Synopses & Reviews
What Did the Persecution of Galileo Have to do with Dolphins? Who was the Famous Astronomer Accused of Piracy? Who made a Car with an Engine the Size of a Grain of Rice? Discover the true stories behind these and other fascinating questions in this thought-provoking and captivating collection of tales from popular science. From prehistoric "killer trees" to contemporary computer imaging, from the depths of the ocean floor to the farthest reaches of outer space, best-selling author Adrian Berry covers a truly amazing range of topics, time periods, and opinions. Here are enthralling stories of medicine, meteorology, archaeology, astronomy, and philosophy. Each one reveals bizarre and interesting facts intertwined with superstition, intrigue, deceit, and, in some cases, even murder (discover the surprising phenomenon responsible for killing half of the human race). Berrys wry wit and often skeptical outlook add much to our understanding and enjoyment of these quirky inquiries into the unexplainable. Could a volcano actually have been responsible for the French Revolution? Three million years ago, when the earliest humans looked up into the African skies, did they see the same sun that we do? Is it possible to harness the energy of black holes? Galileo and the Dolphins even includes a section of brainteasing, fact- and fun-filled quizzes to test your own knowledge of science. Quoting everyone from Nostradamus (journalist or prophet?) to Vice President Al Gore, Adrian Berry has assembled an extraordinary cast of soldiers, scientists, bureaucrats, charlatans, believers, and cynics to support, debunk, or otherwise speculate on the myriad mysteries of our universe, past, present, and future.
Synopsis
"I read Galileo and the Dolphins with great interest and enjoyment." Arthur C. Clarke Which Clock Loses only one Second Every Three Million Years? Was Newton the "Rapist" of the Universe? Why are Computer Designers Thinking About the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity? Find out as acclaimed author Adrian Berry reveals the truth about Galileo and the dolphins and much, much more in this fascinating, fun-filled romp through time, space, and the wonders of popular science.
Synopsis
What did the persecution of Galileo have to do with dolphins?
Who was the famous astronomer accused of piracy?
Who made a car with an engine the size of a rice grain?
The answers to these questions and more can be found in this engaging collection of tales from popular science. Adrian Berry covers captivating stories from medicine, meteorology, archeology, astronomy, and philosophy. Each subject reveals bizarre and interesting facts intertwined with superstition, intrigue, deceit, and in some cases even murder. Readers will be enthralled to find out what was responsible for killing half the human race, whether Nostradamus was a journalist or a prophet, if Newton was "the rapist of the universe", and more.
-- Comes with a section of quizzes to test your knowledge
-- Illustrations provided by noted artist Jovan Djordjevic
About the Author
ADRIAN BERRY has been the science correspondent of the Daily Telegraph (London) since 1977. He is the author of twelve science and science fiction books, including The Iron Sun and the bestselling The Next Ten Thousand Years. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Geographical Society, and the British Interplanetary Society. Mr. Berry lives in London with his wife and two children.
Table of Contents
Partial table of contents:
IN SEARCH OF THE PAST.
A Divine Scam.
A Monster that Liked Treasure.
Chimps Like Us.
Volcanoes and Revolutions.
Egypt's White City.
THE WAY WE LIVE NOW.
Fatal Doses.
Tentacles from the Sea.
Rushing for Emeralds.
Nonsense on the Screen.
Death of a Life Science.
TOOLS FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM.
Spare Parts for All.
A Car the Size of a Rice Grain.
Heavenly Computers.
The Devil's Digits.
EDGES OF THE INFINITE.
A Sea of Universes.
Coldest of the Cold.
The Great Comets.
The Biggest Blasts.
The Tunnel of Time.
STRANGE BELIEFS.
The Paranormal is all Peter Pan.
The Hot Air of Albert Gore.
Bow Down to the Cosmic Lords.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
Quiz No.
1.
Quiz No.
2.
Quiz No.
3.
Answers to Quizzes.
Index.