Library Journal Review
Astronomer and freelance writer Darling (Gravity's Arc: The Story of Gravity from Aristotle to Einstein and Beyond) and Schulze-Makuch (astrobiology, Washington State Univ.; Voids of Eternity: Alien Encounter) serve up a hearty dose of knowledge seasoned with humor. Readers have nine chapters to delve into, each covering its own "megacatastrophe," e.g., nanotechnology, earthquakes, near-earth objects, and disease. Each chapter concludes with the authors' "catastrophometer" rating, a numberÅbetween one and ten, measuring that particular event's likelihood of occurring within the next 100Åyears. Darling and Schulze-Makuch provide the most current scientific data available on each potential catastrophe and explain why they are unlikely to occur. Verdict Readers will enjoy taking a look into the science behind the disasters so often in the news. Clear and informative, this book is recommended for all readers of popular science.-Michael D. Cramer, Schwarz BioSciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.