Reviews

Selected as:   REVIEWER'S CHOICE - DONOVAN'S BOOKSHELF, SEPT. 2018

Diane Donovan. Sr. Book Review Editor

SEATTLE BOOK REVIEW, Johnna Rocker-Clinton, September, 2018 ★★★★★
“Boyce’s discourse on dark matter is one that I will not attempt to regurgitate, but because of his user-friendly language, his book is one I will reach for time and time again to learn and grow in my understanding of astronomy and all of the fascinating topics that surround it.

Barry Boyce is no doubt an excellent teacher; he has mastered astronomy, science, and history. In Astronomy & Natural History Connections, Boyce details complicated concepts effortlessly. His clear, concise writing style will be easily absorbed by the knowledge-thirsty novice. Boyce makes learning even more accessible by engaging readers with his down-to-earth tone and funny, yet corny puns and jokes.

I recommend Astronomy & Natural History Connections to anyone who wants to learn more about astronomy, its history, and how it connects to science today and in the future.

Boyce divides the book into several sections that he calls “connections.” These sections are entitled: "Getting Connected," "Early Connections," "Natural Connections," "Relatively Recent Connections," "Wondrous Connections," and "Future Connections." In each section, Boyce provides simple yet thought-provoking commentary. Boyce’s discussion on theory in a subheading of "Early Connections" is a prime example. Modern folk often think a theory is merely insightful speculation; however, Boyce explains that a scientific theory is much more than an educated guess. A theory is evidence-based, testable, observable, and its results can be repeated.

The most interesting sections of Boyce's book, in my opinion, are the "Early" and "Future Connections." In “Early Connections,” he explores the Sumerians' contribution to astronomy—how they mapped stars and constellations; thousands of astronomy and astrology texts are attributed to the Sumerian people, including the beginning of the zodiac.

I had never heard of the ancient American Southwestern people—the Anasazi—who rose up in about 1500 BC and documented a Supernova in 1054. Boyce also goes into detail about the Classical and Hellenistic Greek Period. His brief but evocative descriptions of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great roused my curiosity—I want to know more.

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MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, September, 2018. ★★★★★
Diane Donovan, Sr. Editor

"Readers seeking a treatise for self-study will be delighted by the book's accessibility and ability to turn technical discussions into understandable ideas; while teachers looking for a more 'user-friendly' volume emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and research processes will delight in the special approach of Astronomy & Natural History Connections, a work highly recommended for laymen
and science students alike."

Astronomy & Natural History Connections from Darwin to Einstein is a science course in a book, adopting the unusual approach of blending astronomy with natural history in a survey that successfully draws important connections between the two disciplines. It's not only unusual to see the different disciplines thoroughly covered in a single volume; but the addition of scientist biographical sketches from
classical Greek to modern times creates an approach that cements scientific developments with
insights on individual pursuits and social history.

Astronomy & Natural History Connections covers basic principles but focuses on what thinkers such as Darwin did and did not say. Classroom discussion and individual study are more detailed than memorizing dates and theories, encouraging reflection on how ideas developed, were debated, and how they
apply to lasting scientific pursuits, pinpointing moments that were epiphanies and
breakthroughs in conventional thinking.

As the discussion weaves back and forth between astronomy and natural history, connections are created which solidify not only basic concepts, but points of disharmony and contention and how these were addressed, providing far more depth than the traditional linear presentation of either subject. It should be warned that many casual and conventional lay impressions of scientific development, processes, and theory will be challenged during the course of Barry Boyce's associative process. Among these concepts is the contention that evolution is not necessarily an adaptive process; that 'species' is a term that should be questioned; and that migratory processes may be seen as only breeding strategy in a mix of options.

