By clicking “Accept,” you agree to the use of cookies and similar technologies on your device as set forth in our Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy. Please note that certain cookies are essential for this website to function properly and do not require user consent to be deployed.
The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog
And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science
Contributors
Formats and Prices
Price
$18.99Price
$24.99 CADFormat
Format:
- ebook $18.99 $24.99 CAD
- Hardcover $30.00 $40.00 CAD
- Audiobook Download (Unabridged) $24.99
Also available from:
Why would anyone research how elephants pee? Or study worms who tie themselves into a communal knot? Or quantify the squishability of a cockroach? It all sounds pointless, silly, or even disgusting.
Maybe it is. But in The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog, 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. And what’s more, this stuff is simply cool.
York invites readers 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.
Genre:
-
"Carly 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
- On Sale
- Jun 17, 2025
- Page Count
- 288 pages
- Publisher
- Basic Books
- ISBN-13
- 9781541605220
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use