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The Tiger That Isn’t by Michael Blastland & Andrew Dilnot If like Benjamin Disraeli famously said, and there really are only three types of lies in this world “Lies, damn lies and Statistics”, we need a way to see through the latter to facts beneath. This book by Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot aims to give us, the reader exactly that; the tools we need to take a closer look at the statistics with which we find ourselves bombarded with on a daily basis. Reviewed by Allan Rigg Published by Profile Books (2007), ISBN# 1861978391 |
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Corrupted Science Fraud, ideology and politics in science by John Grant I tremendously enjoyed John Grant’s latest book on scientific deviance - a rip-roaring adventure through the dark underbelly of science. If you are still under the belief that science is an impartial, noble pursuit of knowledge untainted by ego or undue influence then prepare to be shocked as Grant illustrates that throughout history, dark forces have undermined the scientific process time and time again - invariably to the detriment of both science and the public. Reviewed by Frank Swain Published by Facts, Figures and Fun (2007), ISBN# 9781904332497 |
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How To Fossilise Your Hamster by Mick O'Hare This book is a absolutely great! I’m sure it will do at least as well as its best selling predecessors “Does anything eat wasps?” and “Why don’t penguins’ feet freeze?”. But do not be fooled into thinking that this is just more of the same. Whilst the contents of the previous books have been taken directly from the “Last word” column of New Scientist, “How to Fossilise Your Hamster” is a series of, often ingenious, experiments designed to allow you to discover the answers for yourself. The book does deliver on its grandiose intent of showing us “... how great science has been achieved though experimentation”, although I suspect that theoretical scientists everywhere will nettled by the assertion that they don’t do “real” science. Reviewed by William Nelson Published by Profile (2007), ISBN# 1846680441 |
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Better Looking, Better Living, Better Loving by John Emsley Chemistry, with its daunting plethora of jargon and technical detail, appears to be the most feared of all the sciences, and the most alien to the layman. John Emsley confronts this view with his book, Better Looking, Better Living, Better Loving. Each topic begins with a snippet of an imaginary newspaper of the future, heralding the latest invention in the field. He goes on to demonstrate just how common chemistry really is in our everyday lives, and how much we rely on it. More importantly, he explains how it all actually works. Find out how gold is used to treat arthritis, and why red hot chilli can provide pain relief. Discover solar panels that generate power even on cloudy days, and why carbohydrates in our diet are not such a bad thing. The book is a review of how chemistry really works, and how we use it every day. From nail polish to deodorant, and self-cleaning glass to fabric softeners, chemistry surrounds us. The ways in which it all works are not simple but by means of well-chosen anecdotes and clear, concise explanations, Emsley makes those concepts accessible to his non-scientific audience. Reviewed by Anne Corbett Published by Wiley-VCH (2007), ISBN# 3527318631 |
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The Shock of the Old by David Edgerton David Edgerton’s book has two central messages about technology’s place in world history. First, the new is not always as new as it seems; and second, the future - more often than not - lies in the old. We sometimes seem hypnotized by technology and innovation. As consumers, we crave the newest and the next. We see ourselves at the bleeding edge of the technological revolution, craning our necks to see what the future of transport or communication might hold; and if it’s bigger, shinier or faster than last time, so much the better. Edgerton argues, how meaningful is such a retrospective that dwells so heavily on the magnificent at the expense of the mundane? In The Shock of the Old, he tries to make us admit the difference between what impresses us and what has really changed us. The book is littered with examples to isolate the innovation-centric view from the use-centric view, and it tries to show that the latter is much more accurate and illustrative when we really want to see the pattern of technology’s impact on the world. Reviewed by Tom Sheldon Published by Oxford University Press (2007), ISBN# 0195322835 |
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