Tag Archives: biochemistry

A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science

Posted on January 31, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Canon: A whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science© 2007 Natalie Angier293 pages Science is amazing! Why is so much of the writing about it so lame?   Natalie Angier’s The Canon first reviews the principles of scientific thinking … Continue reading →

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Why We Get Fat

Posted on June 9, 2012 by smellincoffee

Why We Get Fat: and What To Do About It© 2011, 2012 Gary Taubes267 pages The secret of weight, we are told, is as simple as physics, as the laws of thermodynamics. If we take in more energy in eating … Continue reading →

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Why We Get Sick

Posted on June 2, 2012 by smellincoffee

Why We Get Sick: the New Science of Darwinian Medicine© 1994 Randolph M. Nesse, M.D; George C. Wiliams, Ph.D.290 pages Years ago I read an exceptional book on evolution by David Sloan Wilson. I say exceptional because it advocated for … Continue reading →

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Life Ascending

Posted on March 31, 2012 by smellincoffee

Life Ascending: the Ten Great Inventions of Evolution© 2009 Nick Lane344 pages For my money, few subjects are as impressive, beautiful, and awe-inspiring as biology and evolution. Is there a greater drama in the cosmos outside the long play of … Continue reading →

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The Planet that Wasn’t

Posted on October 17, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Planet that Wasn’t© 1976 Isaac Asimov237 pages Isaac Asimov routinely penned science essays in various magazines, and given his eagerness to publish books, often produced collections of said science essays. The Planet that Wasn’t is one such collection, covering … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (19 June)

Posted on June 19, 2011 by smellincoffee

In addition to the reviews posted this weekend, I also finished Biology Made Simple — which proved to be too simple for my needs. Although the book improved vastly as the author covered the bodily systems, the opening chapters on … Continue reading →

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The Tragedy of the Moon

Posted on May 4, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Tragedy of the Moon© Isaac Asimov 1978224 pages The Tragedy of the Moon collects seventeen sundry Asimovian essays  which will prove a delight to most Asimov fans.  The essays were originally published in Fantasy and Science Fiction, but have been … Continue reading →

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Frontiers II

Posted on March 20, 2009 by smellincoffee

Frontiers II : More recent discoveries about life, Earth, space, and the universe© 1993 Isaac and Janet Asimov369 pages Given Isaac Asimov’s deliberate attempt to be famous for sheer volume in terms of books, I think he would be amused … Continue reading →

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The Sun Shines Bright

Posted on March 11, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Sun Shines Bright© 1981 Isaac Asimov250 pages It’s been a while since I’ve treated myself to a little Asimov. I’ve purposely held back on my Asimov reading given how much of it is science fiction and I don’t want … Continue reading →

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