The Science of Game of Thrones

<i>But [Katsufumi] Sato's conclusions about weight, flapping and flight are disputed by those who definitely believe pterosaurs could fly, who believe that pterosaurs could, pretty much, touch the sky. And they've been thinking about it every night and day.</i>

This book is, in one, oversimplifying word, <b>cool</b>. It just is. It's Game of Thrones, Mythbusters, and the history channel. And it was absolutely fascinating.

With section titles like <i>Sex and the Single Dragon</i>, the essays are sharp, funny, and well put together. So many aspects of Game of Thrones, from dragons to sword making to walls of ice, broken down and investigated and "What If?"'ed.

The majority of the bookmarks I made in this were just for subjects I want to read more about. Some basic, like why have I never read about the Spanish Inquisition? How did I not know that the US government thought loading bats with napalm and flying them into enemy territory was a good idea? Where do I find out more information on Damascus steel? How do people find out stuff like this, I NEED MORE INFORMATION.

Each subject is exceptionally well researched. I'm tickled by the idea of all these scientists and professors being asked to give their opinions on wildfire, 700 foot walls of ice, and what dragons would really be like. And the fact that they did!

Not every subject was a success. The first chapter of the book focuses on dragons, and almost all of the information is focused around komodo dragons. Which are not even close to comparable, and this sets a really bad tone for the book. Luckily it picked up after that, but I wish she'd started with something else.

Also, I'm confused about the lack of an introduction. I realized I was reading an ARC, and I'm hoping the finished product will have an opening. Because it's a waste not to have a chapter telling your audience what they're about to get themselves into. I like intros far more than I do back-of-the-book blurbs.

I cannot stress enough that this book is so freaking cool. A must-have for any Game of Thrones fan, book readers and TV show watchers. There's something in here for everyone.

Readers beware: there are major spoilers contained within the pages of The Science of Game of Thrones. Do not read it unless you've read all of the books that are currently out or have watched all of the seasons of the HBO show! That being said: if you are a fan of the Game of Thrones, in any format, you simply must read this book. From dragons to the effectiveness of female body armor, poisoning to the real possibilities of our world ending in ice or fire, Keen takes us on a scientific examination of all things related to George R.R. Martin's epic series and what a trip it is.

There's a bit of language in The Science of Game of Thrones and some juvenile humor, but, overall, it is much tamer than the source material. Recommended for ages 14+.

A sharp, witty and utterly entertaining book. It gave equal parts real world history and paid homage to the fantasy elements of Martin's work. There's not much more that can be said about it since it really just serves as a fun distraction, but it did that very well. It was just a super fun read and even helped me learn something!

Oh my gosh – I laughed out loud reading The Science of Game of Thrones. Having read GOT before it became famous via the HBO show, and having a best friend who’s a scientist, this book was a must read for me and it didn’t disappoint. Mixing fact and fiction (obviously), it’s an entertaining read, and a great gift for non-serious GOT readers (fans really scare me) and an even better gift for GOT readers who happen to be scientists (or vice versa).