The first 30 books are featured in the CSW blog, The Scientific Curmudgeon, written by the Director of the Center, John Horgan. The list, as Horgan wrote in his blog, is "intended to start a conversation about science writings." He asks readers to consider, "What makes a particular science book 'great'? Is it primarily the power of its ideas and facts or of its rhetoric, that is, substance or style? How important are qualities such as authority, clarity, thoroughness, originality? If a book's theories are not validated by subsequent research, should that book no longer be considered 'great'?" The CSW welcomes comments and suggestions regarding the first 30 selections which range from The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James to A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking as well as the next 70, yet to be named
"We hope that readers will grapple with these questions, compliment or gripe about our list, tell us which candidates you like or hate, nominate your own candidates," Horgan wrote.
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Contact: Stephanie Mannino
smannino@stevens.edu
201-216-5602
Stevens Institute of Technology
13-Jun-2006