Books below and on the left are listed in order of pending or actual publication date, starting with the most recent. Click on any of the links directly on the left to view any title.

The Science of Michael Crichton: An Unauthorized Exploration into the Real Science behind the Fictional Worlds of Michael Crichton

March 2008

Edited by Kevin R. Grazier, PhD

Suggested Retail Price:
~~$17.95 US~~ | ~~$22.95 CAN~~
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN

Wherever the cutting edge of science goes, Michael Crichton is there. From dinosaur cloning to global warming, nanotechnology to time travel, animal behavior to human genetics, Crichton always takes us to the cutting edge of science and then pushes the envelope.

The Science of Michael Crichton examines the amazing inventions of Crichton’s books and lifts up the hood, revealing the science underneath.

In intelligent and well-thought essays, scholars and experts decide what Crichton gets right and what he gets wrong. They examine which Crichton imaginings are feasible and which are just plain impossible. Scenarios examined include whether dinosaurs can be cloned, if nanotechnological particles can evolve intelligence, and if we can go back in time.

Analysis includes:

· Congo by Dario Maestripieri

· Timeline by Joel Shurkin

· Jurassic Park by Sandy Becker

· Next by Phillip Jones

· Eaters of the Dead by Ian Tattersall

· Disclosure/The Terminal Man by Ray Kurzweil

· The Andromeda Strain by Sergio Pistoi

· Prey by Larry Yaegar

· State of Fear by David M. Lawrence

Kevin Grazier, PhD, is the science adviser for the Sci-Fi Channel series Battlestar Galactica and Eureka and the PBS animated series The Zula Patrol. He also works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He splits his time living in Sylmar, CA, and Mesa, AZ.

return to top of page

The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration
March 2008

Edited by Robin Rosenberg, PhD

Suggested Retail Price:
~~$17.95 US~~ | ~~$22.95 CAN~~
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN

People love superheroes—they love to read about them, and they love to watch them. Superheroes have survived in comics for more than 70 years, and the recent slew of superhero films (Spiderman, Batman, Superman, the X-Men . . . ) have almost all been box-office successes. But what is it that makes superheroes tick?

In The Psychology of Superheroes, almost two dozen psychologists get into the heads of today’s most popular and intriguing superheroes. Why do superheroes choose to be superheroes? Where does Spider-Man’s altruism come from, and what does it mean?Why is there so much prejudice against the X-Men, and how could they have responded to it, other than the way they did? Why are super-villains so aggressive?

From psychoanalyzation of specific superheroes to shrewd interrogations of why superheroes strike such a chord in us, The Psychology of Superheroes exposes the inner workings our heroes usually only share with their therapists.

Contributors Include:

Christopher Peterson
Wind Goodfriend
Robin Rosenberg
Michael Spivey
Robert Biwas-Diener
Mikhail Lyubansky

Bryan Jay Dik
Peter Hancock
William J. Ickes
Chuck Tate
Andrew R Getzfeld
Siamak Naficy

Stephanie DeLusé
Bradley Daniels
Christopher Patrick
Kerri Johnson
Robert Kurzban

Robin Rosenberg, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and coauthor of Abnormal Psychology, Fundamentals of Psychology, and Psychology in Context. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

return to top of page

Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City
March 2008

Edited by Dennis O'Neil

Suggested Retail Price:
~~$17.95 US~~ | ~~$22.95 CAN~~
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN

Edited by sixteen-year Batman writer and Batman Begins novelization writer Dennis O’Neil, Batman Unauthorized explores Batman, one of the most recognized superheroes ever created. The iconic superhero, one of DC Comics’s “Big Three,” Batman has survived through campy TV shows and dark reinventions, through Adam West, Michael Keaton, and Christian Bale.

Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City explores Batman’s motivations and actions, and those of his foes covering the entire Batman spectrum, from silly to solemn. Why is the Joker so good at pushing Batman’s buttons? What does Batman’s technology say about the times? Why are Batman’s villains crazier than average? And why is Batman the perfect iconic American hero?

