Comments on: How to review a book

By: Michel S.

Michel S. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:07:58 +0000

I notice the book being available in several eBook formats, but have you considered publishing it in ePub format (non-DRM) as well? Amazon has a better price on the print book than the eBook retailers have for the DRMed eBooks, which means buying the eBook is nonsensical for the time being.

Thanks!

By: kuhnigget

kuhnigget — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:45:17 +0000

“So, there may be a clue there that good writing means good storytelling, neh?”

In the work I’ve done designing exhibits for science museums, that’s probably the most difficult concept to get across. Delivering a message to a lay audience requires something other than the type of writing that goes into a science journal. “Storytelling” grabs your attention, piques your interest, and gets you involved.

Honestly, I once had a development person at a very well known science museum in Chicago (rhymes with “pie, ants and in dust tree”) tell me outright that the exhibit I was presenting was “a lie” because I proposed using a simulated microscope to show kids close-up video of cells at work.

As smart as they can be, scientists can be real boneheads when it comes to popularizing their work. Kudos to the Sagans, Goulds, and…of course, BAD astronomers of the world.

By: Nigel Depledge

Nigel Depledge — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:15:29 +0000

QD said:

Is there an audiobook of Death From the Skies yet?

Yes, as read by Richard Hoagland.

Nah, he’d put everything under one chapter – Aliens.

Comet impact? Aliens did it.
Solar flares / Coronal mass ejection? Aliens did it.
Gamma ray burst? Aliens did it.
Nearby supernova? Aliens did it.
Alien invasion? Hmm … tricky.

By: Nigel Depledge

Nigel Depledge — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:12:27 +0000

The Chemist said:

Indeed, my copy of A Brief History of Time keeps creating and destroying energy.

Um, either this is some obscure thermo joke that I have too little background knowledge to understand, or you are violating the first law of thermodynamics.

By: Anthony James Barnett - author

Anthony James Barnett - author — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:53:19 +0000

Nothing wrong with a bit of blatant self-promotion. We all need a hand, and your own is always closest!

Good luck with the book.

Anthony

By: Ricky

Ricky — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:26:13 +0000

WOW you wrote a book?!?! haha I kid I kid. I just received your book as a gift yesterday and I’ll start reading tonight. Look forward to it

By: Arthwollipot

Arthwollipot — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:41:44 +0000

I can’t believe no-one has Dugg that yet.