A brilliantly successful and heroic effort to present to the educated layman all the major developments and trends in modern science in understandable terms. Probably only Isaac Asimov could have done this. His instinct for lucid explanation makes him one of America's greatest scientist-expositors, for all ages. With an uncanny sense of proportion (he knows what to leave out as well as what to include), he has written a magnificent survey of the history of science, which weaves into a whole the significant contributions of some 500 master investigators in every field. His dependably felcitous style is carefully controlled because of the scope, which would have terrified a lesser man. But the real secret of his success- his superb sense of organization- is more evident here than in his other books. In only 16 chapters he presents his story of the questions man has asked about the Universe, the World, Life. He reveals scientists' investigations of the secrets of Life in seven chapters:- The Molecule, The Proteins, The Cell, Micro-organisms, The Human Body, The Species and The Human Mind. Carefully integrated sub-headings relate the supporting evidence relevant to his explanations. His discussions of Aspects of the Universe and the Inorganic World follow the same highly integrated pattern. Throughout, the text offers a fabulous array of historical facts, the latest ideas, the newest discoveries in every area of science. Its more than 1000 pages and hundreds of photographs and original drawings can provide any reader, with a minimal interest in science, real illumination, leads for further investigation and inspiration. There is an introduction by George W. Beadle. This belongs in every school, college and public library and will make a good gift item for the science-minded person. Special appendix on Mathematics in Science.
Pub Date: Nov. 10, 1960
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Basic Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1960
Dogged original research and superb narrative skills come together in this gripping account of pitiless evil.
Greed, depravity, and serial murder in 1920s Oklahoma.
During that time, enrolled members of the Osage Indian nation were among the wealthiest people per capita in the world. The rich oil fields beneath their reservation brought millions of dollars into the tribe annually, distributed to tribal members holding "headrights" that could not be bought or sold but only inherited. This vast wealth attracted the attention of unscrupulous whites who found ways to divert it to themselves by marrying Osage women or by having Osage declared legally incompetent so the whites could fleece them through the administration of their estates. For some, however, these deceptive tactics were not enough, and a plague of violent death—by shooting, poison, orchestrated automobile accident, and bombing—began to decimate the Osage in what they came to call the "Reign of Terror." Corrupt and incompetent law enforcement and judicial systems ensured that the perpetrators were never found or punished until the young J. Edgar Hoover saw cracking these cases as a means of burnishing the reputation of the newly professionalized FBI. Bestselling New Yorkerstaff writer Grann (The Devil and Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness, and Obsession, 2010, etc.) follows Special Agent Tom White and his assistants as they track the killers of one extended Osage family through a closed local culture of greed, bigotry, and lies in pursuit of protection for the survivors and justice for the dead. But he doesn't stop there; relying almost entirely on primary and unpublished sources, the author goes on to expose a web of conspiracy and corruption that extended far wider than even the FBI ever suspected. This page-turner surges forward with the pacing of a true-crime thriller, elevated by Grann's crisp and evocative prose and enhanced by dozens of period photographs.
Dogged original research and superb narrative skills come together in this gripping account of pitiless evil.Pub Date: April 18, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-385-53424-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2017
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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