Steve Olson Libros

A historical memoir by Greg Graffin, lead vocalist and songwriter of the influential punk band Bad Religion, chronicles his life within the punk genre that transformed music and culture. Since its formation in Los Angeles in 1980, Bad Religion has produced a significant body of work, becoming a touring powerhouse and leaving a lasting legacy as one of punk rock's most important bands. Graffin's narrative is framed within a cultural history of punk's evolution, reflecting on his journey from his Midwestern upbringing to his pivotal move to Southern California in the mid-'70s, coinciding with the rise of punk and societal shifts. Immersed in the vibrant and often tumultuous punk scene of '80s Los Angeles, Graffin and his friends established Bad Religion, diligently building a fanbase and becoming a touring institution. Balancing his music career with academia, Graffin pursued advanced degrees, embodying a unique duality as a punk rock icon and university lecturer in evolution. His scientific perspective enriches the memoir, making it a distinctive exploration of punk's paradoxes—its pop influences, aspirations for societal improvement, and unifying power—elements that contribute to punk's enduring nature. This insightful memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look at the punk scene while providing astute commentary on its resilience and evolution.

“Take one man who rejects authority and religion, and leads a punk band. Take another man who wonders whether vertebrates arose in rivers or in the ocean, is fascinated by evolution, creativity, and Ice Age animals. Put them together, what do you get? Greg Graffin, and this uniquely fascinating book.” —Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Germs, and SteelAnarchy Evolution is a provocative look at the collision between religion and science, by an author with unique authority: UCLA lecturer in Paleontology, and founding member of Bad Religion, Greg Graffin. Alongside science writer Steve Olson (whose Mapping Human History was a National Book Award finalist), Graffin delivers a powerful discussion sure to strike a chord with readers of Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion or Christopher Hitchens God Is Not Great. In this passionate polemic, Graffin argues that art and science have a deep connection. He describes his own coming-of-age as an artist and the formation of his naturalist worldview over the past three decades. Anarchy Evolution sheds new light on the long-standing debate on religion and the human condition. It is a book for anyone who has ever wondered if God really exists.

A thrilling narrative of scientific triumph, decades of secrecy and the unimaginable destruction wrought by the creation of the atomic bomb

Each summer six math whizzes selected from nearly a half-million American teens compete against the world’s best problem solvers at the International Mathematical Olympiad. Steve Olson followed the six 2001 contestants from the intense tryouts to the Olympiad’s nail-biting final rounds to discover not only what drives these extraordinary kids but what makes them both unique and typical. In the process he provides fascinating insights into the science of intelligence and learning and, finally, the nature of genius. Brilliant, but defying all the math-nerd stereotypes, these teens want to excel in whatever piques their curiosity, and they are curious about almost everything — music, games, politics, sports, literature. One team member is ardent about both water polo and creative writing. Another plays four musical instruments. For fun and entertainment during breaks, the Olympians invent games of mind-boggling difficulty. Though driven by the glory of winning this ultimate math contest, they are in many ways not so different from other teenagers, finding pure joy in indulging their personal passions. Beyond the the Olympiad, Olson sheds light on many questions, from why Americans feel so queasy about math, to why so few girls compete in the subject, to whether or not talent is innate. Inside the cavernous gym where the competition takes place, Count Down uncovers a fascinating subculture and its engaging, driven inhabitants.

Steve Olson erzählt die letzten 150 000 Jahre Menschheitsgeschichte anhand der Informationen, die sich aus unserer DNA ergeben. Seine packende Schilderung räumt mit jedem Rassismus auf. Denn: Die Gene aller Menschen gehen auf eine Urmutter zurück.