Modern physics book recommendations

[Tormod]

In a recent tread Michael asked for recommendations for readable books about quantum physics.

 

I'm sure others have more to add, but I'd like to get started with a few:

 

E=Mc2 - A biography of an equation

by David Bodanis

This is a great book which explains how Einstein's equation was founded on many different aspects of physics. It gives a good, general insight into what constitutes this formula and why it became so important for quantum physics.

 

Three Roads to Quantum Gravity

By Lee Smolin

As the covers says - Smolin is a leading physicist working to unify quantum theory, relativity and cosmology. Readable with illustrations, although perhaps a bit on the heavy side (though heavliy recommended)

 

Before the Big Bang - The origins of the universe

by Ernest J. Sternglass (reviewed at Hypography)

Sternglass has his own views of how the universe was born - and it makes for great reading. His theories are not mainstream but this book is a gem.

 

Hyperspace

by Michio Kaku

This is one great book, covering string theory, time warps, the future of the universe and much more. Kaku is one of the great science writers. All his booksare recommended.

 

Six Easy Pieces

By Richard Feynman

An introductiory text to relativity and other aspects of quantum theory. Again, Feynamn was an incredible writer. "Six Not-So-Easy Pieces" is a bit more difficult to follow, but his "The pleasure of finding things out" is a joyride through many bits of his wonderful life. Feynman was the physicist who demonstrated that the Challenger disaster was due to bad management, and his dissenting essay in the comittee report can be found by searching though Hypography.

 

The Origins of the Universe

by John D. Barrow

Mr Barrow is an excellent writer (read my review of his <SPAN class=overskrift>Theories of Everything: The Quest for Ultimate Explanation</SPAN>) who manages to present very difficult topics in a readable manner. I recommend all of his books - especially "Impossibility", which shows the limits of what we can know, and what we can't.

 

Since I have specialized in reading popular science (rather than textbooks), you may find that most of these books are not brimful of math, but they all help understand what quantum theory is about and should help you find more books to read after that.

 

Tormod

[michaelchang]

Thanks tormod, i'll prolly start with E=MC2

 

I've read an excerpt on "How to build a time machine". Seems very interesting, you might wanna give it a read.

 

Also, u've recommended book on quantum physics, got any easy(ish) books on relativity, or would i need a textbook for that?

[Tormod]

Michael,

 

why, E=mc2 is of course about relativity. In fact, any book on cosmology, relativity and quantum physics will cover much of the same material!

 

I have read "How to build a time machine", in fact it is up for review at Hypography soon. It was the prize for our April Quiz!

 

Tormod

[michaelchang]

Hey Tormod

 

Have you read "It must be beautiful: Great Equations of Modern Science" yet? It is an anthology of essays written by prominent scientist explaining the implications and origins of important equations. It is not TOO hard to read, tho i'm sure at the moment, i'm not taking in all that i'm s'pose to. Topics inlcude

 

Light delivered in quanums

E=MC2

General Relativity

Schoridingers wave equation

Dirac Equation

 

and 6 more on vairious equations NOT related to physics.

[Tormod]

Yeah, in fact I just reviewed it on National radio here in Norway. I think it is a great book, although it is aimed more at giving people an understanding of why there is an inherent beauty in great equations, rather than explaining the math or physics behind them in depth.

 

The chapter on Schrödinger and Heisenberg was excellent - and I really enjoyed the one on the Drake Equation as well.

[michaelchang]

hehee..yes, that's what i felt too. Not much mathmatics on it but a lot of background history..DOH!, i better consult with you first nxt time i buy a book.

 

btw, what's your job tormod? You seem to artistic (referring to this website) to be a scientist! Also, what's your secret behind knowing so much about physics, science etc?..Do you just read a lot?

[Tormod]

Part of my story is here:

http://www.hypography.com/Article.cfm/30511

 

Yeah, I read a lot. In fact, I am a regular book reviewer on National radio in Norway, appearing about twice a month (my favorite was when I appeared live in studio to review the reappearance of Carl Sagan's Cosmos on DVD). Next Thursday I'll be appearing live again, talking about the fashion of cosmology books, as well as presenting a great, new one, by National Geographic, called "Beyond Earth: Measuring the Universe".

 

I also write about four reviews a month for the Norwegian web site, http://www.forskning.no/, which is run by the National Science Council. I also write articles about using the web for educators at this site: http://www.skolenettet.no/. (Here's a sample - if you could only read Norwegian... )

 

I review popular science books written in English because they are usually the most up-to-date, and because they are rarely translated into Norwegian (with the exception of the major names like Hawking) or because the translation appears very late. Most people in Norway can read English nowadays, anyway.

