The Human Side of Science : Edison and Tesla, Watson and Crick, and Other Personal Stories behind Science’s Big Ideas

In case there was confusion, scientists are people, too. This means that science, far from being the perfectly rational answer to life’s questions, is subject to all sorts of influence and bias, just as are the people who do it. This book is a fun little look at the strong personalities and acrimonious conflicts that have shaped scientific discoveries from as early as Aristotle to the present day.

Written for a general, high-school level audience, this book is a fast read, written in a breezy, conversational tone, with short sections that are easy to digest. The scientists in question are given a brief biography, and the salient controversy is covered at a basic level that requires very little prior understanding yet is sufficient to give an overview both of the discovery and the science’s importance. Each section includes suggestions for additional material to study and explore. Humorous comics and lots of photographs also enliven the text. Readers will enjoy learning about the history of science in this engaging way; getting to know the personalities behind the science makes it all the more interesting.