Issac Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology [Paperback]

Isaac Asimov (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 805 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books; Revised edition (1976)
• ISBN-10: 0380006197
• ISBN-13: 978-0380006199
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,276,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So readable, it is probably the only reference work I have read twice, April 28, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This may be the only reference book that I have ever read through twice. Since the biographies are in chronological order, Asimov manages to not only introduce the people; he also describes the development of scientific knowledge over the centuries. The first person described is Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian scholar who lived 2980 - 2950 B. C. and the last and 1195th biography is that of the late Carl Sagan.
The contents are expressed in alphabetical order, which makes it very easy to find the biography that you are looking for. Most of the biographies are on the order of half a page, although that of Newton is seven pages. Which is rightfully so, Newton is generally acknowledged as the greatest scientist of all time.
This is also one of the few reference books that can serve as an object of light, recreational reading. Asimov has no peer when it comes to making complex scientific topics easy to understand.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So readable, it is probably the only reference work I have read twice, April 28, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Issac Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (Paperback)

This may be the only reference book that I have ever read through twice. Since the biographies are in chronological order, Asimov manages to not only introduce the people; he also describes the development of scientific knowledge over the centuries. The first person described is Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian scholar who lived 2980 - 2950 B. C. and the last and 1195th biography is that of the late Carl Sagan.
The contents are expressed in alphabetical order, which makes it very easy to find the biography that you are looking for. Most of the biographies are on the order of half a page, although that of Newton is seven pages. Which is rightfully so, Newton is generally acknowledged as the greatest scientist of all time.
This is also one of the few reference books that can serve as an object of light, recreational reading. Asimov has no peer when it comes to making complex scientific topics easy to understand.