What science book is your most recent read? What do you think about it? Pt. 2

[Jim]

That was really good. I'm going to mention it in another topic.

[Charise]

I have just started reading Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants
I enjoy her ability to mix her awe of plants with scientific information. We recently had the opportunity to listen to Ms. Goodall speak in Berlin; her energy, enthusiasm, and the fact that she still retains her sense of wonder is incredible as well as something to strive for.

[Dariana]

*Saves link for later. Is learning about HIPAA*

[David]

I just finished reading the book How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking, by Jordan Ellenberg. It is an excellent, very engaging book about the application of mathematics to everyday life. I highly recommend it! Here is my review.

[Katy]

David wrote: "I just finished reading the book How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking, by Jordan Ellenberg. It is an excellent, very engaging book about the application of mathem..."

Oh good to hear. I was tempted by this book a while back and added it to my TBR list -- but hadn't gone further than that. Now I will look up a copy to read.

[Nancy]

You've talked me into it too! Sounds good.

[Katy]

Will have to nominate it for a group read next time around!

[Steve]

Just re-read Carving Grand Canyon: Evidence, Theories, and Mystery by Wayne Ranney. If you think the geologic history of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon is pretty straight forward and could be handled in one chapter, think again.

Whether you see the canyon and river from the top or the bottom, it is an astounding, mind altering experience.

Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kikyosan]

I'm reading A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There, and I was wondering if it is famous or well known in US or UK and how it is perceived, because here in Italy it is really unknown (only biologists can say to have read it).

It is a fundamental work about philosophical and ethical roots of Conservation biology, a book that represents the shift from a men-centred view to a land-centred one, where man sees himself as a citizen of the world, and not its tyrant. So I'd like to know its impact in its native Country (US).
I like it very much, it very poetic and full of causes for reflections.

[Jim]

Thanks, Kikyosan. I've never read it, but just ordered a copy. Have you read Silent Spring? That's the book I think of as early, popular environmentalist work. Not the same as conservation, but related.

[Glynn]

Kikyosan wrote: "I'm reading A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There, and I was wondering if it is famous or well known in US or UK and how it is perceived, because here in Italy it is reall..."

Hi Kikyosan. Here in the US I would say it was well-known in it's day. I read it in the 70s when I was very into saving the environment and enjoyed it very much. I am not sure though how well-known it is today.

[Kikyosan]

Yes Jim, I've read it and you're right, it is another milestone of conservation biology, because after its publication DDT (and other herbicids) was finally considered a problem and then (in '70s) it was forbidden. A new sensibility arouse among people because they were touched closely by the deleterious effects of DDT through ecological webs (thus, conservation is directly involved).

Maybe this book is more famous than Leopold's, because it is more "sensational", it showed tangible and visible issues related to a lack of consciousness in managing our enviroment. And we know, until the effects are not close to us and visible, we simply don't mind.

I'd like to know your opinion about A Sand County Almanac, when you read it. You can also read a lot of thing about Leopold on the internet. You could be surprise to discover he was a hunter :) hunters and conservationists have always been related.

[Kikyosan]

Glynn wrote: "Hi Kikyosan. Here in the US I would say it was well-known in it's day. I read it in the 70s when I was very into saving the environment and enjoyed it very much. I am not sure though how well-known it is today.
"

Hi Glynn! thanks! I was told it was a cult book in US, and I was curious to know something more about its contribute to their ecological awareness. It is quite old and it would be great if it is still considered a landmark.

[Dan's]

I am reading this lovely book [ the III tome, actually]
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

it's really amazing, the writing is not dense, quite easily comprehensible, an easy way to access this 'dense forest' of information.. doesn't 'go down'to the 'inner core' of specific matters, but it adresses them in a lucide way, for 'most' ppl involved in this branch of science [from a teachers-students perspective]

It's really weird, after so many faulty textbooks in school, and then condenced chapters on Uni books, I find this relaxing pace, in a Core textbook, which still answers on so many Q, I don't regrett a little bit, that I returned on the next week, with my oxn copy of Medicine Genetics, and changed it for the 3rd translated tome of this masterpiece [both tomes were bought in a selling spree, due to sales [30-40%] and despite my intial hesitation it seems to have paid off ,my return, for buying it out in it's roginal price after all!

side note : Now my only is that on the 'side proposals' here on GR, only a single book outta 10 proved to haev even a 'side relevance' to this book! ha ha wonder why that is!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

My parents and grandparents certainly had A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There when I was growing up. (In fact, we still have a copy.) I'd say it was quite well-known in the middle of the last century.

