The Hair of the Dog

Science is full of surprises: the peculiar peepshow beginnings of baby incubators; the unexpected positive fallout from the H-bomb; the dinosaurs that caused sonic booms; the irrational nature of the number pi; the fifth taste sensation lurking in everyone's taste buds which nobody knew about (except for the Japanese).

Whilst shedding light on these conundrums, Karl Sabbagh shows that seemingly trivial queries or assumptions lead to a deeper understanding of how science works. Who would have thought that scientists would turn to the hypothesis 'All swans are white' to determine the stability of the entire universe? Or that if we choose to spend our hard-earned money on other people it might make us happier than if we spend it on ourselves?

“'Mature, clear and unobtrusive...cracking stories to whet your appetite as you dip in and out'”

- BBC Focus Magazine

a brilliant, wonderfully entertaining book, which ensures that every reader will learn something new - Shropshire Star

'Engaging and entertaining' - Daily Mail

A great book to dip into, and if you like television shows like QI, you will be hooked from the first page. The tone is light but scholarly, stimulating thought as much as dispensing knowledge - Daily Telegraph

Karl Sabbagh is a writer and television producer. He has written on a wide range of non-fiction subjects and his books include The Living Body, Skyscraper, Power into Art, A Rum Affair, Dr. Riemann's Zeroes, Palestine: A Personal History and Your Case is Hopeless.

Science is full of surprises: the peculiar peepshow beginnings of baby incubators; the unexpected positive fallout from the H-bomb; the dinosaurs that caused sonic booms; the irrational nature of the number pi; the fifth taste sensation lurking in everyone's taste buds which nobody knew about (except for the Japanese).Whilst shedding light on these conundrums, Karl Sabbagh shows that seemingly trivial queries or assumptions lead to a deeper understanding of how science works. Who would have thought that scientists would turn to the hypothesis 'All swans are white' to determine the stability of the entire universe? Or that if we choose to spend our hard-earned money on other people it might make us happier than if we spend it on ourselves?

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