Science Reviews

Science Books

The New North: The World In 2050 (2011) by Laurence C. Smith

Will rising population and temperatures and thawing permafrost lead to a future dominated by bustling northern cities?
Sleights of Mind (2010) by Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde with Sandra Blakeslee

This book explores the things magicians can teach neuroscientists about the way our minds work.
Quantum (2008) by Manjit Kumar

How the discovery of the astonishing quantum world threw physicists into turmoil.
The Emerald Planet (2007) by David Beerling

Plants are often overlooked when it comes to the story of evolution. David Beerling sets this right in this account of how they have affected the history of our planet.
Toxin: The Cunning Of Bacterial Poisons (2005) by Alistair Lax

How bacterial toxins break down our defences so effectively, and the stories of people who have struggled to understand them.
Paranormality (2011) by Richard Wiseman

The science behind seeing ghosts, believing psychics, and how brainwashing works.
Inflight Science (2011) by Brian Clegg

This book examines the science behind flying, from check in at the airport to touch down.
Bad Science (2008) by Ben Goldacre

Ben Goldacre blows open the world of scams, quacks, and the misreporting and misunderstanding of science.
Death By Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries (2007) by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

A collection of essays on the cosmos that spans the birth and death of the universe and much of the excitement in between.
Junk Science (2006) by Dan Agin

A look at how scientific truths are under attack from pressure groups, corporations, and other interested parties.
After Dolly (2006) by Ian Wilmut and Roger Highfield

After Dolly the sheep made headlines the scientist behind her creation discusses the implications of her birth.
Microbe: Are We Ready For The Next Plague? (2005) by Alan P. Zelicoff and Michael Bellomo

An analysis of how well the west is prepared to cope with new and deadly infectious diseases.
The Science of Harry Potter : How Magic Really Works (2002) by Roger Highfield

The facts behind the fantasy world of the boy wizard.
Cosmos Close-Up (2011) by Giles Sparrow

A view of the universe, as revealed by space telescopes and other modern technology.
Knocking On Heaven's Door (2011) by Lisa Randall

From particle physics on the tiniest scales to the most awe-inspiring cosmology, and modern experiments that could be on the verge of cracking open the secrets of the universe.