[Jim]

Kikyosan wrote: "...I'd like to know your opinion about A Sand County Almanac, when you read it. You can also read a lot of thing about Leopold on the internet. You could be surprise to discover he was a hunter :) hunters and conservationists have always been related. "

Will do. There are a lot of hunter conservationists in my family. I no longer hunt, but do shoot a fair few pests. We've had an explosion of raccoons around here the past couple of years. A lot of skunks too, although my last meeting with them, I wound up herding a mother & her kits out of our field & across the pony's paddock. That was a new experience for me. I've herded cattle, sheep, & goats, but never skunks before.
:)

[Kikyosan]

funny thing to herd skunks...from far away!! I think you'll appreciate Leopold, he "paints" vivid images of his life in his 120-acres farm in Wisconsin. and the very first chapter is about a skunk track in the snow :)

[Kikyosan]

thank Susanna. It seems my information about this book is quite outdated!! :)

[David]

I just finished reading Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of Species by Sean Carroll. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in adventure stories or evolution. Extremely well written and engaging. Here is my review.

[Kikyosan]

thanks David! I can't say no to Carroll.

[David]

I just finished reading the book A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Dr. Barbara Oakley. This book is not about math or science; it is a self-help book for improving your study habits. If you are in school or college and would like to help yourself study and take tests more efficiently, then this book has some good advice for you. Here is my review.

[Jim]

I didn't get halfway through Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know before I had to abandon it. The science was too watered down & she's one of the new breed of idiots that doesn't believe in negative reinforcement. I gave the book 1 star here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[David]

I just finished read the book Design in Nature: How the Constructal Law Governs Evolution in Biology, Physics, Technology, and Social Organization by Adrian Bejan. The constructal law, the author claims, is an organizing principle for all flows in nature. It is a very clever idea, but it is buried in a rather tedious book. Here is my review.

[Kikyosan]

In this period I'm reading a lot of scientific peer-reviewed articles, Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores and some extracts by Stanley Coren about dogs. It's a pity that Jim's last reading was not scientifically satisfying, as it would have been perfect for me in these months.

[Jim]

I'm listening to Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye the Science Guy. My kids loved his show & so did I, when I could catch it. This book is pretty good, written as an outgrowth of his debate with Ken Hamm, the idiot Creationist. (I live in KY & have to put up with these people constantly.)

Anyway, it's not a book for real scientists, but is quite good for a layman like myself. They've filled in a lot more gaps since I was in school & while I've kept up with many, there is some new material & it's all together in one comprehensive package. Nye is doing the narration, so it's fun, too.

[Scott]

>>> the idiot Creationist (I live in KY & have to put up with these people constantly.)
Discussion relevance?

[Jim]

They're against science & inquiry, so that makes the point relevant.

[Jim]

I gave 5 stars to Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation by Bill Nye, the Science Guy. He did a great job explaining evolution. Both fun & interesting at the same time.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kikyosan]

I've just finished Scent and the Scenting Dog by W.G. Syrotuck (1972). As I wrote in my review, this is a very condensed and useful book if you want to understand how a dog sniffs when he is working as a detection dog. It can help in being a better handler, but it should be updated.

[Jim]

I'm not seeing your review, Kikyosan. Can you post a link to it, please?

[Kikyosan]

Sure, Jim
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And if you're interested in dogs, here's another review about another simple book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[D.C.]

Rohan wrote: "I read E=mc²: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation by David Bodanis in June and also finished reading A Planet of Viruses, which was a group read for July. Here are the brief reviews:
ht..."

I've been curious about A Planet of Viruses: Second Edition

Thanks for reminding me. I used this idea in my debut novel, and the idea of how easily we could all be wiped out (if not for our great medical/research community). I compared it to the cocoliths, which have similar traits to humans.

[D.C.]

Aaron wrote: "Just finished reading the new book by Ben Way called Jobocalypse: The End of Human Jobs and How Robots Will Replace Them. The book explores the present and future of robotics and it..."

I've been trying to find some good info on robotics, and where it currently is, development-wise. I was doing some research on Swarm Intelligence, and ran across this.

Take a look at this video - watch it all the way through. Pretty mind-blowing.

Robots that can adapt like animals (Nature cover article)

http://bit.ly/1Q6Dlhc

Fun stuff.

[D.C.]

