Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME!!!
Review: I couldn't believe it, a 20 year-old science book that has somehow managed to stay relevant! I can usually read literature books hundreds of years old....but science... Very Insightful.
Rating:
Summary: Citizens of the Internet: This Book is a MUST
Review: I don't get it. Why this book is out of print only God knows. I read it at a college library five years ago and I was in love with it. Although Dyson continues to reproduce all the things he said in _other_ pop science books he wrote later, I just want to see the book again. One that struck me so hard.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating autobiographical essays
Review: It's a shame this book is out of print. It's a series of fascinating glimpses into the life of an important physicist and futurist who has lived in interesting times. For an Earthling, he's fairly bright...
Rating:
Summary: Autobiographical essays by a profound thinker
Review: Lots of SF fans are probably familiar with the name "Dyson." The author of _Disturbing the Universe_ is indeed the guy who gave Dyson Spheres their name, and he discusses them briefly in one of the essays in this collection, "Extraterrestrials" (but he modestly notes that he got the idea from Olaf Stapledon).Fans looking for an Extropian guru may be disappointed: Freeman Dyson is a british-born physicist with a distinct philosophical bent. He is a keen observer of science as it is actually conducted, and a strong advocate of scientific ethics and social responsibility. The essays in _Disturbing the Universe_ describe Dyson's life and career, with asides on space colonization, the environment, arms control, and spirituality. This is absolutely top-notch stuff. Dyson can out-imagine most SF authors: His vision of life spreading through the galaxy via organisms adapted to the vaccuum and cold of deep space is wonderous and convincing. An absolute MUST for futurists and environmentalists. Buy an extra copy and loan it around --Stefan Jones
Rating:
Summary: Get it now!
Review: Okay, so it's "hard to find." Cosmic speculation just doesn't get any better than
this. One of the few unmistakeable signs that
civilization hasn't wasted its time during
the 20th century.
Bruce Sterling (bruces@well.com)
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting book, but not a masterpiece
Review: some reviewers say this book is a masterpiece,and the greatest book written by Freeman.Dyson, I really can't agree with them.
I read the book twice, I find it is an interesting book. Dyson is undoubted a successful scientist, this book ,I think it as autobiography of Dyson. of course, it is very interesting and full of stories. But just like other autobiographies, it is just a story book, not a masterpiece. for these resons, I give it four stars.
F.Dyson wrote some popular book, they are all excellent, but the greater work of Dyson is about scientific research, such as QED.
I also like his "infinite in all directions", because it give me a special viewpoint about science, society and universe.anyway, The book,and others by dyson is worth of reading.
Rating:
Summary: This book is not disturbing at all
Review: This book is much more autobiographical than Dyson's other works. This is also, in my opinion, his greatest work. His eloquent words bring to us the sense of wonder and the thoughtful nature of a truly magnificent scientist and person. Dyson reveals to us how his life has been influenced by his reading children stories. We get the opportunity to read his reflections on World War II, the relationship he had with Robert Oppenheimer and many other biographical tidbits which all somehow melt into an almost unexpected thematic unity. His adventures with Richard P. Feynman as well as his relationship with Edward Teller are also discussed. This amazing book explains this man's humble outlook on such subjects as nuclear war (and its impending probablity), poetry and his own unique interpretation of the inner-workings of the machinery of the universe. This is a must book for all scientists as well as people who have a passing interest in science. I would also recommend it to anyone who could not care less about science; the book is that good. Trust me.
Rating:
Summary: This book is not disturbing at all
Review: This book is much more autobiographical than Dyson's other works. This is also, in my opinion, his greatest work. His eloquent words bring to us the sense of wonder and the thoughtful nature of a truly magnificent scientist and person. Dyson reveals to us how his life has been influenced by his reading children stories. We get the opportunity to read his reflections on World War II, the relationship he had with Robert Oppenheimer and many other biographical tidbits which all somehow melt into an almost unexpected thematic unity. His adventures with Richard P. Feynman as well as his relationship with Edward Teller are also discussed. This amazing book explains this man's humble outlook on such subjects as nuclear war (and its impending probablity), poetry and his own unique interpretation of the inner-workings of the machinery of the universe. This is a must book for all scientists as well as people who have a passing interest in science. I would also recommend it to anyone who could not care less about science; the book is that good. Trust me.
Rating:
Summary: Out of print? Say it ain't so!
Review: This is probably Freeman Dyson's best book, although "Infinite in All Directions" comes close. If you've ever seen Dyson speak, he comes across as rather shy and humble. On the written page, however, he is quite bold. His essays range from personal to speculative to profound. But my favorite essays are the ones where he writes very simply about meeting and then working with Robert Oppenheimer. Those essays alone make this book a must read. Out of print? I'm glad I have my copy.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: This is the best book by Dyson, if you exclude that which contains his Selected Papers. This means a lot for me, for I rate very highly all his books, especially "Infinite in All Directions". Actually, this is one of the best books I ever read, and it influenced me a lot, for instance, in my reading of poetry. It was in this book that I discovered Yeats (recall that I am not a native English speaker). And it gave me the momentum to read, and appreciate in a quite concrete situation, the second part of Goethe's Faust. The episode of Dyson's vacations with mother and father, and the ensuing discussion on humanities vs. science, is very revealing, and helps to pinpoint the origin of the high degree of understanding and tolerance which illuminates all posterior Dyson writings, and that eventually made him win the Templeton Prize. A surprising, very moving chapter on Teller, introduced as a gifted Bach player at the piano is probably closer to the truth than everything else written on the controversial scientist. Wonderful the chapter on how to detect (large) extra-terrestrial civilizations. A book for many, many readings!
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