Book Description

We've all heard of the Big Bang, and yet few of us truly know what it is.

Renowned for making difficult ideas much less difficult than they might first appear, Simon Singh is our perfect guide to explaining why cosmologists believe that the Big Bang is an accurate description of the origin and evolution of the universe.

This highly readable and entertaining book tells the story of the many brilliant, often eccentric scientists who fought against the establishment idea of an eternal and unchanging cosmos. From such early Greek cosmologists as Anaximander to recent satellite measurements taken deep in space, Big Bang is a narrative full of anecdotes and personal histories. With characteristic clarity, Simon Singh tells the centuries-long story of mankind's attempt to understand how the universe came to be, a story which itself begins some 14 billion years ago (give or take a billion years). Simon Singh shows us that it is within the capability of all of us -- in his expert hands -- to understand the Big Bang: the fundamental theory in all of science, and a high point -- perhaps the high point -- of human achievement.

Reviews (281)

A classical predecessor of the Elegant Universe
Stephen Hawking is the first physicist who was able to combine the laws of the small - quantum mechanics - with the laws of the large - general relativity - to find out something fascinating: black holes evaporate. He was also the first man who published a book on theoretical physics that has become popular world-wide (about 9 million copies have been sold). Many readers have learned a lot of exciting things about our universe from this book. So did I - even though I was a student of theoretical physics. Although this book is not as perfect as Brian Greene's "The Elegant Universe", the successor of the Hawking's book in the position of the book on theoretical physics causing such a stir, "A Brief History of Time" will remain a tour de force, a pioneering work which began a new interest in physics among masses of people. That is why do I recommend you to read this book about the big bang, black holes, the quest for the ultimate theory and many other issues.

Scientific Literacy
In the modern era, natural science is more than a lot of abstract thoughts and boring jargon--it is a leader of society. Newton's theory of physics, Darwin's theory of evolution, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle--all have changed the way we think about the world, influenced other disciplines, and ultimately changed society.

Because of this profound effect science has on society, it is important for the general public to understand the ideas and development of science. Unfortunately, it becomes increasingly difficult to do so as science becomes more specialized and technical.

Enter Stephen Hawking and 'A Brief History of Time.' The book is one of many great books that increase scientific literacy for ordinary people like me.

Only someone who fully understands the basic concepts of theoretical physics could put it into clear and easy prose as Hawking does. He outlines the progress of theoretical physics and the theories that attempt to describe the universe, all in plain English.

Hawking paints a picture of the universe--its beginning, its end, the direction of time, black holes-- with the wonder and curiosity of the child plus the style and confidence of a brilliant mind. One of the most brilliant minds in this century, as a matter of fact.

The final sentence about knowing the mind of God--"the ultimate triumph of human reason"--reminded me of that timeless scene in the Bible where the serpent convinces Adam and Eve to eat the apple.

Figuratively (*figuratively*) , that triumph is what we left Eden for. We have left Paradise for unknown horizons, for questions instead of answers, for a world of wonders. That quest is what A Brief History of Time is about. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

a marvel of a book
This book is truly a gem.. small volume but packed with a density of information..
Explore fascinating topics you could not think about in your wildest DREAMS.. topics are Black holes, Entropy, Origins of universe, Time Travel.

Hawkings is truly a genius among geniuses.
(...) If you can finish the book, the knowledge is well worth it.

Excellent Introduction for the Curious Mind
For anybody who does not have sufficient knowledge to read some of Hawking's more complex writings, this is the perfect book to get started on. It introduces you to the concepts of astrophysics, in which are explained very well. Stephen Hawking uses humor and everyday scenarios to explain some difficult concepts of astrophysics. It is a great way to simply expand your knowledge by understanding the big bang, quantum mechanics, and even sub-atomic particles. Stephen Hawking is an excellent writer, not to mention the Albert Einstein of our time; he makes this book almost seem like a novel more than a non-fiction book. I highly recommend this book to pretty much anyone, because it introduces you to astrophysics, as well as just answering questions regarding time travel, or where we came from.

Hawking is succinct, even-handed, and even funny.
A Brief History of Time is 3 things at once:

First, it is a chronology of the various important scientists and discoveries over the centuries, all leading to where we are now.

Second, it explains, between the beginner and intermediate levels, an understanding of concepts such as black holes, worm holes, the beginning and potential end of time, particles and waves, quantum mechanics, and other issues in science.

Third, it is almost an autobiography of Dr. Hawking's scientific life. He interjects wonderful bits of humor and explains the concepts carefully and as simply as he can.

He is also respectful of religion, briefly interjecting his ideas about how religion does not have to be incompatible with the rapidly expanding ideas of science, and that religion should embrace science more.

One part I found humorous was his explanation of a bet he lost with a colleague (he seems to have a lot of long-standing bets going). He owned up to being wrong, and paid the penalty, which was a "one-year subscription to Penthouse, to the outrage of [his colleague's] liberated wife."

This book is for physics experts as well as people who know nothing about science and just want to learn some of the basic concepts. Like the universe, expand your mind. ... Read more

Book Description

This self-contained, comprehensive book describes the fundamental properties of soft x-rays and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and discusses their applications in a wide variety of fields, including EUV lithography for semiconductor chip manufacture and soft x-ray biomicroscopy. The author begins by presenting the relevant basic principles such as radiation and scattering, wave propagation, diffraction, and coherence. He then goes on to examine a broad range of phenomena and applications. The topics covered include EUV lithography, biomicroscopy, spectromicroscopy, EUV astronomy, synchrotron radiation, and soft x-ray lasers. He also provides a great deal of useful reference material such as electron binding energies, characteristic emission lines and photo-absorption cross-sections. The book will be of great interest to graduate students and researchers in engineering, physics, chemistry, and the life sciences. It will also appeal to practicing engineers involved in semiconductor fabrication and materials science. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

an excellent book!
I lent this book from the library in our institute, and this book is very suitable to us, who do research with Synchrotron Radiation in the region of soft X-ray. Many directions of research for soft X-ray are included in this book.
I can't afford it because it is very expensive for me, although I like it very much!

