Customer Reviews

Issac Asimov's Biographical Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

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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.

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.