Asimov's Guide To Science [Hardcover]

Isaac Asimov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 1972

Asimov tells the stories behind the science: the men and women who made the important discoveries and how they did it. Ranging from Galilei, Achimedes, Newton and Einstein, he takes the most complex concepts and explains it in such a way that a first-time reader on the subject feels confident on his/her understanding.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Isaac Asimov authored over 400 books in a career that lasted nearly 50 years. As a leading scientific writer, historian, and futurist, he covered a variety of subjects ranging from mathematics to humor, and won numerous awards for his work. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 945 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books Inc. (July 18, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465004725
• ISBN-13: 978-0465004720
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,443,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a great book, March 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Asimov's New Guide to Science (Hardcover)

I was a young reader and my personality was still not set. So many "bad" books kept pulling me in the wrong directions. I read all bestsellers though they taught me nothing. A day came when I had nothing to read and I happened to come across this book in my elder brother's library. It was written long before I was born. Yet, as I was truly bored, I began to read it and I was hooked before long. The world of Science was visible to me and, for the first time in my life, it looked attractive. I can truly say that this book changed my life. I now am completing my pre-med degree and will be off to medical school before long. I have never been happier; Science has become my life. Thank you Isaac Asimov.

Update for anyone interested 12/20/2011:
Ha! I cannot believe that was me! I had such an odd, self-important way of writing back then. I graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in biology with minors in chemistry and English. Managed to get sidetracked, became somewhat of a hippie, and did not go to medical school. Don't freak out yet! Science is still my religion, but now it is specifically environmental science. I was accepted into a lovely graduate program and am on the verge of finishing my thesis. Have sent out a few applications for phd programs in ecology. Overall: toss aside your Da Vinci Codes and whatnots, kids, because science will rock your world!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most exhilarating text !, April 9, 2003

By 

Munier Parker (Cape Town, Western Province South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asimov's Guide To Science (Hardcover)

I have a personal small "library" of scientific books. This book has to be, by far, the most well structured, well explained, systematic and exhilarating read. I would rate this book as number 1 among possibly 50 similar books that I have read. If you are technically enthusiastic, would like to know about anything and everything pertaining to science and have a jolly good read at that, I would highly recommend this book. Asimov is gifted as a writer, in that he takes the most complex concepts and explains it in such a way, that a first-time reader on the subject feels confident of his/her understanding. If you have lots of time (900 pages of size 10 text!), are a thinker and want to begin to understand the great works of genii ranging from archimedes, galileo, newton and einstein, this book is for you! Well done to a man long gone. He leaves a legacy of genius !

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My First Choice Science Text, November 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Asimov's Guide To Science (Hardcover)

In my opinion, Asimov provided the most entertaining and readable scientific "texts" around, and this comprehensive volume is his best. Despite the fact that I am a layperson, and this book is nearly 1000 pages, I devoured it and longed for more. If you are not a lover of the sciences when you begin Asimov's Guide to Science, you will be when you finish! Anyone 12 years and older should read this book. It will change the way you look at the universe.