Taken from Contemporary Physics (London)
'... excellently written and produced book ... David Attwood is a respected teacher and renowned researcher in all of the topics covered in this book, and is to be congratulated on its timely publication ... there is no doubt in my mind that it will very quickly become a primary source for beginning graduate students (and high level undergraduates) and experienced researchers alike ... Unusually, I cannot think of any way in which the book could be improved. It is comprehensive and enjoyable to read, the figures are illustrative and clearly drawn and the mathematics is at an appropriate level for the intended readership ... it will serve as [an] important reference source as well as a teacher's and researcher's handbook ... I shall certainly be using this book in my future teaching and recommending it to advanced students.' Alan Michette, Contemporary Physics

good book
i found this book to be an excellent educational material on soft x-ray science

p.s. please note that there is a web-site by the author with the actual lectures available for watching absolutely free

[...]

A very good textbook
I took the class taught by the author at UC-Berkeley while he was finishing up this text (I also proofread a couple of the chapters as part of the class - you can find my name and the names of my classmates in the acknowledgements).

The text is very clearly written. An undergraduate physics / engineering level of understanding of electromagnetics and quantum mechanics is sufficient background for most the textbook. Most of the calculations are done semi-classically which helps for people not well versed in quantum mechanics. It also serves nicely as a reference text.

Topics covered include:
- Grazing incidence optics
- Normal incidence multi-layer mirrors
- Synchrotron radiation
- Cyclotrons, wigglers and undulators
- Plasma physics with applications to EUV and X-ray sources
- Fresnel zone plates
- Coherence
- EUV and X-ray lithograpy
- ...

The textbook stands alone nicely ... you do not need to constantly look up results in other sources and texts.

The textbook also contains a wealth of reference materials (several appendices of atomic data for X-ray transitions, cross sections, mathematical tables, ...) ... Read more

Amazon.com

The third edition of Nightwatch continues its tradition of being the best handbook for the beginning astronomer. Terence Dickinson covers all the problems beginners face, starting with the fact that the night sky does not look the way a modern city-dweller expects. He discusses light pollution, how to choose binoculars and telescopes, how to pronounce the names of stars and constellations, telescope mounts, averted vision, and why the harvest moon looks especially bright. Most of the lovely photographs in the book were taken by amateurs, which gives the section on astrophotography a particularly inspirational gleam.

Dickinson's star charts are very handy, each covering a reasonable field of view and mapping the most interesting amateur objects. He gives good advice for planet watching, which he notes "is one of the few astronomical activities that can be conducted almost as well from the city as from dark rural locations."

Altogether, the watchword for Nightwatch is indeed "practical"--this is a book to be used, not just read. Spiral-bound to lie flat or to fold back undamaged, it's a field guide that pulls its own weight in the field. Author Timothy Ferris says, "Like a good night sky, Nightwatch is clear and wind-free. Try it and see for yourself." --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Beautiful, practical ...
This book was recommended to me by an avid backyard astronomer when I mentioned I was interested in learning more about astronomy. I was absolutely delighted with this book. The photos are beautiful, the diagrams are excellent. It makes star/planet identification easy, gives guidance on buying a telescope, has a nice introductory chapter on the universe, putting everything in perspective. The writing is clear, straightforward, understandable. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, as I feel that this single book contains everything I really want to know at this time. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an interesting, comprehensible introduction to the night sky.

One of the best beginner books
I got a beginner's telescope from Celestron (the FirstScope 114) as a gift, and was anxious to begin using it. I picked up a few books on beginning astronomy (but not NightWatch) and set to work using it. After fiddling with the telescope to align it correctly, and trying to use the star charts in the books I bought, I gave up. I had friend visitng from out of town who wanted to try the telescope again, so we dragged out the scope and the books and couldn't get anywhere once again.

Later, I received NightWatch as a gift, and its made a world of difference. The scheme for finding stars and other objects is much simpler than in other texts. Rather than use the celestial coordinate system (based on right ascension, R.A., and declination, Dec.), which requires that you align your telescope correctly, NightWatch uses a few key stars and constellations as pointers, and shows how to use your fingers and hand to measure celestial distances. From the reference points, you can easily navigate througout the sky.

If you don't already have a telescope, this is also a good book to purchase, as it has a discussion of different kinds of telescopes and their tradeoffs. NightWatch also has good information on using binoculars, which makes it easy to get started without plunking down much money, since most people own a pair.

Bottom line: Of the 4 beginner's books I have, NightWatch is by far the best.

Good but not great.
This is another one of Terence Dickinsons "backyard astronomy" books that is somewhat better than others of this particular "genre", but suffers by a somewhat superficial treatment of the practical aspects of the subject. The primary reason I purchased the book was for the 20 very good star charts contained. It was not until I started using these charts that I realized that many important Messier objects were not included!

Although the pictures are wonderful , and very attractive , I buy books of this type for information--not to "sell me" on being an amateur astronomer. I don't need "cheerleading". There are other books available that offer somewhat more information than this one--so 4 stars (more like 3.5 stars).

Perfect starter to the Astronomer's world
This book is greatly build up and covers every major aspect of Astronomy . In an understandable way and very plastic with supportive pictures you get to understand cohesions and basics about our solar system, the galaxies and the whole universe.
It puts emphasize on the star constellations and features great maps to navigate the sky. The ringbinding helps a lot to work with it in the field. And the paper is high quality and will take a lot of use.
This makes a great gift for anyone who is intersted in nature or wants to explore the night sky.
This is the absolute BEST BUY to start with!!! Nothing else.

An excellent book for new astronomers.
For the money you can't go wrong this is an excellent book for people just starting out in astronomy or who need a better understanding of the night sky and where to locate things. This book is packed full of info. and nice color photographs to go along with the many things you can see in a small telescope. I wouldnt really suggest this book though to those who allready know how to locate things and have a good understanding of astronomy. For the new person though theres tons of night time sky charts with details of nebulas and everything else in that part of the sky. Theres an excellent part that shows you how to measure the distances between stars & constellations to locate those harder to find subjects!! An excelent book that deserves a 5 star review. I forgot to mention that it's spiral bound so this makes it easy to lay flat and keep on a certain page. And don't forget take your time with the book to learn things the night sky isnt going anywhere! ... Read more

Book Description

he subject of integrated navigation systems covered in this book is designed for those directly involved with the design, integration, and test and evaluation of navigation systems. It is assumed that the reader has a background in mathematics, including calculus. Integrated navigation systems is the combination of an onboard navigation solution (position, velocity, and attitude) and independent navigation data (aids to navigation) to update or correct navigation solutions. In this book, this combination is accomplished with Kalman filter algorithms.

