Fear of Physics: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Lawrence M. Krauss

Overview

"Assume the cow is a sphere." So begins this lively, irreverent, and informative look at everything from the physics of boiling water to cutting-edge research at the observable limits of the universe. Rich with anecdotes and accessible examples, Fear of Physics nimbly ranges over the tools and thought behind the world of modern physics, taking the mystery out of what is essentially a very human intellectual endeavour.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780465007134
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	07/30/2007
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	773,412
Lexile:	1320L (what's this?)
File size:	781 KB

About the Author

Lawrence M. Krauss is Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics at Case Western Reserve University. He is the only physicist to have received the top awards by the American Physical Society, the American Institute of Physics, and the American Association of Physics Teachers. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

What People are Saying About This

Robert K. Adair

"Readable, amusing, and wise. Krauss tells how a good scientist thinks about nature."

Editorial Reviews

Fear of Physics is perhaps the first major work to successfully convey how physicists think. It's fun to follow along.

Christian Science Monitor

A splendid book for those who...want to tour the forefront of theoretical physics with a lively and inventive mind.

Washington Post Book World

Krauss ( Cosmic Strings ), who teaches physics at Yale University, delivers a three-part lecture for lay readers on today's dominant research questions in theoretical physics. In six broad-ranging chapters with such titles as ``The Art of Numbers'' and ``The Search for Symmetry,'' he examines and explains ``the tools that guide physicists in their work.'' The accomplishments and views of such giants of modern physics as Einstein, Feynman and Heisenberg are used to illustrate the inventiveness required of those in the field. While Krauss acknowledges that this is a limited selection of ideas--the ``hidden realities'' of physics, not its stuff--he nonetheless serves quantum mechanics well. Also well-served are the interests of the general reader as Krauss, persistently hewing to the basics, never falls into patronization or catchy metaphor. Supplemented by Larry Gonick and Art Huffman's The Cartoon Guide to Physics , this is a primer on the wonders of physics. Library of Science selection. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In describing ``the flavor of physics'' and how physicists ``do'' and have ``done'' physics, this short, charming, quick-paced book conveys the joy of ``making new connections'' in the physical world. Aiming his book at the nonscientist, the author hopes to give readers their own insight into the wonder associated with the art of physics and the symmetry and hidden realities of the world. Krauss, a professor of theoretical physics at Yale University who teaches a course called Physics for Poets, insistently reminds readers that physics is a part of ``our cultural experience,'' a part of who we are and even that we are. Highly recommended.-- Diane M. Fortner, Univ . of California Lib., Berkeley

Library Journal

An easy-to-read, accurate discussion of the ideas of physics and how physicists invent new ones. Witty and informative. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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