Kenny wrote: "I'm re-reading "The Trouble with Physics" by Lee Smolin. Great stuff

The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science and What Comes Next"

I enjoyed Smolin's The Life of the Cosmos way back when. I'll have to check this out. I agree with the basic book premise he has written up.

[D.C.]

D.C. wrote: "Kenny wrote: "I'm re-reading "The Trouble with Physics" by Lee Smolin. Great stuff

The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science and What Comes Next"

I ..."

I see Smolin has a newer book out that he co-authored.

The Singular Universe and the Reality of Time: A Proposal in Natural Philosophy

[D.C.]

Craig wrote: "Just finished "The Universe Within". Probably one of the best books I've read, clearly written for both those versed in scientific endeavors and the layman alike, that presents an integration of co..."

This looks really good. Here's the link:

The Universe Within: The Deep History of the Human Body

I'll be purchasing this. Thanks.

[D.C.]

Charise wrote: "I am reading The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live & Why They Matter and if you are interested in the natural history and genetics of plants this is an excellen..."

interesting

[D.C.]

Kenny wrote: "I'm re-reading "The Trouble with Physics" by Lee Smolin. Great stuff

The Trouble with Physics: The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science and What Comes Next"

One book I enjoyed years ago regarding string theories and hidden dimensions was The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

Science moves fast, however; so many books are out of date upon release. It was a fun read though.

[D.C.]

Kenny wrote: "I'm always skeptical when anything claims to be "A Completer Guide to ...." :)"

I find the Oxford references are pretty decent. I have the one for philosophy, too.

A Dictionary of Physics is an updated version.

I also picked up a cheap Penguin book, Dictionary of Physics along time ago, which covers more of the basic terminology for quick reference.

The Penguin Dictionary of Physics
Sometimesvery simple wording is better.

[D.C.]

Aaron wrote: "Just finished reading the new book by David Epstein called The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance. The book explores how genes and environment int..."

Purchasing this. Thanks.

[D.C.]

A couple of other references I found fun and handy in a pinch. Both a bit dated, however.

Q Is for Quantum : An Encyclopedia of Particle Physics I have this older version, but I noticed an update by Gribbin.

and,

Companion to the Cosmos
another John Gribbon book.

You can get lost in linking from one concept to another for hours of reading and making connections.

[Jim]

I just listened to Surviving AI: The promise and peril of artificial intelligence by Calum Chace. It was darn good, although a little light for me. It's short, a little over 4 hours in audio. Not that I'm any kind of scientist, but I do work with computers a fair amount & I've been reading AI stories since I was a little kid. More old SF stories are now becoming real. Incredible.

I gave it 4 stars here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Been reading bill brysons brief history of everything. Witty and interesting but suffers I think from the lack of a continuous narrative through line. I think that's the trick with science books you ideally need a narrative thread and a small cast of characters. I greatly enjoyed Darwin and the Barnacle for that reason

[Jim]

I just finished an abridged version of Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin. I don't usually listen to such & now I want to listen to the whole thing. His writing is quite good especially in this medium. His observations on geology & the local people were great too. I gave it 5 stars here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[David]

I just finished reading The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain by James Fallon. This book is truly fascinating; the author is a neuroscientist who is himself a psychopath! Here is my review.

[Courtney]

Right now I'm reading "Ancestors Tale" by Richard Dawkins. This is my first book by him and I'm really enjoying it. I must say he is the sassiest person I've ever read. His writing is eloquent, but sometimes I don't think he does a good job explaining certain scientific concepts. I'm graduating with a BS in biology this December and I had to reread a few pages.

But I recently finished " Terrible Typhoid Mary: A true story of the deadliest cook in America" by Susan Campbell. It was an okay book. It read more like a story and there was some speculation involved( nothing big, just minor things). It was a quick read.

[Jim]

Courtney wrote: "But I recently finished " Terrible Typhoid Mary: A true story of the deadliest cook in America" ..."

I wonder what we'd do with her today? There was a lot of talk about the rights of the nurse who had ebola.

I haven't listened to any by Dawkins, but that sounds interesting.

[Courtney]

Well one of the problems was this was right around we were just figuring out bacteria. So to her she didn't quite understand how she was getting people sick when she wasn't sick or never been sick(that's what she claimed anyway). She actually helped take care of them.. I think since a vast majority of developed countries accept germ theory it wouldn't be as big of an issue.

If you like evolution you might enjoy ancestors tale . However some of his other books are about atheism and he's been criticized for being a "militants atheist".

[Jim]

Have you read Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors by Nicholas Wade? That was really good. My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Courtney]

No I have not if I'll check it out.