This presentation is segmented into two parts. In the first part, elements of basic mathematics, kinematics, equations describing navigation systems/sensors and their error models, aids to navigation, and Kalman filtering are developed. Detailed derivations are presented and examples are given to aid in the understanding of these elements of integrated navigation systems. Problems are included to expand the application of the materials presented.

The second edition includes software, additional background material and exercises, and additional applications. Selected Chapter, Section, and Exercise related software is provided in a companion CD-ROM to enhance the learning experience of the reader. The included software has been developed using MATLAB/Simulink(TM) version 6.5 by The MathWorks, Inc. Additional material includes: integrating navigation aides for a navigation system’s vertical axis; exercises that broaden the scope of problems encountered in integrated navigation systems; and the general problem of attitude determination and estimation whether for terrestrial or space applications. This edition provides a more complete foundation for addressing the different aspects of integrated navigation systems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good book
The book is very precise and gives a lot of mathematical related things that's relevant to Navigation and Guidance. I somehow liked it's approach, mainly because it avoids a lot of descriptory jargons and talks straight in mathematics: the language of scientists and engineers! Before reading the book, a good hold of the mathematics related to system theory would be a definite plus. However, the book has an introductory chaper for the relevant mathematics too. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very difficult to teach from
After surveying available undergraduate texts in astrophysics and consulting colleagues, I settled on this as the best available despite qualms about its size and cost. My students are finding its size and sheer length overwhelming; we are forced to leave out so much material that they are questioning whether it's worth it. The system of units used (cgs) is becoming (if it is not already) obsolete in most areas of astrophysics. In every chapter there are references to material yet to be covered, requiring one to flip back and forth, often over hundreds of pages. Finally, with a 1996 publication date, much of the material is becoming dated (I know, a new edition will be even more expensive).

All that said, there are remarkably few errors in the text, figures, and problems for a work of this size. The instructor's solution manual is clear, comprehensive, and generally correct.

A superb introductory text
Carroll's 'Introduction to Modern Astrophysics' is admittedly the best textbook out there for a simple, comprehensive introduction to astrophysics. Generally suited for an intermediate/advanced course in astrophysics/astronomy, this book can in fact be used as a self-study text for those interested in knowing how physical principles and simple but elegant mathematics explain a lot about how the universe works. From Kepler's mechanics to Einstein's General Relativity, this book could not have been written in a better way. It is sure to create an immediate interest and thrill for the subject since it covers the whole of astrophysics and the chapters are well-supplemented with exercises designed to round up everything.
I've been using this text for a semester course in astrophysics in my sophomore year and I really enjoyed reading through the text, specially the last few chapters which deal with the relativity theory of gravitation.

Excellent and encyclopedic
There are very few comprehensive astrophysics text books at the junior/senior level. In trying to find a book which surveys most of the field I found only three possibilities. Two were good (Astrophysical Concepts by Harwitt and Astrophysics by Bowers and Deeming) but this one is EXCELLENT. The level of presentation is mathematically accessible to advanced undergrads in physics, math, comp sci, and engineering while the underlying physics is reviewed before it is applied. The exercises are interesting and complete and include several nice computer based problems in each chapter.

For a one semester survey class the size and scope of this book will induce heart attacks in your students but the organization and clear layout of the text allows the instructor to select a set of topics which (a) cover a wide range of astrophysical ideas and (b) don't depend strongly on the omitted material.

Highly recommended.

A must-have for astrophysics beginners and theory lovers!
The book is a comprehensive book which guides you to the every corner of modern astrophysics.

From Kepler's Law to Relativity, from the geocentric model to modern cosmology, this book gives very clear descriptions of every aspect that you might be interested in.

The mathematical equations and formulaes are clear and tidy, wordings are simple enough to understand.

Therefore, not only if you are to take an astrophysics course at university, even if you just a high-school student or an amateur who is interested in knowing more about our universe, well, maybe in an mathematical way, this is a book for you. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Very good book! Lots of interesting questions.
The book has lots of fun questions and the answers are very informative. The longer answers include a 2nd sidebar of info. Includes the basic questions that most space enthusiasts should know plus more in-depth questions. Some about the shuttle, the early Gemini and Mercury missions, Apollo and also planet-related questions. Worth reading and a good reference book, when you need to know the dimensions of the shuttle payload bay, for example (15 feet by 60 feet).

Lots of space facts
What a fun read! Lots of items that could be used either at a space party or indeed to educate kids. There are so many cool factoids and many excellent color photos. Bill Pogue should be congratulated for putting this excellent book together. I also like to see Apogee appealing to the armchair astronaut in us all without being too technical.
I would recommend this book, especially to any teachers that might consider it. ... Read more

Book Description

Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
The definitive text on rocket propulsion-now completely revised to reflect rapid advancements in the field
For more than fifty years, this seminal text has been regarded as the single most authoritative sourcebook on rocket propulsion technology. More comprehensive and coherently organized than any other book on the subject, Rocket Propulsion Elements guides readers evenhandedly through the complex factors that shape propulsion, with both theory and practical design considerations.
With more than a third of the text and illustrations either completely new or extensively revised, this latest edition includes current information on engine structures, nozzle theory, gas properties, thrust chambers, launch vehicles, and more. With a detailed table of contents breaking down each chapter into subsections-as well as an expanded index of key words-the Seventh Edition efficiently steers readers quickly to the information they need. Other highlights include:
* Separate chapters on liquid, solid, and hybrid propulsion systems and a new chapter on thrust chambers including the new aerospike nozzle
* Comprehensive coverage of rocket propulsion technology, with applications to space flight, satellite flight, and guided and unguided missiles
* Problem-solving examples and exercises relevant to actual design situations
* More than 340 illustrations, including photographs, tables, and graphs
* Coherent, up-to-date chapter on electrical propulsion balancing fundamentals with practical aspects and applications
For professional engineers in the aerospace and defense industries as well as undergraduate and graduate students in mechanical and aerospace engineering, this time-honored resource is indispensable for its scope of coverage and utility. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The gem of any rocketry-related library!!!!!
The seventh edition of this book is absolutely amazing!!! It presents the material in a clear and concise manner without losing the reader. This book provides up to date information about every type of rocket propulsion system from solids and liquids, to hybrids and exotics. It also includes sections on design and trade studies for different systems. Of particular interest to me were the sections on hybrid propulsion and liquid engine injector design. This book is highly recommended to anyone interested in rocket propulsion design and analysis! 5 stars indeed!!!!!

