Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations [Hardcover]

W. F. Bynum (Editor), Roy Porter (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198584091 | ISBN-13: 978-0198584094 | Publication Date: April 21, 2005 | Edition: 1

The original words announcing great scientific discoveries, from the first 'Eureka!' to the cloning of Dolly the sheep, can all be found in this fascinating new collection, a major addition to the world-famous 'Oxford Quotations' range. An essential reference tool, put together over 15 years with the assistance of a distinguished team of specialist advisers, it includes full author descriptions, exact sources, and a word-finding index for easy reference. Scholarly but accessible, it also presents the human face of science, as scientists reflect on achievements and failures in their own lives and those of others. Darwin not only describes natural selection, but carefully assesses the pros and cons of marriage, while James Clerk Maxwell constructs an electric but poetic Valentine as well as his 'demon'. From Archimedes to Einstein and beyond, the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations charts the progress of the great ideas of science.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–Dian Fossey's remark, The more you learn about the dignity of the gorilla, the more you want to avoid people is just one of the gems in this welcome addition to collections. The easy-to-use volume is organized alphabetically by author; a thorough index includes keywords and names. Scientific arguments are represented through zingers delivered in the literature or letters of the time. Quotations from well-known scientists are listed as are those from individuals known primarily by people in their own fields. The insights offered by poets, politicians, and philosophers are not often duplicated in general quotation reference sources. Of course, there are some omissions; there are no entries by Margaret Sanger, and, while Richard Leakey is quoted, Mary Leakey isn't. Despite the few gaps, this is an outstanding book. More thorough than A. L. Mackay's A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (Inst. of Physics, 1991) and more completely researched than Isaac Asimov's Book of Science and Nature Quotations (Grove/Atlantic, 1989), this is a first purchase.–Cass Kvenild, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Just as a photo may capture the essence of a person, a few words by ancient and modern scientists can capture their humor, insight, and erudition. For instance, here is a quote by Richard Feynman: "For those who want some proof that physicists are human, the proof is in the idiocy of all the different units which they use for measuring energy."

The quotations collected here are not only by scientists but by writers, politicians, and others with something to say about science. Arrangement is alphabetical by the author's last name and chronological within the author entries. Each entry includes the name of the person being quoted, his or her dates, a very brief biographical statement, and several quotes, with their sources. Although most quotes are attributed to the person, there are also a few quotes about a person. A keyword index cites an abbreviated form of the author's name and page and quote numbers (for example, DARW 156-6).

The editors have done a fine job compiling the quotations. There is little overlap with more general compendiums, such as the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (6th ed., 2005); while that volume includes just 1 quote from nineteenth-century Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations offers more than 30. Oxford has another hit, one that will join the ranks of other successful quotation books. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Jack O'Gorman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 728 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (April 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198584091
• ISBN-13: 978-0198584094
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,330,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful buy and the description is accurate., August 19, 2009

By 

D Adkins (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

If read and understood, the description is totally accurate.

True, if you want only zingers, this is not the book for you. Wit alone can give only a superficial view of science. But that is not the object of a reference book. Words can also be spellbinding.

But here, a quotation means the original words of the scientists talking of their own or other discoveries, and such quotes are fascinating. The wider your science education, you will recognize more and more names of the scientists in this compilation. By reading it, you will learn more about the history of science, and find more people that you are glad to hear of, and will care to know their contributions.

For example, in one lengthy quote you can read a description by Humphry Davy of his thrill upon breathing nitrous oxide, early after its discovery. Humphry Davy's name may be unfamiliar, but he was a leading experimental scientist at the Royal Institution and isolated several new elements. Davy nominated the brilliant Michael Faraday as his successor. These are both giants in the progress of chemistry and physics, yet how many high school graduates know their names? (Sad, that.)

On the other hand, there is Francis Arthur Freeth, who is quoted as saying, "I am Freeth, and I have come to apply the phase-rule to the ammonia-soda process." I didn't know who Freeth was. But these were his first words on joining the Brunner-Mond Company in 1907, where he diligently researched the large-scale processes for making ammonium nitrate in the industrial quantities need for explosives. Without his key contribution, Britain would have had a dire shortage of munitions for World War I. He literally helped win the war. Once you realise Freeth was such a hugely important scientist, though in one narrow field, the quote is precient. And I am glad to now know who Freeth was.

Francis and Crick are the household names in the discovery of the structure of DNA, but in this book you can read what Rosalind Franklin, their contemporary, had written as early as 1952 about her work - in her own words - also hinting at the helical structure of DNA.

Thus, if you have a life-long interest in science, this book should be on your shelf. It is unique. You can come back to it many times, and find new gems of insight each time. All of the 8000 quotes in the book are good quotes for this purpose. The book is a gold mine - you discover gold nuggets everywhere, if you have the eyes to see. It complements your knowledge of scientist biographies.

Buy this book.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is a horrible buy, the description is misleading., December 13, 2007

By 

Aditya Savara - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (Hardcover)

There is only one line from the description which is not too misleading:
"Recommended for public and academic libraries."

It should be added: "Not recommended for individuals."

While there are a handful of great quotes in this book (perhaps 1 in a thousand), most of the quotes are very specific, are not "funny" not "zingers" not witty, not profound, and are just plain dry. There are about 20 good quotes and out of what must be about 8000 quotes in the book. I bought it based on seeing several good quotes given where the book is advertised. Well guess what! Those were half of the good quotes in the book!

Most quotes are from people you haven't heard of and don't care to hear of. Which would be fine, if the quotes were any good - but they are not. Do not buy this book.