By Nature's Design `

by Pat Murphy, W. Neill

Chaos theory may be all the rage in the mathematical world, but most people like at least some measure of order in their lives, whether through daily routines or tested methods of getting something done. Writer Pat Murphy and photographer William Neill appeal to our quest for patterns with this book, based on a major exhibit at San Francisco's Exploratorium. Together they puzzle out how pebbles form clusters on the beach, how an ear of corn grows, how mountains and clouds form and how spiders make their webs: how, in short, nature sees to it that things happen in much the same way again and again. The science is simple ("the sleeping cat curls into a ball because this shape offers the least surface area"), and the photographs are both splendid and informative, making this a fine gift for budding young naturalists.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Science

119 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1993

About the author

Pat Murphy’s latest short story collection is called "Women Up to No Good," a title that describes Pat’s attitude in general. Pat writes about strong women who are not afraid of making trouble.

Pat's fiction has won multiple awards for her science fiction and fantasy works, including the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Philip K Dick Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Award, and the Christopher Award. Her latest novel, "The Adventures of Mary Darling," is a historic fantasy -- a subversive take on Peter Pan (with a side helping of Sherlock Holmes). It will be out in May 2025 from Tachyon Publications.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the San Francisco's Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Intriguing nature photos and thought provoking ideas of pattern: spirals, helices, meanders, ripples, spheres, explosions, hexagon packing, branching. "Twice may be an accident. But three or more times makes a pattern."

We crave pattern. We see it everywhere. Create it: buildings, symphonies, fabrics, societies. Even our actions. habits, rules, rituals, daily routines, taboos, sports, traditions. They reassure us that life if stable, orderly, predictable. Similes and metaphors write seemingly unrelated things.

Without a pattern, we feel helpless, and life may seem as scary as a open backed cellar staircase with no railings to guide us.

Patterns are cherished and admired. A ripple, spiral or rosette are visually succulent. The mind savors them.

[Amy Paget · Rating 5 out of 5]

While preparing for "Meeting God in Nature", a Quiet Day opportunity that I designed, I discovered many interesting resources including this book, By Nature's Design in the Exploratorium Book series.

From the foreword, Diane Ackerman writes, "Once is an instance. Twice may be an accident. But three times or more makes a pattern." In By Nature's Design, photographer William Neill reveals the patterns in nature in all their glory. He explores spirals and helixes, meanders and ripples, branching, packing and cracking, and fractals. By Nature's Design was a wonderful complement to my morning's walk.

[to'c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, nice, very nice. Lots of nature's patterns explained very succinctly. And the photos are lovely.