Rocket Propulsion Elements
This is the definitive "text book" for the subject of rocket propulsion. Its coverage of the subject is both broad and detailed. Probably a third of the book can be understood with no more than high school level physics and mathematics. The remainder requires some exposure to undergraduate level mechanical engineering, mathematics and physics, e.g. integral calculus, thermodynamics, etc. This book is in its 7th edition and it shows. The authors have a clean, precise, almost mechanical writing style that you would expect in a highly evolved technical work of this type. I do have one minor bone to pick with this book. The authors have clearly spent their lives doing rocketry in the mega million dollar world of NASA, General Dynamics, etc. Most of the graphs and diagrams emphasis big, big, rockets, e.g. graphs focusing on thrust chambers that operate at 5000 p.s.i. I suspect that most readers are either university students or individuals involved in experimental rocketry. Those that fall into the later category might benefit from better coverage of rocketry done with less exotic materials, fuels, and operating parameters. That minor weakness aside, this book covers in its 700 or so pages, everything that has been learned in the field of rocketry in the last 70 years and it presents this material at a fairly detailed technical level. It is therefore the book against which all others in the field will be judged.

A Must-Have Textbook for every Aerospace Engineer
This is the single best book on rocket propulsion systems, covering both liquid and solid rocket engines, hybrid rocket systems, and a dedicated chapter on electric propulsion. The authors include excellent illustrations and graphs to enhance the text, and practical examples which help the reader to grasp the theory. After loaning a copy of this book for over two years from my library, i finally bought it! Definitely recommended to all engineers and scientists who want to expand into the area of rocket propulsion.

Beware of Typographical Errors
The readability of this book makes it a good investment for aspiring rocket engineers.

Just be aware that this edition has a lot of typographical errors. Out of the few chapters for which I've checked the math (2, 3, and 11), I found typos/errors in examples 2-2, 2-3, and 11-3, typos in equations 3-16, 3-26, and two incorrect references to past equations on page 49.

Perhaps this is average for three chapters in a technical book, but with all the positive reviews of the 7th edition I thought I'd point out a reason to find an earlier (or wait for a later) edition.

Excellent Book!! This is the BEST!!
This is the best book on rocket propulsion that I have seen. The reading is smooth and the jargon is kept to a simple amount to understand with out being a rocket scientist. Diagrams and charts are excellent in explaining what the author is talking about. Author keeps it simple for all!! ... Read more

Book Description

A dazzling tour of the universe as Einstein saw it.

How did Albert Einstein come up with the theories that changed the way we look at the world? By thinking in pictures. Michio Kaku—leading theoretical physicist (a cofounder of string theory) and best-selling science storyteller—shows how Einstein used seemingly simple images to lead a revolution in science. Daydreaming about racing a beam of light led to the special theory of relativity and the equation E = mc². Thinking about a man falling led to the general theory of relativity—giving us black holes and the Big Bang. Einstein's failure to come up with a theory that would unify relativity and quantum mechanics stemmed from his lacking an apt image.

Even in failure, however, Einstein's late insights have led to new avenues of research as well as to the revitalization of the quest for a "Theory of Everything." With originality and expertise, Kaku uncovers the surprising beauty that lies at the heart of Einstein's cosmos. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Concise Review of Einstein's Life and Work
There are many Einstein biographies out there, and I've read a number of them. In my opinion, this is one of the most concise and readable ones. The writing is clear and engaging, thus making the book difficult to put down. Einstein's theories are clearly explained for anyone to understand, amidst the main highlights of his life and times. I recommend this book to a wide audience, from science buffs to Einstein fans to anyone wanting to understand what is was that made Einstein so famous, and why. ... Read more

Book Description

Spaceship Handbook's subject is the historical development of the Spaceship during the 20th Century. Arranged in three Sections, "The Theoreticians," "The Entertainers," and "The Real Stuff," it presents an amazing collection of 75 designs and their stories - from Tsiolkovsky and Oberth's engineering papers, through the golden age of movie science fiction, up to the present day's Lockheed "VentureStar" and Rotary Rocket "Roton."Spaceflight historian Hagerty delves into the background story behind each design, examining the motivations of the designers in the context of the times in which they lived.The book's selection of these historically important Spaceships has a twist; none of these Spacecraft ever flew!However, from the information presented, we can see their importance to the development of Spaceships that did fly, and also on the world we live in.

Each entry has a wealth of background information. For example, in the "The Theoreticians" section, we see illustrator Chesley Bonestell's wonderful artwork that appeared in Willy Ley's Conquest of Space, a book that accurately predicted space flight years ahead of its time. Plate XLI from this book, shows the Arizona Meteor Crater superimposed over Manhattan Island (with the crater centered roughly on Times Square). Today, it bears a disconcerting similarity to the September 11th terrorist attacks.However, Bonestell's illustration was done over 50 years ago to show the danger of Earth-crossing asteroids.

In "The Entertainers," section, the 1930's comic strips and movie serials of Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon get their just due. Not only did they affect a whole generation of future NASA engineers, the influence of streamlined design began with these ships. The baby boomer crowd will find that Captain Video, Space Patrol, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, and others from 1950's live TV space opera shows are included.Also from that era, George Pal's great science fiction films "Destination Moon," "When Worlds Collide" and others are well documented. For those who grew up in the 1960's, there are the "Thunderbirds" of the famous Gerry Anderson puppet show, and "2001, A Space Odyssey." From the 1970's, '80's, and 90's you'll find "Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space," "Wallace and Gromit," and the mysterious Spaceship from Myst, the extremely popular computer game.

