The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments - George Johnson

These experiments were designed and conducted with such straightforward elegance that they deserve to be called beautiful. This is beauty in the classical sense-- the logical simplicity of the apparatus, like the logical simplicity of the analysis, seems as pure and inevitable as the lines of a Greek statue. Confusion and abiguity are momentarily swept aside and something new about nature leaps into view.

Perhaps I should first confess that I love science, especially the history of science. That being said, this is a great little book. One that can be easily read in a sitting or two. The author avoids the failings of many science writers and knows how to tell a story. If you have any interest in science you will enjoy this book.

The ten experiments, admittedly chosen by the author as his personal favorites, all show the creativity and inquisitiveness of the famous scientists. As simple as some experiments appear, such as Galileo's ramp for measuring the speed of rolling balls, Mr. Johns delves into the complexities of thought behind each experiment. He also lets us know a little about the personal lives of these men (he apologizes for not including any women). It is fascinating to learn about the mistress of some famous scientists who called herself the "Bride of Science".