Accidental: The Greatest (Unintentional) Science Breakthroughs and How They Changed The World

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Tim James

Accidental

The Greatest (Unintentional) Science Breakthroughs and How They Changed The World

Tim James

$22.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Robinson
10 June 2025

History of science; Popular science

Nominated for the best popular science book of 2024 by Smart Book.

'Who said science was dry? Certainly not Tim James' New York Post

'James writes with infectious enthusiasm and optimism' Kirkus Reviews

'A science teacher by profession, Mr. James knows how to get his audience's attention' Wall Street Journal

'Humorous, yet deep' Professor Charles Antoine

A rip-roaring adventure through science gone wrong, and accidentally changing humanity (mostly) for the better.

We may imagine that science is a process of breakthroughs and light bulb moments. But in reality, science goes wrong 99% of the time.

Almost every idea a scientist comes up with is quickly disproved by a failed experiment or rival research. Science moves at a rate of inches per decade and we often like it that way. But occasionally, just occasionally, a complete fluke happens and changes everything as we know it.

From an untimely sneeze in a petri dish leading to the groundbreaking creation of antibiotics, to the incredible discovery of microwaves via melted chocolate, Accidental is a rip-roaring adventure through science gone wrong, and accidentally changing humanity for the better.

By: Tim James
Imprint: Robinson
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 126mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 184g
ISBN: 9781472148421
ISBN 10: 1472148428
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 10 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Tim James is the child of Welsh/English and Jamaican parents. He was raised in Nigeria, educated in England and lives in America where he is frequently mistaken for an Australian. He taught chemistry and physics for eleven years and now works full-time as an author and screenwriter. Sometimes he has a beard. Tim is the author of five science titles and his books have been translated into eleven languages. Accidental was nominated for the best popular science book of 2024 by Smart Book, a Polish competition endorsed by the prestigious Jagiellonian University and the renowned Copernicus Festival.