Just starting? Laboratory of Justice by David Faigman (Times Books), the history of the US Supreme Court鈥檚 attempts to integrate science into the judicial process. 鈥淚 am fascinated by this topic. There are such different definitions of truth in the legal sense versus the scientific sense, and even differences among the various fields of science.鈥� Marcia McNutt has been directly involved in the controversy over whether the use of underwater sound sources such as air guns is detrimental to marine mammals. 鈥淭his issue is being played out in the courts, despite the fact that there is precious little scientific evidence to support claims on either side.鈥�
Just finished? Nickel and Dimed (Metropolitan Books, 2001), Barbara Ehrenreich鈥檚 account of working undercover in minimum-wage jobs in the US. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real eye-opener,鈥� says McNutt. 鈥淢y reaction was to immediately raise the weekly cheque for my cleaning lady.鈥�
Beach read? McNutt likes anything by Clive Cussler, who writes fiction to do with the oceans and marine technology. His entertaining books are 鈥渁 constant reminder that the truth is even more amazing than the fiction. If Cussler only knew about the far-out technology and the mind-boggling discoveries being made just at my institution, he would have even more exciting fodder for the Dirk Pitt adventures.鈥�
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