|
Carolyn Abraham |
Possessing Genius: The Bizarre Odyssey of
Einstein's Brain |
Occasionally gory but fascinating account of
what happened to Einstein's brain after his death
 |
Biography, human
science |
|
Nancy Ellen Abrams & Joel Primack |
The View from the Centre of the Universe |
Superbly brilliant idea of the need for a new
cosmological myth to ground us in the universe, only slightly let down by
so-so writing
|
Cosmology |
|
David Acheson |
1089 and all that |
Very entertaining and occasionally surreal
take on maths, making the subject ridiculously appealing in a pocket-sized
volume
 |
Maths |
|
AMIR ACZEL |
Biography |
|
|
| Amir Aczel |
Entanglement |
Over-technical background to the workings of
quantum entanglement  |
Physics |
| Amir Aczel |
God's Equation |
An exploration of
'Einstein's greatest mistake' - the cosmic constant
 |
Biography, cosmology, physics |
| Amir Aczel |
The Mystery of the Aleph |
Good biography of Georg Cantor and explanation
of his maths of the infinite. |
Maths, biography |
| Peter Adds et al |
The Transit of
Venus |
Mixed collection of essays on the eponymous
transit, its significance to New Zealand, and New Zealand's significance to
science. |
Astronomy |
| John Agar |
Constant Touch |
Superb history of the mobile phone -
technology, sociology, politics, the works!
|
Technology |
| Nicholas Agar |
Perfect Copy |
Good introduction to the working of cloning
and exploration of the ethical implications and uses
|
Human science |
| Felix Alba-Juez |
Galloping with
Light |
A self-published attempt to explain Einstein's
theories to the general reader. Too plodding and too concerned with words
rather than science. |
Physics |
| Hugh Aldersey-Williams |
Findings |
Examination of 20th century science by pulling
apart in detail a scientific paper for each decade. Heavy going but full of
insights. |
Overview |
| Hugh Aldersey-Williams |
Periodic Tales |
Entertaining exploration of the elements with
lots of stories about their use and discovery, plus the author's personal
experience of accumulating elements.
|
Chemistry |
| Jim Al-Khalili |
Pathfinders |
Fascinating stories of the amazing figures of
Arabic science who built the foundations of the renaissance. The analysis is
less effective, but that's not important.
|
Overview |
| Ken Alibek and
Stephen Handelman |
Biohazard |
Gripping spy story of a history of a personal
involvement in the Soviet biological weapons programme - but somewhat
lightweight on the science. |
Overview |
| Wade Allison |
Radiation and
Reason |
Powerful arguments for a better assessment of
the risk of nuclear power, but could do to be more approachable.
|
Physics, human
science |
| Anil Ananthaswamy |
The Edge of
Physics |
Great science-as-travel-writing, visiting the
places where some of today's most exciting science is under way. |
Cosmology, physics |
| Chris Anderson |
The Long Tail |
A simple, brilliant idea - the Internet can
transform retail by offering almost unlimited choice, exploring the tail of
the sales distribution |
Technology |
| Natalie Angier |
The Canon |
The basics of all science in an accessible and
surprisingly full little book. |
Overview |
| Robyn Arianrhod |
Einstein's Heroes |
Excellent exploration of the move of maths to
centre stage in physics, mostly focussing on the life and work of James
Clark Maxwell
|
Physics, maths |
| Dan Ariely |
Predictably
Irrational |
Great demonstration of how flawed the
conventional economics assumption that humans make rations decisions is,
with a string of experiments.
|
Human science |
| Keith Ashworth |
What Einstein
didn't know about Time |
A strange concoction combining a vituperative
attack on Einstein personally with an alternative theory to replace
relativity. |
Physics |
| Peter Atkins |
Four Laws (that
drive the Universe) |
A good concise introduction to the four laws
of thermodynamics that would be great for a physics undergraduate, but just
doesn't hack it as popular science. |
Physics |
| Peter Atkins |
On Being |
Interesting attempt to apply scientific
thinking to the 'great questions of existence' - specifically the beginnings
and endings of everything. |
Overview |
| Doctor Austin |
Zombie Science 1Z |
Entertaining attempt at making some aspects of
medical science more accessible by putting it into a fictional format, let
down by poorly edited text. |
Human science |
| Cyril Aydon
|
Scientific
Curiosity/A Book of Scientific Curiosities |
A jumble of short pieces on people in the
history of science and scientific topics. Weak on modern physics but
otherwise reasonable
|
Overview |
| Jim Baggott |
Atomic: the first
war of physics |
Riveting and detailed history of the
development of nuclear weapons in Germany, the UK, the US and Russia.
