Review
A collection of physical puzzlers, often with counter intuitive manifestations, which, for all that, admit rigorous explanation supported by physical intuition. . . . [H]ugely entertaining and provide hours of brainy activities. (Alexander Bogomolny
CTK Insights )
This book seeks to nurture this physical intuition in readers by analyzing several paradoxes while keeping the math to a minimum. Through examining one puzzle or paradox after another, Levi emphasizes the underlying principles involved and helps foster an intuitive understanding of why things work the way they do. Readers will find themselves coaxed into learning because they want to satisfy their curiosity as they examine each puzzle. . . . [A]n excellent resource for understanding some less-obvious principles of physics. (William Baer
Library Journal )
Each chapter can be read in a few minutes time, say while you are drinking a cup of tea or coffee. It will give you a lot of inspiration to challenge or entertain your friends during a reception or another get-together with some different kind of beverages. Of course you will impress them only when they haven't read the book themselves already. Hence make sure that you are the first. (Adhemar Bultheel
European Mathematical Society )
Mathematician Levi has assembled a fascinating collection of 77 puzzles, some clever new originals and some twists to old ones that challenge physical intuition. . . . [A] pleasurable challenge. (
Choice )
Quite how a falling cat manages to land on its feet is a classic conundrum for undergraduate students of physics. Levi presents this and other puzzles, with a few clues to how to go about solving them using only high-school mathematics. He explains all the necessary physics concepts in the appendix too. (
Nature Physics )
Why Cats Land On Their Feet relies on a novel approach to problem solving that is not based on mathematics, but on models and physical intuition. . . . By looking beyond formulas and equations, Levi's goal is to provide readers who have a familiarity with basic high-school math and physics with critical thinking skills that can be applied to a range of physics problems beyond the book. (
Mechanical Engineering-CIME )
Levi uses titillating puzzles and a humorous tone to truly infuse fun into the book. A must have for anyone that likes physics, or for that matter hates.
Why Cats Land On Their Feet is a book that introduces the reader to the cool side of physics and then engages for hours. (Sarthak Shankar
Organiser )
From the Back Cover
"Why Cats Land on Their Feet is a collection of fun physical puzzles that will be attractive to a wide spectrum of readers, from teachers to those looking simply for good reading and educational entertainment. Levi's sense of humor and friendly, informal style add to the pleasure of the book. Each of these puzzles, without exception, kept my attention."--Paul J. Nahin, author of Number-Crunching: Taming Unruly Computational Problems from Mathematical Physics to Science Fiction
"Why Cats Land on Their Feet offers a trove of interesting and varied physical phenomena. Each one is clearly explained and easily understood, but many require an insightful observation for their resolution. There were any number of occasions when I fell into the trap of false assumption and was surprised by the correct reasoning, which always seemed so obvious in retrospect! A most enjoyable read."--Julian Havil, author of Impossible?: Surprising Solutions to Counterintuitive Conundrums
