The Awa Book of New Zealand Science

Reviews, interviews, author events

WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 2009 SCIENCE BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE, ANNOUNCED BY RICHARD DAWKINS. The judges described the book as 'scientific enchantment: a time machine that takes us into the times, the words, the minds, the passions and the discoveries of New Zealand scientists, and produces thrill after thrill of recognition, surprise and inspiration.'

This landmark anthology of writings will excite readers of all ages about extraordinary scientific discoveries made by New Zealand scientists.The pieces range from early naturalists' observations of birds, insects and botany . . . to geological accounts of the famous pink and white terraces . . . to Ernest Rutherford splitting the atom . . . to modern breakthroughs in nanotechnology . . . to the recent discovery of an extra-solar planet. You'll even learn how to cook paua.

Rebecca Priestley is a science historian and writer. She has written science columns for the Listener, reviewed popular science and science history for the Listener and The Dominion Post, and contributed articles on aspects of New Zealand's science history to Te Ara ˘The online encyclopedia of New Zealand. She co-curated Butterflies, Boffins & Black Smokers: Two centuries of science in New Zealand at the National Library Gallery in 2006, and wrote the book adaptation.