Fascinating in its depth and the lost possibilities for alternatives to
nuclear proliferation. |
Overview |
| Gregory L. Baker |
Seven Tales of
the Pendulum |
Some really interesting material on pendulums,
but hard to get through because of the impenetrable writing. |
Physics |
| Joanne Baker |
50 Ideas
you Really Need to Know: Universe |
A childish approach and a number of errors
make this summary of cosmology less than ideal. |
Cosmology |
| Joanne Baker |
50 Physics Ideas
you Really Need to Know |
Quite a reasonable and approachable summary,
despite a few errors, but not a great end-to-end read. |
Physics |
| Hartosh Singh Bal
& Gaurav Suri |
A Certain
Ambiguity |
Attempt to get across the joys of maths in a
novel form. Wonderful idea, hence the bracketed five stars, but doesn't work
very well as novel or popular maths.
[] |
Mathematics |
| Jonathan Balcombe |
Pleasurable
Kingdom |
Can animals feel pleasure? Pet owners will say
"yes" - this book shows they're probably right, and explains why it happens
and why we should consider it in animal welfare.
|
Biology |
| Jonathan Balcombe |
Second Nature |
The book presents important messages about
animals' ability to feel and how we should treat them, but does so in a
repetitious and poorly argued way.
|
Biology |
| Sebastien Balibar |
The Apple and the
Atom |
Enjoyable and very personal views on a series
of scientific topics from a French low temperature physicist.
|
Overview |
| Keith Ball |
Strange Curves,
Counting Rabbits and other Mathematical Explorations |
If your idea of fun is solving mathematical
problems at around first year degree level, then this is the book for you.
|
Mathematics |
|
PHILIP BALL |
|
|
|
| Philip Ball |
Branches |
Part of Ball's wide-ranging study of form,
this book looks at branching in nature, with a sideline in the concept of
scientific models.
|
Overview |
| Philip Ball |
Bright Earth: the
invention of colour |
Wonderful subject of the history of artists'
colours and the science behind them - sacrifices a little readability for
comprehensiveness.
|
Overview |
| Philip Ball |
Critical Mass |
Overlong and inconclusive but still
fascinating look at the statistical behaviour of humanity
|
Overview |
| Philip Ball |
Flow |
A study of the science of flow that offers many
pleasures to the reader (but a clear statement of the book's aims is not one
of them)
|
Overview |
| Philip Ball |
The Devil's
Doctor |
Revealing look at the medieval mix of magic
and science that lay behind the life and theories of Paracelsus the strange
and often reviled early medic
|
Biography |
| Philip Ball |
Shapes |
Over-technical and detailed, but still
fascinating exploration of how natural shapes emerge.
|
Overview |
| Frank Barnaby |
How to Build a
Nuclear Bomb |
Nightmare study of what weapons of mass
destruction are and can do in the hands of terrorists - ultimately
frustrating
|
Technology |
| Tom Barnes et al |
The Elegant
Universe of Albert Einstein |
Collection of essays based on radio broadcasts
linked to the 100th anniversary of Einstein's great year. A little
fragmented, but some very good.
|
Physics |
| Anthony Barnosky |
Heatstroke |
Excellent exploration of the impact of climate
change on species, and how the present global warming could devastate
nature. |
Earth science,
biology |
| Martin Bojowald |
Once Before Time |
Explanation of loop quantum gravity, the main
competitor to string theory. Knows his stuff, but not how to write about it.
