Books with author Rob Curley

The allure of far-off lands, the promise of untapped resources, and a hunger for building global empires prompted Renaissance explorers to journey into the unknown. Battling harsh seafaring conditions, disease, and any number of unknown threats to their health and safety, the individuals profiled in this volume shaped the world map, setting the stage for future voyagers along the way.

Humans have long dreamt of communing with the skies and acquiring the ability to fly. The first experiments with balloon flight through the development of the Concorde and everything in between, aviation has transformed the way humans travel, especially over vast distances. This penetrating volume examines the various technologies and aircraft that have enabled human flight and includes a comprehensive section on the design and operation of airports.

The rapid development of computer technology since the mid-20th century would not have even been imaginable without the brainpower of individuals dedicated to innovation and turning the seemingly impossible into reality. As far back as the eighteenth century, inventors began setting the stage for future minds to advance hardware and software that would change our world forever. This engaging volume introduces readers to the titans of the technology industry, including Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, among many others.

Traversing landscapes and expediting travel, railroads have allowed us to conquer once elusive frontiers to improve both transportation and commerce. Railroad design has changed remarkably little in the years since the invention of the steam engine, yet trains remain a prevalent form of transport and the railways. The bridges that have been developed to support them continue to be a vital part of infrastructures in countries around the world. This engaging volume examines the evolution of railways, railcars, and bridges, as well as the lives of pioneers and tycoons in the railroad business.

The technological phenomenon known as the Internet has revolutionized the way people work, play, consume, socializeessentially the way humans interact in general. Along with unparalleled access to information and such cultural juggernauts as Facebook and YouTube, this technology also has given rise to cybercrime, malware, and a host of other issues as well. This comprehensive volume examines the beginnings of the Internet, the development of the various content and services within cyberspace, and the potential risks of operating within an increasingly interconnected world.

With growing populations across the world consuming Earths limited oil and natural gas reserves, the environmental and economic toll of energy dependence becomes an increasingly global concern. The development of renewable forms of energysolar, wind, water, and geothermal, to name a fewoffers alternatives to fossil fuels. Consumers are embracing these new modes of energy delivery and use. This extensive volume examines the possibility of a cleaner and more energy efficient future by detailing the historic and emerging technologies behind some the most promising alternative resources.

Humans have long attempted to mechanize calculationsmathematical and otherwiseand build problem-solving machines. Yet it was not until the 20th century, with the advent of the computer, that such technology truly hit its stride. Indispensable to nearly all industry and increasingly vital to individuals around the globe, the computer has come to be an icon of the modern age. This insightful volume chronicles the history of computing devices, from simple tabulators such as the abacus and the earliest analog calculators to the tablet computer. Also adroitly covered is how the Internet has spurred computing innovation.

As the worlds resources continue to suffer from overuse and the effects of human activity, understanding the causes and effects of pollution is critical to preserving the land, water, and air that are vital to all life. As attention to the underlying problem has increased, so too has the spotlight shone on potential solutionsfrom recycling and sewage treatment plants to international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol. This insightful volume explores the root causes of pollution, as well as the local and global responses and constantly emerging technologies that allow governments and ordinary citizens to effectively cope with an increasingly toxic world.