Family history is one of Britain's most popular pastimes. Around six million people in Britain are researching their family trees, and genealogy is one of the top categories for online searches. The opening up of public records, the growth of family history societies and the introduction of computers and the internet have made the subject accessible to everyone. Yet, while there is no shortage of books on how to do family history, few writers have attempted to put the field itself into a historical and social context, and no popular history of the subject has been published in Britain in the last 50 years. That is why Michael Sharpes new history is so significant. He traces the rise of genealogy from an esoteric interest of gentlemen and scholars to a mainstream hobby enjoyed by millions. He describes in vivid detail the landmark events and the personalities behind them, telling the story of the evolution of family history through the eyes of those involved. His original and highly readable work offers a fresh perspective on an activity that is not just a fast-growing leisure pursuit but also a rapidly expanding business sector and an important field for public policy.

Hardbound. In 1986 Michael Bever's Encyclopedia of Materials Science & Engineering defined the field of Materials Science.Since then research into how, by an adjustment to its molecular structure, the properties of a material can be adapted to perform specific applications has greatly increased. The Encyclopedia of Advanced Materials defines the limits of this new area of study, taking into account the many different views and perspectives encountered in research and thinking in the field, as well as emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of the subject.Advanced Materials are defined as those where first consideration is given to the systematic synthesis and control of the structure of the material in order to provide a precisely tailored set of properties for demanding applications.Coverage includes: Advanced Ceramic Processing; Advanced Optical Materials and Displays; Composite Materials; Computer Mod