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Average Customer Rating:

Too Much Gloss	Customer Rating:
Just too much gloss and not enough information. Where's the Beef?

Great Overview of Many Science Topics

Customer Rating:

Curt Suplee attempts to explain science in short excerpts beginning with the first section, Matter and Motion, through the fourth section focusing on The Chemistry of Life, which ends in a brief description of how and why we dream and how we age. Obviously the fields of science are far too broad to have any depth of explanation in a book this short. However, as an introduction to the numerous fields of science this book is an outstanding beginning. This book would be most valuable for the aspiring young scientist in late elementary school through middle school. A child may review each of the fields covered in this book, which encompasses physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, chemistry, and medicine, and determine whether science truly is for them, and, if so, which field of science. Even adult readers will find this book to be a great refresher for many of the topics covered in classes long gone. Suplee manages to explain a facet of each of the topics he covers enough to provide a basic background, and yet does so in a way that does not talk down to readers. Since this book is a National Geographic book, you know that it will be filled with incredible photography to match each of the subjects. There are pictures of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed in 1940, shown in such a way that it captures what happened in just two photographs. There are photographs of Mars and the stars, and even a rusty car. Photographs of cells and the brain are also provided. Even an excellent explanation of the bad effects of poor nutrition and what happens when you eat too much fat. This book is a good general science book that could help provide the start of a research project. Others may use it as a coffee table book, particularly in the hardcover edition with the dust jacket on it. A casual guest will be impressed with your scientific interests and your appreciation of good books.

A great survey of science .	Customer Rating:
Curt Suplee really opened my eyes to the chemical and physical science I encounter everyday. The book is full of beautiful photographs and simple and amusing illustrations in addition to Mr. Suplee's excellent prose.