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jenmcvay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jayraams's review against another edition
4.0
This is an extremely interesting way to begin learning about the science of evolution, in a tung in cheek way.
woweewhoa's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
Not so long ago a past Prime Minister of ours declared that History teaching in schools should be more about learning dates and less about interpretation and analysis. Or something like that. I wasn't listening after the first bit about dates - I was curled up in a foetal position, fingers in ears, chanting "Make it Stop" "Make it Stop".
Much like most of my, thankfully short, school years.
THE SCIENCE OF DISCWORLD, might be fictional wrapped up with some science commentary, but to be frank - there were some explanations of scientific theory in this book - that a lot of years later, suddenly made some of the stuff they banged on about at school make sense.
Made me realise if they had given learning some narrative, actually chucked in a bit of fun, gave things some context and some interest ... I might have spent a lot less time fighting unconsciousness and a little more time actually learning something.
PS - himself who is a science nerd of the first order read the book at the same time as me and was equally impressed. They took some very complex scientific concepts and made them very accessible. (I think that's what he said... I've got my fingers in my ears chanting....)
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/science-discworld-iii-darwins-watch-terry-pratchett-ian-stewart-jack-cohen
Much like most of my, thankfully short, school years.
THE SCIENCE OF DISCWORLD, might be fictional wrapped up with some science commentary, but to be frank - there were some explanations of scientific theory in this book - that a lot of years later, suddenly made some of the stuff they banged on about at school make sense.
Made me realise if they had given learning some narrative, actually chucked in a bit of fun, gave things some context and some interest ... I might have spent a lot less time fighting unconsciousness and a little more time actually learning something.
PS - himself who is a science nerd of the first order read the book at the same time as me and was equally impressed. They took some very complex scientific concepts and made them very accessible. (I think that's what he said... I've got my fingers in my ears chanting....)
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/science-discworld-iii-darwins-watch-terry-pratchett-ian-stewart-jack-cohen
readacorn's review against another edition
3.0
3,5
Ich finde auch diesen dritten Band der Gelehrten der Scheibenwelt großartig. So macht Wissenschaft und Fantasy gleichermaßen Spaß. Ich freue mich auf Band 4, welches zu meinem uralten SuB gehört.
Tipp: Man sollte diese Reihe nicht beginnen, ohne zuvor ein oder zwei Scheibenwelt-Romane gelesen zu haben, denn sonst wird man viele Bezüge nicht verstehen.
Ich finde auch diesen dritten Band der Gelehrten der Scheibenwelt großartig. So macht Wissenschaft und Fantasy gleichermaßen Spaß. Ich freue mich auf Band 4, welches zu meinem uralten SuB gehört.
Tipp: Man sollte diese Reihe nicht beginnen, ohne zuvor ein oder zwei Scheibenwelt-Romane gelesen zu haben, denn sonst wird man viele Bezüge nicht verstehen.
ltg61's review against another edition
1.0
Preface: I'm a Pratchett fanboy...which is what made this such a difficult read.
Terry has written A LOT of books. Since I call myself a big fan, I consider it my duty to read every word of his prolific catalogue. Through this journey, I can say Terry has written some absolute masterpieces (duh), some ok-but-forgettable ones, and the odd dud (law of averages says this would be inevitable with the amount hes written). That being said, this is the first time I've felt legitimately ripped off by something with the Pratchett name on it.
Theres really not a whole lot to say about this - its sparse, low-effort Pratchett buried beneath damn-near random scientific info-dumps that isn't exactly cogent when viewed as a whole.
The other tedious part was the incesant, smug religion bashing. I'm a non-religious person and it still got to me. I dont know how else to describe Stewart & Cohens interpretation of religion as anything but shallow, condescending and ham-fisted. Its baffling (and a little depressing) that people so lacking in wonder would have their joyless selves associated with Discworld.
...And yes, I will be reading part IV, because I'm a sucker for Terry.
Terry has written A LOT of books. Since I call myself a big fan, I consider it my duty to read every word of his prolific catalogue. Through this journey, I can say Terry has written some absolute masterpieces (duh), some ok-but-forgettable ones, and the odd dud (law of averages says this would be inevitable with the amount hes written). That being said, this is the first time I've felt legitimately ripped off by something with the Pratchett name on it.
Theres really not a whole lot to say about this - its sparse, low-effort Pratchett buried beneath damn-near random scientific info-dumps that isn't exactly cogent when viewed as a whole.
