Bones, Rocks and Stars, by Chris Turney

isbn: 978-0230551947

A cute little soft-core history book about the trouble with dating things. Each chapters goes through a different mystery such as the identity of King Arthur or the validity of the Turin Shroud or the problems one faces when identifying the missing link. It discusses different calendars, the ways of criss-crossing calendars together (and why it rarely is as simple as it seems) and explains everything in a easy but not dumbed down way. Tidbit of information: the Egyptians started back at year zero every time a new King showed up. The Chinese, with each new dynasty. If there were years of famine and war and turmoil between official people being in charge, those years were simply lost. Hmph!

3/5

The Science of Discworld III: Darwin's Watch, by Terry Pratchett, Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart

ISBN: 978-0091898243

The first book explained physics of the planets. The second explained how culture evolved, and this one discusses time travel and evolution. The basic premise is that the Discworld wizards have created Roundworld, and they try and figure out how things work inside and how to fix it. In this one they try to make sure Darwin writes the right book in order to make technology evolve (sic) properly. A chapter of science is followed by a chapter of story and humour, which keeps the pace interesting. I like reading books about science ( I loved the Science of Star Trek when I was a kid ).

4/5