Eureka!: 50 Scientists Who Shaped Human History - Softcover

Grant, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1942186177 ISBN 13: 9781942186175

Publisher: Zest Books ™, 2016

Synopsis

Galileo, Einstein, Curie, Darwin, Hawking ― we know the names, but how much do we really know about these people? Galileo gained notoriety from his battle with the Vatican over the question of heliocentrism, but did you know that he was also an accomplished lute player? And Darwin of course discovered the principle by which new species are formed, but his bold curiosity extended to the dinner table as well. (And how many people can say they've eaten an owl!) In Eureka! John Grant ― author of Debunk It!, Discarded Science, Spooky Science and many others ― offers fifty vivid portraits of groundbreaking scientists, focusing not just on the ideas and breakthroughs that made them so important but also on their lives and their various...quirks.

About this title

About the Author:

John Grant is author of about seventy books, including the highly successful Discarded Science, Corrupted Science, and Denying Science. He has received two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, and a number of other international literary awards.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 7 Up—A collected biography of 50 influential scientists, organized chronologically by year of birth, from Pythagoras of Samos to James Hanson. About four to six pages are dedicated to each figure's body of work and influence. A "But There's More" section lists trivia-style facts and suggestions for further research after each subject. A running theme of the work is the importance of collaboration and reworking old ideas. Grant highlights how scientists are often in dialogue with one another—this conversation is essential to scientific advancement. In his introduction, Grant acknowledges the lack of diversity (in regard to gender) in most representations of scientists and admits that his selection process reflects his personal judgment. There are a fair amount of women scientists covered. However, the focus is squarely on Western achievement (scientists from Asia, Africa, or South America are largely omitted). Attention is brought to those who were dismissed because of prejudice, for example, Lise Meitner, Ignaz Semmelweis, and Émilie du Châtelet. The writing is very approachable, although at times a bit too colloquial (Semmelweis's coworkers are referred to as a "stupid bunch"). VERDICT More for pleasure reading than reports. Put this in the hands of students with an interest in STEM and history.—Sharon M. Lawler, formerly at Randolph Elementary, TX

About this edition

• Publisher: Zest Books ™
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1942186177
• ISBN 13: 9781942186175
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224