202 pages
Raincoast Books
Reviewed by Christine Hearn

Barry Shell profiles 24 of Canada’s greatest scientists in his award-winning book for kids (2005 Science in Society Youth Book Award). In clear, easy-to-understand language Shell asks big questions including, “How does the universe work?” “Where does it start?” and “How does it end?” He then introduces us to some of the people who are trying to answer those questions.

The scientists range from Nobel Chemistry Prize winner John Polanyi, who uses molecules to explain energy relationships in chemical reactions, to SFU psychologist Doreen Kimura, a world expert on sex differences in the brain, to SFU physical anthropologist Birute Galdikas, the world’s foremost authority on orangutans.

The book is conveniently organized in 24 chapters, one chapter to each scientist. The chapters are broken down into categories:

“Personal Info” covers the scientist’s background
“His/Her Story” tells of a dramatic moment in the scientist’s life
“The Young Scientist” describes what the scientist was like as a kid
“The Science” explains the kind of science each one does
“So You Want to Be a...” looks at careers in each particular field
“Activity” provides a science experiment
“Mystery” outlines a problem in each field the next generation might solve
“Explore Further” provides a list of reading material

It’s all designed to get the budding scientist thinking about what has gone on and what might lie ahead.

Shell is research communications manager for the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The book is based on interviews with the scientists and expands on his work on the web site <www.science.ca> that profiles 248 Canadian scientists in 39 areas of expertise.

Cockeyed: A Memoir
Ryan Knighton (BA’95, MA’98) writes about going blind at age 18 – not a funny subject. Yet his unflinching memoir is so hilarious and so brilliant it has been compared to the work of humorist David Sedaris. Buy this book! Knighton also scores with a column in the Sunday New York Times Style section. <www.ryanknighton.com>

Anarchive
The English department’s Stephen Collis is shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize at the B.C. Book Awards. Anarchive explores the anarchist involvement in the Spanish Civil War through images, characters, and voices. <http://newstarbooks.com/view-book.asp?id=10>

Through the Sunshine
Dan Propp (PDP’78, BGS’85) writes a novel about growing up as a Jew in Gibsons, B.C. in the 1950s. It’s a unique collection of childhood memories of a sunny time, juxtaposed with the inner storm of two parents who had escaped from Nazi Germany just in time. <www.Danpropp.com>

Is This All There Is?
Master of Liberal Studies candidate Andreas Abele (BA’98) says there is a lot more to life and he says he can show you how to get there by transforming your discontent to a positive outcome. The book reveals the Five Power Steps for achieving successful transitions.
<www.fivepowersteps.com>

Vancouver Landmarks
This handy little architectural and historical guidebook by James Lees (PDP’69, BA’76) gives brief outlines of attractions such as the Vancouver Public Library, the Orpheum, and Granville Island.
<www.vancouverlandmarks.ca>

Community Mental Health in Canada
Simon Davis (PhD’94) provides a critical overview of the way mental health services are delivered in Canada. <www.ubcpress.ubc.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=4544> .aq

Column Art photo scan: courtesy Erik Tofsrud

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