It's Not Rocket Science [Paperback]

No understatement to say this is one of the best books I've ever read.

I have a passionate interest in all of the topics covered in this book but often feel put-off by the dense science background/mathematics needed to make head-and-tail of them in most literature. Perhaps more importantly, those books often fail to contextualise their scientific content so that they read as an assembly of random facts with little meaning. It's Not Rocket Science clearly relates why these topics matter, using wonderful (and very funny) analogies for more abstract concepts.

I've been recommending this to people of all levels, from total beginners to those more knowledgeable on the subject. For example, I learnt new things about areas I am more familiar with, such as the chapters on DNA and evolution, and the other topics I knew less about I truly found mind-blowing. Moreover, Ben Miller writes so well and is so entertaining making the book a genuine pleasure to read.

I plan to reread the book in a few months time I enjoyed it so much. I've also now ordered several books on astronomy and quantum physics to continue reading on the topic and am more keenly stargazing than before. This book really opened my eyes. Enjoy!

Side kick to "Johny English", hero in the "Worst week of my Life", solving murders in "Death in Paradise", oh and particle physics. Ben Miller writes in a language that is very accessible to the average person with an interest in science. From diet advise... simply count calories, to the sequencing of the Genome. Cooking is chemistry, black holes, evolution... You won't know everything by the end of the book, but I think you will enjoy the journey. Ben gives analogies that lead to "I GET IT!", and many laughs along the way. I will be rereading this book anticipating more from Ben in future. I love this book, a very fun science read!

UPDATE:I couldn't resist the audiobook! Just starting to listen, but I love that it is read by Ben Miller "himself". Now the laughs are even bigger. The dead pan, stiff-upper-lip British humor is a real treat to listen to.

I love Ben Miller, the author of this book, as a comedian and actor - who is currently starring in the acclaimed TV (second) series `Death in Paradise', but I had never before read anything written by him. My wife bought me this book for my birthday as she knows I also love simply presented science. Ben Miller is best summarised as a person on the rear cover so I will let that speak for him:

"Ben Miller is, like you, a mutant ape living through an Ice Age on a ball of molten iron, orbiting a supermassive black hole. He is also an actor, comedian and approximately one half of Armstrong and Miller. He's presented a BBC Horizon documentary on temperature and a Radio 4 series about the history of particle physics, and has a regular science column in The Times. He is slowly coming to terms with the idea that he may never be an astronaut."

This book is fun; none of the `hard to understand' stuff, just a purely delightful foray into the most interesting science - leaving you with a basic understanding, following an enthralling and often humorous journey. Black holes, DNA, the secret code of creation, The Large Hadron Collider, climate change, the scientific possibility of extra-terrestrial life - and more, are all covered, and although the title suggests otherwise, it actually does explain rocket science (the simple but exciting stuff) and how we landed on the moon in a delightfully informative and interesting manner.

Professor Brian Cox summed this book up well with his front cover comment "A fun and insightful ride through the whole of science - it's almost as if he finished his PhD!" I loved the ride and was sad when the end of the book inevitably came along. If you love science but have yet to understand some of the basics - and you enjoy a light hearted way of having it presented - then this is the book for you.