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2shadowsdeep's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
2.0
A: the book is seriously out of date on a few things. That can't be helped in some cases but if you're going to print a new edition then it might help to mention this.
B: I'm not a big fan of science. It's just there and I let it be. But somehow I knew most of the info already which makes me wonder who this book is actually for.
C: that said the discworld chapters feature classic wizard shenanigans which is always helpful and the science writers are good at explaining the concepts and clearing up popular misconceptions or lies-to-children as they call it.
It was enough to let me finish the book but not enough for me to enjoy it very much. If I ever come across free or cheap copies of the follow ups then maybe I'll read the fictional chapters only.
B: I'm not a big fan of science. It's just there and I let it be. But somehow I knew most of the info already which makes me wonder who this book is actually for.
C: that said the discworld chapters feature classic wizard shenanigans which is always helpful and the science writers are good at explaining the concepts and clearing up popular misconceptions or lies-to-children as they call it.
It was enough to let me finish the book but not enough for me to enjoy it very much. If I ever come across free or cheap copies of the follow ups then maybe I'll read the fictional chapters only.
themadhouse1996's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
julcoh's review against another edition
I stopped about a third of the way through on this one. I'm sure I'll pick it up again and read through a few chapters.
I've read a ton of history/philosophy of science books, and the authors do a great job of following the thread of scientific development through the eyes of the Discworld characters we love and know, but at the end of the day not so illuminating.
Where this book is incredible for me is Pratchett's clear influence on the writing-- his style and satire are suffused throughout, and his turn-of-phrase is equally delightful in non-fiction:
I've read a ton of history/philosophy of science books, and the authors do a great job of following the thread of scientific development through the eyes of the Discworld characters we love and know, but at the end of the day not so illuminating.
Where this book is incredible for me is Pratchett's clear influence on the writing-- his style and satire are suffused throughout, and his turn-of-phrase is equally delightful in non-fiction:
When you live in a complex world, you have to simplify it in order to understand it. Indeed, that's what 'understand' means. At different stages of education, different levels of simplification are appropriate. Liar-to-children is an honourable and vital profession, otherwise known as 'teacher'. But what teaching does *not* do— although many politicians think it does, which is one of the problems— is erect a timeless edifice of 'facts'. Every so often, you have to unlearn what you thought you already knew, and replace it by something more subtle. This *process* is what science is all about, and it never stops. It means you shouldn't take everything we say as gospel, either, for we belong to another, equally honourable profession: Liar-to-readers.
antillais's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jaduxenn's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty well done. The problem was that I did not expect it to be about the science of our world.
It was half discworld, half actual science. Both parts were pretty good. But, I wanted discworld, not our world.
It was half discworld, half actual science. Both parts were pretty good. But, I wanted discworld, not our world.
samdragon's review against another edition
5.0
I love Terry Pratchett books, everything he has written is amazing. Some one thelse science went over my head. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had understood everything. But over all they did a very good job making science that was way over my head make at least a bit of sense. Even when I didn't understand something I didn't feel lost, or like I was missing part of the story. I don't really like when multiple people write a book, and I think I would have liked it better if just Terry Pratchett wrote it. But the other authors were very good and I liked them.
geojim's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read. The science is a bit dated and there are some factual errors (e.g., 18-O is not radioactive).