Book Description
In this groundbreaking book, the renowned theoretical physicist Lee Smolin argues that physics—the basis for all other science—has lost its way. The problem is string theory, an ambitious attempt to formulate "a theory of everything" that explains all the forces and particles of nature and how the universe came to be. With its exotic new particles and parallel universes, string theory has captured the public"s imagination and seduced many physicists. But as Smolin reveals, there"s a deep flaw in the theory: no part of it has been proven, and no one knows how to prove it. As a scientific theory, it has been a colossal failure. And because it has soaked up the lion's share of funding, attracted some of the best minds, and penalized young physicists for pursuing other avenues, it is dragging the rest of physics down with it. With clarity, passion, and authority, Smolin charts the rise and fall of string theory and takes a fascinating look at what will replace it. A group of young theorists has begun to develop exciting new ideas that are, unlike string theory, testable. Smolin tells us who and what to watch for in the coming years and how we can find the next Einstein. This is a wake-up call, and Lee Smolin—a former string theorist himself— is the perfect person to deliver it.
Customer Reviews:
Cuts through the hype.......2007-10-13
This is an excellently written book, very easy to read,and with only one typo that I noticed. It starts with an excellent overview of physics from a technical point of view, without getting too technical,but a good basic understanding of physics is really needed to grasp what he is writing about, and shows the authors grasp of the technical issues, and then gets into a philosophical view of the state of physics and science generally. As an interested observer of science I have certainly noticed the lack of really big discoveries in the last twenty years or so, and this book confirms my view. Also being more of a creative thinker,rather than a conformist, a 'seer' as the author describes it,I can totally relate to the problems faced by people seeking a career in science, and the need to conform to currently popular programs and research where economic imperitives take precedence over original thinking,or even fundamental work, and where universities operate to build an image to attract students based on hype over substance. Its what put me off a career in science, and a university education, as I'm not interested in doing what others want in return for money,career,etc. The authors comment about some of the best scientists of the past being wealthy enough to support themselves in doing as they pleased is a very important point in showing that creative people are wasted if forced to do the work others want done in order to survive. Which basically leaves only those who want to conform and have an easy life and easy career path, who want to be technical experts rather than big thinkers or explorers of new concepts. It excludes most risk takers and entrepreneurs from a career in science,as you would end up bitter and unsatisfied. This book really just confirmed alot of what I thought, what should be common sense. And it makes an important point that only a few people think creatively,so it would not cost alot to employ these people and take a risk on them, in the hope that long term they will produce big things, while delivering very little of measurable worth in the short term. The book also goes into the sociology of science and scientists. Something I realised along time ago to my suprise was that scientists suffer from all the normal human flaws of bias and blindness, tribalism,etc that average people do,and often end up in religious type devoutness to their beliefs or tribe. I would have thought science would not attract such people, but it does,as the authors experience shows in confirming what I beleived just from watching science shows on TV,etc. Science would be an excellent career if not for the fact it suffers from the same B.S. that afflicts most human organisations and puts people like myself right off getting involved at all. The author is smart enough to realise that science must attract talent and compete with others for it,and his criticisms are done out of love for science and physics,not hate. It is interesting to see how carefully he treads in crisicising others, which just goes to show how religion-like science had become, and how risky it is to be a heretic, which so goes against what science should stand for,like open debate, constant questioning of all beleifs,etc, when ego's start getting in the way you might as well do something else, as its no better than any other politics or belief system. If you care about science this book raises many important points ,although I suspect it will find an audience with those that sympathise with its views and have no effect on those that need to learn from it most,as they will have closed minds and take all criticism as an attack to be defended against.A very enjoyable read.
A superb overview of the state of theoretical physics........2007-10-12
What a superb book. Lee Smolin starts by sketching our progress towards a unified theory, and then critically examines the claims of string theory to be the best contender for that throne. Having demolished our fuzzy belief that string theory has been somehow "proven," he then weighs in on the other candidates for a unified theory, namely quantum gravity and its cousins. These turn out to be little better supported by experimental evidence. The technical concepts are clearly presented, sans equations, as developments in a story peopled with fascinating characters: the great theoretical physicists of the last 50 years. As a non-math person, I found this narrative a positive pleasure to read. In comparison to other authors of books on physics for the lay public, Smolin really knows how to tell a story, without skimping the science.
