General Books - Page 6

What Einstein Didn't Know : Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions

Robert Wolke

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good for kids of all ages 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for my daughter (12 years), the Indonesian Language version one, and i read it too. It is a good book that explain everyday science in a very easy language. I always believe the real test of good teaching is being able to expain complex fenomena in a simple and interesting way.

Some materials are a bit too-basic if you already know a lot, so i think this books suits teenager and good for enticing their curiosity to see everyday happenings in a deeper way. To teach kids how to think more and get them interested in life. One good alternative to the world of "game boy" and all the bell n wistles of computer games ;-) and MTV.

Great books for everyday knowledge 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

It is winter time in Boston and since I was a kid, I was always curious why people sprinkle salts during the snow. I asked my dad and he told me, it was so "we can walk better with the salt providing some texture on the ground." Well, after reading this book, I now know why my dad is terrible in science. LOL. This book brings up a lot of day-to-day things that we in the Western World take for granted. I admit that I have a deeper appreciation for science and how creative the mind can be. Now I know more about inner working of the events around me. More than that, I feel like I'm smarter, or at least more knowledgeable. Wow. If a book can have that type of impact on me, I have to give it 5 stars.

Editorial Review:

A "Washington Post" columnist offers a fun, fascinating guide to everyday science for those who never wore a slide rule or a pocket protector.

Mabberley's Plant-book: A Portable Dictionary of Plants, their Classifications, and Uses

David J. Mabberley

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A review is superfluous 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.

This book does not need a review. Anybody who is involved in plants, other than the garden kind, knows full well that this is an essential reference. Quite up to date too, which is pretty amazing in view of the pace that science sets. There is an enormous mass of data in here, printed on very thin paper, making for a very handy book that will fit a spot near where you need it, which is likely to be often.

Editorial Review:

Mabberley's Plant-Book is internationally accepted as an essential reference text for anyone studying, growing or writing about plants. In over 20,000 entries this comprehensive dictionary provides information on every family and genus of seed-bearing plant (including gymnosperms) plus ferns and clubmosses, combining taxonomic details and uses with English and other vernacular names. In this new edition each entry has been updated to take into consideration the most recent literature, notably the great advances from molecular analyses, and over 1650 additional new entries (including ecologically and economically important genera of mosses) have been added, ensuring that Mabberley's Plant-Book continues to rank among the most practical and authoritative botanical texts available.

Successful Scientific Writing: A Step-By-step Guide for Biomedical Scientists

Janice R. Matthews, John M. Bowen, Robert W. Matthews

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Watch what you eat! 5 out of 5 stars.
24 of 24 people found this review helpful.

Words can hardly express the beauty and cleverness of "Successful Scientific Writing" by Matthews, Bowen and Matthews as a step-by-step guide on how to write scientific reports for publication in English. I am using this book for a course that I teach on scientific writing at the Postgraduate School of Health Sciences at Aarhus University in Denmark, and I find it to be perfect! Before this book was published, there was none that dealt so well and so entertainingly with so many aspects of what it actually takes to prepare a manuscript for publication in a scientific journal. Many young (and old) scientists are good thinkers, but they are often poor writers! Thus, although they may have been able to design and carry out an experiment, they often lack the ability to express what they have done clearly and concisely. This book is for them! The first few chapters provide mainly words of encouragement for getting the writing process underway. There are also remarkable bits of advice, such as the notion of avoiding certan snacks that could derail ones momentum. In my view, the crux of the book appears in chapters 5, 6 and 7 in which extraordinarily lucid and practical instructions and exercises are presented for improving one's ability to write scientifically. There are also tips on how to optimize word-processing so that the manuscript submitted to the editor of a journal is most likely to be accepted for publication. Perhaps some old-timers in Science can do without this book, but they should nevertheless have a copy of it on hand for their students.

Editorial Review:

This new edition of the acclaimed step-by-step guide encompasses all aspects of typescript preparation from first to final draft, including efficient use of word processing, electronic database literature services, the Internet, and email. The authors provide sensible advice on inclusive word choices and communication for writers and readers of different first languages. Abundant examples, practical tips, and self-help exercises draw on extensive experience with actual typescripts. In addition, a detailed index and numerous references make information easy to find. Applicable to a variety of scientific writing contexts, Successful Scientific Writing is a powerful tool for improving individual skills, as well as an eminently suitable text for classes or seminars on scientific writing.

Introducing Chaos, New Edition (Introducing)

Ziauddin Sardar

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Confused and Mistaken 1 out of 5 stars.
17 of 23 people found this review helpful.

