Eh, not really. I'd heard of a few of these before, specifically the one about the creator of Wonder Woman and the lie detector.

That doesn't stop this from being a good read though. With each story taking up no more than one 2-page spread (including photos and illustrations), this is science at its most accessible. Most of the stories revolve around inventions and patents, which might make it more interesting to those who prefer the innovation side of science as opposed to the purely theoretical.

I found the whole thing interesting and I especially liked the vignettes included about the women who helped change the shape of things. Most importantly, I think, is that the author didn't make a big deal about these women being women; they're there because they deserve to be, because they were amongst the smartest, cleverest, stubbornest or just best placed to have the best perspective.

Highly recommended for anyone interested even a little bit about science and technology. ( )

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told"
-By Rick Beyer-

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is the latest in a series seeking to bring the minutia of life to light that has been overlooked or consigned to the dustbin of history. In doing so, it mostly succeeds. From the story of President Lincoln's patent (the only president to hold one) for buoying vessels stuck on sandbars to Bette Graham Nesmith, who's horrible typing led her to invent Liquid Paper and thus become a millionaire to a selection of absurd patents, such as a turnable for pregnant women to lie on which would spin up to 7 Gs and thus propel the baby out of her body, many interesting scientific achievements are briefly discussed.

However, there in lies my major issue with this book and the series as a whole, the briefness of the entries. The scientific achievements, their pioneers, the events surrounding the invention and the repercussions are only barely touched upon. These entries are only introductions. I know, that that is probably the purpose of the book, but this goal could still be serviced with slightly longer essays. This could best be achieved by having the book be a regulation-sized hardcover book. Each incident could then be allotted 7 or 8 pages, plenty of room for more details, without forcing the book to be appreciably longer. It is not the subject matter that is at issue; in fact I want MORE subject matter.

But, if you are interested in having your appetite whetted for more scientific history and after closing the back cover desire to have the feeling of wanting more, than this book is for you. It treads new ground, but only very lightly. In the back though, there is a selection of source materials for all of the entries, so you will be able to do further research on those subjects that interested you. In short, "The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is excellent for the casual reader and I found it nice to read a few entries before going to bed. But a serious historian of science or someone who prefers more intimate details, will be left unsatisfied. Though it might find fans among younger students, who for them and their short attention spans, the short essays are a perfect fit.
( )

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told"
-By Rick Beyer-

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is the latest in a series seeking to bring the minutia of life to light that has been overlooked or consigned to the dustbin of history. In doing so, it mostly succeeds. From the story of President Lincoln's patent (the only president to hold one) for buoying vessels stuck on sandbars to Bette Graham Nesmith, who's horrible typing led her to invent Liquid Paper and thus become a millionaire to a selection of absurd patents, such as a turnable for pregnant women to lie on which would spin up to 7 Gs and thus propel the baby out of her body, many interesting scientific achievements are briefly discussed.

However, there in lies my major issue with this book and the series as a whole, the briefness of the entries. The scientific achievements, their pioneers, the events surrounding the invention and the repercussions are only barely touched upon. These entries are only introductions. I know, that that is probably the purpose of the book, but this goal could still be serviced with slightly longer essays. This could best be achieved by having the book be a regulation-sized hardcover book. Each incident could then be allotted 7 or 8 pages, plenty of room for more details, without forcing the book to be appreciably longer. It is not the subject matter that is at issue; in fact I want MORE subject matter.

But, if you are interested in having your appetite whetted for more scientific history and after closing the back cover desire to have the feeling of wanting more, than this book is for you. It treads new ground, but only very lightly. In the back though, there is a selection of source materials for all of the entries, so you will be able to do further research on those subjects that interested you. In short, "The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is excellent for the casual reader and I found it nice to read a few entries before going to bed. But a serious historian of science or someone who prefers more intimate details, will be left unsatisfied. Though it might find fans among younger students, who for them and their short attention spans, the short essays are a perfect fit.
( )

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told"
-By Rick Beyer-

"The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is the latest in a series seeking to bring the minutia of life to light that has been overlooked or consigned to the dustbin of history. In doing so, it mostly succeeds. From the story of President Lincoln's patent (the only president to hold one) for buoying vessels stuck on sandbars to Bette Graham Nesmith, who's horrible typing led her to invent Liquid Paper and thus become a millionaire to a selection of absurd patents, such as a turnable for pregnant women to lie on which would spin up to 7 Gs and thus propel the baby out of her body, many interesting scientific achievements are briefly discussed.

However, there in lies my major issue with this book and the series as a whole, the briefness of the entries. The scientific achievements, their pioneers, the events surrounding the invention and the repercussions are only barely touched upon. These entries are only introductions. I know, that that is probably the purpose of the book, but this goal could still be serviced with slightly longer essays. This could best be achieved by having the book be a regulation-sized hardcover book. Each incident could then be allotted 7 or 8 pages, plenty of room for more details, without forcing the book to be appreciably longer. It is not the subject matter that is at issue; in fact I want MORE subject matter.

But, if you are interested in having your appetite whetted for more scientific history and after closing the back cover desire to have the feeling of wanting more, than this book is for you. It treads new ground, but only very lightly. In the back though, there is a selection of source materials for all of the entries, so you will be able to do further research on those subjects that interested you. In short, "The Greatest Science Stories Never Told" is excellent for the casual reader and I found it nice to read a few entries before going to bed. But a serious historian of science or someone who prefers more intimate details, will be left unsatisfied. Though it might find fans among younger students, who for them and their short attention spans, the short essays are a perfect fit.
( )

A fun little book with lots of interesting anecdotes, and I learned lots of new stuff - always good. ( )