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Wooden Books
Sciencia: Wiskunde, Natuurkunde, Scheikunde, Biologie en Astronomie voor iedereen
From basic mathematical and physical formulae that govern much of our world, to the components of matter; from the structure of the cosmos to that of the human body-the discoveries and knowledge of scientists in the last millennium have been remarkable. Sciencia gathers together six individual volumes spanning the realms of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, evolution, and astronomy. Lavishly illustrated with engravings, woodcuts, and original drawings and diagrams, Sciencia will inspire readers of all ages to take an interest in the interconnected knowledge of the modern sciences. Beautifully produced in thirteen different colors of ink, Sciencia is an essential reference and an elegant gift. Bound together in one volume, the six books are:
• Useful Mathematical & Physical Formulae, by Matthew Watkins
• QED, by Burkard Polster
• Essential Elements, by Matt Tweed
• Evolution, by Gerard Cheshire
• The Human Body, by Moff Betts, M.D.
• The Compact Cosmos, by Matt Tweed
410 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2011
179 people are currently reading
2625 people want to read
About the author
Burkard Polster
17 books20 followersBurkard Polster is a maths lecturer, and Monash University's resident Mathemagician, mathematical juggler, origami expert, bubble-master, shoelace charmer, and Count von Count impersonator. When he is not doing fun mathematics he has fun investigating perfect mathematical universes.
from http://www.mav.vic.edu.au/public-lect...
from http://www.mav.vic.edu.au/public-lect...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 7, 2015
I like to keep a stack of books on the kitchen table for my kids to look through or read for those moments when the food hasn't hit the table or they are just hanging around the kitchen while I do my thing. This is the perfect book for that. It is the type of book that might spark an interest in a certain subject. In this case math, physics, chemistry, biology, or astronomy.
The illustrations are fantastic.
The illustrations are fantastic.
July 8, 2013
This compact but chunky 400 page book packs in six different titles covering an eclectic if not entirely logical combination of topics (with authors whose names seem almost made up). We have Burkard Polster on mathematical proofs, Matthew Watkins packing in useful mathematical and physical formulae (sounds a laugh a minute), Matt Tweed on both the periodic table and the cosmos, Gerard Cheshire on evolution and Moff Betts on the human body.
Each of the mini-books inside consists of a series of two pages spreads, which given the relatively small size of the book and the fact that the right hand page is all illustration, means that there is relatively little space for text. This is an adult equivalent of the Basher books, but thankfully without the irritating tendency to allow the topics to address the reader in the first person.
I think it is fair to say the approach works better for some topics than others. Of the two maths sections, the first on proofs is a lot more readable than the second on formulae, which ends up classically dry and unapproachable. The highlights for me were Matt Tweed’s two entries, which were both approachable and enjoyable. Of the two, I think because the topic was better suited to the format, my favourite was the periodic table. That leaves the two biology based mini-books, which were fine but a little worthy, particularly the one on evolution.
Overall, then, not a bad little book, but as always with these highly illustrated two-page spread tomes I wonder what it is for. It would be very dull to read through from cover to cover – it has to be for dipping in. As a loo book, perhaps? It would probably be best seen as a gift for someone who has a slight interest in science, but doesn’t know much yet (otherwise the science sections might be a bit simplistic).
The book is nicely made, though the old-fashioned looking illustrations left me cold. I really don’t understand the quotes on the back like ‘Mesmerising’ from the Guardian (unless the original review said ‘The pattern on the cover is mesmerising’). It is a passable book indeed, but any tendency to be put in a trance would come from the repetitive format not the wondrous content.
Each of the mini-books inside consists of a series of two pages spreads, which given the relatively small size of the book and the fact that the right hand page is all illustration, means that there is relatively little space for text. This is an adult equivalent of the Basher books, but thankfully without the irritating tendency to allow the topics to address the reader in the first person.
I think it is fair to say the approach works better for some topics than others. Of the two maths sections, the first on proofs is a lot more readable than the second on formulae, which ends up classically dry and unapproachable. The highlights for me were Matt Tweed’s two entries, which were both approachable and enjoyable. Of the two, I think because the topic was better suited to the format, my favourite was the periodic table. That leaves the two biology based mini-books, which were fine but a little worthy, particularly the one on evolution.
Overall, then, not a bad little book, but as always with these highly illustrated two-page spread tomes I wonder what it is for. It would be very dull to read through from cover to cover – it has to be for dipping in. As a loo book, perhaps? It would probably be best seen as a gift for someone who has a slight interest in science, but doesn’t know much yet (otherwise the science sections might be a bit simplistic).
