Book Review : Dark Universe by Daniel F.Galouye
Imagine what it would be like to live in a world of utter darkness. Even worse, Imagine an entire society having to live, prosper and advance without access to the sense of sight.
That’s exactly the kind of world Daniel F.Galouye very beautifully creates in this book. Without the use of any visual imagery whatsoever, he gives us reader a terrifyingly prophetic look at the future of humankind. In a post-apocalyptic world where humans have built a society in the dark underground, Jared, the son of the leader of the lower level embarks on a quest for light, which is remembered by his people merely as something holy. Little does he know what exactly it is that he’s looking for.
This thrilling tale will captivate you and indeed, open your eyes and free you from the dark world you may not know you are living in. Its unlike anything I’ve ever read so far.
Book review: Who’s In Charge? by Michael S.Gazzaniga
The question of whether or not humans have free will is much more complicated than you think. Numerous studies have constantly revealed that our brains decide on our actions before we become aware of them. Even more, there doesn’t seem to be any sort of biological basis of free will in the human brain. So do we or do we not have free will?
Well, to explore this significant question, one has to look at not only various aspects of neuroscience but science as a whole and thats exactly was Gazzinga does in this book. He doesn’t just explore the human brain but also physics, computing and much more. In addition, he gives the reader a wonderful introduction to neuroscience and the human brain, hence making this book ideal not just for learning about the biological basis of free will but neuroscience in general as well. There are so many fascinating trains and thoughts and ideas that are presented in this book, including free will in the context of socialization, our brain as an interpreting machine and free will as an emergent property of the brain as whole. It was a truly enlightening read!
Book Review: Weird things customers say in Bookshops by Jen Campell
If you’re looking for a light, enjoyable and humorous read, then this is the book for you. Filled with the most hilarious and shocking things that people say in book stores, It is literally unputdownable.
They include some of the most startling phrases from “I’ve forgotten my glasses, please read me the first chapter.” and “Excuse me, is this book Edible?” to “I’d like to buy your heaviest book please” and “Did I leave my bicycle in here?”. The tales are collected mainly from the Edinburgh Bookshop, Ripping Yarns in london and many others from around the world. It’s just one of the books you have to read…
Book Review: The Greatest Show On Earth by Richard Dawkins
One of the many reasons why many people don’t “believe” in evolution is because they don’t understand it well enough. The fact is, you can choose to “believe” in evolution as much as you can choose to “believe” the earth is round. The amount of evidence we have to support it is absolutely staggering - there is simply no debating it.
And that’s what makes this book such a wonderful one. Richard Dawkins not only explains “The greatest show on earth” but also at the same time, provides all the evidence we have for it. He includes evidence from a large variety of fields including genetics, anthropology, geology, embryology and much more. Even more, he makes it accessible for every to enjoy regardless of their background in biology.
This book covers a great range of fascinating topics and ideas. Dawkins begins by effortlessly rebutting numerous arguments that people against evolution commonly bring up, including “it’s just a theory”. From there he takes the reader to a captivating and eye-opening journey through fossil records, genetics, the magnificent history of planet and the wonders of nature. He also writes about how the evidence for evolution is “written all over us”!
Another thing I love about this book is how Dawkins inspires his readers by pointing out that evolution shows us that “there is grandeur in this view of life”. We are a result of billions and billions of years of evolution and serendipities - the slightest change in the tree of life could have resulted into a completely different species. In fact, 99% of all the species that have ever lived on earth are extinct. Thats just how nature and evolution work. But we, are obviously, an exception.
Book Review: The Varieties of Scientific Experiment by Carl Sagan
There are very few books out there that are as inspiring and eye-opening as this one. In this enchanting book, Carl Sagan reveals to his readers the beauty of science and how enthralling the universe is when you look at it scientifically. Even more, he gives his own personal view on the search for God - a search that we all undergo at some point in our lives.
One of the many things that I loved about this book is Sagan’s writing style. Its not every scientist or author that can make complex concepts so accessible yet at the same time retain the awe that they hold. This book will not only captivate you but also change the way you see everything, giving you a cosmic perspective worth having. Carl Sagan writes about so many fascinating things such as the wonders of the universe, the implications of Artificial intelligence and most importantly, the religious experience and the existence of a God. What struck me was how beautifully Sagan approaches these two very sensitive topics. He doesn’t attempt to attack or ruthlessly disregard any religion but merely looks at them from a more scientific, skeptic and eye-opening perspective. In fact, I believe, that even the religious will find this book awe-inspiring.
Most importantly, Carl Sagan takes a very optimistic approach and writes about the implications of astronomy and science on the future of humanity. He highlights the importance of science for us as a species, not simply because of the many inventions and advancements they lead to, but also because of the beauty and satisfaction that the search for understanding gives us.
Book Review: The Beginning of infinity by David Deutsch
There are many books out there that propose a great idea, but this one here is filled with innumerable revolutionary ones that will blow your mind away. David Deutsch will open your eyes to the extraordinary future we are capable of creating. He proves to all his readers that we are at the beginning of an infinite future of wonders and that progress in all fields is inevitable - but only if we want it to.
