I Used to Know That: General Science

I Used to Know That

by Marianne Taylor, Caroline Taggart (Series Editor)

Take a look at all the sciences: biology, for example the human body, cell biology and genetics; chemistry, including the periodic table, fuels and pollution, metals and alloys; and physics, such as the laws of energy and electricity, forces and the universe, waves, radiation and space. I Used To Know That: General Science is an easy and accessible trip down memory lane, helping you remember all those useful things from school which you have now forgotten.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2010

Reviews

[Veronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Handy little volume offering small paragraphs on a variety of subjects pertaining to Chemistry, Physics and Biology. These felt very much like ‘introductions’, or rather tasters, jumping from one topic to the next. Not the best for properly learning anything but enough to give you an idea what will interest you.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much does what it says on the tin. And yes, I'd forgotten quite a bit of it. I was better at the biology than physics/chemistry - but then I did biology O level.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although "science" covers pages and pages of different subjects, this book covers just three: physics, chemistry and biology.

I am no expert on either of those subjects but I thought they weren't bad. The chemistry had me totally lost and I gave up after acids and bases. But it's not the book's fault, I never took chemistry in high school for that reason, took my credits for graduation in anatomy instead.

[Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I did well in science, and still keep relatively up to date with it, I still found some interesting factoids in it that were fresh to me. I didn't like how each chapter ended a little abruptly - that's my only quibble with it.

[Nightshade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up second hand, on a whim. I loved learning about science at school and thought it would be interesting to see if I could remember everything included in the book. I had no idea what level this book was going to be pitched at, although the introduction suggested that it was going to be up to and including GCSE science.
Upon reading I found that I remembered everything that was mentioned, including in the chemistry section, which was always my least favourite of the three main sciences.
The physics section was a very quick read. I can still remember from school more detail than this book goes into, so it was very much just a brief reminder of the different topics covered under physics. The chemistry section took me longer to get through, purely because it still remains my least favourite part of science and therefore I had less interest in the topics covered. The biology section was the most fun part to read, but again I remembered everything covered here too. It did however provide the one new thing that I learnt from this book: there is a whole separate species of mosquito that only lives in the London Underground.
Overall, this book really is a whistle-stop tour of the basics of science, and really should only be used as described: to remind you of what you have already learnt. Most topics are covered in a paragraph or two at most.

[Nicholas Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good concept well executed, the book succinctly covers a lot of different areas of science with some easy to understand language.

Books like these survive or fail based off how much detail/complexity they go into and for most of the book I found the choice of level or detail and pacing to be perfect (for my objectives in reading the book, anyway).

I found the section on cells (different types, what parts comprise them) a little hard going (it felt like the tech terminology and higher level concepts were packed in a lot tighter in those sections) but acknowledging the pacing issues as subjective, and the fact it's such a small segment of the book, I can't penalise the work as a whole for it.

[Adrian J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't forget any of this stuff from school - there was plenty I never learned in the first place.

The book cover the three primary domains of the hard sciences, and all the most important (basic) concepts. Read this, and you'll have no trouble keeping up with lay-person speak about genetic inheritance or gravity. You may develop a tendency to oversimplify things which will irk scientists with much more finessed understandings, but if you're trying to help a 16-year-old with their homework, this will give you in a few days what it will take them two or three years to learn at school.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few books in this series and found them all very informative and accessible. This one was a pleasant refresher on various aspects of science that I have gradually forgotten over the last 30 years.

[Dev Govindji · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves it purpose of compiling everything one learns in high school science courses. It is well written and uses practical examples.

I reccomend this book to anyone looking to brush up on the general sciences.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As billed, it reminds you of many elements of science you learned that you haven't used in a few years, perhaps since school.

[Stefan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I belive that I've fogotten much more, hence I expected a wider and deeper treatment of the subject. What we got is almost as short (and equaly well organised) as secondary school physics, chemistry and biology curiculum. One thing that's missing and could add value is a list of refernce titles. Otherwise, skimming Wikipedia will probably get you as far and you might actually learn something new too ;-)
Anyway, it definitely helps when you need to catch-up on English vocabulary (if you were educated in different language).

[Krista Shilvock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, brief overview of many science topics. As a teacher, I enjoyed reading this as a reminder of how things fit into a bigger picture and how I can help my students relate to that big idea. An easy read that gives you just the basics, enough to answer basic questions without getting too technical.

[Danie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative for it's everyday language. Perfect for students during the summer to review what they've learned, in simple terms.

[Paul Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most basic science book. If you're just getting interested in science, this one of them to start with.

But if you're looking into delving deeper, this book might not suit you.

[Juan Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit trivial, entertaining regardless! Entry level explanations for the average person who wants to know more about applied sciences.