AUDIO

The Upright Thinkers: The Human Journey from Living in Trees to Understanding the Cosmos

by Leonard Mlodinow
10 CDs. 12:29 hrs. Books on Tape. 2015. ISBN 9780553551136. $45. digital download. SCI
COPY ISBN
In what is essentially a collection of brief biographies of notable scientists and philosophers, Mlodinow (Subliminal) traces the development of human ideas of the structure and functioning of the universe from Aristotle to Heisenberg. Arguing that progress often comes from iconoclastic minds and personalities willing to ask unconventional questions, he focuses on the social surroundings and temperaments of these pioneers, noting, for example, Sir Isaac Newton's misanthropy and Dmitri Mendeleev's slovenliness. More broadly, he suggests that part of what makes us human is our relentless inquisitiveness. The narration, performed by the author himself, is halting and sometimes makes for uncomfortable listening.
VERDICT While the book is informative and occasionally entertaining, there is little here that is original aside from personal stories of the author's father's hardships in Nazi Germany. Others, notably Daniel Boorstin (The Discoverers), have done better work in the history of science. Only for those with a casual interest in the history of science.
Reviewed by Forrest Link, Coll. of New Jersey Lib., Ewing , Oct 15, 2015
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye
by Cameron, Briony
MEDIA

Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico
by Álvarez, Noé
MEDIA

Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk
by Hanna, Kathleen
MEDIA

Summer
by Wharton, Edith
MEDIA

The Last Shot: City Streets, Basketball Dreams
by Frey, Darcy
MEDIA

The Bitter Truth
by Williams, Shanora
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?