Review - Science is Golden by Karl Kruszelnicki

Humorous and Entertaining Look at Modern Scientific Trivia

Dec 29, 2008

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki once again converts dry facts into fascinating trivia in his latest quirky collection of information on a variety of scientific topics.

The days of the secrets of science being the domain of scientists and closet geeks, nerds and boffins are long gone. The information age has enabled everyday men and women unprecedented access to the storehouse of scientific knowledge. Unfortunately, access to information does not guarantee understanding.

Australians with an interest in the various scientific fields of study are fortunate to have Dr Karl Kruszelnicki to demystify the secrets of medicine, astronomy, physics, geology, biology and other grand subjects and to dispel the many urban myths related to these topics.

Dr Karl’s 27th book, Science is Golden (HarperCollins, 2008) continues to present information based on his regular column "Mythconceptions" for the Good Weekend magazine.

Covering such diverse topics as dolphins, urinary tract infections, meteoroids and improving car fuel economy, Dr Karl offers a smorgasbord of scientific facts and details sure to delight his existing fans and newcomers. He also dispels urban myths such as the belief that radioactive material glows green, that all dolphins are friendly and that the childhood nursery rhyme Ring-a-ring o’Roses is linked to the Bubonic plague.

The appeal of Dr Karl’s books stems from the eclectic range of subject matter that offers something to interest everyone, with offbeat items next to explanations that demystify more serious scientific facts. These may be followed by evidence to refute one of those “everybody knows” urban myths that often find little basis in actual fact, scientific or otherwise.

The book can be read from cover to cover or simply opened to read a particular chapter or page. Dr Karl’s intelligent conversational style and obvious passion for his topic combined with the often unexpected content do result in an addictive format that has readers regularly coming back for more.

As with previous Dr Karl titles, illustrations by Adam Yazxhi are scattered throughout the book, offering both diagrams to further explain a point and humorous accompaniment to some of the more interesting facts discussed.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

A passionate scientist with a knack for making complex issues comprehendible, Dr Karl is the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at the University of Sydney. He is a popular radio and television scientific commentator and in 2008 hosted the ABC television program Sleek Geeks with Adam Spencer.

Bumbreath, Botox and Bubbles and other Fully Sick Science Moments (HarperCollins, 2003) – includes information on flocking birds, Y-chromosomes and data comparing the moon and cheese.

Dis Information and other Wikkid Myths (HarperCollins, 2005) – covering diverse topics including telescopes, The Titanic, Cleopatra and bananas.

Q & A with Dr. K – Headless Chickens, Bathroom Queues and Belly Button Blues (HarperCollins, 2001) – answers questions on a variety of topics including the Loch Ness monster, belly button fluff and the connection between smells and memory.

Answering Questions about Life, The Universe and Everything

With humour, intelligence and a general fascination with the world and everything in and around it, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki once again offers teen and adult readers a collection of interesting facts and figures.

Not simply for boffins and scientists, Science is Golden and other titles by Dr Karl are sure to appeal to anyone with a sense of curiosity or an interest in trivia.

The copyright of the article Review - Science is Golden by Karl Kruszelnicki in Australian Literature is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish Review - Science is Golden by Karl Kruszelnicki in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.