We Need to Talk About Kelvin
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Product Description
Review
A new popular science book that should be bought for its clever title alone! -- The Independent, September 16, 2009
Chown writes with ease about some of the most brain-bending of concepts. -- BBC Focus Magazine, October 2009
An elegant pop-physics pick'n'mix. -- The Guardian, October 17, 2009
Chown makes cutting-edge science clear and meaningful. His new book will literally change the way you see the world. -- Bookhugger, October 2009
For entertainment value, and driving pace, Kelvin never lets the reader down. -- www.popularscience.co.uk, October 2009
Chown writes with ease about some of the most brain-bending of concepts. -- BBC Focus Magazine, October 2009
An elegant pop-physics pick'n'mix. -- The Guardian, October 17, 2009
Chown makes cutting-edge science clear and meaningful. His new book will literally change the way you see the world. -- Bookhugger, October 2009
For entertainment value, and driving pace, Kelvin never lets the reader down. -- www.popularscience.co.uk, October 2009
Book Description
A hugely accessible exploration of the science of the everyday world around us
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is clear why this outstanding, highly-original book is shortlisted for the Royal Society Prize for Science Books. Marcus Chown has a marvellous gift for rendering cutting-edge science extremely accessible and entertaining. His latest work is a brilliant excursion through everyday life, showing what we might learn about the universe from things we see around us, including our own reflections in window glass, the variety of chemical elements, darkness at night and so forth. From simple phenomena, Chown transports readers on spectacular journeys through the realms of quantum physics, cosmology and other topics in modern science, explaining difficult concepts in a clear, methodical fashion. He weaves each tale with fascinating and humorous anecdotes about pivotal figures such as Fred Hoyle, Wolfgang Pauli and many other scientific luminaries, as well as literary references to Blake, Whitman, Poe and others. Highly recommended!
-Paul Halpern
Author, Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles
-Paul Halpern
Author, Collider: The Search for the World's Smallest Particles
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are good explanations of some of strangenesses of the physical world, though as with most books like this you get the idea that it really isn't telling you the real stuff. The real stuff is too complicated if you are not in the swim of modern physics.
I heard the author criticise Feynman because he said "If you think you understand qantum mechanics the you don't understand quantum mechanics." The author said this was not fair because anyone with a bit of application can understand quantum mechanics. The author had missed the whole point of Feynman's assertion. What he meant (I think) is that quantum mechanics is so strange that even those who are deep in its study know that their understanding is limited.
What this book CRIES OUT FOR is some diagrams. The author describes things which could easily be drawn, and which would make some parts much clearer.
I heard the author criticise Feynman because he said "If you think you understand qantum mechanics the you don't understand quantum mechanics." The author said this was not fair because anyone with a bit of application can understand quantum mechanics. The author had missed the whole point of Feynman's assertion. What he meant (I think) is that quantum mechanics is so strange that even those who are deep in its study know that their understanding is limited.
What this book CRIES OUT FOR is some diagrams. The author describes things which could easily be drawn, and which would make some parts much clearer.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have really enjoyed reading this book, which is saying something because I don't usually stick it out through popular science titles. No, I'm not an artist but a physics teacher!
Chown weaves a really interesting tale of how the everyday things we see, and take for granted, are a consequence of quantum behaviour. Into this he also threads biographical information about the great scientists who discovered the 'properties' of nature. He uses excellent mind-pictures of how particles interact and what distinguishes them from each other. Finally, I found a book that describes quantum spin in approachable (if not fully detailed) terms.
If this book was reprinted with diagrams, especially for some of the wave concepts, it would be unassailable (and worth 5 stars). However, minus diagrams, it sells at a very low price for such a good book. No, I did not drop off to sleep (see 1 star review) and yes I will be buying copies for my pupils.
Chown weaves a really interesting tale of how the everyday things we see, and take for granted, are a consequence of quantum behaviour. Into this he also threads biographical information about the great scientists who discovered the 'properties' of nature. He uses excellent mind-pictures of how particles interact and what distinguishes them from each other. Finally, I found a book that describes quantum spin in approachable (if not fully detailed) terms.
If this book was reprinted with diagrams, especially for some of the wave concepts, it would be unassailable (and worth 5 stars). However, minus diagrams, it sells at a very low price for such a good book. No, I did not drop off to sleep (see 1 star review) and yes I will be buying copies for my pupils.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
brain pain
Fantastically interesting book,but be warned your brain will inflate and eventually burst trying to get to grips with the subject matter covered. Read more
Published 2 months ago by scalrog
Don't let the catchy title put you off
This is the first Marcus Chown book I have read and would now actively seek out other titles by him. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Eric Stephen
Don't be put off!
Great book that really makes you think and appreciate the unlikelihood of the universe even existing and the fact that somehow it does. Read more
Published 13 months ago by CHoare
A crescendo
There's something great about this book. I thought it got off to a poor start though, to the extent that I didn't even finish the first chapter, "The Face in the Window", on my... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Josh
Superb adventure through physics for the lay science person
A wonderful, straight-forward introductory guide to physics. Marcus Chown has a wonderful way of explaining concepts that might reasonably be described as complicated in a very... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jamie891
Highly Recommended
If you know anyone who has the slightest interest in Physics or someone you feel doesn't and should have, this book is for them. Read more
Published 18 months ago by RH
A bit contrived and not well explained
The premise of this book is that everyday observations tell us about fundamental principles in physics. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Yoness inc.
I used this as a sleep aid
Rarely have i had problems reading a book until it's end. No doubt the authour is brilliant with his understanding of the subject matter but it doesn't come across well. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Bfg
Hard But Good
This is a very thought-provoking book, but you have to work at it. It's worth buying just for the new dimensions it opens up for you. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2010 by K. Picken
The slippery slope of reality
Barack Obama started his "Dreams from my father" with a
quote from Chronicles (29:15):" For we are strangers before them,
and sojourners, as were all our fathers". Read more
quote from Chronicles (29:15):" For we are strangers before them,
and sojourners, as were all our fathers". Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Simon Laub
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