Reviews for Machines at Work (Science Projects) (Science Projects)

The average rating for Machines at Work (Science Projects) (Science Projects) based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-05-04 00:00:00 Jonny Saltvedt James Hector so dominated New Zealand science in the last half of the nineteenth century, that it’s a wonder he isn’t a household name. He excelled as an explorer, surveyor, geologist, natural historian and botanist, but also played important roles establishing the New Zealand Geological Survey, the Meteorological Department, the New Zealand University, the New Zealand Institute, and the Colonial Museum. Perhaps his greatest gift, however, was as an administrator and organiser – despite almost indecipherable handwriting. He seemed to attract loyalty in his staff, was judicious with funding, and wrote a tremendous number of scientific papers – all suggesting the Protestant work ethic of his Scottish origins. As a young man, after graduating from Edinburgh University as a doctor, Hector participated in an extraordinary scientific exploration (The Palliser Expedition) of Western Canada in the late 1850s. He discovered a route through the Rockies, Kicking Horse Pass, that very nearly spelt his untimely demise. While trying to secure a horse struggling in a stream eddy, he received such a resounding kick that he fell unconscious. His companions were about to place him in a shallow grave when he revived. After returning to Britain, the well-regarded Hector accepted a position as Otago Provincial Geologist. Soon after arriving in Otago during 1862, the energetic Hector set off exploring and surveying the mountainous west. In 1863 he reached the col now named after him at the head of the Matukituki, and after trudging down the Arawhata River, almost reached the sea. Later that year, he found a passage through the Southern Alps from Martins Bay, up the Hollyford Valley, over Key Summit and into the Greenstone Valley, which earned him a hero’s welcome back in Dunedin. Hector’s Canadian and New Zealand exploration are just two chapters in this small but perfectly executed book. Some of New Zealand’s best-known historians and scientists, along with descendants of Hector, gathered in 2007 to commemorate the centenary of his death. The Amazing World of James Hector was the resulting series of essays about his life. The well-edited volume manages to create a highly readable text despite the number of authors, with historic photographs, line drawings and other illustrations augmenting the essays. As the book clearly demonstrates, Hector deserves greater recognition. Happily, co-editor Simon Nathan is working on a full biography of James Hector.

Review # 2 was written on 2021-03-28 00:00:00 John Nodrick Even though this book was required reading for my Forensic Science class, I found it absolutely fascinating. I had no idea how in depth the Crime Scene Unit investigators get when it comes to collecting data, transporting that data and then passing it off to the forensic scientist for analyzing. The crimes that have been solved through the talents of individuals who perform forensic science on a daily basis is amazing to me. I realize this book is considered a "textbook", but if you ever want to find out what law enforcement has to go through to solve a crime, I think you might find this an interesting read.