OK, don’t get me wrong. Picayune’s review of my book Death from the Skies! is great. I loved it, and I’m really glad he liked the book.
But I have to give the edge to Joanne from Joanne Loves Science. She put together a video review, which is pretty cool. She does reviews of books and such for her students, and clearly is passionate about science.
My favorite part of her review (about five minutes in) is when she talks about why I don’t have any math in the book. She’s precisely right about that. It would’ve cut book sales in half.
But I’m glad she liked it. Keep those review coming, folks!
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 am
I had to chuckle at her comment on degeneracy.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
Dr. Phil Plait:
Prof. Stephen Hawking was advised the same when he wrote his book A Brief History of Time.
Parents are generally to blame for putting kids off mathematics because of their own phobia of equations and complex numbers. This is why an awful lot of people in the US (and in Europe) prefer to think of the Earth as only 6000 years old.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 am
It seems to me that the Internet is a good way of dealing with the math cuts book sales in half phenomenon.
How difficult would it be for a publisher to set up an online technical appendix for those of us who’d like to delve deeper into the subject?
As it is, I’ve reached an awkward point with a lot of pop-sci books. I’ve absorbed enough of the information out there that most of the books I find are filled with information that is, for me, redundant. At the same time, I’m not up to a level where I can easily make the jump to technical books (although I do browse through the arXiv servers for anything that’s remotely accessible).
I’d really like to find some books that can help me bridge that gap, but there doesn’t really seem to be any sort of market for them. So even though I love science, I’m finding that I’m actually buying fewer and fewer books on the subject.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
At this early phase of your writing career, you may choose to leave out the explicit math; but, in this age, you should be able to post a mathematical appendix online for those who are so inclined.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 am
You wrote a book?
I agree, write a technical appendix.
Oh, and Joanne was certainly “smitten,” but I’m not sure it was only about the science. *wink wink* She definitely has a passion about her.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Oooohhhhh, online technical index!!!!!! Great thought/idea. I know that I actually have a whiteboard set up in my den/office at home, and quite often I’ll bore (I mean educate) my daughter in some finer points of this or that thing. She has a lot of patience for a 12 year old.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Phil…. she wants you….
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Whoa! When did you last hear a book review that gave you that certain feeling in the crotchal area, and not because of the book…
When she’s done with science she could make a career as “breaker of bad news”. Let her announce the financial crisis, and she’ll receive applause for it.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I always thought the BA was degenerate, among others.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
@Andrew
I was the same until a few years back when quite by accident I went to a local Universities ‘Open Day’ the next think I know I’d signed up to a 4 year degree in Astrophysics – That was a bit of a sudden change I can tell you. Going from 10 years of reading pulp books about it to suddenly being in the throws of studying it full time.
If you’re intrested in jumping in a bit further I suggest reading ‘Cutnell & Johnson Physics 7th Edition’ It’s what they teach at Uni. My copy has been signed by the lovely Dr. Pamela Gay.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Yes, every book review should have a comment like that near the start to really grab the reader’s attention.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I read Death by Black Hole right before Death From the Skies. They are both great, I’m glad she gave it a mention. For some reason, I always felt like Neil Tyson and I were the only ones who knew that book existed.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
“Death from the Skies” was totally my christmas present! (I know I’m an atheist and supposed to say solstice, but when I say solstice at work, everyone thinks I’m a witch. Literally.) lol. Great book, super fun, and I’m recommending it to everyone I know!
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Crystal,
Modern children celebrate Halloween, though they aren’t trying to appease the spirits. All they’re doing is having fun wearing costumes and begging for candy. In the same way, you can be an atheist and still call it Christmas.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Phil, Just today about an hour before you posted this entry, I had UPS knock on my door with a package from Amazon dotcom. In it, packed with loving care, where the following contents:
The Bad Astronomer by Dr Phil Plait
Death from the Skies by Dr Phil Plait
Fleet of Worlds by Larry Niven
I must hold you in high regard if I ordered more of your stuff than the venerable master writer, Mr Niven.
You can now buy me lunch
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
DenverAstro, is there a biography of which we missed? I think you mean Bad Astronomy.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
While Phil is smart and funny and I certainly have high admiration for him, well, as the saying goes “I’m just not that into him”. (Sorry, Phil) The seduction in my video is certainly for the science.
Good to discuss the math in science books issue and I like the idea of a step-up book or online technical index, what a fabulous idea!
You can follow me on twitter @sciencegoddess
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
goodness…. you’d better not let Mrs. BA see that one!
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
She seems absolutely lovely. But I’m gonna be honest. She freaks me out, big time.
And is kinda hot.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Well, Joanne! You could’ve kept that to yourself!
My rep is ruined.
And DenverAstro, Fleet of Worlds is really good, and Juggler of Worlds is truly incredible. The past few Niven books have not exactly been up to his usual standards, but these two are fantastic reads. I hope a lot more along these lines are written. Funny– I always like Beowulf Schaeffer and disliked Sigmund Ausfaller. These books take a very different slant on both men.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 am
@Shane; You got me my friend, you are absolutey correct. My apologies Phil
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 am
As a friend once told me “All men start out with the same amount of testosterone. SOme just waste theirs growing hair,,,”.
Good on you, Phil. Waste not. Want not,,,
If I had, at any time in my formal education, been taught by such a sensuous teacher as Joanne, I would likely have become a medical doctor, just to impress her,,,
Ah, Larry Niven: I so fondly recall Lucifers Hammer,,,now I just have to get on Alibris and buy these two new books.
Gary 7
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 am
Mmmm, Phil (darling), I never meant to ruin your rep.
I’ll make it up to you. Next time you land smack in the middle of the midwest, we’ll have a drink or lunch or a coffee, and have our pic taken together….that’ll solve it.
And, I keep the passion dialed way back for my students (see my other videos), as is appropriate and professional. But I do notice that I never need to be stern with them. I think they try not to embarrass themselves in front of me and more often than not, blush when I offer correction, which is quite charming. Still, all the attractiveness in the world means nothing (cuz it’ll be gone one of these days) if there is no substance and knowledge to back it up, so that’s my main focus. And I shouldn’t have to even say that.
Thanks for watching. So everyone, buy a copy of Phil’s book so he can afford a plane ticket to visit me for that pic.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Really, Phil, I’d be thrilled and honored.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:29 am
OK! OK! I get it! I’ll buy the book! I thought I’d get it for Christmas but my family does not reads this blog (despite my instructions…)
Say Phil, what does one have to do to get a signed copy….?
February 4th, 2009 at 2:46 am
I agree with blur! she definitely has a thing for you, phil!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Sigh. Oh, ok, I like Phil a little. Gee. My apologies to Mrs. BA.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Nice review. U has teh oratory skillz.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Phil,
Thank you very much for the pingback/comment to my site. I’m a guy and we met when you came to Austin last year, I was the Apple employee with the David Bowie shirt. It was great to meet you and you autographed my copy of Bad Astronomy with a very thoughtful blurb.
Steve