The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing


The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing is an anthology of scientific writings, arranged and introduced by Richard Dawkins of the University of Oxford. Published first in March 2008, it contains 83 writings on many topics from a diverse variety of authors, which range in length from one to eight pages. All inclusions are dated post-1900, and include poetry, anecdotes, and general philosophical musings.

Contents

The book is divided into four segments. The following is a list of pieces included in each segment.

What Scientists Study

from:

Who Scientists Are

from:

What Scientists Think

from:The Character of Physical Law by Richard FeynmanWhat Is Life? by Erwin SchrödingerDarwin's Dangerous Idea and Consciousness Explained by Daniel DennettThe Growth of Biological Thought by Ernst Mayr

What Scientists Delight In

from:Truth and Beauty by S. ChandrasekharA Mathematician's Apology by G. H. HardyDreams of a Final Theory by Steven WeinbergThe Life of the Cosmos by Lee SmolinThe Emperor's New Mind by Roger PenroseGodel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas HofstadterGeons, Black Holes, and Quantum Foam by John Archibald Wheeler and Kenneth FordThe Fabric of Reality by David DeutschCarbon from The Periodic Table by Primo LeviLife: An Unauthorized Biography by Richard ForteyThe Meaning of Evolution by George Gaylord SimpsonLittle Men and Flying Saucers by Loren EiseleyPale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan

Critical response

The book received extremely favourable reviews, with New Scientist proclaiming that "if you could only ever read one science book, this should probably be it". Peter Forbes of The Independent praised Dawkins' inclusions, stating that "every reader is likely to make a discovery or two". Steven Poole in The Guardian described it as "a beautiful volume" and "a labour of love" on Dawkins' part.
A number of science bloggers did criticise the lack of women scientists included in the book.