Science and Inquiry discussion

Please post a comment below to nominate a book for the group to read for May 2015. Please use the "add book/author" link just above the comment box to insert a link to the Goodreads book page for the book, so other members can more easily review it.

You may nominate a book which has been suggested previously and did not win. Please do not nominate a book which was just published within the last three months because they may not be available to all members.

Nominations will close on March 20 or when we have about 10 good nominations, whichever occurs first.

Relativity: The Special and the General Theory

Now or Never: Why We Must Act Now to End Climate Change and Create a Sustainable Future

When the Invasion of Land Failed: The Legacy of the Devonian Extinctions

Ewa wrote: "When the Invasion of Land Failed: The Legacy of the Devonian Extinctions"

There's only 2 ratings for this & no reviews nor any description, so I was going to ask you to write one, but thought I'd check Amazon out first. There are 4 reviews there, but it seems to be Kindle only & it's over $30. That doesn't seem particularly accessible.

What are the guidelines for accessibility, besides not within 3 months? I do have one now & there is an app, but Kindle only doesn't seem fair. Most libraries won't have it & that's a lot of money for a Kindle book. Far more than I'd be willing to pay with so few & mixed ratings, anyway.

Jim wrote: "Ewa wrote: "When the Invasion of Land Failed: The Legacy of the Devonian Extinctions"

There's only 2 ratings for this & no reviews nor any description, so I was going to ask you to..."

I see. This may be a problem indeed. But the book itself is excellent one - one of the best popular paleozoology books I have read recently. Devonian extinctions are not well known by wider audience, doesnt they? While those events may play crucial role in evolution of terrestial vertebrates and shaping the future of tetrapod faunas.

It did sound very interesting, Ewa. I should have said that. I wouldn't have checked it out so thoroughly if it hadn't. I believe it would be a bit too detailed for me, but it's a little hard to tell.

I belong to several SF & fantasy groups where there are accessibility rules about what can be nominated. It's tough to get a good conversation going if too few can get the book. They've changed since 2007. Back then, an ebook only wasn't an option, but lately that seems to be OK with most people. I still really like paper books, especially for complex subjects. It's very difficult for me to leaf back through an ebook or audio book.

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

A gripping memoir and medical suspense story about a young New York Post reporter’s struggle with a rare and terrifying disease, opening a new window into the fascinating world of brain science.

With sharp reporting drawn from hospital records, scientific research, and interviews with doctors and family, Brain on Fire is a crackling mystery and an unflinching, gripping personal story that marks the debut of an extraordinary writer.

Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, by Stephen Jay Gould. (Don't think we've read this one!)

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, by Stephen Jay Gould. (Don't think we've read this one!)"

I've had that one on my TBR list for quite a while. Good choice.

When I checked, When the Invasion of Land Failed: The Legacy of the Devonian Extinctions was available in hardback, paperback, and e-book from both Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, but Jim's right, it's very expensive. It was not available at my local public library, but seemed to be available at some of the local university libraries. Of course, I live in a large metropolitan area, with several large universities.

It's a tough decision, but I think I'll let it stay, and let the group members decide. If enough members want to read it, understanding the limitations and/or expense, then it should be allowed. People who can't access it should vote for something else.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, by Stephen Jay Gould. (Don't think we've read this one!)"

Sounds very interesting- will vote for it I think.

Greta wrote: "Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, by Stephen Jay Gould. (Don't think we've read this one!)"

Sounds very interesting..."

I have this on my to read list but recently read Trilobite: Eyewitness to Evolution and Richard Fortey points out a number of areas in which Stephen Jay Gould's views are now known to be incorrect so I think that people may need to be aware that it's a bit dated now.

How about Life by Richard Fortey

Tweedledum wrote: "Greta wrote: "Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, by Stephen Jay Gould. (Don't think we've read this one!)"

Sounds ve..."


Would you say Gould's book is too dated overall?
[ I ordered a copy yesterday]

Jim wrote: "I believe it would be a bit too detailed for me, but it's a little hard to tell."

It is detailed sometimes, especially when author tries to explain probable mechanisms of Devonian extinctions. I have been lost in the text a few times and that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 but than again I had to fight not only to understand arguments but as non native speaker also with the language itself. I plan to reread it anyway for various reasons.

I would like to nominate Trilobite by Richard Fortey. I haven't read it yet so I'm not sure how good it is.

In my opinion, Gould's writings are dated in the same sense that Darwin's writings are dated. Neither men had all the detailed information necessary to complete their theories, and both men had significant socio-political baggage.

Just as Darwin had no knowledge of modern genetics, Gould had limited or no knowledge of genetics as a historical tool.

Both men did the best they could with the details they had, and had remarkable insights.

Gould was, in many ways, wrong. He didn't have all the details that you and I have, and he had a strong political agenda.

Darwin was the same; he didn't know about genetics, and he was mired in 19th century Victorian values.

But both men had extraordinay insights.

Do we disparage Euclidean geometry because Euclid believed in gods who dwelled on Mount Olympus?

Robbower wrote: "In my opinion, Gould's writings are dated in the same sense that Darwin's writings are dated. Neither men had all the detailed information necessary to complete their theories, and both men had sig..."

In what way did Gould have an political agenda?
I will be reading his book,but would also like to read a newer book [same subject] that is considered to be up to date. Do you have a title to recommend?

Stephen Gould held to socialist political beliefs. When socio-biology was first proposed by Wilson, et.al., he reacted, not on the merits of the science, but by the implications of his political beliefs.

Not sure what you intend to read by Gould. Most of his books still in print are compilations of his magazine essays (Dinosaur in a Haystack, The Panda's Thumb, Bully for Brontosaurus, etc, etc.)

But his main contribution to scientific literature is 'The Structure of Evolutionary Theory' 2002, Harvard University Press.

Enjoy well-written popular science in his essay compilations. My 12-year-old grand-daughter enjoys them.

But put on your thinking-and-skeptic cap for his evolutionary theory book... 1400 pages plus of densely argued text.

I intend to read "Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History".
I already own the three first titles you mentioned.

I will put "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory'" on my 'to read' list.

Two books by Richard Fortey have been nominated, "Trilobite" and "Life". Both sound interesting.


P.S.Good for your grand-daughter! Read Jules Verne at her age.

The AMS Guide to Climate Change by Robert Henson.

An exellent book on the most important field in science.

Published 2014

Nominations are closed.

You may vote for your preference at the following poll:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...