Reviews

The Globe by Ian Stewart, Terry Pratchett, Jack Cohen

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fuhhlarzablur's review against another edition

3.0

A few years back I set out to read all forty-five extant Discworld books, plus the short stories and a selection of supplementary media. I got most of the way fairly quickly, but ground to a halt halfway through book forty-three on my list, SD 2: The Globe. My interest was waning for various external reasons, but the book itself wasn't doing much to keep me - the content was interesting, but it didn't hang together the way SD 1 had done, sad irony for a book about the vital power of narrative. At the end of 2016 I shelved it, put fantasy (mostly) aside, and started reading non-fiction. Around that time I started logging my reads on GR, so my subsequent haphazard trajectory through philosophy, critical theory and classical-toliterature is on record.

In August 2019, having finally pushed all the way through Badiou's Theory of the Subject (and maybe even understanding as much as half of it!), I figured it was time for something a bit lighter - forgive my upbringing if 'lighter' in this case refers to liberal-skeptic Anglo-paternalism. The latter is done, by Pratchett, Stewart & Cohen, with great care, and with a minimum of smugness. It's a rousing defense of the scientific worldview, but one that warns repeatedly against scientism and intellectual solipsism, while just as deeply evaluating the advantages and pitfalls of magical, religious, and philosophical models of reality. It still doesn't flow the way SD 1 does, but familiar characters continue to develop throughout the fiction chapters, and the non-fiction chapters draw welcome examples from the wider Discworld series to illustrate various points.

dirtyhippieshannon's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mrwilliamsgifford's review

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emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

najemok's review against another edition

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5.0

Much like the first Science of Discworld book it combines two of my favorite things, the silliness of a Terry Pratchett story with hard science. The book is set up so each chapter alternates between a Discworld story and then a detailed discussion of some science that was involved in the story. Topics cover, evolution, quantum physics, speed of light, multiverses, and memetics to name a few. Great fun for any science geek that enjoys Terry Pratchett's books.

connor_dragon's review against another edition

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4.0

The scientific passages were interesting, but dense, and a whole lot less interesting than the Pratchett.

They had the overarching theme of the evolution of the human mind, but also jumped around many other fields, giving long explanations of many things. Which isn't necessarily bad, but also not strictly necessary.

The Pratchett sections were fantastic.

angiebayne's review against another edition

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3.0

In this second Science of Discworld book, the authors explore what it means to be human and how humanity got to where it has. The wizards are concerned because the Elves have invaded Roundworld and started messing about with humanity. Their experience on Discworld is that Elves are no good. But it turns out that without them on Roundworld it is a different story. Without the Elves influence, humanity is dull apes living in a midden heap. With their influence, you get cities with heads on spikes and a form of theater. The wizards device a way to let the Elves influence humanity, but still get rid of them at the same time. It all hinges on William Shakespeare.

As with the first book, I found the wizard story a lot more fun than the science. The science chapters are interesting and informative though. They deal with what it means to be human, art, evolution, and so much more.