The Science Book - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0297843370 ISBN 13: 9780297843375

Publisher: W&N, 2003

Synopsis

With a foreword by Simon Singh this breathtaking book features 250 of the most significant milestones in the history of scientific discovery, offering a unique perspective on our unfolding view of the universe from the origins of counting and the concept of 'zero' to cloned cells and the human genome.

A beautifully simple design complements short, lucid essays on each breakthrough, placed next to the most striking images available. Now in a new easy-to-handle format, this is the most unique science book ever published - the first truly accessible, fully illustrated story of science, with special contributions from leading scientists and science writers.

About this title

Review

The Science Book is a big, handsome, lavishly illustrated coffee-table book. In 250 brief sections, it attempts to encapsulate the history of Western science, from astronomy and physics to geology, biology and psychology and everything in between. It's a huge undertaking, even a potentially foolhardy one, as the editor Peter Tallack acknowledges, but the choice of topics has been carefully made, and as an introduction to the breadth of scientific endeavour it succeeds well. The writing itself is straightforward, giving very brief biographies of scientists from Pythagoras to Stephen Hawking alongside the broad outlines of their work. Each one-page essay is accompanied by a full-colour illustration, ranging from Renaissance paintings to the latest images from space. Cross-references to other pages help to establish links between different discoveries. There is an index, but sadly no suggestions for further reading for anybody whose curiosity has been piqued. And piqued it almost certainly will be. Inevitably in a book of this scope, nothing is covered in any depth. It does, however, give a good overview of how science is done, how different disciplines interrelate and where the cutting edge is right now. And its presence on the coffee table will no doubt spark all kinds of discussions as guests leaf through its pages. --Elizabeth Sourbut

Review

I've done an extensive review mailing for the Mini Science Book, and Peter Tallack appeared on the Fi Glover Programme in the 'Ask the Expert' slot (BBC Radio 5 Live on 12 May). He was also on the TODAY PROGRAMME (BBC Radio 4) on 4 June. THE SCIENCE BOOK is no. 10 in the TIMES Play Hardback Greatest Gains/New Entries chart for the week ending 17 May, which is great news. PROSPECT did a give-away in their September issue, for the winner of the crossword puzzle. Reviews expected so far include TIME OUT ''Perfect for dipping in to, thebook also illustrates the way in which science works - each new discovery building on the work of the past, with the odd genius sparking a spectacular revolution in thinking.'Geordie Torr, GEOGRAPHICAL 'this book comes highly recommended to anyone who...wants a concise overview of the whole of science.'Richard Wentk, FOCUS 'truly accessible and lavishly illustrated...A fabulous overview, capturing a world of fascination.'Sky Text (on-screen text service which runs on all Sky TV channels - audience 8million). '[a] gorgeous tome...[with] stunning artwork.'GOOD BOOK GUIDE There has also be a review in THE HERALD (GLASGOW)

About this edition

• Publisher: W&N
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0297843370
• ISBN 13: 9780297843375
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 544
• Editor: Tallack Peter