There are so many incredible ideas, concepts and explanations in this book that one doesn’t know where to start. Deutsch writes about the infinite nature of human language, the possibility of conscious artificial intelligence, the true mathematical essence of infinity, the importance of change, being intelligently optimistic, The evolution of culture, the spreading of ideas, the insignificance of sustainability and the list is endless!
What I particularly love about this books is how optimistic and determined it leaves its readers. Deutsch gives us many reasons to dream for an amazing future. The ideas presented in this book are of utmost significance because they prove that every thing that mankind has achieved so far is only the beginning of our infinite possibilities.
Book Review: Attack of the Theocrats by Sean Faircloth
There are a lot of books out there that aim to disprove this or that religion but this one here is a little different. Sean Faircloth takes a very different angle to the harms of religious bias in a society, one that any human being can understand and appreciate. Although he respects the power of scientific evidence, Faircloth takes a very a different approach. He uses true stories of human lives like mine and yours to prove that a world lead by those who are religious… is doomed.
First of all, Faircloth doesn’t aim to disprove any religion even though he doesn’t believe in one. He simply states that the moral views held by people over two thousand years ago can not possibly function in today’s society. He is one of the many sensible people out there who is arguing against basing all laws on religion for it brings about a lot of harm. In other words, you can believe in whatever you want to believe in, but do not impose it onto others.
This books tells the true stories of those like two year old Amiyah White who died alone in a Van because of a law relying on religious bias. It tells the story of fifteen year old Jessica Crank and her horrifying untreated tumor that lead to her death simply because her parents chose to rely on “faith-healing”. It tells the stories of young girls that we’re forced to have children because abortion was illegal and gay couples who couldn’t stay together in peace. These are a mere handful of the many many examples Faircloth gives to prove that religious bias in American law leads to many needless deaths, a poorly educated youth, the treatment of women as second-class citizens, poor health, and much more. Most importantly, He ends the book by providing the reader with a strategic plan that will bring an end to it all, proving that the world would be a far better place if its inhabitants were secular individuals.
In ten chapters, This book will appall you as much as it will enlighten you about the society we live in today. I, for one, was left horrified by all the shocking things that are happening in the most powerful country in the world in the twenty first century as a result of an ancient scripture. Its absolutely tragic, that after everything we’ve been through, an intelligent species like ours is stuck at the close-minded view equivalent to those who lived over two thousand years ago.
This book is not only unputdownable but an absolute must read, especially if you’re an American citizen.
Book Review : Hubble, Imaging space and time by David Devorkin and Robert W.Smith
The Hubble is no ordinary telescope; It has extended our sense of sight 14 billion years away from earth and has allowed us to contemplate the vastness of the cosmos like nothing else. It has allowed so see the magnificent Universe we live in like never before and has helped astronomers unravel many of its mysteries.
This book is a fantastic guide to the Hubble telescope, including everything from its launch and serviced missions to the spectacular stellar bodies that it has allowed us to study and scrutinize. Its not only marvelously written, but is filled with beautiful and awe-inspiring images of the cosmos, allowing the reader to truly appreciate the beauty and power of Hubble’s vision.
The splendor of its images aside, The telscope has also been used by innumerable astronomers in the past couple of years to answer a remarkable number of scientific questions. Devorkin and Smith reveal exactly what is that makes this the most powerful and popular telescope in History.
This book will take you on a journey across a beautiful universe 14 billion years across and when you finally finish it, your perspective along with the way you see all that exists will be transformed forever.
Book Review: The Mind, Edited by John Brockman
The mind is something that the average individual is too accustomed to and so very rarely questions its nature. But the truth is, that each of our minds, the result of about 86 billion neurons and over a trillion synapses, has baffled philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists for thousands of years. Who is this ‘I’? Why and how are we conscious? How is memory formed? How is happiness achieved? Are our personalities determined before we are born? Are we hardwired to be moral species?
This book gives the lastest updates to answers to these thought-provoking questions as well as many more. With contributions from some of the leading brain scientists including Steven pinker, V.S Ramachandran and Philip Zimbardo, It will transform the way you perceive yourself and your brain. One is left with numerous cutting edge and mind-blowing theories about so many topics from how sexual selection works in the mind and how emotions form as memories to formation of personalities and what makes a self worth having. Over all, there are about eighteen different chapters, with each chapter exploring a different aspect of the human mind, making it simply even more entertaining and unputdownable.
The Mind explores some of the most mysterious and baffling aspects of the human condition and offers scientific explanations to why we human beings are the way we are. After all, what can possibly be more important than unravelling the mysteries of our own nature.
Book Review: The eerie silence by Paul Davies
It’s been decades since human beings first began using radio astronomy to contact intelligent beings elsewhere in the universe. Astronomers have been scrutinizing the cosmos for any sign of life they can find - let alone intelligent civilizations. Yet, even though we’ve barely looked enough, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else out there. With every failed attempt of contact, Its as if we get one step closer to a feeling of cosmic loneliness. But why the eerie silence? This book is the perfect answer to this question.
