Books. He was awarded the 2006 James T. Grady - James H. Stack award by the American Chemical Society for interpreting chemistry for the public. Philip studied chemistry at Oxford and holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Bristol. His latest book The Music Instinct published in February 2010.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By H. Thomas
Format:Hardcover
I have scored this book with only 3 stars because although the text deserves a high 4, it is let down by the semi-transparent paper and the poor quality of many of the photographic figures.
Philip Ball is an excellent author in the field of popular science, and I always look forward to reading his next book. His "Bright Earth" is a classic, which I have re-read several times. In "Shapes: ..." the author has drawn together the formation of patterns in the animate and inanimate worlds, with a particular emphasis on development of pattern in animals. He writes in a clear and engaging style, but he seems to have gone a bit too far in not scaring the horses by avoiding technical details or formulae. These could have been put in an appendix, probably replacing the existing appendices which are relevant only to someone with access to a chem lab. Overall, I have learned a lot from this book, and I am glad that I have read it.
My principal whinge is that the author has been let down by his publisher. The paper is bright white but thin, so that the text, and particularly the images, show through to the other side. And those images ... it is only fair to say that there is a generous number of illustrations, but sadly many of the half-tone photos are of such low contrast or sharpness that it is difficult to make out what they represent (e.g. Figs 1.2, 1.6, 1.14b, 1.15b, and I'm only up to p 29). This is not an isolated problem, as the next book in the series is, if anything, worse. I dread to think what the paperback editions will be like.
Philip Ball is an excellent author in the field of popular science, and I always look forward to reading his next book. His "Bright Earth" is a classic, which I have re-read several times. In "Shapes: ..." the author has drawn together the formation of patterns in the animate and inanimate worlds, with a particular emphasis on development of pattern in animals. He writes in a clear and engaging style, but he seems to have gone a bit too far in not scaring the horses by avoiding technical details or formulae. These could have been put in an appendix, probably replacing the existing appendices which are relevant only to someone with access to a chem lab. Overall, I have learned a lot from this book, and I am glad that I have read it.
My principal whinge is that the author has been let down by his publisher. The paper is bright white but thin, so that the text, and particularly the images, show through to the other side. And those images ... it is only fair to say that there is a generous number of illustrations, but sadly many of the half-tone photos are of such low contrast or sharpness that it is difficult to make out what they represent (e.g. Figs 1.2, 1.6, 1.14b, 1.15b, and I'm only up to p 29). This is not an isolated problem, as the next book in the series is, if anything, worse. I dread to think what the paperback editions will be like.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Al us Rite
Format:Hardcover
The book is well written, worth reading, covers a wide range of natural sciences and is thankfully bereft of mathematical equations but the concepts behind them are explained. The text contains so many disciplines with their own specialised terminology that perhaps a glossary would save endless reference to the dictionary which tends to destroy the rhythm.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent book. Every page brings more thoughtful discussions on the origin of the patterns in the world around us. I am a professional physicist but I think it could be read by anyone with an interest in science.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shaped up nicely
Interesting book with illustrations, detailed, with information that requires time to absorb. Not sure that it really sufficiently satisfies the why question.
Published 15 months ago by P. G. Phillips
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shapley Shapes
I found the introduction of this book was very hard going to start with, a bit clunky but once you get into the meat of the book it's extremely interesting and easy to read and... Read more
Published 21 months ago by S. Barker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shapes a facinating read.
This book is very well written with a well supported literature base. It draws on many aspects of science and humanities to weave an interesting tale of the history of thought to... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2011 by Mr Spinach
5.0 out of 5 stars
How interesting...very
I really enjoyed this book and Ill probably read it again and again.
I studied engineering some years ago and wished I had taken physics instead. Read more
I studied engineering some years ago and wished I had taken physics instead. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by Mrs. S. Lawrence
4.0 out of 5 stars
Curiouser and Curiouser
My interest in the natural wonders drew me to this little book. I was delighted with and it tanterlized me further by revealing there are two more to the series! Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by L. Baker
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