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Not too long ago, in earth time, no one thought the universe had a history. The scientific and religious experts believed that the world had been created as it is today and that nothing had changed. Those experts did their best but they were wrong--really wrong. The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way tells the amazing but true story of the quest to answer an important question: What is this universe of ours all about? From the lost city of Alexandria with its gigantic lighthouse and steam-powered vehicles, to faraway lands where Hindu and Arab mathematicians invented the number zero, Hakim invites readers of all ages to meet the forefathers of modern science and experience their greatest discoveries in astronomy, math, and physics. Along the way, readers learn the answers to questions like: What can a baboon bone tell us about calendars? Why can't we feel the earth moving? How did math contribute to Archimedes' death? A science book unlike any other, Aristotle Leads the Way pairs a gripping narrative style with quirky sidebars; hundreds of charts, maps, and diagrams; experiments to do at home; suggestions for further reading; and excerpts from the writings of great scientists.
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way FROM THE PUBLISHER A journey into the wonders of science from Joy Hakim, the best-selling author of A History of US. The story of science is the story of some really interesting people who continuously question the world around them. In the first book of her three part Story of Science Joy Hakim invites readers of all ages to meet the forebearers of modern science—Thales, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Aristotle, Arab and Chinese thinkers, Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, and many others—and share in their exciting discoveries in astronomy, math, and physics. 300 color photographs, illustrations, and maps. Individual volumes in the series can be read as a set or individually Each book packed with 256 pages of thought-provoking ideas, math and science concepts, history and literature Character- and idea-driven narratives that read like an adventure story 300 illustrations in each book, including original art and contemporary photographs Sidebars highlight fascinating facts and ideas of related interest Call-outs define unfamiliar words and build vocabulary Suggestions for further reading on many topics
FROM THE CRITICS VOYA - Rebecca C. Moore
In the first of a projected six-book series, Hakim traces the evolution of astronomy, math, and physics from Ancient Sumer to the Renaissance. Setting science into historical, cultural, and biographical context, Hakim explains not only how science evolved, but why theories evolved when and where they did. A cornucopia of sidebars, color photos, and color-coded annotations offer ways to link concepts to contemporary and modern culture as well as to other fields of knowledge. Although the book focuses on Western developments, Hakim ties in other cultures when they affect the evolution of scientific theories. This book is beautiful. Hakim's catholic selection of colorful pictures, fascinating features, and intriguing quotes demonstrates not only a true relish of the subject but also a desire to build comprehension through connection. The flawless writing is warmly conversational and never condescending, offering simple explanations laced with humor-"It was hard arguing with Aristotle (especially now that he was dead)." Only minor reservations preclude a 5Q. Like an over-weighted charm bracelet, the annotations and sidebars sometimes overwhelm the text, and distractible readers can lose the chain of narrative. In addition, the book is less browsable than it first appears, as readers need the text to understand the pictures and sidebars. Although Hakim presents the art world's use of the "golden ratio" as fact, some scholars dispute the theory as does Mario Livio in his The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number (Broadway, 2003). Despite these reservations, however, there is a wealth of absorbing information here-enough to turn science enthusiasts and reportwriters alike into modern Renaissance men-and women. VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, Smithsonian Books, 282p.; Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Further Reading. Chronology. Appendix., Ages 11 to 15. School Library Journal Gr 8 Up-In this first book in a projected series of six, Hakim has interwoven creation myths, history, physics, and mathematics to present a seamless, multifaceted view of the foundation of modern science. The acknowledgments page reads like a Who's Who of the academic physics world, thanking the many researchers and experts who provided fact checking and advice. The entire volume is beautifully organized and the multidisciplinary approach to science is immediately apparent from the table of contents. Chapter headings contain subheadings prefaced by an image that indicates the focus of the chapter-science, math, language arts, technology and engineering, geography, or philosophy. Full-color photos and illustrations appear throughout; quotes and sidebars offer related information. The text never suffers from oversimplification and the writing holds its own with the many compelling visuals. Only a slight amount of fictionalization is evident with the author occasionally suggesting the possible thoughts of ancient groups pondering the mysteries of the universe. At its essence, the book displays the most appealing aspect of science and mathematics: that advances result from a practical need solved by curious minds.-Courtney Lewis, Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School, Kingston, PA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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