8.75" X 11.75"; over 2,880 pages; full color throughout
No. of Volumes
20
Special Features
144 pages per volume; over 800 entries; extensive cross-references; A-Z organization
List Price
US$ 785.64
Discounted Price
US$ 549.95
How
It Works® has offered
students and general readers authoritative, comprehensive coverage of science
and especially of technology for over a generation. This highly regarded
reference set is now available in an extensively updated and revised third
edition, incorporating the latest scientific inventions and a wide range of
recent discoveries made across the full spectrum of scientific disciplines.
Clear explanations of scientific principles and the fascinating applications of
these principles in contemporary and historical technological settings combine
to insure that this new edition of
How It
Works® will be a valuable
addition to school and public library reference
collections.
Arrangement
Volumes
1-19 are arranged alphabetically from "Abrasive" to "Zoology" and these entries
are listed in a comprehensive table of contents in Volume 1. In addition, each
volume has its own table of contents listing an average of 40 entries that range
in length from one to eight pages. Volume 20 includes a general index, a variety
of subject indexes, and much more. The alphabetical arrangement of the set and
the "See Also" boxes that accompany each article make it possible to access a
wide range of related articles without having to refer to the
index.
Content
Given
the magnitude of scientific and technological advancement and the almost daily
discoveries made in all the sciences, great care has been taken to update this
impressive encyclopedia. Included are many articles about the scientific bases
on which technologies are built. One area of special interest is the rapid pace
of developments in the area of microelectronics for information processing.
Within the set there are over 80 entries spanning the field of astronomy,
chemistry, physics, geography, geology, biology, and medicine. All entries
include "See Also" boxes containing alphabetical lists of cross-references to
other articles. Many entries feature fascinating "Fact File" boxes to elaborate
on special topics. Lavishly illustrated with 2,800 illustrations, including 600
pieces of art new to this edition, the set also offers helpful cutaway diagrams
showing in detail the inner workings of various inventions, such as airplanes
and
coffeemakers.
Scope
Although
this edition highlights the latest scientific and technological advances, there
is also considerable attention given to the history of technology. From
inventions and discoveries to mathematics, medicine and biology, to the science
behind everyday objects, no branch of science has been omitted. Topics include
the Internet, lasers, genetics, artificial intelligence, nuclear weaponry and
waste disposal, chemical and biological warfare, and much, much
more.
Index
In
addition to a General Index, Volume 20 has subject indexes of Biology and
Medicine; Chemistry and Materials Science; Computers, Communications, and
Information Technologies; Construction and Civil Engineering; Earth, Space, and
Environmental Sciences; Electrical Engineering; Fundamentals of Science;
Instrumentation and Analytical Technology; Light, Optics, and Photography;
Manufacturing and Industry; Mechanical Engineering; Military Technology; and
Transportation and Leisure. Volume 20 also includes Further Resources (including
Web sites); Glossary; Weights and Measurements Conversion Charts; Science Time
Line; Geological Timescale; and Periodic Table of
Elements.
Benefits
This
remarkable reference set offers a vast amount of valuable information in a
user-friendly format suitable for and useful to both the student and the lay
reader. It is a highly accessible reference source for learning more about the
technologies that are critical to modern life, as well as understanding the
scientific bases on which these technologies are built. The articles within
these handsomely illustrated volumes will be an invaluable resource for all
readers who want to know
How It
Works®.
Twenty Best Bets for Student Researchers Booklist, 2004
How it works
"This updated
edition offers extensive coverage of science and technology. It is intended as a
reference for students and others who want to learn more about the technologies
that affect modern life but who may not have a scientific background.... The
articles are highly informative and would serve students in junior high school
and up as well as the browsing reader. This would be a useful addition for
public and school
libraries." BOOKLIST,
September 15, 2003
"This set will truly be a worthwhile addition to
public and school libraries needing a comprehensive science encyclopedia.
Although the price may be a bit steep for some schools, it will no doubt be well
used in the right
setting." American Reference
Books Annual 2004
