"Solar Science Projects" by D. S. Halacy Jr. (1919-2002)

Publisher: Scholastic Book Services
Copyright: 1971
Pages: 96

This is a book I've had in my collection for quite a few decades, and really enjoyed making these when I was young. It was originally published under the title "Fun With the Sun". The projects in it are quite suitable for students of any age, but some might be best if they were attempted by those in the higher grades as working with tools in necessary in some cases.

The book gives a general overview of why we should consider using solar energy, and then goes on to give plans and directions for seven projects:

• A Reflector Cooker: Suitable for any grade, but the younger ones may need assistance even though it is made with cardboard. A handy junior of high school student could easily adapt the plans to use other more durable materials.
• A Solar Still: Which can be used to purify water. This project would likely be best suited for someone in junior high or high school as it involves working with wood, metal, and glass.
• A Solar Furnace: This is another project that would be suitable for the higher grades as it involves wood work, and when completed could be dangerous to use by a young person as the unit uses a fresnel lens to focus the suns rays on a target. 
• A Solar Oven: This project is definitely more geared towards high school aged students as it involves sheet metal work. The end product is a functioning oven that could easily be used to bake with.
• A Solar Water Heater: This could be a project for junior high school students and higher, and the end product would be a very useful addition to any camping expedition. It wouldn't be able to be carried in a backpack without redesign, but if you are travelling vehicle then hot showers might be the result.
• Solar Motors: While it is possible to simply buy a kit to construct a solar motor at most large hobby shops, this project gives you the ability to make one from basic components. It would be more suitable for a high school project as depending on your source of materials soldering may be required.
• A Sun-Powered Radio: This project is definitely more suited to high school as it takes the builder from the basics to the end product. Construction involves use of power tools such as a drill, soldering connections etc.

Have fun building these projects.

"A Member of the Family" by Nick Vasile

Publisher:Tom Doherty Associates 1993
Edition:First Tor edition.
Copyright Date:©1993
ISBN: 0312853491
Characteristics: 320 pages

This book is a fascinating look (albeit fictional) at the world of the Mafia. I found it to be well researched, and the characters very believable. In some instances it might be compared to "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo, however I believe it is superior to that work in that it tells a concise story rather than telling you the history of a family. This is not to put down Mr. Puzo's work which was also very good, but which is also very long.

Mr. Vasile is a Washington D.C. undercover police officer and New York City private eye and used his experiences in the telling of this story. This same background was also been given to the lead character Paul Dante.

The story revolves around Dante who is hired by the Washington D. C. Mafia to locate a missing person, the newly married son-in-law of the Benedetti Family's underboss Santo Benedetti, and brother to the godfather.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this novel which I believe is why I enjoyed it so much as the author gets you thinking about why things happen the way they do, and then as many good authors do he'll throw you a curve that you never expected.

The only bad thing I can say about this book, is that it seems to be the only one that Mr. Vasile has written, which is a shame as I would love read more of his work.

High recommended.

"Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" by Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Publisher:New York : Ballantine Books, 1997.
Edition:First Ballantine Books edition.
Copyright Date:©1996
ISBN: 9780345409461
Characteristics: xviii, 457 pages ;,21 cm

This book takes an in-depth look at what humans believe, why we believe it, how we are led to believe certain things, the consequences of us believing them both good and bad.

Dr. Sagan was a very famous popularizer of science, one a few in the field. His explanations are very clear, but his amazement at how people can be bamboozled, and led astray definitely comes through in his writing. But then again this was his goal in writing this book.

He goes into a great deal of detail with regard to the history of skepticism, and gives the reader very good examples with regard to ways in which people nowadays can easily detect when they are being taken advantage of.

I found this book to be a fascinating read, with literally tons of valuable information regarding history, current scientific methodology, the way unscrupulous practitioners deal in their trade, etc. It is a no holds barred look at what people in the past and present believe, why they believe it, how they were led to believe it, and unfortunately in many circumstances why they refuse to believe the truth when it is revealed to them.

Highly recommended.

"Agent to the Stars" by John Scalzi

Publisher: Tom Doherty, New York
Copyright Date:©2005
ISBN: 9780765357007
Characteristics: 385 pages

I am fairly certain that this is first book of John Scalzi's that I read. I am not so certain however, how I came across it, but chances are that I was browsing the shelves at the library. I've always been quite interested in stories that feature first contact scenarios, and this is likely what drew me to the story. Since that time, which was probably about 4 years ago or so, I've read the story a coupe more times, and each reading has brought a new enjoyment at the plotting, and the characters.

The story revolves around a peaceful alien race that wants to contact Earth, but as one of the aliens puts it "We have seen The Blob, and it is us". Add to this the fact that they communicate olfactorily and you have a nice little problem to solve.

It think I've alway enjoyed first contact stories, but sadly the vast majority of them are ones that focus on the military. Those that offer the scenario up in a peaceful manner are somewhat few and far between.

Mr. Scalzi has written a very enjoyable book here, that I'm sure will appeal to readers throughout the science fiction arena. I would highly recommend you check it out.