What Makes a Good Science Book?

Adam shares what he thinks makes for a great science communication book, the formative science books of his youth, and the new book from one of his favorite science communicators Theodore Gray. Let's browse through this visual deep dive into the mechanical workings of engines!
Engines: amzn.to/47NAtRM
The Way Things Work: amzn.to/3ElC9UV
How Things Work: amzn.to/3YVP3mo
Tools: amzn.to/3YRhT7k
The Elements: amzn.to/3ssfV18
Shot by Adam Savage
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Engines: amzn.to/47NAtRM The Way Things Work: amzn.to/3ElC9UV How Things Work: amzn.to/3YVP3mo Tools: amzn.to/3YRhT7k The Elements: amzn.to/3ssfV18

[@robec75]

I would consider as well: Molecules: The Elements and the Architecture of Everything Theodore Gray’s Completely Mad Science: Experiments You Can Do at Home, but Probably Shouldn’t, the Complete and Updated Edition

[@thenotsoguitarguy9429]

When you got to the part in the hydroforming story where Jamie said, "I know. Same thing happened to me. It's why I came and got you," I actually got a little misty-eyed. That's the sort of experience we should all be sharing with one another.

[@Moo_Nieu]

Same here. Adam and Jamie aren't exactly close from what I understand (clashing personalities), but little moments like that really help drive home the passion that they both share for their craft and the professional respect they have for each other. It's nice when people are decent to each other, even if they don't get along all the time

[@CharlesLaCour]

This is essentially the comment I was about to make. Learning epiphanies are rare enough that sharing them is a way that allows someone to have the same epiphany by letting them see it for themselves is much more powerful than just being told about the conclusion you came to. The fact that Jamie got Adam and showed him the failure and understand why is what makes a good mentor/collaborator.

[@3nertia]

Yes, a truly beautiful tale

[@bashnalak]

I never comment on videos, but I had to say somewhere that I had the same feeling. Thanks for the comment. What a great thing to have happened between these two!

[@RoseKindred]

My favorite Science book was the one that stated in the front along the lines of: "The information in here may change as our understanding of the subjects grows and evolves, that is the core of Science." I wish I was allowed to keep the book. That one statement kept its meaning to me for decades, even if I may still have the words wrong.

[@DeagleGamesTV]

A very ethical disclaimer.

[@bardsamok9221]

Might be worth ebaying it :)

[@SurfMonkeyCoconut]

“The science is settled! 😡” -Bill Nye

[@richybigwheels]

Copy ordered, as an engineer and former Formula 1 chief mechanic I've been around so many engines but there is always more to learn, thank you so much for your amazing show, your enthusiasm for engineering, life and knowledge is so engaging, I love to watch it! Keep up the good work Adam, you have my respect.

[@buzz.b]

Cool, are you able to say which team(s) or what decade(s)? Any texts that you recommend yourself?

[@MrDD40AX]

Glad you mentioned "The Way Things Work". It was definitely foundational in my childhood and later becoming an engineer. It was even assigned as a textbook in one of my engineering classes.

[@mailleweaver]

That was one of my favorite books when growing up, too. I kept it for around 30 years. Just passed it on to my niece last year. Hopefully it'll live another life with her.

[@roryoutdoors5431]

James Burke! If you're talking science communicators he's one of the legends! BBC's coverage of the space race with him presenting; Connections, The Day the Universe Changed, The Knowledge Web, After the Melt... if you've seen the "most well-timed shot in TV history" clip of his seguing live as a rocket takes off behind, you've seen James Burke! Still lecturing afaik; he predicted what's happening now ages ago...

[@matthew3136]

I remember seeing those back in the 80’s during high school. Love all those episodes.

[@TheeGrumpy]

Indeed, without negating what Adam said w/r/t Sagan: Attenborough developed the BBC series Civilisation: A Personal View, which led a decade later to Connections and to Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. Thus, if anything, Sagan took up the mantle that Attenborough had already been carrying.

