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Review
With a large measure of humor and a minimum of math (one equation), physics professor Goldberg and engineer Blomquist delve into the fascinating physics topics that rarely make it into introductory classes, including time travel, extraterrestrials, and "quantum weirdness" to prove that physics′ "reputation for being hard, impractical, and boring" is wrong by at least two–thirds: "Hard? Perhaps. Impractical? Definitely not... But boring? That′s where we really take issue." Breaking up each topic into common sense questions ("How many habitable planets are there?" "What is Dark Matter?" "If the universe is expanding, what′s it expanding into?"), the duo provides explanations in everyday language with helpful examples, analogies, and Blomquist′s charmingly unpolished cartoons. Among other lessons, readers will learn about randomness through gambling; how a Star Trek–style transporter might function in the real world; and what may have existed before the Big Bang. Despite the absence of math, this nearly–painless guide is still involved and scientific, aimed at science hobbyists rather than science–phobes; it should also prove an ideal reference companion for more technical classroom texts. 100 b&w photos. (Mar.) (PublishersWeekly.com, March 29, 2010)
"If you′ve ever wondered what happened before the big bang or where the universe is expanding, then the new book A User′s Guide to the Universe is for you. A hilariously serious journey through all the big questions (Can I build a time machine?) with answers from real–life physicist David Goldberg and sly illustrator Jeff Blomquist, this indispensable window on modern science makes a great nonfiction companion to the beloved, A Hitchhiker′s Guide to the Galaxy." (Christian Science Monitor)
Product Description
Answers to science′s most enduring questions from "Can I break the light–speed barrier like on Star Trek?" and "Is there life on other planets?" to "What is empty space made of?"
This is an indispensable guide to physics that offers readers an overview of the most popular physics topics written in an accessible, irreverent, and engaging manner while still maintaining a tone of wry skepticism. Even the novice will be able to follow along, as the topics are addressed using plain English and (almost) no equations. Veterans of popular physics will also find their nagging questions addressed, like whether the universe can expand faster than light, and for that matter, what the universe is expanding into anyway.
- Gives a one–stop tour of all the big questions that capture the public imagination including string theory, quantum mechanics, parallel universes, and the beginning of time
- Explains serious science in an entertaining, conversational, and easy–to–understand way
- Includes dozens of delightfully groan–worthy cartoons that explain everything from special relativity to Dark Matter
Filled with fascinating information and insights, this book will both deepen and transform your understanding of the universe.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I want to start of by saying that before I read this book, I knew as much about physics as you do about how Einsteins hair got that way. Not a lot.
But page after page the authors explained complicated physics in a simple, yet comprehensive way.
You will find very little "sciency" words, other then the names of the concepts they explain in their unique way.
Besides being easy to understand and easier to read, the authors make use of everyday situations as examples and use (very funny) cartoons to make you want to be late for that cool party your are already 2 hours late for because you can't put the book down.
And had I not learned so much about physics in this book, I would have thought they wrote a comedy book.
At regular intervals, I would catch myself thinking "How come no one explained it like this before? I would have paid attention if they had!"
To give you a taste of what I mean by funny, but still very informative:
"Our universe seems stranger than it needs to be. ...
It's made up of some sort of "dark matter" that doesn't interact with light ("dark") but that is a source of gravity ("matter"). In other words the name does nothing more then describe our ignorance. This explanation is only moderately more satisfying than saying gravity is caused by fairies."
About Time Travel:
"Imagine you got it in your head to do something profoundly stupid like kill your own grandfather before your father was conceived.*(We don't know why physicists have gotten into the macabre habit of talking about grand-patricide, but who are we to argue?)"
I was also surprised to find a couple of pages here and there that rate popular movies and tv-shows against actual physics.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes learning new things, and especially those that like to learn new things and be entertained at the same time.
But page after page the authors explained complicated physics in a simple, yet comprehensive way.
You will find very little "sciency" words, other then the names of the concepts they explain in their unique way.
Besides being easy to understand and easier to read, the authors make use of everyday situations as examples and use (very funny) cartoons to make you want to be late for that cool party your are already 2 hours late for because you can't put the book down.
And had I not learned so much about physics in this book, I would have thought they wrote a comedy book.
At regular intervals, I would catch myself thinking "How come no one explained it like this before? I would have paid attention if they had!"
To give you a taste of what I mean by funny, but still very informative:
"Our universe seems stranger than it needs to be. ...
It's made up of some sort of "dark matter" that doesn't interact with light ("dark") but that is a source of gravity ("matter"). In other words the name does nothing more then describe our ignorance. This explanation is only moderately more satisfying than saying gravity is caused by fairies."
About Time Travel:
"Imagine you got it in your head to do something profoundly stupid like kill your own grandfather before your father was conceived.*(We don't know why physicists have gotten into the macabre habit of talking about grand-patricide, but who are we to argue?)"
I was also surprised to find a couple of pages here and there that rate popular movies and tv-shows against actual physics.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes learning new things, and especially those that like to learn new things and be entertained at the same time.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Imtroduced to this book via the blog page of one of the authors (an article on what happens with a teaspoon of a neutron star!). Enjoyed the article so bought the book! Haven't read all of it due to a small child, but it's the kind of book you can pick up and read a few pages rather than having to remember where you got up to. Having studied Physics at University I had a natural interest in the book and the subject, but I would recommend the book to anyone, not necessarily just those with a scientific background.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am interested in the great mysteries of the universe, though I certainly am no physicist or Astronomer Royal. The last time I seriously had to deal with physics was for my A level exams 15 years ago, which I miraculously scraped by with a C. Years later, I find myself greatly interested in the wonders of space, time and matter and am trying to make up for the 'lost years' (including those in secondary school when I hardly knew what I was doing). A User's Guide to the Universe does the job of reintroducing me to science perfectly. This is a wonderful, engaging, humourous, well-explained account of the earth and everything that makes up or surrounds us. It is not aimed at mathematicians or physicists and there are no equations in sight (Hallelujah!) Well, apart from e=mc2 which the authors get out the way in the first couple of pages. All the basic concepts of atoms, quantum theory, black holes, etc are explained thoroughly, with everyday analogies but without the mathematical jargon. If you're just an ordinary person who'd like to know a little bit more about how things work, but fear incomprehensible explanations and formidable equations, you will greatly enjoy this book. It's the thriller of science books which had me up until 2 am this morning because it's so engrossing. I am forever grateful to the authors for writing a science book in language accessible to an ordinary person!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Universe
My son especailly asked for this for Christmas, He read it cover to cover and proudly added it to his collection. This book answers all the questions your kids will ask and more!
Published 13 months ago by PJ
Great introduction which leaves no stone unturned
There are lots of works of vulgarisation of themes from modern physics out there, but none which cover the range of subjects of this one. Read more
Published 15 months ago by John O'Neall
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