To Boldly Go Where No Book Has Gone Before: A Joyous Journey Through All of Science

by Luke O'Neill

Science is a serious business, right? Wrong.Scientists have been participants in the best reality show of all time, with all the highs, lows, bust-ups, and strange personalities of any show on telly today. From Luke O'Neill - the science teacher you wish you'd had - this hugely accessible history of science reveals the human stories behind the biggest discoveries.For example, we meet Charles Darwin as he weighs up the pros and cons of marrying his 'constant companion' vs 'less money for books'. Tough call.To Boldly Go Where No Book Has Gone Before covers everything from space travel and evolution to alchemy and AI. Written by one of our leading scientists, this is an insider's account that celebrates the joy of science. It is filled with all the juicy bits that other histories leave out.'If science and medicine were a theme park, Luke O'Neill is the best company on the wildest rides . . . serious and fun . . . expansive and detailed . . . a disruptive professor in his own class' - BONO

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

368 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2023

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because it looked very approachable from the view point of a non-scientist like me. It was very approachable and readable but for me, it was still mostly a chore to get through! There were many names that were familiar to me from partially remembered and unappreciated science lessons at school. It was a light hearted read though and included fun facts: did you know the average smart phone has 75 of the elements in the periodic table? It took the trouble to include many notable female scientists as well. The history of medicine was really the only chapter where I felt I knew most of the facts and felt genuinely engaged. My rating is an average score because I found the content difficult, but that’s not the author’s fault!

[Mehtap exotiquetv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein Buch über die wissenschaftliche Neugier und wie diese zur Veränderung unserer Welt geführt hat. Dabei gibt er kurze historische Einblicke in die wichtigsten wissenschaftlichen Errungenschaften der letzten Jahrhunderte. Von Currie bis Einstein sind alle vertreten. Deswegen ist dieses Buch nur unter den Umständen empfehlenswert, wer sich noch nicht mit den großen Namen der Wissenschaft beschäftigt hat.

[Vanessa (Nessreadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book covering a wide range of topics from evolution to space travel to AI. I love how Luke explains things in a fun and accessible way so you don't necessarily need a scientific background to enjoy this.

My favourite part is finding out that Charles Darwin made a pro and con list before getting married and the con was "less money for books". Hard relate Charles!

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clearly written book about science from historical times to the present day. Luke O'Neill brings a humour to the subject which is lacking in some other books about the subject and, being a scientist himself, he can talk with authority about many of the issues facing humankind today, ending with the biggest challenge, that of climate change. Well worth a read. Amusingly one of the books in the Further Reading section at the end of the book is The Sleepwalkers by Arthur Koestler which I'm reading now! Coincidence or fate or...?

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun and intriguing book covering the history and advances in a wide range of science fields. even topics that I usually didn’t give much thought to, like space travel, were made interesting by Luke.

[Mairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, what a ride!

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A whirlwind history of science and scientists sprinkled with quirky tidbits and Dad joke grade humour.

[David M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring journey through so many branches of science. Luke's passion for science, coupled with his fun and wit makes this an absolute must-read. I couldn't recommend it more highly