The Story of Science

Starred review from December 1, 2007
Gr 9 Up-Continuing in the same conversational style that made "The Story of Science: Newton at the Center" (Smithsonian, 2005) such an accessible and engaging resource, Hakim moves readers further into the great minds of modern science. Reading about memorable individuals with unquenchable thirsts for knowledge, students come to see the study of science not simply as a listing of what humankind knows about the real world, but the pursuit by some of the world's greatest thinkers into its mysteries and inconsistencies. Why were Newton's laws and Maxwell's theories of thermodynamics incompatible? How did earth-shaking political events of the 20th century, particularly in Nazi Germany, impact scientific pursuits? How did Einstein, considered a lazy student by early teachers, mature into the powerful mind and mentor who set the course of modern scientific thought in motion? Hakim provides answers to these questions and much, much more. Formatted like a textbook, this impressive volume certainly doesn't read like one. It captures the human drama behind the scientific inquiry and makes it live and breathe. The book has a large, clear typeface and is complemented by numerous full-color photos, graphs, and diagrams. A must-have for science students and teachers."Kathy Lehman, Thomas Dale High School Library, Chester, VA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from December 1, 2007
After assuring readers that modern science is more astonishing than anything in science fiction, Hakim delivers as proof a typically brisk, intellectually challenging account of the development of quantum theory and modern cosmology. Writing largely in present tense, she introduces a teeming cast of deep thinkers who, despite some missteps (Ernest Rutherford's early claim that beta radiation was similar to X-rays is a big goof), delivered a series of brilliant experiments and insights to illuminate the decidedly weird goings-on, both inside the atomic nucleus and at the ends (if ends there be) of the universe. Hakim herself goofs occasionally (Teddy Roosevelt, not Albert Michelson, was the first American to receive a Nobel Prize) but nevertheless displays a real talent for lucidly explaining such difficult concepts as probability and quantum entanglement. Because her focus is on history, she only briefly considers the burgeoning subatomic particle zoo or the ins and outs of string theory. Supplemented by a digestible resource list and a generous assortment of illustrations, ranging from sharp color photos to editorial cartoons and science-inspired modern art, this third volume of a projected six makes another extraordinary cornerstone in the Story of Science series. Readers who enjoy having their intellects stretched will find this volume covers tough concepts in a very thorough and stimulating way.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)