 

As for my background, I am a Bachelor of Music Performance from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL (class of '92). But I also have a degree in English literature, so I guess I am more qualified when it comes to books than when it comes to design...

 

The web design part happened as a coincidence - in 1995 a friend startet working as a link reviewer for the National phone company who wanted to build a giant web directory. When they decided to pull the plug after a year or so, two of us founded a company and startet to put together a web publishing soluition so we could continue what we were doing, in a way.

 

I quit that job in 1999, and had different jobs for a while until I founded a new company, this time with myself as the only employee. I work as a web freelancer, both building web sites and telling people how to plan their own, teach courses, write articlesetc. So I have picked up most of my design skills over the years, although I did take an evening class in typography and layout.

 

But my main hobby is reading and writing about science. Sadly there is seldom enough time for me to write about anything but books these days, and I write about them in Norwegian, and because of copyright reasons I can't just translate them into English and use them here at Hypgoraphy. My aim is to have more and more time to spend with Hypography so I can write much more than today!

[Noah]

Hi. Although these books are more astronomy/cosmology books, I think they are very good. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and Einstein's Greatest Blunder? By Donald Goldsmith (I think). I am waiting for the college library to get The Universe in a Nutshell. Later today or tommorow I am going to get Hyperspace. And one more GOOD physics book if you are a trekkie. The Physics of Star Trek. This explains how possible some of the stuff on ST is and what we would have to do. It was written in 1995 and I think some of the info is out of date, but nevertheless, very good.

 

Noah

[michaelchang]

It's ok if you're gonna take "A Universe In a Nutshell" out from a library, but don't spend money on it. Its not very good and I feel its a repeat of A Brief History of Time. His lack of use of formulas and equations makes things hard to understand. He does use lavish drawings from time to time, but they don't explain all his concepts.

 

My verdict?..A good coffee table book with nice drawings. A book which would attract visitors to have a flick through it...but nothing more.

 

P.s. Tormod, the chapter on Einsteins equation of General Relativity is very good, altho i must admit, its pretty tough going.

[Tormod]

Yeah, Michael, I agree. The first five chapters of "It must be beautiful" were all a bit heavy, but I really enjoyed the one on Shannon - I wasn't aware of his influence on the information age (even after working in it for 7 years!).

 

Tormod

[michaelchang]

hello..haven't posted in a long time!

 

I just stumbled across a book at my local library called "Relativity" by Albert Einstein. At first, i thought this was his original paper and was considering putting it back without starting it. Boy am i glad i didnt. This is by far the best book on the theory of relativity, both special and general.

 

It explains in very simple terms how he came up with both theories. I am going through the second half of the book (general relativity) and i'm starting to have trouble. But i think the section on special relativity is excellent.

[Tormod]

heh...I read that book as well, while I had a bad bronchitis this spring, and it felt like banging my head against a wall. I read lots of stuff but that book was just too heavy for me at the time...

 

By the way, I am reading a very good book about Complex Networks called "NEXUS - Small Worlds and the groundbreaking science of networks" by Mark Buchanan. It's amazing how everything is connected! The Kevin Bacon game isn't just a strange coincidence.

[Evalain88]

Wow! You are all amazing! I'm going to read every book you've mentioned so far. I'll be here every day! You the smartest people I've seen in any science disscusion site. In some sites.....all they talk about is the Big Bang theory and basic chemistry,astronomy,physics(not so often) and the basic biology! But here I feel on a level.

Tormod you are a genius!

Regards to all

Best regards

Eva H.I.

[Tormod]

*blush*

 

Thanks! Well, I read a lot so if others like my recommendations then that's good.

 

But I would really like to hear what other people are reading as well!

 

Tormod

[michaelchang]

hehe..i'm reading what you're reading!

 

I would like to suggest a fiction (not THAT fiction) novel, called Contact by Carl Sagan. It is about us finally receiving a signal from an advanced civilization. It details how the human race would react and all the complications that come along with this discovery. It is a truly amazing book, i think everyone ought to read it!.

[rileyj]

"The Kevin Bacon game isn't just a strange coincidence"

what game?

[IrishEyes]

"The Kevin Bacon game isn't just a strange coincidence"

what game?

 

Below is a link to the Kevin Bacon game. Check out their different pages explaining why the game was invented, etc. It's very interesting, and can be a lot fun if you're bored very late, and your husband is on a business trip to Hawaii (or not!).

 

http://www.cs.virginia.edu/oracle/