Magic Universe: The Oxford Guide to Modern Science Book

Nigel Calder's Magic Universe: the Oxford Guide to Modern Science functions as a reference book but to describe it as such is to do it a great disservice. Reference books do the same job as encyclopaedias; they tell you what you want to know about something specific--in this case, atoms, genomes, gravity, cosmology, and all things scientific. There are several differences between a typical reference book and Calder's. For a start you can read Magic Universe for pleasure because he has an eye for the most arresting angle as well as an informal and highly engaging prose style. He is a good story-teller still in the habit of keeping his audience entertained as well as informed. Two hundred years ago it was possible and common for the interested amateur to know most of the issues connected with the whole field of science. Modern specialisation and the emergence of entirely new areas of knowledge have made that quest seem all but impossible. Calder's wish is to take the reader on a cross-disciplinary hike taking in the many subdivisions and ending up with a good general grasp of the whole field of scientific knowledge. The book contains about 150 entries arranged from A to Z and each one functions as a self-contained mini-story. The most efficient way to read the book--if one is interested in particular areas of science--is to follow the cross references, but simply opening the book at random and following one's nose is the most fun. Overall, this an unusual and surprisingly addictive book well worth the cover price. --Larry BrownRead More