[@NFMorley]

A recommendation for anyone that likes these science and technology folio style books - Open Circuits by Eric Schlaepfer and Windell Oskay (the book is next to me, so I can at least get their names right!). Beautiful macro and cross sectional photograph of different electronic components and brief, intelligible descriptions - it really makes you appreciate the intricacy of so many things we take for granted.

[@poopfartlord9695]

Yeah open circuits was an amazingly beautiful book. The photography was amazing and made me appreciate some of the more boring components I work with so much more.

[@gustavofigueiredo1798]

Thanks for the tip!

[@joshuambean]

You touched on a fascinating concept that I hadn't considered before. Why is beauty something we as a species revere? And I think "Because it provides better clarity" is an amazing answer to that question. It helps to highlight whatever the item is. It makes it easier to understand. Love it. Thank you for sharing this.

[@barcodenosebleed5485]

I've had this theory bouncing around in my brain for awhile now about the accessibility/ubiquity/appreciability of technology during the industrial revolution and how it helped feedback into itself, helping lead to the exponential growth that occurred. Basically that all of this huge mechanical technology was super observable to young, curious minds who would spend their whole childhoods thinking about it and go on to make the next improvement/discovery, etc. A 7 year old could stand around and watch some steam powered contraption, study it, and start forming an understanding of how it worked. The stuff was so everpresent you'd probably learn thing whether you intended to or not. I feel like that had to have had an impact on the trajectory of industrialization and probably on the types of people that wielded influence and society in general. How much of an impact, how it shaped society I don't know, but if I ever wrote a book it would be about exploring this. And the fact that things are so different now. You can stare at a computer/phone all day and not learn anything about it. Most of today's emerging technologies are so specialized, so much knowledge is proprietary. So how has/will the absence of that phenomenon shaped our present/future?

[@joolzanzleaux]

You may have just explained "Idiocracy". But wait, there's hope! Because I don't think 7 year olds are just staring at computers or phones, they're engaging with them on a level akin to the way we (well, I) engaged with old pocketwatches and radios when we were kids (if they're allowed the agency to do so), but building understanding in ways we cannot fathom because we did not grow up in this current technological moment. They will assimilate a perception of a completely different world. So I don't really think that phenomenon is absent, it's just really different, and may just be harder for us to perceive because our perceptions were formed in a mechanical world.

[@FectacularSpail]

I love that you mentioned The Way Things Work. I loved all of his books as a kid, and I gave the new version to my nephew this past Christmas.

[@AB-Prince]

I had "the way things work" book as a kid, it's up the loft now, but I loved the way it explained technology in a way that was easy to grasp. and the mammoths are priceless

[@StodaGryph]

Oooooh, I remember "Elements", and especially "How Things Work", and now I must have this new book! The evolution of engines is marvelous. Thank you for bringing it to our attention!

[@amphicorp4725]

I've always said that the book the way things work and mythbusters were the biggest influences on me wanting to be a maker and to know Adam has read the same book and been moved similarly is incredible to me. That book really is great

[@necroflounder]

Unfortunately this superficial understanding of mechanical systems does not work so well with human systems, which is why he is a well jabbed redditor.

[@PressureEd]

This video was needed, I appreciate everything you do Adam. Keep up the good work

[@kenmac8957]

The Grey also has a trilogy set on Elements, Molecules, and Reactions that is also amazing. Literally my favorite science book. I'm so happy to see one of my favorite creators plugging one of my favorite authors :D

[@CyanTiger]

In the most pivotal time of my then young life, the book 'They Way Things Work' was my absolute favorite. I remember being given it by my grandfather who was Draftsmen/Machinist. Thanks for sharing the book with us! ~

[@cersos]

The over the shoulder page turning was just perfect. So immersive, I felt like i was there. Excellent work. The subject matter didn't hurt :)

[@markpomerleau6308]

What a wonderful talk. Thank you, sir. I'm going to get a few copies of this book to keep and give away.

