From the Large Hadron Collider rap to the sins of Isaac Newton, The Science Magpie is a compelling collection of scientific curiosities. Expand your knowledge as you view the history of the Earth on the face of a clock, tremble at the power of the Richter scale and learn how to measure the speed of light in your kitchen. Skip through time with Darwin's note on the pros and cons of marriage, take part in an 1858 Cambridge exam, meet the African schoolboy with a scientific puzzle named after him and much more.
The Science Magpie
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'Simon Flynn's cornucopia of curious facts, anecdotes and quotations ... is sure to entertain and surprise.' -- New Scientist 'For anyone who likes science and is a fan of Schott's original miscellany, this book is a must. It is full of quirky, interesting scientific facts and anecdotes from across science and its history ... Quite frankly, I loved it. It's great fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.' -- Chemistry World '[A] lighthearted dash through science ... offering lots of curiosities that you will be itching to tell those around you.' The Biologist 'Simon Flynn's grab-bag of stories from all branches of science exudes enthusiasm, breathing fresh life into a venerable format.' -- Physics World 'This book is a cabinet of scientific curiosities ... [The Science Magpie] will stimulate good topics of conversation for the pub.' -- BBC Focus
About the Author
Simon Flynn was a publisher and is now training as science teacher. He has degrees in Chemistry and Philosophy.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Roman Clodia
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
"There are only 10 types of people in the world: those who understand binary, and those who don't"
I would describe myself as fairly scientifically-illiterate: yes, the joke above made me giggle; yes, I can work out pretty swiftly what dihydrogen monoxide is - but e, laws of thermodynamics, and Einstein?... um, no. And yet I enjoyed this book.
I like that Flynn combines a scientific background with having studied philosophy, and we can sense that intellectual breadth in his approach. Indeed, there's a subtle plea in some of the pieces to precisely heal the cultural divide between `scientists' (a noun only coined, I learned, in 1833 amidst much disgust at the barbaric neologism) and `humanists'.
This isn't simply a collection of scientific `facts', though there are those here too, more a nicely random and eccentric gathering of things that are loosely connected to science in its broadest sense: stories, parodies, poems, mini-biographies and a host of other extracts.
My particular favourite is Babbage's response to Tennyson's lines `Every moment dies a man | Every moment one is born': Babbage, anxious that the maths doesn't work to reflect a constantly growing world population, writes to the poet helpfully suggesting he changes the poem in the next edition to `Every moment dies a man | And one and a sixteenth is born'. He goes on to add with care `the exact figures are 1.167, but something must, of course, be conceded to the laws of metre'!
I liked the chaotic arbitrariness of this collection and the quirky eccentricity of it. So not a book to necessarily read cover to cover, but an excellent one to dip into.
I would describe myself as fairly scientifically-illiterate: yes, the joke above made me giggle; yes, I can work out pretty swiftly what dihydrogen monoxide is - but e, laws of thermodynamics, and Einstein?... um, no. And yet I enjoyed this book.
I like that Flynn combines a scientific background with having studied philosophy, and we can sense that intellectual breadth in his approach. Indeed, there's a subtle plea in some of the pieces to precisely heal the cultural divide between `scientists' (a noun only coined, I learned, in 1833 amidst much disgust at the barbaric neologism) and `humanists'.
This isn't simply a collection of scientific `facts', though there are those here too, more a nicely random and eccentric gathering of things that are loosely connected to science in its broadest sense: stories, parodies, poems, mini-biographies and a host of other extracts.
My particular favourite is Babbage's response to Tennyson's lines `Every moment dies a man | Every moment one is born': Babbage, anxious that the maths doesn't work to reflect a constantly growing world population, writes to the poet helpfully suggesting he changes the poem in the next edition to `Every moment dies a man | And one and a sixteenth is born'. He goes on to add with care `the exact figures are 1.167, but something must, of course, be conceded to the laws of metre'!
I liked the chaotic arbitrariness of this collection and the quirky eccentricity of it. So not a book to necessarily read cover to cover, but an excellent one to dip into.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book collects all sorts of factoids from all aspects of physics, chemistry and biology - historical and contemporary. If you are looking for quips about all manner of esoteric subjects, then look no further. The number of times I thought "Huh, I did not know that" whilst reading this book is practically innumerable and I love me some science.
Well written, easily digestible in a single-sitting or multiple brief-reads (think coffee-table or downstairs lavatory reading) this is a fascinating and quirky book spanning 278 A5 pages, beautifully bound in a matt-black hardcover. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed Schott's Almanac or similar books.
Well written, easily digestible in a single-sitting or multiple brief-reads (think coffee-table or downstairs lavatory reading) this is a fascinating and quirky book spanning 278 A5 pages, beautifully bound in a matt-black hardcover. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed Schott's Almanac or similar books.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I absolutely loved this book. Miscellanies like this can be very trying if poorly done, with uninspiring or patronising rehashes of familiar stories, a lot of gee-whizzery and jokes that aren't nearly as funny as they think they are. Simon Flynn has avoided all that and produced a delightful pot-pourri of science-related snippets which, for me, gets the tone exactly right. It is enthusiastic and witty without being gushing or flippant and the sheer variety of stuff here is a delight.
