Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics [Paperback]

Edward Teller (Author), Wendy Teller (Author), Wilson Talley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2002

In Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics, Teller returns to the fundamentals of physics to share with readers his unbridled enthusiasm for the world of physical reality--from the nature of molecules to quantum mechanics and superconductors, from the elementary laws of thermodynamics to how planets, asteroids, and comets develop their orbits. By simplifying the math and forgoing the often-confusing technical jargon, Teller helps the reader break through physic's bewildering formulas and equations and get to the wonders of our physical universe. A timeless and personal explanation of the importance of physics in our life, Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics is certain to become a classic.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These "conversations" on a dozen major themes of modern physics are derived from Edward Teller's physics appreciation course designed for high school students. The eminent physicist's scientific passions and confidence are everywhere on display here, beginning in the "Prolog-Warning" to the reader: "I claim that relativity and the rest of modern physics is not complicated. . . . It is only unusual." From "Relativity" in chapter one he proceeds at full steam through the uncertainty principle, statistical mechanics, Maxwell's Equations, quantum mechanics, superconductors--straight up a steep learning curve of the most challenging and inspiring theories in the science of matter. To their credit, the coauthors (Wendy Teller, a computer scientist, is Edward Teller's daughter; Talley is a University of California professor of applied science) do not spare the general reader all of the mathematical summaries; on the other hand, the occasional footnote-repartee among them is seldom helpful. Teller's "conversations" do not have the charm of Richard Feynman's The Feynman Lectures on Physics , but they have the signature of the scientific human mind at its most admirable task: seeking the "great remaining secrets." Readers are advised to bring a good scientific dictionary and sit up front for this tour of 20th-century physics with a distinguished scientist"scholar" to avoid repetition?/no, Teller has never been noted as a scholar, strictly as a distinguished scientist.gs .
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Edward Teller is one of the most celebrated and controversial physicists alive today. Through his work at Los Alamos and his development of the hydrogen bomb, he helped usher in the atomic age. He is currently Director Emeritus of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and continues as a Senior Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Wendy Teller is a computer scientist, specializing in software for telecommunications. Wilson Talley is currently a professor in the Department of Applied Sciences, University of California Davis/ Livermore, and is president of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation. Edward Teller is one of the most celebrated and controversial physicists alive today. Through his work at Los Alamos and his development of the hydrogen bomb, he helped usher in the atomic age. He is currently Director Emeritus of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and continues as a Senior Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Wendy Teller is a computer scientist, specializing in software for telecommunications. Wilson Talley is currently a professor in the Department of Applied Sciences, University of California Davis/ Livermore, and is president of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation. Edward Teller is one of the most celebrated and controversial physicists alive today. Through his work at Los Alamos and his development of the hydrogen bomb, he helped usher in the atomic age. He is currently Director Emeritus of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and continues as a Senior Research Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Wendy Teller is a computer scientist, specializing in software for telecommunications. Wilson Talley is currently a professor in the Department of Applied Sciences, University of California Davis/ Livermore, and is president of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (October 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738207659
• ISBN-13: 978-0738207650
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,036,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Teacher, January 5, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book that is very clearly written and joy to read and read again. Dr. Teller shows how some of the most
difficult ideas can be made clear by examples. I liked his
conversational style, it reads as if Dr. Teller is talking directly to you. This is one of the top books on physics with the general reader in mind. Some of the best books for the general reader were written by the greatest contributors in the field. Other selections by: Einstein, Max Born, Richard Feynman, do well for the general reader but requires a little more math, ... not hard math, simple but rich math full of motion, ... math you need to visualize.
Dr. Teller helps you visualize ideas, as good teachers do.
I was very happy to see this book back in print having barrowed the hard cover book from the library a number of times just to hear again how Dr. Teller said it; and to make clear again an idea that puzzled me. It is well worth reading and owning.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real essence of Teller, September 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics (Paperback)

I came away from reading this book (and from occasionally meeting and working with Teller) convinced that the essence of the man was not the political animal familiar to the public, but rather someone driven by a wonderfully childlike curiosity about any and all aspects of science. You may feel that the world would have been better off without him, but read this book anyway. I'll bet you wind up agreeing with Bob Parks of the American Physical Society: "Physics will be less interesting without him."

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, excellent man, October 30, 2005

By 

James M. Pothering - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics (Paperback)

Good subject matter from a man who knew and developed modern physics.
Not only was Teller a great man in advancing pure and applied physics, he is also one of the great unsung heros of the United States and the free world.