|
Physics, cosmology |
| Simon Baron-Cohen |
The Essential Difference |
Fascinating new evidence on the genetic difference between male and female
brains, but a bit stodgy
|
Human science |
| John D. Barrow |
The Artful
Universe Expanded |
Attempt to link the arts and the science of
the universe that allowed them to emerge - good idea, but sinks in pomposity
|
Overview |
| John D. Barrow |
Cosmic Imagery:
key images in the history of science |
Barrow often tries to pull together art and
science and here succeeds well in an exploration of archetypes of scientific
imagery. |
Overview |
| John D. Barrow |
The Infinite Book |
Interesting book on infinity, generally very
good, though too much cosmology and attempts at artiness and not enough
maths
|
Maths |
| John D. Barrow |
New Theories of
Everything |
Hard to read, but insightful exploration of
the nature of theories in science and how they are constructed, particularly
around physics and theories of everything.
|
Physics |
| Bruce Bassett & Ralph Edney |
Introducing Relativity |
Wacky
illustrated introduction to the concepts of
relativity - pure marmite
|
Physics |
| Robert Bauval |
The Egypt Code |
Don't be put off by the new-agey title: this
is a real thriller of an exploration of the relationship between Ancient
Egyptian buildings and stellar observation. |
Archaeology,
astronomy |
| Robert Bauval &
Thomas Brophy |
Black Genesis |
Further thoughts on alignments of some newly
discovered prehistoric structures in Egypt, plus a theory on the nature of
the ancient Egyptians - but much less readable than the Egypt Code.
|
Archaeology,
astronomy |
| Norman Beale |
Joseph Priestley in Calne |
Readable short biography of the discoverer of
oxygen, focussing on his key years at Bowood House.
|
Biography,
chemistry |
| Jim
Bell |
Postcards from Mars |
Great photographs of the Martian surface taken
by the rovers, with good explanatory text, but after a while the pictures
are very similar to each other.
|
Astronomy |
| Madison Smartt
Bell |
Lavoisier in the Year One |
Good to see a chemistry popular science book,
and Lavoisier's contribution is interesting (as were the times), but overall
disappointingly dull
|
Chemistry |
| Arthur Benjamin &
Michael Shermer |
Think Like a
Maths Genius [Secrets of Mental Math] |
Lots of exercises, tips and techniques to get
your mental arithmetic operating at maximum power. Not a great read, but fun
in you like this kind of thing.
|
Maths |
| Jeffrey Bennett |
Beyond UFOs |
Warm and well-written book on the search for
extra terrestrial life, but no real surprises.
|
Astronomy |
| Nigel C. Benson |
Introducing
Psychology: a graphic guide |
Pocket-sized introduction using lots of line
drawings as illustration. Leaves worries about psychology's status as a
science..
|
Human science |
| Peter J. Bentley |
The Book of Numbers |
Lavishly illustrated glossy book on the
history and use of numbers. Looks good, but only skims the surface in
content.
|
Maths |
| Peter J. Bentley |
The Undercover
Scientist |
Attempt to link basic science introduction by
describing why various disasters happen to the second person protagonist - a
little wince-making.
|
Overview |
| David Berlinski |
Infinite Ascent |
This short history of mathematics has a lot of
promise, and a good summary of modern maths, but is let down by flowery
language and inaccuracies,
|
Maths |
| Peter Bernstein |
Against the Gods |
Good history of our attitude to risk and
probability - a little too much finance and not enough physics, but good
|
Maths |
| Wayne Biddle |
Dark Side of the Moon |
A summary history of the rise of Nazi Germany
and of the von Braun family combine to explain how Wernher von Braun went
from aristocrat to US hero.
|
Technology |
| Piers Bizony |
Atom |
A good mix of biography and science as we
follow the trail of just what atoms are. Could do with a bit more depth in
the human interest side, but well-written.
|
Physics |
| Piers Bizony |
The Man Who Ran the Moon |
An excellent insight into the race to the moon
from the viewpoint of NASA, and particularly administrator James Webb. Five
stars for effectiveness, but has to have three as its rating as very little
science.
|
Technology |
| Piers Bizony |
Science: the definitive guide |
Attempt to do the whole of science in a two
page spreads style picture book. Very bitty and not enough content, but
worst of all, the huge format makes it practically unreadable.
