Through a series of intriguing case studies including the study of relativity, cold fusion, the "memory" in worms, and the sex life of lizards, thi...
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reviews
Jan 01, 2012
Gareth
rated it: 
This is a great book. It takes the form of case histories of some of science's defining moments (Eddington's 'proof' of Einstein's relativity) and some less well-known ones (the sex-life of lizards). The main point is to show how such discoveries and advancements aren't the result of pure logical and experimental method, but occur in conjunction with other factors. Often, controversies are not categorically settled, but things simply move on - due to lack of funding, new discoveries in other fie
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Nov 06, 2011
Anderson
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Science is not just methods, data processing, experimentation and publication of the results. For every subject we may deal with ego, politics, desire and willingness to do science. In this book you will find interesting stories about scientists and their research, contradictions and polemics.
Jul 20, 2010
Dharma
rated it:
Very accessible book---to me it reads like Latour's Lab Life for the non-academic.
Jun 30, 2007
Erik
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This is an excellent antidote to ultra-rational scientism. Give several case studies of high profile scientific theories where the make or break factor was not contained in the data points at all.
Fairly fast reading, and not a lot of background knowledge required about the subjects (from lizard sex to gravity waves).
Fairly fast reading, and not a lot of background knowledge required about the subjects (from lizard sex to gravity waves).
Jan 15, 2008
If I had to give an explanation of what I thought of Science I would point to this.
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