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SURELY YOUR JOKING, MR. FEYNMAN by Richard Feynman. This is one of the funniest, breeziest ramblings you will ever read. Richard Feynman was a Nobel prize winning theoretical physicist and perhaps the last Great Genius of the 20th century. But this book isn't about his discoveries; instead, it's about his exploits as (among other things) artist, safe-cracker, linguist, bongo-player, sociologist, computer designer, and all around practical joker. Truly hilarious, and a must read for anyone who seeks a definition of science. (The sequel Tuva or Bust, which deals with Richard Feynman, the anthropologist, is also recommended.)
THE SLEEPWALKERS, by Authur Koestler. The story of the great astronomers from Pythagoras to Isaac Newton. Although the writing style is somewhat turgid (filled with footnotes and references), the book is still a facinating and at times hilarious story of how science was advanced. The chapter, "The Watershed", which focuses on Johannes Kepler, is legendary and is sometimes published as its own separate book. If you're interested in the history of science, this magnum opus is a must read.
LONELY HEARTS OF THE COSMOS, by Dennis Overbye. What is it like to search for the answer to everything? The books tells the history of 20th century cosmology, and of the cosmologists who have defined our understanding of the universe. A very good read, although sometimes the astronomy gets a bit dense. Tom Hanks bought the rights to the book, and rumor has it that pre-production has started. But, I don't know ... playing an astronaut is one thing, but playing an astronomer is something else!
