Waukegan Public Library - science

Have You Heard About... The Violinist's Thumb

Fran J — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:56:22 +0000

… the information hidden within your cells? In The Violinist’s Thumb and Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code, Sam Kean takes us through the history of mankind’s understanding of genetics and heredity, from early beliefs through Mendel’s pea plants to the Human Genome Project. Along the way, he touches on a wide variety of subjects, including the effects of the nuclear bombs on people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, differences (and similarities) between Neanderthals and humans, and the extent to which genes determine our destiny.

Mr. Kean is an engaging writer, introducing the reader to the personalities and quirks of the many scientists involved in the study of genes, chromosomes, and DNA. He also takes a difficult subject and makes it interesting and understandable to the average person, much as he did with The Disappearing Spoon and elements (previously reviewed). Mr. Kean adds a very personal note to the narrative by talking about the results of his own genetic test and his fears about the chance that he could be at a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

This well-written book provides an interesting account of the history of genetics, our current understanding of the field, and what scientists are looking at next. The author also looks at how our understanding of DNA affects everything from history and archaeology, to sociology and, of course, medicine.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)

Have You Heard About... The Disappearing Spoon

Fran J — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:43:32 +0000

… the amazing science, people, and more behind the periodic table of the elements? The Disappearing Spoon and Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements, by Sam Kean, is a fascinating look at everything from how the solar system was formed, to how the periodic table was formed, to the lives of various chemists and physicists, some famous and some less well known. It also includes useful bits of information, such as why it’s a bad idea to spill tellurium on yourself.* The author has an excellent ability to bring highly technical information to the understanding of an educated layperson, as well as a wry sense of humor. The two combine to make the book very readable and enjoyable. I had to keep two bookmarks in it—one to mark my place in the main text, and one for the excellent asides at the end.

One of my favorite quotes (from p. 338):

[As] he got older and crustier, Einstein came to distrust quantum mechanics. Its statistical and deeply probabilistic nature sounded too much like gambling to him, and it prompted him to object that “God does not play dice with the universe.” He was wrong, and it’s too bad that most people have never heard the rejoinder by Niels Bohr: “Einstein! Stop telling God what to do.”

If you have an interest in the history of science, its practical applications, and odd bits of trivia, I highly recommend this book!

*You’ll reek of garlic for weeks.

Reviewed by Fran (staff)