"Science is about not knowing and wanting badly to know. Science is about flawed and complicated human beings trying to use whatever tools they've ...
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Mar 01, 2009
Buck
rated it: 
Nobody is hornier than a female macaque or bonobo (which mounts the males because the males are too exhausted to continue the fornication.)
See, that's what I love about this series. Who wouldn't want to know something like that? (But in defense of the wretched male bonobo, I wonder why it never occurred to any of these bigshot primatologists that maybe the poor guy was worn-out after a long day foraging for food and kowtowing to the dominant matriarch; maybe he had a lot of of othe More...
See, that's what I love about this series. Who wouldn't want to know something like that? (But in defense of the wretched male bonobo, I wonder why it never occurred to any of these bigshot primatologists that maybe the poor guy was worn-out after a long day foraging for food and kowtowing to the dominant matriarch; maybe he had a lot of of othe More...
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Feb 09, 2012
Andrew
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I like to read all of the collections -- including "Best American Fiction" -- because it exposes the reader to new topics and new authors that you can explore later. There are always a few clunkers in the collection but you can breeze through those. And the collection provides a snapshot in time, showing what was current or worrisome at some point in the past.
I picked up this collection because it was the most-recent on my public library's shelves. It has a good range of More...
I picked up this collection because it was the most-recent on my public library's shelves. It has a good range of More...
Apr 11, 2011
Rebecca
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This series is like owning annual subscriptions to National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover, Smithsonian, Seed, and Atlantic Monthly, but without the ads and for only $14. There isn't a single place where you can find interesting, intelligent writing about a more diverse range of scientific topics than the Best American Science and Nature Writing series. This is the second volume I've read, and both of them have been 90% chock-full of cool science journalism -- the remaining 10% are
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Jan 27, 2008
Dave
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read these because i'm teaching "writing for the sciences" this semester and need stuff to pad out my syllabus. both volumes (science writing, and science and nature writing) are excellent compilations of average-joe articles, many of which take the term "science writing" very loosely. fascinating, even touching, at times. loved them both.
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Jan 20, 2011
Billie
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This is always fun for me to read, and I want to read every year's Best American Science and Nature Writing volume. This volume, though, was too niche-oriented for my taste. Of course, that was the goal of this volume's editor: to examine people and topics in situations where people are passionate about their topics. The editor satisfied that goal, then. I prefer, I think, more when this series takes a big-picture approach to science in a year's span. Some of the better pieces were, for example,
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Jan 23, 2010
Andres
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28 articles from 20 publications, top contributor being Smithsonian Magazine with 4 articles.
I'm writing this review eight months after actually reading the book, but I wanted to do what I've done with the other anthologies: list the articles that---even after all this time---I remember clearly because they were so interesting.
In Rome's Basement by Paul Bennett
A look at urban spelunkers exploring the depths under Rome.
Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey
Di More...
I'm writing this review eight months after actually reading the book, but I wanted to do what I've done with the other anthologies: list the articles that---even after all this time---I remember clearly because they were so interesting.
In Rome's Basement by Paul Bennett
A look at urban spelunkers exploring the depths under Rome.
Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey
Di More...
Nov 22, 2008
Ilia
rated it: 
So many great stories. Some highlights:
"The Rape of Appalachia" - mind-opening article about the atrocities being done by the strip-mining corporations in our own East-coast back yard.
"In the Company of Bears" - a heart-felt and deeply personal account on one man's journey to get closer to nature - the wild nature outside and his own wild nature within.
"Plastic Ocean" - another moving article about the effect of our boundless pro More...
"The Rape of Appalachia" - mind-opening article about the atrocities being done by the strip-mining corporations in our own East-coast back yard.
"In the Company of Bears" - a heart-felt and deeply personal account on one man's journey to get closer to nature - the wild nature outside and his own wild nature within.
"Plastic Ocean" - another moving article about the effect of our boundless pro More...
Jun 30, 2008
Jessica
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I do love this series, though part of me can't shake the feeling it's a cop out, like buying Greatest Hits albums. But the fact is, I don't subscribe to all of these primary sources, and even though many of these articles are available online, I really appreciate having someone knowledgeable sort out the most worthy.
MY votes for the most worthy of this collection:
-Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey. If you only read one piece from the book, read this one. A horrifying and sobering lo More...
MY votes for the most worthy of this collection:
-Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey. If you only read one piece from the book, read this one. A horrifying and sobering lo More...
Dec 28, 2007
John
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My Review: Hey, it's a collection of the best science and nature writings of the year. How could it not be good?
I Learned That: The "gryllacridid" is the name of the nasty bugs that used to hide out in my basement and attack me when I was little and when I would try to kill em. And now I know why...gryllacridids attack in order to live. Although they are tiny in size and have no standard insect defenses, they apparently have major aggressive attitude problems. Instead More...
I Learned That: The "gryllacridid" is the name of the nasty bugs that used to hide out in my basement and attack me when I was little and when I would try to kill em. And now I know why...gryllacridids attack in order to live. Although they are tiny in size and have no standard insect defenses, they apparently have major aggressive attitude problems. Instead More...
Jun 09, 2008
Jenni
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I enjoyed the majority of these "stories" (and it's worth noting that most of these pieces read like stories). More so than with the 2006 edition, some of the editor's choices didn't move me to learn more about the subject. I'm still game for the 2008 edition, though.
