A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations

By Alan L. Mackay

Book Overview

Science affects us all-in the words of Albert Einstein, "The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking." It is therefore fascinating to discover the thoughts of scientists, philosophers, humanists, poets, theologians, politicians, and other miscellaneous mortals on this most important of subjects.

A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations is a personal selection of scientific quotations by Professor Alan L Mackay that includes graffiti, lines of song, proverbs, and poetry. Whether you believe that "All problems are finally scientific problems" (George Bernard Shaw) or that "Imagination is more important than knowledge" (Einstein), it is without doubt that "It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations" (Churchill). You will be charmed and delighted by this collection and remember, "'Why, '" said the Dodo, "'the best way to explain it is to do it'" (Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0750301066
• ISBN13: 9780750301060
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

not just science:an extraordinarily wonderful reference book

This book is one of my favourite books, period. So much so that I keep it at arm's reach beside my dictionaries, but often pick it up to read just for enjoyment. I disagree with the title, because this volume spans everything to do with existence: curiosity, discovery, disappointment, creativity, bureaucracy and government--what you could think would be carefully collected over a number of years by a person with a mind that hates to feel restricted. And this is exactly that. And if you think it's all highbrow stuff, prepare to be surprised. This isn't at all a collection of wisdoms. There is delicious fun here, too, sometimes at the expense of the quoted. As the foreward says, ". . . some quotations or aphorisms are so persuasive and so well put that one wishes one had said them oneself; others are wrong-headed...and others still tell us more about their authors than about their subjects: Hilaire Belloc cannot have intended to make a public exhibition of himself..." There's even delightful poetry. A truly great book.