Einstein's Clocks, Poincaré's Maps by Peter Galison

A very good book about Poincaré who anticipated relativity but wouldn't give up "ether." This book makes a very good case that far from languishing bored in a patent office, Einstein took to the job, applied himself and perhaps even was stimulated in his thinking of time by patents for methods of coordinating distant clocks. Time is the subject of this book and simultaneity is the entrance to relativity. Well done.

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Surprisingly interesting popular novel that is really an argument about global warming, science, and the politics of fear. Fun plot, long discussions which make thinking about the topic easy. Final notes about the author's own beliefs are interesting. Bibliography is probably very good.

Driver: Six Weeks in an Eighteen Wheeler by Phillip Wilson

Wilson graduates from driving school after being laid off from an engineering job and rides and drives for six weeks with "Trainer" all over the U.S. Everything you wanted to know about long-haul trucking. A good book - read this and you don't need to do it!

3:16 by Donald E. Knuth

This is a gem. A "stratified sampling" of the Bible done with great care, reverence and beauty. A concentration of intellect, care, attention and a virtuosity of thought, true piety. A feast of calligraphy and typography, but the real beauty is in the text. It is a spiritual journey through the Bible sampling but surprisingly comprehensive in depth and scope.

Electric Universe by David Bodanis

Good little book, well-written and rehash of much I have read before. Interested me about Faraday. Joseph Henry seems an interesting character, quite selfless it seems. The section on radar was most interesting. A good survey, but largely a review of other things I've read. Maxwell seems to lurk quietly and as a great but not well-imaged presence.

The Way of the Cell by Franklin M. Harold

Evolutionary cell biology. Definitely an orthodox evolutionary approach but very holistic and critical of reductionist approaches, especially molecular biology that ignores the organism. Discusses energetics and order and organization, thinks that evolution has a "direction." Very honest about disagreements among evolutionists and very strong on how far from explaining life we are. Completely rejects intelligent design but his arguments are very weak, almost empty gestures, by contrast his appeals to holism, direction, and organization skirt excitingly close to design, which he rejects out of hand with an "of course this doesn't mean ..." This book was so good that we bought it.

Predator by Patricia Cornwell

Not her best but not as bad as the reviews said. Characters don't seem to be growing or even changing.

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton

Another good enjoyable read, interesting characters, believable, a little bit of a contrived ending but vintage Grafton.

What Remains to be Discovered by John Maddox

This review of where science is and where it might be headed is valuable because the writer has had a view of science broad in scope like few other people. He is good at explaining things. His parting thoughts about realism, reductionism and what he considers thoroughly discredited idealism - makes one wonder what is an -ism if not an organizing principle or idea!

The Nature and Origins of Scientism by John Wellmuth, S.J.

Written in 1944 by the chairman of the Department of Philosophy of Loyola University, it is timely today. Is there a reliable knowledge apart from science? Does science free us from metaphysics?

To Be a Slave by Julius Lester

A Newbery honor book, written for children but not noticeably so to this reader. Mostly in slaves' own words, it is moving and heart-breaking. Not much more to say. Something everyone should read.

The Doctor Stories by William Carlos Williams

Evocative descriptions of patients and families with observation detail and psychological undertones. Much is occurring below the surface. The doctor treats, is the treatment, is treated, and succeeds, fails, and goes on changing and remaining the same, noble and human, caring and detached. A part of the drama, but looking on as well.