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Science Book, The: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works
The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, scientific facts, and the most up-to-date questions are all explained in detailed text that is complemented by visually arresting graphics.
Six major sections ranging from the universe and the planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are further broken down into subsections that encompass everything from microscopic life to nuclear power.
The Science Book covers a wide range of scientific areas, providing both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader, and more specific information for those who wish to obtain in-depth insight into a particular subject area. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, scientific facts, and up-to-date questions are explained in detailed texts. The vivid illustrations, pictures, and graphics throughout the book make the information even more accessible and comprehensible.
Within the book, the theory of the universe and the character of the earth are detailed, along with an overview of the diverse living organisms that can be found on Earth. The technical developments and achievements of humankind are discussed and we pay particular attention to subjects of current interest, like climate change and genetic engineering.
The well-structured organization of this book with its numerous sections and chapters offers the reader an entertaining introduction into the large field of natural sciences and allows just as well for quick reference. Events and issues of special significance are discussed in greater detail in side bars of 3 different kinds. Numerous cross-references within the chapters and to other sections of the book emphasize the many links between the individual scientific fields. Illustrative elements, such as 3-D-graphics and pictograms and the great variety of photographic material make even the most complex information easy
Six major sections ranging from the universe and the planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are further broken down into subsections that encompass everything from microscopic life to nuclear power.
The Science Book covers a wide range of scientific areas, providing both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader, and more specific information for those who wish to obtain in-depth insight into a particular subject area. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, scientific facts, and up-to-date questions are explained in detailed texts. The vivid illustrations, pictures, and graphics throughout the book make the information even more accessible and comprehensible.
Within the book, the theory of the universe and the character of the earth are detailed, along with an overview of the diverse living organisms that can be found on Earth. The technical developments and achievements of humankind are discussed and we pay particular attention to subjects of current interest, like climate change and genetic engineering.
The well-structured organization of this book with its numerous sections and chapters offers the reader an entertaining introduction into the large field of natural sciences and allows just as well for quick reference. Events and issues of special significance are discussed in greater detail in side bars of 3 different kinds. Numerous cross-references within the chapters and to other sections of the book emphasize the many links between the individual scientific fields. Illustrative elements, such as 3-D-graphics and pictograms and the great variety of photographic material make even the most complex information easy
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
31 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
National Geographic Society
4,223 books1,116 followersThe National Geographic Society (NGS), headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States, is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
Founded in 1888, its interests include geography, archaeology, and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, and the study of world culture and history. The National Geographic Society's logo is a yellow portrait frame—rectangular in shape—which appears on the margins surrounding the front covers of its magazines and as its television channel logo. Through National Geographic Partners (a joint venture with The Walt Disney Company), the Society operates the magazine, TV channels, a website, worldwide events, and other media operations.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 25, 2013
This is my third science and general knowledge book by National Geographic, the others being "National Geographic Answer Book" and " The Knowledge Book". Since all three are of a similar theme, it obviously introduces comparisons and presents the question - aren't they all just the same book with a different cover? Indeed a valid question, since these days it is quite common to find the same book under different names and covers and consumers are getting constantly burned by discovering they have purchased the same book more than once.
However I am happy to report, that although it would have been easy for NG to rehash material from its other seemingly similar books, they have done a splendid job at differentiating each book so that all of them are worth owning. Of course, all three books sometimes introduce similar concepts, but each of them explains it in a different way and uses different visuals to do it. You won't find any cheap copy-pasting going on here - all three books are completely unique and stand on their own merits.
Out of these three, "The Science Book" is obviously most science-oriented and goes deeper in its explanations of various concepts, whereas "The Answer Book" or "The Knowledge Book" sometimes just mention things in passing without much explanation. The latter two also have a wider scope to cover, so this is understandable. The explanations in "The Science Book" are mostly satisfying and eye-opening. Depending on your level of knowledge, some of the chapters may seem overly simplistic, whereas you may find yourself struggling with others. For me for example, the chapters on computers, the internet and IT felt very basic, yet I had to seriously rack my brains to make sense of many of the articles on mathematics (and to a lesser degree chemistry and physics).
As for the visuals, although I am partial to the Doring Kindersley way of producing highly visual books, I must say I am very satisfied with the National Geographic way of doing things as well. They take a bit more traditional approach to book layouts with smaller visuals among larger blocks of text, but there are still hundreds upon hundreds of graphs, photos and schematics to break up the monotony, so I never felt bored. DK books are of course the pinnacle of graphic book design, but NG is no slouch either.
Overall I am very happy with the book and although it took me over three months to finish, it is definitely a keeper and a book I see myself referring back to in the future as well. Highly recommended!
However I am happy to report, that although it would have been easy for NG to rehash material from its other seemingly similar books, they have done a splendid job at differentiating each book so that all of them are worth owning. Of course, all three books sometimes introduce similar concepts, but each of them explains it in a different way and uses different visuals to do it. You won't find any cheap copy-pasting going on here - all three books are completely unique and stand on their own merits.
