Description
Whether we blink an eye, lift a finger, throw a spear or a ball, walk, run, or merely breathe, we are using muscle. Although muscles differ little in appearance and performance across the animal kingdom, they accomplish tasks as diverse as making flies fly, rattlesnakes rattle, and squid shoot their tentacles.
Our everyday activities turn on the performance of nature's main engine: we may breathe harder going uphill, but we put more strain on our muscles walking downhill. Those of us who are right-handed can tighten screws and jar lids more forcibly than we can loosen them. Here we're treated to the story of how form and performance make these things happen-how nature does her work.
Steven Vogel is a leader in the great new field of bioengineering, which is rapidly explaining the beauty and efficiency of nature. His talents as both scientist and writer shine in this masterful narrative of biological ingenuity, as he relates the story-and science-of nature's greatest engine.
About the Author
Steven Vogel (1940-2015) was James B. Duke Professor of Biology at Duke University. He was a prolific author of popular works on the intersection of physics and biology such as Cats' Paws and Catapults and Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle.
Reviews
"Positively gripping." -- Booklist
"Biomechanics comes alive in a discussion blending science, health, history, and mechanical insights." -- Bookwatch
"A thorough and engaging account of how muscles work and how their physiology has influenced the development of human culture." -- Exploratorium Magazine
"A book that should be enjoyed and understood by intelligent non-scientists as much as by scientists...entertaining and illuminating." -- R. McNeill Alexander - Nature
"Manages to educate, enlighten, and entertain....fascinating reading." -- Sharon Swartz - Science
"An entertaining and compelling overview of what we know about muscle." -- Science News
"Muscle is a wonderful lens through which to study evolution and human history." -- David Brown - Washington Post Book World
Book Information
ISBN 9780393324631
Author Steven Vogel
Format Paperback
Page Count 386
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 441g
Dimensions(mm) 208mm * 140mm * 23mm
Our everyday activities turn on the performance of nature's main engine: we may breathe harder going uphill, but we put more strain on our muscles walking downhill. Those of us who are right-handed can tighten screws and jar lids more forcibly than we can loosen them. Here we're treated to the story of how form and performance make these things happen-how nature does her work.
Steven Vogel is a leader in the great new field of bioengineering, which is rapidly explaining the beauty and efficiency of nature. His talents as both scientist and writer shine in this masterful narrative of biological ingenuity, as he relates the story-and science-of nature's greatest engine.
About the Author
Steven Vogel (1940-2015) was James B. Duke Professor of Biology at Duke University. He was a prolific author of popular works on the intersection of physics and biology such as Cats' Paws and Catapults and Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle.
Reviews
"Positively gripping." -- Booklist
"Biomechanics comes alive in a discussion blending science, health, history, and mechanical insights." -- Bookwatch
"A thorough and engaging account of how muscles work and how their physiology has influenced the development of human culture." -- Exploratorium Magazine
"A book that should be enjoyed and understood by intelligent non-scientists as much as by scientists...entertaining and illuminating." -- R. McNeill Alexander - Nature
"Manages to educate, enlighten, and entertain....fascinating reading." -- Sharon Swartz - Science
"An entertaining and compelling overview of what we know about muscle." -- Science News
"Muscle is a wonderful lens through which to study evolution and human history." -- David Brown - Washington Post Book World
Book Information
ISBN 9780393324631
Author Steven Vogel
Format Paperback
Page Count 386
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 441g
Dimensions(mm) 208mm * 140mm * 23mm
