Chrysalis Academy Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Can anyone help me find a good, readable, living book/trade book alternative to Hakim's Story of Science: Einstein? Something that covers 20th century history of science/physics in a broad & conceptual way? This is for my 8th grader's Science Literacy/History of Science year. We want to cover cosmology/astronomy, quantum physics, relativity, etc. This doesn't all have to be in the same book - you could recommend your favorite book in either or all topics. Hakim's book covers what I wanted to cover, but dd finds the book very annoying - both the fussiness of the pages, with all the distracting sidebars, etc., and also we both hate the fact that she writes in the present tense. These are not insurmountable obstacles, but if I can find some alternatives, I'd like to offer them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I am perusing the pages of Newton at the Center and yes, her usage of present tense is beyond annoying. I couldn't stand her history books either. I was so hoping the Little History of Science was a good alternative. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 I am perusing the pages of Newton at the Center and yes, her usage of present tense is beyond annoying. I couldn't stand her history books either. I was so hoping the Little History of Science was a good alternative. :( I guess I should look at that again. Does it go all the way up to the modern era? That's what I feel like we're lacking, we've studied a lot of science/history of science pre 20th century, but not much (outside of astronomy) 20th century discoveries. We'll cover genetics/biology stuff in the second half of the year, but I wanted to hit on major discoveries in Physics during the first semester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I don't own it, but the table of content shows that it does. Question is how much depth it has. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted October 2, 2015 Author Share Posted October 2, 2015 I just put it on hold again. I'll take another look at it, but I suspect it's not going to be as in-depth as I was looking for. But maybe. thanks for reminding me about it, we were just talking about this on another thread, but it didn't come on my radar in this context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I just read the 1-star reviews for the Little History of Science and am not feeling the love. One reviewer included some quotes. I'd love to find something too even though I have no useful suggestions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 Have you looked at Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything (also available on audiobook)? You want the illustrated hardcover or illustrated paperback not the unillustrated one. This is something that you'd want to preview to make sure it is right for your family. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DU80KJK?keywords=bill%20bryson%20a%20short%20history%20of%20nearly%20everything&qid=1443919356&ref_=sr_1_5&s=books&sr=1-5 Also Theories for Everything by John Langine (published by National Geographic). http://www.amazon.com/Theories-Everything-Illustrated-History-Science/dp/0792239121/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443919423&sr=1-1&keywords=theories+for+everything Neither is specific to the 20th century. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I think Bill Brysons' book would be great. You could just start in the middle. I find it very readable and engaging, and it gave me a good overview. I was incredibly disappointed with the entire series by Hakim. I had such great hopes that I convinced the library to buy it a number of years ago. But then every time I got it out, I just could not get through even a few pages of it. Very bitsy. Drove me nuts. Ruth in NZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 Have you looked at Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything (also available on audiobook)? You want the illustrated hardcover or illustrated paperback not the unillustrated one. This is something that you'd want to preview to make sure it is right for your family. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DU80KJK?keywords=bill%20bryson%20a%20short%20history%20of%20nearly%20everything&qid=1443919356&ref_=sr_1_5&s=books&sr=1-5 Also Theories for Everything by John Langine (published by National Geographic). http://www.amazon.com/Theories-Everything-Illustrated-History-Science/dp/0792239121/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443919423&sr=1-1&keywords=theories+for+everything Neither is specific to the 20th century. I think Bill Brysons' book would be great. You could just start in the middle. I find it very readable and engaging, and it gave me a good overview. I was incredibly disappointed with the entire series by Hakim. I had such great hopes that I convinced the library to buy it a number of years ago. But then every time I got it out, I just could not get through even a few pages of it. Very bitsy. Drove me nuts. Ruth in NZ I have the newer, illustrated version of Bryson's book. Why did I not think of just starting in the middle and reading the parts that cover the 20th century? Good idea, I'll take a look at this. I also put the Langine book on hold, thanks Kalmia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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