The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog Audiobook By Carly Anne York cover art

The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog

And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science

Pre-order: Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog

By: Carly Anne York
Pre-order: Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Pre-order for $19.24

Pre-order for $19.24

Confirm pre-order
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

A playful examination of how science’s silliest research leads to crucial breakthroughs and enduring insights

Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? It all sounds pointless, silly, or even disgusting.

Maybe it is. But in The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog, Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked, and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre. But it drives our economy. And what’s more, this stuff is simply cool.

York invites listeners to appreciate the often unpredictable journey of scientific exploration, highlighting that the heart of science lies in the relentless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Emphasizing the hard work of the people behind the discoveries, this is an accessible, story-driven book that shows how important and exciting it is to simply let curiosity run wild.

©2025 Carly Anne York (P)2025 Basic Books
Biological Sciences Science & Technology
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

"Carly York is a witty, whip-smart, lithely engaging science storyteller, truly one of our best. This book is a celebration of curiosity and a spirited defense of the quirky endeavors it inspires. With clear but never dumbed-down explanations and an infectious taste for the surreal, York makes the case for pure inquiry -- showcasing the value and world-changing discoveries that come of asking why. Fascinating, entertaining, and a welcome antidote to the small minds of certain politicians."—Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Fuzz

What listeners say about The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.