Author: Colin Tudge    (Read: June 2010)

An interesting look at the discovery and identification of an ancient primate skeleton which was likely one of mankind's earliest ancestors. I particularly like the overview sections which covered a "brief history of time" leading up to the adolescent female falling into a lake after being gassed by CO2.

Author: Nassim Taleb    (Read: April 2010)

An interesting theory that people aren't very good at preparing for or expecting events with high impacts but low probability. Unfortunately, the author fills the book with meandering anecdotes from his past and pompous condencension towards anyone with a differing opinion than his own. Overall, I'd have to recommend reading the Wikipedia article about this topic which gives you the details without all the wasted time.

Author: Marcia Bartusiak    (Read: February 2010)

An entertaining re-telling of the history behind the great leap forward in astronomy made at the beginning of the last century. Details how famous scientists such as Hubble, Hale, Einstein, and Lemaitre greatly expanded our understanding of the universe.

Author: John W. Moffat    (Read: February 2009)

An interesting alternative to Einstein's gravity that tries to account for discrepancies between observation and accepted theory on large scales (between galaxies). Written for the layman such as myself without all the math to puzzle over. Whether he's right or not, I'm not sure, but I am glad that he's looking for the answers.

Author: Jessica Snyder Sachs    (Read: August 2008)

A fascinating look at the pros and cons of antibiotic usage. Highlights the problem that our war on bacteria has caused and shows the way forward with ingenious approaches that will let us co-exist peacefully with microflora.

Author: Sid Marty    (Read: August 2008)

A fascinating retelling of the tragic events over the summer of 1980 that led to multiple maulings, including a death. A black grizzly bear was eventually hunted down and killed. The author looks at the reasons for the maulings and reveals the short-sighted thinking that caused the 'bear problem'.

Author: Alan Weisman    (Read: November 2007)

A fascinating book that explores how the world would change without humanity around. It's both uplifting and terrifying at the same time.

Author: Lee Smolin    (Read: July 2007)

A interesting look at the world of theoretical physics over the past 30 years. The adherence to String theory without experimental proof is hopefully something that will be corrected in the coming years.

Author: George Monbiot    (Read: April 2007)

A powerful and compelling look at the severity of the global warming problem and what solutions we can adopt today to reduce our carbon footprint by the 90% required to save our current civilization. The author covers a number of realistic and achievable steps we can take now to make a difference. The change will require a groundswell of public support as we each evaluate our lifestyles and make the necessary changes. Politicians have consisently abdicated responsibility on this issue and the in case of some like the American president, have actively fought progress.

Author: Sharon Moalem    (Read: March 2007)

An interesting summary of current evolutionary thinking on the roots of many diseases in humans. Examples included diabetes as an adaptation for life during ice ages and blood disorders as guards against malaria. By examining many modern afflications and finding past evolutionary advantage, the author raises hope that better understanding of the genetic causes of some diseases can help us find treatments and cures.

Author: Richard Dawkins    (Read: March 2007)

A thought-provoking dismissal of religion and a call to atheism. By showing supernatural belief for what it is - a by-product of the human mind's genetic heritage; Dawkins makes it clear that a reasoned view of the evidence does not support a personal god. In fact, when one considers allthe harm that religion has done throughout history, the polite respect that Western liberals display towards is untenable.

I've always identified as an athesist since I gave the issue serious though in my early teens. However, I've been deferential of others beliefs in an attempt to support diversity. This book makes a powerful argument that religious indoctrination of children should be considered abuse. Rather than teaching our children what to think, we should be teaching them how to think, how to question the world the around them, and draw their own conclusions.

Author: Richard Dawkins    (Read: December 2006)

A fascinating look at alturism and whether it has a place in Darwin's world of natural selection. Dawkins has a great way of cutting through belief to facts supported by evidence.

Author: Elizabeth Kolbert    (Read: November 2006)

Another interesting book covering the effects of climate change. I found the "Weather Makers" to be a better coverage of the topic. Neither did a very good job of listing steps individuals could take to make a difference. The author does a good job of impressing the scope of the problem and consequences upon the reader.

Author: Tim Flannery    (Read: October 2006)

Does an excellent job summarizing the overwhelming science behind globabl warming. The author takes first world countries such as America and Australia to task for actively retarding efforts to deal with the problem. The fact that global warming will likely lead to a great deal more war and conflict over fewer and fewer resources is a scary prospect. The last part of the book lists possible solutions and how we can realistically achieve them.

Author: Simon Singh    (Read: January 2005)

A fascinating look at the eccentric and reclusive mathematician behind the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. This book also included a great deal of background on the problem covering a lot of mathematical history. I don't pretend to understand the math, which the book does not cover in depth, it was interesting to see what types of mental challenges can drive people.

Author: Steven Levy    (Read: March 2000)

An interesting look at the attempt to derive emergent properties from simple software organisms. Discusses parallels between the evolution of biological and software organisms.