Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy

By James S. Trefil and Robert M. Hazen

Book Overview

A science book for the general reader that is informative enough to be a popular textbook and yet well-written enough to appeal to general readers. "Hazen and Trefil [are] unpretentious--good, down-to-earth, we-can-explain-anything science teachers, the kind you wish you had but never did."--The New York Times Book Review

Knowledge of the basic ideas and principles of science is fundamental to cultural literacy. But most books on science are often too obscure or too specialized to do the general reader much good.

Science Matters is a rare exception--a science book that is informative enough for introductory courses in high school and college, and yet lucid enough for readers uncomfortable with scientific jargon and complicated mathematics. And now, revised and expanded, it is up-to-date, so that readers can enjoy Hazen and Trefil's refreshingly accessible explanations of the most recent developments in science, from particle physics to biotechnology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307454584
• ISBN13: 9780307454584
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

excellent

This book gives you as much information as a classroom textbook, but it is a lot more interesting. I felt this was an excellent book because there are not many books that provide as much information as this one and that are actually a good read. I had a hard time putting this book down once I started to read it.

This book should be read by every 8th grade student!

This book contains most basic knowledge and skills that almost any average person needs to get through life. This would make an excellent co-text at the middle school level.

Couldn't have asked for a clearer explanation

This is an outstanding book. It provides an understanding of the basic scientific phenomena that everybody should know. I'd have to say I came away from this book with more knowledge than from all my high school and college science classes.

Excellent thumbnail sketch of the major branches of science.

Entertaining and insightfully written, this overview is a must read for the average person. It avoids bogging the reader down in technical jargon, and provides a great practical grasp of each of the major branches of science and how they influence our daily lives. Everything you always wanted to know about "how?" but were afraid to ask!