No comments about The Man Who Saved Sea Turtles: Archie Carr and the Origins of Conservation Biology.

No comments about Origins: Selected Letters of Charles Darwin, 1822-1859. Anniversary edition. (Selected Letters of C. Darwin).

1 comments about Making Waves (Masters of Modern Physics).

1. This book shows the wide variety of subjects that Charles H. Townes explored and did substantive and original contributions. Then he is uniquely qualified for criticize excesses in unifying attempts in the frontiers of Physics and the overlaps of this discipline with other fields (Townes'Gathering of the Realms') when he say: "Scientists have now become a good deal more cautious and modest about extending scientific ideas into realms where they have not yet been throughly tested. We know today that the most sophisticated scientific theories, including quantum mechanics, are still incomplete". Reading these words one is like to ask: How much dose of caution and modesty a scientist must employ (e.g. extending quantum mechanical concepts to scientific anomalies 'no througly tested' or to theological thinking) for him/her starting a useful speculation on likely future explanatory theories of hypothetical consilient gatherings of realms?. In fact Townes himself is the first to break this advice of caution when he extends the uncertainty and complementarity principles to spiritual and ethical dimensions. All the contemporary attempts of scientific synthesis begin breaking this rule: Penrose extending quantum gravity theory into neurobiological realms still not 'throughly tested', Deutch stretching the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics to computation, evolution and epistemology -realms where experiments still are in the long process of exploring the shocking implications of his insights-, Wolf dazzling extension of quantum vacuum physics to deep psychology and religion, fiels where of course testing is far of being 'throughly' examined, Jahn and Dunne 'metaphorical' generalization of QM to anomalous consciousness phenomena where both the theory and the claimed experimental results to be explained by the theory are by the time being far of 'unbiased' evidential scrutiny, and finally (we are distant of a complete review of synthesis-looking extrapolations) we have Wilson extension of non-quantum biological thinking to anthropology, psychology, religion, philosophy and the arts where the Townes'caution criteria is openly broken. May be the reason for wanting to extrapolate our 'still incomplete' scientific theories into still untested realms must to be looked in the last author (Wilson), in our yearning of "interlocking of causal explanations across disciplines", our "need to search for the proof that everything in our world is organized in terms of a small number of fundamental natural laws that comprise the principles underlying every branch of learning". Do not blame the generalists if their longing for consiliense outpace their caution and modesty. In these terms Townes book is a ideal complement to Wilson's "Consiliense".

No comments about Double Stars: The Story of Caroline Herschel (Profiles in Science).

2 comments about A Matter of Choices: Memoirs of a Female Physicist (Lives of Women in Science).

1. Selove's memoir is short and sweet. I especially liked the style of writing, which seems to match and convey her nonchalant but passionate outlook on life. The book is short and to-the-point. It's honest and thought-provoking.
   
   The obstacles that she faced as a physicist may not be as pertinent today, but they still do exist. The book would provide an excellent read for male and female students and faculty members at major science institutions, especially physics departmental personnel.
   
   I recommend the book to anyone who has the chance to read it!



2. Fay Ajzenberg-Selove first proves herself extraordinary in her ability to talk her way past a Nazi in her escape from Germany. The remarkable force of her personality carried her past bad physics grades and blatant sexism into a successful academic & scientific career.

   The book is well-written and enjoyable.

1 comments about Practical Mystic: Religion, Science, and A. S. Eddington.

1. This is the first work I've read by Matthew Stanley - he is insightful and thorough, using Eddington as a focus for delving into the hot topic of science and religion. The book is extremely well-written, and clear enough for the lay reader to understand. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the interaction of science and religion.

No comments about Leonardo's Universe: The Renaissance World of Leonardo DaVinci.

5 comments about A Brief History of the Future: From Radio Days to Internet Years in a Lifetime.

1. This book is essentially an overview of the development and evolution of the Internet, ending with the browser war between Netscape and Microsoft. It was initially published in the UK in 1999, then in the US in 2000. There is some discussion of the intellectual backstories such as Norbert Wiener's cybernetics and JCR Licklider's ideas on interactive computing, but the book is mainly about the birth and growth of the Net. This book lacks detail - and is in that sense superficial - but it works well as the general overview the author meant it to be.



2. Next time you take a transcontinental flight to a technical conference, skip the airline movie and just read this wonderful book cover to cover. I wish history class in high school had been this much fun. Naughton has written the definitive history of the Internet so far. For example, when the Pentagon asked AT&T to build an early prototype of the Internet for them, AT&T pooh-poohed packet switching as a worthless idea concocted by some young whippersnapper (Paul Baran of the Rand Corp.) who knew nothing about proper telephone engineering. The book is full of anecdotes and funny stories. Great reading for old fogies and young fogies alike.



3. What does the Internet mean for the future? An answer partially depends upon an analysis of the past, and John Naughton's Brief History of the Future is the first book to cover the entire history of the Internet's development, from those who first thought of it in the 1940s to the scientists and engineers who brought it to life. Anecdotes blend with history to provide an intriguing blend of personal and scientific observation.



4. Reads like a sci-fi novel while providing a solid understanding of how and why the Internet works. At times the detail is almost overdone but this only adds to the credibility of the author. I started with a Timex Sinclair computer and have lived through the period covered in this book without really understanding just what made the internet work. Now I know!



5. I've worked in the software industry for twenty years, and now I finally have an entertaining, enjoyable book to give to friends and family who don't really understand what I do all day. If you've ever struggled to explain how the internet works, or why anybody would use it. This is the book. I gave a copy to my 77 year old flight instructor, he loved it.

5 comments about Coroner's Journal: Forensics and the Art of Stalking Death.

