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Serendipity is about accidental discoveries in science. Author Royston M. Roberts wrote the book back in 1989. He differentiates between serendipitous findings and well-thought-out discoveries by discussing the Titanic wreckage site.

Roberts flits from one field to another. He may spend time in one area, but the focus is always on serendipity. The discovery of Penicillin is one such finding. Dr. Alexander Fleming returned from vacation and found mold growing in a petri dish he had sitting out. Rather than throw it away, he noticed the mold prevented bacterial growth.

Archimedes is another character in the annals of science. He realized how to analyze a gold crown and see whether the goldsmith cheated the king.

The book taught me some new things, as well. I didn't know that Louis Pasteur demonstrated the chirality of molecules. What's chirality, you say? Well, molecules have a shape. They can either be left-handed or right-handed, and this handedness depends on how they polarize light.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.