The next section of the book discusses "The Real Stuff" -- spaceships that either almost were (Dyna-Soar, NOVA and the Manned Orbital Laboratory) or that aren't quite yet, like the VentureStar and Pathfinder, and others.

Finally, the Appendixes. Appendix A is The Atomic Powered Spaceship by Jon Rogers. This section could easily be a book in its own right.Rogers, an aerospace engineer, does an extensive treatment of the Holy Grail of science fiction spaceships, atomic power. Included are comparisons with existing chemical rockets and even the ultimate rocket power plant, matter/antimatter. Appendix B presents some plans for building flying versions of several Spaceships covered in the book.

In this way, Spaceship Handbook traces the Spaceship from it's beginnings in the imaginations of dreamers, entertainers, and scientists to it's selection as "one of the twenty most important engineering achievements of the 20th Century. To Quote Mark Johnson's review in Sport Rocketry, "Spaceship Handbook was worth the wait. Unless you were hiding under a rock for the entire 20th Century, you'll find something familiar here. Both rocketeers and space enthusiasts will find many hours of fascinating reading in its pages." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Loving treatment, diminished only by a few omissions
A great mix of material drawn from TV, books, magazines, and the real machines, both amateur/hobbyist, and profssional. This is a work of love and it shows. If you have dreamt of rockets, flown them in any scale, or just enjoyed them in books or pictures, you'll have a good time leafing through this respectful, detailed volume. It's only flaw is that it fails to mention some obvious choices. But, it covers a few that rarely get mentioned elsewhere, so the end result is stellar.

The best resource bar none!
I admit I was suffering from sticker shock at the price on this book. Then I saw it in person at a show and had to have it. I put it on my wish list and my wife got it for me this Christmas. The heft and size alone is what first struck me. Then I opened it up. This book covers it all in depth. It looks and reads like a college text book. If it ever appeared in print or on film in the U.S., it's in there. Even obscure topics like the Silver Bird and the USAF MOL program are covered in full detail. The text is easy to follow and very in-depth. The diagrams are a scratch builder's dream come true. Even if you are not a modeler and just have a general interest in spacecraft (real or fictional), this is a valuable resource. I was struck by how each topic was covered in a very serious manner, even the fun topics like the Wallace and Grommit and even Josie and the Pussycats (yes that's in there as well) space ships! This is a wonderful book and I couldn't be more positive about it! A++++++ Mr Hagerty and Mr Rogers!

Worth the money
This is a remarkable book! If you are looking for details on real and fictitious spacecraft, this is the source you need. It somehow rivals with Ron Millers "Dream Machines" although it does not cover that extensive time horizon and has a different scope. Model builders will find useful information and drawings (although sometimes not very detailed) of many spacecraft. The appendix covers a nice review on spacecraft propulsion with good explanations of basic concepts, like the rocket formula.
Something to criticize? Well: The subtitle should read "POPULAR Rocket and Spacecraft Designs of the 20th Century", because the authors have focused their effort only on collecting material from English language sources. Don't expect to find much information on sci-fi products from abroad, unless they made their way into US media. Nevertheless, this book is worth every single Dollar it costs.

Indispensible for spaceship fans!
It doesn't matter if you are a model-builder or not--I'm not--this book is indispensible for anyone even halfway interested in the spaceship as a cultural phenomenon--and I am. It covers the history of imaginative spacecraft from the early years of the 20th century up to the present, depicting spaceships from films, literature and even comic books. It is brilliantly and evocatively written, with hundreds of superbly reproduced illustrations--most of them in color. In fact, given the extraordinarily high quality of the book's production, I'm astonished it costs as little as it does--the publisher could easily have charge half again as much or more. A must-have for modelers, film fans, SF afficionadoes and aerospace buffs.

Massive review of imaginary and might-have-been spaceships
I should state up front that I know the one of the authors. He's the president of my old model rocketry club. That said, I'll try to do a fair review.

To start: Add a star if you build model spaceships, static or flying!

The _Spaceship Handbook_ is a huge book. It's college-textbook sized, and densely packed with text and illustrations. The formatting and editing are spotty in parts, but the author includes a mail-in form where readers can list typos and errors. None of these problems detract at all from the usefulness and entertainment value of the book.

As the title suggests, this is a book about spaceships. Some are the pipedreams of early pioneers such as Hermann Oberth and Tsiolkovsy. Others are based on magazine articles, TV documentaries, and books of the "glory days" of the classic spaceship, the 1950s. A large and fascinating section explores the almost forgotten genre of 1950s television space operas, such as Captain Video and Rocky Jones. There are also ships from movies and comic strips, as well as "might have beens" (the Air Force MOL space station, the Dyna-Soar) that in some cases were months from being flown.

There are plenty of photographs, and lots of wonderfully rendered scale drawings. I found the authors' comments on how they overcame gaps and inconsistencies in the presentation of the ships interesting. (Hagerty used a micrometer to determine the width of the fins on Tin-Tin's moon rocket.)

The _Spaceship Handbook_ includes a fair amount of material about turning the spaceships described into flying models. It isn't intrusive, however, so SF fans and historians with no plans to build models won't feel cheated. Indeed, rocketeers looking for straightforward plans using standard parts won't find them here. However, the pictures of modeler's wonderful projects might inspire you to break out your drafting gear and wood lathe.

As a sort of bonus, The _Spaceship Handbook_ includes as an appendix a large essay by Jon Rogers on atomic-powered spaceships. It's actually a good general survey on interplanetary travel and rocket science. The pros and cons of various systems (ion drives, fission and fusion rockets, Orion drive) are descibed, although not in as much detail as I'd like. I think this appendix deserves to be fleshed out a bit and printed as its own book!

