Comments on: Summer Reading Suggestions: Science

By: sailor

sailor — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:42:13 +0000

I really enjoyed “Time, Love, Memory by Jonathan Weiner
It is about the early days of genetic research, particularly linking genes to behavior. It is very readable and if you are not up on genetics it is a helpful introduction to how they found out things.

By: Dave Clarke

Dave Clarke — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:59:57 +0000

How about The Species Seekers by Richard Conniff? It’s a wonderful overview of the naturalists and collectors who contributed to our modern understanding of the physical world.
The Ghost With Trembling Wings by Scott Weidensaul. It’s old I know (2003) but still great essays.Perfect for picking up and putting down at the pool, beach, etc. and it’s in paperback.

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:49:59 +0000

I think “Why Evolution is True” is an excellent add to this list, as is Genie Scott’s book. (Even though I get the impression Jerry is not a fan of mine.) However I actually left the evolution books off the list because I like to put them on a late summer list as gifts to send to your local school board and life science teachers.

By: Pete Moulton

Pete Moulton — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:35:23 +0000

I liked it, Ana; but then, I’m a regular at Jerry’s website (not ‘blog’, ever!), and my background’s in biology, so he was preaching to the choir.

My current read is Tetrapod Zoology, Book One. I’ve only been visiting Tet Zoo for a couple of years, so much of it’s new to me.

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:01:24 +0000

What do we think of Jerry Coyne and “Why Evolution is True”?

By: Greg Laden

Greg Laden — Tue, 24 May 2011 01:47:02 +0000

Jeremy, good question. I’m going to have to think about that. Many of the examples are oriented towards an American audience, but birds are birds.

On the other hand, you have a lot of strange shit in Australia. Maybe your birds aren’t really birds!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:06:15 +0000

An interesting list 🙂 I was just wondering whether the Kaufman Field Guide to Advanced Birding is useful for non-North Americans (ie. Australians)? It sounds like it would be, but I just want to make sure 🙂

By: Ryan O'Donnell

Ryan O'Donnell — Mon, 23 May 2011 23:28:16 +0000

The Stuff of Thought by Steven Pinker.

By: Benton Jackson

Benton Jackson — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:06:21 +0000

I'm almost done reading Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science, a new biography of Richard Feynman that talks more about his science that his personal eccentricities.

By: Austin L

Austin L — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:28:33 +0000

I recently enjoyed Supersense by Bruce M Hood