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Review
'Extremely readable' --Guardian
Product Description
If superheroes stepped off the comic book page, could they actually work their wonders in a world constrained by the laws of physics? How strong would Superman have to be to 'leap tall buildings in a single bound'? Could Storm of the 'X-Men' possibly control the weather? James Kakalios provides an engaging and witty commentary while introducing the lay reader to both classical and cutting-edge concepts in physics, including: what Superman's strength can tell us about the Newtonian physics of force, mass, and acceleration; what villains like Electro and Magneto tell us about electricity and magnetism; how Iceman's powers show the principles of thermal dynamics; what the Human Top can tell us about angular momentum; why physics professors gone bad are the most dangerous evil geniuses... and more!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Whether you have to or choose to study physics, this book is fun. It explores exactly what the title says. Makes physics feel feasible.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
25 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
What a physics textbook should be!
17 Aug 2007
Format:Paperback
This really could be a textbook to teach physics by. It is very well written and flows so smoothly, you won't realize how much you've learned. It covers every aspect of physics starting with simple forces and progressing to Quantum Mechanics all the while using superheroes as examples. I can only imagine that the author must be a great professor. I've been out of college for 15 years and I would go take his class. He finds the right combination of logic, humor, & scientific information to make this a great read. You could even skim over the more technical parts concering equations if you're not into the mathematics and still get a great understanding of the point he is trying to make.
I actually thought this would be more of a compilation of superhero examples from a comicbook point of view. I had envisioned a rough analysis of many superheroes involving each of their attributes & discussing what was & what was not correct about them in the comic book world. The book is actually very different from that focusing on really only a few main figures such as Superman, Spiderman, The Atom, & Ironman. The book is structured more or less as a physics outline as I mentioned above & it works out very well this way. Almost everyone is familiar with Superman & Spiderman in some respects and the beginning of the book focuses primarily on these two figures. By then, if you're still reading, it won't matter if you really know the rest of the superheroes by then anyway. The author provides enough of a storyline background (to satisfy comic book fans) and to tell you everything you need to know concering the physics aspect.
I don't think you really need a background in physics or comicbooks to appreciate this book, maybe at least an interest in one or the other. Either way it is very informative. Being a comic book fan from way back in the seventies it was great to hear some stories and characters mentioned again that I have been away from for a long time. And if you've taken physics classes, many moons ago as I have, you'll be surprised at how well the information is presented. I think the author explains Quantum physics better than anyone I've had teach it to me.
I actually thought this would be more of a compilation of superhero examples from a comicbook point of view. I had envisioned a rough analysis of many superheroes involving each of their attributes & discussing what was & what was not correct about them in the comic book world. The book is actually very different from that focusing on really only a few main figures such as Superman, Spiderman, The Atom, & Ironman. The book is structured more or less as a physics outline as I mentioned above & it works out very well this way. Almost everyone is familiar with Superman & Spiderman in some respects and the beginning of the book focuses primarily on these two figures. By then, if you're still reading, it won't matter if you really know the rest of the superheroes by then anyway. The author provides enough of a storyline background (to satisfy comic book fans) and to tell you everything you need to know concering the physics aspect.
I don't think you really need a background in physics or comicbooks to appreciate this book, maybe at least an interest in one or the other. Either way it is very informative. Being a comic book fan from way back in the seventies it was great to hear some stories and characters mentioned again that I have been away from for a long time. And if you've taken physics classes, many moons ago as I have, you'll be surprised at how well the information is presented. I think the author explains Quantum physics better than anyone I've had teach it to me.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A true geek's book
10 Jan 2006
Format:Hardcover
Although I no longer collect comic books and I no longer take physics classes, I still have an interest in both. As such, it was with great pleasure that I recently read Kakalios's book. A marvelous interweaving of easy-to-grasp physics with an amusing look into comic books (and groan-worthy humor from the author). As a lover of math, I would have enjoyed seeing more math to get from one point to another, but I was more than happy to keep a pad of paper by my side to see if I could derive formulas on my own. The book is written in a very easy to understand manner, and although there are parts that get a little hairy (or maybe I was just a little tired), the overall feel of the book is one of a nice summer reader. Not so easy that you'll have to get out of the hammock in an hour or so, but not so hard that you'll throw the book across the lawn and take a nap instead.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The Physics of Superheros
13 Aug 2008
Format:Paperback
WOW!
I am a middle school teacher in Crockett CA. I have taught science, language arts, reading and history over the past five years. Science has always been my favorite subject, and my passion, and this book is part of that passion for learning and understanding. Now I am an 8th grade science teacher, and have found this book the most valuable in my teaching collection.
Not only is it informative, but it's an attention grabber that can't be put down. Cover to cover, Jim Kalalios writes in a style that is mater a fact, with simple explanation of the most complex formulas.
I use his text, as will as others and superheroes as a device to stimulate my students in all areas of learning, but in science, this book is the back bone of my curriculum. Jim's explanations of "matter", "energy", "the dead cat theory", and "the string theory" are clearly and thoughtfully exposed using superheroes and their super powers. How is it possible for Superman to jump tall buildings, and Flash to runs at such speeds? The "principle of conservation of energy" along with the formula for "work", and "kinetic energy" are explained in fascinating detail. All students can understand this! I can't think of teaching without this powerful and enlighten book.
If you teach science, from K-12 or college, this book is a must! I also can't express my sear joy to have met him at ComicCon 2008, and get his signature in my dog eared book. Thanks Jim!!!
As a foot note, my daughter is attending UC Irvine where a teacher offers course called "The science of superheroes" base solely on Jim's book. Check it out!
I am a middle school teacher in Crockett CA. I have taught science, language arts, reading and history over the past five years. Science has always been my favorite subject, and my passion, and this book is part of that passion for learning and understanding. Now I am an 8th grade science teacher, and have found this book the most valuable in my teaching collection.
Not only is it informative, but it's an attention grabber that can't be put down. Cover to cover, Jim Kalalios writes in a style that is mater a fact, with simple explanation of the most complex formulas.
I use his text, as will as others and superheroes as a device to stimulate my students in all areas of learning, but in science, this book is the back bone of my curriculum. Jim's explanations of "matter", "energy", "the dead cat theory", and "the string theory" are clearly and thoughtfully exposed using superheroes and their super powers. How is it possible for Superman to jump tall buildings, and Flash to runs at such speeds? The "principle of conservation of energy" along with the formula for "work", and "kinetic energy" are explained in fascinating detail. All students can understand this! I can't think of teaching without this powerful and enlighten book.
If you teach science, from K-12 or college, this book is a must! I also can't express my sear joy to have met him at ComicCon 2008, and get his signature in my dog eared book. Thanks Jim!!!
As a foot note, my daughter is attending UC Irvine where a teacher offers course called "The science of superheroes" base solely on Jim's book. Check it out!
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