# Recommend me a book about science.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [May 1, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992 "2005-05-01T23:21:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/41 "2005-05-05T04:10:03Z")
> [@Campion](#):
>
> But I am grateful to all the suggestions here, and tonight I plan to swing by the Borders after dinner and see if they have any of these books there.
No! No! Go to Vroman’s, first. They’ve generally a better selection (and better organized) and besides, they have cuter bookslaves. (I’m assuming here that So Pas is South Pasadena, on the basis of the recent “What are you having for dinner?” thread.)
Stranger
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### Author:  [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/42 "2005-05-05T05:16:49Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> No! No! Go to Vroman’s, first.
Too late! Went to Borders, and found almost nothing that was on my list, so I had to compromise and get [The Secret Life of Dust](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471426350/qid=1115270245/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-4626061-1518218?v=glance&s=books&n=507846). I don’t think it has anything to do with physics (which I am now determined to master by July), so I may go to Vroman’s and get me some of them physics books. After I go to B&N, since I have a gift certificate that’s been burning a hole in my pocket for a couple years now.
**MsWhatsit** , I was unfortunately _physically prevented_ from getting _Guns, Germs and Steel_ by my friend. Something about how I have plenty of books already (as if!). But it does look very interesting. It’s staying on my list.
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/43 "2005-05-05T05:44:54Z")
> [@Campion](#):
>
> Too late! Went to Borders, and found almost nothing that was on my list, so I had to compromise and get [The Secret Life of Dust](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471426350/qid=1115270245/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-4626061-1518218?v=glance&s=books&n=507846). I don’t think it has anything to do with physics (which I am now **determined to master by July** ), so I may go to Vroman’s and get me some of them physics books.
I understand that they have a class or two on that topic at the school just a few blocks west of Borders. But that might seriously be a bit of a challenge. 😃 Still, if you get to the point of dealing with the math, I highly recommend [Feynman’s Lectures](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201500647/qid=1115271498/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2569906-6071021?v=glance&s=books&n=507846).
> [@Campion](#):
>
> After I go to B&N, since I have a gift certificate that’s been burning a hole in my pocket for a couple years now.
Vroman’s still has a better selection and more attractive book-lasses, but if you’re determined to spend your money at B&N (and if you have a gift card, I can’t blame you) then stop in at Barney’s next door and tell Tad I said “Hi”. Oh, and leave the girls alone there; that’s my harem. 😃 Yeah, like I’d know what to do with that even if I had it. :rolleyes:
> [@Campion](#):
>
> **MsWhatsit** , I was unfortunately _physically prevented_ from getting _Guns, Germs and Steel_ by my friend. Something about how I have plenty of books already (as if!). But it does look very interesting. It’s staying on my list.
I second (or third, or whatever) _GG&S_, as a good history of the development of civilization (and why some cultures dominated others from prehistory up to Enlightenment). A good companion book is [Plagues and Peoples](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385121229/qid=1115271849/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-2569906-6071021?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), which I’m reading right now. It addresses the effect of plagues and infection equilibrium on the development of societies from roughly AD 1200 to the present. It’s a bit dated (published back in the late Seventies, I believe, though updated more recently) but most of the information is still relevent.
Stranger
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### Author:  [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/44 "2005-05-05T05:59:12Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> I understand that they have a class or two on that topic at the school just a few blocks west of Borders. But that might seriously be a bit of a challenge. 😃
Oh, please. I can think circles around those eggheads at PCC any day of the week. 😉
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> Vroman’s still has a better selection and more attractive book-lasses, but if you’re determined to spend your money at B&N (and if you have a gift card, I can’t blame you) then stop in at Barney’s next door and tell Tad I said “Hi”. Oh, and leave the girls alone there; that’s my harem. 😃 Yeah, like I’d know what to do with that even if I had it. :rolleyes:
Well, I think I can safely say that your harem is safe with me. They lack that Y chromosome I find so appealing. (D’you see? I just snuck in that science reference! Oh, this learning science stuff is going to be so easy!)
I will check out Vroman’s this weekend, likely, under the guise of “shopping for Mother’s Day,” even though I have gotten gifts for all the mothers I have to. But if I’m going to learn physics, I need to get a physics book. So far, three biology books, one engineering, and one on dust (I don’t even know where to classify that one, but it’s my favorite purchase).
So more shopping this weekend. But all in the name of science, don’t you know.
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/45 "2005-05-05T14:59:06Z")
> [@Campion](#):
>
> Oh, please. I can think circles around those eggheads at PCC any day of the week. 😉
Er, yeah. _Okay_. The point is taken, the beast is moulting, the fluff gets up your nose. 😃
> [@Campion](#):
>
> Well, I think I can safely say that your harem is safe with me. They lack that Y chromosome I find so appealing. (D’you see? I just snuck in that science reference! Oh, this learning science stuff is going to be so easy!)
Ooft…I had formed the impression that you are a dude.
So, how you doin’? Er, unless you’re gay, in which, um, hey…uh, never mind. 😕
> [@Campion](#):
>
> I will check out Vroman’s this weekend, likely, under the guise of “shopping for Mother’s Day,” even though I have gotten gifts for all the mothers I have to. But if I’m going to learn physics, I need to get a physics book. So far, three biology books, one engineering, and one on dust (I don’t even know where to classify that one, but it’s my favorite purchase).
If physics is your bag and you want to learn about interesting phenomena (as opposed to pure theory), check out Jearl Walker’s [The Flying Circus of Physics With Answers](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047102984X/qid=1115305357/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-5083798-8508730). It does assume some foundation knowledge but mostly explains the causes of various phenomena in layman’s terms.
Stranger
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### Author:  [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/46 "2005-05-05T17:42:50Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> Ooft…I had formed the impression that you are a dude.
Must be my deep, rich, melodious voice.
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> So, how you doin’?
Oh, stop. You just phoned that one in.
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> If physics is your bag and you want to learn about interesting phenomena (as opposed to pure theory), check out Jearl Walker’s [The Flying Circus of Physics With Answers](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047102984X/qid=1115305357/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-5083798-8508730). It does assume some foundation knowledge but mostly explains the causes of various phenomena in layman’s terms.
Will do. Thanks for the recommendations. Once I finish learning all about dust, I’m turning to physics, unless some other bright shiny object distracts me. I’m leaning toward starting with **Saltire’s** recommendation (_The Second Creation_) for an overview, then **stpauler’s** recommendation (_The God Particle_) because I’m still intrigued by the excerpt. Then, if there are still things about physics I need to learn (and again assuming no intervention by the previously mentioned bright, shiny object), I’ll try **Stranger’s** recommendation (_The Flying Circus_). Wish me luck!
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### Author:  [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-book-about-science/301992/47 "2005-05-05T22:52:52Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> psst…there’s always the public library
\
What, are you some kinda…commie…or something? 🙂
\
Seriously, though, these are exactly the sorts of books I like to own instead of borrow or check out from a library, because they take longer than normal to digest.
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