Natalie Angier

For someone who dislikes navel gazing, and rarely reads books that try to explain women to women, this book was a refreshing entry in a field that is all too often either densely abstruse or fluffy. A joyous look at what it means to be a woman, and the ways in which women differ...and the ways they don't...from their masculine counterparts. This book doesn't try to set women up as inferior, superior, or exactly the same as men, but instead looks at women on their own terms without judgement show more and with a loving eye. show less

Who knew human anatomy could be so fun? Ms. Angier is like an informative and witty museum tour guide, taking the reader on a stroll past living exhibits of all uniquely feminine aspects of human physiology. A fascinating and revealing book that should be read by every woman (and probably men too!).

This book is beautifully written and will captivate those who love science and those who love a good turn of phrase. Angier covers everything from physics to astronomy in a funny but very rigorous manner. There are no equations, but she teaches you how to think about scientific problems. Angier's approach is great: she talked to scientists in each field to find out what they wished the public understood about their work. I think The Canon is best read a chapter at a time; too much at once show more and it all starts to blur together. show less

Angier's style of writing is a cross between know-it-all scientist and folksy I'm-Going-To-Explain-It-All-To-You girlfriend. I happened to like the science with sass approach. It made reading about my personal landscape a great deal more interesting. It's informative AND funny - my kind of read. Because let's face it, who wants to pick up something that reads like a gross anatomy textbook? I want (and got) something with spunk and humor; for example, who knew 'piglet' was a vocal range? You show more wouldn't think describing the physical attributes of the vagina could be interesting but when Angier describes it as, "a Rorschach with legs" you have to sit up and take notice. Amid education and explanation Angier periodically debunks myth and dispels rumor concerning the female form. The vagina is not dirty! She is on a one woman rampage to bring honor to her sex. While her sassy sexy tone dissuades some readers from thinking of Woman as a reference tool I, for one, am sorry she didn't write this 30 years earlier. show less