The Chemical History of a Candle [Paperback]

Michael Faraday (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2008

"From the primitive pine-torch to the paraffin candle, how wide an interval! between them how vast a contrast! The means adopted by man to illuminate his home at night, stamp at once his position in the scale of civilisation. The fluid bitumen of the far East, blazing in rude vessels of baked earth; the Etruscan lamp, exquisite in form, yet ill adapted to its office; the whale, seal, or bear fat, filling the hut of the Esquimaux or Lap with odour rather than light; the huge wax candle on the glittering altar, the range of gas lamps in our streets,--all have their stories to tell. All, if they could speak (and, after their own manner, they can), might warm our hearts in telling, how they have ministered to man''s comfort, love of home, toil, and devotion."

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These lectures are historical documents written in the language of their time. And yet the science hasn't gone out of date, neither it seems have the techniques for inspiring young scientists. Engineering & Technology Popular science at its very best Financial Times --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Frank A. J. L. James is Professor of the History of Science at the Royal Institution. He is editor of the Correspondence of Michael Faraday, of which five volumes (out of six) have been published.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Book Jungle (July 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605978841
• ISBN-13: 978-1605978840
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faraday Fascinates, May 16, 2001

By 

K Rardon (Post Falls, ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chemical History of a Candle (Paperback)

When Michael Faraday first introduced his "Christmas Lectures" over 100 years ago, he truly wowed the crowd. The man loved nature & science & eagerly presented his lessons in the most delightful manner and this book captures the fullness of his style. These lectures were originally intended for the youth of 19th century London but even today's savy students will be keen for this slender volume which delights, teaches and holds your attention. I am already recommending this book to our home school organization as an example of a 'good read' which brings elegant literature to the usually dry topic of science. It's exactly the type of book that will stir real interest in the subject, in young and old alike.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathes fire into science, October 20, 2002

By 

Brandon E. Wolfe (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chemical History of a Candle (Paperback)

This book changed my life.

During my Junior year, I decided to change my major from English (future law student) to physics. I went online, read reviews (thanks Amazon!) and ended up buying this book, Feynman's lectures, Dirac's quantum mechanics, and Bondii's relativity. To say that I look upon the summer spent reading these books fondly would be the understatement of a lifetime--I wish I could go back and learn it all again!

This book breathes science like few others. I only wish everyone (layman and professional) had an ear for the simple beauty which Dr. Faraday makes so plain.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars worth the effort, April 28, 2005

By 

M. Gupta "emdoc" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chemical History of a Candle (Paperback)

I enjoy reading physics texts, but I had never really enjoyed reading transcripts of lectures (in any subject). This book, however, was definitely worth the time and effort to read.

Even though most of the concepts are simple, basic physics, I still learned things. Most wonderful of all were the many times a lightbulb clicked on in my mind when I saw how simply and cleverly Faraday constructed his experiments. These guys really had it together.

Though somewhat devoid of helpful diagrams, the text of this work is often enough to give the reader a good idea of how Faraday was conducting his experiments and presentation. I think the biggest detractor is that you really have to slog through the work and use your imagination to figure out what he's describing.

My only wish is that I could have been there to see these lectures myself. Sounds like quite the demonstration.