A fascinating exploration of how computer algorithms can be applied to our everyday lives, helping to solve common decision-making problems and illuminate the workings of the human mind All our lives are constrained by limited space and time, limits that give rise to a particular set of problems. What should we do, or leave undone, in a day or a lifetime? How much messiness should we accept? What balance of new activities and familiar favourites is the most fulfilling? These may seem like uniquely human quandaries, but they are not: computers, too, face the same constraints, so computer scientists have been grappling with their version of such problems for decades. And the solutions they've found have much to teach us. In a dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, acclaimed author Brian Christian (who holds degrees in computer science, philosophy, and poetry, and works at the intersection of all three) and Tom Griffiths (a UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science and psychology) show how the simple, precise algorithms used by computers can also untangle very human questions. They explain how to have better hunches and when to leave things to chance, how to deal with overwhelming choices and how best to connect with others. From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one's inbox to understanding the workings of human memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.
 From the Hardcover edition.

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

Science & Math

Christian, Brian

Griffiths, Tom

Technology

Allen Lane.

Forests of Ash: An Environmental History

This beautifully-written book tells the story of Australia's giant eucalypt, the Mountain Ash, which grows in the region north and east of Melbourne. Visited seasonally by indigenous people and later a site of mining and sawmilling for settlers, as well as contested ground for conservationists, the life cycles and fire cycles of the forests span millennia. Tom Griffiths tells the environmental, ecological and social history of a unique Australian forest, and in doing so, tells the story of the continent as a whole.

Forests of Ash

Business & Money

Economics

Cambridge University Press

Hunters and Collectors: The Antiquarian Imagination in Australia (Studies in Australian History)

Hunters and Collectors is about historical consciousness and environmental sensibilities in European Australia from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. It is in part a collective biography of the amateur scientists and humanists who have shaped the Australian historical imagination. Griffiths illuminates the way these avid collectors and discussants of the Australian land and its indigenous inhabitants have contributed a sense of national identity. He also shows how their activities feed into the political and environmental debates of the 1990s.

Arts & Photography

Hunters and Collectors is about historical consciousness and environmental sensibilities in European Australia from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. It is in part a collective biography of the amateur scientists and humanists who have shaped the Australian historical imagination. Griffiths illuminates the way these avid collectors and discussants of the Australian land and its indigenous inhabitants have contributed a sense of national identity. He also shows how their activities feed into the political and environmental debates of the 1990s.

This beautifully-written book tells the story of Australia's giant eucalypt, the Mountain Ash, which grows in the region north and east of Melbourne. Visited seasonally by indigenous people and later a site of mining and sawmilling for settlers, as well as contested ground for conservationists, the life cycles and fire cycles of the forests span millennia. Tom Griffiths tells the environmental, ecological and social history of a unique Australian forest, and in doing so, tells the story of the continent as a whole.

A fascinating exploration of how computer algorithms can be applied to our everyday lives, helping to solve common decision-making problems and illuminate the workings of the human mind All our lives are constrained by limited space and time, limits that give rise to a particular set of problems. What should we do, or leave undone, in a day or a lifetime? How much messiness should we accept? What balance of new activities and familiar favourites is the most fulfilling? These may seem like uniquely human quandaries, but they are not: computers, too, face the same constraints, so computer scientists have been grappling with their version of such problems for decades. And the solutions they've found have much to teach us. In a dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, acclaimed author Brian Christian (who holds degrees in computer science, philosophy, and poetry, and works at the intersection of all three) and Tom Griffiths (a UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science and psychology) show how the simple, precise algorithms used by computers can also untangle very human questions. They explain how to have better hunches and when to leave things to chance, how to deal with overwhelming choices and how best to connect with others. From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one's inbox to understanding the workings of human memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.

The ultimate resource for prospective and current pool owners alike, this beautifully illustrated, comprehensive yet accessible volume examines the wide variety of pools available today. Written by Tom Griffiths, a well-known expert in pool and safety issues, The Swimming Pool offers invaluable detailed advice on a complete range of relevant topics such as the essentials of designing and constructing a pool, appropriate plantings and landscaping, proper filtration, water chemistry, and safety tips. Also included is a chapter exploring numerous case studies covering a range of budgets and uses, so that you can consider the many available options, make informed decisions, and choose the right pool for you. Part one of The Swimming Pool is devoted to helping you select an appropriate pool for your needs, budget, and available space. Chapter one provides a step-by-step plan for selecting the proper site, and includes considerations such as local zoning restrictions, slope, soil drainage, location of underground utilities, shade, wind, privacy, and the surrounding landscape. Chapters two and three discuss the full range of swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas in today's market, whether you wish to install a relatively inexpensive aboveground pool, an indoor hot tub for therapeutic purposes, an intricately tiled kidney-shaped pool with an ample deck for entertaining, a lap pool, or a vanishing-edge pool that highlights a spectacular view. Chapter four presents fully illustrated case studies that enable you to examine a range of pool plans -- from the simple to the ornate. Filled with creative ideas and practical advice, this chapter lays out a variety of options so that you can evaluate and prioritize your needs, then select the pool that meets them beautifully and affordably. Part two of The Swimming Pool is every pool owner's dream come true: an easy-to-use handbook that takes all the worry out of pool upkeep. Chapter five focuses on the importance of good water circulation, chemistry, and maintenance, making these concepts readily understandable, demonstrating how to achieve clear, clean water, and providing charts and sidebars that offer important safety tips and troubleshooting advice. Also included is a discussion of essential pool-keeping equipment and daily and weekly maintenance chores that will help protect your investment. Chapter six demonstrates the importance of barriers for safety, privacy, and aesthetics, and describes the many types of fencing available. Chapter seven contains vital information that will assist in ensuring pool safety, giving a complete list of "pool rules" and necessary safety and rescue equipment, plus tips on supervising children and adults, teaching youngsters to swim, and much more. The Swimming Pool concludes with an extensive list of pool plantings, and a listing of pool publications worldwide. Filled with expert advice, helpful ideas, charts, sidebars, pool plans, and gorgeous and inspiring color photographs, The Swimming Pool is the ideal sourcebook, as it contains everything you'll need to know, from planning to maintenance.

