[HIB]

Another Simon Singh one. "Fermat's Last Theorem". A very good read. Simply explained but really gets you thinking as well.

[eightyfish]

Originally Posted by Shabadu

Bill Bryson : A Short History of Nearly Everything

Really loved this book. Read it in a week sitting out in the sun back when we had summers. Catalysed an interest in science that led to going back to college to get a science degree!

[Thomas_S_Hunterson]

Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy and/or maths.
link

Originally Posted by HIB

Another Simon Singh one. "Fermat's Last Theorem". A very good read. Simply explained but really gets you thinking as well.

I found this far too light on mathematical or scientific content.

[astroguy]

I would highly recommend "The Human Mind", by Robert Winston. It's like a short history of human thought on psychology, neuroscience, etc, with loads of interesting examples. I'd also recommend "Human Instinct", by the same author. It covers evolutionary psychology and is a very interesting introduction.

[chakotha]

Originally Posted by marco_polo

The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene is a pretty good introduction to physics for the non scentific minded.

Have just ordered this today - it looks good from the reviews.

Surely your Joking Mr Feynman is a good read.

Also The Whole Shebang: A State-of-the-Universe(s) Report by Timothy Ferris.

[magneticimpulse]

Originally Posted by ArthurDent

Agree totally with this - anyone that goes off to teach in Brazil mainly to learn the the drums is fine by me.

Would also recommend anything by Primo Levi - chemist and concentration Camp survivor , books aren't very "science" but very interesting none the less

yeah i have his book - the periodic table

[magneticimpulse]

Originally Posted by chakotha

Have just ordered this today - it looks good from the reviews.

Surely your Joking Mr Feynman is a good read.

Also The Whole Shebang: A State-of-the-Universe(s) Report by Timothy Ferris.

i never read the fabric of the cosmos myself, but bought it for a boyfriend one time. he wasnt too impressed, wanted fiction instead. i did try to read it, but it does go into alot of detail.

[mcrdotcom]

Originally Posted by nesf

"In Search of Schroedinger's Kittens"/"In search of Schroedinger's Cat" - John Gribbon.

I havnt read it but I love the first title!

[thayes93]

Originally Posted by magicbastarder

for more on feynman, james gleick's biography of him, genius is one of the best biographies i've ever read.

I couldn't agree more =]

[conorstuff]

The Code Book is one of my favourite popular science books. Then probably Dr. Riemann's Zeroes, or Big Bang.

[FarmerGreen]

The snappily titled
'Atomic energy for military purposes; the official report on the development of the atomic bomb under the auspices of the United States Government, 1940-1945'

http://www.archive.org/details/atomi...form00smytrich

[mickydcork]

'The Big Bang' by Simon Singh is excellent.

[mickydcork]

'The Making of the Atomic Bomb' is fascinating, but it's a hefty read

[mickydcork]

'Fabric of The Cosmos' by Brian Greene

[mickydcork]

'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan is superb