Far As Human Eye Could See [Paperback]

Isaac Asimov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1988

Enter the wondrous world of Isaac Asimov, where the sky is not the limit--only the beginning! In this, his 23rd collection of essays, Asimov transports the reader from the earth's core to the farthest reaches of outer space. A captivating, scientific smorgasbord. HC: Doubleday.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the introduction to one of these 17 essays, Asimov writes: "I am ready to discuss anything, however old hat it might seem to a reasonably sophisticated readership, simply because I am confident I can present it with an interesting slant." And so he can in his 23rd collection of essays, reprinted from issues of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction published between November 1984 and March 1986. Chemistry is the overall theme tying at least 13 of these pieces together. Asimov traces historically the chemical research which filled gaps in the periodic table, explains the biology of vitamins, discusses collisions between atomic particles taking place in the not-so-empty vacuum of outer space, and more. Suggested for public and high school popular science collections. Laurie Tynan, Huntingdon Cty. Lib., Pa.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pinnacle (April 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155817107X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558171077
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,051,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There has never been anyone better than Asimov at making science understandable, August 3, 2007

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Far As Human Eye Could See (Paperback)

Most of the science that I know I learned from reading the science books of Isaac Asimov. For years, he wrote a monthly essay in "Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction" covering a scientific topic and they contain some of the most elegant of explanations of scientific principles. Asimov has often been accused of oversimplifying his explanations, but as someone who has taught math and computer science for years at the college level, that is pretty hard to do. The goal is to have the students learn and any method that works is one to consider using.
This book is a collection of seventeen of his essays that appeared in F&SF and as usual they cover a smorgasbord of topics. The essays are split into four categories:

*) Physical chemistry
*) Biochemistry
*) Geochemistry
*) Astronomy

They are a combination of the history of scientific discovery and speculation about future results. Since the book was published in 1987, there are points that have been superseded by events. The most evident case is essay fifteen, "The Rule of Numerous Small." In this essay, Asimov discusses the current evidence for how numerous planets are. Recent advancements in planetary detection techniques have rendered some of what he says obsolete.
Nevertheless, there is no one better than Asimov at making science understandable. Since understanding is almost always a process of successful small steps of comprehension, it is always better to start simple and work your way up. Asimov's writing remains the best initial step in scientific understanding that I have ever encountered.