It should also be mentioned that Boyce's appeal to lay audiences is strengthened by his adoption of a chatty tone that clearly explains matters to lay readers: "A lot of information has been presented, and for some of you, a lot of the terminology may be new. The purpose, I assure, you was not to overwhelm or fry your chips; it was to make you feel more at ease with, and perhaps less than threatened by, biology and natural history. Scientists work in a formal, somewhat competitive world, and are obliged to use very
technical language." Concluding statements summarizing the important concepts of each chapter
clarify the basics with material for classroom discussion or independent reader reflection.

The key descriptor of this piece lies in its "connections" portion. Astronomy & Natural History Connections doesn't just summarize major findings, but moves back and forth as it links the two subjects. This
fluidity allows for an unexpectedly wide-ranging survey of the future challenges of science, such as the pros and cons of colonizing and terraforming Mars or the search for answers about galaxy expansion
processes.

Most scientific discussions come from either teachers or scientific researchers. Barry Boyce was a graduate student in the neurosciences, but spent 30 years teaching natural history and astronomy on expedition voyages to the Galápagos Islands and the Antarctic, so his experience with worlds
outside the traditional classroom or lab structures affords a different focus and lingo that nicely
explain and exploring these worlds, employing a more engrossing, dramatic touch than most.

Readers seeking a treatise for self-study will be delighted by the book's accessibility and ability to turn technical discussions into understandable ideas; while teachers looking for a more 'user-friendly' volume emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and research processes will delight in the special approach of Astronomy & Natural History Connections, a work highly recommended for laymen
and science students alike.
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PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW - July, 2018

Susan Brown

"This book also takes the reader on a journey through the latest in astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology and to the cusp of the proverbial universe of new discoveries -- the search for life, the future of manned and robotic missions outside of the solar system. The most valuable aspect to this book is that it inspires us to get more connected to all that is around and above us, to open our minds to the significance of every wondrous facet of the cosmos and of this pale blue dot we call Earth."

Look up at the night sky on a clear evening and if you're far enough away from any ambient light, the enormity of the cosmos is engulfing, much like the subject matters in this book. An in-depth discourse on astronomy by the author is matched by and delved into the intricacies of evolutionary biology. The understanding of these two sciences develops through a discussion of how both have unfolded for centuries - with an understanding of the connections between the physical and biological worlds. Every chapter in Astronomy & Natural History Connections from Darwin to Einstein embraces and promotes these concepts. Scientific insight grew out of a desire to understand our place in the universe. This book is for those who are curious about natural selection, red giants, neutron stars stars, pulsars, galaxies, the big bang theory, and dark matter. Not only will the reader learn about these topics and many more, but also about the earliest scholars, theorists and philosophers who were the first to try and understand the world around them. From the ancient Greece to present day, the impact of theories from Pythagoras, Plato, Socrates, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, Darwin and Einstein is examined and analyzed in a manner that is straightforward and accessible. As a teacher, Mr. Boyce has spent a lifetime educating. He's good at it, plus he has spent much of his life teaching outside of the classroom, conducting hands-on, up- close-and-personal experiences in locations around the world. This book also takes the reader on a journey through the latest in astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology and to the cusp of the proverbial universe of new discoveries -- the search for life, the future of manned and robotic missions outside of the solar system and, for those who dream about space travel, the colonization of Mars. Interspersed throughout are full-color astrophotography and nature images taken by the author. The most valuable aspect to this book is that it inspires us to get more connected to all that is around and above us, to open our minds to the significance of every wondrous facet of the cosmos and of this pale blue dot in the universe we call Earth. I recommend this book to anyone that has looked up at the night sky and wondered. SUSAN BROWN
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Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

"A highly readable tour of the natural world from the earth to the heavens and beyond, led by a seasoned guide. Barry Boyce is a natural teacher – his technique for imparting information combines a wide range of knowledge, a good ear for jargon and buzzwords, and a sharp wit. It would be impossible to make one’s way through this engaging treatment of two diverse areas of study without absorbing quite a lot of amazing facts, and feeling good about the process. Astronomy and Natural History Connections is highly recommended for those who love science
and even those who have not enjoyed the subject in the past, as it’s an inspiring work that is both
far-reaching and accessible."