Swimming Pool

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Gardening & Landscape Design

Simon&Schuster

Listen to a short interview with Tom Griffiths Host: Chris Gondek | Producer: Heron &amp; Crane 
 From Scott and Shackleton to sled dogs and penguins, stories of Antarctica seize our imagination. In December 2002, environmental historian Tom Griffiths set sail with the Australian Antarctic Division to deliver the new team of winterers. In this beautifully written book, Griffiths reflects on the history of human experiences in Antarctica, taking the reader on a journey of discovery, exploration, and adventure in an unforgettable land. 
 He weaves together meditations on shipboard life during his three-week voyage with fascinating forays into the history and nature of Antarctica. He brings alive the great age of sail in the initiation of travelers to the great winds of the "roaring forties." No continent is more ruled by wind, and Griffiths explains why Antarctica is a barometer of global climatic health. He charts the race to the South Pole, from its inception as part of the drive to map Earth's magnetism, to the reasons for Robert Scott's tragic death. He also offers vivid descriptions of life in Antarctica, such as the experience of a polar night, the importance of food for morale, and coping with solitude. 
 A charming narrative and an informative history, Slicing the Silence is an intimate portrait of the last true wilderness.

Slicing the Silence: Voyaging to Antarctica

History

World

Harvard University Press

Listen to a short interview with Tom GriffithsHost: Chris Gondek | Producer: Heron &amp; Crane
From Scott and Shackleton to sled dogs and penguins, stories of Antarctica seize our imagination. In December 2002, environmental historian Tom Griffiths set sail with the Australian Antarctic Division to deliver the new team of winterers. In this beautifully written book, Griffiths reflects on the history of human experiences in Antarctica, taking the reader on a journey of discovery, exploration, and adventure in an unforgettable land.
He weaves together meditations on shipboard life during his three-week voyage with fascinating forays into the history and nature of Antarctica. He brings alive the great age of sail in the initiation of travelers to the great winds of the "roaring forties." No continent is more ruled by wind, and Griffiths explains why Antarctica is a barometer of global climatic health. He charts the race to the South Pole, from its inception as part of the drive to map Earth's magnetism, to the reasons for Robert Scott's tragic death. He also offers vivid descriptions of life in Antarctica, such as the experience of a polar night, the importance of food for morale, and coping with solitude.
A charming narrative and an informative history, Slicing the Silence is an intimate portrait of the last true wilderness.

Safer Beaches: Planning, Design, and Operation offers a systematic, practical approach to planning, designing, renovating, and operating all types of beaches. This authoritative reference covers the broad topics that beach managers, lifeguards, administrators, and beach enthusiasts need to know, such as safety for nonswimming beaches and swimming beaches, water quality and beach maintenance, and funding. And it delves into the finer details that will help you balance safety and beachgoers’ enjoyment. 
Safer Beaches provides something rarely found in other aquatic books: practices in beach management and protection. It uses a needs-analysis approach to help you identify programming and activities that will maximize people’s experience at the beach. This practical resource will help you 
 • understand the planning, design, building, and operational concepts and put them to use right away; 
 • take the guesswork out of beach management by guiding you step by step through the decisions and considerations necessary for successful operations; and 
 • avoid dangerous and costly mistakes during the planning and design stages of both swimming and nonswimming beaches. 
 Written by a leading aquatic professional and many influential contributors, with visually rich and instructive photos and illustrations, Safer Beaches supplies you with the latest information about innovations in beach design, technology, and building methods. It thoroughly explores every key aspect of planning, designing, and operating a beach, providing you with many examples and photos to give you a clear picture of the entire process. In its expansive coverage, it explores new territory in signage, risk management, and accessibility. And it places a heavy emphasis on safety, with five chapters devoted to separate safety topics. 
Safer Beaches is an essential resource for all who have anything to do with managing beaches. It will help you be more effective in your job, and it will help beachgoers enjoy their recreational experiences to the fullest.

Safer Beaches: Planning, Design, and Operation

Industries

Human Kinetics

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Griffiths, Tom. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Griffiths, Tom

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Griffiths, Tom. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

Forests of Ash

Hunters and Collectors: The Antiquarian Imagination in Australia (Studies in Australian History)

Hunters and Collectors: The Antiquarian Imagination in Australia (Studies in Australian History)

Forests of Ash: An Environmental History

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions

Swimming Pool

Slicing the Silence: Voyaging to Antarctica

Slicing the Silence: Voyaging to Antarctica

Safer Beaches: Planning, Design, and Operation