David Orrell Books

The story and history of money, finance and economics but also its interaction with people, governments and society.

In this sweeping book, applied mathematician and popular author David Orrell questions the promises and pitfalls of associating beauty with truth, showing how ideas of mathematical elegance have inspired—and have sometimes misled—scientists attempting to understand nature. Orrell shows how the ancient Greeks constructed a concept of the world based on musical harmony; later thinkers replaced this model with a program, based on Newton’s “rational mechanics,” to reduce the universe to a few simple equations. He then turns to current physical theories, such as supersymmetric string theory—again influenced by deep aesthetic principles. The book sheds new light on historical investigations and also recent research, including the examinations ongoing at the Large Hadron Collider. Finally, broadening his discussion to other fields of research, including economics, architecture, and health, Orrell questions whether these aesthetic principles reflect an accurate way to explain and understand the structure of our world.

A brand-new edition of David Orrell's acclaimed critique of what economics gets very wrong

Describes the long slog to Germany including winter action during the surprise German Bulge counter-offensive and the massive Rhine crossing operation (VARSITY). As numerous RUR members were in 9th Parachute Battalion, this book contains a full description of the legendary seizing of the mighty Merville Battery.

In Earth in Mind, environmental educator David W. Orr focuses not on problems in education, but on the problem of education. Much of what has gone wrong with the world, he argues, is the result of inadequate and misdirected education. Orr presents concrete proposals for reorganizing the curriculum to draw out our affinity for life.

Exploring the quest to predict the future, this book examines the efforts of historical figures like seers, mathematicians, and modern scientists. It questions the efficacy of contemporary forecasting methods, particularly in climate science, highlighting the challenges even short-term predictions face. By contrasting ancient wisdom with today's technological advancements, it delves into the complexities of forecasting and the inherent uncertainties that persist across time.

Instant Economics pulls together all the pivotal economic knowledge and thought into one concise volume.

From the inability of wealth to make us happier, to our catastrophic blindness to the credit crunch, this book reveals ten ways in which economics has failed us. It explains how the economy is the result of complex and unpredictable processes; how risk models go astray; and, why the economy is not rational or fair.

An integrative vision of the role of design in our interaction and relationship with nature.