To sum up: There's plenty here for modellers, SF fans, space fans, and historians of the Space Age. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

In August 1930, on a voyage from Madras to London, a young Indian looked up at the stars and contemplated their fate. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar —Chandra, as he was called — calculated that certain stars would suffer a most violent death, collapsing to virtually nothing. This extraordinary claim, the first mathematical description of black holes, rankled one of the greatest astrophysicists of the day, Sir Arthur Eddington, who in 1935 publicly ridiculed Chandra, sending him into an intellectual and emotional tailspin — and hindering the progress of astrophysics for nearly forty years.

Tracing the rise of two great theories, relativity and quantum mechanics, which meet head on in black holes, Empire of the Stars is the dramatic story of this intellectual feud and its implications for
twentieth-century science. It"s also the moving tale of one man"s struggle against the establishment and of the deep-seated prejudices that plague even rational minds. Indeed, it wasn"t until the cold war that scientists realized the importance of Chandra"s work, which was finally awarded a Nobel Prize in 1983.

Set against the waning days of the British Empire, this sweeping history examines the quest to understand one of the most forbidding objects in the universe as well as the passions that fueled that quest over the course of a century. ... Read more

Book Description

A new edition of the New York Times bestseller—now a three-part Nova special on PBS-TV coming in Fall 2003: a fascinating and thought-provoking journey through the mysteries of space, time, and matter.

Now with a new preface (not in any other edition) that will review the enormous public reception of the relatively obscure string theory—made possible by this book and an increased number of adherents amongst physicists—The Elegant Universe "sets a standard that will be hard to beat" (New York Times Book Review). Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels away the layers of mystery surrounding string theory to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions, where the fabric of space tears and repairs itself, and all matter—from the smallest quarks to the most gargantuan supernovas—is generated by the vibrations of microscopically tiny loops of energy.

Today physicists and mathematicians throughout the world are feverishly working on one of the most ambitious theories ever proposed: superstring theory. String theory, as it is often called, is the key to the Unified Field Theory that eluded Einstein for more than thirty years. Finally, the century-old antagonism between the large and the small-General Relativity and Quantum Theory-is resolved. String theory proclaims that all of the wondrous happenings in the universe, from the frantic dancing of subatomic quarks to the majestic swirling of heavenly galaxies, are reflections of one grand physical principle and manifestations of one single entity: microscopically tiny vibrating loops of energy, a billionth of a billionth the size of an atom. In this brilliantly articulated and refreshingly clear book, Greene relates the scientific story and the human struggle behind twentieth-century physics' search for a theory of everything.

Through the masterful use of metaphor and analogy, The Elegant Universe makes some of the most sophisticated concepts ever contemplated viscerally accessible and thoroughly entertaining, bringing us closer than ever to understanding how the universe works. ... Read more

Reviews (371)

Superb and exciting overview of superstring theory
It is fascinating and gratifying to read about the recent progress that young geniuses like Brian Greene (the author) are making in theoretical physics. This book is an exposition on superstring theory, which has the promise of being a "theory of everything", seeking to explain the origin of elementary particles as being different resonant patterns of a string or perhaps a membrane, as well as the unification of the various forces and the evolution of the universe. This subject is extremely difficult mathematically -- it occupies the very highest talent level in physics -- and yet Dr. Greene does an extraordinary job of explaining the essential ideas in non-technical language for the intelligent lay person. The book conveys the excitement about the recent discoveries, and recounts some of Greene's own original work, providing the reader a fascinating glimpse into the creative process. The explanations of relativity and quantum mechanics are among the best non-technical explanations I have read. The need for superstrings (or ultimately M-theory) is well motivated and the basic idea of the theory is well explained. The theory's limitations are discussed forthrightly. I was inspired by the discussions about the future directions of the research and the large questions that remain unanswered. As an experimental physicist who is far removed from these developments, I am admittedly not in a position to judge the true accuracy of the book, but at least it seemed fairly clear. One improvement I could recommend if there is a future edition: Although the author did comment that the experimental confirmation and characterization of supersymmetry would be important, more emphasis of this point may be warranted since the tax paying public will be asked for millions of dollars for a next generation of particle accelerators.

A peek into answers of Life, the Universe, and Everything
This book is absolutley amazing! Dr. Greene is an excellent writer and teacher. This book deals with the cutting-edge field of superstring theory--the idea that little vibrating loops of string are the most basic constituents of our universe, as opposed to "point" particles as presented for decades by the standard theory. Superstring theory may be the answer to Einstein's unrealized quest for a "Theory of Everything."

The book begins with a very lucid explanation of Einstein's Special and General Theories of Relativity, then leads into Quantum Mechanics, and discusses the inconsistencies between these views of physics on a large scale (General Relativity) and physics on a very small scale (Quantum Mechanics). Dr. Greene then goes on to explain superstring theory and how this new framework smooths out many of the contradictions between General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

Using this new understanding of superstring theory, Dr. Greene leads the reader through a myriad of otherwise mind-boggling topics such as: the beginning of the Universe, the possible existence of other universes, 11-dimensional existence, time travel, tears in the fabric of space, and black holes. It's written on a level for the layperson (like me) and I think most people will be able to understand and appreciate all the concepts presented.

needed more about the elegant universe
This books is over-rated, but still better than most books on the subjects he covers. I gave it two stars to get your attention. It is actually a 3 or 4 star book.

I was dissappointed because the title suggested I'd read more about the mysteries of the beginning of the universe and some of the philosophical issues pertaining to the nature of existance and ultimate reality. While the author did give me some good mindfood at the end of the book, the coverage was too brief and far too restrained. I think he was aware of his peers reading it and was being too conservative.

I skimmed a lot. I kept an eye out for places where he quit trying to teach me details and made some interesting comments. I'll give him credit--there were plenty of facinating paragraphs---but they were hidden in page after page of boring stuff. Lets face it, this is arcane stuff! But the implications are interesting, at least to me. I think the book should have been about half the length.

I personally don't think it is possible to understand things like relativity without working some problems. When I took physics, I had to work a few problems to think about the stuff deeply enough to "get it." I don't think many readers are looking to work that much--most of us want a stimulating read. And as the author mentions, many believe that no one really understands quantum mechanics. Also, I did not like the analogies as much as some other readers.

