Rebel Science

Gr 4–7—Green's irreverent overview of scientific history stresses the one-upmanship compelling researchers to reject and demolish prevailing theories. Developments in a dozen subject areas, including the solar system, light, forces, anatomy, and genetics, are presented roughly chronologically. If readers follow the main "path" through a topic, they eventually reach a summary box of "key discoveries." However, numerous "route-finder" detours plus cross-references in text boxes can divert them to pathways in other topics and confuse as much as clarify. "Face-off" pages pit opponents against each other. Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke rap about who is greater, and Joseph Priestly and Antoine Lavoisier wield oxygen-spewing hoses to send each other's ideas up in flames. Rarely are the scientists shown as collaborators. Only Leo Szilard and Robert Oppenheimer, whose research led to the atom bomb, consider the possible negative applications of their work. Otherwise all scientific discoveries, from Louis Pasteur's cures for diseases to Craig Venter's gene manipulations, are celebrated unquestioningly. Pun-filled, breezy writing and clever monikers such as "Germ Terminator" and "Super-Fly Guy" may attract browsers, particularly those who enjoy insults and put-downs. Pages are crammed with caricatures accompanying thumbnail sketches of featured scientists plus text boxes with additional information. Only eight women and five non-Western scientists appear. Many biographies lack birth and death dates. Some don't provide first names except in the index.