Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A science book like no other, The Where, the Why, and the How turns loose 75 of today's hottest artists onto life's vast questions, from how we got here to where we are going. Inside these pages some of the biggest (and smallest) mysteries of the natural world are explained in essays by real working scientists, which are then illustrated by artists given free rein to be as literal or as imaginative as they like. The result is a celebration of the wonder that inspires every new discovery. Featuring work by such contemporary luminaries as Lisa Congdon, Jen Corace, Neil Farber, Susie Ghahremani, Jeremyville, and many more, this is a work of scientific and artistic exploration to pique the interest of both the intellectually and imaginatively curious.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Though its vivid, lively illustrations will pull readers in, this book is not meant for coffee tables, and, though it answers intriguing scientist questions with brief and accurate responses, it is also not a scientific encyclopedia. Instead, this compilation by designers Volvovski, Julia Rothman, and Matt Lamothe brings together brief works by over 50 scientists and 75 artists answering 75 quirky questions such as "Do squirrels remember where they bury their nuts?" and "Why do we blush?" Some of these queries don't receive a definitive answer, for instance, "Is sexual orientation innate?" and the responses explain what about the question is controversial or unknown. Featuring the work of illustrators like Lisa Congdon, Jen Corace, Neil Farber, Susie Ghahremani, and Jeremyville, this is a beautiful and engaging title to own. Verdict This book is fun to read, hard to set down, and a great way to engage readers otherwise uninterested in science by presenting the kinds of questions everyone has asked themselves at least once. Highly recommended for those curious about the world around them.-Eric D. Albright, Tufts Univ. Lib., Boston (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Scientists and artists take on, answer, and illustrate some of the most intriguing and baffling questions in the sciences, a majority of which likely do not ever occur to most people, such as "What triggers reversals of earth's polarity?" Readers may need a refresher on basic high school biology or chemistry, but that's a good thing and, really, a minor distraction from what this book actually is: a work of art. The 75 illustrations that accompany each question are rich and stylistically diverse enough that the book can be read either as a well-written mini-textbook or a coffee table-worthy compendium. The authors set out to challenge our overly Wikipedi-ized minds less by explaining answers as by opening them to theorizing and wondering; it's clear that the point is to pique curiosity and delight with beautiful visuals. Pop-science buffs will find the subject matter intriguing, and those who admire graphic novels or comic art will find a plethora of eye candy. To the book's further credit, each artist's website is listed opposite his or her artwork, allowing for further engagement each one's work. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.