Living material contains about twenty different sorts of atom combined into a set of relatively simple molecules. Astrobiologists tend to believe that abiotic mater ial will give rise to life in any place where these molecules exist in appreciable abundances and where physical conditions approximate to those occurring here on Earth. We think this popular view is wrong, for it is not the existence of the building blocks of life that is crucial but the exceedingly complicated structures in which they are arranged in living forms. The probability of arriving at biologically significant arrangements is so very small that only by calling on the resources of the whole universe does there seem to be any possibility of life originating, a conclusion that requires life on the Earth to be a minute component of a universal system. Some think that the hugely improbable transition from non-living to living mat ter can be achieved by dividing the transition into many small steps, calling on a so-called 'evolutionary' process to bridge the small steps one by one. This claim turns on semantic arguments which seek to replace the probability for the whole chain by the sum of the individual probabilities of the many steps, instead of by their product. This is an error well known to those bookies who are accustomed to taking bets on the stacking of horse races. But we did not begin our investigation from this point of view."

Light scattering and absorption by small homogeneous particles can be worked-out exactly for spheres and infinite cylinders. Homogeneous particles of irregular shapes, when averaged with respect to rotation, have effects that can in general be well-approximated by reference to results for these two idealised cases. Likewise, small inhomogeneous particles have effects similar to homogeneous particles of the same average refractive index. Thus most problems can be solved to a satisfactory approximation by reference to the exact solutions for spheres and cylinders, which are fully stated here in the early part of the book. The sum of scattering and absorption, the extinction, is too large to be explained by inorganic materials, provided element abundances in the interstellar medium are not appreciably greater than solar, H 0 and NH3 being essentially excluded in the 2 general medium, otherwise very strong absorptions near 3p, m would be observed which they are not. A well-marked extinction maximum in the ultraviolet near 2200A has also not been explained satisfactorily by inorganic materials. Accurately formed graphite spheres with radii close to O.02p, m could conceivably provide an explanation of this ultraviolet feature but no convincing laboratory preparation of such spheres has ever been achieve

This book, originally published in 1983, demonstrates the importance of seaports in the growth of less-developed countries. The author focuses on the character of port activity within the context of transport systems and regional economic planning. General principles of port development are illustrated by detailed reference to one Third World port group, that of the Indian Ocean coasts of Kenya and Tanzania. The objective is not merely to illustrate the character of one specific group of ports, but to demonstrate methods of analysis and to underline the crucial role of ports in the development process.

This book, originally published in 1983, demonstrates the importance of seaports in the growth of less-developed countries. The author focuses on the character of port activity within the context of transport systems and regional economic planning. General principles of port development are illustrated by detailed reference to one Third World port group, that of the Indian Ocean coasts of Kenya and Tanzania. The objective is not merely to illustrate the character of one specific group of ports, but to demonstrate methods of analysis and to underline the crucial role of ports in the development process.

Living material contains about twenty different sorts of atom combined into a set of relatively simple molecules. Astrobiologists tend to believe that abiotic mater ial will give rise to life in any place where these molecules exist in appreciable abundances and where physical conditions approximate to those occurring here on Earth. We think this popular view is wrong, for it is not the existence of the building blocks of life that is crucial but the exceedingly complicated structures in which they are arranged in living forms. The probability of arriving at biologically significant arrangements is so very small that only by calling on the resources of the whole universe does there seem to be any possibility of life originating, a conclusion that requires life on the Earth to be a minute component of a universal system. Some think that the hugely improbable transition from non-living to living mat ter can be achieved by dividing the transition into many small steps, calling on a so-called 'evolutionary' process to bridge the small steps one by one. This claim turns on semantic arguments which seek to replace the probability for the whole chain by the sum of the individual probabilities of the many steps, instead of by their product. This is an error well known to those bookies who are accustomed to taking bets on the stacking of horse races. But we did not begin our investigation from this point of view.

Light scattering and absorption by small homogeneous particles can be worked-out exactly for spheres and infinite cylinders. Homogeneous particles of irregular shapes, when averaged with respect to rotation, have effects that can in general be well-approximated by reference to results for these two idealised cases. Likewise, small inhomogeneous particles have effects similar to homogeneous particles of the same average refractive index. Thus most problems can be solved to a satisfactory approximation by reference to the exact solutions for spheres and cylinders, which are fully stated here in the early part of the book. The sum of scattering and absorption, the extinction, is too large to be explained by inorganic materials, provided element abundances in the interstellar medium are not appreciably greater than solar, H 0 and NH3 being essentially excluded in the 2 general medium, otherwise very strong absorptions near 3p, m would be observed which they are not. A well-marked extinction maximum in the ultraviolet near 2200A has also not been explained satisfactorily by inorganic materials. Accurately formed graphite spheres with radii close to O.02p, m could conceivably provide an explanation of this ultraviolet feature but no convincing laboratory preparation of such spheres has ever been achieve

Even in the late 20th Century, there remains a complex web of spatial inter-relationships linking port cities and coastal zones. Cityports, Coastal Zones and Regional Change brings together seventeen authors to explore aspects of these inter-relationships. Many of the chapters were first discussed at an intensive British-Italian Seminar held in Venice in 1994 and have subsequently been substantially revised, edited and updated. The essential focus of the book is on the role of port cities in the development and management of the coastal zones within which they are located. There is a strong emphasis on environmental issues, economic diversification and planning. While most of the numerous case studies featured are British or Italian, other areas represented include Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Tropical Africa and North America. An overview of cityports and coastal zones in the context of sustainable development provides a timely and forward looking conclusion, and makes the book ideal for researchers and students of transport geography, urban geography, port studies and coastal zone management worldwide.

This book should be in the library of every transportation researcher. Ronald Sheck Intermodal and guideway research program director, Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of Florida There is no escape from transport. By sea, air, road or rail, we rely on transport to connect individuals, businesses and cities. At a time when deregulation and privatization are becoming global trends and concerns grow about sustainability, what is the future of transport for the 21st Century? The best-selling first edition of Moderñ Transport Geography provided a topical transport textbook, based on geographical theory and focused on contemporary issues. This new, expanded, updated and revised edition builds on the strengths of the earlier text by taking a more international and global perspective. The book brings together an unparalleled range of contributors, reflecting the international expertise of the Transport Research Groups of both the Royal Geographical Society and the Association of American Geographers. Modern Transport Geography takes a principles and practice approach which enables students to develop their own ideas on the basis of the contextual, analytical and case material provided. from reviews of Edition I This book has all the ingredients of a successful textbook… The presentation is both stimulating and thought provoking. There is a lot of up to date information on current and case studies from all parts of the world. And, finally, there are plenty of references for further reading. What more could one ask? Journal of Environment and Planning A Geography / Transport Studies / Planning / Social Science Contents

• Transport Geography: an Introduction
• Transport and Development: Conceptual Frameworks
• The Role of Transport in the Development Process: Case Studies from Québec, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and China
• Transport Deregulation and Privatization
• Transport and the Environment
• Urban Travel Patterns
• Urban Transport Problems and Solution
• Inter-Urban Transport
• Rural Areas: the Accessibility Problem
• Transport for Recreation and Tourism
• Ships, Ports and Bulk Freight Transport
• Intermodal Transportation
• International Surface Passenger Transport
• International Air Transport
• Sustainability of Transport