Customer Reviews

It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist: Great Amateurs of Science

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The title of the book is misleading because author, John Malone, takes the mistaken view that scientists who don't have a formal education and a PhD are amateurs. The underlying theme throughout the book implies that professional scientists are basically snobs with fancy degrees who give little credit to anyone who doesn't have a formal education, and 'amateurs' have made important scientific discoveries. The error in this assumption is that some of the world's greatest scientific geniuses were self-taught and didn't possess PhDs, but they were certainly not 'amateurs.' As Morley points out, Joseph Priestley, Michael Faraday, and others without advanced degrees have made great contributons to science, but they were in fact well-recognized, professional scientists, not amateurs. A great many other names could be added to this list--for example, Thomas Edison, Charles Darwin, Benjamin Franklin, and a host of others. All were self-educated geniuses who made great scientific discoveries.
However, once having recognized Malone's basic misconception, the short biographies are interesting and fun to read. The delightful collection of stories contain plenty of little-known facts that make for enjoyable reading. You'll like the stories even if you don't buy the underlying 'amateur' concept.