Physics for Entertainment, Book 2 [Hardcover]

Yakov Perelman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The impetus to republish this once-popular miscellany by an early–20th-century Russian scientist stems from the notoriety of reclusive Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman (no relation), who was awarded, and declined, the Fields Medal for proving the Poincaré conjecture. Grigori claimed he was inspired by Yakov's book as a child, and certainly children often ask about things like whether an invisible man is able to see, or what you would experience if you fell all the way through the center of the earth. Each chapter is devoted to a scientific principle, such as mechanics, heat, and properties of liquids and gases. Perelman nods to science fiction writers from Cyrano de Bergerac to Mark Twain and H.G. Wells as he explains why their whimsical fancies might or might not be feasible. The writing in this anonymous translation is lively and entertaining, but more up-to-date books in a similar vein are more likely to stoke modern young imaginations. This reprint of the original treatise's second volume (the first being unavailable for translation and republication) is a charming historical curiosity and an entertaining diversion. (Feb. 12)
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"A wonderland not only for the scientific mind, but also the creative one." -- David Gruber, author of Aglow in the Dark

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; Reprint edition (February 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401309216
• ISBN-13: 978-1401309213
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Physics for Entertainment, February 16, 2008

By 

Anil K. Sharma (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics for Entertainment, Book 2 (Hardcover)

This book was extremely popular in India during 1970 till 1990. MIR publishers distributed highly subsidized copies of many popoular science books in India. After fall of USSR the MIR publishers availability stopped completely. This was one of most bought popular science books among my generation. A very well written book on physics as it applies to most common observations and phenomenon. What is amazing is description of "what if" scenarios around physical events. Great to see this available in reprint.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Physics for Entertainment, July 19, 2008

By 

Christine A. Rydel "Russian Prof" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Physics for Entertainment, Book 2 (Hardcover)

This delightful little book (final Russian edition, 1936) presents modern physics in a way that makes it accessible to adults and young people alike, especially because the author asks such whimsical questions as: "Can an invisible man see?" "Can Archimedes have moved the world?" "Who invented the word 'Gas'?" "How much does Lightning cost?" Why is a rabbit cross-eyed?" and "Is boiling water always hot?" Yakov Perelman, a Russian scientist who perished in the disastrous 900 day Blockade of Leningrad by the Germans during World War II, wanted people to think in "'physical categories'" and thus set up the book in chapters that reflect them. He however looks for examples of scientific phenomena in the world of fiction as well as of fact, particularly in works by Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, and even Mark Twain. His prose style appeals to both humanists and scientists. As an added bonus, its format (typesetting, etc) will give bibliophiles many hours of satisfying perusing.[ASIN:1401309216 Physics for Entertainment]

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is book 2, August 29, 2008

By 

Sudarshan Karkada (Missouri City, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Physics for Entertainment, Book 2 (Hardcover)

I have read both volumes of this book several years ago when published by Mir. Most of my friends had copies of these books and we had fun exchanging various ideas and topics in the book. I have even gifted these books to people whom I thought would be interested in reading them.

I was ecstatic to find the book on Amazon and ordered it immediately so I can give it to my 9-year old child.

I look forward to volume 1 of this book. Yes, it is available for downloading elsewhere, but printing a 200 page book is not very appealing to me. Honestly, in my opinion, book 1 is better than book 2. Book 1 covers perpetual motion machines... my favorite topic :)

If you or a member of your family or a friend is even slightly interested in any physics, don't hesitate to order this book.

I also ordered Astronomy for Entertainment by the same author and found it to be less entertaining than the physics book.