The real depth of "The Trouble With Physics" becomes apparent when Smolin pulls back to focus on physics itself. Facing the fact that the academy is a human enterprise like any other, he subjects it to the same bold criticism that he applies to scientific concepts. Here are eyeopening revelations about the culture of conferences, recommendations, networks, and above all, the economic pressures that subtly favor "craftspeople" at the expense of "seers." It's a sorry indictment of our universities, the triumph of self-interest over vision, and Smolin explicitly includes himself in the great mass of insincere careerists who choose a safe research program over a risky one, to the detriment of scientific progress. One gets the sense that this book is, for the author, an atonement for having shortchanged his own creativity as a younger man.
But we the readers are the beneficiaries of Smolin's decision to lay all bare. I have read literally dozens of books on physics and cosmology, and this is the first one that has presented the human side of the story as a CONTEXT, rather than in a series of postage-stamp portraits. Smolin shows that tribalism and rent-seeking do as much to shape science as any ideas. It is a lesson that will lend an extra savor, and a much-needed depth of perspective, to every science book I read in the future.
Scientific progress is never cut and dried.......2007-10-08
Lee Smolin presents a harsh critique of the last 30 years in theoretical physics, written by one of its practitioners. He makes the excellent point that science is a human activity like anything else. Progress is always hard to predict; scientists can and do get caught up in dead ends. Smolin thinks string theory is one such dead end, and makes a good case for it.
I think that, if anything, Smolin is a little too gentle on the field. The development of the atomic and hydrogen bombs left a tremendous impression that big money put into physics would bring big results. In recent years that hasn't happened. There are so many unanswered questions out there in science, so many important fields where solutions are desperately needed. When I consider the construction and operation of particle accelerators and other high-tech equipment, I can't help but think of the huge cost. The same amount of cash invested elsewhere might have brought much more in the way of useful results.
I am the mother of a 10-year-old boy attending public school. His instruction sometimes seems to me like a mishmash of well-meaning educational reforms that have been implemented with little or no testing to see if they worked or not. I am frankly disgusted by the quality of most research in the area of education--sample sizes too small, no proper controls, subjects followed for too short a time, etc. The cost of operating a single particle accelerator for six weeks probably exceeds all the funding for educational research around the world for the entire year. Yet which has the most potential for making major progress? Maybe it's time to back off on funding big physics projects for a while.
I would also like to point out that the building and use of instrumentation for high-energy physics is highly dependent on cheap fossil fuels. The future supply of such fuels is by no means guaranteed. The peak oil problem appears to be largely ignored by high-energy physicists today, but has the potential to significantly affect their ability to conduct experiments.
I really enjoyed Smolin's chapters on looking for seers rather than technicians in science. I especially liked his description of how unconventional scientists have built a career without a university job. Smolin points out that a typical professor spends a majority of his week on teaching, grant proposals, administrative tasks, and the like, leaving a surprisingly small amount of time available for actual research. Having a day job outside the field is not as big a hurdle as it might seem.
I tend to agree with Smolin that the big advances of the future are likely to come from completely unexpected directions. I can't wait to see what they are.
physics from many angles.......2007-10-05
This book provided several discussions pf physics and quantum theory. its good because the author speaks of the history the the originators of physics theory and the current champions of thought.
A mixed bag.......2007-10-04
At the moment, string theory appears to have many (possibly an infinite number) of "metastable vacua", each of which would allow for a universe with its own laws of physics. (For a brief, comic, yet essentially correct summary of the history of this idea, see Peter Shor's review here. For those who don't know, Shor is a celebrated quantum-information theorist.) According to the (far from established) inflationary model of cosmology, there is a vast collection of universes (the "multiverse") with diverse laws of physics. Which universe we find ourselves in is a matter of random selection, but of course we must be in a "biofriendly" universe, one whose laws of physics allow for the appearance of intelligent life.
The core argument of this book is presented on page 164-165 (US hardcover edition), where Smolin writes, "when it comes to the biofriendliness of our universe, we have at least three possibilities:
"1. Ours is one of a vast collection of universes with random laws.
"2. There was an intelligent designer.
"3. There is a so-far-unknown mechanism that will both explain the biofriendliness of our universe and make testable predictions by which it can be confirmed or falsified.
"Given that the first two possibilities are untestable in principle, it is most rational to hold out for the third possibility. Indeed, that is the only possibility we should consider as scientists, because accepting either of the first two would mean the end of our field."
I find this to be an astonishing argument. First of all, I don't know what "most rational" is supposed to mean. More importantly, to reject a scientific hypothesis for purely personal reasons (it "would mean the end of our field") is at best novel, and at worst absurd.
Very few string theorists are happy that #1 seems, at this point, to be the most likely outcome of string theory, and many hope that #3 will somehow eventually emerge. But to throw out the whole framework, simply because we don't like the result, cannot be said to be a scientific attitude.