|
Overview |
|
SUSAN BLACKMORE |
Biography |
|
|
| Susan Blackmore |
Conversations on Consciousness |
20 interesting interviews with experts on the
nature of consciousness - but this isn't a helpful format for this topic
|
Human science |
| Susan Blackmore |
Dying to Live |
One of the few books to address a possible
piece of evidence for life after death (near death experiences) in a
rational, scientific fashion
|
Human science |
| Sandra Blakeslee &
V. S. Ramachandran |
Phantoms in the Brain |
The workings of the brain cleverly explored
through mental problems and the effects of brain damage
|
Human science |
| Michael Blastland
& Andrew Dilnot |
The Tiger that Isn't |
Brilliant excursion into the way we misuse and
misunderstand numbers and statistics, and how to see around it. |
Maths |
| Mark Blumberg |
Freaks of Nature |
Interesting take on how developmental
pressures can produce freaks as much as genetic faults.
|
Human science |
|
DAVID BODANIS |
Biography |
|
|
| David Bodanis |
E=mc2 |
Great historical storytelling, if a little
sketchy on the science in this biography of an equation, reviewed on
E=mc2's
100th birthday |
Physics |
| David Bodanis |
Electric Universe |
Excellent as a teen introduction to the
wonders of electricity, but a bit too gushing for some adults.
|
Physics |
| Ronald Louis
Bonewitz |
Rock & Gem |
Not really popular science, but a beautifully
illustrated reference on all kinds of rocks, minerals & gems
|
Earth science |
| Max Born & Albert
Einstein |
The Born-Einstein
Letters |
Fascinating letters between two of the 20th
century greats of physics.
|
Biography, physics |
| Stephen R. Bown |
[The Age of]
Scurvy |
Gripping story of the slow discovery of the
cure for scurvy that brings alive the atmosphere of life on sailing ships
|
Human science |
| Mark L. Brake &
Neil Hook |
Different Engines |
Interesting topic - the interplay between
science and science fiction - with some good points, but not hugely
readable, and some glaring omissions.
|
Overview |
| Ken Bray |
How to Score |
A book on the science of football (soccer,
that is). Not all for the fans - some of it is generally interesting, but
perhaps not enough of it
|
Human science |
| Denis Brian |
The Curies |
Interesting and in-depth biography of both the
Curies and the Joliot-Curies, though could have been even better with
judicious editing. |
Biography |
| Claire Brock |
The Comet Sweeper |
Interesting view of the life of Caroline
Herschel, the first female professional astronomer, if a little tinted by
the author's views.
|
Biography |
| John Brockman (Ed) |
Curious Minds
(UK: When We Were Kids) |
27 "why I turned to science" essays that is so
much more interesting than it sounds. Really.
|
Biography |
| Clive Bromhall |
The Eternal Child |
Stunningly effective theory of how the human
ape became more like an infant to survive in large groups, and its impact on
our bodies and behaviours
|
Human science |
| Michael Brooks |
13 Things that don't make sense |
A fun and informative read on 13 anomalies of
science that surprises and delights in equal measures.
|
Overview |
| Michael Brooks |
The Big Questions: Physics |
A strange notebook-like format for a book that
summarizes particularly modern physics well, but lacks a popular science
context. |
Physics |
| Michael Brooks |
Free Radicals |
An unusual look behind the facade of cool,
rational thinkers that scientists like to project to show the way some great
science came from off-the-wall thinking and how scientists are all too
human.. |
Overview |
| Andrew Brown |
In
the Beginning was the Worm |
Delightful introduction to the first creature
to have its genome sequenced - and the scientists who did it
|
Biology |
| Guy Brown |
The Living End |
Book about death, aging and immortality, but
mostly death. Frankly it's a bit depressing and gave me a pain in all the
diodes down my left side. |
Human science |
| Julian Brown |
The Quest for the Quantum Computer |
Very good exploration of the weird world of
quantum computing. Five star for techies, but actual rating reflects
over-technical approach. |
Physics,
technology |
| Lester R. Brown |
Plan B 2.0 |
Disappointingly dull and uninspiring plan to
save the world from eco-disaster, though does have a good survey of the
problems. |
Earth science |
| Paul Brown |
The Rocketbelt Caper |
Stranger than fiction true story of the
development of the rocketbelt and the plunge into kidnapping and murder that
one rocketbelt caused |
Technology |
| Colin Bruce |
Schrödinger's Rabbits |
Introduction to quantum theory concentrating
more on the interpretation than the theory itself. Rather confusingly
written. |
Physics |
|
Leslie Brunetta & Catherine L. Craig |
Spider Silk |
The origins and nature of spiders, everything
you want to know about silk and webs and more in this study of the life and
loves of the arachnids. |
Biology |
| Bill Bryson |
A Short History of Nearly
Everything |
Triumphant charge through
all of science |
Overview |
|
Mark Buchanan |
Small World: Uncovering Nature's Hidden
Networks |
Fascinating concept leading to the 'six
degrees of separation' idea, but ultimately unsatisfying.