This collection of essays and unique perspectives on Batman, creature of the night, more about vengeance than justice, more plagued with doubts than full of self-assurance, and more darkness than light is a must-read for fans. Devoid of superpowers, but armed with skill, drive and a really well-made suit, Batman is no Superman. Fans can be grateful for that.

Contributors Include:

Dennis O’Neil
Robert Brian Taylor
Mike W. Barr
Lou Anders
Nick Mamatas
Darren Hudson Hick

Michael Marano
Alan Porter
Chris Roberson
Paul Lytle
Jake Black
Mary Borsellino

Robin Rosenberg
Daniel Kimmel
Alex Bledsoe
John C. Wright
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
David Seidman

Dennis O’Neil is a former comic book writer and editor for Marvel Comics and DC Comics; wrote the novelization for the film Batman Begins; and is the author of Batman: Shaman and Batman: Sword of Azrael. He wrote the main Batman title in the 1970s and 1980s and is the former group editor for the Batman family of books. He lives in Nyack, New York.

return to top of page

The Science of Dune: An Unauthorized Exploration into the Real Science Behind Frank Herbert’s Fictional Universe

January 2008

Edited by Kevin R. Grazier, PhD

Suggested Retail Price:
~~$17.95 US~~ | ~~$22.95 CAN~~
Special Smart Pop Price:
$14.36 US | $18.36 CAN

With the final novel in the Dune series, Sandworms of Dune, released in August 2007, fans need their Dune fix. In The Science of Dune, fans will get just that and more.

In this analysis of the bestselling science fiction adventure of all time, authors explore all aspects of Dune, including the fascinating scientific speculations ranging from physics and chemistry to ecology and evolution, from human psychology and mental potential to technology and genetics. Authors and experts examine what Herbert gets right and what he gets wrong, how lasguns might work and if Bene Gesserit and mentat capabilities are possible. The book also takes a look at whether the ecology of Dune is realistic or if it’s theoretically possible to get information from the future. Could humans really evolve as Herbert suggests? How can one build a windtrap or a stillsuit?

Inside the world of Dune:

· “Melange” by Carol Hart

· “My Second Sight” by Sergio Pistoi

· “The Biology of the Sandworm” by Sibylle Hechtel

· “The Dunes of Dune” by Ralph Lorenz

· “From Silver Fox to Kwisatz Haderach” by Carol Hart

· “Evolution by any Means on Dune” by Sandy Field

· “The Anthropology of Dune” by Sharlotte Neely

· “The Real Stars of Dune” by Kevin R. Grazier, PhD

· “Prescience and Prophecy” by Csilla Csori

· “Stillsuit” by John Smith

· “The Black Hole of Pain” by Carol Hart

· “Navigators and the Spacing Guild” by John Smith

· “Memory (and the Tleilaxu) Makes the Man” by Csilla Csori

· “Cosmic Origami” by Kevin R. Grazier, PhD

· “Possible Technical Explanations for Suspensor Technology in Dune” by Ges Seger with Kevin R. Grazier, PhD

· “The Shade of Uliet” by David M. Lawrence

The Science of Dune is a fascinating rollercoaster ride through the amazing science and incredible technology of the Dune books. A must-read for any Dune fan, The Science of Dune will provide the key to understanding the brilliant novels of Dune.

Kevin R. Grazier, PhD, is currently the Science Advisor for the Sci-Fi Channel series Eureka and Battlestar Galactica, as well as the PBS animated series The Zula Patrol. He also writes the more or less monthly Battlestar Galactica TECH Blog on hollywoodnorthreport.com. Dr. Grazier works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA, and holds the dual titles of Investigation Scientist and Science Planning Engineer for the Cassini/Huygens Mission to Saturn and Titan.

return to top of page


	Get free downloads of The Best of Smart Pop Volumes 1, 2 and now 3!


	Check out our specials!


	What is the crew at BenBella Books talking about?