The book is nicely made, though the old-fashioned looking illustrations left me cold. I really don’t understand the quotes on the back like ‘Mesmerising’ from the Guardian (unless the original review said ‘The pattern on the cover is mesmerising’). It is a passable book indeed, but any tendency to be put in a trance would come from the repetitive format not the wondrous content.
October 13, 2016
When you stare at a really hard algebraic math question, do you wonder how people came up with it, and what they did to make it easy for people to understand? When you star at a wolf at the zoo, or your household pet, like a dog or a cat, do you wonder how it all came to be? Do you look up to the stars and say "why does it happen"? Well Sciencia is a book about biology, the cosmos and even the most basic to hard mathematical equations and more that will blow your mind! If you like things that are really informational, then read this book. I personally like it because it has great artwork, and if you read the whole book, you will understand a lot of things a lot easier. I can relate it to books like the Klutz inventions books, as well as Voices in the Ocean by Susan Casey.
April 20, 2019
Great images, poor explanations. Unfortunately the expectations I had with this book were too high due to the star-rating but I found only short descriptions, even from topics which belong to high school (equation summaries for instance). Some other texts were ok but not so interesting or deep enough to catch you in the reading.
March 4, 2020
I'm sure this is a brilliant book for hard scientists, but it was way above my paygrade. I thought it would make complex concepts accessible. Instead it basically summarized complex concepts complexly.
January 29, 2020
Stunning, quite easy and wondering
November 18, 2023
Beautiful book full of visual proofs and natural philosophy predating modern science - each page deserves devoting an entire dive down a rabbit-hole
September 26, 2020
I imagine for someone with technical experience and knowledge in the various fields covered by the book, Sciencia can serve as a really useful easy-to-reach, quick-recap tool. It also serves as the perfect starting point delivering quick, bite-sized insights into any of those curiosities that may develop in regards to the broad range of topics covered by this book.
Each topic within each of the six mini-books is presented with black and white diagrams and doodles on a two-page spread, and many of the topics are beautifully worded, inspiring wonder, awe and gratitude. Many topics that would have racked my brain if taught to me at school, are presented here as easily understood metaphors alongside everyday activities and jargon, vastly simplifying the concepts in the mind.
If you're like me and obsessively need to complete nearly any book started, cover-to-cover, then this collection of mini books provides the perfect level of insight so as to not bore you on one topic before you move to the next. I found the historical insights on the development of understanding from one scholar to another also very interesting.
The reason this book took me 4 1/2 months to finish comes down to how I used it. I read every page, soaked in every diagram, and if I found a topic I wanted to learn more about, or an unexplained term in the pages, I turned on a YouTube video, or read a few articles to add supplementary information to the framework the book provides. In fact, this is what I recommend this book for; an easy-access starting point to learn or recap a handful of core scientific and mathematical topics. Additionally, I took notes on every. single. page. and now my right forearm feels like it can arm wrestle Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I must say however, that the mathematical books sometimes assumed that the reader knew more than I think the average layman like me would understand. I found my self YouTubing numerous mathematical topics more out of necessity than inspiration. To be honest, this is understandable... it's math. Also, a normal person probably doesn't bother trying to understand the topics that haven't grabbed their attention so it wont be a problem for them.
Aside from this, I am pleased to say that as far as I can remember, religious people were not belittled, probably due to the spiritual, astrological, sometimes kabbalistic (نعوذ بالله) themed presentation of the topics, including the histories of the different discovered processes, and the processes that lead to their discovery. Seeing as it took me so long to soak in the content, for the most part I felt that the book avoided any atheistic dogma or refutations, leaving room for the believers in the One God to meander through the topics along with the author, applying their own guidance to the subject covered and disagreeing where needed or is reasonable to do so. In fact, I was surprised to note that I finished the topic on evolution with a new found love for human prehistory and genetics. I did some extra reading and watching around the topic, including some research into the Islamic perspective on the matter. I discovered the Quran and ahadith (at least of the Shi'a) do allow quite a large room to interpret the evolution of the human race, but that at the very least, a substantially large number of our ummah's scholars accept the theory of evolution as a potential method of Allah's creation, though at the current time, many maintain that the strongest interpretation in their eyes is that Adam's (a.s.) creation was miraculous like other prophets in history. The science increases the belief, and the belief increases our thirst for science. The way any grateful creature should express their gratitude.
All in all, a great experience, I learned a lot, loved book 6 about the universe the most, and do recommend to those interested in how it all works, and where it all may be headed.
Each topic within each of the six mini-books is presented with black and white diagrams and doodles on a two-page spread, and many of the topics are beautifully worded, inspiring wonder, awe and gratitude. Many topics that would have racked my brain if taught to me at school, are presented here as easily understood metaphors alongside everyday activities and jargon, vastly simplifying the concepts in the mind.
If you're like me and obsessively need to complete nearly any book started, cover-to-cover, then this collection of mini books provides the perfect level of insight so as to not bore you on one topic before you move to the next. I found the historical insights on the development of understanding from one scholar to another also very interesting.
The reason this book took me 4 1/2 months to finish comes down to how I used it. I read every page, soaked in every diagram, and if I found a topic I wanted to learn more about, or an unexplained term in the pages, I turned on a YouTube video, or read a few articles to add supplementary information to the framework the book provides. In fact, this is what I recommend this book for; an easy-access starting point to learn or recap a handful of core scientific and mathematical topics. Additionally, I took notes on every. single. page. and now my right forearm feels like it can arm wrestle Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I must say however, that the mathematical books sometimes assumed that the reader knew more than I think the average layman like me would understand. I found my self YouTubing numerous mathematical topics more out of necessity than inspiration. To be honest, this is understandable... it's math. Also, a normal person probably doesn't bother trying to understand the topics that haven't grabbed their attention so it wont be a problem for them.
Aside from this, I am pleased to say that as far as I can remember, religious people were not belittled, probably due to the spiritual, astrological, sometimes kabbalistic (نعوذ بالله) themed presentation of the topics, including the histories of the different discovered processes, and the processes that lead to their discovery. Seeing as it took me so long to soak in the content, for the most part I felt that the book avoided any atheistic dogma or refutations, leaving room for the believers in the One God to meander through the topics along with the author, applying their own guidance to the subject covered and disagreeing where needed or is reasonable to do so. In fact, I was surprised to note that I finished the topic on evolution with a new found love for human prehistory and genetics. I did some extra reading and watching around the topic, including some research into the Islamic perspective on the matter. I discovered the Quran and ahadith (at least of the Shi'a) do allow quite a large room to interpret the evolution of the human race, but that at the very least, a substantially large number of our ummah's scholars accept the theory of evolution as a potential method of Allah's creation, though at the current time, many maintain that the strongest interpretation in their eyes is that Adam's (a.s.) creation was miraculous like other prophets in history. The science increases the belief, and the belief increases our thirst for science. The way any grateful creature should express their gratitude.
All in all, a great experience, I learned a lot, loved book 6 about the universe the most, and do recommend to those interested in how it all works, and where it all may be headed.
March 12, 2012
This work is a kind of coffee-table production incorporating six previously-published books on popularising mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and astronomy, together with Appendices and an Index (410 pages in all). Obviously, the range is wide, and within each book, each subject is allocated a single page of writing, plus a single page of illustrations, facing each other: the detail, therefore can only be construed as 'basic' and appropriate to a neophyte; yet there is no holding back in some areas on providing lots of formulae, and complex information which provide a compact reference guide for the more experienced. Consequently, it is hard to place this work precisely.
Regardless, the work is intended to be comparatively accessible to the ordinary public, and in that regard it could be argued that it succeeds. In reality, however, I believe it falls between two stools: as a general access to scientific matters for the general public, and as a quick reference guide to some of the more esoteric formulae and concepts, which requires a greater understanding. The production however reflects a more 'general' appeal: soft grey printing for some sections; sepia toned (and consequently harder to read, especially when printed on toned paper) for others; and the pages used for illustration represents the extensive and detailed work of talented artists — again, often very elegantly done and written in idiosyncratic lettering (more difficult-to-read, but lovely to look at) that militate against the idea of this being a serious reference book.
These are, however, comparatively minor quibbles, more directed towards the publishers than to the authors and illustrators. More important, I would think, is whether the book will attract the ordinary reader into delving deeper into the wonders of Science. I hope so, but I have my doubts...
Regardless, the work is intended to be comparatively accessible to the ordinary public, and in that regard it could be argued that it succeeds. In reality, however, I believe it falls between two stools: as a general access to scientific matters for the general public, and as a quick reference guide to some of the more esoteric formulae and concepts, which requires a greater understanding. The production however reflects a more 'general' appeal: soft grey printing for some sections; sepia toned (and consequently harder to read, especially when printed on toned paper) for others; and the pages used for illustration represents the extensive and detailed work of talented artists — again, often very elegantly done and written in idiosyncratic lettering (more difficult-to-read, but lovely to look at) that militate against the idea of this being a serious reference book.
These are, however, comparatively minor quibbles, more directed towards the publishers than to the authors and illustrators. More important, I would think, is whether the book will attract the ordinary reader into delving deeper into the wonders of Science. I hope so, but I have my doubts...
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June 12, 2012I was totally drawn to the cover of this book. It’s beautiful and I was like a moth to a flame.
I picked it up and decided to work my way through all 6 books on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Evolution, Genetics, Astronomy… a basic guide to Science.
