Book Reviews September 2008

The Seashell on the Mountaintop Alan Cutler Heinemann, 2003 ISBN: 0434008575 Much is made of Science vs Religion in the media nowadays. So you might be surprised to learn that the scientist who played a substantial part in initiating the scientific view of the Earth's history, Nicolaus Steno, went on to become a bishop and is now well on the way to becoming a Saint. In The Seashell on the Mountaintop: A Story of Science, Sainthood and the Humble Genius Who Discovered a New History of the Earth Alan Cutler tells his story. Continued..

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Degrees Kelvin David Lindley Aurum press, 2004 ISBN: 1845130006 Lord Kelvin is often thought of nowadays as a reactionary, someone who couldn't accept the sweeping changes which were occuring in science in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, during his life, he was feted as one of the greatest living scientists. In Degrees Kelvin : The Genius and Tragedy of William Thompson David Lindley looks into this contradiction. Continued..

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How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World Francis Wheen Harperperennial, 2004 ISBN: 0007140975 If we hear a viewpoint repeated enough then we might begin to think that there must be something in it. Well, if you find yourself being pulled in that direction then I would recommend reading How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World: A Short History of Modern Delusions by Francis Wheen Continued..

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Big Bang Simon Singh Fourth Estate, 2004 ISBN: 0007152515 The big bang is well known as the consensus view of the beginning of the universe, but the history of how it achieved this position may be less well known. In Big bang : the most important scientific discovery of all time and why you need to know about it Simon Singh gives the reader a gentle introduction to this history. Continued..

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