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SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Library Journal Review

The idea of ``cultural literacy'' has received a great deal of public notice. Among the most important aspects of modern civilization is the impact of science and technology on our lives, yet most people are highly uneducated in this area. Nevertheless, it is essential that the average citizen be able to understand the debates over such things as recycling, use of nuclear energy, and the teaching of evolution. This book attempts to acquaint the educated (or mis-educated) layperson with the major concepts of modern science, that is, to start him or her on the road to ``scientific literacy.'' Although many concepts are, perforce, oversimplified, offering the reader only a superficial understanding of some of them, this book is a step in the right direction and is recommended for appropriate collections.-- Harold D. Shane, Baruch Coll., CUNY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

These 18 lucid essays cover mainly life and physical sciences, connecting fresh presentations of basic chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy and biology to today's science news. Hazen and Trefil, professors of physical science at George Mason University in Virginia, demystify many advanced topics with succinct, if often reductive analogies: Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle becomes a car wreck in a dark tunnel, for example. ``Scientific literacy'' is defined by the authors to mean the ability to comprehend the science we read about daily, as well as to appreciate ``this exceedingly beautiful and elegant view of the world.'' The book's treatment will cause readers to wonder what was so confusing about the Periodic Table of Elements they confronted in their school days. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

The title is both a declarative sentence and a description of the coverage in this confident overview of the fundamentals of science by two well-known writers of popular science books. The introduction reminds us that while science issues are fast becoming some of the most urgent and confusing items on society's agenda, many of us don't understand them. Claiming that fewer than seven percent of American adults can answer simple questions such as, Why is it hotter in summer than in winter? the authors set out gallantly to explain the basics of physical, earth, and living sciences. Using nonthreatening examples such as refrigerator magnets, football, or wearing a seat belt, Hazen and Trefil break down the pertinent facts, concepts, terms, philosophy, and history behind 18 general principles or laws of nature that govern electricity and magnetism, atoms, chemical bonding, nuclear and particle physics, relativity, astronomy, earth cycles, genetics, and ecosystems. Daunting as this task seems, the text is comprehensible and carefully paced, aimed at encouraging those of us who can't deny being part of that 93 percent. Additional readings; to be indexed. ~--Donna Seaman

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

The son of Don Francis and Dorothy Ellen, Robert Miller Hazen was born in Rockville Centre, N.Y. on November 1, 1948. Hazen received his Bachelor of Science Degree at MIT in 1971 and earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University.

A research scientist as well as a part-time musician, Hazen has used his vast background in both fields to write a number of books and articles over the years. Some of those books include Music Men, The Poetry of Geology, Keepers of the Flame, and Sciences: An Integrated Approach. Hazen's book, Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy, written with James S. Trefil, was heralded by Kirkus Review as "easily one of the finest available single-volume introductions to science."

(Bowker Author Biography)