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The Book of Black: Black Holes, Black Death, Black Forest Cake and Other Dark Sides of Life
"A really fun grab-bag of fascinating black facts related to science, pop-culture, sports, animals, religion, history, and so much more." — Wink Books
"Clever compendium of dark things include interesting scientific explanations." — Science News
From the Black Hole of Calcutta and the Dark Side of the Moon to Black Bart, Black Beauty, and Black Sabbath, this unique journey into darkness sheds light on the worlds of science, history, art, and philosophy. Bestselling author Clifford A. Pickover takes us on an unusual and historic journey through curious, amusing, and important topics related to "black." this wondrous panoply of subjects, stunning images, and entertaining and informative text can shift from sexy to cosmic with just the turn of a page!
With entries short enough to read in just a few minutes — but pithy enough for endless pondering — The Book of Black features 100 captivating black-and-white and full-color images. The book roams far and wide through politics, popular culture, science, sociology, history, sports, religion, and superstition. A reference section offers suggestions for further explorations of Black Pudding, Black Velvet Paintings, Blackbeard, "Black Magic Woman," and other dark matters.
"This book is a delight from start to finish. Entertaining and accessible, but equally rigorous and scholarly, this is a volume to please everyone. It can be read cover-to-cover or picked up and read at random. The illustrations are impressive and there's one for every topic. Thoroughly enjoyable but also thoroughly informative." — newbooks magazine
"Clever compendium of dark things include interesting scientific explanations." — Science News
From the Black Hole of Calcutta and the Dark Side of the Moon to Black Bart, Black Beauty, and Black Sabbath, this unique journey into darkness sheds light on the worlds of science, history, art, and philosophy. Bestselling author Clifford A. Pickover takes us on an unusual and historic journey through curious, amusing, and important topics related to "black." this wondrous panoply of subjects, stunning images, and entertaining and informative text can shift from sexy to cosmic with just the turn of a page!
With entries short enough to read in just a few minutes — but pithy enough for endless pondering — The Book of Black features 100 captivating black-and-white and full-color images. The book roams far and wide through politics, popular culture, science, sociology, history, sports, religion, and superstition. A reference section offers suggestions for further explorations of Black Pudding, Black Velvet Paintings, Blackbeard, "Black Magic Woman," and other dark matters.
"This book is a delight from start to finish. Entertaining and accessible, but equally rigorous and scholarly, this is a volume to please everyone. It can be read cover-to-cover or picked up and read at random. The illustrations are impressive and there's one for every topic. Thoroughly enjoyable but also thoroughly informative." — newbooks magazine
- GenresScienceNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2013
1 person is currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Clifford A. Pickover
88 books233 followersClifford Alan Pickover is an American author, editor, and columnist in the fields of science, mathematics, science fiction, innovation, and creativity. For many years, he was employed at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, New York, where he was editor-in-chief of the IBM Journal of Research and Development. He has been granted more than 700 U.S. patents, is an elected Fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and is author of more than 50 books, translated into more than a dozen languages.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 8, 2014
An amazing project book, filled with magestic photographies and to-the-point informative, accompanied articles! I loved it!!
Anything black is in this book, from black diamonds and the black Sea to black magic and black pepper..
Such a captivating book, exceeding the coffee table tendencies most photography books have.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- Basically a big encyclopedia of anything black.
- The topics and themes are limitless..
- I loved the chronological order..
- I would also be very pleased if the author decided to write another book with the same characteristics..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
Anything black is in this book, from black diamonds and the black Sea to black magic and black pepper..
Such a captivating book, exceeding the coffee table tendencies most photography books have.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- Basically a big encyclopedia of anything black.
- The topics and themes are limitless..
- I loved the chronological order..
- I would also be very pleased if the author decided to write another book with the same characteristics..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
April 7, 2014
A GRAB-BAG OF 100 FASCINATING TOPICS RELATED TO BLACK
When I recently reviewed The Medical Book by Clifford Pickover, I didn’t realize it was part of a “250 Milestones” series of at least six books, including Pickover’s The Math Book and The Physics Book. These books cover 250 different topics within their title’s theme, dedicating two pages per entry (each comprised of one page of text and one impressive illustration or photograph). Each book moves along in chronological order, starting in BC and ending in 2014 or beyond.
A cousin to these books, The Book of Black, is Pickover’s latest. I say cousin because although it’s related, with the same layout and chronological format of a two-page spread per entry, there are differences with this book: it covers only one-hundred milestones, and it’s smaller in size and page count.
Because of its smaller size, I was a little skeptical of how this book would compare to its meatier companions. And the title’s theme was a bit loose: while The Medical or Math or Physics Book focuses on one umbrella subject from beginning to end, The Book of Black isn’t really looking at the color black itself as something to examine throughout the years, but rather looks at anything that happens to either be dark in color or that simply has the word black in its name. It seemed a bit random and I wondered if that would be as satisfying.
