A selection of new non-fiction books covering topics from evolutionary biology and artificial intelligence to animal conservation and medical ethics.
Key facts
- •Daniel Lieberman uses evolutionary biology to analyze how historical changes in diet have impacted modern health.
- •Xiaochang Li argues that modern AI development prioritized statistical pattern prediction over true linguistic understanding.
- •In 2021, the London School of Economics recognized cephalopods and decapods as capable of experiencing pain and distress.
- •Catherine Heymans, the astronomer royal for Scotland, explores the scientific possibility of living in a computer simulation.
- •Evelyn Scott’s book details her personal experience with endometriosis, a condition estimated to affect 1 in 10 women.
New Scientist has released its list of recommended popular science books for August 2026. The selections span a diverse range of subjects, including the evolution of human diets, the history of artificial intelligence, the ethics of octopus farming, and the medical challenges surrounding endometriosis.
Human Evolution and Global History
Harvard evolutionary anthropologist Daniel Lieberman explores the history of human diets, examining how fire, farming, and industrialization have shaped modern nutrition. Complementing this, independent scholar Jonathan Loh’s book 'Life Story' provides a panoramic history of human development, tracing the transition from foragers to farmers and the rise of civilization through the lens of genetics, language, and ecosystems.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Two new titles address the intersection of humanity and technology. Xiaochang Li’s 'Divination Engines' examines the origins of natural language processing and the 20th-century debates that led to modern generative AI, arguing that researchers shifted focus from understanding language to statistical prediction. Meanwhile, astrophysicist Catherine Heymans explores the nature of reality in her latest work, questioning whether humans could create a virtual universe and what such a simulation would imply for consciousness and free will.
Conservation and Ethics
The list includes a study by conservationist Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi on the snow leopards of central Asia, highlighting the animal's role in delicate ecosystems. Additionally, journalist Richard Schweid investigates the ethics of commercial octopus farming, noting that the London School of Economics identified cephalopods as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain in 2021, complicating the industry's growth.
Philosophy and Medical Advocacy
Lani Watson, a philosopher at the University of Edinburgh, explores the importance of questioning in her book 'Q: The hidden power of questions in a world that wants answers'. In the medical sphere, Evelyn Scott’s 'A Bloody Scandal' provides an account of her 15-year struggle with endometriosis, serving as an exposé on the medical system's failure to address women's pain.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by New Scientist.
