BOOKS & ARTS NATURE|Vol 444|14 December 2006 provides a more succinct summary of the evo- the multiverse theory — the idea that many Shurkin is the first full biography of William lution of the ‘need to believe’ (see Nature 442, different universes exist and explanations for Shockley (see Nature 442, 631–632; 2006). And 137; 2006). how we came to be in this one (see Nature Francis Crick was the focus of a short biogra- Francis Collins’ The Language of God, an 443, 145–146; 2006). Paul Davies’ The Goldi- phy by Matt Ridley (Francis Crick; see Nature account of how his Christian faith is compat- locks Enigma gives the topic a more popular 443, 917–918; 2006) — a fuller treatment by ible with his work as a scientist, has sought to treatment (see Nature 444, 423–424; 2006). Robert Olby is expected next year. This year’s engage both sides in a less confrontational dia- Playwright Michael Frayn Pulitzer Prize for biography, logue (see Nature 442, 110 and 114–115; 2006) also considers our relation- meanwhile, went to Kai Bird — as has Owen Gingerich in God’s Universe. ship with the Universe, and and Martin Sherwin for Ameri- But Richard Dawkins isn’t interested in recon- much more, in his book can Prometheus, their portrait ciling science and religion. In The God Delu- The Human Touch, which of Robert Oppenheimer. sion, which has topped the bestseller lists in will be reviewed in Nature While many scientists have both the United States and Britain this autumn, next week. been preoccupied with religion, Dawkins argues with the fervour of a preacher After a spate of books on some novelists have turned to that religion has no place in the modern world, string theory in 2005, the science for inspiration. Allegra and that atheism is the ‘true path’ (see Nature hottest hope for a ‘theory Goodwin’s Intuition proved to 443, 914–915; 2006). of everything’ came in for be an exciting page-turner, Dawkins’ domination of the genre of popu- criticism this year, with the examining the psychological lar science books was celebrated earlier in the appearance of Lee Smolin’s motives for scientific fraud year with the publication by Oxford University The Trouble with Physics and in a cancer-biology lab (see Press of a thirtieth-anniversary edition of his Peter Woit’s Not Even Wrong Nature 440, 996–997; 2006). book The Selfish Gene, and Richard Dawkins: (see Nature 443, 482, 491 and Die Vermessung der Welt by How A Scientist Changed the Way We Think, a 507–508; 2006). Daniel Kehlmann, a fictionalized account of collection of comments and testimonials edited Jane Goodall was the subject of one of the scientists Alexander von Humboldt and Carl by Alan Grafen and Mark Ridley (see Nature year’s notable biographies, Jane Goodall by Friedrich Gauss, was a bestseller in Germany 441, 151–152; 2006). Dale Peterson (see Nature 443, 915; 2006). last year. An English translation by Carol Brown Physicists have also been questioning our Philip Ball delved into history for The Devil’s Janeway, Measuring the World, is now available place in the Universe. Cosmologist Alex Doctor, his biography of Paracelsus (see Nature and will be reviewed in Nature next month. ■ Vilenkin’s Many Worlds in One takes a look at 441, 152–153; 2006). Broken Genius by Joel Mary Purton is Nature’s book review editor.
CHRISTMAS READING
A selection of books on the Giant Leaps present for a Drosophila and tobogganing otters. Both lighter side of science for the by John Perry & Jack Challoner geneticist, this book is an have a bibliography but no index. holiday period. (Boxtree, £12.99) exploration of flies through myth, This is an amusing guide to the literature, art and biology. Bang! Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet key discoveries, inventions and by Brian May, Patrick Moore & Freeze? events in science, technology and How to Cut a Cake Chris Lintott (Carlton, £20) edited by Mick O’Hare medicine from UK newspaper by Ian Stewart (Oxford Queen guitarist and (Profile, £7.99). The Sun and London’s Science University Press, £9.99, $14.95) astrophysicist May joins the The book version of New Museum, told in ‘sensational’ Various mathematical presenters of The Sky At Night for Scientist’s ‘Last Word’ column tabloid style (see picture). conundrums are featured, such this lavishly illustrated “complete continues to top the bestseller as why phone cords get tangled, history of the Universe”. lists in the run-up to Christmas Fly which way of tying shoelaces uses with more than 180,000 copies by Steven Connor (Reaktion the shortest amount of lace, and Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide sold in Britain so far. Books, £12.95, $19.95) how to play never-ending chess. to Snowflakes Perhaps the perfect by Ken Libbrecht (Voyageur Moths That Drink Press, $12.95, £7) Elephants’ Tears Explore the icy world of by Matt Walker (Portrait snowflakes, from stellar dendrites Books, £9.99) to sectored plates, with this Why Pandas Do wonder of microphotography. Handstands by Augustus Brown For more serious reading, (Bantam Press, £9.99) Oxford University Press has These two are collections of themed box sets from its Very facts about curious animal Short Introductions series. The behaviour. So if you want to Brain Box (£25) has books on know which cats purr and evolution (by Brian and Deborah which don’t, or why female Charlesworth), consciousness brown trout fake orgasms, (Susan Blackmore), intelligence Walker’s book is the one. (Ian Deary), cosmology (Peter Brown offers similar fare, Coles) and quantum theory including winking cuttlefish (John Polkinghorne).
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