Three Book Recommendations
Bowler Hat Science from Matthew R Francis
Today’s installment should properly be a full text, but alas I am (as usual) out of time. So, instead, here are three very short reviews of nonfiction books that have come out in 2025 that I highly recommend. None are strictly science, but two are relevant to issues I’ve written extensively about, and all three are relevant to all of us.
The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story by Brandy Schillace. Despite the subtitle, this book mostly takes place before the establishment of the Weimar Republic between the two World Wars. It’s a detailed history of the fight for gay and trans rights in Germany from the point of view of medical/psychology history, starting in the late 19th century and continuing through the rise of the Nazis. The narrative focuses on Magnus Hirschfeld’s clinic that pioneered hormone treatments, but also includes the long-running battle to decriminalize homosexuality and overcome the stigmas against sexual and gender minorities, both in culture and in psychology. (Disclaimer: I know Brandy personally, but you should read this book anyway!)
The AI Con by Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna. One common argument I’ve heard is that you cannot oppose the use of “artificial intelligence” unless you know a lot about it. This book will fix that problem, and also make you realize that many of the people pushing hardest for “AI” don’t really understand it themselves. The AI Con looks at the damage “AI” has already done to internet search engines, journalism/other forms of writing, science, education, law enforcement, and beyond. Whether you’re afraid “AI” will destroy the planet, Terminator-style, think it’s a harmless toy, or believe it’s an inevitability (ptui), this book will enlighten you, entertain you, and give you the tools you need to push back against the “AI” con being sold to us by everyone from the tech sector to people in the government.
The Last American Road Trip by Sarah Kendzior. This isn’t a science book and barely touches on anything scientific, but as a memoir that speaks to this American moment, I rank it with — and possibly above — classic road trip books like Travels with Charley or Blue Highways (not least since it’s not a book by a manly man doing man things). It’s a solid reminder of why we care about things like (yes!) science journalism when fascism is ascendant.
Callisto Has Felt Neglected
Bowlerhattishly thine,
Matthew
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