Hong Sung-ook; Dongasia: 304pp., 13,800 won
As a well-known biological science professor at Seoul National University, Hong Sung-ook believes that science is closely linked to many other fields, including literature, art and psychology. In his new book, Hong proves his point through various events and methods demonstrating the significance of science.
The book successfully offers examples of how difficult scientific methods are actually born through some of the most interesting, or even silly, coincidences of our daily lives and minds. Isaac Newton, for instance, first proposed the five colors of the optical rainbow, but then pushed in two more colors to match the seven musical notes. A scientific discovery with more than a hint of subjectivity.
Hong also shows that the world's most brilliant scientists were not only bright in their fields, but also in many others as well. He mentions Galileo Galilei, whose artistic background helped him discover many different aspects of the moon, including the fact that the moon was very bumpy.
The book contains scientific methods with witty illustrations and easy-to-understand examples that will help readers enjoy and appreciate the art of science.
- Han Sang-hee