by Doris Kearn Goodwin
A Pulitzer Prize winning author looks illuminates the genius of Abraham Lincoln in creating a cabinet of his rivals for the Republican nomination. A huge book, but an easy read and a real page turner. Buy it.
“Deep Survival”
by Laurence Gonzales
A fascinating investigation into what distinguishes survivors from victims. Not a manual but a portrait. Buy it.
Quasiturbine Engine
The quasiturbine engine has fewer intricate parts than traditional combustion engines, uses less fuel and provides more power, and almost completely combusts its fuel, leaving near zero emissions.
More Bytes For Your Buck
Japanese researchers have announced a new breed of semiconductor laser technology that can produce beams ten times thinner than the regular flavour. And if you can make your lasers ten times thinner, that means that you can squeeze ten times the data storage out of your digital optical media, among other things.
Tau Zero, And Counting
The Tau Zero Foundation has been established to promote technology, science and education, to further the goal of getting the human race off-planet and into space. Spokesperson Mark Millis lays out the agenda at the Centauri Dreams blog.