http://eska-rina.livejournal.com/5365... ( )

The science of Discworld is actually a book about communicating science to the ordinary person on the street, and explaining to that person the way science works. Essentially, there are two books here. A book that covers the basics of science and scientific thinking aimed at non-scientists with some vague mentions of the Discworld thrown in every so often so we don't forget what we're reading and a book that deals with the wizards of the unseen university generating a worl and poking it a bit, with occasional nods at the real world so we don't forget what we're reading. Both fine in themselves, I'm not sure combining them brings anything to the mix.

Never the less, though out of date now in some aspects, the science is written well. It's accessible and easy to follow for those who are novices, like me with physics. I have to say, I didn't agree with their downplaying on genetics (but I wouldn't because that's how I pay my rent) and thought the example they chose to illustrate the epigenetic effect (prions) was a little odd. Their unfortunate habit of putting genetics up as absolute determinism annoyed me a little too, though they do get major points for their fair treatments of the aquatic ape theory which is always worth mentioning. However, the parts I read as a amature, rather then a baised expert, were deeply enjoyable and informative, even if they be amout to lies-to-children in the grander scale of complexity.

All in all, the science was written well and in a easily accessably way, which is the main thing. If a few more people read the science because of the side story about the Wizards arsing around then who am I to compain? ( )

Not a discworld novel, but a knowledge of the discworld and its characters is required.

An excellent science book. Complicated things told simply. "Lies to children" explained for slightly larger children.

As all good science should be, this is thought provoking stuff. Did the dinosaurs have a technological civilisation? Is that really a stupid question? Just how often does the universe seem to try its best to wipe out life?

A whistle stop tour of cosmology, planetary history and evolution all mixed up with a brief tale from Unseen University.

If you like Pratchett give this a go. If you don't then the story may get in the way of the facts. If you like science then make sure you know Pratchett first.

If you don't like science then, to paraphrase Dawkins "if you don't like science then bugger off". ( )

First of all this is NOT a Discworld book. If you are looking for a Discworld novel try elsewhere.

Second - if you are looking for a popular science book, only read this after you have read soem Discworld books. You need to know the world beforehand.

This is not as the title claims a book about the science of the Discworld. This is book about the science of our world using the Discworld as a parody of to try and a) sell more books, b) illustrate woolly thinking c) emphasize some science.

Personally, even though I love nearly all of the Discworld books, I don't think the characters add anything to this. Ian and Jaxk have a persusive voice of their own and the parody of the Wizards casting a parody of our world is stretching things too far, without adding anything.

'The science' covered includes the beginnging of the universe, through to the formation of the earth and the emergence of life upon it - with a conclusion as to what the future might bring.

A lot of time is spent carefully explaining how science works as a process and why common sense often doesn't. This is the most applicable lesson to be got from this book, and it is worth reading just for this.

First published in '99 it is now 8 years out of date. Much of the science is still more or less correct but there are now several new theories. However as a primer this is a worthy read, and it povides a key background to several important topics. ( )

This is ok, but it is trying to do two things and once and I found it a little forced, and as such a little on the dull side. The discworld wizards and playing with academics and a computer experiment to do some world building.

Pratchett is giving a few real world science lessons along the way. More interesting perhaps to someone that knows none of it already.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/01... ( )