|
Maths |
| Jed Z. Buchwald &
Diane Greco Josefowicz |
The Zodiac of Paris |
Long historical account of the discovery of
ancient Egyptian zodiacs and the religious uproar caused by their
astronomical interpretation in Napoleonic France.
|
Archeology |
|
Dean Buonomano |
Brain Bugs |
Excellent look at the human brain's foibles
and glitches, where it simply gets things wrong and where it's programmed
for a prehistoric world. |
Human Science |
|
Druin Burch |
Digging up the Dead |
Riveting, if occasionally stomach churning
biography of the top surgeon from around 1800, Astley Cooper. Highly
recommended. |
Human Science |
|
Edward B. Burger & Michael Starbird |
Coincidences, Chaos and All that Math Jazz |
A high speed, highly enjoyable tour of many of
the interesting bits of maths that doesn't patronize, but is never
over-heavy. |
Maths |
| Robbins Burling |
The Talking Ape |
Fascinating exploration of the origins and nature of language. Approachable
yet authoritative. |
Human Science |
| David Burnie (Ed.) |
Animal |
Wonderful illustrated reference guide to the
animal kingdom - not popular science really, hence only
|
Biology |
| William Byers |
The Blind Spot |
Challenges the validity of our approach to
science from a philosophical standpoint. Makes some interesting points, but
rather impenetrable writing style.
|
Overview |
| Peter Byrne |
The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett III |
Interesting biography of the man behind the
many worlds quantum interpretation and a major contributor to game theory.
Bio parts good, science a bit impenetrable.
|
Biography, physics |
| John T. Cacioppo &
William Patrick |
Loneliness |
A thorough, down-to-earth survey of the
psychology, sociology and ethology of loneliness.
|
Human science |
| Deborah Cadbury |
Space Race |
Engaging and sometimes horrifying story of the
origins and realities of the race to space and the moon from both sides of
the iron curtain |
Technology |
| Alice Calaprice
(Ed.) |
The Ultimate Quotable Einstein |
Fat book of Einstein quotes. He certainly was
quotable - but it's hard to see what this book is for.
|
Biography |
| Nigel Calder |
Einstein's Universe: the layperson's guide |
Short and useful book which outlines special
and general relativity - good start for anyone who is first encountering the
subject.
|
Physics |
| Nigel Calder |
Magic Universe |
Alphabetic collection of articles on modern
science that are fascinating to read and give a good overview.
|
Overview |
| Nigel Calder &
Henrik Svensmark |
The Chilling Stars |
Controversial but fascinating theory that much
of the Earth's climate change through history has been caused by the impact
of cosmic rays. |
Cosmology, Earth
Science |
| Paul Callaghan &
Kim Hill |
As Far As We Know |
Transcripts of entertaining radio
conversations covering a wide range of scientific issues from human gender
to thermodynamics.
|
Overview |
| Craig
Callender & Ralph Edney |
Introducing
Time |
Occasionally bizarre but very effective pocket
illustrated tour of the concept of time, giving more than many longer books.
|
Physics |
| Deborah Cameron |
The Myth of Mars
and Venus |
Great idea, debunking the whole Mars/Venus
think (and pop sci equivalents), but not enough for a whole book.
|
Human Science |
| David Canter |
Mapping Murder |
Fascinating if flawed book on geographical
profiling from the man who really started it as a systematic approach
|
Mathematics |
| Fritjof Capra |
The Tao of
Physics |
Classic book drawing parallels between physics
(particularly quantum physics) and Eastern religions, still interesting
despite blatant misuse by new-agers.
|
Physics |
| Nessa Carey |
The Epigenetics
Revolution |
Fascinating and enlightening book on the way
DNA goes beyond genes in controlling the body. Should have been five star if
it wasn't for the overabundance of impenetrable names.
