Scibooks

Book review – Science and the City

Guest Author • Nov 22, 2017

• materials science,
• physics,
• science and the city,
• science writing

Reviewed by Susan Rapley.  If you’re hunting for Christmas gifts for the scientific or technically inclined, Laurie Winkless’ first book Science and the City will be a must-have. Science and the City takes you on a journey (in various forms of transport) through the past, present, and future of metropolitan living.  Now New Zealand-based, Winkless has taken her own … Read More

Book review: Animal Eco-Warriors

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Jun 08, 2017

• biosecurity,
• conservation dogs,
• endangered species

A new book from CSIRO about a range of animals helping their human companions to protect the environment will make a great gift for conservation-minded and animal-crazed kids. Animal Eco-Warriors: Humans and animals working together to protect our planet, written by Nic Gill, is a first-person account of some of Australia and New Zealand’s most active non-human conservationists. Read More

Book review: Antibiotic Resistance – the end of modern medicine?

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Apr 21, 2017

• antibiotic resistance,
• antimicrobial resistance,
• Infectious Diseases,
• Siouxsie Wiles

A new book summarising the risks of antibiotic resistance by prominent Kiwi scientist Dr Siouxsie Wiles is an excellent overview of the issue, and what you should be aware of.  Antibiotic Resistance: The End of Modern Medicine?, published by Bridget Williams Books, draws on Siouxsie’s expertise as a microbiologist to discuss the threat facing modern medicine if we lose … Read More

Book review: Doctors in Denial

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Mar 11, 2017

• cervical cancer,
• Herb Green,
• Medical Ethics,
• National Women's Hospital,
• unfortunate experiment

One of the doctors who blew the whistle on National Women’s Hospital’s ‘unfortunate experiment’ has written about his experiences in an attempt to set the revisionist history straight. Ron Jones was a junior obstetrician and gynaecologist when he joined National Women’s Hospital in 1973, by which point Professor Herbert Green was well into his study that has since become … Read More

Book review: The Conversation Yearbook 2016

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Jan 20, 2017

• essays,
• experts,
• politics,
• Science,
• The Conversation

Toward the end of the year there can be a glut of ‘best of’ publications, but The Conversation Yearbook 2016 stands out as an enjoyable, wide-ranging collection of essays. The Conversation has been running in Australia since 2011, collating news and views from the academic and research community on hot topics of the day or longer-burning issues. My main … Read More

Book review: Falcon

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Dec 14, 2016

• conservation,
• falcons,
• helen macdonald,
• natural history

You may have already devoured H is for Hawk, but Helen Macdonald’s precursor is worth a visit (or revisit) for its marvellous story telling of the cultural and natural history of falcons. Better known for her acclaimed H is for Hawk, Helen Macdonald’s precursor book Falcon has been re-released on its tenth anniversary. I’ve yet to read H is for Hawk, … Read More

Book review: What’s so controversial about genetically modified food?

John Kerr • Dec 11, 2016

• agriculture,
• book review,
• controversy,
• crops,
• genetic modification,
• GM,
• GM crops,
• gmo,
• Science and Society,
• Séralini

John T Lang’s new book tackles a tough question: What’s so controversial about genetically modified food? The answer is: It’s complicated. While far from satisfying, this conclusion isn’t a cop out. The staggering complexity of our modern food systems is a returning theme in Lang’s small treatise on genetic modification (GM) and food. His observations and insights are … Read More

Book review: Cowspiracy – The Sustainability Secret

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Nov 12, 2016

• agricultural greenhouse gases,
• climate change,
• documentary,
• vegan diet

A documentary regurgitated into book format falls flat in Cowspiracy, which investigates the role of animal husbandry in global greenhouse gas emissions. With its gripping image of a cow in dark colours staring out at you – the documentary Cowspiracy has been sitting unwatched on my Netflix queue for some time now.  I’ve been hesitant because anything that implies a … Read More

Book review: The story of the Hauraki Gulf

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Oct 28, 2016

• Environmental Defence Society,
• Hauraki Gulf,
• Raewyn Peart

A new book on the Hauraki Gulf spans the breadth of natural and human history and will be an enjoyable read for those who make their home and livelihoods around the Gulf. The Story of the Hauraki Gulf: Discovery, transformation, restoration has been lovingly compiled and written by Raewyn Peart – policy director at the Environmental Defence Society. At first glance, The Story … Read More

Book review: Protecting Paradise

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Oct 21, 2016

• 1080,
• conservation,
• Science in Society,
• Scientific literacy

A new book on the history and science of 1080 in New Zealand goes beyond simply relaying facts and instead delves deep into science denial and the psyche of those who favour conspiracy over science. Protecting Paradise: 1080 and the fight to save New Zealand’s wildlife, written by Dave Hansford and published by Potton & Burton, covers the … Read More