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Title: The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science
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Manufacturer: Mariner Books
List Price: $15.95
Our Price: $8.85
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| Customer Reviews: |
| The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books A Memorable Way to Learn the Basics | I was initially put off by the book's introduction because it seemed as if the author was basically trying to be funny and was going way overboard in this attempt. The formula was transparent - fill the text with clever alliterations and end any sequence of items with a punch line item. It was way too cutesy. Fortunately for the reader, Ms. Angier backs off from this Dave Barry mutation and proceeds to engage the reader in dramatic and poetic prose that makes what otherwise may be dry recitations of science facts into memorable images and analogies. Even her humor, when muted, succeeds in getting points across. I would recommmend this book as an adjunct to any official science text in use.
For the first time I understand why scientists believe so firmly in evolution. Ms Angier explains clearly how and where the evidence fits to support the theory. I do question however, why Ms. Angier does not explain why, if the evidence for evolution is so incontrovertible, why has the theory not been promoted to a law, to join the pantheon of laws alongside thermodynamics and gravity. Is the problem merely semantic? We don't know because Ms. Angier doesn't tell us, but it does make one wonder why evolution has not yet been granted this status. Secondly, I also think that Ms. Angier falsely concludes that if evolution is correct then God does not exist. I do not belief that these are mutually exclusive, and by treating them as such, she leaves some doubt as to the objectivity of her position. Since she is a journalist, or presumably so as a science news writer, one would expect a more objective position or, if not, at least an explicit statement of belief. | | The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books the best | | This is the best synopsis of the major themes in science I've read. Thorough, entertaining, beautifully written. A pleasure to read. | | The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books Evolution: Anthropocentric Slander | | You will find no Galapagos Finch sexual selection here:In times of drought and smaller seed abundance finches with smaller beaks find more food,are in better shape, and breed more than finches with larger beaks. In rainy years,conversely, finches with larger beaks more suitable for the more abundant larger seeds breed more."Winners" and "losers" are [fallen] human attitudes. N.Angier's chapter on Evolutionary Biology:The Theory of Every Body, has been followed on March 18,2008 by her very popular article in The New York Times "Basics" column:"In Most Species,Faithfulness is a Fantasy".Basically a heavy scientistic apologetic for Eliot Spitzer's or any human's adultery.I might call this reasoning anthropomorphic,projecting human errors onto other species,but it is more anthropocentric in its use of science as an orthodoxy qualified to pronounce that adultery is doing what comes naturally. On the contrary it is more likely that the simpler,more beautiful Galapagos Finch model governs healthy sexual activities: No sneaking around,no lies,tears,spouses and children held hostage,occasional murders,etc. Beware the Ides of March! Stay mentally active.It is not only religion which can be misinterpreted. | | The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books Not Bad, Not Great | Natalie Angier's The Canon was... decent. I was excited to read it since I definitely don't have a healthy grasp on science. In the beginning, she does a pretty good job writing simply but without making you feel like an idiot.
As the book went on, however, I began to get frustrated. She routinely works in cutesy little rhymes and sayings that started to drive me crazy. As the concepts dealt with became more complex, her penchant for the poetic was really irritating. She would be talking about... I don't know, atoms maybe... and she would say something like "the size of a bird or this word or all the nerds in class." Please remember you're writing for adults who are intelligent and choosing to further educate themselves about science. I don't want to be driven off by cute.
In the end, I still think she didn't quite simplify some of the deeper concepts to a level I was really comfortable with. Maybe I am truly a science idiot, but I doubt it.
Verdict: C- | | The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books Avoid this. It's horribly overwritten and bloated. | | Big fan of her science clips in popular mags but there she is likely confined to a word quota. This is too bloated with personal information (I didnt buy the book to hear her life story), badly overwritten sound bites and its even annoyingly subtly politicized in many spots. Not a very scientific book and not the delightful writing Im accustomed to from her. A big loser. I wish I could get a refund. | | The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science by Mariner Books Product Description | | In this exuberant book, the best-selling author Natalie Angier distills the scientific canon to the absolute essentials, delivering an entertaining and inspiring one-stop science education. Angier interviewed a host of scientists, posing the simple question "What do you wish everyone knew about your field?" The Canon provides their answers, taking readers on a joyride through the fascinating fundamentals of the incredible world around us and revealing how they are relevant to us every day. Angier proves a rabble-rousing, wisecracking, deeply committed tour guide in her irresistible exploration of the scientific process and the basic concepts of physics, chemistry, evolutionary biology, cellular and molecular biology, geology, and astronomy. Even science-phobes will find her passion infectious as she strives "to make the invisible visible, the distant neighborly, the ineffable affable." |
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