The Science Book is a big, handsome, lavishly illustrated coffee-table book. In 250 brief sections, it attempts to encapsulate the history of Western science, from astronomy and physics to geology, biology and psychology and everything in between. It's a huge undertaking, even a potentially foolhardy one, as the editor Peter Tallack acknowledges, but the choice of topics has been carefully made, and as an introduction to the breadth of scientific endeavour it succeeds well. The writing itself is straightforward, giving very brief biographies of scientists from Pythagoras to Stephen Hawking alongside the broad outlines of their work. Each one-page essay is accompanied by a full-colour illustration, ranging from Renaissance paintings to the latest images from space. Cross-references to other pages help to establish links between different discoveries. There is an index, but sadly no suggestions for further reading for anybody whose curiosity has been piqued. And piqued it almost certainly will be. Inevitably in a book of this scope, nothing is covered in any depth. It does, however, give a good overview of how science is done, how different disciplines interrelate and where the cutting edge is right now. And its presence on the coffee table will no doubt spark all kinds of discussions as guests leaf through its pages. --Elizabeth Sourbut

Grand publishing gesture... Stylish and intellectual... Clearly written and lavishly illustrated... Illuminating and varied bite-sized accounts.

I was pleasantly surprised by this massive, encyclopaedic but amenable summary of scientific discoveries. As well as being an education, it is delightful to dip into, made especially inviting by its attractive colour plates.

A large, beautifully presented book, boxed and of a suitable size to be displayed on any sufficiently capacious coffee table. Interspersed among the "milestones" are eight longer essays by notable scientists and science writers ... I found to be little gems.

When embroiled in arguments about scientific matters this is the book to have on standby. If, on the other hand, you and your friends have better things to talk about, buy it anyway - it's fascinating to dip into.

Everyone will find something that they didn't know and much that is fascinating. In the end they'll have a better grasp of science and how we got to where we are now.

The public's appetite for science has grown dramatically over the past 15 years but such is the speed and frequency of new scientific discoveries that many readers feel daunted. This breathtaking book aims to change all that. 250 of the most significant milestones in the history of scientific discovery are presented through short lucid essays by some of the most important and well-known contemporary scientists and science writers. Each is accompanied by a single striking image and together they offer a unique introduction to our unfolding view of the universe.

The public's appetite for science has grown dramatically over the past 15 years but such is the speed and frequency of new scientific discoveries that many readers feel daunted. This breathtaking book aims to change all that. 250 of the most significant milestones in the history of scientific discovery are presented through short lucid essays by some of the most important and well-known contemporary scientists and science writers. Each is accompanied by a single striking image and together they offer a unique introduction to our unfolding view of the universe.

FROM THE PREFACE BY PROFESSOR SUSAN GREENFIELD, DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION:

'The historical perspective, as well as the fabulous and arresting artwork, should appeal not just to people seeking facts, but also to those wishing to appreciate these facts in their wider aesthetic and logical contexts. Indeed the book might also stand as a testament to the much-needed bridging of the stultifying gulf between the arts and the sciences: perusing the pages of this volume will be as enjoyable and illuminating as reading any work of history, literature or philosophy'.

FROM THE FOREWORD BY SIMON SING, AUTHOR OF FERMAT'S LAST THEOREM AND THE CODE BOOK:

THE SCIENCE BOOK consists of just 250 episodes from the history of science. At first glance, it would seem that a couple of hundred snapshots could not hope to capture any of the richness and subtlety of the scientific quest to understand the universe. But perhaps by extrapolating between the entries we can begin to appreciate the scientific method, the route by which truth is sought, established and overturned... THE SCIENCE BOOK is a tribute to scepticism. The latter pages describe the currently accepted truths in various fields, but even though the theories are admired, they too should be questioned and tested'.

Simon Singh is the author of the bestselling The Code Book. Susan Greenfield is the highly acclaimed author of The Human Brain Peter Tallack is currently Science Publishing Director at Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

2004-02-19 A must-have for science buffs

This is a book that might sell better in a book store. Once you open it and look inside, you want it. In chronologocal order, every left page tells the story of a major science breakthrough from the Origin of counting 35,000 BC to the Human genome sequence 2000 AD. Every right page is a beautiful colour picture that goes with the story. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in popular science and/or science history. I also think it would make a great present, since it's really beautiful.

I have found a few minor mistakes in the text, which brings the rating down from five to four.