Book reviews | Three popular science books you should read (and one you shouldn't)
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- Опубліковано 25 бер 2018
- I'm an avid reader so I'm starting a book review series! I chat about three of my favourite popular science books, and moan about one that I really didn't enjoy!
Books:
Bad Science - Ben Goldacre
The unnatural history of the sea - Callum Roberts
A short history of nearly everything - Bill Bryson
The greatest show on earth - Richard Dawkins
Music:
Bongo by KV
/ kvmusicprod
Creative Commons - Attribution 4.0 International - CC BY 4.0
www.creativecommons.org/licen...
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I am Chantel Elston, a third year marine biology PhD student. Join me on my journey as I discover our wonderful oceans and try to survive PhD life.
I do not have words for how good, in my opinion, A History of Nearly Everything is......
Reading it now, its like reading a horror story.
I was looking for this kind of book reviews!!!! You´re smart, but humble and that's lovely!
Huge bookworm here! I get asked all the time if I had any book recommendations for aspiring scientists. I can't wait to read Ben Goldacre's Bad Science - it sounds very interesting!
Perfect video for a lab break ^^ Thanks for the great suggestions. I am also an avid reader, sometimes a bit too obsessive I would say =P and I love book recommendation videos and talking about books (not only science) so this is just perfect!
Bad science added to my Want to read bookshelf on Goodreads =D. I have read the Bill Bryson book, he is so funny, I really enjoy most of his books. I have the Unnatural History of the Sea on my shelf as one of my next reads, very excited for it. I have the Selfish Gene from Richard Dawkins but still haven´t gotten into it, but I am quite curious. I know he sparks quite a lot of controversy in the way he exposes his ideas.
Oh awesome! Yeah, I also wanted to read the Selfish Gene, but after the disappointment of reading his other book I'm not sure if I want to read it anymore! If you ever get around to reading it, let me know if you enjoyed it :D
I love listening to Richard Dawkins in debates and interviews but his books are hard to get through! Right now I am like 60% through The Selfish Gene which I started a while ago and then now have restarted.
Im now reading the richard dawkins book, and I think its been really informative and i've learned a lot. I've been helping myself as Im not an english native speaker, with his audiobook, and he doesnt sound arrogant at all, at least in my perspective. Maybe you have seen him in different religious debates and therefore you had an idea of his voice that was only on your head. I dont feel like que repeats himself as if you are being stupid, of course you are a scientist and you understand much more about the topic, but the objective of the book is also for people uneducated in science to understand this topics, and for someone that has a religious belief interfering with the understanding of a concept, explaining more than once in different perspectives might help a lot. Thats my take on that book, and I'll definitely try to get the other 3 you mention, hopefully in spanish hahaha
I read the selfish gene by Richard Dawkins and it's one of my favourite books of all time
I'm on that right now. It/he is great.
Check out Matt ridleys books
It's somewhat pseudo science tho- the basis of it I mean. Dawkins is great besides that and the absolute militant atheism tho (spirituality can be fun/ fulfilling/ rational grey area, even tho yes we should save the planet especially if this might be the only chance at life we ever get xD)
Essentially really realized it from a Leida Cosmides podcast. Our genes just express stuff. They don't have hidden agenda. Maybe there is something to the fact individuals who feel compelled to mate &/or care for young tend to pass their genes on more.... But that isn't the whole point of existence. We Overlook that Survival Usually is, historically speaking, pretty damn hard (& the way society is trending/ going (declining standard of living) thankfully seems it'll start going that way... Keep in mind I care Much much more for the survival of very nice ancient nature/ species/ natural resources than myself or my species, NOT to the point of speeding it up ofc/ I know mother nature will chew us up when she's ready xD)
But yeah if you dissect / dig into why men and women are the way they inherently are-- it's usually more on the basis of survival in wild unpredictable environments, more than trying to optimally reproduce and/ or be perfectly kind to each other or something xD
But yeah sorry so long winded, idk maybe it's still a thought-provoking intro to gene theories... But just reccomend not taking everything too too much to heart, as with any book. Think and test for yourself, it's great ;)
@deippydeippy5249it = the book
Thanks to scientifics books we can keep expanding our curiosity....💪🏾
I dont really like to read, but I really like science, (chem and microbiology in particular.....) so I guess I will try to read some of them :)
Quick heads up for lovers of science and tech: The famed father of anticipatory systems in computing, Mihai Nadin's new book from Springer, Disrupt Science: The Future Matters, drops on Dec 20. His brilliant cross-disciplinary POV argues for ditching the "cult of machines" which is ineffective at predicting and averting disasters. He says the future of humanity and the planet depends on drawing on a deeper intelligence, as exhibited in actual life forms. He's the Univ of TX, Dallas, Ashbel Smith Emeritus Professor. You may love his iconoclastic insider insights!
