At Least Know This: Essential Science to Enhance Your Life

Journalist Harrison (Think Before You Like) makes a well-intentioned but ill-judged attempt to broaden readers’ scientific horizons. To this end, he collects what he describes as “essential, minimal knowledge,” such as the origins of the universe or how the human brain works. The book works best when relating the work of experts, including astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Joseph Rotblat, a Manhattan Project participant who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his subsequent anti-nuclear weapon activism. By comparison, the personal experiences Harrison shares—such as trips to coral reefs in the Caribbean and to the Amazon rainforest, which gave him enhanced appreciation for biodiversity, or preparing an “evidence-based recipe” for a fruit and vegetable smoothie based on his understanding of nutritional research—seem far less pertinent. A low opinion of the reader also sneaks into Harrison’s writing, as when he makes assumptions that his audience will not see the scientific findings he finds self-evident. This condescending tone, along with ill-chosen examples, undermines the admirable goal of providing readers with a one-stop destination for fundamental scientific information. (July)

Correction: An earlier version of this review misstated the author's last name in one instance.