Here's a friendly, expert, and well-illustrated guide that will steer non-scientists through the modern maze of knowledge, from E=mc2 to extraterrestrial life, from radioactive elements to quantum mechanics. Physics, genetics, chemistry, biology, astronomy: science is changing so rapidly that it's almost impossible for a novice to keep track of the new ideas that are shaping our present...and altering our future. This illustrated nuts-and-bolts "factopedia" hones in on the really big concepts that have made an impact on our world and presents them in an amazingly clear and understandable way. Finding the information you want is simplicity itself: just turn to any one of the basic sections-The World Around Us, The Humanity Within Us, and The Mind Within Us-to find full coverage of all the key movers and shakers, handily listed in specific subsections by their discipline and accompanied by photos and timelines. There's no plunging through a mass of extraneous information; each gets right to the heart of the matter. It's the best way to stay informed.