Topic
Science book summaries
The best popular-science book summaries — physics, biology, evolution, and the cosmos, in their core ideas.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
The Selfish Gene
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Behave
On the Origin of Species
Cosmos
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Thinking in Systems: A Primer
What Happened To You?
Silent Spring
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope
The Body: A Guide for Occupants
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
Life 3.0
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity—and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
How to Change Your Mind
The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers: The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping
Entangled Life
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted
Other Minds
Learning How to Learn
Abundance
Deep Nutrition
Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself
Isaac's Storm
Drink?: The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health
The Age-Proof Brain
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: And Other Clinical Tales
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Science books?
Among the most widely read science titles summarized on SummaryShelf are Sapiens, A Brief History of Time, A Short History of Nearly Everything, Guns, Germs, and Steel, and Why We Sleep — ordered here by how many readers have shelved them.
Where should I start with Science?
Sapiens is the most-read pick in this topic and a solid place to begin. Each summary is a 4–5 minute read, so you can sample a few before deciding what to read in full.
How many Science book summaries are on SummaryShelf?
46, and growing — each distilled to its core ideas in a few minutes.