A Handbook to the Universe: Explorations of Matter, Energy, Space, and Time for Beginning Scientific Thinkers [Paperback]

Richard Paul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1993 | Age Level: 11 and up

Explains microwaves, sonic booms, time zones, tides, rainbows, and many other topics. Includes experiments.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This book is for everyone who ever slammed a physics text shut in frustration, blew up a chemistry experiment, or approached the Periodic Chart as something akin to learning hieroglyphs. In his first book, Paul, an English teacher and modern-day Renaissance man, has written an accessible, thorough and, yes, fun introducton to the physical sciences and notable scientists. In a clear, lively style, each well-organized section explains the principles behind subjects ranging from the basic theories of energy, sound and light to the more sophisticated logic of relativity, nuclear physics and quantum mechanics. Paul imbues the topics with a sense of adventure, turning science into what it is meant to be--a discovery of the world and all its mysteries. Diagrams, lightly sprinkled throughout, help explain concepts discussed in the text. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 10 and up. According to the preface, the author has attempted to write a science book for those who don't like science by eliminating jargon, presenting science in a practical way, illustrating its principles with everyday experiences, and putting it all in a historic context. In achieving these goals, he leads the reader through a natural progression of discovery, beginning with matter and continuing through energy, space, time, and reality, stopping along the way for discussions of weather, acoustics, and time zones. The writing, while hardly entertaining, is clear and straightforward, and the historic perspective puts the scientists and their works in a context that effectively illuminates the significance of their discoveries in relation to human thought and progress. This is not, however, a simple book to read. The vocabulary is at an adult level, and a certain amount of life experience and historic perspective is necessary to truly appreciate it. Many concepts would be easier to grasp with better or additional illustrations, and although adults with a curiosity about science might enjoy reading the book from cover to cover, only the most advanced high-school students would be able to do so. Its real value is as a reference source, providing good general background for researching more specific science questions. In addition, the short interrelated essay format makes it a valuable sourcebook for high-school science papers, with the detailed table of contents providing a wonderful list of possible science topics. Jeanne Triner

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556521723
• ISBN-13: 978-1556521720
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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