Astronomy and Natural History Connections: From Darwin to Einstein by Barry Boyce constitutes a highly readable tour of the natural world from the earth to the heavens and beyond, led by a seasoned guide. Barry Boyce developed his fascination for his vastly variegated subject matter when he first visited the Galápagos Islands and fell in love with
the place. He is a natural teacher – his technique for imparting information combines a wide range of knowledge,
a good ear for jargon and buzzwords, and a sharp wit.

The book opens as he is about to do something he has done many times before – lead a class on astronomy at the Mount Lemmon Sky Center in Arizona. He points out that Arizona is a sort of mecca for astronomers both professional and amateur, with its clear dry air and many mountain peaks. Stars and their “twinkling” effect can best be seen from higher elevations, imaging best at 30 degrees above the horizon. In this segment, Boyce poses mildly tricky questions and uses practical examples to give this audience a sense of the size and scale of the Universe; individual stars in a constellation, for example, may be light-years apart. In a history of astronomy, he notes that ancient cultures regarded the stars as sources of both scientific and religious understanding, often – like the Babylonians, Chinese and Greeks – linking astronomy and astrology.

From the heavens, Boyce moves down to earth, often citing phenomena observable in the Galápagos chain in his many descriptions of animal species – though he wants us to know that there is really no definition of “species.” We learn why the Blue-Footed Booby (a bird) has blue feet (courtship), what birds’ wings were originally intended for (gliding, flapping and – courtship) and why animals migrate (climate change and – courtship). We are gradually led to definitions of astronomical terms (with photographic illustrations) like Quark, Black Hole, Red Giant and White Dwarf, and to speculation about life beyond our planet and what time travel might really entail. Along the way he informs us
that Darwin never used the term “survival of the fittest” and that Einstein didn’t care much for mathematics.

Boyce’s prose is both erudite and charming, and his fields of expertise are remarkable for their number and complexity. He has logged in thirty years of experience as a teacher and guide, leading expeditions in the Galapagos Islands, the Norwegian Arctic and the Antarctic, and that experience shows throughout this book, which is a reflection of hands-on knowledge, and not just textbook scholarship. Noting that many of his students want to take photographs of an eclipse but not to go a step or two further and understand and appreciate other celestial events, he makes a great effort to
keep his material enjoyable as well as informative, and he succeeds in that intention. The book reads like an
introductory course by your favorite teacher. In that regard, it’s not necessarily a work for those familiar with
the ground he is covering, but there is such a wealth and breadth of information here that any reader is bound
to find something of interest.

It would be impossible to make one’s way through this engaging treatment of two diverse areas of study without absorbing quite a lot of amazing facts, and feeling good about the process. Constructing the unusual linkage between earth science and star gazing, Boyce leaves the reader with a sense of the wonders of both. Astronomy and Natural History Connections is highly recommended for those who love science and even those who have not enjoyed the subject in the past, as it’s an inspiring work that is both far-reaching and accessible.

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MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW, Jo Niederhoff ★★★★★

"On the whole, this is a delightful book, one I would recommend to anyone with an interest in learning
more about the universe. It’s as good for those who already have some
background knowledge as it is for beginners."

I have a casual interest in science but haven’t had the inclination to actually sit down and properly study it in a classroom. I was therefore pleased to find a book about astronomy and natural history. The book was even better than I had hoped. Barry Boyce opens the book with what is best described as a virtual tour of a research facility at Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona. peppered throughout are tidbits about astronomy that kept me interested all the way through. From there, we’re essentially taken on The Complete History of Science (Abridged). Boyce takes us from the prehistory of early humans creating lunar calendars through many early civilizations, including the Chinese, Anasazi, and Greeks. He gives primers on natural history and astronomy, going more in-depth as the chapters progress. He finishes the book by talking about the present and future of both, even combining the two by briefly discussing alien life.

Boyce’s teaching style reminds me of some of my college professors: informative and informal. Boyce writes as
though he’s addressing a group of students, some of whom may already know parts of the material while others are approaching it for the first time.

