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Not so long ago we could not measure sound, color, blood pressure, or even time. We now are in the throes of a measurement revolution, from the laboratory to the sports arena, from the classroom to the courtroom, from a strand of DNA to the far reaches of outer space. But does it all measure up? John Henshaw examines the ways in which measurement makes sense or creates nonsense, taking a closer look at everything from Plato's intelligence index to the tracking of global warming, hurricanes, and tsunamis. "A common thread throughout is the interrelationship of knowledge and measurement, an interrelationship that can both mislead and educate. Along the way, Henshaw does a great job of tossing in historical anecdotes, raising philosophical concerns, identifying social issues, and providing interesting factoids. The book is fun to read."—Choice
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