Books: Explaining Scientific Discoveries (but Not Newton's Behaviour); on Giants' Shoulders - Great Scientists and Their Discoveries from Archimedes to DNA. by Melvyn Bragg with Ruth Gardiner (Sceptre, Pounds 7.99). Reviewed by Ross Reyburn

Reyburn, Ross, The Birmingham Post (England)

For those who find science a journey into the incomprehensible, Melvyn Bragg offers a brave attempt to decipher, assess and explain the achievements of the world's greatest scientists through the views of prominent contemporary experts in his book.

This paperback version of his best-selling hardback based on the BBC Radio 4 series looks at 12 great scientists and interestingly Archimedes (c287-212 BC) and Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) are singled out as the contenders for the distinction of being vi ewed as the greatest scientist in history.

"Whereas Newton said 'I have only seen so far because I have been standing on the shoulders of other giants,' there was nobody's …

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information: Article title: Books: Explaining Scientific Discoveries (but Not Newton's Behaviour); on Giants' Shoulders - Great Scientists and Their Discoveries from Archimedes to DNA. by Melvyn Bragg with Ruth Gardiner (Sceptre, Pounds 7.99). Reviewed by Ross Reyburn. Contributors: Reyburn, Ross - Author. Newspaper title: The Birmingham Post (England). Publication date: March 6, 1999. Page number: 44. © 2009 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd. COPYRIGHT 1999 Gale Group.

This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.