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The Science Book
From the world's greatest scientists comes the world's greatest science book--now in a smaller format at a great new affordable price. With a foreword written by critically acclaimed author Simon Singh (Fermat's Last Theorem), and essays by such major writers as Richard Dawkins, Susan Greenfield, and John Gribbin, it presents 250 of the most significant milestones in the history of scientific discovery. Accompanying this unique perspective on our ever-evolving view of the universe are some of the most visually dramatic illustrations you'll ever see. Short, lucid articles focus on everything from the speculations of the ancient Greeks to today's Nobel Prize winners, from Ptolemy's theory of an earth-centered universe to the first steps on the moon, and from the dawning of the concept of zero to the cloning of Dolly the sheep. Biology, physics, astronomy, medicine and the breakthroughs in every field are all here and celebrated, in the first truly accessible, fully illustrated story of science.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2001
17 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 6, 2019
In The Science Book: 250 Milestones in the History of Science 250 of the greatest and most notable scientific discoveries over the course of time have been gathered together in one huge, enjoyable read. It gives its reader a great overview of the history and development of science, especially in the fields of mathematics, physics, biology, astronomy, geology, medicine, and psychology. Starting at 35,00 B.C. with the Origin of Counting, it goes all the way through to 2000, ending with the Sequence of the Human Genome.
The Science Book: 250 Milestones in the History of Science is pretty much a complete overview on the most notable developments in scientific history, and can definitely be used as a great work of reference. To every of the 250 developments/discoveries, two pages are given, one detailing the discovery in a short text, and the other being an illustrated page that goes with it most perfectly. The short texts have been put together by a large number of scientific writers, adding quite a lot of diversity and different perspectives.
It’s also a beautifully designed book that’s good on the eye, and would do well as a coffee table book with its high quality illustrated pages. Its texts are informative enough to be viewed as somewhat complete on the topic in question, yet also short enough to allow some simple leafing through.
That, unfortunately, is also where the book’s weakness lies – it has attempted to pack 250 of the most notable scientific developments/discoveries in 512 pages, giving away only two pages per topic of which one is an illustration. Meaning, the informative texts don’t really go as deep as some might have wanted, and are simply short introductions on their respective topics. However, this does make this book accessible for absolutely everyone, including the layman.
If interested in the history of science viewed through its most notable discoveries, then this is a book for you. It’s huge and complete, though lacking a bit in depth, and can be used as a solid book of reference. And, if not deep enough, it can at least spark interest that might convince a reader to look for more material.
The Science Book: 250 Milestones in the History of Science is pretty much a complete overview on the most notable developments in scientific history, and can definitely be used as a great work of reference. To every of the 250 developments/discoveries, two pages are given, one detailing the discovery in a short text, and the other being an illustrated page that goes with it most perfectly. The short texts have been put together by a large number of scientific writers, adding quite a lot of diversity and different perspectives.
It’s also a beautifully designed book that’s good on the eye, and would do well as a coffee table book with its high quality illustrated pages. Its texts are informative enough to be viewed as somewhat complete on the topic in question, yet also short enough to allow some simple leafing through.
That, unfortunately, is also where the book’s weakness lies – it has attempted to pack 250 of the most notable scientific developments/discoveries in 512 pages, giving away only two pages per topic of which one is an illustration. Meaning, the informative texts don’t really go as deep as some might have wanted, and are simply short introductions on their respective topics. However, this does make this book accessible for absolutely everyone, including the layman.
If interested in the history of science viewed through its most notable discoveries, then this is a book for you. It’s huge and complete, though lacking a bit in depth, and can be used as a solid book of reference. And, if not deep enough, it can at least spark interest that might convince a reader to look for more material.
May 23, 2008
This book can really be called "The Science Book" with 250 of the most significant milestones in the history of scientific discovery. It also has forwards and articles by important articles like Richard Dawkins and John Gribbin. This a great book for both teachers and student filled with great imformations.
December 6, 2008
The Science Book takes the reader through 250 of the most imparitive discovories/acomplishments in science. Includes beautiful pictures and is written so that anyone can understand and appreciate it, even if science is not a strong topic for the reader.
October 21, 2015
A thoroughly interesting book concerning the most important scientific discoveries in history. Written in such a way that everyone can understand whether they have a background in science or not. Well illustrated and appealling
January 31, 2008
Looks like a great book.
November 3, 2009
Referencing really..continuously... curious four year old.
November 16, 2018
My book is called the science book by Weidfeld & Nicolson. My book has all the science facts from -35,000 bc to 2000 ad. One topic is called iceman discovered in 1991. September 1991 , two german scientist wear hiking and came upon iceman. Iceman is the oldest intact human from the year of 3300 bc. His clothing is mostly still intact and his organs are in perfect condition and are still working. His last meal being ibex wich is wheat plants and plums. He ate before he was running from a fire which caused his lungs to blacken from the smoke which probably caused him to fall and freeze in the ice. This proves that there could also be many other life form from the bc era as well as iceman.
December 24, 2021
Great bathroom reader, with each even page dedicated to a science breakthrough and the person or people responsible for it.
Odd pages display images related to text.
Laid out in a year by year progression (some years missing, others getting more than one breakthrough) it is an astonishing collection of vignettes about science and those that pursue it
Odd pages display images related to text.
Laid out in a year by year progression (some years missing, others getting more than one breakthrough) it is an astonishing collection of vignettes about science and those that pursue it
December 22, 2018
Great collection of science facts with 1 page per fact and 1 illustrated page per fact. Coffee table size book and ideal for dipping in and out of.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews