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Science: The Definitive Visual Guide
This remarkable reference book tells the story of science from earliest times to the present day, taking in everything from ancient Greek geometry to quantum physics, and the wedge to the worldwide web. Exploring science in a thematic, highly approachable manner, each spread takes as its theme a specific event, discovery, invention, experiment, theory, or individual and explains why this subject was so significant in the development of scientific thought and what its impact on history has been. In addition to providing a broad-ranging and comprehensive history of science, the book also explains how science works, employing DK's trademark clarity and visual ingenuity to render tricky scientific subjects easily comprehensible.
Science is structured chronologically with five chapters covering major phases in world history from ancient times to the present day, with an eye to the future. Within these chapters, subjects are arranged in discrete spreads, each of which takes a key scientific concept, event, discovery, or process as its subject. These spreads are framed by Before and After panels that place the subject in context, revealing the causes and consequences that surround it. Panels and feature spreads highlight key figures and inventions in the history of science, while major scientific breakthroughs are also pulled out as special features. An extensive reference section sets out key scientific principles and formula, and contains essential graphics, such as the periodic table.
Science is structured chronologically with five chapters covering major phases in world history from ancient times to the present day, with an eye to the future. Within these chapters, subjects are arranged in discrete spreads, each of which takes a key scientific concept, event, discovery, or process as its subject. These spreads are framed by Before and After panels that place the subject in context, revealing the causes and consequences that surround it. Panels and feature spreads highlight key figures and inventions in the history of science, while major scientific breakthroughs are also pulled out as special features. An extensive reference section sets out key scientific principles and formula, and contains essential graphics, such as the periodic table.
520 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
60 people are currently reading
959 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,071 books2,082 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 14, 2020
This is an exceptional example of an encyclopaedia. Factual and beautifully presented as is so often true of DK.
When I feel like a quick fact I’ll often open it up on a random page and read whatever it opens on as each double page spread is often self contained. If you love science I can’t think of a better book to ensure you have in your collection.
When I feel like a quick fact I’ll often open it up on a random page and read whatever it opens on as each double page spread is often self contained. If you love science I can’t think of a better book to ensure you have in your collection.
November 28, 2016
A book that anyone should have on their bookshelf. It's packed with information and data about all the groundbreaking scientific discoveries and innovations through history, presented in a powerful visual format, along with a very well-organized glossary and facts and figures section. On a walk on the timeline of the essential scientific development, the book presents briefly all the relevant scientific knowledge that anyone, I think, should be acquainted with, if not already.
August 30, 2016
I highly recommend this book because it teaches you things in life. Plus it has stuff about the human body and etc. The reason why I read this book because this book teaches you different things. And it's awesome that's why I chose this book.
September 28, 2012
Awesome book alot of pictures
February 17, 2012
This book covers a lot. Not only some of the science that I had forgotten in high school, but some of the newer happenings such as string theory and the like--something I may never understand.
What fascinated me the most about this monster of print was the history behind some of the greatest inventions of the modern world. That is a lot of what this book is about: history.
Be careful if you are considering purchasing this book. The copy I obtained from the library contained topics where the print suddenly ended. Maybe they have fixed this in current editions; it would pay to look closely before shelling out your hard-earned cash.
A great book, visually stunning, with enough to give any adult a better understanding of some basic science.
What fascinated me the most about this monster of print was the history behind some of the greatest inventions of the modern world. That is a lot of what this book is about: history.
Be careful if you are considering purchasing this book. The copy I obtained from the library contained topics where the print suddenly ended. Maybe they have fixed this in current editions; it would pay to look closely before shelling out your hard-earned cash.
A great book, visually stunning, with enough to give any adult a better understanding of some basic science.
July 5, 2016
This sensational encyclopedia reveals the stories of scientific progress from the discovery of fire and the invention of wheel to general and special theory of ralativity, quantum mechanic and information technology. It captures every important moment of discovery and does a great job at relating the discoveries with the concepts, and the people who were behind them. With gorgeous illustrations, graphs, and timelines, the book provides readers with a newly accessible scientific reference that they never have before.
It is going to end up within top 5 of what I read this year.
It is going to end up within top 5 of what I read this year.
January 20, 2013
Really very beautiful. I very strongly recommend this for any family with kids, of whatever age.
December 25, 2019
An excellent book on history of science. You'll need a lot of patience and time to go through this one since it isso large and goes into a lot of details. Beautiful design and nice presentation - a good present for young people bursting with curiosity. For me it was a good journey into scientific discoveries and lives of the people that influenced what we are today.
December 25, 2014
Libro muy didáctico y grande en tamaño, acerca de casi todos los tópicos de ciencia que existen, además el libro avanza mostrandonos la evolución de los inventos, descubrimientos científicos, ideas revolucionarias y la vida de los científicos cronológicamente.
La forma en que está presentado cada tema lo hace de muy fácil aproximación, sus diagramas, gráficas y fotografías a todo color facilitan aún más su comprensión, hasta de temas que requieren mucha imaginación como la estructura interna del átomo y su comportamiento.
Inventos, ciencias de la tierra, biología, matemática, química, física, medicina, ecología, robótica, electrónica, genética, etc, son varios de los temas que se nos presentan.
La vida y aportes de estudiosos chinos, musulmanes y europeos se nos reseña, así también de los científicos más importantes de los últimos tiempos como Marie Curie o Einstein.
Recomendable para cualquier persona que quiera tener un acercamiento ameno a las ciencias y a la historia de la ciencia.
La forma en que está presentado cada tema lo hace de muy fácil aproximación, sus diagramas, gráficas y fotografías a todo color facilitan aún más su comprensión, hasta de temas que requieren mucha imaginación como la estructura interna del átomo y su comportamiento.
Inventos, ciencias de la tierra, biología, matemática, química, física, medicina, ecología, robótica, electrónica, genética, etc, son varios de los temas que se nos presentan.
La vida y aportes de estudiosos chinos, musulmanes y europeos se nos reseña, así también de los científicos más importantes de los últimos tiempos como Marie Curie o Einstein.
Recomendable para cualquier persona que quiera tener un acercamiento ameno a las ciencias y a la historia de la ciencia.
August 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book.
A couple of disclaimers:
- I appreciate it's not supposed to be read cover-to-cover as I did; it's intended more as a reference book. However, there's nothing to stop the knowledge-lovers like me from reading it cover-to-cover....
- It won't be everyone's cup of tea. Obviously if you're not interested in learning about Science, probably give this book a miss....
I love to learn about lots of different topics, and I find it interesting to get an overview of topics. I don't necessarily want loads of detail (sometimes I do, but often not).
So in reading this book I was looking to get a broad overview of history of science, and dive into specific topics a bit. I've already read a Brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson which is very well written and very readable. But I'd say a key difference between this book and that book is that book is more about the people and history of science, rather than diving into particular topics. Whereas this book as it's a reference book does both - gives a sense of the historical development and also allows you to dive into the topics.
If I were to compare the two books, I'd say Bryson's book is a better account of the people and the history; this book is better at explaining detail on particular topics, and the historical aspect is quite loose. The book is placed in historical order, but each section pretty much goes into a topic in full ahistorical detail, rather than just giving you information on that topic up to that point in history.
So, for example, dark matter, chaos theory, relativity, fundamental forces, etc. etc. is all covered here. I've listed a load of physics topics as I'm particularly interested in those, but it covers the three classic sciences - physics, biology, and chemistry - as well as other sciences - medicine, earth science, geology, etc.
What I love about DK books is they're so well designed and produced - full of really engaging and useful pictures, very glossy, etc.
And in terms of level, I'd say it's a good level for the lay person (like me): So no maths or equations, or that level of technical detail; it's all conceptual, which is why I enjoyed it so much. I'd say it was suitable for a young adult onwards, so may age 14+. But I didn't find it totally Mickey Mouse either. Definitely some harder, more complicated concepts in there too, I had to really concentrate on to wrap my head around them.
So if you're looking for a great general reference book on Science you can use to look things up (or read cover-to-cover like me....), then I'd highly recommend this book.
A couple of disclaimers:
- I appreciate it's not supposed to be read cover-to-cover as I did; it's intended more as a reference book. However, there's nothing to stop the knowledge-lovers like me from reading it cover-to-cover....
- It won't be everyone's cup of tea. Obviously if you're not interested in learning about Science, probably give this book a miss....
I love to learn about lots of different topics, and I find it interesting to get an overview of topics. I don't necessarily want loads of detail (sometimes I do, but often not).
So in reading this book I was looking to get a broad overview of history of science, and dive into specific topics a bit. I've already read a Brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson which is very well written and very readable. But I'd say a key difference between this book and that book is that book is more about the people and history of science, rather than diving into particular topics. Whereas this book as it's a reference book does both - gives a sense of the historical development and also allows you to dive into the topics.
If I were to compare the two books, I'd say Bryson's book is a better account of the people and the history; this book is better at explaining detail on particular topics, and the historical aspect is quite loose. The book is placed in historical order, but each section pretty much goes into a topic in full ahistorical detail, rather than just giving you information on that topic up to that point in history.
So, for example, dark matter, chaos theory, relativity, fundamental forces, etc. etc. is all covered here. I've listed a load of physics topics as I'm particularly interested in those, but it covers the three classic sciences - physics, biology, and chemistry - as well as other sciences - medicine, earth science, geology, etc.
What I love about DK books is they're so well designed and produced - full of really engaging and useful pictures, very glossy, etc.
And in terms of level, I'd say it's a good level for the lay person (like me): So no maths or equations, or that level of technical detail; it's all conceptual, which is why I enjoyed it so much. I'd say it was suitable for a young adult onwards, so may age 14+. But I didn't find it totally Mickey Mouse either. Definitely some harder, more complicated concepts in there too, I had to really concentrate on to wrap my head around them.
So if you're looking for a great general reference book on Science you can use to look things up (or read cover-to-cover like me....), then I'd highly recommend this book.
October 12, 2021
Honestly, this book was so good, an ebook doesn’t do it justice! Well it does, you can still see the superb pictures but you NEED a hardcopy of it for your bookshelf as it is just absolutely stunning. Addition of this is definitely needed for my shelf!
The illustrations and pictures are beyond beautiful and this whole book was such an amazing walk through scientific history. From early origins, to technological advances, to notable people to everything science in a nutshell. It covered physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy, the nature of the universe, even conservation biology to virology. It’s a real wealth of knowledge!
This is one of those books worth 10 stars and is not only incredibly informative but is a pure joy to read.
It’s so addictive to keep on reading as the information is so compelling along with the accompanying images. It’s perfect for all interested in science, whether you’re flicking through or reading page to page, it is well worth a read!!
Thank you to the publisher and author via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
The illustrations and pictures are beyond beautiful and this whole book was such an amazing walk through scientific history. From early origins, to technological advances, to notable people to everything science in a nutshell. It covered physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy, the nature of the universe, even conservation biology to virology. It’s a real wealth of knowledge!
This is one of those books worth 10 stars and is not only incredibly informative but is a pure joy to read.
It’s so addictive to keep on reading as the information is so compelling along with the accompanying images. It’s perfect for all interested in science, whether you’re flicking through or reading page to page, it is well worth a read!!
Thank you to the publisher and author via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
December 12, 2018
I'm a few months in to a science degree with the Open University. My current module is entirely online, so I thought it would be nice to have a physical book to flick through when I don't feel like looking at a screen.
This book covers everything I've learned on the course so far, with beautiful illustrations, and telescope and microscope images of everything from chromosomes to distance galaxies. There's also a lot of history on the scientists who made the discoveries featured in the book.
It's a very heavy hardback book, and my copy has a different cover than is featured here. It has a foil printed and embossed dust cover. Organised chronologically, the beginning of each chapter had a handy calendar of events so you get to see science grow from it's roots.
Don't hesitate. Every household should have a book like this.
This book covers everything I've learned on the course so far, with beautiful illustrations, and telescope and microscope images of everything from chromosomes to distance galaxies. There's also a lot of history on the scientists who made the discoveries featured in the book.
It's a very heavy hardback book, and my copy has a different cover than is featured here. It has a foil printed and embossed dust cover. Organised chronologically, the beginning of each chapter had a handy calendar of events so you get to see science grow from it's roots.
Don't hesitate. Every household should have a book like this.
January 30, 2024
This book is an encyclopedia that explains, with illustrations and photographs, the discoveries and inventions of the great scientists of the past.
Covering everything from ancient Greek geometry and quantum physics to modern computers.
Although the title is "Science", the focus is on scientists. The content is aimed at adults and may be difficult for children. Among the many DK books, this book is worth purchasing.
Covering everything from ancient Greek geometry and quantum physics to modern computers.
Although the title is "Science", the focus is on scientists. The content is aimed at adults and may be difficult for children. Among the many DK books, this book is worth purchasing.
April 7, 2018
129 - 2018
January 14, 2019
Great for kids or curious adults
February 11, 2019
All round excellent.
