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"This is one of the most exciting times in the history of science," New York Times -bestselling author Sam Kean proclaims in his introduction to The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2018 . "Things aren´t perfect by any means. But there are more scientists making more discoveries in more places about more things than ever before." The twenty-six pieces assembled here chart the full spectrum of those discoveries. From the outer reaches of space, to the mysteries of the human mind, to the changing culture in labs and universities across the nation, we see time and again the sometimes rocky, sometimes revelatory road to understanding, and along the way catch a glimpse of all that´s left to learn.

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BASNW 2014 : "[A] thought provoking, perspective shifting edition of a consistently strong series." - Publishers Weekly " The book is filled with excellent, thoughtful articles...Engaging and thought-provoking." - The Examiner " This is not a book geared for science nerds, this is reading for anyone interested in life...You will start seeing the world and the universe from new perspectives." - EcoLit Books BASNW 2013 : " An excellent introduction to the key issues in science today. " -PD Smith, The Guardian BASNW 2012 : "There is so much we don´t know, which leads us to make so many irrational decisions that we need scientists and science writers to share their inquiries and discoveries in welcoming and lucid prose. Stellar examples of just this sort of cogent and compelling writing sustains this invaluable and exciting series." - Booklist BASNW 2011 : "Don´t expect this installment of the popular Best American Science and Nature Writing series to be forbiddingly technical. On her website, guest editor Mary Roach confesses, ´I often write about science, though I don´t have a science degree and must fake my way through interviews with experts I can´t understand.´ With that winning unpretentiousness, Roach seems a perfect choice to select science and nature articles that general readers can enjoy." -Barnes & Noble

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SAM KEAN, guest editor, is the best-selling author of four books. His writing has appeared in numerous publications. TIM FOLGER, series editor, is a contributing editor at Discover and writes about science for several magazines.

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