داستان‌های علمی تخیلی آسیموف ۲۰۰۳ شماره ۹

In a landmark work of science two distinguished scientists offer a vivid narrative describing the second half of the life of our planet Planet Earth is middle-aged. Science has worked hard to piece together the story of the evolution of our world up to this point, but only recently have we developed the understanding and the tools to describe the entire life cycle of a planet-of our planet. Peter Ward and Don Brownlee, a geologist and an astronomer respectively, are in the vanguard of the new field of astrobiology. Combining their knowledge of how the critical sustaining systems of our planet evolve through time with their understanding of how stars and solar systems grow and change throughout their own life cycles, the authors tell the story of the second half of Earth's life. The process of planetary evolution will essentially reverse itself; life as we know it will subside until only the simplest forms remain. Eventually, they too will disappear. The oceans will evaporate, the atmosphere will degrade, and, as the sun slowly expands, Earth itself will eventually meet a fiery end. In this masterful melding of groundbreaking research and captivating, eloquent science writing, Ward and Brownlee provide a comprehensive portrait of Earth's life cycle that allows us to understand and appreciate how the planet sustains itself today, and offers us a glimpse of our place in the cosmic order. "Generations ago the last king fell, taking with him the final truths about a race of wizards who ruled at his side. But the blood of kings runs deep in the land and its people, waiting for the coming together of two unusual men:" "The Gentleman: Heir to an ancient house and a modern scandal, Theron Campion - a young nobleman of royal lineage - chooses his lovers with reckless abandon. Tormented by his twin duties to his family and his own bright spirit, he seeks solace in the precincts of University. But no one can live in two worlds forever." "The Scholar: A brilliant and charismatic teacher ruled by a passion for knowledge, Basil St. Cloud is in love with the ancient kings. Of course, everyone now knows that the wizards were charlatans, the kings their dupes and puppets. Only Basil is not convinced." Against a rich tapestry of artists and aristocrats, students and strumpets, scheming spies and renegade royalists, Basil and Theron will find themselves playing out an ancient drama destined to blow open their society's smug vision of itself - and reveal that sometimes the price of uncovering history is being forced to repeat it. The author of the beloved Deverry series ( Dragonspell, Darkspell, and The Red Wyvern ) turns her hand to a new kind of tale. On the planet known as Snare, the descendants of Islamic fundamentalist emigrants have created beautiful enclaves, where they can sit on a patio enjoying green grass and "true-roses," but the nomadic tribes live in a much harsher landscape. Where the grass is purple, the trees are orange, and the huge and dangerous sentient Cha'Meech lizards roam the landscape. Idres Warkannan and his companions seek to find the only man who can redeem their Islamic civilization from its despotic ruler and restore justice to the population. Zayn Hassan, refugee from the despot's service, finds himself living among the tribes of the "comnee," where Healer and Spirit Rider Ammadin, seeing the dangers all around her, is beginning to doubt the gods who are her only protection. To save herself and her people, Ammadin journeys eastward into war, intrigue, and adventure - and finds more than she bargained for on all counts. Planet Earth is middle-aged. Science has worked hard to piece together the story of the evolution of our world up to this point, but only recently have we developed the understanding and the tools to describe the entire life cycle of a planet. Ward and Brownlee, a geologist and an astronomer respectively, combine their knowledge of how the critical sustaining systems of our planet evolve through time with their understanding of the life cycles of stars and solar systems, to tell the story of the second half of Earth's life. The process of evolution will essentially reverse itself: life as we know it will subside until only the simplest forms remain. Eventually, they too will disappear. The oceans will evaporate, the atmosphere will degrade, and, as the sun slowly expands, Earth itself will eventually meet a fiery end. --From publisher description. Generations ago the last king fell, taking with him the final truths about a race of wizards who ruled at his side. But the blood of the kings runs deep in the land and its people, waiting for the coming together of two unusual men, Theron Campion, a young nobleman of royal lineage, is heir to an ancient house and a modern scandal. Tormented by his twin duties to his family and his own bright spirit, he seeks solace in the University. There he meets Basil St. Cloud, a brilliant and charismatic teacher ruled by a passion for knowledge?and a passion for the ancient kings. Of course, everyone now knows that the wizards were charlatans and the kings their dupes and puppets. Only Basil ins not convinced?nor is he convinced that the city has seen its last king? An Architect Of Network Theory Summarizes His Team's Endeavor To Create A Blueprint Of The World's Networks, Citing The Scientific Elements Of The Internet, Economies, Terrorist Organizations, And Other Knowledge-based Groups. The Connected Age -- The Origins Of A New Science -- Small Worlds -- Beyond The Small World -- Search In Networks -- Epidemics And Failures -- Decisions, Delusions, And The Madness Of Crowds -- Thresholds, Cascades, And Predictability -- Innovation, Adaptation, And Recovery -- The End Of The Beginning. Duncan J. Watts. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [341]-356) And Index. Our blink of time The wondrous machine The life span of habitable planets The return of the glaciers The return of the supercontinent The end of plant life The end of animals The loss of the oceans Red giant Accidental Armageddon What trace will we leave? The ends of worlds and the Drake Equation The great escape Epilogue. Draws on current findings in astrobiology to chart the story of the second half of the planet Earth's life, predicting that the process of planetary evolution will effectively reverse itself until life discontinues and the world becomes engulfed by an expanding sun. 30,000 first printing. Two Millennia After Humans Were Freed From The Tyranny Of Slavery, The Briar King, A Legendary Portent Of Death, Reawakens, And The Fate Of The Kingdom Lies In The Hands Of The King's Woodsman, A Rebellious Girl, And A New-made Knight. Greg Keyes. Series Statement Taken From Dust Jacket. An architect of network theory summarizes his team's endeavor to create a blueprint of the world's networks, citing the scientific elements of the internet, economies, terrorist organizations, and other knowledge-based groups. 50,000 first printing. The Author Of The Beloved Deverry Series (dragonspell, Darkspell) Turns Her Hand To A New Kind Of Tale With This Epic Fantasy Of Religious Pilgrims On A Hostile Desert Planet. Katharine Kerr. A Tom Doherty Associates Book. Duncan J. Watts, one of the principal architects of network theory, sets out to explain the innovative research that he and other scientists are spearheading to create a blueprint of our connected planet.-Book cover Basil St. Cloud falls in love with a descendant of the royal line of deposed and magical kings, and finds himself caught up in a secret movement demanding a return to the rituals of the past. THE SUMMER OF 1996 WAS A SIZZLER.