Dr Karl's Great Australian Facts and Firsts

by Karl Kruszelnicki

Book by Kruszelnicki, Karl

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Australia

400 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

About the author

Known popularly as Dr Karl.

Karl has degrees in Physics and Maths, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine and Surgery and has worked as a physicist, tutor, film-maker, car mechanic, labourer, and as a medical doctor at the Kids' Hospital in Sydney.

In 1995 he took up the position of the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at Sydney University, spreading the good word about science and its benefits.

His enthusiasm for science is totally infectious and no one is better able to convey the excitement and wonder of it all than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is.

Dr Karl's Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) site:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/

http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/conten...

Reviews

[Chelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It taught me so much about some of Australia's history and scientific discoveries. A lot of the interesting information had never even been mentioned in school. The writing was easy to understand and not for a moment was it boring. It was a very enjoyable book to read, and I certainly will be looking for more of Dr Karl's work.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual easily accessible science from one of the better science communicators.

In this compilation Dr Karl examines some of the key contributions Australians have made to science. Some interesting tales I hadn't heard of, mixed with interesting factoids.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like some trivia on Australian history and inventions. Designed for readers of all ages, but mostly geared toward younger readers. Not a bad change after reading so many adult-audience novels.

[Wayne Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Karl explains difficult stuff so dumb asses can understand

[Kadri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this collection of stories from Australia, so wild it’s hard to believe they’re true. Entirely amusing and baffling in equal measure!

A few examples:

Rabbits — 24 European rabbits were released in Victoria in 1859 for hunting, and within decades they had spread across most of the continent in one of the fastest mammal invasions in recorded history. The population eventually reached into the billions. The control efforts — myxomatosis in the 1950s, then calicivirus — are real and well-documented.

Prickly pear — Imported as a garden plant and potential cattle-fencing hedge, it spread to cover around 60 million acres of eastern Australia by the 1920s, forming impenetrable thickets. It was eventually brought under control by introducing a South American moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) whose larvae eat the plant from the inside — a celebrated early success of biological control.

Both stories sound unbelievable but are thoroughly documented history. Dr Karl’s gift is telling true stories that happen to be stranger than fiction. His enthusiasm for science is infectious.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but a little junior for my tastes. Glad I have read it though!