One thing you won't learn in this book (unless you read it very carefully, and between the lines) is that the other approaches to quantum gravity advocated by Smolin have not come any closer to predicting specific experimental results than string theory has. Smolin talks about possible violations of special relativity, but these are not (as he admits on page 237) a definite prediction of loop quantum gravity. He has said (on Peter Woit's blog) that any quantum field theory in any number of dimensions is compatible with loop quantum gravity. If true, this would make loop quantum gravity even less capable than string theory of picking out our particular laws of physics.
Smolin also discusses issues of sociology in physics. On page 335-336, he asserts that the all the truly negative characterizations of job candidates that he has ever heard have had a component of racism and/or sexism. I am on the faculty of the physics department of a research university, and I can only say that my experience has been entirely different. I have simply never heard a racist or sexist denigration of one scientist by another, nor have I ever felt that anyone was being evaluated by criteria other than merit. I think that there are definitely issues of culture and how we can construct scientific communities that have broader appeal, and that there are physicists who are not as sensitive to these issues as they might be, but I cannot accept Smolin's claim that the relatively small percentage of women and blacks in physics is due to "blatant prejudice".
Finally, Smolin discusses the issues of "seers" vs "craftspeople" in science, and argues that we should be supporting more "seers". Among the existing seers, he lists some (such as Roger Penrose and Gerard 't Hooft) who made their reputations primarily as craftspeople ('t Hooft received the Nobel Prize for his work on the renormalization of gauge theories, and Penrose did celebrated work on the singularity theorems of general relativity). Their record as seers has been less successful; none of their recent ideas on modifications of quantum mechanics have panned out as yet. Smolin laments the fact that more attention is not paid to these forays into alternatives to quantum mechanics. But 't Hooft and Penrose do not agree on what modifications are needed. Other seers identified by Smolin propose violations of special relativity, rather than (or in addition to) violations of quantum mechanics. Perhaps this is all deep thought, but there is little to decide, at this point, which if any of these avenues should be pursued. Most physicists have therefore sensibly adopted a "wait and see" attitude.
Even if we accept Smolin's argument that we need new seers, how are we to find them? Smolin writes (page 353) that in order to discover "the visionaries who ignore the mainstream and follow their own ambitious programs", we should "find at least one accomplished person in the candidate's field who is deeply excited about what the candidate is trying to do". So, the candidate's program had better not be *too* far off the mainstream; there has to be at least one "accomplished person" who is "deeply excited" about it. But if one deeply excited professional is good, wouldn't more be better? Wouldn't that up the odds that the program was, indeed, worthwhile? Oh wait, that would be just what we have now ... a system where there is constant debate, emergent consensus on the most promising approaches, and distribution of research funds primarily (but by no means exclusively!) to those approaches that appear, in the consensus view, to be most promising. To paraphrase Winston Churchill on democracy, this system for distributing funds for science may be the worst ever devised, except for all the others.
So, should you buy the book? I feel that it gives a distorted picture, by emphasizing the weak points of string theory while ignoring the (many more, in my view) weak points of the alternatives. It seems to me that the essence of the book's argument against string theory is captured by the excerpts above, and by Shor's review. Then there is a lot of discussion of groupthink in scientific culture. For me, it doesn't add up to an appealing package, but your mileage may vary.
Book Description
Has physics gone off in the wrong direction? Peter Woit presents the other side of the growing debate on string theory--arguing that it's not even science
At what point does theory depart the realm of testable hypothesis and come to resemble something like aesthetic speculation, or even theology? The legendary physicist Wolfgang Pauli had a phrase for such ideas: He would describe them as "not even wrong," meaning that they were so incomplete that they could not even be used to make predictions to compare with observations to see whether they were wrong or not.
In Peter Woit's view, superstring theory is just such an idea. In Not Even Wrong, he shows that what many physicists call superstring "theory" is not a theory at all. It makes no predictions, even wrong ones, and this very lack of falsifiability is what has allowed the subject to survive and flourish.
Not Even Wrong explains why the mathematical conditions for progress in physics are entirely absent from superstring theory today and shows that judgments about scientific statements, which should be based on the logical consistency of argument and experimental evidence, are instead based on the eminence of those claiming to know the truth.
In the face of many books from enthusiasts for string theory, this book presents the other side of the story.
Customer Reviews:
The Fall of Strings.......2007-10-06
String theorists have so far been unable to use their results to predict new experimental findings. This book and Smolin's 'The Trouble with Physics' both attempt to document this failure of string theory. Smolin's book is better, but a tougher read. But this book is not bad, and you may want to read them both.
