After more than 12 years being outside of a science class, and realizing my information may be sorely out of date or erroneous over time, I'm looking for a general science refresher, something that lays everything out to be easily read and assimilated, but is still on an adult level. I'd prefer book format, but if you know of a website that does this, it would be greatly appreciated!
That might not end well. Sure, I could search on Amazon or Google, but what I want are the suggestions of people I'm more familiar with. TBBS is filled with scientists, teachers, professors, and researchers of all types, and I'd like to draw on that experience and knowledge.
This post is very contradictory. That said, what are you interested in? Science is HUGE. Computers? Communication? Astronomy? Quantum Physics? Genetics? Nanotech? There are so many different fields I'm not sure you're going to find a good and handy resource for all of them.
In what way? This is why I said General Science. We're talking something that touches on a variety of subjects. Astronomy, Biology, Geology, Climatology, etc. It doesn't have to dive too deep into each subject, but a good grasp on each would be optimal.
I don't want something on the elementary school level, I want something that is more informative. It just doesn't have to be comprehensive, as it needs to cover the general science spectrum. Closer to, say, the college level.
On the college level. I mean, it doesn't need to talk down to me like an elementary school science book. If that's what you mean, then yes.
I was thinking about that, but I don't know how reliable they are when it comes to science. Plus, I can't seem to find a general version, although they have several individual fields of study. Edited to add: I did find an "Idiot's Guide to the Science of Everything". While it seems okay, I'm more interested in another book I saw while I was searching B&N by an author named Bill Bryson, entitled, "A Short History of Nearly Everything".
I wouldn't discount media other than books. Try the BBC documentary "The Story of Science" on DVD or Blu-ray. http://www.amazon.com/Story-Science...ef=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1294302046&sr=1-1 There is also a book that goes with the series. Alternatively, there are a large number of free science videos on iTunes.
That looks good. It's pricey for me right now, but something I can bookmark and check out later. I don't really discount other media, but a reason I like books is that I can put them in a backpack and carry them with me. You can sort of do this with DVD and Blu-ray, and that does look like something I would enjoy. I guess it's just nice to have that book in your hands. You know what I mean? Again, though, thank you Great Mambo Chicken, that does look interesting, and I've bookmarked it.
What about an Encyclopedia of Science? It would cover most areas, and there will be some with an adult reading level. Here's an internet version: http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/ETEmain.html It looks quite comprehensive. The three articles I've just clicked though only introduce the basics of the topics, but do read at an adult level.
Yeah, $70 is too expensive for the Blu-ray -- although another seller lists it for $30. It doesn't look like the DVD is available in the US. There's also The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski, but it's about 36-years old now and so doesn't include a lot of recent discoveries. I would suggest picking a few areas of interest, such as Genetics, Cosmology, High Energy Physics, or Quantum Theory, and finding popular introductory books in these fields. Science nowadays is probably too vast for a generalist tome to cover in anything but the sketchiest of detail.
Oh, that is awesome! Thanks Jadzia! I can use this, and it's the perfect price: free. You're right on that one. I started browsing around and suddenly realized that science has apparently made massive leaps since my high school days! It's just this past decade+ has been so busy, I failed to notice the changes in how it's presented.
Something like this maybe? Bill Bryson A Short History of Nearly Everything It's really well written and a very easy read.