Science, Numbers, and I

Rating:
Summary: You can learn something from each essay
Review: Although some argue that he over-simplifies, there is no one better at explaining science than Isaac Asimov. I received a baccalaureate degree with majors in biology and chemistry and can honestly say that I learned a large percentage of my science from Asimov's books. His essays on science originally published in "The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction" are some of the best introductions to scientific topics that exist and this book is a collection of seventeen of them.
The initial essay deals with the strict rules that nature appears to have for the conservation of properties. It is astonishing to think that scientists will hypothesize new particles before considering that a conservation rule is being broken. Some of the subsequent essays deal with other cosmological questions such as why it is not possible to travel faster than the speed of light. One that I would consider required reading of all chemistry students is the essay on the abbreviations for the elements. When an English speaker first encounters the periodic table, some of the representations, such as Na for sodium and K for potassium, seem unnecessarily confusing. A quick scan of the historical record demonstrates the reasons for this and why it will never be changed. It also demonstrates that science is an international endeavor.
Some of the material is dated, the essay on the populations of various cities and countries is now obsolete, although the roles of cities in the lives of nations is now greater than ever. However, even with that premise, all of the essays still have contemporary value and you can learn something from each one of them.

Rating:
Summary: One of my life-influencing books
Review: At the tender age of 13, I found this book in my parents' bookshelf and devoured it. Repeatedly. The sections on cosmology were a thorough and readable introduction that was basically good up to Hawking. The sections on sociology formed the basis of my worldview and in some ways still do.

Not that I'm recommending this become a new world religion, but any book that can influence someone to this extent must be worth at least a read...

Asimov's style is clear, casual, and readable by anyone. His subject matter is deep and not easily outdated. The book is a great introduction to several topics, not the least of which is the way people think as a group.

Obviously recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of my life-influencing books
Review: At the tender age of 13, I found this book in my parents' bookshelf and devoured it. Repeatedly. The sections on cosmology were a thorough and readable introduction that was basically good up to Hawking. The sections on sociology formed the basis of my worldview and in some ways still do.

Not that I'm recommending this become a new world religion, but any book that can influence someone to this extent must be worth at least a read...

Asimov's style is clear, casual, and readable by anyone. His subject matter is deep and not easily outdated. The book is a great introduction to several topics, not the least of which is the way people think as a group.

Obviously recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Non-Fiction
Review: Fans of Dr. Asimov's non-fiction might like this book, but the subject matter is a little more advanced than in his other non-fiction books. Most of his early books consist of 17 chapters. Science, Numbers and I has 8 chapters on science, 8 chapters on numbers and 1 chapter on Asimov, himself.

Asimov was still developing his voice as a non-fiction author, but it's still a good book, but readers without a science background would be advised to read some of his easier books, like Jupiter and The Planet that Wasn't.

Rating:
Summary: Non-Fiction
Review: Fans of Dr. Asimov's non-fiction might like this book, but the subject matter is a little more advanced than in his other non-fiction books. Most of his early books consist of 17 chapters. Science, Numbers and I has 8 chapters on science, 8 chapters on numbers and 1 chapter on Asimov, himself.

Asimov was still developing his voice as a non-fiction author, but it's still a good book, but readers without a science background would be advised to read some of his easier books, like Jupiter and The Planet that Wasn't.