Fringe Science: Parallel Universes, White Tulips, and Mad Scientists Edited By Kevin R. Grazier, PhD
Publication Date: August 2011
$14.95
ISBN-10: 1935618687
ISBN-13: 9781935618683
DESCRIPTION
More than 7 million viewers are captivated weekly by Fringe, a science fiction procedural in the best tradition of The X-Files with a taut central mythology, rich characters, and it’s own laboratory cow. In its weekly cases and its overarching plot, Fringe strikes a compelling balance between the strange and the familiar, and the quirky and the tragic.
Fringe Science delves into the science, science fiction, and pseudoscience of Fringe with a collection of essays by science and science fiction writers on everything from alternate universes to time travel to genetically targeted toxins, as well as discussions on the show’s moral philosophy and the consequences of playing God.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Kevin R. Grazier, PhD, is a research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. There he has won numerous JPL- and NASA-wide awards for technical accomplishment. Dr. Grazier holds undergraduate degrees in computer science and geology from Purdue University, and another in physics from Oakland University. He holds an MS degree in physics from, again, Purdue, and he did his doctoral research at UCLA. His research involves numerical method development, and long-term, large-scale computer simulations of Solar System evolution, dynamics, and chaos. Kevin is also currently the science adviser for the SyFy Channel series Eureka, and also served in this role for the Peabody Award–winning Battlestar Galactica and the animated series The Zula Patrol. Commited to astronomical education, Dr. Grazier teaches classes in stellar astronomy, planetary science, cosmology, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the science of science fiction at UCLA and Santa Monica College. He has served on several NASA educational product review panels and can be seen on numerous TV science documentaries. He lives in Sylmar, CA, with a mischief of rats, a flock of psitticines, a precocious parrot, and Kermit the Dog.
CONTRIBUTORS
Brendan Allison, Amy Berner, Bruce Bethke, Mike Brotherton, Stephen Cass, Jacob Clifton, Jovana Grbic, Robert Jeschonek, Paul Levinson, Nick Mamatas, Amy H. Sturgis, Garth Sundem, and David Thomas
The Psychology of TwilightEdited by E. David Klonsky, PhD, and Alexis Black
Publication Date: October 2011
$14.95
ISBN-10: 1936661128
ISBN-13: 9781936661121
DESCRIPTION
It doesn’t take a trained psychologist to see that the Twilight Saga has tapped into its readers’ psyches . . . but psychology has plenty to offer when it comes to understanding what makes Twilight so dearly loved.
Led by husband-and-wife team E. David Klonksy, PhD, and Alexis Black, the psychologists contributing to The Psychology of Twilight look at love, family, vampires, werewolves, and our Twilight obsession, and offer more than a dozen fascination new angles on the series—just in time for the November 2011 release of Breaking Dawn, Part One.
Why Edward captivates Bella (it’s not the perfect face or chiseled abs—it’s as chemical as Edward’s attraction to the smell of Bella’s blood)
Vampirism as eating disorder (and what we can learn from how the Cullens cope)
Twilight’s rejection of strict dualities like good/evil and human/monster and what that has to do with the way our minds process experience and information
The psychological benefits of Twilight fandom
. . . and more fresh insights into the series that’s enthralled millions.
ABOUT THE EDITORS
E. David Klonsky, PhD, received his BA in Psychology and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, and his MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. Currently, Dr. Klonsky is assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia.
Alexis Black received her BA in Anthropology and Slavic Studies, and her MA in Slavic Languages and Literature from the University of Virginia. She is currently working on her PhD in Linguistics at the University of British Columbia.
CONTRIBUTORS
Erica Berg, Melissa Burkley, Susan Carnell, Jeremy Clyman, Lisa Dinella, David A. Frederick, Catherine Glenn, Tamara Greenburg, Gary Lewandowski, Mikhail Lyubanksy, Robin S. Rosenberg, Pamela Rutledge, and Peter Stromberg
Unraveling the Mysteries of The Big Bang Theory: An Unabashedly Unauthorized TV Show CompanionBy George Beahm
Publication Date: December 2011
$14.95
ISBN-10: 1936661144
ISBN-13: 9781936661145
DESCRIPTION
The Big Bang Theory—CBS’s surprise hit sitcom—was recently renewed for three additional seasons after pulling in 14 million weekly viewers last season. Any fan who tunes in week to week wasn’t surprised. The quirky show does what so few shows manage to do: straddle the fence between cult hit and mega-popular award-winner.
Now, in Unraveling the Mysteries of The Big Bang Theory (a title taken from the show's Barenaked Ladies-penned theme song), longtime sf fan and author George Beahm, assisted by science advisor and retired NASA aeronautical engineer, Cuyler W. Brooks, Jr., has put together a guide for all fans of the show—mainstream tv viewers, sf and comics fans, and science enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a Penny or a Sheldon, whether you’ve just tuned in or been watching all along, this companion book will help you appreciate The Big Bang Theory to the fullest.
Unraveling the Mysteries of The Big Bang Theory offers a full, comprehensive look at the series: from an analysis of the awful original pilot (that viewers may never get to see) to a tour of the real Cal Tech (which serves as one of the show's main settings), from a fandom terminology guide to enlightening analyses of the endearingly original main characters, all the show’s quirkiest and most appealing elements are put under the microscope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
George Beahm has published numerous books about pop culture, including comic art (Vaughn Bode and Tim Kirk), bestselling writers (Stephen King, Anne Rice, Patricia Cornwell, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and Stephenie Meyer), and general nonfiction. He lives in southeast Virginia.
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