Woit dissects "the only game in town".......2007-10-02
"The fundamental problem with string theory is that, as far as its central goal of unifying physics goes, over the last nearly 25 years it has not only not made any progress toward explaining anything about particle physics, but, quite the opposite. Everything that has been learned about string theory makes it more and more clear that the original hopes for getting unification this way were just misguided and can't work. The derivative here is the wrong sign." Peter Woit, posted on his weblog September 13, 2007.
Some readers may think that this book gets off to a painfully slow start, given the author's long telling of the history of particle physics, particularly as regards work done with particle accelerators/ colliders. But stay with it [it's worth it!]. Woit holds degrees from Harvard and Princeton (PhD, theoretical physics) and has taught both mathematics and physics at Columbia. He happily describes himself as a mathematician, in large part because that is indeed the career he has chosen but also in large part because he is obviously disgusted with the current state of theoretical physics--in so far as the superstring/ M-theory disciples of Witten have abandoned anything resembling orthodox science. Woit shows no hesitation in acknowledging Witten's great genius, but unlike most theorists of recent decades he is not interested in worshiping at Witten's feet, no matter what the cost. And Woit isn't just some disgruntled nay-saying spoilsport (I can't strictly judge the psychological state of someone I don't personally know, but he doesn't strike me in this way at all). His concern is that there are other prospects for a unified theory that have been summarily brushed aside by the popular mantra that "string theory is the only game in town." [Federal] research funding, positions of influence notably including department chairs, academic and research hirings, increasingly all have played what we are told (by string/brane theorists themselves) is "the only game in town." But after three decades of glowing hype, this "game"--superstrings/'M-theory'/'brane-world'--has failed to move forward. It has essentially demonstrated that it cannot move forward in any scientific sense.
"Superstring theory is to a large degree thought of by mainstream physicists as mathematics and by mainstream mathematicians as physics, with each group convinced that it makes no sense within their frame of reference but presumably does within someone else's." pg 204
Like so many other armchair theorists, I've read and enjoyed books like Greene's `Elegant Universe' and Hawking's glossy `Universe in a Nutshell'. But any astute reader has to notice that no real connection is made between what we are told are compellingly "beautiful mathematics" and the physical world we can examine, and, given a sound theory, even interrogate, to any degree at all. It is particularly instructive to consider strings/ brane-world from the critical perspective of pure mathematics, i.e., Woit's perspective in this volume. It seems that the abstract equations ARE strangely "beautiful" UNTIL the math must be patched to conform to a universe with precisely three large spatial dimensions; as soon as we are forced to manipulate the additional dimensions, the beauty of the mathematics begins to fade. That `beauty' has been fading for 20 years at this writing. Woit finds the equations of strings/branes to be growing uglier at every turn. After decades of contortion, strings/branes are ever becoming less beautiful than advertised. And, as Woit briefly explains with stark, non-glossy frankness, strings/branes are NOT the only game in town, or at least they shouldn't be.
Many mathematicians would cautiously agree that strings/branes make for interesting mathematics--if they can be divorced from physics. There may be sufficient cause to suggest, as some have, that strings/branes make for interesting theology as well. But are strings/branes SCIENCE? At this late date it seems that the answer is probably `no'.
"If someone could come up with a legitimate, distinctive, testable prediction of string theory that gave even the correct order of magnitude for some experimental result, that would be a huge breakthrough."
As I have suggested to anyone willing to listen, read Peter Woit's thought-provoking book, especially if you've read Greene, Hawking, and/or Susskind.
Right on the button.......2007-08-30
What can I say? Like Peter Woit, I am a recovering mathematician, and this book has given me hope. "Not Even Wrong" carries my highest recommendation, especially for those empirically-inclined investigators who have become demotivated by the crisis in science. One proviso, though - don't read it in isolation. Essential companions are Lee Smolin's "The Trouble with Physics", and my own impassioned plea "The Virtue of Heresy - Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer". The Virtue of Heresy: Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer
Hilton Ratcliffe
Astrophysicist
contains interesting information on physics as well as criticism of String Theory.......2007-07-11
As most people know Not Even Wrong is critical of String Theory. What I did not realize going into the book was the detail it delves into in describing events leading up to String Theory, especially events having to do with the Standard Model. I think the book is worth reading just for this information which spans half of the book. I don't know whether String Theory is right or not as I am not a physicist but I do believe that criticism is a healthy thing and that the author is clear in his criticism of String Theory. I would have wished for more information on other Unified Theories but he devotes only one chapter to this. I guess, as the author points out, there is only one game in town and it is String Theory.
A Good Proposal for Using Government Funds More Effectively.......2007-06-23
Woit's book will be very helpful to technical people who do not work daily in the field of physics but want to remain up to date on the progress of this field. Woit's conclusions and recommendations will be widely accepted. Interestingly, in my book review of Leonard Susskind's book on The Cosmic Landscape in December 2005, I said, "I hold hopes for physicists but not much for strings." I made this statement because the length of a string is divisible and cannot be modeled by a zero-point. So, string theory was completely wrong on day one.
Woit gave me a clear view of the histories of particle physics, strings, and the standard model. In Ch. 6, my mind became glued to the Yang-Mills theory and the new behavior named `asymptotic freedom.' This new behavior is consistent with other theories: (1) the infinite gap that separates a creator God from the universe; (2) the Riemann hypothesis on prime numbers; (3) the true atoms (Leibniz's monads); (4) Cantor's transfinite number; (5) and the origin of inertia of Bernard Haisch (see `The God Theory). So, Woit is right. It is time for physicists to return to basics and The Standard Model. But, they might also consider the reality of an active God.
Book Description
"Mom, where do babies come from?" Many parents live in fear of the day their child asks that question—which inevitably happens, often as early as the preschool years. Here is a picture book designed especially for young children who are becoming sexually aware but aren't ready to learn about sexual intercourse. Written with warmth and honesty, Amazing You! presents clear and age-appropriate information about reproduction, birth, and the difference between girls' and boys' bodies. Lynne Cravath's whimsical illustrations enliven the text, making this a book that parents will gladly share with their young ones.
Customer Reviews:
Great!.......2007-10-16
After reading several of the choices... I loved this one. It is very factual and more scientific in nature. It did not have opinions interjected as other books do. It is my job to give the opinions and cultural practices and I appreciated the plain facts in this one. I chose Changing you for my 6 year old because they were so similar, this one is great for younger kids. Cute pictures too!
Todder and Adult friendly.......2007-08-16
I had dreaded the day that this topic would have to be tackled. My daughter knows all about her body but knew relatively nothing about the male body. I was happy that the book was not too graphic or complicated. My daughter understood without being scared or confused.I was also put at ease in explaining the male form to her. I only gave 4 stars because I did feel that breasts and nipples on both sexes should have been addressed. However, I do agree that perhaps the author left out those topics to allow parents the option.
Wonderful Introduction (to the body) Book .......2007-07-28
When my six year old boy became more curious about his body I came to Amazon to search for an appropriate book. I truly did not know it would be such a difficult task. After reading the reviews for a number of books I was very surprised (disgusted was more like it), especially when I learned of the books that promoted group masturbation as "ok" and "experimental". Finally I came upon this book. It was perfect for my boy. In fact, my seven year old girl and three year old son too enjoyed the book. They giggled at some of the pictures which made the book fun as well as educational. There are only two pages that were a bit too advanced for my children (the gargantuan penis complete with sperm and the oversized uterus). I gracefully skipped those two pages, they were just beginning to understand the maturing of the body and that was a bit much. However I will insert that back in, no pun intended, when I read it in the future. Lastly, I have spotted the book in all three of my childrens rooms. They went back on their own and have had a chance to read at their own pace. I recommend this book to conservative parents with young children.
LOVE THIS BOOK!.......2007-06-12
I have a very "inquisitive" 5 year old girl and this book seems to have helped subdue our "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" episodes. It is very descriptive in a biological sense, but the pics are all in cartoon-like depiction. Definitely recommend this book.
Found a little help.......2007-06-11
This was exactly what I needed to help me answer ALL the questions that my 6 yr old had about her/ girl's bodies without getting into the issues of intercourse.
After a lot of research, I came across this option and i was not disappointed. I have already recommended this for this age group.
Book Description
Should I be concerned if my cycles are rarely 28 days?
Why do I often feel so emotional before my period?
And how can I know when my period's really going to start?!
If you're a teenage girl, you've probably asked yourself these questions and many more. Now Cycle Savvy has the answers that will help you understand what is really happening with your body on a day-to-day basis. It's the first book specifically designed to teach young women about the practical benefits of charting their cycles. Explore the fascinating world of ovulation, fertility, and why you even have periods at all! And learn all about the body signals, mood changes, and other signs that accompany your cycle. With charming illustrations, fun brainteasers, confidence builders, sample charts, and first-person tales of experiences that every girl can relate to, Cycle Savvy takes the mystery out of your amazing body.
Customer Reviews:
My teen loves it!.......2007-07-24
A ton of easy to understand information for teens! My teen also really liked S.E.X. by Heather Corinna. Each gave her different information and covered simliar subjects differently.
All Teen Girls Should Have this Empowering Book.......2007-03-07
If only this book had been around when I was a teen! Great, solid information shared in a straight forward way that will assist young girls in getting past the hypersexualization that they face today and move into a core of true self respect and self esteem. This book is a blessing.
Life-long Reproductive Health=Education.......2007-02-22
As a physician specializing in fertility, I see a lot of chronic reproductive health problems (and their devastating consequences)in my adult patients that could have been prevented if the patient had been provided with quality reproductive education as a teenager. This book provides the information young women need to make decisions at a young age that will impact their health across the lifespan. Thank you, Toni for making my job easier and for preserving the reproductive health of the next generation.
Dr. Susan Carr
May not be appropriate if your teen is choosing abstinence.......2007-02-18
I own Toni's first book, "TCOYF" and it completely changed the way I look at my body and my cycles. So I was thrilled that she came out with this book for teens. I purchased it with the intent of giving it to my younger sister, but after reading it; I have decided to return it.
What I loved: The first two parts (Cycle Smart and Cycle Signals) cover all the basics on the female body that I guarentee your kids will never hear about in school. :) Toni discusses the different stages in a woman's cycle, including charting your fertility signs to help understand your body. The book is very well put together with fun illustrations and page layouts. The writing is smart and fun, and very easy to read.
This book does not teach FAM as a means of birth control. In fact, I was hopeful after reading the following in the introduction: "...this book is no more a sex-education manual than it is a primer on tampons."
What I didn't love: The third part of the book (Cycle Solutions) has a chapter called "From Cycle Savvy to Sex Smart" that seemed to contradict this statment in the intro. I will conceed that from a world/secular standpoint, this chapter is presented in a very balanced way. Most of the chapter is filled with stories of teenage girls' experiences with sex. The stories cover the spectrum, from "I had sex as a teen and regret it every day" to "I waited for just the right time with my boyfriend" and everything in between. If you or your daughter are proponents of abstinence, you will definitely want to look over this chapter before buying.
From a Christian standpoint, the information presented in this chapter is completely incongruent with what the Bible teaches. As much as I love Toni and everything she has done to empower women, and as much as I loved everything else about this book, this one chapter was enough for me to return it.
great for daughters.......2007-01-12
I bought this for my teenage daughter having read the author's first book and having listened to her on local radio. I did not force the book on my daughter but simply left it on the table. I've watched my daughter pick it up and read from time to time and I can see she is absorbed at times. The book has a huge amount of biological science written into it yet the diagrams are illustrative of the concepts making it easier to read. We don't talk much about the topic but I am certain it is making a difference in my daughter's awareness which can only help me as a parent.
Book Description
Kids will get in touch with Mother Earth--and see how to save her, too--with 150 illustrated, truly terrific nature-friendly projects. There are things to do for every season of the year, crafts that use recycled materials, and activities that encourage youngsters to investigate the natural world. Fantastic color photos capture real children happily working on the projects, and every project mixes fun and learning. A cute cat wind vane will show which way the wind blows, and a pretty barometer in a painted jar captures changes in air pressure; fabulous facts on weather provide additional interesting information. Take advantage of the great things that grow by making candies with fresh mint leaves or vinegars with just-picked herbs. Plus: a pocket sundial, a sweet smelling grass mat, a "desert in a jar," and more.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Resource for Parents and Teachers.......2007-05-14
I was at the library the other day looking for craft ideas when I stumbled across a book entitled Nature Smart. The cover of the book showed eight really neat projects that appeared to be earth friendly, with some even utilizing recycled materials. I checked it out immediately and eagerly awaited a chance to read through it. After getting the little ones settled down for the night, I opened up this book and was immediately impressed. This book provides parents and teachers with ideas for projects that will help children learn more about the world around them while giving them opportunities to be creative.
As a homeschooling mom, I'm always looking for projects to do with my children that will be fun for them as well as educational. Looking at the craft section at the local bookstore or library can be overwhelming! Too often I find crafts which are cute but don't really provide my children with the opportunity to learn something new. I strive to teach my children about Earth-friendly living, so I was happy to find project ideas that incorporated the use of recycled materials as well as items from nature such as leaves and twigs.
The authors of Nature Smart have compiled more than 150 nature and ecology inspired projects for children. Each craft description includes a list of items to gather in advance, easy to follow directions, and colorful images and diagrams that make the more difficult projects easier to understand. Most of activities in the book are also accompanied by background information on the topic which is a really great feature. For example, the pages that describe how to make a butterfly hatchery with your children includes diagrams of butterflies and moths and information about their life cycle. This content can be read by parents as a refresher before they begin a project with their child or it can be read independently by an older child. Of course, parents of non-readers could read aloud to their children in order to further their understanding of the topic.