What about the gynecologist written by the auther Leslie heron
Thanks
video is helpfull.. Hope you share some more videos..thanku
I just finished Sapiens and I'm looking forward to reading "a short history of everything". I'm just worried it may get a tad bit monotonous since they both sound quite similar.
Did you read it? Both books hold their own.
Check out Matt ridleys books
I’ve only the first chapter of Sapiens but I’ve read A Short History and it must be totally different.
@@-Stop-it Sapiens is very biased in my opinion. The author is really is pushing a personal agenda. I was initially interested in his interpretation of certain aspects of the development of civilization but he lacks impartiality.
@@TheCompleteGuitaristyeah you can see that in the part where he talks about the difference between gender and sex. I thought the book was unbiased at the time and legit believed it - it made sense. But then I discussed it with a friend of mine and she pointed out that, by his definition, she should be considered a boy because of her masculine interests and I was like "damn you're right". Truth is there is no consensus on whether gender and sex are the same thing, because it is a political issue, and since when has politics been objective?
I read the one by Bill Bryson, and the one by Dawkins is already for some years on my bookshelf without me reading it. Bryson's was a good read, although a bit telegraphic considering the large number of stories he covers. I read The God Delusion by Dawkins. As an atheist myself, it was very informative, but it's not for everyone. I also read some books by the late evolutionary biologist Stephen J Gould, in particular a few collections of his essays. Have you read any of his books?
What are the black colored books at the back of you?
It's a novel series written by a South African author - the first one in the series is called Spud. It's largely a comedic series - was also made into movies :) Most books I currently own are fictional - still expanding my non-fiction collection :)
I think Stephen fry got most of the material for Q I from Bryson s Short history.
Would you recommend Storm in a teacup, Helen czerny
I would
Thanks mam 😊
Awesome
சிறப்பா சொல்லிருக்கீங்க. வாழ்த்துகள்.
Well richard Dawkins book is great
I am glad you enjoyed it - everybody will have different opinions about what they read :)
Check out Matt ridleys books
I like you and I am from India ambitious to become scientist hope you do well ur PhD
Already finished a short history of nearly everything awesome book now I'm going for bad science thanks for the recommendations
Hey me too bhaiya from bharath
Thank you for the great video. I will read "Bad Science". It seems to be a good book. Well, I haven't read any book by Richard Dawkins. I thought of reading it after reading Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle and On the origin of species which I'm still reading.
Well, I also read Bill Bryson's "A short history of nearly everything" for the purpose of knowing the history of science. It's really a great book.
It will really be very helpful if you could suggest me some other good books on "history of science".
Thank you once again for the great video.
@john Thank you very much John. Yes, I love biological sciences as well, especially the evolutionary biology. Well, I have now started reading Richard Dawkins's The Ancestor's Tale which is an awesome book. There is a smooth flow in the book in both writing and providing concepts. This book attempts to give reader a big picture of life, it's origin (not completely though because that's not a book on Abiogenesis) and its evolution.
Well, thank you very much for your suggestions. I keep looking for such treasures. 💐 I'd definitely like to read those books. It will be a great pleasure reading them. 😊😊 HAVE A GREAT DAY !💐💐
thanx :-)
🍪 for you
I think you do Richard Dawkins a tremendous disservice. If you have only tried The Greatest Show On Earth then you have done yourself a disservice.
As a scientist, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society. As an author, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Neither a mean feat.
With the publication in the 1970s of The Selfish Gene, he created a sensation by refocusing evolution on the genetic level. Such was the impact, he reached well outside the scientific field to a general public. He has written many excellent works of popular science.
In my lifetime I have read hundreds of popular science books and would not hesitate to recommend any of his works at the very apex of the genre.
7:10
For me : so that I could show off a bit
Check out Matt ridleys books
I want to know science so I’ll be the next senku 🧐😏
Look like am not the only one that thinks like this😂😂💔
'this is the way you're going to reach the people who don't agree with you'
I'm pretty sure he had emails and conversations with plenty of people who converted. And I bet less 'aggressive' science communicators can say the same.
