Science of the Magical, Matt Kaplan
Science of the Magical, Matt Kaplan
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Science of the Magical
From the Holy Grail to Love Potions to Superpowers

Author: Matt Kaplan

Narrator: Eric Michael Summerer

Unabridged: 7 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 11/10/2015

Synopsis

Can migrations of birds foretell our future? Do phases of the moon hold sway over our lives? Are there sacred springs that cure the ill? What is the best way to brew a love potion? How do we create mutant humans who regenerate like Wolverine?

In Science of the Magical, noted science journalist Matt Kaplan plumbs the rich, lively, and surprising history of the magical objects, places, and rituals that infuse ancient and contemporary myth. Like Ken Jennings and Mary Roach, Kaplan serves as a friendly armchair guide to the world of the supernatural. From the strengthening powers of Viking mead to the super soldiers in movies like Captain America, Kaplan ranges across cultures and time periods to point out that there is often much more to these enduring magical narratives than mere fantasy. Informative and entertaining, Science of the Magical explores our world through the compelling scope of natural and human history and cutting-edge science.

About Matt Kaplan

Matt Kaplan, the author of The Science of Monsters, is a science correspondent with the Economist. He has also contributed to National Geographic, New Scientist, Nature, and the New York Times. In 2014, Matt was awarded a Knight Science Journalism fellowship, which he used to study the sciences at MIT and folklore at Harvard.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Heidi

"Does knowing how something magical works make it into something other than magic?" pg 7 In Science of the Magical, science correspondent Matt Kaplan examines phenomena from prophecy to immortality and more, seeking the science behind the magic. The result is a compelling look at life and humanity's......more

Goodreads review by Melora

Exuberantly (and openly) speculative, Kaplan connects a wide range of magical beliefs, traditions, myths, and legends, with current scientific and historical explanations. “Science of the Magical” is interesting, fun, and sometimes even persuasive. As a science journalist for the Economist, Kaplan is......more

Goodreads review by Ionia

Need a bit of personality with your nonfiction? Enter Matt Kaplan. If you are on a quest to expand your brain and find magic, mythology, ancient lore and religion all to be interesting topics but can't handle one more dry, unemotional observation, you should really consider giving this book a go. I......more

Goodreads review by Kirsty

I like a quirky non-fiction book. I'm not an academic; I just like to learn things. Still, I wish this had gone a little more in-depth.......more

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