The American Scientist is the magazine of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society. In 1999 to commemorate the end of the century, the magazine sought to compile a list of the most influential science books of the 20th Century. Readers, reviewers, and the editorial staff of the magazine had over time gathered a list of memorable and influential English-language science books. Philip and Phylis Morrison then analyzed the list, organized it into categories, and rounded out the list of titles. The list below is reprinted by permission from The American Scientist (Vol 87, No 6.)

Source: Philip and Phylis Morrison, The American Scientist, Vol 87, No 6