The Science Book

by DK

Overview

Did the universe start with a Big Bang? Is light a wave, a particle – or both? Is a "Theory of Everything" possible?

Explaining the key milestones in the field of science in a clear and simple way, The Science Book answers these questions and more besides, and is the perfect introduction to the subject. Untangling knotty theories and shedding light on abstract concepts, entries unpack each complex idea with a combination of easy-to-follow explanations, innovative graphics, and intriguing quotes.

Discover the most important theories of history’s greatest scientists, why Copernicus’s ideas were so contentious, how Einstein developed the concept general and special relativity, and the reasoning behind Crick and Watson’s proposed structure for DNA, and much more besides.

Fully revised and updated with eight brand-new pages of content, The Science Book is a truly accessible and comprehensive route into a fascinating subject. Packed with scientific quotations, profiles of key figures and discoveries, and flowcharts and infographics that explain the most significant concepts clearly and simply, it is perfect for anyone with an interest in any of the sciences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593962060
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	03/11/2025
Series:	DK Big Ideas
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	7.69(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world leading illustrated reference publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann. DK publishes highly visual, photographic non-fiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 100 countries and over 60 languages, with offices in the UK, India, US, Germany, China, Canada, Spain and Australia.

DK's aim is to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivaled clarity to a wide range of topics, with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products.

Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery and parenting. 

DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the best-selling LEGO® books.

DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series.

https://www.dk.com/

Editorial Reviews

"[T]he standout feature of this book is its ability to take complex topics and make them easy to understand via readable essays and an appealing format." – Booklist

"This book will appeal to and be an effective resource for those with a scientific bent who enjoy examining the big picture, especially high school or undergraduate students." – Library Journal

"This book offers brief explanations of scientific theories, focusing on their history, progression and the people involved. The short summaries of complex thoughts have led to many an "Aha!" moment(s)." – Yakima Herald

From the Publisher

09/01/2014
More than 100 chronologically arranged entries—most of them a page or two in length, with major advances (e.g., by Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein) meriting four to six pages—provide an overview of the physical and mathematical sciences. Each article focuses on a single theory or achievement associated with a particular scientist, and most contain short biographical sketches noting the person's key publications. The visual layout promotes browsing with illustrations, pull quotes, and simple mind-maps to explain concepts quickly. An overall theme of the book is the cumulative nature of science, meaning how scientists build upon and respond to previous work. Thus, every entry includes a contextual time line of earlier and later theories that held sway regarding the topic at hand. Unobtrusive cross-references and a comprehensive index also aid in following the development of a particular theory or discipline. An appendix provides paragraph-length sketches of about 50 additional scientists. VERDICT This book will appeal to and be an effective resource for those with a scientific bent who enjoy examining the big picture, especially high school or undergraduate students.—Wade M. Lee, Univ. of Toledo Lib.

Library Journal