Michael Woolfson and Fan Hai-fu describe all the available methods of solving crystal structure and how they are used. In addition to traditional means such as the use of the Patterson function and isomorphous replacement, and the direct methods, the authors include techniques that use anomalous scattering and observations from multiple-beam scattering. The fundamental physics and mathematical analyses are fully explained. Practical aspects of applying the methods are also emphasized.

Most well-read, but non-scientific, people will have heard of the term “Big Bang” as a description of the origin of the Universe. They will recognize that DNA identifies individuals and will know that the origin of life is one of the great unsolved scientific mysteries. This book brings together all of that material. Starting with the creation of space and time — known as the Big Bang — the book traces causally related steps through the formation of matter, of stars and planets, the Earth itself, the evolution of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, and then...