viaDigita

Free Classical Music Downloads from Amazon.com

November 4, 2009

I just discovered that Amazon.com offers a number of MP3 downloads in a variety of musical styles, including Classical, for no charge. Who would have thought?

MP3 Downloads › Music By Price › Free › MP3 Albums › Classical

For other musical styles, try this page:

MP3 Downloads › Music By Price › Free › MP3 Albums

Thanks to Jason Kottke.

Nature’s Chaos is a clear and approachable introduction to the recent science of chaos comprised of an essay by James Gleick (a science writer whose first book Chaos was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was a national bestseller) and more than a hundred glowing photographs by internationally-renowned nature photograher Eliot Porter.

Gleick discusses the history of science, emerging concepts like fractals, the apparent consistency of nature’s proportions and patterns whether manifested at large macro levels or infinitessimally small micro levels, and more. He also ably ties this new science to the types of views caught by Eliot Porter’s remarkably gifted eye.

You can see in the varied photos that illustrate this book that Porter’s contention that, “Nature should be viewed without distinction. All her processes and evolutions are beautiful or ugly to the unbiased and undiscriminating observer. She makes no choice herself—everything that happens has equal significance.” is at work as he captures nature in a multitude of new poses. These are not your typical nature photos of glorious blue skys and lofty snow-capped peaks (as beautiful as those very often are).

This is a terrific little book.

read more about  Nature’s Chaos

This is a really fun book, not only for kids either. Even as a parent, I learned quite a bit I’d never known. Comprised of four sections, this guide covers the basics of exactly what money is, how to obtain it, how to grow it, and finally a few ways to have fun with it.

Money Sense for Kids! is an excellent introduction to one of life’s most important systems in present-day America. Many adults were never taught about much that this book covers, and we only learn about these things as we go through life, which is not necessarily the most effective way to become acquainted with such an important aspect of our own society.

If you have, or know, a child who hasn’t learned about the American monetary system, this book is a must-read!

read more about  Money Sense for Kids!

An icon in the field of Information Design, Edward Tufte, packs an entire design philosophy into just 12 concentrated and richly-illustrated pages.

A must-read for anyone who creates for the screen.

read more about  Visual Design of the User Interface

Check out the sites listed here to find just the perfect gift for the digital reader in your life, even if that digital reader is you!