The New Everyday Science Explained

by Curt Suplee

Book Overview

Why? Why aren't these avid roller-coaster riders falling right off the track? What do watery ripples have in common with lasers, earthquakes, and sound? How do aerialists and athletes keep their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0792273575
• ISBN13: 9780792273578
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: National Geographic Society
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 3.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 9.1" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Great Overview of Many Science Topics

Curt Suplee attempts to explain science in short excerpts beginning with the first section, Matter and Motion, through the fourth section focusing on The Chemistry of Life, which ends in a brief description of how and why we dream and how we age. Obviously the fields of science are far too broad to have any depth of explanation in a book this short. However, as an introduction to the numerous fields of science this book is an outstanding beginning. This book would be most valuable for the aspiring young scientist in late elementary school through middle school. A child may review each of the fields covered in this book, which encompasses physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine, and determine whether science truly is for them, and, if so, which field of science. Even adult readers will find this book to be a great refresher for many of the topics covered in classes long gone. Suplee manages to explain a facet of each of the topics he covers enough to provide a basic background, and yet does so in a way that does not talk down to readers. Since this book is a National Geographic book, you know that it will be filled with incredible photography to match each of the subjects. There are pictures of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed in 1940, shown in such a way that it captures what happened in just two photographs. There are photographs of Mars and the stars, and even a rusty car. Photographs of cells and the brain are also provided. Even an excellent explanation of the bad effects of poor nutrition and what happens when you eat too much fat. This book is a good general science book that could help provide the start of a research project. Others may use it as a coffee table book, particularly in the hardcover edition with the dust jacket on it. A casual guest will be impressed with your scientific interests and your appreciation of good books.

A great survey of science .

Curt Suplee really opened my eyes to the chemical and physical science I encounter everyday. The book is full of beautiful photographs and simple and amusing illustrations in addition to Mr. Suplee's excellent prose.

A First Step Into the World of Science

This is the most colourful book I own. A wide variety of photos are presented in different topics to make readers grasp the 'everyday' feeling. Every topic covers an idea with a well-written short text which is understandable to first-timers. This is a book I would recommend to junior science students and general readers who want to begin their exploration in science.

A GREAT BOOK THAT LIGHTENS THE HEAVIER SIDE OF SCIENCE

This book by The National Geographic and Washington Post Science editor Curt Suplee is a real stunner. National Geographic does it again, with great photo editing and use of art work, it brings science to life. You'll begin to think atoms are highly personable, and really quite friendly. If you flunked science back in school and want to understand the world around you...its not too late, try this book!

I love it. I'm the photgrapher for the sound wave image.

How strange to be asked what I thought in an E-Mail when My photo is in the book across a double page spread. The book is great and lives up to all the comments I heard about it before it was released. The Sound wave image "Shock Waves" was taken by Louise Walker and me, Dirk Kenyon Schenck. We were honored by the request for usage of our image in the book. They cropped the day lights out of it, but I'm still happy with it. I could write a novel about how great it felt to see the image in the book. It was like some one was playing a joke on us at first. Everyone from the Society was wonderful. I hope they call on us again. Thanks for the question. ( E-Mail ) Sincerely, Dirk Kenyon Schenck