|
Human science |
| Rita Carter |
The Brain Book |
Surprisingly good adult picture book on the
brain and how it works.
|
Human science |
| B. Jack Copeland
et al |
Colossus |
A series of essays on the wartime codebreaking
at Bletchley Park, and the ground-breaking Colossus computers with newly
declassified content |
Technology |
| Robert Todd
Carroll |
The Skeptic's Dictionary |
Overview of the many strange beliefs people
out there hold. Format makes it less readable than some, but still good
|
Sceptics |
| Sean Carroll |
From Eternity to
Here |
The book A Brief History of Time should have
been - really does explore time and the significance of entropy to
cosmology. Excellent book. |
Physics, cosmology |
| Roberto Casati |
The Shadow Club |
Very promising book about shadow that simply
can't deliver, because there's not much to tell
|
Physics |
| John L. Casti |
The One True Platonic Heaven |
Cleverly written fictional encounter between
key physicists and mathematicians at the IAS - with some politics thrown in
for fun |
Overview |
| Brian Cathcart |
The Fly in the Cathedral |
Brilliant story of the race to crack open the
atomic nucleus: a must! |
Physics |
| Brian Cathcart |
Rain |
Some lovely insights into rain and its
effects, but too short |
Earth science |
|
GREGORY CHAITIN |
Biography |
|
|
| Gregory Chaitin |
Conversations with a Mathematician |
Compilation of lectures and interviews, best
read as a follow-up to Meta Math!. |
Maths |
| Gregory Chaitin |
Meta Math! The Quest for Omega |
Fascinating description of a real modern
mathematician's thinking, coupled with insights into the nature of maths. |
Maths |
| Jack Challoner
(Ed.) |
1001 Inventions that changed the World |
In essence a website on paper, this doesn't
really work as a book. You can't read it end to end, nor is it a great
reference. |
Technology |
| Brian & Deborah
Charlesworth |
Evolution: A Very Short Introduction |
Pocket-sized but effective basic introduction
to evolution. Could do with a bit more historical context, but fine. |
Biology |
| Parvinder Chawla |
Versatile Vaccines |
Basic but accessible book on vaccines with a
little history and several chapters on the fight to produce new vaccines for
killers like HIV. |
Human science |
| Nicholas Cheetham |
Universe: a journey from Earth to the Edge of
the Cosmos |
Nice idea - photographic record of a 'journey'
from Earth to the edge of the universe, but the result is a coffee table
book.. |
Astronomy |
| Margaret Cheney |
Tesla: Man out of Time |
Biography of the remarkable inventor Nikola
Tesla. Good on his personal life, but the author isn't very good at science. |
Biography |
|
MARCUS CHOWN |
Biography |
More on books |
Features |
| Marcus Chown |
Afterglow of Creation |
Intriguing detective story tracking back from
the cosmic background radiation to the big bang. |
Cosmology |
| Marcus Chown |
The Magic Furnace |
Where atoms come from
- a remarkable story that takes us from the big bang to now
|
Physics, astronomy, cosmology |
| Marcus Chown |
The
Never Ending Days of Being Dead |
A clear exploration of some of the big
questions in physics, bringing in a range of weird and wonderful theories
|
Physics, cosmology |
| Marcus Chown &
Govert Schilling |
Tweeting the Universe |
One of those 'great idea, didn't quite work'
concepts - explaining cosmology in 140 character maximum 'tweets'.
|
Astronomy,
cosmology, physics |
| Marcus Chown |
Quantum Theory cannot hurt you [The Quantum Zoo] |
The best introduction to quantum physics and
relativity we've seen with some superb examples and great explanation |
Physics |
| Marcus Chown |
Solar System |
Chown's excellent Solar System app ported to
book form. Not quite as good, but still has great images and easy to follow
text.
|
Astronomy |
| Marcus Chown |
The Universe Next Door |
Strange concepts at the
edge of scientific theories |
Overview, physics |
| Marcus Chown |
We need to talk about Kelvin |
Uses everyday observations to plunge into
quantum theory, thermodynamics and cosmology. Great fun and very readable. |
Physics, cosmology |
| Brian Christian |
The Most Human Human |
Uses the Turing test, comparing human and
computer conversation, to discover what this teaches us about being human
and about computer capabilities.
