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And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science
by Carly Anne York
A brilliant new voice in science writing—"witty, whip-smart, truly one of our best" (Mary Roach)—shows why playfulness and curiosity are the key to science.
Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? It all sounds pointless, silly, or even disgusting.
Maybe it is. But in The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog, Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked, and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre. But it drives our economy. And what's more, this stuff is simply cool.
York invites readers to appreciate the often unpredictable journey of scientific exploration, highlighting that the heart of science lies in the relentless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Emphasizing the hard work of the people behind the discoveries, this is an accessible, story-driven book that shows how important and exciting it is to simply let curiosity run wild.
"This is pop science at its finest." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A delightful plunge into the curiosity-driven discoveries at the heart of science." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"An entertaining and heartfelt romp through some of the odder fields of scientific inquiry, and a counter to the sciences' sometimes stodgy reputation. Ideal for high school and college students curious about pursuing scientific study and for general audiences." —Library Journal
"Carly York is a witty, whip-smart, lithely engaging science storyteller, truly one of our best. This book is a celebration of curiosity and a spirited defense of the quirky endeavors it inspires. With clear but never dumbed-down explanations and an infectious taste for the surreal, York makes the case for pure inquiry — showcasing the value and world-changing discoveries that come of asking why. Fascinating, entertaining, and a welcome antidote to the small minds of certain politicians." ―Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Fuzz
"Bravo! Carly Anne York leaps to the defense of basic scientific research with wit, passion, and unabashed wonder. Filled with insights and eureka moments, The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog is a timely, thought-provoking, and thoroughly terrific read." ―Thor Hanson, author of Close to Home
This information about The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Carly Anne York is currently an associate professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She received her PhD in ecological studies from Old Dominion University. She is also the author of two nonfiction science books for children, A Day in the Life: Horses and Queens of the Jungle. She lives in North Carolina.
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