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Five Equations that Changed the World: The Power and Poetry of Mathematics Paperback – September 12, 1996

by Dr. Michael Guillen (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 182 ratings
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A Publishers Weekly best book of 1995!

Dr. Michael Guillen, known to millions as the science editor of ABC's Good Morning America, tells the fascinating stories behind five mathematical equations.

As a regular contributor to daytime's most popular morning news show and an instructor at Harvard University, Dr. Michael Guillen has earned the respect of millions as a clear and entertaining guide to the exhilarating world of science and mathematics.

Now Dr. Guillen unravels the equations that have led to the inventions and events that characterize the modern world, one of which -- Albert Einstein's famous energy equation, E=mc2 -- enabled the creation of the nuclear bomb. Also revealed are the mathematical foundations for the moon landing, airplane travel, the electric generator -- and even life itself.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as "a wholly accessible, beautifully written exploration of the potent mathematical imagination," and named a Best Nonfiction Book of 1995, the stories behind The Five Equations That Changed the World, as told by Dr. Guillen, are not only chronicles of science, but also gripping dramas of jealousy, fame, war, and discovery.

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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hachette Books
  4. Publication date
    September 12, 1996
  5. Reading age
    18 years and up
  6. Dimensions
    6.13 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0786881879
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0786881871
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Harvard mathematician Guillen looks at five mathematical breakthroughs and the theorists behind them, among them Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books (September 12, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0786881879
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0786881871
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

About the author

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Michael Guillen

Michael Guillen

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Michael Guillen was born in East Los Angeles, earned his BS from UCLA and his MS and PhD form Cornell University in physics, mathematics, and astronomy. For eight years he was an award-winning physics instructor at Harvard University.

For fourteen years he was the Emmy-winning Science Editor for ABC News, appearing regularly on Good Morning America, 20/20, Nightline, and World News Tonight. Dr. Guillen is the host of the History Channel series Where Did It Come From? and producer of the award-winning family movie Little Red Wagon.

Dr. Guillen contributes his analyses of modern scientific topics to Fox News and other major media outlets; hosts the popular podcast Science + God with Dr. G; runs a film and television production company, writes books; and is a popular speaker worldwide.

He's the bestselling author of Bridges to Infinity: The Human Side of Mathematics; Five Equations That Changed the World: The Power and Poetry of Mathematics; Can a Smart Person Believe in God?; Amazing Truths: How Science and the Bible Agree; The Null Prophecy (novel); and The End of Life As We Know It: Ominous News from the Frontiers of Science. His newest book, Believing is Seeing: a Physicist Explains How Science Shattered his Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of Faith, will be released in Fall, 2021.

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Top reviews from the United States

Ray Corradi
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart and Science
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
I marveled at the historical research which went into these chapters. Also the structure of three perspectives for each phase of notable scientific development. The book is also very readable and entertaining for anyone. Listen to Dr G podcasts also. Much of the same and more!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining book
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
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I've read many physics books and they often fail at making the topic entertaining enough for the general public and even for those of us who know physics. This book is basic story telling. It doesn't go over much physics but goes over the personal stories behind the equations the people we all know and have heard of. Definitely entertaining. I recommend it.
2 people found this helpful
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JanP
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016
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Great stories and written in a unique way; made the learning about the scientists enjoyable.
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Robert Thorne
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended exposition of the famous equations and the people who developed them.
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
Michael Guillen books reminds me of Issac Asimov. A great scientist who is also an excellent author. He is able to explain complex concepts in a way that anyone can understand. He also examined the personalities of the five scientists and the world they lived in. Even though I have learned about Einstein and his equations for many years, he presented additional insights that I had not previously understood. I had one of those "Ah ha! So that that is how it works. " moments.
I look forward to reading his new book; "The Null Prophecy".
3 people found this helpful
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B. Hess
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Key Discoveries
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
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Well written, researched book. You have read so much science facts in school. But the stories of the people behind these discoveries are amazing. Love the author's writing style and research.
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Speach60
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2022
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I thought it was well written for the layperson. Kept me interested all the way through. Presented a very human and down-to-earth side of each person/subject.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Ok,I guess
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2017
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I wish I knew it was the old book and the quality of the pages were good but the outside was beating up a good bit
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Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars Geek read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2016
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I loved this book as a kid and now so does my daughter. Its not heavy on Math but is more story oriented. Allows you to really appreciate these great equations and how they have changed the world. I certainly recommend this to anyone interested in Science and Math.
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Davide
5.0 out of 5 stars La matematica raccontata con semplicità
Reviewed in Italy on September 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very interesting book. The author succeded in explaining mathematics and physics with anecdotes that are accessible to everyone. The historical context is briefly presented in such way that the reader can really comprehend why these five great scientist have changed the world. As a former engineering student, I particularly appreciated the book topic, but I can assure that it can be captivating also for who is approaching to the scientific world for the first time.

Amazon shipping and service excellent as usual.

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Libro veramente interessante, che riesce a raccontare la matematica e la fisica con aneddoti comprensibili a tutti. L'autore, descrivendo il contesto storico in cui questi cinque grandi scienziati sono vissuti, permette di capire ancora più a fondo quanto queste cinque equazioni abbiamo effettivamente cambiato il mondo. Da (ormai ex) studente di ingegneria ho molto apprezzato il tema trattato, ma posso assicurare che risulta coinvolgente e comprensibile anche per chi non ha degli studi scientifici alle spalle e anzi, è un ottimo punto di partenza per approfondire dei concetti che all'apparenza sembrano complicati.

Spedizione e servizio Amazon come sempre perfetti.
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Fabio Franconeri
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books about history of science ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2020
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This book is one of the best about the subject I've ever read
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Sponge
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2013
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Good book, fantastic seller. A must read for any engineer, as it is very interesting, and for such a low price, excellent.
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tim halligan
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on August 10, 2014
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Good seller, book and delivery service. Thanks.
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