Intimate Universe

The scale of the cosmos can be baffling, with distances so vast and timescales to long that it's easy to dismiss them as being completely divorced from our everyday life. But in this new book Dr Marek Kukula, Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, shows you the myriad ways we are intrinsically connected to the rest of the universe and how everything on Earth - from the ground beneath our feet to the technology in our pockets - has origins in space. Discover how rocks from space reveal what conditions are like at our planet's core, how the desolate surface of the moon holds ancient clues to Earth's earliest life forms, and how buried treasure in the Nile reveals the watery past of Mars. Discover how the atoms of your own body were forged in the heart of a star, how you can see the echo of creation on your TV, and the ways in which technology developed for observing the most far-flung corners of space is now used to diagnose potentially fatal human diseases. The Intimate Universe is a curated tour of the most fascinating phenomena and discoveries in astronomy, revealing how we are inextricably, inspirationally linked to the cosmos.

The story of the human body is perhaps the greatest story ever told--spelled out over millions of years of evolution and repeated by each of us in our own lifetime. We live it, and yet remain largely unaware of the intricate processes that play out within ourselves and those around us. For example, why can very young children learn languages more easily than adults? Why do our bodies break down during old age? How can a baby--a separate and genetically different human being--be created inside a mother without being rejected by her body? How have our complex and little-understood brains contributed to making us the most successful species on the planet? Now The Learning Channel presents Intimate Universe, the extraordinary story of human life from birth to death, which explores, at each stage, the incredible physical workings of our bodies. It is a unique and enthralling account of the body's journey from the miracle of conception and the shock of birth through the rapid and turbulent changes of adolescence and the gradual deceleration into old age and death. In Intimate Universe, author Anthony Smith transcends anatomical trivia to chronicle the body's powerful tale. In a clear and captivating style, he narrates the miraculous dramas that unfold within the hidden architecture of our internal structures. Whether it's the week-by-week account of an unborn baby's development, the uncanny signals and connections made by the brain, the remarkable abilities of the immune system, or simply the way our body sustains itself under different conditions, Smith explains the basics of physiology simply and elegantly. To support the author's exceptional narrative, IntimateUniverse includes over 150 full-color illustrations, computer-generated images, and state-of-the-art microphotography that illuminate and add context to the topics discussed. In addition, the book provides relevant anecdotes for each of the major chapters. An excellent addition to any family library, Intimate Universe is not only a valuable and comprehensive reference, but a resource that will provide new insight into our bodies' physiological challenges and fascinating secrets, allowing us to better understand ourselves. EXPLORE THE MARVELS AND MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN BODY All the DNA present at the moment of conception of the 5.8 billion people alive today would weigh only one thousandth of an ounce. Here's how to spot the brain at work: Stand directly in front of someone and ask an arithmetical question. Left-brain activity will cause the person's eyes to avert to the right; ask a spatial question and the eyes will avert to the left, reflecting right-brain activity. If the body's branching network of blood vessels were placed end to end, they would stretch for nearly 60,000 miles--more than seven times the distance around the equator. Hearing is never more acute than at birth and declines gradually with time. By the age of ten, a child will have heard more sounds than he will hear during the rest of his life. As skin becomes less elastic, the repeated puckering caused by facial expressions begins to etch permanent lines. Scientists estimate it takes 200,000 frowns to make a brow line. No one is born with freckles. They are a protective response against sunlight. During a child's first year, 60 percent of her food intake goes toward providingenergy for brain growth and development.

Fifteen-year-old Aki Simon has a theory. And it's mostly about sex. No, it isn't that kind of theory. Aki already knows she's bisexual—even if, until now, it's mostly been in the hypothetical sense. Aki has dated only guys so far, and her best friend, Lori, is the only person who knows she likes girls, too. Actually, Aki's theory is that she's got only one shot at living an interesting life—and that means she's got to stop sitting around and thinking so much. It's time for her to actually do something. Or at least try. So when Aki and Lori set off on a church youth-group trip to a small Mexican town for the summer and Aki meets Christa—slightly older, far more experienced—it seems her theory is prime for the testing. But it's not going to be easy. For one thing, how exactly do two girls have sex, anyway? And more important, how can you tell if you're in love? It's going to be a summer of testing theories—and the result may just be love.

The joy of intimacy—with yourself, with others, and with the whole universe. The long-awaited first book from a prominent modern American Zen teacher. For Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, intimacy is what Zen practice is all about: the realization of the essential lack of distinction between self and other that inevitably leads to wisdom and compassionate action. She approaches the practice of intimacy beginning at its most basic level—the intimacy with ourselves that is the essential first step. She then shows how to bring intimacy into our relationships with others, starting with those dearest to us and moving on to those who don’t seem dear at all. She shows how to grow in intimacy so that we include everyone around us, all of society, the whole world and all the beings it contains. Each chapter is accompanied by practices she uses with her students at the Village Zendo for manifesting intimacy in our lives.

