Gr 7-10-These books show how technological advances have allowed humans to go beyond what the eye can see. Each one shares the same general outline, delving into the history of the invention, the science behind it, and how it has impacted society. While the history of the X-ray and how it initially put unwitting scientists in harm's way, and the story of the telescope and Galileo's trial will interest readers, they may get bogged down in the scientific details of these inventions. Even so, these books have a lively format, with informatively captioned, relevant pictures. Chapters are usable individually, though a thorough understanding of the topics can only be gleaned by reading the entire books.-Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

This series contains five volumes that provide an in-depth description of a particular technology, including books on rockets, microscopes and telescopes, and submarines. In Medical Imaging, Sherrow gives a complete history of a variety of imaging technologies, such as x-rays, ultrasound, Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Computed Tomography (CT) scans. The author describes each invention from its initial conception through to modern usage, providing an excellent depiction of the way that these inventions change with time and increased understanding. Sherrow also does a good job of explaining the science behind each invention. The terminology and concepts are sophisticated, however, and this book is appropriate for only the most advanced high school students. In Television, Otfinoski describes the origins and social implications of television as well as modern advances. The technological explanations in this book are difficult to follow, leaving the reader unclear on exactly how televisions work. The history of programming is fascinating, however, particularly for readers with no memory of a time without a multitude of viewing options. The author skillfully explains the effects that television has had on viewers, but multiple typos in the text undermine the content. Each book contains many photographs that provide wonderful illustration, but diagrams explaining the science of each invention would have been welcome. Visual aids for understanding the technology would have truly enhanced each volume.-Heather Pittman.