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leannaaker's review
5.0
This is a nice summary book for a layperson to read that includes a brief chapter on many important areas in science ranging from chemistry to physics to biology. Each chapter has a nice "frontiers" section that discusses what is the near future for studies/discoveries in each particular area.
pingthevile's review against another edition
4.0
Great introduction to all the major branches of science and the fundamental concepts of each one. The explanations are well done and understandable. The information contained in this book should be read and understood by everyone, especially those who affect national policy.
csparkles's review
4.0
I’ve been chipping away at this for the last year+, but it’s actually very interesting! It’s a great summary of most of the major science topics and helped me get a better grasp of many things I hadn’t seen in awhile. 4/5 stars because it’s definitely content-heavy, so was hard for me to read during the school year. Also was very helpful in reviewing content for my National Board exam!
ajstros's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.25
Very informative in all major sciences. Rounds out each detailed explanation with high-level "Frontiers" and similar sections exploring the future of that science.
cameliarose's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy is that the average US citizens (and citizens in other countries too) do not possess enough scientific knowledge to become informed voters in many political issues. The book's goal is to help the general readers to become scientifically literate. Informative and practical, it contains 19 chapters, each focusing on one area of science, from Newtonian motion to General Relativity, and from astronomy to quantum computing to biology and evolution.
The book was first published in 1990 and revised in 2009. In my opinion, it should be revised every 10 years. I can see at least two areas need to be updated: 1. Nuclear fusion and the latest status of ITER project (https://www.iter.org) 2. Climate change is no longer just an issue for future generations and the prediction of 2c temperature increase is already out-of-date.
The book includes stem cell research and genetic engineering, not other medical science.
The book was first published in 1990 and revised in 2009. In my opinion, it should be revised every 10 years. I can see at least two areas need to be updated: 1. Nuclear fusion and the latest status of ITER project (https://www.iter.org) 2. Climate change is no longer just an issue for future generations and the prediction of 2c temperature increase is already out-of-date.
The book includes stem cell research and genetic engineering, not other medical science.
kwalks's review
4.0
Provides an excellent primer (or review) and includes easily understood information about the major science fields and findings. The authors' intent is to enable the non-sciencey person to engage in a discussion of current science-related events influencing public policy. They also demonstrate well that a basic understanding of science does, in fact, matter.
The narrator does a nice job of nuanced emotion. His voice is soothing but not sleep-inducing.
The narrator does a nice job of nuanced emotion. His voice is soothing but not sleep-inducing.
amylynn97's review
4.0
Used as a quick refresher for my middle school science MTEL last fall; definitely easy to read without being "dumbed down"
saturnserina's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
2.75
This is a great reference book if you want a refresher or summery of the basics of science but it will read like a well written textbook.
vilebe4uty's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful introduction to science topics. As a future educator, I am strongly considering using this book in my classroom.
scarlettletters's review
3.0
I'm downrating this a little bit just because it wasn't exactly what I had expected. I thought it was going to be more about the problems of science literacy rather than a proposed solution to that problem. So basically if you don't have any background in science this book gives a general overview. There were a few things I didn't know before but really, I'm not the target audience. The tone is sort of a more general/broad Brian Greene with not quite as much personality as Bill Bryson. I did like how in the chapter on evolution they included mention of punctuated equilibrium, which isn't always discussed; however their critiques of creationism were critiques of very specific flavors thereof.
Anyway if you feel like you want a basic idea of how the world works, then this is probably a good book but if you actually remember high school science there will be a lot of redundancy here.
Anyway if you feel like you want a basic idea of how the world works, then this is probably a good book but if you actually remember high school science there will be a lot of redundancy here.