Under The Microscope

1001 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
SCIENCE, by James Trefil; Cassell, 1994; 305 pages; $34.95

Have you ever wanted a quick answer on some scientific question to resolve a dispute, or to clarify an area of science that you are unsure about? If so, this book is worth a look.

Trefil has taken the basic areas of scientific knowledge and broken them down into "bite-sized chunks" -- 1001 in all. These are grouped into seven chapters starting with the biological sciences, moving through the physical sciences and finishing with astronomy.

This is a book for dipping into rather than reading cover to cover, and it is definitely not a text book. It has been written in a light, chatty style and is interspersed with diagrams, black and white photographs, and "pop quizzes" to challenge the brain cells.

I found the cell biology section particularly satisfying for me as I suddenly clicked to what I was taught many years ago in high school but never actually understood!

This book is aimed at all those with a basic understanding of science who want to broaden their knowledge of the world around them.

This book is worth buying to keep in your bookshelf and to take out now and again for a fascinating browse in the world of scientific general knowledge.

Ros Davis, NZSM