[@jonc4050]

Boom, thanks for showing us all your stuff. Always love it

[@VillSid]

When I was a kid my parents got me "Illustrated encyclopedia" during my life collectively I probably have spent days weeks maybe a even months looking at it. It had pictures cutaways schematics etc. Every page was a discovery. At the time I got the book I was way to young to understand all concepts laid out in there but I would look analyze the pictures and I would get "OH THAT IS HOW!! Whoaaa" often that was not the point of the page :D If you have kids I think this book is an excellent gift.

[@tdubya1991]

This made me order all his books you listed here plus one you didn’t list, Reactions. I am so excited to get them and read them. I used to be so excited about science and learning, but in the last decade I find myself not seeking new knowledge like I used too, I hope this will be the catalyst to change that. Thanks for the recommendation, so glad I get to keep learning from you after all these years from Mythbusters to now.

[@Mtlmshr]

Your passion is infectious!

[@nathanielpranger7370]

Mythbusters was my favourite show as a kid, and just next week I'm starting a master's degree in physics and science communication. This is a really nice video to see.

[@matt-lang]

My favourite science books are the cutaway ones, both the art and the technical communication in those cutaway drawings are incredible. David Kimble is probably the most well-known artist but any cutaway drawings will always be fascinating to me.

[@archivist17]

So beautiful! I would have loved such a book when i was younger. Thank you for sharing.

[@sonibrahmana5814]

I'm not a scientist, I don't think I'm that bright to understand the theories or those textbook explanations of things, but I'm always fascinated by it and realized that I learn better if I have a grasp on how things work. I just had a little smile thinking what book could it be, and I just can't stop my wide smile when I saw the inside of that book. Some of the photos shows great detail that I could just imagine on how it might move, and that's basically how I've been learning a lot of those basic science books when I was a kid; staring at the picture to see what's happening then read for more details.

[@yewcookies]

David Mcauley is one of my favorite authors. The Way Things Work is amazing, I just bought the revised version for my kids. But his books on architecture Castle, Mosque, Pyramid, etc. were engrossing as a kid. To watch these highly detailed illustration discussing every step in building these great structures was fascinating.

[@bobbywestover4439]

I had The Elements book by that author as a kid and I always thought it was a super well formatted and well made book. I liked it enough to where it is one of the very few I still have after all these years. I am elated to see that there are more from him as I never looked into the author. I love the show and thank you for sharing, ~Bobby

[@chevyspeed6368]

Love the book! Reminds me of the old 70s and 80s big picture books I grew up with. If you like more technical engineering design books I would highly recommend Blodgetts Design of Welded Structures as well as Design of Weldments. Those 2 books along with the Machinery's Handbook, I feel like I can make anything! I've been doing engineering and design for 10 plus years now. I feel like you could do a whole video on the Machinerys Handbook alone!

[@misspelledgod4003]

The Science book that nailed my mind the wall with a thud was James Burke's Connections. It introduced me to the idea that the smallest changes, as you say scaled up, The kettle was as connected to life as much as the water in it. From safety of the water, to moving heat to produce electricity etc etc etc... .... ...........♾

[@SourGr4pe]

My smile grew stupid big when I glanced over to look at my Theodore Gray books on the shelf and saw your name right next to it. "Elements" is missing. I think it's in my son's room.

[@zeikjt]

I absolutely had The Way Things Work as a kid and if nothing else, the images and ideas of how lasers worked with light trapped between mirrors is burned into my mind. It was a treasure trove of answers to questions I both had and didn't know I wanted to ask. Both sating my curiosity and giving me new things to be curious about, it was awesome pure and simple

[@MakeitZUPER]

Thanks for another excellent presentation once again. I am going to get a set of these for casual table reference and entertainment.

[@patrickdiehl6813]

I love machines and engines are no exception. Once a year my father would take me to the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn MI. I was so intrigued by the steam engines my Father had to literally drag me away from them. Later in life my love of photography brought me back there an i would spend hours on a single engine getting as much detail as I could in digital format. That book reminds me of those days. You would love that place Adam 👊✌️

[@xerox445]

The way things work! I loved this book, I need to find where my copy is. Thank you for reminding me of this!

