Understanding Science

Everyone knows how deeply science has effected our lives, yet few have any idea how science works. For anyone who is curious about how science works, this is a must-read. Far from being a child's primer yet crystal-clear in defining the complex issues involved in scientific inquiry, this book has much to offer both layman and scientist alike. Strahler is fearless yet rigorous in his treatment of the methods & consequences of science, and he devotes equal time to exploring the weaknesses inherent in the scientific method (i.e., what it cannot do), as well as to the consequences of scientific ignorance. It is Strahler's passion for the truth that keeps this potentially-dry subject from going stale, and it's a passion that's infectious. The chapters on the supernatural, religion, creationism, and the impact of science on ethics are among the most lucid I have ever read. This is a book to set alongside the best of Carl Sagan, and, I daresay, is better.