Fantastically researched based on the personal letters of Einstein, Isaacson’s account of Einstein is comprehensive, meticulous in detail, and reveals the independent thinking and perspectives of the man that drove his greatness. The book is not a fast read nor does it delve into Einstein’s humanity. Mostly, the book is a chronicle of his life from childhood through old age—where he was educated, who he met, his struggles to find
One movie terrified me like no other in the 1990’s*: Alive. It was the initial flight scene that haunted me—the one where the passengers were sucked from the rear of the plane mid-air when it collided with a mountain peak. The visual of bodies violently suctioned from their seats like dust bunnies from the carpet by the force of a Dyson was disturbing enough to keep me awake that evening.
I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong My rating: 4 of 5 stars I Contain Multitudes is a wonderful, beautifully written book that transforms what could be a dull, tedious scientific read into a masterful, delightful adventure introducing microbes' role in health, evolution, ecology, and culture. Utterly fascinating, clever and filled with engaging stories, this book is a winner. And Ed
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery My rating: 4 of 5 stars What is it about the human-animal connection? How is it that the soft touch (or mere thought) of an animal can instantly quiet the mind and melt the heart? My nervous system reacted much the same way while reading The Soul of an Octopus. Fascinating, thoughtful and tender--I
The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a stunning book. The illustrations are captivating, ethereal and exude emotion. The illustrator masterfully captures the warmth and power of the human-animal bond, while communicating her obvious love and respect for animals and wildlife. Desmond "sees" beauty in the polar bear and, by way of her work, so do we--the visuals are truly enchanting. The accompanying
Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body by Jo Marchant My rating: 4 of 5 stars I enjoyed this book. Why? Because it validated my core beliefs, perspectives, and lifelong practices. I mean, who doesn't like to be affirmed, right? I'm the poster child for the "mind over matter" school. I'm not necessarily the author's target audience, however; I'm already a "believer." This book is for those
The Secret Life of Fat: The Science Behind the Body's Least Understood Organ and What It Means for You by Sylvia Tara My rating: 4 of 5 stars The book provides information, insight, and vindication to every man or woman who has ever meaningfully struggled with their weight. This is a fascinating deep dive into the role of fat and how it behaves in our bodies. Although this is clearly
The Industries of the Future by Alec J. Ross My rating: 5 of 5 stars I would rename this book "Industries of Today and Their Impact On Our Future." Ross is not a visionary and this is not a provocative futurist manifesto of "what's to come." Rather, it is an accessible overview of today's important technologies and industries that are shaping how we will work and live tomorrow--e.g., robotics, genetics,
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky My rating: 4 of 5 stars Illustrated biographies of female scientific pioneers. The focus is on facts (degrees obtained, where, professional accomplishments) not on the women's stories that inspired, fueled, and challenged their ascent to success in their field. What I love most about this book is that every young woman today with an aspiration to succeed
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee My rating: 4 of 5 stars A remarkable accomplishment on the history of genetics. Siddhartha cuts the density with skilled use of examples and effective storytelling. My favorite part? The human side: I loved the fact that the author exposed the thread of debilitating mental illness in his own family lineage as the backdrop to his genetic curiosity. A brilliant and courageous
