SCIENCES

Taxi from Another Planet: Conversations with Drivers About Life in the Universe

by Charles S. Cockell
Harvard Univ. Aug. 2022. 228p. ISBN 9780674271838. $26.95. SCI
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Cockell (astrobiology, Univ. of Edinburgh; The Equations of Life) provides a unique perspective on teaching science-related topics by opening each one with a random conversation with a taxi driver. His humorous conversations include the philosophical explorations of alien life and intergalactic space travel. Cockell’s approach is just a launching pad to introduce relatively complex subjects that involve a level of consideration and thinking that only a trained scientist could lend credibility. Most chapters begin under the guise of conversations but merge more into college-level astrobiology lectures. He provides an excellent recommendation list for further reading to explore topics in more depth.
VERDICT An interesting and humorous approach to questions about the universe with relatively in-depth subject exploration. Recommended to expand a science collection for general interest readers.
Reviewed by Gary Medina , Jun 01, 2022
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