|
Technology, human
science |
| Gale Christianson |
Isaac Newton |
Short Newton biography, strong on historical
context, not so good on the science
|
Biography |
| John Clancy |
The Human Body Close-up |
Packed with high-detailed microscope pictures
of parts of the body it is a visual feast, supported by a basic but fair
text. Just a shame it's so heavy!
|
Human science |
| Susan A. Clancy |
Abducted |
Sensible scientific look at the reality of
alien abduction - very engaging writing, but could have better structured
|
Human science |
| Stuart Clark |
The Big Questions: The Universe |
Useful summary of the basics of cosmology in a
rather stylish package, but lacks much popular science context.
|
Astronomy |
| Stuart Clark |
The Sun Kings |
Well-written and enjoyable history of
discoveries about the Sun and its influence on the Earth from renaissance
times.
|
Astronomy |
|
BRIAN CLEGG |
Biography & interview |
More on books |
Blog |
| Brian Clegg |
Armageddon Science |
The science behind the many ways that humanity
can destroy itself (with a bit of destructive nature thrown in). Mad
scientists may be scary, but it's a strangely enjoyable cocktail. |
Overview |
| Brian Clegg |
Before the Big Bang |
The latest ideas on how the universe began,
the limitations of the Big Bang theory and more in excellent popular history
of how humans understand the universe. |
Cosmology |
| Brian Clegg |
A Brief History of Infinity |
The people and paradoxes in
the quest to think the unthinkable
|
Maths |
| Brian Clegg |
Ecologic |
Moves green issues away from knee-jerk
emotional responses and bogeymen to uncover greenwash and establish what
really is effective for the environment. |
Earth science |
| Brian Clegg |
The God Effect |
Remarkable exploration of quantum
entanglement, a bizarre effect that has amazing applications. Excellent
explanation of the science |
Physics |
| Brian Clegg |
The First Scientist |
Readable biography of
thirteenth century friar and proto-scientist, Roger Bacon.
|
Biography, overview |
| Brian Clegg |
How to Build a Time Machine [Build Your Own
Time Machine] |
A tantalising exploration of the physics of
time travel and the different possibilities for making it happen, including
the everyday time travel that special relativity already brings. |
Physics |
| Brian Clegg |
Inflight Science |
A celebration of the wonder of powered flight
that covers the science of flying but is mostly about the science observed
through the aircraft window. |
Overview |
| Brian Clegg |
Instant Egghead Guide: Physics |
Entertaining and readable pocket guide to the essentials of physics.
|
Physics |
| Brian Clegg |
Light Years |
The story of humanity's
exploration of light. Combination
of good history with fascinating new light science. New edition.
|
Physics |
| Brian Clegg |
The Man Who Stopped Time |
Engaging biography of the motion picture
pioneer and murderer. Not a huge amount of science in his life, but brings
out the science of photography etc. well.
|
Biography |
| Brian Clegg |
Upgrade Me |
A fascinating exploration of the journey to
human 2.0, from the key ability to contemplate the future, to life
extension, cosmetic enhancement, extra strength, electronic implants and
more. |
Human science |
| Frank Close |
Antimatter |
Intriguing guide to antimatter: what it is,
how it's made and how it's unlikely to be a serious component of a weapon.
|
Physics |
| Frank Close |
The Infinity Puzzle |
Essential reading for anyone interested in
really understanding QED, weak and strong forces and the Higgs boson - but
has some issues.
|
Physics |
| Frank Close |
Neutrino |
Small but totally fascinating book on the hunt
for this most elusive of quantum particles. Superb insight into the way real
science works.
|
Physics |
| Frank Close |
Nothing: a very short introduction |
Turns out to be more 'basic ideas in modern
physics', often well presented, though very compact - but not quite what the
title promises.
|
Physics |
| Charles Cockell |
Space on Earth |
Uncomfortable mix of space exploration and environmentalism that tell you
more about the author's interests than anything else.
|
Overview |
| I. B. Cohen |
The Triumph of Numbers |
A genuinely interesting and often surprising history of statistics that
brings in unexpected characters from King David and Dickens to Florence
Nightingale.