December 5, 2019
vary useful
February 10, 2020
i love this boo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2020
Beautifully illustrated encyclopedia
June 6, 2022
If you want to explore ideas and nurture curiosity about the world we live in just read anything that DK publishes. Honestly they are that good, you can't go wrong with a DK reference book.
August 26, 2023
this book makes complex concept, this book creates more exploration
July 14, 2024
Buenaaaaso! Libraso!
June 12, 2023
I knew a lot of things in this book, idk maybe because my mom gave me this book when I was 8.
June 2, 2014
Nonfiction books are books that tell a true story or talk about true ideas or things. A nonfiction book could include a biography, an encyclopedia, or a police case. I read Science: the Definitive Visual Guide by Adam Hart-Davis. The book talks about discoveries made in science on a timeline from times as early as prehistoric times to now. It contains information on everything from Albert Einstein to velocity. The book has chapters talking about different times in history, a table of contents, sections, and plenty of illustrations, pictures, and diagrams as well.
I really liked Science: the Definitive Visual Guide for many reasons. I thought the book was very well organized and had beautiful illustrations and pictures which really made the text come alive. As an example, the author puts illustrations of pool balls moving at different speeds to represent veloctiy. The author seemed to know almost everything on the topics he was discussing. He did not seem biased by any means, making very few opinionated statements. People can learn a lot about foreign culture and scientific discoveries. I thought there was little to be improved, but if I had to pick something, I would include more information about the culture of the societies that he is discussing. I would recommend reading small amounts of an encyclopedia at a time so you can retain more information. Anyone interested in science should read this book. I give it 7.5 out of 10 stars because it was very well thought out and taught me a lot about both science and history.
I really liked Science: the Definitive Visual Guide for many reasons. I thought the book was very well organized and had beautiful illustrations and pictures which really made the text come alive. As an example, the author puts illustrations of pool balls moving at different speeds to represent veloctiy. The author seemed to know almost everything on the topics he was discussing. He did not seem biased by any means, making very few opinionated statements. People can learn a lot about foreign culture and scientific discoveries. I thought there was little to be improved, but if I had to pick something, I would include more information about the culture of the societies that he is discussing. I would recommend reading small amounts of an encyclopedia at a time so you can retain more information. Anyone interested in science should read this book. I give it 7.5 out of 10 stars because it was very well thought out and taught me a lot about both science and history.
June 15, 2021
I went through this book with my 5/6 year old son as part of Sonlight's Science K. It's a super introduction to basic scientific concepts such as: matter, electricity, energy, magnets, friction, and more. My son enjoyed the whole book (read aloud), but his favorite page was about the electrical currents.
I'd love to give this book 5*, but the inside covers have a timeline that is based on evolutionary assumptions. Plus there is one other spot where this is a problem. I am thankful, though, that the incorrect worldview does not permeate the rest of the book.
I'd love to give this book 5*, but the inside covers have a timeline that is based on evolutionary assumptions. Plus there is one other spot where this is a problem. I am thankful, though, that the incorrect worldview does not permeate the rest of the book.
January 14, 2014
O trecere in revista foarte detaliata a descoperirilor/inventiilor care corelata cu istoria ne demonstreaza ca oamenii au fost mereu mai avansati tehnologic, dar mai in urma cu mentalitatile si atitudinile.
Nu am gasit nici un roman mentionat (in afara de George Palade), mi-ar fi placut sa fie prezenti Traian Vuia/Henri Coanda. Fiind scris de englezi, mi s-a parut mult accentul pus pe contributiile lor atunci cand altcineva le-o luase inainte.
Nu am gasit nici un roman mentionat (in afara de George Palade), mi-ar fi placut sa fie prezenti Traian Vuia/Henri Coanda. Fiind scris de englezi, mi s-a parut mult accentul pus pe contributiile lor atunci cand altcineva le-o luase inainte.
January 27, 2016
I only skimmed it (did not read it cover-to-cover) but I did go through the whole and everything about it is outstanding (the pictures, the breadth of topics, the easy-to-follow explanations). It's more of a reference book but definitely an indispensable one.
September 24, 2016
Great book. I have the 2010 version. This deserves 5 stars, however the small print(the 2016 is bigger) and 512 pages are not enough. I have some other books from Dk and this is so interesting in all the ways it deserved more pages and expand some parts. Excellent 4,5 book.
February 15, 2016
This book holds a great overview of the history of science. Enjoyable to look at, understandable to read. Worth every penny!
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May 13, 2016500 D626 2011
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews