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BKFRSCBF.RVW   960524
 
"Free Stuff for Science Buffs", Barry Young, 1996, 1-883577-52-7,
U$19.99/C$27.99
%A   Barry Young
%C   7339 East Acoma Drive, #7, Scottsdale, AZ  85260
%D   1996
%G   1-883577-52-7
%I   Coriolis
%O   U$19.99/C$27.99 800-410-0192 +1-602-483-0192 fax: +1-602-483-0193
%P   320
%S   Free $tuff
%T   "Free Stuff for Science Buffs"
 
First of all, I was around for the initial discussions of what eventually
became known as the "heavy boots" questions about lunar gravitation, so I have
only sympathy for someone who is trying to increase scientific literacy in the
general population.  However ...
 
I could be wrong, but I seem to recall some fields of science known as biology,
chemistry and physics.  Each of these had subdivisions, if I remember
correctly.  So I'm a little surprised that the only science buffs who will find
anything in this book are those into astronomy and geoscience.
 
"Stuff" is undefined, so I suppose it is futile to point out that most of this
stuff consists of "more information on" or pictures.  Of more moment, perhaps,
is that an awful lot of it is only available on America OnLine, and therefore
only free for the first fifteen hours.  (And even then you have to supply a
credit card number.)
 
Mostly, though, this stuff is the Amazing Mr. Science's version of a textbook. 
The "free stuff" comes in short adjuncts to his writings on random scientific
areas.  (His logic is a bit suspect, too.  If one glimpse of a mailbox is all
you're basing it on, how do you know Dorothy isn't "blood kin" to Auntie Em?)
 
Oh, the "heavy boots"?  Goes like this:
1)  If you dropped a rock on the moon, would it a) fall, b) stay there, c)
drift away?
2)  If you did *not* answer a, note that in the pictures from the moon landing,
the astronauts stay on the ground.  Is this because your answer to question 1
is wrong, or because the astronauts are wearing heavy boots?
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKFRSCBF.RVW   960524
 
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