The main problem with the book is its emphasis on multiculterism, not to mention that the author simply does not know his stuff. We are told that Galileo ignored friction in order to get "neat results" and somehow caused Western science to only study linear systems. He seems to think that nonlinearity and chaos are the same thing. He tells us that nonlinear problems are not solvable. He actually suggests that we have only recently seen that the three-body problem is chaotic. (Instead Poincare proved the chaotic nature of the problem around 1890.) He seems to think that Asian philosophies actually capture the mathematical substance of chaos theory. I could go on. If you want to study chaos get the volume "Chaos and Fractals: New Frontiers of Science" by Peitgen, Jurgens, and Saupe.

"Chaos" (not Chaos theory) is all this book introduces you. 1 out of 5 stars.
12 of 18 people found this review helpful.

I was looking for an easy-to-understand book on Chaos Theory for some non-English speakers (say, some Japanese students) to read, and I personally like "Introducing Fractal Geometry", so I got my hand on this book...

It was a mistake.

I would not say much about this. The author did introduce Chaos, not really Chaos theory, to the readers. He tried his best, I believe, to make things easy to understand by simplifying things... However, in doing so, he had just created Chaos.

Hence, this book is probably one of the best examples of "How Simplicity creates Complexity and Chaos"... a simple scheme found in Complex systems (like complex Cellular Automata which emerged from a simple set of rules).

One thing, while a lot of names (technical terms) were introduced, almost all of them are left unexplained. And I think only "introducing" is never enough. (Well, it was the name of the book afterall... this book wasn't named "Explaing Chaos" :)

There are other good books on Chaos for layperson. And, in fact, "Introducing Fractal Geometry" did a far better job than this one.

Editorial Review:

This book explains how chaos makes its presence felt in many varieties of event, from the fluctuation of animal populations to the ups and downs of the stock market.

The Stem Cell Divide: The Facts, the Fiction, and the Fear Driving the Greatest Scientific, Political, and Religious Debate of Our Time

Michael Bellomo

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

There has been much recent debate about the merits, dangers, and nature of stem cell research. Some see in it the answer to every debilitating disease known to man, while others see it as a step away from human cloning.

While the battle has raged, research is moving ahead, and California has already passed a measure that will give $3 billion in support to stem cell research. But as politics, religion, and the media weigh in on this complex issue, more and more of the scientific reality of stem cell research is getting lost. In the search for the truth about stem cell science, the author has interviewed the scientists whose cutting-edge research is at the very heart of this hot-button issue. The book explains what they have accomplished so far, what they're currently doing, and what they see on the horizon.

The Stem Cell Divide does not take sides, and the author debunks the distortions and exaggerations that come from every camp. This book does not tell readers what to think, but gives them the facts necessary to form their own opinions about one of the most divisive, complex, and potentially life-changing developments in history.

The ACS Style Guide: Effective Communication of Scientific Information (An American Chemical Society Publication)

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Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the time since the second edition of The ACS Style Guide was published, the rapid growth of electronic communication has dramatically changed the scientific, technical, and medical (STM) publication world. This dynamic mode of dissemination is enabling scientists, engineers, and medical practitioners all over the world to obtain and transmit information quickly and easily. An essential constant in this changing environment is the requirement that information remain accurate, clear, unambiguous, and ethically sound.
This extensive revision of The ACS Style Guide thoroughly examines electronic tools now available to assist STM writers in preparing manuscripts and communicating with publishers. Valuable updates include discussions of markup languages, citation of electronic sources, online submission of manuscripts, and preparation of figures, tables, and structures. In keeping current with the changing environment, this edition also contains references to many resources on the internet.
With this wealth of new information, The ACS Style Guide's Third Edition continues its long tradition of providing invaluable insight on ethics in scientific communication, the editorial process, copyright, conventions in chemistry, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and writing style for any STM author, reviewer, or editor. The Third Edition is the definitive source for all information needed to write, review, submit, and edit scholarly and scientific manuscripts.

Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science

Paul R. Gross, Norman Levitt

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Postmodernism exploded 4 out of 5 stars.
24 of 26 people found this review helpful.

Gross and Levitt do a fine job of demolishing postmodernism in its various guises. The authors' impatience with, and honest surprise at, the academic left's ridiculously incompetent attacks on scientific objectivity is expressed throughout the book alongside some penetrating analyses of, and cogent arguments against, a string of postmodernistic theses.