The other tedious part was the incesant, smug religion bashing. I'm a non-religious person and it still got to me. I dont know how else to describe Stewart & Cohens interpretation of religion as anything but shallow, condescending and ham-fisted. Its baffling (and a little depressing) that people so lacking in wonder would have their joyless selves associated with Discworld.
...And yes, I will be reading part IV, because I'm a sucker for Terry.
skovlyste's review against another edition
5.0
Terry Pratchett’s style of writing reminds me of a quote by Socrates: “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think”. His use of humour and story-telling makes it feel like I’m just having fun, meanwhile I’m being made to think about mind-boggling concepts; in The Science of Discworld series especially.
The story follows the journey of a group of magicians trying to make Darwin write The Origin of Species”. So the overall themes of the plot could be said to be scientific thinking, time travel, and the history (specifically of Victorian England). However, there is also focus on very human concepts through these motifs.
Reading “Darwin’s Watch” took me on a journey through everything the world is not, and made me appreciate everything that it is: every mistake made (Darwin wrote 8 of the “wrong books” before being able to write his masterpiece after all) and every unlikely turn of events that led us humans to exist exactly as we do (The book does so by discussing probability, many-worlds theory, and evolution).
The authors emphasize the importance of getting our knowledge from several sources. This is because listening to several opinions (and being willing to change one’s own opinion when faced with evidence) is the best way to understand things. This idea I find especially relevant considering the current political situation worldwide being that people’s extreme opinions seem to make them incapable of seeing the opposition as humans.
Themes of the book aside, I won’t lie and say it’s an easy read, since the authors use big words and discuss of even bigger concepts, but the comic relief of the wizards certainly helps. It’s a fun and eye-opening read that I would highly recommend and which I will probably read again when I’ve grown a little wiser.
The story follows the journey of a group of magicians trying to make Darwin write The Origin of Species”. So the overall themes of the plot could be said to be scientific thinking, time travel, and the history (specifically of Victorian England). However, there is also focus on very human concepts through these motifs.
Reading “Darwin’s Watch” took me on a journey through everything the world is not, and made me appreciate everything that it is: every mistake made (Darwin wrote 8 of the “wrong books” before being able to write his masterpiece after all) and every unlikely turn of events that led us humans to exist exactly as we do (The book does so by discussing probability, many-worlds theory, and evolution).
The authors emphasize the importance of getting our knowledge from several sources. This is because listening to several opinions (and being willing to change one’s own opinion when faced with evidence) is the best way to understand things. This idea I find especially relevant considering the current political situation worldwide being that people’s extreme opinions seem to make them incapable of seeing the opposition as humans.
Themes of the book aside, I won’t lie and say it’s an easy read, since the authors use big words and discuss of even bigger concepts, but the comic relief of the wizards certainly helps. It’s a fun and eye-opening read that I would highly recommend and which I will probably read again when I’ve grown a little wiser.
bookslucyking's review against another edition
4.0
Hodnotím pouze část se Zeměplochou a Mágy. Po minulých dvou utrpeních, kdy jsem se pokoušela číst i vědeckou linku, jsem to v této třetí knize vzdala a jen si užívala Zeměplošský příběh. A že to byla zase jízda :D Mrakoplaš je úžasný, Výsměšek a Rozšafín a jejich rozhovory, to nemá chybu. No prostě to bylo bezva. Sice jsem se trochu občas ztratila v tom, o co se vlastně pokoušejí. Ale nasmála jsem se dost, bavila jsem se a o to tu jde.
readacorn's review against another edition
3.0
3,5
Ich finde auch diesen dritten Band der Gelehrten der Scheibenwelt großartig. So macht Wissenschaft und Fantasy gleichermaßen Spaß. Ich freue mich auf Band 4, welches zu meinem uralten SuB gehört.
Tipp: Man sollte diese Reihe nicht beginnen, ohne zuvor ein oder zwei Scheibenwelt-Romane gelesen zu haben, denn sonst wird man viele Bezüge nicht verstehen.
Ich finde auch diesen dritten Band der Gelehrten der Scheibenwelt großartig. So macht Wissenschaft und Fantasy gleichermaßen Spaß. Ich freue mich auf Band 4, welches zu meinem uralten SuB gehört.
Tipp: Man sollte diese Reihe nicht beginnen, ohne zuvor ein oder zwei Scheibenwelt-Romane gelesen zu haben, denn sonst wird man viele Bezüge nicht verstehen.
brookelovesbooks's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75