The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog
And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science
Author: Carly Anne York
A playful examination of how science's silliest research leads to crucial breakthroughs and enduring insights.
23rd June 2025
Paperback
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
A playful examination of how science's silliest research leads to crucial breakthroughs and enduring insights.
Description
'York is a witty, whip-smart, lithely engaging science storyteller, truly one of our best'
Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Fuzz A playful examination of how science's silliest research leads to crucial breakthroughs and enduring insights. Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? Carly Anne York shows how unappreciated, overlooked and simply curiosity-driven science has led to breakthroughs big and small. Got wind power? You might have humpback whales to thank. Know anything about particle physics? Turns out there is a ferret close to the heart of it all. And if you want to keep salmon around, be thankful for that cannon! The research itself can seem bizarre, but it drives our economy. York invites us to appreciate the often-unpredictable journey of scientific exploration, highlighting that the heart of science lies in the relentless pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Emphasizing the hard work of the people behind the discoveries, this is an accessible, story-driven book that shows how important and exciting it is to simply let curiosity run wild.Critic Reviews
Bravo! Carly Anne York leaps to the defense of basic scientific research with wit, passion, and unabashed wonder. Filled with insights and eureka moments, The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog is a timely, thought-provoking, and thoroughly terrific read -- Thor Hanson, author of CLOSE TO HOME
York is a witty, whip-smart, lithely engaging science storyteller, truly one of our best. This book is a celebration of curiosity and a spirited defense of the quirky endeavors it inspires. With clear but never dumbed-down explanations and an infectious taste for the surreal, York makes the case for pure inquiry -- showcasing the value and world-changing discoveries that come of asking why. Fascinating, entertaining, and a welcome antidote to the small minds of certain politicians -- Mary Roach, author of STIFF and FUZZ
About the Author
Carly Anne York is currently an associate professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She received her PhD in ecological studies from Old Dominion University. She is also the author of two nonfiction science books for children, A Day in the Life: Horses and Queens of the Jungle. She lives in North Carolina.
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23rd June 2025
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