On the Move: A Life
by Oliver Sacks
Knopf, 2015 ($27.95)
In his new book, neurologist and bestselling author Sacks takes readers on a journey across decades and continents. His scientific proclivities are in evidence throughout—in his childhood chemistry experiments, his studies of the brain and even his dabbling in psychoactive drugs. But it is the stories of human triumphs and losses, whether intimate romantic encounters or the deaths of great friends, that will likely remain with his readers longest.
The Small Big: Small Changes That Spark Big Influence
by Steve J. Martin, Noah J. Goldstein and Robert B. Cialdini
Grand Central Publishing, 2015 ($28.00) Knopf, 2015 ($27.95)
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
How can we persuade people to donate to charity, recycle or obey the law? Martin, Goldstein and Cialdini give answers that are subtler than one might think. In their entertaining new book, the authors break down the persuasion literature into 52 mini chapters, offering surprisingly simple techniques to help us influence our peers.
Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math
by Daniel Tammet
Little, Brown, 2013 ($26.00)
In this collection of 25 essays, Tammet, an autistic savant, polyglot and author of two previous books, explores the beauty and complexity of numbers. He elaborates on his passion by delving into the importance of number in how we perceive the world while sprinkling intriguing anecdotes from his own life.
