Hertel, Matthew A.

Rating: 3/5 cunning retorts

Author: Richard Dawkins

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

A Devil's Chaplain is an excellent collection of Dawkin's writings and provides a well-rounded illustration of his personal and professional interactions. Ranging from a eulogy for the late Douglas Adams to forwards for books and personal correspondence with his colleagues, the text provides an intriguing glimpse into some of the more interesting corners of a storied academic's body of work.

Dawkins is first and foremost a great scientific mind, but it is in his circle of colleagues and friends that I find a great deal of his personality laid bare. His interactions illustrate the reasoning behind Dawkin's rise to the forefront of personalities which define the small number of people who are trusted with leading a post-religious movement in the western world. Perhaps not to the degree of Hitchens, but certainly apparent, is Dawkin's knack for capturing and summarizing complex and nuanced ideas and presenting them in a way that is both approachable and comprehensive. I have always admired Dawkin's work, but this text creates an appreciation for the man behind that work as well.

It could be said that the collection of writings in this text are somewhat unfocused. They meander from topic to topic, so varied that they seem almost random. I think this is a reflection of the breadth of personality that defines a modern renaissance man, as Dawkins could be considered. I appreciated the book because I was already a fan, but I fear that others who are less familiar may struggle to find the interest. The book is very good, and a must read for any Dawkins fan, but I think it falls somewhat short for the average reader. A great book for the right reader, but simply an interesting read for others.

Rating: 4/5 neutron stars

Authors: John and Mary Gribbin

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2GtW7N3

Note: The link above is an associates link. I'll get a portion of the purchase price if you buy the book with that link.

The Cat in the Box is an excellent review of many of the most monumental scientific experiments, in a language that the average person can understand, but with a technical depth that still manages to bring insight to knowledgeable, science-minded readers. The book features excellent images and illustrations for each experiment, as well as a very nice cover. The materials and print quality of the hard-cover version makes it a really nice addition to the book shelf as well.

The selected experiments are taken from a wide range of scientific disciplines and are ordered by date, which naturally allows the principles explored to build on each other as you progress through the text. Each experiment is allotted two or three pages, keeping the description brief and not dragging through the more technical aspects. The importance of each experiment and it's impact are summarized as well, giving the reader a sense of the meaning behind great scientific breakthroughs, even if they don't completely understand the underlying technical details. I think the author does an excellent job in drawing the reader into the importance of experimental verification of scientific theories and manages to create an entertaining and upbeat tour of the history of mankind's greatest scientific achievements.

Due to the chronological organization of the experiments, the author also comments on the evolution of the practice of scientific research as well, which I found very interesting. The methods and motivations for scientific research provide great context for the technical discussion presented. It was neat to see the scale of human investment in scientific research reflect the sophistication of the experiments as time went on. I felt that the author also made a point to identify moments when science was hampered by cultural influences and I appreciated the care the author took to give credit to a number of female scientists that have been overlooked in the past. The author makes it clear that experimental scientific research is a human endeavor and ultimately is subject to exist in the context of human social history, which is almost as interesting to explore as the experiments themselves.

The book was a joy to read cover to cover and left me wanting to go out and find more information about the topics that I didn't completely understand. Fields that I typically have a difficult time finding interest in, such as chemistry and biology, are presented in a way that made them approachable and intriguing. I applaud the author's ability to take such a wide array of information and create a cohesive, entertaining, and elegantly brief summary. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in science writing or experience with experimental methods.