michael_k's review against another edition
3.0
It tries to cover a lot of scientific knowledge and I am glad that it is up to date. It gives the basics that we should all know using the setting of Discworld to provide a motive for the fans to read about real world's science.
natashalg's review against another edition
2.0
At the beginning I tried reading it cover to cover, and just couldn't do it. I went into this book thinking it would be ABOUT the Discworld, but it's actually about OUR world. I wound up skimming the science parts, and only reading the story part of this book. I would recommend doing this especially if you don't want to feel like you're reading a textbook that tries a little too hard to be relatable and funny. Most of the science covered is science that you likely already know, and it doesn't add anything to the story line. However, I consider myself a science geek, so maybe there is something you would enjoy reading about! But for me, I was bored because I already knew what was being covered. Overall, I enjoyed it, but the science bit was just written on too low of a level for me. I ranked it so low because I did not TECHNICALLY read "all" of it.
thewritelucas's review against another edition
4.0
I was honestly expecting more Discworld than science, but was surprised by how much I still enjoyed the deep dives into evolutionary underpinnings and various implications of quantum theory. Be ready to Google some scientific ideas that have been updated since 1999, but wholly recommend.
nanceoir's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe more 3.5 stars, but not enough of 3.5 to push it over to 4.
Though, I have to say, reading this concurrently with Diane Duane's Interim Errantry has been interesting, to say the least.
Though, I have to say, reading this concurrently with Diane Duane's Interim Errantry has been interesting, to say the least.
exterus's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
3.0
mischlama's review against another edition
4.0
Scheibenweltgeschichte und echte Wissenschaft über die Entstehung der Erde und des Lebens....yeah!
crivens's review against another edition
5.0
This series is without doubt among the best pop science books ever written. So entertaining, so witty and so straightforward in their descriptions and and examples. Rather than write an individual review for each of this series I'm making an omnibus one for all. These books tread much the same ground as Bryson's a short history of Nearly everything, Harraria's Sapiens, Dawkins Blind watchmaker and Mt improbable and many, many more.
In a way I wish they were titled differently, much as with their ongoing jibe at Darwin's 'Decent of man' the title 'The Science of' turns off more readers than it attracts which is to my mind at least, a tragedy.
Reread as part of a complete reread started in September 2020.
In a way I wish they were titled differently, much as with their ongoing jibe at Darwin's 'Decent of man' the title 'The Science of' turns off more readers than it attracts which is to my mind at least, a tragedy.
Reread as part of a complete reread started in September 2020.