The book has, however, one serious shortcoming: The authors' justified impatience with the academic left too often seems to make them forget - repeated assurances to the contrary notwithstanding - that a good many honest scholars within the humanities departments are just as hostile to postmodernism as any scientist. Eager to disclose the nonsense behind the empty rhetoric of the "scholars" of postmodernism, Gross and Levitt simultaneously discloses what seems to me to be a far from praiseworthy disdain of the humanities in general.

I am educated in the humanities, but my attitude is very much pro science. I was therefore frequently frustrated when I read "Higher Superstition", because I felt stabbed in the back by the authors' propensity to treat humanities scholars as of all of the same kind - e.g. as mathematically "illiterate". Gross and Levitt ought to know that even though humanities scholars rarely know anything about avant-garde mathematical and physical research this does not in itself betoken a lack of abilities, skill or intelligence on the part of those scholars. Reality has many different and fascinating aspects and no one can be an expert within every field of research. We pick the subject that interests us the most, and Gross and Levitt should accept that not all intellectuals find mathematics or quantum mechanics as interesting as e.g. history, anthropology or psychology.

Unfortunately, Gross and Levitt too often seem to equate the liberal arts with some kind of cosy game that can lead anywhere because of a lack of rules. This is grossly unfair - not to say ridiculous and demeaning - to scholars within the humanities departments. But to me it is regrettably an altogether too typical example of the intellectual arrogance that typifies many scientists' attitude to any kind of research that is not about the "exact" or "hard" sciences. Why shouldn't the humanities pretend to study an objective reality by way of stringent methodological rules and in the hope of providing sound, corroborated theories and true propositions? Why can't there be a good theory of e.g. the origins of World War I? Surely, Gross and Levitt wouldn't want to claim that there can be no true or false statements within the humanities? Were that the case, Gross and Levitt would be exactly as naïve and unjustified as the postmodernists who level the same charge against science. The fact that the humanities don't use particle accelerators or advanced mathematics does not in itself falsify their claim to objectivity. Surely the nature of the subject matter - and not the postulates of arrogant scientists - must decide questions of methodology. Objectivity is not just a matter of expensive laboratories and men in white coats.

An obvious example of the authors' condescending attitude towards the humanities is their musings on the question of which of the two - science or the humanities - is least dispensable to the human race. Apparently, Gross and Levitt think that whereas a world without science would be a terrible place, a world without the humanities would only be marginally (if at all) worse than the present one. I find the question in it self rather childish - science and the humanities are not competitors - but were I to play this game I'd point out that a scientifically advanced world without an adequate appreciation of the arts, literature, ethics etc. would be a world in which any Hitler or Stalin wannabe had every chance of blowing everything apart. Science can tell us how the world is - but only the humanities can tell us about how we ought to live our lives and treat each other. Gross and Levitt would do well to learn this lesson. Their claim that they themselves could teach a course in the humanities is hilarious and it made me shake my head in disbelief. I've been taught philosophy and history by teachers who have spent a lifetime studying these subjects. But of course, Gross and Levitt are not only wiser by far than anyone else when it comes to mathematics and physics. They also know everything worthwhile about subjects outside their area of expertise! A modicum of respect and humility - or just plain old modesty - would not be amiss.

This criticism aside, there ought to be no doubt about the high quality of the authors' writing and logic. This is an important and well written book; it should command the attention of the intelligent reader and prompt some serious considerations of basic questions in epistemology and philosophy of science. I can heartily recommend this book.

Editorial Review:

With the emergence of "cultural studies" and the blurring of once-clear academic boundaries, scholars are turning to subjects far outside their traditional disciplines and areas of expertise. In this book, the authors raise serious questions about the growing criticism of science by humanists and social scientists on the "academic left.".

Science Is...: A source book of fascinating facts, projects and activities

Susan V. Bosak

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This classic, award-winning, bestselling science activity book has a fresh new look and updated information for 2000. Its the biggest and best collection of science activities for children 6-14 years. Its jam-packed with more than 450 ideas, attention-getters, projects, experiments, games, puzzles, and stories. All areas of science are covered matter and energy; the human body; the environment; rocks; plants; animals; insects; weather; stars and planets; and technology.

It's for PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS: Heres your answer to all the questions children ask and all the wonders they want to explore from gigantic bubbles to a mini-volcano, to the mysteries of the universe to the wonders of the insect world. Includes science fair project ideas!

It's for TEACHERS: This is the ultimate, hands-on educational resource to enrich and support any curriculum, from elementary grades to high school. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) rates "Science Is..." as an "excellent" book.

"Science Is..." is truly easy to use, with plenty of background information and engaging cartoons and illustrations. All the activities have been tested and require only readily-available, inexpensive materials. Activities range in length from the popular "Quickies" to projects that can be done over several days or weeks. There are also plenty of fascinating facts did you know that a cockroach can live for nine days without its head?

