Wednesday 23 May 2018

Book Review: The Man Who Ate the Zoo: Frank Buckland, forgotten hero of natural history by Richard Girling



What an amazing book and a fascinating life. Frank Buckland led a fascinating life and his contributions to science are sadly mostly forgotten. From naming coprolites to revolutionising the commercial fishing industry, along with numerous scientific discoveries in multiple fields, his passion for science is clear from the first page. Frank clearly was a curious mind seeking answers to how the world works. I found this book fascinating, filled with quotes from his extensive writings, my only criticism would be that the second half was a little dry and repetitive, focusing mostly on salmon fisheries. However this is an biography of an incredible life and his later years were mostly focused on sustainable fisheries, where he was highly influential and created a lasting influence. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in eccentric Victorians, historic scientists or anyone working in the field of biology or life sciences.
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Friday 4 May 2018

Book Reviews: Alex's Adventures in Numberland: Dispatches from the Wonderful World of Mathematics



This book was fascinating, but I would say it’s not designed for a very general reader, as it does rely on some understanding of mathematic principles. Some concepts left me confused, and I didn’t really understand the finger multiplication section, but it was fascinating. 

This is a wonderful book likely to spark the reader’s curiosity, and really brings mathematics alive. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mathematics, statistics, or anyone in the STEM field. 
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