The answer is a whole-hearted yes. As soon as I flipped to the entry “Black Death” (1348), about the Black Plague (or Bubonic Plague), I couldn’t put the book down. I moved on to the history of the song “Blackbird Pie” (1549) – who knew that in the olden days pies were really baked with live blackbirds that flew out when the pie was opened? – and then flipped to Goya’s “Black Paintings” (1819), followed by the massive electrical “Blackout” in the United States of 2003. I finally settled down and started reading from the beginning: “Black Diamonds” (3-billion BC), which are thought to have “descended from the heavens.”
This book is a really fun grab-bag of fascinating black facts related to science, pop-culture, sports, animals, religion, history, and so much more. But beware – many of the entries only whet my curiosity, forcing me to Google the web for a lot longer than I will admit to get more details and answers. – Carla Sinclair
The Book of Black
by Clifford A. Pickover
Calla Edition
2013, 214 pages, 8 x 9 x 1
$17 Buy a copy on Amazon
When I recently reviewed The Medical Book by Clifford Pickover, I didn’t realize it was part of a “250 Milestones” series of at least six books, including Pickover’s The Math Book and The Physics Book. These books cover 250 different topics within their title’s theme, dedicating two pages per entry (each comprised of one page of text and one impressive illustration or photograph). Each book moves along in chronological order, starting in BC and ending in 2014 or beyond.
A cousin to these books, The Book of Black, is Pickover’s latest. I say cousin because although it’s related, with the same layout and chronological format of a two-page spread per entry, there are differences with this book: it covers only one-hundred milestones, and it’s smaller in size and page count.
Because of its smaller size, I was a little skeptical of how this book would compare to its meatier companions. And the title’s theme was a bit loose: while The Medical or Math or Physics Book focuses on one umbrella subject from beginning to end, The Book of Black isn’t really looking at the color black itself as something to examine throughout the years, but rather looks at anything that happens to either be dark in color or that simply has the word black in its name. It seemed a bit random and I wondered if that would be as satisfying.
The answer is a whole-hearted yes. As soon as I flipped to the entry “Black Death” (1348), about the Black Plague (or Bubonic Plague), I couldn’t put the book down. I moved on to the history of the song “Blackbird Pie” (1549) – who knew that in the olden days pies were really baked with live blackbirds that flew out when the pie was opened? – and then flipped to Goya’s “Black Paintings” (1819), followed by the massive electrical “Blackout” in the United States of 2003. I finally settled down and started reading from the beginning: “Black Diamonds” (3-billion BC), which are thought to have “descended from the heavens.”
This book is a really fun grab-bag of fascinating black facts related to science, pop-culture, sports, animals, religion, history, and so much more. But beware – many of the entries only whet my curiosity, forcing me to Google the web for a lot longer than I will admit to get more details and answers. – Carla Sinclair
The Book of Black
by Clifford A. Pickover
Calla Edition
2013, 214 pages, 8 x 9 x 1
$17 Buy a copy on Amazon
April 8, 2014
I was given a copy of this to review. At first I was expecting more of a coffee table style photography book. However, The Book of Black is really an illustrated Wikipedia based on a loose theme. Clifford A Pickover does a really great job of making his reader feel informed, without being overwhelming on any given topic.
What is black? A color, a mood, a mysterious and ominous presence? Black can be representative of any of these qualities. Many times it is merely a reflection of a quality that we have attributed to something. The reader of The Book of Black will discover the roll of black throughout history in many forms.
Clifford himself describes The Book of Black as a "relentless smorgasbord" and I have no better words than that. It's not really a book I would sit and read cover to cover but rather something one can browse at leisure and find an interesting entry.
A passage from the introduction:
"We'll roam far and wide through fashion, philosophy, politics, pop culture, sociology, science, sports, economics, beliefs, religions and superstitions in which the color black may have both negative and positive symbolism"
I found myself wondering through one page after another; black diamonds, the legend of Blackbeard, mystery shrouding black cats and so many religious attachments all to the color or to the emotions around Black.
After reading this I felt so knowledgeable!! I also immediately wanted to know if there was a Book of White. Anyone with a curious mind will enjoy this book and it's illustrations.
What is black? A color, a mood, a mysterious and ominous presence? Black can be representative of any of these qualities. Many times it is merely a reflection of a quality that we have attributed to something. The reader of The Book of Black will discover the roll of black throughout history in many forms.
Clifford himself describes The Book of Black as a "relentless smorgasbord" and I have no better words than that. It's not really a book I would sit and read cover to cover but rather something one can browse at leisure and find an interesting entry.
A passage from the introduction:
"We'll roam far and wide through fashion, philosophy, politics, pop culture, sociology, science, sports, economics, beliefs, religions and superstitions in which the color black may have both negative and positive symbolism"
I found myself wondering through one page after another; black diamonds, the legend of Blackbeard, mystery shrouding black cats and so many religious attachments all to the color or to the emotions around Black.
After reading this I felt so knowledgeable!! I also immediately wanted to know if there was a Book of White. Anyone with a curious mind will enjoy this book and it's illustrations.
