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The Magic Of Reality Author: Richard Dawkins | Review By:
Mil
Publisher: Bantam Press
ISBN: 9780593066126
Hardcover
Non Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Purchase: Hardcover, Paperback
or Kindle Edition UK/US
Magic takes many forms. Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain
the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the
night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was
the gods’ bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic
catfish that carried the world on its back—earthquakes occurred each time it flipped its tail.
These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in
the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality—science.
Packed with clever thought experiments, dazzling illustrations and jaw-dropping facts, The Magic
of Reality explains a stunningly wide range of natural phenomena. What is stuff made of? How old
is the universe? Why do the continents look like disconnected pieces of a puzzle? What causes
tsunamis? Why are there so many kinds of plants and animals? Who was the first man, or woman?
This is a page-turning, graphic detective story that not only mines all the sciences for its
clues but primes the reader to think like a scientist as well.
Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous evolutionary biologist and one of science education’s
most passionate advocates, has spent his career elucidating the wonders of science for adult
readers. But now, in a dramatic departure, he has teamed up with acclaimed artist Dave McKean
and used his unrivaled explanatory powers to share the magic of science with readers of all
ages. This is a treasure trove for anyone who has ever wondered how the world works. Dawkins
and McKean have created an illustrated guide to the secrets of our world—and the universe
beyond—that will entertain and inform for years to come.
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"I wanted to write this book but
I wasn't clever enough. Now I've read it, I am"
— Ricky Gervais.
Upon reading that quote this book jumped to the top of my to be read pile.
I was already intrigued and that just added to my anxiety as I awaited my copy to
arrive in the mail. When it got here I dived right into it and let me tell you this
book is heavy, literally. The hardcover version has a hefty weight to it but that
is the trade off made for all the wonderful visuals througout the book (Illustrated by Dave McKean).
If you find the thought of a non-fiction science book daunting, you need not worry. While its
not exactly a page turner in the traditional sense, I found myself picking it up for
20-30 minute spells throughout the days and eventually reading cover to cover.
A book like this can run the risk of being very hit or miss
in danger of alienting the average reader but reknown author Richard Dawkins really
does a tremendous job of writing this so that even the average joe like myself can
understand, absorb and appreciate the information being presented. Its a collection of
all the things we would like to know about but are too lazy to research, all presented
in one easy on the eye book. With the conveniece factor, there is now no more reasons
for not knowing essentially, 'the magic of reality'.
Its difficult to review a non-fiction book such as this one which which spreads across an array of
topics. With no characters, plot, ending or for that matter one particular defined subject matter
to critique it makes it a little tougher to put into words what exactly I think of this without
rambling on for paragraph after paragraph. A key point I must stress is that I found myself breezing
past the 270 odd pages without much trouble, the artwork makes it a shorter read than the page
length may suggest.
To sum up my final thoughts on The Magic Of Reality as simple as possible this is
a wonderful book and an enjoyable read. If you have a bookcase/bookshelf in your home and its full of books, this
needs to be added to it. I would also recommend this as a gift to a family member or friend, from
kids to adults I dont think you can go wrong with this one.
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The views expressed here are those of the authors and not
necessarily
those of Dubcnn as an organisation.
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Thank you to Bantam Press/Transworld Publishers for providing a copy for review.
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