Scan barcode
A review by smellbelle
When Science Goes Wrong: Twelve Tales From the Dark Side of Discovery by Simon LeVay
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's everything you want from a lay person's science novel. A romp through some infamous and obscure science screw ups. The main thing though, is unlike many other novels of its type, it's done respectfully. LeVay, a scientist himself, does not take this novel as an opportunity to badmouth, criticise or humiliate his scientific colleagues. If it is schadenfreude that you're looking for, you'll not find it here.
LeVay covers these often truly tragic mishaps with a sense of poise and and accuracy and a thorough reporting of the facts.
My absolute favourite part of this though, is that it gives you just enough information, context and intrigue to want to go and find out more. Since finishing it, I've found a couple of interesting documentaries on a couple of the subjects, and that's always an added bonus.
Definitely a wonderful use of a spare couple of days that will leave you with further obscure and interesting facts to liven up a dinner party, or perhaps that winning edge at trivial pursuit.
LeVay covers these often truly tragic mishaps with a sense of poise and and accuracy and a thorough reporting of the facts.
My absolute favourite part of this though, is that it gives you just enough information, context and intrigue to want to go and find out more. Since finishing it, I've found a couple of interesting documentaries on a couple of the subjects, and that's always an added bonus.
Definitely a wonderful use of a spare couple of days that will leave you with further obscure and interesting facts to liven up a dinner party, or perhaps that winning edge at trivial pursuit.