 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | Boasting almost one hundred articles and book excerpts, The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing is a breathtaking celebration of the finest writing by scientists--the best such collection in print--packed with scintillating essays on everything from "The Discovery of Lucy" to "The Terror and Vastness of the Universe."
Edited by best-selling author and renowned scientist Richard Dawkins, this sterling collection brings together exhilarating pieces by a who's who of scientists and science writers, including Stephen Pinker, Stephen Jay Gould, Martin Gardner, Albert Einstein, Julian Huxley, and many dozens more. Readers will find excerpts from bestsellers such as Douglas R. Hofstadter's Godel, Escher, Bach, Francis Crick's Life Itself, Loren Eiseley's The Immense Journey, Daniel Dennett's Darwin's Dangerous Idea, and Rachel Carson's The Sea Around Us. There are classic essays ranging from J.B.S. Haldane's "On Being the Right Size" and Garrett Hardin's "The Tragedy of the Commons" to Alan Turing's "Computing Machinery and Intelligence" and Albert Einstein's famed New York Times article on "Relativity." And readers will also discover lesser-known but engaging pieces such as Lewis Thomas's "Seven Wonders of Science," J. Robert Oppenheimer on "War and Physicists," and Freeman Dyson's memoir of studying under Hans Bethe.
A must-read volume for all science buffs, The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing is a rich and vibrant anthology that captures the poetry and excitement of scientific thought and discovery. |
Average Customer Rating:  the latest century of science writing and the art of becoming human i am not yet far into this book, and i have never been one to doubt the deep humanity of real scientists, so for me these collections of writing of discovery and re-discovery are better than icing the cake; windows into a struggle to keep us human rather than remove the spirit we contain.
- nor do i confound these writings with any deistic or apologist rubbish -
I am sure both science and religion should be better understood as the latter leading to the former, and so it may be observed that misconception should lead to a more refined conception, if the mind is kept open as well as the eyes - but misconception, and what else could one really be expected to begin with? -if held to too tightly becomes moribund superstition rather quickly, and stifles all progress better than going back in time and killing one's own ancestors, to make a bit of a tacky and flawed analogy.
SO . . . Highly recommended for those who would be willing to read deeply, reflect with wonder, and come to see the staircase of our species' growing knowledge as our trail from the dirt to the stars, rather than a misguided tower of babble -
in other words,: don't be one of those who wonder how children in, say, China learn to speak their language so well yet don't speak ours - please? Science at its best Richard Dawkins is one of those formidable individuals who, while polemic on some topics, is certainly a master of his art. This book is a "farewell" gift to the public, ending his tenure as Professor for Public Understanding of Science, at Oxford. His choice of authors in this anthology of modern science is second-to-none.
I had the impression throughout the readings, by way of introduction to the authors and articles, that Dawkins is very well-read, and one who deeply appreciates and understands the fullness of what it is to be a feeling, caring human being. The selections reflect a slice through the humanity of the science community, in a somewhat unexpected way.
Through a range of topics, which deal with everything from theoretical physics to psychology, the overriding theme of this anthology supports a child-like wonder of our observable world. This is science at its best, at its most human, with warts and all. Some reviewers have suggested that this might be a good book for an aspiring student interested but not yet decided on a specific field of science. I wholeheartedly agree. But it also very much strikes that "gee-whiz" feeling in me, as a mid-life science amateur.
What I found most appealing were the sections where the scientists shared their more personal, funny and anecdotal life episodes. It reminded me a bit of Bill Bryson's book *A Brief History Of Nearly Everything* that included many of the foibles as well as the victories. I get the sense that a scientist has many strike-outs prior to the grand-slams that occasionally happen. Many spend their entire careers to no publicly-applauded significant contributing end. But they nonetheless contribute something, even with negative findings.
I highly recommend this book to all who want to recapture that feeling of wonder at the scientific endeavor. The spirit of the whole collection is summarized by the last section from Carl Sagan's *Pale Blue Dot* with a convincing appeal to humanity to appreciate and care for each other and for this, our only home. This anthology will be one that I'll re-read over and again--the insights here are deep, the science is amazing, and the humility is sincere and appreciated.
It will intrigue you. no doubt. This book is proof that Richard Dawkins really does cherish his role as "Professor for public understanding of science". He really does want the world to learn and not only from his mouth.
The book itself is a compilation of OTHER science writers about THEIR work.
Personally, my interests lie in biology, but this book has opened my eyes to the world of astronomy, physics and.. dare I say.. Mathematics?
Consider this book as a greatest hits CD of all the best musicians of this century, its worth it to read and the actual quality of the book itself is awesome. Very thick, quality pages.
This book makes me want to learn more, so In my eyes, it is an inspiration. More poetry than science... When this book arrived I was heartbroken when I opened the book, for two reasons. The first is that the publisher made the binding so damn stiff it was like opening a mousetrap. No kidding. I tried best I could to loosen it, but it was stubborn. I steamed it. I laid it out flat at different points through the book, alternately, and stacked heavy books on top. Nothing worked. When I did get a chance to read it (which wasn't much, I must admit), I was heartbroken AGAIN to find it disappointingly soft and unstimulating in a way that runs counter to what one would expect from this legendary writer known for his clarity, vigor, and "rapier wit". Simply put:
The book was hard.
What I read inside was mushy. Good for your brain! Dawkins as usual has collected brilliant pieces from other brilliant writers. I'm browsing it, read about half, love them all. |  |
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