Customer Reviews

Whatever Happened to 'Eureka'?: Cartoons on Science

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My wife and I think both of Nick's Downes' books are terrific. His insight and ability to capture the essence and the humor a broad range of scientific activities are remarkable. We've loaned our copies to several friends and relatives who enjoyed both books immensely. After reading Nick's books, an eminent retired scientist from the National Institutes of Health was heard to say "These two cartoon books are fantastically good! He's a VERY talented fellow, that Nick Downes. Many thanks, the guy is a real talent". Regardless of your background in the sciences, you'll love these books. if you haven't read them yet, now's the time. You're in for a real treat.

Nick Downes's science cartoons are in the tradition of the great European science cartoons going back to LaTondeau, Liegpaltz and Orovesky.

Downes's cartoons have a New Yorker urbanity about them, with slope-shouldered people, uninflected linework, and a parsonage-party kind of cast. There are some good moments in these cartoons:

-- "They say with HDTV we'll be able to tell one show from the next."

-- "... but they're natural carcinogens."

-- "Take all six [dinosaur toys] and I'll throw in an asteroid."

Downes does a fair job. He captures the scientific angst of the average guy looking for a quiet evening at home.

Sidney Harris has the magical knack of standing inside the science, and projecting its humor outwards. I'm a scientist (or engineer, or something like that), and I can tell who's laughing with me or about me. Mr Downes, I'm sorry. I saw Harris's tribute to your work on the back page of this book. His noblesse oblige only heightens his status in my eyes. It doesn't elevate yours.

-- wiredweird