A voyage of exploration to the outer reaches of our inner lives. UFOs are a myth, says David J. Halperin—but myths are real. The power and fascination of the UFO has nothing to do with space travel or life on other planets. It's about us, our longings and terrors, and especially the greatest terror of all: the end of our existence. This is a book about UFOs that goes beyond believing in them or debunking them and to a fresh understanding of what they tell us about ourselves as individuals, as a culture, and as a species. In the 1960s, Halperin was a teenage UFOlogist, convinced that flying saucers were real and that it was his life's mission to solve their mystery. He would become a professor of religious studies, with traditions of heavenly journeys his specialty. With Intimate Alien, he looks back to explore what UFOs once meant to him as a boy growing up in a home haunted by death and what they still mean for millions, believers and deniers alike. From the prehistoric Balkans to the deserts of New Mexico, from the biblical visions of Ezekiel to modern abduction encounters, Intimate Alien traces the hidden story of the UFO. It's a human story from beginning to end, no less mysterious and fantastic for its earthliness. A collective cultural dream, UFOs transport us to the outer limits of that most alien yet intimate frontier, our own inner space.

God’s truth is not complex; he intends us to understand it. His desire to expand the circle of relationship that existed within the Trinity from eternity past led him to create others like himself—people—who can join in this relationship of unspoiled intimacy. That’s the reason for creation, redemption, and the Christian life, now and future. Intimate and True explains the truth God has revealed and makes clear his desire for an intimate relationship with each of us. The Bible holds answers to the questions of our age.

Perfect for fans of The Wonderful Things You Will Be and That's Me Loving You, this picture book by a renowned astrophysicist is a lyrical meditation on the preciousness of one child and the vastness of the universe. Just like the sun gives shine to the moon, you light up the world beyond this room . . . You are grand and marvelous, strong and mysterious. The history of the world is in your fingertips. A lyrical meditation on the preciousness of one child and the vastness of the universe, this gorgeously illustrated picture book shares the immensity of a parent's love along with the message that we are all connected to the broader cosmos in important and intimate ways. A perfect bedtime read-aloud, Child of the Universe is a book to cherish forever. The author is an astrophysicist who has been fascinated by the universe since he was a child. As a parent, he has developed a new appreciation for the deep connections between billions of years of cosmic evolution and this one tiny human.

In recent decades, men have begun to question seriously their traditionally held roles and values. The women's movement, popular books, and male images on television and in films have all contributed to men's uncertainty about themselves. There is a major shift taking place in the perception of sexuality. James Nelson asserts that men and women seek something the sexual revolution did not provide: an understanding of the true meaning of love. This, he claims, is the unfinished business of that revolution.

How often are love and sex on your mind? If you are like most people, your answer would be, "All the time," or "At least once an hour." And yet too often, sexual relations end up causing disappointment and despair. Why is it that so many of us find ourselves unfulfilled in the area of sex? Core of the Universe: God's Vision for Love, Sex, and Intimacy, published by High Noon International, unleashes intoxicating new ideas about love and sex. Relying on Holy Scripture and the words of Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, Core of the Universe introduces ideas such as: -- God took great care in creating Adam and Eve, but He spent the most time and effort in the creation of their sexual organs. -- Sexual organs are the "core of the universe" because they open the door to true love, life, and lineage. -- Married couples are intended to engage in love and sex for their entire adult lives. -- God longs to be with husbands and wives as they kiss and caress each other and enter the throes of becoming "one flesh." Core of the Universe is designed as a family guide, suitable for singles, newlyweds, married couples, and parents looking for God-centered sex education materials for their children. It offers new insights on the value of purity before marriage and intimacy after marriage. One of High Noon's core missions is to help men and women develop their sexual integrity. This book has several chapters on sexual recovery and how to stop a porn habit. The book has six sections: Core of the Universe, God's Design for Sex, Conjugal Love, Absolute Sex, The Fall, and Restoration. Each has chapters that feature thought-provoking passages, "Making It Real" segments, and discussion questions. "We are confident that this book has something for you regardless of your stage in life," High Noon authors say. "It can help you develop sexual integrity and prepare you for your future Marriage Blessing for those who are single. Married couples can find inspiration to create a more beautiful and enriching relationship. Parents can be empowered to guide their children toward healthy sexuality. When we understand the full measure of what God intended us to experience as husband and wife, we can create blessed couples that radiate with joy and change the world with love."