Books in Giants of Science series

"Another standout in a uniformly stellar series.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review“[An] engrossing and remarkably accessible biography.” —The Horn Book Albert Einstein. His name has become a synonym for genius. His wild case of bedhead and playful sense of humor made him a media superstar—the first, maybe only, scientist-celebrity. He wasn't much for lab work; in fact he had a tendency to blow up experiments. What he liked to do was think, not in words but in "thought experiments". What was the result of all his thinking? Nothing less than the overturning of Newtonian physics. Once again, Kathleen Krull delivers a witty and astute look at one of the true Giants of Science and the turbulent times in which he lived.

The electrifying biography of innovative scientist Benjamin Franklin is the perfect addition to this outstanding series!Benjamin Franklin is a famous colonial inventor and multitasker who may be best remembered as one of America’s Founding Fathers. But he was also a “natural philosopher” (the term for scientists back in the 1700s), whose experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity—including his famous demonstration that electricity and lightning were one and the same. In a fantastic addition to the much-lauded Giants of Science series, this biography sheds new light on the man who considered science his true calling in life.Praise for the Giants of Science series:“With an inviting, conversational narrative, this series launches with an impressive start.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review of Leonardo da Vinci “The second title in Krull’s Giants of Science series meets, and perhaps even exceeds, expectations set by the debut, Leonardo da Vinci. Krull and Newton are a match made in heaven….” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review of Isaac Newton “ Another standout in a uniformly stellar series.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Albert Einstein“An illuminating, humanizing portrait”—Booklist, starred review of Charles Darwin“Krull presents another top-notch scientific biography in the outstanding Giants of Science series.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Marie Curie “Krull lives up to the promise of the first two entries in her Giants of Science series with this lucid and thoughtful examination of Freud’s life, work, and legacy.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review of Sigmund Freud

“An illuminating, humanizing portrait of a famous scientist.” —Booklist, starred reviewAll his life, Charles Darwin hated controversy. Yet he takes his place among the Giants of Science for what remains an immensely controversial subject: the theory of evolution. Darwin began piecing together his explanation for how all living things change or adapt during his five-year voyage on HMS Beagle. But it took him twenty years to go public, for fear of the backlash his theory would cause. Once again, Kathleen Krull delivers a witty and astute picture of one of history's greatest scientists.

Sure, almost all kids know Benjamin Franklin as one of America’s Founding Fathers, a man with a hand in both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. And they may even have some vague idea that he once flew a kite during a lightning storm. What Kathleen Krull sets out to do in this very different biography is show Ben Franklin the “natural philosopher” (the term for scientists back in the 1700s), whose experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity—including his famous demonstration that electricity and lightning were one and the same.As always, this much-lauded series presents a true Giant of Science in a juicily anecdotal way. This is social history at its best. . . . who knew that Franklin became such a megastar that Paris shops sold Ben dolls, Ben ashtrays, even Ben wallpaper?Witty and engaging, this is a worthy addition to the Giants of Science series.

Albert Einstein. His name has become a synonym for genius. His wild case of bedhead and playful sense of humor made him a media superstar--the first, maybe only, scientist-celebrity. He wasn't much for lab work; in fact he had a tendency to blow up experiments. What he liked to do was think, not in words but in "thought pictures." What was the result of all his thinking? Nothing less than the overturning of Newtonian physics. Once again, Kathleen Krull delivers a witty and astute look at one of the true "Giants of Science" and the turbulent times in which he lived.

In 1865, a British surgeon named Joseph Lister made a discovery that revolutionized medicine. For years he had been disturbed over the high rate of infection and death in hospitals, which were known as "houses of death." After studying the work of Louis Pasteur, Lister became convinced that germs caused infection. He began using antiseptics in the operating room -- and the results were dramatic. This book chronicles the life of Joseph Lister, the man who became known as the "Father of Antiseptics." (20020401)

Isaac Newton's discovery and descriptions of the laws of gravity in the 1600s revolutionized the world of science instantly. But this was not Newton's only achievement. He also made groundbreaking advances with theories on light, motion, and astronomy. Knighted and hailed as the greatest scientist of all time, Newton's work remains vital and profound even today.