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A review by 1outside
The Joy of Science by Jim Al-Khalili
3.0
I like Jim Al-Khalili a lot. Love his documentaries and his podcast, as well as his books (have by far not read all of them yet, but did read the sci-fi novel!)...as far as I can tell he's a great guy whose way of thinking I definitely share to a certain degree. (Even though I'm shit at math.)
This book, however, was an underwhelming experience. Over spring I listened to a few podcast interviews he made about it and I actually think that I didn't find any new thought here when I finally got around to reading it.
The book is an essay in short book form. Felt more like an opinion piece than anything else. (Which is hilarious, considering the subject matter.)
On the one hand, I know he's passionate about making the wider public understand the scientific way of thinking and that shows in the book as well. On the other hand, the book feels like some sort of fulfillment of a contract.
People unfamiliar with the scientific method would do well to read it. Will they? Probably not.
For the rest of us, it's kind of a sermon to the choir. (Sorry for using this analogy, Jim, in case you're reading this. I'm an atheist too.)
This book, however, was an underwhelming experience. Over spring I listened to a few podcast interviews he made about it and I actually think that I didn't find any new thought here when I finally got around to reading it.
The book is an essay in short book form. Felt more like an opinion piece than anything else. (Which is hilarious, considering the subject matter.)
On the one hand, I know he's passionate about making the wider public understand the scientific way of thinking and that shows in the book as well. On the other hand, the book feels like some sort of fulfillment of a contract.
People unfamiliar with the scientific method would do well to read it. Will they? Probably not.
For the rest of us, it's kind of a sermon to the choir. (Sorry for using this analogy, Jim, in case you're reading this. I'm an atheist too.)