That I am an avid book reader is no secret to anyone who is even mildly acquainted with me. However, I suspect many do not know that amongst my favourite genre of books, those relating to science occupies fairly high position. The main reason, I think, is that not many today reads popular science books once they are through with their school or college curriculum.'Good riddance' is the phrase most of them probably mumble and carry on with their life. They do not know what they are missing.
There are very few books apart from deeply spiritual ones which has the capacity to lift our consciousness above the mundane affairs of everyday existence like a good book on popular science. Let the word'popular' not discourage a serious reader for it simply signifies that even a person with little formal scientific training can benefit a great deal from reading of such works. And fortunately, some of the authors of books on science possess such command over language that even likes of Wodhouse and Sir Doyle seems pale in comparison. With that they often have wit, humility and the ability of bring their intellect down to our level so that often it seems we are undertaking journey and discovering great mysteries together with the author.
The first work of this nature which immediately comes to my mind is that of Carl Sagan - the author of magnificent book called'Cosmos'. With sublime artistry he gently guides the readers through various lanes of science and introduces us to its stalwarts. You feel elevated to astronomical heights by the time you finish it and this feeling often lasts for weeks. Another master of this craft is an contemporary physicist named Brian Greene whose'The Fabric of Cosmos' and'The Elegant Universe' are such delight to read that a reader often feels a pang of guilt for having such enjoyable time alone. True, these two books have topics which overlaps but who has ever complained on having to read a beautiful verse of Tagore twice or visiting Switzerland for the second time?
It will be unfair if I do not include Stephen Hawking's'A Brief History of Time' in the list for not only he is one of the most respected physicist of our generation but his entire life too is a great source of inspiration for people world over. Confined to a wheelchair due to multiple serious illnesses, his mind soars to the farthest corners of the universe and deftly introduces us to the amazing black holes or concepts of multiple dimensions and stationary time. Talking about Brief History, travel writer Bill Bryson suddenly surprised everyone, including himself, by coming out with a multi million copy best seller'A Brief History of Nearly Everything'. True, he lacks the insight of Sagan, Greene or Hawking but made this shortfall up admirably with wit and humour. The end result is a work which entertains as well educates.
If you feel that I am partial towards physics in general and astrology in particular then you are not mistaken for this truly is the case. Where else can one find the minds like Einstein and Neils Bohr battling it out to prove their point - one convinced that the universe can be understood by an orderly mind while the other have facts(quantum theory) supporting him which concludes that ultimately we cannot know everything and in the micro world'uncertainty principle' rules. Unfortunately, in science facts sometimes overrules elegance and ultimately it is Bohr who is proved correct(at least so far). However, that can take nothing away from the genius called Einstein for who else can dare conjure the picture of a man riding on light? If one travels with the speed of light, time stops for him. That means he achieves immortality in truest sense for if time itself stops, when will one die? But then, when time stops one also reaches the stage of changelessness. Now, do we not know that change is the evidence of living? So, when time stops - do we reach immortality or death? Or are they both essentially mean the same?
Since things are getting a little complicated in physics, let us turn to Mathematics - the subject which often evokes extreme reactions. If your aim is to rewind through the basic concepts, I believe'What is Mathematics' by Currant, Hobbins and Stewart remains unsurpassed. It is fairly useful too if you are to discuss various concepts with your next generation. It is a great pity that we were not taught in our school through such books. Other books are biographical -'Men of Mathematics' by E. T. Bell remains an all time classic for its range and depth. It is mathematical equivalent to Will Durant's seminal work'The Story of Philosophy' - another charming book on life and time of philosophers and their ideas.'A Beautiful Mind' and'The Man Who Knew Infinity' are biographies of two renowned mathematicians whom we lost early - Nash and Ramanujam respectively.
There are some other books which defies categorisation but I would hate to complete my list of favourite science books excluding them.'The Secret Life of Plants' or'The Silent Spring' falls under such categories. They had opened a new world in front of me and thanks to them that no longer can I look at a tree with any other emotion than gratitude and respect or examine my lifestyle without considering its ecological impact.
There are many more worthy books which I am presently reading or have in my'to read' list - I would air my opinion on them after having completed them and understanding at least their key concepts. There are others which I could not penetrate with my limited understanding(Emperor's New Mind by Penrose) or did not enjoy(The Blind Watchmaker by Dawkings).
Before concluding, I would humbly suggest that no serious reader should by pass these wonderful books which teach us to look at the world around us in correct perspective. Human life is terribly short and insignificant in cosmic scheme of things and we should not magnify our needs and sorrows unnecessarily and let go this wonderful opportunity to learn and enjoy the beautiful'Life, Universe and Everything'.
