Ask the Author: Jim Ottaviani
Answered Questions (2)
Jim Ottaviani
Hi Gwynfor,
Thanks for the note, and how exciting that you've decided to open the doors to this world!
(Also, I'm delighted that books I've written are how you got interested in learning more...thank you for the compliment, since this is the best possible result of making them, from my perspective.)
Where to start, then? There are many right answers, and I don't know what will work best for you. But since you asked me — ask other people too! — I'm going to offer a couple books I have in my own library that are written for non-specialists, and most (though not all) have a strong biographical arc to them. None are hardcore science books. Think narrative as the main course, with science as both the sides and dessert!
If any of these pique your interest, you'll find more to read in these books' bibliography and/or you can head over to your local community college to go deep.
Natural history/evolution
"The Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner
"Why Fish Don't Exist" by Lulu Miller
"An Immense World" by Ed Yong
Physics
"Einstein" by Walter Isaacson
"In Search of Schrodinger's Cat" by John Gribbin
Math
"How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking" by Jordan Ellenberg
"Men of Mathematics" by E.T. Bell (dated title, and written in 1937, but a good introduction nonetheless)
Astronomy/Cosmology/Space
"Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel
"The Universe in a Nutshell" by Stephen Hawking
"Packing for Mars" by Mary Roach (everything by her is fun to read)
Chemistry
"Bright Earth" by Philip Ball
General/Science and Society
"Seeing Further" by Bill Bryson (ed)
"The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes
Comics
Anything and everything by Jay Hosler
The "Science Comics" series published by First Second
(note: Jay's a friend, and First Second has published many of my books, so I'm probably biased. But I've bought many with my own money, so I'm the opposite of a paid advertiser :)
I could go on and on here, but I hope this is enough to help get you started. And...thanks again!
Jim
Thanks for the note, and how exciting that you've decided to open the doors to this world!
(Also, I'm delighted that books I've written are how you got interested in learning more...thank you for the compliment, since this is the best possible result of making them, from my perspective.)
Where to start, then? There are many right answers, and I don't know what will work best for you. But since you asked me — ask other people too! — I'm going to offer a couple books I have in my own library that are written for non-specialists, and most (though not all) have a strong biographical arc to them. None are hardcore science books. Think narrative as the main course, with science as both the sides and dessert!
If any of these pique your interest, you'll find more to read in these books' bibliography and/or you can head over to your local community college to go deep.
Natural history/evolution
"The Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner
"Why Fish Don't Exist" by Lulu Miller
"An Immense World" by Ed Yong
Physics
"Einstein" by Walter Isaacson
"In Search of Schrodinger's Cat" by John Gribbin
Math
"How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking" by Jordan Ellenberg
"Men of Mathematics" by E.T. Bell (dated title, and written in 1937, but a good introduction nonetheless)
Astronomy/Cosmology/Space
"Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel
"The Universe in a Nutshell" by Stephen Hawking
"Packing for Mars" by Mary Roach (everything by her is fun to read)
Chemistry
"Bright Earth" by Philip Ball
General/Science and Society
"Seeing Further" by Bill Bryson (ed)
"The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes
Comics
Anything and everything by Jay Hosler
The "Science Comics" series published by First Second
(note: Jay's a friend, and First Second has published many of my books, so I'm probably biased. But I've bought many with my own money, so I'm the opposite of a paid advertiser :)
I could go on and on here, but I hope this is enough to help get you started. And...thanks again!
Jim
Jim Ottaviani
Thanks for asking: I'm working on a book about scientists who study water — oceans, lakes, and more — right now!
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