[@LopezBOT90]

Just bought a copy for my science shelf on my little bookshelf. :) Thanks.

[@genericname8833]

I grew up in the very early 2000s with “The Way Things Work” it was great and super inspiring to me. I truly feel It led to me becoming a maker and electrical engineer later in life - that and mythbusters 😅 Thanks for doing what you do Adam, your continually inspiring to the world!

[@MrDynamite110]

I'd like to add to this. Comedy can also be a really good tool in teaching science. Growing up I had a book that taught basic Newtonian physics but it did so with cartoon characters. It was always really entertaining to read and because of I I not only absorbed its contents but also gained a deep love for physics. Of course not every book would benefit from having comical moments in it, but some other things would like talks and even documentaries. Just my 2 cents on the matter.

[@andrewwilks2700]

Asimov on Physics and Asimov on Science are some of the best explanations ever written.

[@dawnieb.7394]

Adam, long-time fan of you and Mythbusters here. I thought about you (and SCIENCE!!!) this morning as I was wading through all the conspiracy theories flying around on the devastation in Maui - in particular, the latest videos where people on the ground are sharing images of cars that burned. Everyone and their mother is arguing about what metals could & couldn't burn at all different temperatures, whether a wildfire could be responsible, etc., etc. And all I could think was, just get some of this footage to Adam! I, for one, would certainly trust YOU over these armchair reporters. You, at least, would provide a science-based point of view. Keep doing what you do, Adam. See you at the cons!

[@elijabutterfly6154]

The asthmatic of engineered things always fascinated me. Form follows function means beauty to me. I already love this book. I will buy it for me and my child as soon as it is available in german. Thanks for showing it.

[@stevenbergom3415]

If you want a book that explains complex things in simple language then I would recommend Thing Explainer by Randal Monroe. Definitely a fun read.

[@wxlurker]

I just did a quick google and I love the way it looks, thank you for the recommendation.

[@Professor_Aggressor]

I had The New Way Things Work when I was a kid. I remember a lot of mammoths, but it was also a great illustration of a lot of complex concepts. Great books.

[@guylo88]

I had the way things work when I was a kid, I learned so much about the technology from it!

[@aqacefan]

David Macaulay also wrote books like Castle, Cathedral, and Coliseum.

[@warnerww83]

“The Way Things Work” was such a tremendous book I was glad to pass on to my 8 year old son. A fantastic tome.

[@jeromethiel4323]

I think the most important part of science, is getting people engaged. When i was a kid i was interested in electronics. But trying to teach a young me ohms law was not going to work. What did work, was "you can make this nifty AM radio with just a little wire, a germanium diode, and a pair of headphones. That's the first dose that gets you hooked, and makes you want to learn the boring stuff. Thank you "boy's first book of electronics." And the second, third, and so forth. Because once you truly get interested, then the boring stuff isn't boring anymore, it's learning how the magic is done.

[@doriWyo]

Not a science communicator, but I love learning new things.

[@DenisRyan]

Oh my goodness!! I had The Way Things Work! That cover is burned into my childhood memories!! Amazing.

[@sailingeric]

Just ordered my copy!

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice video sir thanks 😊

[@Do_Odles]

Attenborough pre-dates Sagan - 1954 was the first Attenborough broadcast, while Sagan didn't start until the 1960s. Both incredible Science communicators!

[@AlmightyBigD001]

Don't know if you have ever been, but Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn Michigan has some amazing and monstrous engines, especially steam engines. I love both of those places.

[@DaddyCopper9619]

I am totally going to get that book, thx for showing me

[@SomewhatAbnormal]

We share a love for well designed books and this is one I must have!

[@sabertoothanimations2912]

I actually have that Bood "The way things work" Had it since I was 7 years old, Really awesome little book

[@flagg85]

Getting Started in Electronic by Forrest M. Mims is a book that taught me basic electronics when I was a kid.