|
Mathematics |
| Jack Cohen & Ian Stewart |
The Collapse of Chaos |
Combines chaos theory and
complexity theory to boggle the mind |
Maths |
| Jack Cohen & Ian Stewart |
Evolving the Alien [What does a Martian
look like] |
Clever idea of exploring alien life
possibilities, partly driven by SF ideas, but suffers from smugness
|
Biology |
| Jack Cohen, Ian Stewart
& Terry Pratchett |
Science of
Discworld |
Clever mix of Pratchett's fantasy and science
covering the "construction" of the earth. Not the best in the series, but
good |
Overview |
| Jack Cohen, Ian Stewart
& Terry Pratchett |
Science of
Discworld II |
Clever idea, mixing Pratchett's fantasy and
science, but this instalment on the mind is by far the worst
|
Human Science |
| Jack Cohen, Ian Stewart
& Terry Pratchett |
Science of
Discworld III: Darwin's Watch |
The highly entertaining and original combo of
Discworld fantasy and scientific precision is aimed at evolution. A few
quibbles but great |
Biology |
| Richard Cohen |
Chasing the Sun |
A huge exploration of humanity's relationship
with the sun. Overlong and sometimes a little vague on the science, but a
fascinating read.
|
Astronomy |
| Peter Coles |
Cosmology: a very short introduction |
Compact
but surprisingly detailed introduction to cosmology. Could do with an
update, but still good.
|
Cosmology |
| Peter Coles |
From Cosmos to Chaos |
Stunning introduction to probability and
statistics, particularly in cosmology, plus Bayesian statistics, sadly only
readable by a degree-level science student or above.
|
Mathematics |
| Neil F. Comins |
What if the Earth had two Moons? |
Really clever idea of exploring astronomy
through 10 'what if' variants on the Earth - but use of fiction poor and
gets a bit samey.
|
Astronomy |
| Mariana Cook
(photographer) |
Mathematicians |
Collection of 92 portraits of mathematicians
with a page each to explain why they love maths. Very coffee table.
|
Mathematics |
| Jennifer
Coopersmith |
Energy: the subtle concept |
Though by no means an easy read with many
physics concept taken as read, this book is a valuable exploration of the
nature of energy and our increasing knowledge of it.
|
Physics |
| Daniel Coyle |
The Talent Code |
Interesting observations on how the brain
programs for skills that work well for physical skills but the author fails
to spot they're anathema to creativity.
|
Human science |
| Jerry A. Coyne |
Why Evolution is True |
A persuasive and plain-spoken summary of the
evidence for evolution by natural selection, with some minor conceptual
problems.
|
Biology |
| Brian Cox & Jeff
Forshaw |
The Quantum Universe: everything that can
happen does happen |
A superb primer on quantum physics for anyone
about to start a physics degree, but incredibly hard work for a general
reader.
|
Physics |
| Brian Cox & Jeff
Forshaw |
Why Does E=mc2 |
Explanation of the derivation of the world's
most famous equation, exploration of the standard model master equation and
great exposition of Higgs - but too technical for the general reader.
|
Physics |
| Naomi Craft |
The Little Book of Medical Breakthroughs |
Interesting set of short articles on the
development of medical science, but format limits its accessibility as
popular science.
|
Human science |
| Robert P. Crease |
The Prism and the Pendulum |
The ten most beautiful experiments in science
(well, physics), with good insights into the people behind them.
|
Physics |
| Ian Crofton |
Scientific
without the Boring Bits |
A chronologically arranged collection of fun
factoids and strange pseudo-science snippets. Each entry is only a paragraph
or two, so too bitty to enjoy end to end - better to dip in.
|
Overview |
| Alfred W. Crosby |
Children of the Sun |
A sweeping and inspiring trip through
humanity's relationship with energy, from simple agriculture to nuclear
power. Style not to everyone's taste, but magnificent. |
Overview |
| Thomas Crump |
A Brief History of Science |
The history of science
through the development of scientific tools and instruments
|
Overview, technology |
| Vilmos Csányi |
If Dogs Could Talk |
Real eye-opener on the nature and
sophistication of the mind of a very familiar creature: the dog
|
Biology |
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