Citing recent anthropological discoveries, a provocative analysis of possible changes to current scientific beliefs considers such topics as the possible link between humans and chimpanzees, the role of childbirth in the development of early social groups, and the possible interbreeding of humans and Neanderthals.

Smithsonian Intimate Guide to Human Origins

Politics & Social Sciences

ZIMMER, CARL

Anthropology

Smithsonia

The Apollo space program was the largest technological undertaking of all time, and let to the greatest adventure of the 20th century. Born of the cold war, it was moved forward by the passion of 100,000 workers and $20 billion over ten years.
Over that time, 12 courageous individuals stepped out onto the lunar surface and thus changed the history of humankind, changing us into a space-faring civilization.
And then, it was gone. Three years, 9 missions, six men on the surface of the moon. They explored, they experimented, and they came home.
Here in one volume are the transcripted voices of the partipants, with expert commentary and retrospective reminiscences, explained and put into context. From the triumphs of Neil Armstrong to Buzz Aldrin, to the near disaster of Apollo 13 ("Houston, we've got a problem"), it's all here -- the science, the adventure, the glory, the letdown. One of the great stories of humankind's reaching for the stars.

Destination Moon

Science & Math

Pyle, Rod

Astronomy & Space Science

Based on the author's extraordinary personal collection of presidential election memorabilia, Campaigning for President tells the colorful story of how presidents (and their losing rivals) have wooed voters since America was founded. These objects—from posters and paper dresses to ice-cream bars, sunglasses, and (of course) buttons—form a fascinating, moving, sometimes funny, sometimes outrageous physical record of the past. Campaigning for President makes it clear that money didn't become important just in recent elections and that candidates—and their minions—have sometimes been willing to gloss over the fine points or get very creative in their self-representation in attempts to win the presidency. Full of entertaining stories about the elections and the memorabilia, this book provides wonderful insight into America's most important achievement—our democratic system.

Campaigning for President - Political Memorabilia From the Nation's Finest Private Collection

History

Wright, Jordan M.

Americas

This first-of-its-kind, definitive book offers a fascinating textual and visual tour of civilian, military, and commercial aviation from the earliest balloon flights to today's most advanced aircraft.
Featuring 100 newly commissioned and historic maps as well as 200 related photographs, navigation charts, and historic artifacts, the Smithsonian Atlas of World Aviation charts the awe-inspiring history of flight around the world. Dana Bell, a leading expert on aviation history, explains the fascinating stories behind aviation's great technological advances and provides historic and social context that highlights the many ways in which these advances have changed the course of human history.
Groundbreaking maps and charts include:
<ul>
<li>Locations of first flights and early transatlantic flights</li>
<li>Pan American Airways international mail and passenger routes</li>
<li>Air sequences of the Battle of Britain, Battle of the Bulge, and Berlin Airlift</li>
<li>Modern-day flight charts, national aircraft markings, and civil aviation codes</li>
</ul>
History's greatest aviation achievements come alive as never before through detailed visualization and compelling narrative. A must-have for all flight and history enthusiasts.

Smithsonian Atlas of World Aviation

Bell, Dana

World

The Airplane by aerospace industry writer Jay Spencer, former assistant curator of the Smithsonian National Air &amp; Space Museum and the Museum of Flight in Seattle, is the definitive history of how we invented and refined the amazing flying machines that enabled humankind to defy gravity. A fascinating true account certain to enthrall and delight aviation and technology buffs, The Airplane is lavishly illustrated with more than 100 photographs and is the first book ever to explore the development of the jetliner through a fascinating piece-by-piece analysis of the machinery of flight.

Airplane, The

Engineering & Transportation

Spenser, Jay

Transportation

From Smithsonian Books, The Department of Mad Scientists is the first trade book ever on DARPA—the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—the maverick and controversial agency whose futuristic work has had amazing military and civilian application, from the Internet to GPS to driverless cars. Michael Belfiore, author of Rocketeers, visited science research sites across the country to provide this unprecedented look at the people who shape our country’s future technology.

Department of Mad Scientists, The

Belfiore, Michael

Technology

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