My favorite books to read are histories of math and science. I'm not sure what genre they fall into because they are not text books. Right now I am reading The Golden Ratio by Mario Livio. It is so fascinating to get a brief overview of the dawn of mathematics and how this number affects so much of our world.
I also loved reading Albert Einstein, Creator and Rebel. Excellent discussion of Einstein's theories and a bit of his life history without being too confusing and certainly not dry and dull.
Dan Brown's book The DaVinci Code almost falls into the category. I liked that book not so much for the plot, but for the art history that was contained in it. Clearly this book was fiction, but I like having history told to me as a story especially when it involves science and math.
So what would you call the genre?
4 comments:
That is very impressive. I like history books and biographies...but not so much the history of math and science . I think If I were to try to read a history of math book I would get a major headache and feel like I am in math class all over agin. I would probably have an instant drop in self esteem and raise in anxiety. I try not to create such experiences for myself. Science is ok. . especially the soft ones. I am good with that.
I'm not sure :0). These seem like great books. Do you think one like me not understanding much in the way of math would understand that first book mentioned? I'll have to checked them out from the library.
I think they would fall in the genre of nonfiction. The DaVinci Code is definitely historical fiction with an emphasis on fiction. The book "The Golden Ratio" reminds me of the old Disney cartoon "Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land". :D
Have you ever read "On Wings of Eagles"? It is a great read and is about Ross Perrot getting his employees out of Iraq in the early 1980's. Jon had to read a nonfiction book last year for one of his classes and was really dreading it. I had him read this one and I kept finding him up late reading it. It's a book you can't put down, once you get through the technical stuff at the start.
We just got Donald in Mathmagic Land and Spencer loves it. I think that is what prompted Ben to get The Golden Ratio.
I actually haven't read very much of The Golden Ratio yet. I'm only in the first chapter actually, but I think you'd find it interesting Kristi and not to overwelming.
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