Reviews

La scienza di Mondo Disco by Ian Stewart, Terry Pratchett, Jack Cohen

themadhouse1996's review against another edition

funny informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

julcoh's review against another edition

I stopped about a third of the way through on this one. I'm sure I'll pick it up again and read through a few chapters.

I've read a ton of history/philosophy of science books, and the authors do a great job of following the thread of scientific development through the eyes of the Discworld characters we love and know, but at the end of the day not so illuminating.

Where this book is incredible for me is Pratchett's clear influence on the writing-- his style and satire are suffused throughout, and his turn-of-phrase is equally delightful in non-fiction:

When you live in a complex world, you have to simplify it in order to understand it. Indeed, that's what 'understand' means. At different stages of education, different levels of simplification are appropriate. Liar-to-children is an honourable and vital profession, otherwise known as 'teacher'. But what teaching does *not* do— although many politicians think it does, which is one of the problems— is erect a timeless edifice of 'facts'. Every so often, you have to unlearn what you thought you already knew, and replace it by something more subtle. This *process* is what science is all about, and it never stops. It means you shouldn't take everything we say as gospel, either, for we belong to another, equally honourable profession: Liar-to-readers.

antillais's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

retrophrenologist's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

3.75

jaduxenn's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

spitzig's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty well done. The problem was that I did not expect it to be about the science of our world.

It was half discworld, half actual science. Both parts were pretty good. But, I wanted discworld, not our world.

samdragon's review against another edition

5.0

I love Terry Pratchett books, everything he has written is amazing. Some one thelse science went over my head. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had understood everything. But over all they did a very good job making science that was way over my head make at least a bit of sense. Even when I didn't understand something I didn't feel lost, or like I was missing part of the story. I don't really like when multiple people write a book, and I think I would have liked it better if just Terry Pratchett wrote it. But the other authors were very good and I liked them.

geojim's review against another edition

3.0

A fun read. The science is a bit dated and there are some factual errors (e.g., 18-O is not radioactive).

alexpinard's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ruuuooooo's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25