Out of these three, "The Science Book" is obviously most science-oriented and goes deeper in its explanations of various concepts, whereas "The Answer Book" or "The Knowledge Book" sometimes just mention things in passing without much explanation. The latter two also have a wider scope to cover, so this is understandable. The explanations in "The Science Book" are mostly satisfying and eye-opening. Depending on your level of knowledge, some of the chapters may seem overly simplistic, whereas you may find yourself struggling with others. For me for example, the chapters on computers, the internet and IT felt very basic, yet I had to seriously rack my brains to make sense of many of the articles on mathematics (and to a lesser degree chemistry and physics).
As for the visuals, although I am partial to the Doring Kindersley way of producing highly visual books, I must say I am very satisfied with the National Geographic way of doing things as well. They take a bit more traditional approach to book layouts with smaller visuals among larger blocks of text, but there are still hundreds upon hundreds of graphs, photos and schematics to break up the monotony, so I never felt bored. DK books are of course the pinnacle of graphic book design, but NG is no slouch either.
Overall I am very happy with the book and although it took me over three months to finish, it is definitely a keeper and a book I see myself referring back to in the future as well. Highly recommended!
July 5, 2020
A famous man once said; "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
The Science Book is a massive compendium, covering every conceivable field of science that I can think of. It is gorgeously illustrated and has text to aid the illustrations. The book only has one real detriment, and that is its size. It isn’t easy to carry around since it is bulky and heavy.
The book is organized in such a way that it covers the Big Bang first, and moves on through Cosmology before finally ending on Mathematics. The book has an introduction that attempts to introduce the layman to the incredible nature of science and the process that goes into it. Ordinary people don’t seem to care about knowledge for the sake of knowledge; they want it to benefit them in some way. An ideal idea is that of the humble airplane. I live near an airport, and usually during certain times of the day airplanes would be going and flying near where we live, so they are somewhat of a nuisance. When you are on an airplane, there are things going on that you take for granted. You are sitting in a chair being protected from the harsh elements by a thin metal shell. The speed of the airplane forces air into the cabin and allows you to breathe.
Even something as commonplace as the Internet is an amazing system. All of the underlying technologies that go into the internet as a whole were developed by scientists and mathematicians over several years.
The book goes into a lot of different ideas. It is easy to leaf through it or to turn to any page and find a fascinating nugget of information.
The Science Book is a massive compendium, covering every conceivable field of science that I can think of. It is gorgeously illustrated and has text to aid the illustrations. The book only has one real detriment, and that is its size. It isn’t easy to carry around since it is bulky and heavy.
The book is organized in such a way that it covers the Big Bang first, and moves on through Cosmology before finally ending on Mathematics. The book has an introduction that attempts to introduce the layman to the incredible nature of science and the process that goes into it. Ordinary people don’t seem to care about knowledge for the sake of knowledge; they want it to benefit them in some way. An ideal idea is that of the humble airplane. I live near an airport, and usually during certain times of the day airplanes would be going and flying near where we live, so they are somewhat of a nuisance. When you are on an airplane, there are things going on that you take for granted. You are sitting in a chair being protected from the harsh elements by a thin metal shell. The speed of the airplane forces air into the cabin and allows you to breathe.
Even something as commonplace as the Internet is an amazing system. All of the underlying technologies that go into the internet as a whole were developed by scientists and mathematicians over several years.
The book goes into a lot of different ideas. It is easy to leaf through it or to turn to any page and find a fascinating nugget of information.
November 2, 2017
Hail Science!! Not much more I can say. :) From the human body, to the pterodactyl, to the rock (the life form not the actor), everything you've ever wanted to know about science is in this book. Great reference book to keep on your shelf for when you argue with a friend about science. :D
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October 23, 2025The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, scientific facts, and the most up-to-date questions are all explained in detailed text that is complemented by visually arresting graphics. Six major sections ranging from the universe and the planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics are further broken down into subsections that encompass everything from microscopic life to nuclear power. The Science Book covers a wide range of scientific areas, providing both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader, and more specific information for those who wish to obtain in-depth insight into a particular subject area. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, scientific facts, and up-to-date questions are explained in detailed texts. The vivid illustrations, pictures, and graphics throughout the book make the information even more accessible and comprehensible. Within the book, the theory of the universe and the character of the earth are detailed, along with an overview of the diverse living organisms that can be found on Earth. The technical developments and achievements of humankind are discussed and we pay particular attention to subjects of current interest, like climate change and genetic engineering. The well-structured organization of this book with its numerous sections and chapters offers the reader an entertaining introduction into the large field of natural sciences and allows just as well for quick reference. Events and issues of special significance are discussed in greater detail in side bars of 3 different kinds. Numerous cross-references within the chapters and to other sections of the book emphasize the many links between the individual scientific fields. Illustrative elements, such as 3-D-graphics and pictograms and the great variety of photographic material make even the most complex information easy
January 8, 2017
As far as references of science go, this is a pretty good and thorough one. It does err, however, by teaching the hypotheses of macroevolution, uniformitarianism, and the rest of the caboodle as fact. Seeing as it has such a vast amount of other information, I shall forgive it this and give it four stars.
January 21, 2016
The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About The World and How It Works by National Geographic (National Geographic 2008)(500.0). This is very thorough, but it is written for the most casual reader. My rating: 7/10, finished 2009.
February 13, 2010
A great review of all those things I had forgotten that I learned in grade and high school. Fun Fun!
August 4, 2012
It's a must have for anyone that likes science.. It's one my my favorite books.
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October 4, 2013very amazing iloved it and get more information about geo
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews