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Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein - Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe
by Livio, Mario
- Used
- Condition
- UsedGood
- ISBN 10
- 1439192375
- ISBN 13
- 9781439192375
- Seller
-
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Synopsis
WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. Nobodys perfect. Not even some of the greatest geniuses in history, as Mario Livio tells us in this marvelous story of scientific error and breakthrough. Charles Darwin, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), Linus Pauling, Fred Hoyle, and Albert Einstein were all brilliant scientists. Each made groundbreaking contributions to his fieldbut each also stumbled badly. Darwins theory of natural selection shouldnt have worked, according to the prevailing beliefs of his time. Not until Gregor Mendels work was known would there be a mechanism to explain natural selection. How could Darwin be both wrong and right? Lord Kelvin, Britains leading scientific intellect at the time, gravely miscalculated the age of the earth. Linus Pauling, the worlds premier chemist (who would win the Nobel Prize in chemistry) constructed an erroneous model for DNA in his haste to beat the competition to publication. Astrophysicist Fred Hoyle dismissed the idea of a Big Bang origin to the universe (ironically, the caustic name he gave to this event endured long after his erroneous objections were disproven). And Albert Einstein, whose name is synonymous with genius, speculated incorrectly about the forces that hold the universe in equilibriumand that speculation opened the door to brilliant conceptual leaps. These five scientists expanded our knowledge of life on earth, the evolution of the earth itself, and the evolution of the universe, despite and because of their errors. As Mario Livio luminously explains, the scientific process advances through error. Mistakes are essential to progress. Brilliant Blunders is a singular tour through the world of science and scientific achievementand a wonderfully insightful examination of the psychology of five fascinating scientists.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Blue Vase Books LLC
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 31UMYP004VEA_ns
- Title
- Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein - Colossal Mistakes by Great Scientists That Changed Our Understanding of Life and the Universe
- Author
- Livio, Mario
- Book Condition
- UsedGood
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Binding
- Trade paperback
- ISBN 10
- 1439192375
- ISBN 13
- 9781439192375
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Place of Publication
- New York, New York
- This edition first published
- 2014-05-27
Terms of Sale
Blue Vase Books LLC
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We will accept returns for any reason within 30 days of original purchase date. Items that are no longer needed or wanted can be returned to us within the 30 day period. Upon receipt and inspection of the item, a refund will be granted.
About the Seller
Blue Vase Books LLC
Biblio member since 2020
Interlochen, Michigan
About Blue Vase Books LLC
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Glossary
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- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
This Book’s Categories
Vertigo Comics
Vertigo Comics, an imprint of DC Comics, is being retired in 2020 after a 27 year run of groundbreaking comics. The imprint was DC’s home for mature tales that were often horror-themed or otherwise dark in nature. Learn more about Vertigo, home of V for Vendetta, Sandman, and Fables.