March 26, 2014
This book is a delight from start to finish. Clifford A Pickover explores the concept of “black” and applies it to an astonishingly wide range of subjects – from science to songs, superstition to history, even bringing in items as unexpected as Black Forest Gateau. Think of something described as black and it’s probably in this book. Black Beauty, Little Black Sambo, the Black Hole of Calcutta. Black has always had a potent force and Pickover’s wonderfully original concept is here eclectically and intriguingly executed. Entertaining and accessible, but equally rigorous and scholarly, this is a volume to please everyone. It can be read cover-to-cover or picked up and read at random. The illustrations are impressive and there’s one for every topic. Thoroughly enjoyable but also thoroughly informative.
November 12, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
What an interesting book! As stated, the book contains a random mixture of things, places, people, etc. that are black and/or dark. The short descriptions and pictures make for an interesting a quick read about things we've named black in our culture, sciences, and arts. As the author points out, this is hardly an exhaustive list but instead a list comprised of things that interest him that are black. The pictures are very nice and this hardcover book could easily make a small coffee table book. I'd really like to check out some of this other books and it will be interesting to see if he continues this theme in the future.
What an interesting book! As stated, the book contains a random mixture of things, places, people, etc. that are black and/or dark. The short descriptions and pictures make for an interesting a quick read about things we've named black in our culture, sciences, and arts. As the author points out, this is hardly an exhaustive list but instead a list comprised of things that interest him that are black. The pictures are very nice and this hardcover book could easily make a small coffee table book. I'd really like to check out some of this other books and it will be interesting to see if he continues this theme in the future.
November 21, 2014
I found this book fascinating. The photography and images were beautiful. I really cannot justify exactly how much I loved the pictures in this book. The text was easy-to-read and the layout worked perfectly. The organization was a bit confusing at first, but I can understand what the thought was. I did not realize it was part of a series, but I find the entire concept very interesting. The entries are informative without being overwhelming and are pretty varied, covering science, history, pop culture, and more. The introduction was interesting to read and there were some thought-provoking quotations included as well.
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
March 2, 2014
The photographs are beautiful and the explanations very clear and esessential, I also just found out that the black stone that Muslims worship in the Mecca is not the building that you always see in the pictures, I know, better late than never....
Le fotografie sono bellissime e le spiegazioni essenziali e chiarissime, inoltre ho appena scoperto che la pietra nera che venerano i mussulmani alla mecca non é l'edificio che si vede sempre nelle foto, lo so, meglio tardi che mai...
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DOVER PUBLICATIONS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Le fotografie sono bellissime e le spiegazioni essenziali e chiarissime, inoltre ho appena scoperto che la pietra nera che venerano i mussulmani alla mecca non é l'edificio che si vede sempre nelle foto, lo so, meglio tardi che mai...
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND DOVER PUBLICATIONS FOR THE PREVIEW!
September 21, 2014
This is a totally fabulously lovely coffee table book of trivia and lovely photographs all based on the color black. From black diamonds to the Black Hole of Calcutta, the Black Dragon Society, dark matter, Men In Black, and Dark Shadows to the dark side of the moon, Black Dahlia, black mold and more, this book covers a wide variety of topics with interesting facts and photos. Our family loves it and friends enjoy it as well. I received this book free to review from Netgalley and I highly recommend it.
June 24, 2014
Absolutely fascinating take on what is often a devalued color. Too often black is looked at as simply a somber/depressing color. This book is great at shedding light on what is normally dark and overlooked. Filled with shortish articles covering a wide variety of matters/subjects, of course all pertaining to black. Very much reminded me of a trivia book, either read straight through or skip to what your interested in.
arc from NetGalley
arc from NetGalley
March 21, 2014
This book was fascinating. If there is something about black that the author missed, I have no idea what it is. Its a type of encyclopedia but its entertaining to read and the full color illustrations and graphic make it more approachable to regular people outside of academia. My library will have to have this book.
March 4, 2016
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This book is a lot of fun!! It is filled with tons of information on a range of topics related to all things black. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend this to anyone with a penchant for black and darker aspects of life. It is certainly a wonderful coffee table book and addition to the dark abode. ^.^
This book is a lot of fun!! It is filled with tons of information on a range of topics related to all things black. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend this to anyone with a penchant for black and darker aspects of life. It is certainly a wonderful coffee table book and addition to the dark abode. ^.^
March 2, 2015
This book was very interesting. The pictures were nice and the descriptions were easy to read and understand. I really liked this book. It makes for a good conversation starter if left on the coffee table.
December 31, 2015
Interesting, quick read although very much general knowledge. Skates over details although highlights some entertaining points. As much a collection of photos as facts. It's a shame the articles were so short and there weren't any truly exotic entries.
April 9, 2015
Another fantastic Pickover book. Science and math presented in easy to understand articles.
January 30, 2017
A lovely book filled with beautiful photographs.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews