Customer Reviews

What Einstein Didn't Know : Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book because I thought it would be the perfect reading for a week during some beach vacations. It was a perfect read for the occasion since you can read separate sections that do not have much connection between them. Grab it, read a bit, put it away, do the same later. This is no science book, and reading it will be very, very easy, it will require little of your attention, almost no technical background and well, even little time. Chemists and Physicists, and even engineering students might feel shocked seeing how Wolke simplifies some subjects that are complex enough to have whole books written about it, but you have to remember that this is not at all a technical book. You will learn, but you won't learn much. You will have the illusion of knowledge about heavy stuff like electromagnetism, nuclear fusion, thermodynamics and even the big bang theory and some cosmology.

But don't get me wrong, it you keep that in mind, Wolke has managed to write a very entertaining title that will keep you interested until the end. I have to admit I would drop some of the subjects and would pick other questions. I was a bit annoyed at how many pages Wolke uses talking about fat. A déjà vu feeling often happens. Wolke repeats himself a tad too much for my taste, but it is true that with some subjects it would be hard not to repeat the same facts. Still, Wolk should assume the reader isn't all that dumb and got the basics right the first time, why repeat what was already written. Wolke's sense of humour requires some getting used to. I was annoyed in the first few pages, but eventually grew to like it and it makes the book a lot more fun.

Chemistry and Physics students might get bored at some of the questions Wolke answers, but if you're not into the business and don't know too much about it, you will find it interesting, and sometimes fascinating. In many occasions I found myself wanting more technical details, and that can frustrated many readers.

Not perfect, the title is a bit of a bad idea and it's only all that interesting if you don't already have a scientific background on the subjects (mostly chemistry and some physics) but otherwise, it provides entertainment, it's perfect to lighten up from more heavier science readings and you'll always learn more than reading Calvin & Hobbes. :-) Go for it, I recommend it.

I must reply to comments which state that I (the author) am in error regarding mass and energy. I am not. The misunderstanding--that there are no mass changes in chemical reactions--is, unfortunately, widespread. I had hoped that my explanation in the book would dispel this misunderstanding, but alas! Yes, chemical reactions merely rearrange the same atoms. But the energies of these before-and-after arrangements are different, and hence, so are their masses--minutely, to be sure, but different nevertheless. If a chemical reaction gives off or uses up energy, where has that energy came from or went to? Mass, that's where; there's noplace else. So if energy changes, mass must also change. In chemical reactions, the amount of mass-energy transfer is indeed extremely small, but it's there nevertheless. The discussion on pages 226-228 of my book is entirely factual and correct, not an "unnecessary conjecture." I thank Arnold, however, for the other kind words about the book.

This book is great, it kept me entertained for hours. Being curious and not having much science training, this book blew the dust of the stuff I learned (or was supposed to learn) in school. It makes you go "A-ha, of course!" a lot. The author is witty and while he probably takes his job seriously he manages keep the book entertaining throughout. The book explains a lot of stuff that you've probably never thought about and/or take for granted, like, why is oil slippery and water is not even if both are liquids. Sure, this may not be interesting to a chemist but to most other people it is. The explanations are usually short, 1 - 2 pages, which makes it perfect for dipping into on the bus or at the doctor's waiting room (or the bathroom). There's even a few things you can try out yourself at home. There's nothing as beautiful as your own private sunset in a glass of water and milk. "What Einstein Didn't Know" is also a great help to me as a dad. It was great to be able to explain what was happening when my 6-year old son commented on the noise the ice cubes made when I put them in his juice (of course, that triggered a lot of other questions which reminded me to buy the sequel). This is one of those that I'll read again some day.

I bought this book for my daughter (12 years), the Indonesian Language version one, and i read it too. It is a good book that explain everyday science in a very easy language. I always believe the real test of good teaching is being able to expain complex fenomena in a simple and interesting way.

Some materials are a bit too-basic if you already know a lot, so i think this books suits teenager and good for enticing their curiosity to see everyday happenings in a deeper way. To teach kids how to think more and get them interested in life. One good alternative to the world of "game boy" and all the bell n wistles of computer games ;-) and MTV.

This one started my purchasing spree on all of Robert Wolke books. I've always wanted to read books like these and have never been able to find them.

The style is very warm (although sometimes it can be a little over the top cute), and the topics are fascinating to the inquisitive mind. Read a test chapter; if you like the writing style, you're going to love what he has to say about everyday things you always wondered but never knew. Chances are you'll want his other books too.

Scientests may find Wolke's explanations too simple (that's why he has a nitpicker's section), but for those who are not trained in technical or scientific fields, this books is just the thing. Wolke does an excellent job of explaining science conceptually, and he might just raise the curiousity of a few non-scientists that they may want to read more widely. I would highly recommend his two books on kitchen science.

It is winter time in Boston and since I was a kid, I was always curious why people sprinkle salts during the snow. I asked my dad and he told me, it was so "we can walk better with the salt providing some texture on the ground." Well, after reading this book, I now know why my dad is terrible in science. LOL. This book brings up a lot of day-to-day things that we in the Western World take for granted. I admit that I have a deeper appreciation for science and how creative the mind can be. Now I know more about inner working of the events around me. More than that, I feel like I'm smarter, or at least more knowledgeable. Wow. If a book can have that type of impact on me, I have to give it 5 stars.

The book is very entertaining and quite funny, but for anyone with more than high school chemistry and physics, it is too superficial. The author introduces only one formal concept in the whole book: "molecules" and does this in 4 lines after apologizing and promising not to do it again. If you know what a dipole, entropy or superficial tension is, this book is not for you. It might be great to get a young and interested kid going though.

I have been interested in Science from childhood but know not that much. Not much improved even after I read the book. However, now, my attitude toward Science is really changed: Science is not so difficult, not so useless in actual life like the way I studied at classes. Instead, t is enjoyable and very useful for everyday life. A must read for those who don't like Science.

I'm afraid I was taken in by the title, which is deceptive. I'd be shocked if Einstein didn't actually know most of what is in this book. I only had my high-school chemistry, and 2 years of college physics, and I knew 90% of the facts presented in this book.

The book is well written, and the descriptions are clear and accurate. It wasn't a painful read (taking me only 4 hours or so), and I'd reccomend it to my non-technical friends, but if you have a scientific mind and even a little training, don't bother. I was hoping for some more advanced stuff - that even Einstein didn't know.