This is a fascinating story about an unusual scientist at work that will mesmerize even the most reluctant reader!
596913
Tyrone was the type of boy who always had his toes in the waters of Colombia, South Carolina.  He lived near "a swamp full of frogs, snapping turtles, and snakes," and to this day he's still dipping in water looking for frogs.  If you want to catch them, you have to get up at the crack of dawn and get moving.  Field biology isn't for people who want to sleep until noon and Dr. Tyrone Hayes isn't about to lie in bed when he has a mission to do.  In particular he is running experiments to see if the pesticide altrazine affects the development of frogs.  He noticed that "atrazine feminized male leopard frogs."  Around the world certain types of frogs have become extinct and many appear to be following in their footsteps.

There are a few obvious reasons why frogs are disappearing such as the fact that forests are being cut down and wetlands are being filled up with soil and built upon.  Things like global warming have encouraged the spread of the chytrid fungus which is rapidly killing them off, but the unseen factors such as the introduction of altrazine to fresh water sources are why has Dr. Hayes working at a breakneck pace in his laboratory.  In this book you'll learn even more reasons why frogs are dying off, you'll get to see and learn about why there are so many deformities, why Hotel Campresre became a "frog hotel," you'll learn about "bizarre half-male, half-female" frogs, and more!

This is a fascinating story about an unusual scientist at work that will mesmerize even the most reluctant reader.  I particularly liked the way the story draws the reader in right from the start in Dugway Pond and brings him or her right through an actual experiment in the Hayes Lab.  The book does make it clear without saying that "environmental health and human health are one and the same."  The book is alive with vibrant photographs, including those of Dr. Hayes's assistants, an addition that makes the book more personal.  In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, photographs of "Featured Frogs and Toads," and numerous recommended book and website resources.  K-12 lesson plans are available through a link provided.
1392252
This is a fascinating scientific tale of life's history told by one of science's champions - Dr. Watson.  We are fortunate that he is also a gifted writer and story teller.  This book is a scientific page turner and by the end of the first few chapters the reader realizes what all the excitement is about.  It is an easy read and a good review for people with science background, for others the details might prove challenging but the big picture is certainly within grasp. With the sequencing of the human genome, many aspects of our lives has and will change, this book can help usher us into the new age by teaching us the basics so we can be "DNA literate".  I am a clinical physician but this book has awakened the scientist in me. I highly recommend it.
2129596
A fascinating novel that deconstructs the life of a writer, the inspiration of a muse and the darkness of a creative mind. A well-told and unusual story that is like nothing I've ever read -- definitely worth checking out and reading carefully!
1031185
I found Werner Krieglstein's Einstein's Mistake to be an exciting read!  I have to admit that I am not an avid reader, so if I do decide to read novels, I can sometimes find it very difficult to keep my interest.  This, however, was not the case when I began reading Einstein's Mistake.  The characters of Professor Barker, Dr. Wong, Carlisle, Richard and Joe were well developed throughout the course of the story.  This book is a look into the future on what would happen if science was to take control of our society and could see into and manipulate all of our thoughts, emotions and actions.  The story follows Professor Barker and his family as well as some other sordid individuals who somehow play important and strange roles of how Professor Barker's life quickly unravels and takes a strange turn.  I think that Einsten's Mistake is an exciting look into the future and what could possibly be if we do not strive harder to be more sensitive to each other's differences and embrace them!
1391245
fascinating stuff!  There are things that you just don't think about in covert warfare, and this book is full of the most interesting of them.  For example, on a military raid on Nazi territory, one scientist goes along to view the German radar setup installed and to judge how far along the Germans are in radar technology.  Along with him go two British soldiers, whose job it is to kill the scientist if it appears he might be captured.  That is JUST the sort of thing that you say "of course, they would have to do that", but it just never occurred to you until you read it.
A really well written story and very enjoyable- my favorite anecdote I will not spoil by telling you- just look for the story of OSS sending a letter to a Chech Nazi puppet official from an alleged "girlfriend" in South America, said letter detailing her knitting Karl a sweater.
This book is so well written that it does not come across as "dated", a major achievement for a book about WW II.  It is a paen of praise for William Stephenson, but done so well you end up thinking he heartily and thoroughly deserves it.
4341677
The God Particle has all of the trappings of a very interesting story.  It has intrigue, mystery, action, romance and, of course, science.  As one who has an interest in Physics, I found the scientific content of the story fascinating as the author adeptly presented some fairly involved theories through conversation and introspection.  While the story is a work of fiction, I believe the more important work contained on the pages within are of the possibilities that still exist in the universe, many of which we can yet only dream.  It was both entertaining and enlightening.
3565191
This book by D.H.Draws was captivating!  I am not fond of science fiction type books, but this one seemed alarmingly too real for comfort; I was caught up in the plot and couldn't put it down. Our world today is constantly experiencing problems with natural resources: not enough; too much; lack of control; too much control, etc.  Perhaps all the real life scientists and politicians of today should read this stimulating fictional book.  It might trigger fresh ideas and some possible directions to pursue as they attempt to keep our planet maintained successfully,  It is evident that the author has delved and researched to write this story in this believably convincing manner.  The descriptive passages illuminating the prominent characters in their quest for success were outstanding.  Again, the scientific input was astounding!  I'll be looking for the next book, D.H.Draws.
720668
The Curiosity by Stephen P. Kiernan is the story of a fantastic, scientific breakthrough as told through the eyes of four people: the investor, the scientist, the reporter, and finally ... the experiment. Three of these four elements made this book a really fantastic read, while one of them simply seemed to just take up space.  Which do you think it was?

