New Books Party: books received this week | @GrrlScientist

This week, I tell you about four wonderful books; one each about the human placenta, the science of champagne, New World warblers and JK Rowling's new murder mysteryBelow the jump, I mention the books that I received recently in the mail as gifts or as review copies, or that I purchased somewhere. These are the books that I may review in more depth later, either here or in print somewhere in the world. When I get new books, I like to share them with people. Unfortunately, you are all so far away, so I cannot host a book party in my crib where you can look then over, so I'll do the next best thing. I'll host a book party on my blog each Friday of the week when I either purchase books or when they arrive in the mail. In this New Book Party, I will try to be your eyes by presenting my quick "first impression" -- almost as if we are browsing the stacks in a bookstore -- and I'll also provide relevant videos about the book and links so you can get a copy of your own. Books that arrived this week: Life's Vital Link: The astonishing role of the placenta by Y.W. Loke [Oxford University Press, 2013; Guardian Bookshop; Amazon UK; Amazon US/kindle US] Publisher's synopsis The development of the placenta was a pivotal event in evolution. The long and tortuous evolutionary road which led from egg-laying reptiles to present-day placental mammals like ourselves was an epic journey spanning over 300 million years. Without the placenta, we would still be laying eggs, instead of giving birth ...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Birdwatching theguardian.com Blogposts Pregnancy Books Science Source Type: news