Royal Society Short Lists Science Books for 2010 Prize. (August 26, 2010)

The Royal Society has announced the six books short listed for its 2010 science prize, the winner to be announced on October 21^st . TFW noted the 12 books on the long list this past June.

• A World Without Ice  by Henry Pollack (Avery Books, Penguin Group)
    The judges said: “This book gives a clear historical picture of the relationship between ice and climate . A very accessible and powerful perspective on climate change.
   
• Everyday Practice of Science: Where Intuition and Passion Meet Objectivity and Logic  by Frederick Grinnell (Oxford University Press)
    The judges said: “Don’t be put off by the cover, this is the most accessible and comprehensible book on how science is done that we’ve ever come across – indispensible to anyone who wants to understand the science behind the headlines.”
   
• God’s Philosophers: How the medieval world laid the foundations of modern science  by James Hannam (Icon Books)
    The judges said: “This book is a revelation, contradicting the popular idea of the Middle Ages as the “dark” ages, mapping key progressions during an era none of us associate with scientific advances and celebrating the lesser known mathematicians, “philosophers” and anatomists on whose shoulders modern science stands.
   
• Life Ascending  by Nick Lane (Profile Books)
    The judges said: “This book is a well thought out exploration of the building blocks of biological science – straightforward and convincing.”
   
• We Need To Talk About Kelvin  by Marcus Chown (Faber and Faber)
    The judges said: “We found ourselves applying ideas from this book to the world around us, turning suppositions on their heads and understanding complicated scientific concepts far more easily than we expected.
   
• Why Does E=mc²?  by Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw (Da Capo Press, Perseus Books Group)
    The judges said: “It’s the most famous equation that exists but few people actually know what it means. This book could change that – it’s beautifully written and not afraid to tackle really challenging physics.”
  

In its media release the Royal Society said that it was sending UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg complete sets of this year’s shortlist because in its view science and technology affect almost every aspect of our lives – from healthcare to economic wellbeing – and there has never been a better time to ensure that key decision makers are aware of this.

Perhaps the Australian Academy of Science might place orders to have two sets delivered to Ms Gillard, and Mr Abbott, not to mention three additional sets to be sent to Messrs Windsor, Oakeshott and Katter. 

A World Without Ice
Explores the relationship between ice and people – the impact of ice on Earth, its climate, and its human residents, as well as the reciprocal impact that people are now having on ice and the climate.
 

Everyday Practice of Science: Where Intuition and Passion Meet Objectivity and Logic
An insiders’ view of real-life scientific practice describing how scientists bring their own interests and passions to their work and illustrating the dynamics between researchers and the research community.
 

God’s Philosophers: How the medieval world laid the foundations of modern science
Revives the forgotten philosophers, scientists, scholars and inventors of medieval Europe, revealing the Medieval Age to be responsible for inventions and ideas that would change the world forever.
 

Life Ascending
Charts the history of life on Earth by describing the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, their importance in living organisms and their iconic power.
 

We Need To Talk About Kelvin
Takes familiar features of the world we know and shows how they can be used to explain profound truths about the ultimate nature of reality.
 

Why Does E=mc²?
An illuminating journey to the frontier of 21^st century science to consider the real meaning behind Einstein’s most famous equation, E = mc².