Library
The modest purpose of this page consists to share my interest in readings and books on topics which are in some way related to my professional activities. They are classified in categories for simplicity. With reading date and, sometimes, a short comment.
WATER (in general)
Pearce F. (2006). When the rivers run dry - What happens when our water runs out? London (UK): Eden Project Books, 368 p. ISBN 1-903-91957-6.
(read in March 2007)
Must be read, a unique book about (bad) water resources management. Two regrets: 1) not enough maps and, more important, 2) no references at all.
WATER: ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPING
WATER, POLICY, AND POLITICS
Orsenna E. (2008). L'avenir de l'eau - Petit précis de mondialisation II. Paris (France): Fayard, 416 p. ISBN 978-2-213-63465-4.
(read in Rome, Italy in Nov. 2008).
An interesting book, written by a well known French author, which may give the water problems a large audience. But nothing really new for specialists.
Ward D.R. (2003). Obsession de l'eau - Sécheresse, inondations : gérer les extrêmes. Paris (France): Editions Autrement, collection "Mutations", 261 p. ISBN 2-7467-0352-1.
(read in April 2003).
Very instructive, sensible and human examples of people confronted to drought and floods, in various regions of the world.
Villey-Desmeserets F., Ballay D., Henry de Villeneuve C., Tricard D., Le Lourd P. (2001). La politique de préservation de la ressource en eau destinée à la consommation humaine - Rapport d'évaluation du Conseil National de l'Evaluation / Commissariat Général du Plan. Paris (France): La Documentation Française, 408 p. ISBN 2-11-004993-6.
(read in Oct. 2001)
PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (and related topics...)
Lakatos I. (1978). Histoire et méthodologie des sciences. Paris (France): PUF, collection "Bibliothèque d'histoire des sciences", traduction de C. Malamoud et J.-F. Spitz, édition française de 1994, 268 p. ISBN 2 13 045599 9.
(read in April 2008)
A stimulating reading, especially the Chapter 3 on "History of science and its rational reconstructions"
Giere R.N. (1979). Understanding scientific reasoning. New York (USA): Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2nd edition 1984, 398 p. ISBN 0-03-063068-1.
(read in Feb. 2008)
This book is a simple and clear introduction to scientific reasoning, especially regarding basic aspects of statistical inference and probabilities. To be read by all Master students.
Nouvel P. (2000). L'art d'aimer la science. Paris (France): Presses Universitaires de France, collection "Science, histoire et société", 168 p. ISBN 2 13 050931 2.
(read in April 2007)
A very innovating approach of the individual psychology of scientists, radically different from the classical sociology of sciences.
Husserl E. (1936). La crise des sciences européennes et la phénoménologie transcendantale. Paris (France): Gallimard, collection "Tel" n° 151, traduction G. Granel, édition de 2004, 592 p. ISBN 2-07-071719-4.
(read in May-Aug. 2006)
To revisit the way we can base our knowledge and understanding of the world and its phenomena, with a long last section on psychology foundation. Style is not fluent and easy.
Ulises Moulines C. (2006). La philosophie des sciences - L'invention d'une dsicipline, fin du XIX° / début du XX° siècle. Paris (France): Editions Rue d'Ulm, 172 p. ISBN 2-7288-0357-9.
(read in June 2006)
A very good introduction to philosophy of science, including contemporary authors of the last years of the 20th century. Easy to read.

Platon (375 av JC). La République. Paris (France): Garnier-Flammarion, collection "GF" n° 90, traduction R. baccou, édition de 1966, 510 p.
(read in Aug. 1982)
SCIENCE (in general) AND SOME OTHER THINGS
Barbéris I. (coord.) (2009). L'idéologie de l'évaluation - La grande imposture. Revue "Cités", 2009, n° 37, 180 p. ISBN 978-2-13-057251-0.
(read in April 2009).
A lire absolument ! Les articles sont aussi disponibles en ligne sur le site http://www.cairn.info/revue-cites.htm
Newton I. (1686). Principes mathématiques de la philosophie naturelle. Traduction française de 1756 de l'édition anglaise de 1726 par la Marquise du Châtelet, suivie de "Synthèse commentée et analyse des Principa" par la Marquise du Châtelet. Paris (France): Dunod, édition de 2005, 626 p. ISBN 2 10 049335 3.
(read in April 2008)
A key book in physics, but very hard to read especially due to the ancient geometrical calculations which have been replaced by modern analytical methods. The appendix written by la Marquise du Châtelet is a good synthesis and is easier to read.
Abensour C., Sergent B., Wolf E., Testefort J.-P. (2007). De la destruction du savoir en temps de paix - Ecole, Université, Patrimoine, Recherche. Paris (France): Mille et une nuits, 463 p. ISBN 978-2-84205-797-8.
(read in June 2007)
To be aware of some very critical issues and processes for researchers, teachers, etc.
Rosei F., Johnston T. (2006). Survival skills for Scientists. London (UK): Imperial College Press, 205 p. ISBN 1-86094-641-0.
(read in Nov. 2006)
Very valuable for young (and many other) scientists, but a little bit too much politically correct according to my point of view, i.e. the art to play with all the rules... if you accept all the rules as they are.