Customer Reviews

How to Clone the Perfect Blonde: Using Science to Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the best, and most humorous, science book I've ever read. It's not written for geeks, though they too will appreciate its wry humor. Instead, the authors approach science in a quite approachable way - asking and answering the questions that people on the steeet really have about today's mind-reeling scientific advances. It's easy to see why it was voted one of the best science books of the year on NPR's Science Friday program.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book, and it doesn't disappoint. For anyone even mildly curious about science and the latest advances, this book highlights some of the most interesting and explores the possibilities -- and limits -- in understandable prose. The authors inject humor throughout, spicing up what others often make into dull, textbook explanations. From cloning to weight loss to time travel to life expectancy, these journalists have picked topics that touch on our everyday interests and present what we need to know in the most readable style I've found in any science-related material. This is a book for non-techies and science buffs alike, with solid information but an entertaining style. Anyone looking for a gift for a discerning reader should pick up a copy!

PROS:
- Easy to read
- Useful and interesting sidebars
- Excellent questions that the average guy on the street wants to know

CONS:
- It's already 5 years old. Science and technology books quickly become obsolete in most cases.
- The humor is mediocre. I never laughed out loud and rarely even broke a smile (versus when I read Bill Bryson, I do both fairly often). However, the so-so humor isn't annoying and it would probably be funny if you're drunk.

CONCLUSION: When it came out, I would have given this book 4 stars. It's useful and educational. However, it's no longer cutting edge, which is what you need when you're trying to clone the perfect blonde.

The title captures one's interest straight away, and holds it throughout this book which makes for a very entertaining, easy, yet thought-provoking read. Our entire family (from teen-agers on up) ended up reading it. We took turns stealing it off of each other's bedside tables. Some of us are scientific, others not at all--yet everyone got a kick out of it. Highly recommend this book. Will be happy to give it as a holiday present to friends who will find it a fresh, lively,fun approach to science reading!

I thought this was an excellent book!

It explore many fascinating futuristic concepts including cloning, genetic engineering, teleportation, artificial intelligence, and tim travel. It tries to break down convoluted concepts like quantum physics and wormholes into more simplistic language that your average Joe could understand. The book completely had my attention the whole way and it actually made me excited about the future (even though many/most of the concepts are pretty out of reach at the moment).

For the most part, relating the more convulted ideas to pop culture worked pretty well. Sometimes, however, they went on tangents talking about which TV show/movie they liked or disliked (uhh... who cares?). The best thing about the book is that you really get into science in general... from biology to physics to computers. And science is awesome. So buy the book!

In addition to talking down to you and insufficiently covering a vast array of interesting topics, the humor of both authors (if you can call it that) routinely flops, except when they describe things that are intrinsically funny (like the story of the Raelians). The authors not only fail as science journalists (hard to believe they are science journalists, they write in cotton candy fashion) they routinely add in their own philosophies and beliefs tacitly, and argue them poorly (while failing to articulate other views). Overall a big disappointment packaged in a cool name and book jacket. dont judge a book by its cover!

Maybe this is a good book for science airheads and people who laugh easily but most of it didnt work for me. It was like reading a bad science article in USA today with lame jokes.

Received as a present and typically enjoy pop science writing but this is too low-level for even me. In addition, I also could've lived without the authors opining.