Horses for courses, some people need the carrot, some need the stick.
That is true - I suppose different methods will work for different people :)
Sorry but Richard Dawkins is the best
Bin Ich Ibrahim - Dawkins is a dork, locking out everything beyond his simplistic model, no awe, no wonder, no appreciation.
@@virvisquevir3320 Ye that's called being clever
no
I've read almost every single book on evolution out there and The Greatest Show on Earth is probably the best book out there to understand what's the evidence of evolution (also Why Evolution is True by J.Coyne). Saying what you're saying of this book with the increible amount of people out there who doesn't understand evolution is a negligence.
Moreover, Dawkins isn't arrogant, and repeating that like a mantra is damaging the enormous contribution he has done with his books.
I recommend you continue reading his books and watching his speechs because then you'll rectify. I really think so.
Loved your channel i am on mission to find and subscribe different domain expert scientist 😅😄.
I liked Why evolution is true by Coyne a lot better.
Yep
Yes, that is one of my favorites. I get goosebumps thinking about that book.
I don't like Dawkins either because he focuses on genes instead of organisms. Seems to me to be a different paradigm from the modern synthesis in which selection pressure acts on organisms. And I do not see how the evidence supports his view. Besides, I come to biology as an Earth scientist and thus find Dawkin's reductionist approach has limited use as a pedagogic tool but without merit as a new paradigm for evolutionary theory.
As for oceanography, I recommend some works of Alan Longhurst.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Longhurst
Selections:
1. Ecological Geography of the Sea, 2nd Edition
Review: www.deepdyve.com/lp/elsevier/ecological-geography-of-the-sea-alan-longhurst-academic-press-san-6dEz1Y5Vwn
2. Mismanagement of Marine Fisheries
Excerpt: assets.cambridge.org/97805217/21509/excerpt/9780521721509_excerpt.pdf
Link to Preface & table of contents:
assets.cambridge.org/97805217/21509/frontmatter/9780521721509_frontmatter.pdf
3. Doubt and Certainty in Climate Science. Reviewed by Judith Curry. (full text in the public domain)
URL: judithcurry.com/2015/09/20/new-book-doubt-and-certainty-in-climate-science/
Link: curryja.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/longhurst-print.pdf
4. Role of the Marine Biosphere in the Global Carbon Cycle
imedea.uib-csic.es/master/cambioglobal/Modulo_V_cod101611/Subject_General/Bibliography_general/Longhurst%20%201991.pdf
5. Pelagic Biogeography (including use of remote sensing)
www.researchgate.net/publication/328435542_Pelagic_Biogeography
6. A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE (PLUS A LOT OF INFORMATION) MAY BE A VERY DANGEROUS COMBINATION.
A comment on a journal paper using meta-analysis of 16 papers.
www.soest.hawaii.edu/PFRP/large_pelagics/Longhust-A-little-knowledge.pdf
7. Alan Longhurst's research while affiliated with Bedford Institute of Oceanography and other places
www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/72937519_Alan_Longhurst
Boo. Read Stephen F Mason. A history of the sciences
I understand what you mean with Richard Dawkins, but to be fair, most of his career, he has been talking to quite dumb people (not all, but a good number). I kind of get the feeling that he's fed up with hearing and having to debate the same bad arguments over and over again, and as such comes across a bit arrogant at times. Most of the people he is trying to teach are those who only really respond to the harsh nature of the way he argues, not unlike how Christopher Hitchens argued. He really kind of has to repeat himself several times, because many of his readers are not going to read his book twice, and aren't going to get the information the first time it is presented. I don't think his book(s) are really aimed at people who are eager to learn, but rather at those who are eager to argue against him, or those who want to challenge the people wanting to argue against Dawkins. That's just my thoughts on it anyway.
Thank you for the other book recommendations! I just put them on my 'to read' list! 💖 -Ava
I don’t like consuming Richard Dawkins media because he is so intent in his athiesm. As a Christian, I find it hard to remove that bias..
Why didn't u mention Selfish gene, saying Richard Dawkins is arrogent , seriously!!
I am still a student and I want to better at science than any other kid muhahahahahahahahahahhaha!
Wow...So pathetic....*Unlikes*