Customer Reviews

Universal Constants in Physics (Mcgraw Hill Horizons of Science Series)

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I bought this book because I was doing research on the history of the constants. The book reads more like a high schooler's term essay than a book of history. There are historical inaccuracies and blatant typographical errors. Later, but not at the end, the author launches into his own research theories. It would be an extremely confusing read if you weren't already well-versed in the history of physics.

Its most redeeming quality is that it occasionally sites important sources. But, I can't endorse a book with factual errors. The translation (from french) is very good though. Its short and not a boring read otherwise. I do like how he keeps the chapters very short and narrow. It might be best for a person to read if they are trying to learn what type of mistakes to avoid making when writing a history of physics book. It also doesn't meet its promise of Universal Constants in Physics; in fact, it only discusses four: h, k, G and c. Quite limited.