First edition
By Nigel Calder
Over 100 long entries
‘The ideal compendium for non-scientists of any age’ — Sunday Times
This is a marvellously engaging tour covering the whole of modern science, from transgenic crops to quantum tangles. Written by one of the most experienced and well-known names in science writing, it is also assuredly reliable science. Although arranged for convenience and quick reference as a collection of topics in alphabetical order, it is very different from any conventional encyclopedia. Each topic tells a story, making the book eminently browsable. Packed with information, yet carrying its immense learning lightly, this is a book that would appeal to anyone with the slightest interest in how the world works.
Nigel Calder began his writing career on the original staff of New Scientist, in 1956. He was editor of the magazine from 1962 to 1966, when he left to become an independent science writer. His subsequent career has involved spotting, reporting, and explaining to the general public the big scientific discoveries of our time.
Print edition ISBN: 9780192806697
Publishing history: First published 2003
Copyright: © Nigel Calder 2003, 2009
Free trials of Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection are available to institutions - sign up today!