A Using This Book section provides practical information on guiding and encouraging children in science. The Other Resources listing has been completely updated to help you find other quality books and useful organizations.

"Science Is..." is a terrific value that takes children through years of thought-provoking adventures!

"This book belongs in every home, every classroom. The definitive motherlode book to turn children on to the adventure of science." (Childsplay Magazine)

"An innovative book . . . Youngsters will be intrigued by the exciting activities crammed into this book." (Todays Parent)

"Once in a while, a book comes along which everyone should have. Consider this a treasure whose time has come. This book is a must!" (Science Education International ICASE)

"A gold mine of activities. Highly recommended!" (California Classroom Science)

Fab: The Coming Revolution on Your Desktop--from Personal Computers to Personal Fabrication

Neil Gershenfeld

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Fab is not happening.. 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Despite many good reviews on this book, I find it disappointing. The book is a historical summary of the work that MIT labs did. Neil got his PhD in Physics from Cornell University, dabbled into Computer Programming, examples were on C programming and some Assembly Language codes. It is easy to impress physics students these topics. But all computer students learn C and Assembly in the 1970s. They have very limited use today. Most of the equipment, laser cutters, and others were used in the 1960s. Yes, they may be useful in India, Ghana, but Norway?

Fast forward to 2007, Microsoft is doing C# (sharp) .NET programming, Windows Vista and Office 2007. Jobs are created to support all these new softwares. With globalization and outsourcing, USA manufacturing jobs are done to 23% and service sector jobs are 77%.

With NSF grants and student enthusiasm, Neil's CBA reseach continues. But MIT graduates do not get jobs in manufacturing or personal fabrications. They mostly find work in programming, business systems, or work in the financial sector in NYC. Is FAB a good training for these jobs?

Conclusion, it is great that we can bring manufacturing back, but the reality is: FAB is not happening in USA any time soon.

Editorial Review:

What if you could someday put the manufacturing power of an automobile plant on your desktop? According to Neil Gershenfeld, the renowned MIT scientist and inventor, the next big thing is personal fabrication-the ability to design and produce your own products, in your own home, with a machine that combines consumer electronics and industrial tools. Personal fabricators are about to revolutionize the world just as personal computers did a generation ago, and Fab shows us how.

Reading Statistics and Research

Schuyler W. Huck, William H. Cormier, Cormier

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

If you have to take Statistics, at least get this book! 5 out of 5 stars.
36 of 48 people found this review helpful.

I've said it before, and I will say it again. I hate Statistics! It is not just that statistics originated as a means to classify and rank people according to their perceived social worth. Statistics is still used that way as evidenced by the publication and use of the book The Bell Curve. In comparision to a pure science like Neuroscience and also to mathematics, statistics is a subjective science. Everyone knows that statistics can be manipulated and used to show whatever the researcher wants to show...and it is more prone to abuse then most other hard sciences and math.

Ok, having said that...I had to take a statistics course at the last minute (read that last year) while working on my dissertation, because it was determined I did not have enough measurements classes. This book was required, but it really has not been used as much as the other textbook which is equation-based, but I quickly found that I preferred this book!

This textbook explains how and why statistics are used in all sciences, social sciences, etc. and how they are to be interpreted when seen in a journal. It is very concise...the authors for once are not writing for their peers, they are writing for their audience (which are going to be students, grad students, patient/consumers, etc). The book is written with an eye towards helping the reader understand the reasoning and logic behind using statistics. It is done with minimal decorative writing, and with a sense of humor. It makes use of good examples of both good and bad statistic use in papers and journals, it lambasts those who need lambasting, and it has a sense of humor.

If you have to understand statistics so you can read medical journals, sociology, educational journals, etc. this is the book to get. It is immensely helpful. I will rid my library of all other statistical books, but this one I will keep (since my statistics outside of class will be either on computers or I will do qualitative research!)
Karen Sadler,

Science Education,
University of PIttsburgh

Editorial Review:

This text shows consumers of research how to read, understand, and critically evaluate the statistical information and research results contained in technical research reports. The text is also useful for applied researchers who need advice on how to analyze their own data and summarize their empirical findings. Students in education and other disciplines need to learn how to interpret and use statistics and research, but often they do not have any way to begin this process. This text clearly and methodically presents basic statistical and research concepts and illustrates how to employ them in making sound educational decisions. Excerpts from more than 500 recent research articles are presented, analyzed, and discussed to illustrate concepts, while numerous cases, terms and review questions help guide the discussion.