“The eerie silence” is a captivating book about mankind’s search for other intelligent species elsewhere in the cosmos. What makes it so enlightening is that its written by Paul Davies- The head of SETI’s post detection task group. In other words, If we we’re to ever receive signals from other intelligent beings in the universe, this guy right here is responsible for saying something back.
Throughout the book, Davies explores many aspects of the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. He not only explores the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe but also the various methods which we can use to detect them. He introduces many thought-provoking ideas including the presence of alien biology right here on earth, the inevitability of science in other planets and seeking a second genesis on mars. He also asks innumerable significant and profound questions; What if ET calls tomorrow? Where is everyone? How long do technological civilizations last? What about those UFO stories? Is life on earth a fluke?
What particularly impressed me was how critical Davies was throughout the book even when it came to SETI’s own current methods. His open-mindedness and critical analysis of SETI was captivating to read, proving that the organization is in the right hands.
Most importantly, he proves once and for all that SETI is performing a scientific experiment in testing a hypothesis. The search for other intelligent beings other than our own is done in a purely scientific matter.
Whilst I was reading it, a lot of people were rather surprised when I told them that the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence actually comes under science and is not simply science fiction. If you too hold such a view then I would strongly recommend reading this mind-blowing book.
Book Review: The black cloud by Fred Hoyle
Whilst scrutinizing the night sky, a young astronomer stumbles upon a queer discovery; a strange eerie dark patch in the sky that is only visible amongst the glistening stars. Soon it is revealed that this enigmatic object - unlike anything astronomers have set eyes on - is racing towards the solar system and once it arrives, it could block out all sunlight, potentially wiping out all life on earth.
But what is the nature of this black cloud? Where does it originate? Why is it heading directly towards our solar system? How will mankind react?
This book will leave the reader hungry for answers to these questions until the very last page. As the mysterious celestial cloud races towards our precious sun - the source of all life on earth- humanity is about to face one of its greatest challenges yet.
As Fred Hoyle tells this thrilling tale, he also explores many others things from the issues between science and politics to the place of human beings in the universe. He even introduces some intriguing ideas in neuroscience and physics. What I absolutely love about this book is that just as any other superb work of science fiction, The entire story is based on facts or things that are entirely plausible. In other words, other that educating the reader about science and its methods, there is nothing in this book that is impossible which makes it even more thrilling of a read.
Book Review ; The moon and sixth pence by Somerset Maugham
This is a beautiful work of literature on the life of Charles Strickland, a character inspired by the artist Paul Gauguin. The tale begins as Strickland, who appears to be an ordinary stockbreaker and a decent husband, shockingly abandons his family and home to live a life as a painter. Whilst he is labelled as a ruthless betrayer and does some of the most loathsome things you can imagine, the narrator - who is unnamed - tries to unravel the nature of this peculiar man. Charles Strickland could possibly be one of the most mysterious, perplexing and unusual characters in fiction. The life he lives will both captivate and bewilder the reader.
But this isn’t merely a book about the dramatic life of an artist, but also an insight into the unfathomable human condition. Somerset Maugham, with a writing style that will enthrall you, explores the marvels of art, beauty, love and the mysteries that undermine human beings’ characters. This is one of those books that will transform the way you perceive life altogether.
“People talk of beauty lightly, and having no feeling for words, they use that one carelessly, so that it loses its force; and the thing it stands for, sharing its name with a hundred trivial objects, is deprived of dignity. They call beautiful a dress, a dog, a sermon; and when they are face to face with Beauty cannot recognise it.”
Book Reviews : His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
I just finished the last book of the trilogy and I’m absolutely blown away by it all. I don’t even know where to begin; This has got to be one of the most wonderful, engrossing and intelligent series ever written.
The tale begins in Jordan College in a universe so different, yet so similar, to our own. It’s here where cunning Lyra and her daemon sneak into a room that they’re not supposed to be in. From there, the destiny that had lay ahead of her since her birth takes her into a journey and adventure beyond her imagination. She travels to places beyond her creative power, meets individual beings that she never knew existed and is left with tasks with incalculable consequences.
What I absolutely adore about these series is that at the very foundation of them is pure science. Its definitely not one of those mere unrealistic fantasies in a novel; Its profound, intelligent and will open your eyes to the world around you, changing your perspective completely. Philip Pullman is an absolute genius to have crafted such a thrilling, brilliant and meaningful masterpiece. I would recommend it to every single human being alive.
Book Review: Why do men have nipples? by Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg
An amusing book packed with answers to strange questions that we’ve all wondered about at some point in our lives. Its split into nine different chapters with each dealing with a different category; from food oddities to getting older.
Why does your pee smell when you eat asparagus? Why do some people have an ‘outie’ belly and others an ‘innie’? Why are yawns contagious? What are goose bumps? Why do you laugh when tickled? Is it dangerous to pop zits? What are hiccups? Can you drink your own urine? Can you get scared to death? Is it dangerous to eat another human being? Can you swallow your own tongue? Why do men have nipples?
These are simply a handful of over a hundred questions that will make this book unputdownable. In about 200 pages Leyner and Golberg will satisfy your curiosity, enlighten you and give you a good laugh!