Each "article" is brief - the longest are five or six pages, covering things like Galileo's dispute with the Holy See, Darwin's impact or Einstein's ideas about Relativity. If you want a detailed examination of any of these things, this isn't the place to look, but for a really well-written, engaging summary of the important points with the odd interesting aside it's brilliant. For example, Flynn makes sure to mention Milton's visit to Galileo while he was under house arrest as well as giving a excellent summary of Galileo's dispute, complete with a translation of his famous Recantation - and all in four short pages. I have studied all this at university and have actually read quite a lot of Galileo's writing and I still found the section fresh and fascinating. Other bits are so varied it's impossible to give an overall flavour, but they include things like radioactive decay, a spoof of Shelley's Ozymandias, the meaning of the Richter Scale, and so on. There are even some good jokes scattered throughout the book.
Some other reviewers here have criticised the book for having too much literature and not enough hard science, and for jumping from one topic to another in a jumbled way.... Read more ›
Each "article" is brief - the longest are five or six pages, covering things like Galileo's dispute with the Holy See, Darwin's impact or Einstein's ideas about Relativity. If you want a detailed examination of any of these things, this isn't the place to look, but for a really well-written, engaging summary of the important points with the odd interesting aside it's brilliant. For example, Flynn makes sure to mention Milton's visit to Galileo while he was under house arrest as well as giving a excellent summary of Galileo's dispute, complete with a translation of his famous Recantation - and all in four short pages. I have studied all this at university and have actually read quite a lot of Galileo's writing and I still found the section fresh and fascinating. Other bits are so varied it's impossible to give an overall flavour, but they include things like radioactive decay, a spoof of Shelley's Ozymandias, the meaning of the Richter Scale, and so on. There are even some good jokes scattered throughout the book.
Some other reviewers here have criticised the book for having too much literature and not enough hard science, and for jumping from one topic to another in a jumbled way.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Chantal Lyons
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
As a collection of scientific facts, stories, poems and other oddities, the book works. The style is accessible and readable, and the nature of the book means you can pick it up and put it down when you need to, without feeling lost when you get back to it. There's not much `linkage' between the various sections, but it's not needed. Two sections were misplaced (they were at the very end but the author stated "this is just an introduction, and later as you'll discover..." etc), though hopefully this will be rectified for the published edition.
Some sections are fairly basic, and familiar to anyone who can remember something of their science lessons from school, but most are very interesting. It's well worth remembering the best ones to recite at social events!
All in all, a safe buy for the curious and scientifically-minded, and with the lovely cover you'll be proud to display it on the bookshelf.
Some sections are fairly basic, and familiar to anyone who can remember something of their science lessons from school, but most are very interesting. It's well worth remembering the best ones to recite at social events!
All in all, a safe buy for the curious and scientifically-minded, and with the lovely cover you'll be proud to display it on the bookshelf.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Science Magpie: Simon Flynn - An interesting idea, but doesn't really work for me
26 Nov 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Ho-hum, another month, another miscellany filling up the 2 for 3 discount tables at the front of the local Blackstones or Waterwells. This one is based around science, a world with rich pickings of interesting and unusual facts to fill up a miscellany. This one has a bit of a difference, it also includes artistic endeavours, poems jokes etc, that have been inspired by science. An interesting idea, but I am afraid it fell flat for me personally.
Having studied science and worked in research for many years, the bits of science information were things that I already know, and I have already heard all the jokes and poems. So for me there was nothing really new or interesting. The writing style didn't really grab me either, not really witty enough or with a structured prose that would have overcome the feeling of having heard it all before.
From me three stars. It's OK for people who have an interest but no real background in science.
Having studied science and worked in research for many years, the bits of science information were things that I already know, and I have already heard all the jokes and poems. So for me there was nothing really new or interesting. The writing style didn't really grab me either, not really witty enough or with a structured prose that would have overcome the feeling of having heard it all before.
From me three stars. It's OK for people who have an interest but no real background in science.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
QI has (genre specific) competition
I love titles that throw facts and miscellany at you. The Science Magpie has this in spades, and is a great one to throw out in parties. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D Peers
5.0 out of 5 stars
More science than you may care to know...
This book is a bit like Schott's Miscellany, as it brings together a wide range of facts (and some amusing bits!) from science - including physics, chemistry and biology. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. R. N. Shackelford
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing science miscellany
I've always been a sucker for these "miscellany"-style books full of seemingly random pieces of trivia. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Paul Fillery
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good present for Godsons and Nephews
This is the sort of book to give as a present a Godson or nephew when you don't want to get them the next computer came or an amazon voucher! Read more
Published 1 month ago by artemisrhi
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating dip-in science book
I always enjoy a good 'toilet book'. One that you can have by the loo and dip in and out of as your having a wee rest. Read more
Published 1 month ago by josie82
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little lightweight
But still fascinating with many interesting stories. I found the poetry
irritating perhaps because I love poetry! Read more
irritating perhaps because I love poetry! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. David Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the details person in your life!
My husband is know amongst his colleagues as 'details' he can remember the most mundane of facts and takes great pleasure reciting them at appropriate ( and inappropriate) moments,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by FLB
3.0 out of 5 stars
A nice idea, but a little lightweight
I like the intent of this short collection; I'm all for the promotion of science as something fun and fascinating, rather than the stuff of dusty textbooks that many of us will... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Russell Smith
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good `browsing' book for those who enjoy things scientific
I have a technical mind and enjoy finding out nuggets of information such as those in this book. While many are entertaining as well as informative I also found that some were not... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Whatchamacallit
3.0 out of 5 stars
sound bite science
I have always had an interest in science which is why I picked this book. I thought it would give me an unusual series of points-of-view on the area of science. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Susan Belcher
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