The Natural Philosophy of James Clerk Maxwell by P. M. Harman

An analysis of the metaphysical ideas of a great physicist. A fair and interesting treatment without any mention of Christianity despite the fact that Maxwell was a devout Christian. Still the book is valuable as it shows his stance against determinism and naturalistic philosophy on a scientific basis, or rather on the basis of realizing the intrinsic limits of science. It appears he specifically avoided religious statements as a physicist, at least as portrayed in this book.

The Hole in the Universe by K. C. Cole

Basically about "nothing" and advanced physics and string theory which makes the universe "perturbations in a vacuum" and perhaps gives a glimpse of creation ex nihilo and shows the close connection, even equivalence, of space and time. To me, this shows how God can transcend time and space, making it "easy" to "understand" how problems of foreknowledge disappear before awesomeness of mind.

Code Breaking by Rudolf Kippenhahn

Another good book on codes and ciphers. Well-presented and I might recommend it as the best single book on the topic I have read so far. Just right in terms of depth of coverage and clarity.

Son of Laughter by Frederich Buechner

About Jacob in a wonderful earthy style, faithful to the scriptural texts, brings out subtle references almost certainly true. I may never read the stories again without being influenced by this writing. The Patriarchs lose none of their awesomeness but gain back their humanity. Traits buried in the text under the dust of years and culture and not a little ethnic laziness are dusted off and the real sweaty striving Jacob stands forth. The one who fought with God. Great writing.

Flu by Gina Kolata

A very interesting account of the 1918 flu and the successful search for the virus in pathology archives and arctic permafrost. Fascinating archives of the disease and the virology and origins in China. Unfortunately the story is unfinished, samples are still being run and genetic decoding is proceeding. Why was this flu so much worse? The book doesn't say!

Laser by Nick Taylor

Should be titled "How not to patent an invention." Poor Gordon Gould commits a comedy of errors after inventing the laser. Finally at age 80 gets millions. Not much about lasers, a lot about lawyers. Fairly well-written.

Who Wrote the Book of Life? A History of the Genetic Code by Lily E. Kay

This is definitely a post-modernist history of the genetic code. It is an account of the metaphors of code, book, word, world and the account of John "in the beginning was the word (world)." The section on linguistics is interesting if arcane. Chomsky, Von Neumann and Gamov all had interesting contributions but the history is not presented as history but rather as competing or complementary narratives. In spite of this post-modernistic bent it brings up interesting questions about information, codes, ciphers, language context, analogy, proteins as information carriers. Meaning and its contrast to the mathematics of information. Perhaps we could say it comes down to bits and being.