On the whole, this is a delightful book, one I would recommend to anyone with an interest in learning more about the universe. It’s as good for those who already have some background knowledge as it is for beginners. Published just this year, it’s full of the latest information, so I’d suggest picking up a copy soon.
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KIRKUS REVIEWS, August, 2018

“An enthusiastic guide to learning about the natural world.” – Kirkus Reviews

In this book, Boyce (A Travelers Guide to the Galápagos Islands, 1990) draws on his skills as a tour guide and educator to draw connections between astronomy and natural history. With a wry sense of humor and a broad base of knowledge—along with thorough research, displayed in a substantial bibliography—the author steers readers through navigating the night sky with a telescope, supplies a timeline of astronomical discoveries from the ancient Greeks to the present, follows Charles Darwin to the South Pacific, and explains the mechanics of evolution in detail. The text is illustrated with vivid, full-color images of Earth and the universe, all captured by Boyce. The book is full of opinionated commentary (Tycho Brahe “was a bit of a real life Supernova”; a wormhole theorist “had the best intentions, but so did Peter Benchley when he wrote Jaws”) and packed with a wealth of information, presented with the same showmanship and zeal as one of the author’s lectures. Boyce’s passion for sharing his knowledge of the natural world with others is evident throughout, and if the chapters occasionally run long, it is only because of his boundless energy when imparting scientific nuggets. . . .

The book is a useful one for science fans, providing coherent and engaging explanations of complex subjects in easy-to-follow language, with a firm foundation in the experience and expertise of a dynamic teacher eager to deliver lessons to an audience.
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PORTLAND REVIEW  ★★★★, August, 2018

If you’ve ever wanted to take a crash course in the sciences, then Astronomy & Natural History Connections: From Darwin to Einstein may just be the book for you. Barry Boyce’s book makes a bold attempt to teach readers about the wonders found around us here on earth, the various marvels of space, and how the two are intrinsically tied together. Written with a more casual tone than you will find with other nonfiction books on the subjects, this book is likely much more approachable to the layman, but is certainly not light on facts! . . . . The book is chock full of information, almost an overwhelming amount of information, though the more casual dialogue will likely allow this information to feel more accessible to some people than the typical textbook style.

The book begins with a prolonged description of the kinds of talks that Barry currently gives to people visiting the University of Arizona Skycenter in Tucson, or rather, up on Mount Lemmon. The book continues with a historical run through the ages and the various leaps in our understanding of science, including animal behavior, physics, and astronomy. The book often references the people making the discoveries, lingering on some of the bigger names like Darwin, Aristotle, and Galileo, but also highlighting lesser known contributors such as “The Harvard Computers,” a group of women staff at the Harvard Observatory who worked to process astronomical data and yet, were largely unknown until recently. Barry also taps into his long history running tours around the Galapagos Islands and uses the wildlife there for many of his examples, including the migration and feeding habits of whales, and the mating rituals of the local birdlife.
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SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW   ★★★★
September, 2018. Stacia Levy

In this book, author Barry Boyce explores the connections between astronomy and other parts of the natural world. In the process, he also covers such topics as evolution, relativity, and quantum theory. Different periods of scientific development from the classical Greek period to today and areas for future development are covered. All the topics are connected back to astronomy and discussed with a conversational style to relate to the lay reader. The natural world is connected to astronomy, and space and time are both connected to astronomy. Boyce also provides, at the beginning of the text, a helpful guide of the concepts covered in the book and questions it will answer. Also included are photographs of nebulae, animals, and galaxies. The study of astronomy even connects to philosophy in questions of the nature of life and the existence of God.

As a person who works in the humanities, not sciences, I was, predictably, introduced to new topics . . . . Overall, Boyce does a credible job of teaching specialized scientific concepts, their connections, and their practical application in such areas as computers and global positioning systems. In short, the book has the potential to educate the lay audience, as well as peak interest for future study.