It was extremely interesting, the Maths was like a brief refresher course on my GCSE and A-level knowledge, and most of the science stuff was similar. This would be a great resource book, especially for kids, as the illustrations are not only informative and easy to follow, but also a bit of fun. A really well put together compendium, I would recommend this, although not to read from cover to cover as I did, it took a while! It was interesting but sometimes I wanted a bit of escapism, which I can’t find in a text book…
I picked it up and decided to work my way through all 6 books on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Evolution, Genetics, Astronomy… a basic guide to Science.
It was extremely interesting, the Maths was like a brief refresher course on my GCSE and A-level knowledge, and most of the science stuff was similar. This would be a great resource book, especially for kids, as the illustrations are not only informative and easy to follow, but also a bit of fun. A really well put together compendium, I would recommend this, although not to read from cover to cover as I did, it took a while! It was interesting but sometimes I wanted a bit of escapism, which I can’t find in a text book…
August 25, 2013
This is a compilation of Wooden Books science books. There are 6 books in this set. Sciencia contains 2 books about math, one about chemistry, two on biology, and one on cosmology. My personal favorites were "Essential Elements" by Matt Tweed and "The Compact Cosmos" by the same author. Sciencia combines all 6 books and also includes an amazing collection of appendices that you cannot get if you buy each book separately.
I'd go into more detail, but I have reviewed each book on its own elsewhere on Goodreads.
I highly recommend Sciencia to to anyone who is interested such topics and wants a great layperson's overview.
I'd go into more detail, but I have reviewed each book on its own elsewhere on Goodreads.
I highly recommend Sciencia to to anyone who is interested such topics and wants a great layperson's overview.
October 20, 2013
Amazing book. Just amazing. Although, I think some parts won't be understood by average reader and are too simple for professionals leaving a question whom they are written for. But still they are good for revision and to get full picture of what's going on. Tables and pictures at the end of the book are marvelous. I think they will help me a lot throughout next years.
May 27, 2014
In my opinion, this book has to be the most informative of all informational books. It's straight to the point and takes you through step by step so that you don't get lost anywhere. It also has pictures to illustrate the point which helps a lot. Mainly, I would recommend this book to the people have a basic common knowledge of math and science. Overall, great book!
October 5, 2014
I loved this -- it reminded me of a lot of science I learned back in the dark ages of high school and college, as well of tons of new science info that was fun and fascinating. Broken up into page topics so you can just read a couple a day if you want. Everyone should have a read!
March 5, 2017
My daughter order this book two years ago when she was 8 and its one of her favorite books. My too by the way.
Recommend to kids and teenagers - every page and subject is useful, simply described to kids and adults. It will spark interest in kids on different subjects.
Recommend to kids and teenagers - every page and subject is useful, simply described to kids and adults. It will spark interest in kids on different subjects.
March 6, 2021
Cute book very concise and fun. Covers a lot of scientific knowledge in an almost epigrammatic way. The kind of book you might bury in your backyard for a wizened survivor of WWIII to hold on to lost knowledge.
October 10, 2014
I admit it, I am a sucker for wooden books. The illustrations are beautiful as well. Plus, even people who hate knowledge can appreciate a book made of wood as it takes well to flames.
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May 28, 2016I have the non e-book version and there's 416 pages but I'm only on page 156(lol)
January 10, 2017
Probably one of my favorite books because there is such a variety of topics covered
April 26, 2018
Un excelente libro que reúne muchos datos e información de distintas áreas del conocimiento, matemáticas, física, biología, astronomía, etc, de una forma amena y con ilustraciones muy agradables.
October 18, 2024
Kniha je svými krásnými ilustracemi přitažlivý způsob, jak si doplnit, popřípadě osvěžit základní informace z přírodních věd. Sám bych ji doporučil svému mladšímu Já, takže máte-li doma hloubavého středoškoláka, pak není co řešit.
December 16, 2025
Brilliant, beautifully (and cutely!) written and illustrated. It is humbling, and inspiring, to read this book and suddenly reach the page that is the limit of your understanding. If this book was in the nightstand drawer of every hotel room, the world would be a much better place.
January 15, 2020
educational
February 12, 2020
Scratches the surface of just about every classical topic of science. I use it as a daily primer for inspiration and retention.
January 29, 2021
useful to learn basic science stuff
April 29, 2021
Lovely illustrations. Essentially a folly but great fun to flick through
August 5, 2021
oooo pictures
April 10, 2022
3.5, it's solid.
August 1, 2022
Science factual book. Not really a science and math guy, so it was hard to get through at some points.
August 26, 2022
Lots of information, as with a lot of these books it prompts you to read more about a lot of the topics, but it is surprisingly well written and a great overview of a lot of different topics.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews