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ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Science / Essays / Anthology / History of Science

Book Review:
Richard Hamblyn's ''The Art of Science'' is a delightful and illuminating anthology that reminds us that science is not just about data and experiments—it's also about wonder, curiosity, and the beauty of a well-turned phrase. Hamblyn has gathered a remarkable collection of scientific writing spanning centuries, from the 13th century to the 20th, and from Galileo to Lewis Carroll. What emerges is a portrait of science as a deeply human endeavor, driven by the same desire to understand and explain that animates all great art. The selections range from world-changing revelations to simple questions like why the sea is salty. We marvel at the intricate geometry of snowflakes and the birth of the computer. The Guardian describes the book as ''relaxed, sunny and domesticated,'' noting that ''the science emerges naturally, reflectively from our familiar world.'' That's exactly right. This is a book to dip into, to savor, to read aloud. It will deepen your appreciation for both science and the language we use to describe it. A perfect gift for the curious mind.