Books with author Jason Porterfield

Since his time as a starring college player on the Davidson Wildcats, Stephen Curry has been one of the most exciting basketball stars in the United States. His poise on the court and his record-breaking ability to make three-point shots have helped him lead the National Basketball Association's Golden State Warriors to multiple league championships. This volume traces Curry's rise from his youth as the undersized son of NBA star Dell Curry to his status as a basketball superstar famous for making seemingly impossible shots, while also examining his commitment to his family and his charitable projects.

People have long dreamed of creating machines that can carry out the same tasks as people. These dreams have led to the creation of many sci-fi books, movies, and shows that attempt to depict how people would live with robots, cyborgs, and androids. This compelling book traces the history of robotics as a science, while describing in vivid detail some of the most influential works in all of science fiction, including those by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Fritz Lang, Eando Binder, and Isaac Asimov. Readers will ponder intriguing questions about the ethics of how robots, cyborgs, and androids are used and treated.

The Islamic empire arose spectacularly in the 7th century and exercised influence over a large geographic area until its fall to Mongol invaders in the 13th century. The rulers, called caliphs, ushered in a new Islamic civilization with customs and practices both distinct from and partially influenced by those of the areas it conquered. The reigns of these caliphates, including the Abbasid caliphate, which presided at the time of the Islamic Golden Age, are surveyed in this captivating volume. Readers will learn about the expansion of Islamic influence and the flourishing of scholarship in science, math, and more during this time.

Information technology professionals are in high demand in today's job market, and there are no signs of that demand abating. Much of the focus in IT is on software developers and security specialists, but a need also exists for technical quality assurance engineers. These professionals devise and run the tests that check programs and digital infrastructure for problems and flaws. This title provides teens with an in-depth look at the ins and outs of becoming a quality assurance engineer, including educational requirements, work expectations, and where to look for open positions.

In some parts of the world, earthquakes are a serious threat to cities and towns. Their destructive power and unpredictable nature give them the power to bring about widespread devastation. Earthquake engineering is a branch of engineering that is dedicated to limiting the damage that quakes can bring. By working to establish guidelines and standards, earthquake engineers can help reduce the risk of injuries caused by collapsing structures. This resource describes how earthquakes occur and the disciplines that go into earthquake engineering, while examining some of the engineering principles that go into designing strong and resilient buildings.

Along with ice fishing, bowfishing is one of the most unique, unfamiliar, intriguing, and poorly understood forms of angling. Dispensing with rod, reel, and bait altogether, this sport connects its practitioners to the most ancient and primal roots of humanity, when food was earned through the skillful use of bow and arrow. Bowfishing appeals to traditionalists and seems quite exotic, but its popularity is on the rise. Readers drawn to a more extreme and pulse-racing form of fishing will find everything they need to know hereall the equipment, licensing, clothing, gear, safety precautions, and specialized techniques and strategies necessary for a successful day stalking the waters is included. A fascinating and viscerally compelling combination of fishing, hunting, and archery, this sport provides a rare thrill. And this is the perfect guide to take along on the adventure.