GoKawiilNature roundup highlights new books on astrology, Albert Sabin and spaceflight physics
Nature's latest books-in-brief column surveys four new nonfiction titles: Carlos Orsi's examination of astrology's scientific standing, Karen Torghele's biography of polio vaccine pioneer Albert Sabin, Trisha Muro's accessible guide to the physics behind space missions, and a work by J. W. Mason and Arjun Jayadev on monetary economics. Each book is briefly summarized with notes on its author's background and key arguments.
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These capsule reviews help readers track credible new science and history writing amid a crowded publishing market, offering context on topics ranging from pseudoscience's persistent appeal to underappreciated scientific figures. The Sabin biography in particular highlights how public-health achievements can be overshadowed by more famous contemporaries like Jonas Salk.
- Astrology remains a multibillion-dollar global industry despite its pseudoscience status since the Enlightenment.
- Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine enabled mass immunization, yet he never profited financially from it.
- New books aim to make complex topics like spaceflight physics accessible to general readers.
Source: nature.com — Robinson, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “The roots of astrology, the mysterious nature of time and more: Books in brief”
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