The experiment: Buried in hard ice, a human body has been recovered and now, through the miracle of science (and perhaps playing on those cryogenic ideas we all know and love) he has been revived, but for how long?  The experiment faces controversy, of course - Stephen Kiernan taking a page out of the Westboro Baptist Church pickets and placing a well-organized, politically-rooted group outside of the building protesting the nerve of science playing "God."  But the experiment is more than the reincarnation of a Lazarus-type, it's a look at the morality of science - if we create or revive life, what rights does that lifeform have?  I really enjoyed the point of view of the frozen man and thought it provoked some interesting questions.

The reporter: Complete and total trashy-minded reporter.  I was a tad annoyed with being inside this characters head.  Daniel Dixon played a vital role throughout the book with key questions and the threads necessary to bring a story together, but I was annoyed by the stereo-typical behavior being portrayed.  Dixon shows a complete disregard and lack of respect for women (seriously, I don't need to be constantly reminded of how nice Dr. Kate Philo's butt looks) and was out for his own gain, which isn't a bad thing but reporters really did get a bad rap in this book based on that character.  Still, he wasn't the worst and the character definitely provided texture for the story.

The scientist: I really enjoyed Kate's character.  Faced with demons from her own past, Kate is determined to position herself in a place where she can have first contact with the recovered man.  She showed an intense love of science and interest in humanity over experiments that was refreshing to see throughout the course of the book, especially considering those she was surrounded by.  Still, it is inevitable when you throw a female scientist together with a reanimated man from the past that a romance springs up - but in spite of this cliche, I found it to be tastefully done and not an "in your face" romance like most books of this sort tend to do.

The investor: I thought this character was worthless.  In fact, his point of view seems to show up less and less throughout the book (although, maybe that was my complete indifference toward him).  I could not find anything worthwhile about what he had to say and thought that the author might have made a better choice by showcasing Carthage through the eyes of his assistant instead.

