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I probably read 30-40 books a year in my free time, and they usually don’t involve much in the way of science (though the occasional sci-fi page-turner is fun). My mother sent me a reader’s copy of How to Clone the Perfect Blonde by Sue Nelson and Richard Hollingham this fall to review for the bookstore.

Yes, it’s funny–very funny. I think it’s an excellent example that science writing need not be dry–the authors (BBC science writers) cover topics from cloning and genetic engineering to quantum teleporation and black holes. What I think is impressive is the way they transition from topic to topic so smoothly. They don’t go into great depth on each topic, but they write in a very readable, accessible, irreverent style, and use a good splash of humor. I would love to see more science writing in this sort of style.

While a hard-core science type might complain that while the book surveys robotics, time travel, quantum teleportation, cloning, cryogenics, black holes, gene therapy, and artificial intelligence, among other topics, there aren’t “enough details.” But the end of the book includes a list of further reading and I think the main audience is for non-scientists or for those of us who’d like to read more accessible summaries of other fields.

There’s also been a review in Popular Science and it made the list for NPR Science Friday’s Best Science Books of 2004. Not bad for a book that’s been out in the UK for over a year already.

When I had a brief blurb about the book on my main homepage, I even received an e-mail from Sue Nelson:

Glad you’re enjoying the book. Spread the word!!

It’s officially out in the States November 30th.

I’d give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. And not just because the authors are following reviews on people’s webpages.