What Science Is and How It Works

by Gregory N. Derry

Book Overview

How does a scientist go about solving problems? How do scientific discoveries happen? Why are cold fusion and parapsychology different from mainstream science? What is a scientific worldview? In this lively and wide-ranging book, Gregory Derry talks about these and other questions as he introduces the reader to the process of scientific thinking. From the discovery of X rays and semiconductors to the argument for continental drift to the invention...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691058776
• ISBN13: 9780691058771
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Science Book

This book is incredibly well-written and imformative. It spans all of the sciences, and describes many breakthroughs and issues in the sciences, both current and from centuries ago. It delves into topics both simple and complicated, from symmetry to pseudoscience. Derry writes in language both simple enough to understand and interesting enough to keep you raptly engaged. One of the best books spanning general science. All levels.

Good overall view of science

Describes the many frontiers of science. Delves into the mental tactics of scientific investigation and continues into the philosophical questions that science creates by its existence.Excellent book

A great book if you have any interest in science whatsoever!

When I picked this up, I didn't know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. Gregory Derry writes about and explores different ideas ranging from logic to symmetry to pseudoscience, so the book covered a great range. The reading style is easy to understand, and it helps me a lot in college for my science courses and some math courses. Also, I showed it to my professor, who now uses it as a source himself. And also my little sister (aged 15) is getting a lot out of it, although admittedly she is very intelligent for her age. So it's for everybody! I now feel like I understand science better as a whole, as well as the fact that it has made me really interested in science.