The Top Science Books to Explore in 2023
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Are you intrigued by the universe? Do you have a desire to understand the processes behind star formation, molecular creation, and the implications of recent scientific breakthroughs for our future? If you’ve found your way here, chances are that you do.
However, you might also appreciate reading books that tell a story or present information in a more engaging manner than a foreign-language dictionary. If that sounds like you, then this curated selection of excellent science books is just what you need!
Let’s dive in.
Awesome Science Books to Discover in 2023
#1. Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Absolutely Everything by Jordan Ellenberg
Description:
“How should a democracy select its representatives? What strategies can halt a global pandemic? How do computers master the game of Go, and why do they find it easier than reading a sentence? Can ancient Greek ratios forecast stock market trends? (Spoiler: no.) What should children focus on in school to cultivate critical thinking? All these inquiries relate to geometry. Seriously.
For many, geometry is a distant memory, a tedious exercise left behind in high school alongside braces and teenage crushes. If you recall any of it, it's likely slogging through tedious proofs about triangles that seemed obvious from the start. That’s just a sliver of geometry. While it is geometry, it barely scratches the surface of the subject's modern complexities, akin to how conjugating verbs relates to writing a compelling novel.
Shape uncovers the geometry underlying significant scientific, political, and philosophical challenges we face. It addresses essential questions like: Where are objects located? Which ones are in proximity? What’s the best route from one point to another? These questions matter. The term “geometry” derives from the Greek word for “measuring the world.” In truth, geometry does far more than measure; it elucidates. Shape illustrates this beautifully.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#2. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
Description:
“The Structure of Scientific Revolutions stands as a pivotal work in intellectual history, garnering interest well beyond its discipline. Written with a blend of depth and clarity, it presents a continuous stream of thought-provoking observations. Author Thomas S. Kuhn swiftly dismantles the logical empiricist perspective of science as an objective path toward truth.
Instead, he builds a framework where science is shown to be significantly shaped by nonrational elements, with new theories often being more intricate than the ones they replace without necessarily being more accurate. Science isn’t the steady, cumulative process depicted in textbooks; rather, it consists of tranquil periods interrupted by profound revolutions, during which one conceptual framework is supplanted by another.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#3. The Human Brain: A Guided Tour by Susan A. Greenfield
Description:
“Encased in its skull, the human brain remains one of the greatest mysteries of our body. Yet, recent years have brought remarkable advancements in brain research.
Greenfield begins by examining the functions of various brain regions, then shifts focus to how specific abilities, such as movement and vision, are managed within the brain. She details how a brain develops from a single fertilized egg and illustrates its evolution throughout life, showcasing its continuous adaptation in response to experiences that shape individual identity.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#4. The Language Instinct: The New Science of Language and Mind by Steven Pinker
Description:
“In this seminal work, the leading authority on language and cognition, Steven Pinker, elucidates everything you've ever wondered about language: its mechanics, how children acquire it, its evolution, and the brain's processing of it. With clever examples and humor, Pinker crafts a narrative that reveals language as a human instinct shaped by evolution. The Language Instinct received the William James Book Prize and the Public Interest Award from the Linguistics Society of America. This edition includes an update reflecting advancements in linguistic science since its original publication.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#5. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Description:
“Few works have sparked as much controversy as The Origin of Species. Darwin’s theory that species evolve from one another through gradual changes and that the survival of the fittest enhances species has ignited passionate debates, reshaping scientific thought.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#6. Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making by Anna Ploszajski
Description:
“Scientific advancements have provided us with a deep understanding of material properties, but they cannot convey the tactile experiences of crafting or measuring materials. Handmade narrates the journey through the world of creators and artisans, exploring how hands-on experimentation reveals profound insights into materials. Author Anna Ploszajski shares her experiences with masters of various crafts, building a richer understanding of materials and their societal significance. She visits a blacksmith to experience steelworking firsthand, investigates the transformative power of clay, and delves into the atomic characteristics of glass. This book offers a fresh perspective on everyday materials and the skills required to shape them into functional objects.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#7. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
Description:
“Richard Dawkins’ innovative reinterpretation of natural selection has intrigued both the scientific community and the general public. His theories have shifted the landscape of social biology, prompting many to reevaluate their views on life.
In his acclaimed work, The Selfish Gene, Dawkins illustrates how the concept of a selfish gene encompasses complexity. This notion of the selfish gene is marked by fierce competition and exploitation, yet examples of altruism exist in nature, such as bees sacrificing themselves to defend their hives or birds risking their lives to alert others of danger.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#8. Ideas and Opinions by Albert Einstein
Description:
“This updated compilation of Albert Einstein’s influential writings, curated under his supervision, spans from his early days as a physicist to his passing in 1955. Topics range from relativity and nuclear ethics to human rights and governance.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook
#9. On Growth and Form by D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson
Description:
“In this foundational text of biology, Sir D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson presents his influential ‘theory of transformation,’ asserting that species evolve not through minor alterations but through significant changes in their entirety. Originally published in 1917 and revised in 1942, this richly illustrated work is celebrated for its scholarship and literary style, showcasing Thompson’s extensive knowledge across various disciplines.
The book begins with studies of biological size, growth rates, and cellular structures, then explores diverse life forms, concluding with a comparative analysis that supports the theory of transformations.”
Where to read it? Print
#10. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Description:
“This groundbreaking book caters to those who prefer narrative over equations, chronicling the quest for understanding the mysteries of time and space. Stephen W. Hawking, one of the greatest intellects since Einstein, reshapes our perception of the universe from the unique perspective of his wheelchair, where he has spent two decades battling ALS. A Brief History of Time serves as Hawking’s essential introduction to the cosmos’ most critical scientific concepts.”
Where to read it? Print · eBook · Audiobook
#11. Against Method by Paul Feyerabend
Description:
“Paul Feyerabend’s acclaimed work critiques prevalent beliefs regarding scientific progress and knowledge. He contends that scientific achievements must be understood within their historical context and critiques the philosophy of science for often prioritizing method over practice, suggesting that an anarchistic approach may replace rationalism in understanding knowledge.”
Where to read it? Print