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1. Great read
   I remembered Forrest M. Mims III from his Radio Shack books that have been a great reference source over the years. I don’t normally read biographies, but this one peaked my interest. I had no idea how many things he had done, and is still doing. It’s a fun read but also inspiring as he proves you can do very good work in science (and other technical fields) even if you don’t have the “official credentials”.Highly recommended.

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2. We need more amateur scientists like this
   This is the candid story of a kind of amateur science enthusiast that was common in Victorian England but is rare in the modern world. Forrest Mims’ work is well known.This book also tells (objectively and verifiably) how he was denied a writing opportunity at Scientific American because of religious beliefs that he was not going to mention in the magazine articles. That episode was fairly well known at the time, and I think it caused Scientific American to lose some prestige that it never regained.

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3. The story of one of the best brains in science cancelled
   My main interest in this book was Mims’ experience of facing discrimination. Mims’ dream was to take over the amateur scientist column in his favorite magazine, Scientific American. The problem was Mims was not a Darwinists but rather believed that the existence of life was due to an intelligent creator. The problem began when the editor, Jonathan Piel, in an employment interview asked Mims about what magazines he had written for in the past. Mims listed magazines such as Texas Parks and Wildlife. Mims then made the mistake of noting that he wrote for some Christian magazines on bike rides for church kids. Piel then jumped back, asking in amazement “You said Christian Magazines!” (p. 136) Then he firmly demanded “Do you accept the Darwinian theory of evolution?” In the conversation with Piel, Mims mentioned Darwin’s doubts about his own theory. From the two chapters on this event it became clear that to write for Scientific American one must accept Darwinism and no tolerance is allowed to those who doubt it. You must believe it. In spite of the clear evidence that Mims was a brilliant scientist, and Scientific American did publish three of his columns (why is a long story), Mims’ career there was finished, as was the longest running column in Scientific American’s history. So much for tolerance in science. Scientific American has for years regularly published ads supporting atheism and atheist organizations, but they have refused to publish paid ads for creation journals written by scientists. The founder of Scientific American, Rufus Porter, was a creationist, writing that we must “acknowledge God as our Creator.” (page 131). This book documents why.

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4. Mr. Mims inspired me as a kid in the 80’s with his books. And this book explains why.
   Mr. Mims inspired me back in the 80’s when I bought his Radio Shack book “Introduction to Electronics”. “Introduction to Electronics” piqued my interest in electronics in my teens and Radio Shack was a place of wonder back in the 80’s before they became a reseller of mobile phones and satellite dish services.His new memoir “Make: Maveric Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist” provides us his “origin story” and is quite fascinating. From his struggle with Scientific America to his multi-decade environmental observations. He shows us that you dont have to be a PHD and have a huge budget to participate in scientific studies. I also never knew about his participation in the Altair 8800. Learning that history alone is worth purchasing the book.I did study science in the 80’s as a Geography major in college. I didn’t end up going the science route but ended up in software development. But because, in part, of Mr. Mims’ radio shack books, I continued to dabble in electronics. I have taken this knowledge and do environmental monitoring of water temperature, with triggers that alert volunteers for rescuing sea turtles from cold stunning. I also have monitoring of air conditions and others, storing in a database for future analysis and predictions.Mr. Mims’ book shows that there is a place for amateur scientists who can make a huge impact on society and learning.

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5. #1 Bestselling Author on WSJ loves this book!
   I’ve had adventures around the globe, including winning a survival reality show! But they pale compared to the adventures wonderfully described in this book. My friend Forrest M. Mims III has had amazing adventures in science that led him to being called “One of the 50 best brains in science’ by Discover magazine! LOVING this new book telling these stories of how a man with no formal training changed the world. Along with every adult, every youth with any interest in science at all should read this book. It will inspire them to run with it, and who knows: maybe they’ll change the world like Mr. Mims did!Terry L. Fossum, #1 Bestselling Author, The Wall Street Journal

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6. An inspiring memoir for aspiring scientists
   Forrest Mims, does not have a formal degree in science, but in government. But it seems as if the science education was doing one science project after another since childhood. Another lesson to be learned from his book is experts, aren’t infallible, or always right. he accomplished what people said could not be accomplished. it is interesting to read the chapter where he talks about science, fair projects that his children worked on. He advises that the parents provide minimal supervision and do not do the project for their children. His children received recognition for their work in science. His life makes a strong case for amateur scientists. Professional don’t have all the answers.

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7. If you methodically and with integrity record empirical observations of natural phenomena around you, and from that data draw accurate conclusions are you a scientist?What if your instruments are home made? What if your conclusions challenge the status quo? What if you hold to an unpopular opinion?Make: Maverick Scientist: My Adventures as an Amateur Scientist is a wonderful, wandering string of stories of the adventures Forest has had. I would have loved to have him as a friend or father.I was not expecting the number of anecdotes in this book to affect and encourage me as much as they have.

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8. Having read many of Forrest’s articles in Make magazine I was keen to learn more about the man behind the projects. This book doesn’t disappoint. The tenacity of the man is phenomenal. No setback is ever a setback for long. His involvement in the effective start of Microsoft, the very beginning, is fascinating. A must read for all makers.

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