Customer Reviews

Understanding Engergy: Energy, Entrophy and Thermodynamics for Everyman

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Professor Berry, an distinguished research scientist and highly esteemed instructor at the University of Chicago has used the material of this book in courses for undergraduates in the humanities and social sciences. I believe that this indicates him to be an exceptionally charismatic instructor because this is a moderately rigorous text, doing an excellent job of introducing the subject to science majors. However,from my 33 years of teaching bright chemistry and humanities majors, I believe that it would be disastrous for anyone not devoted to science -- or enrolled in a course where he or she MUST conquer the material -- to be able to complete three chapters. Much more is required of the reader before he or she reaches the 170 page mark and begins to see glimmers of entropy and thermodynamics. An excellent book, but not for everyman.

Although this book is purposefully written for the undergraduate students whose majors are not science and engineering, it is a little bit more advanced for non-technical students to comfortably read and understand and get a full appreciation of the subject matter. As a professional researcher, I know that several concepts and ideas in thermodynamics are quite difficult to understand, even for technical students.

For a true beginner, I would suggest 'Engines, Energy, and Entropy: A Thermodynamics Primer' by John B. Fenn which is more fundamental, easier, and fun to read. In addition, a vintage like 'The Concept of Energy Simply Explained' by Morton Mott-Smith is also a joy to read.

However, the comprehensiveness of Professor Berry's work, which covers classical mechanics, statistical physics, and quantum mechanics (at the very fundamental level), makes this volume a great extra reading for those taking thermodynamics course. This volume is also helpful for those who teach themselves thermodynamics and have mastered its fundamental concepts and ideas qualitatively. I would recommend this book to the readers who want to get more breadth and depth in thermodynamics before approaching a more advanced level.

Doy Sundarasaradula

August 7, 2009