My favorite scientist writing popular literature is Richard Dawkins, who's absolutely brilliant. That said, Gould had a bigger following, but since his death, I'm not sure that anyone is really filling that niche well. Sagan was great in his day, but again... I'm not thrilled by the other physicists writing these days.
I love to read, so feel free to throw in suggestions of books with your author names! And I don't care what branch of science... just looking for great books and writers. Thanks!
2007-07-12 05:12:29 · 8 answers · asked by Brad H 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
I like Richard Dawkins too. Also Steve Jones, and Richard Feynman.
However, another question has just reminded me of my greatest favourite. He was Jean Henri Fabre, the famous 19th century French naturalist.
Fabre did a great deal of the early research on the behaviour of insects, especially bees, wasps and ants. He described his discoveries brilliantly -- his books are beautifully written and fascinating. He described his original research in a way that anyone could understand and enjoy, and a lot of modern scientists could learn a lot from him. They always include little details about his life as a schoolteacher, his childhood, the life of the village, and the places he found the insects -- but this does not interfere with his descriptions of clear hard scientific discovery. There are very many insects named by or after him -- like Karl Linne he gets his own official abbreviation after ones he named: appropriately "Fab.".
He wrote in French (and also sometimes Provencal, the southern French dialect), but his books were translated into English -- mostly by the splendidly named Alexander Teixiera de Mattos who himself wrote beautiful English.
If you get the chance to read any of Fabre's writing, make the most of it. I think the most widely available book is one just called "Insects" -- particularly nicely illustrated by Stephen Lee (published by Paul Elek in 1979).
2007-07-12 06:31:14 · answer #1 · answered by richard_new_forester 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion my favorite popular writer of science would have to be a toss up between Stephen Hawkings and Richard Dawkins. Both do a excellent job of explaining the intricacies of physics and evolutionary biology, respectively, in a manner that is entertaining and easily comprehensible to the common man.
2007-07-14 07:28:07 · answer #2 · answered by Lawrence Louis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found lately that I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of reading some books and articles by professional science writers, rather than scientists themselves. For example, Carl Zimmer's books are all very enjoyable. Similarly, Pat Shipman wrote several books, though if I recall correctly, she used to be an anthropologist. Her stuff lately isn't anthro though (sorry for the rhyme).
As to scientists, I'll second the David Quammen nomination above, and I'll add Robert Pennock, who's really a philosopher of science. ...very insightful, articulate guy.
2007-07-12 07:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. Evol 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree that Richard Dawkins is a wonderful read as well as Hawkins.
2007-07-12 05:25:10 · answer #4 · answered by poeticsangel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too grew up reading some really good writers but now, I am not reading, alas! I am busy writing myself and I know I am not the best but I am not bad too.
2007-07-12 05:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
David Quammen. He writes a lot of environmental articles but its really literature the way he does it. He wrote this one article on a river ecosystem and it was breathtaking.
2007-07-12 05:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hawking. By far one of the most brilliant men who ever lived.
2007-07-12 05:16:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science Fiction okay?
I like Robert Heinlein.... I can't remember the name of the book though! I'll edit when I remember....Ah, Duh!
Stranger In A Strange Land
2007-07-12 09:27:26 · answer #8 · answered by Senator D*L*P™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