Two-Fisted Science: Stories About Scientists [Paperback]

Jim Ottaviani (Author)

Book Description

Two-Fisted Science is the first in a series of books in comics form telling true stories about scientists. This 128 page trade paperback features tales of famous physicists including Hans Bethe, Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Galileo, Werner Heisenberg, Gottfried Leibniz, Isaac Newton, and Robert Oppenheimer, and Wolfgang Pauli. The stories offer a human context often missing when students learn the equations that bear the scientists' names. Readers, drawn to the book by the compelling anecdotes, will discover intriguing characters that lived real lives beyond ink on paper. End notes and references will lead them to further information on the scientists they've read about.

All stories are written by Jim Ottaviani, a former researcher and nuclear engineer -- now a reference librarian at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The illustrators include award-winning comics artists such as Paul Chadwick, Donna Barr, Bernie Mireault, and Colleen Doran.

The trade paperback is self-published with the generous assistance of a grant from the Xeric foundation. Established by Peter Laird (one of the creators of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") each year the foundation awards a select group of comics creators money to bring their work to press. I am grateful to the foundation for their support and confident that you will consider this portion of the "Turtle" fortune well-spent!

Editorial Reviews

Review

I loved seeing real superheroes in the same medium as the fantasy superheroes. Man, these guys don't pale standing next to Batman and Superman. -- Penn Jillette, the taller, more talkative half of Penn & Teller

It humanizes science in a badly needed way, it inspires. It would be a useful teaching aid, and it is a good and useful read. -- The Comics Journal online, September, 1997

Readers from Will Eisner to the Secretary of the Nobel Prize Committee on Physics also praise Two-Fisted Science -- The Publisher, 1998

The writing is informed and educational, but never dry. This would be a great textbook for a high school science class. -- Seattle's THE STRANGER, 11/20/97

This is exactly the kind of stuff that should be done in our medium. -- Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit

When it comes to Two-Fisted Science, from Physics World to FACTSHEET 5 the critics agree..: -- The Publisher, 1998

[T]he cartoons ... both intrigue and amuse. An unusual but intelligent introduction to some of the most famous figures in physics. -- Physics World, December 1997

[T]his stunning collection of stories and anecdotes about science and scientists will engross and enlighten the reader ... a bargain and so damned good I can hardly believe it exists. -- Comics Buyers Guide, 1/2/98

[W]onderfully offbeat and human. This collection illustrates some of science history's more offbeat sides: the blood feuds, the mischief, the love affairs, and the secret espionage. -- FACTSHEET 5 #63, March 1998

About the Author

All stories are written by Jim Ottaviani, a former researcher and nuclear engineer -- now a reference librarian at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The illustrators include award winning artists such as Paul Chadwick, Donna Barr, Bernie Mireault, and Colleen Doran.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: G.T. Labs; 1 edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966010604
• ISBN-13: 978-0966010602
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,224,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gee, I found this book particularly appropriate and helpful, September 21, 2004

By 

Katrina Hagedorn (Ann Arbor MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two-Fisted Science: Stories About Scientists (Paperback)

In response to a previous review ("Inappropriate and unhelpful"):

1. Swear words? What swear words? There are none in my copy.

2. I've seen this book in young adult and adult sections of libraries and bookstores. It's perfectly appropriate for both sections. And I've seen the author speak to an audience of kids about his books and they gobbled it up.

3. Comics are not required to be funny. Was "Maus" by Art Spiegelman funny?

4. It's easy to find something to be offended by in just about any book, but it's hard to see where the writing and art here are in any way inappropriate to the subject matter. Let's not forget that these stories are based on scientists' real lives. You think scientists are perfect human beings? That's part of what makes these stories interesting to read. They're fallible, like you and me.

Besides, while the book may not be funny, it's certainly a lot of fun to read because of the comics format. What better way to get your kids interested in science?

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen in to some our greatest oddball minds . . ., September 19, 2003

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Two-Fisted Science: Stories About Scientists (Paperback)

All the stories in this collection of "graphic fiction" were written by Ottaviani, but the artwork was supplied by ten artists, including Bernie Mireault and Scott Saavedra. The stories are based on real events (reportedly real, anyway) about Einstein, Russell, Bohr, Heisenberg, and others - and especially Richard Feynman, who was not only one of 20th century physics's major minds but an amateur locksmith, talented musician, social philosopher, and world-class storyteller as well. Some, like "turtles all the way down," are smile-inducing classics, while others, like Heisenberg's approach to Bohr on behalf on the German nuclear effort in World War II are somber and reflective. Feynman's own recounting of his brief, tragic marriage during the Manhattan Project is especially affecting, and the tale of his safe-cracking activities at Los Alamos and Oak Ridge are a hoot. Oh, and you'll even learn some physics theory along the way, or at least get a taste of how physicists view the world. I hope another volume like this is in the works.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant idea, uninspired execution, May 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Fisted Science: Stories About Scientists (Paperback)

Comics like "Two-Fisted Science" serve nothing but a good purpose. They remind us that comics - like other art forms - can be about anything, and are not captives of the humor, fantasy and adventure genres.

A science-themed comic is especially appropriate, as the art-text combination inherent to comics would seem perfect for conveying complex/cosmic ideas. This collection features some terrific artists - notably Bernie Mireault, David Lasky, Colleen Doran and Sean Bieri - but I was a bit disappointed in the writing. Ottaviani's stories so intent on being unorthodox and different that they instead become meandering and confusing. Oftentimes I was unsure of what exactly was at stake for each story and why we should care about what was being told. And I would expect to actually learn more about SCIENCE in such a book. Also, the organization of the book into seemingly random sections, and the clumsy, unimaginative publication design diminished the effect.

I give the book high marks for effort, nice artwork, and the especially interesting portraits of Richard Feynman, but overall I'd rate "Two-Fisted Science" a noble failure.