The Best American Science Writing 2006

The Best American Science Writing 2006

Together these twenty-one articles on a wide range of today's most leading topics in science, from Dennis Overbye, Jonathan Weiner, and Richard Preston, among others, represent the full spectrum of scientific inquiry, proving once again that "good science writing is evidently plentiful" (American Scientist). From Publishers WeeklySurgeon andNew Yorker contributor Gawande (Complications) says the "coolest" science writing isn't necessarily found in the science press. His collection of the year's best includes only one research paper-anAmerican Scientist treatise on yawning. And though Jack Hitt's essay (fromHarper's), on racist subtexts in the archeological study of who the first Americans were, has footnotes, they tend to contain side jokes, not science. Most of Gawande's selections come from mainstream publications like theNew York Times and theAtlantic Monthly, and especially from fellowNew Yorker writers like Elizabeth Kolbert (on avian flu), Jonathan Weiner (on a rare neurological disease) and Richard Preston (on redwoods). Still, there are plenty of opportunities for writers at other publications to shine. D.T. Max's piece from theNew York TimesMagazine presents a lively inquiry into "literary Darwinism," speculating on the evolutionary function of storytelling. And in the anthology's most moving essay (fromWired), Michael Chorost recounts his efforts to find hearing aid technology that will help him to hear Ravel'sBol