[@3nertia]

Science is how we understand the world. It's the process we go through to gain the understanding; it's how we learn

[@magikseagul]

Thanks. Just the sort of non fiction book to get into my school library. Will be getting that on the next order!

[@TheRenaissanceBuilder]

If i may. When i was young my favorite book that i found mesmerizing was Huck Scarry’s Big Book Of Things That Go, I don’t believe its in print any longer but what a beautiful artful presentation of machines and there history! I highly highly recommend that book for children of all ages

[@ikemkrueger]

I'd love it if you show us more books you love.

[@gomarky]

I love that in the middle of Adam's soliloquy about aesthetic value to knowledge he naturally and sub-consciously continues to frame the camera on him using rule of thirds and every once in a while centers himself back in the frame as well. Pretty cool to see him naturally exercise what he thinks and feels and believes.

[@cnelson2008]

I love the book Open Circuits for all the same reasons you talk about here!

[@l0zerth]

I would propose that the words you were looking for in not only sharing information being important is to share appreciation and inspire. I would also be curious in the illustrations of that book, would you consider that to be a modern form of illuminated text?

[@0tispunkm3y3r]

Lovely book. I may just get it even if only for the fact he spelled out in caps "THERE ISN'T ONE" in answer to the question: What is the difference between an engine and motor? The number of "EV" guys who get bent out of shape because the OEM "left" the starter button with "START ENGINE" on it is crazy and they won't accept when you tell them Engine and Motor are interchangeable. The words weren't devised to mean separate things, it's just evolving language. Two words covering the same item. I work in automotive R&D so engines are close to my heart. But so is Photography and this looks like a perfect coming together of both!

[@FreejackVesa]

Tl;dr : certain books for children give them a good starting point to learn from. Don't stop at just science books though! Two of the important books to my formative education were the DK publishers "How It Works" series, and the D'Aulaires "Book of Greek Myths". I recommend the latter specifically to parents. Learning about the Greek pantheon had connections beyond just myth as I continued to learn. The stories and names of the gods and Demi-gods are often related to useful words and concepts, for example. My point is that I really learned a lot from that book and used to read it over and over again. It's a great kids book. Also, Sagan and Attenborough were not only accomplished in their respective fields, but their verbal fluency and eloquence really was amazing. Listening to Sagan on Cosmos was like listening to a concert pianist. I know it sounds dramatic but it's true

[@hydrogenbond7303]

This book looks awesome. I must get one.

[@FlameMage2]

I have this book! Theodore Grey "Engines", "The Elements", and "How Things Work" they're excellent books imo!

[@robertkelley3437]

When I was in college in the mid-seventies I came across a science text book that was amazing. it was "The Physical Universe" by Konrad Krauskopf and Arthur Beiser. What made this book so great was, it is written for the person who was going into a non- science major. It explained some complex stuff in simple to understand terms. I was taken a lot of physics, biology and math courses, and there were terms, formulas or stuff I was having trouble with understanding I would look up in this book. I found an explanation to increase my knowledge and understanding. I also found little books that were sold in the grocery stores, some of which were devoted to a science subject. one was on the oceans another was about light they were very book but pack a bunch of knowledge in a little 3 by 5 pocket book that sold for less than a dollar. I don't know if they are still made I think the publisher was Globe publishing.

[@patchvonbraun]

I've been involved in amateur and semi-professional radio astronomy (niche, I know, very niche) since the mid 1980s. In the last decade I've really wanted to write a definitive book on the subject, because the existing books in the space are either (A) Horrible, or (B) Woefully out of date. The recent volume by Peter East is a delightful exception. My friends tell me that I communicate complex science and engineering subjects beautifully in the spoken realm. I just have to figure out how to convert that into a written narrative that forms a complete "work" (I've written many many discrete papers over the years aimed at a more-casual science-minded audience). The "getting around to it" seems to be the hardest part....