Overall, I think the description of Michael Crichton meets Time Traveler's Wife is an apt one.  I was reminded a few times of movies I've seen where men from the past appear in the present, but at no point did the story seem repetitive to me.  I think fans of The Time Traveler's Wife would thoroughly enjoy this new book by Kiernan and I know I'll be on the lookout for more to come.
3403794
This is an amazing book, filed with an intriguing and complexly interwoven mixture of adventure, science, and romance, set in Africa and Amsterdam, vividly describing the deliberate unleashing of a scourge long-suffered in the tropics, but unknown in the temperate climates.  Mixing in scientific intrigue with the story of a pugnacious hero facing down a relentless and ruthless adversary to save his love, while at the same time telling the interrelated story of her previous life in Africa, the book cannot be put down as it races to its surprising conclusion.  The author does a marvelous job of making the characters and places he describes come to life in a very vivid way, and the story he weaves is truly compelling and convincing. Any reader who likes a good intrigue novel should read this book!
399441
This is a fascinating science-fiction story that in many aspects brought back to my mind the idea of a scientist name Edward Lorenz, who in 1963 exposed his theory that "a butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air - eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet". More than thirty years later this theory was accepted with the status of a "law" known as The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.
In this book, our hero Charles Wallace travels in time with the help of an unicorn (Gaudior) in order to try to avoid a major disaster on earth. Going within four other people in different times he is able to change a "Might-Have-Been" situation with the help of his sister Meg and an old Irish rune. This is a fast reading book and a page turner that took me around nine hours to finish. Very enjoyable!
3680331
Not a literary masterpiece, but an exciting biography of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.  Includes more real science than the typical popular biography.. probably because the authors are scientists.
3709527
Carlson provides a very intriguing perspective in this book, which weaves together several strands of current advancements in science into a gripping tale.  A fascinating thriller with some interesting thoughts on how humans may react to sudden changes in the environment.  I couldn't put this book down (more specifically, I didn't want to let go of my Kindle)!
1830991
I bought this book thinking it was by the other Richard Holmes, the military historian one.  Serendipitously, I have now discovered my mistake.

Really, this is a "biography" of modern science, set around the experince and influence of Sir Joseph Banks, from his early voyage to Tahiti - and its sexually liberated "maidens" - to the end of his life as President of the Royal Society.  In between we visit scientists, inventors and explorers - from Mungo Park to Sir Humphry Davy, the Herschel siblings, the first hot air balloons...so many things that we take for granted today grew out of these inventions, discoveries, and the new way of thinking they represented.

While Banks is the central character in this saga, the action swirls away to others regularly: Banks is the lens through which we view this "Age of Wonder".  This works, and terribly well.  The story being told is simultaneously of the growth of science, and the beginnings of the modern world.

For any student of science, or of history, this is an important book that does indeed show the beauty, and terror, of science.
3351845
Decoding the Heavens is a well-written and sometimes challenging story of a most remarkable discovery.  Jo Marchant manages to capture both the centuries-ahead-of-its-time sophistication of the Antikythera Mechanism, as well as the enthusiasm - in some cases bordering on obsession - with which scientists have tried to unlock its secrets.  While the book is not light reading, delving deeply into matters both technological and astronomical, it never bogs down.  And it definitely will leave the reader with a tremendous appreciation for the accomplishments of Classical Greek civilization!
4181330
Written by a self-proclaimed science nerd, this is book is a combination of science (big on science), science fiction, adventure, human interest and thriller. What happens if an astronaut gets stranded on a hostile planet and needs to use his wits, whatever he has on hand and his education to survive until he can be rescued? Would he be rescued? Will he even live that long? The science is very accessible to anyone who stayed awake in science class and Watley's story is well-told. As I said, I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can read!
4066657
If the birth control pill was one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, why is it that most people have no idea who invented it or how it came to be?  As I read Jonathan Eig's excellent new book on the subject, it occurred to me that the answer to that question is probably because nobody would have believed it.  In this fascinating and almost unbelievable story, Jonathan introduces us to the cast of characters responsible for the creation of the pill.  They include an eccentric millionaire heiress, a radical, free-loving, way-ahead-of-her-time feminist who flirted with socialism and eugenics, a deeply religious Catholic gynecologist who believed that his work on the Pill was consistent with the teachings of his church, and a rogue Jewish scientist who had been fired from his tenure-track position at Harvard partly due to the radical nature of his research and partly due to anti-Semitism.  The book reads like an entertaining and bizarre combination of a campy science fiction novel and an eclectic travelogue in which the characters lead us on a strange trip from world before the Pill to a brave new world in which it is nearly impossible to imagine life without the Pill.  It is also a terrific read for anyone interested in a great story about the evolution of sex in contemporary society.
3773843
When you read the first chapter you'll not be able to put it down - an incredible story that stymies the imagination!