
Science Matters
Achieving Scientific Literacy
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Narrated by:
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Fred Sanders
About this listen
A science book for the general reader that is informative enough to be a popular textbook and yet well-written enough to appeal to general listeners. “Hazen and Trefil [are] unpretentious—good, down-to-earth, we-can-explain-anything science teachers, the kind you wish you had but never did.”—The New York Times Book Review
Knowledge of the basic ideas and principles of science is fundamental to cultural literacy. But most books on science are often too obscure or too specialized to do the general listener much good.
Science Matters is a rare exception—a science book that is informative enough for introductory courses in high school and college, and yet lucid enough for listeners uncomfortable with scientific jargon and complicated mathematics. And now, revised and expanded, it is up-to-date, so that listeners can enjoy Hazen and Trefil's refreshingly accessible explanations of the most recent developments in science, from particle physics to biotechnology.
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Critic reviews
“Lucid and lively. Hazen and Trefil have a particular genius for picturing even formidably abstract ideas in concrete images. . . . Science Matters is as good as they get” ––The Washington Post Book World
“Hazen and Trefil [are] unpretentious––good, down-to-earth, we-can-explain-anything science teachers, the kind you wish you had but never did.” ––The New York Times
“A book that even scientifically literate readers can consult . . . if they find their recollection of relativity or quantum mechanics getting shaky.” ––New Scientist
Everything I thought I knew, brilliantly told.
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Additionally, I found out that I was not quite as literate as I had thought. I learned some new concepts, and at the end felt so much more enlightened by all this SCIENCE!
As a scientist, books like this make me smile, not only because of the data and facts, but because of the noble attempt to teach the world the basics, and sum it all up in one book.
Do not let this idea scare you, nothing is delved into in vast detail. This is an incredibly broad set of descriptions to bring you up to speed on basic science and how some things work. America's future depends on science, as well as every other technologically competant country!
Listen now!
On the road to becoming scientifically literate
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Detailed survey science book
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What made the experience of listening to Science Matters the most enjoyable?
the tone and pacing of the book were just right. I listened to it with my 7 year oldWas this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
yesone of my favorites
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Next, the book is well written. It is easy to follow and easy to understand.
Lastly, the narration was very good.
Science For Everyone 101
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Good book, lacking on story
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Excellent clarity
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I started this one in September and, two moths later, I'm still listening in small chunks. With about 30% still to go, I'll finish it eventually but I've heard enough to make my opinion
dry, dry, dry
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The narration was by no means awful, but having experienced one of the authors (Robert M. Hazen) give some very lively performances on his Great Courses lectures, 'The Joy of Science' and 'The Origin and Evolution of Earth', I would have preferred to have him do the reading here. Fred Sanders was a little on the dry side, and his pronunciations were sometimes very strange.
Despite the not-quite-invigorating narration, I'd definitely recommend Science Matters, and I'll add that the actual book is well worth having on your shelf.
Excellent content, narration could be better.
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Easy listening, good leanings!
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