Here are a few projects from the book that I plan to try with my children:
Rustic Wren House
Butterfly and Moth Hatchery
Seashell Wind Chime
Wild Flower Candles
Corn Husk Flowers
Bat House
Tin Can Marionette
Bean and Pasta Mosaic
This book is truly fantastic. Nature Smart is designed for school-aged children but many of the projects could be modified to meet the needs of preschoolers. This book is an excellent resource for the eco-conscious parent or teacher who is looking for nature-inspired activities to do with children. I highly recommend it.
absolutely wonderful.......2005-01-15
This is an absolutely wonderful book. W have used it as part of our homeschooling curriculum. There are so many projects and all are reasonable to complete and to fund.
The emphasis on conservation is clear, and this shows more than anywhere in the way in which the projects are laid out. They do not require expensive tools or ingredients, and often use items found around the house. I am overly pleased with this book, and can not emphasize enough how much I think it teaches kids to respect the earth.
I would also recommend other books by Gwen Diehn. We have checked these out from the library and have been very pleased.
Book Description
Ideal for early graders.Over 40 experiments to try.Step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow.All projects use everyday materials.Explains the relevance of the experiments to real life.Results that will surprise children and adults alike.Spiral bound so the book can lie flat, making it easy to use.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for my 3 year old granddaughter.......2007-01-04
It has lots of really good science experiements in it that you can do with simple things you have around the house....things that you probably wouldn't think of on your own.
a winner.......2006-09-10
The people who put together this science book knew what they were doing. Easy-to-read layout, colorful to-the-point pictures with creative but fast and simple science experiements. Great for preschoolers, but my guess is that the experiments would also be very relevant to much older children, since each is accompanied by a scientific explanation of how it works. The best science book I've seen around.
Really practical experiments........2006-06-29
We got this book for our 4 year-old son. So far we have done 3 of the experiments and we are looking forward to doing others during the summer. A good book for father and son bonding!
Best Science Experiment Book for Kids.......2006-03-14
My daughter and I love it. The experiments are all done with things you have around the house or that you can pick up the next time you go to the grocery store. Except for blotting paper, I am not sure where to get that, but there are only two experiments that use it. Anyway, it is interesting, very educational, and simple to set up. It also has pictures of each step in the experiment, so it is easy to understand.
Science for children.......2006-03-06
I am a teacher with a headstart program, and was having trouble coming up the ideas that would hold the children's attention. When I came across this book I wasn't sure if I could adpat them for the age group I teach. Was I wrong! The children loves the activities in this book and so did my 16 year old whom tries all my activities. If you need to teach science to children this is the book to buy.
Book Description
A PARENTS’ CHOICE AWARD-WINNING SERIES
Every child is a scientist at heart, but most science books are dry and boring. They lecture rather than guide, reciting facts instead of giving students the tools to solve the problem. But not Science Smart Junior! By embedding science in the story of the hilarious misadventures of Angie, Barnaby, Bridget, and Babette, Science Smart Junior helps students understand the science behind such concepts as
··States of Matter
·Motions and Forces
·Engergy
·Living Systems
·Reproduction adn Heredity
·Ecoysystems
·Adaptation, Evolution, and Diversity
·The Geosphere
·They Hydrosphere and Atmosphere
·Earth and the Solar System
Aligned to national science standards and filled with page after page of safe, household-friendly experiments, Science Smart Junior teaches core curriculum as it sparks the imagination. Part of The Princeton Review’s award-winning Smart Junior series, this is the perfect book for the curious scientist in every student.
Customer Reviews:
Great read!.......2003-02-09
An excellent step-by-step guide through the wonders of science. Any curious middle schooler will LOVE this book. My son did.
Book Description
Eccentric billionaire Bartholomew Van Morrow has hidden a huge treasure, and it's up to you and the Smart Juniors gang to find it. Share the adventures of Bridget, Babette, Barnaby, and Beauregard, as their search takes them around the world. Your travels will teach you how to:
-- explain how rivers and oceans shape the earth
-- read and design maps
-- find specific locations using longitude and latitude
-- identify land forms such as peninsulas, capes, deltas, and plateaus
You'll learn cool new things about our world, and end with the treasure in your hands!
Geography Smart Junior is part of the "Smart Junior" series of books that help kids in grades 6-8 master the basics of different subjects with a fun, relaxed, interactive approach to learning.
Customer Reviews:
Geography Smart Junior.......2000-06-06
This is a great book for teaching kids ages 10 to 16 about geography--without letting them know they're learning. My two girls (ages 10 and 12)enjoyed the fantasy story that went along with it, and we used it as bedtime reading for three weeks. They couldn't wait for the next chapter!
