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Understanding Science: An Introduction To Concepts And Issues by Arthur N. Strahler
01/09/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Prometheus Books. 409 page illustrated indexed hardback. Price: $38.00 (US). ISBN: 0-87975-724-8. Buy Understanding Science: An Introduction To Concepts And Issues in the USA - or Buy Understanding Science: An Introduction To Concepts And Issues in the UK  check out website: www.prometheusbooks.com
When I first picked out this book, it was on the assumption that it was to explain the principles of science. It does that a little in the first section but much of this book is there to explain the differences between sciences and pseudo-sciences. The real from the fantasy and more important why they should be distinguished. As such, there are several examples ranging from Von Daniken to UFOs, from Creationism to religion. Oddly enough, ESP gets a near clean bill of health, mostly cos the verdict is still out on the subject. When science moved away from alchemy, it was regarded as a philosophy itself until factual evidence from experimentation asserted itself. One no longer debated a choice between theories but worked out from the practical the ones best supported. It is why Darwinism won out over the Bible. It is why the Earth was no longer considered the centre of the universe. It is why this book is important to read, especially if you have any leanings towards writing Science Fiction, so as to avoid jumping on any current bandwagon or take anything as...er..gospel without checking up on the facts first of all. Actually, author Strahler is very respectful of SF seeing it as a literature whereas the other subjects listed above as cults who aren't tolerant of anything contradicting their unsupported theories. I can see his point. After all, in SF every book has a different reality and we as readers nose around for a bit before moving on.
I can appreciate if you saw this book on a bookshelf and skimmed it, you would probably think it more akin to a university textbook than say something you might normally buy. It's only an illusion. Strahler writes well and doesn't bog you down too much in the sciences other than in things you already know and doesn't get too technical although I wouldn't go into it as a strict starter. I did wonder about his own background in geology but considered that the earth sciences cross several fields of science probably made for a better understanding. If nothing else, it will make you think and ponder and that is the whole point of reading non-fiction. Written in 1992 also indicates how long Creationism has been in circulation now and really does need to have that subject hit firmly on the head for how inaccurate it is.
If you want to see the science angle on a lot of pseudo-sciences then this is a book to look at. Prometheus have release a few books dispelling such myths and it's useful to see what this analysis turns up.
GF Willmetts
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