Awesome Summer Reads for the Scientific Mind

June 30, 2014 By IdeaConnection

Alona_Beach,_BoholSummer is well and truly underway, and attention now turns to vacation time, long lazy days on a palm-tree fringed beach lapped by pristine waters.  When you’re not sipping cocktails or splashing around in the surf, you may well want to have your nose in a good read.  So, to keep the old grey matter ticking over during your time off, here are some awesome summer science reading recommendations:

A Beginner’s Guide to Mathematical Logic by Raymond M. Smullyan

Get up to speed on hitherto tricky mathematical concepts with a text that combines stories of renowned philosophers, quotations and riddles.  The pill is well and truly sweetened as Smullyan makes concepts much easier to digest.   Who knew maths learning could be so entertaining?

The Island of Knowledge: The Limits of Science and the Search for Meaning by Marcelo Gleiser

The conclusion that author Marcelo Gleiser reaches is that science, like religion is a limited tool for understanding the world.  Is he right?  Are there always going to be vast swathes of the unknown? If he’s got a point, we will always come up short, no matter how far our knowledge and intelligence advance in the future.  In arguing his main point, Garcelo charts our search for answers to such fundamental questions as – what is the nature of reality? – and – how did the universe start?

Rock Breaks Scissors: A Practical Guide to Outguessing and Outwitting Almost Everybody by William Poundstone

Just the ticket for smart thinkers – a savvy guide on anticipating the actions of others and how to outguess everything.  Whether you play the stock market, participate in sports or are a member of a problem solving team, this book offers a guide on how you can capitalize on other peoples’ predictability.

Introducing Logic: A Graphic Guide by Dan Cryan, Sharron Shatil and Bill Mayblin

We all know its importance, but what exactly is logic and how has it influenced the scientific method and science disciplines?  This book has the answers in a breezy, reader-friendly style.

More Summer Science Reads

Other books you might want to consider packing into your suitcase are:

Introducing Quantum Theory: A Graphic Guide by J.P. McEvoy – you’ve been meaning to get to grips with quantum theory once and for all.  Here’s your chance with a step-by-step tour of key players and concepts that won’t frighten the horses.

Young Einstein: And the story of E=mc2 by Robyn Arianrhod – a gentle guide into a physics titan, and the background to the origin of one of the most famous equations in the history of science.

Zoom: How Everything Moves: From Atoms and Galaxies to Blizzards and Bees by Bob Berman – a fascinating look at how motion shapes every aspect of the universe.

 

 

 

 


Share on      
Next Post »

Add your Comment

[LOGIN FIRST] if you're already a member.

fields are required.




Note: Your name will appear at the bottom of your comment.