Any good books on scientific topics?

Question

I'm looking for a good book on any scientific topic (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, earth science, etc.).

I read A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and thought it was excellent, other books I'm thinking about are:

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brain Greene.

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman

Cosmos by Carl Sagan

Does anybody have any other book recommendations or suggestions as to which books are essential for someone with a strong, newfound interest in science?

P.S. I'll be going to college next year to major in Environmental Science (subject to change) so any recommendations on books that would prepare me for the classes I'll be taking (biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science) would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

Scientific American, Science Desk Reference

Stephen Hawking, The Universe in a Nutshell

Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time

Discover, Scientific American, and a few other good general science periodicals

Just spend time at the library looking through the science sections and read what's at your level and is interesting to you.

I don't know your background, and don't have a specific suggestion, but try to understand the scientific method.  Few things help you understand logic better than taking geometry and developing proofs.

The best preparation is a solid foundation in math, and reading what interests you.

Answer 2

Since you're interested in Environmental Science, I recommend anything by Michael Pollan.  The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals is a fascinating book.  I generally prefer fiction to non-fiction, but I couldn't put this down.  I would classify it as environmental biology.  Ditto for the Botany of Desire and In Defense of Food.  I'm currently reading Second Nature: A Gardener's Education, which is less science-heavy than his other works but still witty and extremely enjoyable.  If you're going to college soon, downloading them as eBooks is probably a good idea (since dorm rooms are always short on space and your bookshelves will be filled with textbooks).  Also, that way you can read them on your laptop in during your boring classes while pretending to take notes (that's what I did!).  

Update: I just noticed that BooksOnBoard (http://www.booksonboard.com/) has a $5 Rewards special on In Defense of Food through May 14th, so if you're planning on getting it that may be a good place.  Here's the direct link: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BO...

Update #2: It looks like BooksOnBoard is also offering several environmental science related books for free - "Green Classics" from Abbey House Publishing.  I just downloaded The Earth as Modified by Human Action by George Perkins Marsh... looks interesting!  Direct link to the free eBooks: https://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?F...  I think the environmental books are the ones with green covers.