Favorites:
- Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey (a must read for anyone interested in how human consumption affects the environment, which in turn affects human health)
- How to Get a Nuclear Bomb by Willi More...
Favorites:
- Plastic Ocean by Susan Casey (a must read for anyone interested in how human consumption affects the environment, which in turn affects human health)
- How to Get a Nuclear Bomb by Willi More...
Feb 25, 2008
Jes
rated it:
An amazing variety of ideas related to science and nature all in one book.
The one page essay about a fisher was one of my favorites. To the point.
The Final Frontier by John Horgan makes you think about science.
The article, Plastic Ocean, by Susan Casey is eye opening. as is The Rape of Appalachia by Michael Shnayerson.
A few dull articles, like the one about the guy who practiced bad archeology to help Hitler out...not a guy I want to hear about i More...
The one page essay about a fisher was one of my favorites. To the point.
The Final Frontier by John Horgan makes you think about science.
The article, Plastic Ocean, by Susan Casey is eye opening. as is The Rape of Appalachia by Michael Shnayerson.
A few dull articles, like the one about the guy who practiced bad archeology to help Hitler out...not a guy I want to hear about i More...
May 21, 2009
Steve
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A couple of articles in this are really excellent--compelling reading and important information. (Those are Susan Casey's "Plastic Ocean" and Michael Shnayerson's "Rape of Appalachia," both also online.) Many other articles are fascinating and enlightening. Most are at least interesting.
Totally worthwhile.
Totally worthwhile.
Nov 29, 2008
Ron
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Some very very good articles and some very good articles. Really enjoyed the essay's "Dinosaur Shocker", "Notes on the Space We Take" and "DNA Is Not Destiny". Also found the articles "Plastic Ocean" and "The Rape of Appalachia" as disturbing as they were informative.
May 28, 2011
Grant
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I found it disappointing compared to the rest of the series which often dealt more with physics and mathematics.
Feb 23, 2010
Alex
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I love this series, man. Always chock full of really interesting, thought-provoking pieces.
Nov 12, 2009
Jessica
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Enjoy stores about: diving beneath Rome, an ocean of plastic, lemur obsessions, rabbits on Mars, fishing for fishers, dinosaur blood cells, the science behind the hardboiled egg, life behind the OED, the (possible) death of science, nuclear bombs 101, the queer king of the jungle, the exploration of violence in nature, germs in your belly, anthropological DNA, what your corpse says about you, Nazi lies and anthropology, Video Game Theatre, "be very quiet - I'm hunting the flu virus," m
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Mar 04, 2009
Talea
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Brilliant articles on topics peculiar enough to stick in the imagination. I will never forget the spelunking archaeologists in the sewers below Rome or the camel breeders in Saudi Arabia.
Jul 04, 2011
Joe
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I love this series! There are so many great pieces in this volume, as every year; ornithological dishonesty, strategies to tackle climate change, genome wrangling, stupid creationists... Something for everyone :)
Apr 02, 2009
Jeffrey
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Interesting but nothing really knocked my socks off. A worthwhile read but don't expect anything revelatory...
Aug 22, 2011
Just keeping up with the periodicals I don't have time (or subscriptions) to read throughout the year.
Nov 20, 2008
Melanie
rated it:
If you're fascinated by the wonders and curiosities of science and nature, then this book is for you. This annual anthology is full of short stories on a wide variety of topics. They are well-written and a pleasure to read. I always learn something from these books--and they leave me wanting to learn more.
Jun 30, 2008
Cooper
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An excellent collection of some great articles. I like it because I don't have to spend my time reading all those weekly periodicals, but I still get some great articles. And it gives you all sorts of interesting tidbits to think about. I'm a big fan and look forward to reading this year's edition.
Jun 29, 2008
Jrobertus
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The editor has compiled a number of interesting articles for this years collection. I found the section on epigenetics to be particularly useful, as I believe this new field will radically alter the nature/nurture debate. All the articles were interesting, really.
Feb 01, 2008
Dan
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I love this series of books. This one was particularly good. If you pick it up and have only time to read one piece, read the last one about epigenetics. I guarantee you will learn something you never knew before, and it's kind of hopeful and scary at the same time.
Jan 26, 2008
Richard
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Like the Best Travel Writing series, I read these every year. There's always a one or more 'gems' and the majority of the selections are well written and informative. "The Rape of Appalacia", "Dinosaur Shocker!", and "How to Get a Nuclear Bomb" were very good.
Aug 10, 2008
Justin
rated it:
Really hit or miss, but I enjoyed it, overall.
My favorites were:
Plastic Ocean
Cooking for Eggheads
The Effeminate Sheep
Sex, Lies, and Video Games
Notes on the Space We Take
DNA Is Not Destiny
My favorites were:
Plastic Ocean
Cooking for Eggheads
The Effeminate Sheep
Sex, Lies, and Video Games
Notes on the Space We Take
DNA Is Not Destiny
May 20, 2008
John
rated it:
A great collection of interesting articles, ranging from archeology to genetics. I've become a fan of the annual "best" series published by Houghton Mifflin. I think I'll try best travel writing next.
