The original words announcing great scientific discoveries, from the first 'Eureka!' to the cloning of Dolly the sheep, can all be found in this fascinating new collection, a major addition to the world-famous 'Oxford Quotations' range. An essential reference tool, put together over 15 years with the assistance of a distinguished team of specialist advisers, it includes full author descriptions, exact sources, and a word-finding index for easy reference. Scholarly but accessible, it also presents the human face of science, as scientists reflect on achievements and failures in their own lives and those of others. Darwin not only describes natural selection, but carefully assesses the pros and cons of marriage, while James Clerk Maxwell constructs an electric but poetic Valentine as well as his 'demon'. From Archimedes to Einstein and beyond, the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations charts the progress of the great ideas of science.
Just as a photo may capture the essence of a person, a few words by ancient and modern scientists can capture their humor, insight, and erudition. For instance, here is a quote by Richard Feynman: "For those who want some proof that physicists are human, the proof is in the idiocy of all the different units which they use for measuring energy."
The quotations collected here are not only by scientists but by writers, politicians, and others with something to say about science. Arrangement is alphabetical by the author's last name and chronological within the author entries. Each entry includes the name of the person being quoted, his or her dates, a very brief biographical statement, and several quotes, with their sources. Although most quotes are attributed to the person, there are also a few quotes about a person. A keyword index cites an abbreviated form of the author's name and page and quote numbers (for example, DARW 156-6).
"An exquisite treasury of scientific thought and sensibilities....Neatly arranged and easy to read.... Librarians, historians, scientists, and lovers of science and history: make space on your shelf for this impressive anthology of scientific wisdom."-- Library Journal
"Now more than a half-century old, The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations... arrives in a freshly updated sixth edition. The old warhorse sources are still there -- Shakespeare, the Bible, Samuel Johnson and of course Anonymous. They are now joined by George W. Bush (three quotes dealing with terrorism and the 'axis of evil' line), Ari Fleischer and Johnny Cash, among others. A useful book for anyone who writes or has to make speeches."-- Houston Chronicle
內容簡介
From the first "Eureka" to the cloning of Dolly the sheep, a major compilation of quotations illuminating the history of ideas
作者簡介
W. F. Bynum is Professor Emeritus of the history of medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London. He has edited many books, including (with Janet Browne and Roy Porter) The Macmillan Dictionary of the History of Science , and (with Roy Porter) Companion Encyclopedia of the History of Medicine and the author of Science and the Practice of Medicine in the Nineteenth Century. Roy Porter was until his retirement Professor of the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London. His most recent books include Madness: A Brief History and Flesh and the Age of Reason. He died in March 2002.
The original words announcing great scientific discoveries, from the first 'Eureka!' to the cloning of Dolly the sheep, can all be found in this fascinating new collection, a major addition to the world-famous 'Oxford Quotations' range. An essential reference tool, put together over 15 years with the assistance of a distinguished team of specialist advisers, it includes full author descriptions, exact sources, and a word-finding index for easy reference. Scholarly but accessible, it also presents the human face of science, as scientists reflect on achievements and failures in their own lives and those of others. Darwin not only describes natural selection, but carefully assesses the pros and cons of marriage, while James Clerk Maxwell constructs an electric but poetic Valentine as well as his 'demon'. From Archimedes to Einstein and beyond, the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations charts the progress of the great ideas of science.
源自 School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up–Dian Fossey's remark, The more you learn about the dignity of the gorilla, the more you want to avoid people is just one of the gems in this welcome addition to collections. The easy-to-use volume is organized alphabetically by author; a thorough index includes keywords and names. Scientific arguments are represented through zingers delivered in the literature or letters of the time. Quotations from well-known scientists are listed as are those from individuals known primarily by people in their own fields. The insights offered by poets, politicians, and philosophers are not often duplicated in general quotation reference sources. Of course, there are some omissions; there are no entries by Margaret Sanger, and, while Richard Leakey is quoted, Mary Leakey isn't. Despite the few gaps, this is an outstanding book. More thorough than A. L. Mackay's A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (Inst. of Physics, 1991) and more completely researched than Isaac Asimov's Book of Science and Nature Quotations (Grove/Atlantic, 1989), this is a first purchase. –Cass Kvenild, University of Wyoming, Laramie
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Just as a photo may capture the essence of a person, a few words by ancient and modern scientists can capture their humor, insight, and erudition. For instance, here is a quote by Richard Feynman: "For those who want some proof that physicists are human, the proof is in the idiocy of all the different units which they use for measuring energy."
The quotations collected here are not only by scientists but by writers, politicians, and others with something to say about science. Arrangement is alphabetical by the author's last name and chronological within the author entries. Each entry includes the name of the person being quoted, his or her dates, a very brief biographical statement, and several quotes, with their sources. Although most quotes are attributed to the person, there are also a few quotes about a person. A keyword index cites an abbreviated form of the author's name and page and quote numbers (for example, DARW 156-6).
The editors have done a fine job compiling the quotations. There is little overlap with more general compendiums, such as the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (6th ed., 2005); while that volume includes just 1 quote from nineteenth-century Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, the Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations offers more than 30. Oxford has another hit, one that will join the ranks of other successful quotation books. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Jack O'Gorman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
評論
"An exquisite treasury of scientific thought and sensibilities....Neatly arranged and easy to read.... Librarians, historians, scientists, and lovers of science and history: make space on your shelf for this impressive anthology of scientific wisdom."-- Library Journal
"Now more than a half-century old, The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations... arrives in a freshly updated sixth edition. The old warhorse sources are still there -- Shakespeare, the Bible, Samuel Johnson and of course Anonymous. They are now joined by George W. Bush (three quotes dealing with terrorism and the 'axis of evil' line), Ari Fleischer and Johnny Cash, among others. A useful book for anyone who writes or has to make speeches."-- Houston Chronicle
內容簡介
From the first "Eureka" to the cloning of Dolly the sheep, a major compilation of quotations illuminating the history of ideas
作者簡介
W. F. Bynum is Professor Emeritus of the history of medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London. He has edited many books, including (with Janet Browne and Roy Porter) The Macmillan Dictionary of the History of Science , and (with Roy Porter) Companion Encyclopedia of the History of Medicine and the author of Science and the Practice of Medicine in the Nineteenth Century. Roy Porter was until his retirement Professor of the Social History of Medicine at the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London. His most recent books include Madness: A Brief History and Flesh and the Age of Reason. He died in March 2002.