"Selecting a book to read can sometimes be overwhelming: countless books are published every year, and there are countless more published years ago that we haven't gotten around to. If you'd like to incorporate some science books into your TBR (to-be-read) list, Scientific American has been reviewing books for well more than 100 years. Below is a collection of some of our favorite (and sometimes downright snarky) book reviews over the past century."
"In March 1931 Scientific American reviewed Frank H. Livingston's 1930 book Tuberculosis 12 years before a cure for the eponymous disease was found. We noted that the book had a layman author and said although entirely non-professional we recommend it highly for its common sense and helpful spirit pretty high praise from us back then! Published in March 2025, author John Green's latest book, Everything Is Tuberculosis, arrived at a vastly different historical moment:tuberculosis cures are readily available."
A century of science book reviews pairs older titles with recently published counterparts on similar topics to show evolving scientific knowledge and social context. Examples include a 1930 tuberculosis book paired with a 2025 title that contrasts pre-cure perspectives with modern treatment availability and ongoing inequities. Another pairing links a 1932 hearing-preservation guide with a 2025 book on noise and societal impact. The collection highlights how medical advances, public health developments, and social inequities shape both disease persistence and how scientific subjects are framed for readers over time.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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