The acclaimed Science of Discworld centred around an original Pratchett story about the Wizards of Discworld. In it they accidentally witnessed the creation and evolution of our universe, a plot which was interleaved with a Cohen & Stewart non-fiction narrative about Big Science. In The Science of Discworld II our authors join forces again to see just what happens when the wizards meddle with history in a battle against the elves for the future of humanity on Earth. London is replaced by a dozy Neanderthal village. The Renaissance is given a push. The role of fat women in art is developed. And one very famous playwright gets born and writes The Play. Weaving together a fast-paced Discworld novelette with cutting-edge scientific commentary on the evolution and development of the human mind, culture, language, art, and science, this is a book in which 'the hard science is as gripping as the fiction'. (The Times)
Review
"A book in which the hard science is as gripping as the fiction" The Times 20040426 "Superb, neatly fulfilling its goal of introducing science without being boring of didactic. This is a genuinely mind-expanding and very funny book." Good Book Guide 20040426 "Entertaining, instructive and illuminating" New Scientist 20040426
From the Inside Flap
The sequel to the bestselling Science of Discworld.
The acclaimed Science of Discworld centered around an original Pratchett story about the Wizards of Discworld. In it, they accidentally witness the creation and evolution of our universe in a plot interwoven with a Cohen & Stewart non-fiction narrative about Big Science. In The Globe, the same structure applies, only this time the themes are Human Science: History, Origins of Language, Archaeology, Anthropology, Evolutionary Psychology and, overall, the importance of Story to our culture (and of course to all Pratchett fans). There is a well-known theory that there are only seven stories known to man. The Elves of Discworld have discovered an eighth ? a story of awesome power ? which they play out on Roundworld (Earth) in their attempt to defeat the Witches of Discworld.