Book Description
This book walks you through your dog's mind and explains step-by-step how dogs perceive our commands and respond to them. This book is guaranteed to improve your training skills and strengthen your bond with your canine friend.
Customer Reviews:
A must-read for serious obedience competitors!.......1998-02-25
This is a must-read for trainers who want to show their dogs in competition. While Janet focuses on obedience competition, any serious competitor will enjoy this book. Janet does an excellent (and often humorous) job of explaining how to use food in training, bypassing the usual pitfalls. This is the best that I have seen on the subject.
She also decodes for the term-impaired, jargon such as "negative reinforcement," "punishment," "conditioned reinforcer," and "classical conditioning." There were many real-life examples given that made these terms come alive.
I especially liked the chapter on the "ring-wise" dog. The illustrations were well done, too.
If you want to show your dog competitively in obedience, tracking, agility, or freestyle, you will get sound training theory from Janet Lewis!
Average customer rating:
- Informationally sweet
- Something Truly Bitter-Sweet.
|
Smart About Chocolate: A Sweet History (Smart About History) (Smart About History)
Sandra Markle
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
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Similar Items:
-
The Story of Chocolate (DK READERS)
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Chocolatina
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Beans to Chocolate (Welcome Books: How Things Are Made)
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Chocolate by Hershey: A Story About Milton S. Hershey (A Carolrhoda Creative Minds Book)
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The Chocolate Touch
ASIN: 0448434806 |
Book Description
Our unique, kid-friendly Smart About series continues with something for your sweet tooth! Smart About Chocolate is "chock-full" of fun facts about the history of chocolate, from the Mayans to Milton Hershey! Kids will learn how chocolate comes from beans of the rain forest's cacao trees and how candymakers in England and Switzerland first produced the chocolate we know and love today. Includes recipes and recommendations of classic books about chocolate.
Customer Reviews:
Informationally sweet.......2006-04-06
Written in a nonlinear, post-modern style, the book, CHOCOLATE; A SWEET HISTORY, is both interesting and fun. The author's choice to impart a wealth of information in the style of a young boy's school report makes the book entertaining. The amount of information contained within the pages is impressive. It includes a chronological history of chocolate, present-day manufacturing of a Hershey's bar, the benefits of eating chocolate and recipes for chocolate treats. Although the book is written in a simplistic style, the information in the book is comprehensive and advanced (including the name of the chemical, phenylethylamine, which causes the happy feeling people experience when eating chocolate). The pictures are interesting, colorful and fun with most being drawn in a cartoon style with balloons to provide the text. Other pictures seem as though they were taken during a family trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Children from elementary school through high school will find this book informative and entertaining, however it is truly geared toward elementary students.
Something Truly Bitter-Sweet........2005-03-31
SMART ABOUT CHOCOLATE: A SWEET HISTORY is one of the SMART ABOUT series of children's books. These books are written and designed to inform students about a wide variety of topics that they probably have some interest in, but don't know much about. The books are written in the form of an essay that a "student" writes for a school report. CHOCOLATE: A SWEET HISTORY is filled with all kinds of photographs and illustrations that complement the information it contains. The book gives a history of chocolate and how it was first used, how it has changed moving from one continent to the next, and how it is produced. The book is only 30 pages long but is very informative. For instance, I learned from reading this book that the scientific name fro the cacao tree is theobroma cacao which literally means "food of the goods". I also learned that most of the worlds cacao beans are imported from Africa and that the Aztecs found cacao beans so valuable that they eventually started using them as money. The book is very colorful and has plenty of illustrations to catch even the most disengaged of young readers attention. Towards the end of the book a recipe for making chocolate yum-yums appears. The final page of the book is a sort of bibliography that lists a few other titles that student might be interesting in reading if they like chocolate. Overal, a tasty bit of reading.
Books:
- The Water Hole
- Tropical Nature: Life & Death in the Rain Forests of Central & South America
- U2 by U2
- Understanding DNA and Gene Cloning : A Guide for the Curious
- Wanderlust: A History of Walking
- WHEN FISH FLY: LESSONS FOR CREATING A VITAL AND ENERGIZED WORKPLACE FROM THE WORLD FAMOUS PIKE PLACE FISH MARKET
- Wild and Outside: How a Renegade Minor League Revived the Spirit of Baseball in America's Heartland
- Wild Moments
- Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
- Woody Plants of the Southwest: A Field Guide With Descriptive Text, Drawings, Range Maps, and Photographs
Books Index
Books Home
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Not Even Wrong: The Failure of String Theory And the Search for Unity in Physical Law
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Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions
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