Scibooks

Nothing but science goodness

SciBooks • Jan 28, 2014

Reviewed by: Aimee Whitcroft REVIEW: Nothing Edited by: Jeremy Webb (New Scientist) Profile Books Limited, 2013 I’ve read a great many science books over the years, and stacked up against the numerous tomes into which I’ve sunk myself of an afternoon, Nothing has to be one of my favourites.  With chapters by 20 science writers – … Read More

‘Must Read’ for Would-be Science Writers

SciBooks • Jan 12, 2014

by Michael Edmonds REVIEW: Field Guide for Science Writers: the official guide of the National Association of Science Writers, 2nd Edition Edited by Deborah Blum, Mary Knudson & Robin Marantz Henig Oxford University Press NZ RRP $36.00 I expected a book containing contributions from over 50 leading science writers to be a good read, … Read More

Penguin book a ‘treasure trove’

SciBooks • Jan 08, 2014

Reviewed by Alison Ballance REVIEW: Penguins: their world, their ways by Tui de Roy, Mark Jones and Julie Cornthwaite David Bateman Ltd, 2013 RRP: $79.99 Penguins: their world, their ways is a delightful book, both to look at and to read. At 240-pages long with hundreds of photographs, it manages to be both coffee-table beautiful and compellingly … Read More

Fine First Photographic Guide to New Zealand Seaweeds

SciBooks • Jan 06, 2014

by Dr Richard Taylor REVIEW: New Zealand Seaweeds: An Illustrated Guide by Wendy Nelson Te Papa Press, 2013 NZ RRP: $79.99 Despite their prominence in many coastal habitats, New Zealand seaweeds have until now lacked a photographic handbook of the type available for our marine invertebrates, fishes and birds. This gap has now been filled with … Read More

Forensic Science Thriller

SciBooks • Jan 01, 2014

by Michael Edmonds REVIEW: The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the birth of forensic medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum Penguin Group (USA) In the early 20th century, New York City was a good place to be a murderer. City coroners were often unqualified and corrupt officials, earning additional income from the production of fake … Read More

‘Life changing’ principles a fascinating and provocative read

SciBooks • Jan 01, 2014

by Michael Edmonds REVIEW Cells to Civilisations: the Principles of Change that Shape Life by Enrico Coen, FRS Princeton University Press Shortlisted for the Royal Society’s 2013 Winton Prize How could I resist reading a book claimed to be “the first unified account of how life transforms itself” and covering the “four great life … Read More

Aussie Science Writing Collected

SciBooks • Dec 18, 2013

by Grant Jacobs REVIEW: The Best Australian Science Writing 2013 Editors: McCredie and Mitchell NewSouth Publishing (University of New South Wales Press Ltd.) RRP:$33.00 (Paperback) Now in its third edition, I have only become aware this year of Best Australian Science Writing. Like its American counterpart it’s an edited collection of works previously published elsewhere, … Read More

Brilliant Novel Captures ‘The Signature of Science’

SciBooks • Dec 15, 2013

by Christine Jasoni REVIEW: The Signature of all Things by Elizabeth Gilbert Viking, 2013 RRP $32.00 Like many people I adore a bit of fiction, and my particular penchant is for fantastic stories that have the power to take me away. The Signature of All Things, the latest novel from Elizabeth Gilbert, fits this bill to a … Read More

Facts, Freaks and Fun

SciBooks • Dec 04, 2013

Reviewed by Siouxsie Wiles REVIEW: The Book of Barely Imagined Beings: A 21st Century Bestiary By Caspar Henderson Published by Granta, 2012  RRP: $22.80 Shortlisted for the  Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books Society of Biology book awards (General category) British Book Design & Production Awards (Best British … Read More