Top Ten Books For Slightly Geeky People

Geeks are cool. They're brimming with knowledge, wisdom, and a quirky attention to detail. They love immersing themselves in science, trivia, facts, lists and history. Here are the best books to buy for the geeks in your life. Why not tell us about your favourites?

Review of Bad Science by Ben Goldacre Popular Science A hilarious, useful and essential look at the appalling misuses of science throughout society. Part exposé and part educational tool, Bad Science is as highly recommended as they come for anyone with even half a brain. Full Review

Review of How To Fossilise Your Hamster by Mick O'Hare Popular Science Almost guaranteed to be another best seller for Profile Books this latest book of excerpts from the New Scientist magazine has something for everyone. It's the friendly face of science and is highly recommended by The Bookbag. Full Review

Review of I Wish I'd Been There: Twenty Historians Revisit Key Moments in History by Byron Hollinshead and Theodore K Rabb (editors) History This collection of essays is based on the question, "What is the moment in history that you would like to have witnessed and why?" From this perspective, twenty historians look at key moments in history, from 323 BC to 1945. These fascinating accounts whet the reader's appetite to learn more. Full Review

Review of 13 Things That Don't Make Sense by Michael Brooks Popular Science A look at 13 experiments and ideas that don't quite sit right with accepted scientific thinking. Whilst there may be nothing to these anomalies, 13 Things That Don't Make Sense is a fascinating look at what we might learn from studying them, whether they're proven or disproven. Michael Brooks was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag. Full Review

Review of The Tiger that Isn't by Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot Home and Family All the tools you need to deconstruct the numbers which are pushed at us day in, day out in an easy to read and enjoyable book. Full Review

Review of Hang the DJ: An Alternative Book of Music Lists by Angus Cargill (Editor) Trivia Top tens of popular music chosen by writers and musicians. A treat for music fans. And while some of the more obscure choices may frustrate, there's plenty of fun and enlightenment to be had from the more personal or quirky lists. Full Review

Review of The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George Johnson Popular Science A look at the most simple, yet ground-breaking experiments throughout history. It's a perfectly pitched book that creates a greater understanding of science. The breakthroughs are placed in the context of the evolution of human knowledge, which makes it a fascinating read. Full Review

Review of QI: The Book of General Ignorance by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson Trivia QI: The Book of General Ignorance belongs to the very popular family of general knowledge trivia volumes, bought especially round Christmas as presents for anorakish friends and family members. From lists of 777 wonders of the world to instructions for all things a bright boy could do to places one simply has to see before dying to listing the greatest, craziest and most dangerous ideas, there are plenty of volumes out there to satisfy out inherent curiosity and reduce - even if only by a millionth of a per cent - the ignorance in which we are immersed. Full Review

Review of The Baader-Meinhof Complex by Stefan Aust History The definitive – and then some – look at the Red Army Faction of terrorists, in Germany in the 1970s. You could not hope to better this for documentary detail, and the style and depth allow the layman to become impressively immersed and educated. Full Review

Review of Quantum: Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate About the Nature of Reality by Manjit Kumar Popular Science A fascinating, powerful and brilliantly written book that shows one of the most important theories of modern science in the making and discusses its implications for our ideas about the fundamental nature of the world and human knowledge, while presenting intimate and insightful portraits of people who made the science. Highly recommended. Full Review

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