1. I love reading about how mds and police officials try to determine time of death, manner of death, etc. This book was hard to put down, and i looked forward to come home from work to get back into it.



2. This book is, for the most part, as deep as a conversation - like what you'd hear over dinner or having a beer - more than it is a real examination of the coroner's role and duties.
   
   Don't get me wrong, this is a really nice first effort, but I come away feeling like I have not learned much about Dr. Cataldie or his office.
   
   We learn that he takes his work seriously, it's a tough job and you can't let it get to you.
   
   Don't get me wrong, I personally know people with similar positions, and it is a tough, demanding job that takes a toll most people will never realize. I wish everyone could understand the sacrifices Dr. Cataldie and others like him make each and ever day.
   
   However, I do a little professional writing myself, and the most important lesson: Show, don't tell. Take us with you, don't just describe the trip. You got real close, particularly in the Conclusion chapter when he talks about some of the regular people who have needed his professional services. I'd like to hear more about them.
   
   So for that Katrina book I hope you're working on, dig deep, buddy. I know you can do it.



3. This was an excellent forensic case book. Not only do you get excellent cases but you also get the author's down to earth personality, concern for life and true emotions. If you enjoy forensic novels and case books - This is a definite must read!!



4. I was totally involved with reading this book. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
   Very in depth, very well written, really does show the steps a coroner goes thru in a death and crime situation.
   I felt as if I were on the investigating team. It really is a very good book, including much about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area.



5. This is book that is hard to put down. Cataldie takes you with him to crime scenes. He is a very detailed writer. I would love to find more books like this.

5 comments about The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes: Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist--How His Quake Warnings Can Save Lives.

1. I really enjoyed this book. It belongs in the category of intuitive knowledge, things which we know from a sense that the science establishment refuses to acknowledge despite overwhelming evidence and a successful track record. The reading is light, with just enough technical detail to lay a good foundation for the ideas which, though they cannot be considered theory, have enough clout to convince the reader that there is more to predicting earthquakes than meters and measurements, or at least an alternative method for the open minded.



2. But really, what is sadder? That he has convinced himself, or that he has convinced others? How ironic that we have more access to more real non-biased data than any people anywhere at any other time in history, and that scientists are discovering more about nature at an unprecedented pace, and yet superstitions continue to be thriving despite it all. It's no surprise that we revere entertainers over scientists in this world, but it is sad.
   
   Folks: NO HUMAN HAS EVER predicted earthquakes with a pattern of accuracy (hits without false alarms) in a way that exceeds random chance. (I should note I use random chance to refer to the known historical frequencies/magnitudes of earthquakes in the "prediction" regions from publicly available records.)
   
   Many engage in the practice of fooling themselves with an unconciously selective review of data to make themselves believe, but none of their claims have ever stood up to rigorous statistical analysis. Should they have a statistically significant record of predicting these events beyond random chance, every seismologist in the world would be studying their techniques and perceptions.
   
   And that goes for the other reviewer of this book who simultaneously offers a 5-star review and claims to be the only Parkfield "predictor". Wow.
   
   -Greg



3. This book causes you to think about the possiblity of an earth quake
   and how to handle it. Lots of good advise and information.



4. Man who predicts Earthquakes - Jim Berkland, Maverick Geologist -biography
   by Cal Orey, Sentient Pub '06 Review - micheal sunanda Oness press
   
   This book is charming & dramatic in language, vast in scope, very personal & accurate in reporting. Jim keeps Equake records of his `Syzygy' coorelations being Sun, full & new moon cycles of Equake clusters happening after many cats & dogs run away from homes. That natural data been observed in China for decades, but not reported to US much. Cal explains the politics around Jim & controversy still rejected by most geology now. Jim is open, careful & lucid telling of Equakes recent & historical. Even wild animals act weird or run away before Equakes, as many folks in northern California know. But government people are too worried & afraid about money & reputation to allow such a radical rebel to work for them predicting Equakes, makes'em look dumb, even if it saves damage & lives to know ahead & prepare.
   I been hearing Jim on Coast to Coast am radio interview for 5 years now, So here I get to learn the details of his radical lifework around earthquake predictions. He has more honest integrity of any geologist I've ever heard or read. His observing & reporting natures cycles really inspired me to study earth science more about all earth changes causes & effects. Even him getting fired by his agency for publishing earthquake predictions is typical as it is absurd. But he continued his career research in patterns around earthquake wherever they happen & especially the precursors, not causes, but the signs of it coming soon. His Syzygy is 80-85% accurate predicting earthquakes. Jim's been tracking solunar cycles, ocean tides & animal behaviors & more coorelations to earthquake precursors
   We read of other Equake predictors, sensitives to pre-quake rumbles, prophetic dreams & ESP. I've talked with 2 Equake sensitives who feel pre-quake vibrations as aches, pains & stress in their bodies, they've mapped according to body parts & earth regions. Cal probes the depths of the field. I like her referring to Rupert Sheldrake's work on morphic resonance & ESP of animals sensing invisible & farway things. If you want a deeper read on earth-quake dimensions this is it. Reading her is fun & profound at once, to realized how we're all connected with Mother earth. But animals seem more & sensitive & instinctual than most humans are. So we can learn about patterns with them, Like `where'd they go? Why running away? Is quake coming? When? Some causes of Equakes are still a mystery.



5. I wrote the introduction to *The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes* because I believe that James Berkland's work on earthquake prediction deserves serious attention. Cal Orey's book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of mysterious earthquake precursors and it offers a fascinating overview of James Berkland's colorful career as a maverick geologist. Berkland's adventures and explorations on the frontiers of scientific discovery will haunt conventional seismologists and intrigue open-minded students of unexplained phenomena.