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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
It is a great choice for someone's first science book. I loved the journey even though a lot of information is basic, everyone can find something of value on this book. Especially a young reader
Very good general overview of several topics within science. My favorite parts were the in depth analysis of the rainbow and how it gives so much information about the universe (outside of when it rains), as well as the discussions on the possibility of there being life on other planets.
A delightful introduction to science for adolescents and beyond; I'm sure I knew all of it at one point but even as an adult I learned a lot. Discussions of seemingly simple and narrow topics are used to provide a gateway to broader explorations of scientific fields like physics, astronomy, and chemistry. True to form, Dawkins' chapters on evolutionary biology are breathtaking in their clarity. All of this is enhanced by the truly incredible illustrations - don't pick this up unless you can get the illustrated edition. Other than the final, unnecessary chapter debunking miracles, I loved this every bit as much as the grade 7 student to whom I gifted a copy in a class book draw last Easter.
4.5/5
*Note: incredibly, the publishers didn't put an X through a throwaway aside about cult leaders using their female members for sex, thus making the book a questionable choice for readers younger than 13 or so - in spite of the value that could be derived from the rest of the book's contents.
4.5/5
*Note: incredibly, the publishers didn't put an X through a throwaway aside about cult leaders using their female members for sex, thus making the book a questionable choice for readers younger than 13 or so - in spite of the value that could be derived from the rest of the book's contents.
I really enjoyed this book. I think everybody should read (or l listen) to this book. That said, I learned little or nothing from it.
But that's because I've been immersed in science and scientific thought since an early age. How does genetic inheritance work? Got it. Why are there seasons? Got it? Birth of the universe, speciation, so on and so forth. Got it.
This is knowledge that I think it benefits everyone to be familiar with. And Dawkins does such a great job of presenting it in a very approachable format. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dawkins and Lalla Ward and it was a very pleasant experience.
Each chapter is a question. And the first answers are based on myths from all over the world. From there the answers expand into scientific answers, based on what we've learned and what we now know that our ancestors could not. Could not in many cases because of the lack of proper instruments. Tools create knowledge, no doubt about that!
So, if you have any questions on how the physical world works, or if you think you already know it all, you will find this book worthwhile, entertaining, and a quick read.
And, bonus!, Dawkins tones down on his religious rhetoric enough to be only slightly irritating and not of-putting for believers.
But that's because I've been immersed in science and scientific thought since an early age. How does genetic inheritance work? Got it. Why are there seasons? Got it? Birth of the universe, speciation, so on and so forth. Got it.
This is knowledge that I think it benefits everyone to be familiar with. And Dawkins does such a great job of presenting it in a very approachable format. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dawkins and Lalla Ward and it was a very pleasant experience.
Each chapter is a question. And the first answers are based on myths from all over the world. From there the answers expand into scientific answers, based on what we've learned and what we now know that our ancestors could not. Could not in many cases because of the lack of proper instruments. Tools create knowledge, no doubt about that!
So, if you have any questions on how the physical world works, or if you think you already know it all, you will find this book worthwhile, entertaining, and a quick read.
And, bonus!, Dawkins tones down on his religious rhetoric enough to be only slightly irritating and not of-putting for believers.
informative
medium-paced
A very well written book that answers interesting and commonly asked questions. And while it will be an enjoyable read for anyone, it is definitely aimed for people who do not have a background in science. However, I'd recommend it to everyone. If you don't have a background in science this book is a brilliant place to start and provides you with some essential knowledge and answers to great questions. And if you do have a background in science, you'll still enjoy the read and writing style.
informative
medium-paced
This book ought to deserve 5 stars, but it's full of sentences like this:
"The elements are conveniently set out in a table called the periodic table---I won't go into why it's called that, although it's interesting."
It's infuriating that Dawkins can't make science simple without mutilating the details. This is presumably a book for children, and I can't see how this approach is supposed to get them excited to learn more, when Dawkins continuously refuses to complete his explanations.
"The elements are conveniently set out in a table called the periodic table---I won't go into why it's called that, although it's interesting."
It's infuriating that Dawkins can't make science simple without mutilating the details. This is presumably a book for children, and I can't see how this approach is supposed to get them excited to learn more, when Dawkins continuously refuses to complete his explanations.
In very simple, clear and engaging writing, which seems more aimed at children, Dawkins explains just about everything you want to know about science but were too embarrassed to ask because you might look stupid (yeah, why are there different seasons). Kind of does reignite your wonder at the universe.
This is a beautiful book with some really great illustrations, and it does a wonderful job of making science accessible to younger readers (although, not super young - the writing style is a bit challenging at times). This would be a really cool textbook, or style for a textbook.
The writing occasionally edges into the dry, but there are enough anecdotes and pretty pictures to make up for the occasional wall of text.
My only problem is with his approach towards mythological stories. I like the variety he presented, but I would have liked more historical context behind the stories as well as the recognition that a lot of stories like the ones he shared were ancient people's way of exploring/explaining the world around them, even though they sound silly today. However, he does use the stories as a way of teaching logical, critical thinking, which I liked.
Anyway, I wish I had known how cool science was in school. This book helped me clear up a few bits of confusion (mostly about atoms, because I pretty much just suffered through chemistry class blankly) and offers a neat perspective on the world.
The writing occasionally edges into the dry, but there are enough anecdotes and pretty pictures to make up for the occasional wall of text.
My only problem is with his approach towards mythological stories. I like the variety he presented, but I would have liked more historical context behind the stories as well as the recognition that a lot of stories like the ones he shared were ancient people's way of exploring/explaining the world around them, even though they sound silly today. However, he does use the stories as a way of teaching logical, critical thinking, which I liked.
Anyway, I wish I had known how cool science was in school. This book helped me clear up a few bits of confusion (mostly about atoms, because I pretty much just suffered through chemistry class blankly) and offers a neat perspective on the world.