Customer Reviews

The New Physics for the Twenty-First Century

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4 star:		(1)
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This is a great book on advances in physics that have occurred over the last few years that lies between overly simplistic popular science books and research papers where you become quickly lost in terse language and layers of equations. You do need to have some prior background in physics. Ideally you should have the background of a year of general university level physics and a course in modern physics, or the equivalent of that. Some knowledge of general chemistry would come in handy too. Otherwise, there are enough equations and an assumption of basic physics knowledge on the part of the reader that you'll get lost quickly.

Basically, the book shows you physics in action solving the problems of today using great illusrations and a clear and accessible writing style that holds your interest. The chapters don't build on one another and you can pick and choose what you're interested in. Remember that this is not a textbook, so there are no problem sets. The final strong point of the book is the price. At under forty dollars it's a very reasonable purchase for the casual learner. My favorite sections were part 1 on Matter and the Universe and part 4 on Calculation and Computation. I thought the chapter on superstring theory was particularly well done and clear. I highly recommend this book for getting a good big picture of physics at work.

Very comprehensive coverage of the new world of Physics presenteted by the various leading practicioners in the field today. Difficult reading for anyone with no more than High School Physics.

This volume represents a refreshing elevation in the standard of scientific texts for the general reader. In setting out the principle elements of its wide ranging subject-matter, it describes, in highly readable prose, the most important and ground-breaking issues and controversies within the ever-broadening boundaries of the subject that we still call "Physics".

Regular updates and revised editions will be welcome as the cutting edge of what we know or at least believe that we know moves onwards into stranger and stranger territory. There is no "Dark Matter" in this book. All is splendidly illumimated.

This book has beautiful graphics and is chock full of the latest
developments in physics. A wonderful addition to the bookshelf of any
science buff. Even if you don't understand all of it you can look at
it in wonder !

John

This book is a great source for the latest developements in physics. I particularly found the info on quantum computers to be facinating.

This book nicely extends Davies' 'New Physics'.

Here we have reviews of the leading physics topics of the last few years that are all well worth reading.