[@littleshopofelectrons4014]

I'm getting ready to order that book. Another excellent book that I recommend is "A History of the Machine" by Sigvard Strandh. Its 235 pages of wonderful drawings of all sorts of machines.

[@andrewdavisjax3398]

My favorite books were always the cross-sectioned cut-away illustrated science book, I will have to check this one out for sure.

[@ZenHulk]

I just saw the AEROGEL video, so cool what was it like to hold that gel.

[@JesseROBINSON-mv3fz]

That book is amazing to look at I'm not interested in engines but that book would make it easier to understand them keep up and God bless

[@ENKTechnologies]

Does anyone remember the show called "Connections" from James Burke? That was an important way point in my nerd journey to becoming an engineer.

[@billkimewanalecbenbecker757]

Anybody remember his book series including pyramid, castle, and city.? I absolutely loved those.

[@billkimewanalecbenbecker757]

David MacAuley books

[@poisonousblacklotus992]

I want that book!!! I am ordering that book!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@donkoehler1102]

The Secret life of machines. I found eye opening.

[@warioprints]

I think that small moment with Jamie might be my favorite Mythbusters story you've shared so far.

[@patchvonbraun]

"Ascribing an aesthetic value to knowledge". Holy crap. That says in just a few words the kind of things I say all the time--particularly those who don't "get" a love of engineering and science.

[@thelittlehooer]

14:08 I love that story

[@JackCliffordWilliams]

The power of lighting in photography. 😀👍

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

I met Theodore Gray at a developer conference once, and I believe he does go by Theo (Tay-oh). I wonder if he still uses an Apple Newton.

[@WilliamBlakers]

I think what makes David Attenborough so popular is the quality and sound of his voice, same to for Carl Sagan. Which is why im so disappointed that Lord Vader didn't narrate the Wildlife of Alderaan series.

[@thesoupin8or673]

Your Jamie impression is, unsurprisingly, excellent

[@patchvonbraun]

The 1967 edition of "The Way Things Work" was my best friend when I was a young explorer of science and engineering. It was the best damned thing ever....

[@usgovernment9922]

Oh my gosh, i have a few Theodore Gray books, elements, and molecules.

[@SHAD0WZOMBIE]

Ha! I had The Way Things Work aswell! Infact its sitting here in my shop!

[@rgallitan]

Still have my childhood copy of The New Way Things Work... sitting on my own children's bookcase

[@microMobilidade]

Beakman’s world has been my guide on how to teach and help everyone gorw, and Paul Zaloom is my hero. Adam you are there as well in my hero wall, just mentioning Paul showed me to be nice to Lester

[@TheGreatAtario]

I _knew_ I recognized that name! It is he of the famed Wooden Periodic Table Table!

[@TheWadetube]

When you consider the temperature difference between the hot dash of a car parked in the sun and the cooler air underneath the vehicle you could easily make a stirling hot air engine from a vehicle parked in the sun. Why? for electric cars mostly. Possibly for running a little air conditioner.

[@simon8723]

Have you seen architectural graphic standards? Great book for all things construction.

[@wobblysauce]

Makes you want to continue turning pages

[@katreniaclark]

Hiya Adam, My problem is i can see in my mind what can and usually happens BUT i cannot explain it properly, I just have to do it. Thank You.

[@tomhools1605]

when will you go to Alan Alda's podcast about science communication?

[@richsackett3423]

9:34 The common aspect of the pictures on the page is they are all lit the same. Same camera, same photographer, et c.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@Games_and_Music]

What to me stands out the most, are the black pages. Even as a kid, when i looked through the pages of a book with black backgrounds, i immediately appreciated them more for that. That alone made me feel like the creator of it "got me", and obviously the pictures are mandatory in books like this. But yeah, even if i wouldn't understand much of it as a kid, i'm sure i would've loved to leaf through it many times.

[@darrylmasters5032]

I love those books....you can bring kids on a journey while learning as an adult...I remember having universe books as a kid, and then Hanes manual, but only because I needed to understand chains and cogs to build a wood go-kart from dump site material out of scrap.