I recommend this book to really really smart readers or to readers who know how to skim without losing interest. Some of the insights were worth looking for.

Detailed but biased instroduction to string theory
Toe central problem of physics today revolves around this conundrum: Gravity is governed by Einstein's relativity theory, which requires that space-time is smooth. Gravity has been experimentally verified. Atomic forces are govered by quantum mechanics, which requires that space-time is bumpy, foamy, and irregular. These atomic forces have been experimentally verified.

How can space time be smooth for gravity, and yet be bumpy for quantum machanics? Enter string theory.

This book is a terrific introduction not only to string theory, but to relativity and quantum mechanics as well. The first half of the book reviews the history and development of these theories, since they are a fundamental component of string theory. In particular, Greene's treatment of relativity uses some outstanding analogies to explain time dilation and gravitational warping. I thought I understood the basics of relativity; this book still taught me a few things.

Analogies are this author's strength. He uses them at every step to avoid the need to complex mathematical formulae. There are no formulae in this book (some will think that a minus, but I view it as a plus.) Using analogies, he's able to provide a comprehensible view of what 10-dimensional spacetime would be like, and how expanding one of the other dimensions might affect life in the Universe. These 5 pages alone are probably worth the price of the book.

If you want a glimpse of one of the cutting-edge areas of particle physics research without needing to study math for 10 years, this book can give it to you.

The science of wonder
I have to credit Brian Greene. He did what I thought was the impossible: he got me interested in science. I've been a liberal arts-type since I can remember. The exact rules and laws of science always left me kind of cold, and so I found myself drawn to literature, poetry and music as the more complete descriptors of human experience.

But last Fall, I couldn't sleep one night and ended up staying up until dawn watching THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE. It was amazing and captivating. It got me excited in a way "science" hadn't since I was a kid, fascinated with the imaginative possibilities of space travel.

I was hooked and had to get the book. The tv program proved to be a great distillation of the book, but if you saw the program and your interest was piqued by the magical dance of superstrings and the mind-bending extra dimensional possibilities, you'll enjoy the full feast of Greene's book even more.

THE ELEGANT UNIVERSE is an enormous feat. It marries the rigor of scientific enquiry with the elegant, at times poetic, presentation of literature. Greene is such an able and down-to-earth explainer of complicated mathematical concepts that he makes even the most dyed-in-the-wool math hater think about signing up for some evening classes at the local college. ... Read more

Book Description

University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City. Second edition of an extensive text on the maintenance of the health, performance, and safety of those who fly in air and space. For clinicians and students in general medicine, aviation, or the space program. Previous edition 1986. 51 contributors, 48 U.S. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The authority
This textbook is largely considered the authority in Aerospace Medicine in the United States. If one wants to become familiar with Aerospace Medicine, they must read this text. It moves from history to the many aspects of medicine, which effect the aviator. It is fairly well written, and up-to-date. It is not written with just the FAA or any one military service in mind, but can be generalized to all. Space medicine is also covered. If you need info on this subject this is a good text to purchase. ... Read more

Book Description

Mike Seeds' goal in THE SOLAR SYSTEM, Fourth Edition (adapted from the newly revised FOUNDATIONS OF ASTRONOMY, Eight Edition) is to help students use astronomy to understand science and use science to understand what we are. Fascinating and engaging, this text illustrates the scientific method and guides students to these fundamental questions: "What are we?" and "How do we know?"In discussing the interplay between evidence and hypothesis, Seeds provides not just facts, but a conceptual framework for understanding the logic of science. The book vividly conveys his love of astronomy, and illustrates how students can comprehend their place in the universe by grasping a small set of physical laws. Crafting a story about astronomy, Mike shows students how to ask questions to gradually puzzle out the beautiful secrets of the physical world. Mathematics is incorporated into the text (and in separate sections for easy reference), but the book's arguments do not depend on mathematical reasoning, keeping even math-averse students engaged. The revision addresses new developments in astrophysics and cosmology, plus the latest discoveries, from Mars' buried water to the exploration of the Kuiper Belt.This edition is now fully integrated with a FREE, brand-new student tutorial system. AceAstronomy is Web-based, assessment-driven, and completely flexible, creating a personalized learning plan to help each student focus on key concepts to be mastered. This superior system gives students fun, interactive learning opportunities and a greater chance for success. ... Read more

Book Description

Ionospheres provides a comprehensive description of the physical, plasma and chemical processes controlling the behavior of ionospheres. The relevant transport equations and related coefficients are derived in detail and their applicability and limitations are described. Relevant wave processes are outlined and important ion chemical processes and reaction rates are presented. The various energy deposition and transfer mechanisms are described in some detail, and a chapter is devoted to the various processes controlling the upper atmosphere and exosphere. The second half of the book presents our current understanding of the structure, chemistry, dynamics and energetics of the terrestrial ionosphere, and other solar system bodies. The final chapter describes ionospheric measurement techniques. The book will form a comprehensive and lasting reference for scientists interested in ionospheres, and it will also prove an ideal textbook for graduate students. It contains extensive student problem sets, and an answer book is available for instructors. ... Read more

Book Description

Now a third edition of this popular book is available for those who want to know why astronauts are weightless, what satellites do and why they don't fall from the sky, how we will live on Mars, and whether or not there is life elsewhere in the universe.New and expanded subjects include the latest concepts in propulsion, high resolution images of Earth from space, debris in orbit, Mir and the International Space Station, exploration of the Solar System and beyond, disturbances in the space environment, and much more.The book is profusely illustrated.This edition has twice as many color pages as the second edition. All quantities are now given in both common units and metric units ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Showcases all aspects of spaceflight
In a fully updated and revised third edition, Thomas Damon's Introduction To Space: The Science Of Spaceflight is an information packed compendium showcasing all aspects of spaceflight, including propulsion, orbits, high resolution images of Earth from space, satellites, debris in orbit, MIR, the International Space Station, space shuttles, working in space, exploration of the Solar System and beyond, disturbances in the space environment, and more. Profusely illustrated with color as well as black-and-what photography, charts, and graphs, Introduction To Space is an informative, superbly presented, and detailed history enhanced with both common units and metric unit descriptions of all quantities; a glossary; and an index. Highly recommended for school and community library space science and history collections. ... Read more

