Among the Forces

A collection of popular-science essays that surveys mechanical, chemical, geological, and biological forces and shows how they operate in nature and are harnessed in technology. The author explains inertia and centrifugal effects through everyday machines, describes how wind and plants shape and stabilize dunes, examines explosive gases and tunneling, traces the action of metals, seawater, and geysers, and celebrates human enjoyment of landscapes such as alpine peaks and Yellowstone. Short, illustrated chapters combine natural history, practical examples, and reflections on the spiritual and social implications of nature's powers.