Book Description

High energy astrophysics is one of the most exciting areas of contemporary astronomy, covering the most energetic phenomena in the universe.The highly acclaimed first edition of Professor Longair's book immediately established itself as an essential textbook on high energy astrophysics.In this complete revision, the subject matter has expanded to the point where two volumes are desirable. In the first, a thorough treatment is given of the physical processes that govern the behavior of particles in astrophysical environments such as interstellar gas, neutron stars, and black holes.Special emphasis is placed on how observations are made in high energy astrophysics and the limitations imposed on them.The tools of the astronomer and high energy astrophysicist are introduced in the context of specific astronomical problems.The material in Volume 1 leads to a study of all kinds of high energy phenomena in the galaxy and universe given in the second volume. This book assumes that readers have some knowledge of physics and mathematics at the undergraduate level, but no prior knowledge of astronomy is required.The pair of books covers all aspects of modern high energy astrophysics to the point where current research can be understood. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of the best books about Cosmic Rays Astrophysics
The two volumes of "High Energy Astrophysics" by M.S. Longair are amongst my favourite books: I read them several times and every time I found interesting hints for my work. I'm waiting for the third volume for 3 years, but it's still missing from the bookshelf...
The first volume ("Particles, Photons and Their Detection") focuses on the interactions between high energy particles and matter, in order to help the reader to understand how detectors work. The theoretical approach is deep enough not to hide the "dirty" steps of the calculations, and some subsection requires good mathematical skills (well, not as much as for Russian books ;-).
The second volume ("Stars, the Galaxy and Interstellar Medium") focuses on the Physics of cosmic rays (CR) while they run through the Galaxy. The author takes the occasion to explain several very exciting items, from the proposed mechanisms of CR acceleration and high energy photons emission, to the diffusion through the interstellar medium and the Solar wind, untill the CR reach the Earth. Special emphasis is given to open problems -- only very few of them were solved in the meantime (Nov. 2001).
The 2 volumes are well suited for advanced students in Physics or Astronomy, and are a good reference for researchers. ... Read more

Book Description

The authors take the reader through the history of the concept, technical design and economic practicalities of building an elevator to space, and, ultimately, the implications of what such a low cost transportation system would mean to society. Based on three years of NASA-funded studies and written for the technically literate layperson, Edwards and Westling discuss the recent technological advances that now make the space elevator feasible. They conclude by addressing the effects that the space elevator could have on mankind's future from communications and energy to colonizing space. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Thrilling and entertaining
The authors managed to convince me in a very short time that Edwards' plan of a Space Elevator could indeed be feasible in a very short time from now (given only a few technological breakthroughs yet to be achieved).

The layout of the book is utterly sophomoric, even more of a surprise as Edwards apparently had a professional writer at hand to co-author the book. These guys have obviously never heard anything about LaTeX or other quality type setting systems that are, mind you, standard in the maths/engineering scientific community. The readibility of the formulae suffers most, and the presentation of the tables and figures is a disgrace as well.

Some readers might find the prose is lacking in style, although I quite liked the colloquial approach (I must say that I'm not a native speaker of English, so if I was I might be annoyed as well). The structure of the chapters would profit from quite some refactoring, too.

Still the sheer amount of information provided is impressive and the authors do a great job in convincing even the most sceptical of the feasibility of this project by tackling most, if not all, of the problems at hand with great skill.

I strongly recommend this book to anybody with an interest in space-faring, science fiction or just great technological ideas that should rather be realized today than tomorrow.

First phase of a blueprint for the defense of planet earth
Every year geologists and meteorite hunters find more evidence that the moon and the earth share a common fate in the shooting gallery of our solar system. As the picture of a meteorte strike on the moon in 1954 and the 1994 levy-shoemaker-9 comet strike on our solar systems comet sink, Jupiter demonstrate, we are vulnerable to catastrophic attacks from comets and asteroids that cross the earth's orbit. Chicsulube,Mexico, Chesapeake Bay,us, the meteor crater in arizonia,us, sites in Canada and Russia, even the British offshore oil fields show that we have been hit in the past.
The French mathematician Poissian postulated that it can happen again next week and next month afterwards. One need only remember the lady who won the New Jersey lottery TWICE to understand just how fickle lady chance can be.
The space elevator offers the only economically feasible method to date that could lift the necessary material and manpower to address this very real threat.
The fullerenes 160 Giga-Pascals loading limit need to be attacked with the same urgency of the manhattan project.
The author's do slightly address this issue but they missed a major use for this (SE) technology.
The book reads like a college term paper and even looks like it was xeroxed from one. What it has to say is beautiful and needs to be fleshed out into an encyclopedia of future spacefaring that will make the currect economic sluggishness seem almost a welcome thing.
Look for the stock market to grab nanotechnology ie (fullerenes)in 5 years or so and hype it to the nines.

Want a Lift?
After the latest shuttle disaster, the challenge of obtaining cheap (and safe) access to space now occupies NASA's attention more than ever before. If humans are ever to realize the dream of space--exploration, commercialization and settlement on a massive scale--then we need to find a means to climb out of the earth's steep gravity well that is reliable and relatively inexpensive.

Dr. Bradley Edwards has studied this problem and his solution is a space elevator, an idea that until recently has attracted the attention more of science fiction writers than working scientists.

This book, while suffering in places from lapses in style and clear presentation, manages admirably to describe the basic details of Edwards's reformulation of the space elevator concept. Non-scientists will have no problem following the argument.

The key to this contemporary scientific and engineering study of the feasibility of a space elevator is the discovery in the early 1990's of carbon nanotubes. Their physical properties of extreme tensile strength and light weight make them an ideal candidate for playing the role of that elusvive material, "unobtainium". Of course it still remains to be see whether they can be formed into a composite that has the requisite characteristics that will permit the construction of a tether 100,000 kilometers long stretching from earth to well beyond geostationary orbit.

An excellent introduction to what we all hope will be the 21st century's CATS pyjamas!